Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The next morning, under Jia Dongxu's expectant gaze, Yi Zhonghai came out of the fitter's workshop to find factory manager Yang Ligong.

He had no choice but to go; his apprentice's eager gaze made it impossible for him to concentrate on his work all morning.

Anyway, it's not like I absolutely have to succeed. Even though I was a bit tipsy last night, I'm still clear-headed and haven't made any promises to my apprentice's family.

Anyway, we'll give it a shot, whether it's a sure thing or not. If it works out, great; if it doesn't, we won't lose anything.

"Factory manager, this is the situation. Do you think it can be done?" Yi Zhonghai and Yang Gong told him everything directly. Since they were his people, there was no need to hide anything.

Yang Ligong sneered after hearing this:

"Hehe... Master Yi, how about this, you take care of me, I think it's a good idea!"

Yi Zhonghai sensed the anger in Yang Ligong's words and gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"Factory manager, you must be joking. I don't have that ability."

Yang Ligong, emboldened by his newfound power, continued to attack Yi Zhonghai.

"Heh...didn't you start this joke? What, can't you take a joke?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai quickly waved his hands and begged for mercy:

"Ah...no, no, no...Factory Manager, how could I dare? Please don't tease me."

Seeing that Yi Zhonghai had given in, Yang Ligong had no intention of continuing to confront him. He picked up a cigarette from the table, tossed one to Yi Zhonghai, and then lit one for himself.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai quickly took out a match from his pocket, lit it, and covered it with both hands to light it for him.

Yang Ligong was quite satisfied with this, and his tone softened a bit:

"Old Yi, is it okay for me to call you Old Yi?"

Yi Zhonghai smiled broadly after hearing this, feigning modesty:

"How could I dare, Factory Manager? If you don't mind, you can call me Xiao Yi without any problem!"

Yang Ligong laughed loudly upon hearing this:

"Hahahaha...you old fox, you're really something else now that you're in charge. You speak so much more politely than before."

"I remember you used to be so tough in front of me, the factory manager, tsk tsk tsk..."

Yi Zhonghai blushed. He remembered the first time Yang Ligong tried to win him over. At that time, he had just become an eighth-level fitter.

It's like I'm the third oldest person in the world!

Looking back now, it's absolutely ridiculous.

Yes, an eighth-grade fitter is respected by society, but he doesn't really have any power, since it's not an administrative position and the division of labor is different.

The factory leaders will only admire your skills and contributions, and might even give you some face. But if you really want them to do something for you, they might not actually do it for you.

This is the case.

Yi Zhonghai, now working as a substitute worker, has come into contact with people and things at this level, so the experience is naturally different.

They became more tactful and adept at handling interpersonal relationships.

He also knew the gap between him and Yang Ligong was simply incomparable.

Therefore, he must know how to respect his superiors. Yang Li can promote someone with a single sentence, and the same sentence can also get him fired. That's the difference.

Yi Zhonghai's face was filled with shame at this moment, and he sighed:

"Factory manager, I worked as a factory worker for decades, so my knowledge is limited, which is why I sometimes spoke without thinking."

"But it was only after I became a leader that I discovered how beautiful the scenery here is, making me linger and even become somewhat fascinated."

"At the same time, I also realized the gap between you and me. You are the bright moon in the sky, illuminating the earth, while I am just a tiny grain of rice in the light."

"How can the light of a grain of rice compare to the brilliance of the moon?" With that, Yi Zhonghai stood up from his stool, bowed deeply to Yang Ligong, and said:

"Factory Manager, Xiao Yi was ignorant before, please forgive him!"

Upon seeing this, Yang Ligong's mouth formed an "O" shape, and his eyes widened. However, he quickly returned to normal, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly until they could curl up as high as they could!

Yang Ligong felt genuinely relieved this time. He never expected that Yi Zhonghai, that old idiot, could say something that made him feel so good, comparing him to the bright moon, which really touched his heart.

Yang Ligong's gaze softened as he looked at Yi Zhonghai, and he slowly spoke, forcing back a pout:

"Xiao Yi, it's good to admit your mistakes and correct them. Let bygones be bygones. Sit down!"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's lips twitched slightly, and he cursed inwardly:

"You...you actually called me Xiao Yi?"

"I was just joking with you, but you took it seriously. Can't you handle a joke?"

"But circumstances are beyond my control. As long as you, Yang Li, can help me improve, I'll even call you 'Dad'!"

"Don't doubt my determination to improve!"

Having weathered so many years of trials in society, Yi Zhonghai liked to project a composed image. But after making progress, he decided to change it. From now on, he would speak human language to human beings and ghost language to ghosts. After all, everyone in this world, whether human or ghost, is showing off, so it wouldn't make a difference if Yi Zhonghai were one of them.

"Thank you, Factory Director." Yi Zhonghai thanked him and sat down again. He then very tactfully refilled Yang Ligong's tea, adopting a very humble posture.

Yang Ligong was even more satisfied to see this, thinking to himself:

"Xiao Yi is a bit old, but he's very sensible and still holds a high position in the hearts of the workers. It was the right move to help him back then."

Therefore, regarding Yi Zhonghai's initial suggestion to give his apprentice more responsibility, it was negotiable and open to discussion. After thinking it through, Yang Ligong spoke up, asking him a heartfelt question:

"Xiao Yi, I remember Jia Dongxu is just your apprentice, right? Why are you so concerned about him? Even your own son wouldn't treat him this well, would he?"

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai gave a bitter smile:

"Factory manager, you don't know this..." Yi Zhonghai rambled on and on about his past.

After hearing this, Yang Ligong suddenly realized that it was no wonder Yi Zhonghai was like this. Wasn't his father-in-law thinking the same way as Yi Zhonghai?

Therefore, Yang Li could understand him and even felt some sympathy for him.

No matter how well you do, how much money you make, or how high a position you climb, the real tragedy is not having an heir.

My father-in-law has a daughter, who can be used to find a son-in-law.

What does Ke Yizhonghai have?

Besides being able to make money and have status, what happens after he passes away is the most difficult hurdle for him.

No wonder he cares so much about Jia Dongxu; he's practically like a son to him.

Yang Ligong sighed:

"Hey... Xiao Yi, I understand what you're doing. Since we're on the same side, here's an idea for you."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes:

"Factory manager, please speak, I'm listening."

Yang Ligong nodded and helped Yi Zhonghai analyze:

"You can help Jia Dongxu improve, but you can't expect him to become an expert overnight. He's just a level-three fitter with no contributions or significant achievements. What am I supposed to use to pat him on the back?"

"Although I am the factory manager, I don't have the final say in the factory."

"If Jia Dongxu is really promoted despite the odds, I will be condemned by the entire factory, and may even be forced to resign."

Yi Zhonghai's expression changed slightly upon hearing this; this was something he hadn't considered.

Yang Ligong then changed the subject:

"However, there is a way. You can let Comrade Jia Dongxu perform well in the workshop first. He should unite with his colleagues, take the initiative to help them, do the hardest and most tiring work, and make achievements. Then he can be promoted to a group leader."

"I'll arrange for him to receive an advanced worker award to pave the way for his advancement, and then we can gradually promote him later."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed upon hearing this. This was a leader after all! Every step was a well-thought-out plan. He believed that as long as he did as Yang Ligong said, his apprentice would have a great chance!

So I quickly thanked them.

"Factory manager, thank you so much! I'm bowing down to you, factory manager..."

Yang Ligong laughed loudly and tossed the newly opened bottle of cigarettes into Yi Zhonghai's arms:

"Hahaha, get lost if you have nothing else to do!"

Yi Zhonghai took the cigarette and wiped it like a precious treasure.

"Hey, hey, factory manager, I'm leaving now. You should get some rest..."

If the neighbors in the courtyard saw Yi Zhonghai's posture, they would probably be astonished.

Among them, Liu Hai has the most to say:

"Yi Zhonghai, you're a real coward! Get out of my way, let me handle this..."

"Factory Manager, I am Liu Haizhong, the liaison for No. 95 Nanluoguxiang Courtyard, a level seven fitter in the second workshop of the steel rolling mill, and the deputy workshop director. My admiration for you is like..."