Chapter 222

What specific content was written on the letter?

What specific content was written on the letter?

Besides Comrade Cha An.

Besides Comrade Cha An.

The residents of the siheyuan were all unaware.

The residents of the siheyuan were all unaware.

They only knew that Qin Huiru lay on the ground like mud, and even after the comrades left the siheyuan with the note, the scheming woman still hadn't recovered from the shock of the letter.

scheming bitch

His face was ashen.

"An ashen-faced expression." Or "A face like dead ash." We'll translate: "A face like dead ash."

As if the heavens were about to step on.

As if the heavens were about to step on.

He muttered words that left the neighbors puzzled.

He muttered, leaving the neighbors puzzled.

It's fake, the letter is fake — Dongxu didn't leave a letter, he didn't leave one, nor did he write one; this letter is a fake. How could this be? Why is the letter in Bengeng's hands? Why won't Bengeng give it to me? How could he toss the letter into Shuzhu's house? The letter — it's a fake.

We need to keep quotes and punctuation. Translate: '"Fake, the letter is fake, Dong Xu didn't leave a letter, he didn't leave a letter, nor did he write one; this letter is fake, how could this be, why is the letter in Bangeng's hands, why didn't Bangeng give the letter to me, how could he throw the letter into Shazhu's house, the letter, a fake letter."' We'll keep the quotes.

His words were contradictory.

"Contradictory statements." We'll translate: "Contradictory statements."

The act of violently colliding with Qin Huiru.

"The act of violently colliding with Qin Huairu." We'll translate: "The act of violently colliding with Qin Huairu."

Full of conflict.

"Full of confrontational implication." We'll translate: "Full of confrontational implication."

Some people reacted, their scrutinizing gaze falling on Qin Huiru.

"Some people reacted, their scrutinizing gazes falling on Qin Huairu." We'll translate: "Some people reacted, their scrutinizing gazes falling on Qin Huairu."

Others turned their eyes toward Yan Jiecheng, who insisted on marrying Yu Li.

"Others turned their eyes toward Yan Jiecheng, who insisted on marrying Yu Li." We'll translate: "Others turned their eyes toward Yan Jiecheng, who insisted on marrying Yu Li."

It was obvious.

"It was obvious." We'll translate: "It was obvious."

The matter between Qin Huiru and Yi Zhonghai was far more complicated than it appeared; Yi Zhonghai likely lied, using his death to protect Qin Huiru.

"The matter between Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai was far more complicated than it appeared; Yi Zhonghai likely lied, using his death to protect Qin Huairu." We'll translate: "The matter between Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai was far more complicated than it appeared; Yi Zhonghai likely lied, using his death to protect Qin Huairu."

Conversely.

"Conversely." We'll translate: "Conversely."

Qin Huiru readily accepted Yi Zhonghai's protection, trying to shift the blame onto him as much as possible.

"Qin Huairu readily accepted Yi Zhonghai's protection, trying to shift the blame onto him as much as possible." We'll translate: "Qin Huairu readily accepted Yi Zhonghai's protection, trying to shift the blame onto him as much as possible."

The unfortunate Jia Dongxu became Jia 'Green Hat' Dongxu, never finding peace even after death.

"Unfortunate Jia Dongxu became Jia the Cuckold Dongxu, never finding peace even after death." We'll translate: "Unfortunate Jia Dongxu became Jia the Cuckold Dongxu, never finding peace even after death."

Yan Jiecheng, however, insisted on becoming the second Jia Dongxu, taking on the moniker Yan 'Green Hat' Jiecheng.

"Yan Jiecheng insisted on becoming the second Jia Dongxu, as Yan the Cuckold Jiecheng." We'll translate: "Yan Jiecheng insisted on becoming the second Jia Dongxu, as Yan the Cuckold Jiecheng."

The drama in the Yan Fugui household is getting more and more intriguing: the siheyuan's third elder married a woman who disregards propriety — how can he hold his head up before everyone?

"The drama in Yan Fugui's household is getting more and more intriguing; the Third Steward of the siheyuan married a woman who violates wifely virtue—how can he still hold his head up before everyone?" We'll translate: "The drama in Yan Fugui's household is getting more and more intriguing; the Third Steward of the siheyuan married a woman who violates wifely virtue—how can he still hold his head up before everyone?"

That's the reasoning.

"This reasoning." We'll translate: "This reasoning."

Even the intellectually lacking bureaucrat Liu Haizhong figured it out.

"Even the intellectually lacking official fanatic Liu Haizhong figured it out." We'll translate: "Even the intellectually lacking official fanatic Liu Haizhong figured it out."

A faint smile played on his face.

"A faint smile appeared on his face." We'll translate: "A faint smile appeared on his face."

This is based on that consideration.

"That was based on this consideration." We'll translate: "That was based on this consideration."

After the comrades left, the bureaucrat suddenly realized his chance to dominate the siheyuan: if Yan Jiecheng succeeded in marrying Qin Huiru, Yan Fugui's reputation would become like dog feces in mud, and he would never be able to hold his head up before the neighbors.

"After the comrades left, the official fanatic suddenly realized his chance to dominate the siheyuan—if Yan Jiecheng succeeded in marrying Qin Huairu, Yan Fugui's reputation as Third Steward would become dog feces in a mud puddle, and he would never be able to hold his head up before the neighbors." We'll translate: "After the comrades left, the official fanatic suddenly realized his chance to dominate the siheyuan—if Yan Jiecheng succeeded in marrying Qin Huairu, Yan Fugui's reputation as Third Steward would become dog feces in a mud puddle, and he would never be able to hold his head up before the neighbors."

Yi Zhonghai couldn't survive.

"Yi Zhonghai couldn't survive." We'll translate: "Yi Zhonghai couldn't survive."

Yan Fugui's reputation reeked.

"Yan Fugui's reputation stank." We'll translate: "Yan Fugui's reputation stank."

Of the three senior officials, only Liu Haizhong had nothing to do.

"Of the three stewards, only Liu Haizhong had nothing to do." We'll translate: "Of the three stewards, only Liu Haizhong had nothing to do."

He slightly lifted his head.

"He slightly raised his head." We'll translate: "He slightly raised his head."

He waved his hand to disperse the crowd.

"He waved his hand to disperse the crowd." We'll translate: "He waved his hand to disperse the crowd."

He walked toward the backyard with a three-step, swaying gait.

"He walked toward the rear courtyard with a three-step, swaying gait." We'll translate: "He walked toward the rear courtyard with a three-step, swaying gait."

"……"

We need to output the ellipsis as is. Probably just "……". We'll output: "……"

Several days.

"Several days." We'll translate: "Several days."

It passed in the blink of an eye.

"They passed in the blink of an eye." We'll translate: "They passed in the blink of an eye."

During this period.

"During this period." We'll translate: "During this period."

The siheyuan underwent a tremendous upheaval, and Liu Haizhong got his wish, moving from second elder to acting head elder.

"The siheyuan underwent earth-shaking changes; Liu Haizhong got his wish, becoming the acting head steward from the second steward." We'll translate: "The siheyuan underwent earth-shaking changes; Liu Haizhong got his wish, becoming the acting head steward from the second steward."

The original third elder, Yan Fugui, became the second elder.

"The original third steward, Yan Fugui, became the second steward." We'll translate: "The original third steward, Yan Fugui, became the second steward."

Because Yan Jiecheng's pursuit of marrying Qin Huiru caused an uproar, Yan Fugui felt utterly embarrassed and became a nonentity both at school and in the compound.

"Because of Yan Jiecheng's insistence on marrying Qin Huairu, the matter caused an uproar, making Yan Fugui lose face; inside the school and the courtyard, he became a nonentity." We'll translate: "Because of Yan Jiecheng's insistence on marrying Qin Huairu, the matter caused an uproar, making Yan Fugui lose face; inside the school and the courtyard, he became a nonentity."

Liu Haizhong realized his dream of having absolute authority in the siheyuan.

"Liu Haizhong realized his dream of having absolute authority in the siheyuan." We'll translate: "Liu Haizhong realized his dream of having absolute authority in the siheyuan."

With the Jia family, the deaf old lady, Yi Zhonghai, and Yan Fugui gone, and no one left to oppose Liu Haizhong, the bureaucrat, in high spirits, gave Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian a stern talking-to.

"Without the Jia family, the deaf matriarch, Yi Zhonghai, or Yan Fugui, there was naturally no one to oppose Liu Haizhong; in high spirits, the official fanatic gave Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian a beating." We'll translate: "Without the Jia family, the deaf matriarch, Yi Zhonghai, or Yan Fugui, there was naturally no one to oppose Liu Haizhong; in high spirits, the official fanatic gave Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian a beating."

A good thing.

"A good thing." We'll translate: "A good thing."

He hit Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian.

"Hit Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian." We'll translate: "Hit Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian."

A bad thing.

"A bad thing." We'll translate: "A bad thing."

Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian got beaten.

"Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian got beaten." We'll translate: "Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian got beaten."

Whether good or bad, Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian would be disciplined.

"Whether good or bad, Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian must be disciplined." We'll translate: "Whether good or bad, Liu Guangfu and Liu Guangtian must be disciplined."

The brothers, not knowing whose idea they followed, sent a report to the steel mill accusing their father Liu Haizhong of disciplining them, but because panic gripped the steel mill at the time, the matter ultimately came to nothing.

"The two brothers, not knowing whose idea they followed, sent a report letter to the steel mill accusing their father Liu Haizhong of disciplining them; but because panic gripped the steel mill during that period, the matter ultimately came to nothing." We'll translate: "The two brothers, not knowing whose idea they followed, sent a report letter to the steel mill accusing their father Liu Haizhong of disciplining them; but because panic gripped the steel mill during that period, the matter ultimately came to nothing."

Yi Zhonghai's killing of Jia Dongxu unleashed unimaginable huge consequences.

"The incident of Yi Zhonghai killing Jia Dongxu unleashed unimaginable huge consequences." We'll translate: "The incident of Yi Zhonghai killing Jia Dongxu unleashed unimaginable huge consequences."

Although the incident was officially labeled an accident, the truth was murder; even more tragic, the steel mill still held up Yi Zhonghai as a model worker, urging others to learn from him.

"Although the case was officially ruled an accident, the truth was murder; even more tragically, the steel mill still listed Yi Zhonghai as an annual model worker, urging workers to learn from him." We'll translate: "Although the case was officially ruled an accident, the truth was murder; even more tragically, the steel mill still listed Yi Zhonghai as an annual model worker, urging workers to learn from him."

Learn what!

"Learn what!" We'll translate: "Learn what!"

Learn from Yi Zhonghai how to kill Jia Dongxu and then stage the scene as an accident?

"Learn to have Yi Zhonghai kill Jia Dongxu, then stage the killing scene as an accident?" We'll translate: "Learn to have Yi Zhonghai kill Jia Dongxu, then stage the killing scene as an accident?"

Superiors were shocked and demanded a thorough investigation.

"Superiors were shocked and demanded a thorough investigation." We'll translate: "Superiors were shocked and demanded a thorough investigation."

The heads of the security department — the section chief, deputy chief, and administrators — who had been responsible for this a year earlier were the first to be hit: some had their caps removed, some were demoted, and others ended up as cleaners dealing with waste.

"The heads of the Security Section from a year ago—the section chief, deputy chief, and management officer—were the first to be hit; some were stripped of their hats, some were demoted, and others ended up as janitors dealing with waste." We'll translate: "The heads of the Security Section from a year ago—the section chief, deputy chief, and management officer—were the first to be hit; some were stripped of their hats, some were demoted, and others ended up as janitors dealing with waste."

The plant's top three leaders also suffered fallout, no longer managing the steel mill; some were demoted and transferred, others retired early.

"The steel mill's top three leaders also suffered repercussions; they were no longer in charge of managing the mill, some were demoted and transferred, others retired early." We'll translate: "The steel mill's top three leaders also suffered repercussions; they were no longer in charge of managing the mill, some were demoted and transferred, others retired early."

The biggest beneficiary.

"The biggest beneficiary." We'll translate: "The biggest beneficiary."

It was Deputy Plant Manager Li.

"It was Deputy Factory Director Li." We'll translate: "It was Deputy Factory Director Li."

With several senior officials removed from their posts, he, as the deputy plant manager in charge of logistics, became the plant's top leader.

"With several steel mill leaders relieved of duty and transferred, he, as the deputy factory director in charge of logistics, became the mill's top leader." We'll translate: "With several steel mill leaders relieved of duty and transferred, he, as the deputy factory director in charge of logistics, became the mill's top leader."

Superiors also issued related documents.

"Superiors also issued related documents." We'll translate: "Superiors also issued related documents."

They appointed Deputy Plant Manager Li as the first deputy in charge of production and safety, concurrently serving as plant director.

"They appointed Deputy Factory Director Li as the first deputy director in charge of production and safety, concurrently serving as factory director of the steel mill." We'll translate: "They appointed Deputy Factory Director Li as the first deputy director in charge of production and safety, concurrently serving as factory director of the steel mill."

In the eyes of many.

"In the eyes of countless people." We'll translate: "In the eyes of countless people."

Deputy Factory Director Li won't need much time before he can drop the three characters in front of 'first deputy factory manager' and become the official manager of the Yagangchang factory.

One person attains the Dao, and chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Deputy Factory Director Li holds great power, and naturally his subordinates also rise with the tide.

Yagangchang Second Canteen's squad leader Shazhu became the first person promoted after Deputy Factory Director Li's promotion, and was appointed by Deputy Factory Director Li as the director of Yagangchang's canteen, responsible for managing the ten canteens of Yagangchang.

Shazhu was elected canteen director.

The workers are all convinced.

Being a cook truly means living by one's skill; if you have ability, you're the boss; if you lack ability, you're a loser.

Shazhu is a renowned chef in Yagangchang; his stir-fries are exquisite, his big-pot dishes are flavorful, and everyone who has eaten his food says his cooking is not bad.

"Dear Yagangchang workers, good morning. Next, I will read a personnel notice: He Yuzhu, the squad leader of Yagangchang's Second Canteen, has been diligent and conscientious during this period; after study and decision by the Yagangchang D Party Branch, Comrade He Yuzhu is appointed as the director of Yagangchang's canteen management...."

As the broadcast announcing Shazhu's promotion to canteen director sounded.

The Second Canteen turned into an ocean of joy.

There was both the idea of celebrating Shazhu's promotion and the happiness of considering one's own future.

Shazhu's promotion to canteen director naturally meant he could no longer remain the squad leader of the Second Canteen.

There was no question of him holding both positions.

The main concern was that Shazhu might favor the Second Canteen as much as possible with supplies.

Thus the position of Second Canteen squad leader became vacant, and some skilled masters who could run for the post secretly gathered their strength.

A soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier.

A cook who does not want to be a canteen squad leader is not a good cook.

"Master He, congratulations."

The former Second Canteen squad leader, Lao Ma, who became deputy squad leader after Shazhu was parachuted into the Second Canteen, was the first to voice congratulations to Shazhu.

"Lao Ma, why call him Master He? Now you should call him Director He."

Liu Lan corrected Lao Ma's mistaken statement.

Others saved face for Lao Ma.

She is not afraid of Lao Ma.

"And you all, I told you in advance that He would become canteen director; you didn't believe me, but now you do, right?"

"Sure, sure, it's still you, Liu Lan, who's well-informed." Lao Ma teased Liu Lan, "According to my opinion, we might as well just get rid of Yagangchang's publicity department."

"Why?" Thus: Thus: Mahua stared with a confused gaze and asked.

"One Liu Lan is worth ten of Yagangchang's publicity departments; it can save Yagangchang costs."

"Get lost."

……

Unlike the lively crowd at the Second Canteen, Liu Haizhong, upon hearing the broadcast, learned that Shazhu had gone from canteen squad leader to canteen director.

He suddenly became depressed, punching Yi Zhonghai and kicking Yan Fugui; the joy of dominating the Siheyuan vanished with this broadcast.

He suddenly fell into decline.

He had thought he could wield absolute authority in the Siheyuan, that his word would be law.

Who would have thought.

Shazhu's maternity ward brought happy news.

He was promoted.

He became the director of Yagangchang's canteen.

Even if Liu Haizhong were even more foolish, he would know how the neighbors would choose when faced with Shazhu as director versus himself as a Level Seven Technician.

Who says that the person in charge of canteen management isn't a director?

In these times of scarce supplies.

What does a director who manages ten canteens mean to the neighbors? Liu Haizhong understands, and looking at himself, just what is he?

A Level Seven Technician in the workshop.

He had been suppressed for years by Yi Zhonghai, a Level Eight Technician.

Don't think that the difference between Level Seven and Level Eight is just one grade; between them lies a world of difference. In Yagangchang, with over ten thousand workers, Level Eight Technicians number at most thirty, each treasured by the leadership.

How many Level Seven Technicians are there?

Three to four hundred.

How many have failed under the 0.02mm standard?

Liu Haizhong struggled for three full years to reach Level Eight: in the first year he fell short by 0.02mm, in the second year by 0.03mm, and in the third year, most astonishingly, he was off by 0.11mm.

He felt a bit powerless.

Liu Haizhong treated the Siheyuan as his own private plot, which is why he placed so much importance on the hollow title of the Siheyuan's overseer.

He had overthrown Yi Zhonghai, yet then He Yuzhu appeared.

Liu Haizhong felt a myriad of emotions.

He suddenly wanted to cry.

He had originally planned to return that evening to call a Dayuan meeting to show off properly.

That was called off.

Holding a Dayuan meeting would be doing someone else's favors; better not to hold it than to turn it into a flattery gathering praising Shazhu's election as director.

……

Siheyuan.

Yu Li suddenly felt a wave of abdominal pain.

Yu Li's mother, who had long been worried about her safety, calculated the dates and her face changed dramatically.

The due date came early.

He stepped out the door.

He ran into the courtyard and shouted.

Yan Fugui, who was grading homework at home, got busy.

Shazhu's relationships far exceed those of the Jia Family.

Hearing that Yu Li was going to give birth, every household bustled—some looking for a cart, some notifying Shazhu; this enthusiastic scene made Qin Huairu, who was resting at home, swell with infinite envy.

They were all neighbors from the same courtyard.

Look at Shazhu.

And they looked at themselves.

A helpless sigh escaped her lips.

The difference between people.

Why is it so big?

Inexplicably.

Qin Huairu felt infinite envy toward Yu Li; since Yu Li and Shazhu married, her smile never faded, and many said Yu Li had enjoyed good fortune.

Even the scheming woman thought so.

As the canteen squad leader at Yagangchang, Shazhu came home after a day's work and still had to cook for Yu Li; sometimes Qin Huairu could hear Shazhu scolding Yu Li for her cooking.

Why am I not Yu Li?

Why isn't Jia Dongxu Shazhu?

She looked at herself.

And she glanced at Yu Li across from her.

Bitter depression befell Qin Huairu.