Courtyard House: He Yuzhu started in 1948

"Dinner's ready!"

He Yuzhu called out, and immediately some students came over to ask the teacher to hurry up and serve the rice.

He Yuzhu's cooking is so delicious, I can't resist a bite.

Lu Qinghuang told the students to go eat, while he and Zhang Tianyong stayed behind. Zhang Tianyong said with dissatisfaction, "Old Lu, how could you agree to this?"

"Why don't you agree? Is there anything wrong with what Teacher Qiu said? If we directly pay Xiaoyuzhu a salary, not only will it cause problems for the school, but what will the children here think? If they are hostile to Xiaoyuzhu and think he shouldn't be paid, what will they do if they target him?"

Lu Qinghuan's barrage of questions left Zhang Tianyong speechless. Lu Qinghuan patted him on the shoulder: "Tianyong, we must stick to our beliefs, but we also need to consider reality. Besides, this is not necessarily a test for Xiaoyuzhu. We might as well use this opportunity to see how Xiaoyuzhu makes his purchases and how much 'salary' he can offer himself."

Hearing what Lü Qinghuan said, Zhang Tianyong could not refute it, even though it differed from his own beliefs, and could only acquiesce.

More than a hundred students each received a large bowl of vegetables and two steamed buns. If that wasn't enough, He Yuzhu would continue steaming, and they would be ready in just over ten minutes.

The students ate first, while the teacher stood smiling to the side watching the happy students, her gaze towards He Yuzhu softening considerably.

After He Yuzhu finished steaming the buns, Zhang Tianyong immediately told He Yuzhu to go eat: "Yuzhu, hurry up and eat. You've been busy all afternoon. After you finish eating, go home and rest. We'll take care of washing the pots... Classmates, after you finish eating, hurry home. It's too late and not safe. The teacher will take care of the rest."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

"Thank you, teacher."

After finishing his meal, He Yuzhu went home. Some of his classmates were going the same way, so they walked together. Du Jian, who had suggested the lotus soil, was also going with He Yuzhu and kept praising him: "Yuzhu, you're amazing! Your cooking is so delicious, even better than my mom's."

"It's alright, it's alright."

He Yuzhu didn't hide anything from his classmates, nor was he modest. He accepted all their praise, and with his cheerful personality, he quickly became friends with them.

Back in Qingyun Hutong, they found that Tian Zao was still there, standing at the door doing something. Her henchmen were not around either. What was on her mind?

"Zao'er, why are you waiting at the door?"

He Yuzhu stepped forward and looked at Tian Zao: "This shouldn't be happening. My dad treats you like his own daughter, so why are you still too shy to come in?"

"No, I'm waiting for you here."

Looking at He Yuzhu's disheveled appearance, Tian Zao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What did you do at school? You look like you were scavenging for trash at a garbage dump!"

"I'm not going to the school as a student, but as a kitchen helper. The school cafeteria is under construction right now, so of course I'll have to work there."

He Yuzhu left school in a hurry and didn't have time to wash his face, so he looked rather dirty.

Why do chefs lose their appetite after cooking?

Because I was so tired, I lost interest in oily dishes after smelling the cooking fumes.

Looking at Tian Zao, He Yuzhu asked her how business was that afternoon: "How about you? How did sales go this afternoon?"

"It's alright. Uncle He steamed mixed flour buns and offal soup for my brother and the others. They didn't cost much. Da Yong and the others sold the buns. They were affordable and tasted good, so the locals were willing to buy them."

Tian Zao spoke of her business with great satisfaction: "Although we don't earn much, Uncle He said that ordinary people don't have much money in their pockets, so it doesn't matter whether we make money or not, as long as we can support our brothers and sisters."

As she spoke, Tian Zao suddenly changed the subject: "Tell me about it, what's Fifth Middle School like? It's a top university... Tell me about it."

Ok?

He Yuzhu keenly noticed the loophole in Tian Zao's words: "Just say it, stop calling me 'sister' and 'younger sister.' I only have one younger sister, Yushui, and I don't have any older sisters."

Tian Zao tried to take advantage of every opportunity, but He Yuzhu was naturally on guard and didn't give Tian Zao any chance.

Looking at He Yuzhu's serious expression, Tian Zao felt a little disgusted.

If a young man doesn't call his sister, he's got some wild thoughts!

However, Tian Zao ignored He Yuzhu's stories about school in order to hear about his experiences. She was still looking forward to attending the academy.

He Yuzhu described the scene at the school, then mentioned how many students there were, what they were doing, and then talked about paving the school playground, saying that the teachers were currently looking for broken bricks and tiles.

"I know where it is!"

Tian Zao slapped his thigh and pointed to the south of the city, saying, "Outside the city gate tower, there's a huge garbage dump with lots of broken bricks and tiles. Tomorrow, after we sell the steamed buns, I'll have my brothers collect them and deliver them to you, okay?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and said to Tian Zao, "Let's forget about it. The world is in chaos right now. Even the teachers don't let the students go and collect bricks. Let's not take the risk. Besides, this is the school's business. We should just follow orders and do what we can."

"Your father was absolutely right when he said you were a fool! You can't pick up city bricks, but you can't pick up broken bricks and tiles? Even if you go to Hua Zi's territory to pick up broken bricks and tiles, they won't stop you."

The "flower" that Tian Zao mentioned was a beggar.

The Beggars' Gang has a long history in Beiping City. It is a tax-free "guild" with a tight organization and a clear division of labor among its leaders. The headquarters is called "Beggar Factory," and the leader is called "Beggar Head." The second and third leaders are ranked according to their seniority and age.

He Yuzhu knew about the "Beggars' Gang" in the capital, but he wasn't particularly interested in this top gang in the world. The Beggars' Gang was a mixed bag and too dark, so He Yuzhu naturally didn't want Tian Zao to have any involvement with them.

"No, it's too dangerous."

"It's not dangerous, you're just overthinking it."

Tian Zao didn't take He Yuzhu's reminder to heart. Instead, he took it upon himself to say, "Leave it to me. Tomorrow, after the brothers sell the steamed buns, they'll go collect the broken bricks and tiles and then deliver them to your school. That's settled."

After saying that, Tian Zao turned and left without giving He Yuzhu a chance to refuse.

Great! I can finally walk around the school openly and legitimately!

Tian Zao longed for the school.

When they got home, their eldest brother, Tian Zhuang, was also back. Tian Zao saw him and happily ran over, calling out, "Brother!"

Tian Zhuang had already spotted Tian Zao and affectionately patted her head: "All you do is run around all day, why are you back so late?"

"Wait for Zhu Zi, he's Uncle He's son."

Tian Zao has already finished eating, and Tian Zhuang has also eaten... How can we not eat what Tian Zao sells?

Facing her older brother, Tian Zao didn't hide anything and recounted in detail how she met He Yuzhu. Then, she brought up He Yuzhu's age: "He's younger than me, but he doesn't call me 'sister.' He's definitely up to no good."

Tian Zhuang: You also know that the father and son are up to no good?

He Yuzhu is young and may not have any ulterior motives, but He Daqing is so good to Tian Zao, he must want her to be his daughter-in-law!

Tian Zao retorted, "He definitely wants to be my older brother! Dream on! I only have one older brother, and that's Tian Dazhuang, the number one wrestler on Tianqiao!"

"..."

Tian Zhuang covered his brow in exasperation.

My silly little sister... she's been sold out and she's still helping the seller count the money!