Not quite as bad as last post, but the emotions are still running strong in this one (mine included).
Chapter 16.2 – The Roles People Play (2)
This story was translated with the express permission of the author for hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com only. All forms of reproduction, redistribution, or re-posting are not authorized. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, the copy is unauthorized and has been taken without consent of the translator.
Please do not repost this anywhere.
Zhousheng Chen glanced over at the hospital bed and then shifted his gaze to Shi Yi.
She, too, was looking at him, her heart pounding. She knew, in Zhousheng Chen’s current emotional state, all those things Zhou Wenchuan had once done to her… and all those things Wenxing had once done to her, he would most definitely attribute them all on Zhou Wenchuan now.
With difficulty, Shi Yi made herself breathe as she stared unblinkingly at him.
“Xiao Chen…” Pale-faced, Zhousheng Chen’s mother watched him, her legs scarcely able to hold her up. “Mom is begging you, please put the gun down, okay?… Xiao Chen…”
No one dared to speak.
Zhousheng Chen stood there, his entire body seemingly one with the gun, and he seemed to easily cause the air pressure in the room to drop to the lowest possible. Behind the thin lenses of his glasses, no traces of emotional turmoil could be seen in his eyes.
Because he was carrying Wang Man, a large part of Zhou Wenchuan’s own pants were also stained with blood. “Zhousheng Chen, you pointing a gun at me now, is that for Wenxing? Or is it for your wife? Wenxing’s gone. You can finally settle the score with me now, huh?”
Zhou Wenchuan gave a couple of laughs, and then, tears started to fall.
Wang Man was biting down hard on her own lip, and in his embrace, her facial features were contorted in agony.
He held tightly to the woman in his arms. At last, through clenched teeth, he, one word at a time, begged for mercy. “If you let me go save Wang Man, I will return and pay you back with my life.” As he spoke, he suddenly dropped to his knees. It was clear his hatred was so intense he wanted to kill, yet still, he knelt before Zhousheng Chen. “Eldest Brother, I beg you, let me go…”
“Xiao Chen…” Zhousheng Chen’s mother choked through her weeping, but she dared not take a single step forward for fear that Zhousheng Chen might do something. “Xiao Chen… The drugs your little brother gave Wenxing really weren’t the cause of her death. And as for Shi Yi… Those things that happened to Shi Yi didn’t have anything to do with your brother either… Listen to Mom. Aside from that one incident in Wuzhen, everything else was Mom’s doing. They had absolutely nothing to do with your little brother…”
A plea through choking sobs, and Wang Man’s moans of anguish.
Wenxing’s recording played over and over again in Shi Yi’s mind.
All truths would eventually be known, but it should not be by Zhousheng Chen, the one who loved Wenxing so much…
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. Translated with the express permission of the author for hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com only. Please do not repost this anywhere, including, but not limited to, on Wattpad, on personal blogs, as distributable electronic files, etc.
Only silence that would not dissipate permeated that moment of life and death.
After an endless standstill, Zhousheng Chen finally lowered the gun in his hand down slowly.
Without any delay, Zhou Wenchuan strode out of the room carrying Wang Man in his arms.
He and Wang Man were both persons being monitored by authorities, so under the observation of police officers, he set Wang Man down on a gurney. Immediately, doctors rushed over and pushed the gurney into the elevator, leaving that hospital floor.
In the instant the elevator doors closed, the strength seemed to go out of Zhou Wenchuan’s arms. Bending over, he hugged Wang Man and tears slipped out, falling onto her. “Man Man, thank you. Once we get through this, we’ll still have our chance…”
While he was speaking, he had already buried his face on Wang Man’s arm.
Wang Man’s face was pale from the pain, but still, she held him tightly to her. With his own hands, he had given her the drugs to induce the abortion. When life and death were separated by merely a thin line, she had needed to wager herself and her child, to gamble on Zhousheng Chen’s conscience and compassion. Even if she was insignificant in all this, if she could add even the lightest of burdens on him… Tong Jiaren had already proposed to dissolve their marriage, so now, she was the only person remaining by Zhou Wenchuan’s side who could support him.
She gripped his arm tightly, helping herself reduce the pain ever so slightly, and gradually slid into unconsciousness
……
Feebly, Zhousheng Chen’s mother sat down again, speaking quietly to Wenxing, who was still on the bed.
The atmosphere in the room was too suffocating. The feeling of immense shock that had come after the feeling of immense grief was somewhat too great to bear for Shi Yi. She deleted Wenxing’s recording and set the mobile phone down beside the window. Then, she walked over and quietly stood close beside Zhousheng Chen.
Outside the hospital room, Uncle Lin was meticulously attending to Wenxing’s after-death arrangements.
Steadily, time slipped by, seemingly very fast, yet also very slowly.
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By the time all had been arranged, Wenxing was taken from the hospital, and it was planned to bury her in Zhenjiang. When everyone left the hospital, it was already four thirty in the morning.
Right before the arrival of dawn, the darkest hour of a day.
Zhousheng Chen’s mother was staying behind at the hospital to be with Zhou Wenchuan and Wang Man. As they stepped out of the hospital building, the officers standing guard on the first floor began to carry out their routine business and stepped forward to ask for and record the planned destination of each person after they left this place. Mei Xing remained silent during their entire questioning, and so, conflict broke out right then between them. Pulling aside his own colleagues, Du Feng stepped up and said, “My apologies, Mr. Zhousheng, Mr. Mei. We only need to understand where each of you is heading. It’s routine procedure, that’s all.”
Zhousheng Chen glanced briefly at Du Feng, and then Uncle Lin immediately stepped forward to negotiate with him in low tones.
Only Uncle Lin separated Du Feng’s group of people from Zhousheng Chen and the others, but throughout the entire process, there was not any form of verbal communication between the two groups. In that oppressive silence, a commotion suddenly started up behind Du Feng.
Shi Yi heard an extremely familiar voice. Hong Xiaoyu?
Du Feng also heard it at the same time she did and immediately turned around, brushing aside everyone. While gesturing to the person restraining Hong Xiaoyu to let her go, he quietly instructed the others around him, “Every Zhou family member who leaves this place must be followed by a team of people––“
A loud smack rang out, completely cutting off Du Feng’s words.
Hong Xiaoyu had shoved aside Du Feng’s colleague and slapped Du Feng violently across the face.
Shock came over everyone present.
“Hong Xiaoyu, don’t go causing trouble, making a scene here ––“ Du Feng forced himself to keep a check on his emotions, inhaling a deep breath.
The next second, Hong Xiaoyu had hurled her camera at him. “Screw you, Du Feng!”
The distance between them was too close and Du Feng was unable to dodge it. The camera slammed into his forehead, and instantly, blood began to stream down.
Hong Xiaoyu also froze in shock.
Tears sprang from her eyes, and she stared dazedly at him for three second, then turned and rushed over to Shi Yi.
All those highly-trained police officers were stunned by this scene of nonsense and forgot to restrain her. Before Shi Yi could react, she had already pulled Shi Yi into a bear hug. Even though she was still crying, in a trembling voice, she told Shi Yi nonstop, “Shi Yi, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know at all. I was here on assignment for a story. I knew there was trouble for the Zhou family and knew there were police… Shi Yi, Shi Yi, I didn’t know he’s a cop. I didn’t know this b*stard wanted to harm you. Shi Yi, don’t be scared. I’ve always protected you since we were kids. I won’t let him do anything to you…”
Shi Yi hugged her, repeatedly telling her, “Alright, alright. It’s okay, it’s okay.”
When Du Feng’s colleagues all heard this string of words, they at last understood the basics of the situation. But they were rather speechless about this woman who had suddenly charged out. They were clearly only doing their jobs, but this woman was taking things that were right and twisting them to say they were wrong.
Harm the Zhou family?
Since they had begun their investigation of the Zhou family, it could truly be said that every step had been difficult. Finally, they had managed to make some progress, even chancing upon the situation where there were problems internally between the people within that family, and it was a time where they could stir up more confusion. But then, this woman who knew absolutely nothing about the situation suddenly popped out of nowhere… And from the looks of it, she was their leader’s woman, too…
Someone told Du Feng to treat his wound, but Du Feng only pulled out a handkerchief and hastily pressed it against his wound. “All of you, pull that woman away! Also, once you have catalogued everyone, let them leave but have a team monitoring them.”
Hong Xiaoyu was immediately dragged away by two people.
Shutting his eyes quickly, Du Feng wiped away the blood obstructing his vision. “Mr. Zhousheng, we are simply following our procedures.”
Zhousheng Chen finally spoke up. “It is alright. We will do our best to work with you.”
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Since, after all, the main focus of Du Feng’s monitoring was still Zhou Wenchuan, they were released to go very shortly. Shi Yi looked over at the people who were holding back Hong Xiaoyu. Her intuition told her that Du Feng would not truly make things difficult for her, so she followed Zhousheng Chen out of the hospital.
Worried that she might drag Hong Xiaoyu into trouble, she hurriedly sent her a text message: I am fine. Do not concern yourself with anything related to the Zhou family. Forget about this whole incident. I will take care of myself.
Then, she very swiftly turned off her mobile phone.
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Regarding Wenxing’s voice recording, Zhousheng Chen had only asked her about it on the day of Wenxing’s burial.
She did not tell him about its true content.
She had once thought she would never keep anything from Zhousheng Chen and would tell him all that she knew. But for this case, Shi Yi decided she would conceal it from him to the very end. Irrespective of how much of his mother’s words Zhousheng Chen had believed, he would never suspect Wenxing, who had already departed this life. And that was sufficient enough.
She did not want to repeatedly speculate and deliberate over the actions of someone who had already passed away.
Even more so, she did not want Zhousheng Chen to have to taste another form of sorrow.
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On the day of the funeral, surprisingly, the autumn sky was clear, the air was crisp, and it was a fine, sunny day.
The Zhou family burial ground was up in the mountains behind the temple where they had once gone to offer incense, and many of the family ancestors were buried there. Shi Yi stood there amongst the tombs that numbered many but were not crowded. All around, near and far, were people belonging to the Zhou family, and Mei Xing was the only outsider present.
Nobody had attempted to stop Mei Xing from being there. Each person who had experienced Wenxing’s final moments knew that he was the person she most wanted to see…
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Zhousheng Chen was garbed in a black suit and dress shirt, and from top to bottom he wore no other color. Shi Yi stood beside him, dressed also entirely in black, a black coat and long, black pants.
The mountains of late autumn always contained a breeze that would ceaselessly swirl up layers upon layers of fallen leaves.
Everyone was gazing at the tombstone, silently lost in his or her own thoughts.
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Wenxing.
I’ll tell you a secret.
In the underworld, there is a bodhisattva called Ksitigarbha, who once was incarnated as a woman. He has always been very merciful to the women who have passed on into death.
If there is a woman who has an ugly appearance and a body frail with sickness but has always strove to do good, and if she sincerely and earnestly bows down in reverence before the bodhisattva, in her next life, her appearance will be pleasing and her body will be healthy. If a woman is not ashamed that she is a woman, and if she sincerely and earnestly bows in reverence before the bodhisattva, in her next life, she will certainly be a woman with a prominent family background or perhaps even a noblewoman.
As long as there is goodness in her heart, mercy and kindness are more readily bestowed upon a woman.
Of all the things in this world, there is nothing greater than life and death.
I will not hold a grudge against someone who has already died. To die means that you have nothing to do with this life anymore.
I will never mention any of those things anymore, to allow what you once did to trouble and entrap your big brother. He loves you very much. Truly loves you very much. I cannot even speculate how much pain he would feel if he ever found out… If you truly want to make recompense to me, then watch over your big brother together with me.
This story was translated with the express permission of the author for hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com only. All forms of reproduction, redistribution, or re-posting are not authorized. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, the copy is unauthorized and has been taken without consent of the translator.
Additional Comments:
Despite having read this book many times, I usually skip the previous segment and this one. Therefore, while I had made a comment somewhere that I didn’t dislike Wang Man, that she was only a girl doing stupid things for love, I’m going to retract that because I forgot about this part when I made that comment. As a mother myself, never, ever could I even fathom killing my own innocent, unborn child (5+ months in!!). And for what? To create a scene so that the cold-blooded father can get off the hook for his wrongdoings.
Actually, I was again blubbering in tears this chapter, but it was for Hong Xiaoyu. To find out that the man you wish to spend the rest of your life with had only gotten close to you because he wanted to investigate your best friend’s hubby and his family… 😦 But that shock and betrayal didn’t overshadow her love for her friend, and my tears started to fall when she sobbingly hugged Shi Yi and declared she would protect her like she always had. What a wonderful friend.
I appreciate Shi Yi’s thoughts at the end of the chapter. When the book went to publishing, there really weren’t many changes made from the original version that had been posted online, mostly word-smithing, but Shi Yi’s thoughts here were changed, slightly but, I believe, made it more realistic. Aside from some subtle word changes, I’ve noted a few here. In the original version, Shi Yi had given her blessings/good wishes to Wenxing as she journeyed into the next life, but this was removed from the published book. Also, the two lines, “Of all the things in this world, there is nothing greater than life and death” and “I cannot even speculate how much pain he would feel if he ever found out…” were added. The sense that you got from the original was that Shi Yi had let go of her grudge to Wenxing and wished her well, wherever she may be. But, how many people can find out someone has been purposefully hurting you and still treat them like a friend? Here, Shi Yi chooses to let go of her grudge because she knows, having passed through reincarnation herself, that everything is inconsequential in the face of life and death when that person is gone. For Zhousheng Chen, not Wenxing, she will choose to forget and forever keep it all secret.
>Please read this at hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. Thank you.
Lastly, thanks for all your comments last post. I’m much better, although this post did me in again in a couple of places.
I know many of you had commented before that you liked Wenxing, and I carefully chose to keep silent and not respond to any of those. For those of you who never suspected Wenxing, the feelings of anger and betrayal are not surprising. During my initial read of Wenxing’s death, my reaction was quite similar to many of yours, and I do understand the mixed bag of reactions you all had. I had mentioned I had felt sadness and regret… not for her, though. It was for Shi Yi and Zhousheng Chen.
What translating has made me not just cognitively understand but truly experience is that the author has carefully planned out and given everyone their own story (Tong Jiaren, the crown prince, Wenxing, etc.). A person’s actions, motivations, situations, etc. all come with a story behind them. And though, ultimately, they are responsible for their own actions and will have to bear the consequences, their stories, to them, are deeply personal. We, as the readers, usually merely take on the role of the spectator. Allowing myself to truly try to immerse myself into Wenxing’s story was so difficult, emotionally. Frankly, I think what she did was… stupid. But I also felt the desperation. Desperate people can do stupid things and now, somehow, I do understand, if not agree.
In the end, I, myself, do not hate her, but I cannot like her either. Like the crown prince of the past (and yes, I understand the crown prince’s life was significantly worse), I can’t like either for the decisions they made but I do feel for the horribly sad stories behind their lives.
Anyways, enough babbling. Just needed somewhere to set down those emotions.
See you next post.
Completed:
1 of 1 Prologue
51 of 56 Main story segments
0 of 3 Epilogues
Fanatical 
September 12, 2015 at 8:02 am
Thankyou for the chapter hoju…..ahhh i just want to bubble wrap these two from the rest of the big bad world =/
September 16, 2015 at 6:55 am
You’re welcome. 🙂 Or at least, the big bad Zhou family.
September 12, 2015 at 8:12 am
Omg I have yet to actually read the first part of the chapter…just going to wait for the next part before reading all this angst in one sitting …but before that please don’t tell me there’s more angst to come T__T
Thanks for translating Hoju 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 6:58 am
The worst is over. You will like the coming update. In reality, the heartbreaking parts and even the maneuvering and pose struggles is such a small portion of this story. It’s just that two updates a week seems to drag it out.
You’re welcome. Happy reading next update. 😉
September 17, 2015 at 6:36 am
Oh great 🙂 that’s lovely to hear, thank you, now I can stayed tuned in again haha
September 12, 2015 at 8:22 am
Thank you for the chapter. Good work!
September 16, 2015 at 6:58 am
Thank you. 🙂
September 12, 2015 at 9:05 am
When I first read the name Hong Xiaoyu, I had no idea who she was…
September 16, 2015 at 6:58 am
Do you remember now?
September 16, 2015 at 7:00 am
Eeh, I don’t remember any scenes with Xiaoyu, but after reading the chapter I know she’s her friend >o<
September 16, 2015 at 7:38 am
Hong Xiaoyu, childhood friend of Shi Yi:
– In the very first chapter, she was the reporter doing the interview in Xi’an. Shi Yi tagged along with her to Xi’an. She’s also the one who helped Shi Yi initiate the invite to Qinglong Temple to Zhousheng Chen.
– After finding out Shi Yi was in Wuzhen for an event, she took advantage of it and got her good friend to book her a room, too, and she brought her new boyfriend, Du Feng (who turns out to be an Interpol agent) along with her. She was there when Xiao Ren gave a little pai gow “lesson.”
– She had lunch with Shi Yi when Shi Yi returned to work after recovering from the poisoning. It was at the lunch date she said Zhousheng Chen was like someone who “didn’t partake of the food of mere mortals.”
September 16, 2015 at 7:58 am
Oh ty ty!!
September 12, 2015 at 9:24 am
Thank you so much for the chapter!!! 😘😘😘
September 16, 2015 at 6:59 am
You’re welcome! 🙂
September 12, 2015 at 9:47 am
Thank you for the chapter 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 6:59 am
You’re welcome! 🙂
September 12, 2015 at 11:06 am
Thanks for the chapter. Throughly disgusted with Wang Man’s action. Hope that our couple will be able to move on and put this episode
behind them.
September 16, 2015 at 7:34 am
Shi Yi’s thoughts at the end show she will put it behind her. As for Zhousheng Chen, Shi Yi is choosing not to tell him because I’m sure, if he found out, it would be really hard to put it all behind him. 😦
You’re welcome!
September 12, 2015 at 11:59 am
Thanks for the chapter. Never imagine that the abortion is planned. What a despicable guy to use all means just to save his own life. And so stupid of Wang Man to danger her life and kill her baby for unworthy and no integrity man.
September 16, 2015 at 7:40 am
I know! I’ve never had anything good to say about Zhou Wenchuan. And there is a line that needs to be drawn for what you would do for love. Killing your baby crosses that line. ‘Nuf said.
You’re welcome.
September 30, 2015 at 8:12 am
Definitely agree with you two. I would never thought Wang Man would agree to do this. How stupid can she be!???! 😁 Love is blind & can be stupid, I suppose…
Thanks for this update, Hoju!
September 30, 2015 at 8:28 am
I have no respect or love left for this woman! how could she?!!
love does not justify the killing of your unborn child and for what? a spineless man that would have no qualms about killing his own child and endangering the woman he “loves”? solid!
On the other hand the child lucked out! better off that he/she died now instead of being born to a pair of worthless parents. Perhaps that child will now have the fortune to be born to loving and caring parents.
September 12, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Just wow. It cannot have been easy to translate this story. Thank you for your hard work and the time you must have took to get the voice right.
September 16, 2015 at 7:43 am
Definitely my most technically challenging translation to date. Thank you for the kind, kind words. 🙂
September 12, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Thank you. This was the shortest one life chapter ever.
September 16, 2015 at 7:44 am
Tehe… if these last two chapters were any longer, I don’t think I would have lasted.
You’re welcome!
September 12, 2015 at 3:15 pm
Thank you 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 8:49 am
You’re welcome!
September 12, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Thank you…SY knowing that his mother has been trying to harm her….
September 16, 2015 at 11:04 am
I don’t think Zhousheng Chen’s mother did anything to harm her, and Shi Yi knows that. She already knew from Wenxing that Zhou Wenchuan was in charge of the abduction and Wenxing did the drowning and poisoning. From Mei Xing, she learned that the Bremen gun fight was set-up by Wenchuan. So, she knows that the mother’s words were a fib, to distract Zhousheng Chen from pulling the trigger.
You’re welcome. 🙂
September 12, 2015 at 9:08 pm
As long as Shi Yi decided to forget and forgive, it’s no longer important who’s behind all. I find the culprit not single because the methods they used to get Shi Yi is so diverse. The gun incident should be the WC, the drowning is WX and the poisoning is the mom. Because I can’t believe a med student like WX poisoning someone for her selfish reason. I used to laugh when med school in our country needs psych exam before attending but this further proves it’s the right decision. Doctor occupation is indeed double edged sword.
September 16, 2015 at 11:11 am
Gun incident and attempted abduction — Zhou Wenchuan.
Poisoning and near-drowning — Wenxing.
It actually is sad, now that you mention it. Remember what Zhousheng Chen said about his sister? That despite having heart problems, her reason for entering med school was to “do more and help save a few more people.” That’s why Wenxing said how guilty she was about it. I believe the reason why Wenxing put herself also into life-threatening danger each time she endangered Shi Yi was partly out of guilt… like a form of punishment for herself. And yes, psychologically, she was probably just worn down. While the sad family background and animosity between the two brothers has been for a long time, Zhou Wenchuan only recently has been taking measures to the extreme, as per Tong Jiaren’s words. So, this might have been what pushed her into desperation.
September 12, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Thank you Hoju for this translation. I know this past two chapters had been hard for you as a translator nonetheless, you still did a wonderful job of translating them.
One thing I was right of ZSC’s mother wanted to hard SY but I would never thought WX will do something like this to hurt her own brother thinking that she was actually protecting him. She really had a very sick mind to think to hurt SY in order to protect her oldest brother.
September 16, 2015 at 11:21 am
Thank you. 🙂
I truly don’t believe Zhousheng Chen’s mother did anything to Shi Yi besides some mean words. It was not a confession by her in the hospital but a fib, trying to take on some responsibility of something, even though she had nothing to do with anything, so that Zhousheng Chen’s anger towards Zhou Wenchuan would lessen.
As for Wenxing, it’s a stupid thing to do. Somehow, it’s weird but really, in desperation, she was clinging to something — anything — that would stop this. Because if it all continued, there was a chance that one of her brothers would end up dead. 😦
September 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Thank you again Hoju.
I love all the shades of grey involved with this story. I find it interesting that there is so much debate on reader’s sentiments towards characters. Who we like, who we don’t, who we sympathize with, whom we despise. This story gives valid reasons for viewing most characters in different ways. There are two whom stand apart from this, in my opinion. Shi Yi is kind of perfect. That’s not a word I like to throw around, cause everyone has flaws. But I’d like to know what hers are. She is so magnanimous, kind and loyal. Her knowledge of her past life has helped, but she is a truly good person without greed or hatred. On the other end of the scale Zhou Wenchuan is completely without any redeeming qualities. He aborted his own baby to save his worthless life. All his actions have been from hatred, envy and greed.
Yay for Hong Xiaoyu. Shi Yi needs someone completely on her side, who will have her back no matter what.
I’m almost scared to see what happens next. Any more betrayals?
September 16, 2015 at 11:32 am
I agree. 🙂 And that’s why I said somewhere, I think MBFB would be kind of happy at the opinions people are expressing here because it shows she’s created real enough characters, despite the fantastical family infighting. Zhou Wenchuan… not much to say. Even his “love” for Wang Man is not above asking her to harm her body and abort their child.
Shi Yi is interesting. Her wisdom in how she approaches life does make her seem perfect. People and relationships are the most important. Everything else really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, hence no hatred or greed. I don’t think her final thoughts to Wenxing were necessarily an act of forgiveness, though. She just knows that, Wenxing is gone, heading into something completely unrelated to this life now, so to allow herself to dwell upon it would only trouble Zhousheng Chen. Shi Yi is perfect for her situation, her ability to not allow things to take away from her focus and just love and trust Zhousheng Chen. But to other people, she’s politely kind but aloof, strange, removed. Even Mei Lin made a comment that sometimes, Shi Yi just isn’t real.
I don’t think there’s anyone left to give a surprise betrayal, is there? :p
September 12, 2015 at 10:57 pm
Thanks for the chapter!
September 16, 2015 at 11:33 am
You’re welcome! 🙂
September 13, 2015 at 5:44 am
Thanks for translating, Hoju!
September 16, 2015 at 11:33 am
Thank you for reading! 🙂
September 13, 2015 at 6:29 am
What a big mess this is.
Thank you for another sad chapter.
September 16, 2015 at 12:07 pm
I have a rainbow for you next chapter, after all the storminess of these last two. 🙂
September 14, 2015 at 7:48 am
I saw the notification for a new chapter,but I kinda delayed it a bit knowing how the previous chapter had left off on. The picture depicts( I guess) a brighter tomorrow or the remains of the storm. There were so many thoughts that ran through me as I’ve read this.
Wang Man, how foolish I’ve found her. For the sake of love, she aborted the baby. I’m quite angry with Wenchuan.
I am unfamiliar with the laws and a bunch of things regarding abortion, but I remember there is the case when a woman cannot abort when she is pregnant with the baby for more than 2-3 months. I could be wrong. This is self-induced abortion in Wang Man’s case. Maybe this is a way to comfort myself,but I find that at least, the baby will not be born to that horrible man. Yet, a life is lost out of his fear for death with her “love”. How cowardly. A coward and a fool.
From my last post, I wished Wenxing lived. Even now, I still do. Do I like her now? No. Do I hold sentiments toward her? Yes. It is as you said: her decision was stupid and was due to desperation. I’ve had seen in real life and in fiction(tv shows, books,etc.) how those people choose their course of actions. Happy endings are rare for those people. I wanted a way for Wenxing to live, to see how her actions affected others and repent. However, I don’t agree with what she did. To me, she is neither a likeable or dislikable character. I’m glad how flawed she became. I don’t think her betrayal was such a big deal. I had suspicions. When you live with such a family, no one can truly be unselfish. Selfishness is such a human quality.
As for Zhousheng Chen and Shi Yi, I felt bad. Shi Yi now has to carry the burdens of keeping Wenxing’s secret. Hong Xiaoyu is such a loyal friend. A bright spark within the stiff atmosphere.
Thank you for the chapter. This story made me reflect upon life and I am glad I have stumble upon this story/your translations.
September 16, 2015 at 12:27 pm
😦 I don’t have much to say regarding Wang Man and Zhou Wenchuan except, I agree.
I, too, have personally seen in real life people who have made bad choices. One was removed from me by a couple degrees of separation, and this person’s final fate was like Wenxing’s. I didn’t even know him well, just remembered him from more innocent days. I remember the many “he deserved it!” comments left by bystanders on public forums and being struck by how I thought, yes, his choices were downright wrong, but so many things happened prior. What would have happened if something, even one thing in his history had been different?
And so, yes, I also wish that Wenxing had lived. You cannot say that the result was forced upon her for it was her own choices that lead to it, but I did not wish for death to be the final consequence of those choices. 😦 I very much agree with you, that “no one can be truly unselfish. Selfishness is such a human quality.”
I am very happy to hear that. 🙂
September 14, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Thank you hoju 😚😚😚
September 16, 2015 at 12:28 pm
You’re welcome, Lily. 🙂
September 14, 2015 at 3:34 pm
i really feel bad for shiyi and zsc. yet, i like this story.. this kind of obstacle will make their love stronger. im glad that shiyi stands by his side in this dark gloomy situation.. she can accept the fact so far, so she probably forgives but.. i dont think she will forget. especially her family, will they know about this situation???
even without sweet lovey dovey between this leads, but.. i still feel the romance between them.. ah.. i like this couple so much.. one of my fave novel couples for sure! so far, they are number 2 after hehe.. silent separation 😛
thanks hoju.. i really really like your translation.. fighting!
September 16, 2015 at 12:48 pm
I always have to think twice when it’s not your Eddie Peng profile pic staring at me. :p
I don’t think anyone could ever forget this sort of betrayal by someone you once viewed as a friend and ally. But to live life as if she’s forgotten and not allow it to affect her or Zhousheng Chen. That’s what she’s choosing to do.
🙂 So they next chapter should be right up your alley… :p
Thank you!
September 14, 2015 at 9:12 pm
ah, this chapter… yup i’ve never seen wang man the same way after my first reading of beautiful bones. Even though I avoided this chap, I still remembered that I didnt like her to the point i kinda skipped around the dress measuring chaps too.
I read up on her new novel and realized that it’ll likely be way more in the midst of all this ‘hei she hui’ activity than Beautiful Bones. Was her first book in the series like that too? Idk if it’s my type of book… and if so, I might have to follow your lead and just wait for the book to finish a good portion before jumping into the pit. I really like how Shi Yi doens’t really know what exactly was happening the whole time. ZSC does a good job of protecting her from it all 🙂
on a brighter note, xiao qu er released a photo of himself with a mask on today and I couldnt resist sharing. Ever since RRMY, I’ve been a big fan. From the comments it seems like he posts pics of just his eyes/upper face once in a while.
September 16, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Yes, the male lead in the first book is also of the Cheng family. The first book’s plot line is very much inclusive of guns, explosions, blood, etc. The female lead is also part of these families, the Nan family mentioned in Beautiful Bones. Yes, even after Zhousheng Chen’s mother tell her point blank what the family is about and she is conscious of what sorts of things do happen, he never lets her to see the true ugliness of it, nor does she ask or want to. And I’m actually glad about that. 🙂
I saw. 🙂 I think 曲爷 was one of the first people I followed on Weibo, second only to Mo Bao Fei Bao. I have seen a few pictures of him like that, but this latest one is a particularly good one. The last one, I think he was sick and was wearing one of those face masks to prevent the spread of germs.
September 30, 2015 at 8:23 am
Hoju, I want to see 曲爷’s picture but I don’t have weibo. 😂😂😂 What to do? What to do?
September 14, 2015 at 9:25 pm
Thank you for your translation
September 16, 2015 at 12:57 pm
You’re welcome! 🙂
September 15, 2015 at 1:16 pm
Thank you for your amazing translations. I really enjoy this story and its progression.
So heart wrenching at times, yet so satisfying.
I cannot believe that we are slowly approaching the end. I would love to read more about their relationship from their past life even knowing how it ended. There is something about it that makes you crave for more and wish that it ended differently.
September 16, 2015 at 1:02 pm
I’m very glad you’re enjoying the ride. 🙂
Their past life is sad, yet beautiful. The thing about their past life that carried over into their present day relationship is the stillness. Both in the past and present, they are so peaceful in each other’s presence. Actually, Mo Bao Fei Bao started this whole novel based on a scene from the past life. So, yes, there is something compelling about it. 🙂
September 16, 2015 at 10:16 am
Hi Hoju
Been a while since I posted a comment. Though it had been crazy time at work with days where I actually forgot about your scheduled post, reading each and every chapter helps in getting my mind distracted from work.
Though last few chapters have been an emotional ride, this chapter is sweet and romantic to some extend. Its nice to finally see the important of Shi Yi to Zhousheng Chen and how much he loves her.
Once again, thank you for all your hard work. Awaiting for the next chapter this Saturday.
Cheers 😘😙
September 16, 2015 at 1:17 pm
I’m glad this story can at least serve as a little breather for you amidst the craziness. 🙂 Hope things slow down a little so you can get some good rest.
I’m assuming you’re meaning the next chapter, 16.3? 😉 Yes, really do love it!
Thank you! See you next post. 🙂
September 17, 2015 at 8:38 am
Oh dear did not realized that I posted this in the wrong chapter. Yes indeed I was referring to the next chapter.
Hope you recover quickly. Xoxo
October 26, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Wang Man…girl I felt pity for you initially but to deliberately cause it for a murderer who killed his own sister *smh*
I understand Shi Yi’s choice but…man my sympathy for Wenxing is pretty low. That is some very messed up logic to ruin your health and attack your friend to manipulate your brother.
October 28, 2015 at 7:16 am
Yup, nothing I can say for Wang Man.
Shi Yi’s choice was not out of sympathy for Wang Man but out of concern for the devastation it would cause Zhousheng Chen if he found out the truth. 😦 If she had found out before Wenxing died, Shi Yi might have said something to Zhousheng Chen, but when death has already taken Wenxing and revealing the truth would change nothing and only cause hurt to the man she loved, she chose to remain silent and maintain the image of the innocent sister in his mind.
And yes, the logic is messed up… just plain stupid.
January 10, 2016 at 11:06 pm
I like the title for these chapters ‘The Roles People Play’ because it shadows so many characters: Wenxing betraying the trust of SY and ZSC, WengMan making that terrible choice to play the distraction, DuFeng as the duplicitous boyfriend, and even ShiYi as she chooses to omit the truth. It’s a overarching metaphor throughout the whole novel for me and it gives me a lot to think about. Every character has several hidden faces and you can’t dismiss or pin them down into one ‘role’. I actually like that ShiYi won’t ‘confess’ this hidden truth to ZSC – even though it throws a small barrier between them forever as it’s quite realistic. It’s stupid and illogical in a way, but it feels like something true to her character.
January 23, 2016 at 8:30 am
I’m reminded of something I once heard. Life is really just a series of roles and sometimes requires that you put on different masks for different situations. The “mask” you wear at work can be very different from the “mask” you wear in front of your in-laws. We like to think that there will be times when we can take all the masks off and that is the “real” you. But sometimes, when the mask has been worn too long, can you really still find what’s real and what’s not? For example Du Feng, his role was the duplicitous boyfriend, but in the end, did he have absolutely no feelings for Hong Xiaoyu?
Anyways, that wasn’t completely related to the novel but something that your comment triggered in me. I, too, like this little secret that the author created for Shi Yi. It’s very realistic as no relationship is completely transparent. It’s just not possible.
August 31, 2016 at 2:28 pm
I’m still quite confused… So, firstly, why did Wenxing do what she did? My understanding was that she wanted her brother to leave so that Zhou Wenchuan wouldn’t continue to fight with him. But then that leads to my second point, which is why Chen’s brother hated him so much. I highly doubt that it is simply for power. Could it also be because of Tong Jiaren’s continuing love for Chen? Thanks in advance for any answers!
September 3, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Your understanding of Wenxing’s motives are my interpretation as well. She was hoping that seeing the two people—herself and Shi Yi—constantly being in danger would cause him to be fearful, if not for himself, for them. Perhaps she was thinkin, that not being able to figure out where all the danger was coming from and knowing only that they were from somewhere within the family would be the catalyst that caused him to leave this family for good. And then, in her eyes, her brothers would no longer be fighting.
Of course, I personally think that’s a stupid thought. Even if Zhousheng Chen decided to turn his back, Zhou Wenchuan would never feel safe with the true heir alive and well somewhere, and he would find ways to kill him off to ensure that nothing would come back and bite him.
As for why Zhou Wenchuan hated his brother, I think it’s the feeling of always being lesser than him, always being a very, very distant second place. Actually, not even second place, considering his father (Uncle) probably more legitimately holds second place. Everything he desires, Zhousheng Chen has handed to him on a silver platter, and even worse, Zhousheng Chen doesn’t even want it and looks down upon it. Something you want so bad but will never be able to possess, in the eyes of someone, is worthless. Maybe, in his eyes, Zhousheng Chen is looking down upon him as being worthless, too. Obviously, Zhou Wenchuan has kind of lost some of his sanity and humanity along the way…
Zhou Wenchuan had no feelings for Tong Jiaren, I believe, as evident in their interactions. We don’t have any hints that there were any feelings for her. She was a marriage of convenience and politics, one that would create an alliance for him to the powerful Tong family (as described at the end of chapter 3.3).
Hopefully, this might help you out. Getting out of the fluffy mindset of my latest translation back into Beautiful Bones was a stretch.. LOL
October 5, 2016 at 6:03 pm
If I were SY I would have also concealed it from him, but I’m not sure I would have wholeheartedly forgiven Wenxing that quickly despite knowing her reasons.
As for Wenchuan he’s such a work of art, so he planned the abortion beforehand as a last resort?!
October 8, 2016 at 8:18 am
That’s what I was trying to say. The book was purposely modified so that SY did not say that she forgave Wenxing. She simply knew that, now that Wenxing had passed on, there was no point for her to continue dwelling on it because it would affect no one but herself and Zhousheng Chen.
Yes, he did. Nothing good to say about him.
October 23, 2016 at 7:52 am
I teared up a bit with Hong Xiaoyu’s scene. I was so sure that she’ll blame Shi Yi for what happened (like any other novels would have), but she didn’t. Shi Yi is lucky to have a friend like her.
Thanks a lot, hoju~
July 5, 2021 at 12:07 pm
I thought ZW gave that abortion when he found out about WM being pregnant. But I was wrong!! It happened in present!! How coldblooded! 😡 He selfishly killed his unborn baby just to get himself out of that situation and WM!! I’m speechless! I was disappointed when I found about her affair but now… I don’t think ZW loves her a bit. It was all acting
Wenxing… Shi yi took good decision not to tell Chen
August 28, 2021 at 1:09 am
Wow. WM and WC decided together this miscarriage situation?? Speechless on that.
Idk what I would have done in SY’s place about whether to reveal the truth or not.
On one hand I think he should know that his sister felt so desperate and loved her family so much she ws driven to this act. But on the other hand, if he knows the depth of her desperation it might push him over the edge and do something that might further entrench him with his family.
I would want him to know that there was a reason his mother is so reserved with him and not like a true parent all these years (birth secret). But then the pain from knowing a betrayal from someone you loved so dearly would also make me hesitate in telling him.
It’s a hard decision to make.
November 13, 2023 at 7:02 am
Surprisingly regardless of what she did, I can’t dislike Wenxing, I actually respect her a lot the fact that she struggled between her evil and good decisions at the same time. She never fully gave herself over to darkness.