I am He Yuzhu in Siheyuan

"Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

A little head popped into the kitchen and asked with a smile,

"He Yushui, you're a girl. I don't ask you to be quiet, but at least stay away from the fireworks, okay?"

"Okay, I'll remember that, brother. I won't do it again next time."

Looking at the ghostly He Yushui, He Yuzhu looked helpless. It was really tiring to take care of a child, especially a child who was almost 100 months old.

In this era, I didn’t dare wash my jackets in winter because there were no dryers. My cotton jackets became heavy when wet and couldn’t be dried in the sun, so they would freeze after a while.

Every time I would wait until the mud spots dried, rub them with my hands, then wash them with a little water, and then wear one piece of clothing and change into new clothes on the 30th.

So He Yuzhu is really helpless sometimes. He only has this one girl, and he usually doesn't dare to hit or scold her. She is also very sensible, but children of this age are said to be despised by even dogs.

"Zhu Zi! Are you cooking?"

He Yuzhu looked up and saw Yi Zhonghai coming over.

"Uncle, what's the matter?"

"Isn't it the New Year? This year, your brother Dongxu will be my apprentice. I thought of inviting the old lady in the backyard, your brother Dongxu's family, and you to come along, so we can have a lively New Year together."

"Oh, thank you for your kindness, uncle. I've been so tired and busy lately. I want to take a good rest during the Chinese New Year. Yu Shui and I will spend the New Year at home. I won't bother you."

"It's just you and Yu Shui, it's so lonely, it's better to be together and have some fun. The old lady in the backyard keeps talking about you, saying that Zhuzi is old and dislikes her, and hasn't made delicious food for her in a long time."

"I have been busy learning skills in the past few years. After my father passed away the year before last, I was busy making a living. I finally got stable, but I worked overtime until late every day, so I didn't take care of the old lady. In a few days, I will make some braised pork for the old lady. She can chew it."

"Okay then, are you sure you don't want to come? If you change your mind, let Yu Shui come over and tell me. I'm going back first."

"Well, Uncle, take care."

He Yuzhu has been avoiding the old lady in the backyard. It doesn't matter if she dresses up as someone else, but not He Yuzhu. In the play, she is the only one who treats Shazhu wholeheartedly.

I remember when I was a kid and I played with Xu Damao, we often went to the backyard to play. Every time the old lady saw him suffer, she would always warn him to learn his lesson.

He Daqing would occasionally let him bring some food to improve his life. Every time, the old lady would take out some snacks or candies from the bedside table and let him eat them secretly without being seen.

In the play, Sha Zhu is over 30 and has not yet married. Only the old lady urges him to do so. She is afraid that there will be no help from the elders, and keeps telling Yi Zhonghai that Sha Zhu is the only one who can take care of her in her old age. Every time Sha Zhu gets into trouble, Yi Zhonghai slaps his butt many times.

Even He Xiao was introduced by the old lady, who dragged Qin Huairu to run several streets. The old lady's partiality was unreasonable.

As for supporting Yi Zhonghai in his old age, no matter what era, there are always people who want to line up to support him. They have houses, connections, the highest income among ordinary people, savings, and pensions.

So some people say that the old lady planned to plot against Sha Zhu to provide for Yi Zhonghai in his old age, but it should be said that the old lady planned against Yi Zhonghai to pave the way for Sha Zhu.

On Sunday, He Yuzhu went out early in the morning to buy food. If the food coupons were not used, they would become invalid.

Of course, I only buy white flour and corn flour, and I won’t miss out on mung beans or millet if they are available. As for corn flour, I really can’t stand it, so I replaced it all.

There was a vegetable patch in the space, planted with spinach, garlic, celery and other things, not much, just enough for him and the rainwater to eat.

I don’t have any big ambitions, nor do I have the ability to save the world from suffering. Mainly, growing crops by myself is really tiring!

After a year of feeding, Yu Shui finally has some flesh on his face, and his little face is red. This is because of the wind and cold. He has also grown taller, so he has to make new clothes every year.

When I got home, the rain had already soaked away the steamed buns made from 200 grams of flour, and the porridge was almost ready. People in this day and age eat steamed buns, and it’s convenient to steam a pot and eat them for several days.

"Yushui, take this bag of things to your room. I bought you peach cakes, snacks, and a box of vanishing cream. I have something to go out for later. If you don't want to cook at noon, just eat something to fill your stomach. I'll make you something delicious in the evening."

"Okay, you're so nice, bro"

After dinner, he pushed his bicycle. There was no other way. Li Huaide had not yet bought a small bicycle, so his level was not high enough. It was too slippery to ride a bicycle in the snow.

At around 9 o'clock, at Li Huaide's home,

"Lao Wang, Zhuzi, come here."

"Well, whatever the director wants to do today will be handed over to Zhuzi later." The canteen director replied.

"Everything is in the kitchen. Dinner will be served at 12 o'clock. There will be eight dishes and one soup. I'll leave it to Zhuzi today."

"Director Li, you are too polite. Leave it to me. It will definitely not cause any delays." He Yuzhu replied.

"Twice-cooked pork, pork elbow, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, braised fish..."

At 12:, the dishes were served. Li Huaide ate in the living room and He Yuzhu ate in the kitchen. During this time, the canteen director came to invite them, but he declined on the grounds that the cook would not be at the table.

Around 2: p.m., the drunk canteen director took He Yuzhu out.

Li Huaide didn't give money, but gave 2 catties of pork belly and a bag of tea. In the red envelope was a watch ticket. He was very generous. Of course, it was also hush money.

In a few years, the steel mill will be the host. Today, he is probably afraid of being caught by someone at home.

I sent the canteen director home first, then returned home with the spoils. I was greeted with envious looks, and started preparing to make the braised pork.

Although there was a material shortage in this era, it was not yet a disaster period. Besides, people had to save face and relationships were just that way, so it would not cause adults or children to be unable to walk. Of course, I don't know if anyone would curse them behind their backs.

While He Yuzhu was stewing the meat, he also steamed some white flour buns. Since he was showing off his wealth today, he didn't mind having this little bit. He Yushui was burning the fire, staring at the meat in the pot, smelling the fragrance in the air, and tears flowed from the corners of his mouth.

After cooking, he picked up 8 pieces of meat and 2 large white steamed buns, then went to the backyard.

Jia Zhang looked through the window and said, "This stupid Zhu, this big fool, he didn't bring me the delicious food to honor me, but gave it to the old lady in the backyard."

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai nodded with great satisfaction, turned around and went back to ask his wife to cut some meat every day. He had a high salary, and the two of them only made around 40 yuan, so there was no need to be so frugal.

"Madam, madam, I'm going in."

Before he reached the door, He Yuzhu called out and walked in directly by pushing the door open.

"You silly guy, why did you think of visiting an old woman like me today?"

"I'm busy now. My father passed away. I have to work and make money. Today I went to cook for someone. They gave me some pork belly. I was thinking of making some braised pork for you. Come and smell it. Is it delicious?"

"Mm, it smells good. There are also big white steamed buns. My silly boy has grown up and has learned the craft!"

"I took a lot, so don't eat too much tonight. You can heat it up tomorrow and have another meal."

"Zhu Zi has grown up. Next time your aunt comes to deliver food, you must talk to her and tell her that you have to find a wife for my silly Zhu Zi."

"Don't worry, I'm not old enough yet. I'll bring a little girl to you every day, and I'll marry the one you like."

"Well, okay, old lady, I'm waiting for you. I'll prepare a gift for my granddaughter-in-law when the time comes."

"Well, eat it while it's hot. I still have to take care of the rain. I'll come to see you next time."

"go Go."

The old lady was a five-guarantee household, and He Yuzhu had no idea how she came to be.

I only know that this old lady with bound feet likes to be clean, combs her hair meticulously, and dresses elegantly. In recent years, she has been taken care of by an old lady. I don't know what agreement the two parties reached.

But having such a big Buddha in the courtyard can save me a lot of trouble, and I don’t lack this thing.”

After returning home and having dinner with Yu Shui, there was still a lot of meat left, which could be kept for a long time in the winter. I could let Yu Shui heat it up and eat it at home when I go to work.

Time passed quickly, and it was the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month in a blink of an eye.