Translator: Lattenights
Apologies, this chapter hasn’t been edited.
Mild trigger warning
Bullied past, slurs on mutism
I refrained from using the word “mute” as much as I could, opting to change the title too because of how it could have been used to mock someone for their circumstances. Google also mentioned that it could be offensive at times so I’m going for the safer route.
Chen You wailed. He used brute strength to pinch on the little boy’s chin, forcing him to ease his bite.
The little boy huffed a few times before he was unconscious.
Chen You held his bloody fingers; he was already jumping around from the pain.
Son, you’re only called Second pup. You’re not a real pup, why did you bite me?
He wanted to cry, but somehow he couldn’t cry.
“It just means that it wasn’t painful enough.” When Chen You heard the system’s words, he felt very wronged in his heart.
Motherf****r, what did I do wrong? Why am I already at max-level hatred upon my arrival here?
The system said, “Be more open-minded.”
Chen You hissed as he took in a few gasps. “Nope, can’t do it.”
The system said, “Little children are very forgetful. As long as you treat him nicely, he’ll also eventually be nice to you.”
Chen You blew on his finger. “Screw off ba.”
There are many types of children. There are the obedient angels and there are also naughty rascals.
Second Pup was the type who has been introverted since he was little. He was the vengeful type, the weird type who didn’t interact with others.
Yes, he couldn’t talk.
Chen You saw it from the screen. Second Pup grew up like a normal child, also speaking at the age other toddlers spoke at; he was a very adorable kid. Later on, he fell gravely ill and his family couldn’t afford the fees to consult a doctor.
He coped with his illness and eventually recovered without any help. However, he could no longer speak and his personality also changed.
The children in the village called him a mute dog, even throwing mud onto his person.
At first, he did not fight back. The first few times he went out with clean clothes, he would return with mud all over his body. His parents lectured him, saying that he was being disobedient.
That was when he began to retaliate.
Whoever threw a lump of mud onto him, he would throw back two lumps.
One day, the adults in the village had a discussion and dragged their children to Second Pup’s house. They slandered him, saying that he couldn’t speak, only glaring at people with bulging eyes when he got angry.
Naturally, only they got to speak their side, so they twisted everything to be Second pup’s fault. They demanded compensation from his parents and wanted to chase the whole family out of the village.
Second pup was beaten by his parents, who asked him, why did he have to retaliate?
After that incident, Second pup became even more reserved. He never smiled and was repulsed by others ‒ he was cold towards everyone.
“Ai…”
Chen You really didn’t know what to say. He wiped away the blood on his finger, applying medicine on it as he felt heartache for himself for one second.
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.
Ktfc tf ifa atlr lcmlvfca rilvf.
Pc atf oeaegf, cba pera bcf olcufg, fnfc lo la kfgf akb bg atgff, bg fnfc batfg qjgar bo tlr ybvs ‒ Cr ibcu Vfmbcv qeq yla la, Jtfc Tbe klii bcis mgs bea lc qjlc jcv vb cbatlcu firf.
Pc atf wlvvif bo atf cluta, atf ilaaif ybs’r ybvs afwqfgjaegf gbrf jcv tf aklamtfv lc qjlc. Jtfc Tbe kjr rb rmjgfv atja tf rja yfobgf atf yfv, gfqfjafvis mtjcalcu qgjsfgr.
At daybreak, his eyes were so sore. Just one blink was enough for his tears to fall.
“444, am I going blind?”
The system said, “The target couldn’t speak, it wouldn’t be good if you’re also blind.”
Chen You rubbed away his tears. “You’re already talking crap when it’s still so early in the morning.”
He closed his eyes for a bit to soothe them. He then went out and ordered Chun Tao to summon the doctor again for another consultation.
Chun Tao was drawing water in the backyard. When he heard the orders he was displeased. “Really, why is it always me?”
Chen You, “Taozi?”
Chun Tao tossed the bucket aside onto the floor. “This servant will go right away!”
The doctor that came over was also the same doctor who came yesterday. After examining the patient, his eyeballs were about to pop out. His lips trembled as he repeatedly said, “Impossible. Impossible.”
For him to be so surprised was really understandable.
In just one night, the person who was on death’s door suddenly regained his vitality.
Chen You hugged his arms as he leaned on the door. “Doctor, are the little boy’s injuries better now?”
The doctor was still shell-shocked as he stuttered a reply, “He’s- he’s- he’s almost all good now.”
He wiped off the layer of sweat caused from the shock, and asked for some paper and a brush. He wrote a prescription and handed it over. “Brew the concoction according to the prescription. One bag of herbs must be boiled in 4 bowls of water, until only one bowl of the medicine is left. The patient must drink it three times a day; it’s good for patients recovering from injuries.”
Chen You asked Chun Tao to take it.
The doctor then wrote another prescription down, stating that the little boy was in poor health and needed more nourishment. The patient shouldn’t be exposed to the cold for a while, to avoid contracting the flu.
Chen You was very grateful. “Chun Tao, send the doctor back to the medical hall. Get the herbs from there while you’re at it.”
Chun Tao did not leave.
Chen You took out his money pouch, digging out a silver tael. He then handed it to Chun Tao. “You have to be thrifty for this master of yours.”
Chun Tao, “…”
Chen You stood in front of the bed for a while, and pressed the little boy’s blankets in.
He went down and called up the remaining three youths in the building for a meeting.
“It would be Prince Yue’s grand birthday next month. There would be a lot of new people visiting. It is a good opportunity.”
Summer, Autumn and Winter only had sluggish and listless expressions.
Chen You furrowed his brows.
This lack of competitiveness is not good ah. I still have grand ambitions for Qing Feng Lou.
He threw a silver tael onto the table. The heavy thud was especially enticing to hear.
Summer, Autumn and Winter were immediately drawn to it.
Chen You said, “This silver is to be set aside for your war attire.”
The three confused chibis, “What is war attire?”
“It would be new robes.” Chen You said. “As for the colour, don’t go for those colourful ones. Only get the white ones. As for the material, pick those that are semi-opaque, hiding your figures while still somewhat exposing them. Don’t ever leave your collars open; you have to keep it closed at all times. Also, from tomorrow onwards, none of you are allowed to tie your hair. All of you must let your hair down.”
He swept his gaze over them. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Three chibis shook their heads. “Don’t understand.”
“…” Chen You got his leg up on the chair. “Go get a brush, and write it down for this master!”
Three chibis ran off in a silly manner, and ran back the same way with notebooks.
“Just do some research, discuss the matter on the robes amongst yourselves. When Qing Feng Lou is prospering, everyone will benefit. Also, when Chun Tao returns, tell him to boil the medicine for the little boy. If anything were to happen to the boy, all of you will be getting it from me.”
After settling all matters, Chen You slipped out of the building. He went back to the place he passed by and bought a bowl of Tau Foo Fah. The one he bought yesterday had been eaten by him. It was sweet and fragrant, extremely delicious. Most importantly, at its price, it was good value for his money.
The lady boss wasn’t around. The person who was busy managing the shop was a young girl with cherry-red lips and white teeth. One look at her and anyone would know that she was born into a family of Tofu sellers. She was white and fragrant.
The girl saw the handsome man clothed in green. She blushed. “Sir, what do you want to buy?”
Chen You stared at her for a few more seconds. “Tau Foo… Fah.”
The girl turned around and prepared it for him.
Chen You waved the paper fan he just bought. He chicly opened his fan and closed it, feeling as though he was on the verge of flying.
“Sir, the Tau Foo Fah you wanted.”
Upon hearing her voice, Chen You was snapped out of his narcissistic daydreams. He thanked the girl, and said very smoothly, “Younger sister, your clothes look very good on you.”
The girl shyly ran into the shop.
Chen You walked a while. Turning back, the girl behind the curtain had her head out. Upon being caught staring at him, she quickly covered her beet-red face.
This young sister is so cute ah. He suddenly felt like singing, and hummed as he walked, “Younger sister, you sit at the bow of the boat, this elder brother will walk along the shore. Both will be lovey-dovey as the rope swings leisurely.”
The system, “The target is now awake.”
Chen You immediately shut his mouth, increasing his pace as he flew back to Qing Feng Lou, hastening his way into the room.
The little boy was on the bed. Even if he wanted to move, he couldn’t. When he saw the man that entered the room, his pair of eyes grew extremely wide. It was a little scary.
Chen You halted his footsteps. F*ck, I was actually frightened by a little kid.
This time, he was already experienced. He didn’t extend his hand, and merely walked over to the side of the bed where he remained standing. “This master was the one who saved you.”
The little boy was unmoved.
Chen You said, “If it weren’t for this master, you would have reunited with your father.”
The lashes of the little boy trembled.
“If there’s anything you need, just wait for all of your injuries to be healed first before dealing with it.” Chen You said in a very gentle manner. “Your father is truly resting in peace in a proper burial plot now. He’s buried in the Western side of the city. When you’ve recovered, this master will take you there.”
The little boy’s breathing became noticeably erratic.
“If this master is lying to you, I will not die a good death.” Chen You hurriedly tried to placate him. “That, how this master treated you earlier,hitting you ‒ it’s really wrong of me to do. I’m not even as good as dogs or pigs. I’m just a beast.”
The little boy’s eyes got even bigger, and the corners of his mouth moved. It resembled a cold smile.
A wave of WTFs errupted in Chen You’s heart. It’s here again, that sort of spine-chilling feeling. Why is it that he would get that feeling in all the worlds he’d been in ah.
He changed the subject, “Chen Jiu, this name… do you want it?”
The little boy closed his eyes.
Chen You, “… Don’t want?”
He resisted the urge to lift the little boy’s eyelids, “Then this master will think more on it. I’ll tell you after I’ve thought of another.”
The little boy’s jaw was tightened.
Realizing that something was off, Chen You quickly opened the little boy’s mouth. The insides were filled with blood. He didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or cry. “Why are you like Xia Li ah? What’s so nice about biting your mouth, it’s not sour or sweet.”
“I should just call you Chen Yao.”
Chen You wiped off the blood on the corner of the little boy’s mouth with his sleeves. “I’m just kidding, really. Look at you, a little boy should be laughing and smiling, feeling happy all the time. What do you need a huge resentment and hatred for, it’s so tiring ah.”
The little boy’s face was so pale it was almost green. With a strength that came from who-knows-where, he shrugged off Chen You’s hand.
Chen You was stunned by the hatred in the little boy’s eyes. He didn’t move for a while.
F*ck me, you’re so ruthless. Laozi don’t want to be your father anymore ai. I’m scared that you might just end me.
“Just lie down ba. Medicine will be brought over to you shortly.”
After Chen You went out of the room, a name appeared in his mind. Chen Shi.
Chen Shi was also the homonym for accomplishing things. Able to have great accomplishments. It’s a good name ah.
He sighed, “Old man, why didn’t you think of this name for me back then. If you did, your son would have had done great feats by now, and wouldn’t be in such a pit.”
Below, there was a ruckus. Chen You went down to check the situation out.
Apparently, manager Liu who came by yesterday said that his flute was broken. He claimed that it was Dong Zao who didn’t control his strength properly yesterday and blew it until it broke.
Pei, that flute of yours, was it made from paper? It can be blown until it’s broken? You blow one broken in front of me first.
Chen You looked at Manager Liu sideways. This master, you are obviously here to stir up trouble.
When Dong Zao heard this, he began to cry. Even Lady Meng Jiang couldn’t compare to him.
This sort of matter was not uncommon. When a customer wanted to cheat you, there were many ways to do so. Sometimes, after accepting a client, sometimes you won’t even earn money; you even have to pay compensation.
Chen You waved his hand, preventing Dong Zao from crying any further. “Manager Liu, say no more. Show it to me, if it was really blown into being defective by my family’s Dong Zao, I’ll cover all medical expenses.”
Manager Liu didn’t understand. “See, see what?”
Chen You’s gaze swept to that area, before looking back at him. “The flute ah. Take it out ba.”
Manager Liu’s face turned purple.
Hi everyone! A small TL note from me below this chapter: I won’t be working on the next few chapters due to IRL commitments(One word: Uni *cries*). FirefoxWinterwolf will be back to take over from chapter 94 from now on. Thank you for the support everyone had given me so far in the past few chapters, reading comments and getting pings on Discord really made my day after posting chapters.
wow, chen you is scared of a child!!! hmm little chen shi is really pitiful..
was it chen shi?
Yup, that’s the name CY has in mind for Second Pup. When you consider CY’s experience with the ML I think his caution is kinda appropriate xD
I, too, died at the song 💀😂
😂 Welcome to the afterlife!
lololol in terms of shamelessness, no one will top our family Chen You (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Thank you so much for your translation!!
Our family’s CY is the only one who is daring enough to ask to see another guy’s flute upfront 😂
Thank you for reading!
Our family’s CY is the only one who is daring enough to ask to see another guy’s flute upfront 😂
Thank you for reading!
Is it a flute flute or is it the other “flute”?
The flute attached to the customer, if you know what I mean winks
AWw I love reading CY being all fatherly in an awkward way 😂😂
As a reader I truly felt that character development for CY, from being single af to dad lololol