Chapter 15

Yi Zhonghai jogged back from the cafeteria to the Courtyard House, and upon arriving there he regained his calm; just as he entered the gate he bumped into Third Aunt coming out, who said, "Yo, Elder Yi, why are you coming home at this time?"

"Oh, Third Aunt, I left the factory's drawings at home; I'm not just grabbing them back while eating lunch—I'll need them this afternoon," Yi Zhonghai said with a chuckle to Third Aunt.

"Hey, for such a small matter you personally made the trip? You could just have your disciple Jia Dongxu come back once and be done with it," Third Aunt said while walking toward the gate.

"Dongxu doesn't know which drawing it is, so I came back myself; you go on, don't let me hold you up—hurry up," Yi Zhonghai said, then headed into the courtyard.

In the back courtyard, inside Elder Rong's room, when Yi Zhonghai entered, Elder Rong was lying in bed nurturing her spirit; upon seeing Yi Zhonghai, she slowly began to sit up. Yi Zhonghai hurried over to support her and said, "Did you know that He Daqing ran away?

"Zhuzi is taking He Daqing's shift—that's why I haven't seen him these days," Yi Zhonghai said to Elder Rong with an excited expression.

"Mm, I know. Zhonghai, pour me a cup of water—I'm thirsty," Elder Rong said after sitting up, instructing Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai hurriedly got a cup, poured water, and placed it before Elder Rong, saying, "You already knew, then—does this mean it's your doing?"

Elder Rong took a sip of water, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Yes, I did it—I used up three whole large yellow croakers, sigh, all that's left is just a bit; use one, lose one."

"How could you not be called an elder? Keeping He Daqing in the Courtyard House will surely cause trouble sooner or later. Elder, are you certain he won't come back this time?" Yi Zhonghai said, looking at the elder.

"No, he knows his own mind; before he left he came to see me and already promised to put away those little thoughts of yours. I told you, if you dare ruin my plans, I'll make you regret it." After saying this, Elder Rong gave Yi Zhonghai a cold stare.

Yi Zhonghai shuddered under her gaze and said, "Elder, what ulterior motives could I have? Taking good care of you is my utmost thought."

"Don't think I don't see through you—it's just about elder care, right? Having Jia Dongxu isn't enough for you? I tell you, He Daqing left because of those two kids; he came to see me for the same reason. Put away your petty thoughts and get back to work." After saying this, Elder Rong lay back down on the bed to continue nurturing her spirit.

"Rest now, I'm heading back to the factory," Yi Zhonghai said, then exited the room, closed the door, and walked toward the factory.

Yi Zhonghai fully grasps Elder Rong's meaning, and he has already made it clear to her that if they interfere with the two youngsters, the old one will surely go mad and come after them—a lose‑lose situation. Yet Yi Zhonghai still feels Jia Dongxu is inadequate and wants to find someone else to provide elder care, so he shifted his target to He Yuzhu.

As Yi Zhonghai walked toward the Yagangchang, he thought, "After a while I'll find a chance to test it; if it works, then don't blame me for being impolite."

In the Yagangchang cafeteria, He Yuzhu was cooking in a small pot, with Xiao Zhang and two other assistants standing nearby. He Yuzhu stir‑fried while explaining some details to the three of them, asking, "Do you understand?" After finishing the dish, he put it in his lunch box and turned his gaze to Xiao Zhang and the other two.

"Understood, Master—one watches the fire, the other the timing of adding the auxiliary ingredients and seasonings, right?" Xiao Zhang said excitedly, looking at He Yuzhu.

"That's right. For now, you three still need to start from the basics—you practice chopping every day; now you need to practice flipping the wok. Go find an old pot and some sand, and this afternoon the three of you will begin training in the cafeteria." After saying that, He Yuzhu fastened his square lunch box and put it in his satchel.

"Okay, Master, we'll go look for it soon."

"All right, go ahead—I have something to attend to, so I'm heading back first. You three remember to clean the kitchen." Saying this, He Yuzhu slung on his backpack and walked out. At that time there was no public‑private joint operation; if there was no evening reception, the head chef was allowed to leave early, and this privilege applied only to the head chef.

He Yuzhu walked to the production workshop and had someone call Yi Zhonghai out, saying, "Elder Yi, it's like this—how about we hold a big meeting in the courtyard tonight? I'm sure you've noticed; my father has left, and there are some things I want to explain to everyone."

"All right, Zhuzi, after work I'll round everyone up for a meeting. Old He's departure is really a pity for you and Yushui; if anything comes up, just come find me, Zhuzi, and don't stand on ceremony." Yi Zhonghai patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder.

He Yuzhu thought, "I trust you? You damned old geezer, you're really nasty."

He Yuzhu took out a cigarette, offered it to Yi Zhonghai, and said, "Well then, Elder Yi, from now on, if anything comes up in the courtyard, I'll count on you to decide for me and Yushui."

"That's it, Elder Yi—don't forget, you're busy, I'm heading back." After saying that, He Yuzhu left.

After He Yuzhu left, Yi Zhonghai didn't return to the workshop; he kept watching He Yuzhu walk away until he disappeared from sight, though his eyes glimmered with a bright light.

Of course, He Yuzhu didn't notice Yi Zhonghai's gaze. Leaving the factory area, he headed straight to the Jiao Kou market, bought three catties of fatty pork belly, then a fish and a chicken, and proceeded toward the Courtyard House.

Upon arriving at the Courtyard House, Third Aunt saw He Yuzhu carrying so many purchases and asked, "Zhuzi, you're not buying all this for a holiday, are you? Does your father know? Be careful or they'll break your legs."

"Come on, Third Aunt, my master and the others are coming tonight—I have to give them a proper reception. I don't have time to chat; it's getting late, I need to hurry up and prepare, or I'll be late." He Yuzhu sidestepped Third Aunt and walked toward the central courtyard.

After He Yuzhu left, Third Aunt muttered under her breath, "Look at you, showing off with all those purchases—just wait until He Daqing comes back and breaks your legs," then turned and went back inside.

After returning home, He Yuzhu busied himself—first he placed the stir‑fried dishes from the factory onto a plate, preparing to heat them once all the food was ready, then he began slaughtering the chicken and fish. After half a day's work, he stewed the best chicken in a clay pot, and then he heard someone shout from outside, "Zhuzi, hurry out—the master has arrived."

The speaker was He Yuzhu's eldest senior brother, Wang Baoguo. Wang Youde had four disciples in total: the eldest, Wang Baoguo, who before learning to cook practiced wrestling, was big and burly—He Yuzhu learned wrestling from him; now Wang Baoguo serves as head chef in the East City district government office. The second disciple, Li Ping'an, is head chef at the West City cotton mill. The third disciple is He Yuzhu himself. The fourth disciple is Zhuānzi, an apprentice at the Emei Restaurant, whose full name is Li Fuzhuang.

Upon hearing the voice, He Yuzhu covered the clay pot, opened the door, and went out to meet Wang Youde and the others. He first shouted "Master!" then embraced Wang Baoguo and Li Ping'an, saying, "Baoge, Ping'an, long time no see—I've missed you guys."

Wang Baoguo pushed He Yuzhu away and smacked him on the head, saying, "You idiot Zhuzi, you're silly—we just saw each other last month!"

He Yuzhu hehehed and replied, "Yeah, it's been a month—I'm about to die missing you two, unlike Zhuānzi, whom I see every day."

In fact, He Yuzhu hadn't seen them for decades; in his previous life, after He Daqing left, he lost contact with Wang Youde and the others.

"Hurry inside, it's freezing out there. Come on, Master—I reckon you'll be here soon. I've just finished stewing the chicken in the clay pot. When we finish the meeting tonight, it'll be the perfect time to eat."

After entering, Wang Youde said to He Yuzhu, who was pouring water for everyone, "Zhuzi, is everything arranged?"

"At noon I already told our courtyard's Elder Yi; Master, the Elder Yi of our courtyard—you'll see for yourself later. He looks all righteous on the face but his heart is dark. My father specifically warned me to guard against him and that old lady in the back courtyard