Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Liu Haizhong is now a level 6 fitter. He works very hard, and many people in the institute compare him to Yi Zhonghai.

It has to be said that Liu Haizhong's skill in fitting is also quite good. The engineer also commented that Liu Haizhong still has room for improvement.

Skilled workers are highly sought after in steel mills, especially those at the senior level.

If Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong wanted to switch jobs, it would be quite easy for them.

No matter which factory it is, the more skilled technicians the better.

Jia Dongxu, his personally trained apprentice, had already bought fine wine and gifts for Yi Zhonghai.

His share will be more than enough, and it will be better than everyone else's; it won't be stingy at all.

He is a direct disciple.

Yi Zhonghai said he didn't know why he was spending all this money, but he was secretly pleased.

Yi Zhonghai really didn't care whether the gift Jia Dongxu gave was expensive or not, as his apprentice was sensible and knew the rules.

The two families have practically become one, and the gifts they exchange are almost like money passing from one hand to the other.

Bang Geng, that little brat, eats six meals a day, going to Yi Zhonghai's house to eat after finishing at his own home.

In the courtyard, apart from Li Jiuzhou's Iron Ox, every child envied him.

Who eats like that? It's only possible with a stick.

He Daqing returned to the courtyard early in the morning with his wife and children. Every year, his whole family would spend the holiday together.

Bai Lian, who was pregnant, helped the deaf old woman pick vegetables.

The children were assigned by Sha-zhu to clean the house.

Kids these days may be mischievous, but they're incredibly hardworking.

Li Jiuzhou was also busy in the kitchen, preparing to cook the New Year's Eve dinner.

As for dumplings?

He's been here for so many years and has hardly eaten anything.

He doesn't have that habit; he still prefers a table full of chicken, duck, fish, and meat for the New Year's Eve dinner to a bowl of dumplings—how shabby!

If you really want to eat it, just prepare one bowl; that stuff is very filling.

Li Jiuzhou prepared a table full of dishes for the New Year's Eve dinner.

Even though there are restrictions on buying meat now, he still wants to make it as good as possible.

The yard smells wonderful during Chinese New Year, but who the hell knows what you're eating?

Even if it's just a pot of dumplings, I can make it sound like a feast for the senses.

The twelve dishes are as follows:

Crispy Pork Ribs

Ginger Duck

Flying Dragon Soup

Stir-fried squid tentacles

Salt and pepper shrimp

Ginger Duck

Steamed hairy crab

Braised Abalone

松鼠桂鱼

盐焗鸡

Stir-fried Three Delicacies

玉米烙

The table was laden with food, making the family members' mouths water.

Tie Niu was already drooling, he couldn't wait to get started.

By the time the food was ready, it was already dark, and in some places, people had already started setting off firecrackers.

Li Jiuzhou waved his hand and started eating!

I opened a bottle of good wine that I got from my second uncle, poured a glass for my wife, and another for my younger brother Shanhe.

Jiaojiao drank soda and Tieniu drank prepared malted milk powder, one drinking soda and the other drinking malted milk powder.

"Brother Zhou, there's so much food, how can we possibly finish it all!" Bingbing couldn't help but say.

Li Jiuzhou smiled and said, "It's okay. We can eat it tomorrow if we can't finish it. It won't spoil. We'll finish it eventually."

After dinner, Shanhe gave his younger brother, sister-in-law, and son lucky money, and then took his sister and nephew to set off firecrackers.

Li Jiuzhou was making tea in the room, and the leftover food was covered with a lid.

After finishing his meal, Sha Zhu brought his wife over to offer New Year's greetings, drink tea, and chat.

Mainly because there's nothing much to do.

Jia Dongxu couldn't resist the urge to play a couple more rounds; it's Chinese New Year, after all, so he wanted to have some fun.

However, his own house was too small, so he went to Xu Damao. The two of them decided to team up and play at Xu Damao's house.

Xu Fugui didn't stop him, but instead said happily:

"You guys have fun, but if Old Liu dares to report me to the police today, I'll break his legs!"

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, and Liu Haizhong walked into the house with his hands behind his back:

"Wealth and status? That's meaningless. Am I that kind of person?"

Then he turned to Xu Damao and Jia Dongxu and said:

"Dongxu, Damao, don't be afraid, have fun. I'll have Guangqi come over in a bit."

"Don't worry, Uncle Liu, I'm not going anywhere. I want to have fun too."

Seeing Liu Haizhong's words, Xu Damao and Jia Dongxu were relieved and went to call for reinforcements.

Upon hearing that they could play a couple of rounds, the younger generation in the courtyard immediately rushed to Xu Damao's house in the backyard.

Sha Zhu dragged Li Jiuzhou along too, unable to resist taking a few gambles.

If the public doesn't complain, the authorities won't investigate. A little gambling is harmless fun, but excessive gambling is harmful. Playing around during the New Year is perfectly fine!

Besides, Liu Haizhong has already promised that he'll be on today.

The Xu family home was packed with people. At that moment, Yi Zhonghai found Yan Bugui and handed him fifty cents.

"Old Yan, you're an educated man, go keep watch at the door. Here's fifty cents for tea, and I'll give you a dollar and fifty cents for water later!"

Yan Bugui didn't answer, let out a burp (he'd had a bit too much to drink tonight), adjusted his glasses, and said irritably:

"Old Yi, who do you think you are? Before I became a teacher, I was a regular at the gambling table. I lost a third of my family's wealth."

"Otherwise, how could I stay here?"

"You can hire whoever wants to keep watch, today I, Lord Yama, am going to slaughter everyone in my path!"

Everyone in the room was surprised by Yan Bugui's words.

After his initial surprise, Yi Zhonghai smiled slightly and said, "That was because I was narrow-minded, Master Yan, please don't be angry."

Yan Bugui waved his hand, took out a piece and threw it to Xu Fugui.

Xu Fugui was completely dumbfounded, holding the money and not knowing what to do.

Seeing that Xu Fu remained motionless, Yan Bugui's tone became more severe:

"What the hell are you standing there for? Bring some tea!"

"Holy crap!" the people inside exclaimed in unison.

Yan Bugui is awesome!

Sha Zhu was overjoyed and said to He Daqing and Li Jiuzhou beside him, "Dad, Senior Brother, it seems that Old Bi Deng drank quite a bit of fake alcohol tonight!"

"Hehehe..." The two of them chuckled but didn't say anything.

Xu Fugui was close to Yan Bugui and could tell from the smell of alcohol on him that he had drunk quite a bit. Not wanting to argue with him during the New Year, he actually went and poured Yan Bugui a cup of hot tea.

"Sir, your tea!" Xu Fugui also put on an act.

Yan Bugui took the teacup and snapped, "Serve them!"

Xu Fugui looked ashamed and indignant, but Yi Zhonghai patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, Lao Xu, Lao Yan's had too much to drink today. Just let him show off his old power. If you serve him well, maybe Lord Yan will even reward you!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Fugui's eyes lit up, and after the gambling game began, he kept adding tea and lighting cigarettes for Yan Bugui.

When Yan Bugui won, he cheered loudly.

Xu Fugui, as expected of someone who had served Lou Bancheng, was quick-witted and soon received a reward of more than eight yuan from Yan Bugui.

Everyone else was incredibly envious.

Yan Jie was dumbfounded. This was his own father?

This guy is a complete gambler!

But he didn't care; he was having a great time gambling, so he didn't care if you were his father or not!

The next day, Yan Bugui woke up to find that all his money was gone.

There was originally 36 yuan, but when I woke up, the money was gone.

It doesn't matter if he can't remember; there are plenty of people who can help him recall the past.

Yang Ruirui said sarcastically, "Master Yan, I've served you for over ten years, and I haven't seen you reward me with anything. Why don't you take pity on me?"

After Yang Ruihua said that, Yan Bugui immediately remembered, and at that moment he was clutching his chest, feeling so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe!

After washing my face, I went back to my room and glanced at myself in the mirror. Looking at my haggard reflection, I felt a pang of regret. Touching my face, I muttered to myself:

"I've been ruined by alcohol and women, and I've become so haggard. From this day forward, I will abstain from alcohol!"