Chapter 242: The New Tenants

"So my son has a talent for cooking! And here I thought all he knew was how to eat."

Shen Yunlian was getting emotional. Ever since the family’s finances had improved, her dear Yun Xiao Liu had put his skills to use eating himself into a roly-poly state.

His appetite was even bigger than Jiaojiao’s.

Boss Hu chuckled. "A good appetite is a blessing. A good appetite is a blessing."

Yun Linhai said quickly, "Mr. Hu, please, come have a seat. Of course we’re willing to let Xiao Liu learn how to cook."

A harmonious atmosphere filled the home.

The conversation eventually turned to the fact that, in order to learn, he would have to stay in the Capital and study by Boss Hu’s side.

The Yun family was immediately conflicted.

It wasn’t that they were unwilling. But Yun Xiao Liu was still young, and the thought of leaving him alone in the Capital made everyone anxious and worried.

Shen Yunlian asked her son, "Xiao Liu, do you want to stay here and learn?"

Their family was the type to respect their children’s opinions.

This was true for Yun Jiao as well as for the other children.

Yun Xiao Liu was torn. He wanted to stay and learn how to cook, but he didn’t want to be separated from his family.

"If you want to learn, then stay."

Just then, Grandpa Yun, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up.

"You all go back. The two of us old folks will stay behind."

All eyes immediately turned to him.

Yun Linhai said, "But Dad, I thought you..."

’Didn’t you want to go to sea with us?’

Grandpa Yun shot them a look. "We haven’t even bought the boat yet. Besides, I’m an old man. How much help could I really be at sea?"

Yun Linhe said, "Dad, how can you say that? Your experience is invaluable to us."

Grandpa Yun said, "You all head back first. The two of us old folks will stay and look after Xiao Liu. Once he’s settled in here, we’ll see about coming back."

With the decision made, it was time for Yun Xiao Liu to formally accept his master.

Boss Hu sat in a chair, accepted the tea handed to him by his new young apprentice, and beamed like a Maitreya Buddha.

"From this day forward, Yun Chenqi is my third disciple. I am Hu Laifu. You have two senior brothers ahead of you. In the future, I’ll introduce you to them."

As he said this, he stuffed a red envelope into the boy’s hand.

Yun Xiao Liu’s face lit up. He never thought he’d see the day he’d receive such a thick red envelope!

"Okay, thank you, Master."

Yun Xiaoqi watched with envy.

’Wait, you get a red envelope just for finding a master?’

’Should I go find a master for myself too?’

After seeing Boss Hu off, the Yun family gathered around Yun Xiao Liu, looking at him as if he were some kind of marvel.

"Way to go, Xiao Liu! You’ve really made something of yourself, finding such an amazing master!"

The private restaurant Elder Wu had taken them to was his master’s! Not only was the food delicious, but more importantly, it was expensive.

You could tell right away it was a good way to make money.

They weren’t expecting Yun Xiao Liu to become wildly successful, but now that he had the trade of a chef as a safety net, they wouldn’t have to worry about him being unable to find a job.

Surrounded by his family, Yun Xiao Liu scratched his head shyly.

"Hehe, I don’t know what Master saw in me either."

He hugged Yun Jiao. "Just you wait, sister. Once I learn how to cook, I’ll make delicious food for you every single day!"

Yun Jiao beamed, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

The other brothers immediately protested.

Yun Xiaowu cried, "Jiaojiao, I want one too!"

Yun Xiaoqi immediately grabbed Yun Jiao in a hug and wouldn’t let go. "Sister, me too! You can’t play favorites."

Yun Xiao Ba and Yun Xiaojiu both looked at her expectantly.

Yun Jiao: ...

’Having too many older brothers has its downsides.’

"Have you found someone to rent the house?"

Watching the children’s joyful interactions, the adults of the Yun family all had smiles in their eyes.

Grandpa Yun asked his two sons about renting out the house.

"We found them."

Yun Linhe nodded. "We went to the place Uncle Wu mentioned, and sure enough, there were a lot of veterans there. Our house is big, and the rent we’re asking is low, so quite a few people were interested in renting it."

They were asking for one hundred yuan a month in rent.

They were allowing up to ten people to move in. They also explained the drawbacks of renting the house, namely the issue with the Chen Family, and that the tenants would have to provide their own furniture.

One hundred yuan a month, split among ten people for such a large house, came out to only ten yuan per person. In the Capital, that was considered extremely cheap, especially for a courtyard house.

The courtyard house had its own well, and the tenants were also allowed to use the yard. Growing some vegetables could save them another bit of money.

Of course, they couldn’t raise any particularly smelly animals.

Grandpa Yun smoked his cigarette and nodded. "Then it’s settled. When are they coming? Those people from the Chen Family went over there again today making a scene and looking for Chen Wei. Mr. Wu helped resolve it, but it can’t go on like this."

"They’re coming tomorrow."

Early the next morning, the tenants arrived.

They were a mix of heights and builds, all carrying bundles and bags. They had sun-tanned, wheat-colored skin, and you could see the lingering signs of military training in their posture.

"Hello there, comrades..."

After exchanging greetings, Yun Linhe said, "We’ve already explained the situation over there clearly. You’re sure you have no problem with it?"

"Don’t worry, Mr. Yun. Leave it to us to handle."

Two of them were quite burly. One had a long, hideous scar running down his face like a centipede. He looked intimidating just at a glance.

The Yun family was very satisfied. They then led the men to the four-section courtyard house.

"The house is huge. You can use the soil in the yard to grow some vegetables or whatever. There are plenty of rooms. We haven’t really tidied up, so we’ll have to ask you to clean it yourselves. The most important thing is that you don’t damage the building."

All ten men repeatedly promised they wouldn’t damage the house.

They looked at the house, their eyes filled with delight.

For ten yuan a month, they were getting an incredible deal on a house like this.

Just as they had finished putting their bags and bundles in their chosen rooms, a pounding sound came from the main gate outside.

"Chen Wei, you little slut, get out here!"

"Chen Wei, get the hell out here! We’re moving into this house today! You’ve really gotten out of line. We tried to talk to you nicely, but you wouldn’t listen, forcing us, your own relatives, to get rough.

This house belonged to your father and mother. Even if they were still here, they’d have a duty to support their elders. And you, a junior, are putting on airs? Don’t think you’re safe just because you’re hiding inside! Chen Wei, get out here, now!"

’So, after moral blackmail failed, they’re resorting to brute force.’

From outside, they could even hear the sound of someone trying to break down the gate.

The gate was suddenly flung open. The Chen family’s youngest son, who was charging forward to kick it, found his kick meeting only air.

"AHHH!!!"

Whether they were onlookers outside or the people inside, everyone who saw the Chen family’s youngest son straddling the threshold in a perfect split gasped.

"Son, son, how are you? Does it hurt? Oh my, is it... still going to work?"

"It hurts, it hurts..."

The Chen family’s youngest son clutched his crotch, his face flushed so red it was almost purple.

"This has nothing to do with us, you know. Everyone saw him kick on his own."

The Yun family didn’t show themselves, wanting to see how these people would handle the Chen Family.

Eager to watch the show, Yun Jiao climbed right up onto the wall to sit.