Chapter 169: The Flavor of Learning Outcomes
(1)
As the cicada chirping gradually faded, the dry heat in the wind vanished without a trace, and An Shi officially welcomed deep autumn.
The uniforms of all students at San Zhong were also changed from single short-sleeve pieces to two-piece sets.
One morning on a school day.
Pei Muyin pinched the waist of her school trousers, her expression wondrous as she said, "Sister, the autumn uniform I got before was also a size too big."
"Baby, wear this new set."
Shu Shu handed over the one-size-smaller uniform to her daughter.
I don't know exactly when it started, but Pei Muyin's clothes became loose, especially her pants—many were so big she couldn't wear them.
She was gradually losing weight without even noticing.
Pei Muyin felt puzzled; she hadn't deliberately dieted, her food intake and snacks were about the same as before, yet she had lost weight.
She thought silently.
Could it be related to her mood?
When she's in a bad mood, eating snacks leads to weight gain; when she's in a good mood, eating snacks leads to weight loss?
Shu Shu had never cared about her daughter's weight or height; she always thought her daughter was adorable, and all she wanted was for her daughter to be happy and healthy.
Taking advantage of the holiday.
Shu Shu scheduled a comprehensive physical for the two kids, and the results showed all indicators were healthy for both.
However, regarding her daughter's recent significant weight change, Shu Shu still consulted the doctor carefully.
The doctor replied that adolescents are naturally growing, so large weight changes are normal and nothing to overly worry about.
Only then did Shu Shu put her mind at ease.
…
Perhaps because they had reached the graduating class, the children who used to be noisy all day gradually cast off their restlessness and began to calm down.
This situation was especially noticeable in Lao Liu's class.
Before, as soon as class ended, this bunch of little brats would burst out like crazy piglets let loose from a pen—either noisily running to the snack shop or blocking the hallway, roughhousing all day with no decorum.
But now, when class ends, they all honestly huddle in the classroom to read and do exercises.
Lao Liu genuinely wondered if he had stumbled upon some great fortune.
First it was Shu Shu and Pei Muyin, the two academic ace kids; then it was Shu Lingchen, the former poor student who turned around to become a three-good student; and finally, the completely transformed class atmosphere.
For this reason, Lao Liu even specially went to the temple on weekends, donated incense money, and devoutly prayed for a long time, hoping that all the children in his class, both now and in the future, would have good lives.
Lao Liu didn't know.
At first, taking Bo Luo Zai's group as the lead——
Huh? Study?
Those two words had nothing to do with them; they had no intention of studying at all, they just wanted to wander the mortal world together, living carefree and unrestrained.
But there was Shu Lingchen, who had devoted himself to tearing umbrellas for twenty-three years.
Brother Chen really did beat them up—he didn't play, nor let them play; he studied, and he forced them to study too.
The feeling of knowledge being forcibly 'stuffed' into the brain.
Who understands.
It's simply too painful.
But when the mock exam came, upon seeing a certain 'seemingly familiar' question on the test paper, they actually felt like 'Oh no, I think I can do this question.'
And in the end, that feeling turned into actual, tangible scores.
Shu Lingchen crossed his arms, lifted his chin, and asked with a tempting tone: "Have you tasted it—the flavor of the fruits of study?"
…
The days passed like that in busy, ample study.
The temperature dropped day by day, to the point where one needed to wear a down jacket just to go outside.
Winter break arrived.
According to the Berlin Su Orchestra's training requirements, Pei Muyin needed to go to the Jing Shi Grand Theater for group training.
Even before the semester ended, Pei Du had already arranged lodging for his daughter.
Of course it wasn't the main residence in Jing Shi; it was a boutique residence just two streets away from the theater road, making back-and-forth very convenient—a large flat hardly different from An Shi's 1600.
Tacitly, Pei Muyin, Shu Shu, and Shu Lingchen had already acknowledged that the three of them would live together, so they all went to Jing Shi—one to accompany the daughter, one to accompany the younger sister.
Upon arriving.
The house's decor style was also similar to An Shi's, and each person's room, along with daily necessities, was fully equipped.
Pei Muyin still slept in the same room as Shu Shu.
When Shu Lingchen went to his room to put away his luggage, he discovered an ergonomic space-capsule gaming chair.
Black-blue in color, it looked especially cool.
It was exactly the kind of thing boys his age couldn't possibly resist.
Shu Lingchen's eyes lit up; he picked up his phone, took a picture of the gaming chair aimed at it, and then sent it to one of the contacts at the top of his list.
"Old Pei, is this what you prepared?"
The other side instantly replied:
"Mm."
"Do you still like it?"
Shu Lingchen: "I really like it a lot!"
He couldn't wait to go over and fondle the gaming chair in every way; after experiencing it, the boy, nestled in the gaming chair, sent another message:
Line 64: no new names.
Line 67: （2） (no)
Line 84: … (ellipsis) no.
Line 89: no names.
Line 99: … (ellipsis)
Now we need to list all distinct names:
- Possibly "Berlin Su International Orchestra" but we can keep Berlin Su as the core name; the orchestra is generic.
Now we need to output glossary list as JSON array of objects with raw_term and original_term.
We must ensure we output exactly as: 【{"raw_term":"EnglishName","original_term":"ChineseChars"},...】 with no extra spaces? The example shows spaces after commas? It shows: 【{"raw_term":"EnglishName","original_term":"ChineseChars"},...】 We'll follow that format.
We need to list each distinct name once.
Let's compile list:
1. Shu Lingchen - Shu Lingchen
Now we need to translate each line.
We must keep each translation on a single line, prefixed with 【N】 and a space? The instruction: Output 【N】 for EVERY input line — no exceptions. Keep each translation on a SINGLE output line. So we output like:
【61】 translation
translation
After all lines, output the glossary list.
We must not add extra lines besides those.
Now translate each line faithfully.
Let's go line by line.
"Lao Pei, I think you shouldn't indulge me too much, you know? I'm in my graduating class—what if my grades drop?"
But we must not add explanatory words not in source. Let's translate literally but naturally.
Breakdown: "Lao Pei, I think you still shouldn't indulge me too much, you know, I'm in the graduating class, if my academic performance declines, what should we do?"
We can produce: "Lao Pei, I think you still shouldn't indulge me too much—you know, I'm in my graduating class; what if my grades drop?"
We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "Lao Pei, I think you still shouldn't indulge me too much—you know, I'm in my graduating class; what if my grades drop?"
That seems fine.
Old Pei:
This is just a label: "Lao Pei:" So translation: "Lao Pei:" (including colon). Keep as is.
Translation: "I heard from my younger sister that Lingchen's final exam scores this semester made it into the top twenty of the grade."
We'll keep that.
I believe a mere gaming chair won't affect anyone in the top twenty of the grade at all.
Translation: "I believe that a mere gaming chair won't have any effect on someone in the top twenty of the grade."
We need to keep "a mere gaming chair" as "a mere gaming chair". Good.
In the next second.
Translation: "The next second."
Shu Lingchen, flushed with praise: '+10!!!'
Translation: "Shu Lingchen, flushed with praise: '+10!!!'"
We need to keep the exclamation marks. The Chinese: "+10!!!" So we keep "+10!!!". The phrase "Shu Lingchen, who was praised to the heart" means "Shu Lingchen, who was praised to the heart". So translation: "Shu Lingchen, flushed with praise: '+10!!!'"
（2）
Translation: "(2)" Keep parentheses.
Today is Pei Muyin's first day reporting to the Berlin Su Orchestra; she woke up early and got ready.
Translation: "Today was Pei Muyin's first day reporting to the Berlin Su Orchestra; she got up early and got ready."
We need to keep "first day reporting to the Berlin Su Orchestra" as "first day reporting to the Berlin Su Orchestra". Good.
After breakfast.
Translation: "After breakfast."
Pei Muyin grabbed her violin case and headed out; upon reaching the entryway, she suddenly remembered something, lightly tapped her forehead, then turned and ran back to the bedroom.
Translation: "Pei Muyin hoisted her violin case, ready to leave; having just reached the entryway, she suddenly remembered something, lightly tapped her forehead, then turned and ran back to the bedroom."
We need to keep "violin case" as "violin case". "entryway" as "entryway". "bedroom" as "bedroom". Good.
The dining room was still clearing dishes when Shu Lingchen looked up in surprise: 'What's wrong, sis? Did you drop something?'
Translation: "Shu Lingchen, still clearing the dishes in the dining room, looked up in surprise: 'What's wrong, sis? Did you drop something?'"
We need to keep "sis" as "sis". Good.
Yeah, that's right!
Translation: "Yeah, right!"
Pei Muyin acknowledged, and found her teddy bear on the bed in the bedroom.
Translation: "Pei Muyin acknowledged while searching, and found her teddy bear on the bed in the bedroom."
We need to keep "acknowledged" as "acknowledged". Could be "she replied". But we keep meaning: "Pei Muyin replied, and found her teddy bear on the bed in the bedroom."
Let's produce: "Pei Muyin replied, and found her teddy bear on the bed in the bedroom."
The zipper on the bear's back was opened, revealing the black recorder inside.
Translation: "The zipper on the teddy bear's back was opened, revealing the black recorder inside."
How could I forget the god of blessings?
Translation: "How could I forget the 'God of Favor'?"
We need to keep quotes around the term. So: "How could I forget the 'God of Favor'?"
Pei Muyin, feeling apologetic, touched the recorder with her finger, then carefully placed it into her pocket.
Translation: "Pei Muyin, feeling apologetic, touched the recorder with her finger, then carefully placed it in her pocket."
At that moment, Shu Shu walked in.
Translation: "Just then, Shu Shu walked in."
'Wait a second, baby, the weather forecast says it's windy outside, put on a scarf.'
Translation: "'Wait a moment, baby— the weather report says it's windy outside, so put on a scarf.'"
Shu Shu helped her daughter put on a white fluffy scarf.
Translation: "Shu Shu helped her daughter put on a white fluffy scarf."
Looking at Shu Shu earnestly fastening her buttons with downcast eyes, Pei Muyin happily murmured: 'I must have done something good in my past life to deserve meeting my sister.'
Translation: "Looking at Shu Shu earnestly fastening her buttons downcast, Pei Muyin happily murmured: 'I must have done something good in my past life to meet a sister like you.'"
We need to keep "downcast" as "downcast". "earnestly fastening her buttons" as "earnestly fastening her buttons". Good.
Shu Shu smiled: 'That's quite a coincidence; I also feel that I must have done something good in my past life to meet such an adorable Muyin.'
Translation: "Shu Shu smiled: 'That's quite a coincidence—I also think I did something good in my past life to meet such an adorable Muyin.'"
We need to keep "Muyin" as "Muyin". Good.
The two exchanged a smile.
Translation: "The two exchanged a smile."
After saying goodbye to Shu Shu and Shu Lingchen, Pei Muyin left feeling excited.
Translation: "After saying goodbye to Shu Shu and Shu Lingchen, Pei Muyin left the house feeling excited."
We need to keep "feeling excited" as "feeling excited". Good.
…
Translation: "…"
We need to keep the ellipsis as is.
The grand theater in Jing Shi.
Translation: "The grand theater in Jing Shi."
We need to keep "The grand theater in Jing Shi" as "The grand theater in Jing Shi". Could also be "The grand theater located in Jing Shi". We'll keep simple.
Daisy is fifty-eight this year; when she was young, she was an outstanding violinist, starting to play the violin from childhood, and with her excellent grades she entered the world's top music college to earn a master's degree.
Translation: "Daisy is fifty-eight this year; when she was young, she was an outstanding violinist, starting to play the violin from childhood, and with her exceptional grades she entered the world's top music college, earning a master's degree."
We need to keep "the world's top music college" as "the world's top music college". Good.
Later, due to health reasons, she stopped playing the violin and was hired by the Berlin Su International Orchestra as a professional instructor.
Translation: "Later, due to health reasons, she stopped playing violin and was hired by the Berlin Su International Orchestra as a professional instructor."
We need to keep "Berlin Su International Orchestra" as "Berlin Su International Orchestra". Good.
She had noticed Pei Muyin from the initial audition.
Translation: "She noticed Pei Muyin from the initial audition."
Artists who have reached a certain level of expertise in this field can generally, within half a piece, gauge the player's baseline and the upper limit of their potential growth.
Translation: "In this field, artists who have reached a certain level of expertise can generally, within half a piece, gauge a player's baseline and the upper limit of their potential growth."
We need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "In this field, artists who have reached a certain level of expertise can generally, within half a piece, gauge a player's baseline and the upper limit of their potential growth."
Daisy immediately took a liking to Pei Muyin; this girl is indeed somewhat immature compared to seasoned violinists, but she has talent, a rare gem, and after professional training she will surely become an outstanding violinist.
Translation: "Daisy took an immediate liking to Pei Muyin; though this child is somewhat immature compared to mature violinists, she has talent—a rare gem—and with professional training she will surely become an outstanding violinist."
We need to keep "a rare gem" as "a rare gem". Good.
A small hall in the grand theater serves as the violinists' classroom.
Translation: "A small hall in the grand theater serves as the violinists' classroom."
Daisy kindly placed her hand on Pei Muyin's shoulder and then introduced her to everyone as the new student.
Translation: "Daisy kindly placed her hand on Pei Muyin's shoulder, then introduced her to everyone as the new student."
Pei Muyin politely nodded and confidently stated her name.
Translation: "Pei Muyin politely nodded and openly stated her name."
Seated below, Shi Yao stared in disbelief.
Translation: "Shi Yao, sitting below, stared with a stunned expression."
... Is this Pei Muyin?
Translation: "……Is that Pei Muyin?"
We need to keep the ellipsis. So: "……Is that Pei Muyin?"
The change was so great that she could hardly believe her eyes at first.
Translation: "The change was so great that she could hardly believe her eyes for a moment."
In my impression, Pei Muyin was always timid and uneasy about others' gazes, making her appear hesitant and lacking confidence, as if she wanted to hide herself.
Translation: "In my impression, Pei Muyin was always timid and uneasy about others' gazes, making her appear hesitant and lacking confidence, as if she wanted to hide herself."
But the girl before her wore a light-colored sweater, her hair tied in a fluffy bun, revealing a clean, fair face; she smiled and introduced herself openly and calmly.
Translation: "But the girl before her wore a light-colored sweater, her hair tied in a fluffy bun, revealing a clean, fair face; she smiled and introduced herself openly and calmly."
…
Translation: "…"
'Yao Yao, Yao Yao?'
Translation: "\"Yao Yao, Yao Yao? \""
'Huh?'
Translation: "\"Ah? \""
Shi Yao snapped to attention, looked toward the driver's seat where Shi Qing was, and asked: 'Mom, were you calling me?'
Translation: "Shi Yao snapped to attention, looking toward the driver's seat where Shi Qing said, 'Mom, are you calling me?'"
We need to keep "Shi Yao snapped to attention" as "Shi Yao snapped to attention". Good.
'What are you thinking, kid? I'm talking to you and you can't hear me.' Shi Qing, gripping the steering wheel, pulled up at a red light, turned and asked: 'How did your violin practice go today? Did the teacher praise you?'
Translation: "'You child, what are you thinking about? I can't even get through to you when I speak.' Shi Qing, gripping the steering wheel, pulled up at a red light, turned, and asked, 'How did your violin practice go today? Did the teacher praise you?'"
We need to keep "Shi Qing, gripping the steering wheel" as "Shi Qing, gripping the steering wheel". Good.
'Same as usual.' Shi Yao replied obediently: 'No praise; there are many violinists in the training camp, and the teacher can't notice everyone.'
Translation: "'Same as usual.' Shi Yao replied obediently, 'No praise—there are many violinists in the intensive training, and the teacher can't notice everyone.'"
'That's just wrong; if you're truly excellent and stand out, how could the teacher not notice you?' Shi Qing frowned, disagreeing: 'Yao Yao, you're just making excuses for yourself; that's not right, understand?'
Translation: "'That kind of thinking is wrong—if you're truly outstanding and stand out, how could the teacher possibly miss you?' Shi Qing furrowed her brows, disagreeing: 'Yao Yao, you're just making excuses for yourself; that's not right, understand?'"
'Got it, Mom.'
Translation: "'Got it, Mom.'"
Shi Qing sighed and said: 'Yao Yao, all this is for your own good; you barely got into the Berlin Su Orchestra, so you must work twice as hard and surpass others.'
Translation: "Shi Qing sighed: 'Yao Yao, all this is for your own good—you got into Berlin Su with difficulty, so you must work twice as hard and surpass others.'"
'I will, Mom.'
Translation: "'I will, Mom.'"
Moments later, the red light turned green.
Translation: "Moments later, the red light turned green."
Shi Qing started the vehicle and casually asked Shi Yao: 'I heard from your teacher that your youth violin group has a new member with exceptional talent, a girl about your age?'
Translation: "Shi Qing started the vehicle and casually asked Shi Yao: 'I heard from your teacher that your youth violin group has a new member with exceptional talent, a girl about your age?'"
'... Yes.'
Translation: "\"……Yes. \""
'Where is she from, what's her name?'
Translation: "\"Where is she from? What's her name? \""
Shi Yao paused for a few seconds, then said: '... I, I'm not really sure; it's my first day, I'm not familiar, I haven't spoken to her yet.'
Translation: "Shi Yao paused for a few seconds, then said: '……I'm not really sure; it was my first day, I wasn't familiar, and I hadn't spoken to her.'"
'Oh.'
Translation: "\"Oh. \""
Seemingly afraid that Mom would keep asking about the 'new member', Shi Yao quickly changed the subject: 'Mom, have you been in touch with your brother lately?'
Translation: "Apparently afraid Mom would keep asking about the 'new member,' Shi Yao hurriedly changed the subject: 'Mom, have you been in touch with my brother lately?'"
Earlier, Brother Shi Jin had a particularly unpleasant argument with Mom over not wanting to go to Grandma Pei's house, and that unpleasantness has continued to this day.
Translation: "Earlier, her brother Shi Jin had a particularly unpleasant argument with Mom over not wanting to go to Grandma Pei's house, and that unpleasantness has continued to this day."
We need to keep "Grandma Pei" as "Grandma Pei". Good.
Shi Yao wanted to know how her brother was doing, but Mom was very angry and wouldn't let her contact him privately.
Translation: "Shi Yao wanted to know how her brother was doing, but Mom was angry and wouldn't let her contact him privately."
All that could be heard was Mom's cold snort.
Translation: "All she heard was Mom's cold snort."
'Don't mention him to me; your brother is so disobedient, neglecting his studies and secretly entering a competition just to spite me—I don't want to deal with his affairs anymore.'
Translation: "'Don't mention him to me—your brother is too disobedient, neglecting his studies to secretly get into some competition, just to spite me; I don't want to deal with his affairs anymore.'"
He's grown up, his wings have hardened too—is he being stubborn and trying to pick a fight with me? I recently stopped his living allowance, and the apartment I had rented for him has also been vacated.
"……" Shi Yao stared wide-eyed: "How, how could this work? My brother isn't even an adult, he has no living expenses—how is he supposed to get by on his own in An Shi?"
Never mind how he manages; once he tastes hardship, he'll naturally realize his mistake. All right, Yao Yao, don't say another word.
Shi Qing cut off her daughter's words; her son, who had been obedient since childhood, suddenly defied her—she was furious, and she told her daughter: "Before he admits his mistake, you don't have such a brother."
That remark was truly too serious; Shi Yao helplessly opened her mouth, wanting to rebut, but she couldn't bring herself to contradict her mother's words.
She could only say: "Mom, my brother didn't mean to make you angry; let me talk to him, okay? After Grandma Pei finishes her trip and comes back, I'll persuade him to go with us to Grandma Pei's house, all right?"
Shi Qing's motion froze.
She still hadn't told her daughter outright that they could no longer go to the Pei Family.
Her daughter was too young to understand, but she did: the outside world said Old Lady Pei had gone abroad to travel the world, but that wasn't true—whoever travels would just vanish without a trace, lose all contact, and the entire Pei Family manor was also completely emptied overnight.
So there was only one possibility.
Old Lady Pei's trip was a fake; her being taken away was real.
The only person capable of doing all of this was none other than the current head of the Pei Family, Pei Du.
Shi Qing and Pei Du had never met, but she knew Pei Du was someone she absolutely must not provoke.
She made that judgment based solely on the little information she had obtained from Ms. Song.
As Shi Qing had always known, Ms. Song was using her as a tool to provoke her disliked granddaughter Pei Muyin, having servants run to Pei Muyin's face to gossip, creating the false impression and rumors of her contact with Pei Du.
But Ms. Song dared not spread this rumor to Pei Du's ears.
Shi Qing had seen it with her own eyes.
Once, when Pei Du unexpectedly returned to the residence, Ms. Song panicked and urged her to hide quickly; at that moment, she was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Ms. Song didn't even dare let Pei Du know of her existence.
It was as if, once Pei Du found out, the consequences would be a terribly serious accident.
…
Shi Qing snapped out of her thoughts, suddenly remembered something, and asked her daughter: "By the way, Yao Yao, is that Daisy Teacher from your music club still… still trying to contact Pei Muyin? It's been so long; she's probably given up by now."
Shi Yao jumped in fright from guilt, she stammered for half a minute, then replied vaguely: "…… I haven't heard anything; I guess she's given up."
Shi Qing hummed in acknowledgment, then began earnestly: "Yao Yao, you still have six months; you must practice diligently."
Teacher Mingzhuo is an internationally renowned master; the violin solo opening his piece 'Guan Shan' has been definitively assigned to violinists of your age group, so Yao Yao, this opportunity, you must not miss it.
You must not disappoint Mom, understand?
Shi Yao hesitated: "But Mom, I'm graduating this year; I probably won't be able to free up study time like last semester to practice piano, so can I wait until after exams—"
Yao Yao, Mom doesn't mean for you to neglect your studies just to practice piano; you need to learn to balance both, and before the vacation ends, you must set your goals for next semester.
"……" Shi Yao unconsciously gripped her seatbelt, after a long while she replied under pressure: "I understand."
Chapter 170 was unsatisfactory, so it was overturned.
Come check again tomorrow morning.
End of Chapter
