Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Dong Tianbao stood there stunned, still not having recovered his senses.

His wife hadn't told him beforehand that she was going to cause trouble. When she came to the banquet, he even teased her, saying, "Why are you dressed so festively?"

His wife simply replied casually:

"It's been a while since I've been to a wedding banquet, so I'm going to share in the festive spirit."

Dong Tianbao smiled and didn't take it to heart at the time, but then his wife went to snatch Xi away. Damn it, she's really a bastard.

The reason his wife did this was probably influenced by him. He was being suppressed by Yang Ligong at the factory, and his wife knew that, so she was probably angry about it.

Fortunately, not many people understand the practice of "grabbing for good luck," as it is a feudalistic and outdated practice.

Even if Yang Ligong's whole family knew about this, it didn't matter. Yang Ligong, do you dare to question me?

If you dare to do it, I'll sue you for spreading feudal superstition.

As the wedding host, Secretary Nie had witnessed the actions of Sha Zhu and Dong Tianbao's wife.

He had a smile on his face, but the smile was somewhat cold.

You're really something, Dong Tianbao, to actually do something like stealing someone's wedding gift. You're such a moron.

"Robbing the Happiness" (a superstitious custom in old Beijing that still exists today)

Also known as "grabbing good fortune" or "rushing for happiness," it belongs to old folk superstitions and is not proper etiquette. Most old Beijing neighbors felt that it was impolite and immoral.

Folk sayings

Folk superstition: The moment the bride steps over the threshold and enters the house to pay respects to the ancestors is the most joyous.

Some people deliberately step over the threshold before the bride, or quickly cross in front of her, believing that this will steal the joy and good fortune of the newlyweds and bring good luck, misfortune, longevity, and good fortune to themselves and sick family members; others say it is to transfer their bad luck to the newlyweds.

Note: Real relatives usually don't do this; it's mostly neighbors, distant relatives, or even elderly people you don't know from outside who secretly time their actions.

Secretary Nie looked up at Old Wang and Yang Ligong's family. Their eyes were filled with joy, without a trace of displeasure.

I guess they really don't understand this.

Secretary Nie shook his head, thinking to himself, "Should I do something? Telling Yang Ligong might be a good idea, since we're colleagues after all."

Dong Tianbao is so cunning; he's capable of doing something like this.

Dong Tianbao:

"No, I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!"

"I'm more wronged than Dou E!"

Sha Zhu didn't recognize Dong Tianbao. He looked him up and down, a disdainful sneer escaping his lips.

"You idiot!"

Upon hearing this, Dong Tianbao's face turned green, and he was about to explode.

However, the current situation did not allow him to engage in any indecent behavior.

He glared at Sha Zhu, then expressionlessly pulled his wife away.

"Tch, boring..." Sha Zhu muttered before returning to Li Jiuzhou's side.

For him, it was just a side job and he didn't think much of it.

There was nothing he could do; that's just the kind of person he is. Even knowing Dong Tianbao's identity, Sha Zhu still had to do what he was supposed to do.

He dared to hit Li Huaide in the original drama, so this is nothing, just a piece of cake.

Only Xu Damao looked rather serious. He recognized Dong Tianbao and knew that he was now the director of the First Steel Rolling Mill.

So he pulled Sha Zhu aside and whispered:

"Shazhu, that man is Dong Tianbao, the director of the First Steel Rolling Mill, and formerly the secretary of the Textile Mill."

Sha Zhu was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then became even more disdainful:

"So what? The factory director's wife stole the show at someone else's wedding, she has no shame at all. And look at the Yang family, their faces are practically rolling with laughter."

"It's obvious they're unaware of these old customs and traditions."

"If they found out, they'd definitely have to fight."

Xu Damao shook his head and chuckled upon hearing this:

"What you said seems to make sense. Then come with me and let Yang Guangming know about this."

"Why are you telling Yang Guangming this?" Sha Zhu asked, puzzled.

Xu Damao's tone suddenly turned serious:

"You definitely have to talk to him. What if Dong Tianbao tries to get you? What rank are you to be fighting with a department-level leader?"

"When the time comes, won't Brother Zhou have to step in and help you sort things out? Don't keep causing trouble for Brother Zhou."

"We need to shift Dong Tianbao's focus to the Yang family; we won't take the blame for this."

Sha Zhu's lips twitched upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but think more deeply about his senior brother Sha Zhu.

Xu Damao's words were not without reason.

"Alright, just say something." Sha Zhu agreed.

Yang Guangming was busy at work when Xu Damao and Shazhu pulled him aside to whisper to each other.

Yang Guangming was completely confused, but he still took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it for the two of them.

"What's wrong, brothers?"

Sha Zhu, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, nodded slightly to Xu Damao, indicating that he should speak.

Xu Damao nodded, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and slowly exhaled.

"Guangming, did you just see Dong Tianbao's wife?"

Although Yang Guangming was somewhat puzzled after hearing this, he still smiled and said:

"Haha, I saw it. That old woman was in a hurry to pee and almost blocked my brother and sister-in-law from getting in."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao and Shazhu exchanged a glance, confirming that the Yang family genuinely didn't understand the intricacies of the situation.

So Xu Damao put his arm around Yang Guangming's shoulder and explained.

"What? There's such a thing? Damn it, this...this...this..." Yang Guangming was somewhat incoherent after hearing this.

He was educated and knew that the authorities wanted to eliminate feudal superstition. On the surface, he was full of benevolence and morality, but deep down he was still very feudal. Moreover, his Yang family was from Guangdong Province.

They value these folk customs and traditions very much.

Yang Guangming believed Xu Damao's words because he had personally witnessed Sha Zhu bringing Dong Tianbao's wife back.

I didn't think too much about it at the time, I just thought the old woman needed to pee. But now that Xu Damao has explained it, it's terrifying to think about!

What is Dong Tianbao trying to do?!

"Brother Zhu, Brother Da Mao, I am deeply grateful. I thank you both on behalf of my cousin." Yang Guangming bowed to Sha Zhu.

Xu Damao held down Yang Guangming's hand:

"Oh dear, why are you making such a fuss? You know it, but don't tell your uncle or Zhiguo now. Today is a joyous occasion, don't cause them any trouble."

Yang Guangming nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

After explaining everything, the three of them returned to the courtyard, chatting and laughing.

The simple ceremony began shortly afterward.

The newlyweds bow to the portrait of the great man.

Bow to both sets of parents.

The newlyweds bowed to each other.

Then they sang "The East Is Red" together.

Li Jiuzhou and Li Huaide, as Wang Zhiguo's superiors, were pulled onto the stage by Yang Ligong to give speeches.

This is the sense of ritual of our time, simple yet lively.

After the ceremony, Secretary Nie waved his hand:

"Let the feast begin!!!"

This is the moment that the wedding guests look forward to the most.

Wedding banquets, wedding feasts—in short, it's all about eating, eating well and drinking well!