Chapter 155: with translation of title

Noon. OK.

=> "Noon."

Shazhu and Yu Li appeared at the gate of the Siheyuan. OK.

=> "Shazhu and Yu Li appeared at the gate of the Siheyuan."

Shazhu and Yu Li appeared at the gate of the Siheyuan.

The onlookers watching the excitement, seeing Shazhu and his wife, all felt somewhat surprised.

=> "The onlookers watching the excitement, seeing Shazhu and his wife, all felt somewhat surprised."

Shazhu and his wife

People rely on their clothes, horses on their saddles.

=> "A person relies on clothes, a horse on its saddle." This is a proverb. Keep as is.

The ancients never deceive me.

=> "The ancients truly do not deceive me."

Having grown accustomed to Shazhu's mature appearance, one feels that his marriage to Yu Li is like a fresh flower stuck in cow dung—no matter how you look at it, it feels completely out of place.

=> "Having grown accustomed to Shazhu's mature looks, one feels that his marriage to Yu Li is like a fresh flower stuck in cow dung—no matter how you look at it, it feels utterly incongruous."

Shazhu and Yu Li's marriage

Feeling various discomforts.

=> "All kinds of discomfort."

But now, after deliberately dressing up, Shazhu gives off a fresh, new impression; his formerly mature appearance, perhaps from the joy of marriage, lights up with a hint of delight, transforming him inside and out into another person.

=> "But the present-day Shazhu, who had deliberately dressed up, gives people a feeling of freshness; his originally mature appearance-wise, perhaps because he is happy from marrying, his face shows a hint of joy, and inside and out he has become another person."

We need to keep concise but include all info. Let's try: "But the present-day Shazhu, who had deliberately dressed up, gives a fresh feeling; his originally mature looks, perhaps from wedding joy, show a hint of delight, and inside and out he has become another person."

Beside her, Yu Li radiates energy and charm; though she was already attractive, her demeanor has changed dramatically, making her strikingly eye-catching.

=> "Beside him, Yu Li appears even more radiant; originally decent-looking, her bearing has greatly changed, making her especially eye-catching."

Even if someone is plain-looking, she can still attract people by dressing up beautifully; Yu Li herself has natural grace and poise, and with the joy of her marriage and Shazhu's supportive presence, she stands out like a crane among chickens.

=> "Even if one is plain-looking, dressing beautifully can still attract people; Yu Li herself has substance and bearing, and with the wedding joy and Shazhu's supportive presence beside her, she stands out even more like a crane among chickens."

stands out like a crane among chickens

Among the onlookers, everyone was saying how good it was, except Yan Jiecheng, whose heart was filled with pain; he gazed at Shazhu, muttered a few words, and bluntly said that Shazhu and Yu Li were not a good match.

=> "Among the onlookers, everyone spoke well of them, only Yan Jiecheng's heart was filled with pain; he gazed at Shazhu, murmuring a few words, bluntly saying Shazhu and Yu Li are not a good match."

We need to use Yan Jiecheng from glossary. Good.

An old, oft-discussed topic.

=> "An oft-repeated topic."

Shazhu's looks really aren't up to Yu Li's standard; why would Qin Huairu have no feelings for Shazhu? The bottom line is that Qin Huairu is also a looks-obsessed sycophant. Initially, Xu Daming, acting on Jia Zhangshi's orders, tried to undermine and cause trouble, but Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu teamed up to expose the truth about Xu Daming—it was Jia Dongxu's looks that won Qin Huairu over; Xu Daming's looks are better than Shazhu's, and Jia Dongxu's are better than Xu Daming's, meaning Shazhu's looks fall short of Jia Dongxu's.

=> "Shazhu's looks truly fall short of Yu Li's; why would Qin Huairu feel nothing for Shazhu? Simply because Qin Huairu is also a looks-obsessed sycophant—initially Xu Daming, acting on Jia Zhangshi's orders to sabotage, Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu teamed up to crush Xu Daming, the truth being that Jia Dongxu's looks won Qin Huairu over; Xu Daming's looks surpass Shazhu's, Jia Dongxu's surpass Xu Daming's, thus Shazhu's looks are inferior to Jia Dongxu's."

Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi, Xu Daming, and Jia Dongxu

Xu Daming and Jia Dongxu

Jia Dongxu is at least a handsome man.

=> "After all, Jia Dongxu is a man with handsome features."

Even without his mature appearance, Shazhu still can't compare to Jia Dongxu.

=> "Even without his mature looks, Shazhu still cannot compare to Jia Dongxu."

"Welcome the new."

=> "\"Welcome the new. \"" => After => we have "\"Welcome the new. \"" which is "Welcome the new." with quotes. So output: 【49】 "Welcome the new."

Yan Fugui gave a reminder.

=> "Yan Fugui gave a word of advice."

Xu Daming and Liu Guangtian, who had rushed back first, immediately lit firecrackers at the gate of the Siheyuan.

=> "Xu Daming and Liu Guangtian, who had returned a step ahead, first lit firecrackers at the Siheyuan gate."

We need to use Liu Guangtian from glossary. Good.

Marriage customs.

=> "The wedding custom."

We need the crackling of firecrackers to welcome the newcomers.

=> "They used crackling firecracker sounds to welcome the newcomers."

Shazhu took Yu Li's hand, stepped over the crackling firecrackers, and arrived at the Zhong Yuan.

=> "Shazhu took Yu Li's hand, stepped through the crackling firecracker array, and arrived at the Zhong Yuan."

We need to use Zhong Yuan from glossary. Good.

During the time Shazhu was marrying Yu Li, Yan Fugui and the Third Aunt directed the people to tidy up Shazhu's home; a large red cloth was hung at the gate of Shazhu's home, and a huge picture was pasted above the window, with a stool placed beneath it.

=> "During the period when Shazhu married Yu Li, Yan Fugui and Third Aunt directed everyone to tidy up Shazhu's home; a large red cloth hung at his door, a huge picture was pasted above the window, and a stool was placed beneath the picture."

We need to use Third Aunt from glossary. Good.

Shazhu and Yu Li both furrowed their brows slightly.

=> "Shazhu and Yu Li both furrowed their brows slightly."

It wasn't the stool they were angry about, but the person sitting on it.

=> "It wasn't aimed at the stool, but at the person sitting on it."

The deaf old lady.

=> "Long Laotaitai."

The damn deaf old lady, for unknown reasons, perhaps having calculated that it was Shazhu's big day, didn't bother with her usual sense and rushed over to nauseate Shazhu and his wife.

=> "The old undying Long Laotaitai, for unknown reasons, perhaps having calculated that Shazhu's wedding day would not see her usual treatment, rushed over to nauseate Shazhu and his wife."

She sat on the stool, imposing and arrogant.

=> "She sat on the stool like a general with a horse and sword." => Output: 【77】 "She sat on the stool like a general with a horse and sword."

It was clear she was trying to leverage the situation.

=> "Clearly intending to borrow influence."

Today, not only the people of the Siheyuan but also outsiders from the outer courtyard were present; if Shazhu and his wife were to accept the rumor that the deaf old lady is their elder, they would suffer in the future.

=> "Today, not only the Siheyuan residents but also outsiders from the outer courtyard are present; if Shazhu and Yu Li were to treat Long Laotaitai as their elder based on this rumor, they would suffer in the future."

Repeated rumors can make falsehood seem true.

=> "The principle that three people make a tiger."

Shazhu understood.

=> "Shazhu understands."

His expression involuntarily showed a hint of displeasure.

=> "His facial expression unconsciously carried a hint of displeasure."

You shameless deaf old lady—I'm He, you're Lin; one lives in the Zhong Yuan, the other in the Hou Yuan, just ordinary neighbors. I'm getting married, and you're acting as my elder on my wedding day—what are you playing at?

=> "Dead old woman, truly shameless—I'm He, you're Lin; one lives in Zhong Yuan, the other in Hou Yuan, just ordinary neighbors; I'm getting married, and you act as my elder on my wedding day—what are you playing at?"

Zhong Yuan and Hou Yuan, I'm He, you're Lin

Seeing Shazhu's change in expression, Yan Fugui feared he would lash out on the spot and say unpleasant things.

=> "Yan Fugui saw Shazhu's face change, fearing he would turn hostile on the spot and say unpleasant things."

On this joyous day, trouble arose; besides Shazhu and his wife losing face, Yan Fugui also lost face.

=> "On this joyous day, causing trouble brings shame not only to Shazhu and his wife but also to Yan Fugui himself."

He resented the deaf old lady, but her skill at pretending to be deaf and mute was top-notch, she was older than Yan Fugui, and when he confronted her, he really didn't dare.

=> "He resented Long Laotaitai in his heart, but her skill at feigning deafness and dumbness is top-notch, she is older than Yan Fugui, and if he confronted her directly, he really wouldn't dare."

"Shazhu, Third Grandpa is useless," he sighed.

=> "\"Shazhu, San Daye is incapable, alas. \""

We need to use San Daye from glossary. Good.

The final sigh.

=> "The final sigh."

Full of self-blame and helplessness.

=> "Full of self-blame and helplessness."

Shazhu could see that Yan Fugui had really done his best.

=> "Shazhu also saw that Yan Fugui really did his best."

First Aunt also hurried over to persuade.

=> "First Aunt also hurried over to persuade."

First Aunt

"Zhuzi, the old lady knows you're getting married today; everyone in the neighborhood knows your situation. If there's no elder present to back you up on your wedding day, outsiders will gossip. The old lady means well, wanting to help you keep face. Today is your happy day, so don't cause trouble."

=> "\"Zhuzi, the old lady knows you're marrying today; everyone in the neighborhood knows your situation. If there's no elder present to back you up on your wedding day, outsiders will gossip. The old lady means well, wanting to help you keep face; today is your joyous day, so don't act rashly. \""

Zhuzi

On this happy day, don't cause trouble.

=> "On this joyous day, one must not act rashly."

This is probably what the deaf old lady and First Aunt rely on to act high and mighty.

=> "This is probably the reliance that Long Laotaitai and First Aunt have for their domineering behavior."

Shazhu looked at First Aunt, now doubting all of this; in fact, it was all her scheming. After all, last night Shazhu, in front of the neighbors, had embarrassed Yi Zhonghai and even dug a pit for him. As Yi Zhonghai's pillow companion and strategist, she used the trick of disgusting the deaf old lady to upset herself— for First Aunt, it's no big deal.

=> "Shazhu looked at First Aunt, now doubting all of this; in fact, it's all a scheme cooked up by First Aunt—after all, last night Shazhu, in front of the neighbors, humiliated Yi Zhonghai and dug him a pit; First Aunt, as Yi Zhonghai's pillow companion and strategist, using the ploy of disgusting Long Laotaitai against herself, finds it no great difficulty."

Yi Zhonghai is the pillow companion and strategist

Cannot cause trouble.

=> "Must not act rashly."

Shazhu let out a cold snort in his heart.

=> "Shazhu let out a cold snort in his heart."

His gaze turned to the deaf old lady.

=> "His gaze turned toward Long Laotaitai."

Unlike First Aunt, the deaf old lady's eyes showed a faint glimmer of expectation, as if she were waiting for something; having lived two lifetimes, Shazhu could figure it out even with his toes.

=> "Unlike First Aunt, Long Laotaitai's eyes betray a faint expectation, as if she awaits something; having lived two lifetimes, Shazhu could figure it out even with his toes."

In these times of scarce supplies, Yi Zhonghai and his wife, though resourceful, could barely cook without rice; Qin Huairu was still pregnant with a child. The hypocritical couple's circumstances naturally leaned toward Qin Huairu, so they couldn't meet the deaf old lady's series of greedy demands. Moreover, the fact that Shazhu worked in the steel mill canteen made the deaf old lady believe he could satisfy her gluttony. Considering the relationship between the two families, she and First Aunt quickly teamed up to stage a scheme at Shazhu and Yu Li's wedding, positioning Shazhu as the senior elder.

=> "In these times of scarce resources, Yi Zhonghai and his wife are like a skilled wife unable to cook without rice; Qin Huairu is pregnant with a child, and the conditions of the hypocritical couple must favor Qin Huairu, so they naturally cannot meet Long Laotaitai's series of greedy demands. Moreover, the fact that Shazhu works in the Yagangchang canteen makes Long Laotaitai believe he can satisfy her gluttony. Considering the relationship between the two families, she and First Aunt instantly agreed, staging a scheme at Shazhu's wedding to have him play the elder."

Yi Zhonghai, Qin Huairu, Yagangchang, and the hypocritical couple

If it were an ordinary old lady.

=> "If it were an ordinary old lady,"

It's really just a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks.

=> "it would truly be a matter of adding a pair of chopsticks."

Too bad.

=> "What a pity."

This is the deaf old lady who constantly demands meat and white flour steamed buns; Xu Daming this morning recounted how, last night, the deaf old lady had given Yi Zhonghai and his wife a dirty look.

=> "This is Long Laotaitai, who constantly clamors for meat and white steamed buns; Xu Daming this morning early on repeated how last night Long Laotaitai gave Yi Zhonghai and his wife a cold shoulder."

We need to use Xu Daming (pinyin) and Yi Zhonghai.

The cause was that Yi Zhonghai gave white flour to the Jia family and gave the deaf old lady steamed corn buns; the deaf old lady, upon opening the door, told First Aunt she wanted meat, and to eat a big bowl full of it.

=> "The cause was that Yi Zhonghai gave white flour to the Jia family and gave Long Laotaitai steamed corn buns; Long Laotaitai, upon opening the door, declared to First Aunt her attitude: she wanted meat, and she wanted a big bowl full of meat."

The Jia family ate steamed corn buns

Where could they find meat for her?

=> "Where could one find meat for her?"

They kept their distance out of respect.

=> "Keep one's distance out of respect."

Yi Zhonghai and his wife both felt annoyed.

=> "Yi Zhonghai and his wife both felt annoyed."

Shazhu dared not provoke them.

=> "Shazhu dared not provoke her."

There are policies from above.

There is a countermeasure.

Long Laotaitai thought that by sitting on the stool she could rest easy.

It pleased him.

The only thing Yan Fugui got right today.

It was just hanging this thing out.

Long Laotaitai sat imposingly on this thing.

What does that mean?

You're even more awesome than him.

A smile appeared on Shazhu's unhappy cheeks.

Yan Fugui felt resentful; a perfectly good matter was ruined by Long Laotaitai and the elder aunt.

The elder aunt and Long Laotaitai shared a conspiratorial smirk, their plot to force Shazhu via marriage succeeded, and what followed was the farce of eating and drinking Shazhu.

Shazhu signaled with his eyes to the elder aunt about that thing; if it came to light, Long Laotaitai wouldn't fare well, neither would Shazhu and his wife, nor Yan Fugui who arranged it, and the Siheyuan neighbors would also suffer.

A smart person.

Often a little hint makes it clear.

After Shazhu's reminder, the elder aunt's complacent face showed sudden alarm; she stared at that thing and panicked.

Damn it.

Forgot about this.

"Granny, get up quickly; this isn't where you should sit."

"What are you saying? Shazhu wants to call me grandma, a good thing; today is Shazhu's wedding day, I'm just giving him face."

The elder aunt was furious, really wanting to slap Long Laotaitai.

So many people.

Didn't dare.

Reputation!

Critical moment.

Jia Zhangshi rushed out.

"Granny, Shazhu's surname is He, yours is Lin—what kind of grandma and grandchild are you? Shazhu never acknowledged you as grandma; you just want to eat his meat dishes and white steamed buns, yet you claim to be his grandma. When did Shazhu ever say he'd call you grandma? Don't flatter yourself; make Shazhu call you grandma and see—everyone knows our families have no dealings; you're just here to disgust Shazhu."

Shazhu's heart.

Became conflicted.

Jia Zhangshi rarely did a good deed.

"Old Lady Yi's wife, Jia Zhangshi said about me."

"You said it, so why won't you admit it?" The elder aunt rushed to Long Laotaitai's ear and whispered something.

Shazhu guessed it was probably telling Long Laotaitai the seriousness of the matter.

Visible to the naked eye.

Long Laotaitai's face changed; she fearfully glanced at that thing above the window, inwardly cursed, forgot about this, couldn't bother pretending to be deaf, also extinguished the idea of making Shazhu her ancestor, and rose straight for the back courtyard.

Overall it gave the feeling of fleeing in defeat.

Yan Fugui, killing with intent, deliberately shouted from behind: "Granny, you weren't supposed to give Zhu face? Why did you leave?"

"Plop"

Long Laotaitai was on her way to the back courtyard.

She fell to the ground.

Serves her right!

Yan Fugui directed Liu Guangtian to remove the stool, starting the second part of the wedding.

Exchanging gifts.

Shazhu held a book and gave it to Yu Li.

Yu Li also held a book and gave it to Shazhu.

Next.

It was the segment where Shazhu and Yu Li faced that object and gave self-explanations.

"I, He Yuzhu and Yu Li, have become husband and wife; we will keep your teachings in mind and do something beneficial to..."

Thus far.

Shazhu and Yu Li's marriage is now concluded.

Since there was no plan to feast the neighbors, under Yan Fugui's lead, Shazhu and Yu Li went house to house handing out a little wedding candy.

Yu Li is magnanimous.

Although knowing Long Laotaitai and the elder aunt disgusted them, Yu Li still generously gave them their wedding candy.

The last to receive was the Jia family.

The candy pieces were slightly more than others'.

Who let Shazhu and his wife, thanks to Jia Zhangshi publicly exposing Long Laotaitai's tricks, reveal her scheming to the neighbors, causing Long Laotaitai to truly lose face.

One is one.

Two is two.

Jia Zhangshi, happily accepting the candy from Shazhu, broke into a smile and rarely spoke a few polite words.

"Shazhu, now that you're married you're an adult; think before you act, don't go hitting people like before."

Taking advantage of Yu Li's inattention.

He suddenly lowered his voice.

Shazhu, you said you'd treat the neighbors to braised pork, didn't you? I won't hide it from you, Shazhu—your cooking has had my old wife craving it for ages. Are you going to make us braised pork tonight?

Shazhu hesitated.

After all, he still overestimated Jia Zhangshi.

I had thought Jia Zhangshi would say something else.

Turns out it's still about eating.

"Aunt Jia, the matter of treating the neighbors to a meal isn't on us; it's on Elder Uncle. I told the neighbors last night that as long as Elder Uncle gets the pork and flour, I'll go house to house to treat everyone to a bowl of braised pork, plus two steamed buns. Isn't it because Elder Uncle hasn't managed to get the pork?"

Shazhu deflected with excuses.

"I understand your meaning. Why don't you go urge Elder Uncle again tonight to get the pork and flour quickly, so the neighbors won't worry themselves sick? With you, Aunt Jia, taking charge, there's nothing you can't accomplish."

Jia Zhangshi cursed Shazhu a few times in her heart.

Damn it.

Putting a high hat on my old woman.

Yet a smile once again appeared on his face.

It's all because of the pork.

Shazhu got married and took leave; the folks at Yagangchang didn't know this, they were solely focused on wanting to eat Shazhu's cooking, and at noon they almost broke the Ershitang from the crowd, only later learning that Shazhu hadn't cooked, which finally alerted the Yagangchang leadership.

Deputy Factory Director Li then informed everyone that Shazhu was getting married today, saying that on Monday he would definitely let the workers eat Shazhu's dishes.

The several leaders of Yagangchang consulted, and taking advantage of the remaining time, they all came to attend Shazhu's wedding celebration, and brought him a huge gift.

Ten jin of pork!

Jia Zhangshi only asked Shazhu when he would make meat dishes for the neighbors because she saw those ten jin of pork.

As a result, Shazhu blamed it on Yi Zhonghai, saying it was Yi Zhonghai's affair and putting the responsibility on Yi Zhonghai's head.

"Shazhu, didn't Yagangchang give you ten jin of pork?"

For the sake of eating.

Jia Zhangshi lost all shame.

"First make the braised pork and share it with the neighbors; when you have flour, then give them steamed buns."

"Aunt Jia, we have other plans for the pork; alright, see you later."