Chapter 45

Stone is still refusing.

Stone is still refusing.

Lao He directly exposed Stone's past.

"Old He simply directly exposed Stone's past experiences." We'll translate: "Old He simply went ahead and exposed Stone's past experiences."

Stone.

Just "Stone." as a nickname. So translate: "Stone."

His surname is Stone and his given name is Head.

His surname is Stone and his given name is Head.

During the Japanese puppet period, he once served as an underground liaison in Anqiu for a time; his partner was Cai Shui-gen, an undercover worker at Dingxiang Restaurant, and Shi Qing-shan, captain of the Anqiu militia.

"During the Japanese puppet era, he once served as an underground liaison in Peaceful Hill for a period of time; his partner was the hidden operative Cai Shuigen from Tripod Fragrance Pavilion and the captain of the Peaceful Hill Workers' Militia, Shi Qingshan." We'll translate: "During the Japanese puppet era, he once served as an underground liaison in Peaceful Hill for a period; his partner was the hidden operative Cai Shuigen from Tripod Fragrance Pavilion and the captain of the Peaceful Hill Workers' Militia, Shi Qingshan."

His rival was Jia Gui, Anqiu's most handsome man; Jia Gui had once been captain of the detective squad under Hei Tenggui San, with subordinates Lao Si, Lao Liu, and Lao Jiu.

"His rival was Peaceful Hill's most handsome man, Jia Gui; Jia Gui once served as captain of the detective squad under Heiteng Guisan, with subordinates such as Lao Si, Lao Liu, and Lao Jiu." We'll translate: "His rival was Peaceful Hill's most handsome man, Jia Gui; Jia Gui once served as captain of the detective squad under Heiteng Guisan, with subordinates such as Old Four, Old Six, and Old Nine."

He loves the donkey meat fire-baked bun from Dingxiang Restaurant.

"He loves eating the donkey meat fire-baked bread from Tripod Fragrance Pavilion!" We'll translate: "He loves eating the donkey meat fire-baked bread from Tripod Fragrance Pavilion!"

There's also Huang Biao, known as Anqiu's top wrestler; he served as captain of the guard unit under Nojiri Masakawa and teamed up with Xue Xueli to bully Jia Gui.

"There's also Huangjin Biao, known as Peaceful Hill's top wrestler; Huangjin Biao served as captain of the guard unit under Noziri Masakawa, and teamed up with Xia Xueli to bully Jia Gui." We'll translate: "There's also Huangjin Biao, known as Peaceful Hill's top wrestler; Huangjin Biao served as captain of the guard unit under Noziri Masakawa, and teamed up with Xia Xueli to bully Jia Gui."

After the Japanese puppet regime surrendered, Stone was transferred to the capital, yet he remained responsible for this underground liaison work.

"After the Japanese puppet regime surrendered, Stone was transferred to the Capital City, still responsible for this underground liaison work." We'll translate: "After the Japanese puppet regime surrendered, Stone was transferred to the Capital City, still responsible for this underground liaison work."

While escorting intelligence, he was accidentally injured and lost a leg; he refused the superior's arrangement and worked as a gatekeeper at the Red Star scrap station.

"During the escort of intelligence, he was unexpectedly wounded and lost a leg; he refused the superior's arrangement and became a gatekeeper at the Hongxing Scrap Station." We'll translate: "During the intelligence escort, he was unexpectedly wounded and lost a leg; he refused the superior's arrangement and became a gatekeeper at the Hongxing Scrap Station."

It feels a bit like forcing ducks onto shelves.

"It has a bit of the feeling of forcing ducks onto the shelves." We'll translate: "It has a bit of the feeling of forcing ducks onto the shelves."

In the end, there was nothing he could do.

"In the end, he had no other recourse." We'll translate: "In the end, he had no other recourse."

Stone explained how to identify spies.

"Stone put forward this method for identifying spies." We'll translate: "Stone put forward this method for identifying spies."

That is, it's just a standard skill.

"That is just a regular skill." We'll translate: "That is just a regular skill."

He said it aloud.

"He said it out loud." We'll translate: "He said it out loud."

Because enemy agents have this special trait, they pay extra attention to this persona, using the 'nice old man' image to gather intelligence; you don't need to remember anything else—just know that enemy agents are very good at disguising themselves; if everyone around you says someone is good, you must be more vigilant, for abnormal events inevitably bring trouble.

Just like the senior worker Cai Shui-gen at Dingxiang Restaurant.

"Just like the senior partner Cai Shuigen in Tripod Fragrance Pavilion." We'll translate: "Just like the senior partner Cai Shuigen in Tripod Fragrance Pavilion."

Everyone in Anqiu was cursing Cai Shui-gen; even the Dingxiang Restaurant owner Sun You-fu, chef Yang Bao-lu, and the elderly matriarch Qi Lao-tai said the Japanese didn't treat Cai Shui-gen as an outsider, and Yang Bao-lu even remarked after Cai Shui-gen donned a puppet army deputy uniform that Dingxiang Restaurant had finally produced a true traitor.

"Everyone in Peaceful Hill was cursing Cai Shuigen; even the shopkeeper Sun Youfu of Tripod Fragrance Pavilion, the chef Yang Baolu, and the old shopkeeper's widow Qi Laotaitai said the little devils didn't treat Cai Shuigen as an outsider, and Yang Baolu even said after Cai Shuigen put on the puppet army deputy uniform, that Tripod Fragrance Pavilion had finally produced a true hanjian." We'll translate: "Everyone in Peaceful Hill was cursing Cai Shuigen; even the shopkeeper Sun Youfu of Tripod Fragrance Pavilion, the chef Yang Baolu, and the old shopkeeper's widow Qi Laotaitai said the little devils didn't treat Cai Shuigen as an outsider, and Yang Baolu even said after Cai Shuigen put on the puppet army deputy uniform that Tripod Fragrance Pavilion had finally produced a true hanjian."

Being cursed by others gave Cai Shui-gen ideal conditions for gathering intelligence.

"It is precisely this persona of being cursed that provided Cai Shuigen with excellent conditions for gathering intelligence." We'll translate: "It is precisely this persona of being cursed that provided Cai Shuigen with excellent conditions for gathering intelligence."

Stone used Cai Shui-gen as an example to illustrate the point.

"Stone used Cai Shuigen as an example to illustrate the method of clarifying facts." We'll translate: "Stone used Cai Shuigen as an example to illustrate the method of clarifying facts."

It instantly enlightened Silly Zhu and the others, clarifying what they had previously been unable to understand.

"It made Shazhu and the others suddenly enlightened; the places they previously couldn't understand were instantly figured out." We'll translate: "It made Shazhu and the others suddenly enlightened; the places they previously couldn't understand were instantly figured out."

Old Yi Zhonghai and his wife!

"Yi Zhonghai and his wife!" We'll translate: "Yi Zhonghai and his wife!"

The deaf old lady!

"Long Laotaitai!" We'll translate: "Long Laotaitai!"

Their names unintentionally came to mind for Silly Zhu.

"Shazhu's mind unintentionally surfaced their names." We'll translate: "Shazhu's mind unintentionally surfaced their names."

Yi Zhonghai now gives the impression of a righteous elder, but beneath his gentlemanly facade he harbors his own petty schemes.

"Yi Zhonghai now gives the impression of a righteous elder; beneath the facade of a gentleman, he harbors his own little schemes." We'll translate: "Yi Zhonghai now gives the impression of a righteous elder; beneath the facade of a gentleman, he harbors his own little schemes."

In his previous life, Silly Zhu suffered losses due to Yi Zhonghai's scheming.

"Shazhu has suffered losses from Yi Zhonghai's scheming in his previous life." We'll translate: "Shazhu has suffered losses from Yi Zhonghai's scheming in his previous life."

Now, in the courtyard, it seems only Silly Zhu knows that Yi Zhonghai is not a good person.

"In the current Siheyuan, probably only Shazhu knows that Yi Zhonghai is not a good person." We'll translate: "In the current Siheyuan, probably only Shazhu knows that Yi Zhonghai is not a good person."

He has no children.

"He has no children." We'll translate: "He has no children."

He himself remains childless.

He himself remains childless.

He is not considering adopting children.

"What he thinks about is not adopting children." We'll translate: "What he thinks about is not adopting children."

Rather, he is scheming to have others support him in his old age.

"But rather scheming to have others support him in his old age." We'll translate: "But rather scheming to have others support him in his old age."

It makes no sense.

"It defies reason." We'll translate: "It defies reason."

The logic is also unclear.

"The logic also cannot be clearly explained." We'll translate: "The logic also cannot be clearly explained."

Using Stone's earlier example to summarize, there are many problems here.

"Using Stone's earlier example in his own words to summarize, there are many problems here." We'll translate: "Using Stone's earlier example in his own words to summarize, there are many problems here."

Because too many coincidences are not coincidences but conspiracies; abnormal things must have reasons unknown to outsiders.

"Because too many coincidences are not coincidences but conspiracies; anything contrary to normal must have a reason unknown to outsiders!" We'll translate: "Because too many coincidences are not coincidences but conspiracies; anything contrary to normal must have a reason unknown to outsiders!"

The deaf old lady!

"Long Laotaitai!" We'll translate: "Long Laotaitai!"

After pondering Yi Zhonghai, Silly Zhu began to ponder the deaf old lady.

"After pondering Yi Zhonghai, Shazhu began to ponder Long Laotaitai." We'll translate: "After pondering Yi Zhonghai, Shazhu began to ponder Long Laotaitai."

He Daqing once said that thirty years ago, when he moved into the courtyard with Silly Zhu's grandfather, the deaf old lady was already living there.

"He Daqing once said that when he moved into the Siheyuan with Shazhu's grandfather thirty years ago, Long Laotaitai was already living there." We'll translate: "He Daqing once said that when he moved into the Siheyuan with Shazhu's grandfather thirty years ago, Long Laotaitai was already living there."

This is the first point.

"This is the first point." We'll translate: "This is the first point."

This is the second point.

"This is the second point." We'll translate: "This is the second point."

The deaf old lady is greedy for food; according to information overheard by Xu Damu, she wants to eat at all twenty-eight famous restaurants in Beijing, such as Quanjude and Fengzeyuan, and at all 108 small eateries, such as Douzhi Liu, You tiao Sun, and Bingzi Ding, etc.

"Long Laotaitai is greedy and fond of eating; according to information overheard by Xu Damao, her idea is to eat at all twenty-eight famous restaurants in the Capital City, such as Quanjude and Fengzeyuan, and to eat at all one hundred and eight small eateries in the Capital City, such as Douzhi Liu, Youtiao Sun, and Bingzi Ding, etc." We'll translate: "Long Laotaitai is greedy and fond of eating; according to information overheard by Xu Damao, her idea is to eat at all twenty-eight famous restaurants in the Capital City, such as Quanjude and Fengzeyuan, and to eat at all one hundred and eight small eateries in the Capital City, such as Douzhi Liu, Youtiao Sun, and Bingzi Ding, etc."

Silly Zhu suddenly recalled a remark the deaf old lady had unintentionally made to him in his past life, saying she had eaten Tan family cuisine many times when she was young.

"Shazhu suddenly recalled a sentence Long Laotaitai had unintentionally told him in his previous life, saying that when she was young she had eaten Tan family cuisine many times." We'll translate: "Shazhu suddenly recalled a sentence Long Laotaitai had unintentionally told him in his previous life, saying that when she was young she had eaten Tan family cuisine many times."

The Tan family cuisine of that time.

"The Tan family cuisine of that time." We'll translate: "The Tan family cuisine of that time."

Worth a fortune and hard to find.

It is worth a thousand gold and hard to come by.

The dish the deaf old lady spoke of is not an ordinary dish; it is the main course of the Imperial Scholar's banquet.

"The dish Long Laotaitai spoke of is not an ordinary dish; it is the main course of the Top Scholar Banquet!" We'll translate: "The dish Long Laotaitai spoke of is not an ordinary dish; it is the main course of the Top Scholar Banquet!"

From these circumstances, either the deaf old lady is wealthy, or her identity is astonishing.

"From these circumstances, either Long Laotaitai is wealthy, or her identity is astonishing." We'll translate: "From these circumstances, either Long Laotaitai is wealthy, or her identity is astonishing."

This deaf old lady couldn't be someone who slipped through the net, could she?

"This Long Laotaitai couldn't be a fish that slipped through the net, could she?" We'll translate: "This Long Laotaitai couldn't be a fish that slipped through the net, could she?"

Stone just said that.

"Stone just said that." We'll translate: "Stone just said that."

Saying that enemy agents pay great attention to their own persona.

"He said that enemy spies pay great attention to their persona." We'll translate: "He said that enemy spies pay great attention to their persona."

The deaf old lady said she herself is the ancestral matriarch of the courtyard.

"Long Laotaitai said she herself is the ancestor of the Siheyuan's Dayuan." We'll translate: "Long Laotaitai said she herself is the ancestor of the Siheyuan's Dayuan."

How does she explain being the ancestral matriarch of the courtyard?

"How does she explain being the Dayuan ancestor?" We'll translate: "How does she explain being the Dayuan ancestor?"

It cannot be explained!

"It doesn't make sense!" We'll translate: "It doesn't make sense!"

There is also a situation opposite to what I just said: some people are good at disguising, some at hiding, and he will deliberately create the illusion of being unimportant.

"There is also a situation opposite to what I just said: some people are good at disguising, some are good at hiding, and they deliberately create the illusion of being unimportant." We'll translate: ""There is also a situation opposite to what I just said: some people are good at disguising, some are good at hiding, and they deliberately create the illusion of being unimportant.""

That's just being a 'small transparent'!

""That's just an 'invisible person'!" We'll translate: ""That's just an 'invisible person'!""

Comrade He Yuzhu is absolutely right: this is the kind of 'small transparent' person; around there are such people, silent and reserved, anyone can overlook them, so you must pay more attention; finally I remind everyone: if you really discover such a person, don't think about gaining merit—first protect your own life; professional matters should be left to professionals.

""Comrade He Yuzhu is absolutely right: this is the kind of invisible person; around there are such people, silent and reticent, anyone can overlook them, so you must pay extra attention; my final reminder to everyone is, if you really discover such a person, don't think about gaining merit—first protect your own life, and leave professional matters to professionals."" We'll translate accordingly.

"Stone's words, you've all kept them in mind, right? Give me some energy, raise your vigilance, and hand in a satisfactory answer for this anti-bandit and anti-spy operation." Old He waved his hand, "Let's get to work!"

""Stone's words, you all have them in mind, right? Cheer up, stay alert, and submit a satisfactory answer for this anti-bandit and anti-spy operation." Old He waved his hand, "Get to work!"" We'll translate: ""Stone's words, you all have them in mind, right? Cheer up, stay alert, and submit a satisfactory answer for this anti-bandit and anti-spy operation." Old He waved his hand, "Get to work!""

Everyone went about their own business.

"Everyone went about their own business." We'll translate: "Everyone went about their own business."

Silly Zhu because it was his first day at work.

"Shazhu, because it was his first day on the job," We'll translate: "Shazhu, because it was his first day on the job,"

He was assigned by Old He a relatively idle job.

"was assigned by Old He a relatively idle livelihood." We'll translate: "was assigned by Old He a relatively idle livelihood."

Conduct a tally of the recyclable items in the station.

No way.

Who let the whole recycling station have only Shazhu with an elementary school education?

Using Lao He's original words to describe it.

This matter is none other than yours, He Yuzhu; if you really feel bad about it, show us a hand and let us taste it.

Shazhu laughed and agreed.

Cooking for him.

It's just a matter of lifting a hand.

As long as Lao He and the others get this material ready, not to mention making one table, even making four tables is fine.

During the process of tallying supplies.

Shazhu discovered a bunch of amazing stuff.

Used bicycle parts.

Frames, axles, and so on.

His heart moved.

His current residence is too far from the scrap station; in good weather he can run to and from work, but if it rains or snows, running to and from work becomes somewhat impractical.

Besides, he still has to take care of Yushui.

Shazhu wanted to solve this transportation problem.

As the saying goes, 'To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.'

Originally, he was preparing to buy a new bicycle.

The domestically produced Flying Pigeon had just been released not long ago.

There were still no goods on the market.

Shazhu could only be like a clever woman unable to cook without rice.

Inside the recycling station there are many discarded bicycle parts; he himself could completely assemble one, so as not to have to walk to and from work every day on just his two legs.

This requires Lao He's agreement.

Besides, he still needs to say hello to that police station.

The bicycle needs to be registered.

Put down the work at hand.

He went straight to Lao He, who was working together with Zhou Xianghong and others.

"Station Chief."

"All finished tallying?"

"Only that pile of used bicycle parts is left; I found that these bicycle parts can still be used after a bit of repair."

The few people at the scrap station all focused their gazes on Shazhu.

"He Yuzhu, you wouldn't be thinking of assembling a bicycle, would you?"

Shazhu froze on the spot.

He thought he was the king.

As it turned out, those people at the recycling station were too.

One sentence laid bare Shazhu's idea.

"Can't it be assembled?"

"We've assembled before; isn't it just that we didn't succeed?"