Chapter 117

For the sisters of the Jianglan Art Troupe, tonight is a sorrowful night that's hard to sleep.

Translation: For the sisters of the Jianglan Provincial Art Troupe, tonight is a sorrowful night hard to sleep.

For the sisters of the Jianglan Art Troupe, tonight is a sorrowful night that's hard to sleep.

After leaving the revolving restaurant, Lin Dongfan hugged Chu Lingxi on the street, showing affection; that soft-spoken pampering and comfort stimulated Tang Jing quite a bit.

Translation: After leaving the revolving restaurant, Lin Dongfan hugged Chu Lingxi on the street, sprinkling dog food, that gentle voice and tender affection and comfort stimulated Tang Jing quite a bit.

After leaving the revolving restaurant, Lin Dongfan hugged Chu Lingxi on the street, showing affection; that soft-spoken pampering and comfort stimulated Tang Jing quite a bit.

We'll keep single line.

I!

Translation: I!

Tang Jing!

Translation: Tang Jing!

Single dog!

Translation: Single dog! (slang for single person). Usually "Single dog!" as exclamation. We'll keep: Single dog!

Why can the dog in the revolving restaurant eat caviar while I can only stand by the road drinking northwest wind? This damn world is unfair!

Why can the dog in the revolving restaurant eat caviar while I can only stand by the road drinking northwest wind? This damn world is unfair!

Tang Jing gazed up at the starry sky, tears streaming down her face.

Translation: Tang Jing gazed up at the starry sky, tears streaming down her face.

There's no starry sky at all, just a haze you can't see through.

Translation: What starry sky? There's only haze you can't see anything through.

"Jingjing, are you hungry?" Chu Lingxi suddenly looked over.

Translation: "Jingjing, are you hungry?" Chu Lingxi suddenly looked over.

Tang Jing still gazed up at the sorrowful sky: "I'm not hungry at all—I've had my fill of northwest wind; let me be quiet for a bit. Want to get me a skewer? I've never had black truffle…"

Translation: Tang Jing still gazed at the sorrowful sky: "I'm not hungry at all, I've had my fill of northwest wind; let me be quiet first. Want to treat me to some skewers? I've never had truffle..."

We need to keep the ellipsis? The Chinese ends with two dots? Actually "……". We'll keep as "...".

"It's over, another one's gone stupid, rendered speechless by the stimulation."

Translation: "Done, another one turned stupid, stimulated into incoherent speech."

Lin Dongfan gave a faint smile.

Translation: Lin Dongfan smiled faintly.

He boldly declared: "Tonight I'll send you a big sympathy gift pack—eat whatever you want, as much as you can, go ahead, your brother Fan is treating."

Translation: He boldly declared: "Tonight I'll send you a big sympathy gift pack—eat whatever you want, as much as you can, go ahead, your brother Fan is treating."

He boldly declared: "Tonight I'll send you a big sympathy gift pack—eat whatever you want, as much as you can, go ahead, your brother Fan is treating."

"Really?"

Translation: "Really?"

Tang Jing immediately glanced over, revealing a faint beautiful smile.

Translation: Tang Jing immediately glanced over, revealing a sweet smile.

Lin Dongfan saw the taxi already parked at the curb, stepped forward to help Tang Jing open the door: "Please, go wherever you want to eat tonight, and later find your brother to reimburse."

Translation: Seeing the taxi already stopped at the curb, Lin Dongfan stepped forward to open the door for Tang Jing: "Please, tonight you can go wherever you want to eat, later settle the bill with me."

"You're not coming?" Tang Jing felt a bit disappointed.

Translation: "You're not coming?" Tang Jing felt a bit disappointed.

Lin Dongfan tightened his grip on Chu Lingxi's shoulder: "We've already feasted at Quanjude; now we need a walk to digest. Go find Sister Ying to keep you company while you eat, and I'll reimburse you later."

Translation: Lin Dongfan tightened his hold on Chu Lingxi's shoulders: "We've already had a full meal at Quanjude; now we need to walk to digest. Go find Sister Ying to keep you company while you eat, later I'll settle the bill for you."

"This is what you said—don't go back on your word later." Tang Jing furrowed her brow slightly.

Translation: "That's what you said—don't renege later." Tang Jing furrowed her brows slightly.

Lin Dongfan laughed heartily and made a grandiose gesture to hail the car: "Please, I'm a rich guy—tonight you can order whatever you like, don't stand on ceremony with me, just slap the bill my way."

Translation: Lin Dongfan laughed and made a grandiose gesture to hail the car: "Please, I'm a tycoon—tonight you can order whatever you like, don't stand on ceremony with me, just slap the bill my way."

"Haha, Brother Fan and Sister-in-law Fan are so imposing—I'm off."

Translation: "Haha, Brother Fan and Sister-in-law Fan are imposing—I'm off."

Tang Jing, without her husband's embrace, shivered in the north wind and jumped straight into the car.

Translation: Tang Jing, without a boyfriend hugging her, shivered in the north wind and jumped straight into the car.

Chu Lingxi watched the taxi drive off, thinking of Tang Jing all alone, unloved and uncared for, her family circumstances not great, her career unable to help her, everything relying on herself; after finally getting a chance to perform on the Spring Festival Gala, it vanished in an instant—this life is truly miserable…

Translation: Chu Lingxi watched the taxi drive off, thinking Tang Jing was all alone, no one to pity or love her, her family circumstances weren't great, she couldn't help her career, everything had to rely on herself; after finally getting a chance to appear on the Spring Festival Gala, in the blink of an eye it fell through—this life is truly miserable...

"Silly girl, why are you crying again?" Lin Dongfan reached out and gently wiped Chu Lingxi's tears.

Translation: "Silly girl, why are you crying again?" Lin Dongfan raised his hand to gently wipe Chu Lingxi's tears.

Chu Lingxi pressed her head against Lin Dongfan's chest, holding him tightly: "Honey, I suddenly feel so happy; with you here, I'm afraid of nothing."

Translation: Chu Lingxi pressed her head against Lin Dongfan's chest, tightly embracing him: "Husband, I suddenly feel so happy; with you here, I fear nothing."

"That's right—if the sky falls, I've got you covered."

Translation: "That's right—if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you."

Lin Dongfan gently stroked Chu Lingxi's lovely hair.

Translation: Lin Dongfan gently stroked Chu Lingxi's silky hair.

He pamperingly comforted her: "A Spring Festival Gala stage really isn't that big a deal; even if you get on stage, you might not become a huge hit. Ordinary people love songs and skits, but they don't really appreciate ethnic dance…"

Translation: Pampering her, he comforted: "A Spring Festival Gala stage really isn't a big deal; even if you get on stage, you might not become a huge hit. Ordinary folks love songs and sketches, but they don't appreciate ethnic dance..."

"Is it because my dancing isn't good enough?"

Translation: "Is my dance not good-looking?"

Her sweet, simple-minded head lifted, she gazed up at Lin Dongfan in a dazed way.

Translation: Her sweet, simple-minded head lifted, she gazed up at Lin Dongfan in a foolish way.

Lin Dongfan laughed and pinched her nose: "I'm not saying your dancing looks bad; I'm saying the audience for ethnic dance is limited. But don't worry—I've already planned it out. Once the film and TV company is established, I'll have you star in movies as the lead, using your talent to make you a big star, famous across the country, and win an Oscar for Best Actress."

Translation: Lin Dongfan pinched her nose with a smile: "I'm not saying your dance looks bad, just that the audience for ethnic dance is limited. But it's fine—I've already planned it: once the film and TV company is established, I'll have you star in movies as the lead, using your talent to make you a big star, famous across the land, winning an Oscar."

"You're treating me like an idiot again—civil servants can't even start a company, okay." Chu Lingxi smiled, showing two charming dimples: "But I love hearing you make things up; keep going."

Translation: "You're treating me like an idiot again—civil servants can't start companies, okay." Chu Lingxi laughed, showing two charming dimples: "But I love listening to your made-up stories, keep going."

Lin Dongfan said seriously: "Who said I'm making things up? I can't start a company, but my friend can. I'll teach her to become a mogul, and she'll promote you to stardom—there's nothing wrong with that."

Translation: Lin Dongfan said solemnly: "Who said I'm making things up? I can't start a company, but my friend can. I'll teach her to become a magnate, and she'll promote you to stardom—no problem at all."

"Which friend is that?" Chu Lingxi asked curiously: "Do I know her?"

Translation: "Which friend is that?" Chu Lingxi asked curiously: "Do I know her?"

Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "You don't know her yet—her name is Ye Jiaying, currently the executive director of Shangshi Media; she'll soon start her own company."

Translation: Lin Dongfan replied without hesitation: "You don't know her yet—her name is Ye Jiaying, currently the Chief Administrative Officer of Shangshi Media; she'll start her own company soon."

"Alright, I believe you, honey—you're awesome."

Translation: "Alright, I believe you, husband—you're amazing."

Surrounded by wave after wave of happiness, Chu Lingxi instantly cast aside her disappointment about not being able to perform on the Spring Festival Gala, sweetly embracing Lin Dongfan.

Translation: Surrounded by waves of happiness, Chu Lingxi instantly tossed her disappointment about missing the Spring Festival Gala to the clouds, sweetly embracing Lin Dongfan.

Suddenly…

Translation: Suddenly…… (We'll keep ellipsis)

A voice called out from behind: "Are you Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi?"

Translation: A call came from behind: "Are you Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi?"

They turned around and saw a completely unfamiliar face.

Translation: The two turned around to see a most unfamiliar face.

The visitor was Xie Yuxin, over fifty, well-preserved and looking about forty, but to Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi she was just a strange older lady.

Translation: The visitor was over fifty, Xin Yunxin, well-maintained, looking about forty, but to Lin Dongfan and Chu Lingxi she was just a strange older lady.

Chu Lingxi questioned: "Sis, do you know us?"

Translation: Chu Lingxi doubted: "Sister, do you know us?"

"I'm not your sister; I'm Dongfan's paternal aunt—Xie Yuxin." While chatting, she shifted her gaze to Lin Dongfan: "Dongfan, you forgot? I called you before."

Translation: "I'm not your sister; I'm Dongfan's paternal aunt—Xin Yunxin." Talking and laughing, she shifted her gaze to Lin Dongfan: "Dongfan, you forgot? I called you before."

"Aunt?"

Translation: Aunt?

"Xie Yuxin?"

Translation: Xin Yunxin?

Lin Dongfan's damned memory, probably chewed up by a dog, can't recall a thing.

Translation: Lin Dongfan's damned memory, probably chewed up by a dog, he couldn't recall a thing.

All he remembers is someone impersonating his uncle, calling himself Lin Zhenhua, whose phone number still sits on his blacklist.

Translation: All he remembered was someone impersonating his uncle, calling himself Lin Zhenhua, whose phone number still lay in his blacklist.

Lin Dongfan wondered: "What relation is Lin Zhenhua to you?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan asked doubtfully: "What relation is Lin Zhenhua to you?"

"He's my husband." Xie Yuxin chuckled, admiring Lin Dongfan: "Handsome—I'm quite sure you're from our Lin family; you really resemble your grandfather when he was young."

Translation: "He's my husband." Xin Yunxin beamed at Lin Dongfan: "Handsome, I'm quite sure you're from our Lin family—you really resemble your grandfather when he was young."

"No, that... uh, big sis..." Lin Dongfan, a bit confused: "You're sure you're not just pretending to be a relative on the street? I won't call the police and have you arrested—according to Article 266 of the Criminal Law..."

Translation: "No, that... big sister..." Lin Dongfan a bit confused: "Are you sure you're not just pretending to be a relative on the street? I won't call the police to arrest you—according to Article 266 of the Criminal Law..."

"I know you're a law graduate working at the Jianglan Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau—no need to lecture me." Xie Yuxin smiled: "Hurry back home with me; your grandfather and uncle are waiting."

Translation: "I know you're a law graduate working at the Jianglan Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau—no need to lecture me." Xin Yunxin smiled: "Hurry home with me; your grandfather and uncle are waiting."

Lin Dongfan was momentarily speechless.

Translation: Lin Dongfan was momentarily speechless.

Chu Lingxi looked even more puzzled, tilting her head and asking Lin Dongfan: "Honey, isn't your grandfather already dead?"

Translation: Chu Lingxi looked even more puzzled, tilting her head: "Husband, isn't your grandfather already dead?"

"Pah pah pah, you kid, stop spouting nonsense—the old man is still hale and hearty."

Translation: "Pah pah pah, you kid keep spouting nonsense—Grandpa's in fine health."

Xie Yuxin earnestly corrected the family relation: "The deceased grandfather you're thinking of is Lin Xu Chang, right? He's not Dongfan's real grandfather; Dongfan's true grandfather is Lin Mu Yuan, a revolutionary veteran."

Translation: Xin Yunxin earnestly corrected the kinship: "The deceased grandfather is Lin Xu Chang, right? He's not Dongfan's biological grandfather; Dongfan's real grandfather is Lin Mu Yuan, a veteran revolutionary."

Chu Lingxi stared, bewildered: "Two grandfathers?"

Translation: Chu Lingxi stared, bewildered: "Two grandfathers?"

"Oh, I can't explain it all right now." Xie Yuxin said: "You two come with me home first; you'll understand once we get there."

Translation: "Ah, I can't explain it all right now." Xin Yunxin said: "You two come with me home first; you'll understand once we get there."

Lin Dongfan still wary, holding Chu Lingxi and not moving: "How can you prove what you're saying is true?"

Translation: Lin Dongfan still guarded, holding Chu Lingxi without stepping forward: "How do you prove what you're saying is true?"

"You kid, why don't you believe me?"

Translation: "You kid, why don't you believe me?"

Facing doubts, Xie Yunxin, although somewhat helpless, was not angry either, and still kept the smile of a harmonious family reunion.

She directly took out her phone, pulled up Liang Jingzhong's phone number.

Display the phone number in front of Lin Dongfan.

She laughed and said to Lin Dongfan, "Liang Jingzhong, you're the provincial party secretary of Jianglan Province—this can't be fake, right? If you don't believe me, I can call Old Liang right now. But he's a very busy person; just for this small matter of recognizing relatives, are you sure you want to trouble him? That would make our Lin Family look disorganized, inviting ridicule."

Lin Dongfan glanced at the number on the phone, then at the gentle-smiling Xie Yunxin.

Although he still had some doubts in his heart.

But the other party knows where I work, even knows my grandfather's name, and knows the contact information of provincial party secretary Liang; thus likely not a scammer.

Going to check is fine.

Lin Dongfan steadied himself and nodded: "No need to call, lead the way, I'll accompany you."

"The car is over there, follow me."

Xie Yunxin led the way ahead, along the way asking Lin Dongfan many things, mainly asking whether he's been doing well lately, whether work is smooth.

After getting in the car, she again asked about what just happened at the rotating restaurant, asking what the situation was.

Chu Lingxi angrily took over the conversation: "That director Yu An, who knows whose favor he got, temporarily cancelled my performance item, bullying people."

"Oh, that's how it is."

Xie Yunxin pondered a bit, also felt some anger in her heart.

She suppressed her anger to comfort Chu Lingxi: "Lingxi, don't rush, I'll decide this matter for you; details we'll discuss when we get home."

"Which unit do you work for?"

Lin Dongfan grew more curious about Xie Yunxin's identity, not only having a dedicated car but also a dedicated driver.

Xie Yunxin smiled humbly: "In the Lin Family, I'm just a lowly one; you'll know when you go back. Don't worry, the stage belonging to Lingxi, no one can take it away."