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Iâve Moved
Hi! Iâd managed to gather a good number of followers here, so I thought that it was only right to write this post. Itâs just as it says in the titleâI wonât be updating this blog anymore because Iâve moved. You can find me and all my translations here from now on:
butterflyiris.wordpress.com/
Although Iâll be translating other things like moments and SMS when they strike my fancy, my main focus is still on subbing dates. So, if thatâs all youâre interested in, you can just catch me on my YouTube channel:
youtube.com/channel/UCRoKuf_PdD570Xh8fuxWgwA
Thankful for all the encouragement Iâd received here đ
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Xu Mo: Lecture Date Translation
莸墨 ă莲座äšçşŚă
One day, I was invited to attend Xu Mo's public welfare lecture. I arrived at the school really early, so I decided to go to the library to relive my days as a student. What I didn't expect to find there was a sleeping Xu Mo...
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Please do not re-post my translations.
Iâm not a professional translator. I do not claim that my translations are 100% accurate.
I hope that youâll enjoy watching the date!
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Obtained Karma Call [Check-In]Â from Xu Moâs Disney Karma [Revolving Idea]
Chinese idioms used in this call:
ćŞé¨çť¸çźŞ wèi yÇ chĂłu mĂłu ("to save for a rainy day") is pretty self-explanatory, it means to prepare in advance for the future.
ćć˘
ć˘ć¸´ wĂ ng mĂŠi zhÇ kÄ ("to look at plums to quench one's thirst") means to console yourself with a fantasy when a desire cannot be fulfilled. This idiom came about because plums are sour; when people think of plums (fantasy), they will salivate, and this might help quench their thirst (desire).
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Evolution Reward Call [Incredible] from Xu Moâs Disney Karma [Revolving Idea]
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Xu Mo: Revelation Date Translation
莸墨 ăĺŻç§äšçşŚă
When Xu Mo was in England, he once rented a small farmhouse long-term. Now, he needs to handle the cancellation of his lease. With an opportunity to travel, I naturally followed him there happily. What surprised me was that, there, Xu Mo had hidden an important secret concerning us.
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Please do not re-post my translations.
Iâm not a professional translator. I do not claim that my translations are 100% accurate.
I hope that youâll enjoy watching/reading the date! Text-only version under the cut.
This was the second day since we arrived at the farmhouse.
It also marked one week since I found out that Xu Mo had rented a small farmhouse when he was in England. It was located in Hampshire, adjacent to a magnificent large manor.
Now that his lease has expired, Xu Mo needed to personally come over to handle matters regarding rent. Naturally, I wouldnât miss an opportunity to travel like this and so I followed him here happily.
Today, we woke up especially early to cook up a hearty English-styled breakfast.
MC: âXu Mo, how do you cook these canned baked beans?â
Xu Mo: âYou just need to heat it up a little. Let me do this, it isnât easy to open a can like this.â
He took the can from my hands and cleanly pried the lid open.
The fried egg in the pan sizzled and oil started spattering. I quickly looked back and carefully placed the half-cooked egg onto a plate.
MC: âXu Mo, Xu Mo, I managed to cook a perfectly round sunny-side up egg!â
Xu Mo was pouring the beans out of the can when he quickly glanced at my plate and chuckled.
Xu Mo: âActually, I can also cook an egg like this. I just never had the chance to demonstrate it.â
MC: âOh~ Really?â
I spoke with a deliberate drawl and looked at Xu Mo with suspicion.
MC: âDoesnât Professor Xu not even know how to make dumplings?â
Xu Moâs gaze stilled, looking as if he was rendered a little speechless by my ridicule.
Xu Mo: âIâll have to admit, you are indeed my teacher when it comes to cooking.â
âBut, Teacher, you need to have a little faith in your outstanding student.â
âMy culinary skills will not just stay the same.â
With a smile, I carefully arranged some of the cooked ingredients on the plate according to how it was done by a food blogger shown on my phone.
MC: âMm, the bread is done baking tooâŚâŚâ
Xu Mo: âBesides these, is there anything else left to do?â
I stood in front of the refrigerator and thought about it.
MC: âActually, we could also fry some potato wedges. But right now, we might not even be able to finish eating what we already have.â
âLetâs just have this for now!â
Xu Mo glanced at the plate filled to the brim with food and suddenly walked behind me.
Xu Mo: âYou missed one most important thing.â
--
MC: âThe most important thing?â
Sausages, bacon, shiitake mushrooms, toast, baked beans, fried eggs⌠arenât these all?
And yet, Xu Mo grabbed a small, clean pot and placed it on the counter, pouring two full glasses of water into it.
Xu Mo: âItâs not an English breakfast without milk tea.â
âCome, Iâll teach you how to cook milk tea.â
MC: âEh?â
Xu Moâs placed his arms on the sides of my waist, surrounding me tightly in his embrace.
MC: ââŚâŚbut I know how to cook milk tea.â
My quiet protest was wholly ignored. He lowered his head and rested his chin on my shoulder, leaning even closer.
Xu Mo: âThe first step in cooking milk tea is to wait for the water to boil before putting in the tea leaves.â
Before long, the water in the small pot started bubbling.
Xu Mo placed the bag of tea leaves in my hand. He held my hand in his and directed it towards the pot, gently pouring some of the tea leaves into it.
Xu Mo: âNow, we need to wait patiently for a while.â
As soon as the tea leaves came into contact with the boiling water, the teaâs light fragrance permeated the air along with the hot steam. I leaned against Xu Mo and took in the farmhouse a little curiously.
Although it has been a long time since Xu Mo has visited, this place seemed to be well-taken care of. Not only were the furniture sparkling clean, even the bouquets of flowers decorating the windowsills were fresh.
MC: âXu Mo, when did you start renting this place?â
Xu Mo: âAfter graduation. Back then, I was working on some research and wanted to find a place where I could focus on writing the paper. So, I rented this place.â
MC: âYou rented a farmhouse specially to write a paper?â
At my exaggerated tone, Xu Mo laughed.
Xu Mo: âYou donât have to be so surprised. The cost of rent and utilities here isnât as high as you might think.â
âMoreover, I didnât have plans to return to the country back then. I did need a place where I could stay for a longer term.â
As he spoke, Xu Mo turned down the heat of the stove.
Xu Mo: âItâs time to pour in the milk.â
I followed his instructions and poured almost half a pot of milk inside, gently stirring the pot continuously with a ladle.
MC: âAfter returning to the country, did you come back here again?â
Xu Mo: âI didnât. I was too busy.â
âThis is certainly a situation I didnât expectâŚâ
���Fortunately, the owner of this place would come here often to do some cleaning and take care of the flowers and plants.â
He touched upon the subject casually, and suddenly clasped my waist with one hand.
Xu Mo: âBut coming here this time, Iâve had some new experiences.â
âJust now, Iâve been thinking, itâs no wonder that the old professors from the University love coming here to enjoy farm life after retiring.â
âThis kind of leisurely and carefree way of life really does make one yearn for it.â
I turned around and smiled at him.
MC: âIf Professor Xu wants to retire, heâll have to wait for at least another forty years, doesnât he?â
Xu Mo gently pressed his lips against my neck.
Xu Mo: âI think that one should decide when to hide away at the countryside based on how they feel.â
MC: âI say this on behalf of our motherlandâs field of scientific research: this is not good.â
The milk tea in the post has started giving out an irresistible, delicious fragrance. I quickly switched off the stove.
MC: âWhatâs the next step? Filtering?â
Xu Mo: âLet me do it. During this time, you can set up the dining table and think about what to do after eating breakfast.â
MC: âIâd wanted to walk around nearby, but since it rained last night the ground must still be wet and muddy.â
âLetâs go up to the attic and read some books. While weâre at it, we could help the owner take care of the flowers and plants upstairs.â
Xu Mo: âMm, thatâs good too.â
--
After breakfast, I searched the bookshelves and found two novels that seemed easy enough to understand. Carrying the books in my arms, I was prepared to bring them up to the attic.
A thoughtful expression suddenly appeared on Xu Moâs face, seeming like he just remembered something important.
Xu Mo: âCould I trouble you with going upstairs and tidying up first? I want to go and look for something.â
MC: âLook for something?â
Xu Mo: âMm, I left it here on purpose last time. But I donât know if itâs still here.â
I nodded my head. After bringing the books and tea cups up into the attic, I even grabbed two cushions from the sofa and brought them along.
After having done all these, Xu Mo still did not follow me upstairs. I was a little curious; listening carefully, I followed along to where the sounds came from and arrived at the entrance of the house.
Xu Mo: âGot it.â
Upon noticing me standing in front of him, Xu Mo turned around and smiled softly at me.
Xu Mo: âThe keys are now being kept in a different place, so I spent some time looking for them.â
I looked at the keys hanging off his little finger, and then looked at the stack of letters in his hand.
MC: âHasnât it been a long time since you came here? Why are there still letters being sent to you?â
Xu Mo: âLetâs go upstairs first.â
After closing the mailbox again, he walked over and held my hand.
I still could not tear my eyes away from the stack of envelopes in his hand, and I could not help but feel that one of them looked a little familiar.
Xu Mo: âAfter having stared at it for so long, you still donât remember it?â
Just as we stepped off the last of the stairs leading up to the attic, Xu Mo gently scratched the tip of my nose.
Xu Mo: âIâll give you a little hintâdo you still remember how we visited a bookstore in the past?â
MC: âBookstore? âŚwhat bookstore?â
I felt puzzled by his question, but still used the clue to carefully recall what happened.
Xu Mo looked at me patiently. Lingering at the corner of his lips was a smile hinting at a restrain on his part. He looked as if he wanted to reveal the answer, yet at the same time hopeful that I could remember it immediately.
MC: âItâs fromâŚâŚâ
I hesitated for a moment, worried that I might answer it incorrectly. But the colour of the envelope coincided with the one in my memory.
MC: âItâs from when we went to the New Light Bookstore and wrote down a time capsule?â
He responded with a gentle hum and solemnly handed the brightly coloured envelope in his hand over to me. At the same time, he drew another envelope from the stack of letters.
Xu Mo: âDo you want to open it?â
I held onto the envelope in my hand as my thoughts brought me back to that afternoon when I went to the bookstore together with Xu Mo.
It was a Saturday. The weather forecast said that it would be cloudy, but it suddenly started raining after we went out. As such, we could only cancel our original plans and hurriedly ran to the bookstore for shelter.
It just so happened that the bookstore was running a small readersâ event with emotions as its theme. I hid the feelings of pettiness in my heart and pulled Xu Mo along to participate with me.
The setup of the event was very simple. Besides having invited a few novelists to speak on the subject of emotions, participants were asked to take part in their time capsule activity.
Everyone had to pick one or several questions from a fixed set of questions on emotions. We wrote down our answers on pieces of paper, put them in envelopes, and handed them over to the bookstore for safekeeping.
MC: âI remember, the bookstore told us at the time that we could go back after ninety-nine days to retrieve our time capsules, didnât they?â
Xu Mo: âThey did give me a call. Unfortunately, there were some changes that happened between us.â
âBy right, I should have given them a way to contact you instead. But I was selfish.â
âI requested them to have both of our letters sent to this address, just so that I would not give in to temptation for whatever reason and end up opening your letter secretlyâŚâ
âAnd to also give myself a chance.â
âIf I could come back here together with you one day, I wanted to open this letter right in front of your eyes.â
His voice was peaceful, as if he were simply calmly narrating a story from the past.
In fact, right after saying all these, he lifted the cup and took a sip of hot tea with a smile. I looked at the way his eyebrow was shrouded by the swirling hot mist and smiled softly as well.
We were like two people recklessly determined on going forward with their backs to each other, taking a painful and long detour before realising that, at the end of our journey, our destination has always been the same.
And afterwards, we could only gaze upon each other and smile helplessly as we gently blamed the other for being a fool in our hearts.
MC: ââŚat that time, I pulled you along to write this with me because I also wanted to see your answer.â
After all, for a long time, getting along with him was more like getting along with my own little moods.
I needed to suppress my own uneasiness, and also get used to the suddenness of waiting.
He was the trickiest puzzle I have ever encountered; one that made me contemplate deeply and helplessly as I always eagerly waited for him to tell me the correct answer quickly.
Seeing that I have fallen silent, Xu Mo suddenly held my hand, the sunlight adding a layer of brightness to his deep voice.
Xu Mo: âI will now reveal the answer to you.â
We tore both of our envelopes open at the same time.
From my envelope, I took out the question card that I picked at the time, as well as the letter that I deliberately folded several times over because I was worried that Xu Mo would take a peek.
Written on the question card in a fancy font was: âWhat did he/she teach you?â
Curiously, I looked up and took a glance, and found that Xu Mo had picked the same question.
He calmly opened his own letter, which had three words written on it. His penmanship showcased the straightforwardness of his thinking at the time of writing.
MC: âLack of freedomâŚâŚâ
When I read those three words aloud, Xu Mo laughed gently.
Xu Mo: âWhy did you read it with such an unhappy tone? When I wrote this answer, I did not mean for it to be unhappy in any way.â
âThough, after meeting you, I have indeed started encountering many problems in life that I did not have before. For exampleâŚâ
He solemnly started contemplating. I could not help but follow him closely; I wanted to firmly carve every word that he was going to say into my heart.
However, he sighed softly, and almost immediately afterwards he let out a laugh.
Xu Mo: âFor example, what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.â
MC: âHuh?â
For a moment, I was stunned.
Xu Mo: âFor another example, I canât help but start noticing the flowers in spring, the rain in summer, the maple leaves in autumn, and the fine snow in winter.â
âOr, when I come across an unexpectedly good movie, I donât want to watch it alone. When I encounter something interesting, I would start having the desire to share it.â
âThe strangest of all is that even the time I spend alone has started becoming more and more dull.â
As he slowly described his thoughts, Xu Mo gazed upon me with an unfaltering smile in his eyes. He watched as my expression shifted between uncertainty and amazement. At last, he could not hold back from teasing me.
Xu Mo: âIs it strange that this is how I think?â
MC: âAhâŚ. Mm.â
MC: âIn my eyes, you have always beenâŚâŚâ
For a while, I struggled to find the appropriate word. I wondered if I should describe him as pragmatic or strong.
MC: âYou look like⌠you wonât have the same worries I do.â
Xu Mo sensed the hesitation in my eyes and asked me seriously.
Xu Mo: âWhat kind of worries does âthe same worriesâ refer to?â
His tone was gentle and slow, mingling with a hint of mirth. Clearly, he already understood the answer to this question.
I had wanted to crack a joke with him, but when I saw the look of anticipation in his eyes, I could not help but confess what was in my heart instead.
MC: âNo matter what kind of people you meet, what situations you encounter, or where you go, you will inadvertently think of one personâŚâ
âThe inability to control your own thoughts and feelings⌠this lack of freedom.â
Xu Mo: ââŚâŚâ
With a smile on his lips, Xu Mo slowly switched his sights to gaze upon the ceiling.
A soft, pure white cloud came into view. The blues of the sky and the whites of the cloud interlaced, reflecting a sense of long lost peacefulness and brightness in his deep, pool-like eyes.
Xu Mo: âMm, they are indeed the same worries.â
At this moment, I unhurriedly opened my own letter. I did not know if it was due to our chemistry or if were a mere coincidence, but there were also three words written on it.
Xu Mo: âLack of fear.â
When Xu Mo read the three words aloud, I could not help but laugh as well.
MC: âWhy did you read it so hesitantly? Are you worried that I was feeling wronged when I wrote this?â
Xu Mo did not speak, but his knitted brows still revealed the tacit attitude he had towards my words.
MC: âItâs not like that at all.â
âAt that time, I thoughtâno matter what happened afterwards, I would face everything willingly.â
I paused for two seconds, worried that I was speaking a little too seriously. As such, I showed Xu Mo a faintly silly smile.
MC: âMm⌠either way, there is nothing left for me to be afraid of. Everything is fine.â
At my easy-going tone, the frown between Xu Moâs eyes deepened.
He avoided my searching gaze as his eyes revealed his shifting thoughts. At last, he responded to me with his usual smile.
Xu Mo: âThereâs still some milk tea left. Want to bring it up?â
My intuition told me that there was definitely a discrepancy between what he understood and what I conveyed.
I quickly grabbed onto him, wanting to express my feelings clearer.
Xu Mo: âWhatâs wrong?â
Xu Mo lightly brushed a strand of hair from my forehead and tucked it behind my ears, gazing upon me with his usual gentleness.
Xu Mo: âIs there anything else that you want me to bring up?â
I held onto his face and stared into his eyes directly.
MC: âThe lack of fear that Iâm talking about doesnât merely refer to the fact that Iâm not afraid of putting all my trust in youâŚâ
âRather, it means that Iâm not afraid of anything.â
âIâm not afraid of the secrets that you hide, nor am I afraid of accepting the real you.â
âIâm not afraid of walking towards you, towards all the setbacks and bumps in the road that we must overcomeââ
âAnd Iâm not afraid of being with you, or the responsibilities and costs that I have to bear along with it.â
âNothing else matters. Being able to meet you, and being able to have this moment with youâthis is already good enough.â
Once I have finished saying it all in one breath, I realised that my heart was beating faster than usual.
Truthfully, these words should have been spoken much earlier. Once I have confirmed my own feelings, I should have told him everythingâŚ
Just like the answer hidden in the envelope, the time to unseal it had been a long time coming.
Xu Mo looked at me quietly, his eyes revealing a surprise that I have never seen before.
Hot steam was swirling out of the cup of hot tea, the bitter and sweet aroma of tea scattering in the air.
For a while he was silent, his eyebrows slightly furrowing.
Xu Mo: âIn your eyes, am I some kind of big bad guy?â
âWhy do you need to gather up this much courage to be with me?â
âHaving to overcome setbacks, having to bear the costsâŚâ
âIs it really this tough?â
Xu Mo spoke, showing a very troubled expression.
Xu Mo: âActually, I thought that your lack of fear was the same as my own lack of fear.â
He pretended to be all mysterious, drawling when he spoke the last of his sentence. I could only play along with him and continued asking.
MC: âThis same kind of lack of fear⌠what kind of lack of fear is it?â
Xu Mo suddenly pulled me into his embrace, whispering closely into my ear.
His voice was like the hazy cloudsâgently spreading across my heart as it dispersed, and a ray of sunlight came shining through after the rain.
Xu Mo: âWith you in front of me, I am not afraid of anythingâthis lack of fear.â
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Xu Mo: Mini-House Level 30 Scenario
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You will be able to unlock this scenario after reaching level 30 with Xu Mo in the mini-house feature. Featuring big mood MC, Xu Mo playing along, and a little surprise at the end.
Please do not re-post my translations.
Iâm not a professional translator. I do not claim that my translations are 100% accurate.
Original video by Edithlllzj on bilibili. I am subbing and re-posting it with permission.
I hope that youâll enjoy watching/reading the scenario! Text-only version under the cut.
After hearing Xu Mo repeatedly reassure me that he doesnât mind the âreal meâ, I have let go of my inhibitions little by little in front of himâI would casually lie on his lap as I put on a sheet mask, make all sorts of funny faces to make him laugh, persuade him into watching variety shows with me during the weekend, and even subtly wipe my tears on the corner of his shirt during emotional scenesâŚ
Indeed, he has never shown even a hint of dissatisfaction with this side of meâon the contrary, I could tell that he was enjoying it. Under his indulgence, the last of my image was worn down by the slumbering lazy worm in me.
Xu Mo: âLittle lazy worm, five minutes have already passed. Are you ready to wake up now?â
I opened my bleary eyes with great effort, and the first thing that came into view was Xu Moâs face, which was extremely close to mine.
MC: âUhhâŚâŚâ
I shamelessly burrowed myself into the covers and rubbed my head against his chest playfully. Like a koala, I hung onto him by wrapping my arms and legs around his body.
MC: âYesterday I was up until three in the morning working on the proposalâŚâŚ let me sleep for just five more minutes, just five more minutesâŚâŚâ
Unable to move, he could only follow my position and snuggled under the covers with me. He stretched his hand out and ran it through the messy hair almost covering my face.
Xu Mo: âBut this is the sixth time Iâm hearing these words in the past half an hour.â
It was just as he saidâin the past half an hour, he has exhausted all sorts of methods trying to wake me up, but it was not difficult to see that all his efforts ended in failure. The arm that he had wrapped around my waist started moving out of the covers; alerted, I immediately grabbed onto it.
MC: âWhere are you going?â
Xu Mo: âIâm not going anywhere. Didnât I say that Iâll spend the whole day with you?â
He promised, pecking me lightly on the forehead. At the same time he picked up his phone and quickly entered something into it.
MC: âIs it work-related? Am I bothering you?â
Xu Mo: âDonât think too much, itâs just almost time for the movie weâve booked. Iâll change it to tomorrowâs screening, is that alright?â
âAnd then weâll just sleep at home the entire day?â
Although his suggestion was very attractive, I suddenly remembered the reason why âthe movie must be seen todayâ.
MC: âNo way! This movie will stop screening tomorrow! If we donât go and see it today, then we really wonât have a chance to see it anymore!â
âIf we drive there later, we can still make it! But before that, let me sleep for five more minutes.â
âJust five more minutes and Iâll wake upâŚâŚâ
As I spoke, I pressed myself against his warm chest once againâbut this time I was unexpectedly pushed away gently.
Xu Mo: âWerenât you awake just now? Hmm?â
He grabbed my wrist and rolled over, trapping me underneath his body. His face, which has always been as gentle as the spring breeze, remained calm. However, there was also a hint of coercion among those features.
Xu Mo: âGo ahead and sleep, Iâll get up first and prepare for a bit.â
MC: âEhâŚâŚ Xu Mo?!â
Not paying any attention to my cry, he got off the bed and left the bedroom without once turning back. Left alone in the middle of the double bed, I woke up instantly and realised then how unreasonable I was being.
Although the fault lies with me, my pride held me back from chasing after him immediately. I sat on the bed angrily, crossing my legs as I hugged a pillow. Using the pillow as an audience, I pouted and started complaining to it.
MC: âIsnât it normal to want to sleep in on such a nice weekend?!â
âI only just slept an extra five minutes six times anywayâŚâŚâ
âAlthough now it does sound like I really went too farâŚâŚâ
âBut! He was the one who told me to be myself in front of him!â
âAnd yet when I gathered the courage to be myself in front of him, he couldnât accept it anymore. Big liar!â
I squeezed my palm into a fist and vented my anger out on the pillow. Suddenly, I heard a familiar chuckle coming from right outside the door.
Xu Mo: âI just went out for a while and youâre already tattling on me to the pillow?â
When I thought about how he must have heard all of my complaints, I felt so ashamed that I wanted to hideâI pulled up the blanket beside me and wrapped it around myself tightly.
Xu Mo: âIn what way did I not accept you? Hm?â
As I listened to his voice getting closer with each step, I could not help but pull the blanket a little tighter around myself.
MC: âYou clearly abandoned me and went out, and yet you still say you didnât!â
Xu Mo: âWho said that I went out because I couldnât accept you?â
When he could not find an opening, he simply lifted both me and the blanket into his arms. I struggled like a fish out of water, but he only held me tighter and tighter.
MC: âLet go! Iâm almost out of breath!â
Xu Mo: âThen come on out from inside.â
MC: ââŚâŚIâm not coming out!â
Amidst all the struggling, an opening appeared at the corner of the blanket. Before I had the time to cover it back up, he grabbed it with one hand and tugged.
The thin white blanket landed on my head like a veil.
He reached a hand out towards the back of my head as his other hand cradled my face, which was covered thinly in sweat. He wiped it gently.
Xu Mo: âLook, your face is flushed red. What if youâd gotten feverish?â
Still on a roll, I wanted to refute, but I caught sight of his worry-filled eyes. I looked away petulantly and spoke angrily.
MC: âI donât need you to care.â
Xu Mo: âWhat if I say, I just want to care?â
âWhether it is the usual smart and capable âyouâ, or that little lazy worm âyouâ from earlierâit doesnât matter which âyouâ it is, I accept it all.â
He gently caressed my still heated face, and at once I lost all will to struggle. I slumped bonelessly into his embrace.
Xu Mo: âHow about it? Do you still want to sleep for five more minutes?â
Shaking my head fiercely, I pressed onto his shoulders and spoke seriously.
MC: âNot sleeping anymore! I will get up right now!â
âIf I ever laze around in bed again, you have to stop me! You can even get angry with me!â
Xu Mo: âBut this is quite difficultâŚâ
MC: âDo you have such little faith in me?!â
Xu Mo: âRather than not having faith in you, I just donât believe that I could ever get angry with you.â
He wrapped both of his arms around my neck and pulled me into his embrace.
Xu Mo: âHow about we change it like this?â
âIf you ever laze around in bed again, Iâll do thisââ
Taking advantage of the situation, he gave my collarbone a small bite. Although it didnât hurt, it would definitely leave behind a very obvious mark!
Xu Mo: âThis kind of little punishment⌠what do you think?â
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Xu Mo: Ordinary Date Translation
莸墨 ă嚳桥äšçşŚă
During the time Xu Mo was immersed in a new research project, our meetings have become scarce. I was incessantly torn between not wanting to disturb him at work and longing to see him. Finally, I came up with a solution to the problem...
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Please do not re-post my translations.
Iâm not a professional translator. I do not claim that my translations are 100% accurate.
I hope that youâll enjoy watching/reading the date! Text-only version under the cut.
When I reached the entrance of the research centre, Aming and the others were on their way out. They must have just pulled an all-nighter to finish their experiment, as the youths yawned loudly. Even so, they were chatting happily and exchanging banters back and forth.
Student A: âLetâs have soup dumplings at Sheng Ji, itâs near.â
Student B: âSince todayâs a day off, we have a lot of time. Letâs go to Li Ji Restaurant, itâs only two stations away by subway anyway.â
Student C: âIs Professor Xu not coming with us again?â
Aming: âThe Professor said that heâll be busy with some other things.â
Student B: âDo any of you feel that although Professor Xu looks approachable, he also seems strangely detached? He never talks about himself, and heâs not close with any of the other teachers.â
Student A: âIt feels like heâs very polite, but keeps everybody at armâs length, isnât it?â
Student C: âI feel it a little. There were a few times when I saw him standing alone by the window and wanted to go up to him and say hello, but at the same time I felt that he would feel bothered for sure.â
Student B: âSometimes, it does feel as if we just canât figure out what kind of person Professor Xu really isâŚâ
I stopped in my tracks and hesitated for a while, but still went ahead to meet up with them.
MC: âAming!â
Aming: âMC, are you looking for the Professor? Heâs just finished being busy with work so he should be resting now.â
MC: âYes, I brought all of you something to eat!â
I handed a paper bag filled with food over to Aming. He smiled as he accepted it and scratched his head a little awkwardly.
Aming: âThe things we said just now, we didnât mean anything by itâŚâ
MC: âDonât worry, I wonât tattle on you to your Professor Xu.â
I smiled, but it was clear in my mindâthere was a time when even I have deeply felt Xu Moâs indifference and elusiveness, so I did not blame others for thinking so. For the past month, for instance, ever since he has started working on some secret experiment, I have been seeing him less and our usual interactions with each other have decreased. I have tried asking him about it indirectly twice, but he always answered vaguely and digressed from the topic. I could not help but worry a little.
Student B: âMay I ask, are you Professor Xuâs girlfriend? We didnât mean to talk about the Professor, we just donât understand him very well so we couldnât help but discuss a little.â
He paused for a while and let out an embarrassed smile.
Student B: âItâs rare to see such an impressive and young professor, so it makes one really curious.â
Student A: âHeâs not just impressive, he could already very well be included in a textbook!â
They continued talking, and the conversation turned into a discussion of Xu Moâs most recent academic research. I could see on their faces their hopes for the future, as well as an overwhelming sense of accomplishment from being able to work on the project with Xu Mo.
MC: âSometimes, he can get too immersed in his own world and may seem unsociable.â
âBut donât worry about him being difficult to get along with.â
I looked at them and couldnât stop the corner of my lips from turning up into a smile.
MC: âHeâs a really gentle person.â
âThe most gentle person I have ever met.â
--
It was still early, and the research centre was much quieter than usual. I walked along the long corridor and arrived at the entrance of the lounge. The door was open; I quietly took two steps forward and saw Xu Mo deep in thought.
The window blinds were shut tightly. Entering through the gaps and infiltrating the room was a thin layer of sunlight, reflected on his calm and impassive eyes. It seemed that even the continuous drizzle of the wallpaper surrounding him lingered with a hint of coolness. The slightly bitter aroma of coffee permeated the air, and hot steam from the mug drifted little by little to the corner of Xu Moâs thin lips.
Although he always wore a mild expression on his face, I felt that the darkness of the room was filled with an inexplicable silent melancholy. It was as if he had carved out this cold little space that was isolated from the worldâisolated from the warm morning light outside the window, and isolated from himself.
I stared at his thin silhouette and could only feel how particularly lonely he was at this moment.
MC: âXu Mo.â
I could not stop myself anymore and took a step forward, softly whispering his name. As if he had just suddenly woken up from some deep contemplation, he looked at me with a hint of surprise in his eyes. Almost at the very moment our eyes met, I could clearly see a smile light up in his nonchalant eyes.
Xu Mo: âWhy didnât you tell me in advance before coming over?â
Quickly, I walked over from the staircase to meet him, grinning as I held up the paper bag in my hand.
MC: âI brought you breakfast! Thereâs bread, egg tarts, palmiers, sandwichesâŚâ
I opened up the paper bag and showed him how filled to the brim with food it was, prompting him to let out a small laugh.
Xu Mo: âItâs only breakfast, how can I eat this much?â
I placed the bag on the table and turned around to walk towards the window.
MC: âItâs precisely because itâs breakfast that you should eat more nutritiously.â
âIf you canât finish it then you can have the leftovers for tea, supper, or snacks. How do you get inspiration during work if you donât eat some food?â
With a quiet âswooshâ, I drew open the blinds completelyâa dazzling gleam of light spread inside, and the monotonous white walls of the room immediately took on a golden hue. The green plants on the windowsill seemed to have woken up from their deep sleep, slowly swaying their branches and leaves to the mild morning wind now blowing into the room.
Xu Mo: âTurns out that the weather today is really good.â
When I looked back, Xu Mo was already bathing in the mild sunlight. His entire body was enveloped in a soft warmth, and the corners of his lips were curved slightly upwards, revealing a quiet gentleness comparable to the first rays of light in the morning.
Xu Mo: âIf it werenât for the experiment, I would have gone out to take a walk with you. I wonder, at this time, if there are any more peach blossoms in bloom around the suburbs.â
He spoke as slowly walked towards me.
Xu Mo: âDidnât you say that youâve been busy with a new show recently?â
âComing to see me so suddenly, did you come across some difficulty?â
I flashed him a knowing smile and took out my own notebook from my bag.
MC: âItâs just as Iâve said before, itâs about inviting a professor in logical studies to do an episode of the showâŚâ
Before I could finish what I was saying, Xu Mo shook his head and sighed softly.
Xu Mo: ââŚsure enough, you didnât come here specially to bring me breakfast.â
For a moment I was stunned, but I quickly denied it.
MC: âOf course I came here specially to bring you breakfast, itâs just a coincidence that I have a question that I needed your advice for.â
But after listening to me, not only did Xu Mo lightly furrow his brows, his voice also fell, as if he has just suffered some terrible injustice.
Xu Mo: â...so you brought me breakfast only because you needed my advice on something?â
âWe haven't seen each other in such a long time, yet you don't miss me at all.â
MC: ââŚw-wait!â
âThatâs not what I meant.â
âItâs not that I donât miss youâŚâ
At this moment, Xu Mo raised his eyes, which were twinkling with a hint of slyness. It was then I realised that I must have fallen into his trap once again. I looked at him and bit my lips with a huff. And yet, this manâs mood suddenly shifted happily as he came over to hold my hand with a smile.
Xu Mo: âLetâs have breakfast first.â
--
Under my âquietâ supervision, Xu Mo finished eating three egg tarts, two bread, and half a palmier before concluding this somewhat hearty breakfast. Although at the end he said that he really couldnât eat anymore, there was still a happy smile on his lips.
Xu Mo: âJust spare me this round, Great Producer. I already know what I did wrong.â
âNow, I really know that you didnât not miss me.â
He spoke slowly, dragging out the last part of his sentence as he took one last sip of coffee from his mug. He rested his chin on his hand and looked at the notebook in my hands. Before I had the time to think of a comeback to his words, he changed the topic.
Xu Mo: âLet me take a look at your question next.â
I really didnât know what to do with him. I could only go along with his tempo; I opened up the notebook in my hands, spreading it on the table.
Xu Mo: âSo this is the question that got you stuck.â
Xu Mo took a pen out of his pocket. Just as he was about to start writing, he looked over at me again.
Xu Mo: âSitting opposite each other like this, itâs not so easy for me to write. Do you want to sit a bit closer?â
I nodded my head. I pulled my chair over and sat next to Xu Mo, shoulder to shoulder. Satisfied, Xu Mo smiled and wrote down the four letters âAEIOâ on paper, forming a rectangle.
Xu Mo: âYou can simply understand it this way: âAâ means complete affirmation, âEâ means complete negation, âIâ means partial affirmation, and âOâ means partial negation.â
âAmong these, âAâ and âOâ have a contradictory relationship, just as âIâ and âEâ also have a contradictory relationship. Between them, there must be one that is true and one that is false. For example, taking what you said just now about how itâs not that you donât miss meâŚâ
ââŚit negates complete negation, which is to say that âEâ is false. In contrast, it confirms that âIâ is true, which is to sayâyou do miss me a little.â
âIs that right?â
The low voice that he used to slowly describe the concept flowed like sunlight. As I listened, I fell into a trance. The way the corners of his lips were raised subconsciously prompted me to smile along with him.
MC: âRight.â
A familiar light scent lingered between our breaths. I stared at his mesmerising eyes and only came to my senses much later. Xu Mo held my hands as an ambiguous smile appeared on his lips. His eyes narrowed slightly with the action, and he came closer.
Xu Mo: âTwo days ago, I attended a lecture and happened to meet the Old Professor Xu that you invited as a guest on your show.â
âHe was full of praises for you, saying that you and your team have already handed him the script two weeks ago. The questions on logical reasoning that he came up with, you managed to solve them all.â
âAll these basic theoretical concepts have ceased to become a challenge for you much earlier on.â
âAnd yet you still came up with the excuse of having a question you needed my advice forâŚâ
MC: âIâŚâ
I avoided his stare guiltily, but still hesitantly hummed a soft âmhmmâ. Xu Mo let out a helpless smile and sighed lightly. Raising his forefinger, he tapped me on the forehead gently.
Xu Mo: âLittle liar, you only know how to bully me.â
Hurriedly, I tugged on the cuff of his white coat and softened my tone.
MC: âThatâs why I said, I really came here specially to bring you breakfast.â
Xu Mo: âThis isnât the only thing Iâm referring to.â
Xu Mo gazed into my eyes mysteriously, seemingly that no matter how I reacted afterwards, it would all be within his sight.
Xu Mo: âFor the past two weeks, Aming often brings me supper; sometimes it's hot congee, other times it's vegetables and rice. He claims that it's takeaway, but the taste says otherwise.â
âThe leaves of the spider plant on my balcony have long since turned yellow, and I haven't had the time to take care of it. However, when I glanced at it a few days ago, I found a new pot has long taken its place.â
âAfter returning to my office from the research centre early in the morning, I would sometimes find an extra cup of freshly-brewed tea.â
As he spoke, he showed an expression of serious contemplation, and his eyes revealed a faint puzzlement.
Xu Mo: âWhen did I start raising a little snail girl like you?â
He paused. Although it seemed like he still had some words left unsaid, he didn't continue speaking. Instead, he rubbed my hand with his fingertips, slowly, lightly, and very gently. I could feel the warmth from his fingertips, the slight, tingling itch resulting from his touch, and understood his momentary silence.
MC: âI shouldâve known that I couldnât keep this from you.â
I responded with a calm look. However, I suddenly remembered the little gift that I had prepared for him previously and couldnât help but laugh a little.
MC: âBut you still left out one thing.â
âI placed a humidifier on the corner of your coffee tableâyou didnât notice it, did you?â
Xu Mo paused for a while and sighed softly.
Xu Mo: âHow could I not notice? Moreover, the tea jar that I had already emptied out was filled with new tea leaves by a certain someone.â
âI even thought to myself, you must have gone out alone again to buy new tea leaves when I couldnât take any time out.â
The light in Xu Moâs eyes deepened. He leaned over and pressed his forehead against mine.
Xu Mo: âDid something happen recently?â
I shook my head subconsciouslyâafter all, it really was nothing. He has his own things to be busy with, and he had promised me early on that we would go on a trip once his work has been dealt with.
However, during the times I couldn't hear footsteps coming from next door even after waiting all night, or when I picked up my phone only to remember that I shouldnât bother him at work...
I really missed him.
Xu Mo's breath fell on my face, warm and a little moistâjust like a light drizzle on a spring day, it felt as if oneâs heartstrings were being gently caressed.
MC: âTruthfully⌠I miss you more than âjust a littleâ.â
Xu Mo: ââŚme too.â
--
A week later, the new show entered the recording process as scheduled. It was fortunate that early preparations were done well, as the outcome exceeded expectations. Anna even felt that the showâs new season ratings could reach a new high, prompting me to prepare to treat everyone to dinner soon. I couldnât wait to tell Xu Mo the good news and rushed over to the research centre as soon as work ended.
As I neared his office, I could hear Amingâs laughter coming from within.
Aming: âProfessor, there is a secret that Iâve been keeping from you for a really long time. Let me tell you about it today! It has to do with MCâŚâ
Upon hearing my own name, I lowered the hand that was reaching out to knock on the door, and discreetly looked into the office from behind the half-opened door.
Xu Mo and Aming sat facing each other, seemingly engaged in idle conversation. I had no idea what they were talking about that would prompt Aming to spill the beans so mysteriously.
Aming: âActually, the suppers I have given you previously were all sent over by MC in secret.â
âOne time it rained, and we all thought that she wouldnât visit anymore. However, she still came and even brought all of us freshly-baked cakes and biscuits.â
âAlso, there was once when she discovered that youâd finished drinking all your tea and refilled your jar with new tea leaves the very next day!â
As he spoke, he sighed deeply.
Aming: âItâs so nice having a girlfriendâŚâ
All along Xu Mo had been listening quietly, but after hearing Aming sigh so deeply, he could not help but let out a laugh.
Xu Mo: âWhy, are you jealous?â
I could not stop my hand from reaching out and knocked on the door lightly. Xu Mo smiled and stood up slowly.
Aming: âProfessor, thereâs someone looking for you, I should leave first.â
Just as I was about to push the door open and step inside, Aming pulled on the door knob. When our eyes met, he scratched his head awkwardly.
Aming: âMC, youâre here⌠I-I definitely did not tell the Professor your secret.â
âI still have a paper to write, Iâll be leaving first!â
I was just about to tell him that the Great Professor Xu had already discovered the secret earlier, but he slipped away and ran. I watched helplessly at his retreating back as he disappeared into the hallway. But before I could react, Xu Mo pulled me into the office with one hand.
Xu Mo: âSince youâre here at this time, has the recording ended? Did it go well?â
MC: âMhmm, it just ended.â
âI donât know what the outcome of the broadcast will be like. However, based on experience, it should go successfully⌠but how did you know that I came here to talk to you about this?â
Xu Mo: âIsnât this our chemistry with each other? In the past, when you came to me like this, it was almost always to share good news with me.â
MC: âThen, how did your experiment go?â
The light in Xu Moâs eyes shifted for a second, but there was a smile on his lips.
Xu Mo: âIt failed.â
He let go of my hand and walked towards a filing cabinet, from which he took out a big stack of papers. On the cover, I saw the words âlaboratory reportâ printed in bold. For a moment I was confused, unsure if he was just teasing me or telling the truth.
However, Xu Mo has already started putting the papers one by one into the paper shredder, and the quiet office was soon filled with the continuous buzzing sounds of the machine. Xu Mo saw the look of surprise and concern in my eyes, smile still on his face.
Xu Mo: âIn a hundred experiments, it is indeed the success of the hundredth experiment that makes one happy. However, this does not mean that the previous ninety-nine failures are worthless.â
âItâs just like how you might encounter difficulties when you work on your shows; sometimes the ratings are poor, and sometimes the showâs reputation is not well-received. Similarly, my work often has such discouraging moments.â
âBut it is fine, for failure is not importantâknowing that you are on the wrong path is more important.â
Xu Mo looked at the thin sheets of paper in his hand, the smile in his eyes growing.
Xu Mo: âHopefully, next time I would have good news to share with you too.â
MC: âBut, after working so hard for such a long time just to not yield resultsâŚâ
âIf it were me, I would definitely be upset for quite some time.â
As the shredder swallowed the last page of the report, Xu Mo walked over in front of me and sighed lightly.
Xu Mo: âIndeed, no matter how small, the feeling of discontent is there.â
I thought about it for a while, and then offered Xu Mo an invitation.
MC: âHow about we go out for a walk?â
âThe weather today is great; we can take a stroll. Sometimes I just need to take in the sunlight for a bit and my mood becomes better.â
Xu Mo let out a laugh and agreed softly. With practised ease, he interlocked his fingers with mine, and led me out of the research centre.
As the weather became warmer, the streets were filled with more and more people. Despite it being a work day, the people passing us by were mostly in groups of three to five. Xu Mo held my hand tightly, as if worried that I would be separated from him in the crowd.
As we were walking, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, and advised me seriously.
Xu Mo: âIn the future, donât come out alone in the middle of the night.â
âYou are not allowed to walk through the alleyways and take shortcuts, either.â
When he said the first sentence, I had wanted to crack a joke and make a silly face before simply agreeing to it. However, when he said âalleywaysâ, my entire heart jumped.
MC: âHow did you knowâŚâ
The road back home from the research centre was a main road, and it has always been safe. There were many people walking on the road even at ten oâclock at night. There was one rainy day when I wanted to reach home quickly and took the alleyway as a shortcut.
Only once.
Xu Mo stood in front of me and placed a hand on my head.
Xu Mo: âHow could I be at ease with you walking home alone at night?â
âHowever, if I had walked back home together with you, or simply spoke to you, I probably would not have been able to focus on my experiments.â
âThatâs why, every time, I have always seen only you off downstairs, and waited until I could see your lights go on before turning around and going back to the research centre.â
âThis way, I could also take a small break, slowly organising my thoughts on work for the day as I walk.â
MC: ââŚâŚâ
At the thought of him putting his work down, secretly following behind me just to protect me and see me home safely, and then waiting around downstairs until he could see my lights come on before walking back to the research centre under the night skyâŚ
I suddenly felt bad inside.
My intention was to take care of him, but I did not expect that I would cause him this much troubleâŚ
MC: âIâm sorry.â
Xu Mo shook his head and laughed gently.
Xu Mo: âLittle fool, you donât have to apologise, you didnât give me any trouble.â
âThe surprises that you gave me, I really liked them all. More than that, I could not help but look forward to them.â
âLooking forward to what kind of gifts you would bring me next time, and looking forward to the moment I could see you after a long, exhausting day of workâŚâ
âThis is the most interesting experience Iâve had in all these years of dry and routine life doing research.â
Xu Mo grabbed my hand and turned to look at the intersection.
Xu Mo: âWant to have some ice-cream?â
It was only then that I noticed a dessert shop selling ice-cream in front of us. I hesitated, but before I could speak, Xu Mo had spoken first.
Xu Mo: âI do want to eat it a little. Want to have it with me?â
I rarely saw this side of Xu Mo, so childlike and pure. I agreed immediately and jogged over to the dessert shop to buy two ice-cream cones.
MC: âHere, this ice-cream is my treat. Next time, I will surprise you in a more thoughtful way and not make you worry anymore.â
"This time's debt, let's just call it even!"
I handed one of the ice-cream cones to Xu Mo and then I could no longer resist tasting my ownâthe cooling sweetness melting at the tip of the tongue, the rich strawberry flavour giving one a sense of happiness.
At this very moment, Xu Mo bent over at the waistâ
He leaned closer, pursed his lips slightly upwards, and, under my slightly dumbfounded gaze, gently licked the tip of the sweet cone in my hand.
The small ice-cream cone suddenly turned into a small mountain, separating two pairs of thin lips, yet not able to separate the sights we have of each other. In that moment, the boisterous and noisy crowd around us seemed like they have been put on pause. My heart was full, and I only had eyes for the pair right in front of mine, deep and vast like pools of water.
Xu Mo: âMmm, itâs delicious.â
He straightened his back. In a good mood, the corner of his eyes curved into a smile, and at last he tasted the matcha-flavoured ice-cream cone in his hand. Even with a cunning smile in his eyes, the passing breeze seemed to have caught onto his aura, becoming a little gentler.
I could never figure out what to do with himâŚ
MC: âXu Mo, are you still going back to the research centre?â
Xu Mo: âThe experiment is already over, so itâs time to go back and rest.â
MC: âWhat a coincidence, weâll be going the same way!â
Lifting the corner of my lips, I reached my hand out towards himâ
Xu Mo smiled gently, and held my hand without hesitation.
Xu Mo: "Mm, let's go home."
--
T/N: Little snail girl (ç°čşĺ§ĺ¨) is a character from a Chinese folklore of the same name. The story goes that a young farmer found an unusually big snail when he was out in the fields, so he decided to bring it home and take care of it. Since then, every time he came home from work, he would mysteriously find freshly-prepared dinner waiting for him. He later found out that the one who cooked for him was indeed the snail he brought homeâand that sheâs not just a snail after all, sheâs a young and beautiful woman. They fell in love, got married, had children and lived happily ever after.
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