Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

In the second fitter's workshop, Liu Haizhong clenched his fists after listening to the broadcast, feeling that all his wisdom had nowhere to be used.

He felt he deserved to be an official, even if it was just a team leader.

He was very upset that he didn't get the position of liaison officer in the institute, and he was very envious of the factory leaders every day.

Xu Damao was also shocked when he found out. Li Jiuzhou had been promoted way too fast; he was already a deputy section chief.

If things continue like this, he might even become the factory manager. Xu Damao felt it was necessary to latch onto Li Jiuzhou's coattails; promotion and wealth would be within his grasp.

If Sha Zhu knew that Xu Damao had this idea, he would definitely mock him.

I'm still waiting! How could it be your turn, Xu Damao? I'm your own junior brother!

Li Huaide's promotion was also announced, and the workers couldn't help but exclaim that he was now truly influential in the steel rolling mill.

But no one gossiped. Director Li was in charge of logistics, and the workers were never short of any supplies.

From small things like workers' protective equipment and regular canteen food supplies to big things like holiday benefits, Director Li handles everything smoothly and efficiently in advance.

Even the two chefs, Li Jiuzhou and Shazhu, were recruited by Director Li.

The workers were eating well, so they first praised Li Huaide, and then praised Li Jiuzhou and Shazhu.

The workers could still tell who was in charge and who was secondary.

Even without Director Li inviting the two brothers over, their meals remained the same as before.

But with the addition of Li Jiuzhou and his brother, things changed. The same ingredients became different in their hands.

It's delicious, nothing to complain about, because there's nothing wrong with it.

They know perfectly well what the food is like in other factories.

Those factories with tens of thousands of employees also eat communal meals, stewed in one pot. They're either too salty or too bland. If you want to know what flavor they have, well, they're enough to fill you up!

Technical staff from other factories often come to exchange ideas, so they naturally know just how good the food is at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

After we went back and spread the word, everyone knew. All the factories in Beiping knew that the food at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was famously good!

We're not just bragging; we're a force to be reckoned with.

When people from the two factories chat, they always talk about their factory's reputation. You say my factory is big, then I'll say our canteen food is good.

For many workers at the factory, the good food at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was something to be proud of.

After the commendation announcement for Li Jiuzhou and others was finished, the announcer began to broadcast the list of outstanding workers in the factory.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were among those listed, and many of their coworkers gathered around to congratulate them.

Yi Zhonghai was quite happy. After a year of hard work, he had earned the title of advanced worker, which was worthwhile.

Outstanding workers are not only praised on the factory's public address system, but also receive tangible rewards.

Enameled teacups, thermos flasks, work safety supplies, and various receipts, plus 20 yuan!

There are only 35 advanced worker awards among the more than 3500 employees in the entire steel rolling mill.

It's fair to say that receiving this advanced worker award makes it much easier to get things done in the factory, and the leaders will also think more highly of you.

If a young person wins this award, matchmakers will be lining up at their doorstep.

In this day and age, having a good reputation is extremely important and highly valuable. Being able to achieve it is an honor and something to be proud of!

After work, Yi Zhonghai personally rode his bicycle to take Jia Dongxu to buy some meat; they had to celebrate!

Liu Haizhong was just as proud of himself, clutching the 20 yuan reward. He rode his bike incredibly fast, and even the cold wind felt sweet to him.

In the kitchen of the first canteen, Sha Zhu was so regretful that he kept banging his head against the wall, complaining to Li Jiuzhou beside him:

"Senior brother, why didn't you call me? Otherwise, I would have at least earned a second-class merit."

Li Jiuzhou laughed:

"Come on, you've peed your pants, you're so drunk the enemy agents could have riddled you with bullets."

"Come with me to buy some cooked food later, we'll celebrate tonight."

"Fine," Sha Zhu had no choice but to agree. He grumbled a bit, though, and realized that if he had been sober that day, he wouldn't have dared to act rashly.

Those were enemy agents, the kind who kill without blinking an eye. I may be reckless, but I'm not stupid either!

The neighbors in the courtyard were in an uproar when Li Jiuzhou and his group returned.

They had already heard the news; the enemy agents' sabotage of the factory had shocked them greatly.

I heard that Li Jiuzhou got promoted again, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he even received a second-class merit award.

Anyway, it's considered a happy occasion in the courtyard.

Both the Liu and Yi families were celebrating because they had been selected as outstanding workers in the factory.

Liu Haizhong prepared a fish and a roast duck, planning to close the door and have a proper meal today.

Yi Zhonghai bought a roast duck and three catties of mutton, intending to celebrate with his apprentice's family.

At the Yan family home, Yang Ruihua complained to Yan Bugui:

"Didn't you win the Outstanding Teacher Award? Why don't you celebrate like Lao Yi and Lao Liu? You could at least have a nice meal!"

Yan Bugui said with a wry smile, "Wife, my Outstanding Teacher Award is different. The reward is notebooks and pencils and things like that."

"There's also 20 jin of corn flour and a few worthless receipts."

"What do I have to compare with Yi Zhonghai and his team with?"

"A mere 20 yuan reward is something I can't compete with."

Yang Ruihua's eyes darted around: "I don't care, we have to eat meat tonight. Go and cut down a pound of cured pork."

"Alright, alright, whatever you say, I'll go get it done right now." Yan Bugui had no choice but to agree to his wife's request. She was pregnant and her temper was a bit strange, so it was better to go along with her.

Li Jiuzhou bought lamb spine and mutton, and had hot pot with Sha Zhu's family.

Both of them are chefs, love to eat, and are willing to spend money. When they go to buy meat, they usually buy large quantities, so they don't mind spending money.

For the two of them, eating hot pot meant eating meat until they were full, without eating any staple food, because it wouldn't be satisfying enough.

Sha Zhu also brought two pounds of braised beef from home, which he prepared as a cold dish to eat with his drinks.

Only a few families were celebrating in the courtyard; the rest of the people didn't have anything good to celebrate.

Tomorrow is the last day of work at the steel rolling mill, and also the time to collect New Year's benefits. The New Year is the day after tomorrow, and there will be plenty of time to eat meat and drink alcohol, so it won't make a difference if we wait a little longer.

Yi Zhonghai was extremely happy today and soon got drunk. He was so drunk that he was slurring his words.

Yi Zhonghai sat in the main seat, smiling and beckoning to the stick in Jia Zhangshi's arms.

Banggeng was very clever; he got down from his grandmother's arms and went to Yi Zhonghai's arms, calling out "Grandpa!"

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed and said kindly to the stick, "Aba aba$@**$@@（@）"

Banggeng frowned as he listened, and asked Jia Zhangshi, "Grandma, what did Grandpa say?"

Actually, none of the adults present heard what Yi Zhonghai said, because he was shivering and his face was very red from the alcohol.

Jia Zhang smiled and said to Bang Geng, "Your grandfather said that after he dies, he should be cremated, and his ashes should be made into dice. If you have any trouble, shake them and he'll give you a clever idea!"

"Ugh~" Tong Jie and Jia Dongxu covered their mouths at the same time, afraid of laughing out loud.

Aunt Yi wanted to laugh but felt she shouldn't, so she complained to Jia Zhangshi, "Sister-in-law, that's not what Lao Yi meant."

Madam Jia raised an eyebrow and said, "If you don't believe me, ask Old Yi and see if I'm right."

He then raised his voice and asked Yi Zhonghai, "Old Yi, don't you think so?"

Yi Zhonghai was already quite drunk and didn't understand a word Jia Zhangshi said, so he just smiled at her:

"Aba aba, cremation is good, @$@$$@."

Madam Jia clapped her hands and laughed heartily:

"Look, even Old Yi says cremation is good, hahaha..."