Chapter 334

Simple people handle simple matters.

Translation: Simple people handle simple matters. Or "Simple people do simple things." The phrase "Simple people handle simple matters" could be "Simple people handle simple affairs." We'll produce: Simple people handle simple matters.

Liu Jianguo guessed that Qin Huiru was very likely involved in Jia Dongxu's death, while the other neighbors turned their attention to this former mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair from the Jia family.

Interpretation: Liu Jianguo speculated that Qin Huairu was extremely likely to have participated in the case of Jia Dongxu's death, while the other neighbors focused their thoughts on this former mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair of the Jia family.

We'll produce: Liu Jianguo speculated that Qin Huairu was extremely likely to have been involved in the case of Jia Dongxu's death, while the other neighbors focused their thoughts on this former mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair of the Jia family.

In the front, middle, and rear courtyards.

Translation: In the front, middle, and rear three courtyards. Or "Among the front, middle, and rear three courtyards." We'll produce: In the front, middle, and rear three courtyards.

Anyone with a brain.

Translation: Anyone with a brain. Or "Anyone who has a brain." We'll produce: Anyone with a brain.

They all simultaneously had a strange thought in their minds.

Translation: They all, without prior agreement, had a strange idea arise in their hearts. We'll produce: They all, without prior agreement, had a strange idea arise in their hearts.

When will the act of this former odd mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huiru, pretending to be a kind mother-in-law and obedient daughter-in-law, finally end?

Translation: How will the act of the former eccentric mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu, performing the play of a kind mother-in-law and filial daughter-in-law in front of them, come to an end? We'll produce: When will the act of the former eccentric mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu, performing the play of a kind mother-in-law and filial daughter-in-law in front of them, come to an end?

Some people even secretly started gambling.

Translation: Some people even privately started a bet. We'll produce: Some people even privately started a bet.

They bet on when Qin Huiru and Jia Zhangshi would turn against each other.

Translation: Betting on when Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi would turn against each other. We'll produce: Betting on when Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi would turn against each other.

As for the wager.

Translation: As for the stake. We'll produce: As for the stake.

A small two-flour steamed bun.

Translation: A small biscuit-like steamed bun made from a two-flour mixture. "Two-flour steamed bun" is a bun made from two kinds of flour. We'll produce: A small two-flour steamed bun.

Shuzhu also couldn't stay out of it; he was roped in by Daming to join this absurd private gambling organized by Yan Fugui, betting for one month while Daming bet for half a month.

Translation: Shazhu was no exception; he was pulled by Xu Daming to participate in this absurd private gambling game organized by Yan Fugui, betting for one month while Xu Daming bet for half a month. We'll produce: Shazhu was no exception; he was pulled by Xu Daming to participate in this absurd private gambling game organized by Yan Fugui, betting for one month while Xu Daming bet for half a month.

The final result.

Translation: The final result. We'll produce: The final result.

Including Yan Fugui, who acted as the banker, and the neighbors who participated in the gamble, they all ended up losing.

Translation: Including Yan Fugui, who acted as the banker, and the neighbors of the siheyuan who participated in the gamble, they all ended up with a losing outcome. We'll produce: Including Yan Fugui, who acted as the banker, and the neighbors of the siheyuan who participated in the gamble, they all ended up with a losing outcome.

Counting from the day the gambling began.

Translation: Counting from the day the gamble began. We'll produce: Counting from the day the gamble began.

All the way up to today.

Translation: All the way up to today. We'll produce: All the way up to today.

That is, May 6, 1965.

Translation: That is, May 6, 1965. We'll produce: That is, May 6, 1965.

A total of twenty-five months.

Translation: A total of twenty-five months. We'll produce: A total of twenty-five months.

Over more than two years, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huiru continued to maintain that so-called harmonious facade, calling each other "mother-in-law" and "daughter-in-law".

Translation: Over the span of more than two years, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu maintained that so-called harmonious facade, calling each other "mother-in-law" and "daughter-in-law" repeatedly. We'll produce: Over the span of more than two years, Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu maintained that so-called harmonious facade, calling each other "mother-in-law" and "daughter-in-law" repeatedly.

Appearing kind and gentle on the surface.

Translation: Appearing kind and gentle on the surface. We'll produce: Appearing kind and gentle on the surface.

Deep down, they each wished the other would die soon.

Translation: Deep down, they actually wished the other would die soon. We'll produce: Deep down, they actually wished the other would die soon.

Shuzhu several times saw Qin Huiru spitting at the retreating figure of Jia Zhangshi, and his eyes showed a vicious hatred, as if he wanted to devour her alive.

Translation: Shazhu several times saw Qin Huairu spitting at the retreating back of Jia Zhangshi, and in his eyes could be seen a vicious expression as if he wanted to devour Jia Zhangshi alive. We'll produce: Shazhu several times saw Qin Huairu spitting at the retreating back of Jia Zhangshi, and in his eyes could be seen a vicious expression as if he wanted to devour Jia Zhangshi alive.

These two years.

Translation: These two years. We'll produce: These two years.

Qin Huiru indeed led a stifled life.

Translation: Qin Huairu indeed lived a stifled life. We'll produce: Qin Huairu indeed lived a stifled life.

Jia Zhangshi once again returned to her pre-death Jia Dongxu state of being fond of eating and lazy, doing nothing all day, just nagging at home about trivial matters.

Translation: Jia Zhangshi once again returned to the state of being gluttonous and lazy before Jia Dongxu's death, doing nothing all day and just idling away at home. We'll produce: Jia Zhangshi once again returned to the state of being gluttonous and lazy before Jia Dongxu's death, doing nothing all day and just idling away at home.

Qin Huiru not only didn't object, she also gave Shuzhu a sense of trying to please and fear Jia Zhangshi.

Translation: Qin Huairu not only did not oppose, she also gave Shazhu an air of trying to please and fear Jia Zhangshi. We'll produce: Qin Huairu not only did not oppose, she also gave Shazhu an air of trying to please and fear Jia Zhangshi.

This is probably what they call a masochist.

Translation: This is probably what the legendary masochist is like. We'll produce: This is probably what the legendary masochist is like.

The more Jia Zhangshi tormented Qin Huiru.

Translation: The more Jia Zhangshi tormented Qin Huairu. We'll produce: The more Jia Zhangshi tormented Qin Huairu.

The more honest Qin Huiru became, the more affectionately she called her "mother".

Translation: The more Qin Huairu was obedient, the more affectionately she called "mother". We'll produce: The more Qin Huairu was obedient, the more affectionately she called "mother".

Compared to Qin Huiru's dire life, the neighbors in the courtyard over these two years have undergone various changes; the most noticeable is that they no longer have to alternate between starvation and overeating to fill their stomachs.

Translation: Compared to Qin Huairu's dire life, the neighbors in the courtyard over these two years have all undergone some changes; the most noticeable is that the neighbors no longer have to alternate between starvation and fullness to torment their own stomachs. We'll produce: Compared to Qin Huairu's dire life, the neighbors in the courtyard over these two years have all undergone some changes; the most noticeable is that the neighbors no longer have to alternate between starvation and fullness to torment their own stomachs.

Starting last year, the neighbors' faces no longer showed signs of malnutrition; although they still ate two-flour steamed buns and sorghum rice, they no longer needed to ration portions, and the whole family could eat until their cheeks were full.

Translation: Starting from last year, the neighbors' faces no longer showed signs of malnutrition; although they still ate two-flour steamed buns and sorghum rice, they no longer needed to calculate portions, and the whole family could eat heartily. We'll produce: Starting from last year, the neighbors' faces no longer showed signs of malnutrition; although they still ate two-flour steamed buns and sorghum rice, they no longer needed to calculate portions, and the whole family could eat heartily.

Every few days they would buy some pork or a chicken to improve their diet somewhat.

Translation: Every few days they would buy some pork or a chicken to suitably improve their lives. We'll produce: Every few days they would buy some pork or a chicken to suitably improve their lives.

No longer did they need to, as in previous years, save two catties of white flour all year just to eat a vegetarian dumpling meal on New Year's Eve.

Translation: No longer needing to, as in previous years, save two catties of white flour all year just to eat a vegetarian dumpling meal on New Year's Eve. We'll produce: No longer needing to, as in previous years, save two catties of white flour all year just to eat a vegetarian dumpling meal on New Year's Eve.

During the New Year, the children could also get new clothes.

Translation: During the New Year, the children could also change into new clothes. We'll produce: During the New Year, the children could also change into new clothes.

This is the change in lifestyle.

Translation: This is the change in life. We'll produce: This is the change in life.

As for population.

Translation: As for population. We'll produce: As for population.

The change is greater.

Translation: The changes are greater. We'll produce: The changes are greater.

Some people were gradually added to the courtyard population, including daughters-in-law who moved in and children who were born.

Translation: In the siheyuan, the population gradually increased, with some being daughters-in-law who married in and some being children born there. We'll produce: In the siheyuan, the population gradually increased, with some being daughters-in-law who married in and some being children born there.

Yan Jiecheng reconciled with the Yan family, and with Yan Fugui's matchmaking, he married teacher Ran Qiuye from Red Star Elementary School, and last year she gave Yan Fugui a big, fat grandson.

Translation: Yan Jiecheng reconciled with the Yan family, and under the matchmaking of Yan Fugui, he brought back the teacher Ran Qiuye from Red Star Elementary School as his wife; last year she gave Yan Fugui a big, fat grandson. We'll produce: Yan Jiecheng reconciled with the Yan family, and under the matchmaking of Yan Fugui, he brought back the teacher Ran Qiuye from Red Star Elementary School as his wife; last year she gave Yan Fugui a big, fat grandson.

He was named Yan Yahang.

Translation: Named Yan Yahan! We'll produce: Named Yan Yahan!

Yan Fugui was so happy his mouth couldn't close.

Translation: Yan Fugui was so happy his mouth couldn't close. We'll produce: Yan Fugui was so happy his mouth couldn't close.

He insisted on becoming in-laws with Shuzhu through their children, arranging a childhood engagement, and firmly claimed that the child in Yu Li's belly was a girl.

Translation: He was determined to become in-laws with Shazhu by marrying their children, to make a childhood engagement, and he firmly stated that the child in Yu Li's belly was a girl. We'll produce: He was determined to become in-laws with Shazhu by marrying their children, to make a childhood engagement, and he firmly stated that the child in Yu Li's belly was a girl.

Shuzhu's son He Weiguo is now three years old.

Translation: Shazhu's son He Weiguo is now three years old. We'll produce: Shazhu's son He Weiguo is now three years old.

The conditions for having a second child.

Translation: The conditions for having a second child. We'll produce: The conditions for having a second child.

Achieved implicitly.

Translation: Achieved invisibly. We'll produce: Achieved invisibly.

The couple, on a dark, stormy night, after hard work, finally reaped a bountiful harvest.

Translation: The couple, on a dark and windy night, after arduous toil, finally reaped a bountiful harvest. We'll produce: The couple, on a dark and windy night, after arduous toil, finally reaped a bountiful harvest.

Yu Li successfully conceived her second child half a year ago.

Translation: Yu Li successfully conceived her second child half a year ago. We'll produce: Yu Li successfully conceived her second child half a year ago.

When they had free time, the couple privately discussed that if it were a boy, he'd be named He Baoguo, and if a girl, she'd be named He Lili.

Translation: When the couple had free time, they privately discussed that if it were a boy, his name would be He Baoguo; if a girl, her name would be He Lili. We'll produce: When the couple had free time, they privately discussed that if it were a boy, his name would be He Baoguo; if a girl, her name would be He Lili.

He Yushui graduated this year and recently started work.

Translation: He Yushui graduated this year and recently started work. We'll produce: He Yushui graduated this year and recently started work.

Shuzhu's heart.

Translation: Shazhu's heart. We'll produce: Shazhu's heart.

Finally settled.

Translation: Finally settled. We'll produce: Finally settled.

Before anything happened, he settled Yushui.

Translation: Before anything happened, he had already settled Yushui. We'll produce: Before anything happened, he had already settled Yushui.

Has a job.

Translation: Has a job. We'll produce: Has a job.

No need to go to the countryside anymore.

Translation: No need to go to the countryside anymore. We'll produce: No need to go to the countryside anymore.

The main concern was that Yushui, a pretty girl, would go to the countryside where she doesn't know anyone; if she encountered unreasonable hooligans or bad elements, it could be disastrous—one person goes, two come back, followed by consequences like two, three, four, five.

Translation: The main concern was that Yushui, a pretty girl, would go to the countryside where she is unfamiliar with people and places; if she encountered unreasonable hooligans or scoundrels, it would truly be one person going and two coming back, followed by the consequences of two, three, four, five. We'll produce: The main concern was that Yushui, a pretty girl, would go to the countryside where she is unfamiliar with people and places; if she encountered unreasonable hooligans or scoundrels, it would truly be one person going and two coming back, followed by the consequences of two, three, four, five.

This isn't just Shuzhu alarmist talk.

Translation: This is not Shazhu alarmist talk. We'll produce: This is not Shazhu alarmist talk.

In the previous life.

Translation: In the previous life. We'll produce: In the previous life.

He has experienced such things before.

Translation: He had encountered such things before. We'll produce: He had encountered such things before.

A girl from the neighboring courtyard spent several years down there; when she left she was alone, but when she returned she brought several children, followed by a man over ten years older than her.

Translation: A girl from the neighboring courtyard had stayed down there for several years; when she left she was alone, but when she returned she brought several children, followed by a man more than ten years older than her. We'll produce: A girl from the neighboring courtyard had stayed down there for several years; when she left she was alone, but when she returned she brought several children, followed by a man more than ten years older than her.

Family background.

Translation: Family circumstances. We'll produce: Family circumstances.

It can be completely described with the idiom "bare walls".

Want more light.

Then there will be that much light.

It's precisely because Shazhu knows that such bad things will happen that he has been constantly worried about Yushui's work and marriage, fearing that Yushui will fall into a tiger's den.

Like that.

Shazhu surely cries more than he pees.

With Yushui's graduation and her having a job, Shazhu's heavy burden like an old father can finally be lifted from his shoulders.

As a child of Yagangchang workers, Yushui should work at Yagangchang. Since Yushui studied criminal investigation, the Yegang chang baowei ke is all old gentlemen, while the finance and publicity departments and the factory office group could enter; the former two require some professional knowledge, the latter was directly POSSed by Shazhu.

Following Shazhu's suggestion, Yushui entered the Red Star Police Station, and her marriage to Liu Jianguo also came to fruition; they got engaged just a few days ago.

Shazhu met Liu Jianguo's parents in the capacity of Yushui's older brother.

Nice two elders.

After Yushui marries in, she won't be at a disadvantage.

Shazhu, who has lived two lives, clearly saw the indulgence revealed in Liu Mother's gaze toward He Yushui.

With Liu Mother backing her.

Yushui cannot endure hardship.

I heard that in the Liu family, men handle big matters while women handle small ones; for example, big matters like this country's football team refusing to play against that country's football team, etc., are decided by Liu Father; small matters like what to eat today, whether the family should buy a bicycle, how to decorate the house, etc., are decided by Liu Mother.

Put simply.

It's simply the family tradition of being afraid of one's wife.

Don't think that because Yushui hasn't married Liu Jianguo yet, Liu Jianguo has already inherited the Liu family's tradition of fearing wives exactly as it is, and has even further promoted it!

Their wedding is set for next month's National Day.

This counts as settling one of Shazhu's worries.

The family that has changed the most in the Siheyuan is actually not Shazhu's family, but Liu Haizhong's family in the Hou Yuan; as Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu grow up, Liu Haizhong's proud stick education has obviously become a negative example, and the two kids, not knowing what they're thinking, have actually joined forces to oppose Liu Haizhong.

Their neighbor Xu Daming, after divorcing Lou Xiaoe, has had these two years rather desolate, relying on his identity as a film projectionist, he's practically like a fish in water.

Sweet-talking.

Willing to spend money.

At the factory, he's been missed by a young girl.

In the countryside, he's been thought of by female comrades.

Specifically, who to marry.

Don't know.

But according to Yu Li, Xu Daming has recently been hot and heavy with Yu Li's cousin Yuhaitang; they often eat and drink together when they have nothing else to do, and it looks like they're dating.