Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

"Master, you haven't been sleeping well at night recently. Is your stomach uncomfortable again?" He Yuzhu asked with concern while handing over a cup of hot tea.

He Daqing took the teacup, took a sip, and nodded: "It's a bit of an old problem, but it's nothing serious. I'm old, and my body is not as good as before."

He Yuzhu felt uncomfortable. He knew that the master was trying to comfort him, but he also knew how much helplessness was hidden behind this comfort. He couldn't help but said, "Master, why don't we find a time to go to the hospital for a thorough checkup? I'll go with you."

He Daqing looked at He Yuzhu's concerned face, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He knew that He Yuzhu was really thinking about him, but he didn't want He Yuzhu to worry too much about him. He smiled and said softly: "Xiao Zhuzi, we are chefs, this little pain is nothing. Besides, my illness has not been a one- or two-day thing, and I will get used to it after a while."

He Daqing knew that he had always had a bad stomach. In addition, the recent dry weather had caused a lot of heat in his body, and he often felt dry mouth and tongue, and it became increasingly difficult to sleep at night. He had not slept well for several nights in a row, and he knew very well that if he continued like this, his body would only become more exhausted. So, he decided to make a request to He Yuzhu while he was still in the kitchen.

He Yuzhu was busy finishing his work in the kitchen, preparing to end a tiring day. Suddenly, He Daqing's low voice came from behind: "Xiao Zhuzi, are you done?"

When He Yuzhu heard that it was the master, he quickly turned around, with a little fatigue but still energetic: "Master, it's almost over, why haven't you rested yet?"

He Daqing walked slowly into the kitchen, leaned against the door frame, and looked at He Yuzhu gently: "I feel a little dry tonight, and my stomach is not feeling well. I want you to make me a bowl of heat-reducing porridge."

He Yuzhu immediately put down his work and asked with concern, "Master, are you feeling uncomfortable in your stomach? Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'll make the heat-reducing porridge now. You go and rest for a while."

He Daqing waved his hand, signaling He Yuzhu not to be too nervous: "It's an old problem, nothing serious. It's just that the weather has been dry recently, and my old body can't hold on. Just make me a bowl of porridge. Drinking it will warm my stomach and reduce my temper."

He Yuzhu felt guilty and distressed. Although the master always said it was a minor problem, he knew that these seemingly minor problems were actually caused by years of hard work. He Yuzhu quickly started to prepare the ingredients and decided to make a bowl of the most nourishing porridge for the master.

He selected some ingredients that can clear away heat and relieve internal heat, including mung beans, coix seeds, and some lotus seeds, all of which are good for clearing away heat and detoxifying. While washing the rice, he was thinking about how to make the porridge softer and more delicious, so that it can clear away heat and nourish the stomach.

"Master, please be patient, it will be fine soon." He Yuzhu comforted him while working.

He Daqing nodded, found a bench and sat down, quietly watching He Yuzhu's busy figure, and a warm feeling rose in his heart. He remembered that when he was young, he also worked hard for his apprentices. At that time, he felt energetic and was not afraid of being tired at all. But time is unforgiving, and in the blink of an eye, he has become an old man who needs his apprentices to take care of him.

He Daqing's eyes fell on He Yuzhu's hands, which were handling the food skillfully with steady and smooth movements. Seeing his apprentice preparing food for him so seriously, He Daqing felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. This feeling made him feel that his efforts over the years were not in vain, and also made him feel more deeply the deep friendship between the master and the apprentice.

He Yuzhu was cooking porridge while thinking about his master's health. He knew that his master was old and could no longer handle many things like he did when he was young. As an apprentice, he had to work harder and share the burden with his master.

The porridge was ready. He Yuzhu cooked the mung beans, coix seeds and lotus seeds until they were soft and delicate. The aroma of the porridge filled the entire kitchen. He gently scooped a bowl and brought it to He Daqing: "Master, the porridge is ready. Drink it while it's hot."

He Daqing took the bowl of steaming porridge, smelled the faint fragrance, and felt a warm feeling in his heart. He blew away the hot air carefully and took a sip. The porridge was just the right temperature and smooth in the mouth, with the fragrance of mung beans and the sweetness of lotus seeds, which was exactly the moist taste he needed.

"Good porridge, well made." He Daqing couldn't help but praise. Although he didn't say much, his tone was full of satisfaction.

He Yuzhu looked at the satisfied look on the master's face and felt a little relieved. He knew that the master's appetite was always picky, and the fact that he could get the master's praise meant that the porridge was indeed cooked properly. As he watched the master drink it mouthful by mouthful, his heart gradually calmed down.

"Master, do you feel better?" He Yuzhu asked with concern, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

He Daqing finished drinking the porridge, nodded, put down the bowl, and said with satisfaction: "This porridge is good, my stomach feels much better. You are becoming more and more skilled in cooking. I think you will surpass me sooner or later."

He Yuzhu listened, smiled slightly, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "Master, I dare not say that I will surpass you. As long as you are here, I will learn from you. When you really can't let go, I will think about how to move forward."

He Daqing felt comforted when he heard these words, but also a little melancholy. He knew that He Yuzhu had grown up and was no longer the immature apprentice. His future would be longer and farther, and he would eventually retreat behind the scenes and quietly watch his apprentice continue to move forward.

"Xiao Zhuzi, I feel relieved that you have this intention." He Daqing patted He Yuzhu's shoulder gently, his voice full of kindness.

He Yuzhu felt the care from his master and became more determined. No matter how difficult the future might be, he would run the restaurant well and pass on the master's craftsmanship and spirit.

After He Daqing drank the bowl of porridge, he felt warm in his stomach, and his fatigue seemed to be relieved a lot. He put down the bowl, stood up, patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder, and said with a hint of relief: "Xiao Zhuzi, thanks to you this time, otherwise I would have a bad night again. You should also go to bed early, you have to get up early tomorrow."

He Yuzhu nodded and watched the master slowly walk back to the room. Although he was still a little worried, he was relieved to see the master finally smile. It was late at night, and the light in the kitchen reflected He Yuzhu's lonely figure. He turned off the light, quietly cleaned up the kitchen, and prepared to go back to the house to rest.