Chapter 311

The crowd around Guqin She has mostly dispersed, the shop can only temporarily close for tidying up, the shop owner still has things to do. After Zheng Xuan greeted Jiao Ba and Yuan Zhiyi, he went to help the boss of Guqin She. Although no one was seriously injured or killed, the impact is still bad, and many things need to be taken care of.

The crowd around Guqin She has mostly dispersed, the shop can only temporarily close for tidying up, the shop owner still has things to do. After Zheng Xuan greeted Jiao Ba and Yuan Zhiyi, he went to help the boss of Guqin She. Although no one was seriously injured or killed, the impact is still bad, and many things need to be taken care of.

Let's produce: "The crowd around Guqin She had mostly dispersed, the shop could only temporarily close for tidying up, the shop owner still had things to do, and after Zheng Xuan greeted Jiao Ba and Yuan Zhiyi, he went to help the boss of Guqin She. Although no one was seriously injured or killed in this incident, the impact was not good, and many places needed to be smoothed over."

Check we kept all info.

Jiao Ba and Yuan Zhiyi were waiting in the car, parked in Guqin She's lot, not far from the entrance. If Zheng Tan returned, they'd spot him right away.

Translate: "Jiao Ba and Yuan Zhiyi stayed in the car, which was parked in Guqin She's parking lot, not far from the shop's door; if Zheng Tan came back, they could see him at a glance."

Zheng Tan

"Has it been nearly two hours?" Yuan Zhiyi asked.

Translate: "\"Has it been almost two hours? \" Yuan Zhiyi asked."

"Well, we're still ten minutes shy of two hours." Jiao Ba checked his phone and said.

Translate: "\"Well, still ten minutes short of two hours. \" Jiao Ba glanced at his phone and said."

Zheng Tan had run off and disappeared. Jiao Ba hadn't yet told Jiao Ma and the others, not wanting them to worry. Besides, Zheng Tan had a habit of running around everywhere, so Jiao Ba figured he must have discovered something and taken off; it probably wasn't the dog's fault—there are many dogs in the big courtyard, and their cat gets along fine with them, and Shu Dong's dog is fairly friendly, so it wouldn't make the cat bolt for no reason. The cat should still be reasonably sensible. Still, the scene back then was indeed chaotic, and Jiao Ba wasn't sure what had caused it. So he thought that if the cat hadn't returned after two hours, he'd have to get people to help search a wide area.

Let's break: "Zheng Tan ran away and disappeared; Jiao Ba temporarily also didn't tell Jiao Ma and the others, fearing they would worry. Moreover, Zheng Tan originally had a record of running around everywhere; Jiao Ba thought Zheng Tan must have discovered something and run off because of that, it shouldn't be the dog's problem—there are so many dogs in the big courtyard, his own cat gets along fine with them, and moreover, Shu Dong's dog also has a fairly friendly temperament, so it wouldn't cause him to run off heedlessly just because of a dog; his own cat should still be considered rational. However, the scene at that time was indeed somewhat chaotic, and Jiao Ba wasn't sure what the cause was; therefore, he planned that if after two hours the cat still hadn't come back, he would only be able to have people help with a large-scale search."

We need to keep all info. Ensure we mention "Jiao Ma" (provided). "大院" maybe "big courtyard". We'll translate as "big courtyard". "舒董" is Shu Dong (not in glossary but appears; we need to decide: it's a name, so we romanize as Shu Dong). We'll need to add to glossary later.

Now produce line.

Besides Yuan Zhiyi's car, another vehicle was parked nearby—Shu Dong's SUV. Shu Dong felt a bit guilty, thinking his own dog had scared the cat away so badly it couldn't be caught, yet the cat had the guts to rush up and kick the assailant, so why would it flee at the sight of his own dog? Could the cat be afraid of dogs?

Translate: "Beside Yuan Zhiyi's car was another vehicle, namely Shu Dong's SUV; Shu Dong now felt somewhat guilty, thinking it must have been his own dog that scared the other person's cat away to the point of disappearing, unable to catch up—but that cat had the courage to rush over and kick the perpetrator, so why did it turn tail and run upon seeing his own dog? Could the cat be afraid of dogs?"

We need to keep "suv" as is? It's English acronym; keep as SUV? The Chinese wrote "suv". We'll keep "SUV" maybe but keep as "suv"? The rule: translate everything else into natural English; acronyms can stay as is? Probably keep "SUV". We'll output "SUV". But we need to be faithful: Chinese wrote "suv". We'll translate as "SUV". It's fine.

Regardless, Shu Dong felt responsible for Professor Jiao's lost cat. He had said he'd call friends to help look, but Professor Jiao told him to wait, so he instead called his assistant a few times to cancel some appointments and stayed with the two of them. He still wondered, after being scared away for so long, could the cat possibly return on its own?

Translate: "No matter what, Shu Dong felt he should take responsibility for Professor Jiao losing the cat. He had also said he would call friends to help look for it, but Professor Jiao told him to wait a bit, so he first called his assistant several times to cancel some matters and stayed here with those two. He also wondered in his mind, after the cat had been scared away for so long, could it possibly return on its own?"

Professor Jiao

Shu Dong was thinking that when he heard Yuan Zhiyi's delighted shout from the next car.

Translate: "Shu Dong was thinking that when he heard Yuan Zhiyi's delighted shout from the next car."

"Look, Zhao Cai is back! Hey, Zhao Cai, over here, over here!"

Translate: "\"Quick, look, Zhao Cai is back! Hey, Zhao Cai, over here, over here! \"

Zhao Cai

"Oh. He really came back!" Shu Dong rolled down the window completely. Looking over, the Mars on the passenger seat also poked its head out to look.

Translate: "Yo. He really came back! Shu Dong rolled down the car window completely. Looking that way, the Mars on the passenger seat also poked his head out to look."

Mars

Zheng Tan was walking step by step toward Guqin She, tired and thirsty, panting as he went. When he saw the shop of Guqin She, his heart eased. He had finally arrived. He already saw Yuan Zhiyi's car parked there, and Yuan Zhiyi had rolled down the window and waved at him, as if afraid no one would notice otherwise.

Translate: "Zheng Tan was walking step by step toward Guqin She, exhausted and thirsty. As he walked, he panted with his mouth open. Seeing the shop of Guqin She, his heart eased. He had finally arrived. He had already seen the car belonging to Yuan Zhiyi parked there, and Yuan Zhiyi that guy had even opened the car window, waving his hand this way, as if afraid no one would notice."

The rear car door was also open. Jiao Ba sat inside; due to

Translate: "The rear car door was also open. Jiao Ba sat there; due to the lighting inside the car, Zheng Tan couldn't see his father's complexion clearly, but based on his understanding of Jiao Ba, Jiao Ba's mood was certainly not good— the calmer he seemed, the more guilty Zheng Tan felt inside, yet he couldn't explain why he had suddenly bolted."

suddenly bolted

"Oh dear, be careful, watch out for the car!" Yuan Zhiyi shouted toward that direction.

Translate: "\"Oh dear, be careful, watch out for the car! \" Yuan Zhiyi shouted in that direction."

Inside the car, Jiao Ba looked quite calm, of course just looking; two hours earlier he had been scared pale‑white when Zheng Tan bolted across the road, and even now looking back he still feels lingering fear.

Now looking back, he still feels lingering fear.

Translate: "Inside the car, Jiao Ba looked much calmer, of course just appearing so; two hours earlier, he had really been frightened pale-faced when Zheng Tan bolted across the road, and even now recalling it he still feels a lingering fear."

Zheng Tan couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Yuan Zhiyi; there were no traffic lights here, and he only crossed after seeing that there weren't many cars.

Translate: "Zheng Tan couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Yuan Zhiyi; there was no traffic light here, so he only crossed after seeing that there weren't many cars."

"Woof!"

Translate: "\"Woof! \""

In Shu Dong's car, Mars also saw Zheng Tan; he probably barked twice to show excitement and curiosity, which made Shu Dong and Yuan Zhiyi anxious again, fearing the cat that had just returned would be scared off again. But when they turned around, they found the cat was completely unaffected and calmly crossed the road.

Translate: "In Shu Dong's car, Mars also saw Zheng Tan; likely to express happiness and curiosity, he barked twice, which made Shu Dong and Yuan Zhiyi's hearts rise again, fearing the cat that had finally returned would be scared off again—but when they turned their heads, they saw the cat was completely unaffected, still calmly crossing the road."

"Huh?" Shu Dong covered Mars's mouth, watching a black cat run from the opposite side of the road and jump into the nearby car. Could he be mistaken? Is that cat actually not afraid of Mars?

Translate: "\"Huh? \" Shu Dong covered Mars's mouth, watching the black cat run over from the opposite side of the road and jump into the nearby car. Could he have been mistaken? That cat actually isn't afraid of Mars?"

Thinking about it, Shu Dong got out of the car, walked over, and tapped on Yuan Zhiyi's car window.

Translate: "Thinking that, Shu Dong got out of the car and walked over to tap on Yuan Zhiyi's window."

Inside the car, Zheng Tan looked at Jiao Ba's face, which still seemed calm, and thought: "Oh no, he's going to lose his temper; Jiao the Fox losing his temper is terrifying—will he be put under long‑term house arrest? House arrest might be considered light, but I don't know how long it would last." Zheng Tan felt relieved that Jiao Ba rarely resorts to violence, so he didn't have to worry about being beaten, and even if he were, it wouldn't be too severe… right?

Translate: "Inside the car, Zheng Tan looked at Jiao Ba's face, which still seemed calm, and thought: Oh no, oh no, he's going to blow up—Jiao the Fox's anger is terrifying; will he be put under long-term house arrest? House arrest seems relatively light, but I don't know how long it would last. Zheng Tan is glad Jiao Ba rarely resorts to violence, so he doesn't have to worry about getting beaten, and even if he did, it wouldn't be too severe… right?"

Jiao the Fox

Just then, Zheng Tan heard Shu Dong and Yuan Zhiyi talking. Shu Dong said it was rare for them to meet by fate, his dog seemed to have made a mistake, and to apologize he invited Yuan Zhiyi and Jiao Ba for afternoon tea to chat.

Translate: "Just then, Zheng Tan heard Shu Dong and Yuan Zhiyi speaking. Shu Dong said that it was rare for them to have met by fate, his dog seemed to have made a mistake as well, and to express his apology, he invited Yuan Zhiyi and Jiao Ba to have a cup of afternoon tea, so they could chat."

Because Zheng Tan had returned, Yuan Zhiyi no longer had any worries; this person is tough‑minded, and the frightening scene of almost being stabbed in the guqin studio had already been forgotten. Now seeing Shu Dong approach, Yuan Zhiyi began to think of ideas, after all he is a businessman. When Zheng Xuan introduced them to Shu Dong earlier, Yuan Zhiyi had only heard a little, and they were far inferior to Shu Dong; now that such a person had taken the initiative to invite them, Yuan Zhiyi naturally gave his wholehearted approval.

Translate: "Because Zheng Tan had returned, Yuan Zhiyi no longer had any worries; this person is thick-skinned, the terrifying scene of almost being stabbed with a knife at Guqin She had already been forgotten, and now seeing Shu Dong approach, he began to make plans—after all, Yuan Zhiyi is a businessman. When Zheng Xuan introduced Shu Dong to them earlier, Yuan Zhiyi had only heard a bit, and they were far inferior to Shu Dong; now it's rare for someone like him to take the initiative to invite them, so Yuan Zhiyi naturally gave his full approval."

Jiao Ba, who had been wanting to have a good talk with Zheng Tan and was bursting with things to say, now could only keep his words bottled up since the invitation had been extended; of course he wanted to show respect, as he wasn't clueless. However, the saying goes, "first burst of energy, then decline"; when the chance comes to give a talking‑to, he wonders how much authority he'll still have.

Translate: "Jiao Ba, who had been holding in a lot of things he wanted to \"have a good talk\" with Zheng Tan about, could now only keep those words bottled up, since the other party had extended an invitation and of course he wanted to give face—Jiao Ba isn't someone who understands nothing. However, the saying goes, 'first burst of energy, then decline'; when the time comes to have a chance to give a lecture, who knows how much deterrent power will remain."

Forget it, just being able to come back is enough.

Translate: "Forget it, as long as he's come back, that's fine."

Jiao Ba sighed and gestured that Yuan Zhiyi could leave.

Translate: "Jiao Ba sighed and gestured that Yuan Zhiyi could leave."

Seeing that Jiao Ba had no intention of having a serious talk for the moment, Zheng Tan felt relieved; he was truly grateful to Shu Dong, whose appearance was perfectly timed.

Translate: "Seeing that Jiao Ba temporarily had no intention of \"having a good talk\", Zheng Tan felt relieved inside; he was truly grateful to that Shu Dong, whose appearance was perfectly timed."

Shu Dong took them to a rather classy restaurant, a bit far from the city center, with a fairly large floor area.

Translate: "Shu Dong took them to a restaurant with quite a ambiance, a bit far from the city center, with a fairly large area."

Yuan Zhiyi gazed at the restaurant, wondering how much the meal would cost. As they arrived, someone happened to walk out and leave. He could see clearly that they were several celebrities; one, even wearing large sunglasses, he recognized instantly—this was the woman who used to appear constantly in the Shanghai Daily newspaper that hung on his bedroom wall during his college years.

Translate: "Yuan Zhiyi looked at the restaurant before him, wondering how much money the consumption inside would actually require. As they arrived, someone happened to walk out from inside and leave. Yuan Zhiyi could see clearly that they were a few celebrities; one of them, even wearing large sunglasses, he could recognize at a glance—that was the woman whose picture had long adorned the wall above his bed in his university dormitory, the Shanghai Daily."

Shanghai Daily

It wasn't that Yuan Zhiyi was overreacting; whether back then or now, he is quite knowledgeable. He was simply thinking that, since celebrities come here to eat, the security measures must be excellent—he had felt that as soon as he entered through the outer gate, and now he is even more certain.

Translate: "It wasn't that Yuan Zhiyi was overreacting; whether back then or now, he is also someone with experience, and he was merely thinking that since celebrities come here to dine, the security measures must be excellent—he had felt that when entering from the outer gate earlier, and now he is even more certain."

"Can we really bring a cat in here?" Jiao Ba asked. Generally speaking, dogs are easier to look after—you just leash them—but cats are less cooperative, especially since there are some celebrities around; many celebrities appear affectionate toward cats in public, but not necessarily in private, after all cats can scratch, and celebrities' faces are very valuable. Just now a celebrity passing by saw the cat's head poking out of the car, frowned, but quickly hid it; Jiao Ba happened to catch that moment.

Translate: "\"Can this place really allow cats inside? \" Jiao Ba asked. Generally speaking, dogs are easier to look after—just put a leash on them—but cats are less cooperative, especially since there are also some celebrities here; many celebrities appear affectionate toward cats in public, but in private not necessarily, given that cats are prone to swipe with their paws, and celebrities' faces are quite valuable. Just now a celebrity passing by them saw the cat's head poking out from the car and furrowed his brow, though he quickly covered it up—Jiao Ba merely happened to catch that moment."

Yuan Zhiyi paused and said, "In theory, pets shouldn't be allowed." He had been to a similar place before; although there was no sign explicitly banning pets, everyone who went there privately knew exactly how to handle it.

Translate: "Yuan Zhiyi paused, then said: \"In theory, they shouldn't allow it. \" He had been to a similar place before; although there was no sign explicitly saying pets weren't allowed, people who went there privately all knew exactly what to do."

The phrase "in theory" is used well; often it tells you that the surface appearance is nonsense. People who can actually bring pets in are usually not afraid to speak up—that's a privilege. For example, Shu Zong openly bringing his dog out of the car.

Translate: "The term \"in theory\" is used well; many times it directly tells you that the surface stuff is nonsense. Generally, those who can bring pets in are not afraid to say so—that's called privilege. For example, Shu Zong openly bringing his beloved dog out of the car."

Shu Zong

"Who cares? Someone's got our back, what's there to fear?" Yuan Zhiyi thought openly.

Translate: "\"Who cares. Someone's taking the blame for us, what do we have to fear? \" Yuan Zhiyi took it in stride."

"The food here isn't necessarily worse than that at the Guqin Studio, but the security is much stronger, so you don't have to worry about running into that kind of thing again." Shu Dong said while walking inside.

Translate: "\"The food here isn't necessarily worse than that at Guqin She. Besides, the security here is much stronger, so you don't have to worry about running into that kind of thing again. \" Shu Dong said while walking inside."

The waiters here are all familiar with Shu Dong; they greet him but don't lead the way. Shu Dong knows this place well—he always goes in by himself, goes wherever he wants, and only greets staff when he needs service; otherwise they don't need to fawn over him.

Translate: "The waitstaff here are all very familiar with Shu Dong; they greeted him but didn't go on to lead the way. Shu Dong knows this place well; each time he simply goes in himself, goes wherever he wants, and only greets them again when he needs some service; otherwise they don't need to fawn over him."

Going further in, Zheng Tan saw a courtyard with rockeries and ponds arranged with great care, looking quite pleasant. The few private rooms on this side of the courtyard are only visited by the owner's close friends; this area is not open to the public.

Translate: "Going further in, Zheng Tan saw a courtyard with rockeries, ponds, etc., laid out with great care, looking quite comfortable. The few private rooms on this side of the courtyard are only visited by the shop owner's familiar friends; this area is not open to the outside."

In the courtyard there was a fishless pond where a big dog lay on the edge, head resting on the steps, snoring loudly; upon hearing the noise over here, it immediately opened its eyes, saw Mars and Shu Dong, and leapt out of the pond, wagging its tail happily.

Translate: "In the courtyard there was a pond that wasn't keeping fish; a big dog was lying at the edge of the pond, his head resting on the steps, snoring loudly. Upon hearing the sound from this side, he immediately opened his eyes, and upon seeing Mars and Shu Dong, he leapt out of the pond, wagging his tail excitedly."

That was also a Great Dane, black like Mars and about the same size, but its ears had been cropped, trimmed nicely, giving it a spirited, formidable look, making it easy to tell apart from Mars.

Translate: "That was also a Great Dane, black like Mars, about the same size, but this one had undergone ear-cropping surgery; his ears were trimmed nicely, looking spirited and formidable, making it easy to tell him apart from Mars."

Shu Dong told Jiao Ba and the others that the dog was called "Doufu", Mars's brother; he has a decent temperament, just a fierce‑looking face. When the restaurant owner was thinking up a tofu dish, Shu Dong urged him to name the dog, and the man simply said "Doufu".

Translate: "Shu Dong told Jiao Ba and the others, this dog is called \"Dou Fu\", Mars's brother; his temperament is not bad, he just has a ferocious-looking face. When the restaurant owner was initially thinking of a tofu dish, Shu Dong urged him to give the dog a name, and the man simply said \"Dou Fu\"."

Zheng Tan gave the big dog a sympathetic glance; a tall, formidable black dog named Doufu—just hearing the name, one might think it's soft and easy to push around.

Translate: "Zheng Tan gave that big dog a sympathetic look—a tall, mighty black dog named Dou Fu; just hearing the name without seeing the dog, one would think this dog is soft and easy to bully."

By the pond, a water jet spurted up, not very high—about half a meter.

Translate: "By the pond, a jet of water sprayed up, not high, about half a meter."

As soon as they saw the water spraying, the two dog brothers dashed over and jumped into the pond.

Translate: "As soon as they saw the water spraying, the two dog brothers immediately ran over and jumped into the pond."

"I don't know if dogs born in summer just love playing in water more, but Mars and Doufu both enjoy diving into the water, especially in the midsummer heat when other dogs crowd into air‑conditioned rooms; they go looking for pools. This pond in the courtyard was actually built especially for Doufu to play in." Shu Dong said, looking over and laughing.

Translate: "\"I don't know if dogs born in summer like playing in water more, but Mars and Dou Fu both love to dive into the water, especially during the midsummer heat when other dogs crowd into air-conditioned rooms, they go everywhere looking for ponds. This pond in the courtyard was actually built especially for Dou Fu to play in. \" Shu Dong said, looking over there with a smile."

The pond has a circulating filtration system and is regularly maintained, so even with dogs often splashing about, the water stays clean.

Translate: "By the pond there is a circulating filtration system, and it is often maintained, so even if dogs frequently romp in it, the pond still looks clean."

Shu Dong chose a private room near the pond, from which he could see the pond's situation.

Translate: "Shu Dong chose a private room near the pond, from which one could see the situation over there."

Zheng Tan leaned on the windowsill watching Mars and Doufu jump into the pond to bite at the water jet, splashing back and forth; he felt a little stirred.

Translate: "Zheng Tan leaned on the windowsill watching Mars and Dou Fu jump into the pond to bite at that water jet, splashing back and forth, feeling somewhat moved."

On the way here it wasn't convenient to clean up, so Jiao Ba just used a tissue and some bottled water to wipe off the obvious clumps of ice cream stuck to Zheng Tan's fur, making him look less messy; however, Zheng Tan still felt the sticky strawberry residue, feeling itchy, and after a moment he jumped down from the windowsill and leapt over there.

Translate: "On the way here, cleaning up wasn't convenient, so Jiao Ba merely used a tissue and bottled water to wipe off the more obvious clumps of ice cream stuck to Zheng Tan's fur, making him look less disheveled; however, Zheng Tan still felt the sticky strawberry residue, feeling itchy where it clung, and after a while he jumped down from the windowsill and leapt over there."

"Plop!"

Translate: "Plunk!"

Suddenly an outsider appeared; the two enthusiastic big dogs slipped back to the pond's edge, saw Zheng Tan, and Mars swam toward the water jet again, but Zheng Tan kicked him away, leaving Mars to monopolize the jet alone. Why the jet? Because the water coming out here is purified by the pond's filtration system, making it cleaner.

Translate: "Suddenly an outsider appeared; the two big dogs, who had been playing energetically, slipped back to the edge of the pond upon seeing Zheng Tan. Mars then swam toward the water jet, but Zheng Tan kicked him away with a foot, after which he alone monopolized the water jet. Why the water jet here? Because the water coming out of here is the purified water from the pond's filtration system, cleaner."

"Hey, that cat is really fun!"

Translate: "\"Hey, that cat is really fun! \"

While discussing the financial market liquidity crisis with Yuan Zhiyi, Shu Dong saw the scene at the pond and abruptly switched the topic a hundred eighty degrees, causing Yuan Zhiyi, who had been engaged in the conversation and was waiting for Shu Dong's next words, to twitch his face as the topic never returned.

Translate: "While discussing the financial market liquidity crisis with Yuan Zhiyi, after seeing the scene over by the pond, Shu Dong directly turned the topic a hundred eighty degrees, causing Yuan Zhiyi, who had been engaged in the discussion and was waiting for Shu Dong's next words, to twitch his face as the topic never swung back."

Jiao Ba watched his own cat push the two big dogs aside, then calmly lift a paw to ruffle the fur on its head, as if washing its hair, while he covered his face.

Translate: "Jiao Ba watched his own cat push those two big dogs aside, then at the water jet stretch out its paws to scratch the fur on its head, calmly \"washing its hair\", and he covered his face."

Really, that's too impolite. (To be continued...)