Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Meanwhile, Sha Zhu was diligently preparing the ingredients, during which time the boss's wife came in and chatted with him for a while.

Sha Zhu has been here several times and is quite familiar with the big boss's wife. It's no big deal to chat about everyday things.

The big boss knew that Sha Zhu had come, but he didn't go to see him. There were guests coming today, so the big boss didn't have time to chat with Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu washes, cuts, and prepares all the ingredients himself, which takes a relatively long time.

Sha Zhu thought it would be better to bring someone along to help him when he went out to cook in the future.

You can bring your apprentice Qin Huaifeng or your nephew You Fulai.

He used to take two people with him when he took on private jobs, helping them out while also teaching them.

He didn't bring it this time because it was a special case; next time, he won't care so much.

Only after he went out to take on side jobs did Sha Zhu understand why his senior brother had taken him along in the first place.

The first point is to prevent accidents. Sometimes the host originally booked one table, but there are simply more than that, so an extra table will have to be added.

Having more people to help makes all the difference; it's much easier to handle.

Secondly, it is an excellent training ground for people, greatly improving both their skills and knowledge.

Thirdly, the pay was high. Back in the day, his senior brother could earn the equivalent of several months' salary for someone else by preparing a single banquet.

The situation is special now, and it's been a while since I've cooked at a wealthy family's house. I miss it a bit.

I'll have to talk to my senior about it another day; we're about to cook a meal for Boss Lou.

Time slowly ticked down to 12 o'clock, and Sha Zhu gradually finished his work.

Besides the dishes served to the leaders, there was also food for Sha Zhu and his secretary.

The leaders walked out of the temporary screening room. Xu Damao was wrapping things up, while the wife of the top leader and Yang Ligong followed behind.

The high-ranking leader's wife probably liked Xu Damao, so she politely invited him to dinner.

"Young projectionist, the movie was great, thank you for your hard work. Let's have dinner together later."

Xu Damao was secretly delighted and gave a shy smile, but before he could speak, Yang Ligong refused on his behalf.

"Madam, Comrade Xu Damao and Chef He, who cooks, live in the same courtyard. They are neighbors, and I have made arrangements for them to eat together."

"Oh, what a coincidence! That's fine then. Chef He has also prepared quite a few dishes. Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Da Mao." The leader's wife didn't think much of it and thanked Xu Da Mao again.

Xu Damao responded with a smile on his face:

"Madam, you're too kind. It's fine for me to eat with He Yuzhu. I'll have company. There's no need for you to trouble yourself."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Yang Ligong, then silently walked towards the kitchen.

On the way, Xu Damao had already cursed Yang Ligong to the bone in his mind.

"You son of a bitch, Yang Ligong, what the hell are you doing barging in when the leader's wife invited me to dinner?"

"I've had my share of drinking sessions with the leaders at the factory, I'm way more powerful than that cook Sha Zhu, and you actually refused for me?! You actually refused for me?!"

"This isn't how you insult someone. Isn't this treating me like I'm not even human?"

Xu Damao walked angrily into the kitchen, just as Sha Zhu was about to start the meal.

There were five dishes, all of them meat dishes, and besides Sha Zhu, there was also Yang Ligong's secretary, Xiao Wu.

Xu Damao originally wanted to say bad things about Yang Ligong to Shazhu, but when he saw his secretary there, he didn't say anything more and sat down to eat quietly.

Xu Damao, who was originally in a great mood, became silent. Sha Zhu could tell that, and seeing that Xiao Wu was there, he didn't ask any more questions and told Xu Damao to eat more of the dishes he had made.

Fortunately, Sha Zhu's cooking was delicious, otherwise Xu Damao really wouldn't have had an appetite.

After being insulted like that by Yang Ligong, who the hell would still have an appetite?

Xu Damao didn't want to talk, and Sha Zhu and Secretary Xiao Wu weren't familiar with each other, so the three of them didn't say much until they finished eating.

Secretary Wu is truly a talent; he said "delicious" several times during the meal, but he didn't get to the point at all.

Even the cook, Sha Zhu, was worried for him. Why don't you just say, "Master He, your cooking is really delicious?"

Keep saying it's delicious, but what's so delicious about it? You son of a bitch!

After the meal, the three of them cleaned up the dishes together. The leaders were still eating, so it was none of Sha Zhu's business.

Yang Ligong walked over, a little tipsy.

"Master He, the food is good, the boss is very satisfied. I'm sorry to have kept you from resting. I'll have Xiao Wu take you and Da Mao out in a bit."

"By the way, Xiao Wu will pay you the reward in a little while."

"Alright then, Damao and I will head back first," Shazhu replied, turning to pack his things.

Xu Damao didn't say anything, picked up his things and left. He had just heard Yang Ligong say there would be a reward, which made him feel a little better. However, he might not have heard clearly that Yang Ligong said the reward was for Shazhu, but he didn't say it was for Xu Damao.

Xu Damao and Shazhu pushed the cart slowly, and Xiao Wu took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Shazhu.

"Master He, this is a tip from the factory manager for your hard work."

Sha Zhu took it and opened it immediately. Xiao Wu's face showed an unnatural expression upon seeing this, but it quickly disappeared.

"Only 38 yuan? What the hell does Yang Ligong want to do?" Sha Zhu's voice suddenly rang out.

Xiao Wu quickly and nervously said, "Master He, don't shout. This isn't the factory. You might attract the patrolling soldiers."

After hearing this, Sha Zhu realized he had lost his composure and pointed at the money, lowering his voice to say:

"Xiao Wu, last time you gave me 58 yuan, why is it only 38 yuan this time?"

Xiao Wu looked aggrieved.

"Master He, if you're asking me, then who am I supposed to ask?"

"I haven't opened it since the factory manager gave it to me, I swear!"

Sha Zhu's expression shifted between light and dark upon hearing this, and he was in a very bad mood. He was wondering what was wrong with Yang Ligong.

Did you drink too much?

However, this is not the time to question him; we should ask him back at the factory.

At this moment, Xu Damao interjected:

"Xiao Wu, where's my payment?"

Secretary Wu blinked, as if she thought she had misheard:

"Comrade Da Mao, what are you saying? Say it again, I didn't hear you clearly."

Xu Damao patiently repeated it again:

"What about my pay? I can't work all morning for free, can I?"

Secretary Wu finally smiled, and it was a mocking smile, before calmly saying:

"Comrade Da Mao, did the factory manager mention any compensation when he sent you here?"

"Uh..." Xu Damao felt as if someone was choking him. He turned to look at Sha Zhu:

"Does it exist or... does it not?"

Sha Zhu rolled his eyes:

"Da Mao, you've asked the wrong person. How would I know?" Then, Sha Zhu changed the subject and smiled.

"However, I bet you probably worked for nothing today."

"Yang Ligong is a guy who loves to freeload. He only settled my bill a few days ago for all the freelance work he did in a year. He probably wouldn't have paid me if I hadn't begged him."