Chapter 370

Shazhu's thoughts went back and forth repeatedly.

Shazhu's thoughts repeated over and over.

Shazhu's thoughts went back and forth repeatedly.

He still suppressed the idea of going to talk heart-to-heart with his own mother.

He still extinguished the plan to go talk heart-to-heart with his own mother.

He still suppressed the idea of going to talk heart-to-heart with his own mother.

He went to the gravesite in the middle of the night.

Going to the gravesite in the dead of night.

He went to the gravesite in the middle of the night.

That really isn't a wise thing.

That really wasn't a wise thing to do.

Or: That truly was not a wise thing. Keep: That really wasn't a wise thing.

He bowed a few times toward his mother's grave from afar, turned back to Shui's house, lay down on the bed, but couldn't sleep at all.

He bowed several times in the direction of his mother's grave, then turned and went back to Yushui's room, lay on the bed, but felt no sleepiness at all.

We need to keep all clauses: He bowed several times toward his mother's grave, turned back to Yushui's room, lay on the bed, but had no sleepiness.

His mind was full of things.

His mind was full of matters.

Better: His mind was full of things.

The matter concerning He Daqing.

He Daqing's matter.

The matter concerning He Daqing.

The matter concerning He Yushui.

He Yushui's matter.

And the Jia family.

And also the Jia family.

Better: And there's also the Jia family.

Shazhu never expected that Jia Zhangshi would also be involved in this, so his practice of keeping distance from the Jia family was actually correct, giving them no opportunity to take advantage.

Shazhu never expected Jia Zhangshi to also be involved in this; thus his practice of keeping distance from the Jia family was actually correct, giving them no opening.

Need to keep all info: Shazhu really didn't expect Jia Zhangshi to also participate in this, so his approach of keeping distance from the Jia family was actually correct, not giving the Jia family any chance to exploit.

In a daze, hazily.

In a daze.

Better: In a hazy daze.

After finally feeling sleepy and about to chat with the Sandman, a few clear alarm clock rings suddenly sounded in his ears.

After finally feeling sleepy, just as he was about to chat with Zhou Gong, a few clear alarm clock sounds suddenly rang in his ears.

Need to keep: After finally feeling sleepy, just as he was about to chat with Zhou Gong, a few clear alarm sounds suddenly rang in his ears.

He immediately opened his eyes.

He immediately opened his eyes.

He glanced at the time.

He looked at the time.

It was 6:30 in the morning.

It was 6:30 in the morning.

Better: It was 6:30 a. m.

He got up.

He got up.

He lightly stretched his limbs, heard movement next door, guessed that Yu Li and Shui had also gotten up, pushed the door out and turned toward his own home.

He lightly stretched his limbs, heard movement next door, guessed that Yu Li and Yushui had also gotten up, pushed the door out and turned to his own home.

Need to keep: He did a simple stretch of his limbs, heard movement next door, guessed that Yu Li and Yushui had also gotten up, pushed the door out and turned to his own home.

Shui tidied the bedding.

Yushui tidied the bedding.

Yu Li dressed Weiguo.

Yu Li dressed Weiguo in clothes.

But need to keep: Yu Li put clothes on Weiguo.

Shazhu washed his face, then his hands, and began bustling at the stove.

Shazhu washed his face, then his hands, and began busying himself at the stove.

Need to keep: Shazhu washed his face, then washed his hands, and began busying at the stove.

Today is Shui's wedding day, a joyous occasion; although they are responding to higher authorities and keeping things simple, some etiquette still needs attention.

Today is Yushui's wedding day, a joyous occasion; although responding to superiors' call for simplicity, some etiquette still needs attention.

Need to keep: Today is Yushui's wedding day, a joyous occasion; although responding to superiors' call for simplicity, some etiquette still needs attention.

For example, the meals for those helping out.

For example, managing the meals of those helping.

Need to keep: For example, managing the meals of those helping.

We can't just let them finish work and go home the same way.

One can't just let them finish work and go home the same way.

Better: One can't just let them finish work and go home the same way.

In the world.

Under heaven.

Better: Under heaven.

There's no such principle.

There's simply no such principle.

Better: There's simply no such principle.

Shazhu prepared to cook a tofu vermicelli and potato soup.

Shazhu prepared to cook a tofu, vermicelli, and potato soup.

Need to keep: Shazhu prepared to cook a tofu vermicelli potato soup.

As for the staple food, it's the two-flour steamed buns.

As for the staple, it's a two-flour steamed bun.

Need to keep: As for the staple, it's a two-flour steamed bun.

Those who come to help can eat their fill to their heart's content.

Those who come to help can eat to their heart's content.

Need to keep: Those who come to help can eat to their heart's content.

Said to be eating until full.

Saying they eat their fill.

Better: Said to eat their fill.

Actually, each person's portion is about three to four buns.

Actually, each person's portion is only three to four steamed buns.

Need to keep: Actually, each person's portion is only three to four steamed buns.

It's not that Shazhu is stingy.

It's not that Shazhu is stingy.

Need to keep: It's not that Shazhu is stingy.

But if these people really let loose and eat heartily, they could consume half of Shazhu's family's monthly grain ration.

But if these people really let loose and eat, they could probably consume half of Shazhu's family's monthly rations.

Need to keep: But if these people really let loose and eat, they could probably consume half of Shazhu's family's monthly rations.

One can't just pretend to be fat by swelling one's face for reputation and then starve oneself for the second half of the month.

One can't just swell one's face to look fat for reputation, then let oneself go hungry the second half of the month.

Need to keep: One can't just swell one's face to look fat for reputation, then let oneself go hungry the second half of the month.

The difficult will not be able.

The difficult is not known.

Better: The difficult is not known.

Those who can will find it not difficult.

The known is not difficult.

Better: The known is not difficult.

Thirty minutes.

Thirty minutes.

A large pot of fragrant vermicelli soup was freshly ready.

A large pot of fragrant vermicelli soup was freshly ready.

Need to keep: A large pot of fragrant vermicelli soup was freshly ready.

Under the stimulation of the aroma.

Under the stimulation of the aroma.

Better: Under the stimulation of the aroma.

Yan Fugui and a few other helpful neighbors showed up on time, holding their own bowls, taking a sip of soup and a bite of bun, eating with great delight.

Yan Fugui and a few other helpful neighbors showed up on time, holding their own bowls, taking a mouthful of soup and a mouthful of steamed bun, eating with delicious flavor.

Need to keep: Yan Fugui and a few other helpful neighbors showed up on time, holding their own bowls, taking a mouthful of soup and a mouthful of steamed bun, eating with delicious flavor.

Finished eating.

After eating.

Then return their own bowls the same way.

Then they returned their own bowls the same way.

Need to keep: Then they returned their own bowls the same way.

Saving the host from having to hire someone to wash the pots and scrub the bowls.

Saving the host from having to hire someone to wash pots and bowls.

Need to keep: Saving the host from having to hire someone to wash pots and bowls.

As for their return journey, whether they would take a bowl of the host's vermicelli soup and two two-flour buns depends entirely on the host's discretion.

As for whether they would take a bowl of the host's vermicelli soup and two two-flour steamed buns on their way back, it entirely depends on the host's discretion.

Need to keep: As for whether they would take a bowl of the host's vermicelli soup and two two-flour steamed buns on their way back, it entirely depends on the host's discretion.

One should be generous when it's called for.

One should be generous when it's called for.

Need to keep: One should be generous when it's called for.

Shazhu generously let Yan Fugui and the other helpers each take a large bowl of vermicelli soup and grab two two-flour steamed buns to take home.

Shazhu generously let Yan Fugui and the few helpers each take a large bowl of vermicelli soup and grab two two-flour steamed buns to take home.

Need to keep: Shazhu generously let Yan Fugui and the few helpers each take a large bowl of vermicelli soup and grab two two-flour steamed buns to take home.

Yan Fugui and the others, having benefited, happily carried their food back.

Yan Fugui and the others, having gained the benefit, happily carried their food back.

Need to keep: Yan Fugui and the others, having gained the benefit, happily carried their food back.

Along the way, they praised Shazhu's cooking skills to everyone they met, frankly saying he handles things openly.

Along the way, they praised Shazhu's cooking skills to everyone they met, frankly saying Shazhu handles things openly.

Need to keep: Along the way, they praised Shazhu's cooking skills to everyone they met, frankly saying Shazhu handles things openly.

It's unclear whether their words provoked Jia Zhangshi or the aroma of the food stirred her cravings; the old woman rushed out of the house without even putting on her shoes.

Not knowing whether it was their words stimulating Jia Zhangshi or the aroma of the food stirring the craving worm inside her, Laoqianpo rushed out barefoot from indoors.

Need to keep: Not knowing whether it was their words stimulating Jia Zhangshi or the aroma of the food stirring the craving worm inside her, Laoqianpo rushed out barefoot from indoors.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been making a living cleaning toilets for five or six days straight, had been suffering these past days; Qin Huiru ignored him, An Jiahe also paid no attention, and the neighbors in the courtyard all shunned him.

Jia Zhangshi, who had been making a living cleaning toilets for five or six days straight, had been having a rough time these days—Qin Huairu ignored him, An Jiahe also ignored him, and the neighbors of the siheyuan again shunned him.

Need to keep: Jia Zhangshi, who had been making a living cleaning toilets for five or six days straight, had been having a rough time these days—Qin Huairu ignored him, An Jiahe also ignored him, and the neighbors of the siheyuan again shunned him.

Jia Zhangshi, who loved eating but loathed work for years.

The lazy, gluttonous Jia Zhangshi of several years.

Need to keep: The lazy, gluttonous Jia Zhangshi of several years.

Equivalent to living a life worse than death.

It amounted to living a life worse than death.

Need to keep: It amounted to living a life worse than death.

She watched the busy central courtyard where Shazhu's family was preparing the wedding festivities, and seemed to have formed an idea.

She saw the Zhong Yuan bustling with Shazhu's family decorating for the wedding celebration, and seemed to have an idea.

Need to keep: She saw the Zhong Yuan bustling with Shazhu's family decorating for the wedding celebration, and seemed to have an idea.

She turned, grabbed a large sea bowl from inside, and strode toward the central courtyard.

She turned her head, grabbed a large sea bowl from indoors, and strode toward the Zhong Yuan.

Need to keep: She turned her head, grabbed a large sea bowl from indoors, and strode toward the Zhong Yuan.

If it were usual days.

If it were usual days.

Need to keep: If it were usual days.

Jia Zhangshi also wouldn't dare openly confront Shazhu.

Jia Zhangshi also wouldn't dare openly confront Shazhu.

Need to keep: Jia Zhangshi also wouldn't dare openly confront Shazhu.

Who let today be a good day for the He family? Shazhu, never forgetting to send He Shui off in grand style, this is Jia Zhangshi's reliance.

Because today is a good day for the He family, and Shazhu never forgets to send He Yushui off in grand style—this is Jia Zhangshi's reliance.

Need to keep: Because today is a good day for the He family, and Shazhu never forgets to send He Yushui off in grand style—this is Jia Zhangshi's reliance.

On a joyous day, one should not cause trouble.

On a joyous day, one should not cause trouble.

Need to keep: On a joyous day, one should not cause trouble.

This refers to the day of taking a wife or marrying off a daughter; even if your nemesis comes bearing congratulatory gifts, you must respond with kind words and never engage in fighting or causing a disturbance.

It means that on the day of taking a wife or marrying off a daughter, even if your nemesis comes to congratulate, you must respond with kind words and cannot engage in fighting or causing trouble.

Need to keep: It means that on the day of taking a wife or marrying off a daughter, even if your nemesis comes to congratulate, you must respond with kind words and cannot engage in fighting or causing trouble.

Jia Zhangshi counted on Shazhu not turning against her, which is why she boldly approached him, wanting to share a meal and drinks.

Jia Zhangshi counted on Shazhu not turning against her, which is why she boldly approached him to share food and drink.

Need to keep: Jia Zhangshi counted on Shazhu not turning against her, which is why she boldly approached him to share food and drink.

On one hand, it was Shazhu's food.

The taste is indeed tempting to the heart.

Jia Zhangshi was indeed hungry.

On the other hand, Jia Zhangshi wanted to find an excuse to blacken the faces of Qin Huairu and An Jiahe.

Your former mother-in-law is already hungry.

Do you feel honored?

Holding this thought, Jia Zhangshi approached Shazhu, shoved the big sea bowl in her hand forward toward Shazhu, and began uttering the usual flattery of a beggar.

"Today is a good day; the He family's noble lady joyfully welcomes her marriage. I, an old woman, thick-skinned, have specially come to the door to celebrate, wishing the lady's husband happiness, wishing the lady's in-laws abundant wealth, wishing the lady's husband blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea, longevity as the Southern Mountains, and the eastern red clouds ascending..."

The crowd on site.

There was one.

Count as one.

All were stunned by Jia Zhangshi's divine operation.

No one expected that Jia Zhangshi, after cleaning toilets for several days, had learned many flattering phrases.

So-called 'flattery' is actually the beggars' specialized term; on happy occasions such as weddings, funerals, or the Spring Festival, they go door to door, using flattering words to beg for a mouthful of food or a few coins to spend.

This is the first reason that shocked everyone.

The second reason.

It is Jia Zhangshi's attire, which surpasses that beggar in every way.

She wasn't wearing shoes.

One foot wore a sock.

The other foot was bare.

The left pant leg was rolled up to the knee, while the right pant leg hung down over the foot.

Hair disheveled.

She also carried a faint smell of feces.

She was exactly like an old beggar.

Judging by the fecal odor on their persons, Qin Huairu and Jia Zhangshi truly are a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair—one cleaning toilets at the Yagangchang, the other cleaning toilets on the street.

As for the third reason.

It is because of the bowl in Jia Zhangshi's hand.

It looked like a small washbasin.

Other families.

Others brought over a normally sized bowl.

That damned Jia Zhangshi simply brought over a basin.

Let me say something unpleasant.

Even if all the remaining noodle soup in front of Shazhu's soup bowl were poured into Jia Zhangshi's big sea bowl, at most it would be less than half a bowl.

Truly ruthless.

Is this the idea of eating a full meal to go several days without food?

"Shazhu, I, the old woman, know I shouldn't have come, but I had no choice—who let my old self fall into trouble? I'm here, wishing He Yushui a good marriage and a good match."

"Jia Zhangshi, on the He family's joyous day, whether it's the master household or us helpers, we all want to happily share in the master household's happiness."

Yan Fugui, as the overall person in charge.

He lectured Jia Zhangshi a few sentences.

"We don't want to make things difficult for you, and you shouldn't make things difficult for the master household either. Considering He Yushui's marriage, take a little, don't be greedy, bring it back, and share it well with your grandson and granddaughter."

Yan Fugui ladled a full large spoonful of noodle soup into Jia Zhangshi's big sea bowl.

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi did not leave.

He simply treated it as sending off a beggar.

He then ladled two more spoonfuls in, and afterwards gave three two-flour steamed buns.

Only then did Jia Zhangshi leave, satisfied.

While walking.

While nibbling on the steamed bun.

And drinking the noodle soup.

She figured that by the time she got home, the noodle soup and steamed buns would have been completely eaten by her.