Chapter 103

Let's go, we'll get some weapons. (OK)

Translation: "Let's go, we'll grab some weapons."

But need to be faithful:... (this is commentary, not a line to translate)

We must not add extra words...

At that moment, Yao Yirong, who had been crying loudly, suddenly gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and said fiercely. (OK)

Translation: "At that moment, Yao Yirong, who had been crying loudly, suddenly gritted her teeth, clenched her fists, and said fiercely."

We need to keep gender: Yao Yirong is female (from glossary). Use "her". Good.

"Where are you going?" I asked in surprise. (OK)

Translation: "\"Where are we going? \" I asked in surprise."

"I can't take it anymore! I'm going to teach those who bullied Grandma a lesson, I'm going to wreck their restaurant, go beat those hooligans to death—they're so inhumane…" After saying that, Yao Yirong burst into tears again and bit my shoulder hard. (Check: "Grandma" is English, fine.)

Translation: "\"I can't take it anymore! I'm going to teach those who bullied Grandma a lesson, I'm going to wreck their restaurant, I'm going to beat those hooligans to death—they're so inhumane…\" At the end, Yao Yirong burst into tears again and bit my shoulder hard."

Check:... (commentary)

"Dear girl, this bit of suffering is nothing to me; having lived to my age, I've seen everything clearly and let go. But my poor granddaughter—if she remains like this, even if I pass away, I won't rest in peace." Granny Zhao's tone held no hatred toward anyone, only a grandmother's concern for her granddaughter. (OK)

Translation: "\"Miss, this bit of suffering is nothing to me; having lived to my age, I've seen everything clearly and let it go. But my poor granddaughter—if she remains like this, even if I die, I won't rest easy. \" Granny Zhao's tone held no hatred for anyone, only a grandmother's concern for her granddaughter."

Granny Zhao

"Granny Zhao, don't worry—I, Wang Weiqiang, will take care of this. If I can't cure her once, I'll keep trying for a lifetime. If this doesn't work, I'll take you both to Guangdong, to my home, and I'll make sure your granddaughter gets cured." The red-eyed fatty slapped his chest without hesitation and agreed to the whole thing. (Check: "Guangdong" is proper noun, fine.)

Translation: "\"Granny Zhao, don't worry—I, Wang Weiqiang, will take care of this. If I can't cure it once, I'll keep trying for a lifetime. If this doesn't work, I'll take you both to Guangdong, to my home, and I won't stop until your granddaughter is cured. \" The red-eyed Pangzi, without hesitation, slapped his chest and agreed to the whole matter."

Wang Weiqiang

"Immortal, are you really telling the truth? Will you cure my granddaughter?" Granny Zhao stared in shock, then looked at the fatty with overwhelming joy. (OK)

Translation: "\"Immortal, is what you say true? Will you really cure my granddaughter? \" Granny Zhao stared, then looked at Pangzi with delighted surprise."

"A real man stands by his word—spit and a nail. If I go back on my word, let me be struck by lightning!" His solemn expression showed that the fatty was more serious than ever. (OK)

Translation: "\"A real man stands by his word—spit and a nail. If I go back on my word, let heaven strike me with thunder. \" His solemn expression fully showed that Pangzi was being utterly serious this time."

Pangzi

"Okay… I support you, Brother Weiqiang. As long as you can cure Shishi, I'll cover any cost." The wealthy-looking man became a generous benefactor. (OK)

Translation: "\"Good… I support you, Brother Weiqiang. As long as we can cure Shishi, I'll cover any cost. \" The wealthy, generous tycoon had likewise become a big-spending good person."

Brother Weiqiang

Even Silijing wiped away her unshed tears, choking up as she muttered to herself: "This poor child surely hasn't even gone to school; if she goes to Guangdong, I'll definitely find time each day to teach her to read and write." (OK)

Translation: "Even Silijing wiped the tears still wet on her face, choking up as she muttered to herself: \"This poor child surely never even went to school; if she goes to Guangdong, I'll definitely set aside time each day to teach her to read and write. \"

"If she comes to Guangdong, I…" I instinctively followed the conversation, but when everyone turned their eyes to me, I stammered "I… I… I" for a while, couldn't get a word out, and finally just stood aside, embarrassed. (OK)

Translation: "\"If she comes to Guangdong, I…\" I instinctively tried to follow everyone's train of thought, but when all eyes turned to me, I stammered \"I-I-I\" for a while, couldn't get anything out, and finally just stood aside nervously."

couldn't get anything out

Because… when I got halfway through my sentence, I realized I couldn't do anything—should I teach Shishi to catch ghosts? Never mind that the idea is ridiculous; if I said it now, I'd surely be ganged up on by everyone. (OK)

Translation: "Because… when I got halfway through my sentence, I realized I couldn't do anything—what, have me teach Shishi to catch ghosts? Never mind that the idea is ridiculous; if I said it now, I'd surely be mobbed by everyone."

Damn it, they're like this because they're possessed by a ghost, and you want to teach them to deal with ghosts? Isn't that just asking for trouble? (OK)

Translation: "Damn it, she's like this because she's been possessed by a ghost, and you want to teach her to go touch ghosts? That's practically asking for a beating."

Sometimes I really feel that living to this point is utterly unprecedented frustration. (OK)

Translation: "Sometimes I really feel that living to this point is unprecedentedly stifling."

"Thank you, thank you, you young people…" Suddenly, the old grandmother's hunched body tried to kneel before us again, frightening us into hastily helping her up while we comforted her for a long time. (OK)

Translation: "\"Thank you, thank you, you young people…\" Suddenly, the stooped old granny tried to kneel before us again, frightening us into scrambling to help her up while we kept comforting her for a long time."

"It's already noon, Yirong—go buy some porridge for Granny Zhao." I had Yirong buy porridge for Granny Zhao and asked Silijing to keep her company for a chat. Then I quietly pulled the fatty aside. (OK)

Translation: "\"It's already noon, Yirong—go buy some porridge for Granny Zhao to eat. \" I had Yao Yirong go buy porridge for Granny Zhao and asked Silijing to keep her company chatting. Then I quietly pulled Pangzi aside."

"Fatty, based on your experience, what do you think is going on here?" I didn't want to fight an unsure battle, so I prepared to discuss it with the fatty in advance. (OK)

Translation: "\"Pangzi, based on your experience, what do you think is going on here? \" I didn't want to fight an unsure battle, so I prepared to discuss it with Pangzi in advance."

what do you think is going on here?

The fatty pondered for a long time, then shook his head helplessly: "Generally, once you send these things away, they're gone; it's rare for them to reattach. As for someone like Shishi who keeps relapsing, that's unheard of." He glanced at Granny Zhao, paused, then added: "Let's just go see for ourselves—if we can't cure her, we'll just take her back to Guangdong for my dad and seventh uncle to treat." (OK)

Translation: "Pangzi pondered for a long time, then shook his head in bewilderment: \"Generally, once you send these things away, they're gone, and there's rarely a second haunting. As for someone like Shishi who keeps relapsing, that's unheard of. \" Pangzi glanced toward Granny Zhao, paused, then added: \"We'll just go see for ourselves—if we can't cure her, we'll just take her back to Guangdong for my dad and seventh uncle to treat. \"

"That's the only way to do it!" I sighed, and given the circumstances, we can only take it one step at a time. (OK)

Translation: "\"That's all we can do! \" I sighed, given the circumstances, we can only take it step by step."

This time, I truly hope the matter stays within our control—not just an attempt, but a definite success. Both the granddaughter and I have suffered too much, and I sincerely hope that with my and the fatty's abilities we can help them. (OK)

Translation: "This time, I truly hope the matter stays within our control—not just an attempt, but a definite success. Both the granddaughter and I have suffered too much; I sincerely hope that with my and Pangzi's abilities we can help them."

Both the granddaughter and I have suffered too much

Meanwhile, Yirong brought back a bowl of porridge, picked up a small spoon, scooped a spoonful, and carefully fed it to Granny Zhao's mouth. (OK)

Translation: "Meanwhile, Yao Yirong came back with a bowl of porridge, took a small spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and carefully fed it to Granny Zhao's mouth."

At first, Granny Zhao was a bit reserved, flailing her hands to push Yirong away, as if unaccustomed to being fed by others. After several attempts, she couldn't resist Yirong's insistence and reluctantly let herself be fed. (OK)

Translation: "At first, Granny Zhao was a bit reserved, flailing her hands to push Yao Yirong away, as if unaccustomed to being fed. After several attempts, the old lady couldn't resist Yao Yirong's insistence and had to let her feed her."

This scene left me dumbfounded for a long time. I had always seen Yirong as unreasonable, a spoiled young lady with a temper, but this time she completely overturned that image in my mind. (OK)

Translation: "This scene left me dumbfounded for a long time. I had always seen Yao Yirong as unreasonable, a spoiled miss with a temper—yet this time she completely overturned that image in my mind."

It was the first time I saw her so gentle—she lightly picked up the spoon, scooped the porridge, blew on it carefully a few times, then tenderly fed it to Granny Zhao. The bowl was large, the spoon small, but Yirong repeated the feeding motion tirelessly. (OK)

Translation: "It was the first time I'd seen her so gentle—she lightly picked up the spoon, scooped the porridge, blew on it a few times to cool it, then tenderly fed it to Granny Zhao. The bowl was full, the spoon tiny, but Yao Yirong repeated the feeding motion tirelessly."

Each time she spooned out porridge, she blew on it several times to make sure it wasn't hot before putting it in Granny Zhao's mouth, and occasionally she gently wiped the corners of Granny Zhao's mouth with a tissue. (OK)

Translation: "Each time she spooned porridge, she blew on it several times to make sure it wasn't hot before sending it to Granny Zhao's mouth, and occasionally she gently wiped Granny Zhao's mouth with a tissue."

At that moment, Yirong emanated a mysterious warm aura that made me, watching from afar, momentarily lose myself in a daze. (OK)

Translation: "At that moment, Yao Yirong emanated a mysterious warm aura that made me, watching from afar, momentarily lose myself in a daze."

People say a man working earnestly is most attractive, and a woman revealing her inner kindness is likewise most beautiful and charming. (OK)

Translation: "People say a man working earnestly is most attractive, and a woman revealing her inner kindness is likewise most beautiful and charming."

The aura radiating then, springing naturally from a woman's heart without any makeup or adornment, could warm all the world's ice—this is what people call inner beauty; even the most luxurious clothing or cosmetics only give a fleeting visual thrill and can never replace this inner impact or surpass this innate, heartfelt beauty. (OK)

Translation: "The aura radiating then, springing naturally from a woman's inner heart without any cosmetic embellishment, could warm all the world's ice—this is what people call inner beauty; even the most luxurious clothing and cosmetics provide only fleeting visual stimulation and can never replace this soul-striking impact, nor surpass this innate beauty that comes from within."

Only then did I realize… Yirong also possesses such gentleness and kindness. (OK)

Translation: "Only then did I realize… Yao Yirong also possesses such gentleness and kindness."

I couldn't bear to interrupt the scene, just quietly watching, to the point that I didn't even notice I had been staring blankly. (OK)

Translation: "I couldn't bear to interrupt this scene, so I just watched silently, even unaware that I myself had become dazed."

"Sigh… sigh sigh…" The fatty kept nudging me several times, which finally brought me out of my daze. (OK)

Translation: "\"Sigh… sigh sigh…\" Pangzi kept pushing me several times before I snapped out of my daze."

Having come to, I let out an "ah," stared blankly at the fatty, only to be greeted by his eyebrows wiggling twice—a lecherous, lascivious grin. (OK)

Translation: "Having come to, I let out an \"Ah, \" stared blankly at Pangzi, only to be greeted by his eyebrows raised twice—a very lewd and lascivious grin."

The fatty rubbed his hands together, smiling amorously: "You couldn't possibly have a crush on Miss Yao, could you?" (OK)

Translation: "Pangzi rubbed his hands, smiling broadly: \"You couldn't possibly be falling for Miss Yao, could you? \""

"Holy shit, how could that be? You're overthinking." As soon as the fatty said that, I hurriedly defended myself. (OK)

Translation: "\"Holy shit, how could that be? You're overthinking. \" As soon as Pangzi finished speaking, I hurriedly defended myself."

"Really? Then why were you staring so hard at someone just now? I called you over a dozen times and you didn't answer." The fatty's tone had a hint of teasing and also of interrogation. (OK)

Translation: "\"Really? Then why were you just staring intensely at someone? I called you over a dozen times and you didn't answer. \" Pangzi's tone had a hint of laughter and also of interrogation."

"I… I wasn't looking at her; I felt sorry for Granny Zhao, felt moved, so I glanced a few more times." I don't know why, but the words I just said even sounded weak to myself. (OK)

Translation: "\"I… I wasn't looking at her; I felt sorry for Granny Zhao, felt moved, so I glanced a few more times. \" I don't know why, but even I felt my words lacked conviction right then."

"Hehe, don't forget—you first sullied her reputation, and then, while at her hometown, you even kissed her." (OK)

Translation: "\"Heh heh, don't forget—you first sullied her reputation, and then, while at her hometown, you even kissed her. \""

"Shut up, you bastard!" Seeing the fatty spout more nonsense, I panicked and clapped my hand over his mouth. Though we weren't right next to Yirong and her companions, we weren't far either—if we spoke louder, she might actually hear us. (OK)

Translation: "\"Shut up, you bastard\" Seeing Pangzi spout ever more nonsense, I panicked and clapped my hand over his mouth. Though we weren't far from where Yao Yirong and the others sat, we weren't close either—if we spoke louder, she might actually hear us."

Since returning from Anhui last time, I don't know how it happened, but Yirong and I have become very in sync and tactful—we never brought up those two incidents, treating them like chalk marks we erased from our minds. (Check: "Anhui" is proper noun, fine.)

Translation: "Since returning from Anhui last time, for some reason, Yao Yirong and I have become very in sync and tactful—we never brought up those two incidents, treating them like chalk marks erased from our minds."

But, unlike chalk on a blackboard, human memory doesn't just disappear when erased; once recalled, it comes back. I don't want Yirong to remember past events and then fly off the handle for no reason. (OK)

Translation: "But, although it's like chalk on a blackboard, human memory isn't so easily erased—once wiped away it seems gone, yet mentioning it brings it back. I don't want Yao Yirong to recall the past and fly off the handle again for no reason."

I glanced up discreetly at where the three of them were, and saw only Silijing looking this way; Yirong was still gently feeding

Translation: "I glanced over discreetly at where the three of them were; only Silijing had looked this way, while Yao Yirong continued gently feeding Granny Zhao porridge, unaware of what was happening here, and finally my tense heart relaxed."

"Hehe, scared now? Call me 'big uncle' and I'll drop it." This toxic buddy, whenever he latches onto my weakness, will shamelessly throw his weight around to take advantage of me.

Translation: "\"Heh heh, scared? Call me 'big boss' and I'll drop it. \" This toxic friend of mine, whenever he grabs onto my weakness, will unhesitatingly put on airs to take advantage of me."

"Damn you, you still have the nerve to say that!" Seeing the fatty like that and recalling those two incidents, I flew into a rage.

Translation: "\"Your big boss, you've got the nerve to say that! \" Seeing Pangzi like that, plus recalling those two incidents, I flew into a rage."

"If you hadn't yelled on the phone in class, would the whole school have found out? Even if you were loud, you twisted the facts to mislead people—if it weren't for you, this troublemaker, would I have gotten a pervert reputation? And back in Anhui, if you hadn't screwed me over, drawing those Pusam Buddha talismans to ward off illness for me to chase ghosts, would I have been in such a mess?" The more I thought, the more I gritted my teeth. Originally Yirong and I got along fine, but it's all because of this troublemaker fatty that we've been dragged into one drama after another.

Translation: "\"If you hadn't yelled on the phone in class so loudly, would the whole school have known? Even if you were loud, you twisted facts and misled the crowd—if it weren't for you, this troublemaker, would I have gotten a pervert nickname? And back in Anhui, if you hadn't screwed me over, drawing those Pusam Buddha talismans to ward off illness for me to go ghost-hunting, would I have been such a mess? \" The more I thought, the more I gritted my teeth. Originally Yao Yirong and I had gotten along fine, but it's all because of Pangzi, this troublemaker, that we've gotten into a string of disputes."

"Uh… actually the process doesn't matter, only the result." The fatty's face flushed, and he hastily gave a forced laugh to cover up.

Translation: "\"Well… actually the process doesn't matter, it's the result that counts. \" Pangzi's face flushed as he hastily gave a fake laugh to cover up."

"You damn heartless wretch!" I grabbed his throat with both hands and shouted insults; the fatty didn't back down, clutching my neck as we scuffled.

Translation: "\"You wolf-hearted dog-lung\" I grabbed his throat with both hands and cursed; Pangzi didn't back down, clutching my neck and we scuffled together."

Note: The source line ends with a missing quote? We'll translate as is.

"What are you doing? It's time we went to Granny Zhao's house." While we were grappling, Yirong had already finished a bowl of porridge, supported Granny Zhao, and walked over to us.

Translation: "\"What are you two doing? It's time we went to Granny Zhao's house. \" While we were grappling, Yao Yirong had finished a bowl of porridge, supported Granny Zhao, and walked over to us."

"We'll settle this later." I glared at the fatty hard, signaling him to shut up, then let him go.

Translation: "\"We'll settle this later. \" I glared hard at Pangzi, signalling him not to spout nonsense, then let him go."

"Hai Sheng, help Granny Zhao pick up her things; Sis Jing and I will support her as we walk." Yirong pointed to the burlap sack Granny Zhao had left on the ground.

Translation: "\"Hai Sheng, help Granny Zhao pick up her things—I'll and Sis Jing help her walk. \" Yao Yirong pointed to the burlap sack Granny Zhao had left on the ground."

Sis Jing

"Oh, okay," I replied instinctively, then crouched to gather Granny Zhao's belongings.

Translation: "\"Oh, okay, \" I replied instinctively, then crouched to gather Granny Zhao's belongings."

The fatty, behind us, winked and made faces, giving a weird chuckle: "Hai Sheng, Yirong… I'm outta here, feeding you guys."

Translation: "Pangzi winked and leerily chuckled behind me: \"Hai Sheng, Yirong… I'm freaking out. \""

I gave him a glare, and he quickly gave a lecherous laugh, rushing to Silijing's side to help her support Granny Zhao under the pretense of being helpful—clearly he was just trying to get close.

Translation: "I glared at him, but he quickly gave a lecherous laugh and ran to Silijing's side, ostensibly helping her support Granny Zhao—clearly he was just trying to get close."

However, as I was putting the empty bottle that had fallen out of the bag back inside, I couldn't help but freeze; the fatty's wink and remark when he turned around began to nag at my mind.

Translation: "However, as I stuffed the empty bottle that had fallen out of the bag back in, I couldn't help but flinch—Pangzi's wink and remark began to coil around my thoughts."

"Hai Sheng, Yirong…" These are two names so familiar yet now feel strange; I still clearly remember that I and Yirong used to call each other 'Lonely Freak' and 'Spunky Gal,' but at some point we started calling each other Hai Sheng and Yirong—how did that happen?

Translation: "\"Hai Sheng, Yirong…\" these are two terms so familiar yet should feel strange; I still clearly recall that Yao Yirong and I used to call each other 'Guduguai' and 'Polalaoniu,' but when did we start calling each other Hai Sheng and Yirong instead?"

I don't know when this shift began; all I know is that a voice in my heart keeps asking myself over and over.

Translation: "I don't know when this shift began, but I now have a voice in my heart constantly asking myself."

For me, a ghost child who has committed the five flaws and three deficiencies, destined to a lifetime of solitude, is this really a good thing？.