Chapter 83: line with translation of chapter title

It's not that it won't be repaid.

It's not time yet.

Jia Dongxu had his hand blown apart by a firecracker—that's the karmic retribution for him getting Long Laotaitai to smash Xu Daming's window glass!

As a fitter.

It all comes down to a pair of dexterous hands.

If anything were to happen to him.

There's fun to be had watching.

I vaguely recall that in my previous life, Jia Dongxu only managed to scrape into a third-grade fitter position thanks to Yi Zhonghai's connections; I guess that's the crux of it.

It's going to rain.

Mother is going to remarry.

We can't just skip the New Year because Jia Dongxu got his hand blown apart by a firecracker, can we?

After Yi Zhonghai took Jia Dongxu to the hospital, Shazhu and the little girl began keeping watch for the New Year; in some places this custom is called 'enduring the year'.

Just not sleeping.

Whoever falls asleep first loses.

Shazhu ultimately lost to the little girl.

The next day.

Yawning, Shazhu stood at the doorway, stretched mightily, then hurried straight to the toilet; fortunately, no one had gotten up yet in the courtyard, so there was no line, and Shazhu quickly finished his business.

Coming out of the toilet.

He ran into Xu Daming head-on.

That bastard didn't come back to the courtyard last night—who knows where he was fooling around.

"Shazhu, you go to the toilet yourself!"

Shazhu froze.

Go to the toilet yourself.

Could it be that someone else could go to the toilet for you?

"Xu Daming, I'm not as good as you in this regard; I'll do it myself."

"Look at my mouth—I spoke rashly when I was anxious." Xu Daming turned his face toward Shazhu and asked: "I heard that last night you and Jia Dongxu had a firecracker showdown, and Jia Dongxu blew his hand off—nice work, buddy, I like it."

"Don't drag this out—I set off my firecrackers, Jia Dongxu set off his; how did I end up blowing his hand? Xu Daming, your window was smashed by Long Laotaitai."

"San Daye told me." Xu Daming wore a smug, assured look, adding: "I also know Jia Dongxu is behind this mischief—no matter, the Jia family's wedding is in a few days; we have plenty of time."

He's really a damn petty person.

The Jia family.

Just wait for misfortune.

Shazhu returned to the courtyard and saw everyone inside beginning to rise and get busy.

The first day of the New Year.

Can't linger in bed.

Even if someone really does linger in bed, the elders at home will remind them.

As for the children, there's no need for adults to specially wake them; they wake up early on their own. Some are eager for firecrackers, afraid they'll be late and miss the little firecrackers that haven't been lit yet but go flying off—this is also part of their New Year fun: picking up firecrackers to set off. Moreover, some little rascals deliberately toss the dud 'two-kick' among their playmates; seeing their companions get scared and cry or run away, they laugh happily.

Besides that.

Moreover, some little rascals are eyeing the New Year's money.

It represents the elders' blessing to the juniors; they don't care how much money, just seeking auspiciousness, symbolizing a year of peace, safety, health and well-being.

This is also why Shazhu found the little girl waiting indoors when he came home.

They've come to ask for New Year's money.

Shazhu pretended not to know.

"Yushui, you're up this early."

"Brother, happy New Year."

"Yushui, happy New Year to you too."

Yushui was stunned.

Then there's none.

The New Year's money.

"Brother, today is the first day of the lunar year."

"It's the New Year's money, right?"

He Yushui nodded frantically, his little face full of anticipation, his eyes also glimmering with hope.

"Yushui, first explain this to me."

Shazhu placed He Yushui's essay in front of the little girl.

The little girl's face changed, becoming very embarrassed.

This is something Shazhu inadvertently saw last night after Jia Dongxu's hand was blown apart by a firecracker, while trying to kill time.

Make a sentence using 'brave'.

This time it wasn't Shazhu bravely charging into the women's toilet; instead, it was Shazhu bravely jumping into the cesspit to rescue a little kitten.

Afterward are three diary entries.

First day, I followed my brother to take a photo, I was happy.

Second day, I still followed my brother to take a photo, I was even happier.

On the third day, I went to take pictures with my brother again, and I became even happier.

All together it's less than fifty characters.

At the end was an essay written by He Yushui, titled 'Repaying Kindness,' but Shazhu only saw 'revenge'.

My brother has Yan Fugui tutor me every day and even asks Yan Fugui to assign me extra homework; I've decided that when I grow up I will repay him well—I must introduce him to a widow with three children and a mother-in-law, so he can also taste the sorrow of doing things he doesn't want to do.

Shazhu suddenly thought of Qin Huairu.

In my previous life.

Qin Huairu, the Qin widow, a super luxurious package—one dragging four—and He Yushui behind still assists like a god.

"Brother, I'll change."

"How will you change?"

"Introduce two widows."

"Yushui, brother is about to be angered to death by you."

"Da Mao Ge says men all like women; I'll tell you three."

Shazhu casually picked up a feather duster.

This bastard needs a lesson.

Just stepped out.

I then saw three manager elders going house to house with notices, saying they would hold a Dayuan meeting, with Yan Fugui in charge of the front courtyard, Yi Zhonghai the middle courtyard, and Liu Haizhong the rear courtyard.

Each manager elder handles affairs in his own courtyard; for matters they cannot resolve, everyone decides together.

Soon after.

The people in the courtyard then gathered in Zhong Yuan.

Although no one knew why the meeting was being held, everyone still supported it quite a bit.

Mainly because we were bored and restless.

Being silly during the New Year.

Moreover, we couldn't go to others' homes to chat.

Anyway, being idle is being idle; we might as well kill time.

"Everyone, settle down, let's hold a Dayuan meeting." Liu Haizhong stood up first, looked around at everyone, and said, "Calling everyone together for this meeting—what exactly is the matter? From now on, the first elder will explain the specifics to us."

"Everyone settle down, we're holding a Dayuan meeting." Liu Haizhong stood up first, looking around at everyone, "Let's gather everyone to hold this meeting; as for what exactly needs to be discussed, Elder Yi will explain the details to us."

Everyone had learned to warm up.

"Today is the first day of the lunar new year; I will first wish everyone a happy new year here, hoping we all make progress together."

Yi Zhonghai's rank is considerably higher than Liu Haizhong's.

What he said.

Liu Haizhong could also say that.

But he didn't grasp this point.

In comparison.

Liu Haizhong is worthless.

A hypocrite, as soon as he speaks, first wishes everyone a happy new year, making people feel comfortable, which is conducive to the later meeting's progress, making the neighbors easy to accept.

"Next, we'll get to the main points. Several things: the first is the anti-bandit cleanup campaign that Director Wang had us implement earlier, requiring us to widen our eyes and stay alert to surrounding enemies—just one sentence: the anti-bandit cleanup campaign is no small matter; if we truly catch the enemy, our neighbors will also shine."

"Next, we're getting into the main topic; several matters, the first is the anti-bandit suppression campaign that Director Wang had us implement earlier, requiring us to keep our eyes open, stay vigilant against surrounding enemies; in short, the anti-bandit suppression campaign is no trivial matter—if we actually catch the enemy, our neighbors will also have honor."

The topic of the anti-bandit cleanup campaign.

It made the neighbors of the Siheyuan feel a bit strange.

Many people's gazes unconsciously turned toward the opposite of Yi Zhonghai, that is, the old deaf woman sitting on the stool.

The Siheyuan holds a Dayuan meeting.

Those who could sit and speak could be counted on one hand: the three manager elders plus Long Laotaitai—just these four could sit, while the rest stood and listened.

Everyone talked about the anti-bandit cleanup campaign.

Right before our eyes there was one.

Long Laotaitai, huh.

It was in her home in the Siheyuan that this rice and flour were found.

"Everyone just needs to pay a bit more attention."

Yi Zhonghai didn't want to continue this topic; he felt uneasy, as if seen through, and worried that speaking further would increase people's suspicions of Long Laotaitai and himself, so he shifted the topic to the second matter.

"The second matter: Jiēdào wants to carry out this model courtyard moral excellence selection activity. If our Dayuan wins this honor, not only will the neighbors' faces shine, but the girls and youths in our courtyard discussing marriage will find it easier. I hope everyone works together, promotes our style, strives for the advanced title—what do you all think?"

"The second matter: the Jiēdào will carry out this model moral Dayuan selection activity; if our Dayuan wins this honor, not only will our neighbors have face, but the young men and women in our courtyard discussing marriage will find it easier. We hope everyone works together, promotes the style, strives to be selected as advanced—what do you all think?"

The neighbors did not respond to Yi Zhonghai's meaning.

This was different from Yi Zhonghai's expectation; in Yi Zhonghai's mind, this matter concerning the neighbors' interests should have stirred their emotions.

This differs from Yi Zhonghai's expectation; in his mind, this matter concerning the neighbors' interests should be able to mobilize the neighbors' emotions.

Those are the duties of other people's public security and the Jiēdào director.

The latter matter.

Since it's related to the neighbors' interests, everyone ought to agree, right?

As a result, the neighbors' gazes all fell on Long Laotaitai; no matter how great the interest, you can't compare to having a fugitive right in front of you.

They had stockpiled fifty catties of flour and fifty catties of rice.

They were taken away by the Jiēdào for education for several days.

Was taken away by Jiēdào for education for several days.

All lose face.

Unless Long Laotaitai leaves the Siheyuan, people have been asking these days, saying, "What on earth is wrong with the Long Laotaitai of your Dayuan?"

The neighbors don't know how to answer this question.

Since this is in response to the street's anti-bandit suppression drive, we must take action against Long Laotaitai, have Long Laotaitai explain everything from the past, and preferably expel this overbearing Long Laotaitai from the Dayuan.

Yi Zhonghai knows that Long Laotaitai's affair has offended the Siheyuan neighbors' taboo, but nobody wants to be the one to stick their neck out; they'd rather have someone else do it.

This then gives Yi Zhonghai the opportunity to act.

Wei Jun Zi steered the topic onto Jia Dongxu's wedding banquet.

"Next is the third item: everyone knows Dong Xu is getting married; this is the first happy occasion in the Siheyuan in 1952. The old saying goes, 'joy begins with joy, joy at the start.' So that the neighbors can encounter happy events in the days ahead, Jia Family's matriarch and I discussed and set Dong Xu's wedding to the third day of the first lunar month. Then the neighbors will all come to show support and liven things up."

Is this Jia Zhangshi's idea?

Or is it Yi Zhonghai's intention?

Shazhu doesn't believe there's nothing of his in this, because earlier, whether it was Jia Zhangshi or Jia Dongxu, their definite wedding date was the fifth day, but now Yi Zhonghai has moved it forward two days.

How did it get moved forward two days out of the blue!

"Shazhu's family-passed cooking skills are rumored throughout the Yagangchang to be superb; some say it's nonsense. To verify the truth and make those rumors disappear, on the day of Dong Xu's wedding, Shazhu, you must show off your skills."

Wei Jun Zi glanced at Shazhu with a smile.

His tactic of moral blackmail.

Really not very clever.

Nothing more than stirring up the crowd to pressure Shazhu together.

Among the twenty-plus households in the Siheyuan, twenty are Yagangchang workers, who know that Yagangchang has long had the legend of Shazhu.

Xu Daming became, among the apprentices, the only one able to operate machinery after letting Shazhu help cook a meal.

The Jia Family's tactics are also at play here.

Xu Daming can further himself with Shazhu's cooking skills, so why can't Jia Dongxu become a regular worker by relying on Shazhu's cooking skills?

"Eldest Uncle, if it were originally the fifth, no problem; now moved to the third, the schedule is a bit tight—I'll squeeze it in."

Yi Zhonghai paused.

Jia Dongxu was taken aback.

Jia Zhangshi was stunned.

Squeeze in the time.

What does that mean?

"Shazhu, there's a difficulty."

"No difficulty, our family's cooking skills are top-notch; the other day someone came to me—Old Li's family from Qingyang Hutong, they're getting married on the third, and I got their wedding wine on my knife."

Yi Zhonghai can't cook.

But he also knows there's a rule in the culinary trade that utensils must be stained with wine.

It's akin to a filmmaker's opening ceremony invoking the gods—staining utensils with someone's wedding wine is like signing a contract; whoever breaks the rule must pay compensation.

"As an elder, you've proposed this; as a junior, I must support you—I'll try to make it back by the third, mainly worried I'll delay Dong Xu's big affair."

Actually, it's just a refusal in disguise.

"Then forget it; I'll discuss with the Jia Family later to see who to ask as head chef."

Immediately, the atmosphere went flat—the neighbors, who had been excited about getting to eat Shazhu's cooking at the Jia Family's banquet, were feeling warm inside.

Upon hearing Shazhu had no time,

they fell silent instantly.

This made the Jia Family's embarrassment flare up.

Shazhu isn't giving us face.

You aren't giving us face either.

What's the point?

"Lastly, this is a private matter."

Yi Zhonghai turned his gaze toward Xu Daming.

Upon seeing the hypocrite's behavior,

Shazhu realized what Yi Zhonghai was about to do.

It must be that Xu Daming's helping Yi Zhonghai adopt a child yesterday annoyed Yi Zhonghai, so Yi Zhonghai wants to use the Dayuan meeting to state his stance publicly.

"This child, Xu Daming, I admit I misjudged; feeling eager upon learning we had no child, I met this homeless girl on the street, kindly took her back to the Siheyuan, hoping she would take our surname Yi."

The hypocrite wouldn't bring this up for no reason.

There must be a follow‑up move.

As expected.

"Upon learning the girl had no introduction letter, the old lady flew into a rage and smashed Xu Daming's glass; the root cause is that I, Yi Zhonghai, have no child. Today, before the neighbors, I will state my position: I have consulted the eldest aunt, and we agree to devote all our energy to the Yagangchang construction; from now on, nobody shall mention the child."

That's why they say Yi Zhonghai is the eldest uncle.

His stature is high.

Clearly cutting off Xu Daming's path to help adopt a child, yet he finds a lofty pretext for himself, infinitely elevating his own image.

The image of one who wholeheartedly serves the Yagangchang, even at the cost of ending his own line, is etched into the neighbors' minds.

This also lifted the neighbors' spirits considerably.

"Regarding Xu Daming's help in adopting a child, I, Yi Zhonghai, thank him." Yi Zhonghai stood up, facing Xu Daming and said: "Xu Daming, eldest uncle thanks you, and also please refrain from doing such things."

Shazhu saw on Long Laotaitai's face the expression of relief.

Yi Zhonghai's statement.

It dispelled Long Laotaitai's doubts.

The water of the Siheyuan.

It's really deep.

I had always thought it was because Yi Zhonghai and his wife didn't want to adopt a child, but actually the biggest factor preventing Yi Zhonghai and his wife from adopting a child was Long Laotaitai.

"Eldest Uncle, this is all what I, Xu Daming, should do; I, Xu Daming, now know how to do it."

Shazhu's heart.

It rose to his throat.

In the Siheyuan, the person who understands Xu Daming best is none other than Shazhu.

Given Xu Daming's stance, we must definitely continue helping Yi Zhonghai and his wife adopt children.

Brother.

You've taken the wrong path.

If you want to help Yi Zhonghai adopt a child, you must first do ideological work on Long Laotaitai.

"His Second Uncle, his Third Uncle, do you have anything to add on your side?" Yi Zhonghai asked Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui, who had little presence at the meeting, "If not, let's disband the meeting; it's also quite cold today."

"Then I'll say a few words." Liu Haizhong, who is incompetent yet still ambitious, spouted nonsense, "We must actively cooperate with the few things the Eldest Uncle mentioned, especially this anti-bandit suppression special; we must widen our eyes."

Long Laotaitai's face.

It turned green.

The neighbors' doubts.

Long Laotaitai cannot accept it.

"Old Liu, be brief."

"I have nothing more, Old Yan."

"I have nothing to say."

"Then let's disband the meeting."

Everyone was holding stools.

Everyone went back to their own homes.

Time flew by; in a blink three days passed, and as the festive atmosphere faded, the beastly Siheyuan finally welcomed the female protagonist who would influence countless future generations.

Qin Huairu too.

This woman was a resident of Qin Family Village near the Capital City; since childhood she had aspired to the Capital City, aiming to eat the city's grain supplies; the Yagangchang-supported Qin Family Village team captain Yi Zhonghai mistakenly stayed at Qin Huairu's home for a month, which ultimately led to Qin Huairu successfully marrying into the Siheyuan on the third day of the first lunar month in 1952, becoming the Jia Qin Clan.

Her nickname: Xinji Bailian.

Some people also mock Qin Huairu with terms like "worldly woman Qin Huairu" and "Qin worldly woman Huairu", etc.

I don't know whether Jia Dongxu knows or not.

The son's marriage.

Even if Jia Zhangshi was unwilling, she forced a faint smile on her face, but the more one looked at that smile, the more nauseating it felt.

It felt as if someone owed him a lot of money.

They moved the wedding date from the fifth to the third. On one hand, there was the idea of saving food, taking advantage of people having some surplus to save a portion. On the other hand, they were after the gift money, wanting to have both fish and bear's paw, and on the issue of saving food, they tried to extract as much money as possible from neighbors' pockets.

Not a bad idea.

But they underestimated the hardships of the era.

Money is one thing.

Food is another matter.

Even when five steamed white buns could serve as props to go around all relatives, many people treated the banquet as a means to improve their own livelihood.

At this moment, human nature was displayed to its utmost.

The Siheyuan had over twenty households, and everyone's opinions were far from unanimous.

Families like those of Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui, who have children that will soon marry and establish households, think that the neighbors should all give gifts, thereby reducing the number of people attending the banquet.

This amounted to using the Jia family as a test field, leveraging the Jia family's reputation to test the Liu and Yan families; the benefits went to the Liu and Yan families, while the bad reputation fell on the Jia family.

Just two words.

Despicable.