Volume 1, Chapter 37: Stealing

Bear paw is one of the eight culinary treasures, incredibly rare and precious; even at a full Manchu-Han banquet, it is a sight seldom seen. The preparation process is notoriously rigorous, but the system had already handled it perfectly before delivering the bear paw to Su Jianshe’s private space.

After a busy spell, Chu Yan emerged from the bathroom and sat in a chair to regain her strength. Her nose twitched, and she glanced toward the kitchen with a languid, charming expression.

"It smells so good!"

During this time, Chu Yan had tasted many of Su Jianshe’s secret dishes. Even now, upon catching that fragrance, she couldn't help but salivate, filled with astonishment.

"What kind of delicacy is Brother Jianshe cooking? It’s so fragrant, it makes one's mouth water!" she exclaimed involuntarily.

Just then, Su Jianshe called out, "Xiao Yan, come and eat~"

...

"That damned Su Jianshe, feasting on delicacies at his place again!"

"This heartless wretch, why doesn't he think of us? We’re so destitute, why won't he offer us any help?"

Sitting at the dining table, Jia Zhang stared at the coarse mixed-grain flour in front of her, her heart burning with rage. Their meals were meager, and their living conditions were just as wretched. If Su Jianshe hadn't registered the house in his own name back then, she would have moved into a new place long ago. She had been so close to success!

"Mom, stop it. I can barely eat this meal. Compared to that guy Su Jianshe, what is this we’re eating?" Jia Dongxu said, his face equally gloomy as he looked at the pickled vegetables and mixed-grain flour.

Beside them, Banggen was unusually silent for some reason. Just as Jia Zhang was about to vent more curses at Su Jianshe, a noise came from outside.

"Shazhu? You’re out?"

"Shazhu is back?"

Hearing this, Jia Zhang looked toward the window in surprise. There stood Shazhu, looking thinner and sullen, walking into the courtyard. Beside him was Yi Zhonghai, holding a box of matches. The aroma of food wafted through the air, mixed with a faint, acrid smell of something burning.

Shazhu!

"Shazhu is back! That’s wonderful! Finally, there will be someone to bring home leftovers!" Seeing his return, Jia Zhang beamed with joy. She immediately turned to Qin Huairu and scolded, "Why are you still sitting there eating? Go find Shazhu and borrow money or ask for food! Look at how they eat fish and meat every day, and look at us—we can't even get steamed buns. What use are you, you useless woman!"

She completely ignored Qin Huairu’s grievance, despite having previously accused her of having an inappropriate relationship with Shazhu.

Hearing that Shazhu was back, a flash of ferocity crossed the face of the paralyzed Jia Dongxu, which he quickly suppressed.

"Qin Huairu, why are you still staring? Go borrow money! If you can bring money back today, see how I deal with you!" Jia Dongxu shouted angrily. "Look at the state of our family; do you really have the heart to eat? If you don't bring back money today, don't even think about having a bite to eat!"

His face flushed red, whether from anger or joy, it was hard to tell. To the Jia family, Shazhu was their provider and protector. With him back, no one in the courtyard would dare bully them. At the very least, there would be leftovers to eat, unlike now, where they chewed on pickles every day.

Qin Huairu pouted at his words, yet a glimmer of joy rose in her heart. With Shazhu back, she finally had someone to rely on.

...

Back in his home, Shazhu lay on the cold bed, staring at the ceiling with a ferocious expression, growling, "Su Jianshe, you bastard, I will never let you go! Once I find the chance, I’ll make you pay!"

He had suffered terribly in the detention center. If not for Yi Zhonghai pulling strings, he would likely still be rotting in there. The mere thought of that experience made him shiver, his hatred for Su Jianshe surging like a tidal wave.

"Just wait. From now on, you won't get a single full meal in the canteen!" Shazhu had already plotted how to ruin Su Jianshe. In his rage, he failed to notice that his home had been ransacked multiple times. The room was in chaos; the few dollars he kept under his pillow were gone, to say nothing of his rice, grains, and oil.

As for his sister, He Yushui, Yi Zhonghai had told him upon his release that she had rented a place elsewhere and rarely came home, seemingly deeply dissatisfied with her brother for ending up in the detention center. Shazhu didn't care; his mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of revenge.

*Bang, bang, bang...*

Just as Shazhu was lost in his fantasies of vengeance, a flurry of knocks at the door interrupted his thoughts.

...

"It seems that even while I was imprisoned, there were people in the courtyard who cared for me. My kindness to them hasn't been in vain!"

Hungry, Shazhu expected someone to be bringing him food and felt a surge of joy. When he opened the door, he was stunned. Qin Huairu stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her face filled with helplessness.

"Shazhu, you’re finally back!"

Seeing the woman he had secretly loved for so long looking so haggard, his resentment vanished instantly.

"Sister Qin, don't cry, come in!"

Shazhu hurried to welcome her. As he moved a stool, he froze, realizing his food supplies had been cleaned out.

"Which bastard!"

He was about to curse, but seeing Qin Huairu, he swallowed his anger. "Sister Qin, please sit."

As soon as she sat down, tears gushed from her eyes. Shazhu offered comfort, and after a long while, she choked out, "Shazhu, while you were gone, that brat Su Jianshe bullied me every day!"

"I'm just a widow with a paralyzed man at home; how could I be a match for him?"

"He... he actually crippled Banggen's hand... *sob*!"

"He even sent Banggen to the detention center. If I hadn't spent a hundred yuan for a letter of forgiveness and if Uncle Yi hadn't helped pull strings, Banggen would still be in there... *sob*..."

Hearing this, Shazhu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He looked upon Banggen as his own son. Everyone knew that Jia Dongxu’s health was failing; he likely wouldn't survive the winter. Shazhu had already been dreaming of a future with Qin Huairu. To hear that the boy he treated as his own had been crippled and sent to prison by Su Jianshe!

In an instant, Shazhu’s reason evaporated.

"Su Jianshe, I’m not done with him! I’m going to fight him to the death!"

He began searching for a weapon, swearing to settle the score.

"Don't be rash, Shazhu, you can't beat him!"

"If something happens to you, how will I go on living?"

Qin Huairu wept again, this time cunningly hugging Shazhu, her fingers brushing against his hand while she closely observed his expression. Years ago, when Banggen and Jia Zhang were arrested, Shazhu had taken good care of their family, and Qin Huairu should have visited him. But she had never once crossed his threshold or even asked after him. Terrified he might bring it up, she wiped her tears and urged, "Shazhu, don't do anything foolish. You just got out; you have to think about your future!"

"I’ve been wronged, but I don't want to drag you down with me!"

*He’s such a fool,* Qin Huairu thought. *You’re no match for Su Jianshe. What if you get arrested again? All I want is your money!*

Shazhu was moved by her words and gritted his teeth. "Sister Qin, I’ll listen to you. Don't cry!"

...

When Qin Huairu left with Shazhu’s last twenty yuan, he still wore a foolish grin.

"That's great. Sister Qin held my hand and hugged me!"

"Does Sister Qin have feelings for me?"

Thinking of her graceful figure, ripples of joy spread through his heart. It was only after a while that he regained his senses, remembering how his "son" had been ruined by Su Jianshe, and he began to curse in a rage.

"Su Jianshe, you bastard, you just wait! You dared to lay a hand on Sister Qin and crippled Banggen; this isn't over!"

After finishing the delicious bear paw, Chu Yan offered to wash the dishes. Su Jianshe didn't stop her, remarking that working together made the task lighter. Chu Yan had always felt guilty letting Su Jianshe do all the cooking, so she gladly accepted.

"Xiao Yan, I heard that bastard Shazhu is back. You need to be careful from now on!"

"How about this... I’ll pick you up and drop you off from work every day. It’ll be safer."

Hearing Su Jianshe’s gentle concern, Chu Yan nodded with a smile. "Brother Jianshe, don't worry, I’ll be careful!"

"Good. But it’s late now, we should wash up and rest! Look at how big this bathtub is; how could one soak be enough? Should we soak a few more times?"

At this, Chu Yan blushed deeply. "Oh, Brother Jianshe, you’re so annoying!"

At daybreak, Shazhu rushed home, impatient. Yesterday, seeing his home ransacked, he knew Banggen had been there repeatedly. Banggen hadn't left him a grain of food, and he’d even tried to tear apart the pillow where Shazhu hid his spare cash. Yet, instead of being angry, Shazhu laughed and scolded, "Heh, that kid!"

However, when he went to the Jia house for breakfast, Qin Huairu chased him away, claiming the house was too crowded. She tearfully sent him to the Old Lady Deaf’s house.

Seeing her "grandson" return, the Old Lady was overjoyed. She not only treated him to a good meal but gave up her own heated bed for him. Shazhu was content, calling her "Grandma" repeatedly. After the two of them spent time cursing Su Jianshe, they fell asleep satisfied.

The Old Lady seemed to suddenly possess incredible strength. Her frail body contained astonishing energy. Throughout the night, the need to relieve herself never ceased. Given her age, Yi Zhonghai had thoughtfully placed a large bucket in her room, but it had proven insufficient!

When Shazhu left the Old Lady’s house, he was near a breakdown.

"Su Jianshe, you remember this!"

"If not for you, why would Banggen be crippled, and why would he steal from me!"

"If not for you, villain, the Old Lady wouldn't be in this state!"

Recalling the task of cleaning up after her, he felt like vomiting.

...

Shazhu washed up with a livid expression and, without eating, rushed to the rolling mill. The stench clinging to him drew complaints from others, and some even cursed him.

"Why does Shazhu smell so foul?"

"It’s not just a foul smell; he’s like a pile of dung!"

"Don't you know? This man has a history of bad behavior toward women... he should be severely punished, execution wouldn't be too much!"

"What!"

"So he’s that kind of person? I thought he just liked to take advantage of public property!"

"Which cook doesn't steal a little? But the new cook, Su, is different. He leaves empty-handed every day, nothing like Shazhu!"

Hearing this, the man realized he had been biased, assuming everyone was cut from the same cloth as Shazhu. Then, a doubt surfaced: wasn't Shazhu fired? Why was he back?

In the morning, after breakfast, Su Jianshe looked toward the Jia house with a hint of suspicion. With his keen senses, he easily caught the scent of meat drifting from their home.

"Strange, how does the Jia family still have money to buy meat?"