Chapter 105

line: "Although Grandpa Jiao was a little unhappy that Jiao Dad and the others had brought the cat, the adults and children had finally managed to come over, it was already late, and he didn't give Zheng Tan any trouble, so he went back to tidy up the room with Jiao Ma." No Chinese.

Translate: "Although Jiao Lao Yezi was a little dissatisfied with Jiao Ba and the others for bringing the cat, after all, it was not easy for the adults and children to come over, and it was already very late, and no one gave Zheng Tan any trouble, so they went back to tidy up the room together with the old lady."

went back to tidy up the room with Jiao Ma

Thus: "Although Jiao Lao Yezi was a little dissatisfied with Jiao Ba and the others for bringing the cat, after all, it was not easy for the adults and children to come over, and it was already very late, and no one gave Zheng Tan any trouble, so they went back to tidy up the room with Jiao Ma."

The house in town is also a private residence, not an apartment building; relatively speaking, it offers more freedom, and due to its location, the space is much larger, so it's no wonder Grandpa Jiao doesn't want to go to Chuhua City.

Translate: "The house in town is also a private residence, not an apartment building; relatively speaking, it offers more freedom, and due to the location, the space is much larger, so it's no wonder Jiao Lao Yezi doesn't want to go to Chu Hua Shi."

After tidying up two rooms, Jiao Dad and Jiao Yuan took one, Jiao Mom and Xiao Youzi took the other. Zheng Tan thought about it, ignored the makeshift cat nest that Grandpa Jiao had put together from an old sofa cushion and a cardboard box, and ran into the room shared by Jiao Mom and Xiao Youzi.

Translate: "After tidying up two rooms, Jiao Ba and Jiao Yuan took one, Jiao Ma and Xiao Youzi took the other; Zheng Tan thought about it, ignored the old sofa cushion and cardboard box makeshift cat nest that Jiao Lao Yezi had brought out, and ran into Jiao Ma and Xiao Youzi's room."

Because of Zheng Tan's presence, Grandpa Jiao deliberately covered the fish he had just bought to prevent the cat from stealing it.

Translate: "Because of Zheng Tan's presence, Jiao Lao Yezi even specially covered the freshly bought fish with something to prevent the cat from stealing it."

The next day, Grandma Jiao got up early to go buy breakfast. Many local specialties aren't available in Chuhua City, and since the children and grandchildren had finally come over, she bought a lot. However, there was none for Zheng Tan, so at breakfast Jiao Dad, Jiao Mom, Jiao Yuan, and Xiao Youzi shared some of theirs with him, which made Grandpa Jiao stare angrily.

Translate: "The next day, Jiao Lao Tai Tai got up very early to go buy breakfast; many local specialty breakfasts cannot be found in Chu Hua Shi, and since the son and grandson had finally come back once, the old lady bought a lot. However, there was no share for Zheng Tan; when eating breakfast, Jiao Ba and the other three still divided some out for him, which made Jiao Lao Yezi stare angrily."

"This cat's behavior is all because you've spoiled it!"

Translate: "\"This cat's behavior is all because you've spoiled it! \"" (Keep quotes? The line includes quotes. We'll keep them as part of translation.)

Although the old lady didn't speak, she seemed to support her husband's words.

Translate: "Although the old lady didn't speak, she seemed to support her husband's words."

Jiao Dad just smiled and stayed silent, because speaking up at times like this only makes Grandpa Jiao talk more.

Translate: "Jiao Ba just smiled and remained silent; speaking up at this moment would only make the old man talk more."

Zheng Tan took two bites, looked up at Grandpa Jiao, and slowly flicked his tail twice. "Old man, you can glare all you want, but there's nothing you can do~~"

Translate: "Zheng Tan took two bites, lifted his head to glance at Jiao Lao Yezi, and slowly flicked his tail twice. Old man, you can stare all you want, but there's nothing you can do~~"

Grandpa Jiao picked up two mouthfuls of rice noodles, put down his chopsticks, clutched his chest, and said, "My stomach hurts!"

Translate: "Jiao Lao Yezi picked up two mouthfuls of rice noodles, put down his chopsticks, and clutched his chest: \"My stomach hurts! \""

Everyone: "..."

Translate: "Everyone: \"……\""

It seems your stomach is located in your heart.

Translate: "It seems your stomach is actually located in your heart."

"Eat your own food—what are you angry at a cat for?!" Grandma Jiao gave him a sideways glance.

Translate: "\"Eat your own food, what are you angry with a cat for?! \" The old lady gave him a sideways glance."

Grandpa Jiao grunted twice, fell silent, and picked up his chopsticks again.

Translate: "Jiao Lao Yezi hummed twice, then said nothing more and picked up his chopsticks again."

"By the way, Ming Sheng, after breakfast go see Yaohong—she's in the hospital." Grandma Jiao said.

Translate: "\"By the way, Ming Sheng, after breakfast go check on Yaohong; she's hospitalized. \" The old lady said."

"What's going on?" Jiao Dad exclaimed.

Translate: "\"What happened? \" Jiao Ba exclaimed in surprise."

Yaohong is Jiao Dad's cousin; Jiao Dad remembers her being quite healthy, but after her husband succeeded in business, Yaohong suddenly became a wealthy socialite, usually paying attention to her health, so how did she end up in the hospital?

Translate: "Yaohong is Jiao Ba's cousin; Jiao Ba remembered that she was quite healthy, but after her brother-in-law became successful in business, Yaohong also became a wealthy lady, usually paying attention to her health, so how could she end up in the hospital?"

Grandma Jiao sighed. "I heard it might be from taking weight‑loss pills, but that's just speculation; the hospital hasn't reached a conclusion yet, so we don't really know what's going on."

Translate: "The old lady sighed. \"I heard it might be from taking weight-loss pills. But it's just speculation; the hospital hasn't reached a conclusion yet, so no one knows exactly what's going on. \""

They were speaking in dialect; Zheng Tan had heard a bit before. Although he didn't understand everything, he could still catch some of it.

Translate: "They were speaking in dialect; Zheng Tan had heard a bit before. Although he didn't fully understand, he could still catch some of it."

Upon hearing Grandma Jiao's words, Zheng Tan felt a pang of regret: "Tsk, taking weight‑loss pills can even land you in the hospital."

Translate: "Hearing the old lady's words, Zheng Tan felt a sigh in his heart: \"Tsk, taking weight-loss pills can even land you in the hospital. \""

Jiao Dad thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "I understand. However, some weight‑loss pills really aren't good."

Translate: "Jiao Ba thought for a moment, nodded, and said, \"I see. However, some weight-loss pills are indeed not good. \""

Zheng Tan looked up at Jiao Dad, sensing that Jiao Dad had probably figured out the cause but didn't want to say it outright, so he simply gave Grandma Jiao a brief answer.

Translate: "Zheng Tan lifted his head to look at Jiao Ba, feeling that Jiao Ba had probably guessed the cause but didn't want to say it outright here, so he simply gave a brief reply to the old lady."

The tenth‑birthday banquet is tomorrow; today Jiao Dad decided to let the two kids rest at home first, while he and his wife went to the hospital to visit the cousin, with Grandma Jiao accompanying them.

Translate: "The tenth birthday banquet is tomorrow; today Jiao Ba decided to let the two children rest at home first, while he and his wife go to the hospital to visit the cousin, and the old lady goes with them."

That left only the two kids, the old man, and the cat at home.

Translate: "This way, only the two children, one old man, and one cat remain at home."

The two kids were watching TV when Grandpa Jiao wandered over, brandishing a piece of dog‑tail grass he'd somehow picked up, and began to bother Zheng Tan, who was lounging on the sofa. Zheng Tan initially wanted to ignore the old man, but the old man persisted, so Zheng Tan snatched the grass with a paw, pulled it apart, tossed it aside, then curled up between Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi, thinking the old man couldn't possibly be so bored as to annoy his grandchildren.

Translate: "The two children were watching TV; Jiao Lao Yezi strolled around, somehow dragging over a strand of dogtail grass to harass Zheng Tan, who was resting on the sofa. Zheng Tan originally didn't want to bother with the old man, but the old man persisted, so Zheng Tan grabbed the grass with a paw, pulled it apart, tossed it aside, then ran to lie down between Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi, thinking the old man couldn't possibly be so bored as to bother the grandchildren."

Grandpa Jiao glanced at the two kids and then at the cat lying in the middle, gave a grunt, said a few things to Jiao Yuan, dragged a chair over, sat down, and watched cartoons with the kids, appearing quite pleased.

Translate: "Jiao Lao Yezi glanced at the two children, then at the cat lying in the middle, snorted, said a few words to Jiao Yuan, then dragged a chair over and sat there to watch cartoons with the two children, appearing quite pleased."

In the afternoon, after Jiao Dad and Jiao Mom returned, they talked in the room, and Zheng Tan prick up his ears to eavesdrop.

Translate: "In the afternoon, after Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma returned, they discussed things in the room, and Zheng Tan pricked up his ears to eavesdrop."

"I suspect it's the weight‑loss pills. I asked and confirmed that Red Sister bought that currently popular brand‑name weight‑loss pill. I heard from people at the medical school that its main ingredient is hydrochloric sibutramine, which has been controversial abroad. In the past two years Europe launched a SCOUT sibutramine cardiovascular endpoint trial, which is still ongoing, though there have been reports of deaths and cardiovascular events, and a formal conclusion hasn't been released yet—we may have to wait a few years. However, I expect that abroad will start issuing warnings next year; as for the domestic situation… it's hard to say."

Translate: "\"I guess it's because of the weight-loss pills; I asked and confirmed that Red Sister bought that currently popular brand-name weight-loss pill. I heard from people at the medical school that its main ingredient is hydrochloric sibutramine. Internationally, there has always been controversy over it, and in the past two years Europe launched a SCOUT sibutramine cardiovascular endpoint trial project, which is still ongoing. However, I've heard there have been deaths and cardiovascular incidents, and an official conclusion hasn't come out yet, so we may have to wait a few years. But I estimate that abroad will start issuing warnings next year; as for the domestic situation… it's uncertain. \""

"Red Sister still won't admit it," Jiao Mom sighed.

Translate: "\"Red Sister still won't admit it. \" Jiao Ma sighed."

"Before this, some of Red Sister's usual symptoms were similar to the pill's side effects. She just wants to save face and refuses to admit it. But I think she heard what we said today, so she'll probably pay attention for a while."

Translate: "\"Before this, some of Red Sister's usual symptoms were similar to the side effects of that drug. She just wants to save face and refuses to admit it. However, the words we said to her today should have sunk in, so she'll probably pay attention for a while. \""

"Hey, tell me more about that famous weight‑loss pill—what's the latest research abroad?" Jiao Mom said, quite interested.

Translate: "\"Ah, tell me more about that currently famous weight-loss pill—what's the state of research abroad now? \" Jiao Ma was quite interested in this."

Women naturally want to keep a good figure, but as they age they tend to gain weight—especially someone like Jiao Dad's cousin, who after becoming prosperous has more social engagements and a physique prone to weight gain, so to avoid losing face they resort to taking lots of weight‑loss pills.

Translate: "Women, after all, always want to maintain a good figure, but as they age they tend to gain weight, especially like Jiao Ba's cousin—after becoming prosperous, social engagements increased and their physique also prone to gaining weight; to avoid losing face, they just take weight-loss pills vigorously."

Zheng Tan listened to Jiao Dad and Jiao Mom's conversation; he remembered that the brand of weight‑loss pill they were discussing had indeed been popular for a long time back then, with many celebrity endorsements, but in recent years he hadn't heard of it at all, not knowing what had happened—now it seems possible that, as Jiao Dad predicted, it has been banned.

Translate: "Zheng Tan listened to Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma's conversation; he remembered that the brand of weight-loss pill they were discussing had indeed been popular for a long time back then, with many celebrity endorsements, but in recent years he hadn't heard of it, not knowing what had happened; now it seems possible, as Jiao Ba predicted, that it has been banned."

Zheng Tan listened with the mindset of hearing stories and gossip, and after a while he was quite interested in the topic. However, his good mood plummeted that evening.

Translate: "Zheng Tan listened with the mindset of hearing stories and gossip; after a while he was still quite interested in it. However, Zheng Tan's good mood was brought low in the evening."

He pricked up his ears to hear Jiao Mom repeat it, and only then did Zheng Tan realize that his disaster was truly coming.

Translate: "Pulling his ears to listen to Jiao Ma say it again, Zheng Tan finally confirmed that his disaster was truly coming."

"Troublesome kids, tomorrow I have to face a bunch of troublesome kids…"

Translate: "Little brats, tomorrow I have to face a bunch of little brats……"

"What should I do if I suddenly don't want to go?"

Translate: "What should I do if I suddenly don't want to go?"

But since everyone had left the house, Jiao Mom didn't feel comfortable leaving Zheng Tan alone; she had prepared the carrier, waiting to put him in it tomorrow, and tonight she made sure he took a thorough bath, brushed and blow‑dried his fur until he was clean, then put his collar on.

Translate: "But since everyone in the family is out, Jiao Ma probably doesn't feel at ease leaving Zheng Tan alone here; she has prepared the bag, just waiting to put Zheng Tan in it tomorrow, and tonight she also lets Zheng Tan take a good bath, brush his fur, blow-dry him, make him clean and tidy, then puts on the cat tag."

But just thinking about what he would have to face, Zheng Tan couldn't bring himself to feel happy.

Translate: "But just thinking about what he has to face, Zheng Tan really can't bring himself to be happy."

Damn it!

Translate: "Really damn it!"

On October 2nd, the old man and old lady rarely dressed in new clothes. Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi had been carefully dressed up by Jiao Mom; the so‑called tenth‑birthday banquet, besides celebrating the little birthday star, would surely involve talk about the children.

Translate: "On October 2nd, the old man and old lady rarely wore new clothes. Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi were carefully dressed up by Jiao Ma; the so-called tenth birthday banquet, besides celebrating the little birthday star, everyone would definitely have to talk about the children."

That's how social rules work: when you're young you compare grades, when you grow up you compare wealth and family background, after marriage you compare children, and then the cycle starts anew. Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi are still young and don't understand this, but Jiao Dad and Jiao Mom have long been mentally prepared. So they bought the kids new clothes in advance, dressed them properly, and even rehearsed what to say at social gatherings.

Translate: "That's how social rules work: when young, compare grades; when grown up, compare wealth and family background; after marriage, compare children; then it starts a new cycle. Jiao Yuan and Xiao Youzi are still young and don't understand. But Jiao Ba and Jiao Ma had already prepared themselves mentally for this. So they bought new clothes for the two children in advance, dressed them properly, and even rehearsed some of the social remarks they'd need to make."

As for Zheng Tan, he was crouched inside the bag that Jiao Mom was carrying, his ears pulled back like airplane wings, wearing a thoroughly unhappy expression.

Translate: "As for Zheng Tan, he was crouched inside the bag that Jiao Ma was carrying, his ears pulled back into an airplane shape, looking utterly displeased."

At this point the car's interior felt quite cramped; Jiao Mom sat in the front passenger seat, while the two elders and Jiao Yuan sat in the back. Xiao Youzi was held by Grandma Jiao, and Zheng Tan, seeing her, seemed a little nervous—after all, they weren't familiar people; if the Gu family had known a few individuals it would be different, but everyone here belonged to the Jiao family.

Translate: "At this point the space inside the car felt much smaller; Jiao Ma sat in the front passenger seat, while the back row held the two elders and Jiao Yuan. Xiao Youzi was held by the old lady; Zheng Tan looked at Xiao Youzi and seemed a bit nervous. After all, they weren't familiar people—if the Gu family side still knew a few, but now everyone here are Jiao family members."

However, this also spared them a hassle, since many people on the Gu side knew that Xiao Youzi had been abandoned by her mother and left to loaf overseas while neglecting her child—a topic those aunties could gossip about endlessly. So it was better not to run into anyone from the Gu family; it kept things peaceful.

Translate: "However, this also avoids a trouble: many people on the Gu family side know that Xiao Youzi was thrown back home by her mother and then she herself went abroad to enjoy herself, neglecting the child. This matter alone could be gossiped about by those aunties for a long time. So not running into Gu family people is also good; it keeps things peaceful."

After more than twenty minutes, Jiao Dad's car pulled up in front of a three‑story residential building, where several other cars were already parked and there were plenty of people around.

Translate: "After twenty or more minutes, Jiao Ba's car stopped at the entrance of a three-story residential building; several cars were already parked there, and there were many people around."

Jiao Mom first got the two kids out of the car, while Jiao Dad drove the vehicle to a nearby hotel, since the birthday banquet would be held there anyway, its parking lot is spacious and not as cramped as this place. Moreover, with many kids around, incidents like scratching cars often happen, so to avoid damaging his newly bought car within a few days, Jiao Dad drove it away.

Translate: "Jiao Ma first took the two children out of the car; Jiao Ba parked the car not far away at the hotel, since the birthday banquet would be held there anyway, and its parking lot is large, not as cramped as here. Moreover, with many children, incidents like scratching cars often happen, so to avoid the newly bought car getting 'injured' in just a few days, Jiao Ba still drove it away."

Jiao Mom held the bag in one hand and Xiao Youzi's hand in the other; as for Jiao Yuan, although he hadn't seen many of the people around for over a year, he quickly warmed up when they played together—he's about ten or eleven, and Jiao Mom couldn't be expected to keep an eye on him constantly, especially since Jiao Yuan didn't want to hang out with the nursery‑school kids either.

Translate: "Jiao Ma held the bag in one hand and Xiao Youzi's hand in the other; as for Jiao Yuan, many people around knew him, and even if they hadn't seen each other for over a year, they'd quickly become familiar when playing together; he's about ten or eleven years old, so Jiao Ma couldn't possibly keep an eye on him all the time, and besides, Jiao Yuan didn't want to play with those kindergarten kids."

Xiao Youzi was a bit reserved, pressing her lips and not saying much; when Jiao Mom greeted people, she occasionally prompted Xiao Youzi to say something.

Translate: "Xiao Youzi was a bit reserved, pursing her lips and not saying much; when Jiao Ma greeted people, she occasionally let Xiao Youzi call out to someone."

Traditional forms of address are too complicated; Xiao Youzi probably wouldn't understand them, and the local dialect is also largely incomprehensible to her. Since she's grown up hearing mostly Mandarin and English, she doesn't need to worry too much with Jiao Mom nearby.

Translate: "Traditional forms of address are too complicated; Xiao Youzi probably wouldn't understand them, and the local dialect here has many parts she can't follow; since childhood she's been exposed mostly to Mandarin and English, but with Jiao Ma beside her she doesn't need to worry too much."

"Hey, why did you bring the cat along?" an auntie said, looking at Zheng Tan peeking out of Jiao Mom's bag and laughing.

Translate: "\"Yo, why did you bring the cat along? \" an auntie looked at Zheng Tan in Jiao Ma's bag and laughed."

"He's our family's treasure; we couldn't bear to leave him in Chuhua City, so we brought him along. He's very obedient and doesn't run around." Jiao Mom told the person.

Translate: "\"This is our family's treasure; we weren't at ease leaving it in Chu Hua Shi, so we brought it along. It's very obedient and doesn't run around. \" Jiao Ma said to that person."

Beside the auntie stood a seven‑ or eight‑year‑old child who, seeing the cat's head poking out of the bag, bit his finger, then slowly edged closer and reached out to tug Zheng Tan's whiskers, whereupon Zheng Tan pulled his head back into the bag.

Translate: "Beside that auntie stood a seven- or eight-year-old child who, seeing the cat's head peeking out of the bag, bit his finger, then slowly edged over and reached out to tug Zheng Tan's whiskers; Zheng Tan pulled his head back into the bag."

After going upstairs, Jiao Mom entered a room where some children were staying—mostly girls, while the boys were running around outside, unable to sit still.

Translate: "After going upstairs, Jiao Ma entered a room where some children were staying, basically all girls; the boys were outside running around, unable to stay still."

After introducing the kids to a few of them, Jiao Mom let Xiao Youzi stay there to watch a disc with the children, while she went off to greet others.

Translate: "After Jiao Ma introduced the children to each other, she let Xiao Youzi stay here to watch a disc with them, while Jiao Ma still needed to go greet some people."

There was a girl in her early teens, probably a middle schooler, tasked with looking after the few children here; she smiled, handed Xiao Youzi a cushion to sit on, and gave her a cup of juice.

Translate: "There was a girl over ten years old, probably in junior high, responsible for entertaining the few children here; she smiled and gave Xiao Youzi a cushion to sit on, then handed her a cup of juice."

The floor of the room was covered with foam mats; everyone else grabbed a mat and sat directly on the floor, while a little toddler crawled on the foam mat—probably not yet walking—but he crawled with considerable strength, drooling as he went.

Translate: "The floor of this room was covered with foam mats; everyone else took a mat and sat directly on the ground. Beside them, a little brat was crawling on the foam mat; he probably couldn't walk yet, but he crawled with considerable strength, and drooled while crawling."

Zheng Tan emerged from the bag and sat beside Xiao Youzi; at first a few children came over to bother him, but gradually everyone went off to watch the disc.

Translate: "Zheng Tan came out of the bag and sat beside Xiao Youzi; at first a few children came over to bother Zheng Tan, but gradually everyone went to watch the disc."

As Zheng Tan was dozing with half‑closed eyes, he suddenly sensed a milky smell approaching; he opened his eyes to see the little toddler sitting there staring at him, uttering "ah‑ah" twice, his words too garbled to make out.

Translate: "As Zheng Tan was squinting his eyes in a doze, he suddenly felt a milky scent approaching; he opened his eyes and saw that little brat sitting there staring at him, even uttering \"ah ah\" twice, his words also vague, making it unclear what he was saying."

Ah, bullshit!

Zheng Tan tugged at his ears.

"Kaka ka—" that Xiao Pihai laughed a few times, then began speaking indistinctly, laughing while drooling, and crawling this way.

Watching that Xiao Pihai crawl over, Zheng Tan felt a headache, got up and walked elsewhere.

That Xiao Pihai was still addicted, crawling energetically.

Finally Zheng Tan squatted on a cabinet; higher ground was cleaner, no one bothered him and he didn't have to face Xiao Pihai. (To be continued...)

ps: 【The following word count does not count toward v chapter】

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