Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

In the morning, Old Jia was buried. The funeral procession returned for a meal, and at this time, the mourning hall was dismantled and thrown away as needed.

The Jia family mother and son finally caught their breath.

People cannot be brought back to life; they still need to live and face the future.

The neighbors offered them plenty of comfort.

After the meal, many of the relatives and friends who had come to see Old Jia off also bid farewell to the mother and son.

The last to leave were Lao Jia's cousins ​​and nephews.

"Second sister-in-law, Dongxu, it's such a pity that second brother passed away at such a young age, but please take care of yourselves."

"My nephews and I will go back to the village first. If anything happens, someone can come and find us."

"We're not afraid of being bullied. Although our Jia family isn't a wealthy family, we have quite a few brothers and sisters from the same clan."

Take care...

"Third Uncle, I...I...Waaah..." Jia Zhangshi began to sob.

The third son of the Jia family sighed and instructed Jia Dongxu:

"Dongxu, you're a grown man now. With your father gone, you have to take charge of this family."

"Be a good son to your mother, and in a couple of years find a wife to help manage the household, do you hear me?"

Jia Dongxu nodded repeatedly: "I understand, Uncle. Don't worry, I will take good care of my mother."

"Okay, then I'm relieved. Don't bother seeing us off anymore; it's getting late, let's head back now."

The third son of the Jia family led his cousins ​​and nephews out of the courtyard, and the mother and son saw them off at the door.

The mother and son returned to the back of the house. Yi Zhonghai, He Daqing, and Liu Haizhong arrived shortly after, carrying account books and a stack of banknotes.

Madam Jia Zhang naturally knew why they had come, and she instructed Jia Dongxu to get to work:

"Old Yi, you're here! Come in and have a seat. Dongxu, pour some tea for your uncles."

The three nodded slightly and sat down separately. They had come to check the accounts, which contained condolence money (meaning money given by relatives and friends to commemorate the deceased and to comfort their families).

In layman's terms, it can also be called giving money as a gift.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai spoke first:

"Sister-in-law, this is the account book, and this is the money for the funeral. The three of us did this together, so don't worry, not a single penny will be missing."

Yi Zhonghai meant to tell Jia Zhangshi that they had no ulterior motives in sending the money, and that not a penny would be missing.

The reason the three of them came together was to put Jia Zhangshi at ease.

Jia Zhangshi smiled:

"Then you two sit down for a while, I'll order first."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi picked up the account book and began to look at it. She then picked up the money on the table, moistened it with her hair water, and began to count it.

After counting, Jia Zhangshi was still a little unsatisfied; it was obvious that she wasn't quite satisfied with the amount of money she had spent.

"Just this little bit?"

As Jia Zhangshi spoke, she scrutinized Yi Zhonghai and the other two.

The three men looked at each other, stopped smoking, and immediately became anxious.

Liu Haizhong, who had a rather impatient temperament, couldn't sit still any longer and said:

"Hey, sister-in-law, what kind of look is that?"

"So, the three of us brothers took money we weren't supposed to take?"

Madam Jia spread her hands, holding the money, and said in a sarcastic tone:

"Who knows? It's money. Anyone would be tempted."

"I..." Liu Haizhong was choked and couldn't speak.

He Daqing was also very unhappy and said with dissatisfaction:

"Hey, Mrs. Jia, the three of us have been running around taking care of Old Jia's funeral arrangements. You don't even say thank you, and instead you're being sarcastic and sarcastic."

"What the hell do I owe you?"

"From now on, let whoever wants your family matters do them, just don't come to me."

After finishing his words, He Daqing turned and left.

Jia Dongxu tried to stop him, but to no avail.

"I'm leaving too." Liu Haizhong followed.

Yi Zhonghai looked constipated; he knew Jia Zhangshi was difficult to deal with, but he never expected it to be this difficult.

He got angry too, and said:

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Who would want this money? It's too hot to handle."

"Can't you watch your mouth?"

Just as Jia Zhangshi was about to retort, Jia Dongxu stopped her.

"Mom, please stop. Uncle Yi and the others are just trying to help me out. Saying things like that will only make them feel bad."

"Uncle Yi, I'm so sorry, but that's just how my mother is. Please don't take it to heart."

"I'll treat you all to a meal tomorrow. Please come and sit down. You've all worked so hard these past few days, running around for our family. I, Jia Dongxu, will remember it all."

Yi Zhonghai, who had been frowning, smiled after hearing Jia Dongxu's words.

Looking at Jia Dongxu with a gratified expression, he stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said something that even he himself couldn't quite understand:

Time reveals true character, adversity reveals true friends, and experience is the best teacher.

"Dongxu, you did a great job. If you need anything in the future, come find Uncle Yi. I'm heading back now."

Jia Dongxu only vaguely understood what he was hearing, but he still agreed.

"Thank you, Uncle Yi."

After seeing Yi Zhonghai off, Jia Dongxu returned to his room and said to his mother:

"Mom, what just happened to you?"

"We've offended all of them."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia sneered:

"Your father is gone, leaving just my daughter and me to depend on each other. What if we don't stand up for ourselves and get bullied in the future?"

"Listen to me on this. I'll do it this way from now on. You just need to be a good person."

"this..."

Jia Dongxu didn't refute it because he felt his mother was right; there were good people in this world, but there were far more bad people.

He had seen people who exploited their descendants before.

Therefore, the mother and son must make a plan for the future.

In the afternoon, Jia Dongxu took the money and went out to buy some gifts, which he then delivered to each household in the courtyard.

We are grateful for their help to our family.

This time, I am truly grateful to Jia Dongxu. Our neighbors have been busy with all the funeral arrangements, and it is only right and proper for me to personally visit and express my gratitude.

The more you interact with your neighbors, the better your relationship will become.

The neighbors were all pleased to receive Jia Dongxu's gift, saying that his help had not been in vain.

The items weren't expensive, but they represented Jia Dongxu's goodwill.

With Old Jia gone, Jia Dongxu has risen to prominence, and now there's a man to carry on the family line.

Originally, Jia Dongxu's previous loan incident had drawn criticism from his neighbors, but after this incident, they all changed their opinions of him.

As for Jia Zhangshi?

Forget it, let's not talk about it...

Yi Zhonghai was busy with everything at Lao Jia's funeral, which was obvious to everyone.

He gained great prestige without even realizing it.

That's right, Yi Zhonghai and Lao Jia have a good relationship, but this time he organized the funeral, arranged things, and contributed both money and effort. When the neighbors talk about him, they can't help but say that he is kind and righteous.

Yi Zhonghai was praised by people as he walked through the alley, which puzzled him. Afterwards, he found out the news and was secretly pleased.

It was as if a new world had opened up for them, and they also learned the benefits of fame.

He also took Jia and her son to the factory to discuss compensation.

The factory had already made a decision to let Lao Jia be buried first, and the factory would cover the funeral expenses, as well as a series of other compensations.

Jia Zhangshi never thought of making a scene. In the past, people in the factory had died on duty and received good compensation.

Therefore, the workers in the steel rolling mill trusted the factory very much.

Sure enough, after they went to the factory, they not only received funeral expenses but also a pension.

They even let Lao Jia's son become an apprentice in the factory.

It can be said that the arrangements were very appropriate.

闹？

What's all the fuss about? You'll get nothing if you keep making a scene. Jia Zhangshi doesn't have the courage to cause trouble for a big shot like Lou Bancheng.

If things escalate, it will be our own family that suffers. If we anger Boss Lou, it will be a question whether the mother and son can even stay in Beiping.

When Li Jiuzhou returned home that evening, he was puzzled to find a bag of peach shortbread on the table.

The second brother, Li Shanhe, explained that it was sent by Jia Dongxu, who expressed his gratitude for the brothers' help over the past few days.

Li Jiuzhou smiled but didn't say anything.

Perhaps Jia Dongxu has grown up. The pillar of the family is gone. If he doesn't step up, the Jia family will be finished.