{"id":11482,"date":"2020-04-06T12:00:30","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=11482"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:31:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T22:31:06","slug":"death-progress-bar-82","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/death-progress-bar-82\/","title":{"rendered":"Death Progress Bar 82"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Birthday Party<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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After the door opened, an antique-style dining room was revealed.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong and Shi Weichong, who sat on the sofa next to the door, looked over at the sound, only to face Lian Jun, with Shi Jin pushing his wheelchair.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cGood evening,\u201d Lian Jun greeted politely, the shopping bag resting on his lap.<\/span><\/p>

The air fell silent in an instant.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong\u2019s brows wrinkled, and the corners of Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s mouth pulled downwards. The two of them looked at each other, then in tacit agreement turned their gazes to Shi Jin, who was standing behind Lian Jun.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhy do I think you\u2019re hostile to my family?\u201d Shi Jin\u2019s expression collapsed. He pulled Lian Jun\u2019s wheelchair and directly backed up and turned around, saying, \u201cIt seems we\u2019re not welcome, so let\u2019s forget it. Happy birthday, Third Brother, enjoy your dinner\u2014without us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

He took a step, wanting to leave\u2014he and Lian Jun still had a date to finish.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting, who stood outside the door, hurriedly caught his shoulder and persuaded him, saying, \u201cNo, you misunderstood, Xiao Jin, you\u2019re welcome, both of you. Big Brother and Third Brother just didn\u2019t expect Mr. Lian to come too, they were just surprised.\u201d After he finished speaking, he gave his two older brothers a look.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong also woke up, and reigned in his expression and emotions. He got up and walked towards Shi Jin, saying, \u201cYes, come in, Xiao Jin\u2026 you too, Mr. Lian, welcome.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThank you.\u201d Lian Jun\u2019s attitude remained polite, but his expression turned slightly colder. It was also a clear indication that whether they stayed or left depended on Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was unable to move because of Xiang Aoting\u2019s hand on his shoulder. He glanced at Shi Weichong but didn\u2019t speak, then looked at Rong Zhouzhong, still sitting on the sofa. The meaning of his gaze was obvious\u2014he was the birthday boy, so he was the one who needed to declare his position.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong wasn\u2019t as eager to please Shi Jin as Shi Weichong had become. Seeing the teenager look over, he asked with a dark face, \u201cJust now, you said that Lian Jun is your <\/span>what<\/span><\/em>?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cMy family,\u201d Shi Jin replied as if it was obvious. He placed his hands on Lian Jun\u2019s shoulders from behind, his actions full of intimacy, and continued in a solemn voice, \u201cLet me introduce you again\u2014this is Lian Jun, my boyfriend and future fianc\u00e9. I hope everyone will treat him kindly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

As soon as those words left his mouth, the corners of Lian Jun\u2019s lips rose, Shi Weichong\u2019s face fell, Xiang Aoting frowned, and Rong Zhouzhong exploded on the spot. \u201c\u2018Fianc\u00e9\u2019? \u2018Treat him kindly\u2019? Shi Jin, are you crazy?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin, face impassive, pushed the wheelchair a step forward, meaning to leave.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong choked and, incensed, got up to \u201chave a peaceful discussion\u201d with him.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong spun around to stop him while Xiang Aoting pressed Shi Jin\u2019s shoulder again and said, \u201cXiao Jin, please don\u2019t go. Today\u2019s get-together is not only to celebrate Third Brother\u2019s birthday, but also because we have something to talk about with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Sure enough, I knew it\u2014as if Fei Yujing, that workaholic, would take time off his case just to attend his brother\u2019s birthday.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Having conned their true purpose out of them, Shi Jin stopped trying to leave and asked, \u201cWhat do you want to talk to me about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Looking awkward, Xiang Aoting frowned and glanced back at Shi Weichong and Rong Zhouzhong. \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat are you doing standing outside?\u201d Fei Yujing\u2019s voice suddenly rang out from not far away.<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting paused and looked in the direction of the voice.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fei Yujing, holding his inseparable briefcase, frowned as he came striding down the corridor. In his wake followed Li Jiuzheng, who again was dressed casually like a university student. As the two approached, Fei Yujing saw Shi Jin and Lian Jun outside the door, Xiang Aoting\u2019s hand on Shi Jin\u2019s shoulder, and heard Rong Zhouzhong and Shi Weichong\u2019s voices coming from the private room. Having more or less figured out the current situation, he ignored Shi Jin and Xiang Aoting and looked at Lian Jun. \u201cIt\u2019s good that you came too,\u201d he said to him. \u201cWhat we\u2019re going to talk about with Shi Jin today is a rather serious matter, it\u2019s not a bad idea for you to help him with this. Shi Jin is going to college soon, he should have something to fall back on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Something to fall back on?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Hearing his words, Lian Jun\u2019s eyelids moved imperceptibly, and he turned his head to call Shi Jin behind him.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s eyebrows twitched. He nodded to acknowledge Lian Jun\u2019s call, then glared at Fei Yujing. This guy had completely grasped Shi Jin\u2019s weak point\u2014he knew that as long as he persuaded Lian Jun, Shi Jin wouldn\u2019t make any more trouble. <\/span>This damn fox!<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Fei Yujing was being glared at, but instead of deepening, his frown relaxed. \u201cYou just need to get smarter\u2026 Go inside.\u201d Saying so, he stepped around him and walked through the door.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin watched him enter the private room, snorting inwardly, then turned Lian Jun\u2019s wheelchair around. To tell the truth, he wouldn\u2019t really have left\u2014he still wanted to know what exactly these brothers of his were scheming.<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng hurried over to his side. As his gaze fell on Lian Jun, he asked out of nowhere, \u201cAre you being treated?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shocked, Shi Jin looked at him with alarm.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou went to that clinic not too long ago and his complexion looks much healthier\u2014it\u2019s easy to infer he\u2019s undergoing some kind of therapy. I\u2019m a doctor after all,\u201d Li Jiuzheng said. He took out a business card and handed it to Shi Jin. \u201cThis is the business card of one of my senior apprentice brothers. He\u2019s good at dealing with neurological problems, and very tight-mouthed. You should keep it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

It wasn\u2019t a secret that the poison Lian Jun had been attacked with was a neurotoxin\u2014an outsider could find out about it with a bit of inquiring.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was conflicted for a moment. In the end, he accepted the business card but asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cPaying you back for the New Year\u2019s spring rolls and dumplings,\u201d Li Jiuzheng replied, raising his head to look at him. There was no longer any hidden killing intent in his eyes; on the contrary, they appeared to hold a hint of gentleness. All of a sudden, he asked, \u201cI heard that Fourth Brother ate the dumplings you made yourself?\u201d Not waiting for the answer, he hurried into the room.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin turned to look at Xiang Aoting.<\/span><\/p>

A bit sheepish, Xiang Aoting explained, \u201cI didn\u2019t let him know on purpose, I just accidentally mentioned it in the group chat\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYou have a group chat?\u201d Shi Jin asked with disbelief, a revelation dawning upon him.<\/span><\/p>

So this was what was going on! No wonder that as long as one of his brothers knew something, the rest of them would find out too\u2014it turns out they made a group chat! This\u2026 this was too gossipy! Like the neighborhood aunties!<\/span><\/p>

Seeing Shi Jin staring at himself with wide eyes, Xiang Aoting became increasingly uncomfortable. He took out his phone and asked, \u201cWhat is your account number? I\u2019ll add you too, then we\u2019ll be able to talk more often. Communication is very important, you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t have an account on that app,\u201d Shi Jin said with a blank look on his face, direct in his refusal. Was Xiang Aoting kidding? Shi Jin was harassed by text messages often enough already; if he joined their chat group, wouldn\u2019t he end up without even a single moment of peace? <\/span>Brrrr, how scary. I need to stay far, far away from it.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations<\/a>. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Coordinated by Shi Weichong and Fei Yujing, the six brothers and Lian Jun finally took their seats in the private dining room. Poor Gua Two, the invisible follower, was left alone in the outer room, with a table of delicious food as recompense.<\/span><\/p>

After the dishes were served, Shi Jin found that most of them were things that Lian Jun couldn\u2019t eat, so he called the waiter and ordered two dishes for him alone.<\/span><\/p>

Upon seeing this, Li Jiuzheng\u2019s eyes flashed knowingly.<\/span><\/p>

As a doctor, he could tell Shi Jin did it because of Lian Jun\u2019s dietary restrictions, but in the eyes of the other brothers who didn\u2019t know the truth, Shi Jin\u2019s actions were a blatant show of affection.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong, today\u2019s host, watched the teenager\u2019s behavior, and pulsating veins popped out on his forehead. Looking away to \u201ckeep his eyes clean\u201d, he said, \u201cThank you all for taking time to come, now let\u2019s eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

This birthday party was just a pretext to get Shi Jin to come over to talk. Although today was indeed Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s birthday, the man himself didn\u2019t think it was any different from any other day, so his attitude was the same as usual. Everyone was aware of it, so they simply picked up their chopsticks, planning to talk with Shi Jin over dinner, hoping that the delicious food would ease the atmosphere for the conversation.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWait a minute, that\u2019s it? What about the birthday cake? The presents? Come on, really?\u201d All of a sudden, Shi Jin broke the silence. A righteous expression on his face, he said, \u201cCan you call this a birthday party? Our Third Brother is <\/span>yet another<\/span><\/em> year older, this is such a tragi\u2014<\/span>important<\/span><\/em> occasion! Waiter, please bring us a cake!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Clack<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The chopsticks in Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s hand clattered against each other as his fingers twitched. He stifled an unknown syllable in his throat, then forced out through clenched teeth, \u201cLittle bastard, who did you say is getting old\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHappy birthday, Third Brother, here\u2019s your birthday present!\u201d Shi Jin jumped up and shoved the shopping bag at Rong Zhouzhong, forcing him to swallow back the stream of abuse he was about to release.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong was smacked in the face by the shopping bag. When he snapped out of his shock, the first thing that caught his eye was the easily recognizable logo on the bag\u2014it belonged to a well-established luxury brand that dealt in men\u2019s leather goods, and Rong Zhouzhong happened to like their products.<\/span><\/p>

His mood suddenly became complicated, and the anger on his face lessened a little. He put the shopping bag down and, his expression twisting in an odd way, reached inside, saying awkwardly, \u201cI didn\u2019t expect you to know what I like. Did you check my fansites again\u2026 Hmm? What is this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Xiang Aoting, who knew the truth, bowed his head and concentrated on counting the sesame seeds on the sesame balls in front of him.<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun glanced sideways at Shi Jin, who had a serious expression on his face but whose eyes were practically shining, and couldn\u2019t resist holding his hand.<\/span><\/p>

The other brothers all looked at Rong Zhouzhong, their thoughts surprisingly similar: <\/span>I didn\u2019t expect Xiao Jin to give Zhouzhong\/Third Brother a birthday present, but this is just like Xiao Jin, I guess. I wonder what he prepared\u2014<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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With a puzzled look, Rong Zhouzhong pulled out the thing in the shopping bag.<\/span><\/p>

A cartoon multicolored centipede pillow sprang free from the confinement of the bag and unfolded itself in front of him.<\/span><\/p>

Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s face stiffened for a second, and the expressions of the other brothers also froze. Li Jiuzheng even raised his hand and rubbed his eyes, asking aloud, \u201cIs this\u2026 a centipede?\u201d Did such a fat and colorful centipede even exist in this world?<\/span><\/p>

At the word \u201ccentipede\u201d, it was as if someone had pressed a switch\u2014Rong Zhouzhong returned to his senses in an instant, threw away the pillow, covered his mouth, and rushed to the bathroom.<\/span><\/p>

Everyone at the table looked at Shi Jin.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cFear can be overcome.\u201d Shi Jin shook his head and sighed, then, with an expression of <\/span>\u2018I\u2019m doing it for his sake\u2019<\/span><\/em>, he said earnestly, \u201cIsn\u2019t he afraid of centipedes because one crawled on his face when he was sleeping? Something like that is nothing, he\u2019ll soon forget about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong & Fei Yujing & Li Jiuzheng: \u201c……\u201d <\/span>This could be practically classified as his childhood trauma, you think he can just forget about it? Are you a devil?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Feeling a headache, Xiang Aoting massaged his forehead, sighing silently\u2014Third Brother may have forgotten it before, but thanks to that pillow, he would probably never forget it again for the rest of his life.<\/span><\/p>

Fifteen minutes later, Rong Zhouzhong returned, his face damp and expression ugly. He went back to his seat, bent down to pick up the centipede pillow on the ground, and looked at Shi Jin. \u201cYour birthday is in a few months, little bastard\u2014just you wait,\u201d he sneered.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin wasn\u2019t scared, and even continued to poke the bear: \u201cI\u2019ve already thought up your birthday present for next year, Third Brother\u2014how about a centipede pendant? The kind that can be attached to your phone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Face dark, Rong Zhouzhong called for the waiter and ordered several plates of cucumber dishes in a deep voice.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin let out a cold snort. \u201cChildish!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The other brothers: \u201c……\u201d <\/span>And you\u2019re mature? We are all brothers, can you stop doing things just to spite each other?<\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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If you’re seeing this notice, you’re reading this chapter on pirate site – the original translator of Death Progress Bar is Betwixted Translations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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After the excitement ended, and Shi Jin\u2019s cake and Rong Zhouzhong\u2019s cucumber dishes came up, the atmosphere at the table, strangely enough, became almost harmonious.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cCut the cake first.\u201d Finally finding some conscience, Shi Jin decided to spare the birthday boy a bit of respect.<\/span><\/p>

Shooting him a chilly look, Rong Zhouzhong got up, cut the cake as if stabbing an enemy, then sat down with a <\/span>thump<\/span><\/em>. \u201cHere, done! Shi Jin, if you dare to talk nonsense again, I\u2019ll post your embarrassing childhood photos on Weibo!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun frowned and gave him a sidelong glance.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, he\u2019s lying, he doesn\u2019t have any pictures of me at all.\u201d Shi Jin hurried to turn Lian Jun\u2019s face back and motioned for him to drink the soup. \u201cHurry up and eat. You have to eat regular meals and it\u2019s past six already, later than your usual dinnertime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun drew his gaze back and obediently took a sip of the soup.<\/span><\/p>

Witnessing this scene, Shi Weichong and the others had the inexplicable feeling that the dishes on the table had become tasteless.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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During the meal, everyone understood not to mention the real reason they had gathered, and kept the conversation light, asking Shi Jin about his college entrance exam and the school he chose. Some questions Shi Jin answered, some he didn\u2019t, but he didn\u2019t brush his brothers off either.<\/span><\/p>

By the time dinner ended, it was already past seven. Shi Jin had never forgotten that he had a date to finish, so he took the initiative to ask, \u201cWhat do you want to talk to me about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The five brothers exchanged glances. In the end, Shi Weichong took the lead and called for the waiter to remove the dishes on the table and serve some drinks. After the waiter left, he organised his thoughts<\/span> and began: \u201cLast time, I wanted to transfer shares to you, but you refused to accept them. At that time, I was too hasty\u2014I believed it would be good for you, but in reality I only caused you trouble. After thinking everything through, I contacted the others and we came up with something else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Fei Yujing opened the briefcase by his feet and took out a thick stack of documents, continuing seamlessly from where his brother had left off. \u201cI drew this up myself, it can be signed at any time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The other brothers\u2019 expressions became serious and they sat up straighter.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at the pile of documents with a frown. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s a deed to transfer all of Father\u2019s immovable property and private bank deposits to you,\u201d Fei Yujing replied. \u201cMoreover, we decided to set up a <\/span>trust fund<\/span><\/a> for you, managed by Big Brother and me, with all of us as grantors. You can withdraw money from it whenever you need, whether to pay for living expenses or school fees, purchase property, or so on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

A trust fund?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin blinked, surprised, then his frown deepened. \u201cWhy do you want to give me this? I don\u2019t need it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s not us, it\u2019s Father.\u201d Fei Yujing pushed the document in front of him and explained, \u201cAt that time, you divided the inheritance equally among the five of us, but we only took the shares\u2014we haven\u2019t accepted any real property or bank deposits, so these still belong to Father\u2019s estate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDo you think I\u2019m a fool? I don\u2019t want it.\u201d Shi Jin still refused.<\/span><\/p>

Seeing his resistance, Fei Yujing suddenly took off his glasses and reclined in his chair. \u201cShi Jin, what are you afraid of?\u201d he asked the question he\u2019d always wanted to ask.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cFei Yujing,\u201d Lian Jun called in a deep voice, making clear he didn\u2019t like the way the lawyer had spoken to Shi Jin just now.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin reached for Lian Jun to stop him, then looked Fei Yujing straight in the eye and replied, \u201cI\u2019m afraid of a lot of things. This money is not a blessing that can make my life worry-free, but a curse to crush my bones and rend my body asunder. Putting it bluntly, right now I\u2019m not afraid of you, but of your mothers and the other people who have a stake in this matter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

At those words, everyone frowned; Shi Weichong had already heard this once and his face looked even darker than others. \u201cYou\u2019re too sensitive, Xiao Jin,\u201d he said softly. \u201cYou can accept these things, they really won\u2019t harm you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin, however, put on a <\/span>\u2018I don\u2019t believe it, I won\u2019t listen to you\u2019<\/span><\/em> attitude and stuck with it.<\/span><\/p>

As it seemed this stalemate would continue, Rong Zhouzhong couldn\u2019t stop himself from saying, \u201cShi Jin, has falling in love made you even more stupid than you already were?<\/span> My mother owns one of the biggest companies in the entertainment industry\u2014she lives a life of wealth and leisure, happy dallying with little white faces. You think she\u2019d be bored enough to come after you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Li Jiuzheng added, \u201cMy mother also won\u2019t, because she\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Everyone: \u201c……\u201d<\/span><\/p>

<JinJin, did Li Jiuzheng just tell a cold joke<\/a>? It\u2019s so cold,> Xiao Si said, shivering.<\/span><\/p>

\u201c…I still don\u2019t want these things anyway.\u201d Shi Jin persisted in his refusal.<\/span><\/p>

Witnessing Shi Jin being so wary, Xiang Aoting guessed that the scars they\u2019d left in him were so deep that he couldn\u2019t help but be afraid he\u2019d get hurt again if he accepted anything from them. Distressed, he opened his mouth to join in with the attempts to convince the teenager, when the ringing of a phone interrupted him.<\/span><\/p>

Everyone looked towards the sound. Shi Weichong frowned, fished the phone out of his pocket, looked at the name of the caller, and rejected the call.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Death Progress Bar is translated by Betwixted Translations. The site you’re reading this chapter on stole our translation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A rare expression of dislike appeared on Fei Yujing\u2019s face. \u201cIt\u2019s her again?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes. I\u2019ll have a good talk with her later,\u201d Shi Weichong replied, but the sound of his voice had barely died away when the phone rang again. Looking helpless, he got up and gave everyone an apologetic glance. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, it seems I have to take this, I\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

From Shi Weichong\u2019s reaction, Shi Jin had already guessed who the caller was. He glanced at the progress bar in his brain, thought for a few seconds, and suddenly stood up. \u201cBig Brother, as long as you answer the phone here, I will sign these documents. I\u2019ll keep signing them as long as you keep talking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong stopped and looked over his shoulder at him.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWill you answer or not?\u201d Shi Jin dragged the stack of papers closer and picked up the pen.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong gave him a deep look, clenching his hands into fists, then took out the phone and touched \u2018Accept the call\u2019.<\/span><\/p>

{Hello? Where are you, Weichong?}<\/span><\/p>

With the enhanced hearing buff, Xu Jie\u2019s voice was quite clear. Shi Jin decisively opened the first document, let Xiao Si give the content a quick check to make sure there were no traps, and put his signature on it.<\/span><\/p>

Seeing this, Shi Weichong began to chat with Xu Jie, tricking her into thinking he was out discussing business and would be back late.<\/span><\/p>

One after another, Shi Jin quickly signed all the documents. Looking up at Shi Weichong, he said, \u201cI\u2019ve accepted the real estate and deposits. As for the trust fund\u2026 set it up if that will make you happy, I can\u2019t stop you. It doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019ll use it though.\u201d He put down the pen and pushed the documents back to Fei Yujing.<\/span><\/p>

Fei Yujing glanced at him, then at the phone in Shi Weichong\u2019s hand, thoughtful.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s voice was neither particularly loud nor particularly quiet; it was very clear in the quiet room. It seemed Xu Jie on the other side of the phone had heard what he said.<\/span><\/p>

Her tone rose and sharpened at once as she said, {Where are you, Weichong! What did you give that mongrel?}<\/span><\/p>

<JinJin, your progress bar rose to 800!> Xiao Si warned nervously.<\/span><\/p>

From 600 to 800 in a second\u2014as expected, Xu Jie really was a problem!<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin looked at Shi Weichong, his face expressionless.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Weichong closed his eyes tight. He hung up without another word, looked at Shi Jin, and asked, \u201cIs this what you wanted?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, this is what I wanted,\u201d Shi Jin replied with affirmation. \u201cBig Brother, you said these things won\u2019t harm me\u2014let us see whether they will or not in the end. Third Brother, thank you for your hospitality, we will take our leave now.\u201d Pushing Lian Jun\u2019s wheelchair before him, he left the private room without glancing back.<\/span><\/p>

In the outer room, Gua Two saw them come out and hurried to follow.<\/span><\/p>

Amid the silence, Fei Yujing looked at Shi Weichong and asked, \u201cAre you hiding something from us? Why is Xiao Jin so hostile to your mother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201c…It was my mother who showed hostility to Xiao Jin first.\u201d Shi Weichong dragged a chair and sat down, then raised his hand to support his forehead, his expression dull. \u201cThis is my problem\u2026 Yujing, you were right, I shouldn\u2019t have insisted on coming to meet Xiao Jin today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Everyone looked at him, frowning. They recalled Xu Jie\u2019s reaction and Shi Jin\u2019s stubbornness, and all of a sudden, they thought today\u2019s birthday party had perhaps not been the best idea.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHow troublesome.\u201d Rong Zhouzhong leaned back in his chair. Catching sight of the centipede pillow that had been stuffed back into the shopping bag, he reached for it and pulled it out, only then discovering that there was a small, elegantly packaged box at the bottom of the bag. Surprised, he took it out and opened it, finding a simple but tasteful wallet inside. Expression complex, he looked at it, took another look at the centipede pillow, and scrubbed through his hair in irritation. \u201cYou really are\u2026 trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shi Jin helped Lian Jun to get in the car, then sat next to him and closed the door, facing the restaurant entrance.<\/span><\/p>

Xiao Si suddenly said, <JinJin, your progress bar has dropped a little, to 790.><\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was startled, and his mood became a little complicated. He leaned back with a long sigh, looked at his progress bar, and asked silently, \u201cXiao Si, do you think I did the right thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

After figuring out that it was Xu Jie who\u2019d called Shi Weichong, he came up with an idea on the spot\u2014rather than avoiding the risk and continue guessing, why not aggravate the conflict?<\/span><\/p>

Spending every day guarding against a thief you know was waiting for you was exhausting\u2014it was better to try to force the thief to appear, then deal with them once and for all. However, if that really happened, Shi Weichong was bound to suffer in one way or another.<\/span><\/p>

<You didn\u2019t do anything wrong,> Xiao Si comforted in its own clumsy way. <When the progress bar disappears, everyone\u2019s going to be fine.><\/span><\/p>

Will it really be fine?<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin\u2019s eyes unconsciously fell on Lian Jun\u2019s progress bar. Recalling Lian Jun\u2019s treatment plan and the steady progress his lover was making, his expression eased\u2014yes, everything was going to be fine, things were already getting better…<\/span><\/p>

\u201cShi Jin.\u201d All of a sudden, Lian Jun called to him in a soothing voice, taking his hand.<\/span><\/p>

Shi Jin was pulled out of his thoughts and looked at him. Thinking of his unfinished date plan, he slowly cheered up and asked, squeezing Lian Jun\u2019s hand back, \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to obey me the whole day today, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun reached out to caress his cheek. \u201cYes, I\u2019ll listen to you.\u201d <\/span>I\u2019ll do anything as long as it will make you happy.<\/span><\/em><\/p>

Shi Jin smiled. He conjured a bag from under the seat and said with expectation, \u201cOkay, then first, change into this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lian Jun froze. Looking at the bag of clothes in the teenager\u2019s hand, all of a sudden, he felt as though he\u2019d heard the sound of a trap springing closed over his head.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Translator’s Notes:<\/h3>
  1. “<\/strong><\/em>He still wanted to know what exactly these brothers of his were scheming”<\/strong><\/em> – lit. “what medicine these brothers were selling in their gourd”<\/em>.
    It more or less means “not know what someone is planning” or “not know what someone has up his sleeve”. In former times doctors carried medicine inside gourds; they were also used as containers for liquids, often liquors or medicines. (Gourds in Ancient China<\/a>)<\/span><\/li>
  2. “She lives a life of wealth and leisure, happy dallying with little white faces<\/span>“<\/strong><\/em> – remember my note back in chapter 63? ‘Little white face’ can mean an attractive young man, adonis, gigolo, toy boy. This term is more or less derogatory – it usually means a young man who doesn’t work and rely on rich women (or men).<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Translator: Eques<\/em>
    Editor: Con
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    Eques:<\/strong><\/h3>

    The brothers are back! ( \u2022\u0300 \u03c9 \u2022\u0301 )\u2727<\/p>

    ——-<\/p>

    From now on, I’m going to post notice on my Twitter<\/strong><\/a> whenever DPB or EoR updates, so you can follow me if you want to get notified but aren’t subscribing to get email notifications or following Betwixted Translations on WordPress.
    And it’s not as if there’s completely no fanart<\/em> for DPB – come and check it out!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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