Chapter 384

The next morning I woke up feeling disappointed. The situation I had imagined didn't happen; not only did the fat guy not catch a chill, but when he got up he was full of energy, shouting and arguing with Chen Mo several times.

The next morning I got up and felt disappointed.

The situation I had imagined did not happen,

Pangzi not only did not catch a chill,

when he got up he was full of energy, shouting and arguing with Chen Mo several times.

Combine: "The next morning I got up and felt disappointed. The situation I had imagined did not happen; Pangzi not only did not catch a chill, but when he got up he was full of energy, shouting and arguing with Chen Mo several times."

We need to keep as one line.

Check for any missing nuance: "full of vigor" means "full of vigor". Good.

Now output: 【1】 The next morning I got up and felt disappointed. The situation I had imagined did not happen; Pangzi not only did not catch a chill, but when he got up he was full of energy, shouting and arguing with Chen Mo several times.

Make sure no extra commentary.

This goddamn martial arts training is really annoying; brother, this is the first time I've schemed, how could I end up with such a result? It makes no sense; this is absolutely unreasonable.

Let's translate: The ellipsis at start maybe indicates trailing thought. We'll keep as is? We need to translate the Chinese, not keep ellipsis? The ellipsis is punctuation; we can keep as "……" maybe but better to translate meaning? Usually we keep punctuation. We'll keep the ellipsis as is.

This goddamn martial arts training is really annoying,

Brother, this is the first time I've schemed,

how could I end up with such a result,

it makes no sense,

this is absolutely unreasonable.

Combine: "……This goddamn martial arts training is really annoying; brother, this is the first time I've schemed, how could I end up with such a result? It makes no sense, this is absolutely unreasonable."

We need to keep as one line.

Hehe, have you brushed your teeth…? Today I invited Jingjing sister and Yao Yirong to go shopping. As I was feeling down, Pangzi eagerly patted my shoulder.

Translate: "Hehe, have you brushed your teeth…… Today I invited Jingjing sister and Yao Yirong to go shopping." As I was feeling down, Pangzi eagerly patted my shoulder.

We need to keep quotes. Use English quotes.

So: 【3】 "Hehe, have you brushed your teeth…… Today I invited Jingjing sister and Yao Yirong to go shopping." As I was feeling down, Pangzi eagerly patted my shoulder.

Check: "Jingjing sister" is Jingjing sister? Actually "Jingjing sister" is a nickname: Jingjing sister. We'll translate as "Jingjing sister". Could also be "Sister Jingjing". But we keep as given? The glossary didn't have it. We'll translate meaning: "Jingjing sister". Good.

Let's go shopping, where to go shopping? I have the day off today, I'll go too... Chen Mo, who was washing up in the toilet, poked his head out and agreed.

Translate: "Let's go shopping, where to go shopping, I'm off today, I'll go too……" Chen Mo poked his head out from washing up in the restroom and chimed in.

We need to keep as one line.

Holy shit, you're coming along shopping too? You're being overly nosy. Pangzi immediately clenched his fists in protest.

Translate: "Holy shit, you're coming along shopping too? You're being way too nosy." Pangzi immediately clenched his fists in protest.

"Holy shit" is "Holy shit". Good.

Chen Mo gave him a sideways glance: "Your protest is useless; I'm his personal bodyguard—so many people wish they could have this."

Translate: Chen Mo gave him a sideways glance: "Your protest is useless; I'm a personal bodyguard, many people wish they could have this but can't."

We need to keep as one line.

What personal protection? I don't need that, and besides, who knows who's protecting whom. Pangzi muttered quietly, knowing he wouldn't dare say it loudly lest Chen Mo hear and start another argument.

Translate: "What personal bodyguard, I don't care about that, and besides, who knows who's protecting whom." Pangzi muttered under his breath; he naturally didn't dare say it loudly, otherwise if Chen Mo heard it, there would probably be another argument.

We need to keep as one line.

Hearing that, I fucking thought there was a chance! Although the "chill" plan failed, going shopping would surely create countless opportunities for them.

Translate: Hearing that, I fucking felt there was an opportunity! Although the "cold" plan failed, going shopping would definitely create countless opportunities for them.

"fucking" is a mild swear: "fucking". Good.

So the three of us set off. Originally there were four, but Yuan Qiu had been playing too wildly these days, and Chen Zheng sent us an invitation to his party tomorrow. To conserve our energy for what matters, Yuan Qiu decisively rested at the inn, gathering his strength to be in top form for tomorrow night's ball.

Translate: So, the three of us set out. Originally there were four, but Yuan Qiu has been playing too wildly these days, and Chen Zheng sent us an invitation to attend his party tomorrow. To conserve our energy for what matters, Yuan Qiu decisively rested in the inn, nurturing his spirit to be in the best state for tonight's ball.

Check: "tonight's ball" is "tonight's ball". Good.

So we were the only three left for shopping. Along the way I intentionally or unintentionally distanced myself from Pangzi to give them a chance. But Pangzi and Chen Mo are like bitter enemies—whenever they meet they argue nonstop. I began to doubt last night's prediction: are they destined to be together or destined to be enemies?

Translate: So, only the three of us were left to go shopping. Along the way, I intentionally or unintentionally distanced myself from Pangzi, creating an opportunity for the two of them. But Pangzi and Chen Mo are like bitter enemies; whenever they meet they argue, with no moment of peace. I began to doubt last night's prediction—are they fated to be together or do they bear a grudge?

We need to keep as one line.

At ten o'clock we met Yao Yirong and Silijing at Macau's snack street.

Translate: At ten o'clock, we met Yao Yirong and Silijing at the snack street in Aomen.

Yao Yirong wore a white casual outfit today, exuding youthful and sunny vitality, while Silijing changed into a light purple suspender dress, adding a touch of mature elegance.

Translate: Yao Yirong wore a white casual outfit today, exuding youthful and sunny vitality, while Silijing changed into a light purple suspender dress, adding a touch of mature dignity.

"suspender dress" is "suspender dress". Good.

As soon as Pangzi saw Silijing, he eagerly ran over, holding an umbrella and asking endless questions to fawn over her.

Translate: As soon as Pangzi saw Silijing, he ran over eagerly, holding an umbrella and asking about everything to fawn over her.

"eagerly" is "eagerly". Good.

Meanwhile, Yao Yirong gave Chen Mo a slightly surprised look and quietly asked me, "Who is this?"

Translate: Meanwhile, Yao Yirong looked at Chen Mo with some surprise and quietly asked me, "Who is this?"

Chen Mo generously extended a hand and introduced himself to the two women.

Translate: Chen Mo generously extended a hand and gave the two women a self-introduction.

Afterward, she said, "I'm their personal bodyguard." This remark only heightened the two women's curiosity.

Translate: Afterward, she said, "I'm their personal bodyguard." This statement only further aroused the two women's curiosity.

Finally, I could only steel myself and recount the whole ordeal to the two women; although I didn't embellish anything, the experience was truly harrowing.

Translate: Finally, I could only brace myself and recount these events to the two women; although I didn't embellish, the process was indeed fraught with danger.

Even more speechless was when I finished telling the whole story; Yao Yirong let out a wow, grabbed my shoulders, blinked her big eyes, and complained, "You guys are really not cool—such a fun thing and you didn't even invite me."

Translate: What left me speechless and rubbing my forehead was that after I finished explaining the whole incident, Yao Yirong suddenly went "wah!" in surprise, tightly grabbed my shoulder, blinked her big eyes, and complained, "You guys are really not enough; such a fun thing and you didn't even invite me."

I… are you sure this is fun and not scary? This could get you killed in a minute.

Translate: I…… you sure this is fun and not scary? This is something that could get your head chopped off at any moment.

No way, no way—I'll follow you two from now on. Yao Yirong puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, then pointed at me and commanded: "Chen Hai Sheng, sister now orders you to capture that cute snake infant; I want her as my pet."

Translate: "No way, no way, I'll follow you two from now on." Yao Yirong puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, then pointed at me and, in a commanding tone, said: "Chen Hai Sheng, sister now orders you to catch that cute snake infant; I want her as my pet."

Note: "snake infant" we translate as "snake infant". Also "her" refers to the snake infant (female). We'll keep as "her". Good.

I… a snake infant, a cute pet! Fine, I can only helplessly facepalm and sigh—this girl's worldview is seriously twisted.

Translate: I…… a snake infant, a cute pet! Well, I can only speechlessly rub my forehead and sigh; this girl's worldview is seriously twisted.

Yao Yirong kept pressing for details about what had happened, while the atmosphere over there seemed a bit strange.

Translate: Yao Yirong continued to eagerly ask for the full details of what happened, while the atmosphere over there seemed a bit strange.

Pangzi clung to Silijing like a lapdog, constantly hovering around her. Yes, that fawning manner really is spot‑on when compared to a little Maltese.

Translate: Pangzi clung to Silijing like a lapdog, tightly surrounding her. Yes, that fawning manner is truly aptly described as a little lapdog.

Chen Mo, meanwhile, played the role of Edison, occasionally chiming in with a couple of remarks that often made Pangzi feel like coughing up three liters of blood; but with Silijing present, Pangzi could only swallow his anger and endure his frustration, his only recourse being to glare at Chen Mo with murderous eyes.

Translate: Chen Mo, meanwhile, played the role of Edison, occasionally interjecting a couple of remarks from the side, often making Pangzi cough up three liters of blood, but with Silijing present, Pangzi could only swallow his anger, his frustration something he had to endure; the only thing he could do was glare at Chen Mo with murderous eyes.

Note: "cough up three liters of blood" is metaphorical: "cough up three liters of blood". We'll keep as is.

As for how miserable Pangzi is, my words won't do—let the facts speak.

Translate: As for how frustrated Pangzi is, my words won't do; better to prove it with facts.

When we reached the flower shop, Pangzi picked up a bouquet to give Silijing; at first Chen Mo said this:

Translate: When we reached the flower shop, Pangzi picked up a bouquet to give to Silijing; at first, Chen Mo said this:

These flowers are beautiful—the petals are vivid and jade‑green, they smell especially fragrant; giving beautiful flowers to a lovely lady is perfect.

Translate: "These flowers are truly beautiful, the petals vivid and jade-green, they smell with a special fragrance; giving beautiful flowers to a lovely lady—this couldn't be more appropriate."

He then shifted tone, speaking in an occasional‑recollection, matter‑of‑fact way: "But I've heard that many flower sellers spray lots of preservatives on blooms to keep them from wilting, and that this fragrance is supposedly chemical perfume—women who smell it get horrible wrinkles, and if they touch the flowers long enough to absorb the preservatives, they supposedly never age."

Translate: Then he shifted tone, speaking in an occasional recollection, yet plain and unremarkable: "But I've heard that nowadays many flower sellers, to keep flowers from wilting, spray lots of preservatives on them, and this flower scent, I've heard, is actually chemical perfume; women who smell this perfume will develop lots of horrible wrinkles, and if they touch the flowers for a long time, coming into contact with the preservatives, they'll never age, oh!"

"'Never age?'"

Translate: "Never age?"

When everyone looked at Chen Mo in surprise, he slowly nodded, rolled his dark eyes, thought for a while, then slapped his forehead and exclaimed: "Exactly—those mummies you often see on TV, the ones dug up, don't turn into bones for years because they've consumed too much preservative."

Translate: While everyone stared at Chen Mo in surprise, he slowly nodded, turned his dark, glossy eyes, thought for a long while, then slapped his head and suddenly realized: "Right, it's like those desiccated corpses often shown on TV—those dug-up corpses don't turn into bones for years because they've consumed too much preservative."

She took another deep breath and continued: "Preservatives work the same whether ingested or touched—they get inhaled through the nose. Once you absorb too much, heh… you really won't age."

Translate: She then took a deep breath and continued: "Preservatives, whether eaten or touched, are the same—the nose absorbs them. Once you inhale too much, hehe… you really will never age, oh."

After saying that, she gave Silijing a meaningful look.

Translate: After saying that, she gave Silijing a meaningful look.

Frightened, Silijing tossed the flowers and hurriedly ran to the restroom, her face turning pale.

Translate: Silijing was so frightened she threw the flowers away and immediately turned pale as she ran to the restroom.

Meanwhile, Pangzi, who had been following Silijing, glared at Chen Mo with murderous eyes, wishing he could tear her apart and eat her alive.

Translate: Meanwhile, Pangzi, who had been following behind Silijing, glared at Chen Mo with murderous eyes, wishing he could tear her apart and eat her alive.

I, as a bystander, took it all in. Right then I could confidently say that Chen Mo's feelings for Pangzi go far beyond surface simplicity; beneath their apparent rivalry lies a woman's jealousy.

Translate: This scene, naturally, was fully witnessed by me as an onlooker. Now I dare say without doubt that Chen Mo's feelings for Pangzi are far more complicated than they appear on the surface; behind this seemingly antagonistic rivalry lies a woman's jealousy at work.

Although I feel their relationship is a bit muddled, at least I can affirm that Chen Mo's feelings for Pangzi exceed friendship and have even lightly crossed into love.

Translate: Although I feel their relationship came about somewhat confused, at least I can affirm that Chen Mo's feelings for Pangzi go beyond friendship, even slightly crossing the line into love.

But Pangzi, that blockhead, is just a fool—he not only fails to sense Chen Mo's affection, he thinks Chen Mo is targeting him, constantly looking for ways to embarrass him.

Translate: However, Pangzi, this blockhead, is basically an idiot; he not only fails to sense Chen Mo's affection, but thinks Chen Mo is targeting him, constantly looking for ways to embarrass him.

The guy is a clueless oaf, the girl holds back out of politeness, so this drama… who knows when it'll reach a climax.

Translate: The guy is a blockhead, the girl holds back out of propriety and is too embarrassed to speak up. So this drama… who knows when it will reach a climax.

Soon, the old conflict wasn't resolved before a new one sprang up.

Translate: Soon, the old conflict wasn't resolved before a new one arose.

We few came to a park; not far away, many white pigeons were resting there.

Translate: We few came to a park; not far away, many white pigeons were resting there.

Knowing Silijing likes pigeons, Pangzi volunteered, puffing his chest, to catch those pigeons resting on the grass.

Translate: Pangzi knew Silijing liked pigeons, so he volunteered, puffing his chest, to catch those pigeons resting on the grass.

But Pangzi is too bulky; before he could reach the pigeons, they spread their wings and flew off.

Translate: But Pangzi's physique is too bulky; before he could reach the pigeons, they spread their wings and flew off.

After struggling for a while, he didn't even catch a single feather. I was about to tell him to give up when suddenly a very dramatic scene unfolded.

Translate: After struggling for a long while, not only did he not catch a pigeon, he didn't even get a single feather. I was about to tell him to give up, when suddenly a very dramatic scene unfolded in the field.

Then Pangzi lunged forward, missed the pigeon, but kicked a small stone and went tumbling down the slope like a ball.

Translate: I saw Pangzi bow his body and lunge forward; he didn't catch the pigeon, but he kicked a small stone and his whole body rolled down the slope like a ball.

When Pangzi got back to us, he was covered head to toe in mud, looking like he'd crawled out of a sewer, filthy and reeking.

Translate: When Pangzi returned to us, his whole body was covered in dirt, looking as if he'd crawled out of a sewage ditch, filthy and reeking.

Pangzi gave a foolish smile, scratched his dirty head with his grimy hand, and apologetically told Silijing, "Sister Jingjing, I'm really sorry—I messed up and didn't catch the pigeon."

Translate: Pangzi gave a foolish smile, scratched his dirty head with his grimy hand, and apologetically told Silijing, "Jingjing sister, I'm really sorry, I fumbled and didn't catch the pigeon."

Note: "foolish smile" maybe "foolish smile". We'll translate as "foolish smile". Good.

I hadn't even spoken when Silijing covered her nose with a tissue and unintentionally stepped back a little.

Translate: I hadn't even spoken when Silijing covered her nose with a tissue and unintentionally took a small step back.

"'It's fine, go wash up—I'll go buy a bottle of mineral water; I'm feeling a bit short of breath.' After saying that, Silijing turned and left; her tone was flat, but from the look in her eyes as she turned I could see a hint of disdain."

Translate: "It's fine, go wash up quickly; I'll go buy a bottle of mineral water, I'm feeling a bit short of breath." After saying that, Silijing turned and left; her tone was flat, but I could see a hint of disdain in her eyes as she turned away.

Note: There's a stray colon before the quote? We'll keep as is.

Yes, I saw that disdain.

Translate: Yes, I saw the disdain.

This made a surge of anger rise from my feet to my head—damn it, my brother risked life and limb to catch a pigeon just to cheer you up. Now he didn't catch it and ended up covered in mud; you don't even offer a word of comfort, yet you look at him like that. What the hell do you mean? A guy who goes all out to catch a pigeon just to make you happy—doesn't that deserve at least a smile from you?

Translate: This made me involuntarily feel a surge of anger rising from my feet to the top of my head. Damn, my brother risked life and limb to catch a pigeon just to cheer you up. Now he didn't catch the pigeon and ended up covered in mud; you don't even offer two words of comfort, but instead look at my brother with that gaze—what the hell do you mean? A man risking life and limb to catch a pigeon, with no other goal than to make you happy—doesn't that deserve at least a smile from you?

At that moment I suddenly loathed Silijing—her character, and the way she looked at Pangzi.

Translate: At this moment I suddenly felt a strong dislike for Silijing—disliking her character, disliking the way she looks at Pangzi.

After Silijing turned and left, Pangzi remained standing there alone, grinning foolishly.

Translate: After Silijing turned and left, Pangzi remained standing there alone, foolishly smiling.

At that moment Chen Mo ran over and made a snide, backhanded remark to Pangzi.

Translate: At that moment, Chen Mo ran over and made a snide, sarcastic remark to Pangzi.

"'I told you to behave yourself, but you wouldn't listen—now you've made us look like fools even among beasts.'"

Translate: "I told you to behave yourself, but you wouldn't listen; now look, you've made us lose face in the beast world."

I and Yao Yirong immediately burst out laughing at Chen Mo's cutting comment; Yao Yirong was so amused she spat out the water she was drinking.

Translate: I and Yao Yirong immediately burst out laughing at Chen Mo's cutting remark; Yao Yirong was even more outrageous, the water she was drinking got sprayed out from her throat.

"'Fuck, I've long disliked you, you cheating woman—from the shopping trip to now you've been targeting me the whole time. Are you looking for a fight?' After that jab, Pangzi's bottled‑up anger flared up on his face."

Translate: "Fuck, I've long found you hateful, you bitch; from the shopping trip to now you've been targeting me everywhere. You wanna fight?" Pangzi, stung by that remark, had his suppressed anger flare up on his face.

"'Damn, you fat idiot, do you even think before you speak? I'm a cop, not a thief—and if you want a fight, I'll gladly oblige.' Having said that, she assumed a fighting stance, ready to take on Pangzi."

Translate: "Damn, you fat idiot, do you even think before you speak! I'm a cop, not a thief; and if you want to fight, I'll gladly oblige." Having said that, she assumed a stance, ready to go all out with Pangzi.

Seeing they were about to go from verbal sparring to a physical fight, I and Yao Yirong rushed in, each pushing them apart. I understand Pangzi's mood—anyone would feel awful after being bothered all morning—but as an insider he can't see things as clearly as I, an outsider, so he can't guess what Chen Mo is thinking.

Translate: Seeing they were about to go from verbal spat to physical fight, I and Yao Yirong hurriedly stepped in, one on each side, to push them apart. I understand Pangzi's mood—anyone would feel bad after being bothered all morning—but Pangzi is a participant, lacking my outside perspective, so he can't grasp what Chen Mo is thinking.

"'Get lost… I don't want to see you anymore. From this morning till now you've been nothing but a troublemaker, never meaning well.' Pangzi was visibly agitated, believing Chen Mo's meddling was premeditated, aimed solely at getting revenge on him."

Translate: "Get lost…… I don't want to see you anymore; from this morning till now you've been nothing but a troublemaker, never meaning well." Pangzi's emotions ran high; he believed Chen Mo's meddling was premeditated, aimed at getting revenge on him.

"Fine… You want me to leave, huh! To tell you the truth, I've wanted to go for a long time—obviously those people haven't even given me a proper look, yet they stubbornly cling to me like dogskin plaster, boring themselves; I've had enough, I'm sick of them, I don't want to spend even a moment with those dogskin plasters, not even a moment." Having said that, Chen Mo stomped her foot angrily, then turned and left cleanly and decisively.

However, I saw a trace of heartache quietly slip across her resolute face.

"Dog skin plaster, disgusting, I don't even want to stay together for a moment," is that really so? I couldn't help asking in my heart.

Women, indeed, all like to say one thing but mean another.