Chapter 529: The Jia Family's Schemes

Jia Zhangshi saw that Bangeng's complexion was not very good.

In the dim light, it even showed a few traces of a frightening pallor.

Although she was suspicious.

Yet she didn't think too much about it.

Instead, she took out two white flour steamed buns from the cupboard, fetched a plate of small pickles, and urged Bangeng to eat the buns quickly while Qin Huairu wasn't back.

"Don't just stand there stupidly, eat! Your mother's shameless sort now completely ignores us grandmother and grandchild. How many days has it been? Huaihua is surely not in the Capital City anymore, just like her heartless sister, she dumped our Jia Family to go live well on her own. It's only her who keeps looking for Huaihua all day; Huaihua running away from home isn't our fault, why should she bear a grudge against us two? This isn't blaming her lack of ability—since she started working at the factory in 1961, over fourteen or fifteen years now, she's just been sweeping toilets; if she had a bit more spirit, our Jia Family wouldn't be this unlucky."

The double-standard Jia Zhangshi.

She did not consider all this.

It was entirely her own fault.

She blamed Huaihua's running away from home on Qin Huairu.

She believed the Jia Family's current situation was entirely due to Qin Huairu's lack of ambition.

When she entered the factory, the eighth-level worker Yi Zhonghai personally led her; she had a little ambition, so she wouldn't have remained a first-level worker for years.

"She cooked rice but didn't give us any, thinking that if she hid the steamed buns, grandmother wouldn't find them—pah, this is the Jia Family; grandmother, I've lived in the Jia Family for decades, where can things be hidden and where can't they? Grandmother knows everything inside out; hurry up and eat, we won't leave a single bite for that wicked woman Qin Huairu."

Bangeng grabbed the steamed bun, ate it with the pickles.

He didn't look for chopsticks.

Probably he thought using chopsticks to pick up the pickles would mean he'd have to wash them later.

The idea of just grabbing them with his hand arose.

Less than a minute passed.

The two large white-flour steamed buns went into Bangeng's stomach.

It must be because he ate a little too hastily.

The last half of the bun accidentally lodged in Bangeng's throat; he couldn't swallow it nor spit it out. Bangeng stared with his eyes, clutching his throat tightly with both hands, bending over and jumping in place, hoping to use the inertia of the jumps to increase his vomiting force and cough up the bun stuck in his throat.

Thirty seconds of time.

It had no effect at all.

Still, Jia Zhangshi saw the situation was bad, hurriedly scooped a ladle of cool water with a dipper and brought it to Bangeng; Bangeng, heedless, gulped down the full ladle of cool water into his stomach in one breath.

With the help of the cool water,

he managed to push the bun that had been blocking his throat and nearly cost him his life down into his stomach.

The feeling of having survived a disaster.

It made Bangeng feel a bit afraid.

He nearly became the first person after the founding of the nation to be choked to death while eating.

His body went limp, and he plopped down onto the ground.

His forehead was covered in nervous sweat.

Jia Zhangshi fetched a towel, wiped Bangeng's sweat, pulled him up, and helped him sit on a stool.

"Bangeng, it's not that grandmother is criticizing you, eat slowly—no one is competing with you, why are you nervous? You are the sole heir of our Jia Family, the only male descendant; if something happened to you three longs and two shorts, how would grandmother face your father and your grandfather in the underworld?"

"Huh!"

Heavy breathing.

It flew out from Bangeng's mouth.

Jia Zhangshi sighed.

She used the towel to wipe Bangeng's forehead sweat a second time.

"Bangeng, what did you just hear at Shazhu's house? Is Shazhu going to have bad luck?"

Without waiting for Bangeng to answer.

Jia Zhangshi then issued a death notice to Shazhu.

"It's definitely that Shazhu is going to have bad luck; the thing he did this time is huge, I heard the newspaper listed Shazhu's three major offenses."

Bangeng glanced at Jia Zhangshi.

He knew about this.

He heard it was like this.

"What artificial creation of human inequality, he specially caused a commotion in a second-floor private room—how did he even cause a commotion in a private room? I heard the decorations inside are more luxurious than the old Buddha's bedchamber, the floor tiles and surrounding arrangements are all made of gold; just pry off a little and it would be enough for our lifetime of food and drink."

"What hardworking and frugal spirit of struggle has been discarded by Shazhu—serves him right; he even laid gold bricks on the second floor, and gave those who carry trays leather shoes and new clothes—does Shazhu want to be emperor? He deserves to be arrested!"

"What favoritism toward relatives has turned into Shazhu's family workshop; Shazhu is prone to corruption, according to grandmother's opinion, Shazhu is just corrupt—why can Yu Li become a leader at Bai Xu, while Bangeng you just have to sit at home?"

Seeing Bangeng not respond to him.

Jia Zhangshi was slightly taken aback for a moment.

She then started complaining again.

This time she didn't continue to criticize Shazhu, but instead shifted the topic to You Fengxia.

Still the same meaning.

Let Bangeng marry You Fengxia, taking the opportunity to plot for Shazhu's house.

"Using Jia Zhangshi's own words to describe it, this time Shazhu committed a capital offense; if things go badly, the whole family might die, and You Fengxia, as Shazhu's distant relative, might also be implicated; then You Fengxia would be a relative of a criminal, bearing that stigma on her head—no one would think highly of her, nor like her, except Bangeng."

In a pieced-together tone, she urged Bangeng, saying some baseless things.

"Bangeng, this time Shazhu got into trouble, for our Jia Family it's a good thing—Shazhu's whole family might die, Yushui will also have to eat the melon and fall, their house will become empty, our Jia Family now lacks a house for your marriage; You Fengxia will surely want to marry in, so when the time comes you say some nice words to You Fengxia, perform well, and our Jia Family might just rise up—having Shazhu's house, our Jia Family will truly be the Jia Family."

……

Shazhu's home.

Looking at Shazhu's worried face in front of him, then glancing at You Fengxia who insists on shouldering the blame herself, Shazhu's heart felt warm and warm.

In times of trouble, true feelings are revealed.

Translation: "In adversity, true feelings are revealed." Or "True feelings are seen in hardship." Keep concise.

Whether it's Yu Li.

Whether it's Yu Li.

Or perhaps You Fengxia.

Or perhaps You Fengxia.

Their attitudes gave Simple Zhu an unmatched feeling of warmth.

Translation: "Their attitudes made Shazhu feel an unparalleled warmth." Keep.

He looked at the two foolish women before him.

Translation: "Looking at the two foolish women before him."

Simple Zhu gave a slight shake of his head.

Translation: "Shazhu shook his head slightly."

"No need."

Translation: "\"No need. \"" Keep quotes.

"What do you mean 'no need'? Your situation is huge right now. Everyone in the Siheyuan is watching our family's drama; we can manage without me, but we can't do without you."

Translation: "\"What do you mean no need? How big is your situation now? Everyone in our Siheyuan is watching our family's drama; our family can do without me, but not without you. \""

Yu Li's tone.

Translation: "Yu Li's tone."

Full of resentment.

Translation: "Full of resentment."

It's mainly some of the Siheyuan residents who used to call Master He by nicknames; now they're backstabbing Simple Zhu in every way, even speaking badly of him to Yu Li's face, openly saying he'll end up in jail like Liu Haizhong, that Deputy Factory Director Li's escaped fish, He Weiguo and He Xianghong are criminals' children, will never hold their heads high, and even as adults they'll have to go to prison.

Let's break: It's mainly some of the Siheyuan residents who used to call Master He by nicknames; now they're backstabbing Simple Zhu in every way, even speaking badly of him to Yu Li's face, openly saying he'll end up in jail like Liu Haizhong, that Deputy Factory Director Li's escaped fish, He Weiguo and He Xianghong are criminals' children, will never hold their heads high, and even as adults they'll have to go to prison.

Interpretation: Mainly some residents of the Siheyuan, who used to call He Shifu (maybe He Master) long and short, now they start backstabbing Shazhu in all aspects, even in front of Yu Li saying bad things, straight saying Shazhu will end up in jail like Liu Haizhong, what Deputy Factory Director Li's escaped fish, He Weiguo and He Xianghong are children of criminals, will never be able to hold their heads up, even when grown up they'll have to go to jail.

We need to keep terms: Siheyuan, Liu Haizhong, Deputy Factory Director Li, He Weiguo, He Xianghong. Also 'Master He' can be translated as 'Master He'.

Thus translation: "Mainly, some residents of the Siheyuan, who used to address Master He long and short, now began to backstab Shazhu in every way; even in front of Yu Li they spoke ill words, bluntly saying Shazhu would end up in jail like Liu Haizhong, what with Deputy Factory Director Li's escaped fish, He Weiguo and He Xianghong being children of criminals, never able to hold their heads up, and even when grown they'd have to go to jail."

We need to keep it one line.

Yu Li couldn't accept any of this; she got into a heated argument with the other party, grabbed a stick, and smashed the glass of the Jia family's house across the way.

Translation: "Yu Li couldn't accept this, she had a big argument with the other party, grabbed a stick, and knocked on the glass of the Jia Family diagonally opposite."

Ever since Bai Xu was closed down.

Translation: "Since Bai Xu was sealed off."

Jia Zhangshi is the most outspoken of them, and those remarks were all made by her.

Translation: "It was Jia Zhangshi who was the most outspoken, and those remarks were all made by Jia Zhangshi."

Simple Zhu, however, expressed understanding.

Translation: "Shazhu, however, expressed understanding."

It's just a matter of looking out for oneself.

Translation: "It's just wise self-preservation."

The residents who had just gone through a rainstorm hadn't yet recovered from that violent storm when they were faced with the news that Bai Xu was under investigation.

Translation: "The residents who had just experienced a rainstorm hadn't yet recovered from that violent storm when they encountered the matter of Bai Xu being investigated."

They instinctively linked the two, guessing the worst, just as when Liu Haizhong caused chaos in the Siheyuan, and everyone took a bystander stance.

Translation: "They subconsciously linked the two, speculating with the worst intentions, just as when Liu Haizhong wreaked havoc in the Siheyuan; everyone adopted a bystander attitude."

Keeping one's distance is also reasonable.

Translation: "Keeping a respectful distance is also understandable."

You can't blame others just because the residents want to stay out of danger.

Translation: "It's not possible to blame others just because the residents want to avoid danger."

That's just human nature.

Translation: "That's human nature."

If Simple Zhu were in the residents' shoes, he'd do the same.

Translation: "If Shazhu were in the residents' position, he would do the same."

However, Yu Li had no idea about any of this, nor did You Fengxia; the two were merely guessing based on old assumptions, and they presumptuously decided to speak up for Simple Zhu.

Translation: "However, Yu Li didn't know any of this, nor did You Fengxia; the two were guessing randomly based on old habits, and presumptuously decided to speak up for Shazhu."

They aren't to blame.

Translation: "No blame on them."

After all, they didn't know.

Translation: "After all, they didn't know."

He smiled.

Translation: "He smiled."

He patted Yu Li on the shoulder and gave You Fengxia a look that said, "I've got this under control."

Translation: "He patted Yu Li's shoulder with his hand and gave You Fengxia a look that said 'I've got everything.'"

"Don't overthink it; there's nothing going on. Just keep your hearts honest and put your worries aside. After a while, once the higher-ups investigate and clarify the truth, everything will be okay."

Translation: "\"Don't wild-guess, there's nothing; just keep your hearts honest, after a while, once the higher-ups investigate and clarify the truth, everything will be OK. \""

"What do you mean 'okay'? Didn't you hear what that old woman across the way said? She claimed our family aren't good people, said Weiguo and the others are going to jail, even suggested that Bangeng hit Xianghong, said that once our family goes to jail the house will all go to Xianghong, said Bangeng would reluctantly marry Xianghong, you've seen shameless old women, but you've never seen such a shameless old woman."

Translation: "\"What OK? Didn't you hear what that old woman across the way said? She said our family aren't good people, that Weiguo and the others will go to jail, even letting Bangeng have the idea to hit Xianghong, saying that once our family goes to jail, the house will all belong to Xianghong, saying Bangeng reluctantly marrying Xianghong, having seen shameless old women, never seen such a shameless old woman. \""

"You're angry, and it's hurting your health; Jia Zhangshi would be even happier. I'm telling you there's nothing wrong, so there's nothing wrong—this is a good time for us to rest properly."

Translation: "\"You're angry, anger will harm your body, Jia Zhangshi will be happier; I say it's fine, it's fine, good time to rest a bit. \""

Simple Zhu said carelessly.

Translation: "Shazhu said carelessly."

He turned his gaze toward You Fengxia.

Translation: "He turned his gaze to You Fengxia."

"Fengxia, don't overthink either, and you certainly shouldn't do things just because you think they're right; I know what to do, and I know what will happen later."

Translation: "\"Fengxia, you also shouldn't wild-guess, and you mustn't do what you think you should; I know what to do, and I know what will happen later. \""

"Brother-in-law."

Translation: "\"Brother-in-law. \""

"I estimate this will be settled in about seven or eight days; by then we'll definitely have things to keep us busy. In the meantime, let's take a stroll and wander around."

Translation: "\"I estimate this matter will have a conclusion in seven or eight days; by then there will surely be things for us to busy ourselves with, so during this time, wander around, stroll. \""

You Fengxia nodded.

Translation: "You Fengxia nodded."

But in her mind she was thinking of scheming against the Jia family.

Translation: "But in her heart she was thinking of schemes against the Jia Family."

Jia Zhangshi urged Bangeng to scheme against You Fengxia.

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi incited Bangeng to scheme against You Fengxia."

You Fengxia also knew.

Translation: "You Fengxia also knew."

At that time she couldn't be bothered to deal with it.

Translation: "At that time she couldn't be bothered to deal with it."

Nowadays.

Translation: "Now."

She suddenly thought of using Bangeng to scheme against Jia Zhangshi; if Bangeng marries and cuts ties with Jia Zhangshi, aiming to send her back to her rural hometown, I don't know if Jia Zhangshi could still smile.

Translation: "She suddenly had the thought of using Bangeng to scheme against Jia Zhangshi; if Bangeng wanted to marry, break ties with Jia Zhangshi, and drive Jia Zhangshi back to his rural hometown, she didn't know whether Jia Zhangshi could still laugh."

……

Translation: "……" (ellipsis). Keep as is.

Factory Director Yang stood respectfully before the great leader.

Translation: "Factory Director Yang stood respectfully before the great leader."

He handed the complaint letters from the Yagangchang factory's suggestion box to the great leader.

Translation: "He handed the report letters from the Yagangchang report box to the great leader."

In the past.

Translation: "In the past."

These complaint letters were all handled by Factory Director Yang.

Translation: "These report letters were all handled by Factory Director Yang."

But now, because the contents are all accusations against Simple Zhu.

Translation: "But now, because the contents are all reports about Shazhu."

Regarding Simple Zhu's matter, Factory Director Yang couldn't decide on his own, so he drove overnight to the great leader's presence and laid out these complaint letters one by one before him.

Note: 'face' likely means 'before the great leader'.

After a long while.

Translation: "After a long while."

The great leader casually placed the inspected complaint letters on the table.

Translation: "The great leader casually placed the report letters he had read on the table."

He took off his glasses.

Translation: "He took off his glasses."

He rubbed his eyes.

Translation: "He rubbed his eyes with his hand."

He turned his gaze to Factory Director Yang.

Translation: "He turned his gaze to Factory Director Yang."

"What do you think?"

Translation: "\"What do you think? \""

"Some of Hao Yuzhu's practices are pioneering and innovative, like the layout of the second-floor private rooms at Bai Xu, which well considered some people's privacy and also reflected a certain standard."

Translation: "\"Some of He Yuzhu's practices are very pioneering and innovative, like the layout of the private rooms on the second floor of Bai Xu, which well considered some people's privacy and also reflected a sense of class. \""

"That's why people reported him for licentious behavior."

Translation: "\"That's why people reported him for doing licentious things. \""

"Leader, I'll speak from the heart: Hao Yuzhu's arrangements at Bai Xu have opened my eyes; looking at it from a market perspective, as long as we open up, the result will surely be a hit. You might not know that the state-run restaurant's rule forbidding random scolding of customers was abolished by Hao Yuzhu, who instituted a smile service, meaning that future diners will all be treated like family. Also, regarding uniform attire, let me say without fear of your laughter: at the Yagangchang factory we still have to prepare a set of work clothes for people, and at Bai Xu we also prepare a set of work clothes, which is reasonable, yet some people look down on it, calling it the restoration of the wealthy."

Interpretation: "Leader, let me speak from the heart, He Yuzhu's arrangements at Bai Xu have opened my eyes; looking at problems from a market perspective, as long as we open up, it will surely be a booming result; you might not know, the slogan in state-run restaurants that forbids randomly scolding customers has been canceled by He Yuzhu; he stipulated what smile service is, meaning that future diners will all be treated as family. Also, regarding uniform attire, let me say something you might not laugh at: in Yagangchang we still have to prepare a set of work clothes for people, at Bai Xu we also prepare a set of work clothes, which is reasonable, yet some people look askance, saying it's the restoration of the wealthy."

We need to keep the terms Bai Xu and Yagangchang. Also, the translations are: state-run restaurant, smile service, uniform attire, work clothes, and the restoration of the wealthy. We'll translate.

Thus: "\"Leader, let me speak from the heart, He Yuzhu's arrangements at Bai Xu have opened my eyes; viewing problems from a market angle, as long as we open up, it will surely be a booming result; you might not know, the slogan in state-run restaurants that forbids randomly scolding customers has been canceled by He Yuzhu; he stipulated what smile service is, meaning that future diners will all be treated as family. Also, regarding uniform attire, let me say something you might not laugh at: in Yagangchang we still have to prepare a set of work clothes for people, at Bai Xu we also prepare a set of work clothes, which is reasonable, yet some people look askance, saying it's the restoration of the wealthy. \""

"You, I think I understand what you mean; you've come to speak up for Hao Yuzhu. Don't worry, this matter should be fine; if we wait patiently a few days, everything will be okay."

Translation: "\"You, I think I understand your meaning; you've come to speak up for He Yuzhu, don't worry, this matter should be fine; after patiently waiting a few days, everything will be alright. \""

"Leader."

You still have something to do?

It's fine.

It's fine, why don't you head back?

Should I let He Yuzhu know?

No need, perfect to test that kid.

Then I'll be going.

……

Siheyuan.

Shazhu had a cigarette dangling from his mouth, idly strolling around the courtyard.

After being busy for so long.

Suddenly he stopped.

He felt a bit unaccustomed.

He then held a cigarette in his mouth, standing like a wooden post in the courtyard.

He finished a cigarette.

He tossed the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out with his foot.

Just as he lifted his head.

A cigarette appeared in front of Shazhu.

Shazhu chuckled.

He reached out, took it, lit it with a lighter, took a few strong drags, and blew out a smoke ring.

San Daye, that's not your style.

You little Shazhu, you still have the mind to joke with San Daye.

Yan Fugui chuckled, his heart settled; although the situation seemed tumultuous, in fact Shazhu hadn't taken it to heart at all, otherwise he wouldn't have had the thought to joke with him.

Seeing you like this, San Daye also felt relieved.

San Daye, do you have it figured out?

Not that I have it figured out, but I feel you'll be fine. Over these years, you, He Yuzhu, are the only person San Daye can't see through. Back when your father went to Baocheng, you were sixteen, Yushui was six, the people of the Siheyuan had shifting thoughts, yet you kid managed to carve out a bloody path, thwarting Yi Zhonghai's plans. Not long after, your days became the best in our Siheyuan; you married a decent wife, joined the Yagangchang, got on good terms with Deputy Factory Director Li, and have lived safely to this day. I believe you'll be fine.

San Daye, never mind, I won't say it.

What do you want to say?

I don't want to say anything.

You're looking at the Jia Family? Shazhu, San Daye won't hide it from you: the Jia Family has a good show to watch.

How come I don't feel that?

"You're always busy with your own affairs, the courtyard's matters, you basically have no energy to attend to them." Yan Fugui casually tossed a small object into Shazhu's hand, "Today I went to the secondhand market, saw this little thing, it's pretty good, you helped our family's third son a great big favor, no other meaning, I'm giving it to you, hoping it brings you luck."

I didn't run that errand for nothing either.

Even if it wasn't for nothing, San Daye still remembers your kindness.

The two chatted idly for a while.

Each went home.