Chapter 118: then translation of title

After arriving at Wang Ping's house, there are now quite a few people there.

Translation: "After arriving at Wang Ping's house, there are now quite a few people in Wang Ping's household."

We need to keep meaning. Use "Wang Ping's house". Could be "After arriving at Wang Ping's house, there are now quite a few people in his household." But we need to keep exactly the info. Let's produce: "After arriving at Wang Ping's house, there are now quite a few people in Wang Ping's household."

As the captain of the officials, it's natural that many people come to visit.

Translation: "As the captain of the officials, it's natural that many people come to visit."

Better: "As the captain of the officials, naturally many people come to visit."

Moreover, the people in Wang Ping's courtyard naturally also want to go to his house.

Translation: "Moreover, the people in Wang Ping's courtyard naturally also want to go to Wang Ping's house."

After all, he's a captain, so Wang Ping is also a second eldest master in this siheyuan.

Translation: "After all, he is a captain, so Wang Ping is also a second eldest master in this siheyuan."

After all, he is a captain, so Wang Ping is also a second eldest master in this siheyuan.

After Lu Yuan and Su Liyan arrived, Wang Ping naturally hurried to greet them.

Translation: "After Lu Yuan and Su Liyan arrived, Wang Ping naturally hurried to receive them."

However, the two didn't stay long, after all they still had several more houses to visit.

Translation: "However, the two didn't stay long, after all they still had several more houses to visit."

Having finished visiting all the relatives in town, they still needed to hurry back to Qingqiu Village.

Translation: "After visiting all the relatives in the city, they still need to hurry back to Qiu Qiu Village."

So, after exchanging a few New Year greetings, Su Liyan handed out several red envelopes to the children of Wang Ping's family.

Translation: "So, after exchanging a few New Year greetings, Su Liyan handed out a few red envelopes to the children in Wang Ping's household."

During the New Year, this is indeed a good time to give gifts.

Translation: "During the New Year, this really is a good time for giving gifts."

Of course, given Lu Yuan's status, there's really no need to curry favor with Wang Ping anymore.

Translation: "Of course, given Lu Yuan's status, there's really no need to curry favor with Wang Ping now."

Even if his brother-in-law still works under Wang Ping, it wouldn't be necessary.

Translation: "Even if his own brother-in-law still works under Wang Ping, it wouldn't be necessary."

Given Lu Yuan's current abilities, getting his brother-in-law a position in either the Agriculture Bureau or the Forging Bureau would be quite easy.

Translation: "Given Lu Yuan's current abilities, getting his brother-in-law into either the Agriculture Bureau or the Forging Bureau is quite simple."

That said, it's true that Wang Ping was the one who first helped Lu Yuan.

Translation: "That said, it's true that Wang Ping originally helped Lu Yuan."

One should know to be grateful.

Translation: "One should know to be grateful."

Giving Wang Ping money directly, setting aside the issue of whether officials accept gifts nowadays.

Translation: "Directly giving Wang Ping money, setting aside the issue of whether officials nowadays accept gifts or not."

The key is also to save face for them.

Translation: "The key is also to save face for them."

Just shoving money into someone's hand—would that work?

Translation: "Just stuffing money into someone's hand—would that work?"

Definitely not.

Translation: "Definitely not."

Wang Ping is also someone who cares about face, so he naturally wouldn't accept it.

Translation: "Wang Ping himself is also someone who cares about face, so he naturally wouldn't accept it."

Wang Ping's family has three children, one of whom is already an adult, yet Lu Yuan still gave red envelopes even to the adult.

Translation: "Wang Ping's household has three children, one of whom is already an adult, but Lu Yuan still gave red envelopes even to the adult."

Those red envelopes were really not small.

Translation: "Those red envelopes are really not small."

Usually, red envelopes for children are just one or two fen, merely a token gesture.

Translation: "Usually, red envelopes for children are just one or two fen, a token amount."

But Lu Yuan gave ten yuan in each red envelope.

Translation: "But the ones Lu Yuan gave each contained ten yuan in the big red envelopes."

Thirty yuan in total, which also counts as helping out Wang Ping's family.

Translation: "Altogether thirty yuan, which also counts as helping out the Wang Ping household."

The last time Lu Yuan drank with Wang Ping, he heard Wang Ping mutter several times that money was tight, the older child needed to save for a wedding, and the younger had just started preparing for private school.

Translation: "Lu Yuan had also heard Wang Ping mutter several times when they drank together before that money was tight now, the older child needs to prepare for marriage, and the younger one has just started preparing to study at a private school."

After Wang Ping saw Lu Yuan and Su Liyan out of the courtyard and returned home.

Translation: "After Wang Ping saw Lu Yuan and Su Liyan out of the siheyuan and returned home."

Wang Ping's wife was clutching three red envelopes—the same three large ones that Su Liyan had just given out.

Translation: "Wang Ping's wife clutched three red envelopes in her hand—those were the three big red envelopes Su Liyan had just handed out."

With many people in the house, Wang Ping's wife pulled him to a quiet corner, opened the red envelopes, and upon seeing the contents, she beamed with joy and said:

Translation: "With many people in the house now, Wang Ping's wife pulled him to a quiet corner, opened the red envelopes and showed them to Wang Ping, her face full of delight as she said:"

Which subordinate of yours, you're being so generous—this way, the money for our eldest son's wedding next year will be all gathered!

Regarding the quotation marks, the source uses Chinese-style quotation marks; we should keep them as part of the text and place the English translation inside them, preserving the marks.

Wang Ping stared blankly, then glared at his wife and said:

Translation: "Wang Ping stared, then glared at his wife and said:"

Pah, subordinate—he's actually my superior; Lu Yuan is of the Qing Cang Guard, but this kid calls me old uncle, knowing our family's situation isn't great, you think he's sucking up to me? He's just helping us!

Look at your just‑now bearish demeanor—you didn't even pour hot water for him; although there were many people just now, I still didn't blame you, but next time when Xiao Lu comes, you must properly apologize to him!

Look at your bearish appearance just now—you didn't even pour him hot water. Even though it was crowded, I didn't blame you, but next time Xiao Lu comes, you'd better apologize properly.

Look at your just now bearish demeanor—you didn't even pour hot water for him; although there were many people just now, I still didn't blame you, but next time when Xiao Lu comes, you must properly apologize to him!

Wang Ping gave his wife a good scolding, then took the money away.

Translation: "Wang Ping gave his wife a good scolding, then took the money."

Wang Ping's wife looked aggrieved—who would have thought a high‑ranking official would visit their home for New Year? Moreover, Lu Yuan is surprisingly young…

Translation: "Wang Ping's wife wore a look of grievance—who would have thought a high official would come to their house for New Year? Moreover, Lu Yuan is surprisingly young……"

At that moment, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan were on their way to Lin Fusheng's house.

Translation: "At this moment, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan were on their way to Lin Fusheng's house."

"Are you feeling a bit reluctant about the money again?"

Translation: "「Are you feeling a bit reluctant about the money again? 」"

Lu Yuan chuckled as he held his wife.

Translation: "Lu Yuan chuckled, holding his wife."

Su Liyan blinked, then turned to her husband with a coquettish tone and said:

Translation: "Su Liyan blinked, then turned to look at her man and coquettishly said:"

"No~"

Translation: "「No~」"

That would be strange if it weren't.

Translation: "Not having any would be strange."

Any little thought his wife has shows on her face—others can't guess it, and neither can he?

Translation: "Any little thought my wife has shows on her face—others can't guess it, so how could I not?"

Lu Yuan laughed as he held his wife and said:

Translation: "Lu Yuan laughed while holding his wife."

"The money given isn't much—first, those people really helped us before, we can't forget our roots."

Second, no matter what, he's still an official; there will always be a use for him later, and he's also Changliang's direct superior—giving a bit more will also make it easier for Changliang to get by.

Don't worry about the money, we've got~

Besides, no matter what, he's still an official; he'll definitely be useful later, and he's also Changliang's direct superior—giving him a bit more will also make it easier for Changliang to get by.

Don't worry about the money, we've got~

Translation: "Don't worry about the money, we have~"

Su Liyan may not understand this sort of thing, but she knows that listening to her husband is always right~

Translation: "Su Liyan doesn't understand this sort of thing, but she knows that listening to her man is never wrong~"

Soon they arrived at Lin Fusheng's house.

Translation: "Soon they arrived at Lin Fusheng's house."

At Lin Fusheng's place, things were lively.

Translation: "Lin Fusheng's place was lively."

Who is Lin Fusheng!

Translation: "Who is Lin Fusheng!"

This is the white‑collar type!

Translation: "This is a white cuff!"

Not to mention the people in his own courtyard—young folks from the whole siheyuan community all come running here.

Translation: "Not to mention his own courtyard, even the whole community's siheyuans—young people all flock here."

Besides, many workers from the Agriculture Bureau also come, and they're even more eager to do so.

Translation: "Moreover, many workers from the Agriculture Bureau come, and they definitely have to come!"

He's actually the deputy director of the Agriculture Bureau!!

Translation: "This is the deputy head of the Agriculture Bureau!!"

Inside the house, there's hardly any room to sit—it's packed, and even standing feels cramped.

Translation: "Inside this house, you can't even sit down—it's packed to the brim, and just standing inside feels cramped."

However, when Lin Fusheng heard that Lu Yuan and Su Liyan had arrived, he hurried out of the house.

Translation: "However, when Lin Fusheng heard that Lu Yuan and Su Liyan were coming, he hurried out of the house."

Seeing Lu Yuan tying the horse's rope, he repeatedly smiled and called out:

Translation: "Seeing Lu Yuan tying the horse's rope, he repeatedly smiled and called out:"

"Oh, hurry in, hurry in! Xinyue, come out quickly and give Xiao Lu's horse some feed."

Translation: "「Oh, hurry in, hurry in, Xinyue, come out quickly and quickly feed some fodder to Xiao Lu's horse. 」"

A young woman immediately came out from inside the house—it's unclear whether she is Lin Fusheng's daughter or his daughter‑in‑law.

Translation: "A young woman immediately came out from inside the house—it's unclear whether she is Lin Fusheng's daughter or daughter-in-law."

But thinking about it, she's probably the daughter‑in‑law, because if she were the daughter, she wouldn't be at her own home on the first day of the lunar new year instead of her parents‑in‑law's.

Translation: "But thinking about it, she should be the daughter-in-law, because if she were the daughter, she wouldn't be at her own home on the first day of the lunar new year instead of her mother-in-law's."

And Lin Fusheng was pulling Lu Yuan's wrist, and also beckoning the lovely Su Liyan beside them to walk home.

Everyone inside the house was on tiptoe, looking at Lu Yuan through the window.

Nobody knew Lu Yuan, after all, neither the people from Lin Fusheng's community nor those from the Agriculture Bureau had really seen him before.

Everyone was curious, wondering who this was that made Lin Fusheng value him so much.

Of course, some people guessed correctly with nine out of ten certainty; after all, although they hadn't seen Lu Yuan's appearance, they had heard his name.

After pulling Lu Yuan and Su Liyan inside, Lin Fusheng then excitedly introduced Lu Yuan to everyone.

At that moment, everyone finally learned that this Lu Yuan was the young man who had built the greenhouse and installed the Kang heating ducts in Lin Fusheng's home.

Now, those who can come out of their homes to pay New Year calls are all juniors.

Some of the Agriculture Bureau people in Lin Fusheng's home were mostly just workers and such.

Like those leaders with blue cuffs and such, they would have to wait until daytime to come; those people were also at home right now.

After Lu Yuan and Su Liyan entered the house, Lin Fusheng directly arranged for them to sit down.

Lin Fusheng, having caught Lu Yuan, gave him a vigorous round of praise.

All this praise made Lu Yuan feel a bit embarrassed.

Finally, after chatting a while longer, Lu Yuan then said he wanted to leave.

He really couldn't not leave!

Lin Fusheng, being such a high-ranking official, really could talk a lot.

If one were to sit here, Lin Fusheng could talk all day without repeating himself.

It's already three o'clock, and we still need to go to Director Xu's house to listen to him speak for a while.

And after Lu Yuan said he wanted to leave, Lin Fusheng blinked and said:

"Why leave? Just stay at Grandpa's house until dawn; this morning we can have dumplings at Grandpa's house."

Lu Yuan then smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"No, no, Grandpa, I still need to go to Director Xu's place, and later I also have to go back to my wife's parents' home with her."

Hearing this, Lin Fusheng also knew he couldn't keep Lu Yuan; no matter what, Lu Yuan definitely had to go to Old Xu's place.

Finally, Lin Fusheng saw Lu Yuan off to the stables and said:

"Next year, you first go pay New Year respects to Old Xu, then finally come to Grandpa's house; by then you could just stay at Grandpa's until dawn, and then we'll eat dumplings together, right?"

Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"Alright, Grandpa."

After Lin Fusheng saw Lu Yuan off and they entered the house, Lin Damu suddenly came over and said:

"Dad, look, this is taken from Qiu'er's red envelope; what is this?"

Huh?

Lin Fusheng looked at this stack of papers, feeling a bit dazed.

The people around also curiously gathered close.

After Lin Fusheng opened it and glanced at it twice, he excitedly slapped his thigh and said:

"Rice thresher!!

Hahaha!! Rice thresher!!!"

Lin Fusheng flipped through the pages one by one, meanwhile speaking with immense excitement:

"Last time Xiao Lu said he'd wait two or three months, but before even a month had passed, he got this for me!!

…………

On the way, Su Liyan curiously turned her head to look at Lu Yuan and said:

"Brother, Lin Grandpa is a high official, why didn't we give a bit more in the red envelope?"

Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"Don't worry, the stuff inside that red envelope is worth more than thirty silver dollars~

Soon, Lu Yuan brought Su Liyan to Director Xu's house.

The situation at Director Xu's house was similar to Lin Fusheng's.

Although Director Xu's house has three rooms, it was still too crowded for everyone.

Director Xu also came out to greet Lu Yuan and welcome him inside.

Lu Yuan didn't know many of the people in Director Xu's house.

Although Lu Yuan is from the Forging Bureau, in the Forging Bureau he only knows a few workers from those workshops at Bing Jia Chang.

It's obvious those workers still aren't qualified to come to Director Xu's house to pay New Year calls.

After entering, Director Xu also pulled Lu Yuan aside and gave everyone a round of praise.

These high-ranking officials praising people really have skill.

All this praise made Lu Yuan feel a bit embarrassed.

Lu Yuan originally thought he would stay a little while at Director Xu's place, then go home to prepare for heading to Qiu Qiu Village.

But now Director Xu, no matter what he says, won't let Lu Yuan leave.

He insisted on pulling Lu Yuan to stay and finish eating the dumplings at his house in the morning before leaving.

Lu Yuan checked the time; it was already four o'clock.

After thinking it over, he decided to just finish eating the morning dumplings at Director Xu's house before leaving.

Around five o'clock, the people in Director Xu's house had mostly left.

Everyone also needed to go home to eat.

Besides Lu Yuan and Su Liyan, there were no outsiders left in Director Xu's house.

There were Director Xu's two sons, their wives, and three grandsons and two granddaughters.

And also, Aunt Xu.

Lu Yuan and Su Liyan sat together, Director Xu took the seat of honor.

At this moment, Director Xu pulled Lu Yuan aside and chatted about everything under the sun.

Su Liyan sat quietly beside her husband.

Watching her husband chat and laugh with those white-cuffed senior leaders, she felt immensely proud.

Her husband is truly very capable.

No matter whose home they visit, every family treats it with great importance and warm hospitality.

This also makes her feel like she's a step above other women.

Although Su Liyan doesn't particularly enjoy it, she still can't help feeling proud.

"Sir, will the threshing machine factory be completed in about two months?"

Lu Yuan took a bite of Director Xu's dumplings, then set down his chopsticks and asked curiously.

Director Xu nodded and said:

"The workshop is nearly done; our own undertaking at the Ministry of Works will soon be ready, and in a little over a month, the craftsmen should be able to enter the factory."

After nodding, Lu Yuan looked directly at Director Xu and got straight to the point:

"Sir, I have a relative who is an amazing cook and wants to open a restaurant in the city."

"But after looking around, there's no good spot; I was thinking maybe he could sell a big pot dish at the entrance—could we reserve a piece of land in front of the threshing machine factory for him?"

Director Xu blinked, stared at Lu Yuan, paused for two seconds, then nodded and said:

"Alright, I'll take care of this as soon as I get back!"

From Director Xu's two-second pause, Lu Yuan realized he might be stepping on someone else's livelihood.

That's also true.

Actually, quite a few people are eyeing this matter.

It's estimated that once the factory site is chosen, the row of land in front of the gate will all be snapped up.

This kind of thing is somewhat immoral.

I'm the one who took someone else's spot.

But...

In this world you can't please everyone in everything; since you can't please everyone, you might as well take care of yourself first.

This is Lu Yuan's life motto.

It's fine if others endure some hardship, but you must never suffer yourself.

I have a stomach problem!

I can only eat soft food; how can I endure hardship?

Afterward, Director Xu looked at Lu Yuan and said with a smile:

"Come on, Yuan'er, eat up—your grandma's dumplings are really good!"

Lu Yuan nodded repeatedly and laughed:

"These dumplings from my grandma are indeed delicious, but I ate dozens of them in the late-night meal and haven't moved much, so now I really can't eat any more."

Actually, it's...

Not tasty.

Nothing beats the dumplings his wife makes; Lu Yuan now just wants to go home and eat his wife's dumplings.

The dumplings his wife makes—rolled skins, mixed filling—that's what's truly delicious.

Upon hearing that, Director Xu laughed and said:

"When I was young, I could really eat a lot at that late-night meal; one year I even ate over thirty."

Lu Yuan laughed and nodded.

Afterward, Director Xu suddenly looked at Lu Yuan again and said:

"Yuan'er, the last time I drank with Lin Fusheng, I heard him, drunk, say you wanted to give the Agriculture Bureau a whole rice threshing machine?"

Lu Yuan was taken aback, but then openly admitted with a laugh:

"Lin Sir came to my house last time asking for a favor; I couldn't refuse, so I made one and just gave him the drawings."

Director Xu was a bit dazed—so fast?

Didn't Lin Fusheng say he wanted it in a month or two?

After Director Xu collected his thoughts, he then gave a slight nod and said:

"That's true; he's a senior leader, so you couldn't really refuse. But Yuan'er, no matter what, the Forging Bureau is your home base, and I'm your dear uncle, right?"

Lu Yuan was a bit confused—when did you become my dear uncle?

However, after Director Xu finished speaking, Lu Yuan found it rather amusing.

How come his words sound so sour?

After regaining his composure, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"That's for sure, so I'll definitely make sure you have a great New Year."

Director Xu was stunned, then the next second he immediately put down his chopsticks, looked at Lu Yuan with excitement, and said:

"Ah?"

"What do you mean by a good year?"

Then Lu Yuan glanced at Su Liyan beside him, and Su Liyan, understanding, pulled a red envelope from her bag.

After Lu Yuan received the red envelope, he handed over the drawings inside and said with a smile:

"Sir, take a look—this is my newly researched bicycle."

(End of Chapter)