translator: baumkuchenย editors: serefina, glitterypanda
After their meal, Dong Feihong was bent over his desk, drawing, and Chi Xiaochi was on Dong Feihongโs computer, watching recorded figure skating videos, the atmosphere harmonious, each leaving the other to focus on their own things.
Outside, it was snowing. The heating in the house was on full blast. Fragments of ice covered the windows in a pale white, silvery frost. In the house, one could hear the roaring of ovens as they baked. Even far away, one could still imagine the alluring aroma given off by the egg tartsย as they baked in the oven and the slow puffing of their golden, crisp crusts.
Chi Xiaochi raised his head from the computer and looked over.
Dong Feihong, buried in a pile of lined sketches, had on a pair of gold, thin-framed glasses. He put down the blue pencil in his hand, then raised a hand to touch the tear mole below his eye, seemingly in deep thought. He thought for a long time, before reaching out to grab an eraser.
Chi Xiaochi watched his movements, rather unnaturally focused.
061 felt like Chi Xiaochi seemed a little off. โWhatโs wrong?โ
Chi Xiaochi moved back his gaze and naturally changed the topic, โDong Geโs feelings for Lou Sifan amount to eight years of chasing and five years of dating, in total, thirteen years.โ
After doing the simple math, Chi Xiaochi raised a very realistic concern, โIf the time taken for every world is so long, by the time I go back after Iโve finished all my tasks, Iโll open my eyes on the hospital bed, say a single โIโ, and bam, Iโll have directly died of old age. When that happens, who am I supposed to talk to?โ
061 couldnโt help but laugh, โYou havenโt noticed? Thereโs a type of card on the shop, called a โCompression Cardโ.โ
Chi Xiaochi had actually noticed it before, but that was the most expensive one out of all the high-grade cards.
One needed to exchange 20 regret points, or 40 goodwill points, for just one low-grade compression card.
The high price of these things were naturally justified. But when he was flipping through the store, for such expensive things, Chi Xiaochi at most shot a quick glance at the label with the brief description, and made a simple record of them in his mind before dismissing them.
In Chi Xiaochiโs opinion, when he had insufficient funds on hand, blindly splurging on high-grade cards was a really disadvantageous move.
And if a tempting good thing was temporarily unavailable, even just taking a look would only increase oneโs distress.
Chi Xiaochi opened up yet another video of a figure skating competition. At the same time, he continued to discuss this with 061, โWhen I saw the brief description, I even thought โcompressionโ was referring to compression of objects.โ
โ……It refers to time,โ 061 said, โWhen the card is used, it will affect the rate of the flow of time of the entire world. For example, with a low-grade compression card, the worldโs flow of time will become six times faster. The acceleration lasts an indefinite amount of time, but the card is single-use only. Once the user decides to stop this acceleration, it will automatically be deleted. If you want to use it again, you would need to buy it once more.โ
Chi Xiaochi translated his words, โOne is more effective than six?โย
061 laughed, โYou could take it that way.โ
Many of 061โs previous hosts would grit their teeth through countless difficulties, do their utmost, unwilling to spend their points on anything else, rather willing to bow and bend the knee to their targets, sucking up through every possible method precisely to fill up their goodwill value as fast as possible and exchange them for this type of card, so that they would complete this long, arduous role-playing game as fast as possible and return to their own lives.
But even for 061, who had abundant experience under his belt, it was his first time experiencing this kind of thirteen year long emotional marathon, actually even including the youthโs crush period.
This meant that Chi Xiaochi would have a really long period of time where he wouldnโt be able to find a chance to get in contact with the mission target.
And no matter whether they were trying to grind goodwill points or regret points, they would have to get in contact with the target to do so.
โฆโฆ061 had only just brushed on this matter, but he could already feel the points of disgust within.ย
Chi Xiaochi unexpectedly didnโt have any reaction. He lowered his head and did some mental calculations for a while, then raised his head and said, โIn short, if we want to get through this world faster, weโll need at least 20 regret points, right?โ
061, โEn.โ
He once again opened up the storehouse and checked its contents. At the same time, he asked, โ…….Or 40 goodwill points?โ
061, โ……En.โ
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Aera jr 061 kjr yfulcclcu ab ufa rilutais jczlber, Jtl Wljbmtl rjlv yiecais, โVfaaif vbkc, kf mjc klc atlr.โ
Cr tf rqbxf, tlr fzqgfrrlbc kjr mjiw, yea atfgf kjr j iluta lc tlr fsfr.
Ktja xlcv bo ygliiljcmf vlvcโa mbwf ogbw Gbcu Xf, yea ogbw atf rbei lc atlr ybvs. Pa kjr wbgf jaagjmalnf atjc jcs oilgajalber uijcmf.
Before 061 could figure out what the slight movement in his heart meant, he heard his tone change, โ……Fuck.โ
061, โ……Whatโs wrong?โ
Chi Xiaochi said, โWe forgot something.โ
From his storage, he pulled out a slightly old and creased photograph.
The photograph was of Shen Changqing and Help from the last world. The person in the photo had a reserved yet gentle smile.
Chi Xiaochi wondered if he had recovered his ability to smile without a care yet.
However, now, he was already in the next world, even if he wanted to return the photo he feared he wouldnโt be able to find a way.
Chi Xiaochi placed the photo back into his storage. โIf I had torn up Zhou Kaiโs stamp collection right in front of his hospital bed, I reckon I could have gotten a dozen high-grade compression cards.โ
061 thought about it, and felt the same.
However, he didnโt want Chi Xiaochi to think too narrowly, so he refrained from sharing in his regret and comforted him, โNevermind. Itโs all already past.โ
โI was just saying this casually.โ Unexpectedly Chi Xiaochi spoke with a natural attitude, โI specifically left that stamp collection album for Shen Changqing.โ
โ……Hmm?โ
Chi Xiaochi said, โShen Changqingโs situation and personality is different from Cheng Yuanโs. For Shen Changqing, he needs an outlet that he can control. Leaving him the stamp collection was the most intuitive, and simplest way to let him vent.โ
Zhou Kai had killed Shen Changqingโs Help, Shen Changqing returned him with a destroyed stamp collection. Only then was this barely a fair trade.
Chi Xiaochi concluded concisely, โTo put it simply, it was to let him have a good time.โ
061, โMmโฆโฆโ He could understand Chi Xiaochiโs way of thinking, but thinking about the damage Chi Xiaochi had suffered in that world, he inevitably found it a bit of a pity in Chi Xiaochiโs place.ย
Chi Xiaochi, however, didnโt feel any unnecessary regret. He asked 061, โDonโt you think itโd feel good?โ
061 imagined that scene. He replied honestly, โ……Seems like itโd feel really good.โ
Chi Xiaochi said brightly, โThen isnโt that good enough.โ
As soon as his words fell, Dong Feihong over on his side seemed to have heard something funny, suddenly letting out a laugh.
Brush in hand, his already beautiful features were decorated with a smile, making them even more vivid and amiable.
Chi Xiaochi immediately switched to Dong Ge mode, looking at him confusedly.
After Dong Feihong was done laughing, he waved it off, โI thought of something funny. Did I disturb you?โ
Chi Xiaochi shook his head.
Dong Feihong stood up, drew out a wet wipe and wiped his graphite-stained hands, โHave an egg tart. You wonโt get fat with just one.โ
Chi Xiaochi said, โOkay.โ
Immediately after, he watched Dong Feihong enter the kitchen, an indiscernible emotion in his gaze.
While as Dong Feihong stepped into the kitchen, he couldnโt hold back a soft laugh.
โฆโฆChi Xiaochi really was a person who could easily make others feel better.
Next Monday, after Chi Xiaochi finished his basic flexibility, speed and visualisation exercises, he then began practicing jumps in a corner of the rink.
This time, he was practicing axels, one of the six foundational jumps.
He tried a single axel, succeeding in one try, landing perfectly.
After that was the double axel.
When he landed successfully once more, he vaguely heard an emotional โholy shitโ coming from the corner.
Chi Xiaochi pretended that he hadnโt heard, quietly taking the compliment, and began skating again on the ice.
Another jump, another landing on the ice and another shower of fragmented ice.ย
The youthโs figure under the light was like a beautiful butterfly, the paper-cut silhouette cast on the half-transparent ice both flexible and moving.
Even though the 3A this time wasnโt too perfect, the youth didnโt let out much frustration, circling around on the ice while at the same time consciously moving his body, splitting his legs past his shoulders, or stretching his arms, as if trying to get in the mood.
He was helping Dong Ge adjust his mental state.
The past Dong Ge was unnecessarily haughty, lacking in calm, and as such, no matter how attractive his appearance, how stellar his performance, he still had a group of people who extremely disliked him, thinking that he worked far too hard and his face was always filled with the desire to win.
Now, his gaze was still filled with Dong Geโs unique melancholy and stubbornness, but in it was added some of Chi Xiaochiโs indifference.
In comparison to how most transmigrators didnโt dare to exhibit any age-inconsistent excellence in fear of arousing othersโ suspicion and interest, Chi Xiaochi didnโt hide anything, didnโt suppress anything, exhibiting Dong Geโs excellence as well as the experience heโd accumulated from ten years of competitions for all to see.ย
โโLaozi doesnโt need anyoneโs acknowledgement or approval, Laozi is a genius.
By the side of the ice rink, stood the coach who had previously scolded Dong Ge for wanting to jump before even learning to walk, Dong Geโs coach, and the head coach of the skating team.
The one who had let out that โholy shitโ just now was the first one.
In contrast to the formerโs lack of calm, the head coach watched Dong Ge for a long time.
He had observed this child before and judged that although his skill level was superb compared to the other children his age, he didnโt have a good personality, being far too irritable and impulsive, far too eager to prove himself. He still needed a lot more polishing, and they couldnโt rush to send him into competitions.
Otherwise, once he achieved something, he would either become arrogant and complacent, or long for even more victories.
Such a vicious cycle would never be a good thing for his growth.
But ever since last week, when the provincial team coach had come and talked to him for a while, he could see today that he seemed to have completely changed.ย
This unruliness with a little bit of seriousness shone with the radiance of self-confidence.
The head coach asked, โHe still hasnโt participated in any formal, large-scale competitions, right?โ
Dong Geโs coach nodded with slight surprise, โMm-hm.โ
The head coach said, โThe National Figure Skating Junior Series is in three months. Sign Dong Ge up, let him try it out.โ
As soon as the namelist of the competition participants was posted, Dong Ge instantly became the talk of the school.
โฆโฆThe organisers of the competition only gave three places to the school. How could someone with practically zero experience in participating in major competitions, only having participated in several regional competitions, being chosen to take part in the highest-ranking and most-watched event for youth skaters not be shocking?
Some of the gazes aimed at Dong Ge were admiring, some yearning, but even more were filled with the irrepressible flames of jealousy.ย
Chi Xiaochi preened at 061, โHeeheehee.โ
061, โ……โ Silly.
Chi Xiaochi, โI just like how they look when they get upset when they look at me yet canโt get rid of me.โ
061, โ……โ Is this child scheming or just childish.
But 061 was still always thinking about this missionโs target.
According to the current data, Lou Sifanโs initial goodwill towards Chi Xiaochi wasnโt low, at 50 points, but his regret level was simply zero.
At present, Chi Xiaochi had no intentions whatsoever of finding and getting into contact with Lou Sifan in advance and starting to cultivate feelings.
And without any contact, that meant there would be no change in values; and without any change in values, Chi Xiaochi would have to be stuck in this world.
Chi Xiaochi was as if he didnโt at all care about this. When he heard the good news, the first thing he did was call Dong Feihong.
When heโd gone back last week, Dong Feihong had given Chi Xiaochi a phone.
And the first and only phone number saved in this phone was Dong Feihongโs.
After hearing this good news, Dong Feihong brought him chicken soup stewed with shiitake mushrooms as a reward.
As Chi Xiaochi sat in the car gulping down chicken soup, he lost Dong Geโs sharp edges, and Chi Xiaochiโs unique gaze. His head was lowered, revealing his fluffy, jet-black hair whorl, looking like it would be really nice to touch.
โฆโฆRight now, he was just a child who was far away from home, chasing his dreams.
His quietened state looked so cute that it made oneโs heart hurt. Dong Feihong couldnโt keep himself from raising his hand and ruffling his hair. โYouโve done really well.โ
Chi Xiaochi shook, causing some of the chicken soup in his spoon to spill out.
Seeing his reaction, Dong Feihong immediately regretted it.
But to his surprise, Chi Xiaochi simply wiped his mouth, then continued to drink the soup without a change in his expression.
061, Dong Feihong, โ……โ Yi.
Didnโt it used to be that even shaking hands with a stranger was unacceptable?
061 also had to have been with him for a long time before being able to become slightly closer with him. When he first started touching him, Chi Xiaochi had also vomited until he fell apart.
061 frowned slightly, a slight sense of imbalance forming in his heart.
The author has something to say:
Actually weโve already begun Dong Geโs plotline qwq
Next chapter will be figure skating beauty Xiaochiโs elegant manipulations qwq
And Lou-ge whoโs NTR-ing himself right in front of his own eyes feels like thereโs something not quite right w
sere: uwu for the 061 who is jelly of himself
panda: who else thinks CXC knows Dong Feihong is 061?
baum: this chapter turned into an Auto Draft somehow, so I’m reposting it TT hopefully it won’t have deleted all your comments
also, I think chapters are going to be a little late this week, since I haven’t had time to translate with my test. Sorry guys, and thanks for your understanding!
Thanks for the chapter! ^ ^
LOU YING YOU STUPID HCKJCGSCCKS STOP DRINKING YOUR OWN VINEGAR YOU FOOL!!!
Gosh i adore them so much help dont help me let me die !!!
Thank you for the chapter!!!! Also congrats for hitting 50 chapters!!
If only 061 could be honest to CXC regarding his shell… So should I say, “you brought it upon yourself”? ๐ค๐ค
Thanks for the translation.
Assuming ‘text’ means test, good luck~~
Thanks for the chapter, and congrats on hitting ch 50! Seeing the ML feel uncomfortable while a fragment of himself pets CXC is hilarious โฎ(๏ผพโฝ๏ผพ)โญ
ah yep I meant test oops
thanks!! <3
Thanks for the hard work love the story ^_^
THanks for the chapters. Lol 061 is jealous of himself.
Good luck, baumkuchen!
I wonder what CXC plans to do. I think it’d be good to cultivate some feelings with He Changsheng, but CXC always does something unexpected, lol.
I think that CXC thinks Dong Feihong is Lou whassisname (can’t remember, can’t be bothered checking right now), the dead friend. Because 061 is dead friend and dead friend cooks and acts the same as Dong Feihong.
Thanks for the chapter! (๏พโใฎโ)๏พ*.โง
Take all the time you need for the test~
Mhmm~ I just hope Liu-gege did not dig he’s own grave and caused CXC’s fluctuations to be unstable…
Thanks so much for the chapter~!
Thanks for the update
Yeah, CX totally knows! Thanks for translating!
If this uncle is too good to Chi Xiaochi, maybe he won’t want to go to the next world. Liu-laoshi, restrain yourself a little bit, yeah? Thanks for the chapter!
Don’t underestimate our MC. Even if Dong Feihong’s actions reminds him of his childhood friend, he only appreciates the kind intentions but he’ll never stay for him. He has his own resolve and that much has been established since the first arc. Believe that our MC will never stray off his path…well, unless he learns that 061 is his dead friend and 061 remembers that our MC is the person who was waiting for him and Pig Brain threatens either or both.
Thanks for the chapter~ (๏ฝ๏ฟฃโฝ๏ฟฃ)๏ฝ
Hahaha, I absolutely love his subtle ways of drinking his own vinegar.
Im laughing at ML NTRing himself without even trying hahahahah
Haha. The MC has already realized the identity of the “uncle.”
Oh yeah, I think CXC knew 061 is Dong Feihong ever since both of them asked if he’s alright at the same time when he stopped eating bc of “a chili pepper”
Pfft, emperor of actors, you were just testing both of their reaction times and whether they’d think to say different things X’D
wating ur own vinegar never gets old
MLs drinking their own vinegar is always funny.
I wonder what cxc is planning… will he buy the compression card? Hm….
Also i love the yuzu gifs hehe
Oop dong ge should be befriending lou sifan’s friend-I bet he’d be a good one. Thank u for the chap uwu
Thanks for the chapter!! <3 <3
Lol at Lou-ge NTR-ing himself hahahah!Also really appreciate the extra time and effort to find gifs/images to help us visualise things better (especially the food >< I can’t help drooling, I totally get 009 XD).And can I just say, yuzu’s jumps are a thing of beauty chef’s kiss That delayed 1A is to die for ๐
no wonder I feel like somethings not right HAHAHAHAHAH *NTR urself Lou-ge * ๐คก ๐ฏ
I’m worried about the original Dong Ge returning to find that his uncle’s not real….
Lou ge feels jelly if his own clones?? ๐๐
Thanks for the chapter!๐
ML may not be as yandere as other ML’s… but he seems to drink the same vinegar they do lolol
Mans even got jealous of HIMSELF
Lol being jealous of oneself haha.
Thank you for the chapter!
061 jealous of himself XD
When I see yuzuru skiing:๐๐๐
you can’t see another cutie on ice a legendary but on earth clumsy little guy ๐๐Thanks for chapter
Don’t stop me i vant to beat that stupid system named Lou Ying… Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! So frustrating!! Fool!! Stupidly fool!!! Little fool just appeare infront of xiao chi will you?? I feel like…ugh!!!!!!!!!
The amount of yuzuru skating gifs is just chief kiss~ he’s really legendary
As for Lou-ge (061) he’s so cute getting jealous of himself but oh well he brought it upon himself
… He really just made his own vinegar.. And shot it straight down his throat lmaoaoa i love them
Thank you for the chapter!!
Hee hee 061 jelly! CXC is too smart for cutout uncle! CXC thinking how to rake in the points?
So itโs true! He did leave the stamp collection alone purposely !
ha ha! BE’s jealous of himself! XD
He’s*
089: Son, u dug this grave urself. So stop drinking ur own vinegar^.^
I’m really liking this arc, and the translator put up figure skating references using some of Yuzu’s, so i’m very happy too. Thanks for your hard work translator- san.
ntr-ing himself lmaoooo
“–Laozi doesn’t need anyone’s acknowledgement or approval, Laozi is a genius.”
i literally choked my food laughing, CXC is really childish๐๐
also, our lou-ge be drinking his own vinegar(๏ผ ๏ผพ๏ผ๏ผพ)
Not to mention, it makes sense for the data that CXC receives to include the Pig Brain’s alterations, but the original Dong Ge would probably be aware that LouWhatever was altered,,,? Honestly, I feel like knowing that the person you hate most was arbitrarily altered on such a fundamental level, is both disconcerting and extremely funny.
Lol he’s being jealous of himself
Istg I don’t get how yearning for victories or practicing hard for your ambitions is a bad personality trait.