Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Sha Zhu, carrying his kitchen knife, sauntered into the front yard. He had to go help the Yan family prepare the banquet.

He usually acts arrogantly in the factory, and in the compound, he doesn't respect anyone except Zhang Dabiao.

The main reason is that he can't beat Zhang Dabiao, nor is he as rich as Zhang Dabiao. Furthermore, when it comes to contributions to the country... Sha Zhu can't even compare to a hair on Zhang Dabiao's head, so he has to admit defeat.

So as long as Zhang Dabiao isn't around, he still acts like he owns the place. Apart from Zhang Dabiao, he's number one in No. 95 Courtyard!

He had just finished hosting a banquet for Xu Damao yesterday, and today it was the Yan family's turn. He could get a fee from both sides, so he was naturally happy to do so.

After all, the "bride price" proposed by the Jia family weighed heavily on his mind, and he naturally wouldn't refuse if there was a chance to make a profit.

Yan Bugui had been waiting by the stove for a while. When he saw Shazhu coming over, he quickly went up to him and said with a smile, "Shazhu, you're here? All the dishes are ready. Look, they're all top-quality."

Sha Zhu lifted the cloth covering the dishes, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Oh, Teacher Yan, you're really generous this time? Pork belly, live grass carp, and this chicken was freshly killed. Alright, since you're so generous, I'm sure my cooking won't let you down."

As he spoke, he pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to Yan Bugui: "However, let's get this straight. The wages for two tables total four yuan, that's a hard and fast rule. Also, this time there's an extra two mao for condiments."

Yan Bugui's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and his voice instantly rose eight octaves: "What? A condiment fee? You didn't charge Xu Damao for that last time! Sha Zhu, that's a bit unfair, isn't it?"

Sha Zhu chuckled, tying his apron as he said, "Teacher Yan, you don't understand. Xu Damao invited me willingly; he brought his own seasonings, and I only provided the manpower. But you? You begged me to come here, and I've seen your seasoning box before. You dilute the soy sauce with water and the vinegar with water. Can you even eat food made with that stuff? I have to use my own secret seasoning. These two cents are just the cost price."

"You...you're taking advantage of my misfortune!" Yan Bugui was so angry his hands trembled. "Two cents! How much soy sauce can you buy with two cents?"

"Then you can make it yourself." Sha Zhu pretended to untie his apron. "I'm going back to take a nap. Anyway, everyone in this yard is waiting for your four meat and four vegetable dishes. If it's burnt or tasteless, you'll have to take responsibility."

Yan Bugui stood there, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

Just then, Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong appeared "on time" again. They had clearly heard the commotion. Yi Zhonghai's face darkened, and he said to Yan Bugui, "Old Yan, is it really worth it for just two cents? Sha Zhu brought the seasonings to make the food taste better. You've already spent over twelve yuan on the main course, what's two cents? Pay up quickly, don't delay the cooking."

Liu Haizhong chimed in, "That's right, Lao Yan, have a bigger picture. We're going to be in charge of the whole hospital from now on, don't lose your position over a few cents."

Yan Bugui looked at the two men, then at Sha Zhu with his wicked grin, and felt a tightness in his chest. He had lived most of his life, scheming his whole life, and today he had fallen into a trap.

He pulled a cloth bag from his pocket, unfolded it layer by layer, counted out two cents, and slammed it heavily on the stove: "Here you go! Silly Zhu, you better remember this, if you don't cook this dish well, I'm not finished with you!"

With that kind of aura, he made a two-cent bill look like it was worth two hundred dollars.

Even though it was only two cents, Yan Bugui's heart was still bleeding.

"Alright, just you wait and see!" Sha Zhu took the money, stuffed it into his pocket, and with a swift movement of his knife, the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables echoed on the cutting board.

As the flames leaped up, the aroma of scallions, ginger, and garlic filling the oil instantly permeated the entire courtyard.

Yan Bugui stood to the side, watching Sha Zhu pour oil into the pot with such ruthlessness, his heart bleeding. That wasn't just oil; it was his hard-earned money!

Yang Ruihua was helping out in the kitchen, washing vegetables while wiping away tears. She watched as Sha Zhu scooped out the bucket of oil spoonful by spoonful, her heart aching.

"Old man, look at the way he uses oil! He's wasted a whole year's worth of oil in one meal!" Yang Ruihua said in a low voice, her tone full of complaint.

Every time they cook, they use chopsticks dipped in oil to stir-fry the food; they don't even dare to use a teaspoon.

Sha Zhu was using a large soup ladle, how could Yan Bugui and Yang Ruihua not feel heartbroken?

Yan Bugui closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said with a resigned, almost desperate tone, "Enough talk, let's get to work. Since we can't keep this money, let's make it even better. I refuse to believe that after this meal, I, Yan Bugui, won't be back in that position!"

Sha Zhu knew a little about the three old men's desire to reinstate the old-man system, but he didn't care.

He didn't care if it didn't concern him; as long as Yi Zhonghai could help him and Qin Huairu get together, it didn't matter who acted like the boss.

------------

At five o'clock in the afternoon, as dusk fell, two large round tables were set up in front of the Yan family's house in the front yard.

The neighbors gradually arrived. These days, being able to have a proper meal is more exciting than celebrating the New Year.

Zhang Dabiao led Mu Wanqing over. Mu Wanqing was wearing a light blue wool coat today, which made her look even more elegant and refined. Standing there, she was like an orchid blooming in an old courtyard.

Zhang Dabiao walked up to Yan Jiecheng, took out two one-yuan bills from his pocket, and handed them over generously: "Jiecheng, congratulations. This is a gift from Wanqing and me. We wish your family a new addition and a prosperous life."

Yan Jiecheng's eyes lit up, and he quickly accepted the gift, saying politely, "Oh, Brother Biao, you're too kind. Please, have a seat!"

He was secretly pleased. With those two dollars, even though the meal was expensive, he'd made a good profit.

Most importantly, the banquet was paid for by his father, Yan Bugui, but the young couple received the gift money!

It's pure profit from both sides!

However, there is still one problem...

The matter of receiving gift money should be the responsibility of the young couple, right?

Yu Li had hinted at it last night, but Yan Jiecheng didn't dare say anything, fearing that Yan Bugui would back down.

So today we'll still accept the gift money, and after the banquet, we'll divide the spoils back home. That's when we'll confront Yan Bugui, and even if we fall out, Yan Bugui won't let go of the gift money...

At least the banquet has been held, right? Everyone has eaten what they were supposed to eat, and they've saved face.

So Yan Jiecheng accepted the gifts without worry, figuring he could deal with anything else when he got back.

Although Mu Wanqing wasn't from the same household, she was Zhang Dabiao's fiancée. Furthermore, since they weren't yet married, the gifts were given according to the family's terms, so she was entitled to be seated at the table.

He Yushui also arrived, carrying a bag of brown sugar wrapped in red paper, which she stuffed into Yu Li's hand: "Sister Yu Li, this is for you to nourish your body. This is good stuff; I had to ask someone to get it from the supply and marketing cooperative with great difficulty."

He Yushui and Sha Zhu separated their households, so she was given a separate meal and could also eat at the table.

Yu Li beamed with joy upon seeing the brown sugar, and then took He Yushui's hand to chat.

Xu Damao sat at the table with Zhang Dabiao and Liu Guangqi. Looking at the dishes on the table, he pursed his lips and said to Liu Guangqi next to him, "Look, Lao Yan really went all out this time. This braised fish is even bigger than the one I had last time. Looks like our efforts yesterday weren't in vain."

Even Zhang Dabiao nodded, then whispered something—

"Since you're already here, eat as much as you want, but don't leave any leftovers for Teacher Yan."

Xu Damao, Liu Guangqi, and Hu Zi Datou's eyes lit up, and they immediately understood what it meant.

As long as they can make Yan Bugui unhappy, they have to go all out to cause trouble!

Harming others without benefiting oneself—that's what true purity is!

Wait a minute, eating and drinking well for yourself should be considered selfish, right?