Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Li Jiuzhou and Lou Bancheng were chatting over tea, waiting for Xu Damao to arrive.

Less than ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

As Xu Damao entered, he was about to greet him when he noticed someone else sitting at the tea table. He was about to address Li Jiuzhou using the common way people address him in the courtyard, but immediately changed his address:

"Zhou...uh...Secretary Li, you wanted to see me?"

Li Jiuzhou gestured for him to sit down:

"Da Mao is here! Come and sit down, look who this is."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao stepped forward and sat down, puzzled. He was surprised after seeing the face clearly:

"Uncle Lou, you're here too?"

Lou Bancheng laughed when he saw Xu Damao. His donkey-like face was easy to recognize; wasn't this Old Xu's son?

"Hahaha, Jiuzhou just said that the head of the publicity department is an acquaintance of mine, and I was a little confused. I didn't expect it to be you, Da Mao."

"Old Xu has a wonderful son! A truly wonderful one!"

"Uncle Lou, you flatter me. I am where I am today because of the leadership's guidance and support."

"Please have some tea." Xu Damao was very perceptive; as soon as he sat down, he poured tea and lit cigarettes for the two of them.

Without wasting words, Li Jiuzhou recounted how Lou Bancheng's daughter, Lou Xiao'e, became a broadcaster in the propaganda department.

Xu Damao patted his chest and assured him:

"No problem, it's nothing, Xiao'e will be fine in a few days."

The Lou family had done a great favor for the Xu family, so even if Li Jiuzhou didn't have to ask him to, Xu Damao would still have to comply.

Although Lou Bancheng has lost power, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. Xu Damao has heard his father talk about Lou Bancheng's deeds, so he certainly won't underestimate him.

However, Xu Damao had a concern: the identity of a capitalist's daughter was ultimately questionable. So he brought it up, thinking it better to be clear about it sooner rather than later.

"Secretary, Uncle Lou, I have some concerns. Of course, it's not because of your status, Uncle Lou. Our two families are so familiar with each other, it's better to talk things out."

Lou Bancheng's expression turned serious:

"Da Mao, just say it, it's okay."

Xu Damao nodded:

"Here's the thing, if Xiao'e is coming to our publicity department, I suggest she conceal her identity and dress casually."

"Otherwise, she might be isolated, which could be bad for a young girl."

"Uncle, what do you think?"

Lou Bancheng seemed to have been prepared for this all along:

"Da Mao, the fact that you said it directly shows that you don't treat your uncle like an outsider. Just do as you say, and I'll tell Xiao'e to be careful."

"If he goes to work in the publicity department, then I'll leave it to you."

Xu Damao smiled:

"Uncle, you're being too polite. Don't worry, I'm in the publicity department, so Xiao'e won't be bullied."

Lou Bancheng nodded in satisfaction:

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll have Xiao'e report to the publicity department the day after tomorrow." After saying that, he stood up, took a thick yellow cardboard bag out of his pocket, placed it on the table, and smiled at Xu Damao and Li Jiuzhou:

"Here's some tea for you two to drink. I'm leaving now, no need to see me off."

Xu Damao still got up and saw Lou Bancheng out, and returned a little while later.

She said to Li Jiuzhou with a hint of happiness:

"Brother, what about the tea? It has to be top-quality tea from Lou Bancheng."

Li Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow:

"Moo, go brew a pot and have a taste."

"Alright!" Xu Damao happily tore open the yellow paper bag, but he was dumbfounded after opening it completely:

"Brother, this tea isn't ordinary tea..."

"Oh, what's so special about him?" Because Xu Damao was standing, Li Jiuzhou couldn't see him clearly.

Xu Damao sat down again, pushed the yellow paper bag in front of Li Jiuzhou, and revealed a strange smile:

"Moo, look at this tea, isn't it something special?"

Li Jiuzhou was stunned when he saw it:

"Wow~ This is really something else, Damao, quickly count how many kilograms it weighs."

"Alright." Xu Damao counted the tea leaves with a big smile, and Li Jiuzhou watched with a happy expression.

A few minutes later, Xu Damao laughed:

"Brother, exactly ten thousand catties, no more, no less!"

Li Jiuzhou smiled:

"Hahaha, Uncle Lou is such a generous man. He never skimps on tea if you do something for him."

"In that case, let's split it evenly, half for each of us brothers."

Xu Damao quickly shook his head and refused:

"Forget it, bro. They asked you for help, it wouldn't be right for me to accept it."

Li Jiuzhou's eyes widened:

"Stop talking nonsense, just take it when I tell you to."

Xu Damao shuddered in fright:

"Then I can't take that much. I'll only take... I'll take two thousand catties. I don't want a single catty more."

"Whatever you want." Li Jiuzhou waved his hand dismissively.

"But I still have to remind you a few things. Since you promised Uncle Lou, you have to take good care of his daughter."

"I'm warning you, don't you dare take this to bed, or I'll cripple you."

Xu Damao was somewhat dissatisfied after hearing this, and said righteously:

"Brother, I have a wife, how could I do such a thing? Don't worry, I promise I'll do it well."

Li Jiuzhou nodded:

"Don't underestimate Lou Bancheng. Although he has lost power, he's still rich. If he throws out these 10,000 catties of tea leaves, they could take several of your lives."

"He's been in Beiping for so long, he's not someone to be trifled with. Although he's a capitalist, he also has a patriotic businessman certificate issued by the state."

"One should act with discretion."

Xu Damao's expression also turned serious:

"Don't worry, bro, I understand."

"Okay, get lost..."

Two days later, after Lou Bancheng's repeated instructions, Lou Xiao'e excitedly rode her bicycle to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

She dressed very simply, not daring to wear any pretty clothes, nor daring to say that she was Lou Bancheng's daughter.

After all, she had been isolated and called the daughter of a capitalist; she had shed countless tears.

He took the note, passed the factory gatekeeper, and then went to the publicity department.

Xu Damao met Lou Xiao'e in the office.

A hint of amazement flashed in Xu Damao's eyes. Lou Xiao'e wasn't particularly beautiful, but she was fair-skinned.

His demeanor didn't lie, and it was definitely a plus. He smiled.

"Xiao'e, it's been a long time! You've become even more beautiful."

Lou Xiao'e wasn't shy at all because Xu Damao praised her; on the contrary, she was quite generous.

"Thank you, Brother Da Mao. You look more and more energetic. My dad told me you've become a section chief. That's amazing! I'll be working under you from now on."

After chatting about everyday things for a while, Xu Damao got down to business:

"Xiao'e, did Uncle Lou tell you everything?"

Lou Xiao'e nodded: "I've told you everything. If anyone asks about my family background, just say you're a distant relative of Da Mao, and from now on you'll be my cousin..."

"This..." Xu Damao smiled bitterly upon hearing this, thinking to himself, Lou Bancheng's money isn't so easy to get either, now he's just clinging to it.

"Okay, if anyone asks, just say she's my cousin. Just don't give yourself away."

"Come on, I'll take you to collect your work benefits and then you can get to know your colleagues."

"Okay, cousin..." Lou Xiao'e said with a smile.

Xu Damao glared at her:

"What do you mean 'cousin'? You should use his title when you're working!"

Lou Xiao'e stuck out her tongue:

"Yes, Section Chief Xu!"

"Hmm..." Xu Damao nodded in satisfaction, then walked out of the office with his hands behind his back and a swaying head.

Lou Xiao'e followed closely behind.