Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Yi Zhonghai walked to a deserted spot on the factory steps and sat down, smoking one cigarette after another.

He didn't understand where things had gone wrong that allowed Li Jiuzhou to find out.

Baiyun Temple would definitely not talk about this, so the problem lies with that family.

Yi Zhonghai knew that the Jia family wasn't stupid; they wouldn't talk about such a thing, even though Jia Zhangshi herself kept it a secret.

Since neither of the two places could possibly go wrong, there must be only one possibility: Li Jiuzhou possesses abilities that Yi Zhonghai could not even imagine.

Yi Zhonghai realized that he had underestimated Li Jiuzhou.

Li Jiuzhou just said something in his office: "You'll understand when you get to your position."

Therefore, a mere section chief is still too low a rank.

This time, Yi Zhonghai truly realized the power and extraordinary methods of the big shots.

From now on, he'll have to keep a low profile in front of Li Jiuzhou.

Yi Zhonghai understood this very well. They had leverage over him; if he didn't comply, what else could he do?

With just one word from Li Jiuzhou, his entire family would be in deep trouble.

Jia Dongxu is still in the hospital, resting for a few days until his condition improves before returning to the hospital.

A few days later, Jia Dongxu returned to the courtyard safely, and the neighbors all brought some gifts to visit him.

Since people in the No. 95 compound will be interacting with each other in the future, it is only right that they should inquire about people's lives, illnesses, and deaths and visit them at their homes.

Li Jiuzhou didn't go; Li Shuang delivered a pound of eggs to his family on his behalf.

This gift is already quite generous. It's hard to buy even a pound of eggs outside. Ordinary families, even if they have eggs at home, are reluctant to eat them.

Anyway, Li Shuang went to deliver the gift with a heart full of reluctance. Damn it, why does Jia Dongxu have the right to eat my family's eggs? Fuck your grandma.

Although her family was no longer poor, Li Shuang still couldn't bear to part with that pound of eggs.

Li Shuang had essentially established himself in the courtyard, so he would just give out two eggs, along with the other neighbors, no more, no less.

But my brother is different. He's the factory secretary, and two eggs aren't exactly presentable. Even if Li Shuang is reluctant, he has to deliver them for his brother.

Li Shuang settled down in courtyard number 95, with much support from his second uncle and younger brother.

My second uncle, Li Huaide, gave me a thousand yuan, along with a stack of receipts and rice, flour, and cooking oil.

My younger brother, Li Jiuzhou, didn't give them anything, but he let their family live in the house under his name.

But that's enough. One shouldn't be too greedy. What my second uncle gave us is enough for our family to live very well. Anything better would be beyond our family's means.

Li Jiuzhou didn't want to give them too much, lest they become lazy or get used to it and think it was all their due.

Only self-reliance and self-improvement can make a person truly genuine; things given by others always feel somewhat unreliable.

It's only right to help my cousin's family. If his son and daughter become successful in the future, Li Jiuzhou will do his best to support them.

As long as it's the right path, Li Huaide will help; there's nothing more to say about that.

A family's greatest desire is unity; if an ingrate comes along, that's truly worrisome.

At night, at the Jia family home, Jia Dongxu looked very well. Apart from not being able to walk, he had a good appetite.

It doesn't need any special caregivers; it's just a foot injury, and eating, drinking, and using the toilet are not affected at all.

There was a chamber pot in the room, enough for him.

The day he returned, he hopped on one foot, holding onto the courtyard wall, to the front yard to chat with his neighbors.

He's much more agile than the old man with the broken leg in the yard. The neighbors all say that Dongxu is a good man, a true gentleman of Beijing.

Jia Dongxu returned home in the afternoon, and he was sure to have a good meal that evening.

We stewed some old hen soup and fried some eggs, and the whole family enjoyed the meal.

After finishing his meal, Jia Dongxu wiped his mouth, picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, and took a satisfying drag.

Fortunately, he was perceptive enough to order one for Yi Zhonghai as soon as he finished eating.

"Dad, has my injury and illness compensation been processed?"

Upon hearing Jia Dongxu's question, the other three women in the house immediately turned their gazes toward Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai paused in his smoking posture, then slowly shook his head:

"Daughter-in-law, close the door for a moment, I have something to say."

Tong Jie immediately went and closed the door tightly.

"Old Yi, why are you being so secretive?" Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but mutter.

"The injury and illness compensation hasn't been processed, and everyone in Kyushu knows what our family has been doing..."

Yi Zhonghai talked a lot, starting with his visit to Baiyun Temple.

With each additional word he spoke, the Jia family members' faces paled a little more.

Tong Jie's hands began to tremble. This matter was very serious. If Li Jiuzhou were to pursue the matter, then the situation of her family would be unimaginable.

"Father, Jiuzhou didn't say they were going to deal with us?" Although Jia Dongxu was panicked, he still retained some rationality and was not so scared that he was at a loss.

After hearing this, Yi Zhonghai wanted to say, "Damn it, I sold my underwear to save my family."

But he didn't say those words in the end; he just shook his head.

"Jiuzhou, I pity your father, and I pity you too. Your leg is broken. If this continues, our whole family might lose our jobs."

"So Jiuzhou didn't mind, but the factory won't give any injury or illness compensation."

The whole family breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that Li Jiuzhou wouldn't pursue the matter.

It's already a good thing that they're not pursuing the matter further; as for injury and illness compensation, we can just forget about it.

Even Jia Zhangshi knew what she should and shouldn't want.

If Li Jiuzhou didn't know, he could have just taken what he was entitled to. But now that the other party knows, taking it is a bit of a hot potato.

They've already shown leniency; we can't have it both ways.

Jia Zhangshi knew very well what her family had done.

Yi Zhonghai had previously given instructions that if the matter were exposed, he would probably lose his position as Director Yi.

Jia Zhangshi understood, so she kept her mouth shut.

"Father, I'm just wondering, how did Jiuzhou know?" Jia Dongxu couldn't help but ask.

"Hmph!" Yi Zhonghai snorted coldly. "If your father knew, I could be the Party Secretary too."

"Don't be fooled by Jiuzhou's friendly and approachable demeanor with us neighbors in the courtyard; he's the boss at the factory."

"Among the cadres who held both party and government positions in Beiping, I know of only Jiuzhou to date."

"His abilities are beyond our imagination, Dongxu, and you all, don't underestimate the cadres. They have many abilities and are very capable."

"And what about you, Lao Yi? What methods and abilities do you have?" Jia Zhangshi couldn't help but compare herself to Yi Zhonghai.

The rest of the family was also very curious and wanted to hear what Yi Zhonghai had to say.

Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. Since they wanted to know, there was no harm in telling them. After all, they were all family, and it was time to let them see his strength.

"Hehehe... I have many abilities and methods as well."

"Even if I'm not a cadre, my status as an eighth-grade fitter can ensure that my family can live a decent life."

"Not to mention, I was promoted to section chief and workshop director for my meritorious service."

"In Hongxing, the title of a level eight fitter is more useful than that of a section chief. With this title, I don't need the factory director or the party secretary to give me any face, but I can definitely have a few words with them."

"In a factory, good skills can also make you a star."

Yi Zhonghai wore a proud smile. He was an eighth-level fitter, a true technical expert, and there was nothing to criticize.

"As for their cadre status, that means they directly jumped out of the worker system and became officials at the bottom level."

"To put it bluntly, if I were to be sent out to work elsewhere, I would at least become a commune secretary or a town mayor or something like that."

"Having the status of a cadre makes it very simple and convenient for me to handle matters when I go out."

"Furthermore, it serves as a deterrent, preventing scheming and protecting family members."

The family listened to Yi Zhonghai bragging, their eyes sparkling with envy.

"Dad, I want to be a cadre too!" Jia Dongxu said excitedly.

Yi Zhonghai glanced at him:

"The idea is good, I support it, but Dongxu, you should focus on healing your leg first. I'll make plans for you then."

Yi Zhonghai didn't give a definitive answer, fearing it might discourage his son.

It was only after working within the system that Yi Zhonghai truly understood the barriers to entry.

A diploma isn't the most important thing, but you can't do without it either, as it can block your future career path.

Jia Dongxu, an ordinary worker, could never become a cadre without some incredible stroke of luck.

Xu Damao was able to be promoted ahead of schedule because of two other extra conditions besides his act of bravery.

First, he has a high school diploma.

Secondly, Li Jiuzhou offered kind words and gave them a helping hand.

Third, and most importantly, he acted bravely and righteously right under the nose of Secretary Nie, the top leader.

The combination of these two factors naturally creates the conditions for exceptional promotion.

Of course, there was another person, Liu Haizhong, who was promoted from an ordinary worker.

There are several reasons.

First, the factory happens to need to promote a group of cadres.

Secondly, Liu Haizhong was a level 7 fitter with an excellent reputation in the factory. His bad temper was actually a plus, as strict teachers produce outstanding students, and he taught his apprentices without reservation.

He was recommended by his superiors, team leaders, section chiefs, and workshop directors.

Third, and most importantly, Liu Haizhong had connections behind him who facilitated everything, allowing him to work as a substitute for a job.

It's fair to say that Liu Haizhong's opportunities were extraordinary; he's now a section chief and workshop director.

To achieve a level of equality with Yi Zhonghai, an eighth-grade fitter, is truly impressive.

Even Yi Zhonghai himself was a little jealous of Liu Haizhong's good luck, but that was all.

Therefore, it is very difficult for a son to become a cadre unless he goes to the streets and alleys in the middle of the night to catch a spy, wins a merit award, and has the opportunity to be promoted out of turn.

Otherwise, given his circumstances, he'll never be able to become a cadre in his lifetime.

Of course, there are still opportunities. Yi Zhonghai thought that once he became a deputy director or director, his son would also have a chance.

After all, the higher the position, the more opportunities one has to manipulate things.

Yi Zhonghai has less than 10 years to try his luck. If he succeeds, his family's future will be secure.

At that time, not only will he be an official, but his son will be, and his grandchildren will be too.

While the status of a cadre cannot be passed down, relationships can.

As long as you maintain good relationships during your tenure, it's not impossible for your family to have several generations in politics.