Chapter 659

Having learned the inside story, Qin Jingru stood there dumbfounded, her hands trembling, revealing her fear and unease.

But we need to be faithful, not add extra. Let's break down:

Qin Jingru had learned the inside story.

Her whole body stood there dumbfounded.

Trembling hands.

Manifested her fear and unease about this matter.

We can combine: "Qin Jingru, who had learned the inside story, stood there dumbfounded, her trembling hands showing her fear and unease about this matter."

That seems fine.

We must keep 【1】 at start.

Strictly speaking.

Qin Jingru and Lou Xiaoe could be considered romantic rivals.

Initially, to marry into the city and live a good life, to enjoy the city's grain rations, Qin Jingru, faced with the eloquent and generous Xu Daming, was deeply impressed by just a few words from the Yagangchang film projector worker, and in a moment of bewilderment did something that even she herself found frightening.

She gave herself away.

At that time she learned that Xu Daming already had a wife.

Thinking that if she slept with Xu Daming and got pregnant, he would have to marry her; as for Xu Daming's wife, Lou Xiaoe, Qin Jingru truly didn't take her to heart.

A young lady from a poor background.

What's there to be arrogant about?

The result was that Xu Daming divorced Lou Xiaoe and married Qin Jingru.

After Lou Xiaoe's divorce, Qin Jingru knew what kind of life she lived and what misfortunes she faced, and that the whole family was nearly destroyed by Xu Daming's informing.

A deadly grudge against the family.

How could it not be avenged?

She came filled with hatred!

No wonder Xu Daming was defeated so miserably—he even kowtowed and apologized publicly to those scoundrels in the Siheyuan.

Qin Jingru worried that Lou Xiaoe still held a grudge against Xu Daming and against her, Qin Jingru, and was thinking of taking revenge on the couple.

When did the arm twist past the thigh?

She truly was no match for Lou Xiaoe.

Qin Jingru panicked!

She came up with a nasty idea to have Xu Daming flee.

Xu Daming didn't listen to her, because he knew that even if Lou Xiaoe took revenge, she would prioritize the Jia family; he Xu Daming perhaps still held some place in her heart before, but now Lou Xiaoe probably couldn't even be bothered to glance at him, and Xu Daming himself no longer had the thought of escaping.

Although the earlier events had some environmental factors.

But what Xu Daming did wasn't exactly proper either—he divorced Lou Xiaoe and then wiped out her whole family; being retaliated against was understandable.

You Fengxia swindled Xu Daming out of all his wealth.

This also resulted in the depression from being deceived.

……

Inside the Yagangchang.

Qin Huairu suddenly felt like crying.

Looking back.

The appearance of Ran Qiuye shattered the last shred of Qin Huairu's fantasy about life, instantly destroying her so-called self-esteem.

Looking at Ran Qiuye's face, full of scholarly air, and her appearance much younger than her actual age.

Qin Huairu's thoughts.

She didn't know how to describe it in words.

She recalled that male teacher who made her blush just by looking at her, and she herself felt an inexplicable fondness for him, thinking that being together wouldn't be bad.

Yi Zhonghai's appearance shattered Qin Huairu's fantasy about life; it was Yi Zhonghai who gave her a competitive, vain mindset, making her think that as such a beautiful woman, spending her whole life cooped up in the countryside was a grievance.

Following Yi Zhonghai's advice, she married Jia Dongxu, moved into the Siheyuan, then fell into a pit of fire, living a life worse than death,

Three hundred sixty-five days a year, laboring for the Jia family three hundred sixty-five days, with work that never ends, toiling three hundred sixty-five days.

She toiled at a job comparable to that of an ox or horse, yet Jia Zhangshi constantly manipulated her.

Summer.

Not cold.

Just fear the bitterly cold days.

Washing the Jia family's clothes in the courtyard, Jia Zhangshi, under the pretense of saving, forbade Qin Huairu from using hot water, so Qin Huairu could only use cold water, her hands freezing red.

Even so.

Jia Zhangshi gave no thought to Qin Huairu's efforts, constantly saying that Qin Huairu's ability to eat the city's grain rations was thanks to the Jia family's influence, claiming that Qin Huairu's marriage into the city meant she lived a life of comfort envied by villagers.

If Jia Dongxu hadn't died, Qin Huairu would still have had something to hope for.

After Jia Dongxu's death, Qin Huairu completely lost any hope; Jia Zhangshi suddenly became even harsher, realizing she was easy to bully, and even blamed Jia Dongxu's death on Qin Huairu, outright saying Qin Huairu had killed him.

Taking advantage of her lazy, gluttonous disposition, they forced Qin Huairu to work for the Jia family; with no alternative, Qin Huairu could only do the task of dangling Shazhu.

Thereafter she helped the Jia family amass a great fortune.

But the appearance of Ran Qiuye.

Made Qin Huairu feel worthless; the reason she just fled in panic was because, in Ran Qiuye's eyes, she saw contempt for widows.

Regretting not having acted differently earlier.

……

Inside the Siheyuan.

Bangeng sat on the stool with a listless, lifeless expression.

He remained silent.

Even though Jia Zhangshi kept talking to him, he still acted like a deaf person who couldn't hear.

Looking at Bangeng, Jia Zhangshi was lost for words, not knowing what to say to keep him from being so lethargic, worried he might give up and end his life early; Jia Zhangshi was just Jia Zhangshi.

It could be said that she had unspeakable suffering.

She also knew she was wrong, realizing she shouldn't have gone to such lengths to find a partner for Bangeng, or else she wouldn't have this trouble now.

But what's done is done.

The matchmaking affair has become common knowledge, and Bangeng was thus expelled from the factory, leaving no room for redemption.

Bangeng

Want to correct it.

Too late.

Who allowed Jia Zhangshi to remain self-righteous, her mind set on marrying before Tang Yanling did, in order to bring honor to the Jia family.

Jia Zhangshi, Tang Yanling, Jia Family

It's meant to show those who look down on the Jia family or wish to see them humiliated that even if Shazhu dies, the Jia family remains lofty and unattainable to them.

Jia Family, Shazhu

They didn't expect that Bangeng would lose his job.

Bangeng

Bangeng, Grandma was wrong.

Bangeng

Jia Zhangshi gazed pitifully at Bangeng, uttering the words she had said countless times without realizing it.

Jia Zhangshi, Bangeng

As time passed.

Bangeng remained as stiff as a wooden puppet.

Bangeng

Only when Xiao Geng's call for his mother rang out did Bangeng, who had stood like a wooden puppet for over an hour, finally react.

Xiao Geng, Bangeng

He turned his head.

He stared straight at Xiao Geng.

Xiao Geng

Your mom went to a faraway place!

No names.

You lied to me; my mom didn't go to a faraway place, she's in the capital, I want my mom, I want to find my mom.

Capital City

The cry for mother.

Like a lit fuse, it instantly ignited the repressed anger in Bangeng's heart from being expelled from the unit.

Bangeng

I can't handle He Yushui, I can't handle Lou Xiaoe, I can't handle that guy, and I still can't handle you, a little brat.

He Yushui

He seized Xiao Geng, pinned him to the table, grabbed a feather duster, and whipped his son's little rear, warning you not to anger him again.

Xiao Geng

A feather duster is indeed a great tool for beating children.

It landed on the buttocks.

That's called 'blossoming everywhere'.

A searing pain shot through Xiao Geng's body, and in his anguish he yearned for his mother, her mouth instantly filling with desperate cries for her.

Xiao Geng

I want my mom, Mom, where are you? Mom, I want my mom, I don't want to be with you, I hate you, you drove my mom away, Mom, I miss you.

No names.

The sound of crying.

It tore through the void.

It flew into the ears of everyone in the courtyard.

Siheyuan

Some old neighbors thought they were hallucinating, feeling as if they'd been transported back to the era when Liu Haizhong beat Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu; listening closely, the commotion seemed to come from the central courtyard, and the content of the sounded somewhat familiar.

Liu Haizhong, Liu Guangtian, Liu Guangfu, Zhong Yuan

Then everything became clear.

The Jia family's affairs.

Jia Family

He was shouting for Mom.

Who allowed the Jia family's Bangeng to divorce Tang Yanling within the courtyard, and then Jia Zhangshi lied to Xiao Geng, saying Tang Yanling had died and that from now on he could only have a stepmother.

Siheyuan, Jia Family, Bangeng, Tang Yanling, Jia Zhangshi, Xiao Geng

Is this what a great-grandmother says when educating a great-grandson?

Great-grandmother

Well, heh.

Strange.

As a professional protector of offspring, how could Jia Zhangshi just watch Jia Dongxu beat Xiao Geng like that?

Jia Zhangshi, Jia Dongxu, Xiao Geng

Some neighbors muttered, the Jia family's traditions are eternal; Xiao Geng's behavior bears some resemblance to Bangeng's earlier outstanding demeanor, the courtyard is unusually mischievous—smashing neighbors' windows and such—occasionally they do that, and Jia Zhangshi still claims it's not Xiao Geng's doing, protecting the young.

Jia Family, Xiao Geng, Bangeng, Siheyuan, Jia Zhangshi

He deserved to be beaten.

It's a bit late to hit him now.

As the old saying goes.

A sapling that doesn't rest won't become a beam.

Seven- or eight-year-old Xiao Geng has already set his ways; Bangeng beating him half to death would hardly correct his mistaken behavior, and Xiao Geng feels anxious and still resents Bangeng.

Xiao Geng, Bangeng

With Jia Zhangshi around, the Jia family fares poorly; the neighbors personally witnessed Bangeng being ruined by Jia Zhangshi's teachings, and also saw her excessively spoiling Xiao Geng.

Jia Zhangshi, Jia Family, Bangeng, Xiao Geng

…… No.

Jia Family

Bangeng didn't stop; after the feather duster tired him out, he tossed it aside, switched hands, swung a big palm, and struck Xiao Geng's buttocks with all

Translation: "Bangeng, Xiao Geng"

Translation: "Either don't hit him."

Translation: "Or hit him hard."

Translation: "There's nothing else on my mind."

Translation: "I just want to vent my resentment; since you, Jia Zhangshi, dote on your great-grandson, I'll strike the one you cherish."

Translation: "Jia Zhangshi"

Translation: "I'll make you feel sorry."

Translation: "He slammed his palm down again and again onto Xiao Geng."

Translation: "Xiao Geng"

Translation: "Xiao Geng was repeatedly struck, his teeth bared as he cried for his mother, even saying he wouldn't call Bangeng 'dad' or acknowledge him as his father."

Translation: "Xiao Geng, Bangeng"

Translation: "Thus."

Translation: "This further enraged Bangeng."

Translation: "Bangeng"

Translation: "He eats my food, wears my clothes, spends my money, and refuses to call me dad."

Translation: "What else is this if not a white-eyed wolf?"

Translation: "He increased his force."

Translation: "You little brat, are you still looking for your mom? I tell you, your mom is dead, you have no mom."

Wuu wuu wuu…

The burning pain on his buttocks made Xiao Geng feel both ecstatic and agonized, and at the same time he turned his pleading gaze toward Jia Zhangshi, hoping she would intervene.

In the past.

Stirring up trouble.

Jia Zhangshi was always the first to protect him.

Too bad.

Jia Zhangshi was like a mud Buddha crossing the river, unable to save herself, so she ignored Xiao Geng's plea for help, and she also felt some resentment: "This child, how could he say he doesn't acknowledge Bangeng as his father?"

Just because of that remark.

This beating.

He deserved it.

Lost in thought, Jia Zhangshi failed to notice the faint hint of resentment gradually appearing in Xiao Geng's eyes.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi not help him and letting Bangeng whip him, Xiao Geng even began to resent the Jia Zhangshi he loved most, his great-grandmother.

He resented Jia Zhangshi for watching him get beaten without helping.

He resented Bangeng for whipping him.

The white-eyed wolf trait was gradually being activated by Bangeng.

He thought of his mother, decided that soon he would sneak out to find his mother, and would no longer play with the Jia family members, come what may.

Smack!

Smack!

At first, Jia Zhangshi could stay calm; even seeing Bangeng's stance of vowing not to stop until Xiao Geng was subdued, she didn't panic much.

Even a tiger does not devour its own young.

No matter how resentful Bangeng is, he is still human, and Xiao Geng is his son, the continuation of his bloodline; the blood relationship is there.

He mistakenly thought that a few strikes from Bangeng on Xiao Geng would vent his resentment, and the matter would be over, settled.

But as the situation inside the house intensified, Jia Zhangshi lost her composure, and a panicked expression appeared on Xiao Geng's face.

Visible to the naked eye.

Xiao Geng's buttocks swelled up, and faint traces of blood seeped through his pants.

Even so, Bangeng still had no intention of stopping, and continued to relentlessly spank his own son's buttocks.

The Jia family passes down only through male heirs.

If it's broken, then it's gone.

Jia Zhangshi grew a little panicked, she sucked in a breath of cold air, her mind filled with one thought: they couldn't keep beating him; if they continued, Xiao Geng couldn't endure it, and the Jia family might lose a future heir to carry on the incense.

If something happens to Xiao Geng.

Bangeng wouldn't have an easy time either.

If Bangeng is beaten to death, Qin Huairu will have to pay with her life.

Jia Zhangshi stepped forward and grabbed Bangeng's hand.

"Bangeng, don't hit him anymore; if you keep going, something will happen. Look, look down—his buttocks are all bruised from your blows, and you are his father."

"Don't interfere with my disciplining my son." Bangeng glared, completely disregarding Jia Zhangshi, saying, "How you educate my father is none of my business, but I will educate my son, and you had better not interfere."

"Even if you're disciplining your son, you can't do it like this." Jia Zhangshi pointed at Xiao Geng's buttocks, covered in fresh blood, her face full of anguish, "You call this educating a son? You're stabbing me in the lungs. I know I've done something wrong to you, but I also said I didn't mean it. If I had thought finding you a match would cost you your job, I wouldn't have bothered. We're not exactly experienced. If there's anything, come to me; I'll take the blame. Don't lay hands on the child—he still needs to carry on the Jia family's incense, Bangeng."

"Since you say that, let's talk." Bangeng stared at Jia Zhangshi, uttering word by word words that pierced her heart: "Needle-thief, gold-thief—you surely know this principle. How did you educate me? Tell me, you said our Jia family is poor, that the neighbors have things, and we take them, claiming it's an opportunity to do good deeds for the neighbors. Because I listened to your words, I stole chickens and dogs in the courtyard, bringing things back. You not only didn't educate me, you even said I did right. What kind of grandmother are you?"

Jia Zhangshi didn't know how to respond to Bangeng's questioning.

She put on a shameless face.

She gave an embarrassed smile.

"I'm done for; anyway, my mother can still keep company with Shazhu; Xiao Geng is done for, are you going to go out and keep company with men? Or is my mother Qin Huairu going to go out and keep company with men? You take the teachings you once gave me and apply them to my son—what exactly do you want to do? You personally told Xiao Geng to steal from neighbors' homes, and said that if caught, he must never admit it, the skill of lock-picking—don't tell me it wasn't you, this grandmother, who taught him that."

Jia Zhangshi was stunned.

The skill of lock-picking.

And it really wasn't her who taught Xiao Geng that.

This must have been Xiao Geng's own realization.

It seems the Jia family members are naturally gifted in this; I vaguely recall that Jia Dongxu seemed to have learned this on his own, without a teacher.