Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

It was late at night on New Year's Eve—no, it should be said now that it's the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Li Jiuzhou had just coaxed Bingbing and her daughter to sleep when he went to the living room.

Just as I sat down to drink tea, I saw Yan Bugui tiptoeing out from across the room. He wasn't going to the outhouse, but heading towards the central courtyard.

Li Jiuzhou didn't pay any attention and continued drinking his tea.

At this moment, about ten people had unknowingly gathered in the backyard.

It was very conspicuous under the moonlight.

When Sha Zhu saw that everyone was tiptoeing and seemed to be holding something in their hands, he had an idea.

When the dozen or so people gathered together, they were all stunned. They simultaneously stretched out their right hands, and after seeing that everyone was holding the same thing, they smiled knowingly.

The smile was radiant, and tinged with excitement.

Because everyone knows that they all share the same goal.

Jia Dongxu, without hesitation, took the lead in issuing commands, lowering his voice and whispering:

"I'll count to three, then we'll all go outside together."

"Alright, I trust Dongxu to do things right. You can count them."

Jia Dongxu nodded and raised his left hand to make a three.

Upon seeing this, the others held their breath and made throwing motions.

"three!"

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh..." A dozen or twenty stones, accompanied by the sound of wind, quickly smashed into the doors and windows of the Liu family's house.

"Bang bang bang..." The sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the backyard, accompanied by angry shouts and terrified cries from the Liu family.

The Liu family felt as if the sky was about to collapse, with stones flying in through the windows everywhere.

After the stones were thrown, everyone scattered like birds and beasts.

When Liu Haizhong came out, the backyard was already empty.

He was angry, but he also felt a sense of lingering fear, as if he had offended many people today.

The deaf old woman then came out of the house:

"Oh my god, which heartless bastard smashed my window?"

"Fuck your mother, don't let me catch you, or I'll hang myself on your doorstep!"

That's right, her windows were also smashed, and it's obvious that Liu Haizhong got caught in the crossfire.

Xu Damao, who had just returned to the room, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling somewhat guilty.

He was the one who broke the deaf old lady's window; his hand slipped and he couldn't hold on properly, it wasn't intentional.

The deaf old woman looked at Liu Haizhong, who was standing at the door, with a gloomy expression, and said:

"Remember to fix the glass for me tomorrow."

Liu Haizhong smiled wryly and nodded. He didn't refuse, knowing that the old deaf woman's window had been smashed because of him.

Li Jiuzhou only realized that Liu Haizhong had been targeted for revenge when he heard the commotion at home. He sneered inwardly, thinking, "Serves him right."

Going to report others at the drop of a hat makes you seem powerful; if we don't take you down, who will we take down?

The Liu family didn't sleep well all night because of the cold wind.

Liu Haizhong went to buy glass early in the morning, and installed it himself when he came back. He also installed the glass that the deaf old lady had broken.

Liu Haizhong was disliked by the people in the courtyard, but Liu Guangqi was not. Some people would even joke with him and ask if he had slept well last night.

Liu Guangqi was also helpless; his father had indeed acted unfairly this time.

You said you had a grudge against the Jia family and you could take revenge, but you ended up making a huge mess of things.

As the eldest son, Liu Guangqi was responsible and persuaded Liu Haizhong to take the money, buy some things, and visit each of his father's homes to apologize on his behalf.

Liu Haizhong couldn't bring himself to do it, so Liu Guangqi had to go instead.

If this matter isn't resolved, the whole family will have to face the neighbors' disdain as they live in the yard, which will be very difficult. So the matter needs to be resolved.

At Jiajia's house, Liu Guangqi placed sugar and some eggs on the table.

"Brother Dongxu, I'm so sorry, my dad was confused for a moment."

Jia Dongxu smiled:

"Haha, it's okay, it's all in the past, Guangqi, don't worry about it."

This is what Jia Zhangshi said with a smile as she leaned closer:

"Guangqi, how was your night in my bed yesterday? Was it warm enough?"

Liu Guangqi blushed deeply, which made the Jia family burst into laughter.

However, Liu Guangqi knew how to shift the focus, saying:

"Da Mao even crawled into Dong Xu's bed and hugged Bang Geng, saying he was his son."

Jia Dongxu seemed to remember something and immediately burst into a tirade of curses:

"Damn it, that bastard Da Mao, I'll get him sooner or later!"

Jia Dongxu was very upset. How did Xu Damao end up in his bed?

If I weren't married, that would be one thing, but I've had my share of hanging out with Xu Damao before.

But now that he's married and has a wife, Jia Dongxu is finding it hard to accept.

That son of a bitch even colluded with the comrades from the Military Control Commission to impersonate Jia Dongxu, pretending to be sleeping with his son.

I'm really fed up with this bastard.

Liu Guangqi went to apologize to the families who participated in the gambling last night, an act that earned him the praise of his neighbors.

He's sensible and reasonable, so he'll definitely do well in the future.

Sha Zhu felt a little regretful. He had originally planned to take action again that night, but Liu Guangqi's interference ruined his plans.

When Li Jiuzhou started junior high school, his family went to his master's house and stayed there all day, only returning home after dinner.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I took Bingbing to visit my parents' home to pay New Year's respects, which took up the whole day.

Uncle Er originally planned to come back on the third day of the Lunar New Year, but the old man said to stay at his house instead, and Li Jiuzhou thought that was fine too.

So, I took my family and gifts and went to the old man's house again.

After lunch, Li Jiuzhou and his second uncle chatted over tea in the courtyard.

"Second Uncle, haven't you thought about moving out?"

Faced with his nephew's question, Li Huaide sighed:

"I'd like to, but the old man won't allow it, saying the child is too young and who will take care of him if we move out?"

"We don't have any elderly people in our family, and your aunt also has to work. It would be troublesome if there was no one to take care of the children."

"The old man's idea is to move out when the children are older."

Li Jiuzhou nodded. The old man's consideration was not wrong, but it was unfair to his second uncle.

The old man had nothing to say about his second uncle, but he felt differently about himself. After all, it's not comfortable to live under someone else's roof.

Li Huaide didn't dare to speak loudly here; it would be a lie to say he wasn't feeling repressed.

Li Jiuzhou patted his shoulder and said:

"Those who achieve great things never complain about their circumstances. Uncle, I have high hopes for you!"

"Go to hell," Li Huaide laughed and cursed.

Li Huaide felt much better after his nephew said that.

Those who achieve great things never complain about their circumstances—this is a good saying, and Li Huaide took it to heart.

Li Jiuzhou looked at his second uncle seriously and said:

"Second Uncle, I've been reading a lot of books lately, and I'd like to give you another piece of advice."

Li Huaide raised an eyebrow, intrigued: "Go on."

Li Jiuzhou took a deep breath and slowly said:

"It is always a life-or-death struggle for those from poor families to achieve their goals. If you fall into depravity, no one will stop you, but if you want to rise above others and defy fate, there will be countless people who will try to stop you."

"When you choose to challenge fate alone, you choose loneliness; only ultimate success will speak for you."

"A young man who achieves early success is prone to setbacks; true greatness comes to those who achieve it later in life."

"If the time is not right, do not complain, do not dwell on it, do not be impatient; be patient, be tolerant, and be steadfast."

When the time comes, do not be greedy, arrogant, or conceited; be steady, calm, and accept your fate.

Li Jiuzhou's words were deeply etched in Li Huaide's mind.

He didn't read many books after returning from the battlefield; it was only after he got married that his father encouraged him to study more.

He understands some of the principles, and he is learning them.

At this moment, Li Huaide couldn't help but think more highly of his nephew; it seemed that he had read quite a bit to be able to say such things.

He knew that his nephew's father-in-law was a teacher, and must have taught him a lot.

Li Huaide smiled with relief:

"Don't worry, Second Uncle is very steady."

Li Jiuzhou smiled and nodded. He was also worried that his second uncle might offend too many people in the future, which would be bad. If someone retaliated, things would get really serious.

Li Huaide could handle it and even manage to go into business peacefully, but Li Jiuzhou couldn't.

If those people can't get revenge on Li Huaide, can't they at least get revenge on Li Jiuzhou?

Li Jiuzhou himself wasn't afraid, but with family involved, he had to be cautious.