Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The apprentices in the kitchen were all beaming with joy after receiving their month's salary.

However, Manager Luan also gave a notice when distributing salaries that the next salary payment time would not be fixed.

Because there have been many robberies in Beiping recently, especially some head chefs in restaurants have been robbed.

It was because someone with ulterior motives found out the day they would get paid.

The worst part is that these bastards not only robbed me, but also beat me half to death. I don't know how much I'll lose in terms of medical expenses and lost wages.

For the safety of the employees, Manager Luan decided that the payday would be random, but definitely not too late.

This decision was unanimously approved by all employees of Fengzeyuan, who hailed the manager as wise.

Nobody wants their hard-earned money from a month's work stolen.

At this moment, a father and son were facing off in the kitchen, while the rest of the staff, who had nothing to do, gathered not far away and watched the spectacle with smiles.

He Yuzhu clutched his chest, looking at the other person with a reluctant expression.

"Take it out..." He Daqing said to his son expressionlessly.

"Dad, can't you be reasonable? I haven't even had a chance to enjoy this money since it was just handed in," He Yuzhu said.

He Daqing laughed in anger:

"I'm telling you, you little rascal, your dad doesn't need this little bit of money from you. I'm just saving it for you so you won't squander it."

"Have you forgotten what happened to Jia Dongxu in our compound yesterday? Are you going to get a good beating from me too?"

He Yuzhu looked disdainful upon hearing this:

"I'm not that idiot Jia Dongxu, who would just throw away his money."

"I can give it to you, but leave me a few coins to warm my pockets."

"I also want to treat my senior brother and Yushui to Peking duck."

He Daqing nodded after hearing his son's words:

"I'll keep three for you, and I'll save the rest for you."

He Yuzhu quickly agreed:

"Then it's settled. Father, please don't use your son's hard-earned money to help widows."

He Daqing's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

The kitchen staff burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Zhu Zi's mouth is amazing..."

He Daqing ultimately resisted the urge to beat up He Yuzhu; there were so many people in the kitchen, he had to be mindful of the situation.

After taking the five silver dollars from his son, he asked sourly:

"So you're treating your senior brother and Yushui to Peking duck?"

He Yuzhu muttered:

"Otherwise, with just a few dollars, it wouldn't be enough to hire a few more people..."

Undeterred, He Daqing continued to ask:

"Haven't you ever thought about showing some filial piety to your father?"

He Yuzhu curled his lip upon hearing this and said:

"Dad, you always go out and eat well, do you think you'll miss out on a meal with your son? You can't!"

"You should go have fun by yourself and not join in the fun with us young people."

"You...I f***ing..." He Daqing was speechless at his stupid son, and walked out of the kitchen with his hands behind his back.

Soon, He Yuzhu, looking dejected, came to Li Jiuzhou's side.

He said with a pained expression:

"Senior brother, there are only 3 coins left, and I haven't even had a chance to enjoy them yet."

Li Jiuzhou patted his shoulder to comfort him:

"Don't worry about these things. Your uncle is doing this for your own good. What if you end up like that idiot Jia Dongxu and lose everything?"

"You'll feel even more heartbroken then; three silver dollars will be enough for you to spend."

"Also, since this is your first paycheck, let's go buy some things later."

"Buy your dad and your master and fellow apprentices a pack of cigarettes as a token of respect, buy some gifts for your master's wife, and some snacks for your sister."

"It won't cost much."

"As his son and apprentice, we can skimp on the cigarettes, but we can't neglect etiquette, understand?"

After a long pause upon hearing this, He Yuzhu smiled and nodded emphatically.

"Senior brother, you're right. I'll listen to you."

"Um..."

Among the group of apprentices, only Li Jiuzhou could subdue him.

He is indeed his senior, and in terms of culinary skills, he is better than He Yuzhu in every aspect.

So He Yuzhu is convinced; he listens to his senior brother's words!

Since they had agreed, the two of them didn't hesitate and asked the head of the kitchen for an hour off to go out and buy things.

One person bought three cartons of cigarettes and some peach shortbread as a snack.

They carried it and headed to the back kitchen of Fengzeyuan.

The two men beamed with joy after offering the cigarettes to their master and senior apprentice.

He said, "Why are you accusing me of this?" but he was secretly thrilled.

He Daqing's hands trembled and his eyes even welled up with tears after receiving the cigarettes his son bought him.

He even pulled out another silver dollar from his pocket, saying he was worried that the Peking duck wouldn't be enough for him in a few days and he would give him some more.

He Yuzhu was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Dad, you're so generous!"

Of course, He Daqing gave his son an extra silver dollar to his nephew Li Jiuzhou for his contribution.

He also bought cigarettes for He Daqing, which shows he's done a good job in terms of social etiquette.

He Daqing couldn't be stingy, so he simply gave his son an extra silver dollar, so that he wouldn't have an unpleasant meal later.

The other chefs also saw the two men buying cigarettes to show their respect to their master and senior apprentice, and they were somewhat tempted.

Who doesn't hope their apprentice will be sensible?

The cigarettes they bought cost less than half a dollar.

They weren't after money or the value of the gift; they just wanted the sentiment.

Well, after what the two of them did, the apprentices in the kitchen weren't stupid, and they all asked for leave to buy cigarettes for their master.

The chefs, beaming with joy upon receiving their apprentices' heartfelt gifts, worked with even greater energy.

After get off work, he complained that he hadn't had enough of the day and wasn't satisfied.

Gift-giving can often enhance a person's emotional value, regardless of age or gender.

After getting off work in the evening, He Daqing struggled to drive his car, with two young men sitting in the back.

As long as He Daqing didn't go out drinking and carousing at night, he would usually go back with the two of them.

There's only one bicycle, enough for three people to sit on, with the person riding it getting a little tired.

Such a heavy task was naturally left to He Daqing, an adult.

From the back seat, He Yuzhu said, "Dad, how about we get a bicycle for the whole family?"

"I asked my senior this afternoon, and secondhand ones don't cost much."

He Daqing did not immediately agree upon hearing this:

"Let me think about it some more."

"Alright, whatever you think is fine." He Yuzhu wasn't too disappointed.

He can walk even without a bicycle; he's used to it.

When the three returned to the yard, they found a group of neighbors chatting in the front yard.

"Hey, everyone's here. Zhu Zi, get out some cigarettes and spread them out to the uncles and elders." He Daqing greeted them and then instructed He Yuzhu.

"Okay."

He Yuzhu opened the whole carton of cigarettes, took out a pack and tore it open again, handing out cigarettes to each of his adult neighbors.

"Come on, Uncle Yi, have a smoke."

"Uncle Xu, have one."

"Uncle Liu, please light it."

"Uncle Jia, please get me another one..."

Those who received cigarettes were naturally quite pleased, and they all praised He Yuzhu.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai smiled and said:

"Old He, you don't usually smoke this kind of cigarette, why did you buy two cartons today?"

Other neighbors who were smoking also wanted to ask, but they didn't know how to bring it up. Unexpectedly, Lao Yi asked the question.

This hit He Daqing right where it hurt.

He took a deep drag of his cigarette with a smile on his face, then slowly exhaled the smoke while squinting his eyes.

Then he slowly said:

"Today was the first day of payday at Fengzeyuan. Zhu Zi and Jiu Zhou got paid for the first time, and they each bought me a pack of cigarettes."

"It's not a fancy cigarette, but it's the children's thoughtfulness."

"I feel happy and pleased. My son has grown up and knows how to be filial to his father, and my nephew Jiuzhou is also a promising young man."

"Wow, this is amazing! Zhu Zi is really something..."

Seeing He Daqing in this state, the neighbors naturally became the best comedians.

He Daqing was so flattered that the smoke kept coming out in round after round.

Those neighbors also started smoking, it's great to be able to smoke to your heart's content, and it doesn't even cost money.

Old Jia was a little uncomfortable, since his son Jia Dongxu was already so grown up.

He'll be getting married in less than two years, and I haven't even given him any money yet.