Anyone remember my frenemy lidge lol? She has her own blog now which specialises in summarizing/recapping dramas. Her summaries are pretty good & up-to-date so do visit to support her. Both of us like the novel Heavy Sweetness Ash Like Frost. For your information, I was the one who recommended the book to xiaoyuer which got her to start translating it & later picked up by decembi 🙂 We are equally pleased with the drama Ashes of Love which followed the novel quite closely. Hence I’ll be helping her with some of the summaries. Even if you don’t support lidge, you also must pop over to to support me or else no novel translation for you lol. The drama turned out better than we expected and even though there is no official English subs yet, you can still understand the drama by reading our detailed summaries.
Because of this, the posting for You’re My Glory will continue to be fortnightly. Yes, blame this on lidge. I am innocent since I can only work on one thing at a time 😛 Moreover my editor is on vacation. Yeh, our rabbit is back in Shanghai at the end of the chapter so how will his relationship with Jing Jing develop later?
I’ve received a few messages asking about Shushengbar. I am the administrator for that website but I am not the owner !!! The owner is Chancy who has been paying the hosting and domain name fees without putting any ads. If I remember correctly, these few days will be the website’s 6th anniversary. I suspect Chancy might have forgotten to pay the domain name renewal fees so the website is down. I’ve emailed her but still no response from her. You’ll just have to wait patiently for her to sort it out since I am powerless to do anything. I can’t even migrate that website to be hosted free of charge by WordPress 😦
Chapter 20
Outside the small meeting room, big sister Ling pulled Xiao Zhu and used her eyes to signal her to go inside. “What’s going on? Why did she come to the studio three days in a row?”
Xiao Zhu said softly: “She seems to have quarreled with teacher Yu because he did not show up in the past few days.”
“Wasn’t it still good a few days ago?” Big sister Ling let go of Xiao Zhu and pushed open the door of the meeting room.
Qiao Jing Jing was leaning on the sofa and lost in thought. She appeared somewhat dispirited and downcast, so big sister Ling intended to tell her a piece of good news to raise her spirit.
“Jing Jing, director Li's side had sent over the contract, the terms were pretty good. Furthermore, when the news was spread, those who came to discuss about TV drama offered an increase in filming fees."
Big sister Ling announced a figure with a very happy expression.
There was no change in Qiao Jing Jing’s expression. Big sister Ling waved her hand in front of Qiao Jing Jing’s eyes, so she looked up at her and suddenly asked, “Am I worth so much money?”
Big sister Ling was surprised.
Qiao Jing Jing asked again: “It’ll take at most five months to film a TV drama, am I worth so much?”
“Why you’re not worth it? The TV stations and also online video streaming websites are fighting over your dramas because advertisers are scrambling to put their ads, so the TV stations and video streaming websites will not lose money. How can you not worth it? Wang Liu and Yue Xiao Hua are also fast approaching this figure."
“I am not comparing with them.”
“Then who are you comparing with?”
Qiao Jing Jing did not answer her. After a while, she lowered her eyes. “I wonder if this is very unreasonable?”
“It’s not unreasonable.” Big sister Ling sat down beside her. “To tell the truth, I’ve also thought about this issue. But the current market is like this. Even if you don’t take, others are still taking. Even if you don’t take this money, the production company will still sell the drama you filmed at that price. Ultimately, the difference will fall into the investor’s pocket. Thus it is meaningless for you to think whether this is a question of reasonableness.”
“Furthermore, I ask you, if someone is looking for you to film a drama and willing to give you tens of millions, would you say that you only want a few million?”
Qiao Jing Jing pursed up her lips and told the truth: “No.”
“So what is the point for you to think about this? This topic is too deep. Let’s concentrate on filming the drama properly, don’t deviate from the norm, be worthy of people’s work of art and money and do the charity that you ought to do for real.”
After big sister Ling finished talking in one breath, she asked probingly. “Why are you suddenly thinking about these? Where is teacher Yu?”
Qiao Jing Jing’s eyelashes were fretting, and she took the phone and started playing the game without saying a word. Big sister Ling vaguely understood, so she didn't say anything again. She watched her play for a while, then got up and left.
Qiao Jing Jing played two ranked matches, was in a daze for a while, then opened WeChat. The finger strolled down the list and clicked on a certain name.
She had seen that three words several times in the past few days.
“I am sorry.”
She had immediately seen this message on that day, but she simply didn’t want to reply him.
When the next one was received, it was already very late at night.
“I have to go on a work trip for a while, and I am not sure when I can return.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
Xi’an.
Yu Tu took off the anti-static protective wear, took out his mobile phone from the safe, pressed it once and as expected, the battery was dead.
He put on his coat and walked out. Guan Zai walked in, “Lao (Old – prefix used before the surname of a person to indicate affection or familiarity) Yu, wait for me to leave together.”
Yu Tu waited for him to finish changing his clothes. The two walked together to the guest house beside the measurement and control center.
It was already very cold in November in Northwest China. At a little after six o’clock, the sky was still not bright and the world was enshrouded in darkness and silence. Only faint street lights illuminated the road under their feet.
When the wind blew, Guan Zai pulled back his neck and teased Yu Tu: “You didn’t forget your area of specialty even after leaving work for a month.”
“It is mainly due to the credit of the people at the measurement and control center.” The data was still hovering in Yu Tu’s brain. “The life span of the satellite is still affected.”
“Originally, it was designed to survive for only three years, but now it had already exceeded its service period. What’s more, the cause for this breakdown is not in the overall design.” Guan Zai yawned and shook his head firmly. “This satellite is the first model that you participated in designing. It is also our first cooperation.”
“Yes.”
“Guess how I felt when I saw you for the first time?”
“Probably envy.” Yu Tu smiled. “It was quite obvious.”
“Bah.” Guan Zai protested with a smile. “At first I felt that another facade has come. Then before long, you gave me a complete optimization plan. I thought it was pretty good. This excellent ability and appearance are a good match.”
Yu Tu felt helpless, “Please pay attention to your words, don’t make us engineering students lose face.”
Guan Zai laughed and rather abruptly said: “Let’s talk about money?”
Yu Tu slowed down his footsteps, “Did the teacher tell you?”
“Chief Zhang called me and asked me to make subtle inquiries whether you have any difficulty?” While Guan Zai was speaking, he suddenly thought of something, “Is it related to your family?”
He seemed to suddenly realize: “I recalled now, one day you received a phone call from home and spoke in a dialect. On the next day, you were a little off.”
Yu Tu was silent for a moment.
“Everything is fine at home,” he replied. “I just have a lot in my mind.”
“It is good that everything is fine.” Guan Zai nodded and didn’t ask further. “I am a little curious. Can you really earn a lot working in the investment bank? Is it true that a newly graduate can earn a million?”
“Depend on the person and timing.” Yu Tu said, “Before the financial crisis in 2008, there were people who can get it. The year I graduated, the economy was just recovering from the financial crisis, which can still be regarded as pretty good.”
“If I go to Google, the salary will also be high. Beside Google, if I go to NASA, it will also be pretty good. But as a foreigner, I probably will never get to access the core technology. Moreover if there is any achievement, it will all be theirs. I won’t have my own presence.”
He took out a cigarette packet and handed one to Yu Tu.
“Do you know why I’ve never urged you to stay? Because I’ve never thought you would go. I always think that you and I are the same kind of people. In my wife’s words, a misfit. This current model was designed by us together. We did feasibility study together and proposed the plan together. Hence, I think that you’ll not be able to let go. I even made a bet with people, if you go, I will change my name to Guan Zai Zhu Juan (means locked up in a pigsty in Chinese).”
Yu Tu lowered his head and looked intently at the cigarette in his hand. “Then isn’t it a family reunion? All your brothers and sisters.”
“Get lost, then you and I are also brothers.”
Guan Zai took a deep inhale. “Lao Yu, I have a question. Nobody can say precisely when a satellite will break down. This time, we have resolved it in five days, but there was also instances where it took a few months. If it is really a few months, can the investment bank wait for you? Or you are not concerned with this, will wash your hand of this and walk away?”
Yu Tu halted his footstep, “Please lend me a lighter to light the cigarette.”
The faint flame flashed once then extinguished. The two did not continue the topic.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
Guan Zai has always been a fast smoker. After a few minutes, he lit another one. Yu Tu frowned: “You should smoke a little less.”
“I need to keep myself awake. My wife will wake up in a moment so I will call her before I go to sleep.” Guan Zai remembered, “Oh, by the way, speaking of my wife, she has a junior schoolmate who she wants to introduce to you.”
Guan Zai’s tone was a little sour, “People just took a look at a photo we took together and immediately asked whether you’ve a girlfriend. Looking handsome is really advantageous. During that time I courted my wife, I went to great lengths.”
“You better get treatment for your habitual jealousy as soon as possible. Please help me to tactfully decline.”
“Really no need? I have met her once, very pretty.”
“No need.”
Guan Zai did not mention it again. After a while, Yu Tu spoke of his own accord. “I recently met a …”
He paused.
Guan Zai’s interest was piqued, “Girl?”
“Yes, very quick-witted, a bit skinny… also very obedient.”
“Oh good.” Guan Zai was full of interest, “Just met during your vacation?”
“No, my high school classmate.”
“High school classmate? Why are you only dating now?”
Yu Tu laughed: “Probably because I used to have poor ability to judge.”
He added: “Not dating now.”
“Why, people doesn’t like you? Can’t be that bad.”
Yu Tu did not say anything, but the eyes were very bright.
Guan Zai immediately understood. “Good on you. You’ve still got it in you.”
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
While talking, the two had already arrived at the entrance of the guest house. Because they’ve not finished smoking, they stayed outside and did not go in.
Guan Zai was unable to resist the urge to sleep, took a few deep inhales, leaned on the pillar and closed his eyes to rest.
Yu Tu stood on the side of a flight of steps.
It was very quiet all around.
Gradually, the distant horizon revealed a glimmer of light, but the stars in the sky have not disappeared yet, still twinkling like before. The universe is vast, hundreds of millions of stars, and among them was the one that he and his colleagues had just exhausted themselves to save.
He recalled the question Guan Zai had asked. If the task will take a month or even a few months, would he leave?
He did not answer and Guan Zai did not persist in asking the question because they knew very well that he would not.
How can he leave when the blood was heating up?
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
He couldn’t help but ask himself again, whether he really wanted to give up?
He hasn’t thought about this question for a while because he thought his decision was firm. But after these five days and five nights, to his surprise, he started to waver again.
Maybe he should think about it again.
There should be a way.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
The last trace of smoke dissipated in front of his eyes. A pair of eyes as bright as the stars inexplicably flashed through Yu Tu’s mind. The owner of that pair of eyes was probably sleeping soundly without a care in the world and having a sweet dream at this moment.
The heart instantly felt all soft, dispelled the chilliness in the body. His features relaxed a bit. He turned around to remind Guan Zai: “You can call your wife now.”
Guan Zai did not reply as he remained motionless, leaning on the pillar with the eyes closed. Yu Tu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He walked over and called out tentatively: “Guan Zai?”
The eyeballs of the thin man who was leaning against the pillar, seemed to move, but he couldn’t open his eyes. In the next moment, he fell to the ground like a landslide.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
In the past few days, the temperature abruptly dropped once in Shanghai.
Qiao Jing Jing woke up early in the morning and discovered that the game had been updated to a new version. Looking at the update instructions, another new hero was released. Equipment and attributes were also revised. Lately, the game version has been changing frequently. She frowned and called big sister Ling to get her to go and confirm with KPL (King Pro League) which version will be used in the exhibition match.
After she had washed the face and rinsed the mouth, big sister Ling called back.
“They said the version just updated today will be used, so the new hero may also be used.”
“Okay, I will try playing with the new hero later and the equipment will also need to be adjusted.”
While listening, big sister Ling was overcame with emotion. “A little over a month ago, you were still a novice. But you’re truly an expert now. A Guo said that he played two casual matches with you yesterday and you played pretty well. Do you’ve confident with the exhibition match?”
“With competition of skill, it is hard to say.”
In fact, after playing many ranked matches, you will realize that sometimes, even if you have good skill, you might still lose consecutively. On the other hand, even if your skill is not good, you might still win without needing to even lift a finger. A month ago, she even made a solemn vow that she must win in the exhibition match, but she now understood that she cannot control the outcome of a competition of skill. There is no sure win. Professional players can lose, so of course she also can lose. It will be okay, so long as she did her best.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
When eating breakfast, Qiao Jing Jing flipped through the calendar.
It was already December 1st.
Yu Tu had disappeared for exactly ten days.
However, in fact, up until now, she did not really need Yu Tu.
As before, she was watching the videos of competitions, listening to commentaries analysing the tactical setup, playing solo queue ranked match (when a person queues for a game in a ranked online game alone as opposed to playing with friends). But only one less person to watch her play and help her to analyze after the game.
She recalled at one time, Yu Tu told her to reach the strongest king level with her own effort. Currently, she was only a step away.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
After finished eating breakfast, she read the movie script and made some notes for a while. Then she switched on the mobile phone and was about to play solo queue ranked match, suddenly an invitation box popped up.
Jade Rabbit Pounds Medicine (from QQ friend)
Supreme Star Glory V (ranking)
Invite you to form a team. Ranked Match 5V5 Grand Battle (Antaris Battlefield)
Qiao Jing Jing's hand paused mid-air. She looked fixedly at that invitation box and did not react for a long time.
After one minute, the invitation box disappeared automatically, but very soon a new invitation popped up again. It was still the Jade Rabbit Pounds Medicine inviting her to play ranked match.
This time Qiao Jing Jing clicked enter.
The two were in the same team room, but no one spoke.
After a while, Yu Tu clicked start.
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
They played for the whole morning, and each time they finished playing a game, Yu Tu will send a new invitation over.
She has not spoken, he also did not speak.
When she played with Baili Shouyue (marksman), he played as support. When she took the support role, he took the marksman role. When she took the solo mid position, he became the jungler, from time to time he will go to the middle lane to help her to catch people. There was a game in which she acted in a fit of pique and took the hero Nakoruru (assassin) who she played very badly, and he took Guan Yu (warrior – general of Shu and blood-brother of Liu Bei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms) and followed her all the way to GANK (an abbreviation for "Gang Kill." It involves ambushing an unsuspecting solo or group of enemy heroes) everywhere.
Guan Yu
Five-game winning streak, six-game winning streak, seven-game winning streak…
When it was ten-game winning streak, Qiao Jing Jing put down her mobile phone and suddenly felt a bit sullen. Didn’t he say he’ll not duo queue (queue together with one other friend) with her? What was it now?
<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation was taken without consent of the translator.
The doorbell rang.
Qiao Jing Jing felt a bit irritated, walked over and opened the door.
“Jing Jing Jing Jing.” When the door opened, Xiao Zhu gasped for breath and said, “How come teacher Yu is downstairs? Did you lock him out and disallow him to come up? I thought about it but didn’t dare to greet him.”
Qiao Jing Jing was stunned.
After a few seconds, she grabbed the phone and ran down. She didn’t wear a hat or mask, and didn’t even change her slippers.
While in the elevator, an invitation to play ranked match popped up on the mobile phone screen. Qiao Jing Jing’s heart was in a tumult until she didn't know what was her state of mind. She only felt that the elevator was slower than ever.
She ran out of the elevator, ran out of the lobby, then stood still.
Outside the lobby, on the bench under the Chinese parasol tree, a person was sitting there and looking down at the phone very seriously.
He seemed to sense her arrival. That man looked up at her, his eyes were a little tired and gentle, he asked her, “Are you still angry?”
Completed:
20 of 37 Chapters