Chapter 169: Huairu, Mom Teaches You How to Be a Widow

The news of Jia Dongxu's death.

Extremely fast speed.

It spread throughout the Yagangchang.

Shazhu, busy working in the canteen, heard the news; aside from being stunned at first, he soon didn't take it to heart.

From beginning to end.

His heart was tranquil.

He also viewed the aftermath of Jia Dongxu's death with mixed feelings.

Everything turned out as Shazhu had anticipated.

While chatting with the neighbors, Jia Zhangshi heard of Jia Dongxu's death, fainted on the spot, and was revived by someone pressing her philtrum.

Qin Huairu, unsure if she was excited or frightened, followed Jia Zhangshi's example and also fainted.

Same person, different fate.

Jia Zhangshi was left where she fell, ignored and left to her own devices, while Qin Huairu was taken to the hospital by Yi Zhonghai, who had returned to deliver the news of Jia Dongxu's death.

That night.

Qin Huairu gave birth to twins in the hospital.

The boy was named Bangeng.

The girl was named Huaihua.

The next day.

Under Yi Zhonghai's leadership, Jia Zhangshi personally went to the Yagangchang to discuss Jia Dongxu's compensation with the relevant leaders; they finally settled on a portion of the bereavement payment and Qin Huairu taking over Jia Dongxu's job, with wages, subsidies, and bonuses adding up to twenty-seven point five yuan per month.

Laoqianpo originally did not want to give the job to Qin Huairu.

In her heart.

This job was earned by her son Jia Dongxu with his life; it belongs to the Jia family.

Dong Xu lives.

Qin Huairu is the Jia family's daughter-in-law.

Dong Xu is dead.

Qin Huairu is simply a widow.

At this time.

Nowadays, talking about observing chastity is out of date; relevant departments encourage widows to remarry.

Even as Qin Huairu's mother-in-law and Jia Dongxu's mother, Jia Zhangshi cannot prevent her from remarrying.

Let her try to stop it?

She might end up being labeled as trying to turn back history.

Having experienced major right-and-wrong issues, Jia Zhangshi clearly understands the ins and outs.

She dare not.

Nor can she stop it.

For Jia Zhangshi, Qin Huairu taking over Jia Dongxu's job is like walking a tightrope on a cliff; one slip and the Jia family will end up with nothing, like trying to draw water with a bamboo basket.

If the job is lost, the person is lost too, and will be driven out of the Siheyuan to return to the countryside hometown to live.

Such an outcome is not what Jia Zhangshi wants to see.

She cannot bear the consequences.

If Qin Huairu remarries while keeping the job, Jia Zhangshi will have no one to support her, and the Jia family's line—Bangeng and Xiao Dang—will also have no one to support them.

Whoever marries Qin Huairu gets Qin Huairu herself, not her children, nor her mother-in-law; the so-called 'three small, one big' super luxurious package is not something ordinary people can afford.

Jia Zhangshi cannot possibly let Qin Huairu just remarry like that.

Otherwise, even living in the Siheyuan would become a luxury for her.

The house belongs to the Yagangchang; only its workers and their families may live there. As Qin Huairu's former mother-in-law, Jia Zhangshi truly cannot reside there.

Regarding Qin Huairu taking over the job, she holds an opposing attitude in her heart.

Under the eaves, one must bow one's head.

Can only make compromises.

Her son is dead.

Yi Zhonghai is again on Qin Huairu's side.

If Jia Zhangshi firmly opposes Qin Huairu taking over the job and instead goes to work at the Yagangchang herself, she will offend Yi Zhonghai.

As the Head Steward of the Siheyuan and a Level 8 Technician at the Yagangchang, Yi Zhonghai's dual identity is not something Jia Zhangshi can match.

After careful consideration.

Jia Zhangshi reluctantly agreed to Yi Zhonghai's request, consenting to Qin Huairu taking over Jia Dongxu's job.

But she made Yi Zhonghai swear to the elders that, once Bangeng grows up, he will persuade Qin Huairu to hand over the job to Bangeng.

Yi Zhonghai agreed, and swore profusely in front of Jia Zhangshi.

After the matter of taking over the job and compensation was settled, came the arrangements for Jia Dongxu's funeral.

Don't look at Jia Zhangshi loudly proclaiming before countless neighbors that she will arrange feasts for all Jia family matters; when it actually came to the Jia family, she also backed down.

Even a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

There's nothing!

They finally decided on a simple, no-frills arrangement.

In Jia Zhangshi's own words:

No feast.

Translation: "But the neighbors could give gifts, they found Yan Fugui and had him help keep the accounts, which made Yan Fugui tremble with anger; the Jia family is really damn good at scheming—they don't eat meals, just spend money, and they're not stupid—who just spends money without eating really thinks other people's money blows in like the wind."

we already did. Let's produce final version.

They don't eat meals, just spend money; they're not stupid.

【74】

Let's produce a smooth translation.

We'll do: "But the neighbors can give gifts, they found Yan Fugui and had him help keep accounts, making Yan Fugui tremble with anger; the Jia family is really damn good at scheming — they don't eat meals, just spend money, and they're not stupid; who just spends money without eating, really thinks other people's money blows in like the wind."

But the neighbors could give cash gifts, they found Yan Fugui and had him help keep the books; this made Yan Fugui tremble with anger. The Jia family are really damn good at scheming—they don't eat meals, just spend money, and they're not stupid. Who just spends money without eating, thinking other people's money blows in like the wind.

【62】

We need to keep punctuation roughly. We'll output as one line.

For Jia Dongxu's funeral, many came to watch the spectacle, but few actually participated.

Translate: "For Jia Dongxu's funeral, many came to watch the spectacle, but few actually participated."

【86】

At Jia Dongxu's funeral, many people came to watch the excitement, but few actually participated.

It's mainly to see Qin Huairu.

Translate: "Mainly to see Qin Huairu."

【92】

Translate: "The neighbors, more or less, sensed some hostility."

Qin Huairu might cause trouble and have to remarry!

Translate: "Qin Huairu might well be remarrying!"

【97】

How should the Jia family proceed now?

【102】

Translate: "Amidst the gossiping stares of everyone, Qin Huairu, who had given birth to twins, finally appeared at the Siheyuan on the day of Jia Dongxu's funeral, her eyes full of tears as she performed a pitiful act before the neighbors."

Amidst everyone's gossiping stares, Qin Huairu, who had given birth to twins, finally appeared at the siheyuan on the day of Jia Dongxu's funeral, her eyes brimming with tears as she put on a pitiful act for the neighbors.

【107】

Translate: "At the funeral scene, as the crowd watching the spectacle, Shazhu saw Qin Huairu appear holding the twins, and he slightly narrowed his eyes."

At the funeral scene, as the crowd watching the spectacle, Shazhu saw Qin Huairu appear holding the twins and slightly narrowed his eyes.

【113】

Translate: "The scene before him aroused a suspicion in him, as if a small discrepancy had appeared."

The scene before him aroused a suspicion, as if a small discrepancy had appeared.

That's Bangchui.

【116】

Bangeng made Shazhu suspicious.

Translate: "Bangeng made Shazhu suspicious."

【122】

Translate: "In his previous life, Qin Huairu had given birth to Huaihua."

In this lifetime, he actually gained an extra Bangchui!

Translate: "But this life, she has an extra Bangchui!"

【128】

Translate: "There seems to be a somewhat unspeakable secret here."

With everyone only half-fed, having more children means a heavier burden—another mouth to feed—yet Qin Huairu went and had twins.

Translate: "Now that they're only half-fed, having more children means the burden increases by a bit, meaning another mouth to feed at home, yet Qin Huairu ended up with twins."

【133】

Kind of interesting.

Translate: "Interesting."

【139】

Translate: "A hint of a smile flashed across Shazhu's face."

See through but don't expose.

Translate: "See through but say nothing."

【146】

Translate: "He directly took Yu Li back home."

He directly took Yu Li back home.

【152】

Translate: "Yi Zhonghai, who was organizing Jia Dongxu's funeral affairs on site, kept glancing sideways at Shazhu with the corner of his eye; seeing Shazhu take Yu Li back home, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face."

Yi Zhonghai, who was organizing Jia Dongxu's funeral on site, kept secretly sizing up Shazhu from the corner of his eye; seeing Shazhu take Yu Li back home, a hint of displeasure flashed across his face.

Perhaps before, his attitude toward Shazhu was resigned.

Translate: "Perhaps before, his attitude toward Shazhu was one of resignation."

【158】

Translate: "Now he must have an idea."

He couldn't let his son and daughter go hungry.

Translate: "He cannot let his son and daughter starve."

【164】

Translate: "A widow's gate invites much gossip."

The eldest aunt is also not in agreement with Yi Zhonghai, and the identities of Bangeng and Huaihua still need to be hidden from the eldest uncle.

Translate: "Furthermore, the eldest aunt is not of one mind with Yi Zhonghai, and the identities of Bangeng and Huaihua still need to be concealed from the eldest uncle."

The eldest aunt is also not of one mind with Yi Zhonghai, and the identities of Bangeng and Huaihua still need to be concealed from the eldest uncle.

【174】

Translate: "To prevent Qin Huairu and her three from starving, he could only rely on outsiders; looking over the Siheyuan, only Shazhu met the conditions."

To prevent Qin Huairu and her three from starving, he could only rely on outsiders; looking over the siheyuan, only Shazhu met the conditions.

The cook at the steel mill.

Translate: "The cook at the Yagangchang."

【180】

Translate: "No lack of food and drink."

The only difficulty is that Shazhu has had no dealings with him since old age and has taken a wife; if we want Shazhu to help Qin Huairu, we must plan long-term.

Translate: "The only difficult thing is that Shazhu has had no dealings with him since old age, and moreover he has taken a wife; if we want Shazhu to help Qin Huairu, we must plan long-term."

The only difficult thing is that Shazhu has had no dealings with him since old age, and moreover he has taken a wife; if we want Shazhu to help Qin Huairu, we must plan long-term.

【188】

Translate: "Nothing in the world is difficult."

I'm afraid there are people with ulterior motives.

Translate: "Except for those who are determined."

【199】

Translate: "Having heard that Qin Huairu gave birth to twins in the hospital, one of them a boy, Yi Zhonghai could not hold back tears welling up, causing outsiders who didn't understand to mistakenly think he was crying for Jia Dongxu."

Having heard that Qin Huairu gave birth to twins in the hospital, one of them a boy, Yi Zhonghai could not hold back tears welling up, causing outsiders who didn't understand to mistakenly think he was crying for Jia Dongxu.

"……"

Translate: "……" (ellipsis). We should keep the ellipsis as is.

There were no outsiders inside the house.

Translate: "No outsiders were inside the house."

【205】

Translate: "Some words could then be spoken openly."

The head of the household said, "I feel that Bangchui looks a bit big." Yu Li whispered to Shazhu, "I've taken care of my younger sister; when she was just born, there wasn't that much hair on her head, and there was also that fetal membrane—looking like it had been burst open."

Translate: "\"Head of the household, I feel that Bangchui looks a bit big. \" Yu Li whispered to Shazhu: \"I've taken care of my younger sister; when she was just born, there wasn't that much hair on her head, and there was also that fetal membrane—looking like it had been burst open. \""

Head of the household: "I feel that Bangchui looks a bit big." Yu Li whispered to Shazhu: "I've taken care of my younger sister; when she was just born, there wasn't that much hair on her head, and there was also that fetal membrane—looking like it had been burst open."

【215】

Translate: "\"It's adopted! \""

A hiss.

Translate: "\"Hiss! \""

【221】

Translate: "Yu Li sucked in a breath of cold air."

He was frightened.

Translate: "She was frightened."

【227】

Translate: "She's not some ignorant novice; she knows the concrete meaning behind Shazhu's words 'adopted'."

Jia Dongxu died.

Translate: "Jia Dongxu is dead."

【233】

Translate: "The Jia family has lost its mainstay."

Jia Zhangshi is also a lazy glutton.

Translate: "Jia Zhangshi is also a lazy good-for-nothing who loves to eat."

【241】

Translate: "Bangeng is a half-grown brat who bleeds his parents dry, and Xiao Dang is also trailing behind, trying to catch up."

Bangeng is a half-grown brat who bleeds his parents dry, and Xiao Dang is trailing behind, trying to catch up.

Under these circumstances.

Translate: "Under these circumstances."

【247】

Translate: "Yet Qin Huairu has adopted a son."

There must be a secret here.

Translate: "There definitely is a secret here."

【253】

Translate: "\"Don't go spreading this; as long as we know it in our hearts, that's enough. \""

Yu Li sat opposite Shazhu, patted her chest, and said with lingering fear, "People just disappear like that."

【257】

Yu Li sat opposite Shazhu, patted her chest, and said with lingering fear, "People just disappear like that."

【261】

Translate: "\"That's exactly how they're gone. \""

Shazhu also lamented that the day before yesterday Jia Dongxu had still gone to work at the steel mill in the morning, by morning he was dead as a doornail, that night he turned into a handful of ashes, and today he was thrown onto the ground!

Translate: "Shazhu also felt moved, saying that the day before yesterday Jia Dongxu had still gone to work at the Yagangchang in the morning, but by morning he was dead as a doornail; that night he turned into a handful of ashes, and today he was thrown onto the ground."

The day before yesterday Jia Dongxu had still gone to work at the steel mill in the morning; by morning he was dead as a doornail, that night he turned into a handful of ashes, and today he was thrown onto the ground!

【269】

Translate: "\"You need some mental preparation. \""

Yu Li knew what Shazhu was referring to.

Translate: "Yu Li knew what Shazhu was referring to."

【275】

Translate: "She hurriedly nodded."

It's nothing more than the Jia family becoming widows and orphans.

Translate: "Nothing more than the Jia family becoming widows and orphans."

【281】

Translate: "Everyone lacks food and drink."

Why should the Jia family be the ones to receive help?

Translate: "Why should the Jia family be the one to receive aid?"

Translate: "Hmph!"

……

Eight o'clock in the evening.

The Dayuan meeting was convened as scheduled.

Unlike previous Dayuan meetings, beside the stools where the three steward elders used to sit, two additional long benches were added, with Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu sitting on them respectively, Xiao Dang and Bangeng leaning left and right against Jia Zhangshi's sides, and Qin Huairu holding a pestle and Huaihua.

To suck blood.

It was also an all-out effort.

"Today I've gathered everyone; I think the neighbors also know what this is about. It's most unfortunate—Jia Dongxu of the Jia Family is gone, leaving behind the Jia Family's orphan and widow."

"Wah!" Jia Zhangshi cooperated with Yi Zhonghai like a godsend—not mentioning blood-sucking, she just cried, wailing about her ill fate, having lost her husband and now her son, "My Dong Xu! How can Mother go on living?!"

Qin Huairu, however, did not wail like Jia Zhangshi; she had her own way of expressing it.

Soundless weeping.

Just tears flowing.

She said nothing.

She even made her tears stick like glue, filling the area around her eyes.

This cooperation.

It's divine.

It fulfilled that saying.

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

"I don't mean anything else; I just want to mention to the neighbors that our Dayuan is a harmonious and friendly community—neighbors have lived together for over ten years, some even over twenty years—what is this?"

Yi Zhonghai struck a high note.

He played the emotion card wildly.

"This is affection, a bond even closer than relatives; when neighbors face difficulties, if our conditions allow, we should appropriately extend a helping hand."

The tone shifted.

Beneath the emotion card lay a moral coercion.

"I know what times we're in—conditions are poor, supplies scarce. Speaking of our Yagangchang, before we ate meat twice a week; now eating meat once every half month is already not bad. My meaning: if we have the means, we help; if not, we can't even keep our own pots boiling, so we certainly shouldn't starve our own children just to aid the Jia Family."

Yi Zhonghai glanced at Qin Huairu, and at the child in her belly.

"Dong Xu was my disciple; he's gone, and as his master I cannot ignore the Jia Family. Today, before the neighbors, I declare my stance—I cannot disregard the Jia Family. If any rumors arise later, I have no other intention but to ask the neighbors to bear witness for me."

Shazhu's gaze.

Carrying a hint of reminiscence.

The hypocritical gentleman truly made him look at him anew.

These words.

This logic.

Ordinary people really can't find fault with it.

No wonder he's the top player in the Siheyuan.

His methods are high, his schemes deep—he leaves those Siheyuan folks far behind.

"Shazhu."

"Elder." Knowing Yi Zhonghai came with ill intent, Shazhu preemptively gave him a two‑to‑zero score, saying, "You won't see me as just a cook and think I should support the Jia Family now that Dong Xu is gone, will you?"

Yi Zhonghai cursed inwardly, "Slippery fellow!"

Two meanings.

First meaning: have Shazhu support the Jia Family.

Second meaning: use Shazhu as a shield so Yi Zhonghai can carry out his scheme to aid the Jia Family.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Shazhu's name was mentioned, he saw through Yi Zhonghai's tricks and blocked all his retreats with a preemptive remark.

"Shazhu, Elder knows it's not easy for you, but even if it's hard, you're still better off than the Jia Family. In the Siheyuan, your household's standard of living has always ranked first—bicycles, radios, and so on. Elder isn't forcing you to do this; as a cook, if you have the means, please help the Jia Family a little. Qin Huairu has just given birth to two children and needs nutrition; the children also need milk."

"I'm a cook, but you know the situation at the Yagangchang better than I do—how much rice and steamed buns we make each day is fixed, and even our own eating and drinking must be carefully calculated. Your proposal, I can't fulfill; you'd better seek another solution."

Due to Shazhu's dropping the task.

The Dayuan meeting thus ended in a weak finish.

But not entirely.

As the crowd was about to disperse, Bangeng suddenly shouted, asking when his grandmother would have the meal, earning a big slap from Jia Zhangshi.

This is within Shazhu's understanding.

Jia Zhangshi struck Bangeng for the first time.

……

The Jia Family.

Jia Zhangshi looked at Qin Huairu, who had just finished giving birth, with a calm face.

Her eyes held no anger over her dead son, her face showed no resentment for his loss, and her whole being, inside and out, exuded an eerie calm.

She had resigned herself to fate.

The dead cannot be revived.

Even if Jia Dongxu had turned to ashes and been thrown on the ground, Jia Zhangshi, even if ten times angrier, would hardly let the ashes of Jia Dongxu come back to life.

Given the premise that the person is dead.

Jia Zhangshi thought about how to guarantee the Jia Family's interests.

The Jia Family's interests are naturally Jia Zhangshi's own; she certainly doesn't want to just slink back to the countryside in disgrace, surrendering the urban identities and Yagangchang jobs that Old Jia and Little Jia earned with their lives, handing them over to Qin Huairu.

This belongs to the Jia Family.

Even in death, it can only bear the Jia surname.

She scrutinized Qin Huairu with intense focus.

Pretty!

This was Jia Zhangshi's first impression.

Such a beautiful daughter-in-law, yet she became a widow, yet she is to be coveted by another man.

Graceful bearing!

This was Jia Zhangshi's second impression.

If such a graceful daughter-in-law were to marry another man, Jia Zhangshi's deceased son would effectively be wearing a green hat.

Temptation!

This was Jia Zhangshi's third impression.

She had never scrutinized Qin Huairu so seriously before, discovering Qin Huairu's merits.

Her heart ached slightly.

The more outstanding Qin Huairu was.

The more Jia Zhangshi worried.

Although she had given birth to three sets of children, being a mother of four, yet for various reasons Qin Huairu seemed not to have suffered much, and her face lacked those lines of toil.

As a woman, Jia Zhangshi.

She herself was also a widow.

What Qin Huairu had experienced, she had also experienced; what Qin Huairu had not experienced, she had also experienced, so she knew what Qin Huairu, now widowed, would face at this moment.

The primary threat was the temptation to remarry!

What Jia Zhangshi worried about was Qin Huairu's remarriage, just as Jia Zhangshi's mother-in-law had once worried about Jia Zhangshi remarrying; both suspected that the widowed daughter-in-law would run away.

To lead an ox, you must grasp its nose.

Administer the right medicine for the ailment.

This could be considered revenge.

Taking the old trick that Jia Zhangshi's mother-in-law used to order Jia Zhangshi around, she applied it unchanged to Qin Huairu's head, making Qin Huairu serve the Jia family as an ox and horse for life!

This could be considered intimidation.

Not speaking.

Just watching.

It's the same principle as training a hawk.

Under the aggressive, pressing gaze, Qin Huairu felt creeped out all over, and from Jia Zhangshi's eyes she sensed a destructive frenzy.

Her scalp felt slightly numb.

She was afraid.

"Mom!"

Her voice trembled.

Jia Zhangshi did not respond to Qin Huairu's cry; she reached out her hand, touched Qin Huairu's cheek, and from the sensation in her palm she clearly perceived Qin Huairu's fright.

That was right.

What was needed was Qin Huairu's fear.

Only by being afraid could she continue with the subsequent steps.