Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The next day, Yi Zhonghai paid even more attention to Jia Dongxu while working at the factory.

He taught Jia Dongxu many useful skills step by step.

This made Jia Dongxu extremely happy.

For the next few days, Yi Zhonghai continued like this, making the apprentices who entered the training center at the same time as Jia Dongxu extremely envious.

These days, if you want to learn a skill in a factory, it's hard to learn anything without a mentor; you'll only learn the basics.

If you want to learn more advanced techniques, you still need to find a stronghold.

Yi Zhonghai had an excellent reputation both in the factory and in Nanluoguxiang. Many people wanted to become his apprentices, but Yi Zhonghai turned them down.

I can offer guidance, but I won't take on the role of your apprentice.

Seeing how much Yi Zhonghai cares for Jia Dongxu, the apprentices are naturally envious.

After working for a while, Jia Dongxu went to rest with a few apprentices, had some tea, and smoked a cigarette.

One of the apprentices asked:

"Dongxu, I've noticed that Master Yi has been paying a lot of attention to you lately. Is he planning to take you on as a student?"

"Hey, Master Yi and I are neighbors. My dad didn't frequent brothels, so they're buddies. He's just looking out for me..."

Jia Dongxu answered casually, without giving it much thought. There were several factors behind Yi Zhonghai's consideration for him.

The neighborly bond within the same courtyard, and the connections left by my father.

It was naturally what Jia Dongxu wanted to become Yi Zhonghai's apprentice.

But Jia Dongxu felt that if Yi Zhonghai could still teach him the techniques even if he didn't become his apprentice, that would be fine too.

To put it bluntly, Jia Dongxu simply didn't want to put in much effort; he just wanted to get something for free.

These days, becoming an apprentice isn't just about calling someone "master" and that's it.

There are many rules, and they are quite elaborate.

First, there are the three festivals and two birthdays.

During the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, you should greet your master and give him a gift.

There are also two longevity symbols.

On the birthdays of both the master and the master's wife, blessings and gifts must be sent.

Of course, a small gift carries great meaning, and whether the gift is valuable or not depends on the person giving it.

Jia Dongxu's thinking has become narrow-minded this time.

Want to get Yi Zhonghai for free?

Do you think that's possible?

Soon, Jia Dongxu was immersed in the joy of getting something for free, and he didn't mention the matter of becoming an apprentice at all.

He would occasionally buy one or two packs of economy cigarettes as a gift to Yi Zhonghai.

Seeing this, Yi Zhonghai said nothing, only smiled slightly.

Thinking to myself, "Dongxu is still too young; he needs to mature more."

Turning his head, Yi Zhonghai went to instruct other apprentices, and everyone got a turn.

Now it was Jia Dongxu's turn to be dumbfounded?

Didn't you dote on me the only one? Why the hell are you going to favor other apprentices?

Jia Dongxu is feeling down.

Feeling depressed, he went home to talk to his mother.

Because he felt that the method of getting something for free from Yi Zhonghai was no longer feasible.

During dinner that evening, Jia Dongxu spoke up:

"Mom, what do you think about me becoming Uncle Yi's apprentice?"

As Jia Zhangshi ate her meal, she glanced up at her son before continuing to eat...

Jia Dongxu was completely baffled by his mother's appearance.

"Mom, please say something!"

Jia Zhangshi still ignored him until she finished her meal and then gulped down a large bowl of water.

"Hiccup~"

Madam Jia let out a satisfied burp, then turned her gaze to Jia Dongxu, a hint of mockery in her eyes:

"Dongxu, what did you just say? Say it again to Mom?"

Jia Dongxu got a little emotional:

"Mom, I'm trying to discuss something with you. Can't you speak properly? Why are you being so sarcastic? What have I done to offend you?"

"Hehe, no, no, our Dongxu is the best~"

Jia Zhangshi didn't want to tease her son anymore.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu reorganized his thoughts:

"So what happened just now? I said I wanted to become Uncle Yi's apprentice and have him teach me fitter skills!"

Jia Zhangshi nodded:

"That's the key point: what makes you think Yi Zhonghai would take you as his apprentice?"

"Over the years, many apprentices in the factory have wanted to become his apprentices, but he has never agreed."

"Dongxu, what makes you think you're so special?"

Jia Dongxu was a little stunned upon hearing this:

"Mom, don't our family and Uncle Yi's family both have a special relationship with the old lady in the backyard?"

"My dad and Uncle Yi have a good relationship, and they're neighbors, so it's perfectly reasonable."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi shook her head:

"You're wrong, Dongxu. It's perfectly normal for Yi Zhonghai to teach you things normally, but taking on apprentices is a different matter."

"Do you know what your apprentice is up to? I've known Yi Zhonghai for so many years, I've seen right through him."

"How could you expect him to hand over all his skills to you without giving something in return? You think those few packs of cheap cigarettes he gave you are enough to make him give you his whole expertise?"

"Let me tell you, don't even think about it!"

Jia Dongxu was speechless for a moment, and hung his head.

"Mom, but I really want to learn a skill. Uncle Yi is highly skilled at the factory, and the leaders value him a lot."

"With him teaching me, I can learn faster and earn more salary in the future."

"Otherwise, three years of apprenticeship would be too annoying."

"well..."

Madam Jia sighed:

"Son, it's not that you can't become an apprentice, but you'll likely be responsible for taking care of Yi Zhonghai and his wife in their old age."

Jia Dongxu was startled:

"Mom, what do you mean?"

"Think about it, they're both this age and still don't have children. They both developed health problems when they were young, and they haven't been able to cure them."

"Now that they're getting older, there's probably not much hope left. Haven't you noticed they've stopped taking Chinese medicine? I guess they've given up."

"So Dongxu, since you've become my apprentice, you're responsible for the retirement of Yi Zhonghai and his wife."

Jia Dongxu scratched his head:

"I hadn't thought about it too deeply. They're both so young; the issue of retirement is still a long way off."

Jia Zhangshi narrowed her eyes slightly:

"Therefore, Yi Zhonghai did not choose apprentices casually for the sake of long-term planning."

"Dongxu, you need to think carefully about whether you want to support Yi Zhonghai and his wife in their old age."

"If you're willing, Mom will take you to his house to talk to him, and he'll definitely agree."

Jia Dongxu frowned and remained silent for a long time:

"Mom, if Uncle Yi really teaches me the skills, then I'll take care of them in their old age."

Jia Dongxu then changed his tone, a sinister look appearing on his face:

"If I don't teach... hehe..."

Madam Jia's hand trembled, startled by her son's sudden change in expression.

Upon seeing this, Jia Dongxu's expression returned to normal, and he smiled.

"Mom, then please take me to talk to Uncle Yi."

Madam Jia shook her head and said:

"I'll take tomorrow off, go buy some meat, and invite the couple over for a meal."

"Who cares about empty words?"

Jia Dongxu was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by his mother's sudden change.

"Um... Hahaha, Mom, you're right, then I'll listen to you..."

The next morning, Jia Dongxu went out to buy groceries early and came back carrying a bag full of fish and meat.

Yan Bugui was watering the flowers when he saw this and quickly went over to tease him:

"Hey, Dongxu, what's up? struck it rich?"

"Hehe, Uncle Yan, don't mention it. I'm just taking a break, so I'm buying some meat to nourish myself. I'll treat Uncle Yi and his wife to lunch to thank them for taking care of me at the factory."

Jia Dongxu told them that he wanted to treat Yi Zhonghai and his wife to lunch.

Yan Bugui's eyes darted around upon hearing this:

"How about Uncle Yan..."

Before Yan Bugui could finish speaking, a large scallion blocked his view.

"Uncle Yan, this scallion is really fresh. I'll take it home and stir-fry it with some tofu. I'm off to eat now!"

Jia Dongxu had no desire to listen to Yan Bugui's rambling nonsense.

He guessed what Yan Bugui was going to say next: "How about I go and keep one company, Uncle Yan?"

Jia Dongxu just wanted to tell Yan Bugui to stay with his mother, so he took a scallion from his cloth pocket and sent him away.

Yan Bugui, holding a large green onion in his hand, couldn't stop thinking.

Finally, I slapped my forehead:

"Damn, what a loss! Jia Dongxu is something else."

"But earning a green onion isn't bad either."