Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

The wind at the courtyard gate carried a hint of early summer warmth. He Yuzhu carried a heavy gift box in his hand, his fingertips slightly white from the knotted rope. Looking at the open gate of the Wang family courtyard, he could only manage a helpless, bitter smile.

Just as he was about to take a step, he heard steady footsteps behind him. He subconsciously turned around and saw an elderly man in a dark blue Zhongshan suit walking in slowly. He was upright and had a scholarly air about him. He was clearly a learned man.

He Yuzhu dared not be negligent and quickly bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet somewhat reserved: "Hello, Principal Wang."

Principal Wang stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling on the tall, handsome young man before him. With a hint of doubt in his eyes, he turned to his daughter, Wang Hongxia, and asked.

"Hongxia, who is this young man? He looks unfamiliar to me. Is he your friend?"

Wang Hongxia smiled and took a step forward, raising her hand to gently point at He Yuzhu, her tone light and confident.

"Dad, this isn't just an ordinary friend; this is one of your future students!"

"My future student?" Principal Wang frowned slightly, his doubt deepening. He subconsciously repeated the question, pondering to himself that his school always followed the rules for admissions and he had never met this child beforehand. How did he become his student?

"Yes, they specifically inquired about our school, and they came here specifically to study because they were attracted by our teaching and technical programs."

Wang Hongxia nodded vigorously, and fearing that her father hadn't understood, she added an extra sentence.

As the two were talking, the old lady from the Wang family, leaning on her cane, quickly came out of the inner room, her face showing a hint of reproach, and hurriedly interrupted the father and daughter's conversation.

"Alright, alright, didn't you see the young man is carrying so many things? What kind of manners is it to stand at the door and talk? Come inside and talk slowly, don't make the guest stand here and suffer."

"Yes, yes, Mom is right. Let's go inside and talk."

Principal Wang then came to his senses, quickly turned to the side, raised his hand in an inviting gesture, and put on a kind smile.

Grandma Wang was even more enthusiastic. She took a few steps forward, grabbed He Yuzhu's arm gently but firmly, and led him into the main room, saying repeatedly, "Young man, come in and sit down. You must be exhausted from your journey. Take a rest."

Taking advantage of the moment when Grandma Wang pulled He Yuzhu into the main room, Principal Wang quickly approached his daughter, lowered his voice, and asked softly with a hint of worry and scrutiny in his eyes, "Hongxia, tell me the truth. I clearly saw that this young man was carrying quite a lot of things, all of them valuable gifts, right? Have you done something wrong behind my back? We can't be greedy for small gains, and we certainly can't accept expensive gifts from others."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hongxia couldn't help but laugh out loud. She reached out and gently patted her father's arm, explaining with a helpless expression.

"Look at what you're saying, do you think I'm that kind of person? I bought all these things with my own money, it has nothing to do with Zhu Zi. Don't underestimate this young man, not only is he an outstanding student, but his cooking skills are also superb. Haven't you always been saying that you want to eat authentic Shandong cuisine, but you complain that restaurants outside are too expensive and that the taste isn't authentic? Today I'll let you taste what real authentic Shandong cuisine is like."

Principal Wang looked He Yuzhu up and down. Seeing that he was only a teenager with immature features, he didn't look like a skilled chef at all. He shook his head, his tone tinged with doubt.

"This young man is only good at cooking a few home-style dishes. He doesn't look like a master chef who is proficient in Shandong cuisine. How could he possibly make authentic old Shandong dishes? I don't believe it."

"You're just judging people by their appearance and underestimating them!" Wang Hongxia said with a smug look in her eyes.

"You must have heard of his father, He Daqing, the famous Shandong cuisine chef who used to be in charge of cooking at Fengzeyuan Restaurant. Now he is the head chef at the steel mill canteen outside Dongzhimen."

"So he's He Daqing's son!"

Principal Wang's eyes lit up instantly, and the doubt on his face vanished, replaced by anticipation. "In that case, I really have to try this young man's cooking."

Wang Hongxia was stunned for a moment, looking at her father with a surprised expression.

"You actually know Chef He? I thought you didn't pay attention to things like restaurant chefs."

"I recently visited that steel rolling mill to discuss cooperation on student internships after graduation. The banquet hosted by the factory was prepared by Chef He Daqing himself. The Shandong cuisine was absolutely delicious and authentic."

Principal Wang recalled with a smile, then couldn't help but glance at He Yuzhu inside the room, stroked his chin, and muttered in confusion, "But these two, father and son, don't they look quite alike?"

"Zhuzi looks like his mother, so naturally he doesn't resemble Master He much," Wang Hongxia explained with a smile.

Principal Wang nodded in sudden realization, then remembered the important matter and quickly asked, "By the way, you just said he wanted to come and study, what exactly happened? Tell me in detail."

"Zhu Zi graduated from junior high school a long time ago. In the past two years, the world was in chaos, and it was impossible to concentrate on studying at school. He couldn't learn anything at all, so he didn't take the high school exam. He simply went out to learn a skill from his father."

Wang Hongxia spoke slowly, her tone tinged with emotion.

"Now that things are peaceful, he wants to go back to school to learn some practical skills so he can have a marketable skill in the future. I don't know how he found out I was helping out at the school, but he came to see me today, which is perfect timing. But first, I have to ask you, is your school still enrolling students?"

"Yes, of course we're recruiting. Right now is a crucial time for enrollment. Anyone who wants to enroll must take an entrance exam, and only those who pass will be accepted."

Principal Wang spoke with certainty, then frowned, "This child doesn't look very old, and he graduated from junior high school some time ago. Surely he'll be fine with the entrance exam?"

"I haven't actually tried it myself, and I can't guarantee anything." Wang Hongxia shook her head, then seemed to remember something, her tone full of shock.

"But when I saw his junior high school graduation certificate today, I was really shocked! He actually completed the entire three-year junior high school curriculum in just one year and graduated smoothly!"

"Graduating from junior high in just one year?" Principal Wang's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with disbelief. He subconsciously lowered his voice, "This diploma, you didn't buy it, did you? These days, quite a few people have such crooked thoughts."

"Dad, please don't talk nonsense!"

Wang Hongxia quickly covered her father's mouth with her hand, looked around anxiously, and retorted.

"Master He and his family are honest and upright people. They would never do something so dishonest. If you don't believe me, you can test him yourself in a little while. His knowledge is absolutely genuine."

"What are you two whispering about at the door? You keep going on and on! Our guests have been inside for ages, and you haven't even come in to keep them company. How rude of you!"

From inside the main room, the old lady of the Wang family's voice, tinged with dissatisfaction, could be heard.

"Coming, coming, almost here!"

Principal Wang and Wang Hongxia exchanged a glance, responded in unison, quickly straightened their clothes, and strode into the main room.

As soon as they entered the house, Old Mrs. Wang took her daughter's hand, walked her aside, and asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"I just heard Zhu Zi say that as soon as he came in, he asked where our kitchen was and even asked him to cook dinner tonight. Hongxia, is this how you treat guests? How can you ask a guest to cook? If word gets out, people will say that our family doesn't know any manners."

"Mom, you don't know, my cooking skills are so poor. If I were to cook, it would be a complete waste of the good ingredients we have at home. It wouldn't be presentable at all."

Wang Hongxia explained with a smile, her tone full of approval for He Yuzhu.

"Zhu Zi is a genuine descendant of a master chef of Shandong cuisine. His skills are even better than those of chefs in big restaurants. Just wait and enjoy your meal. You can't get this kind of food even if you have the money."

"Even so, we can't let him work alone in the kitchen, what kind of situation is that?"

Grandma Wang still felt it was inappropriate, so she quickly pushed her daughter, "Go to the kitchen and help him out. You can pick and wash vegetables or hand him things. Don't let a child like him run around doing all this."

"Okay, okay, I'll go right away." Wang Hongxia nodded helplessly, turned to look at Zhao Shenglin who was sitting quietly to the side, and gave her some instructions.

"Shengli, you sit quietly in the house and watch your younger brothers so they don't run around. I'm going to help in the kitchen."

Zhao Shenglin blinked her big, round eyes and nodded obediently: "Auntie, go ahead, I'll be good."

Just as Wang Hongxia turned to leave, Old Mrs. Wang grabbed her husband's hand again, her face full of curiosity as she pressed him for answers.

"Old man, what were you whispering with Hongxia at the door just now? Tell me quickly, don't hide anything from me."

"He didn't say anything important, just that the child wants to come to our school to study and learn a skill. Hongxia kept praising the child's cooking skills and told me to wait and try his dishes."

Principal Wang smiled and waved his hand, speaking casually.

"Is that all? Don't try to fool me, tell me the details quickly." Old Mrs. Wang persisted, grabbing his arm and shaking it.

"Look at you, I just got inside and wanted to catch my breath, and you're already asking me questions."

Principal Wang sighed helplessly. "What's wrong? Are you complaining again that I'm going back to my study later and won't be able to talk to you?"

"Good that you know. Hurry up and tell me, or don't even think about going back to your study." Old Mrs. Wang snorted, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish stubbornness.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you everything, okay?" Principal Wang had no choice but to slowly tell his wife about He Yuzhu's pursuit of education.

Zhao Shenglin, who is only five or six years old, is standing to the side. She has two round little buns in her hair and looks very well-behaved.

With the adults talking inside and no one paying attention to her, she took out a few milk candies from her pocket, carefully unwrapped them, and put them into her mouth one by one. The sweet taste spread in her mouth, and her little eyes instantly narrowed into two curved slits, her face full of satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Wang Hongxia walked in excitedly. She had just tied on her apron and was about to reach for the vegetables when He Yuzhu stopped her with a smile.

"Sister Hongxia, you should go out. This place is small, I can manage by myself. You're just getting in the way, I can't work properly."

He Yuzhu said with a smile as he skillfully processed the ingredients in his hands.

His movements were clean and efficient, the sound of him chopping vegetables was crisp and pleasant, and his knife skills were neat and fast, showing that he was a skilled cook who had been cooking for many years.

Watching his fluid movements, Wang Hongxia realized she couldn't do anything to help, so she could only smile helplessly.

"Alright then, I won't cause any more trouble. Just call me if you need anything." With that, he turned and left the kitchen.

In the main room, Grandma Wang watched He Yuzhu busy in the kitchen alone, and her curiosity grew. She took the initiative to pull He Yuzhu aside and started chatting, asking him in detail about his family situation:

"Zhu Zi, who else lives in your family? Do you usually live with your parents? You and Hong Xia are just ordinary neighbors, how come you're so close?"

He Yuzhu sat upright in his chair and answered each question sincerely: "Grandma Wang, I have a father, a mother, and a young sister. My whole family lives in a courtyard house. There's a reason why I'm so close to Sister Hongxia."

Just then, Wang Hongxia returned from the kitchen and picked up the conversation, her tone full of admiration.

"Mom, you don't know, Zhuzi saved Shengli's father Zhao Fengnian before. He's a lifesaver, which is why our two families are so close. We've long considered Zhuzi as family."

"What? He saved Feng Nian's life?" Grandma Wang and Principal Wang exchanged a shocked glance, then looked at He Yuzhu with admiration, praising him repeatedly, "Truly a hero among young people! Such courage and responsibility at such a young age, so rare, so very rare!"

As the group was talking, a series of light footsteps came from outside the door. Zhao Xingbang and Zhao Zhenhua, the two brothers from the Zhao family, skipped in, carrying their homework books, clearly having just finished their assignments.

As soon as they entered the house, the two boys saw He Yuzhu sitting inside. Their eyes were full of curiosity as they circled around him, looking him up and down. "Sister, who is this big brother? What brings him to our house?"

Seeing her two younger brothers' curious expressions, Wang Hongxia had no choice but to recount He Yuzhu's rescue story again, adding that He Yuzhu had made a bowl of mutton noodles for lunch that day, the taste of which was so delicious that it was unforgettable.

The two boys stared wide-eyed, their mouths agape, their faces filled with disbelief, and their gazes toward He Yuzhu instantly held a newfound admiration.

Just then, a rich and enticing aroma wafted out from the kitchen, first a faint smell of meat, then a sweet and sour fragrance, layer upon layer, instantly filling the entire courtyard.

Zhao Shengli, who was obediently eating candy, suddenly stopped what she was doing, sniffed incessantly, and stared straight at the kitchen, forgetting even about eating the candy.

The little feet moved unconsciously, following the aroma, slowly making their way towards the kitchen, their little faces full of craving.

After finally making it to the kitchen doorway, the little girl looked up at He Yuzhu, who was busy inside, with her round little face tilted up. Her voice was soft and sweet, full of anticipation.

"Big brother, what delicious food did you make? It smells so good, I'm almost crying from cravings."

He Yuzhu turned his head and saw the little girl's greedy look, and couldn't help but laugh, speaking gently.

"What's wrong? Is our little Shengli craving something delicious?"

"Um!"

Zhao Shengli nodded vigorously, her little head bobbing up and down like a sleepy little bug looking for food, she was so cute.

"If you're craving it, I'll let you have a bite first, see if it tastes good." He Yuzhu smiled, picked up the clean chopsticks next to him, picked up a piece of freshly made braised pork intestines, blew on it to make sure it wasn't too hot, and then put it to the little girl's mouth.

The aroma grew stronger, and Zhao Shenglin couldn't help but drool. She quickly opened her mouth, bit into the large intestine, and began to chew impatiently.

After taking only two bites, the little girl's eyes lit up, and she kept mumbling incoherently.

"Wow, wow! This is so delicious! I've never eaten anything this good in my entire life!"

He Yuzhu was amused by her and laughed heartily. He reached out and gently pinched her little nose: "You little rascal, you're only a few years old, but you've already said you'll live a lifetime. You have such a sweet mouth."

As soon as he finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of two small heads peeking out from the kitchen doorway; they were Zhao Xingbang and Zhao Zhenhua, the two brothers.

The two girls clung to the doorframe, secretly watching their younger sister eat with relish, their throats bobbing involuntarily as they swallowed, their eyes filled with envy.

"Zhao Xingbang, Zhao Zhenhua, you two come back here!" Wang Hongxia's voice suddenly came from the main room, carrying a hint of sternness.

"What kind of behavior is that, lying by the kitchen door? You have no manners at all! Go back inside and sit down!"

The two boys were startled and immediately pulled their heads back, running back to the main room in a flash, no longer daring to peek.

Wang Hongxia shook her head helplessly, walked into the kitchen, picked up Zhao Shenglin who was still eating pig intestines, picked up the braised pig intestines that He Yuzhu had made, and turned back to the main room.

As soon as he entered, a rich aroma filled the entire hall. Principal Wang, who was sitting and drinking tea, immediately sniffed, his eyes lit up, and he blurted out.

"This is Nine-Turned Intestines? The aroma is so authentic!"

"That's right, it's Nine-Turned Intestines, Zhu Zi just made it." Wang Hongxia smiled as she placed the dish on the table.

Principal Wang took a closer look and saw that the braised pork intestines on the plate were reddish-brown and glossy, neatly shaped, and had a rich aroma. He couldn't help but nod and praise them repeatedly.

"Just by looking at the aroma and the color, I know it will taste good. Hongxia, you really weren't exaggerating."

"Of course, Zhu Zi doesn't need my praise at all; his skills are genuine," Wang Hongxia said proudly.

As they were talking, He Yuzhu brought in the second dish, a beautifully presented sweet and sour carp. The fish was golden and crispy, drizzled with a bright red sweet and sour sauce, making it look incredibly appetizing.

"Quickly, Xingbang, go get the bowls and chopsticks, and bring the rice over too," Wang Hongxia hurriedly instructed.

Zhao Xingbang immediately got up, ran quickly to get bowls, chopsticks, and rice, and placed them on the table.

He Yuzhu put down the dishes and said with a smile, "Principal Wang, Grandma Wang, please eat first, don't wait for me."

"That won't do." Principal Wang immediately waved his hand, his tone firm.

"Even though you've been busy in the kitchen and prepared a whole table of dishes, you're still our guest. There's no way the host can eat first and the guests can sit down later. We have to wait for you to join us."

As he spoke, Principal Wang went to the inner room and brought out a bottle of his treasured liquor, saying with a smile, "Such good food deserves some wine. I'm going to have a couple of drinks today."

He Yuzhu smiled and shook his head, then turned back to the kitchen to continue cooking.

The family sat at the table, smelling the aroma wafting in, each one filled with anticipation and agonizing anticipation, wishing they could start eating immediately.

Before long, He Yuzhu brought out the remaining dishes one by one: tender and delicious tofu, fresh and crispy fried double crisp, refreshing and clean cucumber salad and sugar-coated tomatoes. Seeing that there was still seaweed in the Wang family's kitchen, he also made a bowl of delicious seaweed and egg drop soup.

A table laden with dishes, a perfect balance of meat and vegetables, all bursting with color, aroma, and flavor, was a feast for the eyes.

After He Yuzhu washed his hands and sat down at the table, Principal Wang immediately looked at him and asked warmly, "Zhuzi, would you like to have a drink? Have a couple of drinks with me."

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand and declined with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Principal Wang, but I am still young and don't drink, so I won't keep you company."

Principal Wang showed a hint of regret and sighed, "That's a real shame. It's a shame that no one is here to enjoy the wine with me."

After speaking, Principal Wang picked up his chopsticks first, and immediately spotted the braised pork intestines on the table. He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.

The weather was hot, and the dish was still steaming hot after it was cooked. The warm intestines melted in my mouth, and the rich aroma instantly filled my entire mouth. The taste was authentic and mellow, full of the essence of old Shandong cuisine.

Before Wang Hongxia could even ask, Principal Wang couldn't help but give a thumbs up, exclaiming with admiration, "That's the taste! It's so authentic! I haven't had such genuine braised pork intestines in many years. Young man, your Shandong cuisine skills are truly a direct inheritance from Master He, no doubt about it!"

"Principal Wang, you flatter me. I've only learned a little bit from my father; it's nothing special," He Yuzhu said modestly, bowing slightly.

"I'm not flattering you, I'm just telling the truth," Principal Wang said, waving his hand with unusual seriousness.

"There are countless Shandong cuisine restaurants in Beijing, but very few can make it taste like yours. Your skills are definitely among the best!"

"Dad, you see, I told you Zhuzi's skills were good, I never lie," Wang Hongxia said with a smile, her face full of pride.

"Good, good, really good!" Principal Wang nodded repeatedly, his gaze already falling on the other dishes.

After a brief chat, the father and daughter couldn't continue talking and quickly picked up their chopsticks to eat.

Looking at the three children at the table, they were even more tireless, their little chopsticks flying as they picked up food, their mouths greasy with oil. Although Grandma Wang ate elegantly, she was just as fast at picking up food, as if afraid that if she was a moment too late, it would all be snatched away.

He Yuzhu didn't try to grab food from the others at all; he just leisurely ate the refreshing smashed cucumber in front of him.

Seeing this, Grandma Wang couldn't help but say, "Zhu Zi, don't just eat cucumbers, hurry up and eat some solid food, or they'll snatch them all up."

He Yuzhu looked up and smiled, his tone sincere: "Grandma Wang, you don't need to worry about me. I'm a cook, and I can make these dishes whenever I want. The fact that you enjoy your meal is the best compliment to my cooking skills."

"I can't let you suffer, come on, eat more." Grandma Wang said, and was about to put some food into his bowl.

He Yuzhu hurriedly declined, and after repeated refusals, he reluctantly picked up two pieces of food. Only then did Old Mrs. Wang give up and stop trying to persuade him.

After the meal, all the dishes on the table were eaten clean. Even the soup in the plates was mixed with rice and eaten by the two brothers, Zhao Xingbang and Zhao Zhenhua, leaving not a single drop. Everyone ate until their bellies were round and full, completely satisfied.

Halfway through the meal, Zhao Shenglin's chubby little mouth suddenly pursed, and tears streamed down her face.

Wang Hongxia was startled and quickly picked up her daughter, anxiously asking, "What's wrong, Shengli? Why are you crying? Are you feeling unwell?"

The little girl sobbed, pointing to the half-empty plate, and said in a tearful voice, "I still want to eat, but I'm full, I can't eat anymore..."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh, amused by the little girl's adorable appearance.

He Yuzhu looked at the pitifully crying little girl and quickly comforted her gently.

"Shengli, don't cry. Next time, your big brother will come to our house and cook you a delicious meal, okay?"

As he spoke, he took out a few pieces of milk candy from his pocket and handed them to the little girl.

Holding the milk candy, Zhao Shenglin stopped crying after hearing He Yuzhu's promise. With tears still on her face, she nodded vigorously and smiled through her tears.

Wang Hongxia, watching this scene from the side, was full of doubts. She had not told He Yuzhu that there was a child at home today, so how come he always had milk candy in his pocket?

Little did she know that He Yuzhu had his own little space where he kept a lot of snacks. The milk candies were small, and no one would notice if he took them out of his pocket.

After the meal, Wang Hongxia took the initiative to clear the dishes and went into the kitchen to busy herself. He Yuzhu followed Principal Wang into the study.

The study was filled with books, the air thick with the scent of ink, creating a quiet and elegant atmosphere. After the two sat down, Principal Wang chatted casually with He Yuzhu for a few minutes, asking about knowledge from books and current events. The more they talked, the more surprised he became.

He discovered that the boy in front of him, though young, was very knowledgeable. He could answer questions about literature and history as well as mathematics and physics fluently and clearly, far exceeding the level of his peers and even surpassing many high school students.

Principal Wang became increasingly curious and then asked several more questions about physics. He Yuzhu answered them fluently without hesitation.

Principal Wang couldn't help but frown, looking at He Yuzhu with a puzzled expression.

"Zhu Zi, with your current level of education, you could easily go straight to high school and then smoothly get into university; your grades would definitely be excellent. Why don't you choose to go to high school and instead want to learn a technical skill at a vocational school?"

He Yuzhu picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and said calmly, "University takes many years. I don't know when I'll graduate. It's too long."

"You're only 14 years old this year. Even if you finish high school and university, you'll only be in your early twenties. It's the perfect age to start your studies. It's not too late at all," Principal Wang patiently advised, his face full of puzzlement.

"It's still too long for me. I don't want to wait that long," He Yuzhu shook his head, his tone firm.

Principal Wang was even more puzzled and pressed further, "Are you in such a hurry to start working? Don't you want to learn more?"

"It's not entirely for work." He Yuzhu paused, his tone indifferent. "I can't tell you the specific reasons, please understand."

"Is there a reason you can't say? Is it because your family is struggling financially and can't afford to send you to school? Or are there other difficulties?" Principal Wang refused to give up and continued to patiently persuade you, "Don't worry, as long as you are willing to study, the school can find a way to help you with tuition and living expenses."

"No, my family is perfectly capable of supporting my education." He Yuzhu shook his head, his eyes resolute.

"Even if I get into your school, I won't study for the full three years. I plan to learn all the professional knowledge required by the school in one year and graduate early."

"Young man, the worst thing you can do in academic pursuits is to be overly ambitious. You must be down-to-earth and take things one step at a time!" Upon hearing this, Principal Wang's face instantly darkened, and his tone became much more serious. He even changed his address from "Zhu Zi" to "young man," clearly indicating that he was somewhat angry.

"Vocational school courses may seem like technical courses, but they also require a solid foundation. How can you possibly finish a three-year course in one year? You're too young and too impatient!"

He Yuzhu remained calm and composed, looking at the angry Principal Wang, and said in a steady tone, "Principal Wang, please don't be angry. Let me finish what I have to say, and you won't think that way anymore. I started school late; I only formally entered school after the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan. I went straight to sixth grade, and I completed the junior high school curriculum in just one year. After graduating from junior high, I went to Tianjin to learn cooking. I mastered Sichuan cuisine and halal cuisine in just one year and was able to cook independently."

"Hiss..." After hearing this, Principal Wang couldn't help but gasp, his face full of shock, and the way he looked at He Yuzhu completely changed.

Previously, Wang Hongxia had only told him that He Yuzhu graduated from junior high school in one year, and he was still skeptical. Now, after hearing the complete story, he realized that this boy was truly gifted and was by no means an ordinary child.

Principal Wang calmed his excited emotions, looked at He Yuzhu's confident appearance, and said in a deep voice, "However, words are not enough. No matter how convincing your words are, you have to show real ability."

"I understand." He Yuzhu nodded, his tone firm.

"If you can give me a spot to apply and take the entrance exam, and I get in, you only need to agree to one condition: allow me to take all the exams with the older students, and if I pass, allow me to graduate early. Is that alright?"

Principal Wang frowned, lost in thought, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "I've never encountered a situation like yours in all my years of teaching, and there's no precedent to follow. I can't make a decision on this alone; I need to go back to the school for a meeting and discuss it with the school leaders before I can give you an answer."

"I understand. So, could you give me one of the application slots?" He Yuzhu looked at Principal Wang expectantly, without the slightest panic.

"Of course!" Principal Wang nodded without hesitation, a smile of appreciation on his face.

"A student as talented and ambitious as you, coming to us willingly—our school couldn't be happier to let you go!"

"Thank you, Principal Wang!" He Yuzhu was overjoyed and immediately stood up, bowing deeply to Principal Wang with gratitude in his voice.

"Hahaha, don't thank me yet."

Principal Wang laughed heartily, waved his hand, and gave a testful look in his eyes.

"Although I promised you a spot, I still don't believe you can complete a three-year course in one year. If you're truly capable, prove it to me with your entrance exam scores and subsequent actions!"

"Don't worry, I will definitely not let you down!" He Yuzhu straightened his back, his eyes were confident and firm, and his tone was powerful.

The two chatted for a while longer before He Yuzhu got up to take his leave. As he walked out of the study, Wang Hongxia quickly greeted him, her face full of anticipation, and asked, "Zhuzi, how did your talk with Dad go? Did it go well?"

"It went very smoothly. The principal agreed to give me a spot to take the exam." He Yuzhu nodded with a smile. "The only problem is that the specific exam time hasn't been set yet. Once I hear back, please let me know when you get home so I can come to take the exam on time."

As for his proposal to complete three years' worth of courses in one year and graduate early, He Yuzhu didn't say much to Wang Hongxia.

He knew in his heart that some things are more impactful when done than when said. He told Principal Wang because he had no choice but to fight for the opportunity, but there was no need to tell others. Once he achieved results, everything would be settled.

He Yuzhu carried the empty gift box and walked out of the courtyard. Wang Hongxia stood at the door, repeatedly reminding him, "Zhuzi, be careful on the road, and walk slowly home."

Clutching the milk candy He Yuzhu had given her, Zhao Shenglin ran to the door, waving her little hand and shouting, "Big brother, you must come and make me something delicious again next time!"

The two brothers, Zhao Xingbang and Zhao Zhenhua, also stood aside, looking at He Yuzhu with longing eyes, full of reluctance.

Amidst the farewells of his family, He Yuzhu smiled, waved, and turned to leave the Wang family.

After He Yuzhu left, Principal Wang immediately called his daughter to his side and solemnly gave her some instructions.

"Hongxia, let the younger generation in the family get to know Zhuzi more often. He is a good person with exceptional talent. It will only benefit the children if they follow him."

"Dad, I understand, that's what I think too." Wang Hongxia nodded with a smile. This was another reason why she brought He Yuzhu home to help him with his studies. Such an outstanding young man was worth getting to know better.

He Yuzhu hurried home and immediately told his parents, He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang, the good news that he could apply to a vocational school.

Upon hearing this, the couple's faces instantly lit up with smiles; they were overjoyed.

He Daqing slapped his thigh excitedly and said, "That's wonderful! That vocational school is no ordinary school. Last time the principal came to our steel rolling mill to discuss cooperation, our chairman personally received him. Students who can get into this school will all be doing technical work in the factory after graduation, without having to do manual labor, and their wages will be much higher than ordinary workers. Their future is bright!"

Chen Lanxiang was also filled with relief, holding her son's hand, her eyes slightly red.

"I used to worry about you because you were always at home. Now that you finally have a clear goal and are willing to go to school to study and learn skills, I can finally rest assured."

The family was filled with joy and eagerly awaited the exam.

Before long, it was early July, and Wang Cuiping made a special trip to the He family to bring good news.

"Zhu Zi, the exam date is set for July 15th. The school is the Beiping Municipal Senior Industrial Vocational School, located in Shijin Garden, Dongsi, which is also in Dongcheng District. It's very close to home, so it's very convenient to come and go."

As she spoke, Wang Cuiping added, "By the way, you need to prepare a one-inch photo for the exam to get your admission ticket. Get it ready and I'll submit it for you."

"Thank you, Aunt Ping. I have the photo right here," He Yuzhu said with a smile, then immediately turned around and went back into the house to find a photo.

His appearance hasn't changed much in the past two years. This photo was taken when I went to Tianjin to learn cooking and was applying for a travel permit, so it's perfect for use now.

A few days later, Wang Cuiping delivered the completed examination admission ticket to He Yuzhu.

After receiving her admission ticket, He Yuzhu made a special trip to the school to familiarize herself with the campus environment and the location of the examination room in advance, so as to avoid panic on the day of the exam.

On July 15th, the exam arrived as scheduled. He Yuzhu calmly entered the examination room, quickly glanced through the exam paper after receiving it, and found the questions to be no challenge for him. He picked up his pen and began writing, answering the questions fluently and quickly. In less than half the time, he had completed the entire exam paper. After checking that there were no errors, he handed in his paper early and left the examination room.

The exam went exceptionally smoothly, and He Yuzhu felt no pressure at all.

By early August, the admission notice had been sent to He Yuzhu.

Seeing the bright red admission notice, the entire He family was overjoyed. He Daqing immediately decided to hold a banquet at home to celebrate.

The banquet was attended by neighbors from the courtyard house, as well as several familiar families from the middle and back courtyards, and naturally, Wang Hongxia's family was also present. However, Principal Wang and his wife, due to their status, were unable to attend in person, so they specially sent Wang Hongxia with the children to represent the whole family in offering their congratulations.

On the day of the banquet, the He family courtyard was exceptionally lively. A group of children chased and played in the courtyard, their laughter filling the air, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Zhao Xingbang felt that playing with a group of children was not fun, so he always stayed by himself and was unwilling to participate.

Seeing his arrogant demeanor, Xu Damao also became angry. After being refused several times when he invited him to play together, the two got into an argument.

Finally, the two made a bet and had a fight; whoever won would have to do what the other did. As it turned out, Zhao Xingbang was younger and weaker, and Xu Damao easily knocked him to the ground in one round.

After this incident, the two brothers, Zhao Xingbang and Zhao Zhenhua, were completely convinced by Xu Damao and pestered him every day, insisting that he teach them kung fu.

Xu Damao was inwardly groaning. His martial arts skills were just the tip of the iceberg from his master, and he hadn't even graduated yet, so how could he dare to teach others?

Moreover, He Daqing is a strict person who values ​​rules the most. If he finds out that he is teaching his children to fight, he will definitely break his own legs.

Having no other choice, Xu Damao had to avoid the two brothers. In the end, when he could no longer avoid them, he had to swallow his pride and beg He Yuzhu for help.

He Yuzhu couldn't help but smile when he heard this, thinking that the two brothers were also eager to learn, so he agreed.

He didn't teach traditional martial arts; he just taught them a few simple free-style techniques that he had figured out, and let them practice them on their own.

These freehand techniques were developed by He Yuzhu based on his practical experience, without any formal training. They are more than enough to deal with ordinary people. Of course, they would be no match for a true martial arts master, but they are sufficient for the two brothers to improve their health and protect themselves.

Time flew by, and September 1st arrived, marking the start of He Yuzhu's official school year. Following his own plans, he chose mechanical engineering as his major. After registering, he went to a bookstore and bought a complete set of all the textbooks for civil engineering. He knew that learning another skill would open up more career paths, and with his learning ability, balancing two majors was no problem at all.

Not long after the start of the school year, He Yuzhu received another piece of fantastic good news.

With a solemn expression, Wang Cuiping told her neighbors in the courtyard, "On October 1st, our country will hold a grand founding ceremony. I am in charge of security work for the ceremony and am qualified to vouch for my relatives and friends so they can get into the ceremony. Is there anyone who wants to go?"

Upon hearing this, the people in the courtyard instantly erupted in excitement, their faces beaming with anticipation.

Others may not know the significance of this grand event, but He Yuzhu knows it all too well. It is a momentous occasion that will rewrite history and bring joy to the whole country, a once-in-a-lifetime event that absolutely cannot be missed.

He immediately stood up and said to his family, "Father, Mother, Grandma, the whole family must go! We can't miss such an important moment! And Siyu, even if she's still an infant, we must bring her along!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping looked at He Yuzhu with a strange expression: "Zhuzi, Siyu is only four months old. What if such a small child gets frightened by the crowd and noise at the scene? There's no need to take her."

He Yuzhu smiled and said firmly, "Aunt Ping, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now that we have the chance to be there, we absolutely can't miss it. When Siyu grows up and knows she experienced such an important ceremony, she'll definitely thank me, her brother, for the rest of her life!"

"You always have so many tricks up your sleeve," Chen Lanxiang said with a laugh, "The square is packed with people and it's so noisy. Don't make such a commotion and scare the little girl."

"It's okay, we'll prepare some cotton in advance and plug Siyu's ears, which will block out a lot of noise."

He Yuzhu had already planned ahead and said with a smile, "Besides, the whole family is going to the scene, leaving her alone at home with no one to take care of her. It's best to bring her along."

"How about I stay home and look after the kids? You guys can go," Chen Lanxiang said after thinking for a moment.

"Mom, please don't! If you miss such an important moment, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!" He Yuzhu quickly advised.

The old lady, also leaning on a cane, said, "My legs aren't very strong. Why don't I stay home and take care of the children, and you young people can go?"

He Yuzhu didn't speak, but turned to look at Wang Cuiping, seeking her opinion with his eyes.

Wang Cuiping pondered for a moment, considering the significance of this grand event—it would be a regret to miss it—and gritted her teeth, saying, "Then let's bring her. I don't want this girl to nag me about it for the rest of her life when she grows up!"

She knew better than anyone the importance of this grand event, and the security level was unprecedented. She had been working overtime every day to check for all potential safety hazards and ensure that nothing went wrong.

Living in Beijing and having the opportunity to witness the event in person, but choosing not to go, will surely become a lifelong regret.

Finally, the family finalized the list of participants for the ceremony: the He family, Grandma He, the Xu family, Qiao Lingyi, and the infant Wang Siyu all went together.

On October 1st, the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly.

The largest square in Beijing was already packed with people. 30 soldiers and civilians had gathered there, and everyone's face was filled with excitement and joy as they looked eagerly at the rostrum in front of the square.

Everyone lined up in an orderly fashion, full of anticipation. The atmosphere was both solemn and enthusiastic, and the air was filled with excitement.

At 3:00 PM sharp, a solemn and resounding voice echoed throughout the square and resounded across the land: "The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China is established today!"

This declaration, powerful and resounding, carried the expectations of countless people and heralded the arrival of a new era.

The sound was broadcast over the radio to every corner of the country.

On the square, 30 soldiers and civilians erupted in thunderous cheers, the sound waves surging like a tidal wave, overwhelming and shaking the heavens.

Standing in the crowd, He Yuzhu held his family's hands tightly, his heart filled with excitement and joy. He was fortunate to be able to witness this historic moment with his whole family, and his eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

In Chen Lanxiang's arms, she held the swaddled Wang Siyu. The little girl's ears were stuffed with soft cotton beforehand to block out the deafening cheers from the outside world. She slept soundly and sweetly, undisturbed at all.

Without this cotton, this little girl, only four months old, would probably have been the youngest and only participant to burst into tears at the entire event.

Cheers and applause lingered in the square for a long time.

The children around him, Zhao Xingbang, Zhao Zhenhua, and Xu Damao, shouted themselves hoarse, but they still kept cheering.

Grandma He, who was always reserved and composed, also put aside all her restraint and joined the crowd, waving the red flag in her hand and cheering with joy; everyone's face was filled with heartfelt joy and pride.

Immediately following, the grand military parade officially began, with its perfectly aligned ranks, imposing military bearing, and advanced weaponry showcasing the grandeur of a great power.

After the military parade, a grand mass parade followed, with people carrying colorful flags, singing patriotic songs, and marching in an orderly fashion, their faces full of love and anticipation for the new China.

Everyone's hands were red and numb from clapping, but they still wouldn't stop, welcoming the new era with the most enthusiastic applause.

As the grand ceremony ended and the crowd slowly dispersed, everyone walked home without feeling tired at all. They were filled with excitement and exhilaration, their minds still replaying the breathtaking scenes from the ceremony.

That night, countless people who witnessed the grand ceremony were filled with excitement, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, their hearts brimming with boundless anticipation for the future of the new China.