Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Thinking of this, Yi Zhonghai asked Wang Dahu:

"Hehe, our Hongxing Courtyard truly deserves its reputation. We have another neighbor working at the steel rolling mill. That's great! Da Hu, work hard at the factory and don't embarrass our courtyard."

"Uncle Yi, that's only right, hehe," Da Hu replied.

Yi Zhonghai went straight to the most crucial question:

"Big Tiger, who did you pull some strings to get this job at the factory?"

Da Hu was almost about to admit that it was arranged by Brother Jiuzhou when he was suddenly asked this question, but he managed to keep his composure.

Having been in business for so long, he still had some self-control, so he said without batting an eye:

"Uncle Yi, I have my own ways of doing things. I've been in business for so many years and I've made a few friends."

Yi Zhonghai smiled slightly upon hearing this, praising Da Hu's quick wit, and after chatting for a few more minutes, he didn't ask any more questions.

It's obvious that Wang Dahu won't tell.

The neighbors were curious, but they didn't ask too many questions.

However, Jia Dongxu was curious about how much Wang Dahu earned a month, so he asked:

"Big Tiger, how much do you make a month?"

"Hmm?" The neighbors immediately perked up their ears to listen; this was something they loved to hear.

Da Hu chuckled sheepishly and scratched his head: "Not much, 36.5 yuan a month, and with all the other subsidies, I should be able to get around 40 yuan."

Jia Dongxu was very surprised after hearing this and blurted out:

"Holy crap, so many? What gives you the right?"

"I've been working here for years, from apprentice to now, and you're only getting 36 yuan right from the start?"

"This is fucking unfair!"

Jia Dongxu was indignant, genuinely feeling it was unfair. Why did Wang Dahu receive a salary similar to his when he first joined the factory?

Compared to that, hasn't he been working for nothing all these years?

The other neighbors were also surprised to hear that Wang Dahu's monthly salary was 36 yuan.

They thought the apprentice's salary would be 17 yuan, but it turned out to be 36 yuan.

It was obvious that this was the salary a formal purchasing agent should receive, so everyone's eyes turned to Wang Dahu, waiting for his response.

Despite Jia Dongxu's rather malicious question, Da Hu maintained a smile and replied:

"Brother Dongxu, that's not right."

"All these years of collecting wild game in the countryside, have all the methods and experience I've gained been fake?"

"The work I do is really no different from what the purchasing department colleagues in the factory do."

"The difference is that one is taken back to the factory, and the other is sold."

"The head of the purchasing department was overjoyed when he learned about my experience and immediately promoted me to a permanent position."

"Tell me, if my boss wants to promote me and give me a raise, how can I refuse?"

"Wouldn't that make you an idiot?"

"Hahahaha..." The neighbors smiled kindly and chattered amongst themselves.

"No problem, Da Hu is absolutely right. It would be stupid to refuse."

"If I were the boss, I'd promote Da Hu and give him a raise too. These days, capable people deserve good treatment!"

"That almost made Jia Dongxu furious, so he found a way to save face:"

"That tiger is quite lucky." After saying that, he slowly backed away, and in that back, he went straight home, went into his room, lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed), and covered himself with the quilt.

In this heartbreaking world, only Jia Dongxu exists; he's also called emo.

Jia Dongxu originally thought that his wife and mother would say a few words of comfort when they saw him like this, but instead they called him to eat and didn't say a word of comfort, so he simply didn't get up.

Perfect timing! We're having braised pork tonight. If Jia Dongxu doesn't eat it, his mother and daughter-in-law and Xiaobangeng can eat more.

Jia Dongxu fell asleep in a daze, and when he woke up, he was so hungry that his stomach felt like it was sticking out of his back.

There was food left for him on the table: braised pork gravy and stir-fried shredded potatoes.

Upon seeing the dishes, Jia Dongxu flew into a rage and shouted:

"Where's the meat? Where's the braised pork?"

Madam Jia was dozing on the kang (a heated brick bed) when she saw her son acting strangely and scolded him:

"What's all the fuss about? You said you wouldn't eat it, how can you blame us?"

"Isn't there meat gravy? Just dip the steamed bun in some and we'll make do."

At this moment, Banggeng buried his head in Jia Dongxu's arms, his right hand raised high, inside which was a piece of braised pork.

"Dad, I'm full. I left you a piece of meat..."

Upon seeing this, Jia Dongxu felt a lump in his throat, picked up his son, and burst into tears.

This son is truly filial. Jia Dongxu never expected to be comforted by his son, and his heart softened drastically.

He even vowed that he would do his best to satisfy whatever his son wanted in the future.

Then, Banggeng and I shared a piece of braised pork, taking turns eating it.

The scene of fatherly love and filial piety brought warm smiles to the faces of Jia Zhangshi and Tong Jie.

The next day at work, Li Jiuzhou saw Lou Bancheng, which was quite rare. However, Lou Bancheng looked much more listless and had a lot more white hair.

Li Jiuzhou showed him a concerned expression:

"Chairman Lou, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lou Bancheng smiled and waved his hand:

"Jiuzhou, I know what you're going to say, but there's no need. I don't need anyone's comfort."

Li Jiuzhou smiled with relief. In the past, people called Lou Bancheng "Boss Lou," but now they call him "Chairman Lou."

Because he is also a director of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill and owns shares in it.

But these shares are now a hot potato!

Lou Bancheng had a very difficult time during this period, constantly struggling to build connections.

Now that class distinctions exist, people like Lou Bancheng are undoubtedly capitalists.

Even if his superiors told him not to care, how could he possibly not care?

How could he not know how ordinary poor people would view him?

Therefore, Lou Bancheng is now suffering in silence.

Li Jiuzhou knew perfectly well what was going on, but he couldn't say anything.

Lou Bancheng looked at Li Jiuzhou and smiled: "Jiuzhou, we've known each other for a long time. So far, the only time I've seen concern in your eyes is when I look at you."

"My former best friends wish they'd never known me. Humph!"

Li Jiuzhou smiled:

"Chairman Lou, look at what you're saying. You've thought highly of me all these years, often having me come over to cook for you."

"I've made a considerable fortune off you; I'm more than grateful to you, how could I possibly wish for your misfortune?"

"If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know. I, Li Jiuzhou, will do my best to help!"

"Hahaha……"

Upon hearing this, Lou Bancheng burst into laughter, patted Li Jiu on the shoulder, and said:

"Jiuzhou, from now on, don't call me Chairman Lou, it's too formal. From now on, call me Uncle Lou."

"If it's convenient for you to have some time off this week, how about you and Zhu Zi come over to my place and cook a meal?"

Li Jiudao:

"That's easy. Zhu Zi and I will be there on time. It's been a while since your family has tasted our cooking."

"It was my oversight; I should have taken the initiative to visit you, Zhu Zi and I."

Lou Bancheng laughed again:

"Hahaha," that's enough for me. I'll be going now, see you this weekend.

"Okay, Uncle Lou, see you this weekend."

Li Jiuzhou didn't need to sever ties with Lou Bancheng. He was just a cook, why would he sever ties? He wasn't his son-in-law, what was there to be afraid of!