Chapter 40

Yi Zhonghai's brows furrowed together.

Translation: Yi Zhonghai's brows furrowed together.

Yi Zhonghai's brows furrowed together.

He couldn't be bothered to hide it any longer.

He couldn't be bothered to hide it any longer.

It's quite obvious.

Translation: It was quite obvious. Or "It was very obvious." We'll output: It was quite obvious.

He was dissatisfied with Shazhu's answer.

He was dissatisfied with Shazhu's answer.

In Yi Zhonghai's mind, Shazhu's wife must be virtuous and generous.

Translation: In Yi Zhonghai's mind, Shazhu's wife must be virtuous and generous. We'll output: In Yi Zhonghai's mind, Shazhu's wife must be virtuous and generous.

Here, being virtuous and generous doesn't refer to general conduct, but to obeying Yi Zhonghai's words, treating his commands as imperial edicts; only such a person does Yi Zhonghai consider a suitable match for Shazhu.

Translation: Here, "virtuous and generous" does not refer to one's conduct in life, but to someone who obeys Yi Zhonghai's words and treats his words as imperial edicts; only such a person does Yi Zhonghai consider a good match for Shazhu. We'll output: Here, "virtuous and generous" does not refer to one's conduct in life, but to someone who obeys Yi Zhonghai's words and treats his words as imperial edicts; only such a person does Yi Zhonghai consider a good match for Shazhu.

He doesn't even consider his own status.

Translation: He doesn't even consider his own status. We'll output: He doesn't even consider his own status.

Just a neighbor.

Translation: Just a neighbor. We'll output: Just a neighbor.

There's no blood relation at all.

Translation: He has no blood relation whatsoever. We'll output: He has no blood relation whatsoever.

He meddles in Shazhu's marriage.

Translation: He meddles in Shazhu's marriage. We'll output: He meddles in Shazhu's marriage.

On what grounds?

Translation: On what grounds? We'll output: On what grounds?

In what capacity?

Translation: In what capacity? We'll output: In what capacity?

The atmosphere on the spot instantly turned tense.

Translation: The atmosphere on the spot instantly turned tense. We'll output: The atmosphere on the spot instantly turned tense.

"Elder Uncle, I'm not that ungrateful person; I know you're doing this for my own good—who made us uncle and nephew so close?"

"Elder Uncle, I'm not that ungrateful person; I know you're doing this for my own good—who made us uncle and nephew so close?"

Shazhu begins to counter Yi Zhonghai's moral coercion; these are all tricks Yi Zhonghai used to fool Shazhu in his past life, now Shazhu is copying them.

Translation: Shazhu began to counter Yi Zhonghai's moral blackmail; these are all the tricks Yi Zhonghai used to deceive Shazhu in his previous life, now copied by Shazhu. We'll output: Shazhu began to counter Yi Zhonghai's moral blackmail; these are all the tricks Yi Zhonghai used to deceive Shazhu in his previous life, now copied by Shazhu.

Call for returning things to their rightful owners.

Translation: Calling for the return of property to its rightful owner. We'll output: Calling for the return of property to its rightful owner.

"Just one sentence: anyone can look down on me, except Xu Daming; Xu Daming told me his wife must be beautiful, and my wife must surpass his, we can't let Xu Daming look down on us."

Translation: "Just one sentence: anyone can look down on me, except Xu Damao; Xu Damao told me that his wife must be beautiful, and my wife must surpass his wife—we can't let Xu Damao look down on us." We'll output: "Just one sentence: anyone can look down on me, except Xu Damao; Xu Damao told me that his wife must be beautiful, and my wife must surpass his wife—we can't let Xu Damao look down on us."

"Ah-choo!"

Translation: "Ah-choo!" We'll output: "Ah-choo!"

Xu Daming, who was in the backyard.

Translation: Xu Damao, who was in the rear courtyard. We'll output: Xu Damao, who was in the rear courtyard.

He sneezed.

Translation: He sneezed. We'll output: He sneezed.

He casually wiped his nose with his hand.

Translation: He casually wiped his nose with his hand. We'll output: He casually wiped his nose with his hand.

Xu Daming once again turned his thoughts to money.

Translation: Xu Damao once again turned his thoughts to money. We'll output: Xu Damao once again turned his thoughts to money.

That damned fellow hides indoors, secretly calculating his wealth.

Translation: That damned person hid indoors, secretly calculating his wealth. We'll output: That damned person hid indoors, secretly calculating his wealth.

Scattered about, it amounts to roughly forty-five or forty-six thousand.

Translation: Scattered about, it amounted to roughly forty-five or forty-six thousand. We'll output: Scattered about, it amounted to roughly forty-five or forty-six thousand.

It's what Xu Daming asked his parents for, saying he wanted to go to the steel mill to learn projection, to be active both up and down, striving to become permanent and earn money quickly, so the master wouldn't withhold instruction.

Translation: It was money Xu Damao asked from his father and mother, saying he wanted to enter the steel plant to learn projection, to be active both up and down, striving to become permanent as soon as possible, to earn money early, so the master wouldn't hide his teachings. We'll output: It was money Xu Damao asked from his father and mother, saying he wanted to enter the steel plant to learn projection, to be active both up and down, striving to become permanent as soon as possible, to earn money early, so the master wouldn't hide his teachings.

Xu Daming's parents, who hoped he would become a dragon, never imagined he would treat the funds they gave him for his activities as tools for lewd pursuits.

Translation: His parents, who hoped their son would become a dragon, would never have imagined that Xu Damao would treat the funds they gave him for his activities as tools for lechery. We'll output: His parents, who hoped their son would become a dragon, would never have imagined that Xu Damao would treat the funds they gave him for his activities as tools for lechery.

In planning how to employ him.

Translation: In planning how to make use of them. We'll output: In planning how to make use of them.

With this money buying vegetables, he has Shazhu cook for Wang Yaling; with this money buying vegetables, he has Shazhu prepare dishes for Shi Hongmei; in the steel mill with tens of thousands of workers, there are plenty of pretty girls.

Translation: This money buys vegetables for Shazhu to cook for Wang Yaling, and this money buys vegetables for Shazhu to prepare dishes for Shi Hongmei; in the steel plant with tens of thousands of workers, there are plenty of pretty girls. We'll output: This money buys vegetables for Shazhu to cook for Wang Yaling, and this money buys vegetables for Shazhu to prepare dishes for Shi Hongmei; in the steel plant with tens of thousands of workers, there are plenty of pretty girls.

A hospitality meal.

Translation: A hospitality meal. We'll output: A hospitality meal.

This thoroughly established Shazhu's reputation.

Translation: It thoroughly made Shazhu's name known. We'll output: It thoroughly made Shazhu's name known.

The promise that Shazhu and Xu Daming made for Xu Daming to have twenty meals from Shazhu seems insufficient now.

Translation: The promise that Shazhu made to Xu Damao to cook twenty meals for him seems insufficient now. We'll output: The promise that Shazhu made to Xu Damao to cook twenty meals for him seems insufficient now.

Xu Daming, brows furrowed, hesitates whether to let Shazhu trick him again; if Shazhu cooks him fifty meals, Xu Daming could become influential in the steel mill.

Translation: Xu Damao, frowning, hesitated whether to let Shazhu trick him again; if Shazhu cooked fifty meals for him, Xu Damao would become formidable in the steel plant. We'll output: Xu Damao, frowning, hesitated whether to let Shazhu trick him again; if Shazhu cooked fifty meals for him, Xu Damao would become formidable in the steel plant.

Just now, Shazhu seemed to have been summoned by Yi Zhonghai to Yi Zhonghai's home.

Translation: Just now Shazhu seemed to have been summoned by Yi Zhonghai to Yi Zhonghai's home. We'll output: Just now Shazhu seemed to have been summoned by Yi Zhonghai to Yi Zhonghai's home.

This idiot.

Translation: This idiot. We'll output: This idiot.

With his limited intelligence, he could never be a match for Yi Zhonghai; Xu's father specifically warned Xu Daming to be careful of Yi Zhonghai in the courtyard and to guard against the deaf old lady.

Translation: With his limited intellect, he could never be a match for Yi Zhonghai; Xu's father had specifically warned Xu Damao to be careful of Yi Zhonghai in the siheyuan and to guard against the deaf old lady. We'll output: With his limited intellect, he could never be a match for Yi Zhonghai; Xu's father had specifically warned Xu Damao to be careful of Yi Zhonghai in the siheyuan and to guard against the deaf old lady.

Damn it.

Damn it.

It's your brother Xu who's come to save you.

It's your brother Xu who's come to save you.

Xu Daming, who came out of his home.

Translation: Xu Damao, who came out of his home. We'll output: Xu Damao, who came out of his home.

He shouts with every step.

Translation: He walks a step and shouts. We'll output: He walks a step and shouts.

The forms of address are all over the place.

Translation: The forms of address are all over the place. We'll output: The forms of address are all over the place.

"Shazhu!"

Translation: "Shazhu!" We'll output: "Shazhu!"

"Shazhuzi!"

Translation: "Shazhuzi!" We'll output: "Shazhuzi!"

"Zhu the idiot!"

Translation: "Pillar idiot!" We'll output: "Pillar idiot!"

"He the idiot!"

"He idiot!"

Shazhu inside the house.

Translation: Shazhu inside the house. We'll output: Shazhu inside the house.

To seize the opportunity to back down.

Translation: Seeking an excuse to back down. We'll output: Seeking an excuse to back down.

He rolled up his sleeves in the flow of events.

Translation: He rolled up his sleeves in the flow. We'll output: He rolled up his sleeves in the flow.

"Elder Uncle, Granny, I'm going out to talk with Xu Daming; with an empty stomach, I'll come back just in time for dumplings."

Translation: "Elder Uncle, Granny, I'm going out to talk with Xu Damao; with an empty stomach, I'll come back just in time for dumplings." We'll output: "Elder Uncle, Granny, I'm going out to talk with Xu Damao; with an empty stomach, I'll come back just in time for dumplings."

Having said that.

Translation: Having said that. We'll output: Having said that.

He turned and left Yi Zhonghai's home.

Translation: He turned and left Yi Zhonghai's home. We'll output: He turned and left Yi Zhonghai's home.

The scene before his eyes.

Translation: The scene before his eyes. We'll output: The scene before his eyes.

It left Shazhu truly unsure how to express himself.

Translation: It left Shazhu truly unsure how to express himself. We'll output: It left Shazhu truly unsure how to express himself.

The sneaky Xu Daming, seeing Shazhu emerge from Yi Zhonghai's home, squeezed out a smile, looking pleased as if he'd done Shazhu a big favor.

Translation: The sneaky Xu Damao, seeing Shazhu come out of Yi Zhonghai's home, squeezed out a smile, looking proud as if brother Xu had done him a big favor. We'll output: The sneaky Xu Damao, seeing Shazhu come out of Yi Zhonghai's home, squeezed out a smile, looking proud as if brother Xu had done him a big favor.

"Xu Daming, are you sick?"

Translation: "Xu Damao, are you sick?" We'll output: "Xu Damao, are you sick?"

"Shazhu, you're like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing good intentions; buddy, are you trying to save me or not?"

Translation: "Shazhu, you're like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing good intentions; buddy's trying to save you, okay?" We'll output: "Shazhu, you're like a dog biting Lü Dongbin, not recognizing good intentions; buddy's trying to save you, okay?"

They were about to eat dumplings.

Translation: He was about to eat dumplings. We'll output: He was about to eat dumplings.

You called me out.

Translation: "You called me out." We'll output: You called me out.

Isn't this nonsense?

Isn't this nonsense?

This afternoon I got back early; I overheard the deaf old lady in the backyard chatting with the eldest aunt, saying she was craving Quanjude roast duck and also fancied a meal at Fengzeyuan. It's not us trying to scare you—what she said would cost more than your two months' wages. Take my advice: stay away from the old lady; you couldn't afford it.

Translation: "I came back earlier this afternoon; I heard in the rear courtyard the deaf old lady discussing with the eldest aunt, saying she craved Quanjude's roast duck and also wanted to go eat at Fengzeyuan's dishes—not me trying to scare you, but what she said, you kid, your two months' wages can't cover; listen to my advice, stay away from the old lady, you can't handle it." We'll output: I came back earlier this afternoon; I heard in the rear courtyard the deaf old lady discussing with the eldest aunt, saying she craved Quanjude's roast duck and also wanted to go eat at Fengzeyuan's dishes—not me trying to scare you, but what she said, you kid, your two months' wages can't cover; listen to my advice, stay away from the old lady, you can't handle it.

Xu Damào's voice was very low.

There is no possibility of being heard by Yi Zhonghai and them.

Long Laotaitai has the flaw of being greedy and gluttonous.

Shazhu knows.

What he doesn't know is that Long Laotaitai is actually so greedy, she even has the idea of eating through the twenty famous restaurants and 108 snack stalls in the Capital City, and she even prepared to have Shazhu make this Tan Family Cuisine for her to eat.

There are ingredients.

Doing it is possible.

Now this big situation.

Shazhu goes up there to get these things for her.

Today we buy meat at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

It greatly opened Shazhu's eyes, a vast black mass, estimated to have two or three hundred people queuing, all are people cutting pork.

How much meat does the Supply and Marketing Cooperative sell?

Less than fifty catties.

This is also why Shazhu, after his rebirth, tries as much as possible to avoid contact with Long Laotaitai.

Who can afford to eat meat every day!

"Xu Damao, I accept this favor."

"I've been waiting for you, Shazhu, to say this; if you really want to repay the favor, make me a few more meals."

M's

Indeed deserving of being the Siheyuan's number one lecher.

Constantly thinking about this lecherousness.

Shazhu's gaze fell on Xu Damao's kidneys.

Can this bastard's body still function?

In his previous life he never managed to have children his whole life.

Could it be related to this fooling around!

He's ruined his own body!

"Xu Damao, listen to my advice, restrain yourself a bit with snacks and meals; I can cook them, I'm worried your body can't take it, these days, be careful, otherwise I'll have to take you to the police station."

Xu Damao wore a look of disdain, calling Shazhu a country bumpkin.

You know fuck all.

Buddy, are you really that stupid?

"A man and a woman alone is fooling around; I'll call a couple more female coworkers, you know what this is called? It's called promoting relations with coworkers; you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"Anything else? If not, I'm going back to eat dumplings."

Xu Damao stared blankly.

You go to Yi Zhonghai's house to eat dumplings!

This is basically walking into a trap.

I saved you for nothing.

"What do you mean? I just pulled you out of the fire pit."

"The pork, I borrowed it from Yi Zhonghai's place; they'll return it tomorrow. I also have to chop the meat filling, wrap dumplings, knead dough; I've worked over an hour, I must eat before leaving!" Shazhu lowered his voice, "Not eating for free would be wasting a meal; these are meat-and-egg dumplings."

Shazhu also had the idea of being disgusted with Yi Zhonghai and his wife, so he deliberately staged this stingy miser act for Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

Once or twice doesn't matter.

If every time it's like this stingy.

I estimate Yi Zhonghai and his wife will look down on Shazhu.

This can be considered a means of self-defilement.

"How can you be stingier than Yan Fugui?" Xu Damao suddenly remembered something, "Shazhu, just now I came back from outside, guess what I saw? San Daye was there mixing second-distilled liquor and plain water."

"Anything else?"

"The last thing, a great thing, on New Year's Day the Yagangchang will hold an unmarried men and women youth mixer in the factory auditorium; unmarried girls from several surrounding villages will also come; you should tidy yourself up, get a haircut, otherwise no girl will like you, bringing shame to our Dayuan people."

Shazhu's brows furrowed together.

Xu Damao, this bastard.

In terms of lechery, he's truly a damn professional.

Self-taught without a teacher.

The student surpasses the teacher.