Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 328

"Don't leave, you've come all this way, how can you leave? Your brother will treat you to lunch," Secretary Zhang said with a smile.

"No need, why be so polite? I'll just have to cook anyway," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"You're the wiser one, brother. There's a reception lunch today. Since Chef He's here, why don't you show off your skills?"

Although I hadn't originally planned to invite He Yuzhu over, now that he's here, I can't let him go. Today's lunch break is also very important, so it would be best to keep He Yuzhu here.

"this..."

"Forget about that, let's just leave it at that," Secretary Zhang said, patting the blueprints.

Well, what else is there to say? Right now, among all the units in Beijing, only the steel rolling mill can produce this crucial equipment. If I just turn around and leave, they won't produce it for me anymore.

Besides, the two sides had a good relationship, and the fees paid each time were quite high, so He Yuzhu certainly wouldn't want to strain the relationship, so he had no choice but to agree.

Secretary Zhang asked, "It's still early. Would you like to go to the cafeteria, or should I arrange a guesthouse for you to rest?"

"I'll go to the cafeteria instead, so as not to interfere with your work."

Secretary Zhang saw He Yuzhu to the door and said, "Alright, if you were from the steel mill, I wouldn't have seen you there."

In the cafeteria kitchen, He Daqing was somewhat surprised by He Yuzhu's arrival. After chatting for a bit and learning the whole story, he explained:

"Then I'm relaxed today, enjoying some peace and quiet."

He Yuzhu sighed helplessly, realizing that wherever he went, he was destined to be a cook. He wished he had never chosen this profession.

Cooking for others and eating food prepared by others are clearly two completely different treatments.

Upon He Yuzhu's arrival, Ma Hua rushed over to brew him tea, respectfully placed it aside, and asked if he needed anything.

He Yuzhu was quite satisfied with MCA, and said, "You'll be my assistant at noon."

Ma Hua's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Thank you, Master He. I will definitely do my job well."

Time flew by, and it was noon. He Yuzhu first asked the guests about their preferences before preparing to cook.

MCA was in charge of the preparations from the beginning. This child is quick and skillful, with good eyesight and knife skills. It seems he has practiced a lot.

While he was cooking, he was allowed to watch. Ma Hua even mustered up his courage and asked a few questions, which He Yuzhu answered seriously.

MCA was overjoyed, feeling that Ho Yu Chu's attitude towards them was too good. Although Ho Da Qing also taught them, he was quick to scold people and wouldn't explain things in detail, only telling them to observe and learn more.

Unlike He Yuzhu, who provided detailed explanations and directly guided me, I didn't have the opportunity to avoid many detours.

The instructors were teaching diligently, and the guests were very satisfied. After taking only two bites, Chairman Lou put down his chopsticks and asked, "Old Yang, has a new chef arrived in the kitchen?"

Factory Director Yang asked with a smile, "You could tell?"

Lou Zhenhua laughed and said, "He Daqing used to cook all the dishes. Although his skills have improved a lot since then, today's food is obviously better. It must not have been cooked by He Daqing."

Factory Director Yang smiled and said, "You understand perfectly. This is indeed not He Daqing's cooking; it was his son, He Yuzhu, who made it."

"His son's skills are actually better than his father's?" Lou Zhenhua was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, his son's skills are indeed much better than his father's."

Lou Zhenhua suddenly realized: "I seem to have heard someone mention before that there was a chef surnamed He who was quite young and had obtained a first-class chef's certificate. Is this Chef He you're talking about?"

"Yes, that's him."

Lou Zhenhua was surprised: "I didn't expect that Master He was actually He Daqing's son. Now things are much easier."

Factory Director Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Is it about your son's wedding?"

"Yes, I only have one son, so of course we have to have a grand wedding. It's just that the chef we hired wasn't very good at cooking, so we're not entirely satisfied."

Factory Director Yang nodded: "Yes, getting married is the most important day of one's life, so of course it should be perfect and there can be no mistakes."

If it were someone else, Director Yang would step in and contact He Yuzhu to invite him to prepare the banquet.

However, Lou Zhenhua and He Daqing had a good relationship. After all, He Daqing had worked as a cook in the steel rolling mill before liberation, and they had known each other for many years, so Lou Zhenhua didn't need to act as a middleman.

Factory Director Yang chatted with Luo Zhenhua for a few minutes, then turned to Lou Xiao'e, who was standing next to him, and asked her if the dishes suited her taste and if she had any favorite dishes.

Lou Xiao'e thanked him first, then said somewhat shyly, "Uncle Yang, I like to eat Sanbuzhan (a type of fried dough stick), could you please ask Chef He to make one for me?"

Although today's dishes are all Beijing cuisine, there is no dessert, so Lou Xiao'e couldn't help but ask to order.

Lou Zhenhua felt somewhat embarrassed and scolded, "Xiao'e, you can't do this, it's so rude."

Generally speaking, guests follow the host's lead and don't order food themselves. If a meal has already been prepared, wouldn't it be implying that you're not satisfied with the food or that it doesn't suit your taste?

Factory Director Yang laughed and said, "Chairman Lou, you flatter me. I didn't think it through before. I didn't realize that making a dessert like 'Sanbuzhan' isn't difficult. I can just make another one."

He turned around and called out to his secretary, Xiao Zhang, but Secretary Zhang was in the kitchen at the time and couldn't hear him.

Lou Xiao'e stood up and said, "I'd better ask Chef He myself, and also ask why my cooking is never quite right."

At that time, Lou Xiao'e was still a student and didn't have many tricks up her sleeve. After saying that, she turned around and left the house.

Lou Zhenhua laughed and said, "I've spoiled this daughter rotten."

"No way! They're at that innocent and carefree age, which is great."

Lou Xiao'e skipped out and then stood at the door of the kitchen, looking around.

Judging from what they just said, the person cooking has changed to He Daqing's son, so he must be quite young.

He lingered on He Yuzhu's face for a while. This was the only person he had never seen before. He looked rather mature. He looked at He Daqing and he seemed to be similar. Could this be the person?

At this moment, He Daqing also recognized Lou Xiao'e and asked, "Miss Lou, is something the matter?"

Hearing this, He Yuzhu turned around and immediately saw Lou Xiao'e standing at the door.

Lou Xiao'e is still a minor at the moment. Her tender face is chubby with baby fat, and her hair is styled in pigtails, making her look pretty and cute.

She was wearing a dress that clearly showed her slender waist, without the later obesity.

Lou Xiao'e said shyly, "Master He, I'm looking for the chef who cooked lunch today."

He Daqing was somewhat surprised, but didn't ask any further questions. He pointed at He Yuzhu and said:

"This is my son. He cooked lunch today. Is it not to your liking?"

Then he said to He Yuzhu, "This is the third young lady of the Lou family."

Lou Xiao'e is the third child in her family, with an older brother and an older sister, as clearly stated in the TV series.

He Yuzhu was quite surprised that Lou Xiao'e would seek out him, the chef, at this time.

Logically speaking, my skills are already top-notch, and I wouldn't make any mistakes even with my eyes closed.

"So this is Master He."

He Yuzhu asked, "Is it because the food doesn't suit your taste? Or are there any dietary restrictions?"

Lou Xiao'e said shyly, "No, the food was delicious, the best I've ever eaten."

Then he asked, "Could you please make me a 'three-no-stick' dish?"

"Three-No-Stick? This dish requires a lot of white sugar, so I didn't make it earlier. Do you like this dish?"

"Yes! Thank you for your help."

"But eating too much of this dish will make you fat!"

Chapter 241 Dessert

He Yuzhu, thinking about how chubby Lou Xiao'e would look in the future, gave her a reminder, but this reminder made Lou Xiao'e very unhappy.

Although at that time most people in society believed that being slightly overweight was a sign of a wealthy family, after all, being able to eat well and be full was a luxury for ordinary people.

No girl wants to be fat; after all, a slender figure is the most beautiful.

Lou Xiao'e looked very unhappy, and He Daqing spat out the mouthful of green tea he was drinking.

Why does my son still talk in such a silly way? Sometimes he even complains that I gave him the nickname "Silly Pillar" back then.

You've already had two kids, yet you still can't please young girls with your words. If a girl wants a dish of "three no-sticks" (a dish without any ingredients), you should just make it for her, instead of saying she'll get fat from eating it.

"Zhu Zi, why are you talking so much nonsense? Hurry up and make me a plate of Sanbuzhan (a type of cold dish)."

"Alright, it's my fault. Don't be angry, young lady. I'll make it for you right away."

Upon hearing this, Lou Xiao'e returned to normal, smiling broadly, and took two steps inside, standing by the stove.

When Ma Hua heard that Lou Xiao'e wanted to order "Sanbuzhan" (a type of spicy pasta dish), he quickly grabbed eggs and starch, making preparations in advance.

He Yuzhu heated oil in a wok and then started stir-frying. The dish, also known as Sanbuzhan or Osmanthus Egg, is made by mixing eggs, starch, sugar, and water and then stir-frying it.

Although the ingredients are simple, it's not easy to make this dish well.

Not only is it golden in color and sweet in taste, but what's even more amazing is that it doesn't stick to the plate, chopsticks, or teeth, which is why it's called "three-no-stick".

Lou Xiao'e said, "Master He, I tried to do it twice at home before, but I didn't do it right each time. I don't know why."

After liberation, some wealthy families could no longer employ maids, but they could hire nannies on the market.

There is a clear difference between the two; most maids have signed indentures and are considered servants.

Nannies have a much higher social status. Although the essential differences are significant, in reality there is not much difference.

Just as He Yuzhu said, because eating "three-no-stick" food would lead to weight gain, her mother didn't want her to eat too much and often wouldn't let the nanny cook it for her.

Lou Xiao'e loves to eat and has a sweet tooth, especially this "Sanbuzhan" (a type of sweet pastry). Sometimes she makes it herself in the kitchen.