Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

He Daqing smiled and waved his hand, "It's okay, I'm old and can't sleep. Why did you come back so late?"

He Yuzhu put the bag on the table and opened it. Inside was a bag of fresh herbs. He explained, "I heard that you have a poor appetite recently, so I went to the pharmacy to ask and bought some herbs to make soup for you."

He Daqing was touched. He didn't expect He Yuzhu to go out of his way to buy herbs. He felt warm at the concern of his apprentice. But he was also a little embarrassed. He felt that he was old and had to make young people worry about him.

"You, after being busy all day, you still have to run to buy these things. Aren't you tired?" He Daqing asked softly.

"Master, don't say that. You have taught me so much, and it is my duty to take care of you now. Besides, I can continue to learn from you only if you are in good health." He Yuzhu said sincerely, with deep gratitude and respect in his tone.

He Daqing was slightly shocked. He had always known that He Yuzhu was grateful to him, but this sentence made him feel an indescribable sense of relief and responsibility. He suddenly realized that he was not only a cooking teacher, but also an elder and support in He Yuzhu's life.

He Daqing nodded, "Okay, then you teach me how to cook these herbs tomorrow, and we'll prepare them together."

He Yuzhu nodded quickly after hearing this, with a smile on his face, "Master, don't worry, I promise to make your body healthy."

The two of them chatted in the yard for a while, He Yuzhu talked about what happened in the restaurant during the day, and described his new ideas and plans. He Daqing listened quietly, and the depression in his heart seemed to slowly dissipate in this calm conversation.

When He Yuzhu mentioned that he wanted to try to make some innovative dishes, He Daqing's heart moved. He felt that he could no longer immerse himself in the glorious days of the past, but should follow the ideas of young people and continue to use his experience to help them.

"Zhu Zi, these new dishes you mentioned are indeed very interesting. However, no matter how good the new things are, we must not forget the essence of tradition. Let's study together tomorrow to see how to better combine the new and the old." He Daqing suggested.

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up, "Great, Master! With your guidance, I will definitely be able to make better dishes!"

That night, He Daqing returned to his bed with some anticipation. He was no longer so depressed, but felt a sense of fulfillment that he had not felt for a long time. He thought about tomorrow's plan and the research he would do in the kitchen with He Yuzhu, and a new passion ignited in his heart.

The next morning, when He Daqing woke up, he felt much more energetic. Although he was still feeling a little uncomfortable, the new motivation in his heart made him feel that today was a special day.

He packed up carefully and put on the chef's uniform that was washed bleached but still clean. He had worn this uniform for decades, witnessing countless days and nights of hard work and countless successes and failures. Today, he felt it was time to put it on again, for himself and for He Yuzhu.

He Daqing walked into the yard and saw He Yuzhu had already gotten up and was busy in the kitchen. He Yuzhu got up early to prepare the herbs. According to the recipe he learned in the pharmacy last night, he was carefully boiling a pot of medicinal soup to regulate the stomach. Seeing He Daqing coming over, he smiled and greeted him, "Master, good morning! I just boiled some medicinal soup, you can try it later."

He Daqing nodded and walked into the kitchen. When he saw He Yuzhu busy at work, he felt warm inside, but also a little worried. He knew it was time to talk to He Yuzhu, not only about his health, but also about their future cooperation and division of labor in the restaurant.

When the soup was ready, He Daqing picked up the bowl and drank it slowly. The soup tasted slightly bitter, but the mild aroma of the medicine made him feel a warm current rising from his stomach, and it seemed that even the discomfort accumulated for a long time was gradually dissipating. He Daqing put down the bowl and said softly, "This soup is good, Xiao Zhuzi, it seems that you have studied hard in the medicine shop."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Master, I can learn more only when you are in good health. I am counting on you to teach me more skills!"

He Daqing felt warm in his heart when he heard this, but he also had a bit of mixed emotions. He knew what He Yuzhu meant, and he also knew that he had high expectations of him, but he couldn't continue to avoid some practical issues. He Daqing pondered for a while, and finally made up his mind to speak.

"Xiao Zhuzi, there is something I need to tell you." He Daqing's voice was filled with deep emotion. "You have done a great job in the restaurant recently, even better than I did back then. I am happy for you, but at the same time I am a little worried."

He Yuzhu was stunned when he heard this, and put down the bowl in his hand, "Master, don't say that, I am far inferior to you! You have always been my role model, and I can achieve some results now, all thanks to your teaching."

He Daqing shook his head. "No, Zhuzi, you have to understand that I am not denying your achievements, but... I have to face a fact. I am old and my health is not as good as before. I have been suffering from these minor ailments recently. I also know that I can no longer stay in the kitchen every day like before."

He Yuzhu's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect He Daqing to mention his physical condition so directly. "Master, your body does need to be taken care of, but you are still the pillar of our family. Without you, I really don't know what to do."

He Daqing smiled slightly, "I understand what you're thinking. Don't worry, I won't just give up. I will continue to help you in the restaurant, but I may be more of a behind-the-scenes guide. After all, in actual operations, my energy and physical strength can't keep up."

He Yuzhu was silent for a while, feeling mixed emotions. He had always regarded He Daqing as an irreplaceable master and elder, and never thought that one day He Daqing would retreat behind the scenes. This change made him feel uneasy, and also made him realize that the responsibility on his shoulders was even heavier.

"Master, I..." He Yuzhu opened his mouth, not knowing how to continue.

He Daqing saw He Yuzhu's hesitation. He patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xiaozhu, don't be afraid. You have done well, and you will do better next time. I will support you by your side, but my way may change. You have to know that true inheritance is not for one person to always stand in the front, but to be able to see the younger generation can stand on their own when you step back."