[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji":3,"chapter-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-74":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Siheyuan: Food, Love, and Family in 1960s Beijing",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2314124,4526,"Chapter 74: Milk","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-74",74,"\u003Cp>Seeing Li Xuewu enter the room, He Yuzhu called out: “Hey, brother, haven’t seen you in days—what brings you here? Need something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing He Yuzhu eagerly greet him, Li Xuewu smiled back: “Brother Zhu, I just got back from a business trip to Jilin and haven’t gone home yet. So—got a special meal today? Why the long face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bah, Deputy Factory Director Li Huai is throwing another banquet for guests—damn it, I had plans to meet Qin Huaiju’s cousin after work, and now it’s ruined again! Xu Damao’s a real piece of shit, screening a movie on a Saturday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, He Yuzhu wanted to curse Li Huai, but Li Huai was Li Xuewu’s direct superior, so he couldn’t say too much—Xu Damao got caught in the crossfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, He Yuzhu had hit the nail on the head—he hadn’t cursed the wrong person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matchmaking had been arranged long ago; last week He Yuzhu had begged Qin Huaiju, and on Wednesday he’d confirmed it again by borrowing money from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu asked with a smile: “What’s Xu Damao got to do with this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu groaned: “The date was set! Who knew that bastard Xu Damao would decide to screen a movie today? Such bad luck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After venting, he explained to Li Xuewu: “Qin Huaiju said her sister wants to watch the movie first before heading to the date—but by the time they get home, it’s already past nine! What’s the point of a date then? They’d be dating in bed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And it doesn’t end there—his mom happened to open the door just as he got home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The boss wants a special meal today, so I’m stuck on duty—if I weren’t, I’d storm the square, take advantage of the romance movie, and have a romantic date!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, you understand romance now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Hua was also staying behind tonight to help his master prepare dinner, but ever since hearing Li Xuewu and He Yuzhu mention romance movies and romance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though holding a cleaver and chopping vegetables, his mind was elsewhere—lost in thoughts of romance, distracted and absent-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu chatted idly with Li Xuewu, noticing his apprentice had chopped the chicken strips into chicken paste, yet the knife still hovered over the same spot, moving slower and slower as Ma Hua drifted off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his master, He Yuzhu couldn’t take it anymore—he slammed his teacup lid hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his master’s annoyed warning, Ma Hua, used to teasing him, wasn’t afraid—he spoke his mind freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, what exactly is this ‘romantic movie’ you and Comrade Li were talking about? Is it today’s film, Ashima?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu pursed his lips and explained to his apprentice in his own blunt way—and surprisingly, accurately: “A girl, really pretty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft!” Li Xuewu choked back a laugh, nearly choking on his own tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve ruined a beautiful mythological love story with such crude simplicity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed by Li Xuewu’s teasing, He Yuzhu said: “The girl really is pretty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pretty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Hua, already fixated on Ashima and romance, grew even more excited—who doesn’t love a movie with a girl? Especially a pretty one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lone Step to Immortality”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu couldn’t meet his date today and was already frustrated; seeing his lustful apprentice, he felt embarrassed in front of Li Xuewu and launched into a lecture based on his life philosophy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You young guys shouldn’t watch these movies—afterward, when you look for a wife, every girl will look like Zhu Bajie’s second aunt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was partly meant for Li Xuewu’s ears, but Li Xuewu didn’t care—no matter how pretty, could any compare to the women of the future? The future had plenty, and he’d seen them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re just sour grapes—you’ve been watching these movies so much you still can’t find a wife? You ought to reflect on yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Hua lowered his head, not daring to say it outright to his master, but hearing Li Xuewu’s teasing, he thought: My master really is exactly like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people have introduced him to matches? He complains they’re too fat, too thin, or look like Zhu Bajie’s second aunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Xuewu’s teasing, He Yuzhu grumbled: “Who says it’s my bad luck? No fate! Today, hey, Qin Huaiju insisted on introducing me to her cousin—perfect match, and now Xu Damao, that bastard, ruined it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu thought: He’s not dumb—he even figured out who sabotaged him, even by accident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Hua mentally gave a thumbs-up to the word “nonetheless” his master had used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That word was perfect—it revealed his master’s true nature as a 29-year-old “prime commodity,” implying he wanted it all: both the girl and the moral high ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled mysteriously at He Yuzhu: “Brother Zhu, do me a favor—I’ll give you a tip on finding a wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu knew Li Xuewu’s capabilities, but he was too proud to ask outright—he said with brotherly loyalty: “We’re brothers—no need to beg. Just say what you need—I’ll help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu pulled He Yuzhu to the door and whispered: “Brother Zhu, you often go out to buy supplies—do you know where to get fresh milk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you need fresh milk? That’s a rare commodity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve adopted a child—I need milk to feed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!... Ugh!” He Yuzhu gasped, but Li Xuewu lifted his chin to silence him, barely avoiding biting his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t shout—your voice is like a loudspeaker. You want the whole factory to know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… do your uncle and aunt know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t I say I just got back? Haven’t told my family yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you’ve got a lot to explain—you’re too reckless! You’re only nineteen—how will you ever find a wife?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Focus on what’s right in front of you first—do you know where to get milk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I didn’t know, you wouldn’t need to ask anyone else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me quick!” Li Xuewu urged impatiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Beijing, only Shuangqiao Farm used to produce milk—two hundred cows? Who could possibly drink it all? And even that had to prioritize pilots first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hard to get?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not really. Two years ago, the state built forty large-scale dairy farms in Beijing. Last year, the state-run Beijing Milk Station said they had over twenty thousand cows, producing thirty thousand tons of milk—besides guaranteed supply, those with connections can get some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu, seeing how well-informed He Yuzhu was, asked: “What kind of connections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu said seriously to Li Xuewu: “I advise you go straight to the milk station and buy it. With your cleverness, that’s easy. Don’t bother with lower stations—they’re gone before you even walk in. A few cents a jin—who can’t afford it? Even I need a factory voucher to buy milk for cooking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it, thanks,” Li Xuewu nodded, gave a farewell wave, and headed toward the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuzhu grabbed Li Xuewu’s arm: “Brother, stay a bit longer—you’ve got more to say, don’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu held back a grin, watching He Yuzhu’s awkwardness: “Didn’t you say you didn’t want to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who said that?... No, go ahead—I’ll listen, consider it,” He Yuzhu said, embarrassed but stubborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu, having gotten what he needed, didn’t press him—he whispered: “Xu Damao already met Qin Jingru at the square. You think anything good will come of it? That girl’s never seen the world—you’ve got to spend money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing He Yuzhu still confused, Li Xuewu added: “Money can make ghosts push mills—and mills push ghosts. Spend heavily on clothes and cosmetics—blind her with glitter, dizzy her with luxury. Avoid Qin Huaiju and Xu Damao. Go straight to her home to propose—do it as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why avoid Qin Huaiju? She’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why won’t you wake up? If you don’t sneak around behind Qin Huaiju and Xu Damao, you’ll spend your whole life single.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he patted He Yuzhu’s chest, smiled, and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>",1296,"2026-06-20T13:46:54.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","00648f154e5d69cda86e8f82d358e637a21345ecff0e23a41608286fb91d2997","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-75","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-73",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-cover.jpg"]