Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

She didn't remember many of Jia Zhangshi's words, but she did take to heart Yi Zhonghai's suggestion to hold a banquet when accepting apprentices.

So he said:

"Old Yi, is it true that you said you'd throw a feast to accept a disciple? I think we should forget about it."

"That's too expensive. Just prepare a table full of dishes and have Dongxu kowtow and offer tea to you two in front of the neighbors!"

To everyone's surprise, Yi Zhonghai shook his head and said:

"Sister-in-law, my Yi family should have some celebrations. Taking on an apprentice is such a big event, it should be celebrated properly."

"Don't laugh at me, but I've given out quite a bit of money as wedding gifts over the years. It's time to get some back, hehehe..."

"Yes, sister-in-law, let's have a big celebration. This time, let's listen to Lao Yi's suggestion," Wang Xiulian chimed in.

Madam Jia was secretly delighted. Did she not want to do it?

It smells so good, and she doesn't have to pay a penny, plus there's a feast to be had.

But her ultimate goal wasn't to attend the banquet, but to become the chef for it.

"Since you have an idea, Lao Yi, I won't say any more. So, who will be the head chef?" Jia Zhangshi asked.

After saying this, the people in the back room all turned their gaze toward the front yard.

Then, after exchanging glances, several pairs of eyes revealed smiles.

Looking towards the front yard, isn't that Li Jiuzhou's house?

That's why they laughed.

They had just eaten the feast prepared by Li Jiuzhou not long ago, and they still can't forget the taste.

However, Jia Dongxu poured cold water on their enthusiasm:

"Mom, and Master and Mistress, getting Jiuzhou to prepare the banquet isn't just a matter of money."

"The head chef at Fengzeyuan Restaurant makes over a million a month."

"I heard from Sha Zhu that Jiuzhou can earn over a million yuan just by hosting a banquet."

"Even though he's a neighbor, he's really hard to get a hold of."

Jia Zhangshi pursed her lips and said:

"He even hosted a banquet for He Daqing's second wedding. They live in the same courtyard, so won't he give Old Yi face?"

"Mom, it's different. He Daqing is a senior martial uncle of Jiuzhou. They're very close," Jia Dongxu explained.

Yi Zhonghai was deep in thought, smoking a cigarette. Since he had decided to treat everyone, he certainly couldn't be stingy.

Considering the network of contacts he has built up over the years, 20 tables is the minimum, and that's still a small number.

A good chef is very important for ensuring guests have good food and drinks.

After thinking it through, Yi Zhonghai slowly said:

"Okay, I'll go talk to Jiuzhou this afternoon and ask him if he's free next weekend, just in case he's been invited to a banquet."

The group nodded, agreeing with his point.

Li Jiuzhou had just woken up in the afternoon when there was a knock on his door.

"Uncle Yi, what a rare guest! Please come in and have a seat..."

Since the visitor was a guest, Li Jiuzhou welcomed Yi Zhonghai into the house with a smile.

Then they started pouring tea and offering cigarettes. After a conversation, Li Jiuzhou understood Yi Zhonghai's purpose.

"So, Uncle Yi wants me to host the banquet this time?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded:

"So, Jiuzhou, are you free next week on your day off?"

Yi Zhonghai was very polite, without any moral blackmail or tricks. He spoke very frankly and without any pretense.

After thinking for a moment, Li Jiuzhou said:

"Uncle Yi, I should accept this invitation from my neighbors."

"I'm free next week on my day off, but I don't have any appointments."

"But..."

Yi Zhongjian said:

"Jiuzhou, just say what you want to say. Uncle Yi isn't the kind of person who's hard to talk to."

Li Jiuzhou smiled gently:

"Hehehe, alright, I'll just say it directly then."

"Uncle Yi, I have no problem making a move, but the price isn't cheap, and I can't break the rules."

"I couldn't refuse when my uncle was preparing a feast in the courtyard last time, so it was my turn to do it."

"I didn't intend to take the money, but my uncle insisted on giving it to me, and I had no choice."

Yi Zhonghai smiled and waved his hand after hearing this:

"You underestimate Uncle Yi, don't you?"

"Jiuzhou, just tell me how much Lao He will give, and I, Uncle Yi, will give you more than you ask for."

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Li Jiuzhou laughed heartily and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yi Zhonghai:

"Uncle Yi is so generous!"

"Haha, just name your price, don't tease your uncle." Yi Zhonghai said with a helpless laugh.

Li Jiuzhou smiled but didn't say anything, instead extending his right hand to make an eight-shaped gesture.

Upon seeing this, Yi Zhonghai's pupils contracted, and he stammered:

"Eight...eight million?"

Li Jiuzhou rolled his eyes at him:

"Robbery, Uncle Yi! Eighty-eight hundred thousand! My martial uncle gave it to me!"

"Phew..." Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief. He really did think it was eight million.

880,000 is not expensive; Li Jiuzhou is worth the price.

Even Yi Zhonghai felt that paying Li Jiuzhou 880,000 yuan was too cheap.

After all, there's a lot of work to be done with 20 tables.

He Daqing's last time only had eight tables, but this time it's more than double that.

"How much should I offer for Jiuzhou?" Yi Zhonghai asked again about the price.

Li Jiuzhou already had a plan:

"Hehe, Uncle Yi, I don't accept banquets without a minimum of one million."

"We're neighbors, so you and my uncle can agree on the same price. I won't take more, and I won't do it for less!"

"If any neighbors in the courtyard want me to host a banquet in the future, I will charge them this price, no matter which family it is."

Yi Zhonghai was overjoyed upon hearing this; Li Jiuzhou was giving him too much face.

"Thank you so much, Jiuzhou! You're amazing!"

"Uncle Yi, we're neighbors, it's only right."

"By the way, what's the scale of the menu?"

"I can draft a menu for you first."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai said, "How about doing it like Lao He?"

"It's also twelve dishes."

"Okay, no problem, I've got it covered."

After chatting for a while, Yi Zhonghai returned to the Intermediate People's Court.

Soon after, the entire courtyard erupted in joyful laughter.

There's another happy occasion at No. 95 Courtyard, but that's not the point. The point is that Mr. Yu is hosting a grand banquet!

The neighbors in the courtyard are living in anticipation once again.

Yi Zhonghai has been beaming these past few days, asking Yan Bugui to write invitations and having people buy things for him.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was exceptionally pleasant.

Time flew by and the next day off arrived, and Yi Zhonghai's apprentice-acceptance banquet began.

In the presence of neighbors and leaders of the steel rolling mill, Jia Dongxu kowtowed and offered tea to Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

He even made a shocking statement, saying that having me was like having a son for the master and his wife.

He took care of everything, from minor ailments to household chores, and even cared for his elderly parents.

His words were met with enthusiastic applause from the guests!

At the banquet, Yi Zhonghai was beaming with health and never refused a toast from anyone who offered it to him.

Yan Bugui was both in pain and pleasure as a large sum of money passed through his hands, but unfortunately, it wasn't his.

Yi Zhonghai had a clear understanding of how much money he spent and how much money he received for his apprentice-acceptance banquet.

He didn't skimp on even the price of a single scallion.

Excluding the money from the banquet, Yi Zhonghai made a pure profit of over five million...

His heart was trembling, and he was also wondering whether he should put on a feast at his own home to bring good luck.

Yi Zhonghai was both targeted and hated by him; the old man was so rich.

How can you, a mere factory worker, live the same life as me?

Ugh! Pshaw!