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

He Yuzhu returned before half an incense stick had burned in his hand.

He didn't need to go out to buy anything; he simply found a secluded spot and retrieved the items from his own quiet, undiscovered space.

When he reappeared at the gate of the courtyard, both his hands were stuffed full of bags and packages, the heavy bags making his knuckles turn slightly white.

Bags of fine rice and flour, as well as coarse grains, were stacked high. Brand-new iron pots, porcelain bowls, and enamel basins were neatly arranged. Even small daily necessities such as towels, toothbrushes, and soap were all available. They even specially chose a small, polished round mirror for Xiaoman, the little girl they had taken in, with simple patterns on the edge.

With a creak, the door opened, and Xiaoman was huddled in the corner of the kang (a heated brick bed) waiting expectantly. When she looked up and saw the pile of things that looked like a small mountain, her eyes widened instantly, her mouth opened into an "O" shape, and she was so shocked that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time.

How much money must have gone into all these items? She had never seen anyone acquire so much property at once in her entire life.

Xiaoman was feeling uneasy. Ever since she came back with He Yuzhu, she hadn't dared to ask him what kind of business he did. She only knew that he was generous and kind-hearted.

But what she feared most was that once she ran out of money, He Yuzhu would turn around and despise her as a burden, abandoning her on the street. Then she would truly be left with nowhere to turn.

Clutching the hem of her clothes, she stepped forward timidly, her voice barely audible: "Brother Zhu, why did you buy so much stuff? We have a long life ahead of us, we should be more frugal."

He Yuzhu put the things on the ground, dusted off his hands, and laughed heartily, "This is just about living a good life! You can't keep using my things; there's a difference between men and women, and it's inconvenient. Besides, I have to work at the restaurant during the day; I can't just leave you at home alone, waiting for me hungry, can I?"

Xiaoman's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head to retort softly, "Brother Zhu is disgusted with me? I... I actually only need one meal a day, I'm not picky about food."

He Yuzhu glanced at her. This little girl was as thin as a stick, as if a gust of wind could blow her over. It was heartbreaking to see her like that.

He joked casually, "You've gotten so thin, I'd be embarrassed to take you out in public. How am I supposed to show you off in front of others?"

Xiaoman's nose tingled, and tears almost fell: "You just dislike me!"

"Yeah, I like guys who are a little chubby; they look sturdy and cheerful."

He Yuzhu was thinking of his younger sister, He Yushui. That girl had always been a chubby little dumpling, soft to the touch and heartwarming to look at.

Xiaoman completely misunderstood, and with her head down, she secretly struggled in her heart: So Brother Zhu likes girls with some meat on their bones, then I must eat more in the future and get fatter so that Brother Zhu won't dislike me.

When her mother was still alive, she told her the rules for being a personal maid in a wealthy family: to serve the master wholeheartedly and to be obedient and dutiful.

Now she has placed herself in the position of a personal maid. Before, following Ma Gang was like jumping into a fire pit. No girl who became a maid under Ma Gang had a good ending. If she didn't die, she would be tortured half to death.

Having finally met such a kind person as He Yuzhu, she was determined to stick with him no matter what.

He Yuzhu had no idea about the little girl's complicated thoughts; he simply regarded Xiaoman as a little sister he had taken in.

As for his future plans, he already had a plan in mind—since he had already brought the child back, he could just leave him to his mother to deal with when they returned to Beijing. His mother was kind-hearted and would definitely not mistreat the child.

There are plenty of empty rooms in the courtyard. The old lady next door has no children and lives alone. She will register Xiaoman under her name and raise her as her own granddaughter. She can also send her to school to learn a few words. When she grows up, she can find a reliable family to marry into. If that doesn't work out, she can find a son-in-law to live with her family. That will be enough for her to live a stable life.

The two brought the remaining donkey meat sandwiches and donkey offal soup to the table, the steaming broth wafting a fragrant aroma.

Xiaoman was sensible; she only ate the donkey meat sandwiches, giving most of the soup to He Yuzhu without a single complaint. In the afternoon, her stomach started to ache slightly, perhaps because she had been very hungry earlier and suddenly ate hot food, which her stomach couldn't handle.

After dinner, He Yuzhu filled a basin with hot water and took a quick shower in the yard, which relieved most of his fatigue. Xiaoman, meanwhile, carried the newly arrived bedding into her own little room.

The soft cotton mattress was spread on the kang (a heated brick bed), a hundred times more comfortable than the dilapidated temple or haystack she had slept in before. The quilt covering her was fluffy and warm. As soon as Xiaoman lay down on the mattress, tears instantly streamed down her face, soaking the entire pillowcase.

Ever since she fled north with her mother, she had never slept in a proper bed, let alone such soft and warm bedding.

She curled up in the blankets, murmuring softly, her voice trembling with tears yet filled with relief: "Mother, has Xiaoman met her destined benefactor?"

"Mother, please bless Xiaoman from heaven, and also bless Brother Zhuzi to be safe and sound."

"mother……"

The murmurs gradually faded, and Xiaoman, with tear stains but a peaceful smile on her lips, fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, He Yuzhu got up. He dressed neatly and repeatedly reminded Xiaoman, "Remember to lock the gate. Don't open it for anyone when I'm not home. I've left some rice and noodles in the pot; learn to cook for yourself at home and don't go hungry."

After giving his instructions, he strode off towards Huifang Tower.

He Yuzhu has now firmly secured his position as the second cook at Huifanglou.

He had practically learned all of his master Yuan Taihong's skills, not only his signature halal cuisine, but also the cooking methods of other cuisines such as Shandong and Cantonese cuisine.

What's even more infuriating is that He Yuzhu is extremely quick to learn, and the dishes he makes taste even more authentic than Yuan Taihong's, with perfect control over the heat and seasoning.

Yuan Taihong felt both proud and resentful, so in the end he simply stopped teaching new dishes and focused on He Yuzhu practicing halal cuisine every day.

It was such a blow. The apprentice he had taught for over a decade couldn't compare to this kid's progress in just a few months. It was embarrassing to even talk about it.

He Yuzhu remained calm and didn't rush to become an apprentice. However, Chef Bai and Chef Ma at the restaurant had long been fed up and had spoken with Yuan Taihong repeatedly, urging He Yuzhu to complete his apprenticeship as soon as possible.

Such a promising talent is wasted on the second kitchen. All the chefs at Huifanglou are incredibly envious of He Yuzhu's skills.

Yuan Taihong is concerned about his reputation. His apprentice graduated in just a few months. If word got out, people would think that he was intolerant of people and deliberately mistreated his apprentice. So he stubbornly refused to admit it.

He still harbored a competitive spirit, thinking that once He Yuzhu's skills completely surpassed his own, even if he didn't want to release him, he would have no reason to stop him.

But he didn't want to let him go; there were plenty of people eyeing He Yuzhu, this coveted prize.

As Huifanglou closed for the night, the staff packed up the tables and chairs, and the lights gradually went out. Yuan Taihong had just stepped out of the kitchen when he was blocked at the door.

The person blocking the way was none other than Li Baoguo, He Daqing's fellow disciple. However, He Daqing had been living in Beijing for many years and had no idea that his senior brother was now doing very well in Tianjin.

Li Baoguo, dressed in a presentable short jacket and with a smile on his face, stepped forward and bowed to Yuan Taihong, saying, "Senior Brother Yuan, it's been a long time."

Yuan Taihong was taken aback and looked him up and down: "Baoguo? What are you doing here? Waiting for me?"

"That's right, senior brother, I have a favor to ask of you." Li Baoguo said sincerely.

Yuan Taihong scoffed, his face full of disbelief: "Beg me? You're the head chef of Hongbinlou Restaurant, a prominent figure in Tianjin. What could you possibly need from me?"

Hongbinlou was more famous than Huifanglou. Li Baoguo's Sichuan cuisine was very popular and he was often invited by wealthy families to cook banquets. His connections and status were much higher than Li Baoguo's, so Yuan Taihong naturally did not believe that Li Baoguo was genuinely asking him for help.

"Senior brother, let's not talk here. Let's find a quiet place, have a couple of drinks, and chat slowly," Li Baoguo said, pulling his arm and inviting him warmly.

Yuan Taihong stepped back, shaking off his hand, and said warily, "Don't try that! You're begging me and offering to buy me drinks, it makes me uneasy. Just say what you want to say. If I can do it, I will; if I can't, let's not ruin our relationship."

Seeing that he wasn't falling for the trap, Li Baoguo had no choice but to tell the truth: "Alright, then I'll be frank. Don't be angry, senior brother."

"Stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me!"

"Actually, I went to Huifanglou Restaurant for dinner today."

Yuan Taihong raised an eyebrow, quite pleased with himself: "How about it? Our halal cuisine at Fanglou is one of the best in Tianjin, isn't it?"

"Authentic, in Tianjin, your Huifanglou's halal food is definitely top-notch." Li Baoguo gave a thumbs up, but then changed the subject, "However, the food I ate today wasn't made by you."

Yuan Taihong's heart skipped a beat: "You ate... something made by Zhu Zi?"

"That's right, it's your apprentice, He Yuzhu." Li Baoguo nodded with a smile.

Yuan Taihong's expression darkened slightly: "Why are you eating food made by a junior if you have nothing better to do?"

"I'm just short of capable subordinates. My apprentices are all useless, so I'm looking for a promising talent to teach," Li Baoguo said, rubbing his hands together to reveal his true purpose.

Yuan Taihong instantly realized what was happening, pointing his finger at him, his face turning cold immediately: "I understand now! You came here specifically to poach my apprentice! No wonder you were begging me and offering me drinks. Let me tell you, no way!"

"Senior brother, don't say that outright!" Li Baoguo quickly pulled him back, trying to persuade him gently. "I just wanted to ask you, when will He Yuzhu graduate? And is he willing to learn Sichuan cuisine again? You see, I didn't even go directly to Zhuzi; I'm discussing it with you first. Isn't that giving you enough face? I came here with complete sincerity!"

Yuan Taihong's eyes darted around, and he made up his mind. He deliberately put on airs: "If you want to talk about this, you have to treat me to some good wine, at least a vintage that's over ten years old. Otherwise, there's no room for discussion!"

Upon hearing that there was hope, Li Baoguo immediately agreed: "Sure! It must be good wine! Senior brother, please. Today, I'll let you try our Hongbinlou's signature dishes, how about it?"

Yuan Taihong glanced at him sideways, his tone mocking: "What? You're planning to cook a few dishes yourself and ask me for pointers? I wouldn't dare be the master chef of Hongbinlou Restaurant."

Li Baoguo gritted his teeth and said with a forced smile, "As long as Senior Brother is willing to agree, I'm happy to not only cook, but also humbly ask for your guidance! I'll make a fool of myself today!"

"Alright, let's go!" Yuan Taihong waved his hand, a confident smile on his face.

The two hailed two rickshaws on the street, and the drivers pedaled swiftly towards Hongbinlou Restaurant. Today was Li Baoguo's day off, and the waiters at Hongbinlou Restaurant, seeing their boss arrive personally with his entourage, quickly stepped forward and led the two into a quiet private room.

The waiter brought in hot tea and respectfully withdrew. Li Baoguo stood up and bowed deeply to Yuan Taihong: "Please sit for a moment, senior brother. I'll go to the kitchen now and prepare some dishes to go with the drinks."

"Alright, I'll wait here and see if your skills as the head chef of Hongbinlou have declined." Yuan Taihong picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and showed no politeness whatsoever.

Li Baoguo turned around and strode into the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves, lit the fire, heated the pot, and added the ingredients. His movements were fluid and seamless.

The kitchen helpers, seeing their master cooking in person, didn't dare to disturb him and just assisted him from the sidelines.

In less than half an incense stick's time, one steaming hot Sichuan dish after another was served.

The Kung Pao Chicken is bright red, with crispy peanuts and tender chicken; the Twice-Cooked Pork is fatty but not greasy, with curled pork slices and a rich, savory sauce; the Mapo Tofu is spicy and fragrant, with tender tofu that doesn't break apart and a bright red broth; and there's also the piping hot and stimulating Boiled Pork Slices, with the aroma of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns wafting through the air.

As for elaborate dishes like braised pork knuckle, which require a lot of time, there simply wasn't enough time to make them.

Finally, Li Baoguo personally carried a delicate little snack box into the private room, which contained salted peanuts, cold-dressed chicken, and a jar of Fenjiu liquor with its seal intact.

He placed the dishes on the table one by one, then broke the seal on the jar, instantly releasing a rich and mellow aroma that whetted everyone's appetite.

"Senior brother, smell this wine. It's ten-year-old Fenjiu. Is it considered a good wine?" Li Baoguo asked with a smile.

Yuan Taihong leaned closer to smell it, his eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "Not bad! You've shown some sincerity today."

Seeing that he was satisfied, Li Baoguo quickly pressed his advantage: "Then, senior brother, about Zhuzi..."

Yuan Taihong picked up his chopsticks and tapped the rim of his bowl: "What's the rush? Let me taste your cooking first, and see if you're qualified to take my apprentice as your disciple."

"Yes, yes, yes, please taste it first, please taste it first!" Li Baoguo hurriedly smiled and said, "Senior brother, please have a good taste and see if your junior brother's skills are worthy of being Zhuzi's master."

Yuan Taihong picked up a piece of Kung Pao Chicken and put it in his mouth. The chicken was tender and flavorful, the peanuts were crispy, and the chicken had a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. The cooking time was just right.

Without making a sound, he picked up another piece of Mapo Tofu with his chopsticks. The tender tofu was coated in spicy broth, and one bite was incredibly delicious and satisfying.

"The taste is acceptable, much better than the street stalls." Yuan Taihong commented calmly, but in his heart he had to admit that Li Baoguo's Sichuan cuisine skills were indeed top-notch in Tianjin.

Li Baoguo looked at him expectantly: "Then, senior brother, can you tell me about Zhu Zi now?"

Yuan Taihong picked up his wine glass, took a sip of the fine wine, and said slowly, "Zhu Zi is the most talented chef I have ever seen in my life. He learns everything very quickly. I don't know what else I can teach him about halal cuisine."

Li Baoguo's eyes lit up: "Then could we...?"

"But!" Yuan Taihong interrupted him, changing the subject. "He is my legitimate disciple, and the rules of our school cannot be broken. It's not impossible for him to learn Sichuan cuisine from you, but we have to follow the rules."

"Senior brother, whatever the rules are, I'll agree to!" Li Baoguo immediately declared.

"First, we cannot sever our master-disciple relationship. Learning Sichuan cuisine is just a sideline; he cannot switch masters. Second, wherever he goes in the future, he must first acknowledge me as his master. Third, if he is unwilling, no one can force him," Yuan Taihong said solemnly.

He knew in his heart that He Yuzhu, this talented horse, would not be able to be kept sooner or later. Rather than letting him be poached by others, it would be better to do Li Baoguo a favor and have someone to look after him in the Tianjin culinary circle in the future.

Li Baoguo was overjoyed and quickly raised his wine cup to toast him: "Senior brother, rest assured! I agree to all three conditions! I will absolutely not violate the rules of our sect, nor will I force Zhuzi! As long as he is willing to learn, I will impart all my knowledge and skills to him!"

Yuan Taihong raised his glass and clinked it against his: "Then it's settled. I'll ask Zhuzi what he thinks tomorrow. If he's willing, I won't stop him."

"Thank you so much, senior brother! Thank you so much, senior brother!" Li Baoguo thanked him repeatedly, finally feeling relieved.

The two men clinked glasses and chatted amiably, their conversation flowing freely from culinary techniques to the intricacies of Tianjin restaurants, from stories of their shared teacher's training to their future plans. A jar of ten-year-old Fenjiu was quickly emptied.

Meanwhile, He Yuzhu, inside Huifang Tower, was unaware that his two masters had already "arranged his fate."

He tidied up the kitchen utensils and wiped the stove clean. He was still thinking about learning a couple more halal dishes tomorrow. Once his skills were further improved, he would go back to Beijing to see his family.