Chapter 63

Shazhu suddenly thought of the person he had just knocked down.

Translation: Shazhu suddenly thought of the person he had just knocked down.

Shazhu suddenly thought of the person he had just knocked down.

He hadn't noticed before.

Translation: He hadn't noticed before.

Now, thinking about it.

Translation: Now thinking about it.

That person really is suspicious.

Translation: That person really is suspicious.

His speech wasn't very smooth; it was a bit incoherent.

Translation: His speech wasn't very smooth, a bit incoherent.

Someone reported that the name He Daqing carried the idea of restoring the former dynasty.

Translation: Someone reported that He Daqing's name had ideas of restoring the previous dynasty.

Someone reported that He Daqing's name carried the idea of restoring the former dynasty.

Courtesy demands reciprocity.

Translation: Courtesy demands reciprocity.

We also need to put on a show.

Translation: One also has to put on a show.

"Director Wang, hearing you say that just now, I suddenly recalled that I seemed to have knocked over a strange person."

Translation: "Director Wang, hearing you say that just now, I suddenly recalled that I seemed to have knocked over a strange person just now."

The head of public security glanced at Shazhu.

The head of public security looked at Shazhu.

"What kind of strange person?"

Translation: "What kind of strange person?"

"He was wearing glasses, and I accidentally knocked them off; he searched for them like a blind person."

Translation: "He was wearing glasses; I accidentally knocked his glasses off, and he searched for them like a blind man."

The head of public security.

The head of public security.

The expression on his face.

Translation: "The expression on his face."

It gradually became solemn.

Translation: "Gradually became solemn."

A person like a blind man.

Translation: "A person like a blind man."

He thought of a person.

He thought of a person.

Anqiu Special Agency Chief He Tenggui San.

Anqiu Special Agency Chief He Tenggui San.

After the Japanese were defeated, He Tenggui San was seized by Jia Gui and Huang Jinbiao; also taken were the head of Anqiu, Ye Zij Zhengchuan, and his personal translator Xue Xueli. No one knows what method He Tenggui San used, but he somehow turned himself into a member of the bald faction. After the bald faction was defeated, He Tenggui San mysteriously disappeared, along with several top‑grade national treasures.

After the Japanese were defeated,

He Tenggui San was seized by Jia Gui and Huang Jinbiao,

Also seized were the head of Anqiu, Ye Zij Zhengchuan, and his personal translator Xue Xueli.

Thus: "Also seized were the head of Anqiu, Ye Zij Zhengchuan, and his personal translator, Xue Xueli."

No one knows what method He Tenggui San used,

He actually transformed himself into a member of the bald faction,

After the bald faction was defeated,

He Tenggui San mysteriously disappeared,

Along with him, several top‑grade national treasures also disappeared.

We'll produce a smooth translation.

The Flying Goose Scroll jointly written by Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi.

Translation: "The Flying Goose Scroll jointly written by Wang Xizhi and his son Wang Xianzhi."

The timeless roster personally written by Emperor Taizong of Tang, on which the founding emperors of the Song and Ming dynasties, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhu Yuanzhang, both left annotations.

Translation: "The timeless roster personally written by Li Shimin, on which the founding emperors of the Song dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, and the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, both made annotations."

If it weren't for these few treasures.

Translation: "If it weren't for these few treasures."

How many years have passed since the deaths of the investigative team captain Jia Gui, the security team captain Huang Jinbiao, and the personal translator Xue Xueli?

Translation: "Detective Squad Captain Jia Gui, Security Squad Captain Huang Jinbiao, and personal translator Xue Xueli have been dead for many years."

Jia Gui, Huang Jinbiao, and Xue Xueli are being used as bait, hoping to locate He Tenggui San through them and recover these timeless treasures.

Translation: "Jia Gui, Huang Jinbiao, and Xue Xueli were used as bait, hoping to find He Tenggui San's whereabouts through them and recover these timeless treasures."

"This person speaks strangely; his accent doesn't sound like someone from our country. He's incoherent. I bumped into him, and he said he was fine, but he couldn't possibly be fine. It's not my fault; it's his. Out of the blue, I took a huge tumble, and I face death without fear."

Translation: "\"This person's speech is also strange; his accent sounds a bit non‑Chinese, he's incoherent. I bumped into him, he said he was fine and couldn't be at fault—this isn't my responsibility, it's his. Out of the blue a thunderclap, I took a huge tumble, I regard death as homecoming. \"" Need to keep meaning.

Better: "\"This person talks weirdly; his accent sounds a bit foreign, he's incoherent. I hit him, he said he was okay and couldn't be blamed—this isn't my fault, it's his. Out of nowhere a thunderclap, I fell hard, I treat death as returning home. \""

The head of public security.

The head of public security.

He could no longer restrain himself.

Translation: "Could no longer bear it."

He pulled out a slightly yellowed photograph from his pocket.

Translation: "He pulled out a slightly yellowed photo from his pocket."

He pointed at the person in the photo.

Translation: "He pointed at the person in the photo."

"Let's see if this is him."

Translation: "\"See if this is him. \""

Shazhu examined him closely.

Translation: "Shazhu examined him closely."

Don't say it.

Translation: "Don't say."

It really is him.

Translation: "It really is him."

"That's right, it's him."

Translation: "\"That's right, it's him. \""

"Where did you run into him?"

Translation: "\"Where did you encounter him? \""

Shazhu was about to name the place, but then he reconsidered, realizing that revealing where he had bumped into that strange person—especially if it coincided with the incident where Director Wang led people to investigate the deaf old lady's identity—might draw suspicion. So he spoke softly, so only he and the head of public security could hear.

Translation: "Shazhu was about to name the place, but then he thought: if he said where he'd bumped into that strange person, and if it happened while Director Wang was leading people to investigate the deaf old lady's identity, Shazhu might be suspected, so he spoke very softly, a sound only he and the head public security could hear."

"Alright, we know about this now." The head of public security, having gained such a big favor from Shazhu, would certainly repay the kindness, and he told the residents of the courtyard: "The matter of He Daqing has been cleared up; it has nothing to do with He Yuzhu. Neighbors, stop guessing wildly—He Yuzhu is He Yuzhu, and He Daqing is He Daqing."

Translation: "\"Alright, we know about this now. \" The head public security, having gained a big favor from Shazhu, would surely repay the kindness, and addressing the Siheyuan residents said: \"The matter of He Daqing has been cleared up; it has nothing to do with He Yuzhu. Neighbors, stop guessing wildly—He Yuzhu is He Yuzhu, He Daqing is He Daqing. \""

Having said that,

Translation: "Having said that,"

He led a few police officers away.

Translation: "He led a few public security officers away."

The hearts of the courtyard residents also settled.

Translation: "The hearts of the Siheyuan residents also settled."

As long as Shazhu is unharmed, that's good.

Translation: "As long as Shazhu is fine."

Otherwise, the whole courtyard would have to take the blame for Shazhu.

Translation: "Otherwise the whole Siheyuan would have to take the blame for Shazhu."

"Jia Zhangshi, don't go."

Translation: "\"Jia Zhangshi, don't go. \""

Xu Daming shouted to stop Jia Zhangshi, who was trying to slip away upon seeing the situation turn bad.

Translation: "Xu Daming shouted to stop Jia Zhangshi, who was trying to slip away seeing the situation turn bad."

Xu Daming, seething with resentment, had long wanted to take revenge on the Jia family.

Translation: "Xu Daming, seething with anger, had long wanted to take revenge on the Jia family."

He seized the opportunity.

Translation: "He seized the opportunity."

Just now Shazhu morally blackmailed Yi Zhonghai, and Xu Daming could also use the pretext of venting Shazhu's anger to give the Jia family a stern beating.

Translation: "Just now Shazhu morally blackmailed Yi Zhonghai; Xu Daming could also use the pretext of venting for Shazhu to harshly deal with the Jia family."

"Just now the public security comrades didn't say a word, yet you, Jia Zhangshi, rushed to claim Shazhu's bicycle had a problem, speaking in a sarcastic, backhanded way. What kind of neighbor are you?"

Translation: "\"Just now the public security comrades said nothing, yet you, Jia Zhangshi, hurriedly claimed Shazhu's bicycle had a problem, speaking in a sarcastic tone—what kind of neighbor are you? \""

Xu Daming incited the crowd.

Translation: "Xu Daming incited the crowd."

"Shazhu bought a bicycle, and for any big or small matter in the courtyard, he always puts the neighbors' needs first. When Old Li's child in the back courtyard fell ill and needed to be rushed to the hospital, Shazhu lent his bicycle without hesitation. When Old Yang's son in the front courtyard got married, Shazhu lent his bicycle to the young groom. The neighbors all remember Shazhu's kindness, so why do you, the Jia family, focus on his faults? Saying this to the face of Dongxu's wife Qin Hairu, aren't you afraid she might change her mind about marrying you?"

Translation: "\"Shazhu bought a bicycle; for any big or small matter in our courtyard, he always first thinks of the neighbors. When Old Li's son in the back courtyard fell ill and needed to be rushed to the hospital, Shazhu lent his bicycle without a word. When Old Yang's son in the front courtyard married, Shazhu lent his bicycle to Little Yang. The Siheyuan neighbors all remember Shazhu's kindness—why do you, the Jia family, only remember his bad side? Saying this to Dong Xu's wife Qin Huairu's face, aren't you afraid Qin Huairu might change her mind and not marry? \""

Yi Zhonghai's heart.

Translation: "Yi Zhonghai's heart."

It pounded wildly.

Translation: "Race wildly."

After Xu Daming's reminder,

Translation: "Having been reminded by Xu Daming like this,"

Only then did the hypocrite realize his scheme, which had almost been ruined by Jia Zhangshi.

Translation: "Only then did the hypocrite realize his own scheme, nearly ruined by Jia Zhangshi."

He glanced at Jia Zhangshi.

Translation: "He glanced at Jia Zhangshi."

"Jia family woman, Xu Daming is right—do you really want your family's Dongxu to do well? As neighbors, what exactly are you trying to do? Isn't it that the neighbors are secretly stabbing your Jia family in the back, preventing Dongxu from getting a permanent position, and you're just pleased with that?"

Translation: "\"Jia family woman, Xu Daming is right—do you or do you not want your family's Dong Xu to be well? As neighbors, what exactly do you want to do? Isn't it that the neighbors are secretly stabbing your Jia family in the back, preventing Dong Xu from getting a regular position, and you, Jia family woman, are just pleased with yourself? \""

The tone shifted.

Translation: "The tone shifted."

He lavished praise on Qin Hairu.

Translation: "He lavishly praised Qin Huairu."

"Fortunately, Qin Hairu is a well‑educated, reasonable girl who knows this was an unintentional mistake. If it were anyone else, they'd surely think you, the Jia family woman, had gone mad and were a wicked mother‑in‑law. Having such a good daughter‑in‑law as Qin Hairu, you should secretly rejoice."

Translation: "\"Fortunately Qin Huairu is a well‑read, reasonable good girl, knowing this was your unintentional mistake. If it were someone else, they'd surely think you, Jia family woman, had gone mad and were a wicked mother‑in‑law. Having such a fine daughter‑in‑law as Qin Huairu, you, Jia family woman, can secretly rejoice. \""

Yi Zhonghai was merely worried that Qin Huairu would really listen to Xu Daming's words and not marry Jia Dongxu.

If such a thing really happened.

The fun would be great.

"Huairu, your mother-in-law is also worried about being implicated; don't take it to heart, you should understand your mother-in-law—she's raising Jia Dongxu all by herself."

Qin Huairu smiled.

Xu Daming was lovesick.

Qin Huairu, who only turned eighteen after the New Year.

It was the prime of her youth.

Speaking frankly.

Xu Daming really wanted to do something with Qin Huairu, but Jia Dongxu kept a close watch, Yi Zhonghai guarded her strictly, and Xu Daming never had a chance to make a move.

Seeing the neighbors go their separate ways.

Xu Daming didn't know what he had thought of, turned and went into Shazhu's room.

He didn't treat himself as an outsider.

He poured himself a big tub of hot water.

"Xu Daming, you really don't treat yourself as an outsider."

"What you said—I, Xu Daming, am your brother; since we're brothers, why be polite?"

"Xu Daming, have you run into trouble?"

Just looking at Xu Daming's expression,

you could tell he wasn't very happy inside.

Something's up.

"Could it be that seeing Jia Dongxu is going to marry Qin Huairu has made you itch with desire?"

"Bull." Xu Daming glared, "I'm not that kind of guy; I'm not lacking women."

Shazhu wore a look of disdain.

He's still not that kind of person.

Today he was wandering around the siheyuan again.

He was surely still scheming to mess with Qin Huairu.

"That thing I told you about last time—he fucked it up."

"Did you screw up the age‑changing thing?"

To pick up girls.

Xu Daming really went all out.

He had specially increased his age, preparing for a passionate romance with Wang Yaling from the Statistics Section, but ended up accidentally decreasing his age instead.

Xu Daming, who turned eighteen after the New Year, had his age reduced by two years.

Shazhu thought Xu Daming was worried about this, and advised: "Xu Daming, give me a smile."

"What a load of bull, Shazhu—you say if I help that old couple adopt a kid, what do you think?"