CH 10

Chapter 10

“Brother.” Lu Guanguan carried a plate of Lu Bai’s favorite sweet yellow pea cake1Chinese link, https://baike.google.com/item/%E8%B1%8C%E8%B1%86%E9%BB%84/474417?fr=aladdin English link, https://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/beijing-famous-snack-yellow-pea-cake/ A dessert made of sweet yellow peas and agar can be finger food with softer consistency that is supposed to almost melt in the mouth. and a pot of black tea into Lu Bai’s bedroom. He was sitting on his balcony staring at the distant sky, lost in thought.

Lu Bai looked over at her with a smile, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Guanguan put the tray down on the table in front of Lu Bai, and sat down across from him, smiling nicely, “I’m just bringing you something to eat, it’s your favorite!”

Lu Bai raised his eyebrows, picked up a piece of cake, and stuffed it into his mouth, swallowing it, “Alright, speak up. What happened?” He loves eating yellow pea cake, but it was really sweet. Aunt Sheng2Aunt Sheng is Lu Bai’s stepmother. always forbade him from eating too many at once, but this time she let his sister carry a plateful into his room.

Lu Guanguan rolled her eyes, “Nothing’s wrong big brother~. It’s just… you’re starting school soon, so you should stay home these days.” After a pause, Lu Guanguan especially emphasized, “Don’t go running around and just hang out at home with me.”

Lu Bai snickered but still nodded his head. Aunt Sheng and Guanguan had really gone to great lengths to keep him from being upset.

Lu Bai selected another piece of cake and stuffed it into his mouth contentedly. He gave it some thought and what came to mind was the next chapter of the story. In addition to Aunt Sheng and Guanguan, maybe even his old man is worried. Because in the next chapter’s plot, the person who is soon returning from abroad can be too damaging to Lu Bai.

The book’s name “Gu Xue3Please check dropdown at bottom of the chapter” was rather artistic, but the plot was too dog-blooded and vulgar. Especially the parts involving Lu Bai. In the protagonist gong4Gong is the Top/Seme/Pitcher/”Husband”/Attack/1 on the opposite side you have the Shou or the Bottom/Uke/Catcher/”Wife”/0. Most Danmeis only have set roles and they don’t usually switch who is top or bottom very often‘s childhood, there was a love triangle. One was naturally the protagonist gong, another was Lu Bai. As for the last, he was the key supporting character of the book. Someone who, unlike Lu Bai, was Qin Gu’s beloved childhood friend and good brother5Not blood-related, meant more as a really good friend., and later is the biggest obstacle between the protagonist gong and the protagonist shou Qu Xueyu getting together, he is really in Qin Gu’s heart. Even if in the end Qin Gu really gets together with Qu Xueyu, there was always a spot in his heart reserved for him. What’s more touching is that a proud person like Qu Xueyu would still have sympathy for this supporting character and became friends.

As for the love-triangle period of Lu Bai’s childhood, of course, he was purely a vicious cannon fodder meant to highlight the kindness, purity, and loveliness of that supporting character. When Lu Bai came to this world, he was only an infant. He experienced that period firsthand, and in order to complete his role as a foil, it can be said that he did his best to work hard.

Later, that supporting character left the country and Lu Bai could finally rest for a while. Now that he’s back, Lu Bai has to resume his work as cannon fodder to highlight someone else.

“Don’t worry,” Lu Bai looked at Lu Guanguan with a warm smile on his lips, “I won’t really be sad.” Apart from it all being exhausting, how could it make people truly sad?

Lu Guanguan was a bit confused, but still nodded: “As long as brother isn’t sad!”

Aunt Sheng and Guanguan were not actually there during that period, so they should only know some vague details from his father and mother, but they are still so worried for him. Lu Bai’s heart was filled with warmth. This world may be fictitious, but his family here is real.

Lu Bai sipped his black tea and looked outside, the glass door behind him had been tinted by the twilight sky, and a soft smile appeared on his face. He needed to make an appearance tomorrow night for the upcoming plot.

At that time, Xiao6Not the same Xiao as “Little”. Check dropdown for more info Yang will have returned to China. Qin Gu introduces Xiao Yang to Qu Xueyu to get them acquainted, and the evil male counterpart Lu Bai comes over after hearing about it to make a scene.

Just by thinking of this, Lu Bai’s new phone beeps with a text message notification. His old wallet, car, and phone are still in the hands of that group of bastards, and he hasn’t gotten anything back yet. He has already been helped by his family to purchase a new phone and a replacement card.

Lu Bai’s eyebrows raised reading the text message displayed on the screen.

“Xiao Bai, long time no see! I’m back home now! Brother Qin and I decided to meet at Silence, I guess he was too busy and forgot to tell you. We’ll wait for you tomorrow at 8 pm, the three of us should get together again! -Xiao Yang.”

Reading the text, Lu Bai almost genuinely thought his old friend really seemed to miss him a lot. Although he didn’t really want to go, he had no choice – he stuffed another piece of yellow pea cake into his mouth, cheeks bulging, lips covered in crumbs. Who let him be a particularly dedicated and vicious male match?

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Silence is a new specialty bar in the downtown city center, which only receives people who are well acquainted. The environment of the private rooms is quiet and secluded, and in addition to all kinds of wine, they also do Huaiyang dishes7Footnote; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huaiyang_cuisine Lighter tasting , non-spicy, dishes. One of the four most popular food styles in China. Chinese Link: https://baike.google.com/item/%E6%B7%AE%E6%89%AC%E8%8F%9C/314695, which is why Qin Gu loves to come here. When Qu Xueyu opened the door of the private dining room, Qin Gu was just lazily leaning on the sofa, with his white shirt unbuttoned a few times, looking unrestrained. Seeing him coming, he did not get up, just waving his hand at him indifferently: “You’re here? Have a seat.”

He was sitting next to a young man with a clean temperament; the young man’s complexion was very white, the bridge of his nose was straight, his eyes were almond-shaped with a gentle look, and his face was still like a youthful, harmless student. Unlike Qin Gu, he stood up calmly when he saw Qu Xueyu, and when he smiled, his eyes curved into a pair of brilliant crescents. He extended his hand towards Qu Xueyu, and his voice was between a teenager and a young man: “Hello teacher Qu8 Calling him ‘Teacher Qu’ implies that he is in the same industry as the other and of lower seniority. Is seen as respectful, but can also be seen as brown-nosing/sucking up depending on the context., I am Xiao Yang. I love watching your movies.”

Qu Xueyu raised an eyebrow, smiled politely, and then clasped the other party’s hand for a brief moment before releasing it, the tone was distant: “Hello. I’m Qu Xueyu.”

Xiao Yang was not bothered. After Qu Xueyu settled in a seat, he then obediently and skillfully sat back beside Qin Gu. Qu Xueyu poured a cup of tea for himself, moistened his mouth, and then he looked at Qin Gu. The other day, Qin Gu had called him to ask for a favor. Qin Gu rarely asked for his help, and based on his friendship with the other, he had agreed. It seems that this time though, the flavor was not quite what he had imagined. Qu Xueyu unhurriedly took another sip of tea and did not open his mouth to ask. It was Qin Gu who had already laid the groundwork, and naturally, he had to explain the meaning behind tonight’s meeting.

Qin Gu is also naturally aware of this fact. He straightened up, patted the shoulder of the youth beside him, and looked at Qu Xueyu, “This is my younger brother, and he wants to try filming. I am only familiar with you in the entertainment industry.” Other connections are not impossible to get, but he has always hated trouble.

Qu Xueyu smiled faintly, “Is this a request for my help in pulling some strings?”

Qin Gu replied, “Only a thread, if he really likes it, I’ll take care of him after that.” Even if he doesn’t like this circle much, Qin Gu also knows that it is easier to have a backer to smoothly navigate in the entertainment circle.

Qu Xueyu thought that with one surnamed Xiao and the other surnamed Qin, there should be no biological relation, but also knew that this was Qin Gu’s own private business, so decided not to ask questions. Since Qin Gu had opened his mouth, based on his friendship with him, he could pull a string to help.

Qu Xueyu was about to say that in two months his new movie will start filming and there is still a role that has not been decided yet. Xiao Yang’s appearance is also quite fitting, he can help Director Zhou make a connection

The door of the compartment was suddenly opened with a bang, cutting Qu Xueyu off. He looked towards the door where a panting young man with a face full of resentment appeared, along with a few disgruntled employees.

“You are not allowed to appear in front of Brother Qin Gu! Get out of Jinghai!”

“Sir! Would you please leave!”

Lu Bai’s voice and the voice of the security guard who had chased him to the private box sounded simultaneous, and for a few seconds after the two voices rang together, a peculiar silence settled over the room.

Lu Bai did his best to make a malicious expression while viciously pointing at Xiao Yang sitting next to Qin Gu. He had done his best in order to get rid of the attendants on the way up, he was really out of breath. Playing the vicious male supporting role is really very difficult.

‘What was the next?’ Lu Bai pointed at Xiao Yang as he panted. It seems he had to splash Xiao Yang with a glass of wine and then receive a slap from Qin Gu. Tsk, today he has to suffer again. As for Film Emperor Qu, I’m sorry, today he is a passerby with no role. Except that after this incident, he has a worse impression of the vicious male counterpart Lu Bai.

“Xiao Bai, long time no see.” Seemingly not caring at all about Lu Bai’s rudeness, Xiao Yang wore a pleasant smile as he looked at Lu Bai, then he looked at the waiter and security guard who had difficult expressions next to Lu Bai, “You guys can go back. It’s okay, he’s our friend. Sorry for the trouble we caused you guys.”

The waiter and the security guard nodded gratefully at Xiao Yang and then hurriedly left.

Lu Bai, as depicted in the original, made an even angrier expression. Then he took a big step forward, picked up the wine on the table, and splashed it on Xiao Yang’s face. His actions were too fast, and when Qin Gu and Qu Xueyu reacted, Xiao Yang had already been drenched. The wine flowed down the bridge of his nose to the tip of his chin and then fell onto his soiled white clothes, making him look pitiful.

“Apologize.” Just like in the original book, Qin Gu’s voice sounded sinister. Lu Bai’s throat moved, and he didn’t dare to look at the darkened face of the other man.

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Deeper Explanation on some of the Chinese

I just want to expand on some of my footnotes, this WILL be an info dump.

The book name “Gu Xue《故雪》” (Gù xuě)

-故 gù happening; instance; reason; cause; intentional; former; old; friend; therefore; hence; (of people) to die, dead

-雪 xuě snow; snowfall; CL:場|场[chang2]; to have the appearance of snow; to wipe away, off or out; to clean

Or, “Old Snow” as Deeple says. Gu is also the original books Male Leads Name (Qin Gu ‘秦故’), Whereas Xue is the same as the books’ Shou (Qu Xueyu ‘曲雪郁’)  This is likely playing off the two leads names as a pairing, but also as a elegant title. This is popular in online culture. This could also just be trying to make a “deep” name considering all the different variations of translation, also why I left it as Pinyin.

Character Names:

OG ML/Book Gong, Qin Gu  ‘秦故’  (Qín gù)

-秦 Qín surname Qin; Qin dynasty (221-207 BC) of the first emperor 

-故 gù happening; instance; reason; cause; intentional; former; old; friend; therefore; hence; (of people) to die, dead

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MC, Lu Bai ‘陆白’ (Lù bái)

-陆 Lù surname Lu

-白 bái white; snowy; pure; bright; empty; blank; plain; clear; to make clear; in vain; gratuitous; free of charge; reactionary; anti-communist; funeral; to stare coldly; to write wrong character; to state; to explain; vernacular; spoken lines in opera

Bái surname Bai

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ML, Qu Xueyu ‘曲雪郁’ (Qū xuě yù)

-曲 Qū surname Qu

-雪 xuě snow; snowfall; CL:場|场[chang2]; to have the appearance of snow; to wipe away, off or out; to clean

-郁 yù elegant

yù dense (growth); melancholy

ML’s Vest, Ruan Jiangjiu ‘阮江酒’ (Ruǎn jiāng jiǔ)

-阮 Ruǎn surname Ruan

-江 jiāng river

-酒 jiǔ wine (esp. rice wine); liquor; spirits; alcoholic beverage

—–

Xiao Yang  ‘肖央’ (Xiào yāng)

-肖 Xiào surname Xiao

-央 yāng center; end; to beg; to plead

Not the same Xiao as Little, (小). 

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