Chapter 100

Literal: Even if Jiao Wei were beaten to death, he wouldn't think Su Qu would give such an answer.

We need natural English: "Even if Jiao Wei were beaten to death, he wouldn't have thought Su Qu would give such an answer."

But keep meaning. Use past? We'll output: Even if Jiao Wei were beaten to death, he wouldn't have thought Su Qu would give such an answer.

Translation: Actually, normal people wouldn't think of such an answer; those who don't know might think you're joking. After all, it's just a cat—how much help could it be? Help you eat?

We need to keep punctuation? We'll produce a single line.

Translation: Seeing Jiao Wei's expression, Su Qu knew what he was thinking, scratched his head, and said, "Eh, I'm just saying it; whether you listen or believe it is up to you."

Translation: "Why that cat?" Jiao Wei pondered for a long time before squeezing out that sentence.

We need to keep it as one line.

Translation: Although many people don't know the true reason behind Ren Chong's situation, someone like Yi Xin, who has a relatively close relationship with the Jiao family, can also infer some things from it.

We need to keep as one line.

Translation: He checked the time. It was already late. Su Qu said his goodbyes and left; he still had a class that night.

Translation: Jiao Wei sped up his movements, peeled the remaining potatoes, then tidied up. He rushed to the military training ground. The evening training was also about to start.

Translation: Su Qu's words. Jiao Wei kept thinking about them, so that when he saw the cat the next day, he always felt a bit awkward.

Jiao Wei's parents also chimed in, saying no matter what, their child is only a ten**-year-old young person, and young people should be active. They gave Jiao Wei some money, and his dad told him to go out with his roommates and classmates to see the city; since coming to Chuhua City, he hadn't yet properly explored this new, prosperous metropolis.

Translation: At noon after school, Zheng Tan was walking with Xiao Youzi following Jiao Wei toward the small eatery, feeling a gaze fixed on him; he turned his head and saw Jiao Wei awkwardly shifting his gaze away.

What's going on?

Translation: What's going on?

Zheng Tan wondered, could it be that Jiao Wei has an objection to him and Fatty and the others watching the military training?

Translation: Zheng Tan wondered, could it be that Jiao Wei has objections to him and Da Pang and the others watching the military training?

All the way to the snack bar, they ate at a folding table, and Zheng Tan occasionally noticed Jiao Wei's scrutinizing gaze, which ruined his appetite.

Translation: All the way to the small eatery, while eating at the folding table, Zheng Tan occasionally noticed Jiao Wei's scrutinizing gaze, and his appetite worsened.

The person and the cat stared at each other for a few seconds, then Jiao Wei looked away again. He felt the cat's gaze was strange, an indescribable weirdness, as if… it weren't a cat's eyes but a person's.

Translation: The person and cat stared at each other for a few seconds; Jiao Wei shifted his gaze again. He felt the cat's look was strange, an indescribable weirdness, as if… it weren't a cat's eyes but a person's.

Jiao Wei had heard before that some cats express their thoughts through their eyes, and you can tell what they're thinking by looking. Although he couldn't discern exactly what this cat wanted to convey from its gaze, he at least knew the cat was in a terrible mood.

Translation: Jiao Wei had heard before that some cats express their thoughts through their eyes, so you can tell what they're thinking by looking. Although he couldn't discern exactly what this cat wanted to convey from its gaze, he at least knew the cat was in a terrible mood.

By early November, the military training was nearing its end; the weather wasn't as grueling as before, and the fresh-faced complexions from the start of term had darkened several layers, as if brushed with ash.

Translation: By around eleven, the military training was nearing its end, the weather wasn't as grueling as before, and the freshmen's pale faces from the start of school had now each turned several shades darker, as if brushed with ash.

If you asked those third- and fourth-year students what drove them crazy during military training back then, it would mostly be taking photos.

Translation: If you asked those third- and fourth-year students what drove them craziest during military training back then, it would mostly be taking photos.

At their ugliest and darkest moment in college, the school took their ID photos, and these photos were filed into the system, appearing on their various cards for the next four years—library cards, CET-4 and CET-6 certificates, and so on.

Translation: At their ugliest and darkest point in college, the school took their ID photos, and this photo was filed into the system, appearing on their various cards for the next four years—library cards, CET-4/6 certificates, and so on.

At that time, the all-in-one card hadn't yet appeared at Chuhua University, so many cards were separate.

Translation: At that time, the all-in-one card hadn't yet appeared at Chu Hua University, so many cards were separate.

Every time they went to the library to borrow books, the librarian in charge would stare at their cards' dark, grimy faces and then gaze at them for a while. Especially those who cared about face, when they brought up those experiences, they'd beat their chests and stomp their feet.

Translation: Every time they went to the library to borrow books, the auntie in charge of lending would stare at their cards' blackened faces, then look at them for a long while. Especially those who cared about face, when they brought up those experiences, they'd beat their chests and stomp their feet.

When this year's freshmen took their photos, Zheng Tan was crouched on a nearby tree, lying on his belly, listening to the students complain.

Translation: When this year's freshmen were taking their photos, Zheng Tan was crouched on a nearby tree, lying there, listening to the students complain.

After yawning, Zheng Tan gloated for a while. As the saying goes, one white covers a hundred uglinesses, but now most people are sunburnt dark and grimy, making it impossible to find a few presentable girls.

Translation: After yawning, Zheng Tan gloated for a while. As they say, one white covers a hundred uglinesses, but now most people are sunburnt dark, so trying to find a few presentable girls is impossible.

On the day of the military training review, Zheng Tan, Fatty, and the monitor all ran over to watch. Ah Huang wasn't there; after getting a stomach bug, he was taken to Xiao Guo's place for treatment. Even if he were present, Ah Huang wouldn't be very interested in these things.

Translation: On the day of the military training review, Zheng Tan, Da Pang, and Jingzhang ran over to watch; A Huang wasn't there, having been taken to Xiao Guo for treatment after a bad stomach, and even if he were here, A Huang wouldn't be interested in these things.

After the morning inspection, the afternoon saw the instructors off. Regardless of what the military training had turned them into, under that atmosphere many people had bloodshot eyes. Among the guys, their camaraderie could shift from slapping bricks at each other one moment to smoking, drinking, and chatting about women the next.

Translation: After the morning review, they sent off the instructors in the afternoon. Regardless of how they were drilled during military training, under that atmosphere many now had red eyes. Among the guys, their feelings could shift from slapping bricks at each other one moment to smoking, drinking, and chatting about women the next.

Young people are prone to impulsiveness, and when the atmosphere builds up, things change.

Translation: Young people are prone to impulsiveness; when the atmosphere rises, they become different.

Even Zheng Tan, who was crouched at the edge watching, felt somewhat infected. Recalling his own enrollment days, he roughly seemed to have skipped military training, spent some money at the hospital to get a note, had the school leaders sign it, and left. Looking back now, it's really a pity.

Translation: Even Zheng Tan, who was crouched at the side watching, felt somewhat infected; recalling his own enrollment days, he roughly seemed to have skipped military training, spent some money at the hospital to get a note, had the school leaders sign it, and left. Looking back now, it really is a pity.

He stretched, jumped down from the tree, and Zheng Tan walked home, where Mom Jiao said they'd be having dumplings tonight~~

Translation: He stretched, jumped down from the tree, and Zheng Tan walked home; Jiao Ma said they'd have dumplings for dinner~~

Jiao Wei and his roommates went together to see the instructors off, then came to his family's eatery to help out; a few roommates also came over, ready to enjoy a good meal and think about what to do over the next two days.

Translation: Jiao Wei and his roommates went together to see off the instructors, then came to his family's eatery to help out; a few roommates also came over, preparing to have a good meal and meanwhile think about how to spend the next two days.

After the military training ended, they had two days of free time. Aside from holding a class meeting, there wasn't much else, so they planned to go out and sightsee.

Translation: After the military training ended, they had two days of free time. Aside from holding a class meeting, there wasn't much else, so they planned to go out and sightsee.

Jiao Wei's parents also chimed in, saying no matter what, their child is only a ten**-year-old young person, and young people should be active. They gave Jiao Wei some money, and his dad told him to go out with his roommates and classmates to see the city; since coming to Chuhua City, he hadn't yet properly explored this new, prosperous metropolis.

their child is only a ten**-year-old young person

Thus: Jiao Wei's parents also chimed in, no matter what, their child is only a ten**-year-old young person; young people should be active. They gave Jiao Wei some money, and his father told him to go out with his roommates and classmates to see this city—since arriving in Chu Hua Shi, he hadn't properly seen this new prosperous metropolis.

That night, the dorm mates chatted late; although Jiao Wei responded a few times, his mind was still on that matter, watching as September was about to pass, wondering whether those people would still come in October.

Translation: Returning to the dorms at night, several people together researched some famous sights of Chu Hua Shi. Jiao Wei lived in an eight-person room. Compared to a four-person room, the fees were much cheaper. Originally his parents disagreed, worried about wronging the child, but Jiao Wei felt that aside from sleeping, he hardly had any time to stay in the dorm. There was no need to stay in a four-person room. Besides, even an eight-person room was much better than the dormitory conditions at the town high school he used to attend—at least when climbing onto the bunk, the bed wouldn't creak.

Should we try to look for that cat?

Translation: That night the dorm mates chatted late; although Jiao Wei responded a few times, his mind was still on that matter, watching as September was about to pass, wondering whether those people would still come in October.

But how should we say it?

Translation: Should I try to look for that cat?

Or should we stand in front of the cat and say, "Hey, give me a hand, I'll give you fish to eat!"

Translation: But how should I say it?

People would probably think you're crazy.

Translation: Or should I stand in front of the cat and say, "Hey, help me out, I'll give you fish to eat!"

Sigh, this is tough.

Translation: I'd guess others would think I'm crazy.

The next morning, Jiao Wei and his classmates went to the cafeteria for breakfast; they planned to eat, then follow the preset route to visit the various sights, having already bought bus passes and listed which bus to take to each spot on a sheet so they wouldn't get lost.

Translation: Sigh, this is tough.

After eating, as they walked out, Jiao Wei spotted a familiar black figure on the small path not far from the cafeteria.

Translation: The next morning, Jiao Wei and his classmates went to the cafeteria for breakfast; their plan was to finish breakfast and then follow the prearranged route to visit the various sights, having already bought bus cards, with a list noting which sight to take which bus, so they wouldn't get lost.

"You go ahead and wait for me at the bus stop; I have something to take care of first, I'll catch up later." Jiao Wei said somewhat hurriedly to his roommates.

Translation: After eating, as they walked out, Jiao Wei spotted a familiar black figure on the little path not far from the cafeteria.

"What's up? Do you need help?"

Translation: "You go ahead; just wait for me at the bus stop. I have something to take care of first, I'll catch up later." Jiao Wei said somewhat hurriedly to his roommates.

"No need, you go ahead!" After saying that, Jiao Wei ran toward the small path.

Translation: "What's up? Do you need help?"

Zheng Tan was about to go for a stroll in the small grove—he hadn't been there in a while, planning to climb some trees for exercise. He'd eaten too much that morning, so he wasn't running, just walking slowly over there until he heard familiar footsteps.

Translation: "No need, you go on ahead!" After saying that, Jiao Wei ran toward the little path.

"Hei Tan! Wait!" Jiao Wei shouted while running, afraid the cat would disappear.

Translation: Zheng Tan was about to go for a stroll in the small grove—he hadn't been there in a while, planning to climb some trees for exercise. Having eaten too much in the morning, he wasn't running, just strolling slowly over there until he heard familiar footsteps.

Zheng Tan stopped, turned to look at the person running over, not knowing why Jiao Wei had called out to him—yesterday that guy had said he was going out to play with his classmates, so why hadn't they left yet?

Translation: "Hei Tan! Wait up!" Jiao Wei shouted while running, afraid the cat would disappear.

After Jiao Wei ran over and looked at the cat in front of him, he actually didn't know how to start. Looking around, although the path wasn't crowded, a few students were still heading this way; after thinking, he tentatively said, "Let's find a place with no one and talk."

Translation: Zheng Tan stopped, turned his head to look at the person running over, not knowing why Jiao Wei had called him—yesterday that guy said he was going out to play with his classmates, so why hasn't he left yet?

If he hadn't spent time with that cat, and if he hadn't heard Su Qu say those things, even if beaten to death Jiao Wei wouldn't have spoken to a cat like that.

Translation: After Jiao Wei ran over and looked at the cat before him, he actually didn't know how to start. Looking around, although the little path had few people, some students were still heading this way; after thinking, Jiao Wei tentatively said, "Find a place with no one, let's have a talk."

Zheng Tan tugged his ears, not understanding what the guy was up to, but since he was bored anyway, he thought about a suitable spot nearby, lifted his foot, walked two steps, stopped, looked at Jiao Wei, and gestured for him to follow.

Translation: If it weren't for having interacted with this cat for a while, and if it weren't for hearing Su Qu say those things, even if beaten to death Jiao Wei wouldn't speak to a cat like this.

Jiao Wei rubbed the sides of his nose, looked around, then followed the cat ahead.

Translation: Zheng Tan flicked his ears, not understanding what this guy wanted, but anyway, being bored, he thought of a suitable spot nearby, lifted his foot and walked over, took two steps, stopped, looked at Jiao Wei, and gestured for him to follow.

They hadn't gone far before reaching a small flowerbed nearby; the place was secluded, with no one around, so their conversation wouldn't be overheard.

Translation: Jiao Wei tweaked his nostrils, glanced around, then followed the cat ahead.

Zheng Tan jumped onto the flowerbed, looked at Jiao Wei, and waited for what he would say next.

Translation: Not having gone far, they arrived beside a small flower bed; this spot was relatively remote, with no one around, so their talk wouldn't be overheard.

Jiao Wei hemmed and hawed for a moment, then asked, "Can you help get in touch with Wei Leng?"

Translation: Zheng Tan jumped onto the flower bed, looked at Jiao Wei, and waited for his next words.

Wei Leng?

Translation: Jiao Wei hemmed and hawed for a bit, then asked, "Can you help contact Wei Leng?"

What do we need that guy for?

Translation: Wei Leng?

Zheng Tan looked at Jiao Wei skeptically.

Translation: What do you want with that guy?

However, Wei Leng hasn't been around for a while; he once said he wasn't coming because he didn't want to see the freshmen's military training, which would make him miss military life, so if he were to come, he'd wait until after the training ended. Looking at the time, the training is over, so Wei Leng should show up these two days.

Translation: Zheng Tan looked at Jiao Wei suspiciously.

However, Wei Leng hasn't been around for a while; he once said he wasn't coming because he didn't want to see the freshmen's military training, which would make him miss military life, so if he were to come, he'd wait until after the training ended. Looking at the time, the training is over, so Wei Leng should show up these two days.

Translation: However, speaking of Wei Leng, he hasn't been around for a while; he once said he stayed away because he didn't want to see the freshmen's military training, which would make him miss military life, so if he were to come, he'd wait until after the training ended. Looking at the time, the training has ended, so Wei Leng should show up these two days.

"Well then, if Wei Leng comes to find you next time, could you bring him to my restaurant?" Jiao Wei said somewhat hesitantly, then looked at the reaction of the cat in front of him.

Zheng Tan didn't know what Jiao Wei wanted from Wei Leng, but just saying that, he could still help with this small favor. So he raised a hand and looked at Jiao Wei.

Jiao Wei didn't quite understand the cat's meaning in front of him, and didn't move.

Zheng Tan: "..." Stupid!

He walked over, and Zheng Tan patted Jiao Wei's hand once.

This was how Zheng Tan usually showed agreement with Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi—if he agreed, he'd give a little pat with his paw—so that's why he acted this way now.

After patting, Zheng Tan jumped down from the flowerbed and walked toward the grove.

Jiao Wei watched the cat walk away, then looked at the back of his own hand—was this… agreement? (To be continued…)

ps: 【The following word count is not included in the v chapter】

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