Chapter 133: with translation of chapter title

Yu Li!

Actually we need to translate 【4】 line? The user gave 【2】 example but we need to translate 【4】 line? The original text for 【4】 is not shown in the prompt; maybe it's missing? Wait the prompt only gave 【2】 example but we need to translate each FULLY into natural English. The list includes 【2】, 【4】, 【7】, 【9】, etc. However the actual Chinese lines for each index are not provided except for 【2】 example? Actually the prompt includes many lines after the example? Let's re-read the prompt:

【1】 Yu Li!

line: After the woman rattled on nonsensically like a string of firecrackers, a woman's name suddenly popped into Shazhu's mind. No Chinese.

After the woman rattled on nonsensically like a string of firecrackers, No Chinese.

In Shazhu's mind, a woman's name suddenly surfaced. No Chinese.

We need to keep numbers etc. No numbers.

We'll output: After the woman kept saying a lot of nonsense in rapid succession like a string of firecrackers, Shazhu's mind suddenly conjured a woman's name.

After the woman rattled on nonsensically like a string of firecrackers, No Chinese.

Let's produce: After the woman kept saying a lot of nonsense in rapid succession like a string of firecrackers, Shazhu's mind suddenly conjured a woman's name.

Note: we omitted the possessive particle after Shazhu's mind; we used "Shazhu's mind". Good. No Chinese.

He directed his gaze at Yu Li, examining her closely. No Chinese.

He turned his gaze toward Yu Li and examined her carefully. No Chinese.

On his feet were black cloth shoes, his trousers were earth-gray long pants; at the right knee, there should have been a small tear, the place that originally needed a patch, but instead had been embroidered with a five-pointed star using needle and thread, not only nice-looking but also serving as a patch. No Chinese.

We need to keep numbers? None.

Let's produce: On his feet were black cloth shoes, his trousers were earth-gray long pants; at the right knee, there should have been a small tear, the place that originally needed a patch, but instead had been embroidered with a five-pointed star using needle and thread, not only nice-looking but also serving as a patch.

No idea whose handiwork it was. No Chinese.

If it was Yu Li's handiwork, it shows how dexterous and clever she is. No Chinese.

His upper body wore a green jacket, exceptionally clean, with no tears or patches. No Chinese.

Yu Li wasn't wearing a hat; a thick black braid hung straight down her back, at the root of the braid was a red hair tie tied in a delicate bow. No Chinese.

She exuded a youthful, lovely aura. No Chinese.

Through the woman's vaguely familiar cheeks, Shazhu realized that this girl who had been lecturing his mother was none other than Yu Li, the daughter-in-law of Yan Fugui in his previous life. She also had some inexplicable entanglement with Shazhu, at a time when everyone was wary of going into business. Yet Yu Li shrewdly seized the opportunity, opened a restaurant, and set her sights on Shazhu, asking him to be the head chef. No Chinese.

Through the woman's vaguely familiar cheeks, Shazhu realized that this girl who had been lecturing his mother was none other than Yu Li, the daughter-in-law of Yan Fugui in his previous life. No Chinese.

She also had some inexplicable entanglement with Shazhu, at a time when everyone was wary of going into business. No Chinese.

Yet Yu Li shrewdly seized the opportunity, opened a restaurant, and set her sights on Shazhu, asking him to be the head chef. No Chinese.

We need to keep the name Yan Fugui (from glossary); also Yan Fugui is Yan Fugui. No Chinese.

Now produce translation.

She is a woman with her own opinions, daring to put them into action. No Chinese.

Faced with Shazhu's unreasonable monthly wage of two thousand, even the elders of the Yan family, Yan Jiecheng, backed down, bluntly saying Shazhu's demand was too high. No

We need to keep the numbers: a monthly wage of two thousand. Keep as two thousand. Also the elders of the Yan family, Yan Jiecheng. Use Yan Jiecheng from glossary.

Despite being a woman, Yu Li readily agreed to Shazhu's lion's share demand, hiring him at a monthly wage of two thousand for her restaurant.

After the restaurant's business boomed, Yan Jiecheng kept saying that the wage given to Shazhu was too high, saying that in the whole capital there is no chef earning two thousand a month, he discussed with Yu Li whether they could lower Shazhu's wage, and Yu Li then said that she had seen Pangzi's stir-fry, which was similar to Shazhu's, and suggested using Pangzi instead of Shazhu.

After the restaurant's business boomed,

Yan Jiecheng kept saying that the wage given to Shazhu was too high,

saying that in the whole capital there is no chef earning two thousand a month,

he discussed with Yu Li whether they could lower Shazhu's wage,

Yu Li then said that she had seen Pangzi's stir-fry, which was similar to Shazhu's, and suggested using Pangzi instead of Shazhu.

We need to keep the nickname Pangzi, meaning "the fat man".

Now produce translation.

Just this alone shows Yu Li's meticulousness and boldness; when it's time to give high wages, she definitely does not hold back, and when it's time to kick you out, she definitely can do it.

Just this alone shows Yu Li's meticulousness and boldness,

when it's time to give high wages, she definitely does not hold back,

and when it's time to kick you out, she definitely can do it.

We'll produce: This alone shows Yu Li's meticulousness and boldness; when it's time to give high wages, she certainly does not hold back, and when it's time to kick someone out, she certainly can do it.

The only miscalculation was that Yu Li misunderstood Shazhu, thinking he lived up to his name, but ended up being played by Shazhu behind the scenes.

What's even rarer.

After Yu Li married Yan Jiecheng, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to supporting her husband and raising her children; faced with Yan Fugui's proposals to charge for housing fees, meal fees, and bicycle fees, she chose to agree.

After Yu Li married Yan Jiecheng,

she devoted herself wholeheartedly to supporting her husband and raising her children,

faced with Yan Fugui's proposals to charge for housing fees, meal fees, and bicycle fees,

she chose to agree.

We need to keep names: Yan Jiecheng (from glossary), Yan Fugui.

Shazhu's view of Yu Li.

In short, six words.

Able to pick up, able to let go.

Due to psychological factors, Shazhu didn't expect to run into Yu Li by chance in this situation, let alone meet her mother; he hurriedly rubbed his face with his hands and then adjusted his clothing, mainly hoping to make a good impression on Yu Li and her mother.

Let's translate: "Psychological factors at play, I never expected to run into Yu Li in this setting, and even meet her mother; Shazhu hastily rubbed his face with his hands a few times, then took the opportunity to tidy his clothes, doing this mainly to leave a good impression on Yu Li and her mother."

We need to keep numbers? None.

At the moment of seeing Yu Li, the long-standing doubts that had troubled Shazhu's heart miraculously vanished, he felt much lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

After being reborn.

Shazhu has considered his other half.

At first, Shazhu thought his other half had to be Lou Xiaoe.

In the previous life, thanks to the deaf old lady's blessing, the divorced Lou Xiaoe, after splitting from Xu Daming, had a brief marital relationship with Shazhu; the He family line did not die out, because Lou Xiaoe bore Shazhu a son named Hexiao.

In the previous life, thanks to the deaf old lady's blessing,

the divorced Lou Xiaoe, after splitting from Xu Daming, had a brief marital relationship with Shazhu,

the He family line did not die out, because Lou Xiaoe bore Shazhu a son named Hexiao.

We need to keep the names: Long Laotaitai (from glossary), Xu Daming, and Hexiao.

Now produce translation.

In the 1980s, Lou Xiaoe brought Hexiao back to seek relatives; Yi Zhonghai, out of thoughts for his old age, advised Shazhu not to give up Qin Huairu; Liu Haizhong and others also chimed in, adding their support; Bangeng and others also worked on Shazhu's thinking; after being brainwashed, Shazhu did not reunite with Lou Xiaoe and Hexiao; angered, Lou Xiaoe took Hexiao to Hong Kong and changed his surname from He to Lou; from then on, until Shazhu was kicked out of his home by Bangeng and died under a bridge, he never saw Lou Xiaoe or Hexiao again.

In the 1980s,

Lou Xiaoe brought Hexiao back to seek relatives,

Yi Zhonghai, out of thoughts for his old age, advised Shazhu not to give up Qin Huairu,

Liu Haizhong and others also chimed in, adding their support,

Bangeng and others also worked on Shazhu's thinking,

After being brainwashed, Shazhu did not reunite with Lou Xiaoe and Hexiao,

Angered, Lou Xiaoe took Hexiao to Hong Kong and changed his surname from He to Lou,

From then on, until Shazhu was kicked out of his home by Bangeng and died under a bridge, he never saw Lou Xiaoe or Hexiao again.

We need to keep the numbers: 1980s. Also Hong Kong.

After being reborn, Shazhu wanted to marry Lou Xiaoe as his wife.

After being reborn, Shazhu wanted to marry Lou Xiaoe as his wife.

One reason was that he felt Lou Xiaoe marrying Xu Daming was like falling into a pit of fire; another was that he felt he owed Lou Xiaoe in his previous life and wanted to make amends as much as possible.

Thanks to Shazhu and Xu Daming making peace, the relationship between the two fools in the siheyuan was far not as bad as in the previous life; Shazhu no longer held the idea that Lou Xiaoe marrying Xu Daming was falling into a pit of fire.

Thanks to Shazhu and Xu Daming making peace,

the relationship between the two fools in the siheyuan was far not as bad as in the previous life,

Shazhu no longer held the idea that Lou Xiaoe marrying Xu Daming was falling into a pit of fire.

We'll produce: Thanks to Shazhu and Xu Daming making peace, the relationship between the two fools in the siheyuan was far less dire than in his previous life; Shazhu no longer thought that Lou Xiaoe marrying Xu Daming was like falling into a pit of fire.

What he felt most was guilt toward Lou Xiaoe, believing that the things left undone in his previous life must be accomplished in this one, no matter what.

At the instant of seeing Yu Li,

The guilt Shazhu felt toward Lou Xiaoe that had welled up in his heart at that moment turned illusory and disappeared.

He had a bit of that opportunistic mindset.

He spoke up and greeted Yu Li.

"Comrade, hello."

"Scrap Uncle, don't take it personally with my mother; she's just like that, a typical sharp-tongued but soft-hearted person, please bear with her."

We need to keep quotes. We'll output exactly with English quotes.

Shazhu was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond to Yu Li's remarks.

After 'scrap' they added the honorific 'uncle'.

He muttered to himself, 'Either call me a scrap collector, or just call me comrade; why both scrap and uncle?'

I am a twenty‑something young man, only two or three years older than you; you call me uncle, and even call me damn scrap uncle.

I am a twenty‑something young man,

only two or three years older than you,

you call me uncle,

and even call me damn scrap uncle.

We need to keep the profanity? We'll translate as "damn". So: "I am a twenty‑something young man, only two or three years older than you, yet you call me uncle, and even damn scrap uncle."

Don't ask.

It's all because of Shazhu's mature‑looking youthful face.

Looking at Yu Li in front of him, Shazhu wondered whether he really was that inadequate, being called uncle by his peers, which implies a senior generation; he didn't say anything else, the key is that the generation gap isn't actually big.

Looking at Yu Li in front of him, Shazhu wondered whether he really was that inadequate.

being called uncle by his peers.

which implies a senior generation.

he didn't say anything else.

The key is that the generation gap isn't actually big.

We'll produce: Looking at Yu Li before him, Shazhu wondered if he really was that inadequate, being called uncle by his peers, implying a senior generation; he said nothing else, the point being that the generation gap isn't actually large.

What bad luck.

He instinctively nodded at Yu Li, then realized that nodding would signify accepting the uncle generation, so he quickly changed it to a shake of the head.

A scene of self‑contradiction.

One can imagine Yu Li also meeting such a funny person for the first time; she laughed, and a flower‑like bloom spread across her lovely cheeks.

Shazhu's gaze was a bit dazed; suddenly feeling embarrassed, he let his eyes fall naturally onto the girl trailing behind Yu Li, about the same age as He Yushui, with two little braids.

Could this be Yu Haitang, the belle of the Yagangchang factory, a classmate of Shazhu's sister He Yushui?

Could this be Yu Haitang, the belle of the Yagangchang factory, a classmate of Shazhu's sister He Yushui?

It seems everything has come together.

Yu Haitang, Shazhu was not unfamiliar with her; in his previous life he had dated Xu Daming; if it weren't for Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru's scheme of a fake pregnancy report, Yu Haitang might well have become Xu Daming's wife.

Yu Haitang, Shazhu was not unfamiliar with her,

in his previous life he had dated Xu Daming,

if it weren't for Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru's scheme of a fake pregnancy report,

Yu Haitang might well have become Xu Daming's wife.

We need to keep the names: Qin Huairu (from glossary), Qin Jingru, and Xu Daming.

"The little girl is really cute." Shazhu, having nothing else to say, could only turn the topic to Yu Haitang, giving half‑hearted praise to the future factory belle, saying "like a little adult."

We need to keep quotes exactly. We'll output: "The little girl is really cute." Shazhu, having nothing else to say, could only turn the topic to Yu Haitang, giving half‑hearted praise to the future factory belle, saying "like a little adult."

But note we need to keep the Chinese quotes as English quotes. We'll keep double quotes.

"Pfft," Yu Li laughed again at Shazhu's antics, covering her mouth.

Pfft," Yu Li laughed again at Shazhu's antics, covering her mouth.

"You're not bad either."

Yu Li didn't care, but her old mother wouldn't have it.

These five seemingly ordinary words, in this particular time, carry an extraordinary meaning; it would not be excessive for people to hand Shazhu over to the police.

"What did you say? Try saying it again."

Yu Li saw Shazhu's embarrassment, realized Shazhu hadn't meant it, but had spoken a big truth she wanted to hear, and was also arguing with her mother.

"People praise me as good, yet you're still not pleased—do you really act like a mother? Is it that when people call me sloppy and ugly, you're satisfied?"

"Is this praise? I can't hear it as praise. You're my niece—do you really have nieces who side with outsiders?"

"That's still better than you."

"I am your mother."

"I am your niece."

"There's no mother like you."

"There's no niece like you."

The two went back and forth, and instead they left the troublemaker, Shazhu, hanging aside—Shazhu couldn't interject, nor could he just watch.

After thinking it over, he spoke up to smooth things over.

The words "Calm down, everyone" had barely left his mouth when, a moment before, Yu Li and her mother had been arguing; the next second they united their front, turned their guns on Shazhu, and snapped, "Mind your own business!"

Shazhu was troubled.

It was a bit puzzling.

Given how fiercely Yu Li argues with her old mother, this girl is also fiery—so why would she willingly agree to Yan Fugui's series of unreasonable demands?

Shazhu, still unclear on the issue, was quickly ganged up on by Yu Li and her mother again, as they once more turned their sights on him.

"You scrap collector, judge—does anyone have a niece like her?"

"Scrap uncle, tell me—does anyone have a mother like her?"

"Answer my question first."

"You must answer my question."

"I asked first."

"If you asked first, he can't answer my question."

"I am your mother."

"I am your niece."

"Both of you."

Shazhu mustered his courage and opened his mouth; just as he began to speak, four knife‑like gazes fell on his face—two from Yu Li, two from her mother.

"Speak."

The mother and daughter spoke in unison again.

"My opinion: should we first handle the scrap?"

"Not selling."

"Why not sell?"

"No longer want to sell."

"It's taking up space."

During Yu Li and her mother's argument.

The midwife appeared.

She was the part‑time matchmaker who had delivered Bangeng years ago.

To Shazhu.

I've always remembered.

Seeing Shazhu, then Yu Li, and intending to introduce them, the midwife timely smoothed things over.

"Yu Li, why are you arguing with your mother again?"

Having said that.

Pretending to have just recognized Shazhu, she said with a hint of praise: "Hey young man, Master He, you're here too."

"Do you know each other?"

Yu Li and her mother spoke in unison, asked the question, then each began to dislike the other—one turned her head to the right, the other turned her face to the left.

"We know each other, all too well."

The midwife's tone turned serious in an instant.

Shazhu is her high‑quality customer.

He's her ace.

"Master He is a medium‑level three‑grade material recycler at the Red Star Scrap Station, earning forty‑seven yuan five a month; he lives in the Red Star Courtyard, the central courtyard has two large rooms, which are his family's ancestral property; his mother is gone, his father lives in Baocheng; since autumn 1951, Master He has been living alone with his sister, and he is a well‑known good young man in their street, having acquired three rotations and one sound."

Yu Li widened her eyes.

Yu Li's mother wore a thoughtful expression.

They are not stupid.

Just from the midwife's standard matchmaking opening line, you know what she's up to—aside from introducing a partner, there's no other explanation.

The only puzzling part.

Is not knowing why the midwife would explain Shazhu like that.

In Yu Li's mind, just because of Shazhu's face, she feels she should call him 'uncle', considering his age about the same as her mother's.

Father Yu is here!

Shazhu could never be paired with Yu Li's mother.

The only explanation.

The midwife is introducing Shazhu to Yu Li.

This makes Yu Li not very happy.

That girl is not lovesick!

In Yu Li's ideal husband, the background should be good and the age should match hers; she thought Shazhu wasn't a good match for her—if she married Shazhu, walking down the street, those who knew would realize they were a couple, while those who didn't might take them for father and daughter, and she instinctively felt a hint of resistance.

Yu Li's mother thought similarly—her daughter was at the age to marry, and even though she was of marrying age, she couldn't just ignore it, could she?

As for Shazhu's appearance, she would still be about the same.

"What's even rarer is that Master He's cooking is absolutely superb—you know Yagangchang, right? Every time visiting leaders from peer factories come for inspection, Yagangchang's leaders have to beg Master He to show his skills; I even joke privately with Master He, saying that a woman who marries him has truly enjoyed blessings cultivated in a past life, just waiting to reap them."

Shazhu was quite pleased with the matchmaker's words; to go along with her, he deliberately straightened his waist, and the corner of his eye inadvertently fell on Yu Li.

His heart stirred.

Yu Li's complexion was off.

Could it be that I've misunderstood something?

Some things just can't be asked.

They weren't selling scrap anymore; Shazhu nodded at Yu Li and her companions, greeted the midwife, and after seeing the midwife's look that everything was under his watch, he let the stone hanging in midair fall to the ground; the silver-tongued matchmaker then stepped in, but his matter with Yu Li was still not a sure thing.

"Collecting scrap! Old newspapers, rotten bones, scrap copper and iron—trade them for cash!"

Shouting the chant.

Shazhu pedaled the cart and left Yu's home.

……

Yagangchang

No. 6 Workshop

Yi Zhonghai took advantage of a break, walked up to an old man about his age, and handed him the cigarette he was holding.

"Old Liu, have a smoke."

"Hey, Da Qianmen, good smoke."

"Good smoke or bad smoke, it's all smoke."

"Only you, Master Yi, can smoke this tobacco." Old Liu, flattering Yi Zhonghai with that comment, narrowed his eyes, looked at Yi Zhonghai, and asked, "Master Yi, do you have something on your mind?"

Although they both worked at Yagangchang.

Yet Yi Zhonghai and Old Liu had little interaction.

One worked as a cart driver in No. 6 Workshop.

The other worked as a fitter in No. 9 Workshop.

There's a saying, 'When you show courtesy, you must have an ulterior motive.' As a level-six worker, Yi Zhonghai, even their workshop supervisors have to give him some respect; he's now taking the initiative to offer cigarettes and pay visits—aside from having something to ask, Old Liu really can't think of any other reason.

"Old Liu, you're right—I really do have something."

"Master Yi, you're now a level-six fitter, while I'm only a level-four cart driver—what can I do to help you?"

"Old Liu, it's not a work matter; it's a family matter."

Old Liu's heart.

It landed.

The family's business.

Maybe he could actually help after all.

People knew a bit about Yi Zhonghai's situation; they knew he had no offspring, so naturally they worried about his end-of-life arrangements.

"I heard you have a daughter at home who's seventeen this year."

Old Liu's heart.

He felt ever more confident.

Yi Zhonghai smoothly steered the conversation to his seventeen-year-old daughter—clearly he was setting up a match.

That family's son could actually get Yi Zhonghai to step in and help arrange a match.

Just for Yi Zhonghai's sake, Old Liu wouldn't refuse.

Family knows family affairs.

Old Liu's daughter was a naturally big-boned girl; at a height of 1.51 meters she had somehow grown to weigh 167 jin, gaining weight even from drinking water.

Her looks took nothing from her mother; she resembled Old Liu entirely.

Her appearance was truly ugly.

When she was young, some mischievous kids gave Old Liu's daughter Liu Yufeng the nickname Zhu Jie, short for 'Pig Bajie's sister.'