Chapter 26

"How could she not know that the Flowing Light Banquet is hardly a respectable affair, yet she deliberately asked you if you'd go?" Qie Zhan said through gritted teeth.

Interpretation: "How could she possibly not know that the Flowing Light Feast is basically not a banquet that could be put on the table, and yet she deliberately asked you if you're going?" Qi Zhan said through gritted teeth.

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks around the spoken part. Should we keep them? Usually translation includes quotes. We'll keep double quotes as in original? The instruction: translate faithfully, not add or omit. So we should keep the quotation marks. The line includes 「... 」. We'll translate to English with quotes. Use double quotes? Usually we keep the same punctuation style? Could use English double quotes. We'll output: 【1】 "How could she possibly not know that the Flowing Light Feast is basically not a banquet that could be put on the table, and yet she deliberately asked you if you're going?" Qi Zhan said through gritted teeth.

Make sure it's one line.

Zhou Yinhe gave him an unhappy look: "Can't you stop being so malicious toward her? She hasn't been to Hua Guo for three years—how could she know these things? Besides, she was invited."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe gave him an unhappy look: "Can't you stop being so malicious toward her? She hasn't been to Hua Guo for three years; how could she know these things? Besides, she was invited."

Zhou Yinhe gave him an unhappy look: "Can't you stop being so malicious toward her? She hasn't been to Hua Guo for three years; how could she know these things? Besides, she was invited."

Make sure it's one line.

Qie Zhan felt it was utterly unbelievable—such a smart person since childhood, yet he gets fooled just like that, a few words and he's lost his bearings, and he still wants to count money for them.

Translation: Qi Zhan felt it was simply unbelievable; such a smart person since childhood, to say he was deceived and he was deceived, a few words from others coaxed him into losing his bearings, and he even wanted to count money for them.

He lost his bearings, still wanting to count money for them.

He let go of Zhou Yinhe's arm and said earnestly: "You're hopeless—tidy up and go dig wild vegetables on the mountain."

Translation: He loosened his grip on Zhou Yinhe's arm and said earnestly: "You're hopeless; tidy up and go dig wild vegetables on the mountain."

Tidy up and go dig wild vegetables on the mountain.

Zhou Yinhe wore a look of disdain, tugged at his sleeve, and slowly moved back to his original spot, moving even closer to where Wen Ling had been.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe wore a look of disdain, tugged at his sleeve, and slowly moved back to his original spot, moving even closer to where Wen Ling had been before.

Zhou Yinhe wore a look of disdain, tugged at his sleeve, and slowly moved back to his original spot, moving even closer to where Wen Ling had been.

Qie Zhan was so angry at his worthless demeanor that he even wanted to pinch his own philtrum.

Translation: Qi Zhan was so angry at his worthless appearance that he even wanted to pinch his own philtrum.

He had a worthless look, pinching his own philtrum.

Jiang Bai laughed as he poured him a drink and advised: "Don't worry about others' fates—being deceived by Wen Ling is just Zhou Xiao Wu's destiny."

Translation: Jiang Jibai laughed as he poured him a drink and advised: "Don't worry about his fate; being deceived by Wen Ling is Zhou Xiao Wu's destiny."

Zhou Xiao Wu

Ke Chengyu couldn't help laughing.

Translation: Ke Chengyu couldn't help but laugh.

Zhou Yinhe had no other thoughts; he simply couldn't help wanting to get closer to Wen Ling, yet he didn't want to reconcile, which is why he often feels troubled.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe had no other thoughts; he simply couldn't help wanting to get close to Wen Ling, yet he didn't want to reconcile, which is why he often feels troubled these days.

Seeing him sit back down, Wen Ling couldn't help but push her luck.

Translation: Seeing him sit back down, Wen Ling couldn't help but want to push further.

"Zhou Yinhe, can you accompany me to the restroom for a moment?"

Translation: "Zhou Yinhe, can you accompany me to the restroom for a moment?"

Zhou Yinhe found it hard to believe, yet he heard Wen Ling say aggrievedly: "Last time at Nys, when I went to the restroom I almost got bullied by the Wu family's young master, causing trouble for the Jiang family's young master; this time I'm afraid I'll run into him again..."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe found it hard to believe, yet he heard Wen Ling say aggrievedly: "Last time in Nys, when I went to the restroom I almost got bullied by that Wu Family young master, causing trouble for Jiang Shao Ye, and this time I'm afraid I might run into him again..."

Jiang Shao Ye and the Wu Family young master were in Nys.

Zhou Yinhe pressed his lips: "Wu Xuan is still in the hospital and won't be out anytime soon."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe pursed his lips: "Wu Xuan is still in the hospital and won't be out anytime soon."

"But what if there's someone else? I'm scared." Wen Ling lightly bit her lip, looked at Zhou Yinhe with a wronged expression, and said understandingly: "It's fine—I can go by myself. Just if I don't come back for a while, remember to come look for me, or have someone else look for me."

Translation: "But what if there's someone else? I'm scared." Wen Ling lightly bit her lip, looked at Zhou Yinhe with grievance, and said understandingly: "It's fine; I can go by myself. Just if I don't come back for a while, remember to come look for me, or have someone else look for me."

Zhou Yinhe even found it hard to accept her supposition; just thinking about it made his chest ache, so he went from hesitation to compromise in just a few seconds, stood up, lowered his gaze at Wen Ling, and said: "Let's go."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe even found it hard to accept the supposition she mentioned; just thinking about it made his chest ache, so he went from hesitation to compromise in just a few seconds, stood up, lowered his gaze to look at Wen Ling, and said: "Let's go."

Wen Ling smiled with her eyes curved, nodded, and gave a clear "yes."

Translation: Wen Ling smiled with her eyes curved, nodded, and gave a clear "yes."

The two walked out of the private room one after the other, and Zhao Xingtang, having watched the whole thing, couldn't help but applaud and praise: "With that advance-by-retreat tactic and a face like that, you really can't blame Xiao Wu for being soft-hearted."

Translation: The two walked out of the private room one after the other; Zhao Xingtang, who had watched the whole thing, couldn't help but clap and praise: "With this tactic of advancing by retreating, and having a face like that, it's really not fair to blame Xiao Wu for being soft-hearted."

Several others were also speechless; Ke Chengyu now greatly admired Wen Ling, agreeing with Zhao Xingtang: "Wen Ling's skills are too profound; Xiao Wu can't outplay her, and it seems he'll soon be reeled in by her again."

Translation: Several others were also speechless; Ke Chengyu now greatly admired Wen Ling, agreeing with Zhao Xingtang: "Wen Ling's depth is too profound; Xiao Wu can't outplay her, and it looks like before long Xiao Wu will be reeled in by Wen Ling again."

Jiang Bai curled his lips and said: "Fortunately Xiao Wu has a prickly personality; otherwise, the moment Wen Ling set foot in Hua Guo, he would have already made up with her."

Translation: Jiang Jibai curled his lips: "Thank goodness Xiao Wu has a prickly personality; otherwise, the moment Wen Ling set foot in Hua Guo, he would have reconciled with her."

Qie Zhan was so angry he didn't want to speak, while Ke Chengyu propped up his leg and drawled: "We still ought to be glad Xiao Wu has this foul temper."

Translation: Qi Zhan was so angry he didn't want to speak anymore; Ke Chengyu crossed his legs and drawled: "We still have to be glad that Xiao Wu has this foul temper."

"I still say the same thing: respect others' destinies." Jiang Bai spread his hands and smiled.

Translation: "I still say the same thing: respect others' fates." Jiang Jibai spread his hands and smiled.

Zhou Yinhe had no idea what they talked about after leaving the private room; he stood awkwardly outside the restroom door, wearing a model-like face, his clothes and watch reminding curious onlookers of his noble status.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe had no idea what they talked about after leaving the private room; at this moment he stood somewhat awkwardly outside the restroom door, wearing a model-like face, his clothes and watch reminding curious onlookers of his noble and precious status.

Wen Ling stood before the mirror, leisurely tidying her clothes, reapplied her lipstick, pressed her lips together, and gave a light smile at her reflection.

Translation: Wen Ling stood before the mirror, leisurely tidied her clothes, reapplied her lipstick, pressed her lips together, and gave a light smile to the mirror.

She truly understood Zhou Yinhe—always stubborn in speech, always soft-hearted, and deep down, besides feeling moved, she also admired her own tactics.

Translation: She truly understood Zhou Yinhe—always stubborn in speech, always soft-hearted; deep down, besides feeling somewhat moved, she also admired her own tactics.

She winked at her reflection in the mirror, then left the restroom, saw Zhou Yinhe standing not far away, stern-faced and lazily leaning against the wall, and said somewhat embarrassedly: "Sorry, have you been waiting long?"

Translation: She blinked at her reflection in the mirror, then walked out of the restroom, saw Zhou Yinhe standing not far away, stern-faced and lazily leaning against the wall, and said somewhat embarrassedly: "Sorry, did you wait long?"

Zhou Yinhe straightened up and said calmly: "It's fine, let's go."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe straightened up and said calmly: "It's fine, let's go."

Wen Ling nodded, took a step, then tripped on something and lurched forward.

Translation: Wen Ling nodded, but after taking just a step she tripped on something and lunged forward.

Zhou Yinhe instinctively stepped forward to catch her; Wen Ling clutched the front of his clothes with trembling fingers and, still frightened, cried out in a soft voice: "You scared me to death!"

Translation: Zhou Yinhe instinctively stepped forward to catch her; Wen Ling's fingers clutched tightly at the front of his clothes, and she cried out in a frightened, coquettish voice: "You scared me to death."

Zhou Yinhe's heart was pounding too, so much that he forgot Wen Ling was in his arms, and his arms kept tightening.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe's heart was also pounding; he even forgot that Wen Ling was in his embrace, his arm continuing to tighten.

Wen Ling lifted her gaze to him, tiptoed, and slowly brought her face close to his— their lips were almost touching.

Translation: Wen Ling lifted her gaze to him, tiptoed, and slowly brought her face close to his; their lips were almost touching.

Zhou Yinhe suddenly snapped out of it, turned his head aside, and Wen Ling left a lip print on his cheek; the red mark stood out starkly against his pale skin.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe suddenly came to his senses, turned his head to dodge, but Wen Ling directly left a lip print on his cheek; the red lip print stood out starkly against his pale skin.

Zhou Yinhe instinctively pulled his hand back and took a step back; the redness spread from his face down his neck, even threatening to go further.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe instinctively pulled his hand back and took a step back; the redness spread from his face down to his neck, and even further downward.

He clenched his fists, his heart racing faster and faster, to the point where he could barely catch his breath.

Translation: He clenched his fists, his heart beating faster and faster, to the point that he could barely catch his breath.

"Sorry." Wen Ling also blushed, lowered her head embarrassed, and whispered: "I just couldn't help myself, I'm sorry."

Translation: "Sorry." Wen Ling also blushed, lowered her head embarrassed, and whispered: "I just couldn't help myself; I'm sorry."

Seeing this, Zhou Yinhe swallowed his questioning words and bluntly tossed out: "Let's go, keep up."

Translation: Seeing this, Zhou Yinhe swallowed his questioning words and bluntly said: "Let's go, keep up."

As they hurried toward the private room, Zhou Yinhe suddenly asked: "There's already a restroom inside the private room—why did we come out?"

Translation: As they were about to reach the private room, Zhou Yinhe suddenly asked: "There's a restroom inside the private room; why did we go out?"

Why would Wen Ling do that? Obviously to tease Zhou Yinhe a bit, so she could only come up with an excuse: "The restroom inside is surely used mostly by men, while the outside one is at least for women only."

Translation: What could be the reason? Obviously to tease Zhou Yinhe a bit; she could only come up with an excuse: "The restroom inside is surely used mostly by men, while the outside one is at least only for women."

Zhou Yinhe hummed in acknowledgment, pushed open the private room door and went in, not forgetting to hold the door for Wen Ling.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe hummed in acknowledgment, pushed open the private room door and went in, not forgetting to hold the door for Wen Ling.

When he sat back in his original spot, Qie Zhan happened to notice the red mark on his face, and met Wen Ling's provocative gaze, feeling as if his vision went dark.

Translation: When he sat back in his original seat, Qi Zhan happened to see the red mark on his face, and meeting Wen Ling's provocative gaze, he felt his vision go dark.

"Oh dear..." Qie Zhan leaned back on the sofa, tilted his head up, and said helplessly.

Translation: "Oh heavens..." Qi Zhan leaned back in the sofa, tilted his head up, and said helplessly.

Wen Ling chuckled inwardly, restrained the provocative look in her eyes, adopted an innocent expression, grabbed a tissue, leaned close to Zhou Yinhe, and slowly wiped the lipstick mark from his cheek.

Translation: Wen Ling chuckled inwardly, restrained the provocative look in her eyes, adopted an innocent expression, grabbed a tissue, leaned close to Zhou Yinhe, and slowly wiped the lip print from his cheek.

Their faces were so close they could feel each other's breath; Zhou Yinhe stared blankly at half of Wen Ling's face, a dazed look rarely seen even among those who grew up together.

Translation: Their faces were so close they could feel each other's breath; Zhou Yinhe stared blankly at half of Wen Ling's face, his dazed expression being something rarely seen even among those who had grown up together since childhood.

After wiping it off, Wen Ling's fingers lightly brushed his cheek, and she whispered: "Sorry, I left a lipstick mark on your face just now—I forgot I'd just reapplied my lipstick."

Translation: After wiping it off, Wen Ling's fingers lightly brushed his cheek, and she whispered: "Sorry, I left a lipstick mark on your face just now; I forgot I had just reapplied my lipstick."

Zhou Yinhe turned his face away, not looking at her; his ears were burning red, yet his tone remained calm as he said: "It's fine."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe turned his face away, not looking at her; his ears were red enough to smoke, yet his tone remained calm: "It's fine."

Wen Ling curled her lips in a smile, took the wine and poured him a cup, then lightly raised her own glass to clink with his.

Translation: Wen Ling curved her lips into a smile, took the wine and poured him a cup, then lightly raised her own glass and clinked it against his.

Zhou Yinhe took it, drank it down in one gulp, and only as the cool liquor entered his mouth did he feel his internal heat beginning to ease slightly.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe took it, drank it down in one gulp, and only as the cool liquor entered his mouth did he feel that his internal heat was slightly beginning to subside.

Seeing that it was getting late and that Zhou Yinhe had been teased enough, Wen Ling smiled, said her goodbyes to the others, and as she left gave Zhou Yinhe a lingering, reluctant glance.

Translation: Seeing that it was getting late and that Zhou Yinhe had been teased enough, Wen Ling smiled, said goodbye to the others, and as she left she gave Zhou Yinhe a reluctant look.

Zhou Yinhe stood up and told the others: "I'm leaving too—you guys keep enjoying yourselves."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe stood up and told the others: "I'm leaving too; you guys have fun."

After saying that, he followed Wen Ling out of the private room; he stayed behind until she softly bade him farewell and got into the car, then he stood there for a long time, ruffled his hair, returned to the Cloud Club, and had the manager arrange a driver to take him back to his own residence.

Translation: Having said that, he followed Wen Ling out of the private room; all the way until she got into the car after bidding him farewell softly, he stood there for a long time, ruffled his hair, then returned to the Cloud Club, had the manager arrange a driver to send him back to his own residence.

Wen Ling got into the car, then she revealed a triumphant smile.