Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

On the evening of the second day of the Lunar New Year, many neighbors heard that Liu Guangqi had gone out after returning from visiting relatives.

The Liu family cooperated, saying he had gone to his teacher's house to study, since family scandals shouldn't be aired in public.

Xu Damao has become very tight-lipped now; he would have exposed Liu Guangqi long ago if it were before.

With a different status comes different considerations.

However, Xu Damao couldn't help but want to talk to someone. Who should he talk to? Of course, it would be Sha Zhu.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the factory resumed operations. Around 10 a.m., Da Mao came to the kitchen to chat with Sha Zhu.

He spoke with such enthusiasm that Sha Zhu's eyes lit up; he loved listening to these trivial matters.

"So, Liu Guangqi didn't go to the teacher's house to study; he was kicked out by Liu Haizhong."

"Hey Shazhu, don't go around telling everyone, I haven't told anyone about this."

Sha Zhu nodded:

"Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case. Isn't Guang Qi the apple of everyone's eye? Even if he's angry, he shouldn't be kicked out!"

After hearing this, Xu Damao asked Sha Zhu in return:

"What if your precious son made you like that? What would you do?"

"I'll fucking beat him to death!" Sha Zhu blurted out without the slightest hesitation.

Xu Damao spread his hands, a smile appearing on his lips:

"That settles it then. If it were me, I would beat such an unfilial son to death too."

"Liu Haizhong is already considered to have a good temper by not resorting to violence."

"That's true." Sha Zhu tacitly agreed with Xu Damao's words.

Sha Zhu seemed to remember something, and the smile on his face became extremely bright:

"Da Mao, I have something to tell you. I'm about to make some progress!"

Xu Damao didn't take it seriously, but his tone was still a bit sarcastic:

"I thought it was something serious. He's just the deputy director of the cafeteria, a deputy section chief, the same rank as me. What's he showing off for?"

Xu Damao had long been prepared for Sha Zhu's advancement. Li Jiuzhou had been promoted to the position of director and held several other positions, so it was time to arrange for him to become the deputy director of the canteen.

But nobody in the entire Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill coveted that position; it belonged to Li Jiuzhou, and he could put whoever he wanted in it.

Moreover, the candidate had already been decided—it was Sha Zhu—and no one dared to make a move.

Sha Zhu deserves all the credit, and even if Xu Damao is unhappy, there's nothing he can do about it; it's what Sha Zhu deserves.

After being formally employed, Xu Damao understood the ins and outs of the place better than Liu Haizhong, so he was happy to accept it, and the two of them would at most have a healthy competition.

Xu Damao's promotion to deputy section chief was not only due to Secretary Nie's promotion, but also because Li Huaide spoke well of him.

Li Huaide was willing to speak well of him, and this was partly due to his relationship with Li Jiuzhou.

Xu Damao understands this kindness and will repay the debt of gratitude.

Sha Zhu laughed heartily after hearing Xu Damao's sarcastic remarks.

"Da Mao, you guessed wrong this time. Senior brother said it's not a deputy section chief but a full section chief. I've outdone you again."

"Oh my, I'm so happy! Seeing your brother Damao makes me even happier, hahaha!"

Xu Damao's face contorted for a moment, which was his true nature; he would only act this way in front of Sha Zhu.

Xu Damao broke down:

"You idiot Zhu, you son of a bitch, I'll fuck your grandma!"

After being scolded, Shazhu was not angry at all; in fact, he was even happier.

"Hahaha, Da Mao, you should use your job title when you're at work. I'll get angry if you keep calling me that."

Xu Damao's fingers trembled as he tapped repeatedly at Sha Zhu:

"Good...you're something else." After saying that, he turned and left without looking back, as if a dog was chasing him.

Li Jiuzhou acted quickly. He said he would recommend Sha Zhu after the New Year, and he did so. A document requesting commendation for Sha Zhu was sent to the leaders' desks.

Yang Ligong didn't rush to sign after reading it. He knew that Sha Zhu was extremely busy before the New Year and had indeed made contributions. He should be promoted to deputy director of the canteen. He should be a section chief and should be given what he deserves.

However, Yang Ligong also took advantage of the situation to promote someone else, namely his nephew Yang Guangming, to deputy section chief.

His goal was clear: if He Yuzhu was promoted to full section chief, then Yang Guangming would also be promoted to deputy section chief.

If Yang Guangming doesn't bring it up, then Sha Zhu will. Anyway, it's a shot in the dark, and we'll see if Secretary Nie and Li Huaide will give us face.

After reviewing the two documents, Secretary Nie and Li Huaide promptly signed their names.

The factory manager wanted to promote someone; why would they disagree? It was just a deputy section chief position.

If Yang Ligong dared to be promoted to the rank of division chief, then Secretary Nie would dare to kick open his office door, point his finger at Yang Ligong's nose and scold him, while telling him not to be naughty!

The following day, the factory's organization department spoke with the two individuals separately, just going through the motions.

Two days later, the appointments were officially announced over the factory's loudspeaker.

The office of the deputy director of the steel rolling mill canteen. That's right, Sha Zhu is at least a section chief now, and he has his own office.

Qin Huairu hugged Sha Zhu, her eyes shining with excitement. She was thrilled that her man had become a leader.

"Zhu Zi, you're amazing! I'm going to reward you properly tonight!"

Sha Zhu's lips twitched. "Don't you know perfectly well who's rewarding whom? This kind of thing..."

The propaganda department was bustling with activity, everyone congratulating Yang Guangming, but none of them were truly sincere.

Some were envious, some were jealous, and some were honest, but they couldn't do anything about it.

People with good uncles can get promoted even without contributing anything.

Take their propaganda department, for example. Everyone there has some ability, no less than Yang Guangming, but they just can't get promoted because they have no one behind them and no leader appreciates them.

In contrast, what achievements has Yang Guangming, a 21-year-old deputy section chief, made?

He's a complete idiot, not even as good as Xu Damao.

Xu Damao has at least made contributions, so his promotion is highly prestigious.

Xu Damao laughed through gritted teeth in the crowd; he was naturally dissatisfied.

Sha Zhu's progress is to be expected, but what right does Yang Ligong have?

So what if he has an uncle who's a factory manager? Damn it.

In fact, Xu Damao knew in his heart that the gap between the two was very large.

As long as Yang Ligong is still at the steel rolling mill, Yang Guangming's progress will not stop; he will naturally improve when the time comes.

But Xu Damao is different. Without political achievements, it's very difficult to get promoted to section chief. It's not something that can be done just by spending a lot of time; you also need to have strong connections.

Therefore, Xu Damao felt a sense of urgency. If he didn't get promoted, he would be suppressed by Yang Guangming. However, he didn't have a good solution for the time being and could only observe the situation further.

In the afternoon, Xu Damao was processing documents in his office when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter!"

"Da Mao, you're busy!" The newcomer, beaming with pride, was none other than Yang Guangming, the newly promoted deputy section chief!

Xu Damao raised an eyebrow when he saw it was him, then immediately smiled:

"Oh, isn't this Guangming? Please, have a seat. What brings you here?"

"Are you trying to give me instructions?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming recalled the days he had been instructed by Xu Damao, and was immediately annoyed, but he quickly regained his smile.

"Da Mao, what are you saying? I just came to tell you not to give me orders all the time. We're on the same level."

Xu Damao, leaning on his desk with both elbows, laughed:

"Guangming, in officialdom, one step ahead leads to another. The fact that I can be your superior means that I am more capable than you."

"Don't forget, I was promoted for meritorious service, and I was promoted exceptionally. Do you want me to tell you how you got promoted?"

"Everyone in the propaganda department knows you're the factory director's nephew. Have you done anything meritorious? Or made any significant contributions?"

"You'd better get your bearings first. You don't think anyone in our department will respect you, do you?" Xu Damao shook his head at this point.

"Guangming, you're too hasty, too young!"