~Between the Pages and the Coffee Pot: Translated Novels~

  Chapter 22: Not Daring To Drink     In a short while, half a pot of soft-shell turtle meat was divided, placed in three large bowls, covered with slightly smaller bowls, wrapped tightly in clean cloths, and put into a basket that Jiang Lili found for him.   Chen Fan carried the basket and said to Jiang Lili, "Eat first. I'll take this to them and be right back."   Jiang Lili, " Then I'll wait for you to come back and eat together."   Chen Fan smiled, "No need. You eat yours first. It's cold, and it'll get cold and fishy later, and it won't taste good."   Pausing, he added, "Don't just eat the pickles! We agreed, half each. Don't eat too much or too little."   He was really exasperated with this girl. She lived alone in the educated youth center, with so many cabbages and radishes in the backyard, yet she only ate pickles. He couldn't understand her.   Jiang Lili lowered her head and pursed her lips, "Oka...

Chapter 93: Glutton     The dumpling wrappers were thin and the filling was generous. The dumplings were tender and delicious.   Li Junlu ate two plates in one go and said, unsatisfied. “I haven't had enough.  They're all gone.”   Ying Sisi hesitated for a moment.  “There's one more bowl in the kitchen.”   Once she finished the dumplings, she wouldn't have to worry about Qin Yanci.   “Save it for Yuwei.”  Li Junlu looked at the time.  It was pitch black.  “This irresponsible girl.  She's always running away from home.  I'll go out and find her.”  What if Feng Erge tricked her into getting pregnant?  Then wouldn't she be at his mercy?   Song Hanmei had calmed down by now.  “I'll go with you.”   The two of them put down their chopsticks and left.   Ying Sisi called to him.  “Dad, you said you would reimburse me.”   “Can I shortchange you?”   “You promised.”   Li Junlu choked....

  Chapter 92: Reselling     “Okay, okay, I'll sell it for five cents.” The vendor was afraid that Sisi would change her mind. He immediately started weighing it.   It weighed twenty-three pounds.   Ying Sisi paid him one yuan and two cents.   She took some home and rode her bike to the restaurant with the rest.   Old Zhao was excited to see her. “Kid, I was worried about how to get in touch with you. I want to order another 300 pounds of your fish.” Today, as soon as the fish was served, there were several tables that requested a refill and ordered another serving to take home.   In less than a day, more than half of the dozens of fish were consumed.   “I'm out of fish. But I have wild shepherd's purse. Do you want some?” Sisi untied the opening of the bag. “It's all fresh.”   Old Zhao only stared at her. “You're out of fish? How can the river be out of fish? Are you trying to raise the price?”   “Really, there's none left.”...

  Chapter 21: Casual Chat     Of course, he didn't dare to talk about Jiang Lili's family matters again, so he had to talk about something else.   "Xiao Jiang, have you experienced anything particularly memorable during your three years here?"   Jiang Lili looked at him with a puzzled expression. "What kind of memorable things?"   Chen Fan said, "Like something funny, or something deeply memorable, or how you usually work, or anything else. Just casual chat."   "Oh, like that?"   Jiang Lili tilted her head, thought for a moment, then suddenly covered her mouth, giggling. She was about to speak when another burst of laughter escaped her.   Chen Fan rigidly maintained a smile, saying nothing, just watching Jiang Lili.   What on earth is so funny? Just tell me!   Perhaps the previous conversation had eased her heart, or perhaps Chen Fan's attitude made her feel comfortable. Unknowingly, Jiang Lili also put down the caution and vigil...

  Chapter 91: Buying Vegetables     Ying Sisi said frankly, “…The vegetables are ours. You are using eggs to trade. How did they become yours?” Are you trying to bully me?   “The vegetables are mine, and the eggs are mine too.”   “Since you insist on saying so, then please leave.”   Auntie Cheng saw that Sisi wasn't giving in and laughed. “I was just kidding. I'll go home and get some eggs.”   Ying Sisi said, “Okay. I'll also call Old Liu at the end of the street to be a witness. We don't want people who don't know what's going on to see you taking eggs to trade for cabbage and think that we're running an illegal business.”   Auntie Cheng's expression froze. “Trading vegetables, you don't have to be so serious, do you?”   “It's good for everyone to have a witness.”   “Okay.” Auntie Cheng left.   Ying Sisi watched her go, then turned and went back into the house. She met Li Junlu's eyes.   What are you looking at? ...

  Chapter 90: You Talk Too Much       “Li Sisi, have you finished talking? If you know how to treat her, then treat her.” Li Junlu was furious. He felt like he was going to faint too.   “It's Ying.” Sisi refused to acknowledge her last name was Li.   “Ying your head! If you know how to treat her, then treat her quickly.” Li Junlu was really angry.   This little brat was doing this on purpose.   Ying Sisi had had her fun. She became serious. “Fine, I'll treat her. Why am I so kind? Ugh, when I cure aunt, Yuwei will probably scold me for being a saint. It's a thankless job.”   Li Junlu glared at Li Yuwei. “What saint, what holy person? You just talk too much!”   Li Yuwei: "…"   Ying Sisi told Li Junlu to lay Song Hanmei flat and undo her clothes. Then she used chopsticks to poke vigorously at the Hegu, Baihui, and Yongquan acupoints.   There was no reaction.   Li Yuwei stomped her feet. “Do you even know how to ...

  Chapter 20: Tears Came Unexpectedly     In the farthest room, Chen Fan leaned back in his chair, his feet soaking in hot water, comfortably enjoying the warmth.   The world is full of wonders, not to mention the surreal golden finger. Since I don't understand it, I won't think about it. When the time comes, I'll figure it out. As long as I work hard, I won't believe I can't improve my basic attributes.   Instead of thinking so much, I'd rather change these ragged-like cotton shoes. If I wear them any longer, I'm afraid I'll get athlete's foot.   He had put two large pieces of grated ginger into the scalding hot water. The sterilization effect is guaranteed, but there was a side effect—the strong spicy smell made his eyes water. Chen Fan had wanted to read, but he could only use a towel to wipe his eyes from time to time.   In a short while, his eyes were red-rimmed.   So when Jiang Lili came over, she saw Chen Fan wiping his tears. He seemed...

  Chapter 89: Satisfaction   Li Junlu was instantly speechless.   Song Hanmei understood the situation. She was afraid that Li Junlu would fall for the trick. “Returning it will involve a discount, right? It's not a good deal. I'll go back and prepare two boxes of other things for you with your father.”   Ying Sisi had a mocking smile on her lips. “Two boxes of what? Blankets, pillows, pots, pans? If you don't want to give them, don't give them. Why make excuses?”   Li Junlu felt a surge of shame and anger. In a moment of panic, he made a promise. “Who is making excuses? I have already decided to buy you a big wardrobe.”   “Really? Thank you, Dad.” Sisi thanked him.   She was afraid that if she waited a second longer, Li Junlu would change his mind.   Li Junlu: "…"   Song Hanmei felt uncomfortable. She muttered. “A wardrobe isn't much cheaper than a bike.”   “Then what do you say?” Li Junlu growled, suppressing his anger. ...

  Chapter 88: Effort     “Okay.”  Sisi hadn't really watched TV before.  She was curious.   Qin Yanci helped her adjust the channel.   Sisi leaned back in the chair and watched.  Soon after, Qin Yanci leaned over.   They were close.   The atmosphere gradually became ambiguous.   Ying Sisi quietly covered her mouth and pretended to yawn.  She didn't want to kiss.   Although it felt good.   But it made her head dizzy and lose her ability to think.   She didn't like that version of herself.   Qin Yanci said, “Are you sleepy?”   “A little.  It's 4:30.  I should go home.  I'm not going to come over for the next few days.  I'll see you when you come to pick me up.”  Sisi planned to find other ways to make money in the remaining days.   “I'll see you off.” He said.   “No need.  I came by bike.  I bought a bicycle.”  Sisi pointed to the new bike parked downstair...