A courtyard house, equipped with a fishing system, living in an era.

Once Fatty Wang was completely out of sight, Xu Ping'an didn't go looking for Wang Jianxing, but instead headed straight for Li Huaide in the administration building.

"Director Li, that's the situation. How should I respond to him?"

Xu Pingan sat in the middle of the sofa to report on his work, while Li Huaide sat on a single sofa to the side.

Upon hearing Xu Ping'an's words, the other party remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Mr. Lou is, after all, the executive deputy director of the factory. In principle, he has management authority over both production and logistics. Since he has asked, we can't refuse!"

Upon hearing the word "us," Xu Pingan understood what was going on.

"Understood, Director Li, I'll go and agree to their request!"

"Okay, go ahead!"

Xu Pingan stood up to say goodbye, and Li Huaide added a sentence.

"Just cook, don't ask unnecessary questions!"

"Understood! Understood! Industry rules forbid us from inquiring about these things."

Li Huaide believed this to be true.

After all, Xu Pingan had spent so much time with the work group, and he had always been the one to prepare the meals for them. He had never heard any rumors or gossip from outside.

Lou Bancheng was having dinner at home, so Fatty Wang and Xu Pingan agreed to set off at 2 p.m. the next day.

Before 2 o'clock, this guy somehow got hold of a black Ford sedan and brazenly parked it in the factory parking lot.

When Xu Pingan arrived, the car was already running.

Perhaps seeing Xu Ping'an in the rearview mirror, Fatty Wang leaned out of the driver's seat.

"Safety, get on the bus!"

Xu Pingan opened the back door and got in.

The engine's hot air blows in through the heater vents, making the car interior warm and cozy.

After leaving the factory gate, we turned onto Di'anmen Street and headed west, passing through Xisi and driving towards Haidian.

A few months ago, Xu Ping'an would have gotten confused after driving around the city twice.

Now he can at least barely recognize the way.

"The supervisor? Boss Lou lives in Haidian?"

"Yes!" Fatty Wang replied as he drove.

"Boss Lou bought that house 20 years ago. Back then, that area was considered the suburbs and quiet! Now, it's practically in the city."

So what does it mean to be considered part of the city?

After passing Xizhimen, the buildings on both sides of the road gradually become sparser, and you can see some independent courtyards and garden villas from time to time.

When Xu Ping'an from Haidian moved from his village to the city, he passed through this affluent area but had never been to it before.

"arrive!"

Fatty Wang parked the car at the entrance of a courtyard. Xu Ping'an got out of the car and looked at the building in front of him.

This is a garden-style villa that blends Chinese and Western styles. The wrought iron gate is wide open, and inside there is a path paved with bluestone slabs, with neatly trimmed holly bushes on both sides.

At the end of the passageway stands a three-story gray building with arched windows, a red tiled roof, and two white Roman columns standing in front of the porch.

A hint of disdain flashed deep in Xu Ping'an's eyes.

In this era, this is considered one of the most luxurious mansions.

Unfortunately, it ultimately couldn't escape the aesthetics of its time.

"Ping An, let's go straight to the kitchen."

Wang Pangzi, having parked the car somewhere, quickly came over, found Xu Ping'an, and then led the way.

Instead of pretending to take a cook to visit the host's house, he led Xu Ping'an directly to the kitchen.

Xu Pingan breathed a sigh of relief, but a sense of resentment lingered in his heart.

If Lou Bancheng were too enthusiastic towards him, he would panic.

Lou Bancheng would be very angry if he didn't treat him warmly.

After realizing his own emotions, Xu Pingan chuckled to himself.

This is typical petty-mindedness: they become disrespectful when you get close to them, and resentful when you keep your distance!

However, people are always hypocritical; being lenient with themselves and strict with others is just basic practice!

Fatty Wang led Xu Ping'an through the wrought iron gate and along the passageway to the front of the small building.

The two did not enter the main building, but instead went around to the east side of the small building.

The kitchen is a separate bungalow connected to the main building by a covered corridor, so the food won't get wet when it rains.

The cooking fumes won't even reach the main building!

Xu Pingan looked around.

The kitchen was spacious and bright, with an old-fashioned brick stove and a modern coal stove next to it.

On a row of cabinets against the wall, various spice jars and kitchen utensils are neatly arranged.

The window seat features a large workbench made of fine elm wood, worn smooth and shiny with rounded edges.

"This is the kitchen that Boss Lou uses specifically for entertaining guests; it's not used for cooking normally."

Fatty Wang explained.

"Madam Lou has her own private small kitchen, which is located inside the main building. That kitchen is too small to accommodate all the guests."

Xu Pingan nodded and asked curiously.

"Judging from this, Boss Lou should have his own personal chef. Where is he?"

Fatty Wang, who had his back to Xu Ping'an, paused.

This person...

In October, she disappeared along with the previous Madam Lou and her eldest son...

They must be living peacefully in Hong Kong Island or some small country in Southeast Asia by now.

Fatty Wang didn't dare to ask; anyone who inquired about such matters would be doomed!

"Aren't we not allowed to hire so many servants anymore? Look at this yard, we're the ones who usually help take care of it when we come over occasionally!"

Xu Pingan sneered inwardly, "Do you think I believe you?"

However, he was just asking casually, and the specifics of the situation were none of his concern.

Xu Pingan went to the spice rack and opened each spice rack to check it.

Soy sauce, vinegar, cooking wine, salt, sugar, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, dried chili peppers... everything is available.

I smelled the Sichuan peppercorns; the aroma was strong and numbing, and it smelled authentic.

Sure enough, no matter how poor the overall environment is, it won't affect the very top small group of people.

"The ingredients are all prepared and are in the storage room in the main building. I'll have someone deliver them to you in a bit."

As he spoke, Fatty Wang prepared to leave.

As he reached the door, he stopped and turned back to give a special instruction:

"Ping An, wait here for a moment. There are people at the main building, so don't wander off!"

Xu Ping'an nodded calmly, but inwardly he cursed Wang Pangzi to death.

That damn dog has a big eye for people. If he wasn't afraid of being labeled an ungrateful wretch at the factory, he wouldn't even be willing to be carried around in a sedan chair by Fatty Wang.

But I still need to pull myself together and get to work, since I'm already here...

A short while later, Fatty Wang arrived with two deliverymen.

One of them was even an acquaintance of his.

"Aunt Xu, what are you doing here?"

When Xu Damao's mother saw Xu Ping'an, she was also taken aback.

"Safety?"

Fatty Wang was taken aback, a fleeting look of doubt crossing his eyes.

After all, she was Xu Fugui's wife, and Xu Fugui was much more senior than Wang Zongchang.

But it wasn't his place to have any doubts yet.

"You two know each other?"

Chen Guixiang nodded.

"Ping An is a new neighbor who moved into our compound; she lives in the east wing at the front!"

Fatty Wang slapped his forehead and suddenly remembered that Xu Ping'an's accommodation was arranged by the factory through the liaison office.

"Alright, it'll be easier now that we know each other! Aunt Liu and Aunt Xu will stay here to help you... If there are any fancy dishes, we can start cooking now."

Xu Pingan chuckled to himself. What kind of kung fu dishes could Sichuan cuisine possibly have?

But thinking about it carefully, it seems there really is some...