Skate Into Love (Chapter 1)

Novel: Skate into Love (冰糖炖雪梨)

Author: Jiu Xiao Qi

Genre: RomCom

Synopsis: As kids, Tang Xue bullied Li YuBing a great deal, and YuBing didn’t have it in him to fight back.  When they unexpectedly meet again in college after a six year separation, Li YuBing had successfully transformed into a hotshot hockey star, and he was ready to seek revenge.

*** CHAPTER  1 – SEATMATE ***

“My Seatmate”

Author: Tang Xue (Second Grade)

My seatmate’s name is Li YuBing.  He’s super annoying.  Why?  Because Grandpa had promised me that if I tested as No. 1 in the class, then he’d take me to Disneyland.  I really want to go to Disneyland!  But I didn’t get No. 1. Li YuBing did!  The teacher even praised him during the parent-teacher conference.  Dad said to me, “Look at Li YuBing. Now look at yourself!”  I really wish the teacher would stop praising him, because he’s so annoying

Ashes of Love Ch. 25

Since I couldn’t conjure buns, I honored my promise and brought Run Yu to a breakfast stall.  After changing our appearance and concealing our immortal aura, we finally found a place that looked acceptable.  Just as we sat down, we heard someone cry, “Waiter, I’ll have four buns!” [Tn: Here, waiter is literally “little second.”]

“Coming right up!” The waiter swung his dish towel over his shoulder and scurried over with a steamer basket.

Ashes of Love (Ch. 24)

Chapter 24

When I opened my eyes again, it was another beautiful day.  As I sat up, rubbing my eyes, something that flashed a brilliant gold floated to the ground.  A closer look revealed it to be a phoenix feather.  Even a single feather of Phoenix gleamed so radiantly–he truly was an arrogant bird who knew no humility.

But the bird himself seemed to have disappeared.  I let out a breath of relief–now I no longer had to find an excuse for swindling him out of an extra 300 years of magic.

Ashes of Love (CH. 23)

Ch. 23

Yet, just as I was enjoying myself, his eyes suddenly snapped open and with a piercing glare, he cried: “Who dares?!”

I watched in bafflement as he yelled at me, then closed his eyes in satisfaction.  I couldn’t help feeling a bit miffed–how is it that, even in his dreams, he doesn’t forget to bully me.  But if I think about it carefully, this is pretty much his mantra.  Kind of like how the Monkey King,* regardless of whom he’s up against, always yells: “Demon, where do you think you’re going?”  Or like how humans, regardless of the time, always begin their conversations with, “Have you eaten?”**

So thinking, I forgave him.

I bent down next to him and whispered in his ear, “Phoenix, do you remember that you still owe me 600 years of magic?”

His breaths were deep and even, his demeanor at peace.

“Could it be that you’re going back on your word?”  I continued asking him in complete seriousness.

His breaths remained deep and even, his demeanor remained at peace.

“It’s the law of nature to repay your debts.  Thus, I shall retrieve the magic myself and save you the trouble.”  I can’t imagine that there are many considerate creditors like me left in the world.

Ashes of Love (Ch. 22)

A note: I took a long break from translating because I’ve been working on other things and because it seemed like there wasn’t much interest anyway.  I appreciate  all the comments I’ve received though.  Thank you guys!  As there seems to be some interest, I am going to continue to chug along and see if I can finish. 🙂  As always, would love to hear your thoughts on the story!

~~ Chapter 22 ~~

The moon this evening was especially round and bright, illuminating the garden’s small stone bridge and decorative rocks.  Phoenix, Run Yu and I sipped wine around a table–a harmonious scene, I thought.

Ashes of Love (Chap. 21)

“Have some fun?!” Phoenix repeated my question with disbelief.  I felt a chill down the back of my neck.  “I came to look for you!”

I wasn’t sure what came over the mortals in the room; they all stared at Phoenix unblinkingly.  The fat man from the next booth swallowed hard and said, “Truly, he is the creme de la creme!  A god among men!

Ashes of Love (Chapter 20)

“So-called bliss is nothing more than food, drinks, whores and gambling,” the Earth Spirit slurred, one hand holding a glass of wine and the other holding my sleeve. “But the alcohol of the mortals are nothing compared to your home brew here!”

I magnanimously allowed him to continue holding my sleeve and replied, “Tell me more about whores and gambling.  This is my first time here and I’d never heard of such things before.”

Ashes of Love (Chapter 19)

Little Fish God led the Ying Shou through the milky way, which engulfed us in a complete silence, its countless stars twinkling beneath our feet.

Riding atop the Ying Shou, I smoothed its fur and said to Little Fish God, “Run Yu, although you hold a high position, I think the Sun God has the more interesting job.”

“Oh? And how is that?” he paused in his steps and turned to look at me.

Ashes of Love (Chapter 18)

Although you couldn’t say that Phoenix was friendly to me on the whole, he nonetheless was someone who kept his promises.  The day before last, he promised he’d come to visit me in the Flower Realm, so today, he will definitely come.

Ashes of Love (Chapter 17)

The tomb of the late Flower Goddess was inconspicuous as always, no additional flowers having bloomed in the hundred years I’d been gone.  When I still lived in the Water Cave, my favorite day of the year was the Flower Goddess’s memorial, because that was when the High Priestess parted the barrier and let us little fairies out.  Though we were only out for a limited amount of time, we still cherished those moments of freedom and were secretly overjoyed.