Chapter 34: Lustful as Life, Xu Daming

Xu Daming, even more cunning than a ghost

He's also someone who got beaten into shape

One look at Shazhu's style of beating people

He slipped out of the siheyuan

You want to hit me, Xu Daming?

You're still too green, Shazhu

Xu Daming, from across the porch, threw harsh words at Shazhu

"Shazhu, today I'll give you face, I won't quarrel with you over this; the matter of having a meal is settled like this: you owe me two meals; if you don't treat me to a meal, you're my grandson."

Worried that Shazhu would chase and beat him

Having said that, he ran toward the Yagangchang

Nice!

Shazhu, who cursed Xu Daming's fleeing silhouette under his breath, greeted Yan Fugui, turned his face, took He Yushui's hand, and went inside, closing the house's doors and windows tightly

No way

An era of scarce and expensive supplies

Everything is based on being careful and cautious

But we mustn't let the neighbors know he brought meat, vegetables, and steamed buns for He Yushui

Jealousy is the original sin

We gnaw on cornbread buns

You're eating white-flour steamed buns and meat dishes

I'll report a big feast and send it to you!

It's better to be careful, as much as possible

Shazhu opened the lid, revealing the meat dishes and white-flour steamed buns inside; the little girl hadn't expected this meal to be so lavish, and she opened her mouth to cheer

Little brat

You're inviting wolves

Shazhu hurriedly covered He Yushui's mouth, and with his free hand pointed outside

The little girl instantly understood Shazhu's meaning, and silently began eating the meal

At the same time

Xu Daming, who had slipped away in a puff of smoke to the Yagangchang, saw in his vision the figure of a female coworker wearing work clothes but unable to hide her lovely appearance

Wang Yaling of the Statistics Section

She is twenty years old this year

An important point

Wang Yaling remains unmarried to this day, and it's said she doesn't even have a love interest

She held a lunchbox in her hand, unclear whether she was going to eat or returning to the Statistics Section after eating

Xu Daming vigorously rubbed his face with both hands a few times, spat saliva into his palm, used that saliva as hair gel to tidy his hair, patted off the dust on his clothes, straightened his attire, made sure he was presentable, then stepped forward

"Comrade Wang."

Wang Yaling saw that it was a donkey-faced man greeting her, thought for a moment, had no memory of such a man, but out of politeness she replied

"Comrade, who are you?"

"Comrade Wang, you really forget important people, me." Xu Daming pointed at himself, deliberately puffed up his stature to show his imposing presence, "Xu Daming, film projectionist of the Propaganda Section of the Yagangchang."

In front of a beautiful woman, one cannot lose face

Xu Daming, self-taught, removed the 'trainee' label

"Do you have any business?"

"A few days ago I just came to our Yagangchang; because I didn't know the way, I almost missed reporting for duty in the Propaganda Section; you kindly told me how to get there, and I've kept your kindness in mind, wanting to treat you to a meal to express my thanks."

Wang Yaling sized up Xu Daming

She smiled

She guessed the reason Xu Daming wanted to treat her to a meal

Little brat

Not even fully grown

"Comrade Wang, I have money to pay the bill."

Xu Daming, showing off, pulled a stack of bills from his pocket; this money was obtained by him, in the recent period, under the pretense of needing activity funds for learning to project films at the factory, by racking his brains to extract from his father and mother

As the old saying goes

With money in your pocket, you don't panic

This money is Xu Daming's magic treasure for showing off in front of the pretty female coworker; although there's that slogan of having nothing, when it comes to himself, having some money is still better

He also felt a little pang in his heart

Those two meals were swindled out of over forty thousand by Shazhu

Otherwise he would have more face in front of Wang Yaling

"Comrade Xu Daming, no need for a meal; I think anyone who encountered that situation would help, I still have things to do, goodbye."

Wang Yaling walked away, swaying her hips

Xu Daming watched Wang Yaling leave, glanced at the bills in his pocket, pondering whether to exchange that fifty-thousand bill for small change

After thinking

He gave up on that idea

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Turned head and ran towards the publicity section." So translation: "He turned and ran toward the Publicity Section."

We need to keep single line. Use past tense? The Chinese is past narrative. So "He turned and ran toward the Publicity Section."

Now note: The subject is ambiguous; could be Shazhu? Actually earlier context: Shazhu turned and ran to publicity section. So we can keep "He". Since we don't know gender? But we know Shazhu is male. So "He". Good.

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "The Yagangchang with over ten thousand people, not only is Wang Yaling the only beauty, there is also one hidden in the Publicity Section."

Note: English explanation, not Chinese. Skip.

Now we need to use glossary: Yagangchang, Wang Yaling, Publicity Section.

Thus: "Although Yagangchang employs over ten thousand people, Wang Yaling is not the only beauty; there is another one hidden in the Publicity Section."

Chinese: yes.

Just a name. So translation: "Shi Hongmei."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "This year eighteen years old." So "She is eighteen years old this year." Since we know Shi Hongmei is female? Not given but likely female. However we must not guess gender. The line does not give gender. We should keep neutral: "Is eighteen years old this year." But we need a subject. Could be "She is eighteen years old this year." But we don't know gender. However we know from context that Shi Hongmei is a female name (likely). But we must not guess. The rule: If character not in guide and source gives no gender cue, keep reference neutral (use the name or 'they') rather than guessing. So we should use the name: "Shi Hongmei is eighteen years old this year." That uses the name, not guessing gender. Good.

Thus: "Shi Hongmei is eighteen years old this year."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Same as Xu Daming, both are intern employees of the Publicity Section."

We need to keep numbers? None.

We need to use Xu Daming (person name). Publicity Section.

Thus: "Like Xu Daming, they are both interns in the Publicity Section."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Can't handle Wang Yaling, I still can't handle you Shi Hongmei."

Translation: "I can't deal with Wang Yaling, and I still can't deal with you, Shi Hongmei."

We need to keep the speaker? The speaker is likely Shazhu? Actually earlier Shazhu said? Not sure. But we can keep as is: "I can't handle Wang Yaling, and I still can't handle you, Shi Hongmei."

We need to keep the comma? We'll produce a single line.

Thus: "I can't handle Wang Yaling, and I still can't handle you, Shi Hongmei."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Comrade Hongmei, how come you're eating this? \""

Note: English explanation about quotes. Skip.

Thus translation: "\"Comrade Hongmei, how come you're eating this? \""

We need to keep the quotes. Use English double quotes.

Thus: "\"Comrade Hongmei, how come you're eating this? \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Shi Hongmei glanced at Xu Daming."

Thus: "Shi Hongmei glanced at Xu Daming."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "This donkey-faced man is not a good person."

Thus: "This donkey-faced guy is not a good person."

We need to keep "donkey-faced". Could be "donkey-faced man". We'll keep "donkey-faced man".

Thus: "This donkey-faced man is not a good person."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Comrade Hongmei, how can you look at me like that? \""

Thus: "\"Comrade Hongmei, how can you look at me like that? \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"I don't know who just tried to strike up a conversation with Wang Yaling and got rejected. \""

"I don't know who just tried to strike up a conversation with Wang Yaling and got rejected."

Chinese: yes (long line).

This is long. Let's break.

Note: English translation of first part. Skip.

Note: English translation of after quote. Skip.

Note: English translation of quoted speech. Skip.

We need to combine into one sentence translation.

We must keep all info.

Thus translation: "\"Comrade Hongmei, you're going too far; last time I only found out how to get to the Publicity Section thanks to Comrade Wang Yaling telling me, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to enter our Publicity Section—I'm just expressing my thanks to Comrade Wang Yaling. \" Xu Daming, having explained that, didn't want to continue the topic and shifted the conversation to food: \"Today our cafeteria is just having this? Stir-fried cabbage! Steamed buns! \"

We need to ensure we keep the quotes correctly.

We'll produce: "\"Comrade Hongmei, you're going too far; last time I only found out how to get to the Publicity Section thanks to Comrade Wang Yaling telling me, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to enter our Publicity Section—I'm just expressing my thanks to Comrade Wang Yaling. \" Xu Daming, having explained that, didn't want to continue the topic and shifted the conversation to food: \"Today our cafeteria is just having this? Stir-fried cabbage! Steamed buns! \"

Note: English explanation. Skip.

Note: Skip.

Note: Skip.

Note: Skip.

Note: Skip.

Note: Skip.

Note: Skip.

Now we need to ensure we used glossary names: Wang Yaling, Publicity Section, Xu Daming.

We used "Comrade Wang Yaling" etc. Good.

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"If not eating this, what else to eat? Who let the cook called Shazhu not make the big pot rice. \""

Thus: "\"If we're not eating this, what else should we eat? Who let the cook nicknamed Shazhu not make the big pot rice? \""

Note: English explanation about glossary. Skip.

Thus translation: "\"If we're not eating this, what else should we eat? Who let the cook nicknamed Shazhu not make the big pot rice? \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Xu Daming's spirits immediately rose."

Thus: "Xu Daming's spirits lifted immediately."

Shazhu

Just name: "Shazhu."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "The Yagangchang with over ten thousand people."

Thus: "Yagangchang, employing over ten thousand people."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Only the He Yuzhu from their Siheyuan can be called Shazhu."

Thus: "Only He Yuzhu from the Siheyuan can be called Shazhu."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"What's wrong with Shazhu? \""

Thus: "\"What's wrong with Shazhu? \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Today an inspection team came to the factory; the reception meal made by the cook nicknamed Shazhu was praised by all the inspection team comrades; the leader said that from now on, all reception meals will be made by Shazhu. \""

Note: English explanation about translation. Skip.

Thus: "\"Today an inspection team came to the factory; the reception meal prepared by the cook nicknamed Shazhu was praised by all the inspection team comrades; the leader said that from now on, all reception meals will be made by Shazhu. \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Still have Shazhu do it, but Shazhu won't do it anymore. \""

Thus: "\"Even if it's Shazhu doing it, Shazhu refuses to do it anymore. \""

Note: English explanation about meaning. Skip.

It was said unintentionally.

Literal: "spoken unintentionally." Idiom meaning "said without thinking."

Thus: "Spoken without thinking."

The listener took it seriously.

Literal: "listener has intention." Idiom meaning "taken to heart by the listener."

Thus: "Taken to heart by the listener."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Shi Hongmei and other colleagues who still wanted to eat the food made by Shazhu instantly focused their gazes on Xu Daming."

Thus: "Shi Hongmei and the other coworkers who still wanted to eat Shazhu's food instantly turned their gazes to Xu Daming."

Note: English explanation. Skip.

Chinese: yes.

"I and Shazhu live in the same courtyard; Shazhu today came to Yagangchang to look for the canteen director, saying he wanted to bring up the matter of the apprentice worker; the canteen director didn't agree, so Shazhu threw down his tools and quit; when I arrived, Shazhu went to look for our Jiēdào Director Wang, saying see if Director Wang has any work."

We need to keep numbers? None.

Note: English explanation about glossary. Skip.

Thus translation: "\"I live in the same courtyard as Shazhu; Shazhu came to Yagangchang today to see the canteen director about the apprentice worker matter, but the canteen director refused, so Shazhu threw down his tools and quit. When I arrived, Shazhu went to see our Jiēdào Director Wang, asking if Director Wang had any work. \""

Note: English explanation about quotes for line 【84】? Actually this note is about line 【84】 but appears as its own line. Skip.

Thus: "\"I live in the same courtyard as Shazhu; Shazhu came to Yagangchang today to see the canteen director about the apprentice worker matter, but the canteen director refused, so Shazhu threw down his tools and quit. When I arrived, Shazhu went to see our Jiēdào Director Wang, asking if Director Wang had any work. \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Ah. \" Shi Hongmei sighed, \"Still wanting to eat something good, no chance. \""

Thus: "\"Ah. \" Shi Hongmei sighed, \"Still hoping to eat something good, but it's not happening. \""

Ah

Thus: "\"Ah. \" Shi Hongmei sighed, \"Still hoping to eat something good, but it's not happening. \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"Comrade Hongmei, if you want to eat something good, come find me, I'll take you to eat something good. \""

Thus: "\"Comrade Hongmei, if you want to eat something good, come find me—I'll take you out for a good meal. \""

We need to keep the quotes.

Thus: "\"Comrade Hongmei, if you want to eat something good, come find me—I'll take you out for a good meal. \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Shi Hongmei gave Xu Daming a once-over."

Thus: "Shi Hongmei gave Xu Daming a once-over."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "The gaze was a little disbelieving."

Thus: "Her gaze was a little disbelieving."

We need to keep subject? The subject is her gaze (from Shi Hongmei). We can say "Her gaze was a little disbelieving." Since we know it's Shi Hongmei's gaze. But we must not guess gender? We know Shi Hongmei is likely female, but we should not guess. However we can refer to "Shi Hongmei's gaze". Safer: "Shi Hongmei's gaze was a little disbelieving."

Thus: "Shi Hongmei's gaze was a little disbelieving."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Xu Daming most cannot stand women's gaze of looking down on him."

Thus: "Xu Daming can't stand it when women look down on him."

We need to keep meaning: "Xu Daming most cannot tolerate women's contemptuous gaze."

Thus: "Xu Daming can't stand it when women look down on him."

In the original drama.

Literal: "In the original drama."

Thus: "In the original drama."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Xu Daming lectured Yan Jiefang, saying if you're looked down upon by all the young ladies, that's the greatest sorrow in life."

Note: English explanation about name. Skip.

Thus: "Xu Daming lectured Yan Jiefang, saying that if you're looked down upon by all the young ladies, that's the greatest sorrow in life."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "This also fits Xu Daming."

Thus: "This also fits Xu Daming."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "Lustful."

Thus: "Lustful."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "In the original drama, because of his lustfulness, Qin Huairu released how many pigeons on him, and he got beaten how many times by Shazhu."

Thus: "In the original drama, because of his lustfulness, Qin Huairu let loose how many pigeons on him, and Shazhu beat him how many times."

We need to keep numbers? None.

Thus: "In the original drama, because of his lustfulness, Qin Huairu let loose how many pigeons on him, and Shazhu beat him how many times."

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"We have money. \" Xu Daming, repeating his old trick of pretending to be a big spender in front of Wang Yaling, copied over: \"A meal at Dong Lai Shun is still affordable. \""

East Comes Smoothly

Given the ambiguity, I think it's safer to transliterate as "Dong Lai Shun" because it's a known brand and many translations keep it. However the rule says we should not leave it in pinyin unless it's a person name or place name that is a bare surname/meaningless proper noun. A brand name is not a place name, but it could be considered a meaningless proper noun? Actually "東來順" has meaning, but as a brand it's treated as a proper noun. The rule says for place-NAMES that are a bare surname/meaningless proper noun. It doesn't mention brand names. So we should not use pinyin for brand names; we should translate by meaning. However the meaning is not a standard English name, but we can still translate literally. I'll choose to translate literally: "East Come Shun". But we need to see if any other similar cases appear: there is no other brand. So we'll do that.

Thus line 95 translation: "\"We have money. \" Xu Daming, repeating his old trick of pretending to be a big spender in front of Wang Yaling, copied over: \"A meal at East Come Shun is still affordable. \""

But we need to keep the quotes correctly.

Thus: "\"We have money. \" Xu Daming, repeating his old trick of pretending to be a big spender in front of Wang Yaling, copied over: \"A meal at East Come Shun is still affordable. \""

Chinese: yes.

Literal: "\"But I still want to eat Shazhu's food. \""

Thus: "\"But I still want to eat Shazhu's food. \""

You'd better stop thinking about Shazhu's food; they're not making it anymore. If you want to eat Shazhu's cooking, you have to go to Shazhu's house to eat.