Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 50 Happy things happen to people

“Brother Hongbing, I think what Sun Hai said just now wasn’t entirely unreasonable. You shouldn’t have taken that money.”

back kitchen.

Wu Jun, who had been frowning in thought, suddenly spoke softly to Li Hongbing.

"You've been thinking about this the whole time?"

From the moment he left until now, Wu Jun had been deep in thought. Li Hongbing thought he had something on his mind, but it turned out he was pondering Sun Hai's words.

"Although I don't like Sun Hai, he was right about one thing: if you don't want Lou Bancheng's money and things, you can make him owe you a huge favor, which is worth more than money."

Perhaps it was because of his youth, or perhaps because he believed he had a good relationship with Li Hongbing, but Wu Jun spoke his mind and directly revealed his true thoughts.

Knowing that Wu Jun had no ill intentions, Li Hongbing naturally didn't care.

But if it were someone else, things might not be the same.

"He's not very old, but he thinks a lot."

Li Hongbing smiled, looked at Wu Jun, and asked in a low voice, "Let me ask you, if you were me, and five million was placed in front of you, would you take it?"

"I……"

Wu Jun wanted to say he wouldn't take it, but felt it would be dishonest and was a little embarrassed.

If he were offered the option of five million, it would be hard for him not to be tempted.

"Actually, the rescue was just a coincidence."

Li Hongbing shook his head, not wanting Wu Jun to be led astray by Sun Hai, so he said, "When I was saving people, I didn't think too much about it, and I didn't know the other person either."

I didn't take action because the other party's surname is Lou or because she is the daughter of Director Lou; it has nothing to do with that.

Moreover, I didn't intend to gain any benefit from saving people. The risk was too great; I almost got into trouble myself.

If it were to happen again...

No matter who the other person is or what their status is, I might not have the courage to make the same choice.

A few days ago, Manager Luan came to see me, and that's when I learned who he was...

This time, Director Lou personally visited and brought a generous gift as a token of his gratitude…

Although I didn't choose to save people for those reasons, to be frank, I did save the other person's daughter's life, and I deserve it.

As for personal relationships, they are important, but sometimes they are not very useful.

If I did as Sun Hai suggested, I might be able to make Director Lou owe me a huge favor, but that would be a scheme, and I feel uneasy about it.

Moreover.

In our eyes, those thank-you gifts and the five million were very significant.

But for someone like Director Lou, a little money is nothing; it's the social obligations that are a huge burden. Why should I bother him...?

Whether Wu Jun believed it or not, what Li Hongbing said was entirely his true feeling.

As for why I said so much to Wu Jun, it was mainly because I felt he was simple-minded and I didn't want him to get involved in too many complicated schemes and thoughts.

It's always better to be pure in one's conduct and actions.

To be worldly-wise yet not cynical, to be sophisticated yet remain innocent.

Reaching this level is not an easy thing.

But to actually do it is truly commendable.

"I didn't realize you were so arrogant!"

Just as the two were whispering to each other, Guo Youzhong appeared behind them without them noticing, startling Li Hongbing and Wu Jun.

"Master Guo!"

Li Hongbing was slightly embarrassed because Guo Youzhong had overheard his words. "What's there to be nervous about? I'm not going to eat anyone."

Seeing Li Hongbing's expression, I thought he was nervous.

Guo Youzhong, who is usually stern-faced, actually smiled for once.

Guo Youzhong found Li Hongbing's "lofty talk" quite interesting.

"Young Li, I forgot to bring the money I promised you for tea yesterday."

Guo Youzhong's seemingly unrelated remark almost caught Li Hongbing off guard, but he quickly replied, "Master Guo, it's alright."

Li Hongbing trusted Guo Youzhong's character quite a bit and didn't think he would deliberately refuse to pay that small amount of tea money.

Moreover, that half-pound of tea was originally intended by Li Hongbing to be given to Guo Youzhong. It was Guo Youzhong who insisted on paying for it, and Li Hongbing couldn't persuade him otherwise, so he chose to compromise.

“No, that won’t do. I, Guo Youzhong, keep my word and absolutely cannot go back on my word.”

Upon hearing Li Hongbing's words, Guo Youzhong immediately put on a stern face and spoke again: "Young Li, how about this?"

I won't pay you for the tea. Instead, I'll take you on as my apprentice and you can learn the craft from me. Consider that half-pound of good tea from yesterday as your gift to me as my apprentice.

how about it? "

Li Hongbing initially thought Guo Youzhong was going to renege on his debt, but when he heard this, he was almost overjoyed.

Is there such a good thing?
As one of the pillars of Fengzeyuan, Guo Youzhong's skills are beyond question, and among the many master chefs in the kitchen, Li Hongbing has a relatively high opinion of him.

For Li Hongbing now, the matter of taking on a master is quite necessary.

In a place like a kitchen, it's easy for a junior apprentice to waste their time if they have no connections and aren't being watched.

If no one appreciates or teaches you your skills, you might spend your whole life as a kitchen helper doing odd jobs.

People like Sun Hai are a real-life example.

Although Li Hongbing has a system that allows him to improve his cooking skills by gaining experience, he is not worried about not being able to excel in his studies in the future.

However, if a master chef like Guo Youzhong were to mentor and guide him, Li Hongbing's speed in learning skills and gaining experience would increase exponentially.

Moreover, at that time, there was no nationally unified chef grading examination system in China. If Li Hongbing wanted to gradually advance from an apprentice to the position of head chef, it wasn't enough to just accumulate "seniority" and have skills; he also needed internal evaluation and recognition.

This means it's recognized by master chefs like Guo Youzhong.

The master-apprentice system and systematic learning are crucial.

"Why, don't you want to?"

Li Hongbing's contemplation and "silence" made Guo Youzhong feel somewhat embarrassed.

He had just taken the initiative to ask Li Hongbing to be his apprentice, which was actually a sign of him lowering his stance and condescending to his status.

If Li Hongbing refuses, he will never be able to hold his head up in the kitchen again, and the other chefs will laugh at him.

If this gets out, it will have a significant impact on him.

"Yes, yes, Master Guo, how could I not? It's just that this surprise came so suddenly, I can hardly believe it for a moment..."

With the opportunity presented to him, how could Li Hongbing let it slip away again?

If you refuse Guo Youzhong, not only will you lose this opportunity, but it will also be difficult to find other chefs at Fengzeyuan to be your mentors in the future.

Moreover, Li Hongbing also realized that Guo Youzhong's idea of ​​taking on apprentices was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

As for the excuse of forgetting to bring tea money and taking on a disciple to pay off the "debt," it was just a way to save face and prevent Guo Youzhong from appearing too eager, lest he lose the "dignity" of being a master.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that Guo Youzhong couldn't find any apprentices and had to beg people in a low voice.

"That's it."

After hearing Li Hongbing's explanation, Guo Youzhong, who had almost thought he was going to lose face this time, showed a satisfied smile.

(End of this chapter)