Courtyard House: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, Yang Wei went to the factory and first handed over his work. As soon as he finished, the factory manager came to the canteen and personally called him out.

Today was a day to serve the high-ranking leader, so Yang Wei dared not delay. He was in the canteen early in the morning, arranging everything for the day. He knew he would inevitably have to go to Hong Kong to avoid that major incident. With Lou Xiao'e's help, he could utilize the Lou family's connections and resources to settle in Hong Kong more quickly; with the high-ranking leader's connection, the trip would be smooth sailing. Not to mention, having such a connection would be a powerful backer even if he returned in the future. Therefore, he had to do everything in his power to satisfy the leader when cooking for him today.

"Factory manager, are we leaving already?"

"Okay, let's go. The car's ready outside, let's go!"

"Okay, whatever you say!"

Yang Wei turned to Sha Zhu and shouted, "Zhu Zi, I'm going out with the factory manager on errands today. You do the canteen work according to the order form, understand?"

"Okay, Brother Su!" Sha Zhu patted his chest confidently. "I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Yang Wei then followed Factory Director Wang into the factory's military green sedan, heading straight for the residence of a high-ranking official. Less than half an hour later, the car stopped at the gate of a large compound, guarded by heavily armed soldiers. In Beijing, this was commonly known as a "high-ranking official's compound," inhabited by people of high status, unseen by ordinary people, let alone allowed to enter. The car was stopped as soon as it stopped.

The factory manager said "Get out of the car." Just as Yang Wei was about to push the door open, someone pulled it open from the outside, revealing a face with a fawning smile and a thick beard.

"Xu Damao? What are you doing here?" Yang Wei laughed.

"How come it's you, Yang Wei?" Xu Damao was also stunned.

Before the two could say anything more, Director Wang got out of the car and waved to them: "Remember, don't talk too much at the leaders' house, just do your job well. You," he pointed to Xu Damao, "take care of your film projector."

Although Xu Damao often dealt with superiors, he was extremely timid. He would shrink back in front of them, practically kneeling to serve them. Hearing the factory director speak, he nodded hastily, about to add a few flattering words, but the director didn't give him the chance. Turning to Yang Wei, the director smiled, his attitude clearly different: "Xiao Su, you're the main character. While the leaders are watching the movie, you need to prepare their food so they can have a hot meal right after. Can you do that?"

Yang Wei immediately replied, "Don't worry, Factory Director. From now on, I will only do the work and not talk. I will definitely get it done."

"Okay, I trust you to get things done."

Just then, a young man wearing glasses and a Zhongshan suit ran out of the compound. He was very polite and refined. In those days, the clothes worn by people working in state-owned enterprises or government agencies were all pretty much the same, except for the color.

"Director Wang, come over and register. I'll take you inside."

"Okay, Secretary Chen."

The factory manager agreed and led Yang Wei and Xu Damao to register. Then, they followed Secretary Chen inside. Once inside, Yang Wei could see that the courtyard was full of detached villas, each with a red five-pointed star hanging on the gate tower. This was a mark of the era; you certainly wouldn't see it in later generations, but back then, it was the most distinctive symbol.

Upon reaching the entrance, Director Wang introduced Yang Wei to Secretary Chen: "This is Chef Yang Wei, our canteen's most outstanding Sichuan cuisine chef. His skills are authentic and the taste is superb. I guarantee the leaders will be satisfied. This is Projectionist Xu Damao. You can arrange things next." After saying this, he turned around and went to find the leaders.

Secretary Chen was a shrewd person. He could tell from the factory manager's words that Yang Wei was valued more, while Xu Damao was just a tool to be ordered around. He politely said to Yang Wei, "Master Su, I'll trouble you with today's meal. Go to the kitchen and see if we have enough ingredients. Let me know if we need anything, and I'll arrange it."

"Okay, Secretary Chen." Yang Wei replied, asked for the location of the kitchen, and left without giving Xu Damao another glance.

He felt a deep unease towards Xu Damao, not only because Xu was Lou Xiao'e's ex-husband, but also because Xu had no moral compass, was purely selfish and ungrateful, and never held a grudge. Even if the original story forcibly whitewashed him at the end, Yang Wei couldn't get over this hurdle. He would never be an enemy, but he could never be a close friend either.

As soon as Yang Wei left, Xu Damao immediately bowed and smiled obsequiously, waiting for Secretary Chen's instructions.

"Set up the projector. We'll show a movie in the meeting room later." Secretary Chen said businesslike, without the slightest bit of politeness.

"Don't worry, Secretary Chen! I've already prepared the film in advance, I guarantee the leader will be satisfied." Xu Damao flattered with a smile.

Secretary Chen said coldly, "I don't need your film, I have some. Just focus on being a projectionist!"

"Okay, sure!" Xu Damao said somewhat awkwardly, glancing around the yard before asking curiously, "Secretary Chen, I have a question for you. This leader is...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Secretary Chen's face darkened instantly. She glared at him and snapped, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't! One more word and you're sent back to where you came from!"

"Hey, hey, I won't ask anymore!" Xu Damao, having been rebuffed, quickly shut his mouth, picked up the projector, and followed Secretary Chen into the villa.

At this moment, Yang Wei was already standing in the kitchen of the villa.

Following Secretary Chen's directions, Yang Wei entered the villa's kitchen.

These days, leaders who reach a certain level are provided with housing, and it's the same now. They have dedicated cooks and security personnel, and their every need is taken care of. In any case, the movements of a high-ranking official in a province affect the lives of millions of people, so there's no room for carelessness, and they naturally have to be protected thoroughly.

The rank of the big leader in front of us wasn't explicitly stated in the original work, but his actions and demeanor revealed his importance. When Lou Xiao'e's parents suffered a setback, Sha Zhu spoke a few words to him, and they were immediately released. This kind of power couldn't be hidden.

A quick glance around the kitchen revealed that while the utensils weren't luxurious, they exuded a down-to-earth charm. It's clear that the leaders of this era were genuinely dedicated to serving the people, unlike some figures in later generations who traveled in luxury cars and ate only at five-star hotels. The ingredients, however, were prepared in the style of Sichuan cuisine, indicating that this person truly understood food and knew how to choose ingredients.

As he was wandering around, the curtain was lifted, and a woman entered. She appeared to be in her forties, with an unusual air about her, as if she had seen the world and possessed a composed, authoritative presence. She sized Yang Wei up and down, her words carrying a hint of scrutiny: "Young comrade, so young?"

If Yang Wei hadn't been so handsome and had such a gentle smile on her lips, she probably would have started arguing again by now. She's straightforward and loves to take things seriously.

Yang Wei had long since figured out her temperament, so he quickly put on a smile. There's an old saying, "You can't hit a smiling face," so he continued, "Ambition isn't limited by age, and you can't judge a book by its cover. If my skills weren't up to par, why would Director Wang dare bring me here? Don't you think so?" These days, cultured people are popular. Didn't Ran Qiuye remember Yang Wei just because he went to the library a few times in his work clothes, and later even struck up a conversation with him? This guy in front of her seemed to have a similar temperament.

The woman's face relaxed, and a smile curved her lips: "Well done, young comrade. I didn't realize you were so well-educated. Just based on those few words, I believe Director Wang didn't make a bad recommendation!" She then carefully examined Yang Wei. "May I ask your name?"

"You can just call me Xiao Su."

"Then shall I call you Xiao Su? Since we're cooking Sichuan cuisine, let's follow the pen of author HRCPAA and embark on an adventure in the novel 'Siheyuan: The Fisherman Never Goes Sick' on Cola's page. We need to stock up on some sesame paste." Yang Wei pointed to the cutting board. "It's okay if we don't have any, it just won't taste as authentic."

"You're an amateur, aren't you?" The woman raised an eyebrow. "Sichuan cuisine is all about numbing spiciness, what would you need sesame paste for?"

"Aunt Liu, this sesame paste is a secret ingredient in Sichuan cuisine," Yang Wei explained with a smile. "You can make it without it, but someone who knows their food will immediately tell it's not right. Look at these ingredients, they're all standard Sichuan fare. To make it authentic, sesame paste is indispensable."

He didn't follow Sha Zhu's "I'll cook, you eat; don't ask questions you shouldn't ask" approach. Even the most amiable person would have to put on a hard face after hearing that. Besides, this was the big boss's bedmate; if he could smooth things over, she might be able to help him in the future.

Yang Wei wasn't a pushover, but he wasn't a fool either. Ultimately, Lou Xiao'e and the high-ranking leader were people he was trying to leverage, but Lou Xiao'e was different; he genuinely liked the girl and marrying her wouldn't be a loss. As for the high-ranking leader, although he had ulterior motives for building connections, he admired the man's strong principles and reliability. Therefore, while Yang Wei approached the situation with the intention of using him, he was willing to be sincere in his interactions.

After listening, the woman nodded thoughtfully: "Okay, I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

This is Yang Wei's rule: even if he needs someone's help, he'll be sincere and honest, no pretense. He's a pragmatist, which isn't a flaw, much less a moral failing. After all, the world is a bustling place, and everyone's after profit. Useless people are naturally ignored, let alone befriended. "When you're poor, no one cares even in the bustling city; when you're rich, even distant relatives come calling." Our ancestors understood this perfectly long ago.

Ultimately, whether something is useful or not boils down to two words in Yang Wei's eyes: human nature. And human nature is the most unpredictable thing.

Hearing him say that, Aunt Liu was even more convinced that he was a legitimate Sichuan cuisine chef. She smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll have Xiao Chen prepare it. Tonight's dishes are all up to you. Thank you for your hard work." "It's my honor to cook for the boss," Yang Wei said with a smile.

"Then you go ahead with your work, I'll go check on the screening room." "Take care."

As soon as Aunt Liu left, Yang Wei set up a large wood-fired stove to boil water. This stove wasn't gas-powered, so he had to heat the water first so he could start cooking the Sichuan dishes later. Then he prepared the ingredients, chopping and arranging them neatly and methodically.

Meanwhile, Aunt Liu entered the projection room and bumped into Xu Damao squatting there fiddling with the projector. She greeted him with a smile, "Young comrade!"

Xu Damao put down his work, immediately stood up, bent over, and put on a big smile. His flattery skills were so good that they seemed to be engraved in his bones. Anyone with a slightly weak will would definitely fall for it.

"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

"The commander is talking about business right now. He'll be here in a bit. Will that be a bother?" Aunt Liu said, tilting her head to examine the projector. This thing was a rare item back then, and not everyone knew how to operate it.

"Don't worry, there's no problem! Such a good internal film, how could anything go wrong?" Xu Damao patted his chest, "As soon as the leader comes, we can show it anytime, without any delays." He then bowed and leaned closer, "From now on, if you have any films to show, just say the word, and even if I have something extremely important to do, 683 will have to put it aside and come personally to serve the leader."

Aunt Liu was immediately relieved to hear this, and her smile deepened: "That's good. You and the young chef were both very easy to manage this time."

Upon hearing Yang Wei being praised, Xu Damao's face immediately fell: "You mean Yang Wei? Let me be frank, he's a jack-of-all-trades. He learned from a cook in our courtyard for half a month, but that cook ran off with a widow. He managed to become the head chef at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill canteen by sucking up to people. He claims to cook authentic Sichuan cuisine, but I live in the same courtyard as him, and I know his limitations perfectly well. I'm afraid he'll mess things up if I let him serve the leaders this time. But I'm just a nobody, so I can only mention it to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain was flung open. A stern and upright man stood in the doorway, his gaze calm yet suffocating. He stared at Xu Damao for a few seconds before turning and leaving.

The room fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop. Xu Damao's face turned pale. Aunt Liu glanced at him and quickly chased after him outside.

Human nature is so irrational; even if a person has no intention of harming a tiger, a tiger may still have the intention of harming a person's heart.

It's hard to explain, hard to define.

In the kitchen, Yang Wei was preparing the ingredients methodically, completely unaware that Xu Damao's gossip in the screening room had prompted a high-ranking leader to issue an order, resulting in the temporary cancellation of the film.

"What? You're not going to watch the movie? What happened?" Aunt Liu asked the big boss, her face full of confusion.

"What's all this fuss about?" The big boss waved his hand at Secretary Chen. "Little Chen, tell the guy showing the movie to pack his things and leave immediately. Don't let him set foot in my house again."

"Yes, sir!" Secretary Chen responded and walked out.

When only the two of them were left in the room, Aunt Liu couldn't hold back any longer: "Everything was arranged, how could it change so easily?" Having worked alongside the big boss for so many years, she was busy with work every day, and it was hard to even catch her breath and watch a movie. This was a rare opportunity, but it was ruined at the last minute, and she was furious.

"This guy has a problem." The senior leader's tone turned serious. "A worker talking badly about others behind their backs? Before liberation, someone like that would have been a traitor. Not only is his character bad, but his thinking is also flawed. Could you enjoy watching the movies he showed?"

He knew in his heart that Aunt Liu hadn't enjoyed much peace and quiet with him, and he genuinely wanted to take her to a movie. But principles were things he couldn't compromise on.

"There are plenty of workers like that, you know that," Aunt Liu muttered.

"You..." the senior leader frowned, "This kind of person is more trouble than he's worth; he'll cause problems sooner or later. What's the point of keeping him around?"

Aunt Liu knew his temper; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it. Although she was very unhappy, she had no choice but to keep quiet. Being a leader's wife meant being glamorous in public but suffering in private; she had long been used to it and couldn't let an outsider cause her unhappiness.

As Secretary Chen led Xu Damao out, he was still completely bewildered, clutching the projector and looking back every few steps. His film studio director, too, was visibly furious, his eyes blazing with fury. Because of Xu Damao, the director had lost face in front of the leadership, and he was already cursing Xu Damao a hundred times over in his heart.

After seeing everyone off, Secretary Chen hurried to the kitchen. They had originally planned to eat after the movie, but it was already 10:30, and the boss had an important meeting in the afternoon, so they had to eat before 11:30.

Upon entering the kitchen, Secretary Chen saw Yang Wei sitting and resting, and her voice rose: "Hey Chef Su, why haven't you started cooking yet?"

"Secretary Chen, what's wrong?" Yang Wei stood up. "Didn't you say we'd cook after the movie? A movie is two and a half hours long. What if the food gets cold if we cook it too early?" He knew perfectly well that Xu Damao still had no self-control. It was true that a leopard can't change its spots. It was just like the saying, "A wolf travels a thousand miles to eat meat, a dog travels a thousand miles to eat shit."

"Let's skip the movie and hurry up! The boss has a meeting this afternoon. Can you afford to be late if we mess things up?" Secretary Chen urged.

"All done, don't worry." Yang Wei tied on his apron, washed his hands, and said, "Give me an hour, and I'll be all set." With that, he turned and went into the kitchen, busily getting to work.