Chapter 113: The Behind-the-Scenes Black Hand, Deaf Old Lady (Seeking Subscriptions)

Full of doubts, Shazhu rode his bike to the scrap yard.

As expected.

He again heard Wen San's boastful voice.

Compared to the previous few times of boasting,

Wen San's voice this time was noticeably more cheerful and pleased, and his face showed a smile.

Just as Shazhu had parked his bike and before he could ask, Wen San poured out the reason for his joy like beans from a bamboo tube; the true-blue elders of the Capital City, without needing him to speak, went on to tell him all the big and small things that had recently happened.

First he talked about that bastard Liu Hezhang; after finishing with that bastard Liu Hezhang, Wen San turned the topic to the old deputy of the scrap yard.

With a mysterious look.

His voice also dropped considerably.

He looked just like an underground member making contact in a movie.

Shazhu glared at Wen San.

"Wen Ye, we're good people; no need to speak so softly."

"He Ye, we know you're a good person; saying it this way makes it seem important."

"Wen Ye makes sense."

"He Ye, you've come a bit late today; what's the meaning? Having just been named first-quarter outstanding advanced, you've relaxed your standards—this won't do; you must continue to be our second-quarter outstanding advanced."

"Something came up at home."

As soon as he said that, the several old-timers at the scrap yard instantly perked up, hurried over to Shazhu, and looked at him with concern.

He felt somewhat moved.

Look at these before him, then think of those in the Siheyuan.

The two sides truly aren't on the same wavelength.

"That's how it is."

Shazhu recounted in detail how the knife-debt collector came to demand payment and how Jia Dongxu tried to weasel out of it.

"Hey." Wen San immediately gave a hey, speaking mysteriously: "You scared me; I thought someone in your courtyard was also tangled up with that Liu Hezhang fellow, but after all the fuss it turned out to be the knife-debt collector coming for payment. He Ye, hear me out: there are trade rules and family laws. If the person who owes money and won't pay is on good terms with you, you should trouble yourself to persuade him; the knife-debt collector's bill isn't easy to default on. If you're not on good terms with him, just pretend I said nothing."

Amid all this nonsense,

Shazhu only noticed this one sentence.

Someone had gotten entangled with that Liu Hezhang fellow.

Upon thinking of this year's date,

it seemed he understood the ins and outs.

"Wen Ye, you just said Liu Hezhang that fellow?"

"I was just saying He Ye is sharp." Wen San pointed at Shazhu and said: "He Ye, you probably don't know yet? The old deputy at our scrap yard has become like this."

A gesture of being destroyed appeared in Wen San's hands.

The old deputy actually became entangled with that Liu Hezhang fellow.

Quite an unexpected joy.

No wonder Wen San looks so cheerful nowadays; looking around, the whole scrap yard is filled with endless delight because the old deputy was wiped out.

The only one with a scarred hand.

Perhaps only Shazhu; in order to nip the threat in the bud, Shazhu and Xu Daming devised a honeytrap, everything was ready—all that remained was for Zhou Xianghong to lure the old deputy into the trap—but you told me the old deputy set himself on fire and was wiped out.

It was as if Shazhu gathered all his strength into a fist and struck this soft cotton, which not only had no effect but nearly wrenched Shazhu's waist.

Xu Daming also prepared to join Shazhu in beating the old deputy with a club, performing this hero-rescues-beauty spectacle in front of Zhou Xianghong.

Rescue the beauty.

Nonsense.

Nothing left.

This turn of events.

Too big.

"He Ye, are you alright?"

"My waist hurts."

"I have a remedy." Wen San chuckled, "Have us brothers eat a good meal; you spent the money, you feel the pinch, and your waist won't hurt."

"Well done, Wen San, you're scheming against me."

"How can that be scheming? The old deputy was wiped out, the scrap yard returned to normal—of course we have to celebrate."

"I think so too."

"Hahaha."

Amid the laughter,

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

……

Six o'clock in the evening.

Shazhu rode his bike back to the Siheyuan; just as he pushed the bike inside, he saw Yan Fugui doing something shady at home, while Lao Kou grabbed a bottle of sorghum liquor with one hand and a water ladle with the other—in just a minute, the sorghum liquor that originally held only half a bottle of baijiu miraculously turned into a full bottle.

It had a bit of the old oil-seller's meaning.

Practice makes perfect.

This trick of mixing water into the liquor, Lao Kou is becoming more and more proficient.

His mood was rare and wonderful.

Shazhu deliberately shouted at Yan Fugui inside the house.

Hey, San Daye, I've always said your family doesn't usually buy liquor, yet you always have liquor; you're mixing water into liquor, or liquor into water?

A sudden shout.

Yan Fugui was so startled he almost flung the wine bottle in his hand.

He saw it was Shazhu.

Yan Fugui generously poured Shazhu a cup of wine.

"Try it."

"San Daye, I'm afraid I'll upset my stomach." Shazhu was just satisfying a craving; he said he wouldn't drink, but he sincerely took the baijiu Yan Fugui handed him, drank it all in one gulp, smacked his lips, and looked especially seriously at Yan Fugui: "Not bad."

"Does it have an alcohol taste?"

"It's a hundred percent." Shazhu took a big breath, "watery."

"Impossible." Yan Fugui shook his head, "San Daye, this bottle of erguitou still has one-third baijiu; how can it be completely watery?"

"You really know how to manage a household."

"It's not like we have a choice."

A flicker of helplessness crossed Yan Fugui's face.

Many children.

But earnings are meager.

The siheyuan also has many livestock/poultry.

When Yi Zhonghai served as head elder, to highlight the siheyuan's neighborly mutual aid and demonstrate its unity and friendship, he organized several donation drives for the deaf old lady and the Jia family; Yan Fugui, leveraging his reputation as the head elder in charge, gritted his teeth and donated several times.

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Fugui, the three head elders—Yi Zhonghai is the deepest schemer, Liu Haizhong is an official-obsessed specialist in beating his son, and Yan Fugui overdoes his scheming.

They all have flaws.

Compared to Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, Yan Fugui is truly a good person.

Lao Kou, whenever he schemes against others, always puts his scheme out in the open, making people willingly give him something. For example, helping people write spring couplets during New Year, he sets a clear price per couplet; if they have money, they pay; if not, they barter goods. Upon close examination, it can't really be called scheming—it's just normal trade.

Yan Fugui's scheming shows up at home: how much grain each person gets, how much porridge in the morning, how much rice at noon, what to eat at night—there's a detailed standard; everything must follow it, no one can eat a bit more, and at best they can barely fool themselves into feeling full.

Yan Fugui is a decent person; his lifelong scheming has involved hardly any wrongdoing—he rations food and expenses strictly, purely because the household has too many people; without such calculation, they'd go hungry.

Not being full is still better than starving to death!

In times of scarce resources, many people gave away their own children because they couldn't afford to raise them. Yan Fugui, however, could support a family of six on his meager salary; meanwhile, he was occasionally morally blackmailed by Yi Zhonghai into donating money and goods to the Jia family, making life tight, yet no one ever complained of hardship.

This is also why, after his rebirth, Shazhu is happy to associate with Yan Fugui—Shazhu understands Yan Fugui's difficulties, and Yan Fugui feels Shazhu's goodwill, so naturally he won't keep people at arm's length.

Moreover, the little fatty pig Yushui acts as a go-between.

The two families' relationship naturally advances by leaps and bounds.

Some things simply can't be kept hidden.

"Shazhu, when you have time tomorrow afternoon, go to the school; Yushui's homeroom teacher wants to see you."

Shazhu's heart.

It sank instantly.

His first thought.

That Yushui had caused trouble and been summoned by the teacher to call her parents.

Upon second thought.

Yushui is just a little girl; what trouble could she cause? Surely she didn't beat up a boy.

"San Daye, what does Yushui's homeroom teacher want from me?"

"I really don't know; I teach fifth and sixth grades, while Yushui is in third grade, so it's probably about her studies."

Shazhu's heart settled—better that it wasn't trouble. Just now he'd been thinking about going home to ask Yushui what happened; if she had caused trouble, he'd consider apologizing or compensating. But since it's about her studies, that worries him even more.

Shazhu can let Yushui do anything and she'll be happy, but the moment he mentions making her study, write, or read, her smiling face drops instantly; sometimes his words as an older brother carry less weight than Yan Fugui's as a teacher.

He let out a long sigh, bade farewell to Yan Fugui, and pushed his bicycle into the central courtyard.

The sight before him startled Shazhu; after steadying himself and confirming he wasn't mistaken, he really wanted to utter an MMP.

The hypocrite was performing again, holding a broom, sweeping the siheyuan clean, sweat dripping from his head onto the ground.

To whitewash himself.

He was also going all out.

Seeing Shazhu return, he pretended nothing had happened, greeting him with a smile.

"Zhuzi is back?"

Such thick skin.

Really thick.

That said.

If Yi Zhonghai cared about his reputation, he wouldn't do so many disgusting things.

Shazhu threw a meaningful, sly smile at Yi Zhonghai, then parked his bicycle at the door.

"Zhuzi, your bike is a bit dirty." Yi Zhonghai eyed Shazhu's bicycle and said, "Young man, you don't know how to take care of things; since the head elder has nothing to do, I'll help you wash your bike later."

Just as expected, the hypocrite wouldn't give up so easily.

As expected.

The extent of his shamelessness.

It's on par with the Jia family matriarch.

Like a dog-skin plaster stuck to you, you can't shake it off.

What the hypocrite is thinking.

It's crystal clear.

【124】

Same Chinese as 【122】. So same translation.

Interpretation: "His persona was shattered all over the place, being scolded all day after someone poked his spine, naturally he wanted to quickly clear his name. In his previous life, after celebrities got into trouble, they cleared their names by doing good deeds. Yi Zhonghai, on the other hand, wanted to gain the neighbors' approval by doing good deeds in the courtyard, and hurriedly wanted to wipe Shazhu's bicycle."

We need to produce a concise translation.

Let's produce: "His persona was shattered everywhere, being scolded all day after someone jabbed his spine; naturally he wanted to quickly clear his name. In his past life, after celebrities got into trouble, they cleared their names by doing good deeds. Yi Zhonghai, however, sought to earn the neighbors' approval by doing good deeds in the courtyard, and hurriedly offered to wipe Shazhu's bicycle."

【136】

Ok.

Now 【122】: "..."

Translation: "Shazhu had just opened his mouth to refuse; he didn't want any involvement with Yi Zhonghai."

Shazhu had just opened his mouth to refuse; he didn't want to get entangled with Yi Zhonghai in any way.

【142】

Thus: "But Xu Damao, the turtle grandson, snatched the initiative; Xu Damao, running from the back courtyard to the middle courtyard, beat Shazhu to it and spoke up for him."

【152】

Let's produce: "But the turtle grandson Xu Damao snatched the initiative; Xu Damao, running from the back courtyard to the middle courtyard, got ahead of Shazhu and spoke up for him."

Now 【124】: Long line with dialogue. Need to translate faithfully.

Original: "..."

【160】

Interpretation: Permitting.

Eldest Uncle

【164】

What's wrong? You won't let Eldest Uncle do a good deed!

【168】

He turned his face toward Yi Zhonghai and said.

【182】

Interpretation: "Eldest Uncle, Shazhu's bicycle—I rode it a few days ago; the chain is a bit loose. After you wipe the bike, please also tighten the chain. Right, the spokes of the wheel are a bit loose; please tighten those as well. The bike bell also needs fixing. The seat is also a bit loose. Since we're doing it, let's fix it all. Please, Eldest Uncle."

We'll translate.

Now produce line: Keep the quotes and punctuation.

Let's craft: ""Shazhu, don't refuse the Eldest Uncle's kindness, ah! The Eldest Uncle is older; they even rushed ahead of sleeping in a coffin to do some good deeds for the neighbors—what's the problem? You won't let the Eldest Uncle do a good deed!" Xu Damao, who had been giving Shazhu a series of meaningful looks, turned his face to Yi Zhonghai and said: "Eldest Uncle, I rode Shazhu's bicycle a few days ago; the chain is a bit loose. After you wipe the bike, please also tighten the chain. Right, the wheel spokes are a bit loose; please tighten those as well. The bike bell also needs fixing. The seat is also a bit loose. Since we're doing it, let's fix it all. Please, Eldest Uncle.""

Check we didn't add extra. It's okay.

Now 【125】: "..."

Translation: "They made Yi Zhonghai a sucker."

"Shazhu, don't refuse Elder's good intentions, ah. Elder is older, people are rushing to do good deeds before they die, helping the neighbors, what's wrong? You still won't let Elder do good deeds!" Xu Daming, who had been winking and making faces at Shazhu, turned his face toward Yi Zhonghai and said: "Elder, Shazhu's bicycle, I rode it a few days ago, the chain is a bit loose. After you wipe the bicycle, you should tighten the chain. Right, the spokes of the wheel are a bit loose; you should tighten those spokes. The bike bell, also fix it. The seat is also a bit loose; since we're fixing it, let's fix it properly. Please, Elder."

They took Yi Zhonghai for a sucker.

【191】

Interpretation: "They kept causing trouble for the hypocrite."

They relentlessly caused trouble for the hypocrite.

We'll produce: "They relentlessly caused trouble for the hypocrite."

【197】

Translation: "Towards Xu Damao."

: "..."

Translation: "Shazhu just said one word."

【202】

Translation: "..."

【205】

Let's produce: "We ask ourselves, thinking about it, on the road of lacking virtue, Shazhu is nowhere near a match for Xu Damao—talking about lacking virtue, talking about being a petty person, Xu Damao leaves Shazhu behind by many streets."

【211】

Translation: "Clearly aware that Yi Zhonghai wanted to seize the opportunity to clear his name."

: "..."

Translation: "Their ideas were completely opposite."

【217】

Translation: "Shazhu didn't want any involvement with Yi Zhonghai and didn't care for Yi Zhonghai wiping his bicycle. Xu Damao, however, did the opposite: he supported Yi Zhonghai wiping Shazhu's bicycle, raised both hands in approval, and added many extra demands."

: "..."

Translation: "Enough to make Yi Zhonghai drink a pot."

【223】

Translation: "To prevent Shazhu from disturbing Yi Zhonghai's act of wiping his bicycle, Xu Damao pulled Shazhu into his own home."

: "..."

Translation: "A roasted chicken."

【229】

Translation: "A bottle of Erguotou."

: "..."

Translation: ""Any good news?""

【235】

Translation: ""Can't we drink if there's no good news?""

: "..."

Translation: "Shazhu tore off two chicken legs, found a piece of toilet paper, wrapped the two legs in it, and turned to go out."

【241】

Translation: "There's also a pig at home that doesn't like to study."

: "..."

Translation: "As for what Xu Damao ate,"

【250】

Translation: "Didn't he still leave a piece of chicken butt?"

: "……"

Translation: "……" (ellipsis). We'll keep as "……".

: "..."

Translation: "The Yi family."

【256】

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai, having finished wiping Shazhu's bicycle, dragged his weary body back home; just as he entered, he lay limp in a chair."

: "..."

Translation: "Body tired."

【262】

Translation: "Heart even more tired."

: "..."

Translation: "This day."

【268】

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai felt as if each day lasted a year."

: "..."

Translation: "No matter what he did, Yi Zhonghai always felt that hostile gaze toward him."

【273】

We'll produce: "The coworkers' whispered gossip was also taken by Yi Zhonghai as them privately discussing his shattered persona; even his apprentice Jia Dongxu kept a distant, respectful attitude toward him at work, and for some technical issues they'd rather ask more distant coworkers than consult Yi Zhonghai, who is right nearby."

【279】

Translation: "The same in the workshop."

: "..."

Translation: "The same in the cafeteria."

【285】

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai, who had never had his meal tossed by the cook, this time rarely enjoyed the treatment of having his food tossed by the chef, yet a meal's worth of money bought only vegetables amounting to less than a third of his usual portion."

: "..."

Translation: "When he went to the toilet, someone took the chance while he was squatting to throw a shoe into the latrine, blasting his buttocks so they hurt."

【291】

Translation: "His body also got some stuff that shouldn't be there."

: "..."

Translation: "The hypocrite was angry but didn't dare to cause a scene."

【297】

Translation: "The entire steel plant, and even the courtyard, were Yi Zhonghai's enemies."

: "..."

【302】

Better: "What's there to dare?" We'll go with that.

: "..."

Translation: "Long Laotaitai and the Eldest Aunt had specially instructed Yi Zhonghai."

【308】

Translation: "If you cannot bear small things, you will ruin big plans."

: "..."

Translation: "The big picture comes first."

【314】

Translation: "After all, Yi Zhonghai's mistaken actions were unexpectedly exposed, and the coworkers and neighbors reacted strongly, which is understandable."

: "..."

Translation: "Before doing something, one must be prepared to bear the consequences."

【320】

Translation: "Now, Yi Zhonghai's actions are none other than the price he pays for his mistakes."

: "..."

Translation: ""Zhonghai!""

【326】

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai sat up without a word, looking at Long Laotaitai, who appeared in the house leaning on a cane."

: "..."

Translation: "No one goes to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason."

【332】

Translation: "Long Laotaitai has something to say."

: "..."

Translation: "A mud Buddha crossing the river."

【338】

Translation: "His reputation is completely ruined."

: "..."

Translation: "What can I do to help Long Laotaitai?"

【344】

Translation: "A self-mocking smile appeared on Yi Zhonghai's face."

: "..."

Translation: ""Zhonghai, do you know why you've become like this?""

【350】

Translation: "Who to blame?"

: "..."

Translation: "Certainly it's to blame this old immortal Long Laotaitai right in front of me—if Long Laotaitai hadn't fallen into the latrine, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't have exposed his persona and ended up being denounced by everyone."

【356】

Translation: ""Just look at you, and I can see you're resenting me. In fact, you should blame yourself for this." Long Laotaitai walked up to Yi Zhonghai and said slowly: "You're too impatient; some things simply can't be rushed. Impatience makes you unable to eat a hot bun—your stomach isn't filled, and you even scald your mouth.""

: "..."

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai fell into contemplation."

He was thinking about the recent little things.

【361】

Yi Zhonghai did not rebut.

【363】

Adding icing on the cake is nowhere near as helpful as giving charcoal in the snow.

【365】

The plan couldn't keep up with the changes.

【367】

Yi Zhonghai sometimes thought as well.

【369】

It really does seem just as Long Laotaitai said—too impatient. If we had let Shazhu become an apprentice worker back then and also had the canteen manager's connection, we could have easily controlled him and avoided all these uncontrollable problems. The reason Shazhu didn't obey Yi Zhonghai's order to return and fish Long Laotaitai out of the latrine is that the scrap yard job is their livelihood, not a formal unit—so what gives you the right to manage them?

【371】

A sigh escaped from Yi Zhonghai's lips, filled with mixed emotions.

【373】

"What can be done even if we regret it?"

【375】

Yi Zhonghai's gaze.

【377】

He suddenly recalled events from over twenty years ago; back then, Long Laotaitai wasn't yet called that but was known as the old deaf lady, and whenever something happened, she liked to invoke righteousness.

【379】

"It looks like you've figured out the key."

【381】

Under Long Laotaitai's reminder.

【383】

Long Laotaitai can invoke righteousness to get her way, so why can't Yi Zhonghai? For any matter, as long as one claims righteousness, surely no one would oppose.

【385】

It was just a little impatience.

【387】

One misstep.

【389】

The mistake deviated from Yi Zhonghai's plan.

【391】

Yi Zhonghai and his wife exchanged a glance.

【393】

Their relationship is such that if one suffers, both suffer; if one prospers, both prosper.

【395】

"That's best." Long Laotaitai said to Yi Zhonghai: "Zhonghai, take me back; Old Yi's wife, prepare a meal and later bring it to the rear courtyard, so the neighbors can see you taking care of this lonely old lady."

【397】

Auntie took charge of preparing the meal.

【399】

She recalled what Long Laotaitai had said.

【401】

Auntie originally had no such suspicion, but today the creditor actually snapped at Qin Huairu, saying she'd become a widow.

【403】

Jia Dongxu won't die before them, will he?

【405】

But then it would have been all for nothing.