Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

As for Yi Zhong, he appeared outwardly cheerful and honest, but inwardly he was cursing the He family father and son to the bone.

It's blatant jealousy, but also a lot of envy.

Yi Zhonghai doesn't ask for any filial piety or anything like that; he just wants a son, even someone like Jia Dongxu would be fine.

He felt jealous and resentful. Why did He Daqing, that lousy cook, have a son, while he himself was childless?

Yi Zhonghai glanced at his wife, who was still chatting with other neighbors, and decided to try harder; they were still young and could have more children.

This was just a minor incident. After everyone had left, Li Jiuzhou quietly went to the backyard with the cloth bag.

The old lady had asked him to do something, and he had already done it. There were too many people around, so Li Jiuzhou couldn't show it to them in person.

After entering the old lady's house, Li Jiuzhou said with a smile:

"Grandma, my master has prepared a dish of braised sea cucumber with scallions for you."

"Also, my master knows you like to eat large intestines, so he's giving you a serving of Nine-Turned Intestines as a token of his appreciation."

"The chef assured you that you can rest assured, he guarantees it will be flavorful, hehehe..."

Li Jiuzhou hadn't expected the old lady to have such strong tastes; to be honest, he couldn't stomach the authentic flavor of the braised pork intestines.

Nine-Turned Intestines, also known as "The Strongest Open Scheme," is a dish whose flavor is known only to those who have tried it.

"Hehehe, Tielong is so kind. Please thank Tielong for me tomorrow. Thank you for your hard work, grandson." The old lady didn't mind the teasing in Li Jiuzhou's words.

What's wrong with having a strong palate? You're so old, can't you enjoy life?

After chatting for a while, Li Jiuzhou returned to his home in the front yard.

The Jia family's house, located in the west wing of the central courtyard, was small, consisting of two rooms.

Old Jia and his wife lived in the inner room, while their son, Jia Dong, lived in the outer room.

The couple were chatting, while Jia Dongxu in the outer room was also wide awake. He had been quite agitated that night, so he lay on his side listening to his parents' conversation.

Zhang Xiaohua didn't say a single kind word.

"Old Jia, look at He Daqing's arrogant and unruly attitude tonight. And his stupid son actually knows how to be filial to him?"

"He's just an idiot, what's he showing off for?"

"Cough cough..."

Old Jia coughed a few times and said, "Alright, why are you cursing? Even if his son is stupid, he's never lost any money."

"Where is our son? He hides his money, and he doesn't even know how to show filial piety to us. He even lost the money."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua muttered, "That was just Dongxu's carelessness. We'll just have to be more careful next time."

"Look at He Yuzhu, that idiot, he's getting paid, while Dongxu is still just wandering around aimlessly. Why don't we think of a way to get him some work?"

After chatting for a long time, Old Jia finally heard his wife speak a sensible sentence. He sighed and said:

"That's what they say, but work isn't that easy."

"The factory isn't hiring right now, and even if it were, it wouldn't be our family's turn."

"We can only wait for an opportunity."

"So we're just going to let Dongxu drag this out like this?" Zhang Xiaohua said, dissatisfied.

Upon hearing this, Old Jia's voice suddenly grew louder:

"Then let him carry the heavy loads. He's a grown man now, he has the strength. He can't always be supported by his parents; it's time for him to contribute to the family."

Zhang Xiaohua sighed, "I'm afraid our son won't be able to endure this hardship. Carrying such heavy loads is so tiring."

Old Jia snorted: "If you care about your son, then eat less. Look how fat you are, I don't even want to touch you anymore."

Zhang Xiaohua was unhappy:

"You rascal, what are you saying? I'm not fat at all. The neighbors all say I look plump."

"Besides, my plump appearance shows that my husband is capable and can support me. You're so proud of yourself, yet you're still complaining about me..."

Old Jia was speechless after hearing this. Well, he had indeed heard from his neighbors that he was capable and raised his wife and son well.

This is his pride.

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly rolled over and landed on top of Lao Jia, saying shyly:

"Come on, Lao Jia, we're still young. Let's give Dongxu another younger brother or sister to keep him company."

Old Jia was so overwhelmed he could barely breathe. "Damn it, you're not trying to create a baby, you're trying to kill me!"

But there's not much entertainment these days, and just now I heard a cat meowing from Old Yi's house across the street.

Old Jia was also a little tempted, but with his wife's face like that, he really couldn't bring himself to kiss her!

Fortunately, it was very dark inside, so he gritted his teeth and went up...

Hearing the commotion inside from the outer room, Jia Dongxu was filled with shame and indignation.

I just heard my dad say that I'm useless and he even made me carry heavy loads. How could he possibly handle that?

Now he's doing that again, saying he wants to have a younger brother or sister for himself. Does he, a grown man, really want to die? He might as well just cover his head with the blanket and go to sleep.

He's heard it countless times over the years, so he's gotten used to it.

The next day, Jia Dongxu looked listless and barely slept all night.

While eating breakfast, Lao Jia told Jia Dongxu to go out and find work to earn some money.

Jia Dongxu had no choice but to obey his father's orders.

Just as he was leaving, he ran into Li Jiuzhou and He Yuzhu, who were about to go out. A thought struck him, and he quickly greeted them:

"Pillar, Kyushu, time to go to work."

"Yeah, Dongxu, isn't it time yet?" He Yuzhu replied.

Li Jiuzhou smiled and nodded.

"Zhu Zi, come here, I have something to tell you," Jia Dongxu whispered.

He Yuzhu glanced at his senior brother.

Li Jiuzhou said, "If Dongxu needs you, just go. Don't worry, you won't be late."

"Then..."

As the two walked to the corner of the courtyard, Jia Dongxu put his arm around He Yuzhu and smiled ingratiatingly.

"Zhu Zi, didn't you just get paid? I'm a little short on cash lately, can you lend me some?"

He Yuzhu was taken aback, and his voice involuntarily rose a little: "So, Dongxu, you're asking me for money?"

Jia Dongxu glanced around and said, "Zhu Zi, keep your voice down. I lost some money, otherwise I wouldn't be asking you for a loan."

He Yuzhu was reckless, not stupid; he crossed his arms and said disdainfully:

"Brother Dongxu, you're eighteen already, why are you asking me, a thirteen-year-old, for money?"

"How dare you say that? If people find out, aren't you afraid my Uncle Jia will beat you to death?"

"Besides, you don't have a job. Do you think you can pay it back if I lend you the money?"

Jia Dongxu blushed with embarrassment after being verbally attacked by He Yuzhu.

"If you don't want to lend it, then don't. Why are you saying so much? Just pretend I didn't say anything. I misjudged you."

After saying that, he turned and left.

He Yuzhu looked at Jia Dongxu's departing figure with disdain and said:

"Pah, you penniless wretch, trying to borrow money? I'll borrow from your grandpa!"

Li Jiuzhou heard everything clearly from the side, and he was afraid that Jia Dongxu was trying to fool He Yuzhu.

Fortunately, the kid isn't stupid; he worried for nothing.

Days passed by like this, one after another.

The civil war had reached a fever pitch, but the situation in Beiping remained stable, with little impact on ordinary people.

Of course, many people will discuss the current situation when they have nothing to do.

The Japanese surrendered two years ago, and by all accounts, the world should be at peace and the people should be living in contentment.

But the two brothers still have to settle their score; only time will tell who will rule this land.

The Blue Party is now in charge of Beiping. The common people can survive, but when they are bullied, no one stands up for them.