Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

Xu Huizhen followed Feng Hui's example and built a simple grill on the edge of the yard, preparing to grill prawns, dried fish, and octopus, similar to the barbecue in later generations, with Han Qingqiu helping.

Li'er was lying in the stroller, sucking his fingers, drooling, and occasionally making "hmm, ah" sounds to show his presence.

Seeing Master Li and his three companions coming in, Xu Huizhen hurried over to greet them. Master Li was an elder, so basic etiquette was required. Xu Jianmei felt a little embarrassed when she saw that everyone had started to work.

She handed the tofu in her hand to Xu Huizhen and said, "Sister Huizhen, this is the tofu I made. Let everyone taste it and give your opinions."

Xu Huizhen took the enamel basin and said, "That's great. We can make some oyster and tofu soup. The original flavor, sprinkled with some coriander, it tastes really great."

Xu Huizhen sent the tofu to the kitchen and said a few words to He Yuzhu. When she came out, she found that the barbecue work had been taken over by Xu Jianmei.

Cai Quanwu was also very perceptive. He cleaned up the eight-immortal table and poured tea for Master Li. Xu Huizhen stretched out her two paws, but there was nothing to do.

Then come and chat with Master Li. One side of the yard is not so spacious because of the vegetables planted. In this season, it is neither cold nor hot, and the eight-immortal table is placed in the main room. The door is open, which is convenient for entering and exiting, and you can also look at the scenery in the yard.

Mr. Li was in a good mood. He said, "Huizhen, the vegetables in your yard are growing well."

Xu Huizhen: "That's all Yingzi's fault. It has nothing to do with me. By the way, are Cai Quanwu and Jianmei good to you? If they do anything wrong, tell me and I will punish them."

Grandpa Li smiled and said, "Both children are very filial. With them taking care of me, I think I can live a few more years."

Xu Huizhen: "That's great. Quanwu, go get a jar of Shaodaozi from the cellar. We can't have so many delicious dishes without wine. A feast is not complete without wine, right?"

Master Li took out a small golden gourd from his pocket, tied with a red string, and hung it around Li'er's neck. Xu Huizhen took it down quickly and said, "Master Li, this is not acceptable. She is just a little girl and doesn't need such a valuable item. Please put it away quickly."

Master Li said calmly, "I cannot refuse a gift from an elder. If you don't accept it, it means you don't welcome me, and I won't eat here."

Xu Huizhen: "What are you talking about? This, this..."

Cai Quanwu came over with a glass of wine and said, "Since the old man gave it to Li'er, you should keep it. When Li'er grows up, it will be the same for him to honor the old man." Grandpa Li: "By the way, if you have something delicious in the future, just think of me when you order it. I'm too old now, and I don't have any other thoughts. I just want to live a comfortable life."

Xu Huizhen had no choice but to accept it: "Don't worry, old man, you'll be indispensable."

Jianmei held the grilled prawns and tried to control her saliva from flowing freely. She put the prawns on the table and said, "Grandpa, please taste them first. They smell delicious."

Seeing that it would take some time for dinner, Xu Huizhen called Cai Quanwu aside and whispered to him, "It looks like dinner will take some time. Why don't you go to the director's aunt's house and give her some seafood. Jianmei's household registration was granted thanks to Director Li, so we have to repay this favor."

Cai Quanwu went to the warehouse without saying a word, packed up some seafood, and left.

Professionals do professional things, and He Yuzhu cooks quickly.

Dishes such as fish slices in sauce, fish head with chopped pepper, braised fish offal, celery and shrimp, clear-boiled Spanish mackerel, oyster and tofu soup, fried conch, original clam soup and so on were served on the table one after another. Crabs and shrimps were steamed directly in the pot.

The last dish is home-cooked braised mixed fish. Stick a circle of cornmeal cakes along the edge of the pot and use it as the staple food. If the staple food is not enough, eat the steamed buns that Jianmei brought.

Xu Huizhen asked everyone to sit down and start eating. Xu Jianmei and Xu Jianshe had broadened their horizons today. They had never eaten many dishes before. Their mouths were watering. They were very glad that they had moved from the countryside to the city. After finally sitting down and seeing the delicious food, everyone smiled and their stomachs started to growl.

Xu Huizhen picked up the wine glass and made an opening statement: "There are no outsiders here today. We are all family. This glass of wine is to wish the old man and Aunt Han good health and longevity. I wish us young people to work hard and contribute to the construction of our country. I wish Li'er a healthy growth. Come on, cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone responded in unison. After taking a sip of wine, they started eating. Xu Huizhen said generously: "Eat whatever you like, eat as much as you want."

Grandpa Li picked up the chopsticks and reached out to pick up the food. Everyone started to pick up their chopsticks, aiming directly at their favorite dishes.

Some people eat barbecue, the delicious smell has already penetrated into their noses, almost arousing their appetite. Some people eat crabs. Although this season is not the most plump time for crabs, they are still fresh. Crabs cannot be left overnight. After a day and a night, they will go bad, so even ordinary people in the capital can hardly eat sea crabs.

Some people, when drinking soup, smack their lips after taking a sip of the soup, and say two words: It’s so delicious.

Master Li came from the palace. When he was young, he enjoyed life and ate a lot of good food. But in the chaotic times, he hid himself in the dust. Otherwise, he would not have lived peacefully until now. He might have been eaten by others.

He said with satisfaction: "Master He's cooking skills are amazing. I haven't had such a sumptuous seafood dinner for many years." Then came the commendation meeting for He Yuzhu's cooking skills. Everyone rushed to praise He Yuzhu.

As a chef, the happiest thing is to be praised for your cooking skills. He said proudly, "Today we are in a rush. If I prepare more ingredients, I can still make a table full of different dishes for everyone."

Young people should be arrogant and old people should be steady. It doesn't matter if you brag a little. He Yuzhu is still young and can be a little arrogant.

Xu Huizhen: "That won't work. Let's get together again tomorrow night. Tomorrow we will distribute welfare to the employees of our tavern. Each person will get 40 kilograms of seafood. Cai Quanwu and I will share 80 kilograms. Is it enough for everyone?"

Everyone agreed: "Enough, more than enough!"

Xu Huizhen: "Tomorrow night, I plan to make dumplings stuffed with Spanish mackerel. I've eaten them at my relatives' house in Tianjin, and I'm drooling just thinking about it. Zhuzi, are you coming?"

He Yuzhu: "Come on, how can we not come when there is something delicious? It's rare to have so many ingredients, and I can practice my cooking skills by the way."

After they had a meal, Xu Huizhen said, "Jianshe, give Aunt Han a drink. Aunt Han helped you find this job."

Xu Jianshe was a little nervous. He seldom experienced such occasions and seldom drank alcohol, but he still picked up the wine glass with trembling hands, "Aunt Han, I'll toast to you and thank you for finding me a job. In the future, if you have any heavy work at home, leave it to me." After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine.

Hu Yingzi also quickly expressed her opinion: "There is also me, Aunt Han, if you have something to say, just tell me, I can do it too."

Han Qingqiu was also very happy today. Everyone likes to eat good food and be in a lively atmosphere. She said, "Just do your job well, Jianshe. I'm not old yet, I can still do it. I'll wait until I can trouble you in a few years."

Xu Huizhen: "Auntie Han, if you don't enjoy your blessings, it's the same as having no blessings at all. From now on, the work of buying rice, noodles, and coal briquettes will be left to Jianshe."

Xu Jianshe: "Yes, I'll come over on Sunday if I don't have to drive."