Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Li Jiuzhou sat in the living room all night, and only went to his room to sleep at the crack of dawn.

Bingbing didn't call him when he was having breakfast.

Li Jiuzhou didn't wake up until after 10 a.m.

When I stepped outside, I was a little dumbfounded to find that many people who were supposed to be at work were still in the yard, chatting in the front yard.

Li Jiuzhou had time to wash up and went over to ask:

"Uncle Yi, aren't you going to work today?"

Yi Zhonghai sighed upon hearing this:

"Don't even mention it, the gate to the steel rolling mill was blown up. We were terrified when we went there this morning."

"Boss Lou said to give us a few days off to rest."

"Look at the mess this has made, those bastards just can't stand to see us doing well."

"Zhuzi just went out, saying he was going to check out Fengzeyuan. I reckon you two will be on holiday too."

Li Jiuzhou understood what Yi Zhonghai meant; it was simply that there were spies causing trouble.

This time it's gone too far; they've even started using machine guns and explosives.

This caused a sense of unease throughout Beiping.

Just then, Sha Zhu pushed his cart into the yard and came over to greet Li Jiuzhou.

"Senior brother, the shopkeeper said we should take a few days off."

Li Jiuzhou nodded. This kind of thing is normal. If a few shots are fired, everyone will go about their business as usual. The people of Beiping are used to it.

But with guns and cannons everywhere, who in their right mind would dare to go out and work?

Is it really that hard to choose between money and life?

Some ordinary people are having a hard time, but they still understand the principles.

Between money and life, life is naturally more important.

As for the saying "fortune favors the bold"?

Forget it. We're not destined for that.

Although some factories and restaurants in the city have stopped operating, the vegetable market is still running.

Business is even better than before, since no one knows how many days off there will be, so people who are overly anxious start stocking up on food.

There's no other reason than that I got used to it during the war.

Throughout the morning, Li Jiuzhou saw many women returning from outside the courtyard, each carrying large and small bags.

Li Jiuzhou felt that their actions were completely unnecessary; the entire city would be under martial law for at most two or three days, and then nothing would happen.

At noon, the military control committee went from courtyard to courtyard to reassure people, telling them not to be nervous, that the matter was over, and that tomorrow they should go to work or school.

The next day, Li Jiuzhou and Sha Zhu went to work. Business was so-so, with only a few tables of customers.

After lunchtime, everyone had some free time, so they started rolling dice; they were just too bored.

Manager Luan is the bookmaker; the others can bet on big or small.

The dealer rolls the dice first; if it's a triple, all three (three of a kind) win; the other players don't even get a chance to roll the dice.

If the dealer draws 123, they will pay out.

If the banker and player both bet on the same spot, it counts as a walkout; there is no rule where the banker wins if both bets are on the same spot.

The dice are face up, not covered by a box; there's a big bowl, and you just throw the three dice into it.

Those with the skills in the kitchen all participated, but the stakes weren't high, with a maximum bet of 20,000.

"Come on, brothers, place your bets now!" Manager Luan shouted, waving banknotes in his hand as he stood on a stool.

Li Jiuzhou immediately bet 20,000, which was the maximum.

Without saying a word, Sha Zhu also placed a bet of 20,000.

Master Li Tielong bet 5000.

The eldest brother bet 10,000.

Others have received tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even thousands of yuan.

He Daqing excitedly reached into his pocket, only to find that he had nothing but cigarettes and firewood.

It was all because Yi Zhonghai exposed his secrets last time that he got into trouble; all his money was taken away by his wife, Bai Lian.

He Daqing tugged at his son's sleeve.

Sha Zhu was somewhat confused:

"Why would Dad drag me into this? You place the bet!"

He Daqing gave an embarrassed smile: "Dad didn't bring any money today, give me some first, I'll pay you back when I get my salary."

Sha Zhu panicked upon hearing this: "Dad, why are you dreaming? You can't lend money at the gambling table. No way!"

"Besides, how come you're so poor? Taking my cigarettes is one thing, but now I have to pay for your gambling too? Who's the boss here?"

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Silly Zhu's words caused the entire audience to burst into laughter.

He Daqing was somewhat exasperated:

"You little brat, I'm your father, what's wrong with showing me some respect? You son of a bitch!"

Sha Zhu, looking utterly dejected, pulled out his money.

"Alright, alright, since you're my dad, here's 10. Remember to pay me back when you get your salary. There's no father-son relationship at the gambling table; if you borrow and pay back, it's easy to borrow again!"

Upon seeing the money, He Daqing's expression immediately changed. He happily took the money and immediately placed a bet of 20,000 yuan.

Manager Luan, holding the dice in his right hand, glanced around at everyone at the octagonal table, a smile playing on his lips, and announced loudly:

"Place your bets, brothers!"

Manager Luan's words immediately drew a barrage of insults from the crowd:

"Hurry up and get started, what are you dawdling for? Just because you have a little money doesn't mean you can be a big shot. Luan Pubao, let me tell you, there are no big or small stakes at the gambling table."

"Now that nobody's in charge, let's roll the dice!"

Luan Xuetang's lips twitched. He knew his subordinates too well and didn't take it seriously. He raised his right hand and waved it, then plunged his head into the large bowl.

The dice spun around and around until they stopped.

"123 six points small, full compensation~"

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers. The bookmaker had paid out all the money right from the start, and the sun was shining brightly today!

"Just an appetizer, just an appetizer, it's just a matter of paying everyone out." Luan Xuetang didn't care and paid out money to everyone one by one.

When two more 123 combinations were drawn, Luan Xuetang's face turned green.

What the hell is this luck?

After three rounds, I've lost nearly 40 yuan.

Li Jiuzhou and his group were overjoyed; the dealer was having a run of bad luck, which presented a perfect opportunity to make money.

In the fourth round, the dealer opened with 235 points, which is quite a lot.

Only then do the players have the opportunity to roll the dice, and everyone wins or loses.

Li Jiuzhou drew 335 and 11, earning another 20,000.

The father and son, Sha Zhu, had their hands behind their backs; the dealer won this round.

Halfway through the game, the company manager arrived and, without saying a word, took out his money and placed his bet.

The kitchen doors were all closed, so who the hell knows what they're doing in there? A little gambling is harmless fun, just occasional entertainment.

The cap is only 20,000, which chef can't afford to play these games?

Apprentices could only watch and shout.

They don't earn money easily, so Luan Xuetang doesn't let them play; they can only watch.

This game lasted for more than two hours, and Li Jiuzhou won every single time. In a game where he bet 20,000, he won 680,000.

He looked absolutely radiant!

Everyone else had their wins and losses, but the shopkeeper, Luan Xuetang, was destined to lose money today, having lost over two million at the opening.

He Daqing and his son looked extremely gloomy.

Sha Zhu lost 26 yuan, and his father He Daqing lost 40 yuan.

Sha Zhu was in a bad mood after losing money. He only had 66 yuan on him, and the father and son had lost so much that they didn't even have money for cigarettes.

Sha Zhu complained to his father, He Daqing:

"Dad, I told you, you can't borrow money at the gambling table. Look, you've lost everything."

Faced with his son's complaints, He Daqing was also furious. Why was his luck so bad today?

"What's with all the nagging? What, you think you can ask your dad for 40 yuan?"

Sha Zhu raised an eyebrow after hearing this:

"What, Father, are you trying to renege on your debt?"

He Daqing directly threw away the scoundrel:

"What about the things you ate and drank from when you were a kid? Should we settle that with you too?"

Sha Zhu was furious and pointed his finger repeatedly:

"Fine, He Daqing, you're really something, even betraying your own son. You're not my father today!"

He Daqing shrugged, looking completely unconcerned.

"I don't care. As long as you're your dad tomorrow, that's fine. Today you can call me He Daqing, and I won't argue with you!"

"That's what happens when you're the creditor."

"But Zhu Zi, remember to bring extra money tomorrow, Dad's a little short on cash lately..."

After hearing this, Sha Zhu stopped arguing with him and asked:

"Dad, what's wrong? Aunt Bai isn't giving you money?"

He Daqing waved his hand:

"No, we have plenty of cigarettes and alcohol, but we won't pay you. We're afraid I'll cause trouble."

"Oh~" Sha Zhu understood a little, and naturally knew what was going on:

"If I gave you money, would you cause trouble?"

He Daqing said solemnly:

"What trouble could I possibly cause? I have a wife and children now, it's not like before."

"It feels uneasy when you're broke; it's like a tickle all over your body, and you feel restricted in everything you do."

Sha Zhu nodded:

"Alright, I'll give you some money to spend tomorrow, consider it a gift from your son."

He Daqing grinned upon hearing this:

"The biological son is still the most filial."

"Alright, alright, that's settled then." Sha Zhu didn't want to put on a father-son act with his dad; it felt really awkward.

Dad's current life is pretty good, Shazhu thinks.

With someone to take care of you, and someone to look after you if you have a headache or fever at home, you're only in your forties, which is the time to work hard.

Although they are father and son, they have actually separated their households.

They each have their own families, but if He Daqing really encounters trouble, Sha Zhu will definitely help him; after all, a father is a father.

Asking him for some money is a trivial matter.

According to his senior brother Li Jiuzhou, anything that can be solved with money isn't a problem. He didn't want to...