《【翻译】风弄原著《金玉王朝》》小医Potassium

32、chapter two 09 Direc

　　Director Bai hailed from an immensely powerful family, an influential figure one must treat with the utmost deference. When he took office at the Customs Service last month, Nian Liangfu had respectfully worshiped every essay Bai had published.

　　Cunning as he was, Nian Liangfu quoted a line straight from Bai’s essay . Knowing he had to make up a plausible excuse for the mahjong tables in his parlor, he cleared his throat, wore a grave expression, and gestured toward his wife beside him,“I am truly ashamed to admit it. My wife is fond of mahjong.We have quarreled countless times over this. When I returned home today and found the tables set up once more, I was speechless with rage and ordered the servants to throw every table and tile away at once.”

　　In truth, it had been Nian Liangfu’s own idea to lay out the mahjong tables.

　　Who else as an offical could astain from whoring, gambling, and mahjong？Director Liao and the other division chiefs were not merely partial to the game but loved wagering money on it. Nian had set up the tables deliberately to cater to their tastes ahead of the reception, only to wind up shooting himself in the foot.
　　*TN：投其所好： cater to one’s taste
　　搬起石头砸自己的脚：shoot oneself in the foot
　　以上均为英文谚语，固定用法。