Chapter 42

Wen Ling noticed his odd expression, lifted her leg to kick him, but he seized her ankle and planted a frivolous kiss.

Translation: Wen Ling saw his expression was off, she lifted her leg to kick him, but he grabbed her ankle and planted a frivolous kiss on it.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Wen Ling saw his expression was off, she lifted her leg to kick him, but he grabbed her ankle and planted a frivolous kiss on it.

planted a frivolous kiss

"Let go." She clenched her jaws: "Can't you show some awareness of your status?"

Translation: "Let go." She gritted her teeth: "Can't you be a bit more aware of your position?"

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes. Let's produce: "Let go." She gritted her teeth: "Can't you be a bit more aware of your position?"

"Am I not aware enough? Isn't my role just to do this?" Zhou Yinhe smirked, his long, slender fingers tracing slowly up her calf.

Translation: "Am I not aware enough? Isn't my purpose just to do this?" Zhou Yinhe curled his lips, his fingers distinct and slender, slowly sliding up her calf.

his fingers distinct and slender, slowly sliding up her calf

Wen Ling trembled from his actions, unable to get away, she forced a cold tone: "Between us, I'm the one in charge—do you get that?"

Translation: Wen Ling trembled all over from his actions, unable to escape, she forced a cold voice: "Between us, I'm in charge, do you understand?"

trembled all over from his actions, unable to escape, she forced a cold voice

"I understand." He moved closer, pulling Wen Ling into his embrace, and whispered: "So you came to touch me."

Translation: "I understand." He drew even closer, until he held Wen Ling in his arms, softly coaxing: "So you came to touch me."

"Zhou Yinhe, you used to be indifferent toward me, but now you're rushing to find me—is this really you?"

Translation: "Zhou Yinhe, weren't you aloof with me? Now you're rushing to find me—is this still you?"

aloof and indifferent, rushing to find me

"Why not?" Zhou Yinhe countered, tilting his face to kiss her, then scooped her up and carried her back to the room.

Translation: "Why not?" Zhou Yinhe retorted, turned his face to kiss her, then lifted her and went back to the room.

Zhou Yinhe relentlessly took, forcing Wen Ling to accept everything he offered, as he dragged her dazedly into the depths.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe kept taking, Wen Ling was forced to accept everything he gave, and he dragged her dazedly into the deep sea.

Until Wen Ling finally couldn't take it anymore, she wrenched free from Zhou Yinhe's hold and slapped him.

Translation: Until Wen Ling could no longer bear it, she broke free of Zhou Yinhe's hand and slapped him.

She intended to strike with full force, but her arms and fingers were limp, so the blow to Zhou Yinhe's face felt only a faint sting.

Translation: She wanted to use all her strength, but her arms and fingers were limp, so the slap on Zhou Yinhe's face felt only weakly painful.

Zhou Yinhe breathed heavily, gazing down at Wen Ling with hurt: "You hit me."

Translation: Zhou Yinhe's breathing grew heavy, he looked down at Wen Ling with resentment: "You hit me."

"Enough." Wen Ling's voice was hoarse, she barely breathed out the two words.

Translation: "Enough." Wen Ling's voice was already hoarse, she barely breathed out the two words.

Zhou Yinhe wasn't letting her go; he gripped her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.

Translation: Zhou Yinhe wasn't about to let her go; he held her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.

Not enough.

Translation: "Not enough."

He was shamelessly thick-skinned; Wen Ling could do nothing about him, regretting her initial playing hard to get and her agreement to him, which had turned into a relationship that let him do whatever he wanted.

Translation: He's shamelessly thick-skinned, Wen Ling could do nothing about him, regretting her initial play of hard to get and her agreement to him, which had turned into a relationship letting him do as he pleased.

playing hard to get; agreeing to him became a relationship that let him do as he pleased

But what good is regret? Zhou Yinhe's ardor was provoked by her; he was merely pretending, ever since he entered Lang Po Wan. This was the only thought left in Wen Ling's mind before she passed out.

Translation: But what's the use of regret? Zhou Yinhe's spiritedness was provoked by her; he was just pretending, ever since he entered Lang Po Wan. This was the only thought left in Wen Ling's mind before she passed out.

Lang Po Wan

The curtains weren't closed properly; the scorching afternoon sun streamed through the gap onto Wen Ling's exposed ankle outside the blanket.

Translation: The curtains weren't drawn tight, the afternoon sun blazing, its rays slipping through the gap to fall on Wen Ling's ankle exposed outside the blanket.

As soon as Wen Ling tried to turn over, her whole body felt as if it were being ripped apart, sore and weak.

Translation: Wen Ling tried to turn over, but as soon as she moved, her whole body felt as if being torn apart, sore and weak.

She hated it so much her teeth itched; irritably she raked her fingers through her hair, kicked the blanket hard, and cried out in pain.

Translation: She truly hated to the point her gums itched; irritably she grabbed at her hair, then kicked the blanket hard, the pain making her cry out.

At that moment, the phone on the bedside table kept vibrating; Wen Ling had to painfully crawl over, pick it up, glance at the caller ID—it was Aunt Zhou calling.

Translation: At that moment, the phone on the bedside table kept vibrating; Wen Ling had no choice but to painfully move over, pick up the phone and glance at the caller ID—it was Aunt Zhou's call.

Aunt Zhou

She answered, uttering a hoarse "hello" that sounded unpleasant.

Translation: She answered, uttering a hoarse "hey" that sounded unpleasant.

She widened her eyes, covered her mouth, unable to believe she had made such a sound.

Translation: She widened her eyes, covered her mouth, finding it hard to believe she could make such a sound.

Aunt Zhou paused, then said: "Ah Ling, I'll make you some pear soup shortly—are you hungry?"

Translation: Aunt Zhou fell silent for a moment, then said: "Ah Ling, I'll make you pear soup in a bit—are you hungry?"

Ah Ling

Wen Ling gave a muffled hum, the pent-up anger making her want to cry.

Translation: Wen Ling gave a muffled hum, the anger bottled up inside making her want to cry.

Aunt Zhou easily sensed her anger, gently coaxing: "Someone sent you something—do you want to come down and see?"

Translation: Aunt Zhou easily sensed her anger, and gently coaxed: "Someone sent you something—do you want to come down and see?"

Wen Ling slowly sat up, changed into loungewear, and took the elevator down to the first floor.

Translation: Wen Ling slowly got up, changed into home clothes, and took the elevator down to the first floor.

She blinked at Aunt Zhou, not wanting to say a word; Aunt Zhou quickly made the pear soup, chilled it rapidly in ice water until it was just right to drink.

Translation: She gave Aunt Zhou a blink, not wanting to speak; Aunt Zhou quickly finished the pear soup, placed it in ice water to chill rapidly until it reached a pleasant temperature.

She handed the pear soup to Wen Ling, watching her drink; only after she finished did she fetch the sandalwood box from the table.

Translation: She handed the pear soup to Wen Ling, watching her drink; once she finished, Wen Ling went to fetch the sandalwood box placed on the table.

"It must have been sent by Young Master Zhou—shall we open it and see?"

Translation: "It must have been sent by Young Master Zhou—shall we open it?"

Young Master Zhou

Wen Ling bit her lip, her fingers twitching slightly.

Translation: Wen Ling bit her lip, her fingers twitching slightly.

Aunt Zhou knew she wanted to look, still not appeased, so she opened it for Wen Ling; the jewelry inside genuinely startled her.

Translation: Aunt Zhou knew she wanted to look but was still angry, so she proactively opened it for Wen Ling; the jewelry inside genuinely startled her.

She opened her mouth and exclaimed: "The Zhou family truly lives up to being Hua Guo's top nobility—they even have such antique pieces."

Translation: She opened her mouth in admiration: "The Zhou family truly lives up to being Hua Guo's top nobility—they even have antiques like this."

Hua Guo

The Zhou family was never simple; Aunt Zhou knew this wasn't as simple as she made it sound. When she accompanied Wen Ling in M Country, they lived in that castle-like Wen Garden, mingling with M Country nobility and high society elites; seeing this, she couldn't help but be startled—how could she not know how precious it was?

Translation: The Zhou family was never simple; Aunt Zhou knew this well—it wasn't as simple as she made it sound. When she accompanied Wen Ling in M Country, they lived in that castle-like Wen Garden, mingling with M Country nobility and high society; seeing this, she couldn't help but be startled, and how could she not know how precious it was?

M Country, the castle-like Wen Garden, high society nobility, and precious

Wen Ling lowered her gaze to the glittering gold bracelet in the box, pursing her lips.

Translation: Wen Ling lowered her gaze to the gleaming gold bracelet in the box, pursing her lips.

Although the bracelet was well maintained, its long history showed in the openwork design; the gems appeared to have been reset, sparkling brightly and striking.

Translation: Though well maintained, the bracelet showed its age, with an openwork pattern; the gems likely reset, sparkling brightly and eye‑catching.

"She spoke, her voice no longer hoarse: 'You're giving me an antique—can I even wear it outside?'"

Translation: She spoke, her voice no longer hoarse: "You're giving me an antique—can I even wear it out?"

"It's very similar to an item from an auction in D Country over a decade ago." Aunt Zhou smiled, took out the gold bracelet, lifted Wen Ling's hand to put it on: "Most items at that auction were like this antique; I recall the highest-priced item was a gold bracelet like this—back then Young Master Zhou was still young, likely bid on by the Zhou family elders."

Translation: "It's very like something from an auction in D Country over a decade ago." Aunt Zhou smiled, took out the gold bracelet, lifted Wen Ling's hand to put it on her: "Most items at that auction were like this; I recall the highest‑priced piece was a gold bracelet just like this—back then Young Master Zhou was still little, probably bid on by the Zhou family elders."

D Country, Young Master Zhou, Zhou family elders

Wen Ling's wrist was slender and fair, her skin tender; fortunately Zhou Yinhe hadn't gone so far as to leave a mark on her wrist, otherwise Aunt Zhou would surely have made an issue of it if she saw.

Translation: Wen Ling's wrist was slender and fair, her skin tender; fortunately Zhou Yinhe hadn't gone so far as to leave a mark on her wrist, otherwise Aunt Zhou seeing it would never let it rest.

Zhou Yinhe, Aunt Zhou

"The bracelet looked very flattering on her hand; Wen Ling blinked and said softly: 'It's fine.'"

Translation: The gold bracelet on her wrist really showed off her skin tone; Wen Ling blinked and said softly: "Not bad."

"Nice." Aunt Zhou praised.

Translation: "Beautiful." Aunt Zhou praised.

"Wen Ling, however, took off the bracelet and put it back in the box, pursing her lips: 'Let's wear it another time.'"

Translation: Wen Ling, however, took off the bracelet and put it back in the box, pursing her lips: "I'll wear it another day."

"It looks lovely when worn; since it's a gift for you, just wear it."

Translation: "It looks great when worn; since it's a gift, just wear it."

"No, it doesn't match my clothes." Wen Ling shook her head, closed the box, and told Aunt Zhou: "Aunt Zhou, I'm hungry."

Translation: "No, it doesn't match my clothes." Wen Ling shook her head, closed the box, and told Aunt Zhou: "Aunt Zhou, I'm hungry."

Aunt Zhou helped tidy her messy hair, then went to the dining room and placed the prepared lunch before Wen Ling.

Translation: Aunt Zhou tidied her messy hair, then went to the dining room and placed the prepared lunch before Wen Ling.

"Have you made up?" Aunt Zhou asked softly.

Translation: "Have you made up?" Aunt Zhou asked softly.

"Wen Ling ate while shaking her head, calmly saying: 'No.'"

Translation: Wen Ling ate while shaking her head, calmly saying: "No."

"You didn't, yet you still did that?" Aunt Zhou, though not overly conservative, wasn't exactly open-minded either, and didn't quite grasp what today's youth think.

Translation: "You didn't, yet you still did that?" Aunt Zhou, though not overly strict, wasn't exactly open‑minded either, and didn't quite grasp what today's youth think.

You didn't, yet you still did that?

"Wen Ling's parents were rarely around, so Aunt Zhou, who raised her, had to take on the responsibility of teaching her the things a mother would normally guide."

Translation: "Remember to take precautions." Wen Ling's parents were rarely around; Aunt Zhou, who had raised her, had to assume the responsibility of teaching her the things a mother would normally guide.

"Wen Ling inevitably thought of yesterday's first time, feeling a bit shy, she gave an indistinct hum."

Translation: Wen Ling inevitably thought of yesterday's first time, feeling a bit shy, she gave a vague hum.

"Aunt Zhou's phone rang once; she glanced at it and told Wen Ling: 'The Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family called you; you didn't answer, so he sent me a message.'"

Translation: Aunt Zhou's phone rang once; she glanced at it a few times and told Wen Ling: "Young Master Zhou of the Zhou family called you; you didn't answer, so she sent me a message."

Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family

"She handed the phone to Wen Ling, who frowned as she took it and glanced at it."

Translation: She handed the phone to Wen Ling, who frowned as she took it and glanced at it.

Aunt Zhou, hello, I just called Wen Ling but she didn't answer; I don't know if she's still asleep—please let her know when she wakes up to call me back.

Translation: 【Aunt Zhou, hello—I just called Wen Ling and she didn't answer; I don't know if she hasn't woken up yet. Please wait until she wakes up, then tell her to call me back.】

We need to keep the brackets? The line includes curly brackets with content. We should translate the content inside, keeping the brackets? The instruction: translate faithfully, never skip. So we should output the translated content, preserving the brackets? Probably we should keep the brackets as they are part of the text. We'll output: 【Aunt Zhou, hello—I just called Wen Ling and she didn't answer; I don't know if she hasn't woken up yet. Please wait until she wakes up, then tell her to call me back.】

"Before the Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family left, he stopped by next door to add me as a friend, saying that later in Forty-Nine City there would be some matters he couldn't handle alone, so I should find him."

Translation: "Before the Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family left, he stopped by next door to add me as a friend, saying that in Sijiucheng there are some matters hard to handle, so he wants me to find him."

We need to use Fifth Young Master of the Zhou family (glossary) and Sijiucheng (glossary). Good.

"Wen Ling pursed her lips, her verdict: 'That's unnecessary.'"

Translation: Wen Ling pursed her lips, her comment: "Unnecessary."

"Aunt Zhou knew Wen Ling's tough exterior hid a soft heart, so she soothed her with: 'It's also out of good intentions.'"

Translation: Aunt Zhou knew best Wen Ling's tough‑outside‑soft‑inside nature, and soothed her with: "It's just good intentions."

"Good intentions? Zhou Yinhe doesn't have that."

Translation: "Good intentions? Zhou Yinhe certainly doesn't have that."

Three years ago he was still a normal, privileged young master; now he's becoming increasingly unhinged.

Translation: Three years ago he was still a normal, pampered young master; now he's getting crazier and crazier.

After finishing her meal and preparing to nap, Aunt Zhou reminded her to call back Old Master Wen; Wen Ling responded, returned to her room, picked up the phone she'd tossed on the bed, glanced at it, and indeed saw several missed calls.

Translation: After finishing her meal she prepared to nap; Aunt Zhou reminded her to call back Mister Wen; Wen Ling acknowledged, returned to her room, picked up the phone she'd tossed on the bed, glanced at it, and indeed saw several missed calls.

Wen Laoxiansheng

She didn't want to call back, so she didn't; instead she called her grandfather.

Translation: She didn't want to, so she didn't; instead she called her grandfather.

The one who answered the phone was not Wen Laoxiansheng, but another familiar voice, warm and pure.