Chapter 146: with translation of chapter title

Xu Daming's gaze fixedly stared at Shazhu; upon hearing Shazhu had returned, he put down his work and hurried back to the siheyuan.

A strange thought was at work.

Not having seen Shazhu for over five years, he wanted to see if Shazhu, as people said, had a family outside.

Otherwise, there would not be a total lack of news.

This led many to misunderstand Yu Li, and also angered He Yushui.

Over these five years.

Many changes occurred.

Shazhu had just returned.

He was completely unaware of some things.

The Red Star scrap yard where Shazhu worked merged with the neighboring scrap yard a year ago; its workers were either transferred, changed jobs, or went to other cities.

Xu Daming hoped Shazhu could work at the steel mill, doing his old job of cooking for people.

Being the head chef at the steel mill and staying there working is also making full use of his talent.

To do something else for a living.

It would waste Shazhu's talent for cooking.

Judging by how much he cares for Shazhu, Xu Daming sincerely treats Shazhu as his own brother and genuinely considers Shazhu's future.

He does not want Shazhu to regret later.

That's all.

It's impossible to jump straight to the topic; a detailed process is needed. Xu Daming started with a joke, the few of them chatted aimlessly, accompanied by their happy smiles.

Xu Daming and they talked about the siheyuan and the strange things at the steel mill, such as how Jia Zhangshi behaved rudely, how she drove away Qin Huairu's natal family, how she made Qin Huairu look embarrassed, etc.; Shazhu then spoke of his experiences over these five years, saying he had been cooking for people, using his culinary skills to win them over, and also learning from many fellow chefs, his cooking having improved greatly compared to five years ago.

As they talked.

I don't know why.

They talked about the various rumors among the siheyuan neighbors about Shazhu over these five years.

Xu Daming's tone carried a hint of strong anger.

"Shazhu, you don't know, those people in our courtyard don't wish you well; they insist you met with disaster, spreading all sorts of rumors, and in the end nothing good comes of it. Your return has slapped them in the face."

Both Yu Li and Yushui's faces also showed anger.

Shazhu didn't care.

Who doesn't talk behind others' backs?

Who isn't talked about behind their back?

Those people have mouths; let them talk. Anyway, I'm back.

"Shazhu, do you know which household this rumor first came from?"

Shazhu pointed to the Jia family across the way; when Xu Daming mentioned this, Shazhu guessed it was definitely the Jia family's doing—the worst beasts in the siheyuan, chief among them Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi never does any good for the Jia family.

After Shazhu had left the siheyuan for half a year, Jia Zhangshi kicked up a fuss, saying leaving the house empty was wasteful, insisting on going to look after Shazhu's house, claiming she was doing it for free to gather popularity for Shazhu.

He Yushui, though young, was obstinate and even fetched Old Wang; Jia Zhangshi was punished by Old Wang to clean the siheyuan for a month.

Since then, Jia Zhangshi has dragged Shazhu out as a shield, repeatedly in front of Yushui speaking nastily about him in a weird tone.

He Yushui flew into a rage and confronted Jia Zhangshi on the spot; a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl, how could she be a match for the shameless old hag Jia Zhangshi? Besides failing to vent her anger, she ended up being made to cry by Jia Zhangshi.

Even Yu Li was not spared; Jia Zhangshi several times in front of her made her unable to save face on the spot.

Yan Jiecheng, because of this, smashed the Jia family's windows several times at night, leaving Jia Zhangshi suffering greatly.

This matter Xu Daming came across by chance.

Regarding this.

Shazhu could only sigh.

To deal with petty people, Biesun must act.

……

"Shazhu, I want to discuss something with you."

Shazhu, seeing Xu Daming's expression,

knew Xu Daming was up to no good.

Indeed.

Biesun had the idea about Shazhu's unborn child.

"If you get married in a few days, I will also get married in a few days; we two brothers get along well, we'll together deal with Yi Zhonghai, together scheme against Jia Zhangshi. I think, if you and Yu Li have a son, and I, Xu Daming, and Lou Xiaoe have a daughter, or we have a son and you have a daughter, we might as well set a betrothal; if they are all boys or all girls, let them become sworn brothers or sisters."

Shazhu stared blankly at Xu Daming.

He recalled those things from his previous life.

It seemed Xu Daming had never had a child from beginning to end.

It was said to be Lou Xiaoe's problem, but after Lou Xiaoe and Xu Daming divorced, under the matchmaking of the deaf old lady, she went with Shazhu and eventually gave birth to his son Hexiao.

If that is the case.

Xu Daming cannot have children.

How then should this betrothal be brought up?

"Xu Daming, wait until you have a child before we talk."

Shazhu's meaning was to have Xu Daming go to the hospital for a checkup.

Some things, even between brothers, need to be hinted at gently.

But Xu Daming didn't understand Shazhu's meaning, and instead gave him a sideways glance, saying Shazhu was stingy, not even forming a dry kinship.

……

Jia Family.

Jia Zhangshi looked at Shazhu's house through the glass with an unfriendly expression.

When Yu Li and others laughed happily inside Shazhu's house, their laughter cut through the night sky and reached the Jia family's ears; Jia Zhangshi grew ever more furious, as if everyone owed her hundreds of dollars, glaring at everyone disapprovingly, as if she wanted to argue with each of them.

Seeking the reason.

Nothing more than not having taken advantage of Shazhu.

Jia Zhangshi, who thought not picking up things while walking was a loss, felt really displeased upon imagining Shazhu holding a big bulging bag in each hand.

Damn Shazhu.

With so much stuff, not even saying to give the Jia Family a share.

Eating alone.

Choke to death, you bastard.

Heaven is blind—why didn't Shazhu die outside? And He Yushui is no good either; Yu Li is even worse, not even married, always bustling about in the Siheyuan.

Jia Zhangshi's gaze fell on Bangeng.

An idea struck her.

She had a plan.

Since last year, the Jia family's living standard has truly deteriorated day by day, sometimes relying on the eldest grandson Bangeng.

Take!

This is Jia Zhangshi's self‑serving excuse.

We have no food, you have no one, my eldest grandson will go to your place to take some things.

Pickpocket's needle.

Grand theft gold.

Jia Zhangshi surely knows this logic, yet knowing it she still encourages Bangeng to trouble neighbors' homes, even changing 'steal' to 'take', who knows what she's thinking.

She didn't treat Bangeng as a grandson at all.

Qin Huairu too, facing Jia Zhangshi's irresponsible education, as a daughter‑in‑law of the Jia family and mother of Bangeng, acted as if she hadn't seen or heard, letting Jia Zhangshi educate Bangeng.

……

Yi Family.

Yi Zhonghai returned home preoccupied, sitting motionless on the stool.

He seemed lost in thought.

This startled the old lady.

Noticing Yi Zhonghai's odd state, the old lady waved her hand in front of him; seeing him still sitting like a wooden figure, she hurriedly patted his shoulder.

A simple shoulder pat, yet it seemed to frighten Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai, dazed on the stool, jumped up as if seeing a ghost, but due to landing off‑target, he flopped down with a thud.

His guilty look made the old lady narrow her eyes.

"Old Yi, Old Yi, what's wrong with you?"

She asked that, but

she didn't really think so.

Yi Zhonghai brought back white flour, yet ended up looking frightened as if he'd done something guilty.

"Tell me the truth, what's wrong with you?"

Hearing the old lady's shout, Yi Zhonghai gradually came to, his eyes vacant as he looked at her and said insincerely, 'I'm fine, just a bit sleepy.'

"You treat me like a three‑year‑old, right? This is not the look of someone fine."

"Really fine, I just didn't expect Shazhu to come back!" Yi Zhonghai quickly thought of an excuse, using Shazhu as a pretext to fool the old lady: "Just now I went to Shazhu's house; he said he'll get married in a few days, said I'm a level‑eight worker at Yagangchang, the head steward of the Siheyuan, said I have connections and face, asking me to help arrange his wedding stuff."

"Did you agree?"

"No, he wants too much—twenty jin of pork; even if I stake my face, I can't get him twenty jin. Xu Daming beside him is also beating the drum, saying he also wants to marry, so I can't favor one over the other. Ah, when did Shazhu become so shrewd?"

"People aren't really stupid just because they're called Shazhu; are they just a clueless idiot?"

The old lady sighed deeply.

Long ago.

He had warned Yi Zhonghai countless times: never treat Shazhu as a fool, for whoever does so is the real big fool.

Everyone says it's embarrassing for Shazhu to find a match through a matchmaker himself.

But the person he found is Yu Li.

Even with a lantern, she's hard to find.

Not to mention the Siheyuan, even among the surrounding big courtyards, it's hard to find a girl better than Yu Li.

Yan Jiecheng can't forget what he saw.

Isn't it just that he saw her virtuous side?

He was moved.

Some even secretly compared Yu Li to Qin Huairu, concluding that Qin Huairu isn't even fit to hand Yu Li her shoes.

Shazhu has been away for five years.

How has Yu Li been taking care of He Yushui?

The neighbors have all seen it.

Those who know will give Yu Li a thumbs‑up, saying she's a good person and that Shazhu marrying her is like finding a treasure.

"I've told you so many times not to underestimate Shazhu, yet you just won't listen."

Stop talking, it's my fault.

Enough, it's my fault.

You think I enjoy saying this? I have no choice. I can't bear to give up the food I eat, while you just—just brush your lips together and hand everything over to the Jia family.

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "You think I enjoy saying this? I have no choice. I can't bear to part with the things I eat, yet you just—just touch your upper lip to your lower lip and hand them over to the Jia family."

The eldest aunt was full of complaints.

Really generous.

A catty of snow flour, just handed over to the Jia family like that.

Her gaze fell on Yi Zhonghai again.

Isn't Qin Huairu pregnant and in need of nutrition? Feeling the eldest aunt's doubtful gaze, Yi Zhonghai came up with another excuse: "You know the Jia family's situation—Dong Xu is still just a second-level worker, and Jia Zhangshi is someone who can't move much; I'm his teacher, so to outsiders we're practically family—I can't let outsiders point at our backs, can I?"

Isn't Qin Huairu pregnant and in need of nutrition?

Feeling the eldest aunt's doubtful gaze, Yi Zhonghai came up with another excuse,

The Jia family's situation, you know it too—Dong Xu is still just a second-level worker, and Jia Zhangshi is someone who can't move much; I'm his teacher, so to outsiders we're practically family—I can't let outsiders point at our backs, can I?

We need to keep it as one line. Let's combine: "Isn't Qin Huairu pregnant and in need of nutrition? Feeling the eldest aunt's doubtful gaze, Yi Zhonghai came up with another excuse: 'The Jia family's situation, you know it too—Dong Xu is still just a second-level worker, and Jia Zhangshi is someone who can't move much; I'm his teacher, so in outsiders' eyes we're practically family—I can't let outsiders point at our backs, can I?'"

But we need to keep quotes? The original had quotes around the excuse. We can keep them.

You play the good person, I'll be the bad one.

The eldest aunt let out a faint sigh in her heart, steering the topic to the deaf old lady—the Siheyuan isn't just the Jia family.

The eldest aunt let out a faint sigh in her heart, turned the conversation to the deaf old lady, and remarked that the Siheyuan isn't only the Jia family's.

Combine: "The eldest aunt let out a faint sigh in her heart, turned the topic to the deaf old lady— the Siheyuan isn't just the Jia family."

During the day today.

The matter of Yi Zhonghai delivering white flour.

The deaf old lady found out.

The old lady in the back courtyard is unhappy again, shouting that she wants to improve her life, even mentioning the name of Ju Fu Lou; anyway I can't do anything, you figure it out yourself.

We need to keep quotes. So: "The old lady in the back courtyard is unhappy again, shouting that she wants to improve her life, even mentioning the name of Ju Fu Lou; anyway I can't do anything, you figure it out yourself."

You explain things properly to the old lady.

The key is to listen.

The eldest aunt also felt helpless toward the deaf old lady, having no way to deal with her.

This also has Jia Zhangshi's contribution: seeing that Yi Zhonghai couldn't get anything from Shazhu, she thought of the ploy 'moving the blame eastward', deliberately went to the deaf old lady and told her that Shazhu had come back carrying big and small packages, full of good things.

the ploy of shifting blame eastward

The deaf old lady, being a glutton, hadn't improved her life in a long time, so she believed Jia Zhangshi's nonsense and immediately kicked up a fuss.

It was nothing more than trying to use Yi Zhonghai to pressure Shazhu, hoping to get some tangible benefits from him.

She didn't even consider who Shazhu was, or how the two families relate.

Shazhu and the deaf old lady have nothing to do with each other till death.

And he and Yi Zhonghai as a couple also have nothing to do with each other till death.

How could they feel ashamed to go to Shazhu's house and ask him for food?

Do they really think that if we speak up, Shazhu will just hand over the stuff?

The eldest aunt had a headache.

Even a clever woman can't cook without rice.

Where could we get mountain delicacies and seafood for the deaf old lady?

The white flour was given to the Jia family by Yi Zhonghai.

Let's just make do and eat.

The eldest aunt carried two steamed corn buns and walked toward the back courtyard.

…… -> "……" (ellipsis). Keep as is.

Watching the eldest aunt's retreating back.

Yi Zhonghai finally could breathe a sigh of relief; just now he had deceived the eldest aunt, not telling her the truth—the hypocrite Wei Junzi's dazed state wasn't because of Shazhu but because of Jia Dongxu.

The hypocrite Wei Junzi's dazed state wasn't because of Shazhu but because of Jia Dongxu.

Yi Zhonghai finally could breathe a sigh of relief; just now he had deceived the eldest aunt, not telling her the truth—the hypocrite Wei Junzi's dazed state wasn't because of Shazhu but because of Jia Dongxu.

The reason he was frightened was also Jia Dongxu.

Originally Jia Zhangshi was going to Yi Zhonghai's house to get the white flour, but Yi Zhonghai, out of some selfish thoughts, came up with an excuse and proactively sent the white flour to the Jia family.

When he finished delivering the white flour and left the Jia family, the hypocrite Wei Junzi unexpectedly met Jia Dongxu returning from outside at the Jia family's gate.

In the instant they brushed past each other.

Jia Dongxu, as if possessed, muttered something to Yi Zhonghai.

"Master Yi, I find it strange—why are you so concerned about our family's affairs? Again with the white flour? And you even bought nutrition supplements? There are things I, Jia Dongxu, can't even do...."

Just an ordinary complaint.

It scared Yi Zhonghai so much his heart almost leapt out of his throat.

His whole body felt like sitting on pins and needles.

Fortunately, the hypocrite Wei Junzi was one step ahead.

He knew he couldn't let the cat out of the bag.

"Dong Xu, you kid, why do you keep talking nonsense? I'm your teacher, you're my disciple." Forcing a smile, he replied to Jia Dongxu, "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father; I have no children, so I treat you as...."

Yi Zhonghai, knowing Jia Dongxu's character, deliberately brought up their teacher-student relationship to dispel Jia Dongxu's doubts.

That's why he was dazed just now.

It was Yi Zhonghai recalling the details of his recent encounter with Jia Dongxu—their words, wondering if anything had been missed, trying to fill any gaps as best he could to avoid future trouble.

The hypocrite Wei Junzi's character.

He wanted to eliminate any hidden dangers that could lead to consequences.

When he was lost in thought, the eldest aunt shouted at him and gave him a pat; his reaction was naturally a bit more intense than usual, that's all—he had no other plans.

His gaze leapt over the glass.

He looked at the Jia family across the way.

He fell into thought for no apparent reason.

Shazhu's return was like a stone tossed into a calm lake, breaking its stillness and sending ripples across the surface.

How could he obtain what he wanted from this situation?

This is the kind of ending Yi Zhonghai wanted.