Chapter 254

After Shazhu's drunken overnight stay incident.

Translation: After Shazhu's drunken overnight stay incident.

We need to keep as single line: 【1】 After Shazhu's drunken overnight stay incident.

After Shazhu's drunken overnight stay incident.

The neighbors rarely managed to spend several peaceful days.

Translation: The neighbors rarely had a few days of peaceful days.

Better: The neighbors enjoyed a rare few days of peace.

The neighbors rarely got to spend several peaceful days.

Let's produce: 【2】 The neighbors rarely got to spend several peaceful days.

Except for Liu Haizhong, who regularly beat his son at set times and places, every household kept their doors closed and went about their own lives; even Jia Zhangshi, who used to love causing scandals and swearing in the streets, had become very honest these days.

Translation: Except for Liu Haizhong who regularly beat his son at set times and places, every household kept their doors closed and lived their own small lives; even Jia Zhangshi, who used to love causing scandals and shouting in the streets, became very honest these days.

We need to keep all info. Let's craft: 【3】 Except for Liu Haizhong, who regularly beat his son at set times and places, every household kept their doors shut and lived their own small lives; even Jia Zhangshi, who used to love causing scandals and shouting in the streets, became very honest these days.

He had a slight masochistic tendency.

Translation: He had a slight masochistic tendency.

He had a slight masochistic tendency.

But we need to avoid guessing gender. The subject is ambiguous. Could be "She". However we have no gender guide for Jia Zhangshi. Safer to keep neutral: 【4】 There was a slight masochistic tendency. But that loses meaning. Better to use "They" as singular they? The instruction: If no gender cue, keep reference neutral (use the name or 'they'). So we can use "They". So: 【4】 They had a slight masochistic tendency.

Jia Zhangshi swore in the street.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi shouted in the streets.

【5】 Jia Zhangshi shouted in the streets.

The neighbors disliked her and, in their hearts, cursed Jia Zhangshi's eight generations of ancestors.

Translation: The neighbors despised her, silently cursing Jia Zhangshi's ancestors eight generations back.

The neighbors disliked her, silently cursing Jia Zhangshi's eight generations of ancestors.

Jia Zhangshi had settled down and stopped causing trouble.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi settled down and stopped causing trouble.

【7】 Jia Zhangshi settled down and stopped causing trouble.

The neighbors developed a subtle sense of unease, always feeling that something was missing.

Translation: The neighbors actually developed a faint sense of unease, always feeling that something fun was missing around them.

【8】 The neighbors actually developed a faint sense of unease, always feeling that something fun was missing around them.

Shazhu had run into Jia Zhangshi several times in the courtyard while going to and from work.

Translation: When Shazhu went to and from work, he had run into Jia Zhangshi several times in the courtyard.

【9】 When Shazhu went to and from work, he had run into Jia Zhangshi several times in the courtyard.

In his impression, Jia Zhangshi was no longer herself; she looked like a frost‑beaten eggplant, listless and limp, walking without any energy.

Translation: In his impression, Jia Zhangshi was no longer Jia Zhangshi; she looked like a frost‑beaten eggplant, listless and limp, walking without a trace of vigor.

In his impression, Jia Zhangshi was no longer Jia Zhangshi; she looked like a frost‑beaten eggplant, listless and limp, walking without a trace of vigor.

Walking with his head down, he once bumped into a wall and knocked out a big lump on his head.

Translation: Walking with his head down, he once bumped into the wall and knocked out a large lump on his head.

【11】 Walking with his head down, he once bumped into the wall and knocked out a large lump on his head.

Jia Zhangshi didn't take the wall seriously.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi didn't treat the wall as anything special.

Jia Zhangshi didn't regard the wall as anything special.

He rubbed the swelling and went into the toilet.

Translation: Rubbing the swelling, he turned and went into the toilet.

【13】 Rubbing the swelling, he turned and went into the toilet.

Shazhu guessed that Jia Zhangshi must have encountered something; otherwise her listless expression and dark circles comparable to a national treasure could not be explained.

Translation: Shazhu guessed that Jia Zhangshi must have encountered something; otherwise her listless expression and dark circles as prominent as a national treasure could not be explained.

【14】 Shazhu guessed that Jia Zhangshi must have encountered something; otherwise her listless expression and dark circles as prominent as a national treasure could not be explained.

He didn't think much of it.

Translation: He didn't think much more about it.

【15】 He didn't think much more about it.

He mistakenly thought that Jia Zhangshi had been driven from the original Jia family in the central courtyard to the deaf old lady's house in the rear courtyard by the neighbors, feeling a bit uncomfortable; moreover, when the neighbors moved, they inadvertently exposed the Jia family's wealth comparable to that of the richest, cutting off the Jia family's reliance on their poverty to exploit others.

Translation: Mistakenly thinking that Jia Zhangshi had been driven from the original Jia family home in the central courtyard to the rear courtyard's home of Long Laotaitai by the neighbors, he felt a little uncomfortable; moreover, during the neighbors' moving process, the Jia family's wealth, comparable to that of a chief rich family, was unexpectedly exposed, cutting off at the root the Jia family's way of sucking blood from others by pretending to be poor.

We need to keep all details. Let's craft: 【16】 Mistakenly thinking that Jia Zhangshi had been driven from the original Jia family home in the central courtyard to the rear courtyard's home of Long Laotaitai by the neighbors, he felt a little uncomfortable; moreover, during the neighbors' moving process, the Jia family's wealth, comparable to that of a chief rich family, was unexpectedly exposed, cutting off at the root the Jia family's way of sucking blood from others by pretending to be poor.

A person who considers not gaining anything a loss.

Translation: Someone who considers it a loss if they can't pick up anything.

【17】 Someone who considers it a loss if they can't pick up anything.

When did he encounter such treatment?

Translation: When had they ever received such treatment?

【18】 When had they ever received such treatment?

He guessed that those who didn't sleep at night were thinking about how to exploit the neighbors.

Translation: He guessed that those who stayed up at night were pondering how to suck the neighbors dry.

He guessed that those who stayed up at night were thinking about how to bleed the neighbors.

Shazhu would never have imagined that the reason he analyzed and the truth behind Jia Zhangshi's current miserable state were clearly two different things.

Translation: No matter what, Shazhu would never imagine that the reason he had figured out and the truth behind Jia Zhangshi's current miserable state were completely different matters.

【20】 No matter what, Shazhu would never imagine that the reason he had figured out and the truth behind Jia Zhangshi's current miserable state were completely different matters.

The reason Jia Zhangshi became listless was not that she had bumped her head against a wall, but rather that after defecating she hadn't wiped and pulled up her pants directly.

Translation: The reason Jia Zhangshi became listless was not that she had bumped her head against the wall, but rather that after defecating she hadn't wiped and had simply pulled up her pants.

【21】 The reason Jia Zhangshi became listless was not that she had bumped her head against the wall, but rather that after defecating she hadn't wiped and had simply pulled up her pants.

It was because behind this incident stood a mastermind named Qin Huiru.

Translation: It was because behind this matter stood a mastermind named Qin Huairu.

【22】 It was because behind this matter stood a mastermind named Qin Huairu.

Qin Huiru was manipulating everything behind the scenes.

Translation: Qin Huairu was manipulating all of this in secret.

【23】 Qin Huairu was manipulating all of this in secret.

Jia Zhangshi's listlessness was all Qin Huiru's doing.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi's listlessness was entirely Qin Huairu's handiwork.

【24】 Jia Zhangshi's listlessness was entirely Qin Huairu's handiwork.

It was all carried out and planned by Qin Huiru.

Translation: All of it was carried out and planned by Qin Huairu.

【25】 All of it was carried out and planned by Qin Huairu.

The plan to intimidate Jia Zhangshi using the haunted house.

Translation: The plan to intimidate Jia Zhangshi using a haunted house.

【26】 The plan to intimidate Jia Zhangshi using a haunted house.

The plan has now entered its second stage.

Translation: It has currently entered the second stage.

【27】 It has currently entered the second stage.

The second stage is also a crucial link; the entire plan revolves around this stage for concrete implementation.

Translation: The second stage is also a very important link, with the whole plan revolving around this stage for concrete execution.

【28】 The second stage is also a very important link, with the whole plan revolving around this stage for concrete execution.

The sole core of the plan is to drive Jia Zhangshi to the brink of collapse, forcing her to resort to desperate measures to resolve the matter.

Translation: The sole core of the plan is to drive Jia Zhangshi to the brink of collapse, forcing her to resort to unconventional means to resolve the matter.

【29】 The sole core of the plan is to drive Jia Zhangshi to the brink of collapse, forcing her to resort to unconventional means to resolve the matter.

Thus.

Translation: Thus.

【30】 Thus.

Jia Zhangshi had effectively fallen into the trap designed by Qin Huiru, handing over the weapon that would destroy her to Qin Huiru's hands.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi effectively stepped into the trap designed by Qin Huairu, handing over the weapon that would destroy her own self to Qin Huairu's hands.

【31】 Jia Zhangshi effectively stepped into the trap designed by Qin Huairu, handing over the weapon that would destroy her own self to Qin Huairu's hands.

Having believed Qin Huiru's lies, Jia Zhangshi felt that the deaf old lady's ghost lingered in the house, making her feel guilty and afraid; for these days she has been crowded together with Qin Huiru, Xiao Guo, and a few others in one room.

Translation: Having believed Qin Huairu's nonsense, Jia Zhangshi, who felt that Long Laotaitai's ghost lingered in the house, became guilty and fearful, and for these days has been crowded together with Qin Huairu, Xiao Dang, and a few others in one room.

【32】 Having believed Qin Huairu's nonsense, Jia Zhangshi, who felt that Long Laotaitai's ghost lingered in the house, became guilty and fearful, and for these days has been crowded together with Qin Huairu, Xiao Dang, and a few others in one room.

Even while sleeping, she stayed close to Qin Huiru.

Translation: Even while sleeping, she stayed right next to Qin Huairu.

【33】 Even while sleeping, she stayed right next to Qin Huairu.

Qin Huiru would, when Jia Zhangshi was asleep and dreaming, secretly pull back her blanket to cause her to catch a cold.

Translation: Qin Huairu would, at the moment when Jia Zhangshi was asleep and dreaming of Zhou Gong, secretly lift the blanket off Jia Zhangshi's body, thereby artificially causing Jia Zhangshi to catch a cold.

【34】 Qin Huairu would, at the moment when Jia Zhangshi was asleep and dreaming of Zhou Gong, secretly lift the blanket off Jia Zhangshi's body, thereby artificially causing Jia Zhangshi to catch a cold.

Yet they did not expect that, as the fattest person in the courtyard, Jia Zhangshi's thick layer of meat was like a natural cotton coat she wore.

Translation: Yet no one expected that, as the fattest person in the siheyuan, Jia Zhangshi's meat, comparable to that of a big fat pig, was like giving herself an innate padded coat.

【35】 Yet no one expected that, as the fattest person in the siheyuan, Jia Zhangshi's meat, comparable to that of a big fat pig, was like giving herself an innate padded coat.

By accident, they thwarted Qin Huiru's scheme.

Translation: By sheer accident, they thwarted Qin Huairu's scheme.

【36】 By sheer accident, they thwarted Qin Huairu's scheme.

Qin Huiru had to increase her efforts, using the pretext of the deaf old lady's ghost haunting to intensify Jia Zhangshi's fear as much as possible.

Translation: Qin Huairu had no choice but to increase the intensity, using the pretext of Long Laotaitai's ghost haunting to aggravate Jia Zhangshi's terror as much as possible.

【37】 Qin Huairu had no choice but to increase the intensity, using the pretext of Long Laotaitai's ghost haunting to aggravate Jia Zhangshi's terror as much as possible.

Jia Zhangshi actually followed Qin Huiru's instructions, attributing all the strange events that had happened to her over these days to the deaf old lady's head.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi truly followed Qin Huairu's lead, attributing all the strange things that had happened to her these days entirely to Long Laotaitai's head.

【38】 Jia Zhangshi truly followed Qin Huairu's lead, attributing all the strange things that had happened to her these days entirely to Long Laotaitai's head.

Believing that the deaf old lady died with unresolved grievances, and that she herself happened to be an enemy of the deaf old lady, the lingering ghost of the deaf old lady took revenge on her.

Translation: Believing that Long Laotaitai died with unresolved grievances, and that she herself happened to be an enemy of Long Laotaitai, the ghost of Long Laotaitai lingering in the human world took revenge on her.

【39】 Believing that Long Laotaitai died with unresolved grievances, and that she herself happened to be an enemy of Long Laotaitai, the ghost of Long Laotaitai lingering in the human world took revenge on her.

Jia Zhangshi, who had not slept well for several days, hesitated about whether to go out and seek help.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi, who had not slept well for several days straight, hesitated about whether to go out and hire someone.

【40】 Jia Zhangshi, who had not slept well for several days straight, hesitated about whether to go out and hire someone.

It was a professional matter.

Translation: It's a professional matter.

【41】 It's a professional matter.

It should be left to professionals to handle.

Translation: It must be left to professionals to handle.

【42】 It must be left to professionals to handle.

Catch ghosts.

Translation: Catch ghosts.

【43】 Catch ghosts.

Invite the goddesses and godmen.

Translation: We need to bring in the godly old women and godly old men.

【44】 We need to bring in the godly old women and godly old men.

At present, this is also such a big environment.

Translation: At present, it's just such a big environment.

【45】 At present, it's just such a big environment.

Even if they invited the goddesses and godmen, they would have to do it secretly behind the scenes, lest the neighbors in the courtyard find out; Jia Zhangshi did not want to suffer a loss without recourse, so to solve the problem and get a good night's sleep, she forced herself to stay energetic and headed out of the courtyard.

Translation: Even if they found the godly old women and godly old men, they would have to do it secretly behind the scenes, not letting the neighbors in the courtyard know; Jia Zhangshi certainly didn't want to suffer the consequences, so to solve the problem and get a good night's sleep, she forced herself to perk up and walk out of the courtyard.

【46】 Even if they found the godly old women and godly old men, they would have to do it secretly behind the scenes, not letting the neighbors in the courtyard know; Jia Zhangshi certainly didn't want to suffer the consequences, so to solve the problem and get a good night's sleep, she forced herself to perk up and walk out of the courtyard.

At the courtyard gate.

Translation: At the courtyard gate.

【47】 At the courtyard gate.

She ran into Shazhu again.

Translation: She ran into Shazhu again, squarely.

【48】 She ran into Shazhu again, squarely.

Nobody paid attention to anyone.

Translation: Nobody paid attention to anyone else.

【49】 Nobody paid attention to anyone else.

They simply pretended not to see each other.

Translation: They simply pretended not to have seen each other.

【50】 They simply pretended not to have seen each other.

Shazhu continued waiting.

Translation: Shazhu continued waiting.

【51】 Shazhu continued waiting.

Jia Zhangshi walked westward, all the while thinking about where she should go to find a capable exorcist to invite.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi stepped westward, all the way pondering where she should go to be able to summon a capable ghost‑catcher.

【52】 Jia Zhangshi stepped westward, all the way pondering where she should go to be able to summon a capable ghost‑catcher.

……

Translation: …… (ellipsis). We need to output exactly the same? Probably just "……". Keep as is.

【53】 ……

The courtyard had been peaceful for several days.

Translation: The siheyuan that had been peaceful for several days.

【54】 The siheyuan that had been peaceful for several days.

That peace was shattered by a notice.

Translation: Had its tranquility shattered by a notice.

【55】 Had its tranquility shattered by a notice.

In the front, middle, and rear courtyards, everyone at home—old or young—looked enviously at Shazhu's household in the middle courtyard; some used He Yushui as an example to educate their own children, saying things like "Learn from your sister Yushui, study hard, strive for admission to school," and so on.

Translation: In the front, central, and rear courtyards, everyone at home—whether old or young—looked enviously at Shazhu's household in the central courtyard; some took He Yushui as an example to educate their own children, saying things like "Learn from your sister Yushui, study hard, strive for academic advancement," and so on.

【56】 In the front, central, and rear courtyards, everyone at home—whether old or young—looked enviously at Shazhu's household in the central courtyard; some took He Yushui as an example to educate their own children, saying things like "Learn from your sister Yushui, study hard, strive for academic advancement," and so on.

Thirty minutes after Jia Zhangshi left,

Translation: Thirty minutes after Jia Zhangshi left.

【57】 Thirty minutes after Jia Zhangshi left.

A postal worker in a green uniform delivered He Yushui's admission notice.

Translation: A postal worker clad in green delivered He Yushui's admission notice.

【58】 A postal worker clad in green delivered He Yushui's admission notice.

The notice clearly stated that He Yushui had been admitted to the Capital GA School.

Translation: It clearly stated that He Yushui had been admitted to the Capital City GA School.

【59】 It clearly stated that He Yushui had been admitted to the Capital City GA School.

It is a school.

It is not a college.

Just an ordinary word.

It makes a clear distinction between the two.

The former.

Higher vocational college.

The so-called higher vocational college means finishing high school and, as a high school graduate, entering a technical vocational school; it also has a lower vocational college, which means finishing junior high school and directly entering a technical vocational school.

To the neighbors.

A major happy event in the siheyuan.

He Yushui is the first in the siheyuan to finish junior high and enter high school, the first to finish high school, and moreover the first vocational college student in the siheyuan.

GA school!

These four big characters fill Shazhu's mind, leaving him unable to express his current feelings—saying he's happy, yet not happy; saying not happy, yet a little excited.

Shazhu's growth plan for He Yushui was for her to attend university, not this higher vocational college; even with the 'big' modifier, it remains slightly inferior.

College students of this era.

True heaven's favored ones.

Higher vocational college.

Lower vocational college.

Both are vocational colleges.

This is the reason for unhappiness.

The source of excitement is that Shazhu never expected Yushui to break through her own fate.

In the previous life.

Shazhu, poisoned by Qin Huairu and Yi Zhonghai, wholeheartedly became a sycophant to the Jia family widow, making He Yushui's life rather difficult.

He failed to enter high school and went to the textile factory.

This life, she did not become a textile worker but became a female public security officer.

It can be considered a twist of fate.

She enrolls this year; when she graduates and starts work, it will be just before the rainy season, and she won't have to go to the countryside to see foreign scenery.

As for He Yushui's job.

Shazhu thought, aside from the steel mill, there was only the office.

Given that He Yushui is a child of steel mill workers, the chance of her staying at the steel mill is relatively higher; Shazhu does not plan to let Yushui enter the steel mill.

In the steel mill's security section, all are male comrades.

After all, Yushui is a girl; some tasks are far less convenient for her than for male comrades.

Go to the workshop.

It wasted Yushui's diploma.

The factory leadership would not allow such a thing to happen.

Only a few choices remain.

Publicity section.

Finance section.