Chapter 230

He Yushui had seen through Qin Huairu's nature; she warned Shazhu to guard against Qin Huairu's reckless behavior. Meanwhile, Qin Huairu, who lived in the Jia family's courtyard and found herself in a predicament with no way to act, turned her attention to Shazhu, thinking of an opportunity to lure him to her room, throw her clothes, and threaten him into arranging a position for her in the canteen. When Shazhu refused, she claimed he wanted to be the second Yi Zhonghai, to do things against his will, and added that, if necessary, Jia Zhangshi could also help.

Let's translate:

"He Yushui saw through Qin Huairu's character; she warned Shazhu to guard against Qin Huairu's reckless behavior, while Qin Huairu, living in the Jia Family's siheyuan, faced a predicament with no way to act, yet she indeed turned her attention to Shazhu, pondering an opportunity to call him to her own home, tossing her clothes aside to threaten him, to have him arrange for her to be placed in the canteen; Shazhu disagreed, and she then said Shazhu wanted to be Yi Zhonghai's second, to do things against his own will, and if necessary, Jia Zhangshi could also assist from the side."

We verified that we kept all information and didn't add anything. The phrase meaning 'smash the pot and smash the bowl' (i. e., reckless, give up) was translated as 'reckless behavior'. That's fine.

We must keep each translation on a single line.

Proceed.

It proved the old saying true: the mother-in-law took the widowed daughter-in-law out to view the night scenery late in the evening, and everyone knows what kind of night scenery that refers to.

Translate: "It proved a folk saying: a mother-in-law bringing a widowed daughter-in-law out to admire the night scenery late at night—what exactly the night scenery is, smart people know."

We need to keep "folk saying". Use "proved a folk saying". Good.

Qin Huairu had no choice either.

She saw clearly the current situation.

It was very bad for her.

While Yi Zhonghai was present, he leaned on his support and loafed in the workshop for over a year, seriously dragging it down; consequently, the workers who shared the workshop with Qin Huairu went more than a year without bonuses and also faced considerable criticism.

Translate: "When Yi Zhonghai was present, relying on his backing, he fished in the workshop for over a year, seriously dragging down the workshop, and also causing the workers in the same workshop as Qin Huairu to go over a year without bonuses and receive much criticism."

We must keep the translation of 'Yi Zhonghai' as Yi Zhonghai and 'workshop' as workshop.

Yi Zhonghai was present.

The workshop head gave face to Yi Zhonghai because he was a Level 8 Technician.

We need to use glossary: Level 8 Technician. So: "The workshop head gave face to Yi Zhonghai on account of his being a Level 8 Technician."

He turned a blind eye to Qin Huairu.

The workers also gave Yi Zhonghai face; though they were angry, they cursed him behind his back.

We need to keep the workers. That word could be translated as "we", but we'll use "they" instead to preserve the meaning.

The mountain they relied on fell.

What awaited Qin Huairu could only be the anger of all the workers in the workshop.

The county magistrate is no match for the current manager.

When Yi Zhonghai was around, Qin Huairu acted like a boss; now that Yi Zhonghai is gone, it is time for the workers to vent the depression they have long suffered under Qin Huairu's oppression.

We must keep the translation of the name 'Qin Huairu' as Qin Huairu.

Even thinking with one's butt.

One can imagine what fate awaits: endless work, unending anger, endless gossip, endless reprimands.

People move, they live.

Trees move, they die.

The only way to survive.

That is to be transferred out of the workshop.

Good positions demand neither skill nor reputation, which Qin Huairu could dismiss—no one would want her there. Bad positions, such as the toilet‑cleaning crew, are usually assigned to those who have made mistakes; just thinking about that work environment makes Qin Huairu want to vomit, and she certainly doesn't want to go there.

Translate: "Good places require skill and reputation; Qin Huairu need not think—no one wants her there. Bad places, like the Cleaning Section that cleans toilets, usually only those who made mistakes are sent there; just thinking of that work environment makes Qin Huairu want to vomit, and she does not want to go."

We need to use glossary: Cleaning Section.

In a situation where she cannot advance nor retreat.

Shazhu was promoted to canteen director.

According to the information Qin Huairu gathered, Shazhu's promotion to canteen director was the doing of Deputy Factory Director Li.

Use the translation 'Deputy Factory Director Li' for the term.

Nowadays the Yagangchang is Deputy Factory Director Li's one‑man domain; whatever he says goes.

Use the translation 'Yagangchang' for the term, and note that 'Deputy Factory Director Li' appears again.

Qin Huairu, being shrewd, realized.

This is her only chance to escape the fire pit.

She entered the canteen.

Food and drink are free.

Invisibly, she saved an expense.

The work is not tiring either.

The problem is.

The Jia Family's relations with Shazhu are not good; at the recent Dayuan meeting, Shazhu's earlier warning was clearly a refusal to let the neighbors curry favor through back doors.

Use the translation 'Dayuan' for the term, and note that 'Jia Family' appears.

Even the newly appointed Head Steward Liu Haizhong couldn't get any benefit from Shazhu, let alone Qin Huairu, who already bears a grudge against him.

Use the translation 'Head Steward Liu Haizhong' for the term, and note that 'Head Steward' is a title.

The cooks in the courtyard privately called him Shazhu, but they didn't expect he had become a prominent figure in Yagangchang, overseeing ten canteens and the food and drink of over ten thousand people.

We need glossary: Yagangchang.

Had she known Shazhu would become an official, even if Jia Zhangshi had scolded her, Qin Huairu would have sought to tie herself to Shazhu to secure a fallback.

We need glossary: Jia Zhangshi.

Awakening, awakening.

She woke up, but it was too late.

Qin Huairu is now in this situation.

Not relying on Shazhu's connections won't work, and at Deputy Factory Director Li's side, Qin Huairu cannot get a word in.

We need glossary: Deputy Factory Director Li.

After thinking it over.

What she could bring to the table.

Just Qin Huairu herself.

Money and wealth—Shazhu lacks none, and the Jia Family has none either.

Rather than issuing empty checks that would annoy people, it's better to offer concrete benefits.

Yu Li is beautiful, well-educated and reasonable, takes care of her husband, and is considerate toward her sister-in-law.

Translate the name as Yu Li.

But what's the point of that?

Jia Zhangshi had a saying that Qin Huairu kept firmly in mind: she said, 'No man is faithful; the more upright a man appears, the more licentious he is in his heart.'

We need glossary: Jia Zhangshi.

Yu Li had just given birth to a child.

She needs to sit a month of confinement at home.

During this month, Shazhu cannot possibly do nothing.

Qin Huairu smiled.

She picked up a small mirror, and by the lamplight examined herself closely; although she had borne three children and had worked at Yagangchang for over a year, due to various factors, Qin Huairu's complexion was far better than when she stayed in the Jia Family.

We need glossary: Yagangchang, Jia Family.

A Yagangchang employing over ten thousand people could produce the reputation of a charming widow.

We need glossary: Yagangchang.

This fully shows where Qin Huairu's charm lies.

Some people perhaps are not drawn by Qin Huairu's looks but by the reputation of the charming widow of Yagangchang.

We need glossary: Yagangchang.

That's nothing.

Benefits are important.

Using the reflection in the mirror, Qin Huairu saw the lights turn on in Shazhu's house across the way.

Yu Li gave birth, Shazhu let Yu Li stay in the hospital for a few more days of observation, He Yushui didn't come home much when he was at school, the only one who could come back was Shazhu.

Think of something, it comes.

Being a widow, what's there to fear? What should be feared is Shazhu.

Qin Huairu decided to go find Shazhu now; before leaving, she deliberately washed her face with soap, combed her hair with a comb, and changed into relatively clean clothes.

Holding a plate of peanuts and a bottle of erguotou, she left the house.

Swaying her hips, she arrived at the He Family's gate.

In a soft, weak voice, she deliberately called out toward the interior.

"Zhuzi."

The tranquil Siheyuan.

Calm as water.

Qin Huairu's voice, though not loud by big standards nor small by small ones, pierced the night sky and flew into some people's ears.

No need for anyone to remind.

One by one, they pressed their faces against the glass, staring with gossipy eyes, straining to see something.

The people of the front and rear courtyards then pricked up their ears, quietly listening to the movements in the central courtyard.

Shazhu had just become the canteen director when the Jia Family's widow showed up at midnight, especially at this time, which happened to be during Yu Li Hospital's confinement period.

Nobody wanted anything good.

They tried to think of the worst possible outcome.

Whether it was Yan Fugui, Liu Haizhong, or those famous or nameless extras, they all imagined Qin Huairu as a vampire.

Before, the two families had no contact, and Jia Zhangshi kept cursing Shazhu as being childless for life.

Shazhu became the canteen director, and you, Qin Huairu, took the opportunity when Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng were locked up to go find Shazhu late at night—this isn't seduction, what is it?

The canteen position was inherently scarce, yet many people wanted in.

Why should it be yours, Qin Huairu?

Some people wanted to go out then and compete for favor with Qin Huairu, but after thinking, they realized Shazhu was a big shot in the canteen, and if he had any ideas...

Going out would needlessly provoke Shazhu's resentment.

They became ostriches.

They hid at home to watch the show.

They watched the drama between Shazhu and Qin Huairu, then adjusted their strategies accordingly as the situation changed.

"Zhuzi, it's me, Qin Huairu."

Inside the house.

Shazhu wore a solemn expression.

I didn't expect He Yushui to have guessed it correctly.

Qin Huairu focused her attention on herself.

She felt a sense of relief in her heart.

Fortunately, when she just entered, she casually bolted the door; after Qin Huairu finished shouting, she even tried pushing the door with her hand.

Seeing it wouldn't budge.

This was only the second time she revealed her identity.

Late at night.

If Qin Huairu really tried to pull a honey trap on him, Shazhu probably couldn't keep his canteen director job.

Everyone just repeats what others say.

Originally the whole truth, but as people spout nonsense, it ends up with less than half the truth remaining.

Barefoot people aren't afraid of those wearing shoes.

The Jia Family has nothing left.

Driven to desperation.

Desperate dogs will jump over walls—people really can do such things.

"Qin Huairu, what's the matter?"

Qin Huairu standing outside the door heard Shazhu's voice from inside, instinctively feeling a bit glad, fearing most that Shazhu wouldn't respond.

A response would suffice.

Only with a response could she proceed with certain later actions.

Tonight.

She wouldn't pull a honey trap on Shazhu.

She just wanted to express the idea of the Jia and He families turning swords into jade and silk, leaving him the peanuts and erguotou in her hand.

Those who eat someone's food are soft-spoken.

Those who take someone's hand are short-handed.

Not afraid that Shazhu will ask, but afraid that he won't.

"Zhuzi, this is the situation: I heard you became the canteen director, thinking that our two families haven't been in contact, maybe there's a misunderstanding, so I want to take this opportunity to clear things up between our families; from now on, we'll be neighbors in the same courtyard, where we won't see each other's heads when we bow or raise them."

"I understand, you may go back."

Qin Huairu was not discouraged.

This part of being served a closed-door meal.

This was also within her expectations.

"Zhuzi, open the door; I've brought you a plate of peanuts and a bottle of erguotou. I know your household isn't lacking anything, and you aren't lacking in appetite. Whether little or much, it's just a matter of sentiment. Our Jia Family is poor; we can't afford other valuables, so we can only celebrate with peanuts and erguotou. Sister hopes you won't disdain it—accept this, open the door, and I'll hand it over."

Qin Huairu seized the opportunity.

After a moment.

She calls herself older sister.

These words.

This is also a moral blackmail tactic.

Our family is poor, you're not lacking food or these things; I hope you don't look down on them.

No wonder it's someone who's been hanging out with Yi Zhonghai for over a year.

The three words 'scheming bitch'.

Perfect match.

It's as if Shazhu not taking these things from her means he looks down on the Jia family.

Qin Huairu said that claiming their Jia family is poor and looking down on the Jia family is tantamount to looking down on the poor, which is a super big label.

If this damn thing gets out.

Shazhu is sure to have no good outcome.

"Zhuzi, you'll open the door and not look down on these things, will you?"

The provocation tactic.

They've all been put to use.

Shazhu inside the house cursed Qin Huairu's eight generations of ancestors in his heart.

In his mind, unbidden memories of some things from his past life surfaced: preparing a feast, he had filled four lunch boxes to the brim; upon just entering the Siheyuan, Qin Huairu snatched them away, and the reason for seizing the lunch boxes was exactly the same as the reason for now giving Shazhu things.

Not lacking food.

As for Shazhu's side dish.

Qin Huairu found a few peanuts for him.

The peanuts were still stolen from Shazhu's room by Bangeng.

"Ah!"

Shazhu let out a sigh.

He didn't open the door.

He used Qin Huairu's reason to talk back to her.

"Jia family sister-in-law."

Just four simple words.

This settled Qin Huairu's identity.

Don't call yourself older sister; you are the Jia family sister-in-law, which sounds nice; if it sounds bad, then you're the Jia family widow.

Qin Huairu's face changed dramatically.

This also stems from such a form of address.

She sensed Shazhu's intention to distance himself.

"Zhuzi."

"Dong Xu's wife."

To defeat someone, break their heart.

Shazhu replaced the Jia family sister-in-law with Dong Xu's wife.

The neighbors hiding inside and eavesdropping would laugh so hard their lungs would burst.

"Our two families aren't close; don't call me He Yuzhu or Shazhu, and definitely don't keep calling me Zhuzi; outsiders who don't know the situation might think we have something shameful going on, so I won't open this door."

Shazhu raised his voice.

He needed everyone in the courtyard to hear.

No disdain intended; you just said it yourself—you said your family is poor, can't afford other valuable things, using peanuts and erguotou to celebrate me, I don't need it. As the cafeteria director, I'm here to better serve the tens of thousands of workers at Yagangchang. If I took your stuff and word got out that I, He Yuzhu, am taking bribes, would my reputation still be intact? Could I still hold this cafeteria director post? How could I serve Yagangchang's workers then? Take your things back and give them to Bangeng and Xiao Dang.

"Zhuzi."

Qin Huairu, I just reminded you—we're not close, so either call me by my name, or call me Master He, or call me Shazhu; whatever you do, absolutely do not call me Zhuzi, because that's what my wife calls me.

Director He.

If you call me Director He, that's official business; since it's official, we'll talk about it at Yagangchang tomorrow—but I'll say this up front: I won't help you with any job transfers pulled through connections.

Qin Huairu's heart turned cold.

She came precisely for this matter.

There are about twenty-seven or twenty-eight households in the compound, twenty-one or twenty-two of them work at Yagangchang; if I help you, others will come knocking—will I end up helping or not? Don't say another word; you've been busy all day, and don't disturb the neighbors' rest.

Even though Shazhu explained it so clearly.

They've already issued the eviction order.

Qin Huairu, however, still wouldn't give up.

That scheming bitch still wants to persist, persist.

Shazhu didn't give her a chance.

Seeing that the bandage on Qin Huairu's head was gone.

He shouted a line.

Qin Huairu, the night is cool—why is the bandage on your head gone? Are you better? If you are, I'll tell the factory leaders tomorrow to let you go to work; staying home all day and drawing Yagangchang's salary for nothing isn't right nowadays—nowadays we value sweat-forged glory.

That threat.

More vicious than siccing dogs.

Qin Huairu, upon hearing that she should go to work,

He let out an 'aiya', turned, and walked toward his own home.

He angrily shut the Jia family's door.

The sound of the door being angrily slammed.

It sparked heated discussion among the neighbors.

"Dad, Qin Huairu definitely can't come into our Yan family; showing up at Shazhu's this late at night, and deliberately letting us know what she's thinking—I know."

"Qin Huairu also has no choice." Yan Fugui laughed and said: "When Yi Zhonghai was around, Qin Huairu would work on a part during her shift, and after work she'd still be working on that part. According to Liu Haizhong, the coworkers were all complaining, but Yi Zhonghai helped smooth things over. Now that Yi Zhonghai is dead, can Qin Huairu expect any good outcomes? So she wants to use Shazhu to adjust her work assignment. What Shazhu said is also right—we're all neighbors in the same courtyard; helping Qin Huairu is helping the neighbors."

"She deserves it—I've heard that the other widows who joined the factory with Qin Huairu are now all first-grade workers."

"Let's not worry about Qin Huairu's matter; I want to talk about the eldest's matter. Our school has newly assigned a teacher named Ran Qiuye; let's make time for them to meet."