Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

For many years, Aunt Yi would occasionally help the old lady tidy up some things, but later the couple stopped doing so because they wanted to have a child.

The deaf old woman didn't say anything; on the contrary, she was incredibly clever because she knew she was down on her luck and dared not let the men serve her anymore.

At most, I'll lend a hand when it's inconvenient for her.

She also arranged for Yi Zhonghai and Jia Zhengjing to each have two rooms to live in; she did everything she could.

In fact, Yi Zhonghai and Lao Jia had a secret meeting once, in which they wanted to join forces to get rid of the deaf old lady.

Because they both knew the deaf old woman had many valuable possessions, they decided to split the house and property equally after killing her.

The idea was good, but with He Daqing and his wife in the middle, it meant they had to be eliminated as well.

At the time, Lao Jia didn't think that it would be difficult for Duoga and the other two. He thought that they should just do it for the sake of their future wealth!

But Yi Zhonghai had a much longer-term vision than Lao Jia. Although the deaf old woman was a concubine, she knew many people in Beiping, especially from all walks of life.

Who knows if she has any backup plans?

Then there's He Daqing, whose relationship is even more complicated. He would occasionally invite his fellow apprentices to the courtyard for a meal.

For various reasons, they both had the desire to steal but lacked the courage.

It's just a thought at most; actually, those two guys wouldn't dare to be ruthless...

Yi Zhonghai is satisfied with the current situation. He treats the deaf old lady as a neighbor, and he and his wife, as well as Lao Jia and his wife, have all taken care of her.

The deaf old woman had also helped them; she was the one who got them into the steel rolling mill and even arranged for them to be taught by a master craftsman.

So, by that logic, the deaf old lady was kind to both families.

Now the deaf old woman says that after she dies, everything will go to Sha Zhu, and Yi Zhonghai no longer cares.

He has several thousand in savings, more than he can ever spend, so it doesn't matter to him.

As long as I and my apprentice's family live a prosperous life, that's enough.

Because Yi Zhonghai felt as if he could see the future.

Firstly, he has nearly four thousand yuan in savings, and he is confident that he can be promoted to level 7 in fitter skills by the end of the year.

A level 7 fitter earns 89.5 yuan per month, and with various subsidies for senior fitters, they can earn a total of 95 yuan per month.

The apprentice can earn another 40 yuan a month, and with his help, it's hard for him to live a bad life...

This is Yi Zhonghai's source of confidence; it is very strong.

The only regret is not having children. This is Yi Zhonghai's pain. In the past, Yi Zhonghai would think, "Damn it, what's the use of making so much money if I don't even have a son?"

But things are different now. With an apprentice, there's hope for the future, so I can only keep working myself to the bone.

He's only in his forties, the perfect age to strive and work hard.

In early December, the steel rolling mill faced a major assessment.

The experienced workers were eager to get started, while the new apprentices were green with envy, vowing to work hard to advance their ranks—it's all about making money!

Of course, there are also geniuses among the new recruits this year, and several apprentices are able to take the exams without prior qualifications.

According to the new regulations of the steel rolling mill, apprentices earn 18.5 yuan per month, and those who pass the assessment after one year of service become formal first-level workers with a monthly salary of 27.5 yuan.

If you fail the assessment, you will continue as an apprentice and receive 18.5.

Previously, it took three years to become a permanent employee, but now it's all about skill. If you fail the assessment for three consecutive years, then I'm sorry.

If you can't do technical jobs, then do odd jobs.

The factory expansion has cost so much money, plus manpower, etc., it's impossible to provide more benefits.

In short, steel rolling mills don't employ idle people.

No one objected to the regulations, since skilled jobs aren't hard to learn. If someone couldn't even pass the first-level worker exam after three years, they might as well just kill themselves.

Yi Zhonghai completed the Level 7 fitter assessment under the watchful eyes of a group of high-level leaders.

The entire audience erupted in applause after the announcement, and Yi Zhonghai shone brightly at that moment!

A level seven fitter, just one step away from the ceiling, anyone would be excited.

Liu Haizhong failed the exam, but he wasn't discouraged. He knew his own shortcomings perfectly well and realized he needed to practice more.

Technical workers are being assessed, and so is the cafeteria.

Chopping, stir-frying, and preparing both hot and cold dishes will all be assessed.

Passing the exam will get you a promotion and a raise; failing it means you'll have another chance next year.

You Fulai did not disappoint Li Jiuzhou and Shazhu, and successfully passed the assessment.

He's not being tested on cutting vegetables; he passed that a long time ago.

You Fulai successfully became an eighth-level master chef specializing in large-pot dishes, earning a monthly salary of 37.5.

Just kidding, if You Fulai fails the exam, he'll really embarrass Li Jiuzhou and Sha Zhu.

It's not like I'm asking him to cook for himself. Cooking in a large pot isn't difficult at all. As long as you have enough strength and can get the heat and recipe right, there shouldn't be any problems.

There are naturally jealous people, not because they are jealous that You Fulai got in through connections, but because they are jealous that he has a good mentor.

With Chef He constantly pushing him to learn the craft, it would be truly a miracle if You Fulai failed the exam.

"Master, Uncle-Master, I didn't embarrass you two, did I?" You Fulai, who had passed the test, couldn't help but gloat to the two of them.

Sha Zhu smiled and patted his head:

"Not bad, kid. Don't get cocky. You still have a lot to learn."

"Yes, Uncle-Master, I will definitely study hard," You Fulai patted his chest and promised.

Li Jiuzhou smiled and said, "Disciple, keep up the good work. When your uncle thinks you're ready, I'll personally guide you."

"You're still lacking something."

His master's words did not discourage You Fulai. He knew that his master was right and that he still had a lot to learn.

He's really not qualified to learn what his master is doing right now.

It's not that my teacher doesn't want to teach me, it's just that I fucking can't learn it!

It's like having a stunningly beautiful woman lying next to you; you can touch her, but you can't.

This made You Fulai both frustrated and hopeful, because one day he would succeed.

The major assessment at the steel rolling mill lasted for three full days.

On the fourth day, the radio station read out names for almost an hour, and all of them were people who had passed the assessment.

Then there's Da Hu's younger brother, Er Hu. He's really a source of pride. He joined the factory less than a year ago and completed the Level 1 worker assessment without having an apprenticeship.

It can't be said that he didn't have an apprenticeship; he was assigned to the second fitter workshop, working alongside Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong, who likes to teach, has a good impression of Erhu, who lives in the backyard with him, and gives him pointers from time to time.

As it turned out, Erhu really lived up to expectations. When he passed the test, he immediately kowtowed three times to Liu Haizhong and shouted, "Thank you, Master!"

When the factory leaders heard the news, they praised Liu Haizhong and told him to do a good job, saying that they could see the results!

Liu Haizhong's vanity was greatly satisfied, and he immediately decided to take Erhu as his apprentice.

Having someone to teach you and not having someone to teach you are two completely different things in the factory.

Of course, the factory will assign instructors to teach, but whether they actually share their knowledge is another matter.

Liu Haizhong taught people purely out of volunteer service. In the eyes of the factory leaders, he was a selfless worker who was willing to share his skills.

After all, Liu Haizhong's apprentices are all quite outstanding.