Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

Chen Lanxiang glanced towards the kitchen with a smile, her tone full of pride: "Just wait and eat. Don't underestimate Zhu Zi just because he's young; his cooking skills are quite good."

Wang Cuiping's eyes lit up, her face full of surprise: "Oh? Zhu Zi is already learning to cook from Brother He at such a young age? That's amazing!"

"He learned some basics from his father, and the rest he figured out on his own. He's a natural-born chef." Chen Lanxiang's tone was relaxed, but she couldn't hide her satisfaction with her son.

A short while later, footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.

He Yuzhu dashed back, followed by Xu Damao, who was impossible to shake off like a little tail. As soon as he entered, He Yuzhu rolled up his sleeves, went straight to the kitchen, and started kneading dough without saying a word.

"Da Mao, go wash the vegetables," He Yuzhu ordered without even looking up.

"Okay, Brother Zhu!" Xu Damao didn't dare to resist at all, and obediently picked up the vegetable basket and ran to the water basin.

He Yuzhu moved swiftly, kneading the dough in his hands until it became smooth and elastic. Then he dashed to the backyard, opened the cellar door, and pulled out a piece of fresh mutton.

The cellar in the middle courtyard was shared with the Yi family, and it was filled with nothing but cabbages and radishes; nothing of value could be stored there. This piece of mutton was a rare find that he had secretly hidden away, so naturally it had to be locked in his own backyard cellar.

With everything prepared, He Yuzhu dusted off his hands and headed straight for the old lady's room in the backyard.

"Madam, come with me to the Intermediate People's Court. I'll make you something delicious today."

The old lady, with her sharp ears, had already smelled the aroma of meat. She stood up with a smile: "Zhu Zi, what are we having today? I see you're carrying mutton, isn't that?"

"That's right, Madam, we're having mutton noodles today." He Yuzhu smiled mysteriously.

"What kind of noodles? Madam, you've lived this long, how come I've never heard of this name?" The old lady asked curiously, quickening her pace.

"Just think of it as mutton noodles with broth, that's the right way to understand it."

"Huh? You can make braised noodles with soup?" The old lady was even more confused. "I've only ever eaten dry-mixed braised noodles in my life."

"Hehe, there are many things you haven't tried yet," He Yuzhu said, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.

"You little rascal, trying to be clever with your mother." The old lady reached out and gently patted him. "Alright, then I'll wait and see what kind of strange things you can come up with."

"I promise you'll praise me when it's done."

He invited the old lady to sit down and chat in the middle of the house, then turned and went into the kitchen.

The mutton was slowly thawed in warm water. He held the cleaver in his small hands and quickly chopped it, cutting carrots, potatoes, scallions, ginger, and other side dishes. Then he picked up the rolling pin and rolled the dough on the cutting board, making it evenly thin and uniform in width.

Once the stove is lit and the oil in the wok is heated, the mutton is added and stir-fried, and the aroma immediately wafts out.

The aroma was both overpowering and alluring, wafting through the entire courtyard on the wind.

Zhao Cuifeng, who lived in the backyard, didn't even wait for Xu Damao to bring her food. She sniffed and shuffled over herself, standing at the kitchen doorway, swallowing hard.

Adults and children in the front yard kept running towards the moon gate, peeking and craning their necks.

The most outrageous were Jia Zhangshi and her son Jia Dongxu, who simply stood at the moon gate and refused to move.

Madam Jia squinted, inhaling the aroma deeply: "Dongxu, this smell... it must be from the He family, right?"

"Mother, whose house could smell this fragrance! Only the He family in the whole courtyard has this skill." Jia Dongxu's Adam's apple bobbed.

"That's not right, isn't He Daqing not at home?" Jia Zhangshi wondered.

"It was He Yuzhu who did it!" Jia Dongxu said with a hint of frustration.

Madam Jia's eyes widened immediately: "This kid's cooking skills have improved so much now? It smells... this is mutton, isn't it? Tsk tsk, He Daqing, this cook, is really capable, he can get all sorts of rare things."

"Mom, let's go back and cook the meat we have at home. It's so tempting, my stomach is rumbling." Jia Dongxu couldn't resist any longer.

"Then make some!" Madam Jia nodded firmly, but her feet didn't move. She took a few more breaths of the aroma before reluctantly pulling her son back home.

This mother and daughter really don't dare to provoke the He family easily now.

He used to rob people of their food and drink, and was scolded by He Yuzhu and laughed at by the neighbors. He learned his lesson after suffering so many losses. Now that Jia Dongxu has a raise, the family can at least have some meat every month, and they can barely make ends meet.

The families in the front yard heard that the factory had arranged other accommodations for them, but none of them wanted to move.

Nowhere else is as convenient and lively as this courtyard house. Even if it's a bit crowded, it's still better than being in the middle of nowhere. I heard that the new place was bought by the boss specifically for the technicians. We ordinary workers are lucky to have this place at all.

The aroma wafted stronger and stronger from the kitchen. He Yuzhu poured the meat sauce into the boiling water, and the bright red, green and white colors made people swallow their saliva.

Several bowls of steaming hot mutton noodles were served, and as soon as they were placed on the table, He Yushui's mouth immediately started watering.

She can now eat some soft staple food. Her little body keeps lunging forward, her little hands grabbing the table, and she cries out for the bowl.

"What kind of noodles are these? They smell so good!" Zhao Cuifeng was the first to ask.

"This is called mutton noodles with minced meat sauce, a style of eating from the Northwest," He Yuzhu said casually.

"I've never heard of it, but just from the smell I know it's delicious." Zhao Cuifeng rubbed her hands together.

Xu Damao immediately chimed in, showing off: "Mom, it's so delicious! Brother Zhu let me try some of the minced meat sauce just now, it's incredibly fragrant, I could eat three big bowls!"

Wang Cuiping, who was standing to the side, was completely stunned.

She had initially thought it would be just an ordinary home-cooked meal, perhaps with some white flour. But what she saw was not only snow-white thin noodles, but also a generous spoonful of mutton sauce, glistening with oil and emitting a wonderful aroma.

She resisted the urge to look into the kitchen, afraid of appearing naive or unsophisticated.

But as soon as the bowl of noodles was served, her nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes and swirled around.

"Cuiping, what's wrong with you?" Chen Lanxiang was the first to notice that something was wrong with her and quickly asked with concern.

"It's nothing, it's nothing..." Wang Cuiping hurriedly raised her sleeve, wiped her eyes, and tried to appear calm.

"It's good that you're alright. Come on, eat it while it's hot and try my son Zhu's cooking." Chen Lanxiang greeted them warmly.

"Okay," Wang Cuiping replied, but she didn't move her chopsticks and her eyes unconsciously turned to the old lady.

They know the rules and how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

The old lady understood and picked up her chopsticks: "Alright, then I'll try my grandson's cooking first."

As soon as the old lady picked up her chopsticks, everyone at the table started to pick them up as well.

For a moment, the only sounds in the room were the slurping of noodles being eaten, and the aroma filling the air.

He Yushui was so anxious that she kept crying out "Ah ah," and Chen Lanxiang could only feed her in small sips.

Wang Cuiping held the bowl, took a bite of noodles, and the familiar taste exploded in her mouth instantly—it was the taste of her hometown, the taste she missed most while in the team, through wind and rain.

Tears could no longer be held back and fell into the bowl, dripping down.

The people at the table saw this and felt a pang of sadness in their hearts, thinking that she hadn't eaten white flour or seen meat in a long time and was afraid of poverty and hunger.

Only He Yuzhu and Wang Cuiping knew the truth:

This isn't crying from cravings, it's crying from homesickness.

After finishing her meal, Wang Cuiping got up to clear the dishes.

"How can I let you do it? You're a guest." Chen Lanxiang quickly stopped her, then turned and called out, "Zhuzi, Damao, you two go and clean up."

Wang Cuiping insisted on refusing: "Sister-in-law, let me do it. After eating such a delicious meal, I feel more at ease doing some work."

She worked quickly and efficiently, clearing the dishes and chopsticks away until they were spotless, and wiping the table until it was immaculate. After finishing, she offered, "Let me take the old lady back to the backyard."

The old lady didn't object and let her help her walk towards the back room.

Once inside, Wang Cuiping helped the old lady sit on the kang (a heated brick bed), then stepped back and bowed deeply.

The old lady reacted quickly, slamming her cane on the ground with a thud and stopping her with her hand: "Hey, Wang girl, what are you doing? Why are you bowing for no reason?"

Wang Cuiping's eyes were red and her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you, old lady, thank you for letting me taste the flavors of home."

"Huh?" The old lady was taken aback. "The more you say that, the more confused I get!"

"Didn't you specially ask Zhuzi to make this bowl of noodles today?" Wang Cuiping asked in surprise.

"Just for that bowl of noodles? Is that how you make it back home?" The old lady was also surprised.

"Yes!" Wang Cuiping nodded emphatically.

The old lady shook her head, her tone firm: "That wasn't something I ordered. That kind of noodle dish is the first time I've ever had it; I've never even heard of it before."

"Huh?" Wang Cuiping was completely dumbfounded. "How does that kid Zhuzi know where my hometown is?"

She comes from the Northwest and has deliberately changed her accent. How could a ten-year-old city child possibly make the unique braised noodles from her hometown?

Seeing her shocked expression, the old lady slowly spoke, her tone carrying a hint of meaning: "I don't know about that. My eldest grandson is quite capable. Don't treat him like an ordinary ten-year-old child."

Wang Cuiping was startled and carefully recalled He Yuzhu's every move over the past few days—his eyes were too bright, his mind too meticulous, and his speech too steady; he was not like a child at all.

"Okay, I understand." Wang Cuiping took a deep breath and bowed again. "No matter what, I still want to thank you for being willing to let me live in this courtyard and for taking me in."

This time, the old lady didn't stop her.

"Alright, go back now." The old lady waved her hand. "I'm full and feeling sleepy."

"Then you rest, I'll be going now."

Wang Cuiping gently closed the door, turned around, and walked out of the backyard.

The old woman gazed at the tightly closed door and sighed softly, "Alas, what a poor girl..."

Wang Cuiping returned to the Intermediate People's Court, went straight to the He family's door, and quietly called He Yuzhu out.

After confirming that no one was around, she lowered her voice and said sincerely, "Zhu Zi, Aunt Wang thanks you."

He Yuzhu looked bewildered, scratching his head and feigning ignorance: "Huh? What are you thanking me for? I just cooked a meal!"

"This isn't just about a meal." Wang Cuiping looked at him with a complicated expression. "Auntie will remember this forever."

"No need, no need, Aunt Wang." He Yuzhu scratched his head, revealing a simple and honest smile. "If you like it, I'll make it for you again when I have time."

Wang Cuiping gave him a deep look.

From beginning to end, she didn't see Chen Lanxiang say a single word to He Yuzhu or give him any instructions. This bowl of noodles was clearly made especially for her by the child.

"Alright, you can go back now. Aunt Wang has gone back too." Wang Cuiping suppressed her inner turmoil and turned to leave.

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

Chen Lanxiang went out to get water and immediately saw Wang Cuiping sitting on a small stool by the door, holding a pipe and puffing away happily.

Chen Lanxiang was startled and quickly went over: "Cuiping, you smoke?"

Wang Cuiping was startled and stood up abruptly, quickly knocking out her pipe on the sole of her shoe. Her face looked somewhat awkward. "Sister-in-law He, I'm sorry, this is a habit I developed back in my hometown..."

Chen Lanxiang frowned slightly: "If you marry into your husband's family, won't they look down on you? The city is not like the countryside; if a woman smokes, people will gossip."

"City people look down on this?" Wang Cuiping asked, looking surprised.

"Look around yourself, which woman in this yard smokes?" Chen Lanxiang retorted.

Wang Cuiping's face stiffened: "Well... I can't change it in a short time, what should I do?"

"I'm just giving you this one reminder; you know what I mean." Chen Lanxiang didn't say anything more.

From that day on, Wang Cuiping never smoked in the yard again.

Only occasionally, with the doors and windows tightly closed, would someone secretly take a few puffs of tobacco in the room, the faint smell of it wafting out from the cracks in the window.

Time flies, and soon it was Lunar New Year's Eve.

Every household was putting up Spring Festival couplets and making dumplings, creating a lively atmosphere. However, Old Zhao was not home, leaving Wang Cuiping alone in the courtyard, which felt cold and deserted.

He Yuzhu carried a large bowl of steaming dumplings straight to Wang Cuiping's room.

"Aunt Wang, my mother asked me to bring you a bowl of dumplings. It's Chinese New Year, so have something hot to eat."

Looking at the bowl of dumplings, Wang Cuiping felt both warm and bittersweet.

Chen Lanxiang added with a complaint, "Old Zhao, what's the meaning of leaving my cousin alone at home on New Year's Eve? It's so irresponsible of him."

Wang Cuiping simply smiled and didn't offer any further explanation.

She didn't know the specifics of Lao Zhao's mission, but she could guess that he was probably on another mission.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lao Zhao finally returned.

As soon as he entered, he brought Wang Cuiping a bag of exquisite pastries.

Chen Lanxiang witnessed this scene, and her expression softened. Otherwise, she would have really gone to Zhao's house and given him a good scolding.

What kind of man brings someone into the yard and then ignores them?

After the New Year, the weather gradually warms up.

From some unknown day onwards, Wang Cuiping started going to the He family's house every day to learn to read from Chen Lanxiang.

He studied each stroke with exceptional care.

Chen Lanxiang was also patient, teaching her from the simplest strokes and names, teaching during the day and asking questions at night.

He Yuzhu happened to pass by and saw the two serious figures under the lamp, a smile quietly curving his lips.