Chapter 7 - Dinner Party

“Speak for yourself, you jerk 1 ! This noble lady is a firm opponent of relationships between older women and younger men. You dare spread rumors in my palace, I’ll have nine generations of your family punished! 2 ”

Wu Hao seized my shoulder, faced Fu Xiaoyu and said, “A woman three years older in age carries a golden package 3 . The two of you are not even two years apart, and besides, if you look it this way, you can also keep it within the company 4 . If Shi Shan doesn’t disapprove, then just set the wedding date so you guys don’t have to hide the relationship.”

The company has an unwritten rule: while employees are prohibited from dating, once they announce their relationship, then it’s expected that they would get married. It’s not a particularly strict rule; it’s just that the company is afraid the breakup will affect their work. Fortunately, the company’s men to women ratio is severely unbalanced, so situations like this rarely occur. Fu Xiaoyu is actually considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the company.

I swiftly waved my hand, “I don’t disapprove. What’s wrong with an older woman and younger man relationship? A thoroughly handsome man like me, you can’t find a second in the entire world. I am a proponent of polygamy, so let’s go on a first-come-first-served basis. Elder sister 5 Xiao Fu can be my first wife, and I’ll have the subsequent wives fetch you tea and water. Moreover, I will share my favor and divide the rewards and punishments. I promise each wife an apartment suite, guaranteed in a good district 6 . Where else can you go to find such a good husband like me?”

Perhaps it’s because they’ve never seen such shamelessness, but a few people gaped at me, dumbstruck. Li Hang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “You still want to join the harem?”

Fu Xiaoyu’s face was white from anger. She pulled out a book I had just put up and pelted me on the head while saying, “Sharing favor my ass, screw being your first wife! This old lady would rather marry a pig than marry you, you womanizer.”

As I was dodging, I didn’t forget to refute with, “Can pigs look as handsome as me? Pigs are in fact stronger than me, but what about them?” I pointed in the direction of the two male colleagues.

Too cheap and tasteless. The two who were watching the excitement couldn’t hold back anymore and came over to put me in my place. Luckily, lunch break was over since otherwise, it would’ve really been a mess. Guo Yu’s cheap antics prove to be actually useful and an essential skill for comic relief.

“Just like that, you’re leaving already?”

I fixed my hair that had just been messed up earlier and looked back to see Chen Peng. A little puzzled, I asked, “Brother Chen, how come you didn’t eat lunch? In a moment I’ll drop off my leave of absence to HR, then I’ll be leaving.”

Graduation is quickly approaching, so I took half a month off. When I go back, I need to revise my graduation thesis again according to my professor’s suggestions. In addition, I have a few follow-up school tasks to handle, and the farewell dinner party can’t be avoided. Because of this, I requested half a month off, and the director had already signed the approval. I would go back this afternoon to pack up a bit before returning to school; Chen Peng was aware of all this.

Chen Peng sounded a “hmph” and said, “Come back soon!”

The corners of my mouth drew back in a grin, “After I leave, Brother Chen will be our company’s number one most handsome guy. Don’t miss me too much.”

Chen Peng responded in a bad mood, “Hurry up and get lost! I really can’t see what part of you is handsome. You look like a loser, one-hundred percent.”

I find that behaving a bit mean, on the contrary, actually makes me more happy.

I saw a psychiatrist twice before, and my resulting diagnosis was mild depression. The doctor said it wasn’t a major issue, but I needed to pay attention to my sleep and diet, and try to maintain a worry-free mindset.

However, I know that there’s no way there wasn’t a problem. With me having memories from my previous life, my thoughts are often disordered and confused, but I genuinely have no way of telling the doctor the honest truth. If I were to say I had been reborn, I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t actually be sent off to a psychiatric facility.

In the end, there is no real medical treatment for me right now, so even if I do admit I have a mental disorder, there is no cure.

I can only find a way on my own to treat myself. For this reason, I researched a lot of information and also bought books to self-regulate and adjust my state of mind.

I’m no longer indifferent about the world like before, always burying my head in work. I’m more active and enthusiastic with interpersonal relationships, and I also won’t fall behind or drop out during team building events.

I’ve never worked so hard to change myself before, but in this lifetime, I must live a bit of a different life.

Another thing to be happy about is that during this period of time, I had resold my stocks three times, and the earnings have quadrupled. Getting this money is a little too easy using a cheat.

================

I handed the printed copy of my graduation thesis to the professor. After leaving their office, my phone rang.

“I have nothing going on tonight, so let’s get a few friends out for dinner.” It was Yu Mingjie calling, the other member who lives in our dormitory.

“You’re back? How come I didn’t see you?” When I came back this morning, only Guo Yu was there.

“I didn’t go back to school. I’m staying outside, but I’m thinking about having a get-together tonight.”

“Who’s going?”

“Those from our dorm, plus room 408 opposite to us, room 409, and a few girls. It’s a small group, since it’ll be noisy with too many people.”

After the official farewell dinner for the students who finished with their dissertation, some will organize an extra dinner party for those they have a good relationship with.

“Sure. I’m guessing not everyone can go, so it’s best to do a headcount.” At least Wen Yang hasn’t returned yet.

“You can rest assured about that. When have I been unreliable with handling these matters? Five o’clock tonight at Wo Xin restaurant, don’t be late.”

In the end, I still saw Wen Yang at the dinner table. Our eyes met for one instant, but he acted as if he didn’t see, and very naturally shifted his line of sight away, completely ignoring me.

In the past, he would say hi to greet me, and I would go over to sit. But this time, I could only pick a random spot to sit down. Guo Yu saw there was something amiss, so he privately asked a couple of questions, and let me joke it off while bringing me over.

It’s been a while since we got together, so everyone was in high spirits while eating dinner, and drank quite a lot.

When it was time for KTV, a few people were so high 7 that they directly lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.

The rest of us also stopped singing, and started playing a game.

“It just so happens that there’s ten of us, so there’s enough to play ‘Kill the Werewolf.’”

“Yeah sure.” Wen Yang smiled, nodding his head.

“I don’t know how to play,” someone said.

“That’s fine, you just gotta be able to lie. Watch for a round, and you’ll get it,” said Yu Mingjie.

Everyone else had no other objections. Luckily, ‘Kill the Werewolf’ is a game I’m good at, and I would be letting myself down if I didn’t play.

Wen Yang actually taught me the game ‘Kill the Werewolf.’ It mainly utilizes a person’s reaction response, analytical skill, ability to assess and judge the situation and detect loopholes in other people’s words. When it’s your turn, your statements need to be clear, and you must be able to lie through your teeth.

Apparently, I have a lot of talent in this regard. When we first played a few games before, I killed it in every single round 8

This time, it was more or less the same. I only lost one round out of seven, and there were even two rounds where Wen Yang and I worked together, causing everyone to turn in circles. We coordinated with a tacit understanding, and it felt like we went back to the carefree times of the past.

The losers drew lots for their punishment. Seeing the strong Yu Mingjie being princess-carried by Guo Yu, everyone at the table laughed, gasping for air.

“No way, some of you guys are obviously old foxes 9 because we always lose. Let’s change the game.”

“Trying to find an excuse when your IQ isn’t high enough? It’s Yu Yang’s first time playing and they’re just as good. On the contrary, Yu Mingjie, you’ve done a punishment every round. How do you even have the nerve to say you know how to play earlier?”

“Shut up, this gentleman 10 is simple and pure. I’m not like you guys who can eloquently tell nonsensical lies all day. Especially Shi Shan, how come when you lie, your face doesn’t turn red or white? What a sinister character, you are.”

I blinked, and raised my hands up saying, “I’ve been killed several times by you guys ganging up on me.” Playing well also has its disadvantages. In the last two rounds, no one believed anything I said, and I was voted off to die without any logic or reason-this was the real injustice.

“Then let’s change the game to one that relies on luck. Let’s fight with character,” Yu Yang suggested.

The ‘King’s Game’: It utilizes playing cards from ace through ten, plus the king, making it a total of eleven cards. Each of the ten people pick a card, and the remaining card is placed in the middle of the table. Whoever picked the king gets to make the rules.

“Ha ha ha….” Yu Mingjie immediately flipped his card over on the table after seeing it, and put his hands on his hip. “I’m the King. At last, it’s my turn to shine. Come on, let’s have whoever drew 5 give 6 a slap.”

“You’re so mean! No way, how can you slap someone? What if it’s a girl?” Wei Tong protested.

Yu Mingjie waved his hand, saying, “Girls will have a privilege in which they can switch to drawing lots for punishment. The guys can’t make use of this special consideration, so this is something they’re not allowed to depend on.”

Yu Yang pushed up his glasses and said, “Then you change cards.”

Yu Mingjie set aside the king in his hand, and happily reached out to grab the card in the middle of the table. After the card was in his hands, however, his expression morphed into complete astonishment.

Yu Yang turned over the card in his hand, “I have 5. Whoever has 6, reveal yourself.” When he finished talking, he even flexed his right wrist, appearing ready to deliver the slap.

“Not me.”

“Not me.”

“Also not me.”

……

Everyone’s gaze finally focused on Yu Mingjie.

Yu Mingjie restrained himself until his face turned red. He flipped over the card, and cursed, “Motherfucker 11

As expected, the 6 of hearts.

HA HA HA…. The whole room doubled over in laughter. 12

He really deserves the bad luck coming for him today. Afterwards, there were many rounds where he dug his own grave; it’s as they say, you can’t avoid fate when it’s self-inflicted 13 . Even Guo Yu, who usually loves to show off and be the center of attention, wasn’t as eye-catching as him.

“Whoever picked 7 has to kiss 3,” ordered Tang Lin.

As soon as she finished speaking, the whole room blew up.

“This is good! Hahaha… Why didn’t I think of this? Haha…”

“What are you saying?” Wei Tong promptly gave Yu Mingjie, who was by his side a kick with his foot.

Guo Yu said, “Of course for us men, it wouldn’t be a problem, but how is it okay for you girls to do it?”

“In any case, I have no problem with it. If they’re unwilling, then they can draw for a punishment. Let’s just see whether or not they want to play though,” replied Tang Lin nonchalantly.

Just because she doesn’t care, doesn’t mean the other girls also feel the same way. There are some already red with embarrassment, like Jiang Ning. She normally says very little and even blushes when answering questions.

“Okay, whoever doesn’t want to will pick their punishment. Come on…. Flip the cards!” Yu Mingjie called out with great enthusiasm.

All the cards were revealed. I was always just a spectator, sitting on Mt. Tai, but my facial expression turned extremely sour when my eyes fixated on the seven of hearts in front of me. Wishing I could dig a hole, I then saw Yu Mingjie holding a 3, and my expression became even more humiliated.

SNAP….This out-of-luck possessed moron also dragged me into this.

Hahaha….Another burst of laughter erupted, but this time, I wasn’t among those who were laughing.

Yu Mingjie rubbed his head and awkwardly said, “Well, we can draw lots and see, or switch to ‘Truth or Dare.’”

Tang Lin disagreed, “That can’t be, didn’t you approve earlier? How come you’re not willing when it involves yourself?”

Feeling my head ache, I massaged my temples and suggested, “When you said the command you didn’t specify where to kiss, right? A kiss on the hand is still a kiss.”

“Yeah yeah, we’ll kiss on the hand,” said Yu Mingjie, happily slapping his thigh.

Tang Lin was a little dissatisfied, but didn’t say anything more.

I stared at Yu Mingjie’s big and grimy bear paw of a hand with a dark expression, and I couldn’t bring my lips down no matter what I did.

Yu Mingjie thought I was freaking out over hygiene, so he hesitantly asked, “Why don’t I go wash my hands first?”

My face turned even daker….

The other people who saw us like this instantly started to laugh while holding their bellies and bending over on the sofa, laughing until their stomachs hurt.

At last, on the verge of humiliation, I quickly kissed the back of Yu Mingjie’s hand. Everything that was going well after my rebirth was ruined because of this moment.

While I was upset, I suddenly noticed a water bottle in front of me. After I took it, I was going to say thank you; however, when I finally looked up and became face to face with Wen Yang, I froze immediately.

Translator’s Comments:

Of course every time I say I’m gonna translate faster life gets in the way. Anyway, here is chapter seven! Poor MC in this chapter… had to kiss someone else besides his love :'(

Thank you for your support! <3

Footnotes

大头鬼 (dàtóu guǐ) Literally “big head ghost.” It’s a funny and not so serious way to curse at someone, usually someone you know. I went for “jerk” which is pretty tame though. “敢造本宫的谣，诛你九族！” (Gǎn zào běn gōng de yáo, zhū nǐ jiǔzú!) She’s joking here, obviously, by speaking like a lady in a palace. There used to be a punishment where if the crime was that serious (or whoever in power really hates you) to punish not just you, but your entire extended family and all generations (that’s what the nine generations mean.) “女大三抱金砖” (nǚ dà sān bào jīn zhuān) Chinese idiom. I tried to make it kinda rhyme because the phrase has a rhyme and rhythm in Chinese. It’s a phrase from a lengthy Chinese proverb that details the benefits of marrying a woman x-years older starting from one going to ten. The “golden package” directly translates to gold brick/bar, and it means that the woman will be very sweet and gentle towards the younger husband. “自产自销” (zì chǎn zì xiāo) Chinese idiom. Means “a company self-producing and selling one’s own products.” In the context, I think it’s making a comment on how they’re dating within the company. Like the relationship (the product) is company-created for the company to profit. I didn’t want to complicate the dialogue, explaining this long footnote. “小符姐” (xiǎo fú jiě) The word “姐” is just a way of addressing her, and they’re not actually related. Like how you use “aunty” to address an unrelated older woman. “学区房” (xuéqū fáng) Literally “school district room/house.” The apartments in this district are often marked up because of property scarcity, especially in China, and they are considered pretty good. I just translated it as “good district” to make it less complicated. “high” was in English. 😂😂 “大杀四方” (dà shā sìfāng) Literally means “big kill in four directions/everywhere” or essentially just saying that MC is really good at the game and won. I used “killed it” to match the game and the original meaning. “老油条” (lǎo yóu tiáo) Literally “old fried dough stick (you tiao).” It is a euphemism for “sly old fox/slick customer.”Kinda funny because youtiao is known to be oily.

Picture: “爷” literal translation is “grandfather” or “old gentleman.” It is a way to address oneself as a superior in a usually humorous tone “奶奶个熊的……” (nǎinai gè xióng de…) Profanity from the Shandong/Henan area’s dialect. Means “grandma’s saggy boobs” or something like that. I think that sounds very weird in context, plus “motherfucker” can be a curse word but also shows that Yu Mingjie is humiliated and exasperated at the outcome. I think that’s the sense the author might be going for here. Explanation: It looks like the King also participates in the game by taking the card in the middle after he/she says whatever they want two numbers to do. So Yu Mingjie basically has shit luck because the card in the middle that he has to take happens to be 6, who will be getting slapped by 5. “所谓天作孽犹可存, 自作孽不可活” (suǒwèi tiān zuòniè yóu kě cún, zì zuòniè bùkě huó) Chinese idiom/saying. Literally “if heaven causes disaster, one can still survive, but if disaster is self-inflicted, then one cannot live.” It means if one causes their own disaster/misgivings, then it’s unavoidable.