Chapter 139

Even the farce will eventually come to an end.

Translation: "The farce will eventually come to an end."

Jia Zhangshi's exposé, in fact, did nothing but ruin both families' reputations; aside from that, it yielded no real benefit—except that Qin Huiru and Yi Zhonghai were each driven by the scandal to darken their thoughts, acquiring ideas they previously lacked.

We need to keep meaning. Translate: "Jia Zhangshi's exposé, in fact, besides causing both families to lose reputation and status, had essentially no substantive gain; if one must say there was any, it could only be that Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai were successively forced by Jia Zhangshi's exposé to become darkened, acquiring thoughts they previously lacked."

Make concise but keep all info. Let's produce: "Jia Zhangshi's exposé, in fact, besides causing both families to lose reputation and status, had essentially no substantive gain; if one must say there was any, it could only be that Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai were successively forced by Jia Zhangshi's exposé to become darkened, acquiring thoughts they previously lacked."

Going forward, Jia Zhangshi will have to bear more; her surveillance duties will undoubtedly increase, and Qin Huiru and Yi Zhonghai, having experienced this, will become more cautious.

Translation: "In the future, Jia Zhangshi will have to endure more; her surveillance task will likely become heavier, and after this incident, Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai will become more cautious."

This is a blunder by Jia Zhangshi; soon a green hat symbolizing the Jia family will be placed on Jia Dongxu's head, making him a notorious cuckold known far and wide.

Translation: "This counts as Jia Zhangshi making a bad move; a green hat belonging to the Jia family will soon be placed on Jia Dongxu's head, turning him into a widely known 'green-hat hero'."

This, too, is a fact acknowledged by the courtyard residents.

Translation: "This is also a fact acknowledged by the residents of the siheyuan."

See through it but keep silent.

Translation: "See through but do not expose."

Everyone harbors ulterior motives.

Translation: "Everyone harbors a strange mindset."

Everyone is awaiting the incident's aftermath.

Translation: "Looking forward to the aftermath of the incident."

Jia Zhangshi didn't disappoint the residents, loudly exposing many scandalous secrets known only to the Jia and Yi families.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi also did not disappoint the residents' expectations, delivering a vehement exposé of many scandalous inner details known only to the Jia and Yi families."

Taking aim at Yi Zhonghai's retirement scheme.

Translation: "Pointing directly at Yi Zhonghai's retirement plans."

The hypocrite's heart leapt to his throat; the retirement plan is a secret Yi Zhonghai keeps to himself.

Translation: "The hypocrite's heart leapt to his throat in an instant; the matter of retirement, in Yi Zhonghai's mind, was an absolute secret known only to himself."

Apart from him and the deaf old lady, no one in the courtyard should know, yet Jia Zhangshi brought it up, naturally terrifying Yi Zhonghai.

Translation: "Apart from him and the deaf old lady in the siheyuan, it was supposed to remain unknown to anyone, but Jia Zhangshi brought it up, naturally frightening Yi Zhonghai into a state of panic."

The hypocrite overlooked one detail.

Translation: "The hypocrite forgot one thing."

Jia Zhangshi is roughly the same age as him; like others their age, she thinks about raising children to secure her old age. She has a son, Jia Dongxu, while Yi Zhonghai is childless; even a moment's thought shows why he is so busy and why he took Jia Dongxu as an apprentice.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi is roughly the same age as him; raising children to guard against old age is something people of their age constantly think about—Jia Zhangshi has a son, Jia Dongxu, while Yi Zhonghai has no heirs; even with just a toe one could figure out why Yi Zhonghai is bustling about and why he took Jia Dongxu as an apprentice."

The hypocrite gathered his words, intending to offer a rebuttal.

Translation: "The hypocrite organized his words, intending to utter a rebuttal."

Simply waiting for disaster won't work.

Translation: "Sitting and waiting for death won't do."

Given how unpredictable the world is, while they were preparing their words, the Liu father and daughter showed up with overwhelming force.

Translation: "How can one predict worldly affairs? While he was organizing his words, the Liu family father and daughter arrived with a mighty, aggressive force."

The sudden arrival of the Liu father and daughter in the courtyard threw off the hypocrite's rebuttal and temporarily halted Jia Zhangshi's exposé.

Translation: "The sudden appearance of the Liu family father and daughter in the siheyuan disrupted the hypocrite's rebuttal steps and also allowed Jia Zhangshi's exposé to come to a temporary halt."

They gazed at the furious Liu father and daughter before them.

Translation: "Looking at the furious Liu family father and daughter before him."

The courtyard fell into silence.

Translation: "The siheyuan then fell into silence."

Of course.

Translation: "Of course."

Beneath the silence, undercurrents stirred.

Translation: "Beneath the silence, undercurrents surged."

Many people can't fathom why Yi Zhonghai, eager to draw closer to the Xu family, would suggest a match for Xu Zhu—surely beneficial for improving ties between the two families. Had it been anyone else, they'd have introduced Xu Zhu to a woman of

Make sure to keep all info.

It's completely backfiring.

Translation: "Quite the opposite—it backfired completely."

Not to mention Xu Zhu, even the neighbors couldn't stand the sight; the moment they saw Liu Yufeng, they all gasped in shock, and fear showed on their faces.

Translation: "Not to mention Shazhu; even the residents found her displeasing. At the moment they saw Liu Yufeng, each drew a sharp breath, and fear appeared on their faces."

She is 1.5 meters tall but weighs over 200 jin, looking like a water tank; when she walks on the ground, even the floor seems to emit a miserable, heavy thud. Not to mention her ugly appearance—her voice is like a broken gong. Rather than saying she is a woman, it's more like saying she is a man; at first glance she appears more manly than a man. Her sparse hair resembles a chicken coop. From the junction of the middle and front courtyards to the middle courtyard, a short distance of seven or eight meters, Liu Yufeng had to rest for a minute or two, and she even seemed a bit lovesick.

Let's craft a single sentence preserving all info.

Are you Xu Zhu? I'm Liu Yufeng; your eldest uncle said you'd be my man from now on—I'm letting you know I've taken a liking to you.

Translation: "\"Are you Shazhu? I'm Liu Yufeng; your eldest uncle said that you will henceforth be my man—I'm letting you know, I've taken a liking to you. \""

The neighbors were already utterly shocked.

Translation: "The residents, already utterly shocked,"

I truly don't know how to describe their feelings right now.

Translation: "truly did not know how to describe their feelings at this moment."

Marriage isn't something a woman can decide on her own; it takes both parties agreeing. As soon as I entered and saw Xu Zhu, I bluntly announced that I was his wife.

Translation: "Marriage isn't something a woman can decide alone; it requires mutual consent. Just after entering, upon seeing Shazhu, she directly announced, saying I am now your wife."

What the hell!

Translation: "This damn!"

I heard your cooking is pretty good—what kind of cook are you? Let me tell you, after we're married, you'll have to focus on cooking for me. For breakfast I don't eat much, so steam me five steamed buns, big ones, and make two bowls of egg soup. At lunch, five big bowls of cabbage, ten steamed buns, also big; if it's white flour mantou, I need at least fifteen. For dinner I eat less—just a small bowl of millet porridge will do, plus six or seven big meat buns; no late-night snack, just to save you some trouble.

The observant ones started counting on their fingers.

Translation: "Those with intent started counting on their fingers."

One.

Translation: "One."

Two.

Translation: "Two."

Three.

Translation: "Three."

Is this meant to feed people?

Translation: "Is this for feeding people?"

Or are you feeding pigs?

Translation: "Or feeding pigs?"

Remember to keep numbers: "one and a half days" translates to "a day and a half"; "one day" translates to "a day".

You're really a pig.

Translation: "Truly a pig."

Yi Zhonghai, you're immoral.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai, you damn lacking virtue."

The neighbors all thought: if it weren't for their lack of virtue, could they introduce such a burly, manly-looking woman to Xu Zhu?

Translation: "The residents all had the same thought: if not for lacking virtue, could they have introduced Shazhu to such a burly, rough-looking woman who resembles a man?"

They turned their gaze toward Xu Zhu.

Translation: "They turned their gazes toward Shazhu."

Watching the show.

Translation: "Watching the show."

It's always been professional.

Translation: "It has always been professional."

After watching the Jia and Yi families' drama, now we're to watch the Xu Zhu and Liu families' drama. Xu Zhu's red-hot days—though the neighbors don't say it out loud, they're dying of envy inside; some even feel jealous, sourly remarking, 'Look at our own days, then look at Xu Zhu's—only his days are truly days.'

Xu Zhu went numb all over, his mind blank; when Liu Yufeng appeared before him, his head felt as if struck by a stick, buzzing nonstop.

Translation: "Shazhu's whole body went numb, his mind blank; in the period when Liu Yufeng appeared before him, his head felt as if struck by a stick, buzzing continuously."

I curse your eight generations of ancestors, Yi Zhonghai.

Translation: "I curse Yi Zhonghai's ancestors for eight generations."

I knew you had ill intentions, but I didn't expect you to be this malicious—what did you introduce me to? This damn thing is the match you, Yi Zhonghai, set up for me.

Translation: "Knowing you harbored ill intent, I didn't expect you to be this ill-intentioned; you damn well introduced me to what? This damn thing is exactly the partner you, Yi Zhonghai, introduced to me."

Damn.

Translation: "I damn."

What the hell is all this?

Translation: "What the hell is all this?"

Note: The name Xu Daming is not in the glossary; we should romanize it as Xu Daming. The idiom "soul flew to the ninth heaven" means his soul had flown to the ninth heaven. "Returned to his body" means he returned to his body. "Began to refuse in a low voice" means he began to refuse in a low voice.

Comrade Liu, Comrade Liu Yufeng, hello. I don't know where you heard about my affairs, but I must clarify one thing: my affairs, including my marriage, are entirely my own decision. I haven't asked anyone in our Dayuan to bother themselves with these messy matters. If I have, I would only entrust the Dayuan's manager, San Daye, Teacher Yan Fugui; as for others, I wouldn't.

Note: Dayuan is provided. San Daye is the manager of Dayuan, as per the glossary. Yan Fugui, Teacher Yan translates to Teacher Yan.

Xu Zhu dragged Yan Fugui into trouble, using him to compare with Yi Zhonghai.

Translation: "Shazhu dragged Yan Fugui into trouble, using Yan Fugui to contrast Yi Zhonghai."

You two just said that the eldest uncle told you that I entrusted him to help me find a partner. I can now clearly tell you: this eldest uncle is actually a manager of our Dayuan; he has no blood relation to me—I'm surnamed He, he's Yi—and everyone knows our two families have had no dealings till death. Asking him to introduce me a partner is impossible. Whoever is looking for you, you look for them; don't look for me.

The eldest uncle, who manages the Dayuan estate, said: I am surnamed He, he is Yi; the neighbors know our two families have had no dealings till death. Asking him to introduce me a partner is impossible. Whoever is looking for you, you look for them—don't look for me.

Xu Zhu's hand pointed toward Liu Yufeng.

Translation: "Shazhu's hand pointed toward Liu Yufeng."

Especially Comrade Liu Yufeng, we've just met for the first time, and you already declared me your partner upon our first meeting—I can't agree with that. I'm twenty years old, and I'm still preparing to heed the elders' call to train successors for the nation's construction. If your words get out, how can I face people? All I've done is nothing, and I've become a Chen Shimei; if you keep saying this, I can only turn to the Jiēdào.

I can only turn to Chen Shimei or the Jiēdào.

Yi Zhonghai became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai became anxious like an ant on a hot pan."

If this damn thing finds the Jiēdào.

Translation: "If this damn thing finds the Jiēdào,"

He, Yi Zhonghai, is this face still a face?

"Comrade Liu, you are the father of Comrade Liu Yufeng, you've eaten more salt than I've eaten rice. This Elder Yi Zhonghai came to see you this afternoon, saying he wants to introduce a match for your daughter, and that match is me, He Yuzhu. Am I right?"

"Yes, at 3:30 this afternoon he came to our workshop looking for me, saying he is an elder of your Dayuan, and that you, Shazhu, will still listen to his words, saying that as long as Elder Yi Zhonghai speaks, the marriage between my daughter Yufeng and you, Shazhu, will be settled."

"Comrade Liu, I must remind you of this: everything Elder Yi Zhonghai says is nonsense. A few days ago I already asked a matchmaker to find me a match. The matchmaker told me at noon today that my blind date prospect has been settled. This matter can be attested to by the Second Aunt, Third Aunt, and Aunt Yang of our Dayuan."

The few aunts pointed out by Shazhu nodded eagerly, serving as witnesses to his blind date.

Liu Father's face.

Changed.

Especially ugly.

In the midst of a series of mishaps, all the things Liu Father had planned came to nothing, leaving only embarrassment.

"Elder Yi Zhonghai, are you just messing with me?"

Elder Yi Zhonghai's face flushed red.

He didn't know what to say.

On the contrary, the strategist Elder Aunt was again helping Elder Yi Zhonghai out of the predicament.

"Old Liu, our Old Yi doesn't mean that. Our Old Yi saw that Shazhu is a person, inside and out, and since the adults aren't around, he also thinks your daughter is quite good, so he wanted to act as this matchmaker, but messed up. The other side, Shazhu, had already asked a matchmaker to introduce a match. Speaking of this matter, it's our Old Yi who is wrong—he meant well but did a bad deed."

He lifted it high.

He set it down gently.

A well-intentioned remark that caused harm.

He casually dismissed the matter, overturning the past.

"Elder Aunt, logically you should show your face, and I ought to give you some respect, but have you considered that with so many people talking, your well‑intentioned remark has given me the label of a bigamist? I have a blind date in a day or two; when they come, what will I say? What will the neighbors say? If the blind date fails, what then?"

Shazhu's questioning voice rang out.

"Fortunately the neighbors are all here, Comrade Liu and Comrade Liu Yufeng are also here. Facing everyone, I ask Elder Yi Zhonghai, Comrade Yi: I never asked you to help me find a match, nor did I beg you to do so. On what grounds are you doing this? Even if you mean well, seeing that I always come and go alone, you should have informed me beforehand instead of acting first and reporting later. I've laid down my words; this matter must be given a perfect explanation, otherwise I will certainly go to the street office to have them intervene. Your face, Elder Yi Zhonghai, is a face, but my face, He Yuzhu, is not just a face."

On the outskirts of the onlooking crowd.

A place Shazhu didn't know about.

Yu Li's mother, her eyes glittering with little stars, watched Shazhu standing in the crowd questioning Elder Yi Zhonghai.

Mother-in-law looking at son-in-law.

The more she looked, the more pleasing he became.

Although Shazhu is unattractive, the key is his personality, which extremely suits the taste of Yu Li's mother; clearly it is Elder Yi Zhonghai who is wrong, clearly he and Elder Yi Zhonghai have had no dealings, yet while questioning Elder Yi Zhonghai, he keeps addressing him as 'you'.

This child.

Truly well‑cultivated.

Yu Li will marry him.

No doubt about it.

As for Elder Yi Zhonghai's acting without Shazhu's consent, never telling him, and unilaterally helping him find a match, in Yu Li's mother's eyes this became the reason Shazhu is in demand.

He also has a bicycle and a radio, the Siheyuan still has two ancestral houses, his job is not bad either; such a son‑in‑law is hard to find even with a lantern.

Content, Yu Li's mother turned and left.

It came suddenly.

It went decisively.

Fulfilling that saying, I came lightly, you didn't see me, I left lightly, taking not a wisp of cloud.

All of this.

Shazhu was unaware of all this; now his thoughts still linger on Elder Yi Zhonghai, and he must get an explanation from him. Given the nature of those beasts in the Siheyuan, tomorrow rumors will spread that Shazhu is playing both sides; this threat must be nipped in the bud, giving those beasts no chance to exploit.

"Shazhu, how do you want to resolve this?"

"It's simple: Elder Aunt writes an apology statement, laying out the full story, we post it at the courtyard gate; as long as people know I've been wronged, that's enough."

The sound of drawing in a cold breath once again echoed through the Siheyuan.

Everyone was frightened.

Shazhu's move.

Really fucking ruthless.

Everyone knows Elder Yi Zhonghai cares about face; if this damn thing posts his apology statement at the Siheyuan gate for passersby to see,

Elder Yi Zhonghai's face becomes his butt.

To kill a person, first destroy his heart.

This is more satisfying than slapping Elder Yi Zhonghai in the face a few times.

What Shazhu wants is for Elder Yi Zhonghai to lose face; since this hypocrite cares about face, let's make him lose it badly.

"Shazhu."

"If I don't see the apology statement tomorrow, I'll go to the street office." After saying those harsh words, Shazhu, while leaving, told the Siheyuan neighbors, "Neighbors, please bear witness for me; I don't want to be unjustly scolded as Chen Shimei."

One wave hasn't settled before another rises.

With Shazhu unable to settle the matter,

The Liu father and daughter rose up again.

Realizing that it was Elder Yi Zhonghai alone pulling strings, the Liu father and daughter, aware they had lost face, staged a grand father‑son‑in‑arms play, and the two of them jointly dealt a crushing blow to the hypocrite.

Their coordination was truly not bad.

Liu's father angrily scolded Elder Yi Zhonghai, drawing his attention; Liu Yufeng seized the moment to cause trouble, just like Jia Zhangshi, also charging at Elder Yi Zhonghai.

The difference is that one used his head, the other used his body as a weapon.

A large frame weighing over two hundred catties.

Its power is comparable to a shell.

Yi Zhonghai, still dazed from the blow, had not yet recovered when Liu Yufeng turned her over-two-hundred-catty body into a weapon, pressing down on him like Mount Tai.

Yi Zhonghai lay on the ground, gasping, feeling as if a mountain had been added to his body, utterly weak; his five viscera and six bowels cried out in pain, and the words of his defense, as they left his mouth, turned instantly into agonized screams.

"Ah, it hurts!"

The onlooking neighbors.

Seeing Yi Zhonghai's miserable state, they furrowed their brows, unable to bear it.

Such a physique.

Don't press Yi Zhonghai to death.