Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

After Li Jiuzhou and Shazhu started working at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, the deaf old lady's meals deteriorated significantly.

It's not that there's no meat to eat; it's just that her family doesn't even turn on the stove anymore.

I would give all my monthly expenses to Qin Huairu and eat at her house; it was like we were partners.

She ate whatever Sha Zhu's family ate, because the policies had changed. After all, the old lady used to be a concubine in a wealthy family, so she knew a little about it.

So as long as there's meat to eat, it's not a big problem.

Of course, she would still have Qin Huairu take her to various restaurants in the capital every month for a treat.

It's not much; she goes once every ten days, spending about ten yuan each time, which is very easy for her.

Qin Huairu had heard her husband say that the old lady had plenty of money, so it wouldn't be a loss to take care of her.

Qin Huairu definitely wouldn't have any objections; she'd even be willing to help out with chores in the old lady's two rooms.

Although she felt bad seeing the old lady spend money, sometimes she even thought, "This is all my money being spent!"

But you can't let your mind wander to this beforehand, or you'll easily get the wrong idea.

If she had encountered someone with ill intentions, they would have killed the deaf old woman long ago so they could inherit her family fortune.

Qin Huairu didn't do much for the old lady, just cook a meal; the old lady could take care of other daily necessities herself.

She's not too old to do anything, and it wouldn't be good for Sha Zhu's wife to be too much of a burden.

The people in the courtyard didn't say anything after they learned that the deaf old woman and Sha Zhu's family had started a fight.

Everyone is doing well now, so even if they knew that the deaf old lady's house and property would fall into Sha Zhu's hands after she passed away, they wouldn't care.

Yi Zhonghai naturally had his own ulterior motives, but there was nothing he could do if the old lady wasn't close to him.

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The Yi and Jia families knew the old lady was wealthy, but they dared not covet her money; she truly had connections.

The neighborhood office director would visit the old lady from time to time, and no one dared to have any bad intentions.

In the kitchen of the No. 1 canteen at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Li Jiuzhou sat comfortably in a chair, drinking tea and smoking.

He smiled as he looked at the busy people in the kitchen.

The food at the steel rolling mill has improved significantly in the past two months.

Meanwhile, the culinary skills of the chefs in the kitchen who cook large batches of dishes are also improving.

Of course, only the large-pot dishes increased. Li Jiuzhou kept changing the menu every week, and the master chefs had learned more than twenty kinds of large-pot dishes.

Don't underestimate these things; two of the chefs who cook large pot dishes have gone to take on private banquets.

When he returned, he couldn't hide the joy on his face at all. Back in the kitchen, he excitedly explained how to prepare the dishes for the banquet.

They also sent cigarettes, alcohol, and tea to Li Jiuzhou and Sha Zhu.

Even though they are generous in teaching, they shouldn't take it for granted.

A skill is the foundation for making a living and supporting a family; we must thank the person who provided it.

The two brothers were basically half-mentors to the master chefs in the steel rolling mill's canteen.

As for the apprentices, Li Jiuzhou also discovered some promising talents.

In the past, he would have chosen a clever and resourceful apprentice.

But he felt that those who were smart would generally do well in the future, so he should give the opportunities to those who were honest and simple.

So he took a liking to an apprentice named You Fulai, whose full name was You Fulai!

He is 17 years old this year and over 1.8 meters tall.

What's most surprising is that Li Jiuzhou had just arrived when Li Jiuzhou had just joined the company.

Two months ago, this guy was only 1.7 meters tall, as thin as a bamboo pole, and his face didn't even look fully developed yet.

But two months later, he grew taller and taller, reaching over 1.8 meters.

He has gained weight and become stronger, no longer as fragile as before.

The reason for this was that the food in the steel mill's kitchen was so good and filling that he could cook enough for two people by himself.

Nobody said anything. The main reason was that the child was quite pitiful; he had no father, only his mother and younger siblings.

His father passed away a long time ago, and his mother raised three children with great difficulty.

You Fulai was able to get a job as an apprentice in the kitchen of the steel rolling mill because the neighborhood committee saw that his family was really pitiful and gave them a chance.

Li Jiuzhou was also surprised when he first met You Fulai, because he had never seen anyone's clothes have 38 patches, not even counting the pants.

Sha Zhu even counted them carefully; he had a total of 47 patches on his body.

You can tell from his clothes that this kid is really suffering.

At first, he really looked no different from a beggar, except that his clothes were very white and his face was very clean.

Moreover, although You Fulai was honest and simple, he was very diligent and hardworking.

Sha Zhu has very high standards, and very few people are worthy of his attention.

However, those who took a liking to him couldn't bear to see him pitiful. After cooking for him with their senior brothers, they would share some of the food with You Fulai so that he could have something good to eat.

His two fellow apprentices secretly helped him grow so fast in just two months.

There's nothing we can do, they're so pitiful, they're not heartless people.

Sha Zhu mentioned this matter to Li Jiuzhou quite often.

Li Jiuzhou smoked a cigarette, glancing at You Fulai every now and then.

Sha Zhu walked over and saw his senior brother glancing at You Fulai from time to time, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He knew that his senior brother must have been considering taking on a disciple.

"Senior brother, why don't you accept him? I think this kid is quite good."

"You and my master both said that I am too young and too arrogant and need to calm down. Otherwise, I would have accepted the offer."

Li Jiuzhou smiled slightly after hearing Sha Zhu's words:

"So, are you going to float or not?"

Sha Zhu scratched his head and chuckled, "I do think I'm getting a little cocky."

"I can't get cocky at Fengzeyuan; there are too many people more awesome than me."

"In this small world of the steel mill, you, senior brother, are always one step ahead of me. If I don't get cocky now, when will I?"

"I'm a fucking titled chef!"

"Haha, you little rascal." Li Jiuzhou laughed and pointed at Sha Zhu.

"So, Senior Brother, are you going to accept or not?" Sha Zhu asked again.

"Master said that skills should not be passed on lightly, but Fu Lai, this simpleton, obviously doesn't understand social etiquette."

"Silly Zhu, you can give him some pointers when you have time. You can't expect me to ask, can you? Don't I have any pride? I'm the Mr. Fish of the Culinary World!"

"Proficient in Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, Fujian, Tan Family, and Imperial Banquet Dishes."

"I've also explored many other cuisines."

"I'm not bragging, senior brother."

"The line of chefs wanting to become my apprentices could stretch from Fengzeyuan to Nanluoguxiang."

Sha Zhu nodded solemnly. Although his senior brother was bragging, he really did have the ability.

Previously, many apprentices at Fengzeyuan wanted to become his apprentices, and even the head chefs at the garden wanted their nephews and nieces to become his apprentices.

Many chefs from other restaurants in the capital also came to inquire whether Li Jiuzhou would take on apprentices.

In other words, as long as the senior brother gives the word, countless people will fight tooth and nail to send their nephews and nieces here.

Sha Zhu could actually be said to have been taught by his senior brother.

The master couldn't be bothered with him, finding him too sharp-tongued and foul-mouthed.

Sha Zhu's learning from his father and master was limited; he had learned almost everything he was supposed to.

But for my senior, there is no end in sight.