Siheyuan: A blessed place to start

"I just don't understand why the originally set rules were suddenly changed! Isn't this a huge hassle?"

Lou Xiao'e couldn't understand how this matter could be changed so easily?

There are so many judges and so many behind-the-scenes staff and planners organizing this competition, and the decisions were made after multiple meetings and consultations.

It is impossible to change it at will, and a meeting must be held to decide before any changes are made.

This matter can't change just like that!

Shazhu sat there like a mute person, not saying a word, his eyes a little dazed, and no one knew what he was thinking about.

"Lou Xiao'e, I'm going to tell you something. Remember this. Don't tell anyone else that I have a collection of books!"

Lou Xiao'e almost couldn't recover from the sudden sound of her name being called.

"What did you call me!"

"Ok?"

Only then did Sha Zhu realize that he had said the wrong thing.

"Okay, what are you doing! What are you talking about! Look at my mouth! Boss Lou, General Manager Lou! I said something wrong, I have to drink a glass of wine as punishment!"

As he spoke, Sha Zhu picked up the teacup sitting on the table and drank it all in one gulp, making Lou Xiaoe burst into laughter.

"Do you think I'm a gossipy woman? I'm not! If it weren't for proving my innocence, I wouldn't tell your secret to anyone!"

"No, you could have told anyone else but Xiao Weiguo. You are walking into a trap!"

Throw yourself into a trap?

At first, Lou Xiao'e didn't think about this. She just felt that she needed someone to at least explain it to her, otherwise she would never be able to clear herself even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

For a moment, I couldn't think of anyone to explain to. If I were to talk about his relationship with the hospital, and the person who had a relationship with Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu, then wouldn't it be Xiao Weiguo?

I simply confessed the matter to him. I really just wanted to prove my innocence. I never expected that Sha Zhu's collection of books would be extremely useful to Xiao Weiguo.

"Did he ask you for this secret book?"

Lou Xiao'e asked in surprise, unable to help but regretting it in her heart.

"That's not the case, but..."

"But what! You won't agree to his terms?"

Looking at Sha Zhu's expression, Lou Xiao'e realized that something was wrong. Sha Zhu must be hiding something.

Xiao Weiguo is not a pushover. He loves collecting old things. Logically speaking, the books in Sha Zhu's hands are also antiques. How can he not love them?

If he really took it away, she would be at a great loss.

"No, he just looked at it for a few seconds and gave it back to me!"

"Did he really return it to you? Are you sure he didn't switch it?"

It's not that Lou Xiao'e doubts Xiao Weiguo's character, she just feels that he can't throw away something he has already got.

There is no reason not to have it!

Sha Zhu frowned, feeling that this woman was troublesome and thought too much.

"I really didn't! I was right in front of him, and it was the first time for him to see this collection of books. How could he find something exactly like mine to exchange for the real one? Absolutely not. I'm not a fool, so you can rest assured!"

As he said this, Shazhu wrapped his shirt around him, feeling that his IQ had been greatly insulted.

"Zhu Zi, your main task now is to concentrate on your training!"

"What do you mean? Are you going to send me to the mountains to practice in seclusion?"

Lou Xiao'e was so amused by him that she fell backwards. She had never realized before that Sha Zhu was always the funniest person no matter what time it was.

"You, please stop teasing me! I mean you need to calm down and study your cooking skills, improve your level, and concentrate on preparing for the competition in three days! If you can win the championship! No, runner-up is also good! Top three! If you can get the top three, I, Lou Xiao'e, will keep my promise and prepare a surprise for you! Not only will your bonus and salary double, but I can also give you shares in the restaurant!"

Lou Xiao'e looked at Sha Zhu very sincerely and spoke without a trace of hesitation in her eyes.

Sha Zhu also understood that Lou Xiao'e took this matter extremely seriously. In this case, the pressure was really on him.

However, because of this incident, the misunderstanding between him and Qin Huairu became deeper and deeper. He wanted to ask Lou Xiaoe to help mediate, but the matter of the book collection must not be leaked!

Seeing Sha Zhu's thoughtful look, Lou Xiao'e also understood what he was thinking. There is no chef in the world who doesn't want to be successful and famous, and Sha Zhu is no exception.

This competition is a great opportunity for him.

"Zhu Zi, Huai Ru...if you need help, I can go and explain everything to him. We are both innocent. If he wrongly accuses me, I will be the modern-day Dou E! I am so wronged!"

Lou Xiao'e didn't want to get involved in the relationship between the couple, but she felt that the more she explained, the more confused things would become.

But he still wanted to ask Sha Zhu's opinion, in case he needed help?

It's not that he is not willing to go through fire and water for this good revolutionary comrade. Solving the problem in the backyard will also allow him to concentrate on preparing for the competition!

But Sha Zhu shook his head and refused, "Auntie, please be quiet for a while! I have to take care of my own housework, so I won't bother you anymore, or the more I explain, the worse it will get."

"Hey, do you think I'm willing to help you? I don't want to help you with something that's thankless! Let me tell you, the restaurant business has been bad these days, so you might as well practice in seclusion! Whether you go home or work in the restaurant kitchen, just find a place for yourself, and I'll take care of your food, clothing, housing and transportation!"

"Oh, there's such a good thing! Okay, I'm also willing to serve you, just make sure I'm well fed! Let Xiao Chen prepare the food for me and send it to the kitchen warehouse!"

Having said that, Sha Zhu stood up and left. Lou Xiao'e understood that he was going to hide in the restaurant, so the best dishes must be served to allow the chef to recuperate as he was about to prepare for the big exam.

At this time, Zui Xiang Lou's business is no longer comparable to the past. As the New Year is approaching, there are quite a few people on the street buying New Year's goods, but not many people come into the restaurant to eat.

However, the private rooms on the second floor were packed with people from various factory units having gatherings and dinners.

In order to allow Chef Wang to have time to prepare for the competition, Xiao Weiguo gave him a vacation early and approved him to concentrate on training in the kitchen. Li Sanduo took over as the head of the kitchen, which was a good opportunity for him to practice more.

"Bang Geng, the last time you came back was more than ten years ago. Can't you stay at home for a few more days?"

Qinjia Village

After breakfast, the Qin family's house was still steaming hot because the arrival of Qin Huairu's family brought the Qin family into the New Year atmosphere early.

"That's right, kid, you feel that you are not close to your grandma, so you are in a hurry to leave! I'm telling you, we treat you as our family. No matter how old you are, you are still a child around us!"

Qin Huairu's elder brother was the first to speak up to retain Banggeng, hoping that he could stay longer.

Bang Geng also scratched his head in a busy manner, "Uncle, what you said is out of place, I'm home here! Besides, my mother is here, this is my home! But this time I really have something important to do! I've partnered with Xu Damao from our hospital to do a business, and this must be done before the New Year!"

What Banggeng said was indeed true, and Qin Huairu was very clear about it.