Chapter 69: Extra 3: Yan Miao’s Growth 2

Yan Miao has a younger sister. When Yan Miao was in the third grade of elementary school, Zhou Qiaoqiao gave birth to a younger sister for him.

Yan Miao’s younger sister is named Yan Xin,” and she lacks the element of gold in her Chinese zodiac¹Xin 鑫means prosperity, and it contains the character “金” (jīn) which means “gold” or “metal.

After Yan Miao took the high school entrance exam, Yan Xin was about to start elementary school. Yan Xin had a mild personality but was very mature for her age.

The purpose of Yan Miao’s high school entrance exam is well known in the Yan family. It’s because Yan Xin is a big talker!

Since Yan Miao started studying seriously, Yan Xin has been missing a playmate.

So, every day, she would drag their golden retriever into Yan Miao’s room and ask, “Brother, are you going to study today?”

Yan Miao, focused on his English book, nodded and said, “Yes, brother is studying seriously. You go play by yourself, Xin Xin!”

Yan Xin smiled and nodded, saying, “Okay.”

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

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Zyd Dkd nakle yde vwadle yoyu, awddkdt obkzl pyukdt, “Jwv usw esd’v oydv vs rzyu okvb Dkd Dkd yduxsal.”

Zyd Ykys oyvnble Zyd Dkd’p alvalyvkdt qktwal yde qlzz kdvs ellr vbswtbv.

Yan Xin is very cute; she resembles Zhou Qiaoqiao with her large almond-shaped eyes. She also has a chubby, round body and soft, slightly golden hair.

Since she was little, she loved following Yan Miao around. Yan Miao still remembers that when Yan Xin was just born, she could open her eyes wide and look around. The nurse said she couldn’t actually see anything, just moving her eyes, and it didn’t mean much. But Yan Miao felt that his sister was special; she must be able to see her big brother.

Yan Miao really liked his sister. Even though he had to study and practice martial arts back then, and he didn’t have much free time each day, he would still make time to be with his sister.

This continued until now. When he thought about it carefully, he realized that he had been studying a lot recently, and he hadn’t played with Xin Xin in a long time. No wonder his little sister was so upset. The more Yan Miao thought about it, the more he felt that it was his fault, so he went out to find Yan Xin.

“Xin Xin,” Yan Miao called her, and she was hiding in an easily found corner, looking at him with teary eyes.

Yan Miao’s heart softened, and he sat down next to Yan Xin, saying, “There’s a reason for what brother’s been doing.”

Yan Xin looked at Yan Miao and asked, “What reason?”

Yan Miao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Yan Xin and said, “I’ll tell you, but promise me you’ll keep it a secret, okay?”

Yan Xin frowned and asked, “A secret? Brother, I never talk nonsense.”

Yan Miao thought about it seriously and realized that she was right. After all, she was just a child; what could she understand? She was only six years old!

So, Yan Miao told her, “Actually, it’s because there’s a girl in brother’s class who confessed her feelings to me and said that if I get into a top high school, she’ll be my girlfriend.”

Yan Miao clenched his fist and said, “Brother has to work hard and get into that top high school.”

Yan Xin also clenched her fist and said to Yan Miao, “Okay, I support you, brother. You have to do your best. Although Xin Xin doesn’t understand what’s going on, Xin Xin supports you.”

Yan Miao patted her head reassuringly and said, “I believe in you, Xin Xin.”

Then, the next day, when Yan Miao came out of his room, he noticed his mother giving him a sly look. He didn’t think much of it and went to school.

When he returned home that evening, he noticed his father looking at him with a meaningful expression as well.

Yan Miao had a sense that something was not right and went to ask Yan Xin, “Did you tell Mom and Dad?”

Yan Xin shook her head firmly and said, “No, Xin Xin is very well-behaved and didn’t say anything.”

Up until this point, Yan Miao still believed in his dear sister. That is, until Aunt Liu stood in front of him and asked, “Miao Miao, I heard that you want to date a girl from your class. What is she like?”

Yan Miao: “… Yan Xin, I trusted you so much.”

Although Yan Xin had a big mouth, Yan Miao still cared for her deeply.

During the high school entrance exam, Yan Xin also showed enough sibling affection and accompanied her brother to the exam.

Yan Miao had a good mind, and he studied hard for a year. The maximum score was 750, and he managed to score 690, securing a place at the top high school.

Because he made it past the score line for the top high school, Yan Miao was ecstatic.

Yan Wei saw his happiness and took him out to celebrate his admission to the top high school. It was a rare occasion for father and son to eat together, and Yan Miao was happy for a long time.

At the dinner table, Yan Wei smiled and ordered a drink for him. Then he said, “Having goals is a good thing, but achieving them is even better. Today, Dad brought you out to tell you that no matter what happens in the future, never forget that you are Mom and Dad’s child.”

Yan Miao looked at his father with a smile, even though he didn’t understand the meaning of his father’s words, it didn’t affect his cheerful mood.

The next day, he was about to go out to meet the girl he liked, so he asked his dad, “Dad, what should I buy?”

Yan Wei sat at the dining table, making a sandwich for Zhou Qiaoqiao and instructing Yan Xin to eat quickly. He replied to Yan Miao, “Reference books! You’re both students, be practical.”

Yan Miao, with shining eyes, looked at Yan Wei and said, “Dad, I trust you.”

Yan Wei paused in his actions, looked up at Yan Miao, and smiled as he asked, “Is that so?”

After Yan Miao left, Zhou Qiaoqiao looked at him speechlessly and said, “Is it okay to give reference books?”

Yan Wei chuckled and said, “It’s just a way to reduce losses!”

Zhou Qiaoqiao: “???”

Yan Miao happily went out and, as he passed by the bookstore, not only bought a reference book but also purchased several more.

Then he arrived at the coffee shop where he had arranged to meet Qingtian. Although he didn’t know why she wanted to meet at a coffee shop when neither of them drank coffee, these details didn’t matter.

Yan Miao sat at the table, waiting and waiting, waiting until evening.

He kept sending messages and calling Qingtian, but her phone line was constantly busy.

Yan Miao was afraid of missing Qingtian if he left, so he waited until 8 o’clock in the evening before finally getting up to leave.

Not having seen Qingtian left Yan Miao feeling disappointed. He tried calling her, but there was no response.

By the time Yan Miao got home, it was already 10 o’clock. The house was still in the Royal Gardens, and he walked in. Riding in a car was quick, but walking took longer. However, it gave him enough time to calm down and think about things more.

When Yan Miao entered the house, the first floor was pitch black. He turned on the lights and then noticed Yan Wei sitting on the couch.

He was startled at first and then asked curiously, “Dad, why are you sitting here?”

Yan Wei gestured to the seat next to him, and Yan Miao went over to sit.

Yan Wei asked him, “What are your thoughts on today’s outing?”

Yan Miao’s mind was not as agile as Yan Xin’s. They say that strong in body, weak in mind, and while Yan Miao wasn’t exactly weak-minded, he didn’t like to expend too much energy trying to read people’s minds.

He wasn’t foolish; he just wanted to give it his all until the very end.

“She lied to me,” Yan Miao said, but some things were plain to see.

Yan Wei asked, “How do you know?”

Yan Miao looked at his own father sadly and said, “You had dinner with me yesterday because you knew she was lying to me.”

Yan Wei crossed his arms and asked, “Is it because of this?”

“Of course, not just because of this. She didn’t show up today, and she wouldn’t answer my calls. Plus, what you told me made me realize that you had investigated beforehand,” Yan Miao said sadly. “So, did she lie to me?”

Yan Wei didn’t answer that question. Instead, he patted Yan Miao’s head and said, “You’re still young, but this time you did your best. That’s enough. As for whether she lied to you or not, you should already know, right?”

Yan Miao asked, “Can I know why?”

Yan Wei said gravely, “It’s just a simple wager between a top student and a not-so-great student. Kids like to make bets. And you are the worst student in the class. How many people do you think enjoy watching if a not-so-great student can make a comeback?”

Yan Miao squinted his eyes and asked slowly, “They teamed up to trick me?”

Yan Wei patted his head once again and said, “It’s just a harmless little prank…”

Yan Miao looked at his dad in shock and said, “You actually think of it that way?”

Yan Wei got up, straightened his pajamas, and said confidently, “Whether you can turn it into a harmless little prank depends on what you do. Enjoy your life at the top high school!”

Then Yan Wei left, and Yan Miao pondered over his father’s words.

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The top high school, No. 1 Middle School, had started its school year. As the most prestigious school in Yiwu City, getting into No. 1 Middle School was already a significant accomplishment. What mattered most was whether you could get into a better university.

Qingtian and her friends came from relatively well-off families, and their previous junior high school was also well-known for producing top students in Yiwu City.

Initially, Yan Miao had entered as a borrowed student, and the conditions for that junior high school were quite strict. So, Yan Wei had decided to send him there directly.²I don’t know exactly what a borrowed student is, but maybe it’s like when you paid your way in to enter instead of passing the qualifying exams.

Therefore, in a world full of top students, the presence of a not-so-great student like Yan Miao stood out. Especially since he was a particularly not-so-great student, Yan Miao became the subject of class bets.

At least two-thirds of the class bet that he wouldn’t get into the top high school, while the remaining third bet that he would get in as a borrowed student.

After all, money talks!

At that time, they only knew that Yan Miao’s family was well-off but didn’t know just how well-off they were.

When the top high school in Yiwu City started its school year, Qingtian and her friends went to check their class lists and saw Yan Miao’s name.

At that time, she was quite scared and said to her friends, “He really got into the school, and we’re in the same class. What should I do? I didn’t show up for our date.”

Her friend chuckled and said, “What are you afraid of? Is he going to eat you?”

Qingtian nodded, and the two of them went to their respective classrooms hand in hand.

Qingtian was placed in Class 1 of the first grade, and when she entered the classroom, most of the students were already there.

Qingtian cautiously glanced around and realized that Yan Miao hadn’t arrived yet. She breathed a sigh of relief and found a seat, holding her bag.

Oh, why was she so unlucky? That little black sheep, who clearly wasn’t well-liked, was sure to be annoying! The students were also under a lot of pressure due to the high school entrance exam. Two months after the start of their third year, one day, the class started discussing a topic: “Hey, what High School do you think Yan Miao can get into?”

Starting with this question, everyone began discussing.

On that day, Yan Miao didn’t show up for school for some reason, and the more they discussed this topic, the more heated the conversation became. Then someone suggested making a bet.

They bet on whether Yan Miao could get into the best local high school, No. 1 Middle School. Everyone said it was impossible. After all, it had been two months since school started, and Yan Miao’s notoriously bad grades were well-known. Most people were betting against him, and not a single person believed he could make it.

How could this even be a bet when everyone was against him?

So, everyone thought about Yan Miao’s affection for Qingtian. Could love make him turn things around?

It was interesting, so everyone started playing this game called “The Underachiever Student’s Counterattack.”

Although Qingtian was the top student in the year, she also had friends she played with. While she didn’t come up with this idea herself, when everyone in the class was participating in a game, not joining in seemed a bit dull.

So, Qingtian did what others suggested and wrote a note to Yan Miao.

In essence, what they did wasn’t right, but it wasn’t terribly serious overall. However, Qingtian not showing up for the date left a trauma in young Yan Miao’s heart.

Yan Miao was considered a little leader in his class, and he often fought with his little comrades, boosting the class’s morale. So, nobody dared to tell him about the betting.

As a result, shortly after the high school entrance exam, news came that Yan Miao had passed, and he did it with his own effort.

Oh my goodness!

Qingtian didn’t like that dark, little guy at all, even if he came from a wealthy family. After all, Qingtian’s family was not lacking in money either!

So, on the appointed day, Qingtian simply turned off her phone and the next day, she changed her phone number.

Now that they were in the same classroom, Qingtian felt as if she were like Snow White being mistreated by her stepmother when she heard this news.

Yan Miao was physically strong, had a dark complexion, and appeared somewhat naive, the image of someone with strong limbs and a simple mind. However, young girls these days no longer favored rough guys; they preferred handsome, gentle, and wealthy bookish types.

Qingtian came from a well-off family, looked good, and at 15 years old, she didn’t have too many complicated thoughts. She naturally couldn’t be interested in a boy who was both dark-skinned, fierce, and an underachiever, even if he had money. She was someone who would bravely go for love and not become a slave to wealth.

Of course, her current goal was to get into the best university in the country. This was something that hadn’t changed, and she wouldn’t consider anyone else for now.

In the first year of high school, most of the time, everyone would sit with someone they knew. Qingtian was quite popular in junior high, and as soon as she entered the classroom, some girls in the front row waved to her.

Qingtian went over and sat with them. Since everyone came from different schools, they were all strangers to each other. It was rare to have classmates from the same school, let alone in the same class.

However, children are simple, and they can become good friends after just a few words. Those who arrived late were more likely to be left out, and those who arrived earlier were more likely to form cliques.

Qingtian was already getting along well with her classmates, but Yan Miao hadn’t arrived yet.

When the class teacher entered the classroom, Yan Miao was still missing, and Qingtian couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned for some reason.

She looked towards the door but still didn’t see Yan Miao’s figure.

The class teacher had already said quite a bit and then asked the last row of male students to bring in some books. The others were still sitting in the classroom as the class teacher discussed some unimportant matters.

Most of the last row consisted of boys, and after a while, they came in carrying books.

When Qingtian turned her head to look, she saw Yan Miao carrying books behind them. However, at this point, Qingtian hadn’t recognized Yan Miao yet. After all, Yan Miao had suddenly become much fairer, and the handsomeness that had been hidden beneath his dark skin now stood out.

Moreover, he had suddenly developed a good sense of fashion. Yan Miao, who used to wear sports clothes all the time, was now dressed in a stylish white T-shirt and jeans. His previously messy hair had been transformed into a neat and handsome short hairstyle.

In just two months, Yan Miao had gone from being a dark-skinned, brawling troublemaker to a clear-headed, refined, and handsome young man. It was hard for anyone to recognize him at first glance!

The homeroom teacher in the classroom noticed Yan Miao and called out, “Yan Miao, you’re here?”

Qingtian and the others in the class were taken aback and turned to look at the boy carrying the books.

He placed the books on the desk and wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, smiling as he said, “Teacher, I didn’t have anything to do today, so I came early. I’ll focus more on my studies from now on. I’m sorry for being late today.”

The homeroom teacher was very kind and said with a smile, “It’s good that you have this mindset; I don’t need to say much. There’s an empty seat over there; go ahead and sit.”

Yan Miao nodded with a smile and walked over.

Qingtian’s heart was beating rapidly as Yan Miao approached closer and closer. She had thought of countless reasons; perhaps Yan Miao would ask her why she hadn’t come that day? What should she say? Her phone was broken? But she hadn’t even contacted him!

What am I thinking? I don’t even like him, and I don’t want to date him. Why do I care?

What about Yan Miao? Does he still like me? If he greets me and wants to pursue me later, what should I do? I still have to go to college, I need to get into a good school, I don’t have time to entangle with him.

Qingtian had thought about many things but had never considered that Yan Miao would calmly walk past her without even giving her a glance.

Qingtian watched in astonishment as Yan Miao passed by her without making eye contact. At that moment, Qingtian, for some inexplicable reason, felt an overwhelming sense of shame.

Her face turned beet red, and she felt extremely embarrassed. She discreetly turned her head to look and saw that Yan Miao had taken a seat at the back near the window, just like in junior high.

His bangs hung lightly on his forehead, and his eyes lazily gazed out of the window as he let out a big yawn.

He looked exactly the same as he did in junior high, as if he were the same silly boy from back then.

What does he mean?

Qingtian nervously wondered if he knew? Was it because I didn’t answer his calls, and he thinks I’m playing with him?

In her anxious thoughts, the homeroom teacher had already started the lesson. However, Yan Miao had not given her a single glance from start to finish.

However, Qingtian began to pay attention to Yan Miao. She was secretly watching him every moment.

Yan Miao was different from his junior high school days; he had started studying. However, sometimes he would take leave, an entire day at a time.

What was he doing during his leaves? The teachers never said, and they didn’t reprimand him either. But if other students took leave, the teachers would always have a talk with them. The content of these talks was always the same: the college entrance exam was a turning point in life, it could change one’s destiny, time was running out even though it was only the first year of high school, and they shouldn’t take leave for trivial reasons.

Qingtian understood why this was the case, but why didn’t the teachers say anything to Yan Miao?

The first major exam in the first year of high school revealed the answer: Yan Miao consistently ranked in the top three of the grade.

In junior high school, Qingtian had no trouble maintaining her position as the top student, but now in high school, she was struggling to stay in the top 20. Instantly, the distance between her and Yan Miao became insurmountable.

During the midterm exam of the first year of high school, Yan Miao even ranked first in the grade. From then on, he claimed the position of school’s heartthrob at No. 1 Middle School. More and more people in the school knew about him. However, he was no longer the naive boy he had been in junior high.

Most of the time, Yan Miao sat alone at his desk, working on problems. Even when he wasn’t working, he held his phone, tapping away. Sometimes he frowned in thought, and other times he smiled broadly.

Yan Miao became increasingly charming, and it was clear he was different from the other boys in the school. His uniqueness was evident at a glance. However, Qingtian didn’t dare to approach him or speak to him anymore. She felt guilty for what she had done and carried that shame with her.

She had thought that Yan Miao would remain aloof throughout high school, paying no attention to anyone. But reality was different. A girl from a lower-performing class openly pursued Yan Miao.

When Qingtian saw the girl lurking outside the door, she thought, “She’s punching above her weight.” Not only her, but all the students in the school thought the same. Did this girl think she was worthy of Yan Miao?

However, during a sports meet, the girl got injured, and it was Yan Miao from Class One who carried her to the medical room.

Qingtian secretly followed and saw Yan Miao sitting by her bed, smiling as he asked, “Why did you sign up for the 5,000-meter run if you can’t finish it?”

The girl looked at Yan Miao and said, “You promised that if I finished the 5,000 meters, you’d agree to be with me.”

Yan Miao curiously looked at her and said, “What’s the use of making promises now? We’re about to take the college entrance exam, go to university, and our lives may be completely different in the future.”

The girl stubbornly said, “But, but… I’ll try harder next time, and I’m sure I can catch up to you!”

The medical room fell quiet for a while, and Qingtian was waiting to see how Yan Miao would respond. In their senior year, many things weren’t as simple as they seemed. The girl clearly didn’t understand the differences between universities.

But Qingtian already understood. Her parents had always emphasized to her from a young age that attending a good university was the beginning of a good life.

After a while, Qingtian heard Yan Miao say from inside, “No need to catch up.”

The girl protested a couple more times, and Qingtian couldn’t help but smile; Yan Miao was still out of reach.

While the girl continued her protest, Yan Miao didn’t interrupt her. He waited until she finished speaking and then said, “What I mean is, you’re my girlfriend. You don’t need to follow behind me; just be by my side.”

The world seemed to quiet down for a moment, and the girl inside couldn’t believe it as she exclaimed, “You agreed, Yan Miao, you agreed??”

Then came Yan Miao’s hearty laughter, and he said, “Of course, I’ll definitely keep the promise I made.”

Qingtian felt like she had been slapped in the face several times…

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Sansukini: So this is ending soon and I will be translating a new one but I can’t make up my mind what to translate next. Please help me choose.

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Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Liu Yu, with her exquisite beauty, was sold into a brothel by her heartless parents in her previous life and died on the night she left the pavilion in the most luxurious brothel in Yangzhou City.

When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the year she was fifteen, just one month before being sold to the matchmaker by her parents.

With her rebirth, there was one urgent matter at hand.
Within a month, she had to find a good husband for herself, escape from the Liu family, and avoid the fate of being sold in her previous life.

She took all the money she could spare, knocked on the door of the matchmaker’s house in Changfeng Town. And as soon as she left the matchmaker’s house, she met a young man. The matchmaker whispered to her, “Lu Chengxiao, the third son of the Lu family, the owner of the Lu Feng Cloth Shop.”

Liu Yu understood; he was her third target.

Recently, Lu Chengxiao had encountered a beautiful woman several times and admired her. He was thinking it was a match destined for marriage.

It wasn’t until one day when they met in the mountains, the beautiful woman twisted her foot and couldn’t move so he carried her all the way.

When he returned to deliver the medicine, he saw the beautiful woman walking lightly, with no sign of a twisted foot. The heat behind his ears receded, and his eyes grew colder. He turned and went back to Changfeng Town.

Several days later, the beautiful woman shyly handed him a purse, thanking him for his help.

Lu Chengxiao sneered, “Thanking me for helping? That day, I turned back and saw the lady walking normally. Why would I need to help?”

“I can’t accept this purse. If we privately exchange gifts, it might be hard to explain later. It’s better for the lady to keep her dignity.”

Alright, this one couldn’t work. Liu Yu took back the purse, curtsied, and walked away…

Lu Chengxiao thought it was a decisive rejection, until several days later, he saw Liu Yu drop an embroidered handkerchief in front of the bookshop where the young man, Chen Sheng, worked. The gentleman picked up the scented handkerchief, and the beautiful woman blushed and thanked him. What a beautiful encounter.

Lu Chengxiao: “…”

A wave of frustration welled up in his chest, and he clenched his teeth as he tossed and turned in his dreams.

Until later, when he saw Liu Yu about to stage a falling-into-the-water scene, Lu Chengxiao panicked. He jumped into the river before Chen Sheng, pulled her ashore, held her slender waist, and couldn’t help but feel both angry and pained. He didn’t even want to ask more questions. He just held her in his arms and almost begged, “Don’t you want a good marriage? I’ll marry you!”

【This is a story that begins with scheming, falls into love, with a heart full of sincerity, and ends up in a marriage. It is also a story of two major businesses rising, with elements of urban and farming life.]

Tag: Rebirth, Love at first sight, Sweet Romance, Ancient Era

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Interstellar Dad

In the interstellar era, with the advent of artificial uteruses, women are liberated from the constraints of childbirth. Jiang Miao works hard, earns money, and pays five years of social security contributions, finally qualifying for “Genetic Parenting Selection.” Surprisingly, in the first round of the lottery, she matches with a suitable parenting partner:

“Congratulations on your successful lottery! We have matched you with the most genetically compatible parenting partner!”

“Congratulations! Your parenting partner has agreed to artificial insemination!”

“Congratulations! Your parenting partner has agreed to carry the fetus and give birth!”

“Congratulations! Your parenting partner has agreed to give the child to you!”

Jiang Miao: Absolutely perfect!

That is until she meets Yan He, who wears a black military uniform and is as cold as an iceberg. Jiang Miao realizes that her plan might have taken a small deviation. Actually, natural conception wouldn’t have been a problem either. The allure of uniforms is hard to resist.

Iceberg Interstellar Colonel vs. Earth-crossing woman

Tags: Sci-Fi, Interstellar, Sweet Romance, Future Setting, Light-hearted, Transmigration