Jia Zhangshi

Biodata

Background / History

Jia Zhangshi is Jia Dongxu's mother and Qin Huairu's mother-in-law. When Dongxu's paralysis is exposed in the hospital, she is among the family members who had concealed the condition from him. After his death, Qin Huairu becomes the family's sole breadwinner, while Jia Zhangshi remains a forceful presence in the household. 20 59

She treats the Jia home, its children, and its resources as belonging exclusively to the Jia family. This belief drives her resistance to Qin Huairu remarrying, particularly to Silly Zhu; she threatens that Qin Huairu may leave with nothing and invokes Jia Dongxu's memory to preserve her control. 127 216 301

Appearance

Jia Zhangshi is an elderly, plump woman with fair skin. Her appetite and size are repeatedly remarked upon; she is described as even heavier than Liu Haizhong. 8

• Often called “Grandma Jia” by the courtyard residents.
• Her large build becomes visually prominent when she charges out to confront visitors or blocks doorways. 67 110
• Following a previous stroke, her mouth occasionally twitches, though it does not stop her from arguing or fighting. 249

Personality

Jia Zhangshi is confrontational, stubborn, and highly protective of what she considers the Jia family's interests. She readily shifts blame, makes public scenes, and refuses to concede until outside pressure leaves her no choice. Her response to Bang Geng's theft—defending him while seeking compensation from the victimized household—exemplifies her favoritism toward her grandson. 28

Her possessiveness extends to Qin Huairu. She polices her daughter-in-law's contact with men, sees remarriage as betrayal of Jia Dongxu, and fears losing both Qin Huairu's income and the family's home. 59 127 216

Despite her selfishness, she can be fiercely protective when outsiders threaten the household. She drives Director Guo out after he enters the Jia home under the pretext of offering condolences to Qin Huairu. 67

Relationships

• Jia Dongxu — Her son. She remains fiercely attached to his memory and uses his portrait to pressure Qin Huairu against remarriage. 20 301
• Qin Huairu — Her daughter-in-law and frequent adversary within the household. Jia Zhangshi depends on Qin Huairu's earnings while trying to control her choices. 59 140 301
• Bang Geng — Her grandson and favored child. She excuses his theft, fights on his behalf, and later lashes out at others following his arrest. 28 298
• Silly Zhu — Initially a useful source of food and support for the Jia family; later becomes Qin Huairu's husband and a live-in son-in-law whom Jia Zhangshi publicly claims as her own son. 59 334
• Lin Zhen — A longstanding adversary. Their disputes repeatedly escalate from public accusations to forced apologies, detention, and physical confrontations. 7 60 86
• Yi Zhonghai — Once an intermediary in her disputes, he becomes her enemy after she overhears his efforts to arrange Qin Huairu's marriage to Silly Zhu. 7 216 217
• Deaf Old Lady — A rival who challenges Jia Zhangshi's authority over Qin Huairu and later prevents her from occupying He Yushui's former house. 125 376
• Tao Xiurong — Helps care for Jia Zhangshi during the Jia family's final financial crisis and urges her to contribute her retirement savings toward repayment. 444 452

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Early conflicts with Lin Zhen: Jia Zhangshi falsely accuses Lin Zhen of an affair with Qin Huairu and is forced by the neighbors to apologize. She later defends Bang Geng after his theft leads to a rat-trap injury, demanding compensation instead of disciplining him. 7 28
• Escalation in the courtyard: Believing Lin Zhen is improperly involved with Qin Huairu, she storms to his home and curses his family. Lin Zhen slaps and chokes her before the courtyard intervenes. 59 60
• First detention: After bullying Lou Xiao'e and refusing to apologize, Jia Zhangshi hides inside her home. Lin Zhen calls the Security Section, which takes her away for detention; the available charge permits only two days' confinement. 86 87
• Control of Qin Huairu: She opposes the Deaf Old Lady's attempts to pair Qin Huairu with Silly Zhu, threatens Qin Huairu with dispossession, and later clashes with her over handicraft work intended to improve the Jia family's income. 125 127 139 141
• Exposure of Yi Zhonghai: Upon overhearing Yi Zhonghai's plan to marry Qin Huairu to Silly Zhu for housing and old-age support, Jia Zhangshi grabs him by the neck and publicly denounces his schemes. His resulting collapse helps destroy his standing in the courtyard. 216 217 219
• Inheritance dispute: Jia Zhangshi competes with Liu Haizhong's family to care for Yi Zhonghai and claim a potential inheritance, fighting them when they challenge the Jia family's claim. 249 250
• Loss of household authority: Detained again after trying to extort compensation from Liu Jianguo over Bang Geng's arrest, she returns home to find Qin Huairu firmly in control. Qin Huairu announces her decision to marry Silly Zhu, leaving Jia Zhangshi unable to prevent it. 299 301
• Failed housing grab: She prepares to move into He Yushui's house after Yushui's marriage, only to learn that the steel rolling mill had legally allocated it to Liu Yuhua. The Deaf Old Lady drives her out. 375 376
• Final decline: Amid Bang Geng's fraud case, Silly Zhu's arrest, and the Jia family's debts, Jia Zhangshi becomes bedridden and increasingly dependent on painkillers. 442 444 448
• Death: Left alone while the family visits Silly Zhu, she swallows an entire bottle of painkillers. Doctor Ye Qi and the neighbors save her temporarily, but her condition remains grave; she dies soon afterward. 452 453 454 455

Health and Death

Notable Quotes

“This house belongs to the Jia family, and the children belong to the Jia family. If you leave, you can't take anything with you.” 127

“Yi, you black-hearted scoundrel, scheming against the Jia family's daughter-in-law! You deserve to have no descendants!” 216

“If you don't let me live, I'll fight you to the death!” 216