Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

With Yi Zhonghai's intelligence, he could naturally understand the meaning behind Yan Bugui's words.

It means that although the three of them are human beings, they haven't done anything humane.

No, Yi Zhonghai felt something was wrong. Why was it only me and Lao Liu who were counted? You, Yan Bugui, reported a whole bunch of people.

Thinking of this, Yi Zhonghai was pleased again, feeling that he could manipulate Yan Bugui and at least get some money back.

"Old Yan, your business isn't over yet. You've reported over a dozen people. If this gets out..."

Yi Zhonghai didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present could understand it.

Liu Haizhong immediately laughed:

"That's right, Lao Yan, Lao Yi is right. What do you suggest we do? Lao Yi and I have suffered huge losses this time. You have to compensate us, or I'll expose you."

Yan Bugui sighed inwardly; he hadn't expected Yi Zhonghai to react so quickly.

Yan Bugui was neither angry nor nervous, but spoke in a tone as if he had expected this:

"Are you really going to go this far?"

"Aren't you leaving me a way out?"

Liu Haizhong blurted out:

"Old Yan, you're wrong. What do you mean by not leaving you a way out? We can wipe the slate clean of what happened between the three of us."

"But what about other people? I can't guarantee I won't accidentally let it slip when I'm drunk. You know I can't hold my liquor very well."

Yi Zhonghai looked at Yan Bugui with a half-smile, waiting for his answer.

At the same time, I silently gave Liu Haizhong a thumbs up, feeling incredibly gratified. You've finally grown up!

However, Yan Bugui's response left Yi Zhonghai somewhat puzzled.

He simply waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a beggar:

"Then you two go ahead and expose my deeds. At worst, I, Yan Bugui, will be ruined, my family destroyed, and I'll die without a proper burial!"

Yan Bugui's casual remark sent chills down Yi Zhonghai and Liu Hai's spines.

Liu Haizhong swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry.

"Old Yan, what do you mean? It's not that serious. Old Yi and I just want you to spend some money to make up for our losses."

Yi Zhonghai, who was thinking quite deeply, asked a question out of the blue:

"Old Yan, if Old Liu and I really expose what you've done, how will you respond? I want to hear the truth."

Yan Bugui smiled upon hearing this:

"It's simple, I'll squander all my wealth and do whatever it takes to wipe out your entire family!"

After hearing Yan Bugui's words, the two men began to hurl insults at him.

"You son of a bitch, Yan Bu, you're a tough guy!"

Liu Haizhong pointed at Yan Bugui, his finger trembling violently:

"Old Yan, all I wanted was some money, but you want my whole family's lives!"

"You...you're a ruthless person!"

Then he and Yi Zhonghai launched into a tirade against Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui didn't care. He didn't care what people said, because it wouldn't hurt him.

Moreover, he had to do this and he had to make tough statements, otherwise how could he live his life if the two of them used this as leverage to threaten him from time to time?

So today we must settle this matter no matter what, otherwise we will never have a peaceful day again.

And he wasn't lying; he really could do it.

After Yi Zhonghai finished cursing, he sat back down in his chair and downed a glass of wine.

He could tell that Yan Bugui wasn't lying; even if he couldn't kill his family, they wouldn't fare well.

Unless we beat Yan Bugui to death with one blow, which we neither have the ability nor the courage to do, we cannot.

If the two of them really expose Yan Bugui's affairs, one can imagine the miserable life their family will face in the future.

The consequence would be that he and Liu Haizhong's entire family would suffer Yan Bugui's retaliation.

Yi Zhonghai understands the principle that "you can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against thieves for a thousand days."

If Yan Bugui really wants to retaliate against them, it will be impossible to prevent!

Yi Zhonghai sighed deeply and called to Liu Haizhong, who was continuing to attack Yan Bugui:

"Old Liu, Old Yan, come and sit down. Let's have a proper talk and discuss this."

"Hmph." Liu Haizhong snorted coldly and sat back down.

Yan Bugui sat back down with a calm expression.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai spoke:

"Old Yan, Old Liu, things have come to this, let's put aside our past grievances."

"However, there's something I must bring up." He then looked at Yan Bugui:

"Old Yan, what you've lost this time is nothing more than money and the position of vice principal, which is nothing compared to what Old Liu and I have suffered."

"Old Liu and I lost 30 work positions and a promotion to deputy section chief. I don't think I need to say more about which is more important."

Yan Bugui fell silent after hearing this, because Yi Zhonghai was right; their losses were indeed very large, and he could calculate it himself.

Liu Haizhong's eyes reddened again as he recalled his loss; it was over ten thousand yuan!

Yi Zhonghai spoke again:

"I'm not asking you for any amount of compensation, you can't possibly pay it all. Lao Liu and I just want your attitude, anything, even a small token."

Yi Zhonghai was giving Yan Bugui a way out. Liu Haizhong understood and didn't refute it. In short, he could at least console himself by getting something back.

Yan Bugui understood as well, and was currently weighing his options. After a long while, he spoke, his tone sincere:

"Old Yi, and Old Liu, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Look back on yourselves."

"I'm willing to give you two 1000 yuan as compensation. It's not much, but it's all I can offer."

"But there's a condition: this matter ends here. You can't use this to threaten me again, or we'll both suffer.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong exchanged a glance and nodded in unison; this was the only way.

If Yan Bugui shirks his responsibilities, there's nothing they can do. Reporting him themselves wouldn't be honorable, and it would make them look bad if word got out.

"Then it's settled," Yi Zhonghai said calmly.

Yan Bugui wasn't idle either; he went inside, took out a thousand yuan, and divided it between the two of them.

The matter is over, but no one is happy. Everyone is licking their wounds, and no one has benefited.

"Come on, let me toast you both." Yan Bugui raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

The two were in a bad mood, so they did it anyway.

At this moment, Yan Bugui suddenly revealed a pleading look in his eyes:

"Please stop messing with me, okay? Even if you really have to, don't team up with me. Isn't that just bullying?"

"If you're so capable, go and take on Kyushu, Sha Zhu, and Xu Damao."

Liu Haizhong gave an awkward smile:

"Isn't that making you easier to bully?"

"I'm fucking thanking you!" Yan Bugui said irritably.

"I don't even have a formal position. Why are you two targeting me, openly and secretly? Can't the three of us join forces?"

"Now that the younger generation has risen to power, and they hold higher positions than you, it's one thing not to suppress them, but to engage in infighting. I really don't know what you're thinking."

Yi Zhonghai said irritably:

"You make it sound so easy. Among the younger generation, Jiuzhou, Shazhu, and Xu Damao are all at least deputy section chiefs."

"If you still suppress them, you should be grateful if they don't bully you."

"The best outcome is to keep to yourself and not interfere with each other. If they are willing to call you 'uncle' in the courtyard, that's a sign of politeness."

"In the factory, you have to call people 'leaders,' Lao Yan. We need to know our place."

Yan Bugui fell silent; that was indeed the case.

Liu Haizhong agreed. They were the older generation in the courtyard, so it was perfectly acceptable for Li Jiuzhou and the others to call them "uncle." It was a matter of politeness and had nothing to do with their positions.

But it won't do if they act like they're old and domineering; none of the younger generation in the compound are spineless.

It would be best if we could live in peace, but it would be even better if we could unite as one.

Yi Zhonghai had this idea in mind, wanting to leverage Li Jiuzhou's influence to build up the entire compound.

Let's unite and make progress together.

Of course, that's just wishful thinking; it's simply impossible to achieve.

The scheme orchestrated by Yan Bugui, in which he personally took part, has come to an end.

All three of them felt they were at a disadvantage, but for the time being, this was the only option; adults need to know how to compromise.

After watching Yua's live stream at home, Li Jiuzhou also watched Yan Bugui's live stream.

Evaluation: Three stinky eggs