Chapter 338

Someone had lived in the house for over ten years.

But we need to check if any specific person is implied from context: The paragraph seems about Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi talking. The line likely refers to Qin Huairu having lived in the house for over ten years. However we cannot guess; we must keep neutral. The instruction: "If a character is not in the guide and the source gives no gender cue, keep the reference neutral (use the name or 'they') rather than guessing 'he' or 'she'." Since no name given, we should keep neutral: "Someone had lived in the house for over ten years." Use "Someone". That is neutral.

Thus 【1】 translation: "Someone had lived in the house for over ten years."

How could Qin Huairu not know what scheme Jia Zhangshi had in mind?

Thus 【2】 translation: "【2】 How could Qin Huairu not know what scheme Jia Zhangshi had in mind?" Good.

Nothing more than seeing there is profit to be gained.

Wanting to forcibly pull some people into a relationship.

Eating other people's benefits.

Xu Damu married Qin Jingru; Qin Jingru is her paternal cousin, so based on that relation, Bangeng and Xiao Dang should call Xu Damu 'uncle-in-law'.

They are relatives.

That's true.

Outsiders wouldn't gossip either.

But looking at Jia Zhangshi's expression, it's clearly not that; I don't know who gave Laoqianpo the courage, actually wanting to have both fish and bear's paw.

Want to eat Xu Damu's benefits.

Also want to eat Shazhu's benefits.

Moreover, the desire to suck Shazhu's blood is several times stronger than sucking Xu Damu's blood.

Not even thinking about it.

Given Shazhu's relation with the Jia Family, let alone Xu Damu not being Shazhu's blood brother, even if they were blood brothers, Shazhu probably wouldn't give the Jia Family any face.

Maybe they are currently hiding in Shazhu's house, taking turns doing ideological work on Qin Jingru, telling her not to associate with her paternal cousin.

A bitter smile.

Appearing at the corner of Qin Huairu's mouth.

She didn't speak, just treating it as hearing a joke.

We need to use Qin Jingru and Shazhu; perhaps they are currently hiding in Shazhu's house, taking turns doing ideological work on Qin Jingru, telling her not to associate with her paternal cousin.

Beside her, Jia Zhangshi, immersed in her own vain beautiful dream, kept chattering nonstop.

"Huairu, don't laugh at Mom, Mom truly believes this is an opportunity for our Jia Family to turn things around. Qin Jingru is your paternal cousin, our Jia Family is her natal family. Xu Damu previously had no relation with us, but from now on he is Bangeng and Xiao Dang's uncle-in-law. Break the bone but still connected to the flesh. Our Jia Family's life is not good, while Bangeng's uncle-in-law lives well—shouldn't we help our Jia Family a bit?"

Perhaps this is Jia Zhangshi's true intention.

Even if Xu Damu is awesome.

Just a movie projector operator.

We need to keep the Chinese quotation marks? Usually we keep them as is. We'll keep the Chinese quotes 「」 as they appear. Inside we translate.

"Bangeng's grades are poor; high school is out of the question. Even though you make a living cleaning toilets, you can't discard it, nor can you give it to Bangeng. Shazhu is the cafeteria chief and has a good relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li. Then we can use Shazhu's connections to get Bangeng into the steel mill to follow Xu Damu in projecting movies. Spread the word, and we'll have face—I, Jia Zhangshi, am the grandmother of a movie projector operator, and you, Qin Huairu, am the mother of a movie projector operator—how great that sounds. In a few years, when Bangeng finds a partner, I'll give my old wife a big fat great-grandson, and my old wife will carry him every day."

Provided glossary list includes: Yi Zhonghai, Jia Zhangshi, Liu Haizhong, Shazhu, Qin Huairu, Xiao Dang, Bangeng, Yan Fugui, Laoqianpo, Head Steward, Deputy Factory Manager, Deputy Factory Director Li, Yagangchang, Siheyuan, Dayuan, Jiēdào, Jia Family.

Thus we must use those exact forms for those terms when they appear.

It all relies on the mouth.

Jia Zhangshi has already set her sights on Xu Damu's property.

After a while.

Now proceed.

【21】 translation: We'll need to decide on quoting style. Keep Chinese quotes? Probably we should keep them as they are part of the source. We'll output: "【21】 「Huairu, don't laugh at Mom, Mom truly believes this is an opportunity for our Jia Family to turn things around. Jingru is your paternal cousin, our Jia Family is her natal family. Xu Damu previously had no relation with us, but from now on he is Bangeng and Xiao Dang's uncle-in-law. Break the bone but still connected to the flesh. Our Jia Family's life is not good, while Bangeng's uncle-in-law lives well—shouldn't we help our Jia Family a bit? 」"

Now he has gotten his wish, having become Head Steward as he wanted, but he finds it's not at all like that, completely lacking the glory of controlling the Dayuan.

For minor matters, they look for Liu Haizhong, but Liu Haizhong can't even resolve them.

Laoqianpo put her shameless face.

Moved up to Qin Huairu.

Counting on her fingers.

Analyzing the many reasons why their Jia Family could profit from this matter.

「This isn't assistance; it's an opportunity for our Jia Family to do a good deed for Xu Damu. Then us two, plus Bangeng and a few others, will really publicize it, so the neighbors all know Xu Damu did a good deed. 」

We need to keep quotes.

Obviously it's sucking blood.

But coming from Jia Zhangshi's mouth, it stubbornly turned into them considering others.

The cheek is really thick to the extreme.

「Jingru helping our Jia Family is also preparing a backup for herself; you know what kind of person Xu Damu is—if he really hits your cousin, then our Jia Family can stand up for your cousin using Jingru's natal family identity. 」

We need to keep quotes.

The conversation turned.

She turned the topic from Xu Damu to Shazhu.

「Xu Damu and Shazhu get along well; our Jia Family's affairs are his affairs, and his affairs are Shazhu's affairs. As Jingru's paternal cousin, you who sweep toilets, please ask Shazhu, considering Jingru's face, he will surely transfer you to the cafeteria. I heard that eating in the cafeteria doesn't require meal tickets, and you can even bring back leftover dishes at night, saving a lot of money inside and out. 」

We need to keep quotes.

Perhaps this is Jia Zhangshi's true intention.

Even if Xu Damu is awesome.

Just a movie projector operator.

In terms of position.

Far less influential than the cafeteria chief Shazhu.

Responsible for the food and drink of ten thousand people; even a slight leak between the fingers would be enough for the Jia Family to eat and drink without worry.

「Bangeng's grades are poor; high school is out of the question. Even though you make a living cleaning toilets, you can't discard it, nor can you give it to Bangeng. Shazhu is the cafeteria chief and has a good relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li. Then we can use Shazhu's connections to get Bangeng into the steel mill to follow Xu Damu in projecting movies. Spread the word, and we'll have face—I, Jia Zhangshi, am the grandmother of a movie projector operator, and you, Qin Huairu, am the mother of a movie projector operator—how great that sounds. In a few years, when Bangeng finds a partner, I'll give my old wife a big fat great-grandson, and my old wife will carry him every day. 」

give my old wife a big fat great-grandson

Fortunately only Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi are in the room.

Otherwise it would really make people laugh their teeth off.

Bangeng became the Siheyuan's hated thief saint due to Jia Zhangshi's teachings; if Bangeng's son were also brought up by Jia Zhangshi, he'd be a little thief saint.

We need to use Siheyuan (in list). So: "【43】 Bangeng became the Siheyuan's hated thief saint due to Jia Zhangshi's teachings; if Bangeng's son were also brought up by Jia Zhangshi, he'd be a little thief saint."

「Huairu, you and Jingru are after all paternal cousins, both surnamed Qin. Take some time to tell her what kind of person Xu Damu is—after all the difficulty of marrying into the Siheyuan, you must not suffer bullying. Xu Damu's belongings had best be placed in our Jia Family; my old lady has nothing else to do, I'll specially help her look after things. 」

We need to keep quotes. Use Huairu, Jingru, Xu Damu, Siheyuan, Jia Family.

A dog lifted the door curtain.

It all relies on the mouth.

Whether Qin Jingru acknowledges her as this paternal cousin is still unknown.

Jia Zhangshi has already set her sights on Xu Damu's property.

She earnestly said she would help safeguard.

After a while.

Then the things and money all became Jia Zhangshi's private property.

"……" Means ellipsis. So: "【52】 ……"

Liu Haizhong's home.

The office-obsessed Liu Haizhong is brooding with resentment.

When Yi Zhonghai was the Head Steward, in the Siheyuan his word was final; no matter big or small, it was always his say; Liu Haizhong hated not being able to replace him.

Now he has gotten his wish, having become Head Steward as he wanted, but he finds it's not at all like that, completely lacking the glory of controlling the Dayuan.

For major matters, people go to the street office, go to the police station.

For minor matters, they look for Liu Haizhong, but Liu Haizhong can't even resolve them.

Over time.

The uproar left Liu Haizhong, this Head Steward, extremely embarrassed; he was reduced to a mere ornament, not even summoned for drinks, while people called on Yan Fugui instead.

Liu Haizhong was so angry his nose twisted.

It must be because he was furious to the utmost.

The large tea jar in his hand.

He hurled it straight toward the door.

It was quite a coincidence.

Just as the large tea jar left Liu Haizhong's right hand, Liu Guangtian pushed the door open from outside.

His mother just happened to open the door at that moment—what a coincidence!

The large tea jar, full of tea, landed squarely on the empty ground in front of Liu Guangtian's right foot with a clang, and the tea inside splashed onto his pants.

It was just a small misunderstanding to begin with.

Liu Haizhong resented Shazhu for treating Xu Daming and his wife and Yan Fugui to a meal; he wasn't actually giving Liu Guangtian a dirty look, yet he didn't expect Liu Guangtian to misinterpret it.

A pair of donkey-like eyes.

He glared fiercely at Liu Haizhong, looking like he wanted to violently beat an official fanatic.

Liu Haizhong, relying on his status as father, had beaten Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu since childhood, giving him the psychological edge; he didn't even take this small misunderstanding to heart.

He couldn't be bothered to explain and said nothing.

He also took out his anger at Shazhu for treating guests and inviting Yan Fugui but not him, and with a cold stare he vented it at Liu Guangtian, glaring back at him fiercely.

As a result.

Their misunderstanding deepened further.

Er Da Ma, being clueless, saw Liu Guangtian about to explode; instead of mediating, she took Liu Haizhong's side and scolded Liu Guangtian.

"Guangtian, what are you doing? As soon as you get home you take it out on your dad; even if you're angry at work, you can't bring that anger home to vent on your father—he's your father, not a punching bag for your frustrations. If you're angry, go vent outside."