Chapter 28

A-Chen, if Shu Shu confesses to you, you don't have to turn her down immediately.

Translation: "A-Chen, if Shu Shu confesses to you, you don't have to outright reject her."

But need to keep "阿晨" as? The glossary didn't give a nickname for 阿晨; it's likely Shu Lingchen's nickname. Should we keep as "A-Chen"? Usually we translate 阿晨 as "A-Chen" (keeping the 阿 as affectionate prefix). Not in glossary, but we can translate as "A-Chen". It's not a name; it's a nickname. The rule: we should translate meaning unless it's a name used as a name. 阿晨 is a nickname used for Shu Lingchen; it's a familiar form. Should we keep as "A-Chen"? Probably yes, as it's a nickname. Not in glossary, but we can keep as "A-Chen". The rule says: Use Hanyu Pinyin ONLY for a person's actual NAME (including nickname habitually used as that person's name). So 阿晨 is a nickname habitually used for Shu Lingchen, so we should romanize as "A-Chen". Good.

Thus line 1: "A-Chen, if Shu Shu confesses to you, you don't have to outright reject her."

But we need to keep the same meaning: the phrase means 'you can first not outright reject', i. e., 'you don't have to outright reject her right away.' We'll keep it concise.

Chu Lian's words hit him like a lightning bolt, instantly scorching his exterior while leaving his interior tender.

Translation: "Chu Lian's words came down like a bolt of lightning, instantly scorching Shu Lingchen's exterior while leaving his interior tender."

But we need to keep the meaning: the first phrase means 'just like a bolt of lightning, fiercely splitting down'; the second phrase means 'instantly splitting Shu Lingchen into outside charred, inside tender.' So we can say: 'Chu Lian's words struck like a lightning bolt, instantly charring Shu Lingchen's outside while leaving his inside tender.'

Chu, Chu Chu, what are you saying?!

We need to keep the stuttering. Probably: 'Chu, Chu Chu, what are you saying?!' Actually the original shows Shu Lingchen stammering: 'Chu, Chu Chu, what are you saying?!' We'll translate it as: 'Chu, Chu Chu, what are you saying?!'

Who's confessing to whom?!

Translation: "Who's confessing to whom?!"

Shu Lingchen wondered if he had misheard.

Translation: "Shu Lingchen doubted he had misheard."

Chu Lian thought he was upset because she had pushed him toward another girl, so she reassured him: "A-Chen, hear me out—I'm not actually asking you to date Shu Shu; just don't clearly agree, but also don't outright reject her. It's a delaying tactic—do you get what I mean?"

Shu Shu is well-off; if she likes you, she definitely won't just watch you live in poverty.

Translation: "Shu Shu's family is well-off; since she likes you, she definitely won't just watch you live penniless and struggling."

Shu Lingchen finally understood what Chu Lian meant by 'liking'.

Translation: "Shu Lingchen finally realized what Chu Lian meant by 'liking'."

……Chu Chu, you've misunderstood! This misunderstanding is huge! Shu Lingchen was overcome with fear, crossing his arms over his chest and saying, "Me and my mom—no, me and Shu Shu—my feelings for her and my feelings for you are completely different!"

We need to keep line breaks? The line includes quoted speech and description. We'll translate as one line.

Translation: "... Chu Chu, you've misunderstood! This misunderstanding is huge!" Shu Lingchen was utterly panicked, crossing his arms before his chest and gesturing: "Me and my mom—no, me and Shu Shu—my feelings for her and my feelings for you are completely different things!"

But we need to keep the stutter: the sentence means 'Me and my mom—no, me and Shu Shu—my feelings for her and my feelings for you are totally different!' We'll translate it as: 'Me and my mom—no, me and Shu Shu—my feelings for her and my feelings for you are totally different!'

A-Chen, I know you don't like Shu Shu.

Translation: "A-Chen, I know you don't like Shu Shu."

Chu Lian smiled in relief, clearly aware that Shu Lingchen only had feelings for her, and said: "But this is so Mom can see your sincerity; all she meant by resting easy was wanting to see that you can earn money."

We'll translate: "Chu Lian smiled in relief, clearly understanding that Shu Lingchen only liked her, and said: 'But this is to let your mom see your sincerity; her saying 'rest assured' simply means she wants to see you capable of earning money.'"

While speaking, Chu Lian unconsciously recalled the luxurious 1601 flat she had seen earlier, having only caught a glimpse of its opulence.

Translation: "As Chu Lian spoke, she unconsciously recalled the luxurious 1601 flat she had seen earlier, having only glimpsed a corner, yet it was that extravagant."

She needs to sweet-talk Shu Lingchen into getting together with Shu Shu.

Translation: "She had to coax Shu Lingchen into getting together with Shu Shu!"

Chu Lian could hardly wait, urging earnestly: "A-Chen, if you just ask Shu Shu for help, being the daughter of a wealthy family, if she likes you she won't say no."

Translation: "Chu Lian seemed unable to wait, urging earnestly: 'A-Chen, as long as you ask Shu Shu for help, a girl from a wealthy family like hers, if she likes you, will never refuse you.'"

By then——

Translation: "Then—"

Chu Chu!

Translation: "Chu Chu!"

At the mention of 'talk' and 'like', Shu Lingchen's heart raced; he quickly interrupted: "Please don't say anything!"

Translation: "Hearing the words 'date' and 'like', Shu Lingchen felt a jolt of panic and hurriedly stopped her: 'Don't say any more!'"

Chu Lian saw Shu Lingchen wear a solemn expression he had never shown before.

Translation: "Chu Lian saw Shu Lingchen display an expression of solemnity he had never shown before."

He lowered his head, raised a finger toward the sky, then, as if warding off something, whispered in her ear: "You'll get struck by lightning."

Translation: "He lowered his head, raised a forefinger toward the sky, then, as if avoiding something, spoke softly in her ear: 'You'll get struck by lightning!'"

If she went on, Shu Lingchen worried his father—who died at sea, on land, and in the air—wouldn't even be able to keep his coffin lid shut.

Translation: "If she kept talking, Shu Lingchen feared his father, who died at sea, land, and air, wouldn't even be able to keep his coffin lid closed!"

We need to keep the phrase meaning 'father who died at sea, on land, and in the air'. So we translate it literally as 'his father who died at sea, on land, and in the air'. Thus: 'If she kept talking, Shu Lingchen feared his father, who died at sea, on land, and in the air, wouldn't even be able to keep his coffin lid closed.'

One of Shu Lingchen's followers, Bolozai—whose full name is Zhao Heping—is a classmate.

Translation: "One of Shu Lingchen's lackeys, Bo Luo Zai, whose full name is Zhao Heping, is a classmate."

After Shu Shu somehow got Shu Lingchen to quit debt collecting, he began to feel awe toward her.

Translation: "Since Shu Shu somehow got Shu Lingchen to give up debt collection, he has developed a sense of awe toward her."

You should know, Brother Chen is stubborn; once he makes up his mind, not even ten oxen could sway him.

Translation: "You know, Elder Brother Chen is stubborn; once he decides, not even ten oxen can pull him back."

They also think debt collecting is risky and unreliable.

Translation: "Their group of friends also thought debt collection was risky and unreliable."

They've tried to advise him, but it didn't help.

Translation: "They had advised him, but it was useless."

After that, no one dared to advise him any further.

Translation: "After that, nobody dared to advise him again."

But Shu Shu directly convinced Shu Lingchen to return, and Brother Chen never brought up debt collecting again.

Translation: "But Shu Shu directly persuaded Shu Lingchen to return, and Elder Brother Chen never brought up debt collection again."

That efficiency.

Translation: "Such efficiency."

They all suspected Shu Lingchen had been beaten into submission by Shu Shu.

Translation: "They all suspected Shu Lingchen had been beaten into submission by Shu Shu."

After all, she's a toughie who can snap bricks with her bare hands!

Translation: "After all, she's a tough nut who can snap bricks with her bare hands!"

It seems Brother Chen wasn't lying; this transfer student is definitely a tough fighter.

Translation: "It seems Elder Brother Chen wasn't lying; this transfer student must be formidable in a fight!"

From then on, everyone unconsciously began calling Shu Shu 'Sister Shu'.

Translation: "So from then on, everyone unconsciously started calling Shu Shu 'Sister Shu'—"

"Hey, Sister Shu, Sister Shu."

Translation: "\"Hey, Sister Shu, Sister Shu. \""

During break, Shu Shu went to the restroom; when she returned to class, Zhao Heping quietly called her out, his face buried lower than his desk as if hiding from someone, and whispered a rumor:

Translation: "During break, Shu Shu went to the restroom; returning to class, Zhao Heping called out to her in a low voice, his face buried lower than his desk, as if hiding from someone, secretly tattling:"

"Lately Brother Chen has been secretly asking around for ways to make money; won't he end up taking another sketchy part‑time job?"

Translation: "\"Lately, Elder Brother Chen has been secretly asking around for ways to make money; will he end up taking another unreliable part‑time job? \""

Shu Shu looked down at Bolozai, eager to warmly remind this little kid.

Translation: "Shu Shu looked down at Bo Luo Zai, really wanting to give this little friend a warm reminder."

Even though his face was hidden, his yellow, rooster‑comb‑like hair still stuck out, glaringly obvious.

Translation: "Although his face was hidden, his yellow, rooster‑comb‑like hairstyle still stuck out, glaringly obvious."

Seeing his worried look, Shu Shu felt that the little turkey‑chick friends she hung out with were more sincere than the Chu mother‑daughter duo; her peach‑shaped eyes softened as she said, "Sure, I'll go ask him."

Translation: "Seeing his worried expression, Shu Shu felt that the little friends her turkey‑chick associates were more sincere than the Chu mother‑daughter pair; her peach‑shaped eyes curved as she said: 'Alright, I'll go ask him.'"

Bolozai gave Shu Shu a grateful glance.

Translation: "Bo Luo Zai gave Shu Shu a grateful look."

For some reason, he instinctively felt Shu Shu could keep Shu Lingchen in line.

Translation: "For some reason, he instinctively felt Shu Shu could keep Shu Lingchen in line."

……

Translation: "……"

When he returned to his seat, Shu Lingchen was slumped over his desk, listless.

Translation: "When he returned to his seat, Shu Lingchen was slumped listlessly over his desk."

At that moment he was very troubled.

Translation: "At that moment he was very troubled."

How can he earn money so Aunt Chu sees his sincerity?

Translation: "How could he earn money to let Aunt Chu see his sincerity?"

He asked around everywhere, and ended up hearing about it at school.

Translation: "He inquired everywhere, and ended up finding out at school."

But they were all just gigs helping copy homework.

Translation: "But they were all just gigs helping copy homework."

When those people heard he wanted to take the job, they immediately said they didn't need help copying homework.

Translation: "As soon as those people heard he wanted to take the job, they immediately said they didn't need help copying homework."

Everyone knows Class 12 is where the grade's lowest performers gather.

Translation: "Who doesn't know that Class 12 is the gathering place of the grade's lowest performers?"

Especially Shu Lingchen—he's practically a fighter jet among the lowest scorers; even if he just mindlessly copies, nobody wants to ask him.

Translation: "Especially Shu Lingchen—he's practically a fighter jet among the worst; even if he just mindlessly copies, nobody wants to find him."

There are also off‑campus jobs, but any legitimate part‑time work requires adults; Shu Lingchen is only seventeen, too young, so no boss would dare hire him.

Translation: "There are also jobs off‑campus, but any proper part‑time work requires adults; Shu Lingchen is only seventeen, too young, so no boss would dare hire him."

Debt collecting is no longer an option.

Translation: "Debt collection is out of the question now."

He's worried.

Translation: "He's worried."

Suddenly, the tabletop in front of him was tapped.

Translation: "Suddenly, the desktop in front of him was tapped."

It was Shu Shu.

Translation: "It was Shu Shu."

"Short on money?"

Translation: "Short on money?"

"... How do you know?"

Translation: "... How do you know?"

Shu Lingchen jerked upright, then realized something, gritting his teeth as he glared at Bolozai and his gang—those blabbermouth dogs!

Translation: "Shu Lingchen startled upright, then realized something, gritting his teeth as he glared at Bo Luo Zai and his gang—those blabbermouth mutts!"

He could only honestly admit: "... Um."

Translation: "He could only honestly admit: '…Um.'"

"Why are you short on money?"

Translation: "Why are you short on money?"

Shu Shu flipped through the textbook for the upcoming classes; actually she didn't need to ask to know why.

What else could it be? The Chu mother and daughter took them to KTV again.

This mother-daughter pair has been living in Shu Lingchen's apartment these years, spending his living expenses, and living a comfortable, affluent life.

Shu Shu simply withdrew the insurance fund, completely cutting off their delusions.

Even so, they are clearly healthy, with hands and feet, yet they still have the cheek to try to sponge off Shu Lingchen, a student.

A few days ago, bored out of her mind, Shu Shu came across a heart-wrenching short drama on TikTok.

As luck would have it, it's still the rebirth-of-the-mom premise.

She immediately clicked on it, interested.

The short drama's plot is about a son being deceived by a vicious female supporting character, ending in a tragic fate; the mother is reborn and returns to keep the son away from the female lead, hoping he can avoid the original ending.

But whenever solid evidence is laid before them, the female lead just twists words and inverts black and white, causing the son to believe her and even think his mother is sowing discord, driving the mother-son relationship to near rupture.

After over sixty episodes of back-and-forth, Shu Shu got so angry she felt hot-headed, and she skipped straight to episode 688 to see the finale.

Only in the final episode, when the female lead runs off with the money and the son's company goes bankrupt, facing jail, does he realize his mother was right; he rushes back to her, weeping bitterly and kneeling to apologize.

After watching, Shu Shu gave it a super low rating; no wonder the top-liked comment in the comment section says, 'If you lose your brain, you'll watch this.'

Putting herself in a similar plot, Shu Shu doesn't want to argue with Shu Lingchen for over sixty episodes like that; otherwise she wouldn't last three episodes before having to abandon the child.

Shu Lingchen, that little simpleton, has too deep a 'good person' filter toward the Chu mother and daughter.

She doesn't intend to expose the vicious female lead; she wants the female lead to expose herself.

Hearing Shu Shu's question, Shu Lingchen hemmed and hawed, afraid to answer.

Shu Shu saw through Shu Lingchen's thoughts at a glance.

So, in a 'thoughtful' way, she didn't ask again.

She curled her lips and said, 'If you need money, you can come to me.'

Shu Lingchen was quite surprised, his expression seeming to say—'Really?!'

But he immediately replied, 'I'd rather not.'

He picked up a book, held it up to block his face, lowered his head, and whispered in a breathy voice: 'Mom, you've already topped up my meal card for me; I'm basically sponging off you already, I...'

Shu Lingchen went to Shu Shu to borrow money to buy medicine for Chumu; Shu Shu agreed without hesitation and even offered to cover Chumu's future medicine costs—only to find out Chumu was faking her illness.

Shu Lingchen felt embarrassed to ask his mother for money again.

Even that little simpleton knows how to sponge off others? Shu Shu raised an eyebrow: 'Did I say I'd just give you money directly?'

Shu Lingchen blinked: 'What do you mean?'

Shu Shu said, 'You're looking for a money-making part-time job, aren't you? What I mean is, I can get you a part-time job.'