Chapter 343: with translation of chapter title

Xu Daming would not casually accept Jia Zhangshi's invitation.

Xu Daming

Thus line 1: "Xu Daming would not casually accept Jia Zhangshi's invitation."

Provided: "Even so." Good.

We'll output: 【1】 Xu Daming would not casually accept Jia Zhangshi's invitation.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Translation: "She must eat ten of your meals." We'll output: 【4】 She must eat ten of your meals.

Chinese

Translation: "Even so." We'll output: 【5】 Even so.

Chinese

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi still thinks you took advantage of her huge favor, and from time to time brings this up, using it in every way to manipulate you." Need to keep meaning. We'll output: 【6】 Jia Zhangshi still thinks you took advantage of her huge favor, and from time to time brings this up, using it in every way to manipulate you.

Chinese

Translation: "Xu Daming put away the playful expression on his face." We'll output: 【7】 Xu Daming put away the playful expression on his face.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Translation: "Became very serious." We'll output: 【9】 Became very serious.

Chinese

"Jia Auntie, my wife Qin Jingru and Qin Huairu are cousins, that's true, I Xu Daming also acknowledge that, but whether I am related to you, Jia Auntie, I still know: you are surnamed Zhang, a son-in-law of the Jia family, my wife surnamed Qin, when did she acquire an aunt like you? How could I not know that my wife has a Zhang-surnamed aunt like you?"

We need to keep the content exactly. We'll output: 【10】 "Jia Auntie, my wife Qin Jingru and Qin Huairu are cousins, that's true, I Xu Daming also acknowledge that, but whether I am related to you, Jia Auntie, I still know: you are surnamed Zhang, a son-in-law of the Jia family, my wife surnamed Qin, when did she acquire an aunt like you? How could I not know that my wife has a Zhang-surnamed aunt like you?"

Provided translation: "Xu Daming, your words are a bit over the line, my daughter-in-law Qin Huiru is your wife Qin Jingru's older sister, from their cousin relationship, am I not your aunt?" That's fine.

Chinese

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi's heart turned cold." We'll output: 【11】 Jia Zhangshi's heart turned cold.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Provided translation: "You let the neighbors judge, is what my wife says right or wrong? It's not that my wife is nitpicking you, Xu Daming, but you really should call me aunt, since you married our Huiru's cousin Qin Jingru." That's fine.

Chinese

"Worried that Xu Daming wouldn't acknowledge her as Qin Jingru's aunt, she tried to smile and talk with him as much as possible, but she didn't expect that even facing Xu Daming with a smile, he would still give her a 2-0 loss, openly questioning her cozying up to Qin Jingru in front of all those neighbors."

We need to keep meaning. We'll output: 【14】 Worried that Xu Daming wouldn't acknowledge her as Qin Jingru's aunt, she tried to smile and talk with him as much as possible, but she didn't expect that even facing Xu Daming with a smile, he would still give her a 2-0 loss, openly questioning her cozying up to Qin Jingru in front of all those neighbors.

Chinese

Translation: "Cannot get close to Xu Daming." We'll output: 【15】 Cannot get close to Xu Daming.

Chinese

Translation: "Then cannot use Xu Daming to curry favor with Shazhu." We'll output: 【16】 Then cannot use Xu Daming to curry favor with Shazhu.

Chinese

Translation: "Then the Jia family cannot have good days." We'll output: 【17】 Then the Jia family cannot have good days.

Chinese

Translation: '"Xu Daming, your words are a bit over the line; my daughter-in-law Qin Huairu is your wife Qin Jingru's older cousin, from their cousin relationship, am I not your aunt?"' We'll output: 【18】 "Xu Daming, your words are a bit over the line; my daughter-in-law Qin Huairu is your wife Qin Jingru's older cousin, from their cousin relationship, am I not your aunt?"

Chinese

Translation: "In order to get closer to Xu Daming." We'll output: 【19】 In order to get closer to Xu Daming.

Chinese

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi even went so far as to stir up the surrounding neighbors." We'll output: 【20】 Jia Zhangshi even went so far as to stir up the surrounding neighbors.

Chinese

"Let the neighbors judge, am I right or not? It's not that I'm trying to curry favor with you, Xu Daming, but you really ought to call me aunt, since you married our Huairu's cousin Qin Jingru."

We'll output: 【21】 "Let the neighbors judge, am I right or not? It's not that I'm trying to curry favor with you, Xu Daming, but you really ought to call me aunt, since you married our Huairu's cousin Qin Jingru."

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Translation: "He really was made to laugh out loud by Jia Zhangshi's few shameless words." We'll output: 【23】 He really was made to laugh out loud by Jia Zhangshi's few shameless words.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Translation: "Laoqianpo can do anything." We'll output: 【25】 Laoqianpo can do anything.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Provided: same.

Chinese

Translation: '"Jia Granny, you say your daughter-in-law is Qin Huairu, but I really don't understand—when did An Jiahe become your son? Your son Jia Dongxu has been dead for years, hasn't he? Came back to life? And snatched Qin Huairu from An Jiahe's hands?"' We'll output: 【28】 "Jia Granny, you say your daughter-in-law is Qin Huairu, but I really don't understand—when did An Jiahe become your son? Your son Jia Dongxu has been dead for years, hasn't he? Came back to life? And snatched Qin Huairu from An Jiahe's hands?"

Silly Zhu shook his head, unable to speak.

Translation: "Shazhu shook his head speechlessly." We'll output: 【29】 Shazhu shook his head speechlessly.

Xu Daming's mouth.

Translation: "Xu Daming's mouth." We'll output: 【30】 Xu Daming's mouth.

It's just his mouth.

Provided: same.

He never imagined Xu Daming could be so cutting; a few words left Jia Zhangshi flushed and gasping, her face red and neck thick.

Translation: "He didn't expect Xu Daming to be so sharp-tongued; a few words made Jia Zhangshi blush red-faced and ears hot, her face red and neck thick as she panted heavily." We'll output: 【32】 He didn't expect Xu Daming to be so sharp-tongued; a few words made Jia Zhangshi blush red-faced and ears hot, her face red and neck thick as she panted heavily.

"Qin Huiru has remarried, but she still calls me Mom."

Translation: '"Qin Huairu remarried, but she still calls me Mom."' We'll output: 【33】 "Qin Huairu remarried, but she still calls me Mom."

"Whether she calls you Mom or not is your Jia family's affair; it's none of my business, Xu Daming, and I won't waste time on your disgusting squabbles."

Translation: '"Whether she calls you Mom or not is your Jia family's affair, has nothing to do with me, Xu Daming, and I can't be bothered with your disgusting matters."' We'll output: 【34】 "Whether she calls you Mom or not is your Jia family's affair, has nothing to do with me, Xu Daming, and I can't be bothered with your disgusting matters."

"Xu Daming, you're overstepping; I mean well. When I heard Huiru's cousin moved into the courtyard, I thought, 'Out of sight, out of mind; close neighbors beat distant relatives.' Since she's now family, I wanted to make sure no one bullies Jingru, and I wanted her to learn our Jia family's ways so her natal family wouldn't gossip about me."

"Xu Daming, your words are a bit over the line; I, too, mean well. Upon hearing that Huairu's cousin married into the Siheyuan, following the idea of 'keep a low profile, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors,' I thought this is ultimately a relative; upon entering the Siheyuan, no matter what, I couldn't let Jingru be bullied, I wanted Jingru to acknowledge our Jia family's door, so that Jingru's natal family wouldn't gossip about me."

We'll output: 【35】 "Xu Daming, your words are a bit over the line; I, too, mean well. Upon hearing that Huairu's cousin married into the Siheyuan, following the idea of 'keep a low profile, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors,' I thought this is ultimately a relative; upon entering the Siheyuan, no matter what, I couldn't let Jingru be bullied, I wanted Jingru to acknowledge our Jia family's door, so that Jingru's natal family wouldn't gossip about me."

"Jia po, quit patting yourself on the back. You forget that a few years ago, folks from Qin Village came seeking refuge with Qin Huiru, but they didn't even make it inside before you gave them a thorough dressing‑down and sent them packing."

Translation: '"Jia Granny, don't flatter yourself; you forgot that a few years ago, people from Qin Village came to seek refuge with Qin Huairu, they hadn't even entered the Siheyuan's gate before you, Jia Granny, scolded them from head to toe, and they were driven back."' We'll output: 【36】 "Jia Granny, don't flatter yourself; you forgot that a few years ago, people from Qin Village came to seek refuge with Qin Huairu, they hadn't even entered the Siheyuan's gate before you, Jia Granny, scolded them from head to toe, and they were driven back."

Jia Zhangshi was momentarily speechless.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi was momentarily speechless." We'll output: 【37】 Jia Zhangshi was momentarily speechless.

This is something she did in the past; she can't lie about it.

Translation: "This is a fact she did in the past; she cannot deny it." We'll output: 【38】 This is a fact she did in the past; she cannot deny it.

A feeling of panic rose in her chest.

Translation: "A sense of panic welled up instinctively in her heart." We'll output: 【39】 A sense of panic welled up instinctively in her heart.

She thought, 'I never expected Qin Huiru's cousin to marry you, Xu Daming.'

Translation: "She silently thought, 'I didn't expect Qin Huairu's cousin to be able to marry you, Xu Daming.'" We'll output: 【40】 She silently thought, 'I didn't expect Qin Huairu's cousin to be able to marry you, Xu Daming.'

If I had known this would happen...

Translation: "Had she known this would be the outcome." We'll output: 【41】 Had she known this would be the outcome.

Back then, I should have saved Qin Huiru's parents some face.

Translation: "Back then she should have given Qin Huairu's parents a little face." We'll output: 【42】 Back then she should have given Qin Huairu's parents a little face.

He paused.

Translation: "She paused." We'll output: 【43】 She paused.

He tried to whitewash himself.

Translation: "She forcibly whitewashed herself." We'll output: 【44】 She forcibly whitewashed herself.

"What's done is done; rehashing it is pointless. Xu Daming, can't you stop obsessing over such petty matters? I mean no harm—I was just thinking of cutting up some pork and having you all eat dumplings tomorrow night."

Translation: '"Past events are already past; bringing them up repeatedly is pointless. Xu Daming, as a person, can't you stop thinking about those sordid matters? I really have no ill intentions; I was just thinking of slicing two taels of pork and calling you all to eat dumplings tomorrow night."' We'll output: 【45】 "Past events are already past; bringing them up repeatedly is pointless. Xu Daming, as a person, can't you stop thinking about those sordid matters? I really have no ill intentions; I was just thinking of slicing two taels of pork and calling you all to eat dumplings tomorrow night."

"I, Xu Daming, wouldn't dare eat your dumplings, nor would my wife; if we ate one of your dumpling meals, we'd feel obliged to repay you with ten meat dishes."

Translation: '"Your family's dumplings, I Xu Daming dare not eat, nor does my wife dare; eating one meal of your Jia family's dumplings would make us two so anxious we'd owe you ten meals of meat dishes."' We'll output: 【46】 "Your family's dumplings, I Xu Daming dare not eat, nor does my wife dare; eating one meal of your Jia family's dumplings would make us two so anxious we'd owe you ten meals of meat dishes."

Xu Daming lost interest in messing around with Jia Zhangshi.

Translation: "Xu Daming lost interest in playing around with Jia Zhangshi." We'll output: 【47】 Xu Daming lost interest in playing around with Jia Zhangshi.

In front of all the neighbors.

Translation: "In front of a bunch of neighbors." We'll output: 【48】 In front of a bunch of neighbors.

Especially in front of his wife.

Especially in front of his wife.

He made his position clear.

Translation: "He expressed his stance." We'll output: 【50】 He expressed his stance.

"Jia po, I know what you're thinking, and the neighbors see it too: you think the Jia family's life is tough and you need a supporter. While Zhonghai was around, he carried the load; after he died, An Jiahe ignored you. Seeing me marry Jingru, you hoped to leverage the Qin Huiru connection—since she and Qin Jingru are cousins—to get me to help the Jia family. I tell you, Jia po, forget it."

"Jia Granny, I Xu Daming know what you're thinking, and the neighbors know too: you just think the Jia family's days are hard and you need someone to help; with Yi Zhonghai around, he bears the burden; after Yi Zhonghai dies, An Jiahe ignores you; seeing me marry Jingru, you want to use the fact that Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru are cousins to get me to help the Jia family; I tell you, Jia Granny, give up that idea early."

We'll output: 【51】 "Jia Granny, I Xu Daming know what you're thinking, and the neighbors know too: you just think the Jia family's days are hard and you need someone to help; with Yi Zhonghai around, he bears the burden; after Yi Zhonghai dies, An Jiahe ignores you; seeing me marry Jingru, you want to use the fact that Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru are cousins to get me to help the Jia family; I tell you, Jia Granny, give up that idea early."

Having her thoughts exposed, Jia Zhangshi put on a false smile and waved to call Qin Huiru over, apparently trying to play the emotion card through her.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi, whose thoughts had been exposed, waved her hand with a fawning smile, calling Qin Huairu over, apparently intending to play the emotion card through Qin Huairu." We'll output: 【52】 Jia Zhangshi, whose thoughts had been exposed, waved her hand with a fawning smile, calling Qin Huairu over, apparently intending to play the emotion card through Qin Huairu.

The words are rough, but the reasoning is sound.

Translation: "The words are rough but the reasoning is sound." We'll output: 【53】 The words are rough but the reasoning is sound.

Across from Qin Huiru, she—Jia Zhangshi, the self‑proclaimed great‑aunt of Qin Jingru—is really just self‑appointed.

Translation: "Separated by Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi's claim to be Qin Jingru's aunt is truly self-proclaimed." We'll output: 【54】 Separated by Qin Huairu, Jia Zhangshi's claim to be Qin Jingru's aunt is truly self-proclaimed.

To lead an ox, you must hold its nose.

Translation: "To lead an ox, you must lead by its nose." We'll output: 【55】 To lead an ox, you must lead by its nose.

Since the matter stems from Qin Huiru, she herself must step in—both emotionally and logically—because they are cousins, and some things and words are unknown to outsiders like Jia Zhangshi.

Translation: "Since the root of the matter concerns Qin Huairu, both emotionally and rationally Qin Huairu must personally step in; after all, they are cousins, and some words and matters are unknown to outsiders like Jia Zhangshi." We'll output: 【56】 Since the root of the matter concerns Qin Huairu, both emotionally and rationally Qin Huairu must personally step in; after all, they are cousins, and some words and matters are unknown to outsiders like Jia Zhangshi.

"Huiru, come here, Mom; I have good news: your cousin Qin Jingru has moved into our courtyard and become Xu Daming's wife."

Translation: '"Huairu, come here to Mom; Mom will tell you a good thing: your cousin Qin Jingru has married into our Siheyuan and become Xu Daming's wife."' We'll output: 【57】 "Huairu, come here to Mom; Mom will tell you a good thing: your cousin Qin Jingru has married into our Siheyuan and become Xu Daming's wife."

Jia Zhangshi is resorting to her old tricks again.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi is again using her tricks." We'll output: 【58】 Jia Zhangshi is again using her tricks.

"From now on, our Jia family will have one more relative in the courtyard."

Translation: '"From now on, our Jia family will have one more relative within the compound."' We'll output: 【59】 "From now on, our Jia family will have one more relative within the compound."

Taking advantage of the time before Qin Huairu arrives.

Jia Zhangshi put on an elder's airs toward Qin Jingru.

Jingru, to be frank, I, the old lady, still have some face in the Siheyuan. If someone gives you a hard time or looks down on you, don't endure it; make a fuss with them. If you can't win, come find me, the old lady will surely scold them to death. Don't thank me, and don't be embarrassed. You are Huairu's cousin; Huairu calls me mother, so you are like the old lady's daughter. We're one family, no need to separate talk. If you have trouble, speak up.

Qin Jingru is also a purely detrimental person.

A faint smile floated on her face.

She went along with Jia Zhangshi's line of talk.

In front of all the neighbors, she gave Jia Zhangshi a 2-0.

"Before I moved into the Siheyuan, I was still thinking, what if I get bullied, who to ask for help? With these few words from you, Aunt, I feel reassured. Aunt, if something happens, I'll come to you—will you really help me?"

"We're all one family; whatever you say, Aunt, I'll help you. If you have something to say, just speak up."

"Aunt, then I'll say it. If I'm wrong, don't blame me; who made me come from the countryside? Before getting the certificate, Da Mao told me that the neighbors in the Siheyuan always value self-reliance, don't need neighbors' help; sometimes helping neighbors offends people. I mean nothing else; I just want to tell you, Aunt, that our Xu family is our Xu family, and you are your own family; we can keep in touch, but we'd better not mention that offending borrowing of money or things, lest my goodwill in lending things provoke your resentment."