Courtyard House: My System - Artificial Human

Lou Zhenhua was slightly surprised, but he didn't lose his composure. He smiled and simply told him everything.

"I wonder how much your monthly salary is these days, Chef He? To be honest, I'm not hiring you to cook at my home, but rather to be the head chef in our factory kitchen. You won't have to work on the main stove every day; I'll just wait until I need to entertain guests, and then you can cook a meal for me. The hours aren't fixed, but it should be easier than here. As for your salary, I'll increase it by 20%! Chef He, would you consider it?"

He Daqing glanced at Lou Zhenhua's two raised fingers, and after pondering his words, he couldn't help but be tempted.

Fengzeyuan offers generous pay, but it's also incredibly tiring, especially during peak seasons like holidays when there are many customers and you're constantly on the go.

If it's really as Lou Zhenhua said, that he only does the factory's hospitality meals, plus Lou Zhenhua's personal meals at most, and his salary actually increases instead of decreasing... that would be a really great job!

People strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill. Since Lou Zhenhua personally invited him, He Daqing did not hesitate and immediately agreed.

"Mr. Lou, thank you for your patronage. From now on, I, Lao He, will be working for you!" He poured a full glass of wine on the table and toasted his new boss.

Lou Zhenhua smiled and clinked glasses with him, feeling quite satisfied.

In the past two months, especially after New Year's Day, he has had more contact with government officials since the factory resumed operations, and he has gradually discovered that these people are different from the officials he used to know.

They are very principled and rarely agree to dinner invitations.

However, discussing business over drinks is an old tradition that has been passed down in China for thousands of years.

These businessmen are well-versed in this.

Ever since he hosted the private enterprise department cadres at the factory last time, he's had this idea, and he's spent the last couple of days trying out many different cuisines and chefs.

Shandong cuisine is appreciated by all, with a savory and mild flavor that blends northern and southern tastes. He Daqing's dishes are also quite authentic.

He happened to have a past relationship with the owner of Fengzeyuan Restaurant, so he wouldn't needlessly make enemies over poaching a cook.

Perfect!

Some are happy while others are sad. While everyone at Fengzeyuan is having a good time, things are not going well for Liu Haizhong.

He went there in a rage, only to find that the charlatan actually had several disciples!

Liu Haizhong chickened out; not only did he fail to get the money, but he was also tricked into agreeing to a task.

On the way back to the courtyard house, Liu Haizhong thought about it carefully and then grimaced.

Even Lin Weidong couldn't get him to come, so what makes you, an old charlatan whose words don't count, so confident?

Liu Haizhong was always reluctant to be the middleman.

He was afraid that if Lin Weidong actually agreed, where would he put his pride after asking him several times without success?

But then he thought about the benefits the old charlatan had promised him, and decided to bring it up anyway.

It's good that Lin Weidong agreed, but he'll feel comfortable whether he agrees or not. He won't lose anything either way!

The next day.

Lin Weidong pushed his bicycle out of the courtyard on time. At the entrance, Liu Haizhong stood like a door god.

"Mr. Liu, when did you change jobs?"

"Hey!" Liu Haizhong met Lin Weidong's teasing gaze, realizing he was being mocked, and sighed awkwardly before getting down to business.

"Hey Lin, I'm here to do you a favor and pass on a message. I know a fortune teller I know before! He heard about your story and really admires you. He thinks you're a real man! He wants to invite you to dinner to talk about something... something like a collaboration. I asked him what it was about, but he wouldn't tell me. Anyway, it's up to you whether you go or not! If you go, it'll be this weekend evening at Zhimei Restaurant in Qianmen Dashilan."

Cooperation? Isn't this a trap?

Lin Weidong lightly closed his eyelids, activated his True Eye, looked at the status bar in his bangs, and felt a surge of joy.

Old Liu, oh Old Liu! You chose the path to hell when there was one!

It seems you deserve a place in the labor camp.

Lin Weidong neither agreed nor disagreed, and pushed his bicycle out of the yard, feeling quite emotional.

He had little contact with the enemy agents in the courtyard. Yi Zhonghai, whom he had dealt with, accidentally escaped the trap and even reported the other party.

On the contrary, Liu Haizhong, whom he had never targeted, eagerly jumped in.

There's a saying that goes, "You reap what you sow," and that applies perfectly to Liu Haizhong.

Two days later, on Sunday evening.

Lin Weidong arrived at Zhimei Building and saw familiar faces everywhere, both in the light and in the shadows.

Chen Yang, the Taoist priest of the Nine Palaces Sect whom Lin Weidong had previously investigated, came out from inside wearing a dark cotton robe and with a smile on his face.

However, he has high eyebrows and a fierce look, and his smile is not very pleasant.

"Brother Lin, welcome, welcome! Thank you for your presence. Please come in!"

Chen Yang came out in person, showing impeccable manners, but Lin Weidong had no intention of attending the banquet; he was there to close the net.

The area around Dashilan is perfect; it's crowded, lively, and has a significant impact.

"Wait a minute. I heard from Master Liu Haizhong that you are a fortune teller? You must be a member of a religious sect, right?"

"Yes, my name is Chen Yang. I used to make a living by fortune telling on the streets. Brother Lin, you don't need to be wary. I mean no harm. I really have something important to discuss with you. Please!"

"Tell me what it is first," Lin Weidong said, unmoved, determined to make a public appearance.

"Brother Lin, no, no! This isn't the place to talk. I've prepared food and wine; shall we eat and chat?"

Chen Yang frowned slightly, not understanding why Lin Weidong's attitude towards him was so harsh.

"Fine, then don't tell me?" Lin Weidong picked up his bicycle and turned to leave.

"Hey!" Chen Yang quickly stepped forward from behind.

At the same time, Chen Yang's two apprentices stepped forward and blocked Lin Weidong's way. One of them looked unfriendly and uttered two words with a stern face.

"Please!"

Two apprentices blocked his path from the left and right, their intimidating presence evident.

"Tsk! Who let you two come? Get out! You troublemakers!" Chen Yang looked displeased, waved the two away, and then smiled at Lin Weidong.

"Comrade Lin, it's a misunderstanding! I haven't taught these two well, please don't take offense. It's like this, I have some knowledge of physiognomy, and I've read Comrade Lin's newspaper before. To be honest, you're going to have a bloody disaster soon! Don't think you don't believe me, you know what you've done, those enemy agents will definitely retaliate!"

"And then what? Isn't that something everyone already knows? You think you can do face reading?"

"Hey! You're in such a hurry today, and I can't come up with the rest of the solution right now—that's my real skill! But since things have already turned unpleasant, I won't keep you any longer. Please go ahead, and if you remember me later, we can talk again, okay?"

Lin Weidong glanced at the entries he had changed several times and knew that the old man had changed his mind at the last minute.

"I'm actually not in a hurry, but from what you're saying, I'm definitely going to suffer this bloodshed today, right? You're so sure...you didn't arrange this, did you?"

Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly explained.

"No, sir! You can't say things like that. I'm a respectable Taoist priest. I was just trying to curry favor with you and hopefully make a name for myself here! I know this misunderstanding made you look down on me, but it's alright. I'm just not worthy of your favor. I won't bother you again! Please forgive me!"

Lin Weidong lit a cigarette and, while pondering the changes in Chen Yang's entries from these two encounters, understood.