Siheyuan: A journey of mountains and rivers

"Yes, brother. I'm ready. We'll leave tomorrow." He Yuzhu replied indifferently, trying to make his voice sound calm.

He Yulin walked up to him and patted his shoulder. "You've worked hard these past few years. Life in the capital is not easy after you become a Jinshi. But you have to have confidence that you can carry on the legacy of the He family."

He Yuzhu smiled slightly and looked at his elder brother gratefully. "Don't worry, brother. I will do my best. But..." His voice trembled slightly, and a trace of sadness that was difficult to conceal flashed in his eyes.

He Yulin understood the unspeakable secret in his heart. He took a deep breath and said softly: "We can't change the past. You have to put down the burden in your heart. The road ahead is still long, and the glory of the He family needs you to carry it."

He Yuzhu nodded silently, looking at his elder brother with gratitude, and the doubts and uneasiness in his heart were gradually replaced by a sense of responsibility and mission. He knew that no matter how heavy the burden was, he had to keep moving forward for the future of his family and for his own dreams.

The next morning, He Yuzhu was ready to embark on his journey to the capital. In the courtyard, he stood in front of the door, looking at everything that was familiar yet unfamiliar, and his heart was filled with all kinds of emotions.

"Yuzhu, don't forget this letter. Read it when you arrive in the capital." A crisp voice sounded. He Yuzhu looked up and saw a sealed letter handed to him by a servant in plain clothes.

He took the letter and thought of Qin Huairu. Perhaps this letter would be her final farewell, or perhaps it would be her blessing for his future. He Yuzhu carefully hid the letter, and his longing for her became even deeper.

Several servants came to him, helped him pack his luggage, and prepared the horses and his companions. He Yulin also came over and said to him solemnly: "Yuzhu, be careful on your trip to the capital, and don't act rashly. The family's reputation is in your hands, and you can't afford to lose it."

He Yuzhu nodded solemnly and promised: "Brother, rest assured, I will be careful in my words and deeds and will never let the family down."

They finally said goodbye in front of the courtyard gate. He Yulin looked at his receding back, with a mixture of trust and worry for his brother. He Yuzhu rode north, carrying the family's expectations and Qin Huairu's thoughts, and embarked on a road of no return to the future.

After settling down in the capital, He Yuzhu did not pursue a career as an official as he had expected, but instead joined a prosperous business firm to engage in business activities. The prosperity and bustle of the capital made him feel a little unfamiliar, but it also stimulated his desire to explore and develop. Although he gave up his original dream of being a literati, he found a new self-realization in business.

The company was called "Shengjinghang" and was a famous silk trader in Beijing. With the help of the owner of the company, Mr. Zhang, He Yuzhu quickly became familiar with all aspects of business operations. Starting from the most basic buying and selling, to later participating in negotiations and decision-making, his talent and hard work quickly earned him the appreciation of Mr. Zhang.

However, despite his successful career, He Yuzhu's heart was always filled with thoughts of Qin Huairu. Every night when it was quiet, he would take out the letter Qin Huairu sent him, read it several times, and feel the deep love and blessing. He knew that no matter where he was, the shadow of Qin Huairu would never be erased from his heart.

One day, while he was busy at the store, he overheard some servants discussing the chefs' skills. They mentioned a female chef named Zhang, who was said to be a culinary genius and was deeply trusted and appreciated by Boss Zhang. With her superb cooking skills, Zhang served delicious dishes to the owner and guests of the store, becoming a highlight of Shengjinghang.

He Yuzhu's heart moved. He remembered that Qin Huairu was a woman who was good at cooking and could make appetizing home-cooked dishes. This reminded him of the good times they had shared in the courtyard and the delicious dishes Qin Huairu prepared for him. He couldn't help but think of her smile and tenderness.

"Boss Zhang, can I go see that Zhang?" He Yuzhu couldn't help but ask.

Boss Zhang glanced at He Yuzhu, thought for a moment and nodded. "Do you want to try her cooking? No problem, her cooking skills are indeed one of our major selling points."

He Yuzhu was secretly delighted, thinking that he might be able to find Qin Huairu's shadow in it. He decided to go to the kitchen after get off work to take a look.

In the evening, the customers of the store gradually dispersed, and the noise in the kitchen gradually subsided. He Yuzhu quietly slipped into Zhang's kitchen and saw a woman in light blue clothes with an exquisite apron tied around her wrists cooking.

Zhang's movements were skillful and orderly, and every step seemed extremely skilled. He Yuzhu stood quietly at the door, staring at her intently. Although her face was not Qin Huairu, in her movements, He Yuzhu seemed to see Qin Huairu's figure and the delicious food she had prepared for him.

"Mr. Zhang, your craftsmanship is truly amazing." Boss Zhang walked in with a satisfied smile on his face.

Zhang smiled slightly and said respectfully, "Thank you for the compliment, boss. This is what I should do."

He Yuzhu looked at her quietly, with many emotions in his heart. In this city that he was not familiar with, he seemed to have found a familiar feeling, a feeling that could remind him of the good old days.

He knew that Qin Huairu had become an indelible part of his life. No matter where he went, no matter how many ups and downs he went through, that youthful and beautiful love story would always shine in his heart.

After working at Shengjinghang for a while, He Yuzhu gradually gained a deeper understanding of the business world. He saw how merchants operated their businesses, how they made money, and the endless business opportunities and chances in the city. He gradually began to think about how he wanted to make money.

In between his busy work, he would often pick up a pen and paper to start making plans and thinking. He thought about which industries and fields could help him accumulate wealth, and how to maximize his talents and abilities. The wave of business aroused a strong impulse in his heart, and he longed to create a career of his own through his own efforts and wisdom.

One night, he and Boss Zhang were drinking tea and chatting in the backyard of the store. He Yuzhu couldn't help but ask Boss Zhang: "Boss Zhang, I want to ask you something about business."

Boss Zhang smiled and nodded for him to continue.