Siheyuan: Starting with one acre and three fen of land

It was the first sunny day after the snow, and a biting cold wind blew, causing the snow on the branches outside the courtyard wall to fall down.

The sky is clear and blue, and the red walls and green tiles complement the white snow.

The kitchen in the corner of the courtyard was a busy scene.

Tomorrow is the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and it is the New Year's Eve.

He Yuzhu has been busy here for half a year and has been approved to start his annual leave tomorrow.

The results of the past six months have been gratifying, but the corresponding result is that he comes home very late every day.

Since talking to Mr. Wu, I have had even less free time lately.

Seeing all his efforts, we gave him a long vacation in advance this time, until the sixth day after the New Year.

"Master He, you are so quick! I thought it would take a lot of effort for you to prepare so many ingredients."

Cheng Tianxiang skillfully wrapped the dumplings in his hand, and when he looked up, he saw He Yuzhu's dancing shadow.

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

He only had to glance at the dumplings on the plate to tell their quality.

He couldn't produce the same effect by himself, let alone at such a fast speed.

He was secretly amazed in his heart, and couldn't help but reach out to grab the tongs beside him and pick up a glutinous rice ball from the plate.

The white and tender glutinous rice balls are deformed as the clips open and close slightly, making them appear very elastic.

He Yuzhu had just finished making the glutinous rice ball. He put the dumpling in his hand into the bowl, paused and looked up at the opposite side.

"Master Cheng, of course I, who am young and strong, will be faster.

It was not easy to get the approval of the leaders, so of course I should take the opportunity to do more. Haha~"

Cheng Tianxiang was young once too, and he couldn’t achieve this level.

He knew that this was just his humble words, so he smiled and put the dumplings back.

The glutinous rice balls rolled down from the pile, bouncing again and again, and finally hit the edge of the basin.

He Yuzhu grabbed a handful of glutinous rice flour and sprinkled it into the basin.

Pick up the basin and shake it, and the chewy glutinous rice balls will be coated with a layer of glutinous rice flour.

"You are right. Since you came, the food for the leaders has improved a lot."

Cheng Tianxiang gave He Yuzhu a thumbs up and said, "You still have a way. I couldn't do it."

"Maybe the leaders think I'm young and can't stand my nagging..."

Of course he couldn't tell him the reason, so He Yuzhu just said something random in response and didn't continue the topic.

He took the dough bowl, added glutinous rice flour into it and started kneading the dough.

Seeing this, Cheng Tianxiang tactfully did not mention it again, and just laughed it off.

"Okay! There are still a lot of tasks left for today, let's hurry up and get them done!"

After saying that, he started rolling out the dumpling wrappers and continued making dumplings.

He Yuzhu responded and also joined in kneading the dough.

The night falls earlier in winter. As soon as it gets dark, the whistling cold wind becomes even more biting.

He Yuzhu carried a wooden pallet and walked quickly under the corridor.

The large porcelain basin on the tray was covered with a lid, and hot steam leaked out from the gaps, rising up.

"Come on~~"

He shouted loudly, pushed open the door curtain with his elbow, and walked sideways into the main room.

The cold wind took advantage of this gap and blew into the house.

The flames in the stove next to it were dancing and burning even more vigorously.

Several figures were sitting at the dinner table. When they heard the shouting, they immediately stopped talking and looked at He Yuzhu.

"Hey, Xiao He is here! Another table full of delicious food today!" The boss pointed at the table and joked.

Seeing that Mr. Wu wanted to stand up to help, He Yuzhu quickly walked to the table.

"Just enjoy the food! Besides, if I don't cook well, that would be embarrassing for me, wouldn't it?"

As he spoke, he brought the porcelain basin from the tray to the table and placed it in the center for easy access.

There was a stack of dumplings on the table and a few side dishes on the side.

Several people were amused by what he said, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became lively.

"Zhu Zi, you should sit down too and eat with us. We will have to wait until next year to see you again."

Mr. Wu waved his hand, indicating He Yuzhu to stay.

"That's right, you young man eat a lot. If you keep us old guys company and watch you eat, we can all eat more!"

The boss immediately took the spoon, opened the lid, and put the dumplings into the bowl.

"Hurry up and sit down! You've been here for such a long time, why are you still being polite?

You are so timid, you don't look like a man at all!"

The old man sat on the chair, pointed at him and teased him with a smile.

Unable to refuse the kind offer, He Yuzhu took the bowl with a smile and agreed.

"Okay! I'll follow your instructions! Then I won't be polite."

After saying that, he pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

"We are all celebrating the Little New Year the day after tomorrow, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Let's celebrate the Little New Year tomorrow with everyone else.

This year, let’s try something new and see how the glutinous rice balls you make taste, Xiao He, and whether they are authentic.”

The old man took the bowl handed to him by He Yuzhu and glanced at the round dumplings in the bowl.

Although this is the custom in the south, it does not mean that we can eat dumplings every year.

Except for the years of war and turmoil, the family's financial situation was not supportive.

Some raw materials such as sugar are a considerable expense.

But now, adhering to the lifestyle of hard work and simplicity, he mends his clothes when they are worn out.

They would not even ask the kitchen to make glutinous rice balls. It would be good enough to have a bowl of white noodles or dumplings.

It was because He Yuzhu’s contribution was so great that his request was agreed to.

Mr. Wu poked the glutinous rice balls with a spoon, felt the softness of the dough, and couldn't help nodding.

"I still believe in Zhuzi's craftsmanship, it's definitely not bad.

I feel like I've gained weight this year, all thanks to his delicious soups."

He Yuzhu smiled and bowed, "Thank you!

Please eat it while it's hot, it tastes just right. If it gets cold, the taste will be worse."

After saying that, he also started to put it in his mouth.

As everyone started moving, the room suddenly became quiet, with only the crisp sounds of collisions remaining.

The soft and glutinous dumpling is bitten open, and the sweet filling inside flows onto the spoon.

The black and white colors mixed together, and the aroma rushed into the nose, urging people to eat the rest.

After a while, he ate several dumplings in a row.

"This is incredible! Xiao He, I've been out for a while, but I feel like your cooking skills have improved again!"

The old man put down the spoon, savored the taste, and couldn't help but praise it.

"Yes, this is much better than what I've had before!"

"I have the most say in this." Mr. Wu put down his bowl happily, "I have been here for the second half of the year and have not gone out for inspection.

In addition to making soup, I also stir-fry two dishes from time to time. The taste is really different. ”

The old man turned his head to look at Mr. Wu, and when he saw that he looked serious, he laughed heartily.

"It seems my tongue is still very good!"

Then he turned his head and looked at He Yuzhu and continued,

"Xiao He, you are making rapid progress, and the speed of your development outside is also unexpected.

As for me, I am just offering you some flowers today. Come, eat more! You are the hero.”

After saying that, he took the spoon, scooped a full spoonful of glutinous rice balls and added it to He Yuzhu's bowl.

"Haha~ That's right. The reports I received were all good news.

Our task today is to finish the food on the table, and we won’t talk about anything else.

Zhuzi, if you are curious, you can go find Shukang.

By the way, remember to bring back a bowl of glutinous rice balls today and tell him that this is our reward for him."