Siheyuan: Sap is the last word

“Braised fish and a few side dishes, let’s try them together later.

"Okay, okay, I'll go call the others right away." Yan Bugui ran away excitedly. After a while, the neighbors in the courtyard walked into the kitchen and gathered around He Yudong's stove to watch the fun.

Yi Zhonghai also came. He smelled the fragrance and said with a smile, "He Yudong, this cooking skill is good. It seems that we are in for a treat today."

"Uncle Yi, please try it and see if it suits your taste." He Yudong brought a plate of hot braised fish to Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai picked up a piece of fish, tasted it carefully, and nodded repeatedly: "It's delicious, it tastes really good, He Yudong, your cooking skills are really admirable."

"He Yudong, can you teach me how to make it? My son loves fish the most." Qin Huairu came over and said. It's not difficult to make braised fish. It's mainly about the heat and seasoning. "He Yudong explained patiently.

For a moment, the kitchen was filled with laughter. He Yudong was cooking and chatting with his neighbors. Liu Haizhong also came with two bottles of beer in his hand: "He Yudong, you really opened our eyes today. Come, let's have a drink. Let's eat and drink together." He Yudong took the beer with a smile and clinked glasses with Liu Haizhong.

While eating, they chatted. Jia Zhang also sat beside them and praised He Yudong's cooking skills from time to time: "He Yudong, this dish is really well made. This is the first time I have eaten such delicious braised fish in my life."

"Thank you for the compliment," He Yudong felt full of a sense of accomplishment. He knew that he had gradually integrated into this big family.

"He Yudong, you have to cook for us more often in the future. As long as I have time, I will definitely make more delicious food for everyone.

A few days later, He Yudong decided to try something more complicated. He bought a fresh chicken from the market and prepared to make a dish of Kung Pao Chicken. This time, he specially invited Qin Huairu to learn together. "We are going to make Kung Pao Chicken this time. Are you ready?" He Yudong asked.

"I'm ready. I'm going to learn how to cook this dish from you today." Qin Huairu answered expectantly.

He Yudong began to teach Qin Huairu step by step how to prepare chicken and how to mix the sauce. Qin Huairu followed carefully and asked questions from time to time: "He Yudong, how much pepper should be put in this?"

"Don't put too much peppercorns, just a pinch is enough, mainly to enhance the flavor." He Yudong explained patiently. The aroma of Kung Pao Chicken spread, and neighbors came over and gathered at the kitchen door.

"He Yudong, what delicious food will you have this time?" Liu Guangtian came over and asked.

“Kung Pao Chicken, let’s all try it together later.

Yi Zhonghai also came over, smelled the fragrance, and praised: "He Yudong, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Yi. Let's eat together later." He Yudong said.

At dinner time, He Yudong brought the prepared Kung Pao Chicken to the table, and the neighbors gathered around. Everyone was filled with joy while eating the delicious food He Yudong made.

"He Yudong, you are really the treasure of our courtyard. With you here, we have delicious food every day." Yan Bugui joked.

"Yes, He Yudong, your cooking skills really opened our eyes." Liu Haizhong also praised. I will make more delicious food for everyone in the future. "He Yudong's heart was full of satisfaction.

After dinner, everyone sat together and chatted. He Yudong found that he had completely integrated into this big family. He looked at the smiles on his neighbors' faces.

A few days later, He Yudong decided to try to make a special dish - Peking duck. He knew that this dish required high heat and skills, but he believed that he could do it well.

He bought a plump duck from the market and started to prepare it. Qin Huairu and Liu Guangfu came to help, and everyone was busy and happy.

"He Yudong, this dish really requires your skills, are you sure you can cook it?" Liu Guangfu asked.

“I have the confidence that I can make the best roast duck.

After several hours of hard work, a golden and fragrant Peking duck finally came out of the oven. He Yudong carefully brought the roast duck to the table, and everyone gathered around the table, staring at this delicious dish.

"He Yudong, this looks so tempting." Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but praise.

"Everyone, come and try it." He Yudong greeted everyone warmly.

The neighbors all got to work, cutting the roast duck into small pieces, dipping it in sauce, and wrapping it in lotus leaf pancakes. Taking a bite, their mouths were filled with fragrance.

"It's so delicious, He Yudong, you're such a genius." Yan Jiecheng praised it highly.

"He Yudong, you can open a restaurant with your cooking skills." Liu Haizhong also joked. I will often make roast duck for everyone to eat in the future." He Yudong felt full of a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

At night, thinking back on the past few months, his heart was filled with gratitude and warmth. He knew that he had found his true home in the Siheyuan, where there were kind neighbors and warm friendship. He was determined to continue working hard to create a better life with his own hands and bring more joy and delicious food to the neighbors in the Siheyuan.

A few days later, He Yudong received a notice from the factory director that he was selected as an advanced worker and would go to the city to attend a commendation meeting. He Yudong happily told the news to his neighbors, and everyone was proud of him.

"He Yudong, you are really the pride of our courtyard." Yi Zhonghai patted his shoulder, his face full of satisfaction.

"He Yudong, go to the city and perform well, and bring honor to our courtyard." Qin Huairu also said with a smile.

"Thank you all for your support," He Yudong said, his heart filled with motivation and confidence.

On the day of the commendation meeting, He Yudong put on the new clothes specially prepared for him by the factory, stood on the stage with a refreshed spirit, and accepted the commendation and reward from the city leaders. He knew that this was not only a recognition of him personally, but also a recognition of the Siheyuan family. He Yudong showed the medals and certificates to everyone, and the neighbors were proud and happy for him. Liu Haizhong also bought some whips

Yan Bugui was arguing with Liu Guangtian over trivial family matters. He Yudong had just returned to the courtyard after get off work at the factory. He quickly put down his toolbox and walked quickly into the yard. He saw Yan Bugui and Liu Guangtian standing face to face with sullen faces, and several neighbors were standing beside them trying to persuade them. "Are you unreasonable? You have to argue with me about everything!" Liu Guangtian shouted angrily. "Don't you see what you have done! You trampled all the flowers and plants in the yard!" Yan Bugui did not show any weakness and spoke in a loud voice. He patted Yan Bugui on the shoulder and said, "Brother Yan, calm down."

"He Yudong, you've come at the right time. Tell me, Liu Guangtian is going too far." Yan Bugui's mood calmed down a little when he saw He Yudong. "Don't get too excited," He Yudong turned to Liu Guangtian and spoke gently.

Liu Guangtian calmed down a little after hearing He Yudong speak, but he still said unconvincedly: "He Yudong, tell me, his flowers and plants occupy half of the yard, I just passed by and accidentally stepped on them, is it necessary to make such a fuss? After thinking for a while, he said: "Brother Liu, although you were careless, you did step on other people's things after all. Brother Yan, your flowers and plants also take up a lot of space, can we make some adjustments to make it more convenient for everyone?"

Yan Bugui and Liu Guangtian looked at each other and said nothing. Seeing this, He Yudong continued, "In fact, everyone is doing this for the convenience of life. There is no need to hurt the harmony over these trivial matters. Brother Yan, you can move some of your flowers and plants to the side to make the road wider. Brother Liu, please be careful when you pass by next time and don't step on other people's flowers and plants."

Liu Guangtian listened to He Yudong's words and nodded, "He Yudong, you are right."

Yan Bugui also nodded and said, "Okay, I'll move the flowers and plants to a different place, so it will be more convenient for everyone."

"That's right, anything can be discussed and resolved.

The neighbors who were watching nodded in agreement with He Yudong's words. Yi Zhonghai came over and said, "He Yudong, you are so good at mediating conflicts. "He Yudong, you are really the peacemaker in our yard. With you around, we don't have to worry about quarrels anymore."

He Yudong scratched his head and smiled shyly, "Thank you for the compliments, I just try my best to make everyone get along well."

At night, he knew that his life in the courtyard was getting better and better. Not only had he integrated into this big family, but he had also won everyone's respect and favor.

A few days later, He Yudong received a notice from the factory saying that there was an important project that needed manpower and asked if he was willing to participate. He Yudong agreed without hesitation, knowing that this was a good opportunity to show his ability. He returned to the courtyard and told his neighbors the news. Liu Haizhong listened, "He Yudong, this is a good opportunity for you. If you do well, you will definitely get a promotion and a raise. He Yudong, you have to work hard, we are all optimistic about you." Qin Huairu also encouraged. He Yudong came to the factory early and joined the project team. This project requires a complex task to be completed in a short period of time. He Yudong and his colleagues worked overtime. Although he was very tired, he felt very fulfilled. He Yudong and his colleagues were working overtime in the factory when they suddenly received a call from a neighbor in the courtyard saying that a fire had broken out in the yard. He Yudong's heart tightened, and he quickly put down the work at hand and hurried back to the courtyard.

When he returned to the courtyard, he saw thick smoke billowing in the yard and neighbors were busy putting out the fire. He Yudong joined the firefighting without saying a word, and worked with everyone to quickly bring the fire under control.

After the fire, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they were still sad to see the things that were burned. He Yudong walked up to Qin Huairu and said, "Sister Qin, how is your family? Are there any injuries?"

Qin Huairu shook her head with tears in her eyes, "Fortunately, no one was injured, but everything was burned." "If the things are burned, we can buy new ones. As long as no one is safe, it's good. Restore the yard to its original state."