Chapter 528

Several days later.

Bai Xu restaurant chose a day to open.

The steel mill served as the nominal superior management department of Bai Xu; Factory Director Yang, along with all his deputy factory managers, did well, and Jiēdào Director Wang also came to show support.

Also note "turned out well" maybe means "turned out well"? but not a name.

The senior leader didn't come; he sent his secretary to tell Shazhu to work hard and let loose.

Shazhu gave the other party a guarantee, promising things like "I assure I will work hard" to put the senior leader at ease.

The siheyuan, as Shazhu's headquarters, surprisingly had everyone in attendance.

Although they ostensibly came just for a free meal, they insisted on finding a noble pretext to boost Shazhu's popularity, and under Yan Fugui's lead, they all came.

Yan Fugui seized an idle moment, explained to Shazhu, frankly saying this had nothing to do with him and that he hadn't incited the crowd to come.

It was the neighbors who, upon hearing that Shazhu's restaurant was opening, came uninvited.

Everyone gathered at the entrance of Bai Xu restaurant.

All who came were guests.

Moreover, everyone contributed a gift.

Yan Fugui contributed the most, ten dollars, while the rest each gave one dollar.

There were also people who came just to eat for free.

Jia Zhangshi.

After the wife-swapping incident was exposed, Laoqianpo indeed behaved honestly for a few days; during these days she didn't go out the main or side gates, and today she came following behind Third Aunt.

Didn't spend any money.

Instead, he shamelessly uttered a remark that almost made Shazhu want to beat him.

"My old woman came to the feast to give Shazhu face, to steady him; with my old woman here, who dares to cause trouble?"

On a joyous day, no rough behavior.

This is a rule passed down from the elders.

There were also many leaders present at the scene.

If Shazhu were to lower himself to Jia Zhangshi's level and not care about appearances, he would lose not Jia Zhangshi's reputation but his own face; people wouldn't criticize Jia Zhangshi, they'd say Shazhu lacks magnanimity, holding a high position yet wrangling with someone like Jia Zhangshi, damaging his own standing.

Shazhu was effectively restrained, his hands and feet bound.

This is also the reason many people in high positions are often amiable.

Qin Huairu didn't come, but Bangeng did, following behind Jia Zhangshi to find a seat.

Mainly, people didn't want to dine together with Jia Zhangshi or Bangeng.

The wife-swapping incident.

It made the Jia Family's reputation utterly foul, and along with it Bangeng and Jia Shimei's fame spread far and wide; many people might not know the Siheyuan, but they certainly know the Siheyuan's Jia Shimei Bangeng.

They thought Bangeng was sitting beside them.

How unlucky.

Whenever Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng arrived, the empty seat was either moved away or someone deliberately took it and then told Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng that the seat was taken.

Jia Zhangshi was angry and wanted to cause a scene, but because Liu Jianguo and Yushui, as a couple, also came to support Shazhu's event, wearing neat uniforms and dark weapons, it frightened Jia Zhangshi into suppressing her urge to make a fuss, so she could only honestly look for a seat where she would be welcomed.

The time to start the meal.

It was set at exactly 12:00 noon.

The current time is 11:35 a. m.

Until the dishes are served.

There are twenty-five minutes left.

Shazhu, so that the guests wouldn't be bored, instructed Yu Li to buy some melon seeds and peanuts, and placed a little on each table.

The neighbors cracked melon seeds while chatting.

"Shazhu's stall is big enough, such a big restaurant."

"Who says no? You see, that person in front is Yu Li, Shazhu's wife."

"Shazhu arranged for his wife Yu Li to work here too; isn't this a subsidiary industry of Yagangchang?"

"It is Yagangchang's subsidiary industry."

"Shazhu is like a skinny camel still bigger than a horse; no wonder, as a former cafeteria director, he managed to get his wife in."

"Shazhu's sister Dang Xianghong is also here."

"When will the dishes be served?"

This was asked by Jia Zhangshi.

Laoqianpo took Bangeng around in a loop.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, they simply took advantage of the moment when Yan Fugui and the others weren't looking, and forcefully squeezed in.

"Jia Zhangshi, this table only seats ten; why are you and Bangeng squeezing in? There are empty seats over there."

"We're not familiar with them, can't be bothered to deal with them, or maybe it's just that we neighbors have deep feelings." Jia Zhangshi grabbed a handful of melon seeds, gave some to Bangeng, kept some for herself, and while eating asked, "I'm starving; when will the meal start?"

"You're getting a free meal and still complaining?"

"I, the old woman, didn't mean that; what did you just say? You're speaking so happily."

"We were talking about Yu Li and Dang Xianghong."

"That scoundrel Shazhu, he managed to get his wife and sister in; why can't he get our Bangeng in? With such a big restaurant, it should be our Bangeng managing it; without our Bangeng, it might go bankrupt tomorrow."

"Jia Zhangshi, can't you say something nice?"

"I'm not chatting with you." Jia Zhangshi squeezed out a fawning smile, and when He Yushui, who had come over specially to check the situation upon hearing the noise, laughed and said, "Yushui, it's been years; you're still full of energy."

He Yushui's face showed a professional smile.

She came specifically for Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng.

"Today is a good day for Shazhu's restaurant opening; as his sister, He Yushui cannot let scoundrels like Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng ruin his good day."

Translation: "Today is a good day for the opening of Shazhu's restaurant; as his sister, He Yushui cannot let Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng, such petty scoundrels, ruin Shazhu's good day."

Check: need to keep meaning. Use given names: Shazhu, He Yushui, Jia Zhangshi, Bangeng. "petty scoundrels" means petty scoundrels. Could translate as "petty scoundrels". Keep single line.

"In the eyes."

"In the eyes."

"Carrying a hint of contempt."

Translation: "Carrying a hint of faint contempt."

"This Laoqianpo brought her grandson to eat for free; if it weren't for the lack of evidence regarding Huaihua's running away from home, she might really have used this occasion to firmly grasp the other party."

Translation: "This old hag, bringing her grandson to eat for free; if it weren't for the lack of evidence regarding Huaihua's running away from home, she might really have used this matter to firmly grasp the other party."

We need to keep names: Laoqianpo, Huaihua.

"San Daye, please take care of Jia Damá and Bangeng for me."

"San Daye, please take care of Jia Damá and Bangeng for me."

"He Yushui, rest assured, San Daye guarantees to handle this matter."

Translation: "\"Yushui, rest assured, San Daye guarantees to handle this matter. \"" Use Yushui.

"Thank you, San Daye."

Translation: "\"Thank you, San Daye. \""

"What thanks? San Daye has watched you grow up since childhood; anyway, where's your brother?"

Translation: "\"What thanks? San Daye has watched you grow up since you were little; well, where's your brother? \""

"Accompanying the leaders."

Translation: "\"Accompanying the leaders. \""

He Yushui pointed to the spot near the kitchen.

Translation: "Yushui pointed to the spot near the kitchen."

Shazhu pointed to the first-floor hall and introduced the detailed situation to Factory Director Yang, the senior leader's secretary, and Director Wang.

Translation: "Shazhu pointed to the first-floor hall and introduced the detailed situation to Factory Director Yang, the senior leaders' secretary, and Director Wang."

We need to use given names: Factory Director Yang, Director Wang. Also "the senior leader's secretary" maybe "the senior leaders' secretary". Not a name.

"This is the first floor: thirty-five tables, each mainly seating four to six people; if there are special circumstances, we can add stools, squeeze in, and seat up to eight people. Like some colleagues or friends, when there are few people, they can dine on the first floor, with three people in charge."

Translation: "\"This is the first floor: thirty-five tables, each mainly seating four to six people; if there are special circumstances, we can add stools, squeeze in, and seat eight people—like some colleagues or friends; when there are few people, they can dine on the first floor, with three people in charge. \""

He pointed to the nearby stairs.

Translation: "He pointed to the stairs beside."

He pointed to the nearby stairs.

He invited Factory Director Yang and his group to the second floor.

Translation: "He invited Factory Director Yang and the others to the second floor."

He didn't introduce them.

Translation: "He didn't speak to introduce."

Factory Director Yang and his group were utterly stunned; the second-floor layout was unlike what they had imagined: ten large tables that could each accommodate fifteen diners were evenly placed within semi-private rooms measuring one and a half meters.

Translation: "Factory Director Yang and the others were all stunned; the layout of the second floor was unexpectedly different from what they imagined—ten large tables that could each accommodate fifteen people dining simultaneously were evenly placed within semi-private booths one and a half meters in size."

Factory Director Yang.

Thus: "ten large tables that could each accommodate fifteen people dining simultaneously were evenly placed within semi-private booths one and a half meters in size."

Before coming to the second floor.

Translation: "Before coming to the second floor."

Mistakenly thought it was similar to the first-floor hall.

Translation: "They mistakenly thought it was roughly the same as the first-floor hall."

Didn't expect it to be private rooms.

Translation: "They didn't expect it to be private booths."

"Zhuzi, are these private rooms?"

Translation: "\"Zhuzi, these private booths? \""

Zhuzi.

"Several leaders, this is how I thought: with more guests, wouldn't the noise get a bit chaotic? To give guests a feeling of being welcomed, Bai Xu specially designed private rooms on the second floor for discussing work and handling other matters, all under one theme…"

Translation: "\"Several leaders, this is how I've considered it: as the number of guests increases, wouldn't the noise get a bit chaotic? To give guests a feeling of being right at home, Bai Xu specially designed private booths on the second floor for discussing work and handling some extra matters—just one theme…. \"" Need to keep ellipsis.

We need to use Bai Xu.

Shazhu explained the benefits of the private rooms.

Translation: "Shazhu stated the advantages of the private booths."

He elaborated on them one by one.

Translation: "He explained them one by one."

This was still Shazhu exercising restraint; he did not roll out the fully private-room model seen later.

Translation: "This was still Shazhu exercising restraint; he did not roll out the fully private-booth model of later times."

After finishing the introduction of the second floor.

Translation: "After introducing the second floor,"

Shazhu then led several leaders to the back kitchen, pointing at the busy back kitchen and began to introduce it.

Translation: "Shazhu then led several leaders to the back kitchen, pointing at the busy back kitchen and began to introduce it."

"This is our back kitchen; Thus: Thus: Mahua, you may know him—he's my apprentice—and this is Liu Lan, my old partner from the second canteen, who is in charge of Bai Xu's back kitchen."

Translation: "\"This is our back kitchen; Thus: Thus: Mahua, you few know him—he's my apprentice—and this is Liu Lan, my old partner from the Ershitang canteen, who is in charge of Bai Xu's back kitchen. \""

We need to use Thus: Thus: Mahua, Liu Lan, Ershitang, Bai Xu.

He glanced at the time.

Translation: "He glanced at the time."

Seeing that the back kitchen's food preparation was nearly ready.

Translation: "Seeing that the back kitchen's food preparation was nearly done."

Shazhu ushered several leaders into the second-floor private rooms, then gave Liu Lan a

Translation: "Shazhu invited the several leaders into the second-floor private booths, then gave Liu Lan a look; as the person in charge of the back kitchen, Liu Lan announced the start of the meal."

none.

Translation: "The dishes were served one by one."

none.

Translation: "That counts as differential treatment, I suppose."

Yan Fugui, Thus: Thus: Mahua.

Translation: "Yan Fugui's group's dishes were made by Thus: Thus: Mahua."

Shazhu.

Translation: "The dishes in the second-floor private booths were made by Shazhu."

none.

Translation: "After three rounds of drinks."

none.

Translation: "After five flavors of dishes."

Bai Xu.

Translation: "The opening of Bai Xu ultimately ended with people eating and drinking their fill."

Shazhu.

Translation: "According to Shazhu's plan."

Bai Xu.

Translation: "Bai Xu was supposed to officially open for business the next day, but due to an unforeseen incident, it inexplicably fell under a shadow."

Shazhu.

Translation: "Some well-meaning people put forward Shazhu's three major offenses."

none.

Translation: "First major offense."

none.

Translation: "The establishment of private booths."

Shazhu, Bai Xu.

Translation: "That person's reasoning was that everyone is equal and work should not be distinguished by high or low status, yet Shazhu's Bai Xu restaurant, by creating a first-floor hall and second-floor private booths, artificially produced inequality between people, causing those who dine upstairs to develop the mistaken notion that they are nobler than those downstairs."

Shazhu.

Translation: "He bluntly said Shazhu's thinking is problematic."

none.

Translation: "Second major offense."

none.

Translation: "It is the establishment of staff uniforms."

Shazhu, Bai Xu.

Translation: "Shazhu, for easier management and for aesthetic purposes, custom-made a set of work uniforms for Bai Xu's staff, with two large 'Bai Xu' characters on the left chest."

none.

Translation: "On their feet are black leather shoes."

Shazhu.

Translation: "Although such uniform work attire is quite ordinary in later times, in this environment it provoked a huge backlash; that person specially wrote a complaint letter to report Shazhu."

Shazhu, Bai Xu.

Translation: "The spirit of hardworking and frugal struggle was discarded by Shazhu; they said Shazhu indulges in eating, drinking, and playing for enjoyment, bluntly claiming that Shazhu brings the decadence of the wealthy into Bai Xu."

Shazhu, Bai Xu, Yagangchang (steel mill).

Translation: "They said that although Bai Xu restaurant is nominally under Shazhu's responsibility, it is actually an affiliated enterprise of the Yagangchang steel mill; Shazhu's decadent conduct has brought disgrace to the Yagangchang, which is irresponsible toward the mill, forcing Shazhu to close Bai Xu and undertake this moral self-improvement."

We need to use Yagangchang.

none.

Translation: "Third offense."

none.

Translation: "Favoritism toward relatives."

Shazhu, Bai Xu.

Translation: "Bai Xu restaurant has a total of sixteen staff members, among whom two are Shazhu's relatives, one is his apprentice, and one is his partner; they frankly said Bai Xu has become Shazhu's family workshop."

Shazhu.

Translation: "What if Shazhu eats more, takes more, and is greedy—what then?"

none.

Translation: "This matter was even published in a newspaper by someone with an agenda."

none.

Translation: "The headline reads 'Public or Private?'"

Shazhu, Bai Xu, Deputy Factory Manager Li.

Translation: "That article, with ample space, published Bai Xu restaurant and Shazhu's three major offenses; moreover, a certain divine person actually dug up Shazhu's past, and when someone learned that Shazhu was on good terms with Deputy Factory Director Li, they placed the hat of Li's remnants on Shazhu's head, bluntly stating that Shazhu's current fate is to be imprisoned, rather than becoming the person in charge of Bai Xu as if nothing happened."

We need to use Deputy Factory Director Li.

none.

Translation: "Under a series of incidents."

The small Bai Xu Restaurant instantly became the focus of countless heated discussions, and even ended up before the superior.

Before the superiors gave no concrete answer.

Bai Xu became a laughingstock in the industry; it opened for a trial run that day, and was ordered to close the next day, and Bai Xu's staff all went their separate ways, each going home to their own mothers.

They are not like Shazhu.

Shazhu was required not to leave the Capital City without cause.

This matter also caused a huge uproar inside the Siheyuan; those who had eaten the opening meal that day now feel regret, worried they might be implicated.

Apart from Yan Fugui and a few others who expressed some concern toward Shazhu, the rest of the people didn't even have time to hide.

The happiest person.

None other than Jia Zhangshi.

The past suffering of eating for free has turned into delight.

Laoqianpo also inquired about the progress of the matter, thinking about how she could achieve merit.

That is, to betray Shazhu.

……

Head of the household, are we alright?

In Yu Li's voice.

With a hint of trembling.

Not blaming Yu Li, even if her mother came, they'd still be clueless.

This matter is too big.

It exceeded Yu Li's expectations.

I had thought it was just an ordinary restaurant, imagining Shazhu's extraordinarily high culinary skill, many people liked eating his food, but I didn't expect Bai Xu to be shut down.

Moreover, there were still seals from the relevant authorities on top.

Since Yu Li married into the He Family, she has been working as a full-time housewife; if Shazhu meets with misfortune, the He Family would no longer be the He Family.

Or you could push the blame onto me, saying everything was my idea.

Yu Li came up with a solution that wasn't really a solution.

The He Family cannot do without Shazhu.

Yet it can do without Yu Li.

She wanted to exchange her own life for Shazhu's life.

Brother-in-law, sister, I'm here; you can push all this onto me, after all I'm just a distressed woman you picked up; without a brother-in-law, I'd probably have died long ago.

You Fengxia completely failed to notice what was beneath the window.

Jia Family's Bangeng was eavesdropping.

The fact that Bai Xu was sealed gave the Jia Family people renewed vigor; they considered Shazhu inferior to their own Jia Zhangshi and Bangeng, and began scheming again.

Jia Zhangshi believed Shazhu would surely not survive this time, that he would be shot.

By then, You Fengxia would be the relative of a criminal, bearing that stigma on her head; forget about marrying, even Bangeng would not despise her.

This time marrying You Fengxia, he must insist she bring several houses.

Otherwise, Bangeng would not marry her.

Clearly a daydream fantasy, Bangeng took it seriously; with Jia Zhangshi's reminder, his imagination ran wild, believing that marrying You Fengxia was an act of rescuing her.

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Thinking of inquiring a bit.

Never expecting to hear something so secretive.

You Fengxia is not a distant relative of Shazhu; she was picked up by Shazhu.

A sense of gloom rose in his heart.

Why could Shazhu pick up such a beautiful girl as You Fengxia, while he himself has nothing?

Unaware that You Fengxia had been overheard, she continued, saying, "This is my way of repaying my brother-in-law and sister."

Fengxia, this is our affair; it has nothing to do with you—just stay well.

Yu Li's words.

This made Bangeng outside the house freeze in surprise.

Isn't it Xiang Hong?

How did it become Fengxia?

Could it be that she changed her name?

Bangeng suddenly felt a little afraid; what kind of person would change their name?

Surely they're a bad person.

You Fengxia is a bad person!

He wanted to continue, but feared being discovered.

He also blamed Bangeng for having watched too many spy movies, causing him to cast You Fengxia as the movie's villain mastermind, and imagine himself as being exposed by the villain's trail, ultimately leading to killing to silence.

He dared not linger.

Bent at the waist.

He sneaked back to the Jia Family.

(End of chapter)