Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

"Last time you said 'it's better to guide than to block,' but you know the current situation in our country. How do we guide? Can you give me some practical ideas?"

The senior leader couldn't hide his worries. The people below had long been stuck in their old ways of thinking, blindly following past experiences without figuring out their own path. The reason Yang Wei was called in today wasn't so much that the senior leader wanted to ask questions, but rather that the higher-ups were urgently probing: what's the next step?

It's funny, really. Who would have thought that a twenty-year-old would be consulted on such important national affairs? It would shock so many people if word got out.

"Big boss, you're putting me in a difficult position!" Yang Wei scratched his head, pretending to be young. "I'm still a novice, how could I possibly give you the answer to such a profound question? But since you asked, I'll just share some personal thoughts. Don't blame me if I'm wrong."

He deliberately spoke in a roundabout way, because these days, being punished for one's words is no joke. If he blurted out something that sounded "reactionary," he would be implicated before gaining any benefits, which would be a huge loss.

"Speak boldly!" the big leader patted his chest. "I'll only hear it here. I will never tell anyone else, and I will not punish you for what you say."

After saying that, he glanced at Aunt Liu, who immediately stood up and said, "You two chat, I'll go to the kitchen to see what we're having for lunch."

"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Liu." Yang Wei stood up and said a few polite words. After Aunt Liu left, he calmed down and pondered. He would first reveal a little information and see the reaction: if the reaction was strong, he would keep quiet; if the reaction was calm, he would say more and slowly seep in. With the brains of these big leaders, they could always "see ten things from one," and given a direction, they could push for even more.

Having thought it through, Yang Weicai began, "Actually, we need to fundamentally examine the word 'society' first. Right now, productivity is out of sync with supply and demand, so there's nothing wrong with a planned economy. But what about five or ten years from now? Will we continue with that?"

"No!" The top leader shook his head vigorously. "This is only temporary! We're confident we can get through this quickly!"

Yang Wei sighed inwardly. The concept was proposed in 1950, implemented in 1953, and it wasn't until 1992 that the economy transitioned to a market economy—forty years in total. Was that what he called a "short time"? But he dared not say it aloud; saying more would make it hard to justify his stance. He could only nod in agreement: "Could I say that the planned economy turned the market into a stagnant pool?"

"You can speak!" the senior leader replied in a deep voice. "Without competition, there is no vitality, but we can't afford to have chaotic competition now. If we do, things will get out of control, and we can't afford to waste that time."

"So what's the key?" Yang Wei leaned forward. "How do we revitalize this stagnant pool without disrupting prices or affecting people's lives? It's better to guide than to block. What do we guide? The market! When the market is vibrant, people can accumulate money quickly, and consumption can drive economic recovery. With a larger market, life can become more prosperous. This is a virtuous cycle."

The senior leader didn't respond immediately, but frowned and carefully considered Yang Wei's words.

Yang Wei added, "Actually, whether it's a planned economy or a market economy, the goal is the same: for the people to prosper and for the country to become strong. A black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat."

Upon hearing this, the top leader's eyes lit up, especially Yang Wei's use of that great man's words, which struck a chord with him! Yes, these are the two goals they have been pursuing their entire lives.

"Young Yang, you're a true prodigy!" The senior leader leaned forward, his intention to win him over barely concealed. "Stop wasting your time at the steel mill, come work for me!"

"See, that's exactly what I was afraid of!" Yang Wei quickly waved his hand. "I'm like Zhao Kuo, all talk and no action, I'd be completely clueless in practice! Please spare me, I'm only good at cooking. Besides, it's not like I won't come; if you want to listen, I'm happy to chat with you anytime!"

Seeing his resolute attitude and having thoroughly understood the situation at the steel mill, the senior leader sighed, unsure whether it was out of frustration at not being able to recruit him or regret that such a talented individual was unwilling to step forward.

The two chatted in the study for another two hours. As the sun was nearing its zenith, Yang Wei finally stood up and said, "Alright, I'll go cook."

A table of authentic Sichuan dishes was served.

The aroma was so enticing that both the leader and Aunt Liu couldn't help but swallow hard.

Although Yang Wei's cooking skills haven't reached the top level yet, the addition of top-notch heat control has enhanced his seasoning abilities.

Their knife skills have improved even further, and the vegetables they cut are now a feast for the eyes.

In fact, eating not only requires attention to taste, but also to its aesthetically pleasing presentation.

A dish that is perfect in color, aroma, and taste is a masterpiece that a top chef can present.

Twice a week was already very satisfying for the top leader.

Otherwise, he was afraid that if he got used to Yang Wei's cooking, he would never be able to eat anyone else's cooking again.

It's inevitable that there will be a few drinks at the banquet.

Thanks to the high-ranking leader, Yang Wei got to drink his fill of the special-supply liquor that he had never tasted in his previous life.

If Yang Wei smoked, all he had to do was ask the higher-ups, and they'd probably get him a few cartons. "Is Yang Wei free this afternoon?"

At the table, the senior leader ate his meal while asking Yang Wei questions.

"I'm free. When I'm not busy, I like to browse around and read some books. Otherwise, I go to my master's place and listen to him tell me about history and antiques." "Or I stay at home with my wife and chat with my grandma." Yang Wei replied with a smile.

The meal was very enjoyable. Now, the high-ranking official and Aunt Liu no longer felt any distance between themselves and Yang Wei; instead, they acted like longtime friends. "Your lifestyle is very good. People, especially young people, must read more. Reading can broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge."

"Of course, your knowledge is already far superior to that of many of your peers, but you must not be arrogant or complacent. Remember, pride leads to loss, while humility brings benefit."

The senior leader was very pleased with Yang Wei's lifestyle, but also gave him a few words of advice.

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, leader. I've got it in mind!" Yang Wei nodded, clearly pleased.

There's no need to be overly polite, but also not to be overly casual.

This is the state Yang Wei wants.

After all, he is a leader, and it wouldn't be good if he were too casual.

However, if you are always reserved, it will be even more difficult to get closer to each other.

So, the current state is just right—any more would be too much, any less would be too little.

After finishing his meal, Yang Wei prepared to clean up.

However, Aunt Liu absolutely refused to let Yang Wei do it.

"I can't let you do that anymore, otherwise it would be very impolite!"

"I already feel bad for asking you to cook for me twice a week."

"If I let you do all the dishes and tidying up now, I'll feel bad." Aunt Liu wouldn't let Yang Wei do it.

"Aunt Liu, I do all the tidying up at home. It's really nothing, I'm used to doing it!"

"That won't do either. Go rest over there. Otherwise, I can't let you cook for the commander anymore." Aunt Liu still wouldn't allow it, pushing Yang Wei aside and starting to clean up.

The senior leader then spoke up, "Xiao Yang, come and sit down. Your Aunt Liu can do this work."

"Well... okay!"

In the end, Yang Wei did not reach out again.

Instead, he went to the sofa next to him, made tea for the senior leader, and then sat down to rest for a while.

"If you're free this afternoon, spend some time chatting with me about Wei."

"I enjoy talking to you about Wei. Talking to you about Wei helps me understand a lot of things."

"This was both enlightening and inspiring for me."

The high-ranking leader leaned back on the sofa, holding a teacup in his hand, and spoke softly.

"That's the greatest compliment you could give me. With your words, I feel like I haven't lived in vain!" Yang Wei said politely.

"You! I really don't know what you're thinking. You're so knowledgeable, yet you never show it to others easily."

"With your insightful perspective, even if you don't go to university, what's wrong with contributing to the country's development?"

"I asked Director Wang about you. In the half month since you started working in the steel rolling mill's canteen, your culinary skills have far surpassed those of that guy named He Yuzhu."

"But if it weren't for that competition for the master chef position, you would probably still be keeping a low profile. Others wouldn't know your abilities. Tell me, you're so young, why do you have to hide yourself so well?"

"Tell me the truth, what are you afraid of?"

It's clear that the top leader is preparing to start having a heart-to-heart talk with Yang Wei today.

These are things you would never know unless you were really paying attention to Yang Wei.

However, to say that Yang Wei is afraid of anything would be a bit of an overstatement.

It's simply because Yang Wei is no longer the same Yang Wei he used to be.

It can only be said that it was a perfect coincidence, a perfect timing.

Yang Wei has arrived.

Therefore, this era will surely leave behind some legends belonging to Yang Wei.

"I'm really not afraid of anything, and I'm not trying to hide anything."

"How should I put it? I'm a bit content with a little wealth and always think about living a simple, ordinary life. I'd be perfectly happy if I had clothes to wear, food to eat, a place to live, a beloved woman, an elderly person to take care of, and a lovely daughter in the future."

"Actually, I know that you, the senior leader, are very good to me. Our factory director, Qian Wei, wanted to promote me to head of the security department, but I really have no such intention."

"Just like you said, with my abilities, it shouldn't be difficult for me to make a name for myself in this era."

"But, in my heart, I really didn't want to, otherwise, I wouldn't have remained unknown until now."

"If I hadn't seen you, I wouldn't have shared some of my thoughts. Rather than you testing me, I wanted to offer my ideas through you. As for whether they're useful or not, that's for a leader like you who is wholeheartedly dedicated to serving the people to decide."

Yang Wei looked embarrassed and whispered his thoughts.

……

The officialdom is not suitable for Yang Wei.

He is not suited to this path either.

His path lies in business; through business, he aims to become a renowned businessman and entrepreneur, which will make things much easier for him in the future.

And it won't restrict your actions.

This is the lifestyle Yang Wei wants.

Therefore, no matter what the higher-ups said, Yang Wei would not agree to follow them.

Even though he knew that as long as he followed the big boss, he could go very high and very far on this path.

However, since it's not what I truly want, even if I did it, it wouldn't be very comfortable.

Instead of doing that, in this era where opportunities abound, why not choose a path you love to follow?

"Fine, since you've already made up your mind, I won't force you."

"However, if I have any problems in the future, I must come to you. At that time, you can't hide anything from me, you must tell me everything, understand?" The big leader gave up on recruiting Yang Wei, but then his tone turned serious.

"Hehe, don't worry about that. If I didn't want to tell you, I wouldn't have said so much."

"You little fox!"

The top leader laughed and cursed.

Suddenly, Aunt Liu walked in and said something to the big boss.

"Boss, there's a call for you, from the red line!"

"Okay, I'll be right there. You can keep Xiao Yang company for a bit."

After saying this, the senior leader got up and went straight to his study.

The moment the big boss stepped out the door, Aunt Liu nestled on the living room sofa, chatting with Yang Wei. Before long, Yang Wei's eyes were glued to the gramophone in the corner. Ever since he entered the villa, he had spotted this thing; in the 1970s, it was a rare find.

The Lou family also had one, but Lou's father treasured it like the apple of his eye, locking it in his study as a decoration. Why? Because their ancestors were capitalists, and displaying such a foreign gadget in the living room might get them labeled as "bourgeois hedonists." Lou's father simply put it away, and after Lou Xiao'e heard it twice when she was a child, it never sounded again. After getting married, Lou Xiao'e would still murmur to Yang Wei, "It's hard to say if that machine can even work now, but I always want to hear that sound again." Sometimes when she couldn't sleep at night, she would even sing a few lines to Yang Wei.

The phonograph in front of me is exactly the same as the one that appeared in "700".

Yang Wei noticed that the high-ranking official and Aunt Liu hadn't touched anything at all. He'd been there so many times and never heard a sound, so his mind started racing: "Aunt Liu, can we hold off for a bit?"

Aunt Liu smiled, pursing her lips: "You're making a fuss over nothing, aren't you?"

"I met him once, at my father-in-law's house. The old man treats him like a family heirloom and won't let anyone touch him." Yang Wei scratched his head. "I just wanted to hear what it was like."

The top leader knew Lou's father's background perfectly well, and Yang Wei had already told him everything. Back then, the top leader had assured him: "We will treat those patriots who have helped us sincerely. They don't follow capitalist paths or act arrogantly; they are friends of the people." These words were like a reassuring pill, and Yang Wei felt at ease. If anything went wrong, he would have a legitimate reason to plead with the top leader.

"Go ahead, I'll teach you." Aunt Liu got up and went to the phonograph, pointing her finger at the turntable. "First, turn this stop valve, put the record on it, then turn the handle. When you feel the resistance, stop. Release the stop valve, and the turntable will spin." She demonstrated as she spoke, inserting the stylus into the groove on the outer ring of the record.

"Buzz," the needle struck the record, and the melody of the Fifth Symphony flowed from the speakers. Yang Wei was stunned for a moment, then became engrossed in the melody. How long had it been since he had heard this sound?

Aunt Liu watched his focused expression, her mind clear: the big boss treated Yang Wei differently; this young man was no ordinary cook. There were many talented people, but few who could so quietly "hide their abilities." She wondered: why was this twenty-year-old so secretive? But then she thought, everyone has their own ambitions; who can say for sure?

The two of them remained like that, one standing listening to the music, the other sitting drinking tea and watching him. There were no extra words in the room, only the rise and fall of the symphony permeating every corner.

A moment later, the big boss pushed open the door and, hearing the noise, chuckled: "Oh, you can even understand this tune?"

Yang Wei turned around: "I've happened to hear it a few times."

"Tell me, what's this piece about?" The big boss leaned closer, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Yang Wei spoke in a calm, conversational tone: "In 1804, Beethoven went completely deaf, his beloved Juliet Cichardti fell out of favor due to social class differences, and Germany was struggling to breathe under feudalism. Despite being hit by several blows, he refused to accept it. Even though his ears were deaf, his heart could not be deaf; he was determined to wrestle with fate."

And so, "Destiny" was born.

The senior leader was astonished. He had known Yang Wei for quite some time; he was an expert on the intricacies of dishes and the minutiae of history; he could talk about economics and policies with great eloquence. But who would have thought he even knew about music! This twenty-year-old knew more than he, an older man? He suddenly remembered that when he was twenty, he was still struggling at the grassroots level.

"So what do you think this piece of music is trying to say?" the senior leader pressed.

Yang Wei tapped the sofa armrest lightly with his fingertips: "What is fate? It's a mixture of joy and sorrow. But one can't just lie down and let oneself be manipulated; one must hold onto one's own destiny and fight against misfortune. Look at this piece, it has four movements. The first movement is full of fierce energy, the second movement is like a trapped beast struggling, the third movement is filled with the theme of fate, and the fourth movement suddenly explodes with joy. In the end, Beethoven just wanted to tell the world: the door of fate can be smashed open by hand; it's not some invincible monster."

These words were like a stone thrown into the hearts of the big leader and Aunt Liu, splashing up huge waves.

"Alas, what a pity..." The senior leader looked at Yang Wei and sighed deeply.

What a talented person! Yet he refuses to get involved in this mess and climb the ladder of success. But on second thought, I should cultivate the relationship even more. Having such a "living encyclopedia" as a friend will save me a lot of trouble in the future.

At this moment, Yang Wei was no longer just a "cook" in his heart, but a friend he could confide in.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Yang Weicai left the high-ranking leader's house. Before leaving, the leader called him back and said something that made his eyes light up.

"National Day is coming soon, and the government is going to hold a state banquet, with top chefs from all over the country in charge. With your skills, you're more than qualified to be the head chef for the state banquet. I have connections to recommend you; are you interested?"

A state banquet chef? That's the very pinnacle of the culinary world! You need solid credentials, to pass layers of rigorous assessments; only the most exceptional chefs can get in. For Yang Wei, this opportunity is like a gold mine falling from the sky. If he gets into the state banquet, won't his culinary skills skyrocket?

Just as I was pondering this, the system notification rang out like a death knell: "Ding! State Banquet Mission Issued: Accept the invitation from the top leader and become the head chef of the state banquet. Completion reward: 2,000 cash, 10,000 skill points, and three chances to win a prize; failure will randomly deduct one professional skill level!"

Yang Wei's heart clenched; this punishment was too harsh! Knowing the system's usual pattern, it was definitely going to deduct his Appraiser skill level—something he'd worked so hard to reach intermediate; losing even one level would be devastating. Fine, this mission had to be completed; there was no other choice!

"Big Boss, you're really flattering me!" Yang Wei quickly expressed his gratitude, his voice so warm it could scald a sweet potato. "Being a chef for state banquets is every chef's ultimate dream! Thank you so much, I'll remember this kindness for the rest of my life!"

The high-ranking leader waved his hand, feigning nonchalance: "Don't thank me, it's because you're capable. If I thought you weren't good enough, would I have blindly recommended you?"

While saying this, I was secretly delighted. Isn't that what human relationships are all about? You do what I like, so I'll remember your kindness and feel justified in asking for your help in the future.

After Yang Wei left, Aunt Liu leaned over and whispered, "Young Yang's cooking skills are alright, but he's still a bit short of being a chef for state banquets, isn't he? Besides, with his father-in-law's status, will he even pass the audit?"

The senior leader scoffed: "If I vouch for him, what obstacle can't he overcome? Young Yang is a prodigy. He's already capable at twenty. Could you or I have done that back then? This kind of person is someone special. Given the right opportunity, he can rise to prominence."

Aunt Liu frowned and didn't say anything more, instead complaining, "Xiao Yang cooked too much at noon, so I have to reheat the leftovers for dinner. Our cook is still sick, when is he coming back?"

"Why don't you lend a hand?" the big boss glanced at her sideways. "In all these years, how many times have you actually cooked?"

"I have to serve you, don't I!" Aunt Liu protested. "Otherwise, would all the cooking skills I honed when I was young have gone to waste?"

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right." The big boss didn't want to argue and walked away.

Yang Wei rode his bicycle towards the courtyard house, his mind filled with thoughts of the mission. The system's rewards were too generous: two thousand yuan in cash, ten thousand skill points, and three chances to win a prize! These days, a thousand yuan in savings made you a tycoon, and ten thousand yuan was like being a billionaire in later generations. If he won all three prizes in cash, he'd be out of poverty!

Not to mention the prestige of state banquets themselves—you get to learn from top chefs and receive an official certificate. Restaurants opening restaurants with this certificate will be scrambling to get in! It'll be a golden brand in Hong Kong, a real headline-grabber!

"I, Yang Wei, am definitely attending the state banquet!" He stomped his feet even harder, wishing he could sprout wings and fly back.

Just as he turned into the courtyard alley, he was suddenly stopped. Yang Wei looked up and realized, "Oh no, trouble is brewing."