Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

He Daqing stood in the backyard of the restaurant, feeling the breeze, but he felt heavy in his heart and confused. Although he had been trying to endure the discomfort and not to worry He Yuzhu these days, he knew that he was gradually losing his strength. As his physical condition deteriorated, He Daqing felt a growing sense of urgency. He knew that he had to say something.

He Yuzhu was busy preparing ingredients for dinner when he suddenly heard the door to the backyard open. He looked up and saw He Daqing standing at the door with a serious expression on his face. He Yuzhu quickly put down his work and walked over to him: "Master, what's wrong with you? You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell again?"

He Daqing waved his hand, signaling He Yuzhu not to panic. He slowly walked into the yard, sat down on the bench, looked up at He Yuzhu, took a deep breath, as if he was thinking about how to speak.

"Xiao Zhuzi, come and sit down." He Daqing said softly, with a hint of fatigue that was hard to conceal in his tone.

He Yuzhu could hear the heaviness in his master's tone and couldn't help but get nervous. He sat down next to his master, staring at He Daqing intently, waiting for him to speak.

He Daqing was silent for a moment, and finally spoke: "Xiao Zhuzi, you have been learning the craft from me all these years. I am happy to see your progress. But... I am old and my health is not good. Maybe I can no longer be by your side like before."

He Yuzhu was shocked. Although he had already noticed the changes in his master's body, hearing He Daqing say these words in person still made him feel an indescribable pain. He tried to stay calm and comforted him: "Master, please don't say that. We can still go a long way together. Your experience and skills are priceless, and I still want to learn more from you."

He Daqing shook his head slightly, his eyes revealing a complex emotion: "Xiao Zhuzi, I know you are filial and you have a heart. But when people get old, there will always be times when they are unable to do things. Over the years, I have watched you grow up step by step, and I am very pleased. Now that you can handle the restaurant's affairs on your own, I am relieved."

He Yuzhu felt mixed emotions. Although his master's words were gratifying, he also heard a hint of farewell. He said anxiously, "Master, your health is the most important thing. We can work together to solve the restaurant's problems. Don't worry too much. You will get better slowly."

He Daqing sighed deeply, his fingers trembling slightly as he placed them on his knees, his tone becoming steady and slow: "Xiao Zhuzi, it's useless to worry about your health. I understand that you want me to take good care of myself, but I can't keep dragging it on like this. We have to plan for the future."

He Yuzhu suddenly felt an invisible pressure. He knew that the master was paving the way for his future. He felt powerless and didn't know how to respond. The master's words were full of expectations and trust in him, but also revealed a kind of worry, as if reminding him that the road ahead might be more difficult.

"Master, don't worry, I will run the restaurant well and won't let you down." He Yuzhu said firmly, but he was a little nervous. He knew that his master's physical condition forced him to take over the burden of the entire restaurant ahead of time, and this change came much faster than he expected.

He Daqing listened and nodded slightly, with a hint of tenderness and gratitude in his eyes. He gently patted He Yuzhu's shoulder, with a hint of kindness in his voice: "Xiao Zhuzi, I know you can do it. In fact, there is something I have never told you..."

He Yuzhu's heart tightened and he held his breath, waiting for his master's next words.

He Daqing was silent for a while, as if he was organizing his words. His voice became even deeper: "In fact, there are still some things I haven't taught you in my craftsmanship over the years. It's not because I don't want to, but because those skills need more time to hone. I originally planned to wait until you are more mature before teaching you, but now it seems that we have to start early."

He Yuzhu was stunned for a moment, and then he was excited. He knew that what the master said must be the most precious skills, the essence of his hard work accumulated over the years. Thinking of this, He Yuzhu's heart was suddenly filled with a sense of responsibility and mission. He understood that the master was paving the way for him to take over the heavy inheritance.

"Master, don't worry, I will learn well and pass on your skills." He Yuzhu's eyes were firm and his tone was filled with unquestionable determination.

He Daqing nodded, feeling a little relieved. He took out a yellowed manuscript from his arms and gently handed it to He Yuzhu. It was a collection of recipes and experiences he had accumulated over the years, and every page embodied his understanding and perception of cooking.

"You must think carefully about the things in here, not only the technical aspects, but also some principles of being a human and doing things. Cooking is not just a skill, it is also a way of dealing with people." He Daqing said slowly, with deep expectation in his eyes.

He Yuzhu took the manuscript, held it in both hands, and felt a heavy sense of responsibility in his heart. He knew that this was not just a recipe book, but the crystallization of the master's life's hard work, and his greatest and most precious trust in him.

"Master, don't worry, I will never let you down." He Yuzhu said in a firm tone, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

He Daqing nodded and looked at He Yuzhu with a smile that was both relieved and reluctant. He knew that from today on, He Yuzhu would truly embark on his own path, and he would slowly retreat behind the scenes and become a part of this heritage history.

From that day on, the relationship between He Daqing and He Yuzhu changed subtly. He Yuzhu began to take on more responsibilities in running the restaurant, while He Daqing gradually taught him all the skills and experience he had accumulated over the years. He Daqing patiently explained and demonstrated every dish and every detail, and He Yuzhu also tried his best to understand and practice.

However, He Daqing's physical condition was not optimistic. He often had gastrointestinal problems, had to get up more and more at night, and was increasingly tired. Although he tried not to let He Yuzhu notice, He Yuzhu saw it and was worried. He knew that his master was paving the way for him in his own way, but this heavy sense of responsibility also made him feel unprecedented pressure.

One night, after the restaurant closed, He Yuzhu cleaned up the kitchen and stayed to drink tea with the chef. He knew that the chef had been having trouble sleeping at night recently, so he wanted to find an opportunity to talk to him.