Chapter 232: with translation of chapter title

At the same time Yi Zhonghai was feeling hungry inside.

At the same time Yi Zhonghai was hungry inside.

A rare joyous event occurred in the Siheyuan.

Translate: "A rare great joy arrived at the Siheyuan." Or "Inside the Siheyuan, a rare great happiness arrived." We'll do: "A rare great joy arrived at the Siheyuan."

Yu Li, who was observing the postpartum confinement in the hospital, refused to stay there any longer; after discussing it with her mother, she staged a grand 'forcing the palace' drama for Shazhu.

I guess I'll listen to my wife; he found a cart and pulled Yu Li and her mother back to the Siheyuan.

The mother and daughter openly threatened Shazhu, saying that if he didn't bring Yu Li back to the Siheyuan, they would take advantage of his work break and walk all the way back holding Wei Guo.

The mother and daughter openly threatened Shazhu, saying that if he didn't bring Yu Li back to the Siheyuan, they would take advantage of his work break and walk all the way back holding Wei Guo.

Shazhu summed it up.

Translate: "Shazhu thought it over." Or "Shazhu calculated." We'll do: "Shazhu thought it over."

Whether someone stays or leaves is up to them, not him.

Translate: "Since the legs belong to someone else, whether to go or stay is truly not up to him to decide." We'll translate: "Since the legs belong to someone else, whether to go or stay is truly not up to him to decide."

That's settled.

This seems like a colloquial phrase meaning "That's settled." Or "It's decided." We'll translate: "That's settled."

I guess I'll listen to my wife; he found a cart and pulled Yu Li and her mother back to the Siheyuan.

I guess I'll listen to my wife; he found a cart and pulled Yu Li and her mother back to the Siheyuan.

The stingy Yan Fugui, who had somehow gotten the news, unusually paid out of his own pocket, bought a string of a thousand firecrackers, and at the moment Yu Li stepped into the Siheyuan holding the child, he lit the fuse with a cigarette.

The stingy Yan Fugui, who had somehow gotten the news, unusually paid out of his own pocket, bought a string of a thousand firecrackers, and at the moment Yu Li stepped into the Siheyuan holding the child, he lit the fuse with a cigarette.

The popping firecrackers left Shazhu, Yu Li, and the others a bit startled.

Translate: "The crackling firecracker sounds left Shazhu, Yu Li, and the others somewhat startled." We'll translate: "The crackling firecracker sounds left Shazhu, Yu Li, and the others somewhat startled."

Wondering if Yan Jiecheng was getting married today.

Translate: "They wondered whether Yan Jiecheng was getting married today." We'll translate: "They wondered whether Yan Jiecheng was getting married today."

He glanced.

Translate: "They glanced." We'll translate: "They glanced."

But he didn't see the big red 'double happiness' character above the gate.

Translate: "But they didn't see the big red 'double happiness' character above the gate." We'll translate: "But they didn't see the big red 'double happiness' character above the gate."

He wondered if Yan Fugui was being too stingy, having discarded the happiness character on the gate to save money.

Translate: "They thought maybe Yan Fugui was being too stingy, having discarded the happiness character above the gate to save money." We'll translate: "They thought maybe Yan Fugui was being too stingy, having discarded the happiness character above the gate to save money."

They didn't factor the firecrackers into their calculations.

They didn't factor the firecrackers into their calculations.

"Third Uncle, has the eldest's matter been settled? What about that family's young lady?"

Translate: "\"San Daye, has the eldest's matter been settled? Which family's young lady? \"" We'll translate: "\"San Daye, has the eldest's matter been settled? Which family's young lady? \""

Yan Fugui gave Shazhu a bright look.

Translate: "Yan Fugui looked brightly at the questioning Shazhu." We'll translate: "Yan Fugui looked brightly at the questioning Shazhu."

He felt a bit embarrassed.

Translate: "He felt a little embarrassed." We'll translate: "He felt a little embarrassed."

And that family's young lady!

And that family's young lady!

He wanted Ran Qiuye to become his daughter-in-law, but he hasn't told her yet, so it's still unknown whether she'll agree.

Translate: "He had the idea of letting Ran Qiuye become his daughter-in-law, but he hadn't yet told Ran Qiuye about it; whether she agrees or not remains unknown for now." We'll translate: "He had the idea of letting Ran Qiuye become his daughter-in-law, but he hadn't yet told Ran Qiuye about it; whether she agrees or not remains unknown for now."

Buy this string of firecrackers.

Translate: "Buying this string of firecrackers." We'll translate: "Buying this string of firecrackers."

Two meanings.

Translate: "Two meanings." We'll translate: "Two meanings."

First, to clear the bad luck in the courtyard: the deaf old lady died, Yi Zhonghai was arrested, casting a dark shadow over the Siheyuan.

Translate: "The first meaning is to dispel the bad luck inside the courtyard; after Long Laotaitai's death and Yi Zhonghai's arrest, a bad shadow had fallen over the Siheyuan." We'll translate: "The first meaning is to dispel the bad luck inside the courtyard; after Long Laotaitai's death and Yi Zhonghai's arrest, a bad shadow had fallen over the Siheyuan."

Let off firecrackers to drive away the bad luck.

Translate: "Use firecrackers to give a good cleansing." We'll translate: "Use firecrackers to give a good cleansing."

Second, to suck up to Shazhu.

Translate: "The second meaning is to flatter Shazhu." We'll translate: "The second meaning is to flatter Shazhu."

Last night.

Translate: "Last night." We'll translate: "Last night."

The couple stayed up all night scheming how to manipulate people, figuring out how to drive the Jia family out to the back courtyard and how to rent their house from among the twenty-odd households.

Translate: "The couple stayed up all night, just thinking about how to scheme against people, figuring out how to drive the Jia family out to the back courtyard, and how to rent out the Jia family's house from among the twenty-odd households." We'll translate: "The couple stayed up all night, just thinking about how to scheme against people, figuring out how to drive the Jia family out to the back courtyard, and how to rent out the Jia family's house from among the twenty-odd households."

After thinking it over.

Translate: "After thinking it over." We'll translate: "After thinking it over."

They thought it would be better for Shazhu to handle it.

Translate: "They thought it would be better for Shazhu to step forward." We'll translate: "They thought it would be better for Shazhu to step forward."

The head of the steel mill's canteen.

Translate: "The head of the Yagangchang factory cafeteria." We'll translate: "The head of the Yagangchang factory cafeteria."

The neighbors wouldn't dare to snub Shazhu.

Translate: "The neighbors wouldn't dare not give Shazhu face." We'll translate: "The neighbors wouldn't dare not give Shazhu face."

He was also a favorite of Deputy Factory Chief Li.

Translate: "He is also a favorite in front of Deputy Factory Director Li." We'll translate: "He is also a favorite in front of Deputy Factory Director Li."

If Shazhu agrees, the Yan family can move into this house.

Translate: "As long as Shazhu says the word, this house will belong to them, the Yan family, to live in." We'll translate: "As long as Shazhu says the word, this house will belong to the Yan family to live in."

That proved the saying.

Translate: "That proved the saying." We'll translate: "That proved the saying."

No gain, no early rise.

Translate: "No profit, no early rise." Actually idiom: "No profit, no early rise." We'll translate: "No profit, no early rise."

They came for the benefits.

Translate: "They came for the profit." We'll translate: "They came for the profit."

"Shazhu, what's the happy occasion? We just want to set off some firecrackers to hear the noise; our eldest's prospective bride has set a condition."

Translate: "\"Shazhu, where's any joy? I just want to set off some firecrackers to hear the noise; our eldest's prospective in-laws have put forward a condition. \"" We'll translate: "\"Shazhu, where's any joy? I just want to set off some firecrackers to hear the noise; our eldest's prospective in-laws have put forward a condition. \""

Yan Fugui wanted to use the opportunity to complain about being poor and talk about the house.

Translate: "Yan Fugui wanted to take the opportunity to complain about being poor and talk about the house." We'll translate: "Yan Fugui wanted to take the opportunity to complain about being poor and talk about the house."

But he didn't expect Xu Damiao, who hadn't been seen at the Siheyuan for days, to show up right after Shazhu, opening with a teasing remark.

Translate: "But he didn't expect that Xu Damiao, who hadn't appeared at the Siheyuan for several days, would show up right after Shazhu, and before Yan Fugui could speak, he opened with a teasing remark." We'll translate: "But he didn't expect that Xu Damiao, who hadn't appeared at the Siheyuan for several days, would show up right after Shazhu, and before Yan Fugui could speak, he opened with a teasing remark."

"Third Uncle, did the bride's side demand that she bring her child and mother-in-law when she moves in?"

Translate: "\"San Daye, is it the bride's side that proposed the condition of bringing the child and mother-in-law along when marrying in? \"" We'll translate: "\"San Daye, is it the bride's side that proposed the condition of bringing the child and mother-in-law along when marrying in? \""

"Xu Damiao, what nonsense are you talking?"

Translate: "\"Xu Damiao, what nonsense are you spouting? \"" We'll translate: "\"Xu Damiao, what nonsense are you spouting? \""

Yan Fugui glared fiercely at Xu Damiao.

Translate: "Yan Fugui gave Xu Damiao a fierce glare." We'll translate: "Yan Fugui gave Xu Damiao a fierce glare."

Old Kou got angry.

Old Kou got angry.

Also blame Xu Damiao for his loose‑lipped jokes.

Translate: "Also blame Xu Damiao for speaking without restraint and joking wildly." We'll translate: "Also blame Xu Damiao for speaking without restraint and joking wildly."

The Yan family is a well‑known scholarly household on the street, with all the New Year couplets written by Yan Fugui; how could they take in a widow with a child and mother‑in‑law whose reputation isn't great?

Translate: "The Yan family is a well-known scholarly clan on the street; the New Year couplets are all written by Yan Fugui—how could they take in a widow bringing a child and mother-in-law, whose reputation isn't all that great?" We'll translate: "The Yan family is a well-known scholarly clan on the street; the New Year couplets are all written by Yan Fugui—how could they take in a widow bringing a child and mother-in-law, whose reputation isn't all that great?"

"Third Uncle, I've heard all about your eldest Yan Jiecheng's situation in Erdao Lane; it's been quite a uproar—how can you not see reason?"

Translate: "\"San Daye, I've heard all about your family's Yan Jiecheng matter down in Second Lane; it's caused quite a stir—how can you be so unwilling to let go? \"" We'll translate: "\"San Daye, I've heard all about your family's Yan Jiecheng matter down in Second Lane; it's caused quite a stir—how can you be so unwilling to let go? \""

Erdao Lane is the general term for the area where Xu's parents live.

Translate: "Second Lane is the general term for the place where Xu's father and mother live." We'll translate: "Second Lane is the general term for the place where Xu's father and mother live."

It's about ten li from the Siheyuan.

Translate: "It's about ten li from the Siheyuan." We'll translate: "It's about ten li from the Siheyuan."

Everyone beyond ten li knows that Yan Jiecheng intends to marry Qin Huiru, the Qin widow.

Translate: "Everyone outside ten li knows that Yan Jiecheng is going to marry Qin Huairu, the widow." We'll translate: "Everyone outside ten li knows that Yan Jiecheng is going to marry Qin Huairu, the widow."

This shows how shocking this matter is.

Translate: "One can see how strong the shock of this matter is." We'll translate: "One can see how strong the shock of this matter is."

Everyone is talking about it as a joke.

Translate: "Everyone is talking about it as a joke." We'll translate: "Everyone is talking about it as a joke."

"Xu Damiao, how did you come back?"

Translate: "\"Xu Damiao, how did you come back? \"" We'll translate: "\"Xu Damiao, how did you come back? \""

Shazhu looked at the donkey‑faced, turtle‑grandson‑like man before him.

Shazhu looked at the donkey‑faced, turtle‑grandson‑like man before him.

It's been several days.

Translate: "It's been several days." We'll translate: "It's been several days."

He hasn't shown his face in the Siheyuan.

Translate: "He hasn't shown his face in the Siheyuan." We'll translate: "He hasn't shown his face in the Siheyuan."

The commotion made Shazhu think Xu Damiao had been arrested in some mishap.

It made Shazhu think that Xu Damiao had been arrested in some disaster.

"How's your wife?"

"How's your wife?"

"At her parents' home."

Translate: "\"At her parents' home. \"" We'll translate: "\"At her parents' home. \""

When Xu Damiao casually agreed, his gaze fell on the little bundle in Yu Li's arms; the child was tightly wrapped, even its tender little face covered with a gauze cloth, making the face indistinguishable.

Translate: "When Xu Damiao casually agreed, his gaze fell on the little one in Yu Li's arms; seeing that the child was tightly bundled, even the tender little face was covered with a gauze cloth, making the face unclear." We'll translate: "When Xu Damiao casually agreed, his gaze fell on the little one in Yu Li's arms; seeing that the child was tightly bundled, even the tender little face was covered with a gauze cloth, making the face unclear."

While being happy for Shazhu, a faint envy also arose.

This is exactly what he lacks.

"Shazhu, boy or girl?"

"Does whether it's a boy or girl have anything to do with you?"

"How is it not related? If it's a boy, I'll be his godfather; if it's a girl, I'll be his father-in-law."

"Being a father-in-law? You'd have to go work in the palace."

"What do you mean work in the palace? I mean, our two families should arrange a child engagement."

"Let's talk after you give birth."

"You look down on me?" Xu Damao lifted his face, a proud look on his face, "Shazhu, don't doubt it, buddy, I'm not any worse than you; I just got checked yesterday and I'm pregnant."

The examination report was taken out by Xu Damao.

"Take a look, take a good look, see what this is."

What the heck?

Xu Damao has a child.

How is that possible!

In his previous life.

Xu Damao never had a child from start to finish; he seems to have come down with some deadly whatever disease, all indicators are normal, he just has no child.

"Then congratulations to you."

Shazhu, who couldn't understand why.

He said a congratulatory remark.

"Don't congratulate yet, is it the kind with a handle or without?"

"Same as you."

"A boy!" Xu Damao let out a squeak, suddenly realizing what it meant to be the same as me, for no reason becoming Shazhu's son's generation, "Shazhu, you're taking advantage of me."

"Forget it!" Shazhu full of disdain, "Just your advantage, I'm too lazy to take it even if you pay me."

Seeing Xu Damao still standing in front of him.

"Move aside, don't let my son freeze to death."

"Kids just have to endure the cold; just like our northern neighbors, they deliberately toss their kids into the snow in the dead of winter, saying it's for training."

"They eat butter and bread, we eat dumplings and steamed buns; how can they be the same?"

"Shazhu, have you picked a name for the child?"

"His formal name is Weiguo, his nickname is Stone."

"Weiguo, Weiguo, defending the country, what a good name."

……

Detention center.

Yi Zhonghai leaned against the wall, absent-minded.

Being hungry is one thing.

Those people are total bastards.

Breakfast, they simply wouldn't let Yi Zhonghai eat, saying he had just come in from outside, his stomach full of grease, and if he suddenly ate this food, it would be like a person starving for days suddenly encountering a free feast, and he would unknowingly eat himself to death.

Lunch, still no portion for Yi Zhonghai, the reason given being that he had just entered, his body not yet adapted in any way, and he must remain on an empty stomach so his organs can accept the fact that he is already inside.

No food in his stomach.

His body naturally weak.

Simply put, Yi Zhonghai doesn't have long to live, so he doesn't need to do all that messy business.

Besides that.

It's just a matter of his thoughts.

Yi Zhonghai is waiting for a person, someone he has been thinking about for a long time.

Huaihua.

As Yi Zhonghai's bloodline, the hypocrite wants to see his own child before he dies, wanting to hear the child call him father.

The night before last, when meeting the old woman, he had already made this request to her, asking the old woman to bring Huaihua to see him; if Qin Huairu was uneasy, Qin Huairu would come along as well.