Life-Saving Days by the Husky’s Side

Zhou Li said, “I deliberately designed it with a sense of artistic flare. At first glance, no one can tell this is an egg.”

Ji Shaoyan stared at him silently.

Zhou Li: “And I only drew one, so it’s impossible for people to think of Eggy*.”

[T/N: 蛋蛋/dandan literally means ‘egg egg’, so he only drew a single egg]

Ji Shaoyan continued to stare at him.

Zhou Li blinked. “What do you think?”

I think there are pits in your brain, and don’t even think a single one can escape my eyes.

Young Master Ji’s expression was very serene and he warmly reminded, “Class is about to start, let’s go back to the classroom.”

The first two periods in the afternoon were consecutive option courses. Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan both took the same subject.

When Zhou Li pushed Ji Shaoyan over, Liang Jingxiu had already reserved seats for them, and his desk mate turned out to be Song Yingshi. He didn’t know how these two came to sit together.

Zhou Li smiled and said hello to them, dropping Ji Shaoyan off before leaving to go to the bathroom.

Liang Jingxiu noticed the new phone case at a glance, letting out a “huo” before picking it up and studying the accessory. “His gift to you?”

Ji Shaoyan smiled and said, “En, he wrote the words himself.”

Although the fluffy atmosphere at the end was ruined by Silly Fool, the sentences before that really poked at his heart. As long as he thought of it, he would feel a burst of joy.

Liang Jingxiu tongue clicked “ze ze”. “Great, great, so full of sentiment, sending you gifts the moment you guys get together. The development is very fast ah.” 

Song Yingshi was rather curious and also took a peek at the phone case.

Like everyone else, she was also shocked by Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan’s relationship reveal. She even asked Zhou Li privately if he had wanted to investigate the whereabouts of Eggy and therefore deliberately approached the Ji family. Only when she heard Zhou Li’s repeated promises of ‘no’ did she believe him.

She thought it was pretty magical. Ji-shao has been chased by countless admirers, but he has never been moved. Unexpectedly, after playing games with Zhou Li for only a few days, he actually caught the other person. Could it be that he’s never met a person like Zhou Li, someone with countless holes in his brain? 

She wanted to laugh a little, but was also equally worried.

Because Zhou Li was the second personality and won’t be around for a long time. She didn’t know what will happen to these two in the future.

Ji Shaoyan didn’t spare her a look, reaching out to take his phone back and smiling at Liang Jingxiu’s remarks.

He and Zhou Li were in a special situation. It was needless to say that Zhou Li definitely cares about him, but at present, he can’t say how much ‘like’ and ‘love’ was in this ‘care’.

But Zhou Li, this person, really was too good.

He wasn’t like other people, who say they’ll ‘try’ but end up waiting awkwardly for the other person to take the initiative. Since he was willing to agree, he will really put effort into ‘trying’, and because he has too many ideas in his brain, Ji Shaoyan sometimes can’t tell what he will do next.

With such a lover, their life in the future will never be boring.

——But that phone case must be replaced.

Young Master Ji patiently sat through the afternoon classes and did not leave the school grounds with Zhou Li in the evening. He searched for the store where the phone cases were made and ordered the driver to head over.

Ji Tianyang naturally accompanied him, pushing him into the store and glancing at the phone in the other’s hand. He asked, “Ge, are you making one for Zhou-ge?”

Ji Shaoyan confirmed “en“. “Why don’t you make one for your little girlfriend?”

Ji Tianyang: “…sure, we’re already here anyway.”

Ji Shaoyan glanced at him. “How long have you two been together?”

Ji Tianyang said, “Not too long, just a little more than a month ba.”

Like hell she’s his girlfriend. It’s just some girl the previous Ji Tianyang randomly provoked.

But in order to have a reason to find the dog, he deliberately spoiled her for a while. The little girl was also clever, and started to kick up a fuss with him every day because of the dog. Only then could he sneak under the noses of his grandfather and Liang Jingxiu to print and post the missing-dog posters everywhere. 

Besides, after being so ‘affectionate’ for that period of time, he couldn’t break up with her immediately and could only drag things out for a while.

The little girl only had money in her eyes. It was fine to buy a brand-name bag, but she would without a doubt look down if presented with a shoddy phone case… Ji Tianyang resignedly drew a design while putting up an act in front of his brother. Looking at his brother’s serious appearance, he once again strengthened his determination to build a good relationship with Zhou Li.

At this time, Zhou Li was also thinking about Ji Tianyang.

Ji Tianyang and Zhou Luwen were forced to share a car this morning. He didn’t know what they had discussed and went to ask.

Zhou Luwen pondered for a while. “We were just casually chatting. He asked when you guys got together, I said probably during the summer holiday.”

Zhou Li corrected, “No, we only confirmed our relationship yesterday.”

Zhou Luwen looked at him, startled.

Zhou Li: “Really ah.”

Zhou Luwen nodded, his mood slightly growing more complicated, thinking, ‘so you guys slept together before getting together…’

He continued, “He also asked what Grandpa Wei gave us, I told him about the painted scrolls and calligraphy.”

Zhou Li said, “You didn’t mention the jade?”

Zhou Luwen said, “En, before you returned, Dage once said that Grandpa Wei has a weird personality. Tossing these antiquities out may not be because he wanted to send things out, but because he could be planning for some other activities later, so I didn’t mention that the old man gave you an extra prize.”

Zhou Li suddenly felt this guy was very reliable and praised, “You spoke well.”

While Zhou Luwen was talking, he remembered that Zhou Li had asked how he could meet up with Grandpa Wei. Having forgotten to remind the other boy after constant interruptions, he asked, “You haven’t told anyone else ba?”

Zhou Li: “I only told A-Yan.”

Zhou Luwen: “Then, don’t tell others for the time being.”

He explained, “Grandpa Wei has not made a will with those antiques so far. Several juniors in the Wei family have long been very dissatisfied. If word spreads that he treats you differently, you might be targetted.”

Zhou Li nodded in response and they returned home.

After dinner, he took the dog for their routinely exercise. Halfway through the walk, he received a WeChat message from Ji Shaoyan and met the other boy in the neighbourhood, where he was forced to switch to a new phone case.

This phone case still used black as the base colour. Ji Shaoyan matched his initial design, writing words in white ink mixed with light gray. Because three characters would crowd the case, only two characters were printed on it, forming the name “A-Yan”.

Zhou Li thought it was pretty good-looking, so he didn’t resist.

Little Golden Retriever had a slight psychological shadow when it came to Ji Shaoyan and pulled at the leash to leave, but unfortunately its master didn’t budge, so it could only retract to his feet, feeling aggrieved and silently staring at the person in front of them.

Ji Shaoyan glanced at it and asked, “What’s its name?”

Zhou Li answered, “Cubby.”

The little golden retriever raised its head and wagged its tail at him.

Ji Shaoyan bitterly thought to himself, ‘this name sounds far more intimate than Eggy. This silly fool sure has talent in naming things.’

He narrowed his eyes. “Give me an explanation.”

Zhou Li explained, “First you have an egg, then you get the cub.”

Ji Shaoyan: “……”

Zhou Li knew he was a jealous person by nature, so he comforted, “Don’t worry, it doesn’t rank higher than you. Listen, doesn’t Eggy sound much better than Cubby?”

Ji Shaoyan: “It doesn’t.”

But Zhou Li felt that although Ji Shaoyan wanted to change the name, he knew that he shouldn’t interfere too much with Zhou Li’s decisions, so he could only put up with this eye-sore of a thing for the time being. He strolled with Zhou Li around the neighbourhood for a while before they returned to their respective homes.

The next morning, as soon as Zhou Li took a seat in the classroom, the new phone case caught the attention of all surrounding classmates, because those two characters were far too ostentatious.

The two girls in the row in front of him naturally recognised Ji-shao’s handwriting. They secretly snuck many glances, and only when Zhou Li took the initiative to talk to them did they stop holding back, both asking, “You…did Ji-shao write this?”

Zhou Li smiled and dangled his phone between his fingers. “En, isn’t your Ji-shao’s handwriting pretty handsome?”

The two girls were a little embarrassed.

They never displayed their starry-eyes obsession with Ji-shao in front of Zhou Li before, yet in a blink of an eye, the other managed snag the most sought-after role*. With a dry smile, they said, “Don’t say ‘our’ Ji-shao, this title belongs to you only.”

[T/N: become the real deal]

Zhou Li didn’t care all that much about it and said, “Fans, I understand.”

When the two girls saw this, they became relaxed and bolder. Like Tang Zixin, they asked if their relationship was real or not.

Zhou Li was taken aback. “Of course it’s real, why would you ask me that?”

The two looked around carefully, then lowered their voices and filled him in on the fans’ speculation about their ‘contract love’. Zhou Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

But he also knew there was nothing wrong with the birth of this theory. If someday, the person you like gets together with someone they just met without warning, you’ll subconsciously be on the constant lookout for all kinds of evidence that ‘they won’t last long’ to make yourself feel comfortable.

He didn’t give much explanation, instead focusing on getting along with Ji Shaoyan. One day of classes were quickly over and another weekend arrived.

This time, the little brothers were going to deliver food and Zhou Luwen knew better than to stay and act as a lightbulb. WIth this, Ji Shaoyan was finally able to live in a two-person world with Zhou Li.

He was about to plan where the two of them can to go when the Wei family’s invitation was delivered to their doors.

It turns out that Zhou Lubo’s guess was correct.

Grandpa Wei really wouldn’t throw out the prizes in vain and had taken action. He wanted to invite the ten people who passed the game’s clearance and treat them to a meal next Saturday. This surprised Zhou Li, because he could actually meet the old man in prior to his plans. Once he finished reading the other ancient book, he might be able to get the answers to the questions that have been bothering him.

Ji Shaoyan was also quite pleased. He accompanied Zhou Li to finish his homework, checked his answers once over, then asked, “Do you have any plans for the weekend?”

Zhou Li said, “Sign up for driving lessons and then sign up for a singing class. Want to learn with me?”

Ji Shaoyan refused.

He did not want to stand side by side with Silly Fool as they chorused “ah ah ah” to train their voice. He said, “Those can be done this afternoon. What about tomorrow? Do you have anywhere you want to go?”

Zhou Li thought for a while. “Museum ba. I don’t know the history and culture of your world, so I want to look around.”

That’s fine too. Because it still wasn’t convenient to move his leg around a lot, going to the museum won’t be troubling.

Seeing the slight air of isolation on Zhou Li’s body gradually disappear as he was now willing to accept his existence in this world, Ji Shaoyan smiled and held the other boy’s hand.

The two spent the weekend comfortably together and resumed classes on Monday.

Ji Shaoyan’s ankle had actually stopped hurting for a while, but the doctor insisted that he needed a month to heal it, so he patiently took care of the injury for another week and quickly removed the bandages on the day before the old man’s dinner invitation.

That morning, he didn’t go with Zhou Li, and instead went to the hospital first to remove the bandages before returning to school. When he got out of the elevator, he happened to see Zhou Li and Zheng San talking in the corridor.

Zheng San’s classroom was next to the leisure area and the two randomly found an open space to chat. Zhou Li’s back was turned to the elevator, so he could not see Ji Shaoyan.

Ji Shaoyan motioned to Zheng San who had spotted him not to stay quiet. With a smile, he walked up behind Zhou Li’s back.

Zhou Li didn’t notice this scheme, moving to head back to class when they finished talking. 

As a result, he took half a step back and turned around, only to run into another person. Before the word ‘sorry’ could escape his mouth, he saw the person he ran into raise their arms to hug him, in one natural motion. The action was especially smooth, as if Zhou Li had the intention to throw himself into the other’s arm from the very beginning.

Zheng San: “……”

Everyone around them: “……”

Ji Shaoyan’s expression showed no hints of his deliberate actions at all.

Not only that, but he even pushed the guilt onto the other person*. Softly pinching Zhou Li’s chin, he tilted the boy’s head up and gently kissed him, tenderly educating, “Careful, you almost tripped over.”

[T/N: 恶人先告状: the guilty party files the complaint/the thief cries thief]

Zheng San: “……”

Everyone around them: “……”

Zhou Li didn’t care about this con-man’s complaints and checked the other’s ankle. “You’re okay?”

Ji Shaoyan smiled and hummed “en”, hugging him and with no intention of letting go. After briefly exchanging a couple sentences with Zheng San, he walked away hand-in-hand with Zhou Li.

Zheng San returned to his classroom with a wooden face, not particularly having the appetite to eat this bowl of dog food.

The onlookers’ faces were similarly wooden, watching them leave and left speechless for half a day.

After many days of observation, they felt more and more that these two people might be in it for real. Besides, just then, when Ji-shao succeeded in his schemes, his smile was insanely bright, to the point where it almost blinded their titanium alloy dog ​​eyes*. Not to mention that he actually kissed Zhou Li; no matter how kind, it is impossible to achieve this level of authenticity.

[T/N: 钛合金狗眼: originated from World of Warcraft, basically means ‘even with a pair of invincible eyes, they still cant stand up to another person’s actions’]

The brain-dead fans finally reacted for several seconds. They went crazy.

Thus, Zhou Li quickly discovered the contact numbers that added him were gaining movement.

These anonymous numbers have been added one after another during these recent days, all claiming that they are students from Mingying. He was a little curious about what they wanted to do, so he accepted their requests. Unfortunately, after a quick and short greeting from each party, the other side went on pretending to be dead. Today, he finally saw them come ‘alive’ again.

Once ‘alive’, their first movement was to post an update in their circle of friends. The post was a photo of Ji Shaoyan and a girl standing together, with the caption: There is adultery.

Based on Zhou Li’s understanding of Ji Shaoyan, the young master must be unhappy with the distance between them, and was probably itching to move away the moment he saw a chance to. The person who took the photo was pretty lucky, to be able to capture a photo of this scene.

[T/N: 这个距离他肯定不高兴了，怕是下一刻就会躲开: not sure what this means? (cause the author doesn’t give enough pronouns to tell who the focus is on) I translated it to what I think it is but I might be wrong]

Their second action after becoming ‘alive’ was to send a separate photo, directly to Zhou Li.

This time, the photo was of Ji Shaoyan and another girl with only their backs in view. It looked like it was taken from a weird angle. Maybe it was because she has been hesitating for a long time, or perhaps she wanted to tell him to pay more attention, but Ji-shao had an ambiguous air with the other.

People in this age group were immature and few can be as refined as Zhou Li and Ji Shaoyan. They could only think about problems from the simplest point of view. For example, Ji-shao was way too popular, so Zhou Li will undoubtedly be insecure with him. At this time, show him pictures of Ji-shao together with other people. Even if he doesn’t quarrel with Ji-shao, he will grow suspicious, and they will separate sooner or later over time.

In just one day, Zhou Li received four photos. It really was quite interesting.

Thus, he pulled the four messengers into a small group chat, and before they could speak or withdraw from the group, he quickly copied their photos into the chat, along with the words: Can you guys take a few breathers next time? Don’t squeeze it all in one day. I can’t believe these even if I try to convince myself. As the one cooperating with your performance, I am absolutely heart-broken. This is forcing someone who loves you to improvise on the spot ah!

Four people: “……”

Zhou Li: And the third photo, it’s so obviously a photo from way back, how can you be so careless? Be a little more professional next time.

Zhou Li: Furthermore, you guys take a good look at your photography skills. Except for the fourth one which is barely visible, everything else is so blurry. My family’s A-Yan is so good-looking, how can you guys mess up so badly? Negative review.

Zhou Li: Promise me, next time you send me photos, please take better shots, ones good enough to be used as desktop wallpapers. OK?

One minute, two minutes… Five minutes passed, and there was a dead silence in the group. No one said anything, as if they had collectively disconnected.

Zhou Li: Speak up ah, please take a look at our group name: “A loving family”, I chose this specially for us.

Zhou Li: One’s own family will not be polite with one another. You need to communicate in a timely manner if you have any ideas and opinions, and everyone should work together to improve the level of photography and share information.

Zhou Li: But my resources are relatively high-quality. For fear of damaging your self-confidence, I won’t share them with you.

Whoosh, someone withdrew from the group.

The other three seemed to have finally regained their sanity, and retreated cleanly in an instant.

Zhou Li switched off the phone, somewhat unhappy.

It’s just…feeling very unfulfilled. There was not a single one to fight.

The author has something to say:

Ji Shaoyan: I can finally stand =W=

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long TN coming up, skip if you don’t care about the next translation project on this blog: currently choosing next project, either Having the Same Name as the Demonic Lord of the Abyss or something from your guys’ suggestions.

I wanted to translate HSNDLA (damn such a long title) before this and I skimmed through the plot quickly. if I translate it, it’ll mainly be a guilty read because it just makes me so sad near the end, but I enjoy that (no I’m not an M). But yeah there’s some plot holes, overall a 3.8/5, but I love it so much cause the relationship makes me feel things. This novel is like a ‘no matter what, I will end up translating it some day’ kinda thing. (I wanted to translate UAAG Air Crash Investigation Team by Mo Chen Huan but it turns out someone already started, go check it out cause it’s a cool mystery)

if you have any suggestions, please please comment! if there’s some that multiple ppl enjoy I’ll do a quick binge read of the first chapters and see if it’s a novel I want to translate fully since I’d hate to drop something halfway. I’d prefer something short (like around 70 chapters, but 120 chapters max) and shounen ai (cause I might cringe if I have to work with NSFW), but I can’t do anything set in ancient times because I don’t have time to research. I’ll take a short (or up to a year…) break after the end of this novel cause I wanna stock up on chapters of the new stuff and for irl stuff.