Happy Easter to all those who celebrate the holiday. And those in the US/Canadian region, happy spring break! I hope you’ve caught up on sleep and had some fun while on break. I bet you need it.
I’d also like to congratulate for winning the banner challenge? Those pretty holiday eggs on the page are her idea. 恭喜你!!!
Last but not the least, anyone want to be a proofreader/editor? I’m in dire need of one since I’ve lost one last fall, and I might have to reduce the number of posts if I don’t get an editor. PM me or respond in the comment section if you’re willing to help with this duty. Thank you in advance!
With that being said, let’s start with this week’s chapters!
Translated, edited, and proofread by newbienoona
Once they've returned to the mansion, Jiang Yuan glances at the sports car and tells them she loves the model. She quickly mentions to Chuxia she's her writing apprentice. Her contract has been sent for approval.
Chuxia should've been happy with Jiang Yuan's announcement, but thoughts of Lila and her bloodied face fills her thoughts. She forces a smile on her lips as she says, "Thank you, Ma, but I am tired. I'm going to my room to rest."
Jiang Yuan doesn't say anything. She nods and follows Chuxia silently with her eyes as she ascends the steps and disappears on the second floor. Once out of sight, the puzzled Jiang Yuan attacks Han Qilu. She bluntly inquires, "You were supposed to have lunch… Brat! Did you bully my treasured xiao An Chuxia?"
He shrugs unexpectedly. His eyes are filled with complex thoughts. "I'll check up on her. Go ahead and have lunch."
She watches Han Qilu run up the steps. She's glad she didn't have to say anything. Here eyes light up as she turns around to look at the sports car. "I can write this car into the novel! No, no… how should I describe the Lamborghini? How? As long as I'm willing to write it, everything is possible!"
The room is silent. The window blinds are pulled open, and sunlight illuminates the entire room. She blocks the blinding light with her wrist until her pupils adjusts. She puts her hand on the desk and opens the notebook. After logging into QQ, she pities herself for not having an on-line friend who'd be willing to chat.
Sighing, she wonders what Meng Xiaonan is doing. Just as she was about to call her, the door suddenly opens. "What’s bothering you?"
She shakes her head and says indifferently, "Nothing. I just want to… Han Qilu, why were you so cold-blooded? Lila didn't make a big mistake. You actually… that person called Ding something, wouldn't it have been easier to forgive her?"
The thought of Lila's face gives her gooseb.u.mps. Was it painful? An Chuxia is not a monk who will go to the poor, but she sees is Lila's expression every time she closes her eyes.
His eyes are filled with mixed emotions as he stops in front of her. "I'm only nice to people who treat others well."
What he says should placate her, but it only leaves her with infinite loathing. How selfis.h.!.+ She suddenly gets up. She couldn't help but yell at him. "Let me not inconvenience you anymore! Both of us… Yes, we may not loathe each other anymore, but don't you love Xiang Mankuai? So please, don't say nice things to me. I would only find it ironically tragic."
The air immediately solidifies. An Chuxia suddenly feels the infinite chill. She clearly sees the blue vein rise from his forehead as his eyes fill with hostility.
She whispers. Her eyes are filled with contempt. "Han Qilu, am I just her subst.i.tute? I'm telling you now, I'm not willing to be anyone's alternative. After today, please restrain yourself." She refers to Han's attempts to kiss her repeatedly.
He nods slowly as a bloodthirsty laugh rises to his lips. "Alright… ."
Translated, edited, and proofread by newbienoona
The door closes with a heavy thud. An Chuxia laughs, but it's filled with regret. She knows she went too far with her words, but she can't help it. She has to protect herself. She didn't want to have a relations.h.i.+p with someone so powerful. She just wants to live in… peace.
If she didn't push Han Qilu, she'll worry she'll fall for him and forget he forced her into their relations.h.i.+p. That's it! She really wants to see Han Qilu in a good light. But then… she remembers how he looked this morning when she glanced at the newspaper he tossed on her round sofa.
"Ma, don't worry. I won't forget your original intent. I will be admitted to a good university and be an outstanding student… ." She clenches her fist. Her eyes are filled with affirmation. From now on, she'll concentrate all her efforts in reaching university! She must change from the former frightened girl back to the tyrannical wolf girl!
The phone she has long forgotten suddenly lights on the table. Then it rings.
She presses the answer key and Meng Meng howls like a wolf over the phone. "Laoda, what is wrong with you? I tried calling you all morning and you weren't responding. Something come up unexpectedly?"
"You have been?" She raises an eyebrow. She suddenly wants to try and forget this morning's events, and thinks Meng Meng can help her return to normalcy. "I forgot my phone. What's up?"
Hearing the indifference in An Chuxia's voice, Meng Xiaonan shouts loudly on the phone, "Laoda, are you really letting that fool, Tang Kayi, get to you? She says rich husbands don't like poor friends."
Meng Xiaonan's booming voice motivates An Chuxia to move. Her eyes jump while logging into QQ to play a farming game. She smiles as her left hand clutches on the phone to respond. "You know I won't dare forget you, ah! I'm just curious, I pity you with the phone bill since it's going to be expensive. Are you made of gold now that you've called me out of the blue? You usually call me and immediately hang up for me to call you back. What's wrong? Do you have any issues with your father?"
An Chuxia hears the maid come in bearing food. Refusing, she says, "May I trouble you to take the fruit tray away?"
"Yes, young mistress," the maid responds, taking a few steps back with the tray.
Meng Xiaonan continues conversing. "He's good to me because that young seductress won't have children. The fox is also good to me because she said she's always wanted a child but never got the opportunity."
An Chuxia takes the mouse and clicks on a vegetable to harvest in her game. The look in her eyes turn complex. "Did your father divorce your mother?"
"It's been a while since they've divorced," Meng Xiaonan says, acting unaffected. "My mother didn't tell me intentionally because she was afraid I'll be sad. The thing is, I knew about it and everyday, I'm getting better at accepting it. But now, my current situation has gotten better. So, let's window-shop this afternoon! Bring that charming husband of yours if it's convenient! Let me improve my relations.h.i.+p with him."
She, unconsciously, sucks in some air. "Yeah, right! I told him… Our relations.h.i.+p is an expedient measure. To make a long story short, there's no alternative but to take advantage of our simple situation!"
"Wow!" Meng Xiaonan exclaims. "You’re still forced? Laoda, do you know how many people in A City want to marry your husband?"
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