Siheyuan: Tanjia Cuisine He Daqing, destroying Yi Zhonghai

He decided not to tell He Yuzhu about these ideas for the time being, not because he didn't trust him, but because he felt it was not the right time. What He Yuzhu needed now was to focus on improving his cooking skills and ability to manage the restaurant, rather than being troubled by these shadows that might not exist.

"Wait until there is more evidence before telling Xiao Zhuzi." He Daqing thought silently in his heart and finally closed his eyes.

The tranquility of the night enveloped the courtyard again, and He Daqing's breathing gradually calmed down, but the moment of slipping and the stone that surprised him still vaguely emerged in his mind. Although he told himself that everything might be just an accident, the vigilance in his heart was like a taut string, and he dared not relax at all.

The next morning, He Yuzhu got up early and prepared a sumptuous breakfast. He wanted to reassure his master and himself through these efforts. However, when he saw his master walking out of the room, the depth in his once firm eyes made him feel that his master seemed to be hiding something in his heart.

"Master, good morning. Did you have a good rest?" He Yuzhu asked with a smile, with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.

He Daqing nodded and smiled gently, but He Yuzhu was keenly aware of the fatigue and contemplation hidden in that smile.

"I'm fine, Xiao Zhuzi, the breakfast you prepared is very rich. Let's have a good meal today." He Daqing said in a calm tone, but his eyes revealed a thoughtful look from time to time.

Although He Yuzhu was somewhat puzzled, he did not ask any more questions. He knew that his master was a man of his own ideas. If he really had something to say, he would definitely tell him. So he nodded and sat down with his master to eat breakfast, but he felt a little uneasy in his heart.

After breakfast, He Daqing took care of the restaurant business as usual. Everything seemed normal, but he never relaxed his vigilance. He quietly observed every corner of the courtyard, trying to find any possible abnormalities, but everything was as usual, calm and orderly.

"Maybe I'm worrying too much." He Daqing thought to himself with self-mockery, but the uneasiness deep in his heart still followed him like a shadow.

He Yuzhu devoted himself to cooking and restaurant management, trying to make himself stronger. Although he did not notice more abnormalities, he vaguely felt from the master's expression that things were not as simple as they seemed. Although He Daqing did not say anything, his intuition told him that perhaps something was happening quietly, and he had not yet fully realized it.

Finally one evening, Sha Zhu mustered up the courage to find He Daqing after work at the restaurant. At that time, He Daqing was sitting in the corner of the kitchen, holding a cup of tea in his hand, his eyes a little vague.

"Master, let's talk." Sha Zhu said in a pleading tone.

He Daqing looked up, seeming a little surprised, but soon smiled and said, "What's the matter? Shazhu, if you have something to say, go ahead and tell me. I'm listening."

Sha Zhu sat down, facing He Daqing, feeling a little nervous. He thought carefully for a long time, and finally said, "Master, are you dissatisfied with me? I know that I may not do well sometimes, but I really want to continue to learn your craft and continue to work with you."

He Daqing was stunned for a moment, then shook his head: "Dissatisfied? Not at all, Shazhu, you have always done a good job. I just... Oh, forget it, these are just some old man's random thoughts, no big deal."

"Master, that's not the case." Sha Zhu said anxiously, "I know you are unhappy, and I understand, but I hope you can tell me. I don't want to see you alone in depression."

He Daqing was silent for a moment, and finally sighed: "Silly Zhu, there may be no point in telling you this. You are young and capable, and you should have your own way. I... am old, and there are many things that I can't do. In the past, I always felt that I could still help you, but now, seeing you deal with those things on your own, I realize that I can no longer help you."

"Master, you are not like that." Sha Zhu said hurriedly, "Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. I have never thought of abandoning you. You will always be my master!"

He Daqing's eyes flashed with a touch of emotion, but more of a complex emotion. He nodded and patted Sha Zhu's hand: "I know you have always been a good boy. But people always have to move forward and can't stay in the same place. I just need some time to adapt. After all, I am no longer the young man who could work in the kitchen all day."

Sha Zhu felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He knew that what He Daqing said was the truth. The master was indeed getting older and his health was not as good as before. Sha Zhu never thought that one day He Daqing would feel this way, but now he understood that the master was also a human being, and he also had his own feelings and helplessness.

"Master, no matter what you think, I will not leave you. You taught me not only cooking skills, but also the principles of being a person and doing things." Sha Zhu said seriously, "We can continue to work together. The restaurant belongs to the two of us, and you will always be my master."

He Daqing felt Sha Zhu's sincerity, and the depression in his heart seemed to be relieved a little. He smiled and nodded, "Okay, Sha Zhu, I'll listen to you. Let's work together."

The gap between the two seemed to be eased after this conversation. He Daqing returned to work at the restaurant. Although he did not do it himself as before, he still supported Sha Zhu silently behind the scenes. Sha Zhu also began to pay more attention to He Daqing's feelings. He tried to share more work so that the master would not have to work so hard. At the same time, he kept asking He Daqing for advice to maintain close contact between them.

As the restaurant business continued to expand, Sha Zhu faced more and more challenges. Sometimes he felt overwhelmed, but whenever this happened, he would always think of the principles of life and work that He Daqing had taught him. Those words were like a beacon, guiding him through each difficulty. Although the figure of the master gradually became less active, Sha Zhu knew that He Daqing's influence was still deeply rooted in his heart.

However, He Daqing's depression has not completely dissipated. Although he accepted Sha Zhu's kindness, the feeling of loss in his heart still came to his mind from time to time. Sometimes he sat alone in the backyard, listening to the noise of the restaurant outside, and felt an inexplicable loneliness in his heart. Once upon a time, he was also the one standing in front of the stove, busy directing everything, but now, he can only watch others busy quietly.