Chapter 64

Shazhu was scared silly by Xu Daming's remark.

Shazhu was scared silly by Xu Daming's remarks.

We need to keep 'Xu Daming'; the name is not in the glossary, but as a person's name it should be romanized as Xu Daming.

Thus: Shazhu was scared silly by Xu Daming's remarks.

Help Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt a child.

Help Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt a child.

How could Xu Daming have such an idea!

How could Xu Daming have such an idea! So: How could Xu Daming have such an idea!

This idea is too dangerous.

This idea is too dangerous. So: This idea is too dangerous.

Although Yi Zhonghai and his wife have always been worried about supporting their elders, they have the idea of letting Jia Dongxu help with elder care, but adopting a child would still offend the deaf elderly lady.

Although Yi Zhonghai and his wife have always been worried about supporting their elders, they have the idea of letting Jia Dongxu help with elder care, but adopting a child would still offend the deaf elderly lady.

We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: Although Yi Zhonghai and his wife have always been worried about supporting their elders, they have the idea of letting Jia Dongxu help with elder care, but adopting a child would still offend Long Laotaitai.

It was just me hearing wrong.

It was my own mishearing. So: I must have misheard.

Or maybe Xu Daming misspoke.

Or Xu Daming misspoke. So: Or Xu Daming misspoke.

"Shazhu, help the eldest uncle and his wife adopt a child—are you that shocked?"

"Shazhu, help the eldest uncle and his wife adopt a child, are you that shocked?"

"It's not that I'm shocked; it's that you, Xu Daming, are not the kind of person to do something like this."

"Not that I'm shocked, but you Xu Daming are not the kind of person to do such a thing." So: "It's not that I'm shocked, but you, Xu Daming, are not the kind of person to do such a thing."

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"How could you have such an idea?"

"How could you have such an idea?" So: "How could you have such an idea?"

"I learned it from you—you let the eldest uncle and his wife take good care of the elderly lady in the back courtyard, and even have them stew chicken for her at night."

"Learned from you, you let the eldest uncle and his wife properly take care of the old lady in the rear courtyard, and also let them stew chicken meat for the old lady at night." So: "I learned it from you—you let the eldest uncle and his wife properly look after the old lady in the rear courtyard, and even have them stew chicken for her at night."

Xu Daming answered Shazhu's question confidently, pointing to the sound of minced meat coming from the Yi household next door.

Xu Daming answered Shazhu's question confidently, pointing to the sound of minced meat coming from the Yi household. So: Xu Daming confidently answered Shazhu's question, pointing to the sound of minced meat coming from the Yi household.

"If you can do good deeds, then I can't—Shazhu, you say if I give the child to the eldest uncle and his wife as an adoption, giving them a surprise, wouldn't they be especially happy?"

"If you can do good deeds, then I can't do good deeds, Shazhu. You say if I give the child to the eldest uncle and his wife as an adoption, giving them a surprise, wouldn't they be especially happy?" So: "If you can do good deeds, then I can't do good deeds, Shazhu. You say if I give the child to the eldest uncle and his wife as an adoption, giving them a surprise, wouldn't they be especially happy?"

Shazhu guessed.

Shazhu guessed. So: Shazhu guessed.

Probably only the eldest aunt would truly be happy.

Probably only the eldest aunt would truly be happy. So: Probably only the eldest aunt would truly be happy.

After observing for a while, he found that the eldest aunt really had the idea of adopting a child, but she doesn't have authority over household matters.

Through observation over this period, he found that the eldest aunt really had the idea of adopting a child, but she couldn't decide family matters. So: Through observation over this period, he found that the eldest aunt really had the idea of adopting a child, but she couldn't decide family matters.

As for Yi Zhonghai,

As for Yi Zhonghai. So: As for Yi Zhonghai.

His thoughts about supporting the elders are all focused on Jia Dongxu.

His thoughts about supporting the elders are all on Jia Dongxu. So: His thoughts about supporting the elders are all on Jia Dongxu.

Xu Daming, acting on his own initiative to help Yi Zhonghai adopt a child, couldn't get past the deaf elderly lady; if she saw Xu Daming giving a child to Yi Zhonghai and his wife, she would be furious enough to want to kill him.

Xu Daming arbitrarily decided to help Yi Zhonghai adopt a child, but he couldn't get past Long Laotaitai; if Long Laotaitai saw Xu Daming give the child to Yi Zhonghai and his wife, she would have the heart to kill Xu Daming. So: Xu Daming arbitrarily decided to help Yi Zhonghai adopt a child, but he couldn't get past Long Laotaitai; if Long Laotaitai saw Xu Daming give the child to Yi Zhonghai and his wife, she would have the heart to kill Xu Daming.

Shazhu was also curious.

Shazhu was also curious. So: Shazhu was also curious.

If Xu Daming really came back with two children in front of the neighbors, saying the kids were helping Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt, what would the couple do, and how would this situation be resolved?

If Xu Daming really brought back two children, in front of the neighbors, saying the children were helping Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt, what would Yi Zhonghai and his wife do, and how would this be resolved? So: If Xu Daming really brought back two children, in front of the neighbors saying the children were to help Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt, what would Yi Zhonghai and his wife do, and how would this be settled?

Do we want this child?

Want this child? So: Want this child?

Or do we not want this child?

Or not want this child? So: Or not want this child?

If we want the child, Yi Zhonghai would have to make sacrifices; not to mention, it would still offend the deaf elderly lady.

If they want the child, Yi Zhonghai will have to pay, not to mention the lack of vigor, and they will also offend Long Laotaitai. So: If they want the child, Yi Zhonghai will have to pay, not to mention the lack of vigor, and they will also offend Long Laotaitai.

If we don't want the child, Yi Zhonghai's reputation would be ruined, and he couldn't stand it.

If they don't want the child, Yi Zhonghai's face will be thrown into the Pacific, and people won't be able to stand it. So: If they don't want the child, Yi Zhonghai's face will be thrown into the Pacific, and people won't be able to stand it.

"Xu Daming, I warn you: don't act on your own; you'd better consult the eldest uncle and his wife."

"Xu Daming, I warn you: don't act arbitrarily; you'd better consult the eldest uncle and his wife." So: "Xu Daming, I warn you: don't act arbitrarily; you'd better consult the eldest uncle and his wife."

Shazhu's reminder.

Shazhu's reminder. So: Shazhu's reminder.

In Xu Daming's view,

In Xu Daming's eyes. So: In Xu Daming's eyes.

It's just a provocation.

It's just provocation. So: It's just provocation.

"I understand."

"I understand." So: "I understand."

Xu Daming seemed unfazed, making Shazhu anticipate the scene of Xu Daming bringing a child into the courtyard.

Xu Daming's nonchalant attitude made Shazhu look forward to the scene of Xu Daming bringing the children into the siheyuan. So: Xu Daming's nonchalant attitude made Shazhu look forward to the scene of Xu Daming bringing the children into the siheyuan.

He also didn't expect that.

Also unexpected. So: Also unexpected.

Xu Daming actually wanted to solve the elder-care problem for Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

Xu Daming actually wanted to solve the elder-care problem for Yi Zhonghai and his wife. So: Xu Daming actually wanted to solve the elder-care problem for Yi Zhonghai and his wife.

Shazhu, sitting on the stool, heard Xu Daming shout from outside.

Shazhu, sitting on the stool, heard Xu Daming shout from outside. So: Shazhu, sitting on the stool, heard Xu Daming shout from outside.

"Director Wang, why are you bringing the public security officers again? Could it still be about Shazhu's father?"

"Director Wang, why have you brought the police again? Could it still be about Shazhu's father?" So: "Director Wang, why have you brought the police again? Could it still be about Shazhu's father?"

Shazhu leapt out in a single healthy step.

Shazhu leapt out in a healthy step. So: Shazhu leapt out in a healthy step.

He originally intended to educate Xu Daming.

Originally intended to educate Xu Daming. So: Originally intended to educate Xu Daming.

But when he saw Director Wang and the public security officers come into view,

But when he saw the figures of Director Wang and the police comrades come into view. So: But when he saw the figures of Director Wang and the police comrades come into view.

His pupils dilated enormously.

His pupils dilated enormously. So: His pupils dilated enormously.

How could the Wangs bring the public security officers again!

Why does the Wang-surname person bring the police again! So: Why does the Wang-surname person bring the police again!

Although the number of public security officers wasn't as large as last time, they all carried weapons, fully armed, which startled Shazhu and the residents of the courtyard.

Although the number of police wasn't as many as last time, they all carried weapons, fully armed, shocking Shazhu and also shocking the siheyuan residents. So: Although the number of police wasn't as many as last time, they all carried weapons, fully armed, shocking Shazhu and also shocking the siheyuan residents.

The people in the front courtyard rushed out.

The people in the front courtyard rushed out. So: The people in the front courtyard rushed out.

The people in the back courtyard also ran to the middle courtyard.

The people in the rear courtyard also ran to the central courtyard. So: The people in the rear courtyard also ran to the central courtyard.

As for the people in the middle courtyard, needless to say,

As for the people in the central courtyard, needless to say. So: As for the people in the central courtyard, needless to say.

Everyone thought they were coming for Shazhu again.

Everyone thought it was again aimed at Shazhu. So: Everyone thought it was again aimed at Shazhu.

Shazhu himself thought the same.

Shazhu himself thought so too. So: Shazhu himself thought so too.

"Director Wang, is this about He Daqing or not?"

"Director Wang, is it or isn't it about He Daqing?" So: "Director Wang, is it or isn't it about He Daqing?"

"Shazhu, don't worry; this time we came to your courtyard not because of you—is the deaf elderly lady in the back courtyard present?"

"Shazhu, don't worry, this time we came to your siheyuan not to target you; is Long Laotaitai in the rear courtyard?" So: "Shazhu, don't worry, this time we came to your siheyuan not to target you; is Long Laotaitai in the rear courtyard?"

Shazhu's first thought.

Shazhu's first thought. So: Shazhu's first thought.

It was Director Wang who saw his report letter and brought people to arrest the deaf elderly lady; besides this explanation, there is no other, and it doesn't make sense otherwise.

It was Director Wang who saw his report letter and brought people to arrest Long Laotaitai; besides this explanation, there is no other, and it wouldn't make sense otherwise. So: It was Director Wang who saw his report letter and brought people to arrest Long Laotaitai; besides this explanation, there is no other, and it wouldn't make sense otherwise.

If they came to console the deaf elderly lady, how would the two public security officers behind Director Wang explain it? Why aren't they holding any consolation gifts?

If they came to console Long Laotaitai, how would the two police behind Director Wang explain it? Why aren't they holding any consolation gifts? So: If they came to console Long Laotaitai, how would the two police behind Director Wang explain it? Why aren't they holding any consolation gifts?

The fact is obvious.

The facts are obvious. So: The facts are obvious.

They are simply here to arrest the deaf elderly lady.

They came to arrest Long Laotaitai. So: They came to arrest Long Laotaitai.

"Director Wang, the elderly lady is in the back courtyard—what happened to her?"

"Director Wang, the old lady is in the rear courtyard; what happened to her?" So: "Director Wang, the old lady is in the rear courtyard; what happened to her?"

Yi Zhonghai's face was filled with anxiety.

Yi Zhonghai's face was filled with anxiety. So: Yi Zhonghai's face was filled with anxiety.

I don't know if it's an act.

Don't know if it's feigned. So: Don't know if it's feigned.

Or if it comes from the heart.

Or genuine from the heart. So: Or genuine from the heart.

"Old Yi, Old Liu, Old Yan, we received a report saying the elderly lady is a hidden fugitive; you know the current situation, so I've brought public security officers to check on her and take her back to the subdistrict office to explain the circumstances."

"Old Yi, Old Liu, Old Yan, we received a report saying the old lady is a hidden fugitive; you know the current situation, I've brought police comrades to see the old lady and take her back to the street office to explain the situation." So: "Old Yi, Old Liu, Old Yan, we received a report saying the old lady is a hidden fugitive; you know the current situation, I've brought police comrades to see the old lady and take her back to the street office to explain the situation."

Is someone retaliating again?

A complaint came from the crowd.

Not big.

But everyone around could hear it.

Shazhu's heart suddenly sank.

The suspicion on him was completely cleared.

The first person reported in the Siheyuan was He Daqing; Director Wang brought the public security to investigate, and the person was Shazhu; shortly after, the incident of Long Laotaitai being reported occurred.

They deliberately created an illusion that Shazhu had been framed and was making false reports, presenting it to everyone.

In the eyes of some people.

Shazhu was also a victim.

He was innocently implicated by He Daqing.

"Don't talk nonsense, what crackdown and retaliation? We must trust the organization; the organization will not let a bad person go, nor will it wrong a good person. As long as we ourselves are fine, we need not fear this crackdown and retaliation."

Shazhu's few words.

They hit Director Wang's heart.

They are all residents of the Siheyuan.

Look at Shazhu's awareness, then look at yours—we all grew up eating cornbread, yet the gap in how we conduct ourselves is so huge.

"He Yuzhu is right; we should trust the organization. Let's disperse—I'll go to the Hou Yuan to look for the elderly lady."

Director Wang underestimated the Siheyuan neighbors' curiosity.

In the past, when other families argued,

they would be hotly discussed for several days.

let alone mention the incident of Long Laotaitai being reported and taken away.

Everyone wanted to see the miserable sight of Long Laotaitai down on her luck being arrested.

Not only did they not leave,

they also called out those who hadn't come out of their homes, each one staring curiously at the arrested Long Laotaitai.

This also took into account that Long Laotaitai was old and had bound feet; otherwise, she would have had to be handcuffed.

"Elderly lady, we all believe you are innocent."

The immoral Shazhu.

Inside, he was clearly delighted to death.

Yet he forced a fake expression on his face, saying you are innocent, though insincere.

Long Laotaitai looked at Shazhu, then at Yi Zhonghai, and at the crowd watching the excitement; her heart felt only infinite depression.

After much waiting, it was finally time for Yi Zhonghai's family to stew chicken.

He could eat chicken in the evening.

But then it happened that someone reported him as a fugitive.

This clearly meant not letting him eat that chicken.

According to Director Wang's meaning,

one had to follow them to the police station to explain the situation, wait until they finished the investigation, and then be released.

If today it could be finished, he could still make it to eat the chicken; if not finished today, he'd have to stay at the station. Whenever they finished the matter and released him, by then Yi Zhonghai's chicken would probably have turned to dung.

"Xiao Wang, my elderly lady is innocent."

"Whether she's innocent is not up to me to say; we need to investigate!"