The moment Lou Xiaoe's parents entered the house, they were hit by an enticing aroma. When they looked toward the dining table, they were even more stunned, left utterly speechless.
These two could be considered to have a capitalist background, and they had certainly eaten and seen their share of fine things. A mere Clay pot of red-braised pork should not have been anything special.
But times had changed. Now that their family had fallen into decline, in 1961, let alone large chunks of pork, even ordinary staple food had to be carefully rationed.
Lou Xiao'e's mother reached out and lifted the lid of the Clay pot. Inside, piece after piece of glistening, translucent, three-layer pork belly with the skin still attached made one's mouth water, and its aroma was extraordinary.
“You made this meal? I’d sooner believe the sun had risen in the west than believe my daughter had this kind of skill.”
Looking at the other dishes on the table, they were all equally excellent in color, aroma, and flavor, made from simple ingredients yet reaching an extraordinary standard.
“I’d say these dishes are no worse than what our family’s chef used to make. Try this vinegar-sautéed napa cabbage—the heat and flavor are flawless.” After tasting a bite, Lou Xiaoe's father could not help praising it.
“Who said I made it? I just wanted you to hurry home for dinner!” Lou Xiaoe said. “All these dishes were made by He Yuzhu.”
She then told them how He Yuzhu had come to return the books that day and had brought gifts as well, her words revealing endless fondness.
Lou Xiaoe's mother understood her daughter best. The moment she heard this, she sensed that something was off.
Just two days earlier, she had been introduced to a boyfriend named Xu Damao. He was smooth-talking and eloquent, and had left a very good impression.
She also knew that Xu Damao was the factory’s projectionist. Since he showed films every day, he must have a passion for art and could be considered a cultured young man.
But from what her daughter was saying today, she seemed to be quite fond of this He Yuzhu. That would not do!
“Xiaoe, what kind of person is He Yuzhu? How did he get so much pork and so many eggs? Is he a leading cadre?”
Lou Xiaoe smiled, picked up a piece of red-braised pork with her chopsticks, and ate it before saying, “He’s a chef at the Steel Rolling Mill. Could a leading cadre make food this delicious?”
Lou Xiaoe's mother immediately became displeased. She had personally met Xu Damao and had basically given her tacit approval.
He Yuzhu was a chef. Just hearing that sounded far less cultured than being a projectionist. It seemed her daughter was about to transfer her affections!
“A cook who doesn’t steal can’t feed himself, and a farmer who doesn’t collect grain gets nothing. This He Yuzhu is far too bold, daring to steal so much meat and so many eggs from the factory. This won’t do!” Lou Xiaoe's mother said.
“Can you still get in touch with him? Have him come over and return everything. We can’t let him make a mistake, and our family can’t take advantage of him either.”
Lou Xiaoe immediately became unhappy and said loudly, “What do you mean, steal? He’s now the Canteen Director of the Steel Rolling Mill and is also in charge of purchasing supplies!”
“He bought all these things with his own money. Usually, whenever any of his neighbors in the Siheyuan has difficulties, He Yuzhu helps and supports them. He’s a good person!”
Only after hearing her daughter say this did Lou Xiaoe's mother’s expression relax. In 1961, knowing a Canteen Director was an extremely valuable connection.
Still, no matter how one put it, he was a cook. She was truly unwilling to let her daughter marry someone like that, so she began earnestly trying to persuade her.
“My daughter, I’m not nagging as your mother, but Xu Damao is an educated man. He Yuzhu may indeed be a good person, but cooks are all rough men. You two won’t have anything in common.”
“He Yuzhu is not a rough man!” Lou Xiaoe said loudly. “He’s read far more novels than I have. Today, he even left me completely dumbfounded.”
“And that’s not even mentioning classic literature from around the world. He’s also read philosophical works by people like Hegel, and he said he would bring me some books in the next couple of days.”
Lou Xiaoe's parents exchanged glances. They understood their daughter best and could clearly see that she already had considerable fondness for He Yuzhu.
“Then… if you can get in touch with him, arrange a time. Your father and I would both like to meet him. He brought so many gifts; we should thank him in person, shouldn’t we?”
And so it was settled. Lou Xiaoe knew where Third Uncle lived, so when the workday ended that evening, she hurried to the Siheyuan.
At that moment, every household was preparing dinner. He Yuzhu was also busy inside his home when he suddenly heard a bell-like voice calling for him from the courtyard.
“He Yuzhu? Does He Yuzhu live here?”
With Lou Xiaoe calling out like that, and the Siheyuan not being very large, nearly all the neighbors heard her.
Qin Huairu lived in the front courtyard and heard her most clearly. The moment she heard that a young woman was looking for He Yuzhu, her heart filled with panic, and she hurried outside.
“Miss, what do you need He Yuzhu for? I know where his door is. Come with me.”
Qin Huairu was certainly not acting out of kindness. She was afraid that He Yuzhu and the young woman would be alone together. Under the pretense of showing the way, she was actually going to act as an unwanted third wheel.
Unexpectedly, after they had taken only a few steps, Xu Damao also emerged from his home.
While he had been preparing dinner just moments earlier, he had actually heard Lou Xiaoe’s voice—and she was calling for He Yuzhu?
The moment he stepped outside, he saw Qin Huairu leading Lou Xiaoe toward the inner courtyard and hurried to block their path.
“Xiaoe, what brings you here? Why are you looking for that Silly Zhu? If you have something to say, you can come to me.” Xu Damao put on an ingratiating expression.
“Bang!”
Suddenly, Xu Damao felt as if a train had smashed into his lower back. His entire body flew through the air before he landed face-first in the snow.
“Xu Damao, calling me Silly Zhu behind my back again? This time I caught you red-handed. You don’t think you deserved that kick?”
At some point, He Yuzhu had appeared behind everyone.
As a matter of fact, he had heard the young woman calling out earlier. The moment he stepped outside, he heard Xu Damao badmouthing him.
He had already warned him repeatedly. This time, he had heard it loud and clear!
He Yuzhu did not hold back. He immediately sent the unfortunate Xu Damao flying a long distance with a powerful kick.
Xu Damao negative emotion currency +244, +121, +47, +12…
With that single kick, 500 yuan had already been credited to his account, fully making up for what he had spent at Lou Xiaoe’s home, with plenty left over.
Everyone was stunned. No one had expected this He Yuzhu to be so ferocious!
“I… I came to tell you that we should arrange a time. My parents want to thank you in person for those gifts.” Lou Xiaoe spoke timidly.
“That? Those few things were nothing.” He Yuzhu smiled. “Tomorrow is Sunday. If it’s convenient, I can visit your home at ten tomorrow morning.”
As they watched Lou Xiaoe turn and leave, Xu Damao and Qin Huairu felt a jumble of emotions, as if someone had overturned an entire grocery store inside their hearts.
Xu Damao had already realized how serious the problem was. He had never expected He Yuzhu to be capable of entering the hall and inner chamber—going straight to meet Lou Xiaoe’s parents.
Hadn’t the two of them known each other for only a day? How had things progressed this far?
Qin Huairu was even more troubled. She had always relied on He Yuzhu for free food and drink. If he got married, where would she find someone else to feed her?
He Yuzhu had already returned home. Silently watching the negative emotion currency amounts of Xu Damao and Qin Huairu soar, he was so delighted that he could barely close his mouth.
It seemed that he was going to thrive in the 1960s, gaining both wealth and beautiful women!