Chapter 32: We Want to Follow the New Uncle

Li Mingyuan looked at He Yuzhu and He Yushui thoughtfully, then looked at Yi Zhonghai: "What should be done about those two children?"

"I was just preparing to take them in," Yi Zhonghai said hurriedly, fearing someone else would get there first, "I am an old neighbor of He Daqing; it is only right to look after his children."

Long Laotai chimed in from the side: "It is because our Master Yi has a kind heart that he steps forward at a time like this; it is truly rare."

Li Mingyuan narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly, not taking up the conversation.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, he silently observed all of this, his mind recalling similar plot points from the television series he had watched in his past life.

He remembered that in the show, He Daqing also disappeared suddenly, leaving He Yuzhu full of resentment and misunderstanding toward his father.

"This isn't right," Li Mingyuan thought to himself, "Although He Daqing is an alcoholic, his feelings for his children are real; how could he just walk away like that?"

He recalled the strange eye contact between Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai, as well as their reactions to this matter.

"This is very likely a trap they set," Li Mingyuan speculated in his heart, "just to control He Yuzhu."

The courtyard was still buzzing with discussion; everyone was guessing why He Daqing had left so suddenly, and they were also waiting to see if He Yuzhu would move to Yi Zhonghai's house.

Yi Zhonghai could not wait any longer and said: "Zhuzi, Yushui, I have already cleared out a room for you both; let's go get your things now."

A smile of Victory hung on his face, as if he had already successfully brought the He siblings into his pocket.

Long Laotai also nodded with satisfaction, as if everything were proceeding according to plan.

However, to everyone's surprise, He Yuzhu suddenly grabbed his sister's hand and turned to walk in the completely opposite direction—toward Li Mingyuan's small courtyard.

"New Uncle," He Yuzhu's voice was choked with sobs, but his gaze was exceptionally firm, "can you take me and my little sister in? My dad ran off with someone..."

This action stunned the entire courtyard, especially Yi Zhonghai, whose face turned iron-blue in an instant; his eyes were full of rage and his whole body was trembling, yet he dared not lash out in public.

"Zhuzi, what are you doing?" Yi Zhonghai suppressed his anger and managed a forced smile, "I already said I could take care of you."

He Yuzhu stood stubbornly in front of Li Mingyuan without looking back: "I want to live with New Uncle."

Although He Yushui did not understand why her brother had made such a decision, she still gripped her brother's hand tightly, following his choice.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, glanced at Yi Zhonghai's iron-blue face, then looked at He Yuzhu's firm gaze, and nodded gently.

"If you are willing, you can come with me," Li Mingyuan said gently.

He Yuzhu felt a sense of relief and nodded hurriedly: "Thank you, New Uncle!"

Yi Zhonghai could no longer control his emotions and said, almost through gritted teeth: "Zhuzi, think this through! Chief Engineer Li is usually so busy with work, how would he have time to take care of you?"

Li Mingyuan looked at Yi Zhonghai's eager appearance, and his suspicion was further confirmed in his heart.

"Don't worry, Master Yi," Li Mingyuan said with a smile, "I will arrange everything; it won't delay their schooling or their lives."

"But..." Yi Zhonghai still wanted to argue.

Long Laotai suddenly pulled on him and shook her head slightly, signaling him not to say anything more.

Yi Zhonghai took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but the rage in his eyes could not be hidden no matter what.

"Suit yourselves," he said coldly, then turned and left, leaving behind a courtyard full of stunned neighbors.

Li Mingyuan watched Yi Zhonghai's departing back, then looked at the He siblings, remembering the plot from the television series in his past life.

He Daqing's sudden departure, He Yuzhu's pain and anger, Yi Zhonghai's "kind offer to take them in"... everything was too coincidental.

Li Mingyuan brought the He siblings to the West Courtyard and closed the wooden gate of the small courtyard, shutting out the curious gazes from the Siheyuan.

"Sit down," Li Mingyuan pointed to the wooden stools in the courtyard, his tone gentle, "don't worry, no one will disturb us here."

He Yuzhu pulled his sister to sit down; his eyes were still red, but he was much calmer than before.

He Yushui looked around this small courtyard she had never been to before with caution, her eyes filled with both curiosity and fear.

Li Mingyuan poured them two glasses of water and sat down opposite them: "Don't be anxious, we will think of a way slowly."

"New Uncle," He Yuzhu suddenly looked up, his eyes full of gratitude, "thank you for taking us in, I... I will work hard to repay you!"

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "No need to work; the most important thing for you right now is to study."

As soon as these words were spoken, a troubled expression immediately appeared on He Yuzhu's face: "I... I don't want to study anymore, I want to learn a trade..."

Li Mingyuan frowned: "What trade?"

"A chef," He Yuzhu said with his head lowered, his voice firm, "I want to learn how to cook and become an apprentice at a restaurant."

Li Mingyuan was stunned for a moment, then immediately recalled that in the television series from his past life, He Yuzhu did indeed make a living through Cooking.

"Although my dad left, he was very good at cooking; I watched him cook since I was little, so I know a little bit too," He Yuzhu continued, his voice somewhat choked, "I want to... inherit his craft."

Li Mingyuan looked at him thoughtfully, then looked at He Yushui: "What about your sister? Is she not going to study either?"

He Yushui spoke up timidly at this moment: "I... I want to continue studying, my grades are quite good..."

He Yuzhu shook his head violently: "No! Studying costs money; I need to earn money to support the family as soon as possible. Yushui, you stop studying too, let's find a factory to work at..."

Li Mingyuan suddenly slammed the table and stood up: "Who said you can't study?"

He Yuzhu was startled by this sudden display of intensity and froze in place.

"From today on, both of you will study hard for me," Li Mingyuan's tone was unquestionable, "I will pay the tuition, and you don't need to worry about living expenses either."

A flash of surprise and emotion crossed He Yuzhu's eyes, but he soon shook his head again: "New Uncle, how can we do that? We can't just live here for free..."

"Who said you're living here for free?" Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "Don't you want to learn Cooking? I happen to know some, and I can teach you."

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up: "Really? New Uncle knows how to cook?"

"Of course," Li Mingyuan nodded, remembering that in his past life he was indeed a Cooking enthusiast, and now with the Cooking skills provided by the system, it was very simple,

"But the condition is that you must finish your schooling first, at least graduate from middle school."

He Yuzhu hesitated: "But..."

"No 'buts'," Li Mingyuan interrupted him, "A chef also needs cultural knowledge; otherwise, how will you read recipes? How will you calculate ingredients? Besides, you can't let your sister go to school alone, can you?"

He Yuzhu looked at He Yushui and finally nodded: "Alright, I'll listen to New Uncle."

Li Mingyuan smiled with satisfaction: "That's right. From now on, just live in the courtyard with peace of mind. I go to work during the day and will come back at night to teach you your lessons, how about that?"

A glimmer of hope flashed in He Yushui's eyes: "Thank you, Uncle..."