Chapter 38: Yushui Goes to School

Ever since he took on the Lou family banquet, He Yuzhu had been receiving a steady stream of requests to cook for others. Though young, his exceptional culinary skills and the reputation spread by word-of-mouth had made a name for him.

As time passed, it was time for He Yushui to start school. Little Tiger, who was the same age, was also of school age.

"Zhuzi, Yushui is old enough for school. Why don't you let her go with Little Tiger? I can take them both and pick them up, it'll save you the trouble," his master’s wife suggested.

"That would be wonderful, though I hate to burden you," He Yuzhu replied.

"It's no trouble. Enrollment is in a few days; I'll register them together," she said.

And so, the registration was left in her capable hands. He Yuzhu was not idle, however; he took Yushui and Little Tiger to the department store to buy them pencils and other stationery. He didn't need to buy schoolbags, as his master’s wife had already made them out of sturdy fabric.

The two little ones were quite excited about starting school. He Yuzhu recalled videos from his previous life showing children rolling on the floor on their first day of school, and he wondered how they would fare.

The master’s wife successfully handled the enrollment formalities and managed to get them both into the same class.

The few days passed in the blink of an eye. The first day of school arrived.

"Brother, hurry up, or we'll be late!" Yushui urged, excited about her first day.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Don't rush me, I'm ready," He Yuzhu replied.

Amidst Yushui's urging, He Yuzhu quickly put away the washed dishes, dried his hands, and stepped out. He locked the gate, hoisted Yushui onto his bicycle, and headed straight to his master’s house to meet up with his master’s wife so they could take the children to school together.

The school was not far, just two alleyways away. Since it was the first day, the school was bustling. He Yuzhu followed the master’s wife to deliver the two children to their classroom and took the opportunity to meet Yushui’s homeroom teacher, Mr. Zhang, a middle-aged man with years of teaching experience.

Watching Yushui and Little Tiger enter the classroom, take their seats, and immediately start chatting with the children around them without any signs of discomfort, He Yuzhu finally felt at ease. Seeing other parents arriving, he and the master’s wife exchanged a few polite words with Mr. Zhang before taking their leave.

He Yuzhu spent the entire morning feeling restless, worrying whether Yushui would be bullied by other children, or if she would be mischievous and get punished by the teacher—after all, teachers in this era were known to use corporal punishment.

His master’s wife, watching him pace back and forth, grew annoyed. "Zhuzi, if you have nothing to do, go for a walk. Stop pacing around like that."

"Master’s wife, it’s Yushui’s first day of school. I’m worried she won't adjust," he explained.

"I think you’re the one who isn't adjusting. Yushui is with Little Tiger; what are you worried about?" she retorted.

"Hehe, I suppose I’m just over-anxious," he said, sheepishly.

"Go to the market, buy some food, and start cooking. By the time it’s ready, they’ll be home," she said, sending him off.

There wasn't much to buy at the market. His personal space was fully stocked with vegetables, meat, and fruit—all fresher and tastier than anything found at the market. After wandering around, he thought of the upcoming era of rationing. While he lacked nothing, he realized he should buy items like shoes. He found a shoe stall and bought two pairs for himself and Yushui. He didn't buy more for fear of drawing attention. Although there was nothing for winter yet, there was still time; this year only marked the beginning of flour controls, with other items to follow.

After finishing his errands, he returned to his master’s house and retrieved some vegetables and meat from his space before heading inside.

"Master’s wife, I’m back," he announced.

"Go to the kitchen and start cooking. I’ll go pick them up from school," she replied.

He Yuzhu obediently went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Just as he finished setting the table, the master’s wife returned with the two children.

"Come over! Brother made something delicious," he called out when he saw them.

Hearing there was good food, the two children sprinted over and reached for the braised prawns on the table, only to be stopped by the master’s wife, who had followed them in.

"Stop right there! What have I told you? Wash your hands before eating, and no grabbing with your hands. Go wash up; no eating until your hands are clean," she scolded.

"We know, we’re going now," they chirped, heading off to wash.

The master’s wife then turned her attention to He Yuzhu. "What kind of older brother are you? Watching them try to eat with dirty hands and doing nothing?"

"Master’s wife, I’m sorry. I’ll stop them next time. No hand-washing, no dinner," he promised earnestly.

"You’re just spoiling them," she said with an eye-roll, then went to supervise the children's hand-washing.

After lunch, they let the children nap for a while. When it was time for afternoon classes, the master’s wife woke them up, washed their faces to refresh them, and sent them off with He Yuzhu on his bicycle.

He dropped them off, watched them walk into the classroom, and turned to leave. Instead of going back to his master’s, he returned home and sat at his desk, lost in thought. He had food, drink, and a roof over his head—he lacked nothing. At first, he had enjoyed this life, having spent his previous life working incessantly. But now, with so much idle time, he found it incredibly boring. He needed to find something to do.

Lost in his thoughts, the time to help at Fengzeyuan arrived. He rode his bike there, greeted his master and senior fellow apprentice, and began the evening rush.

After finishing his shift, he walked home with his master and picked up Yushui. Once home, he asked her about her day—had she been mischievous? Had she made new friends?

Yushui began to recount how well-behaved she had been, how she had made new friends, and how she had even helped the teacher comfort a crying child, earning her praise.

"Did you cry?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Of course not! Yushui is a big girl now, I don't cry," she replied.

"That’s my girl. Tomorrow morning, brother will make you something delicious," he said.

"Yay! I want to eat steamed buns," she said.

"Alright, tomorrow I’ll make you delicious crab roe soup dumplings," he promised.

"Crab roe soup dumplings? Are they tasty?" she asked.

"You'll see tomorrow. It's time for bed, or you won't be able to wake up for school," he said.

"Okay, I’m going to sleep," she answered.

After tucking Yushui in, He Yuzhu read for a while before lying down to sleep himself.