Chapter 299

Zheng Tan found that smell familiar because he had smelled it many times in Dongqu Dayuan; a few days ago he had smelled it again.

Translation: Zheng Tan found that smell familiar because he had smelled it often in Dongqu Dayuan; he had even smelled it a few days ago.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Zheng Tan found that smell familiar because he had smelled it often in Dongqu Dayuan; he had even smelled it a few days ago.

Zheng Tan found that smell familiar because he had smelled it often in Dongqu Dayuan; he had even smelled it a few days ago.

Following the scent, Zheng Tan quickly reached a steep slope where, even if tour groups passed by, they'd never come near—or only to snap a couple of distant photos—because one misstep could send you rolling down, either dying or seriously injured.

Translation: Following the scent, Zheng Tan quickly reached a steep slope; normally, even if tour groups passed by, they wouldn't come near here, or if they did, it was only to take a couple of cool photos from afar, not to go down—this place is too dangerous for people; one misstep and they'd roll down, either dying or seriously injured.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Following the scent, Zheng Tan quickly reached a steep slope; normally, even if tour groups passed by, they wouldn't come near here, or if they did, it was only to take a couple of cool photos from afar, not to go down—this place is too dangerous for people; one misstep and they'd roll down, either dying or seriously injured.

either not dead or seriously injured

But for Zheng Tan, this is nothing; after years as a cat climbing walls, would he still fear such a steep slope?

Translation: But for Zheng Tan, this was nothing; after years as a cat, he'd climbed walls—what was a steep slope?

But for Zheng Tan, this was nothing; after years as a cat climbing walls, would he still fear a steep slope?

Standing there, Zheng Tan looked down and saw clumps of grass leaves, somewhat dense; to the untrained eye they looked like weeds. If he hadn't smelled the fragrance, he wouldn't have come this way, and even if he had seen them, he might not have thought of the flower Old Lan liked most.

Translation: Standing above, Zheng Tan looked down and saw clumps of grass leaves, somewhat dense; to the untrained eye they looked like weeds. If he hadn't smelled the fragrance, he wouldn't have come this way; even if he saw them, he might not have thought of the old man's favorite flower.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Standing above, Zheng Tan looked down and saw clumps of grass leaves, somewhat dense; to the untrained eye they looked like weeds. If he hadn't smelled the fragrance, he wouldn't have come this way; even if he saw them, he might not have thought of the old man's favorite flower.

But why, upon close sniffing, does it seem slightly different from Old Lan's flowers?

Translation: But why, upon close sniffing, did it seem slightly different from the old man's flowers?

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: But why, upon close sniffing, did it seem slightly different from the old man's flowers?

Puzzled, Zheng Tan descended from above; although the slope was steep and littered with rocks, he could climb down easily.

Translation: Puzzled, Zheng Tan descended from above; though the slope was steep with many rocks, he climbed down easily.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Puzzled, Zheng Tan descended from above; though the slope was steep with many rocks, he climbed down easily.

Old Lan likes orchids and is famous for cultivating valuable varieties, but those who know him know his favorite isn't the expensive hundred‑thousand‑yuan orchids that cost a fortune; he prefers the inexpensive iron‑bone orchid that many growers cultivate—just as his name suggests.

Translation: The old man liked orchids, and he became known for cultivating some precious varieties; those who knew him knew his absolute favorite wasn't the extravagant hundred‑thousand‑or‑million‑dollar breeds, but the inexpensive iron‑bone orchid that many orchid growers keep—just as his name suggests.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: The old man liked orchids, and he became known for cultivating some precious varieties; those who knew him knew his absolute favorite wasn't the extravagant hundred‑thousand‑or‑million‑dollar breeds, but the inexpensive iron‑bone orchid that many orchid growers keep—just as his name suggests.

In the compound, everyone knows Professor Lan is skilled at growing flowers, but many have forgotten his name—Lan Tiesu—perhaps because of the name, or perhaps for other reasons. Old Lan favors the iron‑bone orchid.

Translation: In the estate, everyone knew the horticulture expert Professor Lan, but many have forgotten his name—Lan Tiesu—perhaps because of the name, perhaps for other reasons; the old man favored the iron‑bone orchid.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: In the estate, everyone knew the horticulture expert Professor Lan, but many have forgotten his name—Lan Tiesu—perhaps because of the name, perhaps for other reasons; the old man favored the iron‑bone orchid.

Apart from some southern regions suitable for orchid growth, many orchid keepers across the country feel that iron‑bone orchids grow leaves vigorously but rarely flower—some have tended them for years without ever seeing a bloom. Yet Old Lan is truly adept at growing orchids; Zheng Tan can smell the iron‑bone orchid fragrance each year, perhaps not from the same plant or pot, but it doesn't affect his familiarity with the scent.

Translation: Apart from some southern regions suitable for orchids, many places in the country where people grow orchids share this feeling: iron‑bone orchids grow leaves vigorously but rarely bloom, and some growers go years without seeing a flower. Yet the old man is truly skilled at orchids—Zheng Tan can smell its fragrance every year, and even if the blooms aren't from the same plant or pot, it doesn't affect his familiarity with the scent.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Apart from some southern regions suitable for orchids, many places in the country where people grow orchids share this feeling: iron‑bone orchids grow leaves vigorously but rarely bloom, and some growers go years without seeing a flower. Yet the old man is truly skilled at orchids—Zheng Tan can smell its fragrance every year, and even if the blooms aren't from the same plant or pot, it doesn't affect his familiarity with the scent.

In the clump of grass below, Zheng Tan looked around and found the source of the fragrance. At a certain spot, an upright flower stalk bore five plain‑white blossoms that resembled Old Lan's orchids except for a slight difference in color. Moreover, these five white flowers had a jade‑like crystalline texture, grew better than Old Lan's, and their scent differed slightly, smelling quite pleasant.

Translation: In the clump of grass below, Zheng Tan looked and found the source of the fragrance. At a certain spot in the grass, an upright flower stalk bore five plain‑white blossoms; they looked much like the old man's orchids except for a slight difference in color. Moreover, these five white flowers had a jade‑like crystalline texture, grew better than the old man's, and their scent differed from his, smelling quite pleasant.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: In the clump of grass below, Zheng Tan looked and found the source of the fragrance. At a certain spot in the grass, an upright flower stalk bore five plain‑white blossoms; they looked much like the old man's orchids except for a slight difference in color. Moreover, these five white flowers had a jade‑like crystalline texture, grew better than the old man's, and their scent differed from his, smelling quite pleasant.

Zheng Tan knows little about orchids. Even though he sees them often, he never pays attention, thinking all orchid leaves look alike, so he can only judge by the flower before him that it's likely the same type as Old Lan's. If Old Lan were here, he could identify the variety by leaf shape, sheath, and texture and predict what flower it would produce—but Zheng Tan understands none of that.

Translation: Zheng Tan knew nothing about orchids. Even though he saw them often, he never paid attention, thinking all orchid leaves were alike, so he could only judge by the flower before him that this must be the same type as the old man's. If the old man were here, he could identify the variety by leaf shape, veins, and texture and predict what flower it would produce—but Zheng Tan understands none of that.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan knew nothing about orchids. Even though he saw them often, he never paid attention, thinking all orchid leaves were alike, so he could only judge by the flower before him that this must be the same type as the old man's. If the old man were here, he could identify the variety by leaf shape, veins, and texture and predict what flower it would produce—but Zheng Tan understands none of that.

Unfamiliar and uninterested, he once even looked down on Old Lan's obsession with orchids—after all, they're just flowers, why fuss? Zheng Tan stared at the flower before him, studying what exactly makes it attractive.

Translation: He didn't understand and didn't care much; he had even looked down on the old man's obsession with orchids—just flowers, why the fuss? Zheng Tan stared at the blossom, studying what exactly drew people to it.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He didn't understand and didn't care much; he had even looked down on the old man's obsession with orchids—just flowers, why the fuss? Zheng Tan stared at the blossom, studying what exactly drew people to it.

One minute passed…

Translation: One minute passed…

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: One minute passed…

Five minutes passed…

Translation: Five minutes passed…

Half an hour passed…

Translation: Half an hour passed…

Another gust of mountain wind blew by, sending fine stone fragments tumbling down the steep slope onto Zheng Tan's head and feet.

Translation: Another gust of mountain wind blew by, sending fine stone fragments tumbling from the upper slope onto Zheng Tan's head and feet.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Another gust of mountain wind blew by, sending fine stone fragments tumbling from the upper slope onto Zheng Tan's head and feet.

Zheng Tan jerked back to awareness, realizing he had been staring blankly at the orchid in front of him for a long time without noticing.

Translation: Zheng Tan jerked back to awareness; without realizing it, he had been staring at the orchid before him for a long time.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan jerked back to awareness; without realizing it, he had been staring at the orchid before him for a long time.

This isn't normal!

Translation: This isn't normal!

Zheng Tan usually has no interest in flowers; even the expensive pots Old Lan sells, he's looked at before, but he's never before become so dazed while looking at a flower.

Translation: Zheng Tan usually had no interest in flowers; even the old man's expensive pots he had looked at before, but he had never before been so transfixed by a blossom.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan usually had no interest in flowers; even the old man's expensive pots he had looked at before, but he had never before been so transfixed by a blossom.

He stepped back two steps, then looked at the flower again—this time not staring intently, but shifting his gaze to the grass leaves beside it. He walked over, sniffed, then pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed carefully; although the leaves looked the same, their scent seemed slightly different from Old Lan's.

Translation: He stepped back two paces, looked again at the flower—this time not staring intently, letting his gaze drift to the nearby grass leaves, walked over and sniffed, then pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed carefully; although the leaves looked the same, their scent seemed slightly different from the old man's.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He stepped back two paces, looked again at the flower—this time not staring intently, letting his gaze drift to the nearby grass leaves, walked over and sniffed, then pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed carefully; although the leaves looked the same, their scent seemed slightly different from the old man's.

When Zheng Tan saw the police chief chewing orchid flowers and leaves at Chu Hua University, he also sniffed those flowers and leaves carefully, so he remembers the leaf scent.

Translation: Zheng Tan had also carefully sniffed those flowers and leaves when he saw the chief at Chu Hua Da Xue chewing orchids, so he remembered the leaf's scent.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan had also carefully sniffed those flowers and leaves when he saw the chief at Chu Hua Da Xue chewing orchids, so he remembered the leaf's scent.

After sniffing, Zheng Tan squatted in place and pondered.

Translation: After sniffing, Zheng Tan crouched in place and pondered.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: After sniffing, Zheng Tan crouched in place and pondered.

He felt the flower was strange—perhaps a new variety, or a species he had neither seen nor smelled before.

Translation: He felt the flower was odd—perhaps a new variety, or a species he had never seen or smelled before.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He felt the flower was odd—perhaps a new variety, or a species he had never seen or smelled before.

Otherwise, why not dig some up to take back for Old Lan to study?

Translation: Or else, dig some up to take back for the old man to study?

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Or else, dig some up to take back for the old man to study?

But remembering Old Lan said this flower likes to grow in clusters with a well‑developed root system, Zheng Tan wondered what to do if the roots below were all connected—he didn't have the energy to dig bit by bit. Around the flowering spot the grass is thick, making digging difficult, and he found it too troublesome.

Translation: But thinking of the old man's remark that this flower likes to grow in clusters with a well‑developed root system—if all the roots below were joined, what then? Zheng Tan didn't have the energy to dig them out bit by bit; around the flowering spot the grass was too thick, making digging hard, and he found it troublesome.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: But thinking of the old man's remark that this flower likes to grow in clusters with a well‑developed root system—if all the roots below were joined, what then? Zheng Tan didn't have the energy to dig them out bit by bit; around the flowering spot the grass was too thick, making digging hard, and he found it troublesome.

You can't dig a large piece, but taking a few small scattered bits would work.

Translation: He couldn't dig a large piece, but grabbing a few small scattered bits would do.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He couldn't dig a large piece, but grabbing a few small scattered bits would do.

Zheng Tan walked around the large clump, went to a spot, pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed—indeed he discovered several issues. The grass leaves here don't all smell exactly alike; some resemble Old Lan's leaf scent, while others are like the leaves beside that flower earlier.

Translation: Zheng Tan walked around the big clump, came to a spot, pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed—and indeed he discovered several issues. The grass leaves here did not all smell the same; some resembled the old man's leaves, others matched the leaves beside that flower.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan walked around the big clump, came to a spot, pressed his nose to the leaf surface and sniffed—and indeed he discovered several issues. The grass leaves here did not all smell the same; some resembled the old man's leaves, others matched the leaves beside that flower.

So, if Zheng Tan wants to dig up a sample to take back for Old Lan's research, he needs to find one that matches the flower he just examined.

Translation: So, if Zheng Tan wanted to dig some up to take back for the old man's study, he needed to find specimens like that flower.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: So, if Zheng Tan wanted to dig some up to take back for the old man's study, he needed to find specimens like that flower.

Looking around, Zheng Tan found a rusted iron fork, with some discarded instant‑noodle cups and other trash nearby—likely left by tourists during Golden Week.

Translation: Looking around, Zheng Tan found a rusted iron fork, with some discarded instant‑noodle cups and other trash nearby—probably left by tourists during Golden Week.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Looking around, Zheng Tan found a rusted iron fork, with some discarded instant‑noodle cups and other trash nearby—probably left by tourists during Golden Week.

Zheng Tan didn't bother to scold those littering; he began digging up the seedlings.

Translation: Zheng Tan didn't bother to scold those litter‑tossers; he began digging up the seedlings.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan didn't bother to scold those litter‑tossers; he began digging up the seedlings.

For someone like Zheng Tan, who usually pays no attention to plants and knows nothing about gardening, digging up grass is a hassle; if Old Lan saw him roughly pulling up the seedlings, he'd surely raise his eyebrows and shout, "What a mess!"

Translation: For someone like Zheng Tan, who usually ignores plants and knows nothing about them, digging up grass was a hassle; if the old man saw him roughly tearing at the seedlings, he'd surely raise his eyebrows and shout, "Utter nonsense!"

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: For someone like Zheng Tan, who usually ignores plants and knows nothing about them, digging up grass was a hassle; if the old man saw him roughly tearing at the seedlings, he'd surely raise his eyebrows and shout, "Utter nonsense!"

While Zheng Tan struggled with the seedlings, the two people on duty at the monkey‑watching post nearby were on the phone.

Translation: While Zheng Tan struggled with the seedlings, the two people on duty looking for monkeys nearby were on the phone.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: While Zheng Tan struggled with the seedlings, the two people on duty looking for monkeys nearby were on the phone.

"I told you not to worry; I came over and saw the monkeys amusing themselves again—nothing's wrong… Qi Dada? Qi Dada is here, having a great time playing with the other monkeys."

Translation: "I said there's no need to worry—look, the monkeys are just amusing themselves again, nothing much… Qi Dada? Qi Dada's here, having a great time playing with the other monkeys."

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "I said there's no need to worry—look, the monkeys are just amusing themselves again, nothing much… Qi Dada? Qi Dada's here, having a great time playing with the other monkeys."

Qi Dada looked at the person on the phone, his eyes full of accusation. "Which eye saw me having fun?!"

Translation: Qi Dada glanced at the caller, eyes full of accusation. Which eye saw it having fun?!

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Qi Dada glanced at the caller, eyes full of accusation. Which eye saw it having fun?!

Unfortunately, the person on the phone couldn't grasp Qi Dada's glare at all and kept chatting with the other party.

Translation: Too bad the caller couldn't read Qi Dada's expression at all, and kept chatting with the person on the other end.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Too bad the caller couldn't read Qi Dada's expression at all, and kept chatting with the person on the other end.

"A cat? I didn't see a black cat… Okay, I'll pay attention and let you know if I spot one."

Translation: "A cat? I haven't seen a black cat…… Alright, I'll pay attention and let you know if I spot one."

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "A cat? I haven't seen a black cat…… Alright, I'll pay attention and let you know if I spot one."

At the mountain inn, the innkeeper hung up the phone and told Peiliang what he had just heard.

Translation: At the mountain lodge, the owner hung up and told Peiliang what he'd just heard on the phone.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: At the mountain lodge, the owner hung up and told Peiliang what he'd just heard on the phone.

"Qi Dada didn't cause trouble? That's really surprising." Peiliang knows his own monkeys well, but now they say they didn't see a cat—which is strange.

Translation: "Qi Dada didn't cause trouble? That's really unexpected." Peiliang knew his monkeys well, but now they said they hadn't seen a cat—that was strange.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Qi Dada didn't cause trouble? That's really unexpected." Peiliang knew his monkeys well, but now they said they hadn't seen a cat—that was strange.

"He probably didn't catch up; that black coal is slippery." Er Mao also wasn't too worried.

Translation: "Probably couldn't catch up—that black coal is slippery." Er Mao also wasn't too worried.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Probably couldn't catch up—that black coal is slippery." Er Mao also wasn't too worried.

"Let's go check it out." Peiliang still decided to go see for himself.

Translation: "Let's go check." Peiliang still decided to go see for himself.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Let's go check." Peiliang still decided to go see for himself.

"Sure, I've rested enough anyway." Er Mao also got up.

Translation: "Sure, I've rested enough anyway." Er Mao also got up.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Sure, I've rested enough anyway." Er Mao also got up.

Leaving the inn, Peiliang led Er Mao toward where Qi Dada was.

Translation: Leaving the lodge, Peiliang led Er Mao toward where Qi Dada was.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Leaving the lodge, Peiliang led Er Mao toward where Qi Dada was.

Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings he had dug up, still connected. He had pulled them from the big clump; they had five leaves, plus two new leaves below, roughly seven leaves total. The roots of both seedlings were partly broken, looking pitiful. He wondered whether they would survive.

Translation: Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings he'd dug up, still joined together; he'd separated them from the big clump, leaving five leaves plus two new shoots—roughly seven leaves total. The roots of both seedlings were partly broken, looking pitiful; he wondered whether they'd survive.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings he'd dug up, still joined together; he'd separated them from the big clump, leaving five leaves plus two new shoots—roughly seven leaves total. The roots of both seedlings were partly broken, looking pitiful; he wondered whether they'd survive.

They're already dug up; it would be a waste to leave them here.

Translation: They'd already been dug up; leaving them here would be a waste.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: They'd already been dug up; leaving them here would be a waste.

He found a vine, slung the seedlings onto his back, and scrambled up from the bottom of the slope.

Translation: He found a vine, slung the seedlings onto his back, and scrambled up from the bottom of the slope.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He found a vine, slung the seedlings onto his back, and scrambled up from the bottom of the slope.

As he climbed the slope, one leaf broke off. There was nothing to do—the leaves were too long, thirty to forty centimeters; he hadn't paid attention while climbing, so breaking just that one leaf was already lucky.

Translation: As he climbed the slope, one leaf snapped off—nothing to be done; the leaves were thirty‑to‑forty centimeters long, and he hadn't been paying attention while climbing, so breaking just one was already lucky.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: As he climbed the slope, one leaf snapped off—nothing to be done; the leaves were thirty‑to‑forty centimeters long, and he hadn't been paying attention while climbing, so breaking just one was already lucky.

After reaching the top, Zheng Tan turned to look down the slope, but the angle hid the blooming flowers; he could only detect the scent drifting up on occasional shifts of the mountain wind.

Translation: After reaching the top, he turned and looked down the slope; because of the angle he couldn't see the flowers below, only catching their scent on occasional shifts of the mountain wind.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: After reaching the top, he turned and looked down the slope; because of the angle he couldn't see the flowers below, only catching their scent on occasional shifts of the mountain wind.

The shifting directions in the mountains, combined with Zheng Tan's cat‑like keen sense of smell, led him here; besides, these flowers don't bloom often, so even if people knew orchids grew there, seeing none in bloom they'd assume they were the cheap village variety and not worth the risk of climbing the slope to dig—after all, they're not valuable.

Translation: The shifting mountain winds, plus Zheng Tan's feline nose being sharper than a human's, led him here; besides, these flowers bloom infrequently, so even if passersby knew orchids grew there, seeing no blossoms they'd assume it was just the cheap village variety and not worth the risk of climbing the slope to dig.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: The shifting mountain winds, plus Zheng Tan's feline nose being sharper than a human's, led him here; besides, these flowers bloom infrequently, so even if passersby knew orchids grew there, seeing no blossoms they'd assume it was just the cheap village variety and not worth the risk of climbing the slope to dig.

Zheng Tan also thought they weren't worth much, and since he had no real appreciation for flowers, he felt no guilt about roughing up the seedlings and left with them on his back.

Translation: Zheng Tan also thought they weren't valuable, and since he had no appreciation for flowers, manhandling the seedlings like this didn't bother him—shouldering them, he walked off.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan also thought they weren't valuable, and since he had no appreciation for flowers, manhandling the seedlings like this didn't bother him—shouldering them, he walked off.

Orienting himself and listening for the monkeys' movements, Zheng Tan headed that way.

Translation: Keeping his bearings and listening for the monkeys' movements, Zheng Tan headed that way.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Keeping his bearings and listening for the monkeys' movements, Zheng Tan headed that way.

As Zheng Tan neared the spot where the monkeys were playing "baseball," he also heard voices, including Er Mao's shouting.

Translation: As Zheng Tan neared the spot where the monkeys were playing "baseball," he also heard voices, including Er Mao's shouting.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: As Zheng Tan neared the spot where the monkeys were playing "baseball," he also heard voices, including Er Mao's shouting.

Zheng Tan removed the seedlings from his back, set them aside, tossed away the vine, and waited there.

Translation: Zheng Tan detached the seedlings from his back, tossed the vine aside, and waited there.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan detached the seedlings from his back, tossed the vine aside, and waited there.

After Er Mao and the others found Qi Dada, they quickly located Zheng Tan as well.

Translation: After Er Mao and the others found Qi Dada, they quickly located Zheng Tan as well.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: After Er Mao and the others found Qi Dada, they quickly located Zheng Tan as well.

"Hey, Black Coal, where did you pull that grass from?" Er Mao leaned over, turning over the two roughed‑up seedlings, and said.

Translation: "Hey, Black Coal, where did you pull that grass from?" Er Mao came over, turning over the two roughly handled seedlings, and said.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Hey, Black Coal, where did you pull that grass from?" Er Mao came over, turning over the two roughly handled seedlings, and said.

"Let's go; it's getting late, head back down the mountain." Peiliang soothed Qi Dada, knowing the guy probably felt wronged, but at least he saw no injury.

Translation: "Let's go, it's getting late—head back down the mountain." Peiliang soothed Qi Dada, knowing the guy probably felt wronged, though he saw no injury on him.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Let's go, it's getting late—head back down the mountain." Peiliang soothed Qi Dada, knowing the guy probably felt wronged, though he saw no injury on him.

"Okay." Er Mao replied, stood up to leave, then noticed his pant leg was snagged and torn.

Translation: "Okay," Er Mao replied, rose to leave, then noticed his pant leg was snagged and torn.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Okay," Er Mao replied, rose to leave, then noticed his pant leg was snagged and torn.

He looked down at the cat claw that had torn his pants, turned around, and Er Mao gazed at Zheng Tan, asking, "What's wrong with you now?"

Translation: He lowered his head to see the cat's claw that had snagged his pants, turned around, and Er Mao looked at Zheng Tan, asking, "What's wrong with you now?"

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: He lowered his head to see the cat's claw that had snagged his pants, turned around, and Er Mao looked at Zheng Tan, asking, "What's wrong with you now?"

Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings.

Translation: Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings.

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: Zheng Tan looked at the two seedlings.

"Take them?" Er Mao picked up the two seedlings and said, "They won't survive, will they?"

Translation: "Take them?" Er Mao picked up the two seedlings, saying, "They won't survive, will they?"

We need to keep single line. Let's produce: "Take them?" Er Mao picked up the two seedlings, saying, "They won't survive, will they?"

No matter what, carrying two seedlings is no trouble; Gong Qin also found a bag and wrapped the roots of the seedlings, useful or not, it looks better this way, it's also convenient to carry, so as not to accidentally damage the roots.

After coming down the mountain, an old man at Peiliang's house tended to Zheng Tan's two sprouts; he thought they were what Er Mao had found on the mountain, and he even used a decent little flower pot for them.

"Will it survive?" Er Mao asked the old man who had been helping, after settling Hei Mi and going downstairs.

"It should be fine; this thing is easy to keep." The old man didn't pay much attention.

"Do you see anything special about this grass?"

"Nothing special, just a fairly common orchid; lots of people grow it around here, we even have quite a few in our courtyard." The old man said. This area is a tourist spot, with people constantly coming and going, many go up the mountain, and those who venture deeper are numerous, yet no one has ever heard of any rare orchid varieties being discovered here.

Er Mao looked in the direction the old man pointed; there really were a lot, and they all looked similar. He couldn't figure out why that cat would bring this grass back—could it be to eat?

He stayed four days at Peiliang's house; Zheng Tan went each day to check on the orchid the old man was caring for, and it looked like it had survived—his digging hadn't been in vain.

After returning to Chu Hua Shi, Er Mao carried the not-so-good-looking orchid pot and the extracted photos upstairs to give to the Jiao Family; the Jiao family members were merely surprised, then they placed the flower on the balcony to keep it. (To be continued...)

ps: Sneaking updates in the office feels a bit guilty, like a thief.