Chapter 121

Feeling anxious and uneasy.

Feeling anxious and uneasy.

Jia Zhangshi entered the Yi household.

Jia Zhangshi stepped into the Yi family's home. Use Jia Zhangshi. "Jia Zhangshi stepped into the Yi household." Could be "Jia Zhangshi entered the Yi family's home." I'll output: "Jia Zhangshi stepped into the Yi household."

As soon as she entered, she saw Qin Huairu lying on the bed, her face flashing both the terror of having just escaped danger and the joy of becoming a mother for the first time.

Just as she entered, she saw Qin Huairu lying on the bed, her face showing two contradictory expressions: the terror of having just survived a disaster and the joy of becoming a mother for the first time. Need to keep all info. Let's craft: "Just inside the door, she saw Qin Huairu lying on the bed, her face displaying two contradictory expressions: the terror of having just survived a disaster and the joy of becoming a mother for the first time."

She forced a smile.

She forced a smile. Output: "She forced a smile."

Ten months of prison life.

Ten months of prison life.

Jia Zhangshi had learned a bit: sometimes you must clench your teeth and swallow your anger, even when you want to yell at your mother, you have to act indifferent.

Jia Zhangshi learned a little something: sometimes you have to grit your teeth and swallow it, even though you want to curse your mother, you also have to act indifferent. Need to keep meaning. Output: "Jia Zhangshi had learned a bit: sometimes you must grit your teeth and swallow it down, even though you want to curse your mother, you also have to pretend you don't care."

"Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to." The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront her: "Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child."

"Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to." The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront her: "Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child."

"「Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to. 」 The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront Jia Zhangshi: 「Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child. 」"

But need to keep each line as single output line. So we need to embed quotes inside line. Use English quotes? The source uses Chinese quotes 「」. We can keep them or replace with English quotes? The instruction: translate faithfully, not necessarily keep Chinese quotes. Usually we replace with English quotes. I'll use English double quotes.

Thus:

"「Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to. 」 The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront Jia Zhangshi: 「Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child. 」"

But we have mixed quotes. Better to convert all to English double quotes for consistency. Let's do:

""Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to."" The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront Jia Zhangshi: ""Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child."""

But that looks weird. Maybe keep Chinese quotes as they are part of source; translation can keep them? The instruction says translate faithfully, not necessarily keep punctuation. I'd keep English quotes.

Thus:

""Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to."" The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront Jia Zhangshi: ""Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child."""

But double double quotes confusing. I'll use single quotes for outer? Actually we can just use English double quotes and not double them. Use:

"Jia Granny, your Dongxu is simply inhuman; go back and give him a good talking-to." The Head Steward spoke first, as soon as Jia Zhangshi entered, she jumped in to confront Jia Zhangshi: "Qin Huairu has such a big belly; at noon you gave her only a small bowl of sorghum porridge, and at night she didn't even eat rice, she had no strength, almost losing both mother and child."

That seems fine.

Just worried that Jia Zhangshi will cause a fuss.

Just worried that Jia Zhangshi would cause a scene. Output: "Just worried that Jia Zhangshi would cause a scene."

After years in the compound, everyone knows Jia Zhangshi's character—she has no shame.

Having lived in the big compound for so many years, they knew exactly what kind of person Jia Zhangshi was—she had no shame at all. Output: "Having lived in the big compound for so many years, they knew exactly what kind of person Jia Zhangshi was—she had no shame at all."

The neighbors' recent chatter reached the Head Steward's ears, and Qin Huairu overheard it as well.

The neighbors' recent discussion floated into the Head Steward's ears, and Qin Huairu also heard it. Output: "The neighbors' recent discussion floated into the Head Steward's ears, and Qin Huairu also heard it."

The sarcastic tone made it clear they were saying Qin Huairu was having an affair with Zhonghai Yi and had even given birth to his child, Little Tugboat.

The sarcastic tone clearly implied that Qin Huairu was having an affair with Yi Zhonghai and had even borne him a child, Bangeng. Output: "The sarcastic tone clearly implied that Qin Huairu was having an affair with Yi Zhonghai and had even borne him a child, Bangeng."

Some things don't count even if the person involved says them; only what outsiders say matters. As Zhonghai Yi was about to become the head steward of the courtyard, rumors spread that he was having an affair with his disciple's wife.

Some things don't count even if the person involved says them; it's what outsiders say that matters. As Yi Zhonghai was about to assume the position of Head Steward of the Siheyuan, rumors spread that he was having an affair with his disciple's wife. Output: "Some things don't count even if the person involved says them; it's what outsiders say that matters. As Yi Zhonghai was about to assume the position of Head Steward of the Siheyuan, rumors spread that he was having an affair with his disciple's wife."

It won't be long before the story of Zhonghai Yi and Qin Huairu spreads through the steel plant and the whole city. In that situation, Zhonghai Yi won't even be able to keep his position as head steward—he might lose his job at the plant and end up cleaning toilets.

It wouldn't take long before the affair between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu spread throughout the Yagangchang and the Capital City; in that situation, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't even be able to keep his position as Head Steward, let alone his job at the Yagangchang—he might end up sweeping toilets. Output: "It wouldn't take long before the affair between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu spread throughout the Yagangchang and the Capital City; in that situation, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't even be able to keep his position as Head Steward, let alone his job at the Yagangchang—he might end up sweeping toilets."

The Head Steward then decided to tackle the problem at its root.

The Head Steward then thought of eliminating the crisis at its source. Output: "The Head Steward then thought of eliminating the crisis at its source."

As long as Jia Zhangshi doesn't claim that Little Tugboat is Zhonghai Yi's son, Dongxu Jia can't do anything about his grudge.

As long as Jia Zhangshi didn't say that Bangeng was Yi Zhonghai's son, Jia Dongxu could do nothing about his resentment. Output: "As long as Jia Zhangshi didn't say that Bangeng was Yi Zhonghai's son, Jia Dongxu could do nothing about his resentment."

In Jia family matters, Jia Zhangshi still has the final say.

In Jia family matters, Jia Zhangshi still has the final say.

Having been married for years, the Head Steward understands the situation between Zhonghai Yi and Qin Huairu far better than the outside onlookers.

Having been a couple for many years, the Head Steward's understanding of Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu's situation was far clearer than that of the outside onlookers. Output: "Having been a couple for many years, the Head Steward's understanding of Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu's situation was far clearer than that of the outside onlookers."

It all comes down to the child.

The root of it all is the child. Output: "The root of it all is the child."

Among the three forms of unfilial behavior, having no heir is the greatest.

Among the three forms of unfilial behavior, having no heir is the greatest.

They have no child.

No children. Output: "No children."

It's all nonsense.

Everything is nonsense. Output: "Everything is nonsense."

Otherwise, Zhonghai Yi wouldn't be scheming for his old age against Jia Dongxu and Silly Zhu. If it weren't for the Head Steward holding the guarantee Zhonghai Yi wrote back then, he might have divorced her.

Otherwise, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't have schemed against Jia Dongxu and Shazhu for his old-age support. If it weren't for the Head Steward holding the guarantee Yi Zhonghai wrote back then, he might have divorced her. Output: "Otherwise, Yi Zhonghai wouldn't have schemed against Jia Dongxu and Shazhu for his old-age support. If it weren't for the Head Steward holding the guarantee Yi Zhonghai wrote back then, he might have divorced her."

Help Zhonghai Yi.

Help Yi Zhonghai. Output: "Help Yi Zhonghai."

It's just helping the Head Steward herself.

It's just helping the Head Steward herself.

"This is the heir of your Jia family!"

"This is the heir of your Jia family!" Output: "\"This is the heir of your Jia family! \"" Need quotes. Use English quotes.

These words were deliberately emphasized to show that Little Tugboat bears the Jia surname, not the Yi surname.

These words were deliberately emphasized to point out that Bangeng bears the Jia surname, not the Yi surname. Output: "These words were deliberately emphasized to point out that Bangeng bears the Jia surname, not the Yi surname."

"I'll definitely go back and give him a good talking-to—after all, it's just his wife giving birth. He's panicking for no reason, with the three senior elders and the neighbors all watching."

"I will definitely go back and give him a good talking-to; it's just that his wife gave birth—why is he panicking, with the three senior elders and the neighbors all present?" Output: "\"I will definitely go back and give him a good talking-to; it's just that his wife gave birth—why is he panicking, with the three senior elders and the neighbors all present? \""

Jia Zhangshi, taking the chance to speak up for Jia Dongxu, turned her gaze to Qin Huairu. Her focus was Little Tugboat; though he's just a newborn, she still recalls what Jia Dongxu looked like at birth. By comparing, she knows the answer—whether Little Tugboat is Jia Dongxu's or Zhonghai Yi's son—and she has a say in this matter.

Taking the opportunity to speak up for Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi turned her gaze to Qin Huairu; her target was Bangeng. Although Bangeng is now just a newborn, Jia Zhangshi still remembers what Jia Dongxu looked like when he was born; by comparing, she would know the exact answer, and she had the authority to speak on this matter. Output: "Taking the opportunity to speak up for Jia Dongxu, Jia Zhangshi turned her gaze to Qin Huairu; her target was Bangeng. Although Bangeng is now just a newborn, Jia Zhangshi still remembers what Jia Dongxu looked like when he was born; by comparing, she would know the exact answer, and she had the authority to speak on this matter."

"Huairu, don't worry—I'll go back and scold Dongxu later. If I'm not home, is this how he's supposed to take care of you? I'll definitely wake him up."

"Qin Huairu, don't worry; Mom will go back and scold Dongxu later. When I'm not home, is this how he takes care of you? I'll definitely wake him up." Output: "\"Qin Huairu, don't worry; Mom will go back and scold Dongxu later. When I'm not home, is this how he takes care of you? I'll definitely wake him up. \""

Jia Zhangshi's gaze fell on Little Tugboat beside Qin Huairu. The moment she saw him, a strange surge of excitement, like blood rushing, rose in her—just as she felt when she gave birth to Jia Dongxu.

Jia Zhangshi's gaze fell on Bangeng beside Qin Huairu. At the moment she saw him, an inexplicable excitement, like a surge of blood, rose within her—exactly the same feeling she had when she gave birth to Jia Dongxu. Output: "Jia Zhangshi's gaze fell on Bangeng beside Qin Huairu. At the moment she saw him, an inexplicable excitement, like a surge of blood, rose within her—exactly the same feeling she had when she gave birth to Jia Dongxu."

Little Tugboat is not Zhonghai Yi's son.

Bangeng is not Yi Zhonghai's son. Output: "Bangeng is not Yi Zhonghai's son."

He is the Jia family's lineage.

He is the Jia family's incense (i. e., the lineage). Output: "He is the Jia family's incense."

Thanks to the Jia family's ancestors, the Jia family now has an heir.

The Jia family's ancestors have blessed them; the Jia family now has an heir. Output: "The Jia family's ancestors have blessed them; the Jia family now has an heir."

Jia Zhangshi reached out to touch Little Tugboat, but then suddenly realized, smiled at Qin Huairu, nodded to the Head Steward, Second Steward, and Third Steward helping inside, turned and left the Yi household, walked a few steps to the still‑angry Jia Dongxu, grabbed his ear, and began to scold him fiercely.

Jia Zhangshi reached out to touch Bangeng, then suddenly came to her senses, smiled at Qin Huairu, nodded at the Head Steward, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt who were helping inside, turned and left the Yi household, walked over to the still-angry Jia Dongxu in two or three steps, grabbed his ear, and began to scold him fiercely. Output: "Jia Zhangshi reached out to touch Bangeng, then suddenly came to her senses, smiled at Qin Huairu, nodded at the Head Steward, Second Aunt, and Third Aunt who were helping inside, turned and left the Yi household, walked over to the still-angry Jia Dongxu in two or three steps, grabbed his ear, and began to scold him fiercely."

"You little turtle‑spawn, while I'm not here as the mother, this is how you're treating your wife? Do you realize you almost harmed my grandson Little Tugboat, and you almost harmed Huairu too?"

"You little turtle bastard, while I'm not here as the mother, this is how you treat your wife? Do you realize you almost harmed my grandson Bangeng, and you almost harmed Qin Huairu as well?" Output: "\"You little turtle bastard, while I'm not here as the mother, this is how you treat your wife? Do you realize you almost harmed my grandson Bangeng, and you almost harmed Qin Huairu as well? \""

Silly Zhu watched with amusement as Jia Zhangshi lectured Jia Dongxu while yanking hard on his ear.

Shazhu watched with amusement as Jia Zhangshi lectured Jia Dongxu while pulling hard on his ear. Output: "Shazhu watched with amusement as Jia Zhangshi lectured Jia Dongxu while pulling hard on his ear."

In front of all the neighbors, the old matriarch told Jia Dongxu to apologize to Qin Huairu. This scene gave Silly Zhu the feeling that it was all staged.

In front of all the neighbors, Laoqianpo told Jia Dongxu to apologize to Qin Huairu; this scene gave Shazhu the feeling that it was done on purpose. Output: "In front of all the neighbors, Laoqianpo told Jia Dongxu to apologize to Qin Huairu; this scene gave Shazhu the feeling that it was done on purpose."

After ten months of study in the prison university, Jia Zhangshi has changed a lot; at the very least, she could never have pulled off this sort of reverse‑moral blackmail before she went to prison.

Within the prison university, after ten months of study, Jia Zhangshi had changed a lot; at the very least, she could now pull off this sort of immoral coercion, something she couldn't have done before entering prison. Output: "Within the prison university, after ten months of study, Jia Zhangshi had changed a lot; at the very least, she could now pull off this sort of immoral coercion, something she couldn't have done before entering prison."

She has improved.

She had improved. Output: "She had improved."

She knows the Jia family's reputation is important.

She realized the importance of the Jia family's reputation. Output: "She realized the importance of the Jia family's reputation."

With so many people present, some things need to be clarified—like the fact that Little Tugboat is not Zhonghai Yi's son. No matter what, it must be explained clearly. The Jia family cares about its reputation; having the daughter‑in‑law get involved with her own teacher and bear a child, once it gets out, it's Jia Dongxu's face that's lost, and the Jia family's face that's lost.

With so many people present, some things need to be clarified—for instance, that Bangeng is not Yi Zhonghai's son, and this must be explained clearly no matter what. The Jia family cares about face; having the daughter-in-law involve herself with her own teacher and bear a child, once it gets out, it will lose face for Jia Dongxu and for the Jia family. Output: "With so many people present, some things need to be clarified—for instance, that Bangeng is not Yi Zhonghai's son, and this must be explained clearly no matter what. The Jia family cares about face; having the daughter-in-law involve herself with her own teacher and bear a child, once it gets out, it will lose face for Jia Dongxu and for the Jia family."

"Come with me to the Head Steward's house to apologize to Huairu."

"You come with me to the Head Steward's home to apologize to Qin Huairu." Output: "\"You come with me to the Head Steward's home to apologize to Qin Huairu. \""

"I'm not going." Jia Dongxu shoved away Jia Zhangshi's hand that was gripping his right ear, and angrily said, "Huairu did something wrong to me—should I apologize to her? No, she should apologize to me and to our Jia family."

"I won't go." Jia Dongxu slapped away Jia Zhangshi's hand that was gripping his right ear, angrily saying, "Qin Huairu has done something wrong to me; should I apologize to her? No, it's she who should apologize to me and to our Jia family." Output: "\"I won't go. \" Jia Dongxu slapped away Jia Zhangshi's hand that was gripping his right ear, angrily saying, \"Qin Huairu has done something wrong to me; should I apologize to her? No, it's she who should apologize to me and to our Jia family. \""

Inside the courtyard.

Inside the Siheyuan. Output: "Inside the Siheyuan."

The neighbors who were about to gradually disperse.

The neighbors who were about to gradually disperse. Output: "The neighbors who were about to gradually disperse."

It was as if they had seen a peerless beauty; everyone instantly became wildly excited. Although they seemed to have guessed the answer, since they weren't the parties involved, their confident talk was just rumor and gossip.

It was as if they had seen an unparalleled beauty; everyone instantly became immensely excited, even though some of them seemed to have already guessed the specific answer—after all, they were not the parties involved, being outsiders, their confident statements were merely rumors and gossip. Output: "It was as if they had seen an unparalleled beauty; everyone instantly became immensely excited, even though some of them seemed to have already guessed the specific answer—after all, they were not the parties involved, being outsiders, their confident statements were merely rumors and gossip."

Jia Dongxu is different—he's the party involved, and having spoken up, what he said naturally became fact.

Jia Dongxu is different; he is the party involved, and having spoken out and revealed the truth, what he said naturally became fact. Output: "Jia Dongxu is different; he is the party involved, and having spoken out and revealed the truth, what he said naturally became fact."

Qin Huairu and Zhonghai Yi really have something going on.

Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai really have something going on. Output: "Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai really have something going on."

The neighbors all had the same thought pop into their minds.

The neighbors all simultaneously had this thought in their minds. Output: "The neighbors all simultaneously had this thought in their minds."

They were all happy.

Everyone was happy. Output: "Everyone was happy."

The happiest person was Liu Haizhong, who felt that his precarious position as head steward was now rock‑solid.

The happiest person was Liu Haizhong, who felt that his precarious position as Head Steward, which had been barely holding on, was now rock solid. Output: "The happiest person was Liu Haizhong, who felt that his precarious position as Head Steward, which had been barely holding on, was now rock solid."

Even if the affair between Zhonghai Yi and Qin Huairu were false, Liu Haizhong would still be the first to tell the steel plant workers about it.

Even if the affair between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu were false, Liu Haizhong would still be the first to tell the Yagangchang workers about it. Output: "Even if the affair between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu were false, Liu Haizhong would still be the first to tell the Yagangchang workers about it."

The few who weren't happy were Zhonghai Yi and the deaf old lady; they both sensed their fate—let alone losing the head steward position, they might really end up cleaning toilets.

The unhappy ones were few: Yi Zhonghai counted as one, and Long Laotaitai as another; they sensed their fate—let alone keeping the Head Steward position, they might really end up sweeping toilets. Output: "The unhappy ones were few: Yi Zhonghai counted as one, and Long Laotaitai as another; they sensed their fate—let alone keeping the Head Steward position, they might really end up sweeping toilets."

The drama in the courtyard.

The drama of the Siheyuan. Output: "The drama of the Siheyuan."

It's getting more and more interesting.

It was becoming more and more worth watching. Output: "It was becoming more and more worth watching."

The situation has heated up to this point; we definitely need to add fuel to the fire.

The situation had reached this point; one had to add fuel to the fire. Output: "The situation had reached this point; one had to add fuel to the fire."

"Silly Mao."

"Shamao." Output: "\"Shamao. \""

"What's up?" Xu Daming, used to being called Silly Mao, didn't mind, "Silly Zhu."

"What's up?" Xu Daming, accustomed to being called Shamao, didn't object, "Shazhu." Output: "\"What's up? \" Xu Daming, accustomed to being called Shamao, didn't object, \"Shazhu. \""

"Are you really stupid or just pretending? Show yourself."

"I'm asking whether you're truly stupid or just pretending; what's with your appearance?" Output: "\"I'm asking whether you're truly stupid or just pretending; what's with your appearance? \""

Shazhu shoved Xu Daming out in one push.

People's gazes subconsciously fell on Xu Daming; tonight many things were all stirred up by Xu Daming and Shazhu.

Xu Daming's heart skipped, he gave Shazhu a hostile look, you damn bastard, Shazhu stole a step ahead of him; originally Xu Daming was going to push Shazhu out, but it was too late, he didn't bother, he was pushed back by Shazhu; considering I want to be your master, forgive you once.

"Jia Dongxu, it's not that I, Xu Daming, speak without back pain while standing, catching thieves, grabbing dirt, catching adultery in bed—whether Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu actually have something, you bring out evidence, speak with facts, prove Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu have something, Qin Huairu gave birth to Bangeng for Yi Zhonghai; as long as you can prove it, anything goes—do you have evidence?"

Xu Daming's face was full of smugness, as if he'd screwed the Jia family, and the Jia family could do nothing about it.

"You have no evidence; you're just wildly guessing, guessing that Qin Huairu has a relationship with Yi Zhonghai, and you think Qin Huairu gave birth to the child Bangeng for Yi Zhonghai."

"The tone shifted, he raised the big stick of moral blackmail and smashed it at Jia Dongxu."

"Fortunately we're all neighbors in the same courtyard; if it were someone else, word would get out saying our courtyard's eldest uncle Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu's wife Qin Huairu have an affair—what would you have your wife Qin Huairu do? What would you have your master Yi Zhonghai do? Do we neighbors still want face? I still say: bring out evidence if you have it; if not, just shut your stinking mouth."

"He kept saying 'your wife Qin Huairu' and 'your eldest uncle Yi Zhonghai,' seeming to defend but actually adding fuel to the fire, fearing the matter wouldn't become big."

"Yi Zhonghai went numb, his whole body trembling with anger; I don't know if it's from Jia Dongxu or from Xu Daming's words, or both."

"Jia Dongxu, what Xu Daming said makes sense; on what basis do you suspect your master Yi Zhonghai and your wife Qin Huairu are having an affair? What qualifications do you have to suspect them? Shazhu closely followed Xu Daming's steps, taking the chance to stir trouble: 'One is your wife, one is your master, Eldest Aunt is also there, the deaf old lady in the rear courtyard is also there—how could just the two of them be having an affair? Or as Xu Daming said, bring out evidence if you have it; if not, stop spouting nonsense; you randomly put a hat on Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu's heads—are you glorious? Is the Jia family glorious?'"

""Bring out the evidence," Jia Dongxu's voice suddenly rose, hurting people's ears, "I have evidence.""

""Bring out the evidence," Xu Daming pressed Jia Dongxu: "Bring out your evidence proving Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu have an affair.""

"What's feared is not having evidence but lacking it; heedlessly he personally got involved, just to cement the rumor that Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu have an affair."

""Jia Dongxu, let us see, let us see your evidence," Shazhu immediately echoed Xu Daming, launching a challenge at Jia Dongxu: "Bring out the evidence, the neighbors are all here, let the neighbors see.""

"Yi Zhonghai felt his head as big as a bucket; he knew that in the courtyard, having Shazhu and Xu Daming meant nothing good could happen. Though they seemed to be speaking up for him, their words and demeanor clearly were a rhythm to drive him to death."

""Xu Daming, Shazhu.""

"Yi Zhonghai's voice carried a hint of indignation, within which also a hint of pleading."

"He was also afraid."

"I beg you, please stop speaking."

"The hypocrite, with this great disaster looming, feared the other side would speak the truth, causing the onlookers to imagine things on their own."

"This is problematic."

"Otherwise, the usually composed Yi Zhonghai wouldn't look like this tragic scene of having lost his parents."

"Could it be that Bangeng is really Yi Zhonghai's offspring!"

"Jia Dongxu actually really has evidence that Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu are involved!"

"Definitely big news."

""Give the eldest uncle some face, stop speaking, Xu Daming, Shazhu, you guys stop speaking.""

"Shazhu and Xu Daming exchanged a glance."

"Each felt surprised in their heart."

"Unexpectedly they pushed the hypocrite to this point."

""Eldest uncle, you watched me grow up, you've been good to me; in my heart, Jia Dongxu can hit me, scold me, but he must never put a shit pot on your head; in life, what we seek is a reputation; the ancients stressed leaving a name in history; I, Shazhu, saying anything cannot let you bear the reputation of messing with your disciple's wife; this matter must be clarified; you also shouldn't hold back because of your master-disciple bond with Jia Dongxu—he says you have an affair with his wife and even gave birth to a child, saying Bangeng shouldn't bear the Jia surname but should be Yi.""

"Shazhu spoke nonsense with a straight face."

"Left Yi Zhonghai speechless."

"Are the two families on good terms?"

"Nonsense."

"Since He Daqing followed the widow to Baocheng, Shazhu has had a dead-end relationship with Yi Zhonghai; even though they've had a dead-end relationship, he still spoke up for Yi Zhonghai—thus this speaking up is not well-intentioned, it's aimed at harming Yi Zhonghai."

"Shazhu has changed; he's no longer that honest, simple Shazhu; he's learned to play tricks and to harm people—surely Xu Daming taught him."

"Yi Zhonghai thought this."

"The neighbors also thought this."

"Xu Daming, however, looked at Shazhu with admiration; originally he thought in the courtyard, in terms of lack of virtue, he Xu Daming ranked second, nobody dared say first; now it seems Shazhu ranks ahead of him."

"If it weren't for the many people present, Xu Daming really would want to prick Shazhu's face with a needle to see how thick his skin is; saying such shameless words, his expression is nevertheless so sincere, as if Shazhu would not hesitate to go through knives and fire for Yi Zhonghai—you damn thing, can't you have a bit of shame?"

"Shazhu takes the lead."

"Shazhu follows after."

""Eldest uncle, don't worry about it; I'll leave this matter to me and Shazhu; we two guarantee to handle it splendidly for you; no matter what we say, we can't let you bear the shit pot of having an affair with your disciple's wife; this must be clarified.""

"Yi Zhonghai really wanted to slap Shazhu and kick Xu Daming."

"After thinking, he extinguished the idea of hitting them."

"He is not a match for Shazhu and Xu Daming, and now is not the time to turn hostile; the hypocrite forced a smile onto his face."

""Shazhu, Xu Daming, eldest uncle thanks you for your good intentions; as the saying goes, 'If one's conduct is upright, one need not fear a crooked shadow'; I, Yi Zhonghai, am upright and fearless of these rumors.""

"Inside he clearly hates to death, yet Yi Zhonghai forces a smile onto his face, plus a fake kindly demeanor—truly a hypocrite."

"The more Yi Zhonghai suffers, the happier Shazhu feels; he sees that the tactic of adding fuel to the fire has already taken effect, and he's starting to think of withdrawing."

"Food must be eaten bite by bite; matters must be handled one by one."

""Eldest uncle, you're really something; since you've said all that, we must give you face.""

"Shazhu's retreat."

"This left Xu Daming quite puzzled."

"It looks like Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, and Jia Dongxu's fame will spread far; why, Shazhu, at this crucial moment, have you become listless?"

""Shazhu.""

""Xu Daming, stop speaking," Shazhu gave Xu Daming a look, "The eldest uncle is innocent, Qin Huairu is also innocent, Jia Dongxu is fine.""

"Damn it."

"Having understood Shazhu's thoughts, Xu Daming cursed silently. He just said Shazhu wouldn't easily give up such an opportunity, and indeed he didn't. What needed to be done, they did; what needed to be said, they said. The rest, leave it to the neighbors of the courtyard; it's also time for the neighbors to contribute—after all, we can't have everything done by those two brothers."

""Jia Dongxu, you've landed such a good master as the eldest uncle; just enjoy it by yourself.""

"Xu Daming, ruthless, picked up Jia Dongxu's words that he didn't want to hear."

"I don't need it, disgusting hypocrite." Jia Dongxu seemed about to utter a hypocrite's foul words from his mouth, but Jia Zhangshi quickly covered Jia Dongxu's mouth, then grabbed his ear and dragged him into the Jia Family home, and the house door was also shut.

Neighbors all wanted to hear the Jia Family's commotion, to see what the Jia Family mother and son would say, but Yi Zhonghai drove them away.

Helplessly.

The neighbors could only harbor their own thoughts, each returning to their own homes, each seeking their own mothers; as for how to discuss the matter of Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, and Jia Dongxu, they would undoubtedly let their imaginations run wild.

All of this.

No longer related to Shazhu.

Also no longer related to Xu Damao.

The two entered Shazhu's house one after another, and immediately what happened was Xu Damao being shoved out of the He Family house by Shazhu with a shove.

"Shazhu."

"Brother is going to sleep."

Xu Damao let out a cold snort, patted the dust off his clothes, explained a sentence to the dazed-looking Yi Zhonghai, and walked home with small hurried steps.

"Hey!"

Watching Xu Damao's departing figure, Yi Zhonghai let out a sigh, then turned his gaze toward Shazhu's home, paused a moment, saw Shazhu had turned off the light, shifted his gaze from Shazhu's home to the Jia Family, and through the glass looked at the Jia Family mother and son who didn't know what to say, feeling depressed.

Yellow mud fell into the pants.

Not feces, but it's feces now.

Also a strange thing.

These people in the courtyard, why do they all so confidently say that Yi Zhonghai brought disaster to his disciple Jia Dongxu's wife Qin Huairu? Yi Zhonghai is just lacking virtue, and he also knows some things shouldn't be done, but the problem is he finds he can't explain himself clearly; no matter what he says, Jia Dongxu doesn't believe him.

Now he can only pin his hopes on Jia Zhangshi, hoping she can straighten out Jia Dongxu's thoughts; if the parties involved don't pursue it, Yi Zhonghai can still have fun, but if Jia Dongxu and Jia Zhangshi also firmly say that Qin Huairu's child Bangeng is Yi Zhonghai's child, Yi Zhonghai figures he can only hang himself.

Lifting his head.

He looked at the night sky.

His body inexplicably sensed a hint of chill.

He involuntarily shrank his body a bit.

His head felt big.

Qin Huairu was sitting the month at the Yi Family home, and with tonight's events, Yi Zhonghai basically had nowhere to live.

Yi Zhonghai, who never smoked, suddenly wanted a cigarette, searched his whole body, couldn't find any, finally gave up the idea, and continued to be dazed.

He didn't know that at the junction of the central and rear courtyards, a pair of eyes was venomously fixed on Yi Zhonghai.

It was no one else.

It was Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong, worried that Yi Zhonghai would snatch away his Head Steward position, truly couldn't rest easy about Yi Zhonghai; staying up late, he sneakily kept watch on the Yi and Jia families' affairs.

Little brat.

In the Yagangchang factory I'm not your match, and I don't believe that in the Siheyuan I'm still not your match, Yi Zhonghai.

……

Jia Family.

Jia Zhangshi, who had dragged Jia Dongxu back to the Jia Family home, released her grip on his ear and whispered a scolding: "Dongxu, you've got water in your brain, how could you say such things about Yi Zhonghai?"

Jia Dongxu looked at Jia Zhangshi and retorted, "Do you dare say he isn't a hypocrite?"

Jia Zhangshi was terrified.

What's wrong with Jia Dongxu, why does he have such a big prejudice against Yi Zhonghai?

How can we still expect Yi Zhonghai to support Jia Dongxu in the future?

"Dongxu, after your father died, you may have become sensible, but you're still not sensible; we mother and son have had a hard time, and it was Yi Zhonghai who helped pull our Jia Family through."

Jia Dongxu muttered something under his breath.

Jia Zhangshi didn't hear clearly.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Jia Dongxu sat on the stool, sulking and holding in his anger, never expecting that one day he would be cuckolded, and the person putting the green hat on him would still be his master Yi Zhonghai; this anger is really hard to dispel.

"Dongxu, do you know what your mother's greatest wish is?" Jia Zhangshi stroked his head kindly and said: "It's to raise you to adulthood, get you a wife, let the Jia Family have continuing incense, and Bangeng."

The two characters "Bangeng" truly became Jia Dongxu's reverse scale.

Just a moment ago Jia Dongxu was sitting on the stool sulking; the next second he became like a dog whose tail had been stepped on, howling wildly, his expression and bearing indescribable.

"Don't mention Bangeng to me, you can talk about anything else, just don't mention Bangeng—what's wrong with Bangeng? Does it have anything to do with me?" Jia Dongxu shouted at the dazed Yi Zhonghai in the courtyard, "He should be surnamed Yi."

Jia's short-lived, intense, high-pitched voice made the neighbors, who had returned to their homes but were pricking up their ears to listen to the Jia Family's affairs, all gasp in cold air.

Alright.

Well, this is actually the truth.

Bangeng is not Jia Dongxu's son, but the key is that Qin Huairu is Jia Dongxu's wife; the child born to wife Qin Huairu has nothing to do with husband Jia Dongxu—this clearly suggests Qin Huairu should be drowned in a pig basket.

Looks like it.

Bangeng is Yi Zhonghai's son!

While drawing in a cold breath.

Also wondering what Yi Zhonghai will do.

This news.

Eyesore.

The master and disciple's wife have an affair, and even have a child.

It defies heaven's great taboo.

……

Outside the courtyard.

Yi Zhonghai's body trembled from head to toe with endless shivering; the hypocrite's mind held only one thought: he feared he would never again have a day to turn things over.

Jia Dongxu's shout.

It thoroughly punctured Yi Zhonghai's hope bubble.

As Qin Huairu's husband, Jia Dongxu said that the Bangeng Qin Huairu gave birth to bore the Yi surname; even if Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu both knew they were innocent, it would likely be of no avail.

In this world.

Salacious rumors tend to spread the most widely.

Even jumping into the Yellow River couldn't wash it clean.

A hint of bitterness appeared on Yi Zhonghai's face; he suddenly felt a bit regretful, regretting his wrong choice for old-age support—if he had initially chosen Shazhu as his old-age support, there probably wouldn't have been so many messy troubles.

Shazhu is eighteen years old.

Qin Huairu is two years older than him.

If Qin Huairu had been introduced to Shazhu as a daughter-in-law back then, even if Shazhu wasn't yet of marriageable age, they could have become engaged.

The woman being three years older.

Holding a gold brick.

Two years older.

Equivalent to holding a gold bar.

Regretting not having done so earlier.

Tears welled up from Yi Zhonghai's eye sockets.

The hypocrite cried.

There is no regret medicine under heaven.

……

The Yi family.

After hearing Jia Dongxu's howling, the eldest aunt suddenly became indifferent; although Yi Zhonghai's reputation was ruined, only by being ruined could she, through caring for herself and staying inseparable from herself, conduct a targeted rehabilitation.

For the eldest aunt.

This farce is a good thing.

If not family, don't enter the family gate.

In terms of scheming.

The eldest aunt is not much inferior to Yi Zhonghai.

Having figured everything out, the eldest aunt deliberately turned her gaze toward Qin Huairu.

Seeing the eldest aunt looking at herself.

Qin Huairu, still immersed in the joy of first-time motherhood, became panic-stricken; her current mood is the same as Yi Zhonghai's.

Only bitterness.

Also there is panic.

"Eldest aunt, Jia Dongxu is lying; I truly have nothing going on with the eldest uncle. The eldest uncle is Dong Xu's teacher; I am Dong Xu's wife. I admit I met the eldest uncle in Qin Family Village back when he lived at our house; he is a good person."

The eldest aunt snorted coldly in her heart; if Yi Zhonghai were a good person, she wouldn't have lost her qualification to be a mother. She especially envied Qin Huairu, envying Qin Huairu for giving birth and becoming a mother.

This feeling of being a mother and a mother's affection for protecting her children is exactly what the eldest aunt lacks.

Qin Huairu also spoke the truth.

Yi Zhonghai is a good person: firstly, he's old; secondly, he faces many constraints in all aspects; thirdly, he's somewhat unable to exert himself, having settled down to be a good person.

If it were the younger Yi Zhonghai, he would probably dare to act.

"Huairu, the eldest aunt believes you."

Qin Huairu's heart barely settled; she worried that the eldest aunt also wouldn't believe her. The one who shouted that Bangeng bore the Yi surname was Qin Huairu's husband, Bangeng's biological father Jia Dongxu. If she were in the eldest aunt's position, she would also suspect.

"Now the problem is that Dong Xu doesn't believe; such a fine child, how could he suddenly become so irrational? Can such things be casually spouted? The Jia family doesn't care about reputation, but we Yi family do."

The eldest aunt's voice.

Also loud.

Just right so that the people in the front, middle, and rear three courtyards could all hear.

It had a bit of the meaning of shouting at each other from a distance.

……

The Jia family.

Upon hearing the eldest aunt's voice, Jia Dongxu, who wanted to retort, had his mouth covered by Jia Zhangshi in the first instant.

The more they scolded.

The neighbors grew happier.

The more the affair between Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu continued, the more melodramatic it became, and the Jia family's reputation grew worse.

"Dong Xu, you say Bangeng isn't your child but Yi Zhonghai's; you need to produce evidence. If you say Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai have an affair, I believe it. Let me tell you the truth: when Yi Zhonghai introduced Qin Huairu to you, I went to Qin Family Village to inquire about the details; people said Qin Huairu relied on her pretty face, wanting to marry into the city, I disagreed, but you insisted on marrying her."

Jia Dongxu said nothing, looking like an honest child who had done something wrong.

Jia Zhangshi, seeing Jia Dongxu like that, loosened her hand covering his mouth.

"If you say Bangeng is Yi Zhonghai's son, I really don't believe it; I just went to Yi Zhonghai's house to see Bangeng. Although the child is still a tiny tot, I know this is the bloodline of our Jia family; his little appearance is exactly the same as when you were born."

Jia Dongxu stared blankly at Jia Zhangshi, still not believing.

"You child, how can you not believe what I say? I couldn't possibly deceive you on this matter; I'm telling the truth, Bangeng is just like you."

"Mom, I know you won't deceive me, but I feel uneasy; you say that Bangeng, that illegitimate child, is my son, and your evidence is that his current appearance resembles mine when I was young."

Jia Zhangshi nodded, this being the key evidence she believed that Bangeng was Jia Dongxu's son.

"Then do you know why I say Bangeng is not my son?"

Jia Dongxu wanted to lay out the facts and reason with Jia Zhangshi, fundamentally proving that Bangeng was not his son, Jia Dongxu's son.

"Mom, let me tell you, ten months of pregnancy, right?"

Jia Zhangshi lightly nodded her head.

As a woman, she naturally knew about ten months of pregnancy.

"One month thirty days, ten months is three hundred days; today is April 22, counting back ten months, the day Qin Huairu conceived the child was July 22. Do you know what my son was doing on July 22?" Facing Jia Zhangshi's gaze, Jia Dongxu said: "I was detained in the Security Section; I was held there for about four days. I also considered premature or late birth—do you know what the midwife said? The midwife said a big, fat boy, very healthy. Those days I was busy with regularization and promotion; I was so exhausted I couldn't even muster the strength to speak to Qin Huairu—how could we have had a child?"

When it was Jia Zhangshi's turn to become dazed, all those reasons she had used to persuade Jia Dongxu to see reason turned into blades that stabbed back at her.

Those days were either spent detained in the Security Section or so exhausted that there was no energy to deal with Qin Huairu.

No wonder Jia Dongxu had such an expression.

If it were her, Jia Zhangshi.

She would also have to put on a face.

"Son."

"Mom, I know you wholeheartedly want to hold a grandson, and you are holding a grandson, but this grandson must also be of our Jia family's bloodline, right? The Yi surname's bloodline has no qualification to be your grandson."

The more Jia Dongxu spoke, the more aggrieved he felt.

The more he wanted to cry.

The more he felt that Yi Zhonghai had cuckolded him.

"During those days I was detained in the Security Section, Yi's health was poor, he was on sick leave; the eldest aunt also had to look after the deaf old lady in the rear courtyard; Qin Huairu voluntarily offered to look after Yi Zhonghai, saying Yi Zhonghai was her and my matchmaker and also my teacher; when he fell ill, everyone in the courtyard saw it, and we couldn't let the neighbors stab our Jia family's backbone, so she went to look after Yi Zhonghai; as a result, looking after him led to a child—where can we reason about this?"

Jia Dongxu's tone carried a hint of sobbing.

"Mom, tell me, could Bangeng be our Jia family's descendant? Could he be my son, Jia Dongxu? I've figured it out: Yi Zhonghai hooked up with Qin Huairu in the countryside; he introduced Qin Huairu to me, and he did so with ill intent."

Jia Dongxu, sitting on the stool, buried his head in Jia Zhangshi's embrace and burst into loud sobs. His aggrieved tears streamed out like floodwaters from an opened gate.

Jia Zhangshi's heart, moved by the crying, also became unsettled; her belief that Bangeng was Jia Dongxu's son began to waver.

Jia Dongxu was not present.

Qin Huairu again looked after Yi Zhonghai.

The eldest aunt also looked after the deaf old lady.

A series of evidence all pointed to Yi Zhonghai.

Bangeng is Yi's seed!

Jia Zhangshi's body swayed in place a few times, she patted Jia Dongxu's head, and said: "Dongxu, stop crying."

"Mom, I feel awful inside, I'm so aggrieved."

"Son, Mom also feels awful."

Sobbing sounds.

They echoed throughout the entire siheyuan.

They also woke some people who were dreaming of Zhou Gong.

The wailing and howling sounds frightened some people into not daring to sleep.

Compared to He Yushui, the little girl also thought the Jia family was haunted, hugging a pillow she ran to Shazhu's room, threw herself into his embrace; her weight of sixty or seventy catties almost carried Shazhu away.

Over a year of uninterrupted fattening.

He Yushui's physique.

Just one word.

Fat.

In the siheyuan and even the surrounding area, whenever anyone mentions He Yushui, they must give a thumbs-up and say "fat"; this is also something Shazhu takes pride in. He Daqing ran off with a widow; as an older brother, he raised He Yushui to be white and plump; if he keeps getting fatter, he'll surely become a piglet.

"Yushui, having you as my sister really makes me happy." Shazhu rubbed his chest, sore from being pressed by Yushui, and said: "Can't you be gentler? You've made me unable to go to work—who will support you?"

Having said that.

Shazhu jumped up and sat straight, staring seriously at Yushui: "Yushui, you come to my room without sleeping—is it just to sore me?"

"I'm scared, I want to sleep with you."

"You're ten years old."

"I don't care."

"You stay in my room, I'll go to yours."

The little girl grabbed Shazhu's arm, eyes brimming with tears, and said: "Brother, I'm scared; I was sleeping fine earlier, I don't know who was crying, it frightened me so I dare not sleep."

"The Jia Dongxu across the way cried."

"How did he cry?" Ten-year-old He Yushui, still a little brat, said: "Our teacher said crying is not a sign of bravery; good children must be brave, so they cannot cry."

"What else could it be? His wife gave birth to a child that isn't his."

He Yushui became interested, looking at Shazhu: "That thing you talked about tonight with Damoge— the eldest uncle and Qin Huairu, just the two of them."

Shazhu looked at He Yushui with a serious expression.

The little girl was wrong.

Wait a moment.

Is this something a ten-year-old little girl like you should be concerned about?

Your energy should be focused on studying.

Day after day, you don't do proper things, you specialize in all kinds of messy nonsense.

"Studying requires this kind of spirit—you'd already be first in class." Shazhu lectured He Yushui: "Just sleep tonight; tomorrow night go back to your own room to sleep."

"Mmm." The little girl excitedly burrowed into Shazhu's blanket, suddenly thought of something, sat up straight, and continued to ask Shazhu: "Brother, Aunt Qin Huairu is pregnant with the eldest uncle's child—where does the baby come from?"

Shazhu couldn't help laughing and crying.

He didn't know how to answer He Yushui's question.

Tell the truth.

Couldn't say it.

Finally at a loss, he offhandedly gave He Yushui a stock answer: "Yushui, you really asked the right person about this question, kid, he was born from the armpit."

He Yushui looked at his own armpit, then at Shazhu's armpit.

"Brother, they're not the same."

"We're both people, what's the difference? Go to sleep."

One bed, a ten-year-old child, a big kid, somehow made Shazhu feel cramped; the little fatty He Yushui alone took up two-thirds of the bed, still sleeping in that slanted posture.

"Yushui."

"Hmm."

"Brother wants to discuss something with you."

"Will you let me help you work?" He Yushui, who dislikes studying, whenever work is mentioned, is always very enthusiastic: "I guarantee I'll finish it."

"It's not about work, it's about whether you want to lose weight."

"Huh!"

Shazhu glanced at He Yushui.

Good fellow.

Fell asleep.

After tidying the blanket on He Yushui's body, Shazhu lay on his side looking out the window, thinking about the Jia family's movements, figuring out how to handle this.

In the previous life.

There's also no fact that Bangeng isn't Jia Dongxu's descendant; could it be that because I've been reborn, all these messy things have increased?

The Siheyuan's thief saint Bangeng is Yi Zhonghai's offspring!

This truth shocked many people to the core.

Damn it.

Really screwed up.

……

Jia Family.

After the Jia family mother and son had cried for a while, they each finally calmed down.

"Dong Xu, Mom asks you, are you sure Bangeng isn't your son?"

"Do I even need to say? Those days I wasn't there, for about half a month Qin Huairu took care of that hypocrite Yi Zhonghai; I suspect she conceived Bangeng then."

"What level worker are you at the Yagangchang?"

"Zero level!"

That means no rank.

Yagangchang workers are divided into apprentices and regular workers; after becoming regular, they range from level one to eight.

Jia Zhangshi didn't quite believe it.

In her heart.

Jia Dongxu should at least be a level-one technician.

In fact, it's zero level.

Over ten months with no progress—this is unacceptable.

"Son, Mom has an idea; this is how she thinks: since it's already happened, we should try to see it in the best light so the Jia Family can gain from it…"

Jia Zhangshi lowered her voice and told Jia Dongxu her plan in detail.

Turn bad into good.

These four words are the core of Jia Zhangshi's plan.

Put simply.

Using Bangeng as the pretext.

The Jia Family wants face, the Yi Family also wants face, Yi Zhonghai especially wants face; with both families caring about face, the initiative lies in the Jia Family's hands.

As long as Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu insist that Bangeng is Yi Zhonghai's son, even if Yi Zhonghai denies it he must accept; this is how the Jia Family controls Yi Zhonghai.

How can we eliminate the impact of this?

It's simple.

That is, Jia Dongxu and Jia Zhangshi unify their story, saying Bangeng is the Jia Family's bloodline; only then can they save Yi Zhonghai from fire and water.

I suppose Yi Zhonghai would be very pleased to see this situation.

There's no free lunch in the world.

Even after wearing the green hat, still having to help you with a grin, without a certain cost, that's just daydreaming.

Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu discussed, preparing to extort Yi Zhonghai with a lion's big mouth.

Money is one aspect.

Goods are another aspect.

Promotion is even more important.

This is the three main policies of Jia Zhangshi's "turn bad into good" plan she told Jia Dongxu about.

Money, goods, and reputation—none can be missing.

"Mom."

Jia Dongxu's cry of "Mom" sounded aggrieved; the plan is good, but implementing it is somewhat painful, for Jia Dongxu, after all, is the party involved in the green‑hat incident.

"Son, as long as you have money and a job, what kind of woman don't you have? When the time comes, Mom will have someone introduce you to a virtuous maiden better than Qin Huairu to be your wife, so she can bear?"

? child"

After thinking it over, Jia Dongxu reluctantly agreed to Jia Zhangshi's suggestion.

Given that the deed is done,

We can only follow Jia Zhangshi's idea.

He has long been unable to be promoted to senior technician, due to technical reasons and also his own responsibility; his hands lack strength, and the machined parts lack sufficient precision.

Having been unable to be promoted to senior worker for over a year, Jia Dongxu is also anxious; he does not want to become a laughingstock at the Yagangchang, and this constitutes the main reason for agreeing to Jia Zhangshi's plan.