Chapter 339

I'm lashing out at strangers—am I stupid? Liu Guangtian confronted his mother, laying out the facts to show her what an unfilial son looks like. He bellowed his frustration: "Besides, those outsiders never hurled a big tea kettle at me, so why should I take my anger out on them?"

Possible translation: "I'm taking my anger out on outsiders, am I an idiot?" Liu Guangtian faced his mother, using facts to tell her what an unfilial son is, he shouted out his dissatisfaction: "Besides, those outsiders didn't throw the big tea vat at me, so why should I vent my anger on them?"

Check: need to keep all content. Let's produce a concise but faithful translation.

I'm lashing out at strangers—am I stupid? Liu Guangtian confronted his mother, laying out the facts to show her what an unfilial son looks like. He bellowed his frustration: "Besides, those outsiders never hurled a big tea kettle at me, so why should I take my anger out on them?"

Translation: "I'm taking my anger out on outsiders—am I an idiot?" Liu Guangtian faced his mother, using facts to tell her what an unfilial son is, he shouted his dissatisfaction: "Besides, those outsiders didn't throw the big tea vat at me, so why should I vent my anger on them?"

Make sure it's one line.

Seeing Liu Guangtian still dare to talk back, his tone so awful, Liu Haizhong also got angry; his right hand slammed the table with a smack.

Translation: Seeing Liu Guangtian still dare to talk back, his tone so awful, Liu Haizhong also got angry; his right hand slapped the table hard with a "pa" sound.

Seeing Liu Guangtian still dare to talk back, his tone so awful, Liu Haizhong also got angry; his right hand slapped the table hard with a "Pa—".

Make sure it's one line.

The tremendous force shook the plate holding the fried eggs and the half‑bottle of baijiu on the table, sending them crashing to the floor, shattering the glass everywhere.

Translation: The tremendous force shook the plate holding the fried eggs and the half‑bottle of baijiu on the table, sending them crashing to the floor, shattering the glass everywhere.

The tremendous force shook the plate holding the fried eggs and the half‑bottle of baijiu on the table, sending them crashing to the floor, shattering the glass everywhere.

Liu Haizhong was using this method to express his dissatisfaction to Liu Guangtian.

Translation: Liu Haizhong was expressing his dissatisfaction to Liu Guangtian in this way.

This family.

Translation: This family.

It's still me, Liu Haizhong, calling the shots; even if you, Liu Guangtian, have grown up, you're still my son, so don't think you can fly out of my palm.

Translation: It's still me, Liu Haizhong, calling the shots; even if you, Liu Guangtian, have grown up, you're still my son—don't think you can fly out of my palm.

He overestimated the effectiveness of his strict discipline.

Translation: He overestimated the effectiveness of his rod‑based discipline.

He also underestimated Liu Guangtian's hatred toward him.

Translation: And he underestimated Liu Guangtian's hatred toward him.

As a father.

Translation: As a father.

He couldn't treat everyone equally.

Translation: Cannot keep things even‑handed.

That is the biggest taboo.

Translation: This is the greatest taboo.

Not only did Liu Haizhong fail to treat them equally, he severely drove a wedge between Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu's feelings toward him as their father.

Translation: Not only did Liu Haizhong fail to keep things even, he severely drove a wedge between Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu's filial feelings toward him.

Since the two unfilial sons came of age, no matter whether things were good or bad, they always ended up getting a spanking—literally, their buttocks blooming. As for their older brother, the Liu family eldest, he truly is the treasure cherished in Liu Haizhong and his wife's palms; for good deeds he's praised, and for bad deeds Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu help bear the blame.

Since the two unfilial sons were able to understand things.

No matter whether things are good or bad, they always end up getting a spanking—their buttocks blooming, meaning they get beaten.

As for their older brother, the Liu family eldest, he truly is the treasure cherished in Liu Haizhong and his wife's palms; for good deeds he's praised, and for bad deeds Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu help bear the blame.

Let's translate: Since the two unfilial sons came of age, no matter good or bad, they always end up getting a spanking. As for their older brother, the Liu family eldest, he truly is the treasure cherished in Liu Haizhong and his wife's palms—praised for good deeds, and when there's trouble, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu help bear the blame.

Make sure it's one line.

What made them even more resentful.

Translation: What made them even more resentful.

Some things were clearly the eldest brother's responsibility, yet Liu Haizhong ignored the real culprit and instead waved a feather duster and a belt at Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

Translation: Some things were clearly the eldest Liu's responsibility, but Liu Haizhong ignored the real culprit and instead waved a feather duster and a belt at Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

He called it "killing a chicken to scare the monkeys."

Translation: He called it "killing a chicken to scare the monkeys."

Because they were young, they couldn't resist.

Translation: Because they were young, they couldn't resist.

This resentment stayed buried in their hearts, and they constantly looked forward to growing up.

Translation: This resentment had always lain hidden in their hearts, and they had long hoped to grow up.

When they grew up and got jobs.

Translation: Once they grew up and got jobs.

Their father, Liu Haizhong, would no longer beat them.

Translation: Liu Haizhong, their own father, would no longer beat them violently.

Who would have thought that even after they became adults and found jobs, Liu Haizhong would still give them a cold shoulder; otherwise, how could one explain the big tea kettle that had just crashed to the floor in front of them?

Translation: Who would have thought that even after they became adults and found work, Liu Haizhong would still give them a cold shoulder; otherwise, how could one explain the big tea vat that just smashed to the floor before them?

In Liu Guangtian's mind, this was his unreliable father trying to intimidate him under some pretext.

Translation: In Liu Guangtian's mind, this is his unreliable father using an excuse to assert dominance over him.

In the past.

Translation: In the past.

Maybe he'd just grit his teeth and accept it.

Translation: He might have just held his nose and accepted it.

Now.

Translation: Nowadays.

He felt he had to talk to Liu Haizhong no matter what; otherwise, if he stayed silent, Liu Haizhong would likely get even more arrogant and pay even less attention to him and Liu Guangfu.

Translation: Whatever the case, he needs to talk to Liu Haizhong; if he stays silent any longer, Liu Haizhong will likely get even more arrogant and stop regarding Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

So as soon as he spoke, there were no kind words.

Translation: So as soon as he speaks, there are no nice words.

"Is this my responsibility? I work hard outside, and just as I walk through the door, a big tea kettle full of water is thrown at me—I'm lucky I dodged quickly, otherwise it would have hit me."

Translation: "Is this my responsibility? I work hard outside, just walked in the door, and a big tea vat full of tea was thrown at me—lucky I dodged quickly, otherwise it would have smashed into me."

"You have an opinion?"

Translation: "You have an opinion?"

Liu Haizhong gave Liu Guangtian a sideways glance.

Translation: Liu Haizhong gave Liu Guangtian a sideways glance.

When it comes to fighting.

Translation: Talking about fighting.

Not to mention Liu Guangtian alone—even with Liu Guangfu added, they're no match for him.

Translation: Not to mention one Liu Guangtian before him; even adding Liu Guangfu, they're no match for him.

Liu Haizhong works at the steel mill doing heavy labor.

Translation: Liu Haizhong does manual labor at the Yagangchang.

"I can't have an opinion?"

Translation: "I can't have an opinion?"

Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn.

Translation: Liu Guangtian meets needle tip to wheat awn—i. e., he's equally stubborn.

Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn.

But we must keep meaning: "Liu Guangtian is needle‑point to wheat‑awn." Might be better: Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn (needle point against wheat awn). Let's choose: Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn (needle point against wheat awn). However we must not add explanation not in source? The source is idiom; we can translate as "Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn (like needle point against wheat awn)". That adds explanation but maybe okay. Better to translate literally: "Liu Guangtian is needle point to wheat awn." That is terse but may be confusing. The instruction: translate meaning, not leave in pinyin. So we should translate meaning: "Liu Guangtian is just as stubborn." That conveys meaning. We'll do that.

He completely disregarded that the person in front of him was his own father.

Translation: He gave no thought to the fact that the person before him was his own father.

"If you have an opinion, keep it to yourself—I, Liu Haizhong, am not dead yet, and this household isn't yours to boss around."

Translation: "If you have an opinion, keep it to yourself; I, Liu Haizhong, am not dead yet—this family isn't for you to boss around."

"Liu Haizhong!" Liu Guangtian was so angry he didn't even call him "dad," shouting his name outright, his eyes wide and blazing, looking like he wanted to devour Liu Haizhong alive: "What gives you the right to deny me an opinion? You're taking out your anger on someone else—don't make me, Liu Guangtian, your punching bag. I've grown up, I'm not afraid of you; if we really go at it, who's afraid of whom? We're both just a head on a neck—why don't we give it a try?"

Translation: "Liu Haizhong." Liu Guangtian was so angry he didn't even call him "dad," directly shouting his name, his eyes wide, looking like he wanted to swallow Liu Haizhong whole: "What right do I have to not have an opinion? You took out your anger on someone else—don't make me, Liu Guangtian, your punching bag. I've grown up; I'm not afraid of you. If we really go all out, who's afraid of whom? We're each a head on a neck—why not give it a try?"

We need to keep the quoted speech and description.

Make it one line.

Liu Haizhong's face suddenly changed.

Translation: Liu Haizhong's face suddenly changed.

As the head of the courtyard.

Translation: As the head of the Siheyuan.

He also cares about his reputation.

Translation: He is also someone who cares about face.

A few years ago, he still laughed at the Yan Fuguai family, saying that although Yan Fuguai was a teacher, his family discipline was terrible—his eldest son, Yan Jiecheng, passed up a respectable young maiden to marry a shameless woman who brought along her child and mother-in-law.

Translation: A few years ago he still laughed at the Yan Fugui family, saying that although Yan Fugui is a teacher, his family education is truly lacking—his eldest son Yan Jiecheng passes up a respectable young maiden to marry a shameless woman who brings along her child and mother-in-law.

He smugly boasted to Yan Fuguai, saying that in terms of family upbringing, Yan Fuguai still had a lot to learn from him, Liu Haizhong.

Translation: He smugly showed off to Yan Fugui, saying that in family education Yan Fugui still has a lot to learn from him, Liu Haizhong.

The tides have turned.

Translation: The tides of fortune turn.

Now it's Yan Fuguai's turn to laugh at the Liu Haizhong household.

Translation: Now it's Yan Fugui's turn to laugh at the Liu Haizhong family.

Nothing else.

Translation: Nothing else.

Just because of Liu Guangtian's unfilial, beastly remarks, the neighbors would laugh their heads off.

Translation: Just because of Liu Guangtian's unfilial, beastly words, it's enough to make the neighbors laugh their heads off.

With a "Teng—".

Translation: With a "teng" sound.

With a "Teng—".

He rose from the stool.

Translation: He rose from the stool.

He habitually pulled the belt from his waist.

Translation: He habitually pulled the belt from his waist.

A familiar motion.

Translation: A familiar motion.

Instantly, it stirred Liu Guangtian, who recalled the scenes of being beaten by Liu Haizhong in the past—when he was in a good mood he'd beat Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, and when he was in a bad mood he'd beat them both.

Translation: Instantly it stimulated Liu Guangtian, who recalled the scene of being beaten by Liu Haizhong in the past—when he was in a good mood he'd beat Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, and when he was in a bad mood he'd beat them too.

His go-to saying: "Strict discipline breeds filial children."

Translation: His catchphrase: "Spare the rod, spoil the child"—actually "Under the rod comes filial sons." We'll translate meaning: "His catchphrase: 'Filial sons come from the rod.'"

Countless times.

Translation: Countless times.

It was always Liu Haizhong pulling out his belt and lashing them with it.

Translation: They were all beaten by Liu Haizhong whipping out his belt and lashing them.

Years of pent‑up fury erupted like a volcanic explosion.

Translation: The pent‑up anger of many years erupted like a volcanic eruption.

On ordinary workdays.

Translation: Normally when going to work.

Liu Guangtian always carried a small green satchel containing his lunchbox.

Translation: Liu Guangtian always carries a small green satchel with a lunchbox inside.

Seeing Liu Haizhong pull out his belt, Liu Guangtian, unwilling to sit and take it, swiftly slipped the satchel from his shoulder and swung it like a meteor hammer.

Translation: Seeing Liu Haizhong pull out his belt, Liu Guangtian, unwilling to sit and wait for his fate, naturally took the satchel slung diagonally over his shoulder and held it in his hand like a meteor hammer.

The great battle is about to break out.

Liu Haizhong really didn't expect Liu Guangtian to know he was angry and still insist on confronting him.

It feels like an arrow on the bowstring that must be released.

Let's fight.

Spread it out.

That's really unpleasant to hear.

Father and son fighting—no matter who's right or wrong, Liu Guangtian will definitely bear the mark of unfiliality on his head; even before he's regularized, it will affect his work and personal feelings.

Hitting a child is hitting a child.

It doesn't mean Liu Haizhong wants to see his two sons remain bachelors for life.

He was a bit hesitant.

He wanted to stop.

He also felt embarrassed.

After all these years, Liu Haizhong has always been the one who calls the shots at home; those few years were so hard, he still had to eat a fried egg every day.

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu could only watch Liu Haizhong eat his egg, while they brothers gnawed on steamed cornbread.

"Liu Guangtian, I've given you face, right?"

"Liu Haizhong, I really don't need you to give me face."

Listening to the father and son's warlike remarks.

Er Da Ma became anxious.

Unable to favor Liu Haizhong, in her role as mediator, she persuaded the two.

"Hey dad, you're so old, why argue with a child? If you win, does it bring you glory?"

He turned his head.

She started doing Liu Guangtian's work.

"Guangtian, what are you doing? He's your father; even if he's wrong, you can't fight him. If it gets out, people will laugh at our Liu family for lacking proper upbringing."

"If there's mockery, it's aimed at you, not me."

"You damned child, saying such angry words—aren't you afraid? Can you not be afraid? Among these people in our courtyard, none wish the other well. If you really fight your father, who knows what gossip will spread tomorrow. As you reach marriageable age, when parents come inquiring, they'll hear that Liu Guangtian fought his father—would they dare let their daughter marry you?"

"If they don't marry, then they don't marry—am I afraid?"

"I'm afraid of your father—okay?"

Er Da Ma again shifted her gaze from Liu Guangtian to Liu Haizhong.

"Hey dad, Shazhu didn't invite you, and it's not Guangtian's fault—why are you taking your anger out on the child?"