Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

That evening, after a long day of work, the Zhang family returned home and Zhang Shih-hao dropped a bombshell, announcing his intention to marry Tong Chin-feng.

The elderly couple didn't argue anymore; if their son really liked it, then so be it.

Anyway, it's not a big deal. Tong Jinfeng is indeed young; you really can't tell she's had a child.

Moreover, country girls are hardworking and family-oriented; just compare them to Qin Huairu, the wife of Sha Zhu, and Tong Jie, the wife of Jia Dongxu.

Both of them had excellent reputations in the courtyard; they were both capable women who could manage the household.

Old Zhang exhaled a puff of thick smoke and slowly spoke:

"Let's go then, let's go to the Jia family and talk to them, see what conditions Tong Jinfeng's family needs for marriage."

"Hey hey hey..." Zhang Shih-hao immediately nodded with a smile and was the first to rush out of the house.

The Zhang family and their group were spotted by the neighbors in the courtyard when they went to the Jia family's house. They all ran to the Jia family's door to watch the commotion.

Zhang Shih-hao's father spoke first:

"Jia's sister-in-law, Jin Feng is a girl with a hard life, and my son is also a girl with a hard life."

"Now that the two young people have hit it off, what do you think we should do?"

Madam Jia smiled and said:

"Old Zhang, are you confused? Jin Feng isn't my daughter. What decision can I make? You need to go to Changping and talk to Jin Feng's parents about this."

"We don't need to find a matchmaker anymore, my daughter-in-law can handle it."

"You two can go together when you have some free time."

Old Zhang laughed after hearing this:

"Sister-in-law, you're a sensible person. Don't worry, Tong Jie did a good job as matchmaker this time."

"My Zhang family isn't the kind of people who don't understand things. Regardless of whether we reach an agreement with Jin Feng's parents or not, we will definitely make up for the lost money."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia waved her hand:

"Oh dear, we're all neighbors living in the same courtyard, why be so polite? Talking about money can hurt our feelings."

Old Zhang smiled and agreed outwardly, but inwardly he was cursing. If he didn't give your family a red envelope, he'd be cursed at by Jia Zhangshi for a whole year.

Everyone in the neighborhood knows your true character.

The matter was settled, and Tong Jinfeng and Zhang Shihao started dating. Zhang's family would take some time to visit Changping, and that would basically complete the task.

The neighbors didn't think that Tong Jinfeng's parents disagreed.

Although Zhang Shih-hao was divorced, his circumstances were what they were; he was still a young man in his early twenties.

Besides, although you, Tong Jinfeng, are pretty, you've lost your husband and have two kids to raise!

Without extraordinary luck, you couldn't find someone like Zhang Shih-hao even with a lantern.

Let's not even talk about whether they're capable or not, or whether they're ethical. Some people just don't care at all; as long as they have money, that's all that matters.

Just like Tong Jie said, you can make do with a cucumber, what's the big deal...

The Tong sisters returned to Changping the next day and explained the reason to their parents.

When Tong Jinfeng's parents heard this, they were shocked.

They all thought to themselves that Zhang Shihao probably had never tasted good pork.

In the countryside, Tong Jinfeng was indeed popular. All the unmarried young men had their eyes on her, but none of them were sincere. What they really wanted was to get close to her.

Those who truly want to get married are the old bachelors or those whose wives have died.

Don't even mention people like that; their families are extremely poor. If Tong Jinfeng were to marry into such a family, she would suffer terribly.

The elderly couple were overjoyed when Zhang Shih-hao presented his terms.

Of course I agree! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They're even willing to raise two children. Where can you find such a good son-in-law?

In the countryside, nothing stays secret forever; the news that Tong Jinfeng had found a man spread like wildfire throughout the surrounding villages.

But there were all sorts of opinions, and they all thought the worst.

The old couple were furious when they were told that Zhang Shih-hao had never eaten good pork or had a physical disability.

Tong Jinfeng's father immediately instructed his niece, Tong Jie:

"Make sure Zhang Shih-hao comes tomorrow, no matter what, and he comes in style!"

"It doesn't matter if we can't afford the bride price, just take our daughter and granddaughter with us, and we'll get our marriage certificate tomorrow!"

Tong Jie did not refute her uncle's instructions. That's how people sent to the countryside are; they change their tune depending on the wind. She couldn't stand it either.

So she went back alone and discussed the matter with the Zhang family.

Zhang Shih-hao immediately agreed and asked his cousin-in-law, Jia Dong-xu, to accompany them, since it would be difficult for him to take Tong Jin-feng and her two daughters on his bicycle alone.

Jia Dongxu had no choice but to accept the responsibility; now that he had a brother-in-law, he had another relative in the neighborhood, which meant he had another helper.

The next morning, Zhang Shihao dragged Sha Zhu straight to Fengzeyuan. The fact that the Tong family didn't want anything moved him to tears.

After all, his ex-mother-in-law had taken a lot of things from him, and even gave him eight quilts as part of his dowry. Just thinking about it makes him angry.

Since the Tong family is so sensible, Zhang Shih-hao can't leave empty-handed, or Jin-feng's relatives and neighbors will look down on him.

In short, Tong Jie could do without anything, but he couldn't refuse to give her anything.

Zhang Shih-hao pulled Sha-chu along because he wanted to buy more meat. Sha-chu had connections at Fengzeyuan and could buy more meat, so he asked him for help.

Sha Zhu would definitely agree to this important matter, since they get along well and Ah Hao is a kind person.

Zhang Shih-hao bought 30 jin of pork in one go, giving 20 jin to the Tong family and keeping 10 jin at home for entertaining guests.

I also bought some other things, like cloth and candy.

Jia Dongxu was quite satisfied after reviewing it, and on the way to Changping, he asked Zhang Shihao:

"Ah-Hao, are you planning to give a bride price?"

Zhang Shih-hao responded while riding his bicycle:

"Brother-in-law, of course! If my father-in-law doesn't want it, I can't refuse. We can't let them look down on us, or we'll lose face for you, won't we?"

Jia Dongxu gave him a thumbs up:

"Ah Hao, well said. I'll accept you as my brother-in-law now."

The Tong family was already waiting at their doorstep, and they immediately called out when they saw the two people on bicycles approaching.

Tong Jie's father said to his eldest brother:

"Brother, your son-in-law Dongxu and my son-in-law Ahao have come together. Quickly light the firecrackers to welcome my son-in-law."

"Alright!" Tong Jie's father lit the firecracker with a cigarette in his mouth.

A series of crackling and popping sounds filled the air.

When the son-in-law visited for the first time, he received a warm welcome from the Tong family. Not to mention, they were very generous with their money, which made the villagers nearby stare in amazement.

Zhang Shih-hao also gave a bride price of 28 yuan.

That's an exorbitant price in the countryside!

When everyone looked at Zhang Shih-hao again, they thought, "Wow, he's quite the handsome man! I heard he's a level four fitter at the steel rolling mill in the city."

Good heavens, the Tong family has found a rich husband, they're going to be rich!

Tong Jinfeng was deeply moved and immediately told her two daughters to greet the people.

Both girls are very pretty. Tong Jinfeng has raised them very well. One is 4 years old and the other is 2 years old.

Having been instructed by their mother long ago, they were very obedient and called Zhang Shih-hao "Dad".

The younger one had no idea who his original father was. He clung to Zhang Shih-hao's leg and wailed, saying, "Daddy, why did you take so long to come? Everyone says I'm a child without a father..."

Zhang Shih-hao was deeply moved, and his heart melted as he held the two little babies.

Old Man Tong took it upon himself to decide that from now on, the two girls would take their son-in-law's surname, Zhang!

After the excitement, the Tong family finally felt triumphant.

Zhang Shih-hao and Jia Dong-xu took the mother and her two daughters back to the city.

They went and got their marriage certificate, and that was it.