Chapter 18 – A chance encounter (Translated by Xing and edited by Souhi)

Tang Xue walked into a room filled with music with music . Even as a casual listener, she could tell that this music was likely played with a guqin[1] . The tune was melodious yet rousing, just like the gus.h.i.+ng waters of a riverbed .

The door leading out of the room was not fully shut, and the tune flowed out from there .

Entranced by the music, she subconsciously pushed open the door and walked in .

Facing the door was the large, flat expanse of an ice rink . On the pristine white ice, a figure was dancing .

Ah, no, skating .

Clothed in a plain black training suit, his limbs appeared slender but strong . Following the music’s tempo, he glided on the ice—spinning, jumping and soaring . Every time he landed, the friction of his skates against the ice created a smattering of ice shavings .

Tang Xue had no idea if it was because of the ice skates but his every movement was exceptionally graceful . It was as if he was an inky black b.u.t.terfly flitting by the stream in the midst of a mountain valley .

Tang Xue was mesmerized by this delightful performance . She couldn’t help but to take a few steps forward and seek a clearer view of the skater’s face .

Suddenly, a voice rang out and halted her . “That student over there, may I know who you’re looking for?”

Tang Xue paused her steps . She saw that there were quite a few people in the ice rink . Some were sitting while some were standing . Some were in ordinary outfits while some were in training suits .  If you see this, this translation has been reposted without permission from teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .

The one who spoke was a long-haired, middle-aged woman wearing a tracksuit . Seeing how Tang Xue did not reply her, she added, “We’re in the middle of training . ” Her words implied that Tang Xue should quickly leave if she had no business there .

Tang Xue scratched her head . “Ah s…sorry . ”

She averted her gaze and was about to turn and leave .

At this moment, the figure on the

ice unexpectedly stopped his routine . Using the leftover momentum, he effortlessly changed directions and glided towards Tang Xue on his skates .

The inky black b.u.t.terfly flitted nearer and nearer .

Tang Xue was momentarily surprised but immediately followed with a smile . “Why is it you?”

This person was precisely the young guy that she had mistakenly recognized at the eatery . She did not thought that she would see him again so soon .

Against the contrast of his black outfit, his skin was like snow . Having just exercised, there was a healthy red flush on the soft curves of his cheeks . His fringe was soaked with sweat and plastered to his forehead .

Seeing the state of his fringe, Tang Xue had an urge to sweep it back for him .

To Tang Xue’s question, he did not speak and merely smiled .

With this smile, a light dimple appeared on the left side of his face . The overall effect was pretty adorable .

His smile infectiously made Tang Xue giggled as well . After laughing, she was about to speak when someone clamped down on her shoulder .

The force exerted was not light . This action caused her entire shoulder to heavily weigh down .

After clamping down, the hand did not withdraw but instead stayed on her shoulder .

Tang Xue’s face darkened . She turned her head to see Li Yubing’s good looking and punchable face .

Li Yubing’s brows was lightly raised . His striking eyes held an unfathomable trace of an odd amus.e.m.e.nt . “What are you up to?’

Being questioned by him while her shoulder was firmly in his grasp, Tang Xue was extremely unhappy . “Does it concern you?!”  As she spoke, she tried to shake off his hand . However, that rascal was too strong and she was unable to free herself no matter how hard she tried .

“Tang Xue, you’ve grown . ” Li Yubing’s tone was also a little odd and seemed to faintly hint at amus.e.m.e.nt as well . “It’s not enough that you go around stirring trouble—you’re now out to plague little kids in the figure skating team too . ”

“Li Yubing, stop your nonsense . ”

His hand still on her shoulder, Li

Li Yubing steered Tang Xue towards the door . “Don’t disturb their training . ” He looked towards the few people gathered by the ice rink’s side and spoke to one of them, “I’m sorry, Coach Yang, for letting her run amok . ”

“It’s fine . ” The lady addressed as Coach Yang lightly moved her head .

Tang Xue was pushed along by Li Yubing . She repeatedly tried and failed to shake him off, and felt extremely undignified . When the two of them were about to step out of the place, she heard someone spoke from behind . “I’m not a little kid . ”

His voice was similar to his gaze, soft and limpid like the gentle flow of spring water .

Tang Xue twisted her head and tried to reply . However, before she could see him, she was cleanly shoved through the door by Li Yubing . Her field of vision spun . When she righted herself again, there was only the wall in front of her .

“Li Yubing, you scoundrel . ” Tang Xue gritted out .

Hearing the insult “scoundrel” come out of a scoundrel’s mouth, Li Yubing inexplicably felt super accomplished . He wasn’t even this excited when he obtained a gold medal in a compet.i.tion .

The two of them were out of the training ground just like that . Tang Xue suddenly grabbed the wrist of Li Yubing’s hand that was still on her shoulder . She yanked his arm down, thinking of executing a shoulder throw .

She had used this to successfully throw both Liao Zhenyu and her father before . The key was to be fast and catch the other party off guard .

Unfortunately, Li Yubing was neither a homebody[2] nor a middle-aged man . His reaction was quick—the moment Tang Xue touched his wrist, he immediately knew what she was up to . Therefore, he went along with her yank before effortlessly twisting his arm to encircle her neck . The tables were turned and Tang Xue was firmly trapped in his arm instead . Head over to teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com if translator’s notes are missing or if you simply want to read without ads .

Tang Xue was like a prisoner . She felt that her dignity was

dignity was completely gone at this point . What made it worse was that she was forced to lean into Li Yubing . Her shoulders and back was tightly pressed against his chest . She could distinctively feel the rise and fall of every breath he took . Li Yubing was also very much taller than her . He entirely dominated and enveloped her . In this moment, she was shrouded in his presence .

“What are you trying to do?” Li Yubing laughed . He sounded extremely entertained .

Tang Xue heavily swung her head backwards, hoping to smack his chin with her skull . Li Yubing swiftly raised his other hand and firmly rested it on the top of her head . He even ruffled her hair before letting out another chuckle . Wanting to disgust her, he purposely used an awfully cheesy voice and said, “Naughty . ”

Tang Xue’s scalp tingled . She angrily said, “Li Yubing, let me go . ”

Li Yubing saw Tang Xue struggling in his arms like a small black bunny that had fallen into a snare—small, frantic and helpless . A surge of mirth bubbled up within him and he smirked . “Beg me . ”

Tang Xue clenched her teeth . “Li Yubing, don’t force me to use my ultimate move . ”

“Go ahead . I’m curious to see what you’ve got . ”

“I’ll repeat myself one more time . Let . Me . Go . ”

“Beg me . ”

Tang Xue shut her eyes and resolutely took a deep breath . She then suddenly opened her eyes, blindly thrusted her right hand behind, and landed a firm shove between his legs .

Li Yubing’s entire body shuddered . It was as if he was electrocuted and he forcefully sprung back .

Tang Xue finally freed herself from him . She slowly exhaled, hug her arms and turned to face him .

Li Yubing’s face darkened . From the faint traces of veins popping up on his forehead, it could be seen how agitated he was . He stared at Tang Xue and clenched his teeth . “You . Rogue . ”

This was a move that dealt 1,000 points damage to the enemy and 800 points

and 800 points damage to herself . However, Tang Xue of course did not expose the stupidity of her own move . She still had a front to maintain . She raised her chin and coolly looked at him . “Yeah, I’m a rogue who just molested you . What can you do to me?”

“What can I do to you? I, I……” Li Yubing seemed to have lost his mind . He narrowed his eyes and smiled sardonically . “I want revenge . Come back here . ”

“What do you want?”

“To touch it back . ”

“……” Tang Xue saw that things weren’t looking good and ran .

Li Yubing pushed up his sleeves and with a sinister look on his face, chased after her .

Translator’s Notes:

[1] Qin, more commonly known in modern times as 古琴 (gǔ qín), is a Chinese string instrument that literally translates to “ancient zither” . From ancient times, this instrument has been closely a.s.sociated with subtly and refinement by Chinese scholars and literati . Guqin players are viewed to be especially refined people of impeccable moral standing .

[2] I originally translated this as “otaku” for its instantly familiar meaning of someone with not much life outside of their particular interest but Souhi felt it wasn’t apt . Google tells me that “homebody” is an informal North American phrase but I’m not sure how common this word is . The original phrase 宅男 (zhái nán) actually refers to someone who is usually holed at home and doesn’t go out much . 宅 (zhái) means residence while 男 (nán) means male . The female equivalent would be 宅女 (zhái nǚ), with 女 (nǚ) meaning female . Unlike otakus, 宅男 and 宅女 don’t need to have an area of interest that they are obsessed over . And unlike a nerd of the most traditional sense, these people usually have normal social skills and aren’t necessarily all introverts . They can simply be people who doesn’t like or can’t be bothered to go out that much . This is sometimes used in a self-deprecating or humorous manner for people to describe themselves .