Author: Vanilla Muse

Posted in Didn’t Love You Enough

Didn’t Love You Enough 23

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 23 – An Imperial Decree

July 7th, Qi Qiao Festival

The Royal Snack Kitchen was very busy. In addition to making cakes for the empress, they also needed to make a great amount of qiao guo*, to be sent to other palaces as gifts from the empress in celebration of the holiday.

[*T/N: 巧果 qiao guo – there is no English equivalent translation that I can think of. It’s a fried dough snack.]

The way to make qiao guo is: first put white sugar into the pot and melt it into a syrup, then mix in flour and sesame, combine well and then spread it out onto a flat surface to cool. After cooling, use a knife to cut it into squares, fold it and twist it into spindle shapes, and then deep fry until golden. It was not difficult to do, but the amount of work to be done was relatively large. Lin Jia Bao and the rest were busy from early morning till now.

“An Zhu, stop what you’re doing for now. Come with me to deliver the bird’s nest cake to the empress niang niang first.” Lin momo handed over a food box to An Zhu.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

“Yes. I’m coming, momo.” Lin Jia Bao put down the things in his hands and then went to wash his hands.

“Lin momo, how about you take me too?” Yu Long asked Lin momo. Today was the Qi Qiao Festival. She purposely wore the delicate embroidered pouch that she spent a long time embroidering, and wanted to show her face in front of the empress.

“No need. It’s fine with just An Zhu and me. The three of you pay attention to making the qiao guo.” Lin momo ignored her request. How could she not know Yu Long’s intentions?

Yu Long watched Lin momo and An Zhu leave, feeling indignant in her heart.

When Lin momo took An Zhu to the main hall of Yong Shou Palace, she saw Zhou momo waiting right outside the hall.

“Lin momo, you two are here. Both the empress niang niang and the crown prince are here, they’re waiting for your desserts.” Zhou momo gave Lin momo a meaningful glance.

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“This must be An Zhu. I heard from Lin momo that your skills are quite good.” Zhou momo said to An Zhu with a beaming smile. She was really satisfied with his appearance, and thought to herself that she should be able to report back on her mission with this.

“Greetings, Zhou momo.” Lin Jia Bao stepped forward to say hello to Zhou momo, and smiled shyly at her praise.

Lin momo walked in front. Suddenly she bent over cradling her stomach. “Oww, why does my stomach hurt so much all of a sudden…?”

Lin Jia Bao nervously supported Lin momo. “Momo, what’s wrong?”

“Ooh, my stomach suddenly feels uncomfortable, oww… An Zhu, ah, you and Zhou momo go in, ba. It’s too lacking in manners to go see the empress niang niang and crown prince like this.” Lin momo said to An Zhu.

“Lin momo, what will you do? Is it really bad?” Lin Jia Bao asked, not assured.

“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine after going to the restroom. Just go.” Lin momo said.

“Yes.” Lin Jia Bao carried the food box into the main hall with Zhou momo.

In the main hall, the empress and the crown prince were sitting and talking, when the empress spotted An Zhu coming in with the snacks. Lin Jia Bao stepped forward and knelt down to salute. “An Zhu of Royal Snack Kitchen, kowtows to empress niang niang and Your Royal Highness.”

“Rise.” The empress looked at him carefully. It was indeed as Zhou momo had said; he really was a child with a pleasing face.

The empress saw the magpie-shaped pastries on the plate. “What kind of dessert is this? The shape is very seasonal.”

[T/N: Magpies are associated with the Qi Qiao Festival. It is said that a flock of magpies fly together to form a bridge that reunites the two lovers, cowherd and weaver girl.]

“Replying to Your Majesty*, this is bird’s nest cake. It is made of maltose, crushed bird’s nest, sugar, and cake flour, and it tastes sweet. Today is the Qi Qiao Festival, so we specifically used the magpie mold.” Lin Jia Bao replied carefully.

[*T/N: The text and the characters often refer to her as 皇后娘娘 huang hou niang niang, which translates to “empress” (皇后 huang hou) and “suffix for empress / imperial concubine” (娘娘 niang niang), which I’ve been translating as “empress niang niang” in dialogue and “the empress” in text, but I decided to change it up to “Her/Your Majesty,” because “Your Majesty” matches more with “Your Royal Highness” (in reference to XYHC).]

The empress saw that he answered in an orderly manner, did not panic, and was not timid. She liked him a little more.

Xuan Yuan Han Cheng looked at Lin Jia Bao’s cute little face. “How long have you been in the palace? How do you feel about the palace? Are you used to it yet?”

“Replying to Your Royal Highness, An Zhu has been in the palace for more than a year. I am already accustomed to life in the palace. The palace is very good, and I have learned how to make snacks from Lin momo.”

Xuan Yuan Han Cheng asked again, “Where are you from? Where does your family live? Who else is in your family? Do you have any siblings?”

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

“An Zhu is from Pei County in Xu Province. My family is in Lin Jia Village, not far from Pei County. In my family there is my father and mother, I also have an older brother and two older sisters, and one younger brother and one younger sister.” Lin Jia Bao answered truthfully.

Everything that Lin Jia Bao just said, Xuan Yuan Han Cheng already knew. He watched his treasure speaking each word with his little mouth, and a passionate fire lit up in his heart.

“Your family is prosperous in children. Very good.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng put emphasis on the words ‘prosperous in children,’ speaking with ulterior motive.

The empress listened to the crown prince’s words, and nodded in satisfaction. “Your mother is very blessed.”

“Ha ha, you are also a blessed person. Take this, a reward for you.” Xuan Yuan Han Cheng gave a ruyi scepter jade pendant to Lin Jia Bao.

[T/N: The ruyi scepter is a symbol of power and good fortune. 如意 ru yi also means “as you wish” or “as you desire”]

Lin Jia Bao looked at the ruyi scepter jade pendant and froze.

“His Royal Highness is rewarding you. Quickly give thanks.” Zhou momo tugged on An Zhu.

“My thanks to Your Royal Highness!” Lin Jia Bao received the jade pendant and smiled sweetly. This was the first time he received a reward alone.

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Posted in Quickly Wear the Face of the Devil

FOD: Xue Zi Xuan 11.3

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 11.3 – Piano Competition

Unfortunately, the brother who was obsessed with music in her memories no longer existed. In the last life, after losing the teenager and the flexibility of his hands, Xue Zi Xuan abruptly discovered that music was no longer the only thing for him. So at this moment, he was not angry. He didn’t even frown.

“Go if you want. I’ll accompany you.”

Even if Xue Zi Xuan was worried, he could not find it in himself to refuse any request of the teenager.

Xue Jing Yi was angry and in disbelief. She held the invitation letter for a long time and could not speak.

Zhou Yun Sheng was very happy. He stood on tiptoes and kissed Xue Zi Xuan on the cheek, but the young man held the back of his head and kissed him passionately.

Xue Zi Xuan did what he said, and got an invitation letter that night, in exchange for serving as a judge in the adult category. He has retired (from music) and all of his performances have been cancelled. It was already an honor for the organizer if he were to show his face at the competition, never mind securing his participation throughout the whole process.

“I will practice the piano seriously from today on. You accompany me.”

Zhou Yun Sheng looked over the invitation letter again and again.

“Of course. But I must warn you, with your current level, I’m afraid that you won’t make it to the end of the competition.”

Xue Zi Xuan knew that the teenager always wants to be number one, either he won’t compete, or he will fight until the end. But the current him really did not have a chance of winning first place.

“What’s wrong with my level? I can play any difficult sound. Don’t underestimate me!” Zhou Yun Sheng really exploded.

He flipped open the piano cover and began to show off his fingering skills*. He played double notes, double tremolos, octaves, skip notes, touch sounds**… anything that could be played on the piano, he played them all.

[*T/N: Get your mind out of the gutter. XP 指法 refers to the dexterity and nimbleness of the fingers. It can apply to music, painting, keyboard typing, hand movements in dancing, and also the manipulation of acupuncture needles in traditional Chinese medicine.]

[**T/N: I don’t know anything about music, so forgive me if I translated anything incorrectly. And also, correct me. XD]

His fingers danced on the black and white piano keys like gorgeous blooming flowers. He moved so fast that one could only see the afterimages. He spread out his hands and played from high to low. He brought his hands together and played from the bass to the treble. His hair fluttered about, gradually getting messier and messier, until he looked a little like a madman.

The song came to an end, no, in fact, this was not a song, but an untuned melody composed by the boy, who had just combined all the difficult fingering exercises.

Zhou Yun Sheng raised his chin, straightened his spine, and looked directly at the young man with arrogant eyes, as if to say: did you see that, you mortal, this is my strength.

Xue Zi Xuan barely suppressed the chuckle that rose from his throat. Right now, the boy was like a rooster crowing proudly. If you said his crowing was not loud enough, he would definitely flap his wings and peck you.

His skills were indeed superb. In fact, he was able to assemble the smallest mechanical parts into sophisticated instruments, and he was fully capable of performing any difficult piano music.

But the problem was that he had no feelings.

The notes flowing from his fingertips were like computer-synthesized audio, rather than a performer’s comprehension of music.

Xue Zi Xuan didn’t know what was wrong with the boy in this life. Perhaps it was because he [XZX] had extinguished his [ZYS] love for the piano. Perhaps the study of mechanics made him stricter and more rigid. Or perhaps, his heart had never opened for anyone and has never accepted this world, so his playing style was ice-cold, precise, and mechanical. He seemed to have pulled himself out of everything, and he looked upon the world with the attitude of a spectator, including the Xue family, and including himself [ZYS].

The youth was sitting so close, but he felt so far away. Xue Zi Xuan could easily stretch out his hand and reach him, but he seemed to be unable to hold him firmly no matter what. As soon as such thoughts appeared, Xue Zi Xuan didn’t dare to think about it anymore.

He hugged the boy from behind. While gently sucking and kissing his slender neck, he softly praised: “Xiao Yi’s fingering skills is the best in the world.”

This was not a false statement. He could adapt the basic exercising drills and rearrange it into a new and extremely difficult piece according to his own ideas. The teenager’s fingering skills has already reached its peak. It was even slightly better than Xue Zi Xuan’s skills.

But the lack of emotions in his music was nevertheless a shortcoming. Xue Zi Xuan was considering how to point this out tactfully so that the baby in his arms would not explode.

He didn’t care whether or not the teenager could become a great pianist like in his previous life, or if the boy’s piano sound was cold and ruthless. What he fell in love with was the youth himself, and not the glowing halo attached to him. Even if the boy couldn’t read a music staff, so what? As long as the person was still in his arms, then all was well.

[T/N: I’m pretty sure ZYS can indeed read a music staff. But XZX is saying that even if ZYS were illiterate in music, he would still love him.]

After more than decades of waiting, and drowning again and again in painful memories, he reflected painstakingly on his affections to search for the origin. In the end, he understood what was real love, and how to love someone.

In his previous life, he realized this too late. But in this life, it was neither too fast nor too slow. The timing was just right.

Thinking of this, Xue Zi Xuan buried his face in the crook of the boy’s neck and smiled softly.

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Posted in Let Me Shoulder this Blame!

Let Me Shoulder this Blame! 90

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 90 (34.2)

The cardinal, who had planned everything properly, suddenly got worried. He looked out the iron window to the darkness outside and sighed very softly.

It looked like he would still have to try his best to survive. He must take care of the problem with the pope smoothly, and then find a way to extricate himself.

Just in case the Holy Paladin carelessly starved himself until petrification in some random place. He would have to personally hurry over there and kiss the paladin awake.

The paladin, who was slinking stealthily in the shadows with bread in his mouth, was coincidentally seriously worried about the same problem.

He couldn’t say for sure, but what if his experience points dropped to negative numbers once he reconnected with the network? Naturally, Su Shi was not resigned to such a possibility. Even the heavy responsibility of assassinating the pope has been tossed to the side. Regardless, he intended to flip over the protagonist’s pot first.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

Silently circumventing a team of guards, Su Shi swallowed the last bite of bread. He dexterously twisted his body and steadily landed outside the file library’s door.

He quietly opened the crystal door and was met with a dense darkness. Su Shi stepped inside with light movements and stood in front of a wall that was densely packed with files.

The law enforcement bishop had no right to decide the life or death of a prisoner, and the warrant to execute the prisoner must be written by the pope himself. The pope should personally bear witness and sign off on the prisoner’s crime. Then it would be sealed and put into the temple, and finally retrieved to be filed away here.

As long as these two files could be found then things would definitely take a turn for the better.

Although the system was disconnected, the offline functions were still there. The system quickly scanned the entire wall of dossiers and marked out the exact location of the two copies that he needed.

Su Shi was slightly relieved. He went over to collect the files and then stored them away on his person. He turned his body to go when he suddenly felt an intense chill go down his back.

He was instantly on high alert. Su Shi protected his neck with both hands and turned a circle on the spot. A fierce stab of pain suddenly erupted from his shoulder, making his vision turn black for an instant. He staggered and half kneeled on the floor.

“You really came.”

The pope slowly came out of the darkness. He looked at Su Shi with an inquiring gaze.

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A powerful force easily broke through his simple disguise, revealing a somewhat wan and delicately pretty face. Those dark eyes were clear and steady as they surveyed the pope. There wasn’t a thread of fear in those eyes.

Those exquisite eyes caused the pope to arch his brow.

He walked towards Su Shi, his expression full of interest: “I was baffled at first. Why would Esmond be willing to put his future on the line to help a common paladin get rid of his criminal charge?”

Su Shi did not utter a word. He braced against the floor to stand up. His expression did not waver, but there was a faint struggle in the depth of his eyes.

It was not time yet.

If things were still going according to the original plotline, then he could self-destruct with the pope at any time, and then toss the remaining mess to the protagonist to clean up.

But Esmond was still in jail right now, and the people still thought that the protagonist had ambitions to assassinate the pope. If the pope were to be met with any accidents at this time, then Esmond’s crime could not be washed away even with holy water.

His strength level could not compare to the pope’s. If he did not pull out some self-destructive forbidden technique right now, then he could only be slaughtered by the opponent.

There was no room to advance or to retreat*.

[*T/N: caught in a dilemma]

While Su Shi was struggling over what to do, the pope has already lost his patience. He no longer tried to have a meaningless conversation with the silent and recalcitrant paladin. His hands were still behind his back, but a black light suddenly shot out from him.

No matter what, Su Shi still had to try some token of resistance.

Su Shi took a deep breath, and attempted to transfer power within his body. But he suddenly felt something different. His eyes could not help but shake slightly.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

All of a sudden, there was an unfamiliar ice-blue cold light shielding him within its resplendent light. It easily repelled the black light blasting at him, and a glorious golden flame abruptly ignited.

In a flash, it burned the entire wall of files.

The dry parchment paper burned up from the tiniest of embers. In just a few counts, the fire ate up the surrounding walls, replacing the structure with walls of fire.

The pope’s complexion changed at once. He couldn’t bother to care about the paladin anymore. He hurried towards the files. Without care for himself, he threw the black light atop the flames, causing his expression to twist as if he was being burned, but he suppressed the fire even more ruthlessly.

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Posted in The Big Landlord

The Big Landlord 116.3

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 116.3 – Inviting Disaster

Lin Xin didn’t pay attention to his fourth concubine anymore. He called for several servants to come in and move out the dowry. Then he walked away with out looking back. His top priority was to make up for the missing dowry. Otherwise, the An family was very likely to use this as a pretext and make a fuss.

Fortunately, An Ke Xin’s dowry list was also there.

Lin Xin first had his servants move the other boxes to the main hall. Then he took two servants with him to go pick out things from the warehouse. Because he was not clear about the specific dowry that was lost, he could only make up for the rest using something similar.

After a lap around the warehouse, Lin Xin dared to ensure that the items he used as substitute was definitely a higher quality than the original dowry.

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In the main hall, just as Lin Xin’s parents could no longer handle the atmosphere around An Zi Ran and Fu Wu Tian, Lin Xin finally arrived leisurely with the last two boxes of dowry. One of the boxes was originally full. He did it like this in order to pull the wool over other people’s eyes.

“An Ke Xin’s dowry is all here. Not a single thing less.”

Lin Xin said calmly to An Zi Ran. He tried as hard as possible to make himself look magnanimous, so that An Zi Ran wouldn’t find something fishy with the box.

An Zi Ran glanced at him. Then he had the servants that came with him open the lids of the boxes. He roughly looked over the contents. “It is indeed An Ke Xin’s dowry, but…”

An Zi Ran stopped in front of the box that was emptied by the fourth concubine and then refilled by Lin Xin.

An Zi Ran’s sudden turn made Lin Xin clench his fists slightly, but Lin Xin didn’t know that the change in his demeanor had been noted by Fu Wu Tian who was standing behind An Zi Ran.

Fu Wu Tian stepped forward. “What’s wrong with this box of dowry?”

“There is a small problem.”

An Zi Ran bent over and picked up a string of coral prayer beads that was placed on top as a cover up. The jewelry that Lin Xin tried to hide underneath was all exposed in front of them.

Lin Xin was sure that An Zi Ran had found out.

An Zi Ran had a headache over An Ke Xin’s dowry for some time. He had picked out these things personally. Although it has been a while, he still had some impressions.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

Did Lin Xin think that putting something familiar on top would cover up the things that he substituted underneath?

“Lin gong zi, how do you explain this?”

An Zi Ran put the coral prayer beads back into the box, and then looked at Lin Xin’s face. His expression obviously revealed that there was something wrong. It was just a few boxes, but Lin Xin took so long to retrieve them.

“An gong zi, the dowry has already been returned to you. What else do you want to do? Could it be that you suspect the Lin family took your little sister’s dowry?”

Lin Xin’s mother did not understand the situation. She only remembered that her son warned her repeatedly that she must gain the initiative by striking first.

“Mother!” Lin Xin stopped her loudly. “Stop talking.”

Lin Xin’s mother looked at her son in a daze, not understanding why he wanted to stop her. Wasn’t he the one who told her to act like this? She wanted to ask, but Lin Xin’s father caught her by the wrist and shook his head at her.

Lin Xin was unable to explain and also he could not explain. If they let other people know that the fourth concubine he married was so uncultivated, it would also implicate the Lin family. Taking other people things without permission, this behavior was no different from a thief.

“If Lin gong zi cannot say it, maybe I can speak for Lin gong zi. This box of dowry was actually added by Lin gong zi. The reason is because the fourth concubine that Lin gong zi married in September stole my sister’s dowry and pawned it off outside. Moreover, it was not just one or two things, but an entire box. Am I right?”

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

An Zi Ran stared at Lin Xin with a cold and pressing gaze. The words he said doused Lin Xin’s entire body in cold sweat. He finally understood that An Zi Ran had come prepared. He already knew that Lin Xin’s fourth concubine had pawned off An Ke Xin’s dowry.

“How did you know about this?”

Lin Xin knew that he could not conceal the truth from An Zi Ran, so he spoke plainly. He was also very curious. Even he did not know about this matter, and An Zi Ran had only returned to An Yuan County for two days. It stood to reason that he should not have known so quickly.

An Zi Ran said lightly, “You think, who opened the pawnshop where your concubine sold the jewelry?”

Lin Xin’s face changed.

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Posted in This Alpha's Pheromones Are Exploding

This Alpha’s Pheromones 14

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 14 – Too Big to Eat

Qiu Jin walked upstairs with his luggage. When he opened the door, he realized that someone had already occupied the other bed with their stuff. Could it be that Ji Shenxiao had already arrived?

Well, it didn’t concern him whether the other person had arrived or not. Qiu Jin withdrew his gaze and quickly arranged his things. Originally, he had planned to apologize for his offense, but that man kicked him twice and had someone throw him out, so they could be considered as even.

This variety show was rather considerate. The camera crew did not follow him when he went upstairs, but Qiu Jin wasn’t sure if there was a camera installed in the room or not, so for the moment he wasn’t going to completely let loose.

Downstairs, Tan Yunting leaned against Shan Wen’s shoulder and grumbled somewhat: “I don’t like having Qiu Jin here.”

Qiu Jin’s black material* was everywhere. No doubt he had came here chasing after Xiang Xi. Who knew what kind of uproar he was going to create.

[*T/N: black material – online language for negative news about celebrities that damages their image]

“Be at ease. I am here.” Shan Wen touched his wife’s head. “Not to mention, Qiu Jin performed pretty well just now, didn’t he?”

Tan Yunting frowned: “But didn’t he come here to chase Xiang Xi?”

Shan Wen: “I think Qiu Jin is not bad, do you want to gamble with me?”

This was a little fun thing that they did as husband and wife. Tan Yunting did not reject. Her spirits lifted.

Shan Wen thought for a while and said: “If Qiu Jin performs well, then after the show ends you have to give the kid some praise on Weibo. If he is really terrible, then I will hate him with you.”

This transaction was not a lost. Tan Yunting straightforwardly agreed.

Qiu Jin was not aware of what happened downstairs. He took a nap and half an hour later he was woken up by a phone call from his agent.

He turned to get up while rubbing his eyes. With a sleep heavy voice he said: “Hello?”

“My ancestor, ah! Why did you go to “Four Seasons Food”?”

Through the phone, Qiu Jin could sense Yang Chi’s worry. He knitted his brows and said: “You only knew about it just now?”

“No one told me, how was I supposed to know!”

Yang Chi was wrongly accused and greatly aggrieved. Asides from Qiu Jin, he was also the agent for two other performing artists. Their reputations weren’t that big, but there was still quite a lot of management work to be done.

He had only relaxed his vigilance on Qiu Jin for a moment. Furthermore, Qiu Jin hadn’t taken up any work for close to half a year. How could he know that the other person would suddenly accept a spot on a variety show!

Moreover, the nationality level was so high, and it was chasing after Xiang Xi’s ass that sort of thing! When the time comes, the entire nation would know how badly he was harassing the other!

Just thinking about it was a headache.

Qiu Jin wasn’t sure if there was a camera in the room, so he got out of bed and walked out.

“Wait a moment. I’m changing locations.”

He did not stop walking until he got to the small garden outside and stood under the shade of a tall tree.

“Okay, talk. What’s wrong?”

For a second, Yang Chi was at a loss for words. Then he said: “I… I’m worried about you…”

“Worry that I’ll bother Xiang Xi again?” Qiu Jin sneered, but his expression was very mild. “I already said that I don’t like him. I also want to save face, okay? Since he has already rejected me so many times, why should I still chase after him?”

Yang Chi was not so optimistic. He shook his head and said: “Impossible. This is the fortieth time that you were rejected by him. If you could get it straight after he rejected you, then what were those previous thirty-nine times for?”

Qiu Jin: “…”

He never imagined that the original host had thrown himself at the other person to this degree. What kind of unique love was this? When the author wrote this story, did they not consider the authenticity of it all?

In this case, he couldn’t use that reason to refuse anymore. He said casually: “I don’t like his type anymore. My taste has changed. I like strong and tall types.”

When Yang Chi thought about the explosive allegations in the entertainment tabloids about Qiu Jin going to Ji Shenxiao to compare sizes and lost, his expression looked like he had been struck by lightning.

“Qiu Jin, please don’t tell me that you have taken a fancy to Ji Shenxiao.”

“How did you even think of that?” Qiu Jin frowned and said with distaste, “You think I’m sick or something? Why would I like Ji Shenxiao?”

Yang Chi: “You like that his thing is bigger than yours?”

“So what if Ji Shenxiao’s thing is big? It’s not like I can eat it anyway*.” Qiu Jin opened a car door, hung up the phone, and started to get in the car, but unexpectedly, when he turned around he saw Ji Shenxiao standing among the flowers.

[*T/N: 吃不下 = can’t eat (anymore). For example, if you were too full, you would say: “I can’t eat anymore.” But in this instance, there is a connotation of not being able to fit something in or swallow something down because it’s too big. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Qiu Jin: “…”

Even standing in the flowery garden, President Ji still looked serious and indifferent. Even his white shirt and black pants exuded an austere air. It was as if he was about to say ‘one hundred million, I’ll buy it’ that kind of extravagant CEO dialogue.

The sun cast a shadow on his brow bone, making his eyes seem that much deeper.

[T/N: …I don’t know how the sun is casting a shadow… Maybe he has deep-set eyes, so light shining on his forehead would cast his eyes in shadows?]

At present, those serene eyes hidden in depth were looking at Qiu Jin. The gaze was hot enough to set a person on fire.

Qiu Jin’s body felt a bit hot. Don’t know if it’s because the sun was too hot, or if it was because of Ji Shenxiao’s stare, or if it was due to those shameful words he had just said.

“So what if Ji Shenxiao’s thing is big? It’s not like I can eat it anyway.”

Can’t eat it…

You’re a f*cking alpha, what are you eating someone’s thing for?

Qiu Jin closed his eyes, abandoning himself to despair.

Was it too late for him to jump in the ocean right now?

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The author has something to say:

Ji Shenxiao: You haven’t tried it, so how do you know you can’t eat it?

After a long time…

Qiu Jin: It’s really impossible to eat… QAQ

Posted in Didn’t Love You Enough

Didn’t Love You Enough 22

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 22 – Prelude

Lin momo came into Zhou momo’s room with a food box.

“It’s almost the Qi Qiao Festival. We, at the Royal Snack Kitchen, came up with some new snacks. Zhou momo, you serve by the empress’s side, you understand the empress’s tastes the best. I want to ask you to help us sample these desserts.” Lin momo said as she put the food box on the table.

“Elder Sister, if you made it then it is definitely good. Empress niang niang loves eating the snacks that you make.”

Both Zhou momo and Lin momo were from the empress’s family, and between the two of them, they had relations as in-laws. They both entered the palace together, and have looked after each other all these years, treating each other like sisters.

Lin momo took out a plate. “Try this one. This is bird’s nest cake. The cake mold is also newly made.”

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

“This magpie’s shape is good. Elder Sister, you’re so attentive. The empress niang niang will definitely like it when she sees it.” Zhou momo picked up a piece of pastry, and put it in her mouth to try the taste. “The flavor is great! Elder Sister, you just wait to be rewarded, ba.”

“Then I will take your lucky words, ha ha.” Lin momo also smiled. She saw the roster that Zhou momo had placed on the table. “It seems like you’re busy. Did I disturb you?”

“Ai! Elder Sister, I am precisely worrying about this at the moment. The empress niang niang wants to bestow a xiao shi* from Yong Shou Palace to the crown prince. I looked and there is not one that is suitable. How am I supposed to report back** on this?”

[*T/N: 小侍 xiao shi – supposed to be the lowest ranking concubine]

[**T/N: 交差 jiao chai specifically means “to report back after completion of one’s mission,” but here she can’t even complete the mission.]

“There are very few palace attendants in our palace. This is a difficult task.” Lin momo said with concern.

“There are only two who meet the conditions, but their appearance is too ordinary,” Zhou momo grumbled.

“Then what to do, ne? Appearance not good. The empress niang niang definitely would not be satisfied.” Lin momo agreed. “Speaking of appearance… the ger at my Royal Snack Kitchen is very good.”

“Alas, it’s a pity that he’s just thirteen years old.” Zhou momo said regretfully.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

“Not thirteen years old. He turned fourteen years old just last month. But he’s still a little small.” Lin momo said. “His appearance is really good. He has big expressive eyes, and also very pleasing dimples.”

Zhou momo listened to what Lin momo said, and thought about it. “Why don’t I report all three of them to the empress niang niang? It would be nice to have one more name on the list.”

“That’s right. Two candidates are too few. It would look better to have another name on the list.” Lin momo guided carefully.

“En, then let’s do it like this.”

The next day, Zhou momo handed the names of the three candidates to the empress. After looking over the list, the empress slapped the roster onto the table. “Zhou momo, what are you doing? Why are there only three candidates? And there’s even one as young as thirteen years old to make up for the shortfall in the number of people!”

Zhou momo hurriedly knelt down, and gave the answer that she had previously thought out. “Empress niang niang, it’s not that I was not diligent. The number of palace attendants in our palace is really too few. There are only two suitable ones, but their appearances are just barely satisfactory, how could they possibly make the crown prince “specifically favor” them? I could only add another one. His age is a bit young, but his appearance is very good, and won’t bring disgrace or humiliation to His Highness, the crown prince.”

Zhou momo saw that the empress’s expression looked a bit better, and continued to say, “This ger works at the Royal Snack Kitchen. He’s very lovable and sensible. He just turned fourteen years old last month. He’s a bit smaller, but gers and girls are different, being a little younger just so emphasizes their freshness and tenderness.”

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“Although that’s the case, I’m afraid that Cheng Er won’t like.” After listening to Zhou momo’s explanation, the empress no longer had a reason to blame her.

“Empress niang niang, why don’t you let the crown prince take a look. If he doesn’t like him, then we can only choose among the palace attendants in other palaces.”

“En, let the crown prince make his own decision. It’s the person that he will be favoring, so he must like him. Zhou momo, you go and make some arrangements.” The empress did not want to choose a candidate from another palace. If it were not someone from her own palace, she wouldn’t be at ease. Moreover, selecting someone from another palace would draw more attention, which was inappropriate. I hope that Cheng Er will be satisfied with this candidate.”

“Yes.”

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Posted in Quickly Wear the Face of the Devil

FOD: Xue Zi Xuan 11.2

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

T/N: There is a Character List for FOD:XZX in case you need it. 🙂

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Chapter 11.2 – Piano Competition

When he saw the invitation letter printed with gold letters, Xue Zi Xuan’s expression turned dazed for a split second. Memories of his previous life surged through his brain, and made his head ache. This was the place where his love had erupted, and this was the place where his love had ended. This competition elevated the teenager to success, and also ruined their future together.

He subconsciously reached out to take the invitation letter, but someone else got to it first.

Zhou Yun Sheng was originally fiddling with a small mechanical part in the computer room, when he suddenly received a new mission from the system: to participate in the International Chopin Piano Competition.

What the heck? He thought to himself. He had no choice but to set aside what he was doing and look for Xue Jing Yi for more information.

Each mission released by the system was related to a major plot point, either to promote the feelings of the male lead and female lead, or to change the fate of the male lead and female lead.

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Right now, the system’s control over him was very weak. Whether to participate in the competition or not depended entirely on his mood, but he still had to do his best to control this key point, otherwise it would have an adverse effect on his future.

He grabbed the invitation letter and glanced at it casually. Then he pretended that he couldn’t understand English, and passed it to Xue Zi Xuan: “What is this?”

“An invitation to the International Chopin Piano Competition.” Xue Jing Yi raised her chin with extreme pride.

Xue Zi Xuan was a little uneasy. Without looking at it, he put the invitation letter back in the envelope and returned it to Xue Jing Yi. Then he ordered: “Move away after returning to China. Don’t forget it.”

He circled an arm around the teenager, trying to force him away.

Zhou Yun Sheng was a little out of it. He was still considering whether or not he should take the mission. If he didn’t accept it, then he could provoke the system, and he if accepted it, then he could provoke Xue Jing Yi. This was really a dilemma.

“Can I participate?” He asked hesitantly.

Before Xue Zi Xuan could answer, Xue Jing Yi screamed: “No! You definitely cannot participate!”

Her heart thumped, as if she would faint at any moment.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

Intuition told her that Huang Yi must not be allowed to participate in the competition. He would take away everything that belonged to her through this competition.

“Do you think that just any cat or dog* can randomly participate in the International Chopin Piano Competition? Every participant is a well-known figure selected after repeated auditions. Have you studied systematically? Have you participated in any well-known competitions? Do you have an exam grade? Are you famous? You don’t have anything. You just fiddle with those tattered and broken parts, and then come back all dirty and greasy. People like you also want to participate in top-tier piano competitions? What a joke!”

[*T/N: 阿猫阿狗 a mao a gou – literal translation is “a cat, a dog.” It is a contemptuous way to say “anyone.” The English equivalent would be “any Tom, Dick, or Harry.”]

The sense of fear that suddenly struck her heart made her ramble irresponsibly, and she forgot to maintain a gentle and kind image in front of her brother.

Of course, what she didn’t know was that no matter how she pretended, Xue Zi Xuan had already seen through her façade. Xue Jing Yi was still that same Xue Jing Yi, the one who would do anything to obtain her forbidden love. Especially in this life, Zhou Yun Sheng provoked her no less than in the previous life.

Zhou Yun Sheng just let her ridicule him without a change in his expression.

After she finished speaking, he looked at Xue Zi Xuan and declared: “I want to participate in the competition.”

This person was the piano emperor. It shouldn’t be hard for him to get an invitation, right?

“No! You are not eligible to participate!” Xue Jing Yi screamed like crazy.

She must not allow Huang Yi to climb onto that golden stage. She must not let her brother’s eyes stay on him!

Xue Zi Xuan ignored Xue Jing Yi’s clamor, stroked the youth’s cheek, and asked in a low voice: “Why do you want to participate in the competition?”

His heart was confused, and he didn’t know whether to be happy or sad.

The teenager’s hands were worthy of the reputation of being a world treasure. Even if those hands no longer played the piano in this life, they could also switch specialty to machinery. They could play out the most touching and beautiful musical notes, and also make the most sophisticated mechanical parts. No matter where he went, the teenager could create miracles and shine with dazzling brilliance.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

But the more dazzling the teenager was, the more restless Xue Zi Xuan was. It was as if what he held in his hands was sand, and it would leak from his fingers no matter how tightly he held on to it.

“There is no reason. I just want to go and play.”

Xue Jing Yi objected so fiercely that Zhou Yun Sheng, who was planning to push aside the mission to provoke the system, wanted to participate instead.

“Such a serious competition, do you think you can play if you want to play? What do you take the piano for? What do you take music for? As toys?” Xue Jing Yi refuted and looked at her brother’s reaction.

No one knew her brother better than her. He was obsessed with music. Music was sacred. Whoever insulted music would incur his revulsion.

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Posted in Let Me Shoulder this Blame!

Let Me Shoulder this Blame! 89

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 89 (34.1)

The crowd’s emotions were running high. The situation was far more serious than imagined.

The offline system was temporarily unable to provide timely updates of his experience points, but Su Shi still felt a strong threat to his points.

At the same time, the pope was also feeling threatened.

Originally, his series of interrelated traps were coming together nicely according to plan, but Esmond’s straightforwardness thoroughly destroyed his orderly plans.

The pope’s eyes landed pensively on Esmond who had admitted to all the sins with relish in his eyes.

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The assassins that he had sent after them were completely wiped out. The opponent’s strength seemed to be getting progressively stronger. So much so, that he was starting to feel a little threatened.

If he made a move right now and was forced to reveal his demonic aura in front of everyone, then all of his painstaking efforts and plans would vanish into smoke.

The pope withdrew his gaze and pondered for a moment before opening his mouth again: “Punishment is merely God’s will. We are only acting on behalf of God. Esmond, right now are you willing to confess exactly where you took Ivan?”

When he asked this question, the angry crowd suddenly remembered the real main character. They temporarily suppressed their anger to wait for the wicked bishop to confess the whereabouts of the Holy Paladin.

“I am also looking for him.”

Esmond just lifted his head to look up at the pope. His expression was calm and indifferent.

“I didn’t seize him. It was he who took advantage of the chaos during the examination period to escape. I left the papacy just a few days ago to find him, but unfortunately I was unable to locate his whereabouts.”

The pope frowned slightly, and there was a flash of suspicion in his eyes, but he couldn’t tell anything from the other party’s reaction.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

After all, the paladin was a serious problem for him. He originally thought that everything would be foolproof, but he did not expect that the situation would actually develop to this stage.

The light god had actually intervened, and things became a little more troublesome.

Failing to get what he wanted from the cardinal, the pope lowered his gaze again, and his expression became compassionate and gentle.

“We are just servants of God, and all crimes should be judged by God. Esmond, are you sincerely pleading guilty?”

“I will bind voluntarily, Your Majesty.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a black robed figure disappearing into the crowd. Esmond finally felt somewhat at ease. He calmly lifted his hands to let the papacy’s guards come and bind him.

His stood straight and his bearing was peaceful. Even when he was being bound his attitude was unruffled. Ineffably, the guards felt weak in their hearts. The hand that came out to shove Esmond withdrew instead. With a tone that was strong in appearance but weak in reality, the guard said: “Hurry up, stop dillydallying!”

Esmond did not resist and was escorted in the direction of the prison.

He was very clear in his heart that the Pope would not believe what he said, but the pope could not find any loopholes that could be used for the time being, and he did not dare to start with him in front of others.

Sooner or later though, the two of them will have a real confrontation.

He was vaguely aware that from the start, Ivan had spared no pains or effort to help him. Perhaps Ivan was hoping that he would get to this last step, to be able to beat back the evil spirit, and bring light back to the Warren Continent once again.

But he did not feel any unhappiness from being used.

The blood was real. The protection and accompaniment were also real.

When the pope was reading out his pardon, the young paladin was not even a little bit happy about his crimes being washed away. Instead, his heart and eyes were filled with anxiety for the injustice towards Esmond.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

He could still see the unreserved and clear anxiety in those eyes, and it caused a hot heat to silently flow through his chest.

Having learned his lesson from the oracle’s absolution of Ivan, the pope definitely would not continue to sit and watch. Soon there would be a tough life or death battle.

Fortunately, Ivan was thrown outside.

Esmond stepped into the spooky prison and watched the door made of black iron being locked by an ink-black seal. His expression was relieved for a moment, and then his eyes suddenly narrowed, expressing a faint look of ridicule for himself.

The sun has not risen yet. There was no source of supplementary light power, and Ivan’s power would soon be exhausted.

He wondered if the solar energy paladin would remember to find food for himself.

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Posted in The Big Landlord

The Big Landlord 116.2

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Chapter 116.2 – Inviting Disaster

The fourth concubine was frightened by Lin Xin’s malevolent look. “Lord Husband, I, I…”

“‘I’ what? I asked you why are there things missing?” Lin Xin finally got really angry, and his voice rose sharply.

She had never seen Lin Xin’s terrifying side before. The fourth concubine fell down on the ground, and her tears fell with her. She kept crying, but she did not explain why some of the dowry was missing.

Now she knew how to act pitiful? Why didn’t she think of the consequences when she touched An Ke Xin’s dowry?

Lin Xin couldn’t wait to strangle this woman. He immediately called for the little maidservant who served the fourth concubine.

Faced with the livid gong zi, the frightened Xiao Lu spilled everything in full detail.

The fourth concubine was indeed the one who took the missing dowry. The fourth concubine was different from the second and third concubine. She came out from the countryside. She didn’t know much and she was narrow-minded. Because she grew up in a family where there were many mouths to feed, as a child she knew the importance of money. Under the influence of her parents, she developed a habit of thinking of nothing but personal gain.

Translations are by vmnovels [dot] com, if you’re reading this anywhere else, then it was stolen.

After marrying Lin Xin, her days took a turn for the better. She could eat well and dress well every day. Her simple life was very comfortable. Consequently, she understood even more how good money was.

After An Ke Xin was divorced, the fourth concubine moved into An Ke Xin’s courtyard with her pregnant belly. Incidentally, she found An Ke Xin’s dowry in the room next door, which had not been taken away. She was immediately enticed by all those beautiful jewelry.

She thought that An Ke Xin could never return to the Lin family now, furthermore, her Lord Husband said that this courtyard belonged to her henceforth; therefore the things within the courtyard naturally belonged to her.

The fourth concubine vaguely felt that it was a bit wrong, but once she did it once, there would be a second time and then a third time.

It was like she had become addicted. Every day she would take some dowry from the box and have Xiao Lu pawn it off outside. After exchanging the jewelry for money, she would give a portion of it to her family, and then she would use the rest to buy lots of luxurious tonics.

The fourth concubine’s family was also outrageous. Knowing that their daughter’s money was obtained by improper means, they not only did not try to stop her, but also encouraged her to steal and pawn more dowry. The fourth concubine was someone without her own definite opinions. Whatever her parents told her to do, she did it.

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The whole family ate more and became rounder, but the dowry decreased little by little. In only half a month, the family used up an entire box of An Ke Xin’s dowry.

Lin Xin stared at his fourth concubine incredulously. No wonder, no wonder someone he had business dealings with said a strange thing to him once. At that time, the man said, “Who could have thought that Young Master Lin is so good to his concubine.”

At that time, he couldn’t figure out why that person said that sentence, because only he could know whether he was good to his concubines or not. If he didn’t treat them unfairly, that was already considered pretty good. But for him to take care of his concubines in every possible way was impossible. Now that he thought about it, the other person must have seen the fourth concubine’s family living well, and that’s why he said that sentence.

Now that the truth was out, Lin Xin wanted to kill this woman.

Thinking like this, he suddenly kicked the woman on the ground. It was all because of this lowly girl. Unexpectedly, she invited disaster for him!

The fourth concubine screamed and sprawled on the ground while covering her stomach. His kick landed precisely on her stomach. A heart-tearing and lung-splitting pain traveled up from her stomach. Her face turned white from the pain.

Translations by Vanilla Muse.

“Blood!” Xiao Lu looked at the blood oozing out from the skirt of the fourth concubine in shock. She was so scared that she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to tell the young master, but when she turned around she saw that the young master was sneering. His expression was completely uncaring.

“It’s better if the child is gone. I didn’t plan to let the child be birthed in the first place.”

Lin Xin said coldly and heartlessly. If it wasn’t to set An Ke Xin up, it was impossible for him to get all of his concubines pregnant so quickly. In his mind, the Lin family’s first son must come from the main wife.

Hearing what should not have been heard, Xiao Lu bowed her head in panic.

“Lord Husband, save me, save our child…”

The fourth concubine was about to grab on to Lin Xin’s clothes with her bloodstained hands, but he took a step back, and she grasped at empty air.

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Posted in Quickly Wear the Face of the Devil

Xue Zi Xuan – Character List

Posted on by Vanilla Muse

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Zhou Yun Sheng 周允晟 (MC)

Huang Yi 黄怡 (MC’s character)

Xue Zi Xuan 薛子轩 (ML)

Xue Jing Yi 薛静依 (FL)

Xue Rui 薛瑞 (father)

Xue Li Dan Ni 薛李丹妮 (mother)

Fu Bo 福伯 (butler)

Xiao Deng 小邓 (nurse)

Xiao Wang 小王 (driver)

Xiao Zhou 小周 (assistant)

Olsen Jerome 奥尔森.杰罗姆 (XZX’s piano mentor)

Sears 西尔斯 (piano emperor of the previous century)

Hu Dong 胡东 (president of the Dongrun Group)

Zhao Yin 赵寅 (chauffeur)