Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

In the west wing of the front yard, three adults and four children were sitting in the living room.

"My older brother's cooking is so delicious!"

He Jun said, gnawing on a pig's trotter.

"Big brother is the best..."

Even the youngest, He Lai, offered a compliment.

Today is a day off, and He Daqing brought the two little ones over early because he had taken on a side job and his wife was helping out and didn't have time to look after them.

Sha Zhu was so flattered by his two adopted younger brothers that he almost lost his bearings.

"If you behave and don't cause trouble, your older brother will often cook you delicious food."

"If you dare disobey, you'll be in for a world of hurt..."

"We won't, brother..."

Li Jiuzhou and the deaf old woman exchanged a glance and smiled.

"By the way, senior brother, why did the Jia family of the Central Academy suddenly invite the Yi family to dinner?"

"I saw it when they were cleaning fish at the Intermediate People's Court this morning. Goodness, there was fish, meat, and even a chicken."

"When did the Jia family become so generous?"

While eating, Sha Zhu talked about what had happened that morning.

In fact, everyone in the courtyard was watching the Jia family today, intentionally or unintentionally, just to tell the mother and daughter what they wanted to do.

Li Jiuzhou said dismissively:

"Why should you care? The two families have always been on good terms, and Master Yi has always taken good care of the Jia family."

"They even took care of Lao Jia's funeral arrangements. That's a huge favor. What's a meal for the couple like Jia Dongxu is nothing."

"Only Jia Dongxu has figured it out; otherwise, given Jia Zhangshi's personality, would she really want to invite people to dinner?"

"I'm afraid there's no way you'll succeed!"

Meanwhile, the Jia family, including Yi Zhonghai and his wife, also arrived with gifts.

When Jia Zhangshi saw what Yi Zhonghai's wife was carrying, her face twisted into a wide smile.

"Hey, Lao Yi, I'm not trying to be mean, but you two, why did you bring anything?"

"Quickly, come inside and sit down."

Wang Xiulian smiled and continued the conversation:

"Hehe, sister-in-law, it's only right, it's only right. There's no reason to come to a restaurant empty-handed."

With a smile, Jia Dongxu invited the couple to sit down, poured tea, and lit a cigarette for Yi Zhonghai.

Jia Zhangshi then served the dishes one after another.

Eight dishes, seven of which are vegetables and one soup!

Yi Zhonghai and his wife couldn't help but exchange a glance, both showing surprise.

Is it Chinese New Year today?

So lavish?

"Sister-in-law, this is too lavish! It looks like Chinese New Year to me," Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but joke.

"Oh dear, Lao Yi, Lao Jia is gone. It's all thanks to you two for taking care of things. I haven't had a chance to properly thank you yet."

"Dongxu said he wanted to have a few drinks with his Uncle Yi. It's a day off, so let's get together and have something nice to eat."

This time, Madam Jia Zhang didn't spout nonsense; she focused on saying nice things.

Sure enough, the couple felt quite warm inside after hearing this.

It's true that Jia Zhangshi has personality flaws, and Yi Zhonghai and his wife both know that.

But they've known each other since they were young, so this little thing is nothing.

People who know how to be grateful and say nice things are fine.

This way, the relationship can be maintained in the long term.

Yi Zhonghai really liked the saying, "A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative!"

Because of that sentence, he handled Lao Jia's funeral arrangements perfectly.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, all four of them had drunk alcohol.

For some reason, Jia Dongxu had an unusually high alcohol tolerance today, and he kept raising his glass to toast Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

She had a whole repertoire of sweet words to say.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Madam Jia Zhang prepared to ask about the matter of becoming an apprentice.

"Old Yi, besides thanking you both, there's something else I'd like to ask you for a favor today."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai understood immediately; the couple had already anticipated this before they arrived.

They knew they couldn't just eat this meal for nothing; they knew all too well what kind of person Jia Zhangshi was.

"Hehe, sister-in-law, just say the word, and I'll do everything I can."

Yi Zhonghai readily agreed.

Yi Zhonghai said this because he knew the Jia family too well; what could possibly happen to them?

Even when asked to borrow money, Yi Zhonghai never refused.

Because they understand it so well, they also feel that everything is under their control.

To put it simply, it means having absolute self-confidence...

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia straightened up:

"It's like this, Lao Yi. Dongxu has been working at the factory for several months now, and I'd like to ask you to take him on as an apprentice."

"From now on, our two families will become even closer through marriage. If you two ever need anything, just let Dongxu handle it."

"It's fine to let him take care of me when I get old!"

"this..."

Yi Zhonghai had a smile on his face when he first heard the words "retirement," but he became unsettled when he heard them.

His wife, Wang Xiulian, was equally unsettled.

The couple remained silent for a long time without saying a word.

Seeing this, Jia Zhangshi gritted her teeth and continued:

"Old Yi, Xiulian, please don't blame me for speaking harshly."

"You two are not young anymore. You've had a lot of trouble taking medicine and seeing doctors over the years. You're practically living on medicine."

"Our two families have a good relationship, and I've been watching with growing concern."

"What will we do if there's no future...?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's eyes turned red; having no descendants was his greatest pain.

Wang Xiulian was already choking up at this point.

This was the first time Jia Zhangshi had spoken frankly to the couple.

But Jia Zhangshi was right about one thing: what will happen to the two of them in the future?

It's terrifying to be old and have no one to take care of you; you might even die in your own house and no one will find out.

This was a scene that Yi Zhonghai and his wife had witnessed before.

Yi Zhonghai let out a long sigh:

"Sigh... this is fate, my wife, don't cry. Let's just live our lives like this."

At this moment, Jia Dongxu felt the time had come:

"Uncle, Aunt, you both watched me grow up. I'm telling you this now, I, Jia Dongxu, will take responsibility for anything that happens to your family in the future."

"Don't listen to my mom's talk about taking on apprentices or not. Just because of the relationship between our two families, I'm going to do it even if I don't take on apprentices, and I should do it!"

"When my father passed away, Uncle Yi was busy taking care of everything. I, Jia Dongxu, am a person with flesh and blood, not the kind of heartless bad seed."

"Uncle, you and Aunt are still young, and you still have the chance to have a child. If there really is no one to take care of you in your old age, then I am willing to take care of you both!"

Jia Dongxu's words were like sweet spring water to Yi Zhonghai and his wife, so sweet they made them feel dizzy.

Yi Zhonghai looked at Jia Dongxu, his expression shifting from surprise to shock, and then to relief...

At this moment, he felt that Dongxu was truly wonderful, a truly good disciple...

Wang Xiulian was moved to tears again.

"Dongxu should do this for Lao Yi, I agree," Jia Zhangshi echoed.

The couple were now only moved.

Yi Zhonghai was in a good mood and lit cigarettes with Jia Dongxu.

"Sister-in-law, thank you for telling us all this. To be honest, we don't want to go through any more trouble."

"Retirement is indeed something we are very worried about for the future."

"I won't say anything more. I'll accept Dongxu as my apprentice. I'll officially accept him as my apprentice on the next rest day. I'll invite some colleagues and neighbors from the courtyard to witness it."

"Our Yi family will also hold a feast to celebrate!"

Upon hearing this, both the Jia mother and son smiled.

Jia Dongxu knelt down on the ground and said in a loud voice:

"Master and Mistress, your disciple kowtows to you."

"Bang bang bang..."

The three kowtows landed heavily on the ground.

Oh my goodness!

The loud noise broke the hearts of all three of them.

Although Jia Zhangshi felt sorry for him, she didn't move; she understood.

Yi Zhonghai and his wife, on the other hand, helped Jia Dongxu up with expressions of heartache.

With the matter settled, a huge weight was lifted from Yi Zhonghai and his wife's hearts, so they continued eating and drinking...