Siheyuan: Sizhu starts blindly and takes a new path

Chapter 221 Spring Festival Eve

On the eve of the Spring Festival in 1965, the streets of Beijing were already filled with the festive atmosphere. Red lanterns were hung at the entrances of the alleys, new Spring Festival couplets were posted on the doors of every household, children were chasing and playing in the alleys, firecrackers were set off from time to time, and the air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and food.

Sha Zhu was carrying two bulging cloth bags and walking in the familiar alley. He was wearing a brand new cotton-padded jacket today, with a simple smile on his face and brisk steps. He first turned into the courtyard of Grandpa and Aunt Ren's house.

"Uncle Ren, Aunt Ren, I'm here to wish you two a happy new year!" Sha Zhu shouted as he entered the door, his voice full of joy.

Uncle Ren was sitting in the yard basking in the sun. When he heard the voice, he squinted his eyes and looked up: "Oh, Director He is here! Come in and sit down!"

Sha Zhu quickly stopped him: "Master Ren, please stop teasing me. I only got this level thanks to you."

Aunt Ren also poked her head out of the house and said with a smile: "Zhu Zi, you are so polite every year, come in and have some hot tea!"

Sha Zhu smiled and put the cloth bag on the table, then took out a bag of snacks, a bag of brown sugar, and two strips of bacon: "Uncle and Aunt, this is a little gift from me, please don't despise it."

Mr. Ren laughed so hard that his mouth couldn't close: "Oh, kid, you are too polite! There is no need to spend so much money between us!"

Aunt Ren also waved her hands repeatedly: "That's right, Zhuzi, you are such a real kid!"

Sha Zhu smiled naively: "Uncle and Auntie, you two have always taken care of Yu Li and I. What's so special about this? Besides, it's the New Year, so let's celebrate!"

Grandpa Ren patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder and said with emotion: "You are really thoughtful, kid. Come, sit down and have some tea, and chat with me."

Sha Zhu waved his hand: "Uncle, I have to go to my master's place today. I will come to chat with you two another day!"

Aunt Ren said quickly: "Okay, then go quickly and don't delay the important matter!"

Sha Zhu nodded, exchanged a few more words of greeting, then said goodbye and left Uncle Ren's house.

After leaving Uncle Ren's house, Sha Zhu went straight to his master Sun Fuxiang's house.

Arriving at the master's house, Sha Zhu knocked on the door and heard the master's loud voice from inside: "Who is it?"

"Master, it's me, Sha Zhu!" Sha Zhu responded loudly.

As soon as the door opened, Sun Fuxiang's weather-beaten face was revealed. When he saw Sha Zhu, a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Hey, Zhu is here! Come in quickly!"

Sha Zhu entered the room, put the cloth bag on the table, and took out two bottles of Wuliangye, two packs of tea, and a pack of premium cigarettes: "Master, it's New Year's Day, I brought you some New Year gifts, please don't despise it."

Sun Fuxiang looked at the things on the table and frowned: "You kid, you're wasting money again! Your master and I still need these, keep them for yourself!"

Sha Zhu smiled innocently: "I know you don't need it, this is my intention!"

The master's wife came out of the house and said, "Zhu Zi, you are just too honest. By the way, what are your plans for the New Year this year? Will you come to our place again?"

Sha Zhu said a little embarrassedly: "Master, I'm afraid we can't come this year. Yu Li is pregnant and it's a bit inconvenient, so we won't bother you anymore."

Master Sun disagreed: "Why bother? Just come when you need to!"

Sha Zhu smiled happily, "Yu Li also said she wanted to come to your place, mainly because my father-in-law and mother-in-law want to spend the New Year with us this year."

Master Sun smiled after hearing this and said, "Okay, they also want to be close to their daughter and son-in-law, so we won't force it. You must take good care of Yu Li, and let your wife go to see her after the New Year."

Sha Zhu nodded repeatedly: "Master, don't worry, I will take good care of her. We will come to see you two together when we are free."

Sun Fuxiang nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, then have a good New Year!"

The master and the apprentice chatted for a while before Sha Zhu said goodbye and left. Before leaving, Sun Fuxiang specifically reminded him: "Sha Zhu, it's the New Year, if there is anything you need help with at home, just tell me!"

Sha Zhu nodded gratefully: "Master, don't worry, I will definitely find you if I need you!"

On New Year's Eve, the sky of the city was filled with fine snowflakes. Every household in the alleys was busy preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers. Sha Zhu was busy at home early in the morning, preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. After Yu Li became pregnant, he paid special attention to it, thinking that he must prepare a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner this year to reward his wife.

While Sha Zhu was cutting vegetables in the house, there was a hurried knock on the door. He wiped his hands, walked over to open the door, and saw the deputy director of the water plant standing at the door with a somewhat anxious look on his face.

"Hey, Director Chen, why are you here?" Sha Zhu was a little surprised and greeted him quickly.

Deputy Director Chen took a breath and said with a smile: "Director He, today is New Year's Eve. I shouldn't have bothered you, but several superiors suddenly came to our water plant today. Unfortunately, our master chef happened to take a leave of absence. I tasted your cooking skills at the steel rolling mill before, and I still remember it clearly. I thought of you now."

When Sha Zhu heard this, he hesitated. He had originally planned to spend the New Year with Yu Li at home, but the deputy director of the water plant came to invite him personally, and it was related to his sister's future employment in the water plant, so he couldn't refuse. So he scratched his head and said, "Deputy Director, you came in person, how can I refuse? But I have to tell my family first."

Deputy Director Chen nodded repeatedly: "That's right, say hello to your family first, I'll wait for you here."

Sha Zhu turned around and went into the house, saying to Li: "Wife, the deputy director of the water plant is here. He said that their superiors are coming today, and their chef can't come, so he wants me to help cook a meal. What do you think..."

Yu Li was sitting on the kang knitting a sweater. After hearing what Sha Zhu said, she raised her head and smiled: "Water plant, it seems like rain... Well, then you go quickly and prepare the dishes. I'll wait for you to come back to have the New Year's Eve dinner in the evening."

Yu's mother put Liuyi down from her arms and said, "Zhuzi, go ahead. I'll cook dinner tonight. You can come back and wait for the food to be ready.

Sha Zhu felt warm inside and nodded: "Okay, I'll be back as soon as possible. Thank you, Mom."

Yu Li and her mother waved their hands: "Don't worry, I'm fine. Go quickly and come back soon."

Sha Zhu packed up his usual spatula and kitchen knife and followed Deputy Director Chen to the water plant.

When they arrived at the water plant, Deputy Director Chen took Sha Zhu directly to the canteen. The canteen had already laid out all kinds of food, including chicken, duck, fish, meat, and many seasonal vegetables. The deputy director patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Director He, today we are counting on you! It's not easy for our factory to have a leader inspect it, and it's related to our development next year, you have to show your real ability."

Sha Zhu looked at the ingredients and felt relieved. He smiled and said, "Director Chen, don't worry. Cooking is my duty. I will make sure the leaders are satisfied with the food!"

After saying that, Sha Zhu rolled up his sleeves and started to work. He first cleaned the chicken, duck, fish and meat separately, and then started to prepare the side dishes. He was skilled and skillful with his knife, and soon he had the ingredients in order.

Deputy Director Chen watched from the side and could not help but admire: "Director He, your craftsmanship is really amazing! No wonder the workers in the steel mill praise you."

Sha Zhu smiled and said nothing more, and continued to work. He first stewed a pot of old hen soup, and then made a braised carp, which means "abundance every year". Then, he fried some seasonal vegetables and specially made a braised pork elbow, which was full of fragrance.

After nearly two hours of hard work, a sumptuous meal was finally ready. Deputy Director Chen looked at the dishes on the table and smiled from ear to ear: "Director He, your cooking skills are amazing! The leaders will definitely be satisfied!"

As they were talking, several leaders walked into the cafeteria. Deputy Director Chen hurried over and said with a smile, "Dear leaders, the food is ready, please take a seat!"

After the leaders sat down, they looked at the dishes on the table and nodded in praise. One of the leaders picked up a piece of braised pork elbow, tasted it, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "This taste is amazing! Better than the ones in big restaurants!"

Another leader also smiled and said: "Yes, this braised carp is cooked to the perfect temperature, the fish meat is tender and the soup is rich, it's really good!"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Chen was delighted and said quickly, "As long as the leaders are satisfied! This is the chef we specially invited, and his cooking skills are amazing!"

The leaders nodded one after another and praised Sha Zhu's craftsmanship.