Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

He Daqing was pleased to learn that his in-laws had arrived. He sent Yan Jiecheng back first, and after settling himself at home, he went to Fengzeyuan.

He Daqing didn't need to go to the vegetable market to buy things; he went directly to Fengzeyuan, picked up more than ten kilograms of pork, two fish, and other side dishes, and then headed to No. 95 Courtyard.

You definitely have to pay to get ingredients from Fengzeyuan, and the price is the same as outside. It's convenient, and outside, you can buy meat in limited quantities but not in unlimited times.

If I want to buy more meat, I have to queue up again; I don't have the time for that.

Fengzeyuan has a hidden perk: because they make daily purchases, employees can inform them a day in advance if they need anything, and the purchasing staff will handle it conveniently.

Chefs like Li Tielong and He Daqing can simply say so if they want meat tomorrow.

When Sha Zhu saw his father arrive, he told him to go and talk to his father-in-law, while he led his brothers-in-law to help cook.

It's only natural for a brother-in-law to ask his brother-in-law to do chores.

Besides, the Qin family's little brats will still need their brother-in-law's help in the future.

Look, the eldest, Qin Huaifeng, is already 16 this year. He's got a very wild mind. His older sister is married and living in the city, and her husband has arranged for her to work in a factory. He wants to go to the city too. Who the hell wants to farm in the countryside?

So he took the opportunity to bring it up: "Brother-in-law, can you arrange something for me? I don't want to farm anymore."

Sha Zhu was cooking and didn't look at him, but still answered him: "You little brat, you're pretty wild. You want me to arrange things for you? How did you know I had that ability?"

Qin Huaifeng was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Brother-in-law, you are a renowned chef, so arranging things for me is just a matter of a word."

Sha Zhu felt a little proud after being praised by his brother-in-law, but he wasn't a fool who would readily agree to be praised.

"It's not as simple as you think. A steel rolling mill station was selling for over 800 yuan a while ago."

"Can your family afford it?"

Qin Huaifeng became obedient after hearing this. Although he wanted to say to his brother-in-law, "Brother-in-law, could you lend me the money?", he didn't have the guts to do so.

800 yuan, not 80 yuan. If it were 80 yuan, Qin Huaifeng would have just said so, owing his sister-in-law a favor is nothing.

But with 800 yuan, his family couldn't even earn 100 yuan a year, so Qin Huaifeng really didn't dare to ask for it.

He was still a teenager, with a bit of cleverness, but not much. The only important people he knew in his life were the village chief and his brother-in-law.

Seeing his brother-in-law looking down, Sha Zhu smiled. Helping him was no problem, but he couldn't just agree so easily, otherwise people would think things were too simple and would easily take advantage of him later.

This was also taught to him by his senior brother: there is a method to bestowing favors; you can't just do it directly.

Moreover, the senior apprentices in the steel rolling mill canteen had reserved spots, just in case the two brothers needed them someday.

Thinking of this, Sha Zhu couldn't help but admire his senior brother's foresight.

Therefore, arranging for someone to get into the steel rolling mill was too easy for Sha Zhu. He didn't even need his senior's connections. He knew several leaders and had good relationships with them. All he had to do was say a word and offer them a cigarette, and the job would be done.

When they were recruiting for the expansion project, several familiar junior leaders asked Sha Zhu if he needed any openings. They were free, no pay required.

Sha Zhu neither refused nor agreed, only saying that he would speak when needed.

These relationships were all built by Sha Zhu himself, through occasionally helping them with side jobs and other small tasks, gradually establishing friendships.

At lunchtime, Sha Zhu invited his senior brother Li Jiuzhou and his family to come over for lunch.

The Qin family was naturally familiar with Li Jiuzhou, and Qin Huairu had mentioned him quite a bit when she returned to her parents' home.

He's a leader, and his son-in-law works under him.

Moreover, they are fellow disciples, which is quite a tough relationship.

After finishing their meal, drinking tea, and chatting for a while, Qin Dashan's family prepared to go home.

Sha Zhu felt a little bad about his father-in-law bringing so many things, after all, the countryside is not like the city, and what's more, they even brought old hens, which is really rare.

That's why Sha Zhu asked Yan Jiecheng to tell He Daqing to buy more meat and other things for his father-in-law's family to take back.

The two families put on a push-and-shove show at the entrance of the compound.

One person genuinely wanted to give, while the other genuinely didn't want it.

In the end, it was He Daqing who spoke up, and the matter was only resolved when they were stuffed into a horse-drawn carriage.

Before leaving, Sha Zhu said to Qin Huaifeng, "Go back and discuss it with your parents. I'll also talk to your sister about it."

Qin Huaifeng, who had been hanging his head, was delighted upon hearing this and nodded solemnly.

Seeing this, Qin Dashan didn't say anything and drove the carriage out of the alley.

Only after leaving Nanluoguxiang did Qin Dashan ask, "Second brother, what did your sister mean by what she just said to you?"

Qin Huaifeng didn't hide anything: "When I was cooking, I asked my brother-in-law to help me, to see if I could make a living in the city."

"My brother-in-law didn't agree at the time." She repeated what Sha Zhu had said.

Qin Dashan and his wife fell silent after hearing this.

They certainly knew that the city was better, but they knew even better how difficult it was to make a living in the city. When they heard that there was more than 800 yuan per work position, they were so shocked that they were speechless.

If the son-in-law really does it, then the Qin family will owe him a huge favor, and how will they repay it?

Qin Dashan and his wife had very simple ideas. They didn't want to trouble their daughter and son-in-law. They were content as long as they were doing well.

They are conflicted about troubling their son-in-law for their son's sake, but staying in the countryside means they can only farm, where the land stretches out before them.

Qin Dashan remained silent, smoking, while Qin Huaifeng grew increasingly anxious.

"Dad, please say something! If my brother-in-law gets it done for me, should I go or not?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Dashan launched into a tirade of abuse:

"You idiot, if your brother-in-law really got it done, I'd definitely go. Only a fool wouldn't go. It's just that our family would owe him a huge favor."

"Don't think that just because he's your brother-in-law, he has to help you. Helping is a favor, not helping is your right."

"Besides, you have two younger brothers. What if they want to move to the city in the future? Will you have to bother your brother-in-law too?"

"Or are you saying your brother-in-law has to help too? What would that make our family?"

"Drinking blood off your brother-in-law? I, Qin Dashan, would never do such a thing."

Qin Huaifeng nodded without saying anything after hearing this. He understood his father, after all, there were two younger brothers in the family.

It's understandable to prioritize oneself, given the hierarchy of seniority, but what about those who come after?

If the two children want to go to the city but can't, who will they blame?

Is it because the parents are useless? Or is it because the brother-in-law only helps the older brother and not the younger brother?

Many rifts between brothers arise from this. Don't think it's a simple matter; if it's not handled properly, the problems can become serious.

Qin Dashan is an experienced man who has seen things from a long-term perspective. It's great that his son-in-law is willing to help; he should remember this kindness.

If our eldest son could also get a job as a factory worker, that would be perfect for the family, providing additional income and reducing the family's financial burden.

We still need to think things through carefully, sort things out first, and plan ahead before taking the next step.