Chapter 124

Li Xin doesn't know what's happening at Backbone Restaurant, and even if he did, he wouldn't care—it's just a formality, giving Harmony United Victory a way out.

Translate:

"Backbone Restaurant's affairs, Li Xin doesn't know, even if he knew, he wouldn't care; this is just a formality, giving Harmony United Victory a way out."

We need to keep meaning, not add extra. Let's produce a natural English sentence.

"Backbone Restaurant's affairs, Li Xin doesn't know; even if he did, he wouldn't care—this is just a formality, giving Harmony United Victory a way out."

English explanation -> skip.

English explanation -> skip.

English explanation -> skip.

Now output: 【1】 Backbone Restaurant's affairs, Li Xin doesn't know; even if he knew, he wouldn't care—this is just a formality, giving Harmony United Victory a way out.

We need to keep it on one line.

Today he didn't go out to fool around; instead, he took Xiao Fu to hang out in Sai Kung, greeting acquaintances and chatting with the neighbors.

Translate:

"Today he didn't go out to fool around; instead, he took Xiao Fu to hang out in Xi Gong, greeting acquaintances and chatting with the neighbors."

English explanation -> skip.

We need to use Xi Gong from glossary.

Thus: 【2】 Today he didn't go out to play; instead, he took Xiao Fu to hang out in Xi Gong, greeting acquaintances and chatting with the neighbors.

Upon seeing a pretty girl, he'd still whistle a hooligan's call, for the bold and daring ones.

Translate:

"Seeing a pretty girl, he'd still whistle a rascal's whistle, for those who are bold and daring."

English explanation -> skip.

We'll translate: "Seeing a pretty girl, he'd still whistle a hooligan's whistle, for the bold and daring ones."

They'd kindly invite him: 'Brother Xin, if you're serious, go for it; don't just flirt with your mouth all day, having lust but no guts—you're a total loser!'

Translate:

"They'd kindly invite him: 'Brother Xin, if you're serious, go for it; don't just flirt with your mouth all day, having lust but no guts—you're a total loser!'"

English explanation -> skip.

But we need to keep the quote marks? We'll keep as is.

Thus: 【4】 They'd kindly invite him: "Brother Xin, if you're serious, go for it; don't just flirt with your mouth all day, having lust but no guts—you're a total loser!"

Li Xin didn't mind either; instead, he teased her: 'Xiao Li, if you agree to let me support you, I agree—aren't you unwilling? How can this be my fault?'

Translate:

"Li Xin didn't mind either; instead, he'd tease her: 'Xiao Li, if you agree to let me keep you, I agree—aren't you unwilling? How can that be my fault?'"

We need to keep Xiao Li.

Thus: 【5】 Li Xin didn't mind either; instead, he'd tease her: "Xiao Li, if you agree to let me keep you, I agree—aren't you unwilling? How can that be my fault?"

Xiao Li rolled her eyes and snapped: 'You can't even get into your own house, and you want me to be your mistress? Go dream!'

Translate:

"Xiao Li rolled her eyes, saying angrily: 'You can't even get into your house, and you want me to be your mistress? Dream on!'"

We need to keep Xiao Li.

Thus: 【6】 Xiao Li rolled her eyes, saying angrily: "You can't even get into your house, and you want me to be your mistress? Dream on!"

After checking his watch, he hurried to the minibus stop, waving goodbye: 'Brother Xin, I'm in a rush; let's chat when we have time.'

Translate:

"He glanced at his watch, hurried to the minibus stop, waved and said goodbye: 'Brother Xin, I'm in a rush; let's chat when I have time.'"

We need to keep Brother Xin as Xin Ge.

Thus: 【7】 He glanced at his watch, hurried to the minibus stop, waved and said goodbye: "Brother Xin, I'm in a rush; let's chat when I have time."

'Bye-bye!'

Translate:

"'Bye!'"

Thus: 【8】 "Bye!"

Li Xin noticed Xiao Fu's strange look and asked, 'You have a problem?'

Translate:

"Li Xin noticed Xiao Fu's strange gaze and asked: 'Do you have a problem?'"

Thus: 【9】 Li Xin noticed Xiao Fu's strange gaze and asked: "Do you have a problem?"

Xiao Fu curiously asked, 'Boss, you act like two different people when you're outside and in Sai Kung.'

Translate:

"Xiao Fu curiously asked: 'Boss, you act like two different people when you're outside and in Xi Gong.'"

Thus: 【10】 Xiao Fu curiously asked: "Boss, you act like two different people when you're outside and in Xi Gong."

'Outside you're arrogant and fickle, changing faces faster than flipping a page; in Sai Kung you're warm and easygoing—what's the reason?'

Translate:

"'Outside you're arrogant and domineering, changing faces faster than flipping a page; in Xi Gong you're friendly and easygoing—what's the reason?'"

Thus: 【11】 "Outside you're arrogant and domineering, changing faces faster than flipping a page; in Xi Gong you're friendly and easygoing—what's the reason?"

Li Xin slowly walked toward Qiu Ti's flower shop, smiling as he replied, 'Would you act domineering in your own home?'

Translate:

"Li Xin slowly walked toward Qiuti's flower shop, smiling as he replied: 'Would you act domineering in your own home?'"

Thus: 【12】 Li Xin slowly walked toward Qiuti's flower shop, smiling as he replied: "Would you act domineering in your own home?"

Sai Kung is already like his home in his heart—a rear base and a stronghold.

Translate:

"In his heart, Xi Gong had already become his home, a rear base, a stronghold."

Thus: 【13】 In his heart, Xi Gong had already become his home, a rear base, a stronghold.

The two strolled to the flower shop, seeing that business was still dismal, with nobody coming to buy flowers.

Translate:

"The two strolled to the flower shop, seeing that business was still dismal, with hardly anyone coming to buy flowers."

Thus: 【14】 The two strolled to the flower shop, seeing that business was still dismal, with hardly anyone coming to buy flowers.

The new manager is the former clerk Xiao Hui, a very capable girl, though a bit timid.

Translate:

"The new manager was the former clerk Xiao Hui, a very capable girl, just with a somewhat timid personality."

Thus: 【15】 The new manager was the former clerk Xiao Hui, a very capable girl, just with a somewhat timid personality.

Seeing Li Xin enter, Xiao Hui quickly put down her book and gave him a smile.

Translate:

"Seeing Li Xin enter, Xiao Hui quickly put down the book in her hands and smiled at him."

Thus: 【16】 Seeing Li Xin enter, Xiao Hui quickly put down the book in her hands and smiled at him.

She then asked, 'Brother Xin, how do you have time to come over today? Aren't you busy?'

Translate:

"Then she asked: 'Brother Xin, how do you have time to come over today? Aren't you busy?'"

Thus: 【17】 Then she asked: "Brother Xin, how do you have time to come over today? Aren't you busy?"

She pulled a chair and sat down, then replied, 'I came to see you; if you've lost weight, that kid will come looking for trouble with me.'

Translate:

"Pulling a chair to sit down, she then replied: 'I came to check on you; if you've lost weight, that kid will cause trouble for me!'"

Thus: 【18】 Pulling a chair to sit down, she then replied: "I came to check on you; if you've lost weight, that kid will cause trouble for me!"

Xiao Hui quickly waved her hand and said, 'No way! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know how I'd be now—I'm really grateful to you, Brother Xin.'

Translate:

"Xiao Hui hurriedly waved her hand, saying: 'No way; without you, I wouldn't know what to do now! I'm really grateful to Brother Xin.'"

Thus: 【19】 Xiao Hui hurriedly waved her hand, saying: "No way; without you, I wouldn't know what to do now! I'm really grateful to Brother Xin."

'Has that kid come to see you lately? This little bastard refuses to come to Sai Kung no matter what, just letting you suffer!' Li Xin said.

Translate:

"'Has that brat come to see you lately? This little bastard refuses to come to Xi Gong with me no matter what, only letting you suffer injustice!' Li Xin said."

Thus: 【20】 "Has that brat come to see you lately? This little bastard refuses to come to Xi Gong with me no matter what, only letting you suffer injustice!" Li Xin said.

Xiao Hui heard this, smiled sweetly, and explained, 'He still has things to finish; he said he'll come to Sai Kung to sell flowers with me after he's done.'

Translate:

"Xiao Hui heard this, smiled sweetly, and explained: 'He still has something unfinished; he said that once he finishes it, he'll come to Xi Gong to sell flowers with me.'"

Thus: 【21】 Xiao Hui heard this, smiled sweetly, and explained: "He still has something unfinished; he said that once he finishes it, he'll come to Xi Gong to sell flowers with me."

Li Xin took out a cigarette case, pulled out a stick and tossed it into his mouth; Xiao Fu, being perceptive, lit it for him.

Translate:

"Li Xin took out a cigarette case, pulled out a stick and tossed it into his mouth; Xiao Fu, being perceptive, lit it for him."

Thus: 【22】 Li Xin took out a cigarette case, pulled out a stick and tossed it into his mouth; Xiao Fu, being perceptive, lit it for him.

After taking a drag, he praised Xiao Fu: 'You have good judgment; learn more from Jian Guo, don't learn from Jianjun's loser ways—otherwise you'll have no smile all day.'

Translate:

"After taking a drag, he then praised Xiao Fu: 'You have good judgment; learn more good things from Jianguo, don't learn from Jianjun that loser—he never smiles all day!'"

Thus: 【23】 After taking a drag, he then praised Xiao Fu: "You have good judgment; learn more good things from Jianguo, don't learn from Jianjun that loser—he never smiles all day!"

Xiao Fu immediately explained, 'Boss, Jianjun Ge's personality is just like that—unchangeable! If he changed, he wouldn't be Jianjun Ge.'

Translate:

"Xiao Fu immediately explained: 'Boss, … Jun Ge's personality is just like that—unchangeable! If he changed, he wouldn't be Jun Ge!'"

English explanation -> skip.

Thus: 【24】 Xiao Fu immediately explained: "Boss, Jianjun Ge's personality is just like that—unchangeable! If he changed, he wouldn't be Jianjun Ge!"

Xiao Hui stood up, gave each of them a bottle of water; Li Xin took it, stood and walked out, saying at the door, 'If you need anything, ask Qiu Ti's sister; don't let yourself suffer.'

Translate:

"Xiao Hui stood up, gave each of them a bottle of water; Li Xin took it, stood up and walked out, and at the door said: 'If you need anything, find Sister Qiuti; don't let yourself suffer injustice.'"

Thus: 【25】 Xiao Hui stood up, gave each of them a bottle of water; Li Xin took it, stood up and walked out, and at the door said: "If you need anything, find Sister Qiuti; don't let yourself suffer injustice."

'I'm fine, Brother Xin; you don't need to worry about me—I'm doing very well.' Xiao Hui replied with a smile.

Translate:

"'I'm fine, Brother Xin; you don't need to worry about me—I'm doing very well.' Xiao Hui replied with a smile."

Thus: 【26】 "I'm fine, Brother Xin; you don't need to worry about me—I'm doing very well." Xiao Hui replied with a smile.

The two then strolled to the construction site, seeing the warehouse and factory buildings nearing completion, and he was very satisfied.

Translate:

"The two then strolled to the construction site, looking at the nearly completed warehouse and factory buildings; he was very satisfied."

Thus: 【27】 The two then strolled to the construction site, looking at the nearly completed warehouse and factory buildings; he was very satisfied.

They found the foreman, Xiao Bao, and asked, 'How much longer until completion?'

Translate:

"They found the supervisor Xiao Bao and asked: 'How much longer until completion?'"

Thus: 【28】 They found the supervisor Xiao Bao and asked: "How much longer until completion?"

Xiao Bao replied succinctly, 'Brother Xin, it'll be done in half a month; the cargo yard's foundations are all set, just need the surface hardened; once the factory and warehouse are done, we can immediately lay the ground, with no delay.'

Translate:

"Xiao Bao answered succinctly: 'Brother Xin, it'll be done in half a month; the cargo yard's foundations are all laid, only the surface hardening remains—once the factory and warehouse are done, we can immediately lay the ground, with no delay.'"

Thus: 【29】 Xiao Bao answered succinctly: "Brother Xin, it'll be done in half a month; the cargo yard's foundations are all laid, only the surface hardening remains—once the factory and warehouse are done, we can immediately lay the ground, with no delay."

Li Xin pulled out two large gold ingots, put them in Xiao Bao's upper pocket, and patted his shoulder.

Translate:

"Li Xin took out two Big Gold Bulls, put them in Xiao Bao's upper clothing pocket, and patted his shoulder."

Thus: 【30】 Li Xin took out two Big Gold Bulls, put them in Xiao Bao's upper clothing pocket, and patted his shoulder.

He said, 'With you around, I feel at ease; it's too hot—buy some water to drink.'

Translate:

"He said: 'With you around, I feel very reassured; the weather's too hot, buy some water to drink.'"

Thus: 【31】 He said: "With you around, I feel very reassured; the weather's too hot, buy some water to drink."

Li Xin now has some skills that have become part of his modus operandi, almost instinctive.

Translate:

"Li Xin now has some skills that have become part of his conduct, almost instinctive!"

Thus: 【32】 Li Xin now has some skills that have become part of his conduct, almost instinctive!

Xiao Bao watched the departing Brother Xin, thinking about Brother B: 'No wonder he's not doing well without Brother Xin! Look at how Brother Xin operates—can't compare, the gap is huge.'

Translate:

"Xiao Bao watched the departing Brother Xin, thinking about Brother B: 'No wonder Brother Xin does so well! Look at how Brother Xin acts—can't compare, the gap is huge!'"

Thus: 【33】 Xiao Bao watched the departing Brother Xin, thinking about Brother B: "No wonder Brother Xin does so well! Look at how Brother Xin acts—can't compare, the gap is huge!"

They had been strolling all morning, hadn't even gone to eat yet when the cell phone rang; they answered and put it to their ear.

Translate:

"They had wandered all morning, and before they could go eat, the big brother (phone) rang; they answered and put it to their ear."

Thus: 【34】 They had wandered all morning, and before they could go eat, the big brother (phone) rang; they answered and put it to their ear.

'Brother Xin, I'm Ah Sheng from Xin Ji; do you have time today? Please come out for a meal, and I've brought you a gift—please show face.'

Translate:

"'Brother Xin, I'm Ah Sheng from New Shop; do you have time today? Please come out for a meal, and I've brought you a gift—please show face!'"

Thus: 【35】 "Brother Xin, I'm Ah Sheng from New Shop; do you have time today? Please come out for a meal, and I've brought you a gift—please show face!"

Li Xin also had nothing to do today, so he went to see what the gift was, replying, 'Location—I'm coming from Sai Kung, might be a bit late.'

Translate:

"Li Xin also had nothing to do today, so he went to see what the gift was, replying: 'Location—I'll come from Xi Gong, might be a bit late.'"

Thus: 【36】 Li Xin also had nothing to do today, so he went to see what the gift was, replying: "Location—I'll come from Xi Gong, might be a bit late."

Xu Sheng replied with a smile, 'Brother Xin being able to come is already giving great face; at the Heng Lai Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, I await your esteemed presence.'

Translate:

"Xu Sheng laughed and replied: 'Brother Xin being able to come is already giving huge face; at Tsim Sha Tsui Evercome Hotel, I await Brother Xin's grand arrival.'"

Thus: 【37】 Xu Sheng laughed and replied: "Brother Xin being able to come is already giving huge face; at Tsim Sha Tsui Evercome Hotel, I await Brother Xin's grand arrival."

'Hmm, just like that, I'll be there shortly.'

Translate:

"'Mm, just that; I'll be over soon.'"

Thus: 【38】 "Mm, just that; I'll be over soon."

He hung up the phone and told Xiao Fu, 'Let Jian Guo drive; we're heading to Tsim Sha Tsui.'

Translate:

"After hanging up, he told Xiao Fu: 'Let Jianguo drive; we're heading to Tsim Sha Tsui.'"

Thus: 【39】 After hanging up, he told Xiao Fu: "Let Jianguo drive; we're heading to Tsim Sha Tsui."

……

Translate: This line is just ellipsis. We need to output something representing the ellipsis. Probably just "……". We'll keep as is.

Thus: 【40】 ……

Li Xin and his four got off at the Heng Lai Hotel entrance and saw Xu Sheng and Xu Qiang's brothers waiting at the door.

Translate:

"Li Xin and four others got out at the Evercome Hotel entrance, seeing Xu Sheng and Xu Qiang's two brothers waiting for him at the door."

Thus: 【41】 Li Xin and four others got out at the Evercome Hotel entrance, seeing Xu Sheng and Xu Qiang's two brothers waiting for him at the door.

He lifted his head to glance at the hotel sign, a hint of a smile on his lips: 'Liu Yaozu, you must run this well—this is my pre-booked property.'

Translate:

"He lifted his head to glance at the hotel sign, a hint of a smile on his lips: 'Liu Yaozu, you must manage this well—this is my pre-booked property.'"

Thus: 【42】 He lifted his head to glance at the hotel sign, a hint of a smile on his lips: "Liu Yaozu, you must manage this well—this is my pre-booked property."

Do a good job, and I'll pick you a nice grave.

Translate:

"Do a good job, and I'll pick you a nice grave!"

Thus: 【43】 Do a good job, and I'll pick you a nice grave!

Xu Qiang's brothers saw him get off, hurried over to shake hands, saying flatteringly, 'Brother Xin, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to attend the feast—this brings glory to us brothers.'

Translate:

"Seeing him get out, Xu Qiang's two brothers hurried over to shake hands, saying flatteringly: 'Brother Xin, thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to attend the banquet—this brings glory to us two!'"

Thus: 【44】 Seeing him get out, Xu Qiang's two brothers hurried over to shake hands, saying flatteringly: "Brother Xin, thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to attend the banquet—this brings glory to us two!"

Li Xin also didn't stand on ceremony; after shaking hands, he said, 'You guys have a decent relationship with Ax Head Jun's loser crowd; we're also friends, so I'll give you all the face you deserve—I can't let that loser blame me for not doing so.'

Translate:

"Li Xin also didn't stand on ceremony; after shaking hands, he said: 'You guys get along well with that loser Fu Tou Jun; we're also friends—any face we can give, we'll give fully, can't let that loser blame me for not doing so?'"

Thus: 【45】 Li Xin also didn't stand on ceremony; after shaking hands, he said: "You guys get along well with that loser Fu Tou Jun; we're also friends—any face we can give, we'll give fully, can't let that loser blame me for not doing so?"

Xu Sheng understood what Li Xin meant: he was telling them he merely has a decent relationship with Ax Head Jun, not that he's doing it for Xin Ji's face.

Translate:

"Xu Sheng understood Li Xin's meaning: this was telling them he merely had a good relationship with Fu Tou Jun, not that he was giving face to New Shop."

Thus: 【46】 Xu Sheng understood Li Xin's meaning: this was telling them he merely had a good relationship with Fu Tou Jun, not that he was giving face to New Shop.

Let them have their own understanding in

Translate:

"Let them have a clear idea in their hearts; don't make excessive demands, or everyone will lose face."

Thus: 【47】 Let them have a clear idea in their hearts; don't make excessive demands, or everyone will lose face.

【271】

Translate:

"Xu Sheng had no dissatisfaction with those remarks; Immortal Trust had the qualification to say such things."

Thus: 【48】 Xu Sheng had no dissatisfaction with those remarks; Immortal Trust had the qualification to say such things.

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"Xu Sheng smiled and said: 'Brother Xin being able to come is enough for us two brothers! This time it's for Jun Ge's face; next time we hope we also have that, to treat Brother Xin to a meal.'"

Thus: 【49】 Xu Sheng smiled and said: "Brother Xin being able to come is enough for us two brothers! This time it's for Jun Ge's face; next time we hope we also have that, to treat Brother Xin to a meal."

【281】

Translate:

"Li Xin heard this, smiled ambiguously, and lifted his leg to walk into the hotel."

Thus: 【50】 Li Xin heard this, smiled ambiguously, and lifted his leg to walk into the hotel.

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"People in the hotel, some knowing Li Xin, some knowing the Xu brothers, all greeted them."

Thus: 【51】 People in the hotel, some knowing Li Xin, some knowing the Xu brothers, all greeted them.

【291】

Translate:

"'Brother Xin, what a coincidence? Meeting here—fate!' said someone with a gang background, greeting him."

Thus: 【52】 "Brother Xin, what a coincidence? Meeting here—fate!" said someone with a gang background, greeting him.

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"'Mr. Li, you're so free today, also coming to play a couple rounds?' This is someone who knows him from the business world."

Thus: 【53】 "Mr. Li, you're so free today, also coming to play a couple rounds?" This is someone who knows him from the business world.

【301】

Translate:

"Li Xin smiled and replied to them: 'I have some business today; let's have tea together another day—I won't disturb you today.'"

Thus: 【54】 Li Xin smiled and replied to them: "I have some business today; let's have tea together another day—I won't disturb you today."

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"'All right, Brother Xin, when you're free, go play in Yau Ma Tei—you haven't been back in a while; when you return, I'll host you.'"

Thus: 【55】 "All right, Brother Xin, when you're free, go play in Yau Ma Tei—you haven't been back in a while; when you return, I'll host you."

【311】

Translate:

"'No problem, Mr. Li; let's have tea together when we have time.'"

Thus: 【56】 "No problem, Mr. Li; let's have tea together when we have time."

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"The Xu brothers were also exchanging pleasantries with others, saying all kinds of empty talk……"

Thus: 【57】 The Xu brothers were also exchanging pleasantries with others, saying all kinds of empty talk……

【321】

Translate:

"Several people arrived at the private room, where someone was already waiting inside."

Thus: 【58】 Several people arrived at the private room, where someone was already waiting inside.

Chinese -> translate.

Translate:

"This is a very beautiful woman, very beautiful, with a quiet, alluring charm that makes one imagine throwing her onto a ship, causing waves to surge."

Thus: 【59】 This is a very beautiful woman, very beautiful, with a quiet, alluring charm that makes one imagine throwing her onto a ship, causing waves to surge.

In my previous life, there was a woman who looked ninety percent like this woman, who gave a backward glance and a smile, plus that sentence "I am waiting for you in the capital."

Li Xin waited for the transmigration, damn it, still didn't get the sequel, this liar!

This! It's getting interesting!