Chapter 34 – Those times (Translated by Xing and edited by Souhi)

During supper, it was obvious that Tang Xue was in low spirits . Both Li Yubing and Yu Yan did not know what had happened in the past and were unable to comfort her . Li Yubing thought of asking her to drink a little but did not say it as Yu Yan was present .

After returning to his dorm at night, Li Yubing texted Liao Zhenyu .

Li Yubing: Who’s Bian Cheng?

Liao Zhenyu: My high school cla.s.smate . Why are you asking?

Liao Zhenyu: Did my boss mentioned him to you?

Li Yubing: He’s coming to RCU .

Liao Zhenyu: Why?

Li Yubing: Not Sure .

Liao Zhenyu: Lemme ask .

Liao Zhenyu contacted several old cla.s.smates before finally finding out what was going on . He quickly contacted Li Yubing to share the news: It’s for an English speech compet.i.tion . The National Finals are held at our school this year . I had forgotten that Bian Cheng’s English is really good .

Li Yubing: Mm .

Li Yubing checked the schedule of the English speech compet.i.tion . The finals would take place on the morning three days from now . This meant that the person named Bian Cheng would arrive at RCU latest by the day after tomorrow .

Tang Xue did not seem like she would initiate contact with Bian Cheng . The issue now was if he would pester Tang Xue……

Li Yubing sat on the chair with his legs crossed, deep in thought as he held his chin . With his slightly narrowed eyes and subconscious movements of rubbing his lips with his slender fingers, he looked like a pervert .

Old Deng walk into the room and saw this sight . His image of Li Yubing as a “SM-obsessed tyrannical CEO” cemented . This wasn’t something he made up—all of the roommates had seen the black handcuffs hidden in Li Yubing’s wardrobe . The first time Li Yubing took out that pair of handcuffs, everyone got a shock . Tsk tsk tsk, never judge someone by their appearance indeed!

After they got over their shock, they rejoiced that Li Yubing was straight . Otherwise, based on his physique, it was a piece of cake for him to beat the three of them up!

——

The next two days, Li Yubing was like a patrolling lion . His movements were furtive and suspicious, and he kept appearing near the places where Tang Xue had her lessons .

The first day, he did not discover anything unusual . During noon on the second day…… heh, here it comes .

Li Yubing sat on his bicycle with one foot on the ground . His arms were crossed as he observed the guy standing at the Yifu building[1] entrance .

The guy was around 1 . 75 m and wore a pair of silver spectacles . His appearance was clean-cut and gave off the impression of an accomplished scholar .

Li Yubing could not explain why he had such a strong feeling that this person was the legendary Bian Cheng .

After seeing Bian Cheng, Li Yubing thought of Yu Yan and could not help curling his lips in disdain . That fellow only had one taste and her taste was horrible .

“Riiing”——The bell indicating the end of cla.s.ses rang .

The guy neatened his clothes and glanced towards the doorway .

……

Tang Xue was currently discussing what to have for lunch with Xia Menghuan . “Vermicelli or rice… of course we’ll have rice . I want to eat red braised pork belly and Kung Pao chicken, and also ——” When they reached the entrance, Tang Xue raised her head and suddenly stopped speaking .  This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .

Xia Menghuan felt a little strange . She turned towards the direction Tang Xue was staring at and saw a neat and refined looking guy .

The guy smiled at them . Then, he called out, “Tang Xue . ”

Xia Menghuan lightly tiptoed and furtively leaned next to Tang Xue’s ear . This was a very obsequious action . She has no idea what came over her lately but she was having fun acting this way . “My king, you have yet another peach blossom[2] . ”

Tang Xue was now famous after partic.i.p.ating in “Campus Idol” . She had attracted a group of fearless fans who were drawn by her looks and there were countless people trying to pick her up these days . It was a sight that Xia Menghuan had grown accustomed to .

However, the peach blossom today was……

Xia Menghuan felt that the atmosphere between the two of them were a little odd . Thus, she did not continue speaking and quietly observed from the side .

After seeing Bian Cheng, Tang Xue kept silent for a while . Finally, she opened her mouth . “Why are you here?”

“I’m at your school to partic.i.p.ate in a speech compet.i.tion . ”

“Oh . When did you arrive?”

“I just reached not long ago . ”

There was still a faint smile on his face . Soft, clean and patient, anyone looking at this smile would instantly feel that he was someone good-tempered . Tang Xue was suddenly struck by the memory of him smiling at her in the same way three years ago .

She felt a little uncomfortable and scratched her head, not knowing what to say . At this moment, she saw Li Yubing . Like a whale taking a casual swim across the ocean, that rascal cycled past her in a leisurely manner that was the very essence of carefreeness……

She felt a little uncomfortable and scratched her head, not knowing what to say . At this moment, she saw Li Yubing . Like a whale taking a casual swim across the ocean, that rascal cycled past her in a leisurely manner that was the very essence of carefreeness……

Tang Xue immediately called out . “Hey, Li Yubing . ”

Screech——

Li Yubing braked swiftly . He turned to look at her with one brow raised .

Tang Xue winked at him .

Xia Menghuan was very impressed with Tang Xue and Li Yubing . Bees needed to dance in the air to communicate with each other . When it came to the two of them, they could understand each other perfectly with just a single expression . What’s more, their communication was encrypted so that onlookers could not tell what was going on .

At Tang Xue’s wink, Li Yubing turned his bicycle . With one foot on the ground, he looked at her pointedly before doing the same to Bian Cheng . He asked, “No introductions?”

“This is my high school cla.s.smate, Bian Cheng . ”

Bian Cheng looked at Li Yubing, his eyes quickly sweeping across Li Yubing’s entire person . “Hi, I’m Bian Cheng . ”

“I’m Li Yubing . ” Li Yubing felt that Bian Cheng’s gaze was not very friendly but he did not care .

Bian Cheng was a guest from afar after all . Being the local resident, it would be inexcusable for Tang Xue to not at least treat him to a meal . Therefore, the bunch of them decided to head over to the Sky Yard .

Tang Xue held onto her bicycle at the side of the road as she and Li Yubing waited for Bian Cheng to rent a bicycle . As for Xia Menghuan, she did not need her own bicycle as the rear seat of Tang Xue’s bicycle was practically labelled with her name .

Tang Xue looked at Li Yubing and soundlessly mouthed a word to him .  Thanks .

Li Yubing raised a finger to beckon her over .

Tang Xue a.s.sumed that he wanted to tell her something . Therefore, she leaned over and faced her ear towards his face .

Li Yubing pinched her cheeks like he would pinch a piece of dough . Then, hand still on her face, he shook her head left and right .

Tang Xue could clearly hear a soft rumble of laughter from his throat .

“Lunatic,” she said .

After obtaining a bicycle, Bian Cheng straightened up and turned back just in time to see this sight . His expression darkened .

Xia Menghuan watched Tang Xue and Li Yubing’s interaction . For some inexplicable reason, she felt that her presence was not needed here . She had never so strongly look forward to Liao Zhenyu’s arrival as she did now . That way, she won’t be the only one fading into the background .

As if he had heard Xia Menghuan’s summon, Liao Zhenyu valiantly appeared while riding his white bicycle . He yelled from afar, “Boss, what are we eating today?”

As if he had heard Xia Menghuan’s summon, Liao Zhenyu valiantly appeared while riding his white bicycle . He yelled from afar, “Boss, what are we eating today?”

The five of them gathered for lunch . After a while, Zhou Ran arrived as well .

This could not be helped . Only the four of them from their high school year one cla.s.s entered RCU . It would be inexcusable to purposely miss anyone out now that they were hosting lunch for Bian Cheng .

Zhou Ran saw Bian Cheng after reaching the Sky Yard . It was not clear if she was doing this intentionally but right in front of Li Yubing and Tang Xue, she groused, “Bian Cheng, what a friend you are; heading to find Tang Xue immediately after getting off the plane and not even bothering to reply my message . ”

“I’ve replied,” As Bian Cheng spoke, he poured a cup of water for her .

Li Yubing went straight to the point . He gave a faint smile and remarked, “Phrasing things like this—aren’t you afraid of making me jealous?”

Zhou Ran was startled . “Eh, I didn’t mean it this way! Ice G.o.d, please don’t overthink……”

His arms crossed, Li Yubing nudged his chin towards the seat at the side . “I’m just joking . Sit . ”

Zhou Ran sat down immediately . After sitting down, she was annoyed at herself for being so obedient . It felt like she was Li Yubing’s lackey who was at his beck and call .

Out of the six of them, four of them were high school year one cla.s.smates . Seated together like this, they subconsciously gathered and started reminiscing about the highlights of their past .  This translation is meant to be published only on teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .

From their words, Li Yubing heard about Tang Xue’s numerous exploits during high school .

How she distracted other students during self-study period by eating cup noodles secretly and making everyone crave for food…

How she broke the window of the sports equipment room and was tasked by the teacher to repair it; while other students were attending lessons, she was hammering away noisily at the window…

How she scaled the school wall to buy meat skewers before scaling back and eventually delivering meat skewers to the entire cla.s.s; afterwards, everyone voted for her to be the cla.s.s monitor…

How she stole the school princ.i.p.al’s rabbit…

Li Yubing was drinking water . Upon hearing this, he straightaway choked and coughed heavily for some time before regaining his breath .

Then, he asked incredulously, “Why did you steal someone’s rabbit?”

“I’ve said this so many times—I didn’t steal it . ” Tang Xue’s face was filled with exasperation . “It ran out by itself . If I didn’t pick it up, it would have frozen to death . I only brought it home . As the story spread and spread, it somehow became that I stole the rabbit……”

Li Yubing could almost imagine how Tang Xue looked like while picking up the rabbit . No, not only so . He could also imagine how she looked like while up to various mischiefs—how she looked like while buying the meat skewers, how she looked like while eating cup noodles furtively, how she looked like while hammering the window…… no matter what she was up to, he could clearly visualize it all .

However, this was something that he could only imagine .

That was such a long period of their youth……

However, this was something that he could only imagine .

That was such a long period of their youth……

He suddenly felt a little vexed .

Zhou Ran propped her chin on her hand and surveyed everyone with a smile . She commented, “Hey, do any of you remember what Tang Xue’s nickname was?”

Liao Zhenyu wanted to cut her off . However, she answered her own question immediately without waiting for anyone to reply . “It’s ‘She-hulk’[3] . I wonder who came up with this nickname . Tang Xue is much skinnier now, though . ”

Li Yubing looked at Tang Xue and saw that she looked upset . He raised his hand and gave her head a rub . He laughed . “She-hulk? Huh, find someone taller than her by 20 cm . She’ll never be more than a little chick . ”

Originally, Tang Xue was going to call Zhou Ran out . Upon hearing Li Yubing’s words, her heart heavily thumped .

She would die before admitting it but she felt a teeny bit attracted for a moment……

Translator’s Notes:

[1] Sir Run Run Shaw (Shao Yifu) was a Hong Kong entertainment mogul and philanthropist who donated billions of dollars to educational inst.i.tutions in Hong Kong and mainland China . More than 5,000 buildings on Chinese college campuses bear his Chinese name, “Yifu”, which has become so commonly seen that students mistake it as a generic name for a building . – Source: Wikipedia

[2] Peach blossoms symbolize love and blossoming romance in Chinese culture .

[3] For those curious, the Chinese nickname given to Tang Xue is 高大壯 (gāo dà zhuàng), which are the characters for “tall”, “large and “strong” respectively . It doesn’t sound that bad but was probably very efficient at damaging a teenager’s self-esteem . This was probably a play on the Chinese “ideal” for woman, 白富美 (bái fù měi), which means “pale”, “rich” and “beautiful” .

A Chinese reader’s comment: Why do I feel like Tang Xue is attracted to guys like Yu Yan and Bian Cheng because this was how Li Yubing was like in the past…

Xing: I wonder how many people dropped this novel because of Tang Xue’s behaviour in the earlier chapters . As the novel develops, I personally find a certain appeal to Tang Xue’s character even though some of her actions honestly make you go “wtf” .

Xing & Souhi’s Ramblings (Unrelated to novel . Skip if you want!)

Translating this chapter really brings back some memories . I was the quiet and well-behaved cla.s.s introvert but I do remember smuggling a hamburger into cla.s.s by squis.h.i.+ng it into my handphone pouch .

Souhi: I was late for school and brought fries into cla.s.s, successfully distracting the back row .

Xing: Souhi also once told the school discipline master that she was late because the lift broke down, which blew my mind at how great of an excuse it was . Go big or go home .

Souhi: It did break down . Just not on the day I was late .

Chapter 34 – Those times (Translated by Xing and edited by Souhi).

During supper, it was obvious that Tang Xue was in low spirits . Both Li Yubing and Yu Yan did not know what had happened in the past and were unable to comfort her . Li Yubing thought of asking her to drink a little but did not say it as Yu Yan was present

After returning to his dorm at night, Li Yubing texted Liao Zhenyu

Li Yubing: Who’s Bian Cheng?.

Liao Zhenyu: My high school cla.s.smate . Why are you asking?.

Liao Zhenyu: Did my boss mentioned him to you?.

Li Yubing: He’s coming to RCU

Liao Zhenyu: Why?.

Li Yubing: Not Sure

Liao Zhenyu: Lemme ask

Liao Zhenyu contacted several old cla.s.smates before finally finding out what was going on . He quickly contacted Li Yubing to share the news: It’s for an English speech compet.i.tion . The National Finals are held at our school this year . I had forgotten that Bian Cheng’s English is really good

Li Yubing: Mm

Li Yubing checked the schedule of the English speech compet.i.tion . The finals would take place on the morning three days from now . This meant that the person named Bian Cheng would arrive at RCU latest by the day after tomorrow

Tang Xue did not seem like she would initiate contact with Bian Cheng . The issue now was if he would pester Tang Xue…….

Li Yubing sat on the chair with his legs crossed, deep in thought as he held his chin . With his slightly narrowed eyes and subconscious movements of rubbing his lips with his slender fingers, he looked like a pervert

Old Deng walk into the room and saw this sight . His image of Li Yubing as a “SM-obsessed tyrannical CEO” cemented . This wasn’t something he made up—all of the roommates had seen the black handcuffs hidden in Li Yubing’s wardrobe . The first time Li Yubing took out that pair of handcuffs, everyone got a shock . Tsk tsk tsk, never judge someone by their appearance indeed!.

After they got over their shock, they rejoiced that Li Yubing was straight . Otherwise, based on his physique, it was a piece of cake for him to beat the three of them up!.

——.

The next two days, Li Yubing was like a patrolling lion . His movements were furtive and suspicious, and he kept appearing near the places where Tang Xue had her lessons

The first day, he did not discover anything unusual . During noon on the second day…… heh, here it comes

Li Yubing sat on his bicycle with one foot on the ground . His arms were crossed as he observed the guy standing at the Yifu building[1] entrance

The guy was around 1 . 75 m and wore a pair of silver spectacles . His appearance was clean-cut and gave off the impression of an accomplished scholar

Li Yubing could not explain why he had such a strong feeling that this person was the legendary Bian Cheng

After seeing Bian Cheng, Li Yubing thought of Yu Yan and could not help curling his lips in disdain . That fellow only had one taste and her taste was horrible

“Riiing”——The bell indicating the end of cla.s.ses rang

The guy neatened his clothes and glanced towards the doorway

…….

Tang Xue was currently discussing what to have for lunch with Xia Menghuan . “Vermicelli or rice… of course we’ll have rice . I want to eat red braised pork belly and Kung Pao chicken, and also ——” When they reached the entrance, Tang Xue raised her head and suddenly stopped speaking .  This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com

Xia Menghuan felt a little strange . She turned towards the direction Tang Xue was staring at and saw a neat and refined looking guy

The guy smiled at them . Then, he called out, “Tang Xue . ”.

Xia Menghuan lightly tiptoed and furtively leaned next to Tang Xue’s ear . This was a very obsequious action . She has no idea what came over her lately but she was having fun acting this way . “My king, you have yet another peach blossom[2] . ”.

Tang Xue was now famous after partic.i.p.ating in “Campus Idol” . She had attracted a group of fearless fans who were drawn by her looks and there were countless people trying to pick her up these days . It was a sight that Xia Menghuan had grown accustomed to

However, the peach blossom today was…….

Xia Menghuan felt that the atmosphere between the two of them were a little odd . Thus, she did not continue speaking and quietly observed from the side

After seeing Bian Cheng, Tang Xue kept silent for a while . Finally, she opened her mouth . “Why are you here?”.

“I’m at your school to partic.i.p.ate in a speech compet.i.tion . ”.

“Oh . When did you arrive?”.

“I just reached not long ago . ”.

There was still a faint smile on his face . Soft, clean and patient, anyone looking at this smile would instantly feel that he was someone good-tempered . Tang Xue was suddenly struck by the memory of him smiling at her in the same way three years ago

She felt a little uncomfortable and scratched her head, not knowing what to say . At this moment, she saw Li Yubing . Like a whale taking a casual swim across the ocean, that rascal cycled past her in a leisurely manner that was the very essence of carefreeness…….

Tang Xue immediately called out . “Hey, Li Yubing . ”.

Screech——.

Li Yubing braked swiftly . He turned to look at her with one brow raised

Tang Xue winked at him

Xia Menghuan was very impressed with Tang Xue and Li Yubing . Bees needed to dance in the air to communicate with each other . When it came to the two of them, they could understand each other perfectly with just a single expression . What’s more, their communication was encrypted so that onlookers could not tell what was going on

At Tang Xue’s wink, Li Yubing turned his bicycle . With one foot on the ground, he looked at her pointedly before doing the same to Bian Cheng . He asked, “No introductions?”.

“This is my high school cla.s.smate, Bian Cheng . ”.

Bian Cheng looked at Li Yubing, his eyes quickly sweeping across Li Yubing’s entire person . “Hi, I’m Bian Cheng . ”.

“I’m Li Yubing . ” Li Yubing felt that Bian Cheng’s gaze was not very friendly but he did not care

Bian Cheng was a guest from afar after all . Being the local resident, it would be inexcusable for Tang Xue to not at least treat him to a meal . Therefore, the bunch of them decided to head over to the Sky Yard

Tang Xue held onto her bicycle at the side of the road as she and Li Yubing waited for Bian Cheng to rent a bicycle . As for Xia Menghuan, she did not need her own bicycle as the rear seat of Tang Xue’s bicycle was practically labelled with her name

Tang Xue looked at Li Yubing and soundlessly mouthed a word to him .  Thanks

Li Yubing raised a finger to beckon her over

Tang Xue a.s.sumed that he wanted to tell her something . Therefore, she leaned over and faced her ear towards his face

Li Yubing pinched her cheeks like he would pinch a piece of dough . Then, hand still on her face, he shook her head left and right

Tang Xue could clearly hear a soft rumble of laughter from his throat

“Lunatic,” she said

After obtaining a bicycle, Bian Cheng straightened up and turned back just in time to see this sight . His expression darkened

Xia Menghuan watched Tang Xue and Li Yubing’s interaction . For some inexplicable reason, she felt that her presence was not needed here . She had never so strongly look forward to Liao Zhenyu’s arrival as she did now . That way, she won’t be the only one fading into the background

As if he had heard Xia Menghuan’s summon, Liao Zhenyu valiantly appeared while riding his white bicycle . He yelled from afar, “Boss, what are we eating today?”.

The five of them gathered for lunch . After a while, Zhou Ran arrived as well

This could not be helped . Only the four of them from their high school year one cla.s.s entered RCU . It would be inexcusable to purposely miss anyone out now that they were hosting lunch for Bian Cheng

Zhou Ran saw Bian Cheng after reaching the Sky Yard . It was not clear if she was doing this intentionally but right in front of Li Yubing and Tang Xue, she groused, “Bian Cheng, what a friend you are; heading to find Tang Xue immediately after getting off the plane and not even bothering to reply my message . ”.

“I’ve replied,” As Bian Cheng spoke, he poured a cup of water for her

Li Yubing went straight to the point . He gave a faint smile and remarked, “Phrasing things like this—aren’t you afraid of making me jealous?”.

Zhou Ran was startled . “Eh, I didn’t mean it this way! Ice G.o.d, please don’t overthink……”.

His arms crossed, Li Yubing nudged his chin towards the seat at the side . “I’m just joking . Sit . ”.

Zhou Ran sat down immediately . After sitting down, she was annoyed at herself for being so obedient . It felt like she was Li Yubing’s lackey who was at his beck and call

Out of the six of them, four of them were high school year one cla.s.smates . Seated together like this, they subconsciously gathered and started reminiscing about the highlights of their past .  This translation is meant to be published only on teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com

From their words, Li Yubing heard about Tang Xue’s numerous exploits during high school

How she distracted other students during self-study period by eating cup noodles secretly and making everyone crave for food….

How she broke the window of the sports equipment room and was tasked by the teacher to repair it; while other students were attending lessons, she was hammering away noisily at the window….

How she scaled the school wall to buy meat skewers before scaling back and eventually delivering meat skewers to the entire cla.s.s; afterwards, everyone voted for her to be the cla.s.s monitor….

How she stole the school princ.i.p.al’s rabbit….

Li Yubing was drinking water . Upon hearing this, he straightaway choked and coughed heavily for some time before regaining his breath

Then, he asked incredulously, “Why did you steal someone’s rabbit?”.

“I’ve said this so many times—I didn’t steal it . ” Tang Xue’s face was filled with exasperation . “It ran out by itself . If I didn’t pick it up, it would have frozen to death . I only brought it home . As the story spread and spread, it somehow became that I stole the rabbit……”.

Li Yubing could almost imagine how Tang Xue looked like while picking up the rabbit . No, not only so . He could also imagine how she looked like while up to various mischiefs—how she looked like while buying the meat skewers, how she looked like while eating cup noodles furtively, how she looked like while hammering the window…… no matter what she was up to, he could clearly visualize it all

However, this was something that he could only imagine

That was such a long period of their youth…….

He suddenly felt a little vexed

Zhou Ran propped her chin on her hand and surveyed everyone with a smile . She commented, “Hey, do any of you remember what Tang Xue’s nickname was?”.

Liao Zhenyu wanted to cut her off . However, she answered her own question immediately without waiting for anyone to reply . “It’s ‘She-hulk’[3] . I wonder who came up with this nickname . Tang Xue is much skinnier now, though . ”.

Li Yubing looked at Tang Xue and saw that she looked upset . He raised his hand and gave her head a rub . He laughed . “She-hulk? Huh, find someone taller than her by 20 cm . She’ll never be more than a little chick . ”.

Originally, Tang Xue was going to call Zhou Ran out . Upon hearing Li Yubing’s words, her heart heavily thumped

She would die before admitting it but she felt a teeny bit attracted for a moment……. This is an original work of 酒小七 (Jiu Xiaoqi) translated by Tea Fragrance . If you are not reading this at teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation has been reposted without the translator’s consent . Head there for extra content or to leave feedback and comments on the novel translation .

Translator’s Notes:.

[1] Sir Run Run Shaw (Shao Yifu) was a Hong Kong entertainment mogul and philanthropist who donated billions of dollars to educational inst.i.tutions in Hong Kong and mainland China . More than 5,000 buildings on Chinese college campuses bear his Chinese name, “Yifu”, which has become so commonly seen that students mistake it as a generic name for a building . – Source: Wikipedia.

[2] Peach blossoms symbolize love and blossoming romance in Chinese culture

[3] For those curious, the Chinese nickname given to Tang Xue is 高大壯 (gāo dà zhuàng), which are the characters for “tall”, “large and “strong” respectively . It doesn’t sound that bad but was probably very efficient at damaging a teenager’s self-esteem . This was probably a play on the Chinese “ideal” for woman, 白富美 (bái fù měi), which means “pale”, “rich” and “beautiful”

~.

A Chinese reader’s comment: Why do I feel like Tang Xue is attracted to guys like Yu Yan and Bian Cheng because this was how Li Yubing was like in the past….

Xing: I wonder how many people dropped this novel because of Tang Xue’s behaviour in the earlier chapters . As the novel develops, I personally find a certain appeal to Tang Xue’s character even though some of her actions honestly make you go “wtf”

Xing & Souhi’s Ramblings (Unrelated to novel . Skip if you want!). Translating this chapter really brings back some memories . I was the quiet and well-behaved cla.s.s introvert but I do remember smuggling a hamburger into cla.s.s by squis.h.i.+ng it into my handphone pouch

Souhi: I was late for school and brought fries into cla.s.s, successfully distracting the back row

Xing: Souhi also once told the school discipline master that she was late because the lift broke down, which blew my mind at how great of an excuse it was . Go big or go home

Souhi: It did break down . Just not on the day I was late