After three rounds of drinks

Inside the machinery factory in Beijing, the winter wind swirled coal smoke outside the factory buildings, but inside the workshops, a scene of bustling activity unfolded.

He Daqing was already a figure who could shake the entire factory with a stomp of his foot.

Since taking over as the head chef in the factory canteen, He Daqing has won over all the workers and leaders in the factory with his superb culinary skills.

He earns the highest salary and has countless benefits. When he walks around the factory, everyone, from the workshop director to the logistics manager, has to greet him respectfully as "Master He." He's doing incredibly well, and his back is straighter than the factory's chimney.

But the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. Seeing He Daqing's splendid appearance, Yi Zhonghai's jealousy had long been burning fiercely.

In recent years, he has been secretly sabotaging He Daqing, holding onto the old story of He Daqing cooking for high-ranking Japanese officials in his early years, and secretly complaining and gossiping about him everywhere, wishing he could drag He Daqing off the position of head chef in the canteen and take his place.

Who would have thought that Lou Bancheng, the boss of the machinery factory, was not just a name for himself—his family owned half the business in Beijing, and his connections and wealth were unfathomable.

Yi Zhonghai's little schemes were easily suppressed as soon as they reached Lou Bancheng. He Daqing remained unscathed from beginning to end, continuing to cook and enjoy his life as usual.

It wasn't until later that Yi Zhonghai gleaned the truth from others.

The Tan family cuisine that He Daqing talks about every day is not just something he boasts about. It is a family recipe passed down from Lou Bancheng's wife's family. He Daqing has a connection with Lou Bancheng's wife through their shared lineage, and Lou Bancheng protects him as if he were family!

Upon learning this, Yi Zhonghai deflated like a punctured balloon, his wicked thoughts completely extinguished, and he dared not secretly stab He Daqing in the back anymore.

He also realized that going head-to-head with those in power would only lead to trouble, so he decided to put aside his ambitions and focus on making money. He even considered following in his adoptive father's footsteps and adopting a reliable son so that he would have someone to rely on in his old age.

But the circle he frequented consisted mostly of ruthless characters who made a living through shady dealings and organized crime. They were all obsessed with money. They wouldn't even be willing to take a godfather and serve him wholeheartedly. Even if their own father blocked their path to wealth, they would stab them in the back and sell them out. Yi Zhonghai tried a few times but was met with a cold shoulder and had no choice but to give up in frustration.

Meanwhile, Sha Zhu, along with Wang Cuiping, Qiao Lingyi (Xiao Man), and their group, finally stepped back into their courtyard home in Beijing. Xu Fugui's family had been waiting at the door, and their faces were beaming with smiles upon seeing Sha Zhu's safe return.

Xu Fugui, along with his family, politely greeted Wang Cuiping, Qiao Lingyi, and their two children, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then tactfully took his leave.

He patted Sha Zhu on the shoulder and said gruffly, "Zhu Zi, your family just got together. We're just standing here in the way. I'll bring Da Mao over another day to mooch off your dad's good food and drinks!"

Xu Damao was reluctant to leave, his eyes fixed on Xiaoman standing next to Shazhu, his heart filled with curiosity and reluctance, his feet seemingly nailed to the ground, refusing to move.

"Dad, can I stay with Brother Zhu a little longer?" Xu Damao grabbed Xu Fugui's arm and threw a tantrum.

Xu Fugui's face darkened, and he grabbed his son by the back of his collar with such force that there was no room for resistance.

"What are you waiting for! They're a family having a private talk, what are you doing, you little brat, meddling in? Go home and do your homework!"

With a lot of dragging and pulling, Xu Damao kept looking back as his father pulled him away from the He family, muttering his dissatisfaction, which made Xu Fugui turn around and glare at him again.

Once the Xu family members disappeared into the alleyway, the atmosphere in the main room of the He family instantly quieted down.

Chen Lanxiang held Sha Zhu's hand and looked her son up and down several times. Her eyes were slightly red, but the worry in her heart overshadowed the joy of the reunion.

Her gaze fell on Xiaoman, a little girl behind Shazhu, who was wearing faded coarse cloth clothes and had delicate features but a hint of timidity. Her brows furrowed slightly.

Her tone was full of concern as she asked, "Zhu Zi, it's not that I'm disgusted by you bringing someone back, but what's the story with this girl? Where are her parents? Where is her family? Don't let your heart soften and bring her back. What will we say when her family comes looking for us?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu patted his mother's hand, his tone calm and gentle.

"Mother, don't worry, Xiaoman is an orphan with no parents. I rescued her once in Tianjin. I saw her wandering the streets alone, looking so pitiful, so I brought her back and planned to take her in."

"An orphan?" Chen Lanxiang exclaimed in surprise, her voice rising several decibels. She turned to look at Xiaoman, her eyes instantly filled with pity. "Zhuzi, tell your mother in detail what happened?"

Sha Zhu then recounted to Chen Lanxiang in detail how he had met Xiao Man by chance in Tianjin, how he had rescued her from being bullied by local thugs, and how he had learned about her tragic past. He even described in detail how Xiao Man had been wandering alone for several years and making a living by collecting scraps.

Chen Lanxiang felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this, and her eyes welled up with tears. She quickly waved to Xiaoman, her voice so gentle it could melt water.

"Poor child, come here to me, let me take a good look at you."

Xiaoman trembled slightly and subconsciously looked up at Shazhu first. She saw Shazhu smiling and nodding at her. Then she turned to look at Wang Cuiping beside her. Wang Cuiping also nodded gently at her, signaling her to come over.

Xiaoman finally overcame her fear, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly with her little hands, and carefully moved step by step to Chen Lanxiang, her head hanging down, not daring to look up.

Just then, He Yushui, who was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), suddenly spoke up in a clear and crisp voice, breaking the slightly restrained atmosphere.

"Pretty sister, my name is He Yushui, I'm Brother Zhu's sister, can you hug me?"

The little girl had two round buns in her hair, rosy cheeks, and bright eyes like black grapes. Her soft voice instantly touched Xiaoman's heart.

Xiaoman's tense body relaxed instantly, a faint smile appeared on her face, and she quickened her pace toward the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), wanting to hug this cute little sister.

Before she could even touch He Yushui, Chen Lanxiang gently grabbed her arm and squinted to examine her closely—the girl had regular features, fair skin, and although she was wearing old clothes, she was clean and tidy, with clear eyes, and looked like a well-behaved and sensible child.

Chen Lanxiang became more and more satisfied as she looked at Xiaoman and Shazhu, her gaze sweeping back and forth between them several times, her smile impossible to hide.

Xiaoman's cheeks flushed instantly under her gaze, like a ripe apple. She lowered her head even further and nervously twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

The old lady of the He family, sitting in the main seat, glanced at her daughter-in-law's appearance and knew exactly what was going on. She coughed lightly and interrupted Chen Lanxiang's scrutiny.

"Alright, alright, Lanxiang, stop staring at the child. He's not going anywhere. There's plenty of time in the future, we can take our time to observe him."

After speaking, the old lady turned to look at Wang Cuiping standing to the side, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry, and asked in a calm tone, "Wang family girl, are you planning to stay in Beijing this time and not return to Tianjin?"

Wang Cuiping bowed slightly, her attitude respectful and sincere: "Yes, madam, I would like to rent a room in your courtyard and settle down here."

The old lady nodded, tapped the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) lightly with her fingers, and asked one more question: "There are plenty of houses and yards. If I may ask, are you really not planning to go back to your husband's family? Didn't you say you'd live with a man when you left?"

Wang Cuiping's eyes darkened, a bitter smile appeared on her lips, and she shook her head vigorously: "There's no going back, old lady."

"Can't you go back? Did you suffer some misfortune, or is your man treating you badly?" The old lady frowned, her tone filled with concern.

"It wasn't a disaster, nor was it that he treated me badly," Wang Cuiping sighed softly, her voice lowering.

"He went south, and left in a hurry. He said he couldn't take me with him, and it wouldn't be convenient for me to come along as a pregnant woman."

"Ah! Another woman with a tragic fate!"

Upon hearing this, the old woman couldn't help but sigh, her face full of sympathy. "So what do you plan to do to make a living in the future? You're pregnant; you can't just keep enduring this forever, can you?"

"I haven't decided yet," Wang Cuiping said, touching her slightly protruding belly with a gentle expression.

"I want to wait until the baby is born and my health is stable before looking for work."

"Alright, alright," the old lady nodded repeatedly, then remembered something and quickly asked.

"Did that bastard who ran south leave you any money? If he didn't, I won't charge you rent for now. We'll talk about it again when you have more money and can earn some. I'll never let you and your mother go hungry or cold."

Wang Cuiping quickly waved her hand, a look of gratitude on her face.

"Yes, he left me a lot of money before he left. It'll be enough for me and the children to get by for a while. Thank you for your concern, Grandma!"

"It's good that it's been kept, it's good that it's been kept!" The old lady breathed a sigh of relief and patted her thigh.

"Otherwise, when I see him one day, I'll definitely give that good-for-nothing a good talking-to. He abandoned his pregnant wife and ran away. What kind of man is he!"

Wang Cuiping quickly reassured him, "Hey, it's not his fault. The situation is chaotic, he had no choice."

"Alright, I won't ask about this anymore, Grandma. Even an upright official can't settle family disputes. You two know what's going on between you."

The old lady waved her hand, no longer dwelling on the topic.

As soon as she finished speaking, the old lady turned to look at He Daqing, who was sitting to the side, listening intently without saying a word. She glared at him.

She began, "Daqing! Your son has finally returned from Tianjin, what are you standing there for? Go to the kitchen and prepare a table full of your best dishes! The children have been on the road for half a day, bumping along the way, they must be starving!"

He Daqing then snapped out of his daze, quickly stood up from his chair, rubbed his hands together, and replied with a smile, "I'll go right away, I'll go right away! I'll make sure the children eat and drink well!"

When Sha Zhu saw his father's expression, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself—it turned out that his father's silence earlier wasn't due to composure, but rather because he harbored a gossipy heart, having listened to every word of the conversation inside the room, more attentively than anyone else.

Sha Zhu quickly stood up and volunteered, "Dad, let me help you! There are so many dishes, you can't manage them all by yourself!"

"Alright, go ahead," Chen Lanxiang said with a smile and waved her hand. "It's a good opportunity for the father and son to have a chat, and we mothers and children can also chat here and have some private conversations."

"Then I'll go, Madam!" Sha Zhuchong bowed to the old lady.

The old lady waved her hand, gesturing for him to hurry up: "Go on, go on, don't let your dad burn the food!"

The father and son walked into the kitchen one after the other. He Daqing closed the kitchen door behind him and immediately changed his previous composure. He stepped forward and slapped Sha Zhu hard on the shoulder, so hard that Sha Zhu grimaced.

"Good lad, you've gotten strong! Your shoulders are all sturdier now! You didn't run into any thugs or dangerous things in Tianjin, did you? How's your training with your Master Yuan going?"

He Daqing looked his son up and down, his eyes full of pride and concern.

Sha Zhu rubbed his shoulders, chuckled, and proudly raised his chin: "Hehe, no danger, not a bit! Dad, don't be surprised by my skills!"

"Surprised? I've lived most of my life, I've seen all sorts of storms, what could possibly surprise me?" He Daqing curled his lip, looking disdainful.

"Actually, I had two masters in Tianjin!" Sha Zhu deliberately slowed down his speech to whet his father's appetite.

"Two? Who else?"

He Daqing was stunned for a moment, and the disdain on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by curiosity.

"Dad, guess!" Sha Zhu winked and kept everyone in suspense.

"I'm guessing! I don't have time to waste on your wild guesses!"

He Daqing raised his hand in annoyance and gave Sha Zhu a loud slap on the head, making Sha Zhu howl in pain.

"He's also your senior brother!"

Sha Zhu rubbed his forehead and quickly gave the answer.

"My senior brother?" He Daqing frowned, mentally going through all his fellow disciples in his sect, and scratched his head.

"That's not right, I haven't heard of any of my senior brothers being in Tianjin. They're all staying around the outskirts of Beijing!"

"Li Baoguo!" Sha Zhu said the name slowly and deliberately.

"he?!"

He Daqing's eyes widened instantly, his mouth opened so wide it could fit a large duck egg, and his voice changed tone.

"When did he go to Tianjin? Didn't that kid go to learn Sichuan cuisine back then? You...you learned Sichuan cuisine too?"

"Yes!" Sha Zhu nodded heavily, straightening his back even more.

"Not only did I learn, I even mastered both! I've mastered both halal and Sichuan cuisine!"

He Daqing stood there, stunned for the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, before his mouth slowly closed, the shock on his face lingering for a long time.

He knew his senior brother Li's temperament all too well. Li Baoguo was completely different from his senior brother Yuan. He was strict with himself and even stricter with others. He was also known for being very demanding when teaching his disciples. It was harder than climbing to heaven to graduate from his tutelage!

My son is a genius! He has mastered two top-notch culinary skills in such a short time.

"You've...graduated? Really? Graduated in both halal and Sichuan cuisine?"

He Daqing grabbed Sha Zhu's arm, his voice trembling.

"Yes! Absolutely! Master Li said it himself, I can handle things on my own now!" Sha Zhu patted his chest and assured him.

"Hey! Good son! You've really made your dad look incredibly proud! Hahahaha!"

He Daqing realized what was happening, hugged Sha Zhu tightly, and laughed so hard he almost cried.

"Our He family has produced a culinary prodigy!"

"Dad, I learned this skill in Tianjin, it wasn't something I just coasted through!" Sha Zhu said, feeling a little embarrassed as his father hugged him.

"What do you know!" He Daqing released him and patted his back.

"Our chefs have connections in Beijing, and news travels fast. Before long, the entire catering industry in Beijing will know that the He family has a top-notch chef named He Yuzhu, nicknamed 'Silly Zhu'! Then, you'll be the youngest celebrity chef in Beijing!"

Sha Zhu scratched his head and grinned, "Oh, that's good too. As long as you, Mom, Grandma, and my sister can live a good life, that's all that matters."

"Good lad, you have ambition!" He Daqing's eyes lit up, and he made a decision immediately.

"You'll have to cook this meal yourself! Your old man will be your assistant; I'll handle all the washing and chopping. I want to see just how well you've learned these two skills!"

"No problem!" Sha Zhu readily agreed, then turned around and asked, "Dad, what ingredients are in the cellar? Let me see what dishes would be suitable."

He Daqing led Shazhu to the cellar entrance in the backyard, lifted the thick straw curtain, and carried the oil lamp downstairs.

Sha Zhu followed behind, and when he looked in the lamplight, he couldn't help but nod – the cellar was piled with rice, flour, oil, salt, pork, chicken, vegetables, and dried goods, all neatly arranged, but beef and seafood were missing, which must have been difficult to obtain in winter.

"Looks like the family had a good year; they have everything they need," Sha Zhu said with a smile.

He carefully selected several ingredients suitable for Sichuan cuisine, including pork belly, winter bamboo shoots, cabbage, tofu, and eggs. These are all common ingredients, but they are the best test of a chef's skills.

"Today I'll start with Sichuan cuisine so the family can try something new! Once we've got the beef and seafood in a few days, I'll show you a real halal dish!"

Sha Zhu placed the ingredients on the cutting board, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"Alright, you decide for yourself. Do whatever you want, and I'll fully support you!" He Daqing didn't care about the cuisine; he just wanted to see for himself just how skilled his son was in cooking.

The father and son busied themselves in the kitchen, knives flashing and pots and pans clanging. He Daqing's chopping technique was steady, accurate, and fast, while Sha Zhu's cooking skills were quite impressive. Flames licked the bottom of the pot, and soon the aroma wafted out of the kitchen, filling the entire courtyard.

Inside the main room, a group of women were chatting enthusiastically, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Xiaoman was timid at first, but after playing with He Yushui for a while, the two girls quickly became familiar with each other. They sat hand in hand on the kang (a heated brick bed) and chattered non-stop. Their common topic always revolved around Shazhu.

"Sister Xiaoman, isn't my brother amazing? He can chase away bad guys and cook delicious food!" He Yushui looked up with pride.

"Yes, Brother Zhu is incredibly talented; he's the best person in the world." Xiaoman nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with admiration.

Wang Cuiping sat to the side, looking at the two children, a gentle smile on her lips.

She knew in her heart that her identity could not be made public yet. Before her job and organizational affiliation were confirmed, she just wanted to live quietly in this courtyard house, without causing trouble or implicating the He family.

As the women chatted, the topic turned to Xiaoman's place of residence—the child was all alone, and who she would live with had become a major issue that needed to be resolved.

The old lady had actually been interested for a while. Looking at Xiaoman's appearance, she was well-behaved and sensible, and got along well with Shazhu. She was clearly a good candidate for a future granddaughter-in-law. However, as an elder, she couldn't bring it up first, so she could only put on airs and pretend not to care.

Chen Lanxiang was aware of the situation, but she was too embarrassed to say it directly. Just when the two of them were in a dilemma, Wang Cuiping suddenly spoke up, and her words made the old lady and Chen Lanxiang breathe a sigh of relief.

"Xiaoman will live with me from now on, and I'll take care of her."

Chen Lanxiang immediately replied with a smile, "That's great! Cuiping, you and Xiaoman can live together and look after each other. If you need anything, just tell your sister-in-law, I have everything at home!"

The old lady nodded and began to make arrangements: "Let's settle on the west wing of the central courtyard, right across from the main house. We'll see each other all the time, so it'll be convenient for us to look after each other. I'll halve the rent for you, and you don't need to pay it right away. We can discuss it when you have more money."

The old lady originally wanted to waive the rent outright, but then she thought that Wang Cuiping was a proud person, and waiving the rent would be like giving alms and hurt her pride, so she said she would reduce it by half.

Wang Cuiping quickly stood up, bowed deeply to the old lady, and said gratefully, "Okay! Thank you for your understanding, ma'am!"

Ever since the topic turned to her, Xiaoman had been listening intently, her face full of tension, and she spoke to He Yushui in a disjointed manner.

This child is precocious despite his young age; he can understand what adults say and feels both scared and expectant.

When Xiaoman heard Wang Cuiping say that she wanted to live with her, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled down, her eyes regained their brightness, and she tightly gripped the hem of Wang Cuiping's clothes with her little hands.

During the past few months in Tianjin, she and Wang Cuiping spent every day together and had long regarded each other as their closest relatives, developing a deep sense of dependence on each other.

Looking at Xiaoman's expression, the old lady secretly gave Chen Lanxiang a look, and then gestured towards the kitchen with her lip, the meaning of which was all too clear—this girl is truly on your Zhuzi's side.

Chen Lanxiang immediately understood, smiled and nodded to the old lady. The two smiled at each other, everything was understood without words.

In the kitchen, the father and son were incredibly efficient. In just over half an hour, plates of steaming hot, flavorful Sichuan dishes were served one after another.

Mapo tofu, shredded pork with garlic sauce, twice-cooked pork, boiled cabbage in clear broth, spicy chicken...

All of them were made by Sha Zhu himself. There wasn't a single time-consuming dish, but each one was exquisite and tempting, with bright red oil and a fragrant aroma, completely different from the home-cooked dishes that He Daqing usually made.

The old lady and Chen Lanxiang looked at the table full of dishes they had never seen before and immediately understood—this was made by Sha Zhu himself, and He Daqing was deliberately testing his son's cooking skills!

He Daqing wiped his hands, turned around, and took out a small jar wrapped in red cloth from the cabinet in the main room. He carefully carried it over, his face full of pride: "Grandma, your son has made something of himself today. We're happy, want to have a drink?"

"Okay! I'll have a sip!" the old lady readily agreed, then immediately pouted, "But if the wine isn't good, I won't drink it; I can't afford to lose face!"

"How could it be bad?" He Daqing waved the jar in his hand, beaming with pride.

"This is a ten-year-old Fenjiu. I had to ask several friends for help to finally find it. You can't buy it on the market even if you have the money!"

"I'll have a drink with you all today!" Chen Lanxiang stood up with a smile, her face full of joy. "Zhuzi is back safe and sound, and he's even learned some great skills. I'm so happy, I have to share in his joy!"

"Zhu Zi, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and get the wine cups and set out the bowls and chopsticks!" He Daqing shouted to his son.

"Okay, Dad!"

Sha Zhu responded and quickly took out the wine cups, bowls, and chopsticks, arranging them neatly.

The family sat around the dining table, their laughter filling the air, creating a lively and cheerful atmosphere.

When Sha Zhu was cooking, he made a special note that He Yushui was young and couldn't eat spicy food, so he specially made a non-spicy steamed egg custard for his younger sister. It was soft, tender and fragrant, and you could tell he put his heart into it.

The moment the dish entered her mouth, the old lady's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but praise, "Wow! This dish is absolutely amazing! It's spicy, flavorful, and incredibly delicious—even better than what chefs at the big restaurants in Beijing make!"

Chen Lanxiang picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork with her chopsticks, chewed it a couple of times, and nodded repeatedly: "That's right! My son's cooking skills are truly surpassing his father's; he's even better than him!"

He Daqing sat to the side, listening to his family's praise of their son, his smile never fading. He was even happier than if he were being praised himself: "That's right! Look who his son is!"

The table of food was devoured clean amidst the constant praise, with even the broth at the bottom of the plates being mixed with rice and eaten completely.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the old lady and He Daqing had both drunk quite a bit, their cheeks flushed and their voices tinged with the smell of alcohol.

Seeing that his grandmother's steps were unsteady, Sha Zhu quickly got up, carefully carried the old lady on his back, and steadily carried her into the house in the backyard.

"Zhu Zi, walk slowly, don't fall and hurt your grandma!" Chen Lanxiang called out from behind.

"Don't worry, Mother!" Sha Zhu replied, carrying the old lady slowly away.

Now that the old lady has agreed to rent the west wing of the courtyard to Wang Cuiping, the next step is to quickly tidy up the house.

When the Jia family moved out, they emptied the house of everything they could carry, leaving only a few dilapidated tables and chairs. The house was empty, covered in dust, and damp and cold.

Fortunately, when Sha Zhu returned from Tianjin, he brought two bedding rolls with him. Xiao Man insisted on bringing them, saying that they were the only things she and Wang Cuiping had left in Tianjin and she couldn't bear to lose them.

Sha Zhu initially thought it was troublesome, but unexpectedly it came in very handy at this moment.

Looking at the empty west wing, Wang Cuiping frowned. "Zhuzi, there's nothing in this room, and we're missing a lot of furniture and odds and ends. It's the New Year, and all the shops are closed. Where are you going to get these things?"

Just as Sha Zhu was about to speak, Chen Lanxiang came out of the main room, waved her hand, and said with a smile, "Why go out? Don't bother! Go to the west wing and bring over everything your Aunt Wang used when she lived here, nothing will be missing!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping was stunned for a moment, and tears welled up in her eyes, turning them red.

She only stayed at Lao He's house for two months and left in a hurry, thinking that her things had been thrown away long ago. She didn't expect that Chen Lanxiang would keep them for her. This kindness is more precious than gold and silver.

"Thank you... sister-in-law."

Wang Cuiping choked up, unable to finish a sentence, and turned to Sha Zhu.

"Zhu Zi, go with your aunt to the west wing and take a look."

"No need to thank me!"

Chen Lanxiang laughed heartily and patted Wang Cuiping on the shoulder.

"I was thinking that you'd definitely come back someday, and the house was just sitting empty anyway, and my things were just sitting there. The old lady didn't say anything, the keys are at home, just wait, I'll go get them for you!"

"Zhu Zi, what are you standing there for? Go help your mother!" He Daqing called out from the side.

"Alright!" Silly Zhu quickly followed.

Chen Lanxiang took the key and opened the door to the west wing room.

When Wang Cuiping and Shazhu went inside, they found that everything in the room was neatly arranged. The bedding, clothes, pots and pans were all covered with clean burlap sacks, spotless and perfectly preserved.

Looking at everything before her, Wang Cuiping could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her cheeks. She choked out a few words to Chen Lanxiang, who had followed her.

"Sister-in-law, I don't know how I can ever repay the kindness your family has shown me..."

"It's nothing, why are you being so formal with your sister-in-law!"

Chen Lanxiang took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. "We have a long life ahead of us. It's better for us sisters-in-law to get along well!"

"Yes!" Wang Cuiping nodded emphatically, keeping this kindness firmly in her heart.

"Pillar, let's start moving!"

Chen Lanxiang turned to her son and called out.

"The rest of the furniture in this house—tables, chairs, benches, cabinets—can also be moved over. Just let the old lady know; they're all unused!"

"Alright!" Sha Zhu replied, waving his hand. "You two go out first. It's dusty inside, don't let it bother you. I can carry it myself!"

"Let's go, Cuiping," Chen Lanxiang said, pulling Wang Cuiping's hand as they walked outside. "Let this kid handle it himself. He's big and strong; this kind of work is a piece of cake for him. Don't waste such a strong body!"

Wang Cuiping was amused and wiped away her tears, saying, "Sister-in-law, you really don't treat Zhuzi like a child. You don't care about him at all."

"Him? What makes him seem like a child?" Chen Lanxiang pouted, complaining but unable to hide her pride. "When it comes to getting things done, he's more decisive than adults, and he's almost a head taller than me. If we don't get him working, he'll be out of control!"

"Sister-in-law, it sounds to me like you're praising Zhu Zi!" Wang Cuiping couldn't help but tease.

"Really? I didn't notice." Chen Lanxiang feigned doubt, then couldn't help but laugh, "Hehehehe..."

The two women laughed together, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.

Sha Zhu opened the burlap sack inside the house and began packing. Xiao Man tiptoed into the west wing, her little face full of seriousness, and walked to Sha Zhu's side, saying, "Brother Zhu, let me help you with the smaller things; I can carry them!"

"Okay!" Sha Zhu didn't stand on ceremony, rubbed her little head, and handed her a cloth bag.

Watching the two busy children, Wang Cuiping quietly tugged at Chen Lanxiang's arm, lowered her voice, and teased her, "Sister-in-law, what do you think of the young wife that Zhuzi found himself? Does she suit your taste?"

Chen Lanxiang's eyes lit up. Following Wang Cuiping's gaze, she looked at Xiaoman and became more and more satisfied. She lowered her voice and replied, "Great! She's great in every way! She's beautiful, hardworking, gentle, well-mannered, and considerate. She's a rare find!"

"That's because she's in your house and you're protecting her, that's why she's so well-behaved."

Wang Cuiping smiled and said softly, "Try leaving her outside by herself. This girl has lived alone for several years and has a very strong personality. She's not spoiled at all. It's only because she met Zhuzi that she's so tough. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't be close to them at all."

"Yes, take it slow. The child is still young, no rush."

Chen Lanxiang nodded, then looked at Wang Cuiping and said sincerely.

"Sister-in-law, I should thank you for letting Xiaoman come with you and help us take care of her."

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying!" Wang Cuiping waved her hand.

"I like Xiaoman too, and I like Zhuzi as well. I'm doing this willingly, so there's no need for thanks."

"Zhu Zi's calling her 'Auntie' was well worth it!" Chen Lanxiang smiled and patted her hand.

"Actually, I should thank Zhu Zi. Otherwise, Xiao Man and I would have suffered so much more in Tianjin... Sigh, let's not talk about these sad things!"

Wang Cuiping sighed, burying her past sorrows deep in her heart.

"Saying thank you all the time is pointless. Will our two families still be able to get along?"

Chen Lanxiang pulled her towards the main room.

"Come on, let's go back inside. It's freezing outside, don't let your baby get cold. Leave this to the two kids, no problem!"

"Then they..." Wang Cuiping turned around and glanced back.

"Never mind!" Chen Lanxiang said nonchalantly.

"How much work is this? Since he's got the ability to pick up a girl and support her, can't he handle this little moving job? You can rest assured!"

"That's really true..." Wang

Cuiping thought about how Shazhu was in Tianjin and realized he was indeed a capable person, so she stopped worrying and followed Chen Lanxiang back to the house.

Sha Zhu and Xiao Man were busy moving things when a head suddenly poked in through the gate of the courtyard. It was Xu Damao.

Xu Damao rubbed his hands together, then came running over excitedly, grinning, "Brother Zhu, I'll help too! I'm strong, I can lift heavy things!"

Sha Zhu glanced at his brand-new cotton-padded coat and pouted, "Come on, if you get your new clothes dirty, your mother will spank you when you get home!"

"It's okay! My mom won't beat me if I work with Brother Zhu!" Xu Damao patted his chest and assured him.

"By the way, Brother Zhu,"

Xu Damao's gaze fell on Xiaoman, and he asked curiously.

"This young lady is so pretty, what's your name?"

Sha Zhu chuckled as he introduced, "She's older than you, so you have to call her 'sister'! Her name is Qiao Lingyi, and her nickname is Xiaoman. This is Xu Damao; you can just call him Damao."

Xiaoman smiled sweetly at Xu Damao and said politely, "Hello, little brother Damao, my name is Qiao Lingyi, you can just call me sister Xiaoman!"

The words "Little Brother Da Mao" instantly made Xu Da Mao's face fall. His lips drooped, and he looked unwilling. But looking at Xiao Man's gentle appearance, he didn't dare to object and could only reply dejectedly, "Hello, Sister Xiao Man..."

"Alright, now that we know each other, stop standing around and get to work. The sooner we finish, the better. We still need to heat the kang (heated brick bed) inside!" Sha Zhu urged.

"Okay!" Xu Damao immediately picked up a bundle and got busy.

After everything was moved to the west wing, Sha Zhu told Xiao Man to tidy up the things that could be put away first, while he turned around and went to the woodpile in the yard to move firewood.

This west wing has been uninhabited for too long, and it's so cold and damp inside it's like an icebox. We must quickly heat up the kang (heated brick bed) to warm the room.

Xu Damao followed Sha Zhu around, carrying firewood. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then immediately went up to Sha Zhu, lowered his voice, and asked with a gossipy look on his face.

"Brother Zhu, to tell you the truth, isn't Sister Xiaoman your little wife? You two look so well-matched standing together!"

Sha Zhu blushed, raised his hand and kicked Xu Damao in the butt, feigning anger, "What nonsense are you spouting! You little brat, you haven't even grown your hair yet, what do you know about calling someone 'wife'!"

"Ouch!"

Xu Damao jumped up in pain, rubbing his buttocks and complaining.

"Why did you kick me! I bet it was! Xiaoman's eyes were different when she looked at you, it must be!"

"Get back to your work and mind your own business!"

Sha Zhu was too lazy to argue with him, so in order to change the subject, he deliberately brought up the very thing that was most sensitive to him.

"By the way, how's your studying going? Have you done your winter break homework? Stop just playing all day!"

Xu Damao's face instantly fell, and he stammered, "I...I did..."

"Hmph, I could tell you hadn't done it!" Silly Pillar glared at him. "Want me to come to your house and supervise you until you finish your homework?"

"No, Brother Zhu!"

Xu Damao immediately begged for mercy.

"I'll write it as soon as I get home tonight, I'll definitely finish it, don't come to my house!"

"You better keep your word, or you know what I'm capable of!" Sha Zhu raised his fist.

"Okay, okay!" Xu Damao instantly lost his interest in talking, slumped his head and started carrying firewood, secretly lamenting that he hadn't just welcomed back a playmate, but rather a rival!

The two carried the firewood to the west wing. Xiaoman then walked over to Shazhu and whispered, "Brother Zhu, where do we get water? I want to wipe down all the tables and cabinets in the room. I like things clean."

Sha Zhu glanced at the water vat outside and quickly said, "Wait a minute, don't use cold water. It's too cold, your hands will freeze."

After saying that, Sha Zhu instructed Xu Damao, "Damao, go and light the fire in the stove to get the kang (heated brick bed) burning!"

"Okay!" Xu Damao replied, squatting down in front of the stove to light the fire.

Sha Zhu turned around, picked up a bucket, and went to the well in the yard to fetch water. When he came back, he was carrying a brand-new large iron pot—both the He family father and son were cooks, so it was perfectly normal for them to have a couple of large pots at home.

The pot that Wang Cuiping used before was too small, making it inconvenient for Xiaoman to use. This big pot is just right.

Seeing Sha Zhu carry back the big pot, Xiao Man immediately rushed forward, took the pot scrubber, and said, "Brother Zhu, let me scrub the pot! I'll scrub it clean!"

"Slow down, don't burn yourself," Sha Zhu warned, placing the pot on the stove and pouring in the water he had brought back.

"Warm water before you wipe things, it won't freeze your hands, listen to me."

Sha Zhu gently ruffled Xiao Man's hair, his tone tender.

Xiaoman looked up, her eyes crinkling into crescents, and nodded emphatically, "Understood, Brother Zhu!"

The fire crackled in the room, and warmth slowly spread. Xiaoman squatted by the stove, watching the water in the pot slowly heat up, her little face full of anticipation for the future.

She knew that from this day forward, she finally had a home, a loving brother Zhu Zi, a gentle Aunt Wang, and the kind He family. She would never have to wander again, never have to suffer from hunger and cold again.

Sha Zhu stood to the side, watching the heartwarming scene before him, feeling a sense of peace and contentment.