whiteswanco

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Molding Cuteness Date- English Translation [1/2]

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lovepro X Nobi Rabbit Event | Molding Cuteness Date Part 1 (You're here!) | Date Part 2 | Prologue + Day 1 | Day 2-4 | Day 5 -7

⚠️This date is from a collaboration, which means it is highly unlikely to be brought to the English server. Therefore, I've placed the translation of this date and event on the highest priority list. Sorry for everyone that has been waiting for merman AU, I'll continue to work on it after this u.u.

Watching his face draw closer and closer, my heartbeat begins to race beyond my control.

He takes my hand, guiding it from his warm cheek, through his soft hair, to the fluffy crown of his head.

The tactile sensations are magnified infinitely under his guidance, just like his innocent eyes that now occupy my whole vision.

"…Am I cute?"

Translation under the cut!

T/N: From now on, I’ll refer to him as Lucien Xu rather than just Lucien, haha. So instead of ‘Professor Lucien’, ‘Teacher Lucien’, ‘Mr. Lucien’, and so on, I’ll start using ‘Professor Xu’, ‘Teacher Xu’, ‘Mr. Xu’, etc. ^^ Don’t worry, I’m not switching completely to ‘Xu Mo’, I just feel that keeping the surname makes it a bit better option to capture how others politely address him (and also MC playfully addressing him with such~).

—[Video-Turn On CC!]—

Every time he speaks in that tender, coquettish tone, I melt from sheer cuteness and adoration for this man ;-; really recommended to watch the video for the full experience with his voice acting complete with unserious nobi rabbit sprite and him wearing nobi pajamas! Don't worry about missing anything on Tumblr because I also put the phone record + moments in the vid and video comment too~

—[Part 1]—

Pitter-patter…

Outside, the drizzling sound of rain weaves the most perfect white noise, turning the rustling of book pages and the clicking of a mouse indoors into something no longer dull and monotonous.

Such a lazy moment is just right for leisurely passing time at home, soaking in the aroma of coffee together with Lucien.

MC: Pfft…

Lucien: Did you see something funny? What’s got you laughing so much?

Hearing my voice, Lucien lifts his head curiously from the other side of the sofa.

I beckon with a smile, tugging his sleeve as I bring him over to my computer.

MC: Take a look at my new desktop pet companion~

On the computer desktop, a little bunny hops around in response to my mouse clicks.

MC: Look, her name is Nobi. Once the system's set up, she chats with me whenever I poke her.

As I speak, I poke her twice. The little bunny blinks, and with a pop, a dialogue box jumps out above her head.

Nobi: "Want to ask the world’s cutest Nobi Rabbit something?"

Nobi: "Feeling wronged? Listen to me, it’s better to trouble others than to wrong yourself!"

MC: Haha, isn’t it funny?

Lucien: Mm, she’s certainly a little bunny even livelier than MC.

Lucien’s gaze falls on the Nobi pin on my collar.

Lucien: Speaking of which, you really have bought a lot of Nobi Rabbit merchandise lately… Do you like her a lot?

MC: Of course I do! But this is only one of the reasons; the more important reason is this!

With a cheerful lilt in my voice, I click open a video.

MC: Behold—"The Bunny Arrives!"

In the video, an excited couple waves at the camera, and perched on their shoulders is none other than... Nobi Rabbit!

With his index finger hooked under his chin, Lucien watches the interaction between Nobi and the couple in the video thoughtfully and slightly raises an eyebrow.

Lucien: [chuckles] ...Is it real?

MC: Hum hum, of course it's real.

MC: Lately, for some unknown reason, the real Nobi Rabbit has been appearing in Loveland City!

MC: Now there’s already a wave of 'Nobi craze'. Everyone’s trying all kinds of ways to get her to appear by their side and play with her.

Lucien: So, all the new merchandise added at home over the past few days, including that 'magical' cuddle claw machine, is meant to make Nobi show up faster?

MC: Sort of. Gotta make an effort to raise the chance of being the lucky one, right...

Before I can finish my sentence, Lucien gently pinches my cheek.

Lucien: I think my little one is already very lucky.

Lucien: And you always share your luck with me so generously.

Lucien: Whether it’s the RV trip, the island holiday… even a strand of blessing bracelets, or a fortune cookie.

Lucien: [in that coquettish, acting spoiled tone™️] You haven’t forgotten all of that, have you? Because then I would be heartbroken.

Lucien’s voice is low and soft, as if coquettishly coaxing me, yet the tail end of his tone carries a firmness that leaves no room for doubt.

Accompanied by his words, memories of those sweet and happy moments from the past surface in my mind.

All those big and small moments of luck that had Lucien in them.

A smile rises on my face without me realizing it, and I lean against his shoulder.

MC: Gee~ When you put it like that, I feel embarrassed.

MC: It makes me seem like someone who’s already so lucky, yet still greedily wants more.

Lucien: But your expression doesn't look 'embarrassed' at all.

MC: Hm? Then what kind of expression do I have?

Just as I lift my face, a soft kiss lands at the corner of my lips.

Lucien: It’s a righteously bold, greedy expression, one that says you want to become the luckiest person in the world.

I burst out laughing and reach out to hook my arm around Lucien’s neck.

MC: Then, is it okay if I want to be a little greedier?

Lucien: [with a tender, indulgent tone, as if ready to grant her every wish] Sure. What do you want?

MC: Of course, it is…

I gently press down on his neck with my wrist, letting his breath blend once again with mine.

MC: Lucien also has to become the luckiest person in the world together with me.

✂———————–

—[Part 2]—

Lucien: All right... how soon can you get here?

Lucien: Please hurry as fast as possible, over here....

Through the slightly ajar door, Lucien’s voice sounds fuzzy and distant, as if mingled with the drip-drop of water.

Is it still raining? I frown, opening my eyes from the lingering daze of sleep, only to see a bright, cloudless sky outside the window.

MC: Then the water sound just now was....

Just as I’m puzzling over it, Lucien happens to push open the door. His eyes pause for a beat.

Lucien: Did I wake you?

MC: No… were you on the phone just now?

Lucien: Yes, there’s a bit of an issue with the drainage pipe on the balcony at home. I just contacted property management.

MC: Huh?!

✂———————–

Drip, drip...

Gazing at the dripping mess strewn across the balcony, I feel as if my mood has also been soaked through by the muddy water.

MC: How could this happen...

MC: Just yesterday I said we have to become the luckiest people, and we already ran into something this unlucky today, sigh.

Hearing my sigh, Lucien gently rubs my head.

Lucien: Look on the bright side, at least it was discovered early. Otherwise, our living room floor would've been ruined too.

MC: That's true. Luckily, it’s not like what happened to me last time…

I trail off mid-sentence and turn to look at Lucien. A knowing smile lifts the corners of his mouth.

Lucien: Yeah. Now we've both experienced ‘The flooded Jinshan’.

[T/N: They were talking about what happened during the 2020 Valentine’s Day date (the one with cherry cg), when MC’s apartment got flooded and she ended up spending the night at Lucien’s place."The Flooded Jinshan" (水漫金山) alludes to a legendary scene from The Legend of the White Snake in which the White Snake floods Jinshan Temple to rescue her husband, Xu Xian. This phrase is often used to refer unfortunate occurrence of flooding]

His gentle, joking tone melts away my gloom. I let out a sigh of relief and simply take his hand.

MC: Then, in the spirit of 'courtesy demands reciprocity', how about coming over to my place as a guest while we wait for the property maintenance, Professor Xu?

A bright gleam flashes in Lucien’s eyes. He gently squeezes my palm, his eyes curving into a smile.

Lucien: Alright, I’ll trouble Miss Producer to take me in.

As I begin excitedly planning how to properly host Lucien, I open my door—

Suddenly, I feel something bump against my calf, and a crisp, chirpy voice chimes out from near my feet.

??: Wow, your place is pretty big!

I glance down. To my surprise, a Nobi rabbit has already bounced ahead of me into my home!

MC: [surprised] ?!

My eyes widen as I stare in disbelief. Hearing my gasp, Nobi comes to a stop and lifts her chin at me.

Nobi: Don’t you chat with me on your computer every day? How come you don't recognize me?

MC: [sweats] Of course I recognize you! Y-you're really Nobi?

Nobi: Hmph! Who else in the whole world could possibly be this adorable besides me?

Nobi: You two shouldn't just stand at the doorway. Come on in.

After finishing her sentence, Nobi plops down onto my couch without a care in the world.

Lucien watches the little bunny rolling around before him, letting a rare flicker of subtle expression surface on his face

Yet before I can confirm it, he has already returned to his usual composed demeanor, giving me a helpless smile.

Lucien: Looks like there’s a new guest besides me today.

With that, he takes my hand and leads me over to Nobi.

Lucien: Hello, Nobi Rabbit.

Lucien: Can you tell me where you came from?

Nobi: Um? I came from the cutest planet in the entire universe. 

Lucien: Then, by what means did you arrive here? Was it through spatial teleportation or energy conversion?

Lucien’s gaze is filled with genuine curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Nobi puffs up her cheeks, seemingly a bit overwhelmed.

Nobi: W-why do you humans like to ask strange questions?

She firmly plants her hands on her hips and shakes her ears.

Nobi: Anyway, the reason I appeared here is 'love'!

Nobi: As long as there’s love, anything can be explained. That’s just how this world is!

Because of Nobi’s righteously confident statement, the air goes quiet for a moment, then Lucien and I can’t help but chuckle at her answer.

Lucien: Alright, that question just now really was a bit much for a little bunny.

Lucien: After all, the world truly does become simpler because of love.

Our eyes meet, and in silent unison, tender, indulgent smiles bloom on our faces. I scoot closer to Nobi’s side and give her a light poke.

MC: Oh~ so does that mean it was the power of love between Lucien and me that drew you to appear here?

Nobi: Yes, yes, exactly!

Nobi: Professor Xu, you should learn from your girlfriend. She's much smarter and cuter than you!

Lucien: ….

Nobi and I tease in tandem, making him lift his brow slightly. He then bows down just a bit, as if earnestly seeking guidance.

Lucien: Then, may I ask my two teachers what I can do to become as smart and as cute as my girlfriend?

As if reclaiming her dignity, Nobi adjusts her glasses and nods with satisfaction.

Nobi: That’s the very reason I came to you two~

As she speaks, Nobi suddenly hops onto Lucien’s shoulder, leans in close to his ear, and whispers something softly.

Lucien: [gasps softly] ...Really?

Nobi: Just try it and you'll see.

Lucien nods thoughtfully, then leans down toward me.

Watching his face draw closer and closer, my heartbeat begins to race beyond my control.

Yet Lucien merely extends his hand, guiding mine to his face, then slowly moving it upward.

My fingertips glide from the warmth of his cheek, tangle through the fine strands of his hair, and finally come to rest on the fluffy crown of his head.

The tactile sensations are magnified infinitely under his guidance, just like his innocent eyes that now occupy my whole vision.

Lucien: [soft, coquettish tone] …Am I cute?

I blurt out almost reflexively:

MC: —So cute!!

Next Part=> [Click Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Operation Cuteness Capture - Day 1

Lovepro X Nobi Rabbit Event | Molding Cuteness Date Part 1 | Date Part 2 | Prologue + Day 1 (You're here!) | Day 2-4 | Day 5 -7

Translation under the cut!

[Event Prologue]

MC: "The Feather Thief", "Art History", "The Stranger".. Huh? This book is…

[T/N: The Feather Thief is the one by Kirk Wallace Johnson, and the one titled Art History is a general book. The Stranger by Albert Camus is a book Lucien recommended for his CN Server 2024 birthday official giveaway, where 50 official limited-edition copies featuring a special book cover with the birthday MLs will be distributed through a social media lottery. I find that the choice of the book really fits him~]

During a rare moment of leisure, I’m holding a stack of freshly organized books, ready to return them to the bookshelf, when I suddenly notice that the book at the very bottom looks a bit familiar.

I pick up the book and carefully examine the cover. Only then do I suddenly recall that this might be the book I borrowed from Lucien last month. I’ve kept forgetting to return it after I finish reading.

Although I know Lucien wouldn’t mind, I should still return it to him as soon as possible.

I hold the book in my arms and arrive at Lucien’s doorstep. I then press the doorbell.

After a while, the door creaks open.

Lucien: MC...? Why are you here so early?

I lift my head, only to see Lucien’s bangs messily hanging over his forehead; his pajamas wrinkled, and his whole presence steeped in a drowsy, half-asleep languor.

MC: Did you work late yesterday?

Lucien: Hm?.....Mhm.

Looking at the person in front of me, who resembles a dazed little fox, my heart instantly turns soft and tender, and I lower my voice.

MC: If you’re so sleepy, go back and get some more rest right away. I'm just here to return your book.

Lucien blinks his eyes, his gaze gradually becoming clearer. He rubs the corner of his eye and lets out a chuckle.

Lucien: It's fine. I should be getting up around now anyway.

Hearing his muffled voice, I can’t help but reach out and gently brush aside his messy bangs.

MC: Alright then, I'll return the book to the study myself. Why don’t you wash your face to wake yourself up a bit?

Lucien: No need. I’ll go with you.

Lucien pulls me along by the hand. Just as we enter the study together, a huge Cuddle Claw Machine suddenly greets our eyes.

MC: Eh?

The Cuddle Claw Machine is adorned with flashy little bunny stickers and packed with all kinds of fluffy toys, clashing with the study’s refined atmosphere.

Lucien also frowns in slight confusion. It's clear that this isn't something he set up.

We both take a few steps forward, just about to get a closer look—

In the next second, there's a soft poof, and smoke suddenly fills the air.

My hand suddenly feels empty, and Lucien who was right beside me vanishes into thin air!

MC: Lucien?!

Lucien: I'm here.

His voice comes from inside the machine.

I stare at the cuddle claw machine in shock, only to see that there’s now... a mini version of Lucien inside? He’s dressed in tiny pajamas, dazedly rubbing his eyes.

MC: Lucien... what on earth is going on? A–are you okay?

Compared to my shock, the mini Lucien has clearly calmed down. He thoughtfully looks around and nods.

Lucien: Don’t panic, I’m perfectly fine.

Lucien: First, help me see if this machine has any kind of manual.

[Fluffy Cuddle Fun] Instruction Manual

Hug cuteness together with your adorable someone!

01 / Product Introduction

This bunny has sensed the vibrant energy and sweet atmosphere of a place called Loveland City! So, a special magic was cast on this machine and sent to you as a holiday gift. Two people who are connected at heart can activate it and enjoy the joy of hugging adorable little plushies together amidst the happy magic.

Brought to you by Nobi, honest fun for all ages.

1. Machine Cabinet

During the holiday period, mysterious plushies will keep dropping nonstop! Excited? Happy? Take your pick, I’m super generous!

2. Heart-Shaped Catcher

During gameplay, this secures the "Catcher" in place and allows him to move, ensuring complete safety throughout the entire operation.

3. Control Panel

Use these buttons to coordinate with him. Aim, then press the "Hug" button in one go! With how in sync you two are, this should be no problem.

02 / Small Tips

The holiday is almost here! During this time, I’ll be preparing 120 of my favorite Carrot Coins for you inside the cuddle machine every day. You can exchange them at the "Bunny Bazaar" for fun goodies. Claim promptly or miss out big time! The Love Cuddle Machine won’t get in the way of your loving communication. If you want to talk to each other, simply give the machine a little poke.

[Day 1]

MC: How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?

Lucien: Don’t worry, I'm fine.

Lucien: Also, being in the cuddle machine, I seem to be experiencing a brand-new perspective.

MC: Huh? What's it like?

Lucien: To me, there's this strange sense of displacement; it feels like the whole world has magnified in front of my eyes.

Lucien: Things I could normally pick up with just three fingers now take real effort to hold onto with both arms.

MC: Oh wow! That really does sound interesting. What else?

Lucien: And also...

Lucien: [smiles] Seeing you outside through the glass is quite interesting too.

MC: Eh? Me? Interesting?

Lucien: Yes. Seeing you so earnest as you focused on maneuvering the joystick, and the way you looked while cheering me on…

Lucien: It was all very interesting.

Lucien: Of course, the most adorable thing is the way your eyes light up when you win your prize.

Lucien: It makes me eager to come out of this machine just to take a closer look.

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Labyrinth Date - English Translation (2/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

From now on, this prison is a paradise that belongs to us.

Translation under the cut!

Previous Part->[Here]

=[Part 3]=

??: "...In the year 2230 of the New Era, you enrolled in the School of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, following the recommendation of the scoring system, with a minor in Sociology…"

??: "...During your first semester, you submitted a paper titled ‘The Role and Development of Psychometrics in Sociology’. The full text reads as follows..."

??: "...In your third year, under your advisor’s guidance, you participated in a symposium on How to Scientifically Quantify Standards for Emotional Auditing, and during the conference..."

A soft mechanical hum echoes through the room. Pale gray wall clearly displays scene after scene like frames from a long, lingering film.

A dark-haired young man appears on the projection. His eyes and brows still hint at youthful inexperience as he walks through the teaching building, yet his calm composure is already evident.

As I watch briefly, I prop my chin on my hand, then let my gaze fall back to Lucien.

It’s been a week since the memory erasure.

Every day, when it’s time for his projected education, he sits quietly on the edge of his bed like this, watching the fragments of his memories.

His expression resembles a sheet of untainted white paper��pure and earnest.

The data indicates that he has not shown any doubt or aversion toward the altered segments of the footage. Judging from this, the execution appears to be effective.

Lost in thought, I’m jotting down the situation on the electronic screen when I suddenly hear him utter a puzzled “Hm?”. I glance up and am momentarily caught off guard.

The memory fragment now playing is a scene from his workday, with the familiar consultation room bathed in warm-toned sunlight.

Lucien rests his chin on one hand, his expression focused as he looks at the wary-faced girl across from him.

…That’s the scene from the first time I sought him for counseling.

Could that afternoon actually be a profound memory for him, too? ...Was my case especially tricky?

A rustle of bedsheets brushes past my ear. Amid the shifting light and shadows, the person beside me turns his head to look at me.

Lucien: ...Miss Section Chief, what was our previous relationship?

It’s the first time he’s spoken since the memory erasure. I steady my inexplicably quickened heartbeat and look into those eyes.

MC: You used to be the psychology instructor at my college.

MC: There was a time when I struggled mentally, and I sought your guidance more than a few times.

Lucien: Even someone as rational as Miss Section Chief experienced a phase like that?

MC: Of course. A person’s stability naturally fluctuates.

MC: Back at the college, you also seemed rather…*

My voice trails off, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Lucien curiously moving closer to me.

Lucien: [approaching closer] Also seemed rather what? Can you continue?

Lucien: In addition to the system's objective records, I also want to know what kind of person I am in your eyes.

I observe him with keen intrigue and deliberately furrow my brows.

MC: But this isn’t within the scope of my work.

He blinks, seemingly not expecting me to respond this way. Yet in the next instant, something seems to occur to him, and the corners of his eyes curve slightly.

Lucien: Since Miss Section Chief appears in my memory fragments, you must’ve been my favorite student.

Lucien: For the sake of our past bond... is there really no room for a small favor?

His tone softens a little, and there’s a trace of a familiar smile in his voice.

The memories of the past suddenly flood my heart. Though this maneuvering feels more clumsy compared to before, it has now become a bit more intriguing.**

I can’t help but curl the corners of my lips upward, and under his expectant gaze, I steal a glance at the time.

MC: It’s getting a bit late now.

MC: But I promise you. We’ll continue tomorrow.

✂———————–

Since that day, I began 'working overtime' to 'accompany' Lucien outside of regular work hours.

At first, it was just an occasional arrangement. But after one incident in which I had to respond to his sudden dizziness, it gradually became a fixed part of my schedule.

The system judges that he is having an adverse reaction to the drug, leading to several physical indicators dropping below normal. As a result, his recovery period is extended, and nutritional injections are arranged.

So, in the time I spend with him each day, a caregiving routine is added. But most of the time, it’s him observing my procedures while asking his questions.

…I have to admit, this man’s curiosity is overwhelmingly voracious.

Lucien: How do I know my score from each system update?

MC: The monitoring hall’s equipment displays them publicly. You can also ask the management staff; we can see every prisoner’s score through the system.

✂———————–

Lucien: My heart seems to beat faster every time I receive care.

MC: [worriedly] That’s the nutritional injection taking effect… Strange, your memory of medical knowledge shouldn’t have been affected, right?

✂———————–

Lucien: How much longer is my recovery period?

MC: I’m not sure, let’s wait until your physical indicators return to normal.

Lucien: If I never recover… will MC keep visiting me every day like this?

Adjusting the syringe, my hands still mid-motion, I shoot a glance at him.

MC: Theoretically, yes.

MC: But I can see from the data that you’re recovering quite smoothly.

As if he fails to receive the cherished gift he has set his heart on, his eyes brim with plainly visible disappointment.

I find this version of him somewhat amusing, but as I turn, I hear his contemplative voice behind me.

Lucien: But do you really think the system can’t be deceived by data, MC?

Lucien: It evaluates efficiently yet never delves into the causes. If someone wanted to exploit it… it wouldn’t be difficult, would it?

MC: …!

His voice carries a note of skepticism as if he’s simply asking an innocent question. But I keenly pick up on the faint arrogance in his tone.

I set down the syringe and slowly turn around.

MC: ...Why do you think that?

Lucien: Because… it seems I’ve already succeeded in tricking it.

Lucien: My adverse reaction to the drug, that’s the system’s misjudgment.

As I stare at him in bewilderment and surprise, he narrows his eyes, a sly glint flashing in them.

Lucien: I haven’t actually felt any discomfort since the execution, just some habitual insomnia. So during the day, I occasionally feel fatigued.

Lucien: The other day, an interesting thought suddenly came to me while recalling my past medical knowledge.

Lucien: Symptoms like 'fatigue' and 'mental lethargy' are actually among the adverse effects of the drug.

Lucien: If I deliberately exhibit more signs of a drug reaction, how would the system judge that? …That idea suddenly popped into my head.

He raises a finger, tapping lightly at his temple.

Lucien: So I tried feeding a few controlled and precise cues to the Iris device, like intermittent accelerated breathing, and...

MC: ...Sudden dizziness.

The image of him from some time ago—eyes half-lidded as he leans against the headboard—crosses my mind. My palm tightens slightly.

Lucien meets my gaze without affirmation or denial, a clear smile showing in his eyes.

Lucien: [chuckles] You see, every piece of data it holds is actually precise.

Lucien: Yet even so, it still arrives at an erroneous judgment.

His dark eyes twinkle, like a child who has found the answer through his own hard work, laced with pure joy and a faint sense of pride.

I stare intently at the curve of Lucien’s lips, a slight chill creeping vaguely up my spine.

Even though his memories were clearly erased, and everything he receives is filtered by the system, how come a thought like that still born?

Is he playing a prank? Or… were his previous memories not completely wiped?

I try to find an inkling of jest in his refined brows and eyes, but my heartbeat accelerates uncontrollably.

There seems to be some kind of unexplained presence, and an unexpected development has emerged.

Two notification boxes suddenly pop up in my lens display, severing the tangled web of my thoughts.

System: Ten minutes remain until this month's system score update. Please proceed to the monitoring hall.

System: If no relevant action is taken, the system will automatically assume control and reclaim the data.

My gaze flickers slightly as I slowly begin to speak. 

MC: …Alright, story time is over.

MC: You should prepare yourself to undergo a new round of scoring by the system.

Lucien: You think what I just said was nothing but fantasy?

MC: [sternly] That would be the best-case scenario. Otherwise, you should start worrying about your own safety.

The air suddenly falls silent. Our eyes lock, as if we are using our gazes as blades, confronting each other invisibly.

MC: If you’ve been harboring this kind of dangerous mindset all along, it will definitely affect the evaluation.

MC: Should your score continue to fall short, your memory will be erased again.

MC: Of course, you can demonstrate it right in front of me. Show me how you’d outsmart the system’s evaluation… if you’re really as clever as you say.

Like a butterfly’s wings flutter, he blinks slowly and softly.

Lucien: Sure.

Lucien: But if I act as I please, wouldn't that get you in trouble?

He speaks in quite a good mood, tilting his chin toward the camera in the corner.

MC: Don’t worry. As the medical section chief, I have the authority to remove certain information that’s unfavorable to me.

MC: But if you’re deliberately wasting my time…

I ease down onto the edge of the bed. Leaning in close to Lucien’s ear, I lower my voice to a whisper.

MC: [whispers] The next time I punish you, I won't be so gentle.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: I translated the word as ‘seemed’ for brevity and naturalness, but 表现 (biǎo xiàn— literally “manifested conduct”) conveys more nuance. It refers to the way one’s actions are outwardly displayed or expressed, how his observable actions are like. Combined with what he said afterward, his curiosity here isn’t merely about what he seemed like, but how she perceived him. (and interestingly, given what MC said earlier about a person’s stability naturally fluctuating before commenting on his observable actions... she at least knows him well enough to notice that Lucien isn’t always ‘stable’ either, and honestly, with the shits he pulls, he’s indeed unhinged to some degree LOL)

**: In this context, "maneuvering" refers to the act of carefully guiding or manipulating someone or something in order to achieve a goal rather than the usual ‘move carefully’. "斡旋" (wò xuán) is often translated as "to mediate" or "to negotiate," but here it carries the nuance of subtle psychological or emotional maneuvering that she employs to achieve her objective~

✂———————–

=[Part 4]=

I draw myself upright and lean back with unflappable composure, observing him from the side.

Lucien, however, doesn’t show a hint of surprise or hesitation. Instead, he calmly rolls up his cuffs, revealing a section of his slender, cold-white forearm.

He then takes a syringe from the nearby equipment cart, adjusts it somewhat unskilfully, and injects half the dose of nutritional solution into himself.

A faint sheen of sweat seeps from his neck—a common reaction to high-concentration nutritional fluid entering the body.

I frown, despite myself, I can’t resist speaking:

MC: The nutritional injection will affect the cardiac rhythm, so it needs to be administered slowly.

Lucien: I know. But there’s no time to let it take effect gradually now.

Lucien: Before the system updates the score, I need to calibrate my heart rate to the "standard" rate to pass the examination.

The countdown’s red glare reflects in his eyes, adding a touch of unpredictability.

Lucien: No need to worry... I also cherish this body you’ve so earnestly tended to, MC.

Lucien: 1.5 milliliters is exactly the precise dose to achieve the ideal condition without causing excessive burden on my body.

His tone is breezy and unquestionably assured, as if everything is under his control, compelling others to intuitively want to believe him.

This familiar feeling gradually overlaps with my memory, slightly startling me.

The seconds on the digital clock silently tick in the corner of our vision, then snap abruptly to the full hour.

Almost the next second, a prompt box indicating a successful score update pops up in my lens' view.

I stifle my rapidly beating heart and move my fingertips. Suddenly, the screen flickers, and a photo of Lucien appears with a flashing bright number flashing — '42'.

…This is indeed a score within the safe range.

My eyes widen, my mind even goes blank for a fleeting moment.

I can't believe it. He really fooled the system's review... How did he do it? Did he simply rely on the injection to change a few physical indicators?

How is that possible... If it were that simple, wouldn't all criminals who receive the nutritional injections be able to get out of prison?

Lucien: Because when the system evaluates a human's physical or even psychological condition, it simultaneously examines multiple indicators.

Lucien's voice rises beside me as if he had heard the question in my heart, as though he’s leisurely explaining a problem set.

Lucien: For example, to determine whether someone agrees with the system, it will retrieve their heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate when exposed to related information.

Lucien: Of course, a single fluctuation can't fool it.

Lucien: Fortunately, I’ve been receiving nutritional injection care during this period. While watching videos, my heart rate and blood pressure were both elevated, naturally helping to avoid the system judging any feelings of disgust.

Lucien: Then, coupled with some seemingly genuine microexpressions...

He casually flicks the syringe's needle and gives me a calm, slightly confused smile.

...This expression is not unfamiliar.

Every day, when watching his memory footage, Lucien always shows this gentle, harmless expression.

MC: You're the first person I've seen who could ‘relapse into old patterns’ even after memory erasure and system re-education.

MC: You really were born for prison.

I control my slightly trembling breath, my gaze lingering on his face for a long time, my tone tinged with mockery.

Lucien, however, gently shakes his head, as if somewhat disagreeing.

Lucien: I originally thought the same. But just now, a new conjecture suddenly occurred to me.

Lucien: Since I can trick the system now, perhaps I could’ve done the same thing back then.

MC: ...What are you implying?

Lucien: I mean, what if being imprisoned was the result of my own choice?

He casts down his gaze and begins to speak unhurriedly.

Lucien: Suppose this counterintuitive conclusion holds, then there must be something here that I want to gain or achieve.

Lucien: But what is it that makes this prison special compared to the outside world?

His voice pauses, as if he's deducing something, yet also as if he's talking to himself.

Lucien: This place is on an island, its environment is closed off and highly dependent on the system.

Lucien: Dietary plans, medication dosages... the system makes real-time adjustments based on each prisoner's condition.

Lucien: So there's no need to wait for the bi-monthly scoring to know how it responds

Lucien: Looking at it this way, it's the most perfect place to test the system's vulnerabilities.

MC: …..

His eyes glimmer faintly. I meet his gaze for a beat, and a 'pfft' slips out before I can stop it.

MC: [laughs heartily] Sounds interesting, but this experiment you describe seems to have only the setting and a test subject.

MC: For a complete experiment, isn't something missing? Like someone who runs through the entire process, an observer?

The chains clink softly as Lucien leans slightly toward me, my doubtful expression reflected in his eyes.

His low voice seems probing, yet there's also some sort of genuine admiration in it.

Lucien: That's something I'll need you to confirm.

Lucien: Estimating from the time data in my memory projection, you entered the prison system exactly six months before I was sentenced.

Lucien: Regarding timing or identity, you seem like someone tailor-made for this experiment.

MC: …That’s enough.

MC: You're even using coincidences to piece together your fantasies now?

Lucien: Of course there are coincidences in this world.

Lucien: But when they happen one after another, that results from a guiding push. 

His fingertips brush across my face, carrying a warmth so faint it’s almost not there, like the rising steam from a teacup that afternoon. His softened voice seems to hold a subtle grievance.

Lucien: I understand that people need to leave themselves some room to maneuver.

Lucien: But I’ve already proven the system’s flaws; this experiment can end here.

Lucien: MC, can’t you be honest with me now?

Though he’s asking a question, there’s unmistakable certainty in his expression. It’s as if he already knows the answer before I open my mouth.

Just like that sun-drenched afternoon, it makes me momentarily dazed.

….

Lucien: Then do you genuinely hold unwavering faith in the system’s judgment?

I met the gaze of the man on the sofa. For a brief moment, we looked into each other’s eyes and saw a similar, unspoken danger that we both understood.

Neither of us knew who curved their lips first, but we both chuckled at the same time.

I propped my chin up with one hand and spoke with great interest.

MC: My mentor and I are truly in sync.

MC: Earlier, we were talking about employment… So what advice are you going to give me?*

Lucien: Clever girl.

He crinkled his eyes into crescents and tapped on “prison doctor” in my employment recommendation.

Lucien: Though the prison is a closed environment, it’s an ideal place to conduct experiments and verify certain hypotheses of ours.

Lucien: Perhaps, would MC be willing to enter the prison system early?

MC: Are you trying to gain certain conveniences through me?

Lucien: No, you only need to be a witness.

My gaze fell on his refined, handsome face as I pondered with interest.

It really does sound intriguing. Where I work doesn’t make much difference to me anyway.

Since that’s the case, why not work with someone of my own ‘kind’ to uncover the system’s flaws?

If it fails... there's no real danger.

I can keep this secret to myself, tuck my tail away, and climb upward obediently within the existing system.

And while I’m at it, I can take good care of my poor mentor— after all, he’s about to spend the rest of his life helplessly in a territory under my control.

But if his conclusion turns out to be correct—

I curve the corners of my lips into a smile and lean forward to take the unspent syringe from his hand.

MC: I was worried that after the memory erasure, you'd forget your original purpose and spend the rest of your life here, completely unaware.

MC: Fortunately, the outcome of this experiment turned out just as you predicted, Mentor Xu.

A faint tremor travels up from beneath my fingertips as Lucien seems to let out a few low chuckles.

His pounding heartbeat, carried on the scorching heat of his body, lays this intricate deception bare before me.

Lucien: So that’s what MC is thinking.

Lucien: I thought that if I failed, you'd be more than happy to keep me imprisoned under your watch forever.

MC: Am I really that cunning in my mentor's eyes?

Lucien: After all, a clever girl would never leave herself with only one option.

I let out a light laugh, steadying my heartbeat, which had long been racing with excitement, and projected the internal data from my lens into the air.

A vast array of criminal data and files shimmers before our eyes—a treasure trove that would dazzle any researcher.

Resting my chin on Lucien’s shoulder, I raise my voice with a dash of boast.

MC: I've already screened the profiles of these criminals. Hmm... twenty-eight of them have backgrounds related to medicine.

MC: What if we select half of them and give them subtle pointers about your experimental approach to trick the system?

MC: Given their foundational knowledge, they’re likely to catch on fast.

I speak with ardor and hear him chuckle.

Lucien: I think it would be better to choose people who don’t have a medical background but do have a rebellious mindset toward the system as the control group.

Lucien: All in all, aside from skill, the courage to question is even more important.

MC: Okay, I like this design~

MC: Then we can also flag those whose stance toward the system is unclear and gradually shift their position.

MC: Only with enough subjects can our experiment keep going for a long time...

Lucien strokes my head approvingly, and I pull on the collar around his neck with a smile.

The hazy darkness muffles the whispers in the shadows and conceals the hidden ambitions and secrets.

From now on, this prison is a paradise that belongs to us.

Lucien: Then, let the experiment begin.

——-FIN——–

[T/N] 

If you're wondering whether the collar MC pulls on refers to clothing, it's not. The term "颈环" (jǐng huán) specifically refers to a ring-like device worn around the neck. Sth sth xm giving her approval as mentor but mc pulling on his collar as an act of control can be read as symbolising how their imbalance dynamic somewhat balances itself ig LOL.

*: Remember what I mentioned in the previous note about MC using the formal "you" (您) earlier in the flashback? In part 4 of flashback, she shifts to the informal "你" (nǐ), and that shift is intentional as it marks a turning point in their interaction. By switching to "你," MC is effectively dropping the formal mask. She’s no longer addressing Lucien with the distance and deference of a mentor-student relationship. Instead, she speaks to him as an equal, or at least as someone she’s willing to engage with more boldly, directly, and on more intimate terms.

[Afterwords that mostly rambles]

THIS DATE HELLO???? Who gave them permission to be so deliciously messed up, like Lucien fooling the system was expected, but the fact that they BOTH are gaslighting the system and ME was not. "Let’s f*** up the system together" never sounded so romantic before kicked.

This AU date has some of the best world-building out of all the lovepro AUs, and I absolutely love how it highlights one of Lucien’s most captivating traits, his pure, obsessive fixation on truth and exploring the unknown. Just like the story says, he had no real reason to be in prison. The system actually benefits him immensely. But… he’s always been that kind of person, hasn’t he? Even with his memories truly erased and censored, he still manages to cunningly manipulate the system and use it to serve his goals. The way he's able to control himself even down to micro-expression and heart rate is almost terrifying, but this also makes his moments when he 'lost control' around her (like for example, in this date his heart rate was noticeably faster when she entered and got close but not during the execution) even more tender, because they feel like glimpses into something raw and real beneath all the layers of calculation.

He’s willing to risk losing what makes him "Lucien" in order to test a theory, relying on the belief that his strong feelings for MC will cause her to appear in his key memories and eventually make her the final piece of the puzzle. And honestly, thinking about it again, MC’s twisted backup plan probably factored into his calculations too. Like, even if everything failed, at least he could stay close to his favorite student. The way he looked visibly disappointed when she mentioned he’d recover soon and that way he won't see her every day… it really makes you wonder if he wouldn’t mind staying imprisoned under her care forever either lmfaooo.

Still, what really sets this date apart from previous ones is particularly MC. MC in this AU is fascinating because she's a rose that Lucien 'tended' through his guidance the little prince reference anyone - (interestingly this also somewhat reversed in prison where he's 'tended' by MC). It wasn’t until I reread the date that I realized all the hints had been planted from the very start (like MC subtly mentioning her backup plan after the injection, or how her "belief" in the system already showed signs of wavering in the flashback). But she’s so convincing that I actually believed she was completely loyal to the system at first.

With roles like Mentor and Student, Prisoner and Executioner, it’s easy to expect their relationship to hinge on taboo and ethical tension, or the angst created from their past connection or the nature of this dystopian au, but that’s not really what defines them here. Instead, it plays out as a battle of wits, and their imbalanced roles (ones that weirdly balance each other) just add more spice. They seem to “oppose” each other at first, but reveal themselves as two halves of the same coin, laying out their cunning plans like co-conspirators with matching brilliance (and matching danger) in the end, and I love that the story took this unexpected route <3. The prison has indeed become a paradise that belongs to two of them.

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Labyrinth Date - English Translation (1/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

I slowly press the needle tip against his neck.

I exhale softly, the hand pushing the syringe plunger trembling almost imperceptibly.

The next moment, Lucien’s hand suddenly covers the back of mine, his fingertips slipping unhurriedly between my fingers.

"I’ve taught you."

"Hesitation is the emotion most likely to lead to failure."

Translation under the cut!

T/N: I think this date does a good job with world-building. I just want to add something mentioned in the PV song lyrics and other guys’ dates. There's this thing called Iris Device, which is a lens implanted in everyone’s eye at the age of seven. It's directly linked to a multidimensional scoring system that monitors what you see and tracks your vitals as part of deciding your score. I guess it’s similar to those sci-fi contact lenses? Anyway, yea that’s all for now-

I really recommend y'all to read previous dates from this year (like Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ and Dawn Date) Not much reason other than I find this reoccurrence of this guy being imprisoned is amusing tho the previous date seem to ease on the idea of them being lunatics (affectionately).

Also like Dawn Date, I'd appreciate not giving heavy spoilers for this date to other people that hasn't read the date bc the plot twist is part of the fun :D

[Subbed Video, TURN ON CC!]

I would really appreciate it if you could also follow along with the acting because his CN VA just nails this date so perfectly, and BGM does a great job of helping set the mood n atmosphere.

=[Part 1]=

The sound of the prison gates slowly closing rings out from afar, shattering the silence of the space.

Almost simultaneously, my lens also flickers slightly.

I slow my steps, raise a hand, and tap the corner of my frame. In the next second, a fluorescent admin interface spreads out across the lens's view.

A very small prompt box appears at the top of the layered notification bar: "Execution in two hours."

I glance at the time and pick up my pace a little.

All criminals held in this prison must undergo bi-monthly systematic scoring to quantify the degree of ‘repentance’.

If their scores show no increase for three consecutive times, they are deemed ‘incorrigible’.

The prison will then administer punishment by erasing the criminal's key memories and reshaping a sound personality through visual education.

And as medical staff, carrying out this punishment is the core part of my work beyond daily treatments.

It's just that recently, the criminals have been relatively well-behaved, and for months, this is the first time I’ve received an execution notice.

I wonder what kind of heinous, unrepentant person I will deal with this time...

Thinking about the tedious procedures ahead, I can’t help but sigh softly and helplessly close the interface before me.

After clearing identity verification at the gate to the high-risk area, I continue down the corridor.

The faint sound of footsteps in the distance gradually grows clearer, mingled with the muffled scrape of chains dragging across the floor.

I lift my head absentmindedly, only for a familiar figure to suddenly come into view, catching me off guard.

....Lucien walks from the opposite direction under the watch of two guards, his hands bound in chains, hanging loosely in front of him.

His prison uniform seems ill-fitting, slipping off his shoulders as he moves, revealing his slender neck.

Yet the corners of his lips hold a hint of a relaxed smile, as if he is not heading toward the depths of the prison, but rather toward a sunlit garden.

On the contrary, the guards look tense as if facing a lethal enemy.

Upon seeing me, a glint of surprise seems to flash through those dark eyes. Lucien takes the initiative to stop walking, coming to a halt just an arm’s length away from me.

Lucien: [smiles] At this hour, why isn't Miss Section Chief resting in the office area?

MC: Perhaps you should know better why you didn’t cherish your opportunities.*

MC: Not only will you have your memories erased, but you’re also ‘dragging’ me into working overtime.

Lucien helplessly spreads out his hands, the restraints on his wrists glaringly conspicuous.

Lucien: I’m also very surprised about this.

Lucien: Clearly, I’ve been very well-behaved recently.

MC: The system doesn't misjudge. It seems like you're not only extremely bad, but you also lack self-awareness.

Probably sensing the absence of sympathy in my voice, Lucien lets out a sigh that seems tinged with regret.

The chains binding his wrists are suddenly pulled taut. I look up to see a guard beside him turning to address me.

Guard: Section Chief MC, please refrain from communicating with Number 0525.

Guard: Several managers who have been in contact with him have recently experienced a drop in their scores.

MC: Thank you, but my psyche has never been influenced by criminals.

MC: Otherwise, the warden wouldn’t have specifically assigned me to perform the execution.

My tone carries faint arrogance. The guard pauses briefly, his expression shifting almost imperceptibly before traces of respect surface.

Guard: ...As expected of the prison’s youngest medical section chief.

Guard: A criminal who is this dangerous still needs your direct intervention to command control.

MC: Aren't you going to escort Number 0525 back? You've already wasted quite a bit of time.

I ignore the gaze trailing me and speak up to remind them. The guards nod, turning to sternly urge Lucien.

He lowers his eyes obediently and moves at a leisurely pace. I also withdraw my gaze and continue walking toward the office area.

The metallic scrape of shackles intermingles with the click-clack staccato of high heels. In the fleeting moment we pass each other, the periphery of my vision suddenly plunges into shadow.

Lucien suddenly leans in close, his whisper—accompanied by the warmth of his breath— brushing just near yet distant against my ear.

Lucien: [whispers] I've been waiting for this day for a long time.

Lucien: Let me see what you've learned in this place.

Guard: Number 0525!!

The chain around Lucien’s neck jerks taut. I take half a step back and coldly spit out a word.

MC: ...Lunatic.

✂———————–

[T/N]

I find it neat that while Lucien affectionately calls her 小疯子 (xiǎo fēngzi – little lunatic) in Dawn Date, here it’s her turn to call him 疯子 😆

*: The phrase “这恐怕要问你” (lit. “I’m afraid I have to ask you”) before “why you didn’t cherish your opportunities?” is translated here as “Perhaps you should know better” to retain its implied rhetorical blame. It’s like, why did he ask why MC is here instead of resting when it’s his fault that she’s working overtime LOL. He should know better, the reason why he’s so unrepentant despite his opportunities, which eventually leads to his ‘execution’ and her working overtime.

✂———————–

=[Part 2]=

=Flashback Start=

Countless streamers were projected across the azure sky, the melodious tune of the school anthem gradually fading as the flying media player departed.

From time to time, young men and women cheered as they tossed their graduation caps into the sky, adjusting their robots to capture this beautiful scene.

Although technology has undergone tremendous changes, the graduation ceremony at Mainland University still adheres to the old-time celebration traditions from a century ago.

I was gazing listlessly at the scene outside the window when I heard someone behind me speaking in a gentle voice.

Lucien: Who knows the next time when we'll meet again.

MC: Mentor, don’t say that. Even if work keeps me busy, I’ll still come back to visit you.

MC: If it weren't for your guidance these past few years, with my mental state, it would have been very difficult to maintain a stable high score of 85 in the system.

Lucien: I've also cherished these years of talking with you, MC. By the way, have you already decided on where you want to go after graduation?

A vague heaviness sank in my heart. I looked away from the window and, maintaining politeness, forced the corners of my mouth into a smile.

MC: The system recommended four or five places tailored to my score, I’ll just pick from those.

MC: After all, every employer needs to check the score. There’s hardly any room for freedom to choose, is there?

A cup of hot tea was slid before me, its rising, swirling steam blurring his gaze from view.

Lucien: But I think you don't necessarily have to heed its suggestions.

I was taken aback, looking at this renowned instructor somewhat incredulously.

…For as long as I can remember, the system has been the most important part of the societal evaluation framework.

Everyone begins receiving scores starting at the age of seven. Choosing a major, a job, even a spouse… every major life decision must be made with reference to one’s score.

Those who achieve high scores naturally enjoy greater access to societal resources, while even the freedoms low scorers possess are constrained.

Individuals like Lucien, whose scores place them at the pinnacle of the social pyramid, can easily attain everything they desire… whether wealth or the golden ticket into the ruling class.

Wouldn't someone with such vested interests be even more inclined to uphold the system's judgments? Then why would he say something like that?

MC: ...Mentor, what do you mean?

Lucien: The work one pursues should be considered from many dimensions, including interests, development, and many more.

Lucien: Score is merely a number, not the sole decision criterion.

My actions faltered briefly as I let out a soft "Hm?"

MC: But can human judgment truly be more scientific than the system?

MC: It was only after the multidimensional scoring system was born that society achieved the most efficient resource allocation mechanism.

MC: Moreover, the Mainland’s average annual economic growth rate increased by 9.8 percentage points compared to before the system's implementation, and even the crime rate...

My fluent recitation stumbled mid-sentence as I met his smiling gaze.

Lucien: So MC has always been this knowledgeable about the system.

Lucien: It was a mistake on its part not to assign you to the system operation and maintenance major.

MC: …It’s almost impossible to forget this kind of information that’s been pushed at us since childhood.

I muttered in a low voice, then belatedly pressed my lips into a tight line as I glanced at him tentatively.

Outside the window, the melody of the school anthem became clear once more alongside the hum of flying machines. Lucien quietly looked at me, a subtle curve suddenly appearing at the corner of his lips.

Lucien: Actually, I only need you to answer one question.

Lucien: MC, do you truly place unwavering faith in the system's judgment?

=Flashback end=

System: “Drug formulation has been completed.”

An eye-catching prompt box suddenly popped up from the lower-right corner of the lens interface, flashing rhythmically.

MC: Mentor Xu…

I pick up the drug solution from the pharmacy bench, murmuring softly.

The memory from the graduation ceremony is still vivid, but the person who spoke with measured grace across from me that day has now become a criminal.

After that consultation, I still chose the prison among the job placements recommended by the system.

I never expected that not long after, I’d abruptly see one breaking news story after another about Lucien.

His photos dominate the pages of countless media outlets, and the headlines incite an even greater public outcry.

”Renowned Psychologist Suspected of Interfering with System Standards”—this incident has stirred a massive uproar.

The scoring time for that month was even postponed by a week to conduct an item-by-item audit and recalibration of entries he had handled.

Everyone who had close contact with him, including me, was urgently interrogated and retested.

Fortunately, my system score remains stable. Relying on this, I haven’t faced any further repercussions.

What about him? 

When he gazes through the bars at that unchanging sky, does he think of his once free and bright life?

The final instrument is now fully prepared. I lower my gaze to sweep a glance over it. Collecting my thoughts, I walk toward the execution chamber.

.

.

.

.

The surveillance camera’s red dot flickers faintly, rotating in time with my unhurried footsteps.

Once my credentials are verified, the door to the execution chamber slides silently apart.

Lucien sits on the cold, hard chair with one leg half-bent, gazing up in my direction with keen interest.

Heavy iron shackles bind his ankles, hanging through the gaps in the seat.

Perhaps having waited too long and grown a bit bored, most of his body now leans against the seat. The collar of his prison uniform is slightly open, displaying a sense of relaxation that seems somewhat out of place.

Lucien: You’re finally here.

Lucien: I was just worried you might have changed your mind and didn't want to meet me.

MC: [coldly] It's my duty, of course I wouldn't hand it over to someone else.

Lucien: So, MC came to see me only because of work?

I ignore the familiarity in his tone and calmly proceed to draw the drug.

The vital-signs monitor clamped around his neck displays his real-time pulse. It’s now unexpectedly a few beats faster than when I first entered.*

Could this person even be nervous?

Seeing my silence, those dark eyes shift to the injection in my hand, a flicker of curious interest flashing through them.

Lucien: So the memory-erasing execution is carried out through injection? How does it avoid neural damage, then?

MC: The injection contains nanobots that will act according to the program... Never mind.

MC: No matter how much I explain, you’ll forget it all soon anyway.

MC: Stay still. Disinfecting now.

The person before me sighs, a hint of innocence surfacing in the depths of his eyes.

Lucien: This might be my last moment. Can’t MC at least take a bit of our past into account?

His lips are paler than the prison garb. I press my lips together and then still reach for the alcohol-soaked cotton ball with tweezers.

MC: [frowns] It’s only a memory purge. Why do you say it like it’s a death sentence?

Lucien: But a person's present is shaped by their past.

Lucien: To a certain extent, this is a psychological annihilation of one’s identity.

The alcohol spreads in a faint sheen across his neck. The pungent scent hits my nose, and I instinctively start to speak a little faster.

MC: The system has extracted the memory fragments most critical to you based on your past emotional fluctuations.

MC: After the execution, the prison will broadcast the approved segments daily. As for those that don't meet the standards, they'll be shown after modification.

MC: All in all, it won't affect your cognition... it's not as horrifying as you imagine.

I slowly press the needle tip against his neck. Lucien looks at me calmly; even the heart rate projected in the monitor hardly shows any changes.

I exhale softly, the hand pushing the syringe plunger trembling almost imperceptibly.

The next moment, Lucien’s hand suddenly covers the back of mine, his fingertips slipping unhurriedly between my fingers.

MC: ….!

The clear liquid is pushed into his neck bit by bit. Holding my breath, I can almost feel the warmth of his exhale brushing against my ear.

Lucien: [whispers] I’ve taught you.

Lucien: [x2] Hesitation is the emotion most likely to lead to failure.

Along with his words, the final drop of the drug disappears from the syringe.

The drug takes effect faster than expected. Almost immediately, a faint weariness clouds those eyes that reflect my face like still water.**

As if unable to bear the weight of his own head, Lucien’s neck tilts back against the chair, baring a fragile curve to the air.

I count down silently in my heart. Before I even reach five, his eyes slowly drift shut, and the hand entwined with mine falls away.

Amid the ticking of the instruments, I can faintly hear his breathing grow deeper. I slip free from Lucien’s palm, hovering momentarily before letting my hand gently stroke his hair.

Cold, soft... If the moonlight could be touched, it would probably feel like this.

I stoop a little, speaking in a quiet murmur.

MC: Thank you for your trouble, Mentor.

MC: But even if the experiment fails, I have a backup plan.

MC: This is the most precious lesson you’ve taught me.

✂———————–

[T/N]

While in prison, MC uses the regular “you” 你 (nǐ), but in the flashback, MC uses 您 (nín), the formal and respectful version of 你, to address Lucien. This is important as it carries nuance that becomes significant later~ 

*: With his heartbeat hardly changing when the execution does happen, I think his heartbeat got noticeably quicker simply because of her presence🥺. After all, she’s the only one who can make him ‘out of control’.

**: There’s no explicit mention of still in the original,  BUT the writer uses "倒映" to describe how his eyes reflect her. This word particularly refers to how things are reflected in a body of water (like the surface of a lake, a pool, etc)… so I try to keep that nuance by adding still water here even if it wasn’t explicitly mentioned~ (p.s. later down the line, the writer keeps using this word, and I've run out of ideas on how to tl it variably... well, just keep in mind that every time this date says reflected/mirrored, the writer is using the same word)

Next Part-> [Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Dawn Date - English Translation (2/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Translation under the cut!

Previous Part->[Here]

=[Part 3]=

MC: Your so-called “laboratory”... is in a snuff bottle?

I look around this unusual dwelling, my gaze sweeping over the gears, parts, and toy fragments. A belated sense of unease creeps into my heart.

Could this person actually be dangerous?

MC: Lucien, where did these toy parts come from?

MC: I’ve heard people say that there are evil spirits who snatch away toys, take them apart, and eat them.

MC: Don’t tell me you’re secretly...

Lucien: MC, is this how you actually view me?

He furrows his brows somewhat aggrievedly, yet his hands ruthlessly yank aside a broken puppet arm, clearing out a spot to sit.

Lucien: Rest assured, I haven’t harmed anyone, nor do I know any magic. I’m simply conducting honest scientific research.

Lucien: So, rather than an ‘evil spirit’, I’d prefer to be called an ‘unconventional scientist.’

MC: That’s good…

Muttering, I finally sit down on the now-vacant chair.

MC: I’ve been meaning to ask—what are all these ‘science’ and ‘experiments’ you keep talking about?

Lucien sits on the ground, handing me a stack of papers bound together.

Lucien: While patrolling one day, I stumbled upon this “Root Words and Lexicon”.

Lucien: Through it, I learned what ‘writing’ is, and that a stack of papers bound together like this is called a ‘book’.

Lucien: After that, I read book after book, mastering more and more knowledge, but also gaining more and more questions.

Lucien: For example, why do we exist? How do we move?

MC: Because of ‘love’?

He shakes his head, brings over a battered little music box, and winds its key.

Following the off-tune melody, the faded dancing figurine begins to dance stumblingly.

Lucien pays it no mind. Instead, he deftly removes a wooden panel from the music box and shows me its interior.

Lucien: Inside the music box, there’s a cylinder with pins on its surface.

Lucien: It’s only when we wind the spring that the cylinder rotates, thereby plucking the comb’s teeth to generate sound.

This bizarre scene unconsciously tenses me up, but the curiosity in my heart still overwhelms all other thoughts, so I quietly listen.

Lucien: But 'love' doesn’t wind our spring, nor does it exist around us

Lucien: Then why do we wake at midnight, while the gears and the castle don’t move on their own?

Lucien: During the time we are compelled to sleep, what is happening in this world?

He stares at me earnestly. Those eyes that always show indifference now glimmer with a burning light.

It’s vivid and dazzling, like that ray of light I glimpsed once and insistently chased ever since.

MC: I want to know too.

Questions long pent up in my heart finally seem to find an outlet, pouring forth without end.

MC: I'm burning to know the answers to these questions too!

Lucien: Everything has its reason, and all things have their definitions.

Lucien: One day, we will find all the answers.

Lucien: But before that...

He points at the books scattered everywhere, his eyes curving into crescents as he smiles brilliantly.

Lucien: [chuckles] To lay the groundwork, you’ll start by reading all these books.

MC: [sweats] Eh? All… all of them?

Lucien: [with that ^^ smile] No need to worry. I’ll teach you.

I look at him, his eyes narrowed in a smile, then at the sea of books before me. I suddenly feel that the price of pursuing curiosity might be higher than I imagined.

✂———————–

I completely closed the castle's gate. Every day, I go to find Lucien as soon as I wake up to "study" with him.

He taught me to read and showed me what 'experiments' are.

I learned to ‘propose hypotheses’ and' control variables'. I also learned that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west; the light I saw was 'dawn.'

Things move because of ‘force’, and fire is warm because of ‘heat’.

Gradually, I went from being his student to becoming his assistant.

Day by day, my once-ignorant days grow dull and flat; even the flower-filled palace feels less intriguing than his small house

✂———————–

Lucien: MC, let’s try something today.

On yet another day when I knock on the snuff bottle’s lid, Lucien steps out from the laboratory, a small bag slung over his shoulder.

MC: Sure! Where to?

✂———————–

I nimbly leap off the ladder and follow him once more into the dark underground passage, arriving before the crystal heart.

Lucien: This time, I want to try to see if we can "borrow" more of its power.

Lucien: If my hypothesis holds, this power will let us move for longer.

MC: Oh... I get it. We’re here to knock off another piece.

I eagerly rummage through the tools in his bag to prepare, but I find no hammer.

Feeling a bit puzzled, I turn around—only to meet with his equally stunned expression.

Lucien: Knock off another piece?

MC: Isn't that what we're doing?

Lucien: What if something unexpected happens again, and your castle completely collapses?

MC: Then let it collapse?

MC: Didn’t you say my castle was made of… what was it… cellophane? Resilient and easy to restore.

MC: And with no one inside the castle right now, there shouldn’t be an issue, right?

Lucien seems momentarily choked by my words. After a short pause, he simply smiles and shakes his head.

Like a thawing spring stream, his eyes glint with currents of anticipation, approval, disbelief… and some deeper, more complex emotions.

Lucien: [with that mix of affection and fondness, a bit of exasperation and maybe a little awe in his tone] ...You little lunatic.

Lucien: As much as I'd like to, let’s opt for a more controllable method this time.

He takes a piece of polished glass from the bag and presses it onto the heart.

The transparent glass is also tinted with a pink hue, resembling another little heart.

Lucien: This glass is specially made by me. Its material should be very similar to this heart.

Lucien: Let’s try to see if we can "borrow" some energy this way.

✂———————–

MC: Lucien! It’s already past three! We’re still awake!

MC: Did your experiment succeed? Did we really bring back the energy from that heart?

I set down the pink-glowing glass and repeatedly glance at the clock on the wall in delighted surprise...

Afraid the clock might be inaccurate, I rush outside and gaze at the clock tower in the center of the kingdom from a distance.

MC: It really is past three!

MC: Could we stay awake like this, straight through till dawn?

Laughing with uncontainable joy, I instinctively rise on my toes, spinning in circles.

There’s no music, so I hum the most familiar dance tune to myself and start dancing in the open space in front of the snuff bottle.

Lucien sits beside his research table, his gaze quietly anchored at the princess dancing mere steps away.

He knows he should strike while the iron is hot and study the glass that hosted marvelous power for a while longer.

But for some reason, he just can't take his eyes off her.

"Thump, thump."

Lucien: [murmurs in awe] This is... the sound of my heartbeat?

He murmurs to himself, as though confronted with a new conundrum.

So this is how a heart can pound?

Could there be something more worth anticipating than exploring truths?

He doesn’t know.

In fact, Lucien has witnessed her dancing more than once.

But he always remains outside that castle of cellophane, casting only a fleeting glance toward the crowds and lights.

Lucien: Did she dance like this back then?

At that time, were her dance steps just as enchanting, capable of stealing all his attention?

He also doesn’t know.

The moonlight falls on her, and by chance, casts the shadow of her dancing form toward him.

"Thump, thump."

At this moment, Lucien suddenly understands.

This is the sound of her dancing on his heart.

✂———————–

That night, I dance for a long, long time, something I haven’t done in ages.

But before dawn arrives, an irresistible drowsiness still catches up with my steps.

When I open my eyes again, the glass has shed all its color, and above is the same unchanging night, the clock hands once again pointing to eleven.

MC: How can this be…

I let out a deep sigh, but a soft, nasal breath suddenly brushes past my ear. Only then do I dimly realize my shoulder feels heavy.

Lucien: [the way his tone noticeably softens compared to before?] Good evening, Your Highness the Princess.

Lucien: It seems we’ve still fallen asleep after all.

I blink several times, nearly drowning in those dark eyes of his, before belatedly realizing just how close we are.

There’s an imprint from my sleeve on his cheek, almost teasingly suggesting that we’ve been leaning against each other like this all night.

My heart suddenly accelerates, beating with an unprecedented hum.

✂———————–

=[Part 4]=

Though the attempt that night fails, Lucien doesn’t seem the least bit discouraged. Instead, he declares, “I’ve found a direction,” and throws himself into even more research.

To make things easier, we simply move all the equipment into my castle to facilitate the advancement of the various experiments.

This castle used to be my whole world. But now, looking at all these assortments of objects that don’t fully belong to me, I feel a sense of fulfillment like never before.

On yet another endless night, Lucien pushes open my door and pulls me into the courtyard with lively eagerness.

Lucien: MC, I’ve got it.

Lucien: I’ve figured out the answer to all of this!

Lucien leads me through rows of equipment and vast stretches of bellflowers, finally stopping before a spot where a pile of pink-tinged glass is gathered.

MC: Are all these glass pieces imbued with that marvelous power?

Lucien: Yes. And I think I’ve finally figured out how to stabilize that power.

Lucien's tone is much faster than usual.

Without pause, he piles up scattered wooden gears and doll limbs, then brings over a bundle of straw used to stuff scarecrows and arranges it around.

Lucien: Do you remember how it felt when you touched that heart

MC: Hmm… it’s warm and smooth, but with some edges on the surface.

Lucien: Exactly!

As he speaks, he casually picks up a piece of glass and tosses it among the toy scraps. Then, he takes out a matchbox and strikes a match neatly.

With a sweep of his finger, the bright red spark is thrown into the straw, and a burst of flame immediately roars to life.

Lucien: It’s the heat.

His dark eyes, illuminated by the firelight, glint with a near-fanatical intensity.

Lucien: That heart always maintains a specific temperature.

Lucien: So perhaps the artificial medium must also stay at the same temperature to anchor that power fully.

While speaking, he picks up a few pieces of fabric that once belonged to a doll and throws them into the fire.

In the rising heat, all the parts that once belonged to the toys melt and cling to the glass, deepening its color and making it more brilliant.

Lucien continues to explain his theories and proofs to me.

Although I can’t fully grasp every detail, I know that his inference must be correct.

After all, I can feel my own heart resonating with the blazing flames.

It’s just a pity that it is still too faint, not enough to become an existence equivalent to that heart of love.

Lucien: [murmuring] It seems the temperature still isn’t high enough.

He stares with fascination bordering on obsession at the cluster of raging fire and takes a step closer in its direction.

I don’t know if it’s just an illusion, but I keep feeling as if the flames are eager to lick along Lucien’s silhouette, as though yearning for something more searing, more real.

Like us.

My throat tightens with repeated swallows, and my gaze drifts involuntarily to Lucien.

MC: Lucien.

He turns back against the glow of the fire.

In this moment, I’m transported back to the day we truly met.

He broke open my door, granting me a beam of dazzling light and a boundless world.

I draw a deep breath, quelling the churning storm of fear, confusion, and hesitation, then step forward to take his hand and stand by his side.

My voice trembles slightly, but I still speak, word by word, with unwavering resolve.

MC: Whatever you want to do, I’ll always be with you.

Even throwing myself into the flames is something I can do.

He lifts his eyebrows in astonishment; then his gaze softens into a shimmering, shallow pool. He lowers his head to press his forehead against mine.

Lucien: [gently] I am a scientist.

Lucien: A qualified scientist must ensure they observe the results of an experiment, allocate sufficient time for data analysis, and repeat the trials.

Lucien: So when performing destructive tests like this, I prefer using alternative materials rather than risking myself.

I stare blankly as he picks up a Mauser rifle from his side and tosses it into the flames.

Lucien: For example… I'm substituting myself with a tin-made Mauser and replacing you with a cellophane castle and bellflowers.

Faced with this particularly simple and direct action, the resolve I had just made now seems rather reckless and foolish.

MC: Pfft… You had me worried there for a bit!

Mildly amused, I bend down to pluck a few bellflowers, then mimic Lucien's motion as I cast them into the flames.

MC: [smiles softly] I thought you were really about to ‘sacrifice’ yourself to science like that.

Lucien: So, when you said ‘with you’ earlier… you meant sacrificing yourself with me?

His voice carries a husky rasp. He lowers his gaze to look at me, as if wanting to etch me into the abyss of his eyes.

I nod lightly, curling my pinky around his fingertip.

MC: Of course.

MC: I want to watch the dawn with you… to search for more fascinating things together.

I see my own reflection in his eyes—the corners of my lips curving upward, my eyes glittering with the same light as his.

Lucien: [in the Softest™, Fondest™, Resigned™ voice possible] ...You little lunatic.

MC: But wouldn’t that make me the perfect match for an unusual scientist like you?

An almost helpless smile seeps from the corner of his lips. He tightly hooks his hand around my little finger, seeming like some kind of answer but also resembling a wordless promise.

The flames burn for a long time, until everything turns to ashes, forging a single gemstone. Its color is neither pale pink nor deep red, only transparently reflecting a dazzling radiance.

In the distance, the clock tower’s hand creeps toward twelve, striking clear and crisp chimes again and again.

As if to celebrate, yet also as if to conclude a chapter.

Lucien: It is time for the ball.

He suddenly says this out of nowhere.

Lucien fastens the gemstone onto my waist with profound care, then bows to me and extends his right palm in a gentlemanly manner, the smile at his lips gentler than the moon.

Lucien: So…

Lucien: May I have the honor of sharing a dance with you?

The hall's chandeliers remain aglow. Humming a little tune to ourselves, we hold a ball where only the two of us take part.

Between steps and twirls, I still can’t help but glance at the gemstone. Uncertainly, I ask:

MC: Lucien, is this exactly the 'love' that belongs to us?

Lucien: I hope it is, and I hope that our experiment can succeed. But if it isn’t, I think it doesn’t matter either.

Lucien: It is something we experimented on together, anticipated together, and ultimately the result we achieved together.

Lucien: So, even if it's not defined as ‘love’, I still believe this experimental result is precious enough.

I follow his lead and turn half a circle, tilting my head to lean against his shoulder.

MC: Since that's the case, what should we call it?

He ponders for a moment. His eyes and brows curve into a pleasing arc.

Lucien: Perhaps we can call it…

Lucien: Miracle.

The word lands upon my heart, brief yet echoing endlessly, leaving my heartbeat lighter than the dance steps beneath my feet.

Light from the castle chandelier refracts through cellophane, spilling resplendent hues brighter than the morning sun. The warmth between my fingertips as they intertwine with his is far more intoxicating than that crystal heart.

The world seems to come alive, more whole and vibrant with every spin and step, yet all I can do is gaze, entranced, into his eyes.

Perhaps it is because what brings all this beauty into being is neither that "love" nor the "miracle" at my waist.

It is him before my eyes.

We dance, chat about whatever comes to mind, count the twinkling stars in the sky, and revel in the sound of the chimes as they grow longer and longer.

After another spin, my gaze keenly catches a dash of color.

A faint wisp of pink climbs the sky. Then, vast swathes of amber and lavender boldly banish the night’s darkness, lighting up the distant horizon.

Platinum-gold light leaps onto the windowsill, casting long shadows behind us.

MC: This is...

With delighted surprise, I turn to Lucien, when suddenly a force around my waist pulls me toward him.

More light pours through the windowpanes, and the world becomes colorful. Yet all I can see are his eyes, just within easy reach.

A softness presses against my lips. Between breaths, the damp heat and lingering affection that belong to another intertwine together.

The one who brings me the dawn curves his eyes in a smile, his voice clear and bright.

Lucien: Good morning, MC.

-------FIN--------

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Dawn Date - English Translation (1/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

"Whatever you want to do, I’ll always be with you."

Even throwing myself into the flames is something I can do.

"...You little lunatic."

"But wouldn’t that make me the perfect match for an unusual scientist like you?"

Translation under the cut!

//T/N!!!: I rarely say this but if you’ve read this date I BEG you to not spoil the last part  (you’ll know which one-) to anyone who doesn't read the whole date 😂 other parts are fine, just not the last part hdjdjdjdjsj-

Video link if you want to follow along with the voice acting! [link]

=[Part 1]=

Once upon a time, there was a kingdom of toys.

Within the kingdom stood a resplendent castle where a dancer princess resided.

Each midnight, after the clock strikes twelve, the castle gate would swing open to every toy, hosting a boisterous and joyful revelry.

Everyone danced and sang, on and on, until the first light of dawn tinged the sky, and only then did they fall into a deep, exhausted slumber.

But one day, the castle gate suddenly stopped opening...

Toy Resident A: Your Highness, will you still not hold a ball tonight?

Toy Resident B: Princess, what would it take for you to be willing to hold a ball again?

Not paying attention to the clamor of voices outside the gate, I furtively clench my palm, turn around, and head toward the staircase leading to the bedroom.

I’ve made up my mind to go to bed early and get up early. How can I just change my plan so easily?

Suddenly, accompanied by three gentle knocks, a suave yet unfamiliar voice rises from beyond the gate.

??: Your Highness the Princess, may I have a few words with you?

Which toy is this?

Before I can collect my thoughts, a strange, sharp crack suddenly reverberates through the grand hall.

CRACK—

Startled, I turn my head—just in time to see the butt of a Mauser rifle battering open the castle gate.

MC: Huh?!

The gate warps as it opens, and the cold white light instantly floods the hall that has been closed for days, outlining an upright figure.

A scarlet-uniformed tin soldier steps gracefully into the castle and turns to close the gate behind him, sealing out all noise.

Then, unhurried and measured, he turns to me, places a hand over his chest, and bows courteously.

??: Greetings Your Highness. My name is Lucien.

Lucien: I apologize for paying you a visit in such a bit of a rough manner.

Lucien: Would you allow me to take a few minutes of your time?

He meets my gaze and slightly lifts the corners of his mouth in a polite smile, his dark eyes flowing with tranquility and calm detachment.

It is only after a long while that I slowly blink my eyes.

MC: [angrily] You broke my gate.

Lucien: After all, you’ve shut yourself away for many days and refused to communicate with anyone.

Lucien: So I thought, might as well use the most direct method.

He states matter-of-factly, then turns as if suddenly remembering something. As though flattening a thin sheet of paper, he smooths back the gate he just knocked askew.

Lucien: There, it’s fixed.

Lucien: Please rest assured, cellophane has excellent resilience and malleability, and it’s extremely easy to restore.

MC: Cellophane?

Lucien: That’s right, both you and the castle are made of this material.

MC: Material...? Me and the castle?

What's he talking about? I can’t make sense of it at all. My mind can’t keep up with his words, so I just return to the main point.

MC: I don't understand any of your material talk… I just want to know why you’re here.

Lucien: Of course there are words I wish to speak to you.

I carefully study his features, finally finding the faintest trace in the back of my memory.

MC: You said your name is Lucien...? I have a bit of an impression of you.

MC: You are that tin soldier who is often away from his post.

His handsome smile freezes.

I hold my chin, trying hard to dig out more fragments related to him.

MC: When the tin soldiers are on patrol, you always stay at the end of the line, and every time they disband, you are always the first to leave.

MC: Right, and you rarely attend the balls either... what a strange guy.

Lucien: [smiles] As strange as a dancer princess who no longer wishes to host her balls?

He folds his arms across his chest. His light, quick-witted tone carries both provocation and some kind of teasing.

It’s my first time encountering a toy that speaks to me with such an attitude. I find it rather refreshing.

MC: Alright, I’ve decided to give you this one chance. What is it you want to say to me?

Lucien: I’m here to offer you my apology.

MC: Um?

His unexpected answer leaves me momentarily stunned.

Lucien: I would hazard a guess, that your castle experienced a violent tremor one day.

Lucien: You awoke because of this tremor and caught sight of some exceptionally marvelous sights, such as… a beam of anomalous light.

Lucien: Perhaps it was precisely this remarkable ‘encounter’ that sparked your interest in things beyond dancing. Thus, you chose to shut the castle gate and cease holding the balls.

Before he finishes speaking, I’ve already risen to my feet, quickly walking up to him and reaching out to firmly grip the hem of his uniform.

MC: How do you know that?!

✂———————–

=[Part 2]=

-Flashback start-

The hand of the clock in the hall was about to point to three. I yawned as I lifted the hem of my dress and gave a curtsey to the toys around me.

MC: Let's end the ball here for today.

After seeing off the last resident of the Toy Kingdom, I hummed a little tune and danced my way back to my room, then lay down on the soft, spacious bed.

Darkness and sleepiness came as expected.

But all of a sudden, the world turned upside down, and the sharp pain from the back of my head made me open my eyes in fear and hazy confusion.

MC: Ughh... it hurts...

I reached up to the back of my head in pain and groggily scanned my surroundings.

The fluffy pillow had rolled far away. In its place, there was the twisted bedpost that had bumped against my head.

Beneath me, the bed had collapsed into a strange shape, and the chandelier on the ceiling seemed on the verge of falling.

MC: [worriedly] What's happening...

Amidst my panic, my gaze caught a ray of light that had fallen on the window.

It carried warmth and vivid variegated colors, dyeing everywhere it touched with countless vibrant hues.

And on the backdrop of the beam lay a wedge of cerulean sky—

—unlike the usual deep black curtain strewn with stars, this sky is infinitely distant and exceptionally clearer than ever, more dazzling than any gemstone.

I stared at all of this in fascination, yet after just a few breaths, my eyes gradually grew heavy.

I desperately tried to keep my eyes wide open and struggled to move closer to the window. But my body had completely slipped from my conscious control and refused to move.

The irresistible drowsiness overtook me again and consumed me in an instant.

When I opened my eyes, everything was back to normal.

No warped walls. No collapsed bed.

Outside the window, there was still the heavy darkness of night, and above my head was still the flimsy white light cast by the spotlight, along with the oil-painted blue sky and white clouds.

-Flashback ends-

Thinking of that wondrous experience, I disregard all etiquette and clutch Lucien’s sleeve tightly, pressing closer and closer to him.

MC: What happened that night really wasn’t a hallucination!

MC: Do you know what that light beam was? How can I see it again?

MC: I’ve been trying to wake up again lately, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t do it… Do you know something?

Lucien: As I stated, I'm here to apologize.

Lucien: It was an accident during my experiment that caused the castle's tremor.

Experiment? Accident? What are these things?

His light words fail to answer my doubts and instead stir up even more questions, creating torrents of magma that almost set my mind on fire.

MC: But... aren’t you the tin soldier supposed to protect us? Why would you destroy my castle?

MC: And why do you keep saying words I can’t comprehend?

He doesn’t seem surprised by my confusion. Instead, he extends his right hand in a gentlemanly way, like an invitation to dance.

Lucien: Explaining it out of nowhere is indeed a bit complicated. Why don't you come with me and see for yourself, Princess?

MC: But I can’t leave this place...

Lucien: Why?

MC: Because... because I’m the princess, and a princess needs to stay in the castle and hold a ball every night.

He looks at me with mild amusement. His voice flows pleasantly like a gentle stream.

Lucien: But this castle hasn’t hosted a ball for a long time now.

Lucien: Since you are no longer fulfilling the duties of a princess, why insist on staying here?

His question leaves me momentarily dazed, and in a trance, I feel that I don’t have any reasonable answer at all.

MC: ...Right, why do I have to stay here?

Lucien: If you always stay inside the castle, you'll never be able to see the light outside.

His words, unexpected yet irresistibly tempting, seem to lift the thin veil that has long enshrouded my heart.

Lucien still wears his faint smile as he holds out his right hand to me, quietly waiting for my decision.

Lucien: So, your decision is...?

MC: I'll go with you to see it!

No longer hesitating, I place my hand firmly on his palm.

✂———————–

Lucien guides me with practiced ease, avoiding all toy gazes as we stealthily cross the neatly arranged Chinese bellflowers and traverse the pencil forest I'd only ever glimpsed from afar.

Below my feet lies a road I have never set foot on. I even worry the pounding heartbeat in my chest might be too loud, giving away our presence.

At last, he takes my hand and leads me down the path cleared by beetles.

After walking for an unknown length of time, I behold in the darkness a crystal heart aglow with light and warmth.

With just one glance, my instinct as a toy tells me that this is something extraordinarily special, extraordinarily precious.

MC: [curiously] Lucien, what is this?

Lucien: What does Your Highness think it might be?

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he throws the question back to me with keen interest.

I gaze entranced at the heart, even reaching out to cautiously probe its surface in response to his prompting.

I feel waves of warmth coming to me through my fingertips. Something inside my chest seems to resonate with it.

MC: I’ve heard that in this kingdom, there exists an extraordinarily precious thing called ‘love’.

MC: It is what keeps the whole kingdom running and what awakens the toys…

MC: Could this… be love?

Lucien: No, this is silicon dioxide.

MC: Sili... what?

Stunned, I turn my head and meet his playful yet indifferent gaze.

Lucien: [in a totally serious manner] Silicon dioxide, a common inorganic substance. The glass and crystal around you are precisely composed of it.

MC: ...So, you brought me all the way here just to see this thing called ‘silicon dioxide’?

Lucien meets my skeptical gaze, his eyes crinkling in an inexplicable good mood.

Lucien: I’ll stop teasing you.

He turns his gaze back to the heart, reaches out his hand just as I did, and strokes its surface with profound care.

Lucien: The material it's made of is quite ordinary, but it contains energy that I can't analyze, one that even enables the entire kingdom to function.

Lucien: I tried to collect a sample from this heart, intending to take it back for thorough research.

Lucien: After failing a few times, I made a bit of a rash attempt.

Though I don’t fully grasp what a ‘sample’ is, I still press on curiously:

MC: What did you do?

Lucien: I directly took a small fragment from it.

His fingertip brushes over a tiny little crack as he murmurs.

Lucien: As a result, the entire castle shook violently.

Lucien: My apologies, the accident I caused inadvertently affected Your Highness.

Lucien lifts his head again to look towards me, the courteous and gentle smile still resting at the corners of his lips.

MC: [speechless] So the castle shaking, my bed collapsing, and me bumping my head—all because you destroyed that heart?

MC: And then, to ‘apologize,’ you even broke my gate?

Lucien: But I tidied the room and fixed the gate. There were no lasting consequences besides causing Your Highness to awaken briefly.

Lucien: Strictly speaking, it can hardly be called ‘destruction.’

MC: So just because you patched things up afterward, we’re supposed to act like none of this ever happened?

MC: Even if I take ten thousand steps back from my standpoint and say you fixed the castle, my head still hurts even now!

Listening to this man’s honeyed words, I suppress the urge to frown and straighten my posture, reasserting the regal dignity befitting a princess.

MC: As the princess of the Toy Kingdom, I ought to give you the punishment you deserve! Even imprisoning you forever wouldn't be going too far!

Lucien: You won’t.

Lucien takes half a step forward, his gaze locking straight onto the depths of my eyes.

Lucien: After all, ever since that day, Your Highness the Princess has shut the castle gate and tried various means to ‘go to bed early and wake up early.’

Lucien: Therefore, I am reasonably certain you aren’t angry, only curious—’why’.

Lucien: Just like I was at the beginning.

As if capable of reading my mind, he lays bare all the thoughts I've had over the past few days, dissecting and elucidating them one by one.

...This man is far too clever!

After a moment’s deliberation, I speak solemnly.

MC: What you say indeed holds some reason, but I still must pass judgment on you.

MC: I will not imprison you, but you must remain by my side, responsible for answering these ‘whys’ until I am satisfied.

Lucien: Very well. Everything shall be as you wish, Your Highness.

Upon hearing my proclaimed ‘punishment’, Lucien kneels on one knee with a faint smile and obediently kisses the back of my hand.

Lucien: But…

He lifts his head again, his eyes now harboring a touch of resigned helplessness and subtle amusement.

Lucien: There are many things I don’t know either. It’s precisely because I don’t know that I want to research them.

Lucien: What if Your Highness asks a question even I cannot answer?

MC: Then... I’ll simply ‘research’ it with you.

I hold out my open palm to him.

Before, it was he who extended his hand toward me, inviting me to leave the castle together—now, it's my turn to extend an invitation to him.

A flicker of doubt and surprise flashes through his eyes, but before I can scrutinize them, they settle back into tranquility.

Lucien quietly looks at me, making no move. Just as I think I’m about to be refused, he finally nods.

Lucien: Very well, Your Highness the Princess.

MC: Stop addressing me in such an overly formal way. Just call me MC. 

Lucien: Understood, MC.

As I hear him speak my name, my heartbeat quickens ever so slightly for reasons I can’t explain, resounding with a certain kind of marvelous and beautiful melody.

✂———————–

Tid-bit: MC's initial punishment for him being imprisonment is poking fun at her imprisoning him on latest CNY UR MQ [Sinking and Floating in Indulgence] LOL.

✂———————–

Next Part-> [Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ translation + video with sub EN (Part 1/3)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for an MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ | Part 1 (1-3) | Part 2 (4-5) | Part 3 (6) | ASMR

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

cw: trauma, injury, near-death experience, (mutual) confinement, arguably justified drug use, intimacy as a coping mechanism for PTSD, consent is implied rather than stated. Please proceed with caution and avoid reading if these topics may be distressing or uncomfortable for you.

Special thanks to ivi (@ivioivioivi on twitter) for helping me with the translation of this date~

[Subbed Video, TURN ON CC!]

✂———————–

[Transcript Ver]

—[Part 1]—

I feel like I'm going to die.

The world is spinning, and the sudden sense of weightlessness crushes my heart as if it could burst at any moment.

I cross my hands and press my head tightly against the back of the seat. The oxygen mask on my face inflates and deflates with my rapid breathing, and white mist engulfs the breathing bag in the blink of an eye.

Captain: Our plane has encountered an unexpected situation during the flight...

Captain: Please fasten your seatbelts... Do not panic...

The hoarse announcements, deafening roars, and helpless cries collide chaotically, pulling me into a state of bewildered despair.

…Am I going to die here?

A figure appears before my eyes, and amidst the violent turbulence, his face seems to grow increasingly blurred.

Several pieces of luggage crash from above, hitting my shoulders and completely shattering all my thoughts.

The scenery outside the porthole speeds past in reverse, with raging flames and thick black smoke seemingly burning wildly in my eyes, leaving only silent pleas and prayers.

??: Buddha, please protect us...

??: No...

As an invisible huge wall slams into me, the air in my lungs feels as if it’s being forcibly squeezed out. Amid the piercing roar, my consciousness is gradually torn and pulled away.

MC: Lucien…

=Meanwhile in another place=

Deep beneath the surface, bright light illuminates the rough concrete walls and rows of metal instruments. Several blonde researchers move back and forth through the somewhat modest laboratory.

Lucien stands in front of the second-floor platform, calmly looking down without revealing any emotion.

A foreign gentleman stands beside him, his profound green eyes gleaming sharply as he raises his palm.

??: Doctor X, I didn’t expect our formal meeting to occur at such a chaotic moment.

Lucien: Indeed, it is a bit unexpected.

Lucien: However, to smoothly avoid the turmoil in such a short time and maintain such a well-equipped research environment...

Lucien pauses, his narrow eyes showing a faint smile devoid of warmth.

Lucien: It seems that aside from research, Professor Holden also holds considerable authority in other areas.

Holden: Professor Lucien, if you want to stay in such a volatile place, you must be well-prepared.

Holden: Risks and rewards always go hand in hand.

Lucien: In that case, I think we can further accelerate the pace of the experiment to minimize the risk.

Lucien: I don’t intend to let meaningless disruptions become the key turning points of the past several months I’ve worked on.

A silent tension faintly brews. Feeling a slight sense of pressure, Holden raises an eyebrow and places one hand on the railing in front of him.

Holden: I’m just as eager as you are, Professor.

Holden: But in these chaotic times, there are always accidents.*

As if in response to his words, a barely perceptible hum comes from above. The ceiling trembles slightly, shedding a shower of fine gravel.

But everyone present seems accustomed to it, continuing their work unfazed.

Lucien also looks up without surprise, gazing into the distance.

Lucien: Accidents are meant to be controlled and enjoyed.

Lucien: Chaos will ultimately become the catalyst for new discoveries, and that’s why I chose to work with you in the first place.

As he speaks, he turns and walks away. Just as he steps into the open elevator, a voice calls out with a laugh from behind.

Holden: With Professor Lucien joining us, I suppose we should indeed be more confident.

Lucien doesn’t respond. With a loud rumble, the old elevator doors slowly closed behind him.

The sound of metal grinding outside the elevator continues to roar persistently, like the distant echoes of endless artillery fire.

The fading afternoon sunlight streams in from outside as the elevator doors open.

Three days have passed since the meeting with Professor Holden.

The lab operates around the clock, almost pushing time to its limit, but the results are still not ideal.

Just as Lucien expected.

He extends his fingertip, verifying one fingerprint scan after another, before stepping out of the unassuming old factory.

The scent of gunpowder constantly assaults his nostrils. Scattered armed personnel stand guard in front of barbed wire fences among the crumbling ruins on both sides.

Lucien walks steadfastly through this land where turmoil is the norm. Only when he passes a corner does he finally stop and take out his phone.

The signal bars silently returned to full. While waiting, he looks up at the sky not far away.

A vast expanse of dark clouds churns and burns fiercely. Soon, the phone in his palm vibrates.

Lucien opens the message box and sees a text from the girl six hours ago, informing him of her boarding.

She is on a private plane back with several film industry executives. He instinctively calculates her estimated arrival time in Loveland City—

She will land in about four hours. His expression softens unconsciously, and a hint of a smile appears at the corner of his lips.

Lucien's Message: Miss Producer, you must be tired from your business trip. Thinking about how you'll be home soon… I feel a little lonely too.

Lucien's Message: Looks like I want to wrap up my work early so I can get home sooner to see you.

Pressing the send button, he hears an increasingly loud whirring sound that continues to fill the air.

Lucien looks up again. In the distance, a small passenger plane makes a sharp turn and plummets, veering at an unusual trajectory. Thick black smoke billows from its right wing.

A fighter jet closes in from behind as the passenger plane plunges into the distance, skimming beneath the low-hanging clouds.

In an instant, it merges with the smoke.

He watches calmly, then looks down to confirm that his message has been sent successfully before turning to leave.

The dust floats in the wind and settles on his shoulder.

In a world where people depart at any moment, he simply reaches out to brush off the dust before walking away in the direction he came from.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: 意外 (yìwài) is the keyword of this date. It refers to something unforeseen, whether a surprising event or an unfortunate incident. This word generally means "unexpected" or "accident." But to keep the repetition intact and considering how, more often than not, it carries a slightly negative connotation of things going wrong, I choose to only use "accident" to translate the word throughout the whole date.

✂———————–

—[Part 2]— Video Timestamp: [04:02]

Plop—

Hearing the abrupt noise, I immediately press myself against the wall, shaking as I tighten my grip on the scalpel in my hand.

In my narrow field of vision, a hunched old woman passes by the intersection.

Her figure is shrouded in gray, and with each unsteady step, a patch of nearly black bloodstain on her back comes into view, sending a violent shudder through me.

I finally realize that I haven’t truly escaped death—

I’ve merely fallen from one desperate situation into another.

Three hours ago.

Co-Pilot: We are currently unable to determine the captain’s physical and mental condition...

Co-Pilot: Amid the chaos, the aircraft veered off its autopilot route and entered the airspace of a conflict zone, where it encountered a warning attack...

Co-Pilot: Although we managed to make an emergency landing, the current situation remains unclear...

Co-Pilot: We will continue to do everything possible to contact the airline and relevant authorities.

In a crude medical shelter, with his right arm wrapped in a rough bandage, the co-pilot speaks heavily.

Several fellow passengers frown, wanting to say something, but in the end, it turns into a few muttered curses.

Faced with the absent-minded captain, he almost single-handedly managed to execute an emergency landing in the woods.

He then proceeded to provide emergency bandages to the more seriously injured passengers in an orderly manner.

With the communication equipment failing, he relies on his memory of the flight path before the crash, leading the group toward a possible inhabited area.

It wasn’t until dark that we finally found a rundown bungalow on the city's outskirts, flying a Red Cross flag, where we fortunately received temporary assistance.

Everything feels like some kind of miracle in the midst of immense misfortune.

Co-Pilot: I suggest we stay here for now. This place is relatively safe and on the other hand...

Co-Pilot: We have several seriously injured passengers who can’t be easily moved.

Passenger: Can’t we ask them to go somewhere with a signal and contact the embassy for us?

As the words are spoken, the rushing wind carries a pungent scent of blood. They speak anxiously in a language we don't understand, pushing a surgical trolley as they rush into the building.

They already have their hands full with the constant influx of injured people.

No one speaks again, and I lower my head as well.

By great fortune, I’ve survived the disaster.

Gratitude and trance consume me at the same time. At this moment, I don’t even know how much time has passed—it feels like time has frozen into a blurry black mass.

Will Lucien know that something has happened to me?

Will my flight make the news as a ghost flight? Will he see the reports saying my fate is unknown?

I bite my lips tightly, trying to force my muddled mind to think, but my eyes slowly grow wet.

I can’t even imagine what Lucien would look like at that moment, but I know very well that staying here is the safest and most responsible choice for both him and me.

...I must survive.

✂———————–

Boom—The distant sound of what seems to be a collapse suddenly pulls me back to reality.

We’ve underestimated the level of chaos here; accidents can happen at any moment.

The conflict has reached the camp, and in the urgent evacuation, there’s only a loud noise left in the world.

When I come to my senses, I find myself alone, with nothing but a rust-covered scalpel that I don’t even remember holding.

The streets are even more desolate after dark, and I force myself to stay alert almost instinctively.

What should I do? How can I survive?

Only deathly silence answers me.

I clench my hand repeatedly, trying to force myself to stop trembling, but it’s no use.

Suddenly, a click sounds from behind me, and a cold sweat instantly soaks my skin.

Someone has appeared behind me, stepping on shards of glass.

I tremble so much that I can barely breathe, forcing myself to silently hide the scalpel in my sleeve. Turning around, I raise both hands to show that I mean no harm.

What comes into view is a pair of black leather shoes covered in ashes, yet there’s not a single crease or scuff on them.

They are not combat boots, nor do they bear any traces of blood, which makes me breathe a sudden and grateful sigh of relief.

Perhaps someone from the medical team has found me. With that thought in mind, I lift my head, only to find myself staring into a pair of familiar eyes.

Those dark, indifferent eyes seem to contract intensely the moment they see me.

The world suddenly loses all sound, and on the eerily empty street, Lucien stands across from me.

MC: ….

I don’t dare to move, not even to blink.

It feels like a grand hallucination on the verge of collapse, one that’s ready to burst like a bubble the moment I move.

My blurred vision makes his face even more indistinct, and that figure also seems to walk toward me in a daze.

He, too, seems to hold his breath. His steps gradually quicken, stirring the hem of his coat and the dust in the air until he stops right in front of me.

His chest seems to tremble uncontrollably, and his slightly shaking fingertips fall upon my face. Cold. Undeniably real.

Lucien: …MC?

His low, hoarse voice feels both near and distant, leaving me dazed as I gaze at him, feeling his uneasy yet fearful touch brush against my cheek.

MC: …Lucien, is it really… you?

MC: Am I… going insane?

Lucien: [his shaky breath as he speaks༼⁠;⁠´⁠༎ຶ⁠ ⁠۝ ⁠༎ຶ⁠༽] …Fool, how could I… be just your hallucination?

He lifts my hand and brushes it against his cheek as if confirming*.

The cold, dry sensation spreads through my fingertips, and just like that, the tension that had been stretched to its limit finally snaps.

MC: Lucien…..

MC: Lucien… I’m… so scared…

I don’t know how I appear in his eyes at this moment. All I want is to hold him tightly. To be held tightly by him.

His unbearably tight embrace brings pain, but it’s the reality I desperately need right now.

This man who has always been effortlessly composed now seems to have lost all sense of restraint.

Lucien: [still shakily gasping] …It’s okay.

Lucien: It’s okay now… MC.

He murmurs the words over and over, I don’t even know if he’s saying them for me or for himself.

Lucien: I’m here…

Lucien: I'm right here by your side... Don't be afraid...

The head resting against my shoulder feels so, so heavy as if something even weightier has sunk into the depth of our souls along with it.

I don’t know how long I’ve been crying.

Only when I have finally let out all my emotions and lean into his embrace do I realize that I’ve arrived in a warm place—

Surrounded by irregular rock walls, the air is filled with a damp, mineral scent.

The rising steam soothes my nerves, and I tug at his collar with more ease.

MC: It's okay now, Lucien...

MC: I'm not afraid anymore...

Lucien: [in a soft, hoarse voice] I’m afraid.

His voice is so faint it feels like a figment of my imagination. I want to turn my head to look at him but find myself gently and firmly held in his embrace.

Lucien: It’s safe here. I’m staying here for now.

Peering over his shoulder, I see an open door leading to a clean bed, a few sofas, and a table.

In the corner of my vision, a gray toothbrush rests inside a glass cup, and the razor I gave him is neatly placed.

I freeze for a moment, feeling like something is off.

MC: Didn’t you say you were on a business trip…?

Lucien: I am, and I’ve indeed been staying here for a few days.

Lucien: I know you must have a lot of questions. To be honest, so do I.

Lucien: But right now… there’s something even more important to me.

Following his lowered gaze, I see the dirt covering me and my tattered clothes, torn in places I don’t know.

My drooping strands of hair are covered in dust, resting against Lucien’s clean shirt.

MC: I got your shirt dirty.

Lucien: ...Stop saying such silly things.

He gently pecks the space between my brows, his fingertips naturally undoing the loosened buttons on my clothes.

MC: Lu—!

Lucien: Shh….

His lips move downward, pressing insistently against the corner of mine.

Though very light, it is filled with an undeniable firmness.

Lucien: [gasps breathlessly] Don’t push me away.

Lucien: [X2] I also need to confirm that you're really here with me.

Lucien: [X3] Let me help you… okay?

It isn’t really a question. His voice lingers at the edge of my lips, flowing with his breath, making my head feel light and dazed. Instinctively, I nod at him.

His fingers move slowly yet deftly. Bit by bit, patches of deep bruises become more visible.

His warmth spreads through me faster than the cold.

I’m too embarrassed to look at him, so I bury my face deep into his chest instead. I feel him scoop me up in his arms and carefully lower me into the bathtub’s warm water.

The sudden heat stings me, jolting me awake as I grab Lucien’s wrist.

MC: Wait, the other passengers I was with, because of the conflict, they’re now…

Lucien: Don’t worry, someone will take care of it.

Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] Right now, only you matter the most to me.

There seems to be something growing wildly beneath his calm gaze. He subtly and seamlessly intertwines his fingers with mine, gently submerging my body into the water.

The deep and shallow bruises appear even more striking in the clear water. A dull ache seeps into the water, causing a small, instinctive sigh to spill from my lips.

Lucien: Relax.

He applies slight pressure, gently prying apart my fingers that are curled around my knees. Carefully avoiding the bruises on my thighs, his hand presses downward.

MC: [moans] L-lucien…

Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] I just want to help you relax a little more.

Lucien: [gently] At least for this moment, be a good girl... okay?

Another question that isn’t really a question.

I can’t get a single word out**, so I can only bite my lower lip, watching as he kneels by the bathtub, a soft towel in his hand, lightly stroking over my arm.

Lucien: Does it hurt?

His low, hoarse voice is caught in his throat as if suppressing something before finally smoothing into a calm steadiness.

MC: …A little.

Lucien: [chuckles, then whispers softly] Then I’ll be gentler.

His gentle, unhurried touch warms one arm before moving to the other. Then, it follows the top of my foot, slowly moving upward.

As he leans down, his large shadow envelops my whole body, and I instinctively tremble with each faint mark he leaves behind.

Something seems to be stirring madly in his calm gaze, suppressed within his silence, driving him to confirm me even more deeply and intimately.

I feel as if I’m sinking into the warm water, yet also weightlessly floating with it, my hands instinctively clutching the fabric at his chest tightly.

Lucien: [HOLY THE BREATHLESSNESS AND SUDDEN URGENCY?] …bear with it a little longer… wait for me...

As if to soothe, his even more scorching lips descend, teasingly hooking and coaxing my lips and tongue, relentlessly drawing me in.

At some point, his entire body has also become drenched, his drooping bangs soaked with water, revealing those unfathomably profound eyes.

Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] I'll help you get rid of all the pain.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: the wording in Chinese is ambiguous; it could mean either that he is making sure she’s not his hallucination or that he’s reassuring her that he’s real :") and this ambiguousness HURTS bc you know that he also has the same fear as her (this will be expanded more later on memory silhouette). This guy really said, "…Fool, how could I… be just your hallucination?" yet he’s in disbelief himself that she’s real and I’m just SOB-

**: 说不出任何话 literally means "can't say any words at all." However, the nuance is deeper than just the inability to speak. It can imply being so overwhelmed by emotions (orcoughpleasurecough) that speaking becomes impossible. Besides being overwhelmed, it’s also often used when somebody wants to say something but physically/emotionally just cannot.

✂———————–

—[Part 2]— Video Timestamp: [10:36]

Even when carried to the bed, my whole body still feels light and weightless.

An oversized shirt is put over me, its scent different from the dense smell of gunpowder as it carries the light freshness of grass that I’m familiar with.

Lucien casually changes into fresh clothes, grabs a few towels, then pulls me into his arms and smooths back my damp hair.

MC: …How about I do it myself?

MC: It’s inconvenient for you like this, and it’ll just get your clothes wet again.

Lucien: But it seems my hands can’t let go of you… they need your warmth even more.

His gentle yet firm fingertips stroke the back of my neck, resting the side of my forehead against his shoulder. His legs settle on either side of me, enclosing me within his territory.

The world is enveloped in tranquility, with only the rustling sound of a towel rubbing against damp hair remaining.

MC: It must be pretty inconvenient for you here too, there’s not even a hairdryer.

Lucien: Don’t worry, the equipment here is a bit more complete than you think.

His low voice brushes past my ear, making me look up in confusion.

MC: Then why do you…

Lucien: Sound of the hairdryer would make you uncomfortable, so this will do.

I freeze for a moment. That trace of distant rumble and roar still seems to be howling, yet at this moment, they appear to settle into a quiet stillness within his deep eyes.

Only now do I notice more clearly that he seems to be slowing down his breathing as if he's cradling something fragile.

MC: …Do I look like a total mess?

Lucien: How could that be? To me, I never would have imagined that in a place as desolate and ruined as this…

Lucien: I could still be lucky enough to encounter such a beautiful and resilient color.

Lucien: Even though I never wanted you to be here.

Lucien: I can’t help but wonder… if I hadn’t stepped out the door today if I hadn’t turned left...

His words come to an abrupt halt, followed quickly by a faint chuckle that carries a touch of self-mockery.

Like a staunch materialist*, yet hesitating over irrational ‘what ifs’.

The rhythmic beating of his heart echoes in my ears, but that subtle, unintentional quickening of its pace seems to take on another name—

It’s called ‘lingering fear’**.

The arm holding me seems to tighten in the next moment, and I can’t help but clutch the front of his shirt, burrowing myself even deeper into his embrace.

Lucien: Right now, I’m already by your side.

Lucien: I’ll take responsibility for driving away all those unpleasant things lingering in your brain.

MC: Really?

Lucien smiles lightly, and the tension in his brows and eyes finally eases slightly.

Lucien: [chuckles] As a brain scientist, it would be difficult for me to lie to you about this.

Seeing him feign seriousness while explaining, I can’t hide my laughter at his dry joke.

MC: Lucien, let me tell you about my brush with death.

MC: Maybe facing it head-on will make it less frightening.

Lucien doesn’t speak for a moment, only silently changing to a new towel.

I rarely see him like this, so I can’t resist reaching out and gently smooth the furrow between his brows.

MC: [worriedly] Do you want to hear it?

Lucien: …Perhaps, the one who is more afraid is me.

He closes his eyes, presses a light kiss to my fingertips, and finally looks at me with an even deeper calm.

Lucien: I’ll do my best to hold back the ache in my heart and listen carefully.

MC: Lucien, you’re just as much a fool as I am.

Lucien: [genuinely] You're probably the only person in the world who would praise me like that.

In his tender, lingering kisses, I finally steady my mind.

MC: Actually, I still don’t have a clear understanding of what exactly happened during that time.

MC: I only heard the co-pilot say that the captain suddenly had some kind of mental issue…?

MC: Later, our plane accidentally entered a no-fly zone, was threatened, and ultimately had to make an emergency landing.

Lucien's breathing seems to have stagnated for a moment, and his eyes droop slightly.

Lucien: Your plane… Did the right wing get hit?

MC: Hmm? It seems... to be true?

MC: I was sitting on the plane's right side at the time, and all I could see was black smoke. But I was so scared then that I couldn't really tell...

Recalling that scene, I still instinctively curl up in lingering fear, not noticing the way his eyes suddenly contract sharply.

MC: But luckily, everyone was safe. We just kept walking and were rescued by a local civilian medical organization.

MC: But the scene was too chaotic. Later, the gathering site was also affected, and I got separated from the main group during the evacuation.

I pause, looking into his eyes with mixed emotions.

MC: And then I met you.

MC: …All of this is just too unbelievable.

MC: The accidents in this world really catch people completely off guard. I feel like I’ve had the worst luck… but at the same time, I also seem exceptionally fortunate.

Lucien: ….

He falls silent again, it's unclear what he is thinking.

I don’t know how much time has passed. After ensuring my hair has been completely dried, he casually throws the damp towels aside.

The world suddenly quiets down, and Lucien wordlessly raises his hand, his fingertips gently brushing over the bruises on my body.

As our skin touches, a slight itch ripples through my skin, accompanied by an extremely faint pain sensation.

Thinking of his confirmation in the bathtub not long ago, I can’t help but feel my face grow slightly warm again.

I lift my head and kiss the corner of his lips, lingering until our breaths intertwine, then smile and wink at him.

MC: [smiles softly] Don’t worry. With you here, I already feel much better.

MC: When I get up tomorrow, I’ll definitely return to full strength. Then, we can…

As I speak, I suddenly stop, realizing something.

MC: Are we... still near this area?

Seeing him respond softly, my heart tightens.

MC: You said you’ve been here for a few days, so that closed-off lab you mentioned... is it here?

Lucien: Yes.

Lucien: Even though this place is far from tranquil, I have a reason that makes it necessary for me to be here.

His voice possesses a certain indifference and resolve. I gaze at him for a moment before slowly speaking.

MC: Are you doing something dangerous?

Lucien: ….

Under my gaze, Lucien remains silent for a long time, long enough that I almost think he will find some way to sidestep the topic until his low voice finally breaks the silence.

Lucien: The research institution I’m working with now is one I had contact with years ago when I first joined BS.

Lucien: They have a considerable amount of multinational projects, as well as some that can hardly be called ethical or compliant. In one way or another, some covert dealings are involved.

Lucien: All I can say is, yes. The things I’m doing are not safe.

Lucien: So I hope you don’t go anywhere and just stay by my side.

Seeing him be especially frank about his thoughts, I can’t hold back my smile.

MC: Lucien, I'm not asking about myself, I'm asking if you will be in danger.

He freezes for a moment, then smiles without the slightest hesitation.

Lucien: [totally not lying-] No, I won’t.

Lucien: I should be able to get what I want soon, so don’t worry.

He presses a light kiss to my forehead, pulls back the blanket, and wraps me in its softness.

Lucien: [chuckles] But… I think that’s enough of a bedtime story for now.

Lucien: Just like you said, I want to see you full of energy as soon as possible, smiling without any worries or strain.

Looking at his incredibly close face, I smile and lean in closer to his scent.

MC: What should I do? I’m still a little reluctant to sleep.

MC: It might be a bit late to say this now, but after so many days apart, I’ve really missed you all along.

Lucien: Me too.

Lucien: So all you need to do is close your eyes, I will always let you feel my presence and longing.

Like finally returning to the most secure and reassuring home***, I relax and close my eyes.

One after another, incomparably intimate and affectionate kisses fall upon my face and between my lips, as if scattering in tiny, delicate fragments that sink into the depths of my heart—

—until I fall into an exceedingly gentle dream.

.

.

.

When I open my eyes again, daylight is already shining brightly.

Lucien isn’t by the bed. As I get up and step out of bed, I notice that my wounds seem to have been tended once more.

MC: Lucien…?

The room is quiet. Breakfast is laid out on the table, along with a laptop and a slightly old-fashioned phone.

He hasn’t left a note, but I still smile with an unspoken understanding.

I’m just about to wash up when the phone screen suddenly lights up. A message pops up, showing Lucien’s number.

Lucien's message: Good morning MC. I’m already at the lab.

Lucien's message: I’ve arranged for someone to contact and assist the passengers who were with you, so there’s no need to worry.

Lucien's message: I’ve also informed your company that you’re safe. Work matters can be left to them for now.

Lucien's message: Get some rest, I’ll return as soon as I can.

Sunlight spills in from the balcony, and a gentle breeze brushes against my face, carrying a touch of winter’s coldness.

Yet, I don’t feel the biting cold. Instead, there’s a sense of warmth and security.

Though the scene before me remains desolate and ruined, the world feels tranquil right now, free of the terrifying tumultuous noise.

I step onto the balcony and see golden light magnanimously illuminating the earth. A small bird perches under the eaves, occasionally lowering its head to preen its feathers.

A faint wave of emotion wells up in my heart. Perhaps this place would have been entirely different if not for all the turmoil.

But what I’ve never noticed is—

—the little bird on the eaves has only one wing.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: Materialism is a philosophical belief that only physical matter exists and that everything can be explained through the physical world and natural laws. It also can be a philosophical viewpoint that denies the existence of the spiritual world, fate, and alternative possibilities as only physical matter exists. Materialists prioritize what can be observed, measured, and tested. Lucien mocks himself for speculating about "what ifs", because it involves considering possibilities that may have no empirical grounding, which contradicts materialist core belief that only the physical matters.

**: "后怕" doesn’t refer to *just* fear, but a delayed sense of fear, a realization of how terrifying something was only after it has already passed. He has just come to the realization of how close he was to losing her forever, and it filled him with 后怕. In some contexts, it can even be directly translated into PTSD.

***: I translated it as 'home' for brevity, but the term "归处" (guīchù) is composed of two characters: "归" (guī), meaning "to return", "to belong", or "to take refuge", and "处" (chǔ), meaning "place" or "location". Together, "归处" conveys the idea of a refuge or a place where one truly belongs. For MC, Lucien is not just a home to return to, but also her 'place' of belonging, someone 'where' her heart feels at peace, much like a final destination where one finds solace and stability.

✂———————–

Part 4 & 5-> [Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ translation + video with sub EN (Part 2/3)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for an MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ | Part 1 (1-3) | Part 2 (4-5) | Part 3 (6) | ASMR

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

Part 1 - 3 -> [Here]

[Subbed Video, TURN ON CC!]

[T/N: if you haven’t listened to the voice dubbing yet, y’all are seriously missing out!! I can't even begin to describe all the noises, like there’s just so much going on! Xia Lei (his CN VA) absolutely NAILED it—like, the way he blends XM anger at himself, that raw possessiveness, the obsession, and the breathlessness??? It’s insanely good and ridiculously sexy jnhadsjnhadjadjadjn]

—[Part 4]— Video Timestamp: [16:57]

As expected, everything has been thoroughly taken care of by Lucien.

Upon seeing on the laptop that the embassy had already contacted the local government to carry out the rescue operation, the last bit of unease in my heart vanished into thin air.

Thinking of how Lucien told me not to wander around, I simply grab one of his books to read and wait for him in the room.

Before I realize it, the light of setting sun slants, casting its glow onto the coffee table. Amid my drowsiness, my phone suddenly rings.

MC: Are you done with work?

Lucien: Mm. Are you doing okay?

MC: I’m fine. I was just reading the book you left on the sofa, but it’s so abstruse I almost fell asleep.

Lucien: To be honest, I’ve dozed off on that book more than a few times myself too.

As we chat and laugh, I stroll to the balcony under the slowly fading glow of the sunset.

Lucien: I should be back very soon.

MC: Then I’ll check what’s left in the fridge and see what I can cook. Maybe I can cook a big hodgepodge~

I smile as I hang up the phone and look up, only to see the same little bird from this morning still perched on the eaves.

—No different from the scene I saw before.

It still preening its feathers, never stopping for even a second, nor ever lifting its head.

It's as if it were a lifeless shadow, mechanically repeating the same motions repeatedly.

A chill spreads through my heart, and I unconsciously feel a bit of panic. Suddenly, I notice that the scene before me carries an absurd sense of repetition—

At times, a passerby would cross to the end of the street only to abruptly reappear on the other side.

The distant edges of the city also seem indescribably blurred, as if detached from reality, carved apart by dividing borders.

I try to calm down and cautiously push open the door.

The dark-colored walls on either side are clean yet monotonous, showing no signs of anything unusual.

After thinking about it, I step through the doorway. But the farther I walk, the more cold sweat seeps down my back.

There is no elevator here nor any emergency exit.

The dim corridor seems endless, with the same unchanging scenery stretching ahead and behind.

As my nerves gradually tighten, I suddenly catch sight of a warm yellow light at the end of the corridor.

I immediately run toward it—

Until that glow envelops me, and I freeze in place.

I find myself back in the room again.

The space that once felt reassuring now makes me feel like I can’t breathe.

Even though I’ve experienced similar situations before, I still can’t help but wonder… could all of this be nothing more than a fleeting hallucination* inside my mind?

But the voice I just heard was gentle and real, and the spot where he lay still retains a faint warmth.

??(Lucien): …MC…

I keep comforting myself not to fall into post-traumatic stress. Lucien said he is here conducting research, maybe this strange phenomenon is also related to his work.

?? (Lucien): MC, are you okay?

In a daze, a warm palm seems to lift me from the depths of the sea, bringing me back to the surface.

I blink and suddenly see Lucien standing before me, his face filled with worry as he cups my cheeks. I have no idea when he got there.

MC: Lucien…

Lucien: Are you feeling unwell anywhere?

I open my mouth, momentarily at a loss. Lucien immediately pulls me into a tighter embrace.

Lucien: It's my fault.

Lucien: You're not in a good state right now. I should have spent more time with you.

Lucien: It’ll be over soon, just hold on a little longer. Soon… we’ll be able to go home together.

His warmth presses against me, enveloping my whole body. I take a deep breath and gently pat him.

MC: Don’t worry, Lucien. I’m fine.

Looking at his raised face, I feel a pang of heartache as I brush over his slightly bloodshot eyes. Tentatively, I ask him.

MC: Are you working on some kind of Evol-related research?

Lucien: Why do you ask?

MC: Maybe I'm overthinking it… but I can't shake the feeling that everything outside this room seems unreal.

He seems startled for a moment, his entire figure hidden in the shadows.

Heavy emotions surge within his dark eyes as he presses his forehead to mine, swallowing my whole reflection into them.

Lucien: Then do you think I’m unreal?

MC: Of course not!

MC: I just... suddenly discover that the corridor outside the door seems endless, so...

Lucien: I see.

He gently takes my hand and leads me outside. We move smoothly through the corridor, take the elevator, and leave the apartment without any trouble.

✂———————–

The night is quiet, and there are hardly any people along the way.

Seeing my stunned expression, Lucien smiles and tightens his hold on my hand.

Lucien: I think the best way to comfort you right now is to take a walk, just like we always do.

Lucien: Although this place isn’t exactly peaceful, at least this neighborhood is not dangerous.

He pauses for a moment, then continues explaining in a gentle voice.

Lucien: The result I await has nothing to do with Evol. It is an experiment in the field of neuroscience.

Lucien: However, the test samples are extremely fragile and require strict control over variables such as temperature and humidity.

Lucien: Therefore, special devices have been installed near the laboratory to restrict Evol, eliminating interference factors and preserving the samples’ activity.

I listen thoughtfully, unable to resist asking another question.

MC: ...So what I saw was really an effect of the experiment?

Lucien gives a noncommittal smile, adjusting my scarf snugly before we continue walking through the quiet neighborhood.

✂———————–

In the following days, Lucien maintains a highly regular work schedule and calls me every now and then.

I have a vague feeling that my accident, combined with my previous state, may have truly frightened him badly. He seems even more attentive to me than before.

I put down the book in my hands and look toward the door again.

Actually, I’ve tried going out on my own since then, but for some reason, whenever I’m alone, I end up circling back to where I started—

As if I’m trapped inside the room.

The vague sense of confinement only makes me even more curious about what Lucien is really doing, so I start searching around.

Before long, I found a report on the Holden Research Institute, which seems to contain a list of personnel and medication records.

As my eyes scan the unfamiliar faces, they all appear ordinary and unremarkable.

Until a familiar face enters my sight, making my eyes widen in shock—

The captain of my flight is among them!

Reading through the information, I find that the captain turns out to be a retired soldier. He has been taking this medication long-term to treat post-war trauma.

The records also show that the drug has a small probability of causing neurasthenia, emotional intensification, and even brief episodes of shock…

I involuntarily break out in a cold sweat as I see these people’s data being continuously recorded and updated, even as recently as two weeks ago.

.

.

.

Lucien: Are you saying that the pilot responsible for the accident is on this medication record list?

MC: …Yes.

When Lucien returns that day, I hesitate but eventually tell him about my discovery.

He sits on the sofa, not saying a word for a long time, his entire being sinking into some kind of heavy and terrifying silence.

Lucien: …It seems there really is no need to continue with them.

Lucien: I will put an end to all of this as soon as possible.

He flicks his fingertips, tossing the stack of data reports into the fireplace.

As the flames burn, the charred traces seem to reach all the way into his eyes.

Somehow, I seem to see even darker emotions burning within them, and I can't resist reaching out to stroke his cheek.

MC: Lucien, are you okay?

Lucien: [quietly] ...MC, are you really here in front of me?

His gaze is deep and distant, yet it firmly holds my gaze in place.

I look at him for a moment, and in that empty gaze, I seem to see a reflection of something similar to myself.

So I move even closer and straddle his lap.

MC: Of course I am. I'm right here with you.

Within his raised gaze, my hand slowly glides toward his sharp jawline.

The artery on the side of his neck subtly swells with each swallow, and with every heartbeat, they pulse steadily yet distinctly beneath my fingertips.

I slightly tilt my face downward, leaning in closer to him. My lips gently graze his, coaxing them to part ever so slightly.

He stares without blinking, watching as in our mingling breaths, my tongue tentatively flicks out to softly lick his upper lip.

It is a test, a touch, and also a reassurance.

I swirl my tongue around his, while Lucien simply follows along, letting himself be led by me.

I can clearly see the corners of his eyes gradually tinged with red, while the pulse at the side of his neck throbs with escalating intensity.

MC: Lucien, tell me, am I in front of you?

Lucien: [gasping for breaths] Yes. You are in front of me.

His voice also seems to catch fire, burning over, searing into his neck as it arches even further, tracing a suggestive arc.

His indulgence unleashes me boundlessly. I can’t help but venture even closer to his breath, brushing past the scorching heat of his chest, trailing all the way downward.

MC: Then... are you in front of me?

Amid the overflowing sultry heat, I can’t stop myself from lifting my body and pushing things further by settling on top of him.

A muffled, unbearable groan slips past his lips. His hand instinctively tightens on my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

Lucien: [breathlessly] …Yes… I am in front of you.

His heartbeat seems to throb inside my body, and mine does too.

Countless trembles surge and collide through the bloodstream, even the instinctive sighs spilling from our lips becoming tangled together.

At some point, the fire in the hearth dims, and the dim light of the night blurs into a chaotic and ambiguous interplay of light and shadow.

I can feel his whole body relaxing, and I can’t help but hold him even tighter.

MC: How wonderful, Lucien. You're here by my side.

In the darkness, Lucien stays silent for a moment. Only after what feels like an eternity does his reply drift slowly through the air.

Lucien: [whispers lowly] Why are you the one offering comfort now... shouldn’t it be me?

MC: Because... even though I’m the one who’s scared, you seem to be afraid of something too.

Lucien: But you should have more important questions to ask me.

Lucien: You should ask me why that drug list is here, or even…

Lucien: Ask whether any of this could possibly be connected to me.

His calm question carries an indescribable scrutiny and simmering anger, leaving me momentarily stunned.

Only now do I belatedly realize the implication of his words. I had almost instinctively not linked Lucien to this matter.

MC: But this drug is essentially used to treat stress-related trauma?

MC: There must be flaws in the screening process that allowed someone taking this medication to become a captain...?

MC: And even if we take a huge step back, if this drug really is connected to you, it’s not like you caused the crash to happen.

MC: As Professor Lucien would usually say, this is just a low-probability event. A mere accident.

Lucien: I don’t like this kind of accident.

He speaks with a stubborn edge, his tone even somewhat stiff and cold.

Like a butterfly with fluttering wings, the massive waves it stirred up should never have crashed upon me.

I only find him endearing and can't resist wanting to peck the corner of his lips.

But in the next second, I’m suddenly picked up. The world spins, and amidst the dizzying whirl, my body is pinned against the sofa in a position difficult to break free from.

My cheek pressed against the cushion, making me unable to see Lucien’s expression at this moment.

With each breath I can sense the fine texture of the fabric, carrying a hint of warmth yet also a subtle, constraining sense of oppression.

Lucien: I don’t like accidents taking you to places I don’t know about.

Lucien: I also don’t like accidents making you go through things I’m unaware of.

Lucien: I dislike it even more when accidents leave bruises that don't belong to me on your body.

As his words trail off, one of his hands seems to trace along my wrist, gliding up my arm to my shoulder, neck, and back.

His burning fingertips travel all the way down my spine, and I can only feel his touch, my body instinctively letting out a trembling shudder.

Lucien: It almost made you disappear.

I feel a firm and increasingly invasive dominant pressure pressing against me from behind, making me bite down my lower lip.

But before I can even utter a word, Lucien overwhelms me almost instantly.

It's as if we're two sheets of dampened paper, growing so wet that we seep into each other.

Without realizing it, we become more and more soaked, until we seem to meld into a single sheet.

I feel as if I've sunk into a deep daze, only aware of him holding me even tighter, pulling me back into his embrace again and again, each time closer than before.

Lucien: MC, you should be angry.

Waves of tingling pleasure continuously spread down my spine, and his voice, filled with frustration, reaches me in a hazy blur.

A dizzy haze endlessly clouds my mind, and I instinctively bite down on a gasp, unable to stop myself from turning my head to look at him.

His face is shrouded in shadows, making his expression even more obscure and harder to discern.

MC: [worriedly] Do you want me to be angry?

Lucien: I don’t know.

He quietly half-kneels there, his voice particularly low and subdued.

MC: Are you trying to punish yourself this way?

MC: You’re angry at yourself, aren’t you?

He still doesn't say anything. He only leans down, pressing his body even deeper into mine. At the same time, his fingers slip between mine, locking our hands together with even more force.

A long time passes before I finally hear his voice from behind me.

Lucien: I almost... lost you again.

The word ‘again’ sinks into my heart, sending a painful ache through me.

MC: Lucien, I want to see you.

MC: Let me see how you are, okay?

Though he doesn’t retreat even half a step, he still yields to my request.

Slowly, he turns me around, finally letting me see his eyes.

Dark. Frenzied. Profoundly raw.***

Too many indescribable emotions surge in those eyes, rising like sky-high waves, sweeping me along with them.

MC: You haven’t lost me, Lucien.

What answers me is an even more scorching kiss. My heartbeat remains restless and shaky.

Lucien: Yes… I won’t give myself another chance to lose you.

✂———————–

[T/N]

I don't add much description for the sexc lines bc it'll end up with wall of text,once again I really recommend y'all to listen and experience the emotions yourself!-

*: "走马灯" (zǒu mǎ dēng) literally refers to a lantern with a carousel of paper horses that rotate due to convection. Metaphorically, it describes rapid and fleeting, or dreamlike scenes, often used to depict sb’s life flashing before their eyes in near-death moments.

**: "神经衰弱" (shén jīng shuāi ruò) is literally translated to "weak nerves"/ "neurasthenia" in English. While uncommon in the West, it remains recognized in some Asian countries. It’s considered a persistent mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as weakness, emotional disturbances, excitement, tension-induced pain, and sleep disturbances caused by ‘nerve weakness’.

***: They use three words to describe the emotions in his eyes: 晦暗 (huì àn), 疯狂 (fēng kuáng), and 深切 (shēn qiè).

晦暗 (huì àn) isn’t just "dark" but also shadowed and obscure, like he is trying to conceal the intense depth of his emotions rather than express them outright.

疯狂 (fēng kuáng) is an unrestrained madness, distinct from his usual 偏执 (piān zhí/obsessive fixation). 疯狂 (fēng kuáng) combines two words, 疯 (fēng) which means ‘’crazy’ or ‘insane’; and 狂 (kuáng), which means ‘unrestrained’ or ‘frantic.' so this word is the more chaotic and uncontrolled madness compared to 偏执 (piān zhí) which is more about his controlled madness from his fixation/obsession (whether about his research or mc-).

深切 (shēn qiè) combines "深" (deep) and "切" (cut/slice), usually used to convey the most sincere emotions. The way I interpret it is that his profound, raw emotions and vulnerabilities are fully exposed, like his heart being laid bare after getting cut open.

✂———————–

—[Heartfelt Reverie]— Video Timestamp: [31:37]

3:00 AM.

Monochrome liquid flows through a blood-collecting device into the vacuum tube as Lucien slightly loosens his tightly clenched fingers.

High-speed metal instruments hum without pause while the surrounding screens flash with streams of data—shifting graphs and numbers reflected in pairs of focused and urgent eyes.

Lucien shifts his gaze to the clock on the wall and speaks in a cold voice.

Lucien: We still need to make up eight hours.

After speaking, he tosses the cotton swab used to press against his vein into the trash. He removes his clothes and, assisted by the researchers, puts on monitoring equipment and a respirator before lying down in the experimental chamber.

According to his calculations, the data samples were originally expected to reach No. 58 today, leaving at most 39 hours until the No. 63 that he needed.

But an accident still happened. In his anxiety, he used space folding to bring the girl back to his room from the ruins.

Rationality told him he shouldn’t have done it. But he was desperate to confirm her real existence, to wash away the dirt and wounds that had tainted her.

Or rather, he had truly felt a certain fear, one that made it impossible for him to calmly leave her in any situation where another accident could occur.

However, the price was that the Evol fluctuations affected the experimental environment, briefly stalling the data progress.

Even the slightest deviation is something Lucien refuses to accept.

If the purpose of accelerating his pace before was to safely obtain the special sample and return to her as soon as possible…

…then now, he has an even stronger reason to race against time.

Lucien: If any abnormal fluctuations occur during the process, as long as the values don’t reach their peak, there’s no need to pause.

Lucien: Begin the experiment.

Lucien closes his eyes, letting the liquid engulf him.

In a trance, the complicated emotions from moments ago rise even faster than the water, suddenly making it hard for him to breathe.

The moment he realized he hadn’t received a message from her reporting her safety, the moment he saw that her flight had lost communication on trending—

—only then did he discover that a heart could contract this severely in an instant.

The stabbing pain in his chest spread along his nerves, making him instinctively furrow his brows and inexplicably take a step forward.

He didn’t know where he was going, nor did he even know why he was moving forward.

Perhaps he just didn't want to stay in place, or perhaps it was just a subconscious reflex of self-deception.

Broken pavement carried the lingering charred scent, and severed electrical wires hung down, scraping eerie marks onto the ground.

The world remained as monotonous and colorless as ever, as if this had always been its true color.

After walking aimlessly past several street corners, a streak of bright color crashed into his vision without warning.

She appeared so abruptly, like a grand hallucination, catching him completely off guard.

Lucien instinctively stopped in his tracks.

Suddenly, he recalled a moment from long ago. Beneath the camphor tree in early spring, he had seen that streak of a phantom that seemed almost real.*

Lucien: [gasps] ….

Lucien: It shouldn’t be like this.

Even though reason told him that there were countless possibilities that she wouldn't be here, an unreasonable certainty drove Lucien towards his only color.

Beep-beep

Somewhat distant sounds from the equipment scratch at his eardrums, and Lucien knows that the experiment is going smoothly.

It seems he can return to her side soon.

Not much time has passed. She probably won’t notice anything.

But she has always been sharper than he thought. If she picks up on something, what then?

In truth, he dislikes this kind of wavering irresolution and, even more so, the feeling of losing control to accidents.

Accidents are supposed to be challenges and abundant possibilities, not something that leaves him helpless and in a flustered mess like this.

But to ensure the experiment goes smoothly, he has no choice but to accelerate the process. This means he cannot be by her side all the time.

So, he chose the safest method at this stage.

Before leaving his room, he locked her inside a dream.

✂———————–

*: SOBBING at the every Out of Plan R&S/S1 Chapter 25 reference—I did not need to be reminded of his hallucination of her after her death every five seconds!! 😭 Also, oh my god, the constant mentions of his colorblindness and how she's the only color in his world… PG really loves twisting the knife for us XM stans huh😭💔

✂———————–

—[Part 5]—

Sure enough, by the next night, Lucien pushes open the door of his room and walks in, calmly picking up the duffel bag he had packed at noon.

Lucien: MC, we should go.

MC: ...Go home? So soon?

Lucien: Yes, but... there might be some complications along the way.

As he speaks, the air outside hums loudly, as if the aftershocks of distant artillery fire continuously ripple through the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, this trembling persisted for almost the entire afternoon, making me slightly uneasy.

Lucien: MC, although I know this is putting you in a bit of a tough spot...

Lucien: But the only way we can evacuate now is by helicopter.

MC: …!

My body nearly trembles on instinct.

But Lucien reacts even faster. He wraps an arm around my waist, his long, narrow eyes gazing deeply at me.

Lucien: I don’t want to make you afraid.

Lucien: If there were any better solution, I would never allow something like this to happen.

As he speaks, he holds out his palm toward me. On it lies a single white pill.

Lucien: MC, do you trust me?

Lucien: This is a sedative, and it has a safe composition. When you wake up, the first thing you see will be a safer place.

Boom—!

An even more intense blast slams through layers of air. This time, even the floor beneath my feet begins to shake faintly.

Looking into those unwavering eyes, I take a deep breath then pick up the pill and the water bottle.

MC: Have you got what you wanted?

Seemingly not expecting that I still have the mind to care about this matter, he freezes briefly, then his eyes crinkle into a smile.

Lucien: Of course, I never break my word.

MC: So, the state I’ll be in after taking it is also within your calculations, right?

Lucien: Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.

I feel relieved and swallow the white pill in one gulp.

In my dazed state, I suddenly feel a violent tremor—

At the same time, bursts of explosions ring out one after another, near and far. It’s as if the entire world is roaring, clamoring to rush toward me.

MC: …Ah!

I abruptly open my eyes, but my consciousness stays foggy, feeling nothing but the world spinning around me.

Until my vision slowly comes into focus, and I suddenly meet a pair of startled, slightly panicked eyes. My mind blanks out in an instant.

Lucien sits across from me, his face pale. Fresh blood seeps through his tattered shirt, snaking down his body in rivulets.

Each blast of distant artillery fire is carried by the raging wind, thrashing wildly inside the aircraft cabin. In the almost suffocating air pressure, my entire body trembles uncontrollably.

MC: Lucien!

I shout at him, my voice choked as all the unease and pain in my heart burst out at once.

His dark pupils shrink for a split second, but he immediately smiles reassuringly at me. He reaches out his hand toward me as if wanting to caress my cheek.

Brownish blood seeps from the bandaged wound on that well-defined hand, mingled with tiny grains of sand and grit.

Everything happens too suddenly. I stare blankly at the IV tube secured to his arm. As it sways and tugs, I catch a glimpse of faint bloodstains around the needle site on his hand.

Lucien: [comfortingly] MC, I'm fine.

Lucien: Close your eyes...

The howling wind and rain instantly swallow up his voice. I bite my lip hard, fighting to push words through

However, the helicopter suddenly tilts sharply to one side. I instinctively grip my seatbelt tightly, but the intense pulling force nearly overwhelms my shoulders and back.

Every bone in my body feels as if being torn apart, and my brain seems vacuumed of air.

My entire body is deathly stiff in my seat, only my heart pounding violently in my chest.

I can't help but shout at Lucien in front of me.

MC: Lucien! You Big Liar!!!

The person across from me freezes for a moment, as if struck by a sudden thought, then immediately shows a faint, particularly conceding smile.

Lucien: [why man sounds so thrilled-] Yes, I'm a big liar. It's all my fault.

MC: You even said it was all within your calculations. Was your injury part of that too?!

Lucien: I don’t mean to upset you on purpose, but none of these are serious wounds, so yes, they fall within my calculations.

MC: ...Y-you, stop talking! Don’t make me mad!

Lucien: Then just be angry. As long as you’re only mad at me, that’s fine.

MC: You bad guy!!

As he unintentionally or intentionally fans the flames, those crushing fears are unknowingly pushed out by anger.

By the time I regain my senses, I realize we’ve come to a stop on the deck of a cargo ship—

A foreign man stands not far away, greeting us with a friendly smile.

.

.

.

The cabin's guest room isn’t large, but it has all the essentials. Devoted medical personnel even come in to treat Lucien’s wounds.

Until they leave with the medical kit, I continue to stand not far away, watching him with a pained heart and furrowing my brows.

MC: Does it hurt?

Lucien: Are you still afraid?

The words we speak come out simultaneously, causing us to freeze in the same instant and then share a tacit smile.

Lucien: Hurts a lot, so come hug me, okay?

He knows I can never do anything about him.

I walk up to him, and he wraps his arms around my waist. His fluffy head leans against my chest, and for a moment, it feels like the tension melts away.

MC: …So now you realize you still have me.

Lucien: I can’t do it alone, after all. But I can’t always rely on you either.

Lucien: Even though I really want to.

Hearing the slightly aggrieved tone in his voice, I feel both exasperated and amused.

MC: If I had stayed asleep, were you planning to hide your injuries?

Lucien: Maybe. I'm sorry, MC.

MC: You big fool, it’s not like I’m blaming you for getting hurt.

Lucien: I know. I’m just really sorry for making you wake up early.

Lucien: The dosage of the sedative was precisely calculated by me. You were supposed to wake up only after we landed.

Lucien: But… we encountered an unexpected attack during the retreat, which delayed us for a bit.

He explains with excessive seriousness and caution, making my heart ache faintly.

While I've suffered trauma, he seems to have been wounded as well.

Those wounds are hidden in corners I can’t see, leaving me with nothing to do but press silent kisses onto his calm face, one after another.

Remembering the foreign man on the deck earlier, I can’t help but gently stroke his brows with some concern.

MC: Lucien, can we really trust these people and make it back to Loveland City without any problems?

Lucien: When the helicopter landed, I noticed the Holden Institute’s insignia on the ship’s stern.

Lucien: On the path from the deck to the guest rooms, a section of the wooden floorboards makes a subtly different sound when stepped on compared to the rest.

Lucien: It is highly possible that he used such a design to transport things he didn't want others to discover easily.

Lucien: Moreover, a considerable amount of this institute's funding comes from underground deals that can’t see the light of day.

Lucien: So I deduce that Holden uses this ship to transport collectibles for trade. Of course, the possibility of smuggling weapons can’t be ruled out either.

Lucien seems to notice my nervousness and gently places his palm on the back of my hand.

Lucien: More importantly, after the helicopter landed, I discovered an Evol-suppressing device that’s difficult to detect.

Lucien: Based on my past observations in the lab, I think there’s a high probability that this ship also carries research samples.

MC: ...Could it be that they also made an emergency transfer while evacuating?

Lucien: We can’t be certain yet, but I think they must’ve set quite a few backup plans in place.

MC: …Will what they're doing affect your objectives?

Lucien: It will have some impact, but it doesn’t matter.

Lucien: I won’t give them the chance. I’ll either find the item or no one will.*

Hearing him say that, I can’t help but feel a little worried and instinctively hold his hand.

MC: Let me help you too, okay?

Lucien: [gently whispers] Of course I need your help.

Lucien: I need you to keep staying well by my side and embracing me just like this.

His gentle whispers brush past my fingertips, but I feel a silent rejection and purse my lips a bit unhappily.

MC: Are you still afraid?

MC: Because of what happened before, you just want to put me in the safest place.

He doesn’t speak, as if this is yet another form of silent acknowledgment.

Relief and dread are intertwined. I’ve known for a long time that he buries his emotions even deeper than I do, which is why I need to embrace him tighter and for longer.

MC: I admit that the airplane incident scared me out of my mind, and even now, I’m still shaking.

MC: But I'm also worried that you'll be in danger, though I trust you, believe you can accomplish anything...

MC: Lucien, I want you safely by my side too.

His profound eyes are filled with my reflection. He simply gazes at me for a long time, as if this way he could lock me within them forever.

In the end, Lucien only tilts his head up and kisses me even deeper.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: The literal translation of that line is “I will either find the item or take care of/dispose of (it/him/them).” After discussing with Ivi, we decided to take some artistic liberties to capture this vagueness kskssk. The phrase "处理掉" (chǔ lǐ diào) is intentionally vague, literally meaning to dispose/take care of something. It's often used when something is taken care of through destruction, removal, or getting rid of something. It could mean he’s simply going to dispose of the item or eliminate the people involved or… both 👁️👁️

✂———————–

Part 6-> [Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ translation + video with sub EN (Part 3/3)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for an MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Sinking and Floating in Indulgence MQ | Part 1 (1-3) | Part 2 (4-5) | Part 3 (6) | ASMR

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

Part 4 - 5->[Here]

✂———————–

[Subbed Video, TURN ON CC!]

LOSING IT OVER THIS GUY BEWITCHING VOICE TF TF AHHHH.

✂———————–

—[Part 6]—Video Timestamp: [42:23]

Inside the cabin, the banquet hall emanates a touch of warmth that feels out of place.

The flowing lights fall upon Lucien’s black shirt, where the glimpses of bandages beneath inexplicably add some bewitching allure to his elegant demeanor.

Early in the morning, Holden selects several formal dresses and sends them over, saying that since today is New Year’s Eve in Loveland City, everyone should start adapting to local customs.

I can’t shake the feeling that he has ulterior motives. Just as I lean in to whisper to Lucien, I see Holden raising his glass and approaching us.

Holden: Thanks to Professor Lucien’s involvement, our experiment has achieved substantial progress.

Holden: Although the process has been filled with too many unforeseen 'uncertainties', forcing us to start over from the beginning, I believe it has all been worth it.

Holden: Just as you said, accidents are to be enjoyed.

Holden: I trust that after returning to Loveland City, we’ll be able to collaborate more deeply, don’t you agree?

Lucien: I've always enjoyed working with intelligent people.

Beneath the calm of this moment, something continues to surge in the undercurrents.

Aside from Lucien and me, nearly everyone on the ship belongs to Holden’s team.

If Lucien wants to find what he’s looking for without using Evol, these past few days have shown that it won’t be an easy task.

Silently, I lift my gaze toward Lucien. His expression remains composed, as if unconcerned by the present circumstances.

Lucien: Speaking of which, that matter I previously requested you to arrange...

Holden: Of course, no problem.

The other person raises an eyebrow. Soon, this simple banquet comes to a close.

✂———————–

But Lucien does not take me back to the room. Instead, he weaves left and right before finally arriving at the cargo ship’s kitchen.

I blink in confusion, then turn to him with a laugh.

MC: Professor Lucien, didn’t you eat your fill?

Lucien: I really didn’t have much of an appetite in that atmosphere.

Lucien: But more than that, I just want to share a simple meal with you alone today.

As he speaks, he opens the freezer door and unexpectedly takes out several bags of frozen dumplings.

MC: There are actually dumplings here…!

As I recall that the banquet mainly featured Western dishes, I vaguely understand the cryptic exchange Lucien and the other party were trading earlier.

Lucien: Apologies. I originally planned to show you my cooking skills at home this year.

Lucien: But now, it seems we’ll have to wait until we’re back for my Great Producer to properly appraise it.

MC: No need to apologize. After all, we're still spending this Chinese New Year's Eve together.

MC: But Professor Lucien, you better not forget the New Year’s Eve dinner you owe me~

As we chat and laugh, we set the pot to boil, and before long, billowing steam fills our surroundings.

The cold, stiff dumplings tumble into the pot. As I watch the tiny bubbles on the water’s surface, I suddenly feel that this moment is very peaceful.

For a fleeting instant, it feels as if we’ve returned to our warm home.

Lucien: MC, Happy New Year.

Hearing the blessing that falls by my ear, I turn my head and find the answer in those smiling eyes.

Lucien: I think, the more we're in this kind of atmosphere, the more we need some relaxation.

He lifts the lid and serves a bowl of dumplings.

The steaming mist blurs his eyes, making it hard to see them clearly.

He picks up a dumpling, brings it to his lips to blow on it carefully, and then holds it to my mouth.

Although its skin is a bit tough and the filling is rather ordinary, the steaming dumpling still brings me a sense of happiness as it enters my mouth.

Afterward, I can’t help but pick up one for him as well. We share the meal in silence, as though words aren’t needed

MC: It’s incredible. Though everything’s been coincidental and absurd, spending New Year’s here with you doesn’t feel wrong at all.

Lucien: [tenderly] Silly girl.

In the dense steam, he leans in close to my lips.

Softer than his lips, his tongue lingers even longer, not just bringing happiness but planting a seed that blooms endlessly in my heart.

Lucien: It will be over soon. After that, we’ll leave immediately.

His words sound like some kind of farewell, making me subconsciously worried.

But before I can ask, a wave of inexplicable dizziness comes over me-

I struggle to keep my eyes open, but Lucien's face gradually dissolves into the darkness.

Gazing at the girl asleep in his arms, Lucien kisses her on the forehead once more.

Holding her quietly, he carries her back to the guest room, lays her on the bed, and carefully tucks her in.

Lucien: [gently] Sweet dreams, MC.

When he turns around again, the tenderness on his face has already vanished. His narrow eyes glint with icy coldness.

Just as planned, he smoothly enters the concealed storage room he had noticed earlier. Based on his analysis over the past few days, he also located the reagent he wanted to verify.

As expected, it has lost its activity.

Though this isn’t a good outcome, when weighed against the girl’s safety, it can hardly be considered an excessive loss.

It can be considered that everything has gone as he wished.

He casually finds a spot to sit and speaks calmly.

Lucien: Professor Holden, you still won't come out. Aren’t you afraid I’ll destroy this thing?

.

.

.

In a drowsy haze, I open my eyes.

The room is dark and almost lightless, lit only by faint moonlight filtering through the porthole. There’s no Lucien by my side.

Surrounded by deathly silence, I suddenly have a terrible feeling. I grab Lucien’s coat and drape it over my shoulders without much thought before leaving the room.

The quiet corridor seems endless—it's as if I'm trapped again.

At this moment, my mind is surprisingly calm. Those pair of serene yet inscrutable eyes flash through my thoughts.

Perhaps… I finally grasp why all of this is happening.

...Lucien, you truly are an absolute big fool, a big bad guy!

In an instant, a familiar force surges from my chest, and a lustrous white light burst forth—

I need to have a proper talk with Lucien.

A bone-chilling cold permeates the air, making it feel like even one's breath could freeze into a thin layer of ice.

Crystal-clear ice spreads throughout the corridor of the cabin. Icicles hang from the ceiling here and there, their tips sharp as blades.

Scattered weapons and unknown equipment lie strewn everywhere. I stare blankly at this frost-covered scene as countless terrifying images seem to flash before my eyes.

Without another thought, I pick up a dropped handgun and sprint toward the frozen corridor’s end.

There is no sign of anyone on the ship, deathly silent as if it had been swept clean, with traces of frost all over the place.

I don’t know how long I’ve been running until I stop in front of an unremarkable door—

the only door that hasn’t been frozen shut.

I cautiously look around, then gently push the door so that it opens a crack.

Various artworks are scattered throughout the small space, while cold light falls indifferently, making the entire room feel even more cramped and somber.

Under the cold light in the corner, numerous packaged artworks haphazardly piled on the floor, like a small exhibition yet to be unveiled.

Strips of bright yellow tape cut a glaring boundary across my vision, warning away any visitors who don’t belong there.

A cold, indifferent figure stands at the center. He turns as if sensing something, and his gaze crashes into my furrowed eyes.

The air falls into silence.

Everything before me seems beyond ‘excuse’. His calm gaze dips slightly, eyelashes casting a faint shadow over his tranquil face.

Like a bad kid who knows he's doing something wrong but still insists on doing it, soberly indulges in his own actions.

I walk step by step toward him, check that he has no additional wounds, and only then do I turn my gaze to him.

MC: Is there anything you want to say to me?

Lucien: ….

He blinks and smiles, his expression somewhere between resignation and satisfaction.

Lucien: [that mix of helplessness and pride at her managing to break out the dream using her power:"] Your power has grown stronger.

A rush of heat relentlessly floods upward and I can’t help but tremble all over. I scan the room and then point to a table covered with bubble wrap.

MC: [sternly] Lie down.

Lucien: ….

Maybe my tone is too harsh, or I seem on the verge of anger, Lucien says nothing and simply lies down quietly.

Then, I forcefully rip off the yellow tape nearby and walk back to his side.

MC: Put your hands behind your back.

As if it were some tacitly understood command, he obeys me without a word.

I resentfully wind the tape around his body, but out of the corner of my eye, I catch the faint bloodstains seeping through, and the strength of my hands falters with reluctance.

Eventually, the tape coils loosely around his neck, shoulders, arms, and down to his exposed abdomen. It’s as if he, too, were a dangerous yet precious collectible.

Lucien continues to let me do as I please. As the tape adheres to his skin, his expression shifts, initially calm and quiet but now touched with enigmatic depth and curiosity.

He watches my every move without blinking. Clearly, he's the one who's bound, yet it feels as if I'm the subject of his interest.

The inexplicable impulse melts into guilt. Suddenly, I catch sight of a golf club nearby and, feigning composure, pick it up.

MC: Lucien, do you know what I’m doing?

Lucien: [hoarsely] I know.

Lucien: But just doing this... I’m afraid it’s not quite enough.

As he speaks, he lifts a hand that had somehow slipped free at some point and rests it against the back of my head.

His slender fingers slide into my hair, stroking through the strands. Every so often, his fingertips lightly graze the curve of my ear, sending a faint, tremulous weakness through my body.

Just as I teeter on the edge of surrender, he leans in, closing the distance between us. His lips trail up along my cheek before gently biting down on my earlobe.

Lucien: [breathlessly whispers in challenging tone] It needs to be this much, at least.

The bubble wrap around us rustles from friction as I press my bent knee against the inside of his thigh, but afraid of hurting him, I instinctively ease the pressure.

Yet the man beneath me doesn’t seem satisfied with my movement.

He wickedly shifts his leg, making me suddenly lose my fulcrum and involuntarily tip forward, but he swiftly tightens his hold on me with his thighs, leaving me to almost completely surrender my balance to him.

MC: You…

Lucien: There’s no one else here.

Lucien: [provocatively] After doing something so far out of line… if you’re just planning to tie me up and give me a little scare, that won’t do.

MC:  Who said I’m just trying to scare you?

Saying this, I bring the club closer, brushing it against his chin, forcing him to tilt his head back and meet my gaze.

MC: You only care about your own fear, but don’t you realize I can tie you up just like this too?

MC: And lock you up in a place where only I can see you, where I’m the only one you can see.

Lucien: MC, would you also want to... lock me up?

Along with his intimate, bewitching words, some kind of shiver seems to surge wildly through my mind, causing me to look at him on instinct.

MC: Lucien, I am the same as you. I will also possess the same emotions as you… and the same love.

Lucien: [bewitchingly] Then I suppose… perhaps we could make it a little deeper.

Lucien: That way, I can remember even better.

He keeps tucking my hair back again and again, arousing waves of tingling sensation through me.

Everywhere his scalding fingertips wander heats up quickly, as if the warmth is pressing into my blood, until my entire body is slick with sweat.

Unable to stifle my soft panting, I lift my hand and brush over the dried bloodstain on his cheek.

MC: ...Don’t move.

Lucien: But when I locked you up, I let you move freely.

MC: You’re shamelessly twisting words again. That’s a false equivalence!

Lucien: I admit it.

Lucien: But with you right here, how am I supposed to control myself?

Lucien: I just want you to prove it to me… much harder.

From the room's far end, infrared rays cast a dazzling red light. The light's edges trace the outlines of our pressed-together bodies, staining my hair to the very tips of his fingers.

Everything before my eyes blurs into a haze of sultry crimson.

The distant murmur of waves drifts in dully, while the chill-laden air surges forward, as if breaking through the floodgates of desire and plunging into the most intimate depths.

Lucien: [chuckles softly, then whispers huskily] Don’t let me out.

————FIN———–

[T/N]

*: The original line (比表皮更柔软,"内馅"更悠长-lit translated to “softer than the outer skin, the “fillings” lingers even longer”) is more metaphorical than my more physical translation. It uses food imagery, essentially comparing the dumpling to his lips and tongue, and I really don’t know how to translate it in a way that poetically retains this food imagery while still being both understandable and steamy enough so yeah-

Also, the last scene wasn’t as explicit as some others, but they definitely fucked at the end too. The biggest giveaway? That last line before his 'Don't let me out.' The combination of '探进' (literally means to enter and explore/slip into) and '幽密的深处' (literally: hidden and secret deep place) is a phrase often used in erotic writing as a metaphor for entering and exploring a woman's intimate depths.

✂———————–

[Afterwords + Some Rambles]

Okay, first of all…THIS DATE. THIS. DATE. A GOD-TIER CONFINEMENT DATE. Absolute peak, 10/10, would let myself get locked up again 🛐✨

Like, Lucien finally went all in on his impulse to lock MC up, and this time, it actually played out instead of getting cut short like in the main story. And the way they executed it? So quintessentially Xu Mo™. Seeing a man who has always "enjoyed" chaos, who has always kept control over every situation, becoming at a loss when it involves the one thing he can’t afford to lose? Delicious.

I love seeing this side of him, it is so raw, vivid, and real. I have to admit, it’s thrilling to watch his composure completely shatter the moment he realizes that accidents aren’t entirely within his control. Seeing his breakdown, his helplessness in the face of his greatest fear. Seeing the madness and tenderness intertwined in his desperate need to keep her by his side. The vulnerability that slips through, the hesitation he can’t quite hide. They all just chef kiss.

Then there’s also the (((mutual))) confinement… What makes this UR such a masterpiece isn’t just the act of confinement but why and how he does it and how she reacts to it. Lucien isn’t someone who simply wants to control MC for the sake of possessiveness or pleasure. He locks her away because, by rational calculation, it’s the most effective way to keep her safe. Not because he feels it’s for the best, but because eliminating all possibilities of her getting hurt is the only way to ABSOLUTELY ensure her safety. There’s possessiveness in his action, yet this date really, really makes it crystal clear that possessiveness is a smaller part of it; the bigger part is fear. He’s not even planning to keep her locked away forever, just until they get back to Loveland City, where she’ll be safe. The way he does the whole confinement thing is arguably logical yet it also circles back to being unhinged LOL.

The date starts with his apparent “indifference” and “coldness” toward war and lost lives, though in my opinion, neither word captures his true state. I think it’s just that Lucien doesn’t process emotions like a normal person. His default mode is rational calculation, not emotional response. When tragedy strikes, it isn’t that he fails to care; he simply can’t fully grasp and feel the emotions from it. It’s not “I see their pain, but I don’t care.” It’s “Why do people feel pain over this? I don’t really get it.”. People lose their lives all the time during war; that’s a simple fact. Some people inevitably need to be sacrificed for the greater good; that's also a simple fact. This detachment is compounded by the fact that he was raised by BS and the fact that when his parents died, he didn’t have time to process his grief as he was forced to run forward without pause, or he wouldn't survive.

Well, Lucien you soon will understand that feeling again- because when MC almost dies yet again for the n-th time, he gets it. As Chapter 25 of Season 1 puts it, she makes him understand an ordinary person’s fear, the fear of losing someone precious. She’s the only emotional reference point he has. It’s not like he lacks emotions, he doesn’t fully experience them unless she is the trigger. And when he does feel? It’s in the most intense, all-consuming way possible. The moment he realizes her plane has crashed, his entire world is shattered into pieces, turning this man, who always walks firmly towards his goal, just, so lost and doesn't even know why he is even walking forward. A sharp pain shoots through him, followed by a heavy numbness as his world fades to a dull, colorless monotony. Overwhelmed by the aching void left by her absence, he teeters on the edge of slipping back into hallucination.

But then MC appears, and her existence tears through the numbness like colorized film bursting from monochrome reels; the thought of almost losing her... again, forever this time, just aches so painfully. His usual composure just crumbles, and his emotions are on full display. Him, who is usually able to restrain his strength, just hugs her so, so tightly, like clinging onto the reality he desperately needs. He’s shaking. He repeats, “It’s okay.” over and over, but it’s clear he’s trying to convince himself ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ

Desperately, he wants, no, scratch that, needs to confirm that she's real. And what better way to prove that someone isn’t a hallucination than by touching, holding, and feeling them? In doing so, he also tries to calm her, shifting the focus away from her own fear. After all, physical contact releases oxytocin, reducing stress and reinforcing connection (and no, I’m not saying this out of nowhere sdjjdsjdjds, he literally explains this exact oxytocin mechanism in [Embrace Date]). I also like that MC mirrors this action to comfort him later;-;.

In everyday circumstances, he wouldn’t try to physically confine her. Even though he’s possessive, he knows that confinement (cause) would make her unhappy (effect), and since he doesn’t want that outcome, he chooses not to do it. It’s a simple, logical decision, an optimal solution based on cause and effect. But when random chance nearly robs him of her forever… he can't help but do the most optimal solution he can think of: remove chance entirely from the equation. So, he locks her up in the dream, eliminating all the possibility of her getting hurt.

Though it’s not without room for improvement, this date shows some of his growth too. For instance, compared to S1 chapter 25, where he waited for MC to fall asleep before admitting his fear of losing her, this time, he says it outright (“I’m afraid.”). Compared to Distant Similitude UR, he lets her comfort him here. And he’s painfully aware that she isn't exactly a fan of being confined (despite her also somewhat being used to this since it’s not her first rodeo LOL). That’s why he takes her out on walks from time to time and also tries his best to make the dream realistic so it seems as unrestrictive as possible. And deep down, he knows she’ll notice it soon, knows he can’t truly keep her locked up. That’s why, the moment she breaks free, he just smiles, both of resignation and satisfaction. Like saying, “Of course you did.”

MC’s reaction to all of this is just as fascinating. While she feels fear at first, it’s not because he trapped her, it’s because she’s afraid that none of it is real. Her fear isn’t about being confined; it’s about the possibility that this world, this moment, especially Lucien himself, might be an illusion. This aligns perfectly with what she said in [Tidying Date]:

Lucien: Why do you feel afraid?

Lucien: Is there something in my actions that makes you feel uneasy?

MC: No. I’m afraid because you make me feel so at ease.

MC: Afraid that this world which you made complete will collapse because of your departure.

MC: It’ll be like losing my own rib.

Her greatest fear isn’t being confined by him. It’s losing him. That’s why, after the first time she notices something is off, she no longer panics about being trapped; instead, curiosity takes over. Later, she’s mad that he lied, yes, but even more than that, she’s mad that he lied about his own safety. He’s always trying to protect her, but he refuses to let her protect him. And that? That’s what infuriates her the most. And perhaps, in the end, it’s also what drives her to realize she wants to confine him too, realizing that they have the same kind of love for each other.

Lucien, with his self-destructive tendencies, his guilt for being somehow related to her accident, and his need to punish himself for what he perceives as his failure to protect her, happily accepts the punishment and even goads her to be harsher. And perhaps, the moment she turns the tables on him, something shifts between them. I think, her act of confining him makes him feel happy and cherished in a way because it means that to her, he’s just as precious as she is to him. (And MC, your threat of locking him up in a place where only you can see him and he can only see you will only make him even more thrilled LOL. After all, as he put it on his first Valentine date, all he longs for is your eyes on him~).

This seemingly new side of her intrigues him as well. And he’s a greedy, greedy man who wants to possess all of her, which also includes her possessiveness over him and her dominance. In some ways, perhaps they’re just perfect for each other like this, mutually possessive and feeding on each other's possessiveness. Or, as the kids put it, they match each other freak/no.

Anyway, thank you for reading if you have made it this far. Hopefully, I’ll post the ASMR ( cough if you need more of him being locked up and punished cough) soon~

[whiteswanco]

[CN] Kiro's In the Heart of Destiny Mind's Quest (1/3)

🌸 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date that hasn't been released on the EN server yet! 🌸

[Note: This date was translated with the help of Google Translate :>]

Trigger Warning: This Mind's Quest explores mature sexual themes, themes of violence, and trauma. Avoid reading this date if you do not meet the game's required 17+ age rating.

I highly recommend reading the Main Story chapters (at least season 1), as well as Kiro's R&S: Top Experimental Subject before reading the Mind's Quest.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 1]

MC: This year, each department has completed many important goals. So during the Spring Festival, everyone should have a good rest. See you all next year...

Before I finish my summary, there is a knock on the door of the conference room. An employee from the business department walks in with an excited look on his face and his voice is so high, it's almost out of tune.

Staff: Boss! We received an email from Ms. Sarah! She is willing to give us her new work to produce!

MC: Who?

Staff: Who else? The queen of suspense, Sarah Pellegrini!

-

MC: ......"I sincerely hope that you can come to P Island, and I will do my best to be your host here.

MC: I will also discuss with you the film and television adaptation of my new book, Flower House*."

MC: Woohoo, Kiro, did you hear that?

Kiro: I heard it...

Through the mobile phone, Kiro's voice blends with the sound of the ship starting in my ears, sounding almost unreal.

As I turn up the volume, Kiro on the other end of the video call also zooms in.

At this moment, the sun shines brightly outside the ship on my side, while a bright moon hangs high outside the window on his side.

He leans back on the sofa and loosens the collar of his costume.

Kiro: [sulking] Honestly, you don't even read the emails I write to you so eloquently.

Kiro pouts in feigned dissatisfaction, and I smile sheepishly.

MC: I'm just so happy... After all, this is Ms. Sarah, the queen of suspense!

MC: You have no idea how many film and television companies around the world are eyeing her new book...

Kiro: I know I know—

Kiro drags out the last syllable of his sentence, and his tone becomes even more resentful.

Kiro: Because Nafei Film and Television also sent her an invitation letter.

MC: Nafei? The world's largest streaming media company?

Kiro: Uh-huh, they wrote "Kiro will star as the lead", "an estimated investment of tens of millions of dollars", as well as "Hollywood's top production team"...

Kiro: I didn't expect them to get bested by your team. They must be so depressed right now.

MC: Pfft, it doesn’t matter. Even if Mr. Kiro can’t be the leading actor for Nafei Films, he can still be the leading actor of [MC's Company Name].

Kiro: The leading man of [MC's Company Name]...

MC: What, you don't want to be one?

Kiro: Of course I do.

Kiro answers without hesitation, his eyebrows curved.

Kiro: Looking at it this way, you've become very powerful.

MC: Huh? Why do you say that all of sudden?

Kiro: I don’t know, it's just something that occurred to me and I wanted to say it.

Kiro moves the camera a little closer, and I am granted a much clearer view of his bright blue eyes.

Kiro: It feels like it was just yesterday that you invited me to help you save the endangered "Miracle Finder".

Kiro: Today, you're competing with the world's leading film and television companies.

Kiro: [affectionately] I… I’m really happy for you.

MC: After all, I have an international superstar boyfriend. So of course I have to work hard and strive for a career that will make him my permanent leading man!

Kiro: [almost resentfully] Mm, you work so hard, you have to go on a business trip to talk about work until the Spring Festival...

MC: Hahaha, so that's what you've been sulking about~

Seeing that Kiro is about to pout again, I quickly raise my hand to make a promise.

MC: Five days! I will finish the discussion within five days and come back to celebrate the Spring Festival with you!

Kiro: It’s a deal. If you don’t finish the discussion within five days, I will come to P Island and arrest you myself.

Kiro: You have to compensate Kiro for his "missing you fee", "loss of sharing delicious food fee", and "loss of kissing and hugging each other fee"!

We exchange a few words, and then Savin's voice sounds from his side. Kiro nods towards the camera and then turns to look at me.

Kiro: Savin has asked me to get to the shoot. I will video chat with you later when I have time.

MC: Okay, I'll hang up then.

Kiro: ....Wait a minute.

Kiro suddenly calls out to me. He opens his mouth hesitantly, and his expression grows more serious.

Kiro: It suddenly occurred to me that Ms. Sarah lives near Sicily?

Kiro: There's been some unrest there lately. There may be mafia activity. Please be careful when you get there, and feel free to contact me if anything happens.

Unrest? But as far as I can remember, I haven't seen any recent news about public security here.

A trace of doubt flashes through my mind, but I still nod and assure Kiro. Then, he reluctantly hangs up the phone.

I put away my phone and walk out of the cabin.

Although winter has arrived, the Mediterranean climate makes everything remain pleasant and comfortable.

Brushing away my hair, I watch the bow of the ship quickly cut through the surface of the sea, the ripples churning, and head towards the small island ahead of me.

-

P Island is not large in area, with only one small town on the island. The reefs and mountains embrace the locally-styled red tiles and white walls, making it resemble a secluded paradise.

Several of my colleagues and I follow the tourists off the boat. As soon as we arrive at the dock, we hear a cheerful female voice.

??: Ciao, MC.

I turn around and see a red-haired lady in a black dress waving at me with a smile.

MC: Ms. Sarah?

Sarah: It's me. I think you've seen my picture on the flaps of some books.

MC: Of course I have, but you look much younger and more energetic than in those pictures.

Ms. Sarah is not a writer who is keen on being in the spotlight. In the collection of news and interviews of her, she always appears as melancholy as her writing.

But at this moment, she is as cheerful and amiable as the midday sunshine in southern Italy.

Sarah: Oh, writers come out transformed after they finish up the hell of writing.

MC: Haha, I totally agree. Every time I finish a show, I feel like I’m reborn…

MC: However, it is precisely this "life and death" training that has lead us to meet here.

Sarah bursts into laughter and holds out a black-gloved hand towards me.

Sarah: Then, as someone who has also been "reborn after going through hell", I welcome you to P island.

-

We walk and talk with Ms. Sarah, and under her guidance, we arrive at a manor in the depths of town.

The manor is full of lush greenery and scattered flowers; it is obvious that it is carefully cared for by the owner every day. I let my eyes roam around the place.

MC: Did you get the idea for "Flower House" while you were tending to your own flower house?

Sarah: Honey, you're so funny.

Sarah smiles and shakes her head, looking forward.

Sarah: The inspiration for "Flower House" actually stems from an experience in my childhood.

Sarah: That experience was painful and has been haunting me ever since.

Sarah: But I thought it was time to face it and write it down, something like a farewell to that old thing.

Her voice gradually lowers, as if she has swallowed a sigh. I realize that I've said something wrong and quickly apologise to her.

MC: Sorry, I shouldn't have made such a joke before reading the novel...

Sarah: It's okay, I really like your sense of humor.

Sarah: In a moment, you will be able to see the outline and manuscript of "Flower House". You're going to be its first reader.

MC: That's great!

-

I ask the other employees to settle in and adjust to the time difference, while I myself am unable to wait to follow Sarah to the study.

Sarah hands me the manuscript and thoughtfully makes a cup of coffee for me.

At first, I am still able to drink the coffee and smile while appreciating the exquisite diction in the novel and the humor hidden in the dialogues.

But gradually, the corners of my mouth could no longer curl up, and only my fingertips continue flipping the pages silently.

MC: "The gardener said that in order to grow more beautiful flowers in the greenhouse, inferior varieties weren't needed..."

MC: "And then the flowers withered. Only I remained."

As the new generation queen of suspense, Sarah's greatest strength is that she's able to make people empathize with all the emotions of her protagonist. The tension, sadness, happiness...

At the same time, she also likes bringing up a pair of dark hands lurking in the shadows whenever the readers and the protagonist breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that all the truth has come to light.

These hands will gather the fog again and cause the protagonist to fall back into his childhood nightmare.

And in "Flower House", all of this finally comes to an end.

MC: "...I picked up the gardener's hatchet and walked towards him. And towards myself."

MC: This story is... so sad.

I close the manuscript and sigh.

MC: I originally thought that everything would end once the protagonist successfully avenged his childhood self... Why did he end his own life in the end?

Sarah: Because the pain of being trapped in the Flower House can never be relieved, only avenged.

Sarah: Those who have fallen into darkness can never be saved. The only way out is through death.

Sarah lowers her eyes. Her tone is light, as if she is saying something that is completely justified.

Is it true that there can never be liberation and salvation?

My heart aches because of her words, and a bright golden color suddenly flashes through my mind—

What about him?

Does Kiro, who was once in a similar situation as the protagonist in the book, also suffer and struggle in the same way?

Did I really pull him out of that darkness?

Thinking of this, I frown and bite my lower lip. But Sarah seems to misunderstand my expression and quickly leans forward.

Sarah: Sorry, did my words affect you?

MC: No, no, I was just thinking of someone I know.

Sarah: Who?

MC: He is actually the actor I want to recommend to you, Kiro.

MC: He's had similar experiences as the protagonist and has also faced a lot of darkness.

MC: He should be able to fit into the role well when performing...

Sarah: Wait, the Kiro you mentioned, is that the Kiro from B.S. Entertainment?

I nod, and the curiosity on Sarah's face suddenly disappears. She twitches the corner of her mouth, revealing a subtle expression.

Sarah: If it's him, I refuse.

MC: Why? Do you think he is too young? But I can vouch for his acting skills, and his professionalism is second to none in the industry...

Sarah: It has nothing to do with Mr. Kiro, I just don't want artistes from B.S. Entertainment to act in my works.

Sarah: I have some issues with them.

Sarah: It was precisely because of this that I declined the first invitation from Nafei Film and Television.

MC: .......

I never expected Nafei Film and Television to miss the opportunity because of this. I am rendered speechless.

Could it be that talks of collaboration between B.S. Entertainment and Sarah fell through, and they have since been blacklisted by the Queen of Suspense? I mutter to myself.

The atmosphere starts to become a little awkward, so I simply change the subject.

MC: We can discuss the role selection later. It's getting late now, so why don't we...

Bang. Before I can finish my words, a noise comes from downstairs.

Sarah looks at me in confusion and stands up.

Sarah: Maybe something got blown down by the wind. I'll go check it out.

She only takes a few steps out of the study when she suddenly lets out a scream.

Sarah: Why... you all...?!

??: ....Because we're done waiting.

A vague and unfamiliar male voice comes from downstairs. My heart skips a beat and an ominous feeling spreads throughout my chest.

I quickly rush out of the study and go to Sarah.

-

Looking down the stairs, the scene in the living room immediately clogs my throat.

Several men are seated on the sofa, each of them holding a gun, their black muzzles pointing at Sarah and me.

One of the men looks at me and gives me an extremely evil smile.

Man: Buongiorno, Signora MC… Oh wait.

He grins and slowly changes his words.

Man: Queen of Black Swan.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 2]

Queen.

This unexpected name makes my brain go blank for a few seconds, and I find myself frozen in place for a while.

Who are they?

I suddenly remember the last instructions Kiro gave me during our video call on the boat.

-[Flashback]-

Kiro: There's been some unrest there lately. There may be mafia activity. Please be careful when you get there, and feel free to contact me if anything happens.

-[End of Flashback]-

Could it be that the "unrest" he was referring to is because of these people?

But why is the Mafia calling me... Queen?

I suppress the pounding in my heart and try my best to keep my tone steady, as if I have experienced many storms before.

MC: Who are you.

Man: It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is who you are.

MC: Meaning what.

Man: We need you to do us a favor.

MC: How troublesome.

The man changes his sitting posture, but the muzzle of his gun remains trained to my head.

T/n: I really like the touch of having MC imitate Helios' way of speaking when talking to the mafia. Really shows how couples rub off on each other 🥹

Man: Call the Boss of BS over.

The boss of BS... Kiro? What do they want to do with Kiro?!

I knew it. This is the organization that has been causing Kiro trouble every day, preventing him from getting peace of mind!

I curse him fiercely in my heart, but try to remain calm on the surface.

Should I play dumb for now? Or just say something to deceive him? Or should I agree first and then find a chance to contact Kiro...?

All kinds of thoughts run through my mind over and over again.

Since the other party isn't directly using force and only threatening us, they must be concerned about something.

Deciding to test them again, I raise a sneer.

MC: How interesting. Is this your way of asking for help? What makes you think I can call over the Boss of BS....

Man: Of course you can. After all, you are responsible for the staff resting in the hotel right now, right?

MC: You!

These people are so despicable! I take a breath and speak hastily.

MC: My employees have nothing to do with any of this. If you are looking for someone from BS, then I'm standing right here!

Man: Alright.

The man unexpectedly agrees with me. He waves his hand and gives his men some instructions in Italian.

Man: As long as you are willing to cooperate, my men will not disturb their rest.

Man: As for you two ladies, how about you please come down and take a seat?

I turn my head to look at Sarah. Her face is as pale as snow and she looks quite frightened.

Things related to BS... should not involve these ordinary people.

I take a deep breath, squeeze Sarah's arm, and lead her down the stairs.

Under the threat of gunpoint, I slowly take out my cell phone and call Kiro.

Busy tone, busy tone, busy tone...

No one answers the phone for several consecutive times. The man on the other end of the phone starts to look impatient, but I am relieved.

During work, Kiro and I rarely make continuous calls like this — If there is an emergency, we'd also find other ways to communicate.

If he sees me calling continuously and persistently, he will definitely understand... I bite my lip.

Just as I am about to hang up the fifth call, that familiar voice suddenly sounds from the other end of the receiver.

Kiro: For miss MC to be in such a hurry to find me, is something wrong?

His tone at this moment is polite and distant, as if we are just ordinary business partners.

In an instant, my uneasy heart settles down.

—Even without any hints or opening remarks, he is always able to understand me and my situation.

I clench my phone and speak in the same tone as him.

MC: Hello, Mr. K, could you contact the boss of BS?

There is silence for a few seconds on the other end of the phone, followed by another polite laugh.

Kiro: Miss, you're really making things hard for me... How am I supposed to contact someone as elusive as the Boss?

MC: But I have something urgent to discuss with him. Could you please help me, Mr. K? Just tell him...

MC: Queen needs him.

Kiro: Then... I'll do my best.

Kiro "reluctantly" agrees and hangs up the phone. I shrug at the man.

MC: I've tried my best. As for whether the boss is willing to contact you, then...

Before I finish speaking, my phone rings. It's a video invite from an unknown number.

As soon as I press the connect button, the dark night of Loveland City splashes onto my screen like ink. A dazzling silver that cuts through the night leaps into my field of vision.

A cloud of white mist still lingers around Helios' lips, as if he has just rushed outside. There is undisguised worry in his eyes, but he speaks with arrogance.

Helios: Queen.

—Isn't this transformation way too quick?! The enemy will find out!

I secretly glare at Helios, but Helios pretends not to notice and speaks first with confidence.

Helios: You are the Queen, so of course all your actions are being monitored by BS.

Helios: Including the fact that you called Kiro five times for help.

MC: Stalker.

Helios: [indifferently] Thank you for the compliment.

The moment our eyes meet, I feel as if he has gently hooked my little finger, or planted a feather-light kiss on the corner of my mouth.

It's cunning, and provocative.

Sarah: You're the Boss of BS...?

An unexpected voice sounds, and I turn to look at Sarah in confusion.

The writer who has been immersed in fear ever since coming downstairs, seems to finally come to her senses. She looks at Helios in the video with slight disbelief.

Sarah: So young....

MC: What did you say?

Her sentence is slightly muffled and I'm unable to catch it. At this moment, the man on the sofa opposite me snatches away my phone at once. He stares straight at Helios, his mouth stretching into a grin, revealing his sharp white teeth. It's like he wants to tear Helios' flesh off.

Man: I believe that this young boss has already seen our hostage, so please come to P island alone within 48 hours.

Man: Or else, Sicily won't mind one more bloodbath.

With my back towards the phone, I am unable to see Helios' expression through the screen, but I hear a very lazy laugh.

Helios: It doesn't take that long. Maybe 24 hours.

Helios: If she loses even a hair, I don't mind having one more murder on my hands.

-

MC: ....Kiro should have boarded the plane to Europe by now.

I stare at the dark ceiling above my head and sigh silently.

After the negotiation, all communication devices belonging to Sarah and me are confiscated and we are placed under house arrest in our rooms on the second floor.

I am worried about Sarah, my employees - who are now caught in this mess - and Kiro, who is on the other side of the ocean.

He'll take care of everything. He's a superhero.

I repeat this to myself over and over again, but this self-comfort isn't able to soothe the restlessness in my chest.

For some reason, something about today's kidnapping feels off, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to figure out what exactly.

Finally, after turning over in bed for the ninth time, I resign myself to my fate and sit up and walk towards the window.

At this moment, everything outside the window is silent, with only the occasional sound of footsteps near the manor, announcing the fact that I'm still under their surveillance.

The night sky and the sea merge together, and the distant sea breeze stirs up the waves, beating them against the island over and over again.

I stare at the night for a long time. So long, that my eyes start to feel swollen and sore.

It doesn't matter. Once the sun rises, I'll be able to see him again.

MC: Kiro....

I cover my face, letting the moisture in the corners of my eyes melt into my palms as I murmur his name.

??: [chuckling] So this is how the Queen thinks of me.

MC: ?!

For a moment, I almost think myself to be hallucinating and raise my head from my palm in disbelief.

Through my tearful eyes, the man I have been thinking about appears before my eyes. He leans on the windowsill with one hand and reaches out to me with the other.

Helios: Won't you give me a hand?

Helios: This posture is rather uncomfortable, and you wouldn't want me to get discovered by the patrol outside, would you?

My body responds to his question faster than my brain does. I hold Helios's hand and feel his familiar warmth through our overlapping palms.

This isn't a hallucination, or a dream.

I am holding my lover's hand.

Due to inertia, I stagger back a few steps, pulling Helios into the room from the window sill, and the two of us tumble down to the floor together.

Although a layer of carpet separates us from the floor, the muffled sound of the impact still brings a dull pain to my shoulder blades.

But I have no time to care about my body's protests, because at this moment, my heart and eyes are solely focused on the person on top of me.

MC: Ki....

My breath is overpowered by Helios'.

His kiss still carries the dampness of a winter night, his lips cold, while his tongue, hot.

It is so hot, that it burns me inch by inch, from my lips to my ears.

Back and forth, on repeat.

Rather than being affectionate, it is more like we are using this awkward and urgent kiss to confirm each other's existence.

My grip on his clothes gets tighter and tighter, taking in the tension of his undulating muscles.

It is obvious that he is the one plundering me, yet I feel a certain greedy desire for him growing wildly in my mind.

MC: Kiro....

I whisper his name again.

Helios: I'm here.

Even though it is so dark in front of us that we can barely make out each other's outlines, our eyes stay fixed on the other.

A bit of moonlight shines through the clouds and seeps into his deep blue eyes.

Helios: I'm late.

MC: You big doofus.

MC: It's only been a few hours, and you're already here...

Helios: But you cried.

Helios' fingers gently stroke the red corners of my eyes.

Helios: If I had come earlier, you wouldn't have cried.

MC: You just want me to cry now.

My righteous complain makes Helios laugh out loud. He hums, leans over and presses my head into his shoulder.

Helios: [whispering] You can cry as much as you want, I will continue.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

[CHAPTER 3]

We lay on the carpet hugging each other, quietly listening to each other's heartbeats.

Once my excitement finally subsides a little, I softly speak up.

MC: So how did you just... "pop up"?

Helios: I think you're the doofus, Miss Chips.

Helios helplessly pokes my forehead.

Helios: After knowing that you were being held hostage, how do you expect me to come rescue you in a "normal" way?

Helios: I found an Evolver with a teleportation Evol in BS, confirmed your location, and asked him to send me over.

I stick out my tongue. I did indeed forget that such a possibility existed.

Helios: As for the group of people that kidnapped you, I found out that they are the Ansoto family, a notorious mafia gang.

Helios: They were held responsible for a smuggling operation that got busted by BS and have been wanting to take revenge.

Helios: I reminded you to be careful because I had heard a report about this matter at a BS meeting. [Takes in a breath] I didn't expect it to be...

He pauses when he says this. When he speaks again, there is a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Helios: But I do find this a bit strange. How did they know your identity, and where did they get your itinerary from?

Upon hearing his words, I finally realize why I felt something was wrong before.

MC: Yes, I was wondering about that too... And if they have a grudge against BS, why did they insist on you coming here alone?

Helios: Why else? They're overestimating themselves if they think they can handle BS.

Helios sneers. He lets go of me and helps me sit up.

Helios: I'll settle the score with them later. The most important thing now is to get you to safety.

I am about to nod, only to suddenly remember something important, and I quickly grab Helios' sleeve.

MC: Wait, they not only held me hostage, but also Ms. Sarah and the staff I brought with me. If they find out tomorrow that I'm missing...

Helios: Don't worry.

Helios reaches out and takes my hand in his.

Helios: I'm a superhero. I'll keep everyone safe.

-

Since we are unsure of how many mafia members are stationed here, we decide to act quietly.

The mafia guarding the corridor barely get any time to react before Helios quickly knocks them to the ground. After confirming that there is no surveillance on the second floor, we quickly come to the door of the room where Sarah is being held.

The door lock is a piece of cake for Helios. We wink at each other and I enter the room first.

As soon as the door is opened, a ray of light pours out from the crack of the door.

I take a light step inside, and the figure sitting by the bed quickly raises her head.

Sarah: MC? How are you--

I quickly make a shushing gesture to her and point to the door.

MC: Long story short, someone has come to rescue us.

I pull Sarah up from the bed as a look of confusion displays across her face. She looks over my shoulder and notices Helios standing behind me.

Sarah: You're BS's....

Helios: Mm. You must have seen me in that video call this morning.

Helios: Long story short, I'm here to rescue you.

Helios leans against the door frame and smiles, imitating my tone.

Sarah: ........

Despite his friendly tone, Sarah shudders all over and I blink in confusion.

MC: Ms. Sarah?

Sarah: I... I'm sorry, I was quite frightened.

She closes her eyes tightly twice, and after exhaling, her expression returns to the calmness it had during the day.

Sarah: Thank you, young boss of BS.

Helios: You're welcome. You and MC go to the dock and wait for help. I'll go and rescue the rest of your employees.

Sarah: If that's the case we could go through the gardens. There's a path leading from the estate to the town.

Sarah: You go ahead, I'll find the key to the garden and come down right away.

There is no time to waste. Helios nods and leaves the room.

I hesitate for a moment, but am still more worried about Helios' safety, so I nod towards Sarah and walk out of the room.

His fresh scent still seems to linger in the air. I walk along the corridor, carefully avoiding the mafia who have been knocked unconscious on the ground.

The closer I get to the stairs, the stronger the sickly-sweet smell becomes.

It's the smell of blood.

I can't help but hold my breath and gaze at the agile silhouette who is still in the midst of fighting.

Helios is like a cheetah hunting in the dark, silent and fluid as he maneuvers through several mafia members.

His movements aren't superfluous, while his fighting style is quick and decisive, as if he isn't on a small island in southern Italy, but on the set of an action movie.

These people don't even have time to scream before their sounds are stabbed back by the dagger he wields.

In less than a minute, the only sound that remains in the living room is that of slightly rapid breathing.

At this moment, Helios seems to sense my gaze and looks up at me. Although the light is dim, I can still see the corners of his mouth perk up.

Helios: Come on down, it's all over.

MC: [nervously] Kiro, you wouldn't have... done that to all of them, would you?

Helios: [chuckles] Which is?

I make a gesture of swiping my neck, eliciting a sneer out of him.

Helios: Oh, I didn't do "that" to them. It's just that when they wake up, some of their muscles and joints are gonna hurt so much that they'll want to die.

As he says this, Helios reaches out and pulls me into his arms, biting my lips in dissatisfaction.

Helios: [in a mischievously soft voice] As soon as you come down, you're only worried about whether I did "that" to them? Why not care about whether I'm hurt or not?

I wrinkle my nose in pain and softly protest.

MC: A bad guy who has time to bite people doesn't need me to... hiss.

Before I can finish my words, he grazes my ear again. His teeth grabs at the soft flesh, causing a slight sting.

Helios: [seductively whispers] ....I'll let you pay me back later.

While this guy is clearly threatening me, his husky voice carries a hint of Kiro's signature flirtatiousness, making him impossible to resist.

I am about to say something back when I am interrupted by footsteps coming from upstairs.

Sarah cautiously pokes her head out from the stairwell and sees Helios and I embracing.

Slightly embarrassed, I take a step away from Helios' arms.

MC: Did you find the key?

Sarah: Mm. Have you... dealt with those mafia folks?

Helios: It's probably just the three of us who are standing in this room right now.

Sarah parts her lips slightly, as if she wants to say something, but she swallows it back.

Sarah: Then let's leave quickly.

-

With Sarah's guidance, we bypass the mafia in the manor and soon arrive at the garden's back door. The iron gate is wrapped with several circles of heavy iron chains, and a somewhat mottled iron lock hangs on it.

Sarah hands the key to Helios. Helios is stunned for a moment, but still takes it and turns to the lock.

Dawn approaches, and in the far east, a subtle blue-gray light becomes visible in the distance.

The lock seems a little rusty and the key squeaks as it turns.

Sarah suddenly grabs my hand and takes a few steps back.

Sarah: MC, I'm sorry.

A little confused, I look at her, only to find that Sarah has already burst into tears. She suddenly raises her hands, holding something between her fingers.

It's a gun.

MC: ......?!

Sarah: Per i fiori appassiti nella serra (For the withered flowers in the greenhouse).

Her fingers tremble violently, and the moment she finishes speaking, she pulls the trigger without hesitation.

Bang--!

The sound of gunfire and the sound of the iron lock opening, rings out at the same time.

Screams ignite the rising sun, and blood awakens the silent island.

MC: Kiro!

Helios: .....!

The moment the gun goes off, Helios realizes something is wrong and instinctively dodges to the side, the bullet just grazing past his arm.

As soon as he stands firm, Sarah raises the gun again.

Sarah staggers, tears still welling up in her eyes, and an expression of near madness on her face.

Sarah: Both, the Ansoto family and BS should die together!

Before the second shot is fired, Helios jumps up and appears in front of Sarah like a ghost. With just one strike, the pistol flies out of the woman's hand and into his.

Click.

The tables are turned. Helios releases the safety and points his gun at Sarah. His blue eyes are as cold as ice, shining brightly in the night.

Helios: [voice menacingly low] Answer me, who are you?

Sarah: ......

Sarah painfully arches her back, but doesn't even articulate a groan.

??: Who's there!

A loud shout is heard near the garden, and it is clear that the gunshot has attracted the attention of the remaining mafia in the manor.

Seeing the large number of mafia beginning to approach the garden, Helios knows there's no time to interrogate Sarah.

He looks around, juts out his tongue, and makes a quick decision.

Helios: You go first, I'll take care of them.

MC: No, I want to stay with you...

My next words are interrupted by something he puts in my hand — a communicator.

His stands upright, his eyes not turned towards me, but towards the encirclement not far away, showing high alert.

Helios: I leave my back to you.

He never thinks of me as a burden, and superheroes should trust each other with everything.

I bite my lip and lean close to his ear.

MC: There's an abandoned lighthouse south of the pier. I'll wait for you there.

Helios nods slightly, and his eyes meet mine for a moment.

I turn around, push the door open, and run towards the path.

Bang——Foreign shouts and gunshots sound behind me, adding the final crazy melody to the chaos of this night.

Finally, once the manor is engulfed by the shadows of the trees, I can't help but turn my head to look back.

Helios is lost in the crowd, but Sarah does not join in the dispute and remains motionless.

In the distance, the morning light just begins to break, and she is dressed in a black dress, akin to a mourning crow.

——*:･ﾟ✧——*:･ﾟ✧——

Next: Part 2

*Note: The proper translation of Sarah's book title "花房" is actually "Greenhouse", but I left it as "Flower House" instead cause it sounds a lot cooler, in my opinion. But if you want, you can read it as "Greenhouse" instead :>

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s 2024 Birthday Story - First Snow Wish Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a story that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien’s 2024 CN Birthday Event (Golden Love Ratio)✧ Birthday Story (You’re here!) | Birthday Prologue + Birthday Date | ASMR | Birthday Party

Of course, he would have his parents live there too, reserving the biggest and most beautiful research room for them.

That way, Mom and Dad wouldn't have to go to the laboratory anymore.

When that time came, he would invent a machine that could make things easier for his parents, so they wouldn't have to be so busy and could spend more time with him.

Translation under the cut!

This year’s theme is “childhood dreams,” so the pre-evolve CG depicts the dreams the boys had as children about what they would be like as adults. Along with the usual birthday R&S-style story, there’s also a chibi event story.

The R&S-style story focuses on his birthday as a child (possibly his 5th birthday, since his 6th is already covered in his 3rd birthday R&S). Meanwhile, the chibi event explores the dream he has. As for translating the chibi events... let’s see if I will have time🤧

[Birthday Story - First Snow Wish]

Loveland City has reached late autumn, but the first snow has yet to arrive.

A little boy sat at his desk, leafing through a thick science magazine and occasionally glancing out at the cold weather outside. At this hour, Mom and Dad should be coming home soon.

As if confirming his intuition, he soon heard the sound of the door lock turning downstairs. The boy's eyes lit up instantly as he dashed out of his room, quickly bouncing down the stairs, where he saw his mom and dad at the entrance, taking off their coats. His dad was holding a box of videotapes, while his mom carried a cake box.

"Happy birthday, my precious! Your dad and I brought a movie on videotape. We think you'll really like it! Want to watch it together?" Mom said, smiling as she hung up her coat and took the boy's hand.

"And besides the cake—" Dad winked mysteriously, "I'm going to show off my skills today and cook a feast for you and your mom."

[T/N: His Mom called him 宝贝 (bǎobèi) 🥺 It's not a loanword from the English "baby," but rather a Chinese term of endearment that literally means "treasure" or "precious one." I translate this word as “my precious” to attempt to capture this nuance.]

In the living room, the television hummed softly. Mom carefully adjusted the VCR, making sure the picture was clear. Dad carried the boy to the sofa and meticulously covered him with a blanket.

The videotape started to play, and a snow-covered castle appeared on the screen. The boy sat between his parents, his small hands holding a steaming plate of dumplings, completely absorbed in the story unfolding on the screen.

[Notes from Lux: The dumplings!!!🤧 reminds me of his first CNY SSR when he asked MC to teach him how to make dumplings 🥺]

The inventor in the movie was creating all sorts of wonderful machines in his castle: flying bicycles, talking teapots, and even a machine that could make rainbows. The boy's eyes widened greatly as he watched these bizarre arrays of fantastical inventions.

"Mom and Dad, will your lab be able to make such magical things in the future?”

Dad laughed cheerfully. "The magic of science is that it can make seemingly impossible things possible. Just like the inventor in the movie, we are also pursuing new discoveries."

"But what's even more magical," he added, "is that... son, whatever you like, Mom and Dad will work hard to make it a reality."

The boy raised his eyebrow a bit skeptically, but he didn’t rush to voice the question in his mind. However, his expression was keenly noticed by his mom, and he felt the gentle touch of her hand on his hair.

"My precious, whether it's science or life, the driving force behind everything is the simplest ‘love’."

Before they knew it, snow began to fall over the small town in the movie, as the film was drawing to a close. The boy contentedly looked at his parents, but then from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the fresh snowflakes drifting down outside the window. It was the first snow of the year.

"Let's go out and take a look, we can even build a snowman~" Before the boy could even speak, his mom had already read his mind and gave his dad a meaningful glance.

So Dad immediately got up and found scarves and gloves for the three of them. First, he carefully helped the boy put on his hat and tied his scarf, then he wrapped Mom in her favorite warm-colored scarf. Once the three of them were all bundled up, they excitedly headed out the door.

A thin, delicate layer of white snow had already accumulated in the courtyard, glimmering faintly under the streetlight. The boy couldn’t wait to dash into the yard. He reached out his small hands to catch the falling snowflakes, watching them quietly melt in his palms, and let out a laugh of delighted surprise.

Dad squatted down and started building a small snowman. “Come, let’s give it a big belly together.” The boy and his mom joined in, working together seamlessly: the father took charge of building the main body, the mother shaped and refined it, while the boy was responsible for “dressing up” the snowman.

"We should use these for its eyes!" The boy picked up two small pebbles and solemnly pressed them onto the snowman's face.

"What about the nose?" Mom asked.

"How about a carrot? Just like in the movie."

Dad immediately ran home to get a carrot and also brought out one of his old hats. It seems that as long as it’s something the boy imagines, they’ll do their best to make it come true in real life.

"Hmm... it also needs a lab coat, so it looks like the inventor in the movie." The boy examined the snowman quite seriously, just as he saw his mother, unable to hold back a smile, take off her own scarf and attentively wrap it around the snowman's neck.

As the curtain of night began to descend, snowflakes continued to drift down quietly. The snowman stood alone in the snow, wearing Dad's hat and wrapped in Mom's scarf. The boy thought of the grand castle from the movie and the inventor's lone and busy figure in the laboratory.

A tiny hope suddenly welled up from the bottom of his heart. How wonderful it would be if he could live in a place like that when he grew up, surrounded by fantastic inventions, with snow always visible outside the window. Of course, he would have his parents live there too, reserving the biggest and most beautiful research room for them. That way, Mom and Dad wouldn't have to go to the laboratory anymore.

The boy pondered, his eyes gradually lighting up. When that time came, he would invent a machine that could make things easier for his parents, so they wouldn't have to be so busy and could spend more time with him.

However, if he became a scientist like his parents, he could not only explore more of the unknown in the world, but also become as capable as them and help them solve difficult problems at work.

[Notes from Lux: In other words, becoming an inventor was his ‘selfish’ dream, stemming from his desire to spend more time with his parents. However, he also always wants to follow in his parents' footsteps and be a scientist, that way, he can also help them 🤧]

The bright moonlight illuminated the piling snow in the courtyard, casting a long and slender shadow of the snowman across the ground. The boy looked up at the gently falling snowflakes, feeling they were like powdered sugar sprinkled from the sky.

So he caught some of the "powdered sugar" with his gloves and ran toward his parents. Although he hadn’t yet decided on his dreams, he wanted to keep this feeling in his heart forever.

Because more precious than any dream is this snowy night, his parents' smiles, and the small world that belongs to the three of them.

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - First Snowfall Date - English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien’s 2024 CN Birthday Event (Golden Love Ratio)✧ Birthday Story | Birthday Prologue + Birthday Date (You’re here!) | ASMR

"Actually, the reason for wanting to own a castle is quite simple."

"Because that way, I could have a space of my own to carry out those daring and even dangerous experiments."

"And my parents could also accompany me in the castle, pursuing the research they are deeply passionate about."

"That way, they wouldn’t have to be 'trapped' in the lab all the time."

Translation under the cut!

I’m sorry for dropping this so late. As you might have seen from my tweet, my dad was hospitalized in ICU this month. I’m still struggling emotionally now as I wait for him to wake up. It’s been a difficult time, and the grief is still heavy on me as he hasn’t regained consciousness yet… 

Sharing this date translation is the least I can do to celebrate his birthday for now, even though I won’t be annoyingly scream about it like I usually would hhhh. I guess this date feels a bit like a small comfort—a reminder that even if your loved ones have passed away, it’s not all sadness. There’s still warmth in the memories they left behind :”””.

So, Xu Mo, happy birthday. I’m so happy to see you finally embracing your past with such warmth and nostalgia. Honestly, this year feels like it’s all about him finally gaining ‘blood and flesh,’ becoming more human and beautifully stained with the colors of the mortal world. His world is no longer monochrome, and now he’s moving toward the most vibrant and colorful spring. 

✂———————–

Before reading recommendations:

[2024 Birthday Birthday (a MUST read because this date is heavily reference this!) - My Translation]

[Winery date - Youtube (EN Loc)] 

—秋天是个本身就是带着悲伤和落寞的季节， 但是秋天也拥有盛放的花草， 拥有醇美的葡萄 酒， 还有不变的思念。(Autumn itself is a season inherently tinged with sadness and loneliness. Yet, autumn also boasts blooming flowers and thriving plants, rich and mellow wines, and unwavering longing.’) 

[Autumn Blaze Date - Youtube (EN Loc)]

No tear-floods, Nor sigh-tempests move. The fulfillment of a promise is...

“诺言的实现是别离的开始”。(“The fulfillment of a promise is the beginning of separation.")

[Tidying Up Date - My Translation - Youtube (EN Loc)]

—如果在那些被定格的风景里,你依然生动 鲜活,是否证明我还想念着你。(If in those frozen scenes, you still appear vivid and lively as before, does that mean I still miss you?)

那些被我判定为重要的事,即便现在已经 不再拥有同样的心情,那我是否还爱着你。(If what I previously judged to be important no longer reflects my feelings now, does that mean I still love you?)

✂———————–

[Birthday Prologue]

Sunlight shines on the sofa, and the cozy warmth makes me lift my head from my laptop, stretching with a big, lazy yawn.

MC: It always feels like something’s missing…

Lucien's birthday is coming soon, and to properly celebrate that day, he's been rushing his experiments progress lately, making him incredibly busy.

So, I want to give him a "soft and fluffy" birthday where he can lie down anytime and anywhere.

It's just that I've run into a little problem for the time being.

=Flashback Start=

MC: Lucien, what do you think of this town?

Lucien: It seems quite nice. It just so happens that the lab next door seems to be going here to do some research.

MC: What? No, no, if we're not careful, you'll be swept away by work!

I took out my Plan B and placed it in front of Lucien.

MC: How about this southern city then~ It should be very warm here.

Lucien: Hmm... If you don't want to be disturbed by outsiders, I'm afraid this place won't work either.

Lucien: I remember an academic summit is being held here soon. I just returned the call and declined the invitation to attend.

=Flashback End=

Therefore, after several plans were forced to be aborted one after another, my gaze inevitably shifted to the other side of the ocean.

Let's go somewhere farther away!

That way, Lucien can have a peaceful birthday without being disturbed by work or the outside world.

I immediately change my search keywords and start browsing travel guides for long-distance birthday trips.

Suddenly, a relevant news notification pops up on the webpage.

A castle museum owned by a renowned inventor from the last century will soon be open to the public.

In the photo, the historic castle is adorned with falling red leaves in the sunlight, resembling a piece of condensed amber.

I excitedly click on it and discover that, in addition to the open exhibition area, the castle is also available for rent by the square meter.

MC: ...Castle rental?

My eyes light up, and an idea forms in my mind.

✂———————–

When Lucien returns in the evening, I quietly close my laptop and walk to the door with a smile.

MC: Lucien—welcome home~ Ahem, I have a new idea about your birthday!

Lucien takes off his coat and gently embraces me, his eyes reflecting a soft, tranquil smile like the surface of a shallow water.

Lucien: What's the idea?

MC: Heehee, let me give you a hint~ How about we go somewhere far away for your birthday this time, a place with a vintage feel?

A gentle puff of air that seems like a suppressed chuckle reaches my ears, and a thoughtful expression appears on Lucien's face.

Lucien: Hmm... So, how vintage are we talking?

MC: Like, no elevator, and maybe no heating?

Lucien: Sounds like it could be a bit cold. It seems we'll need to pack some warm clothes.

I subconsciously nod, then immediately react.

MC: Wait, you've already agreed?

Lucien: Mm, after all, celebrating a birthday in a castle is a very appealing option.

MC: !!

MC: Hey! I clearly kept it under wraps, I haven’t even booked the tickets yet.... how did you figure it out so quickly?

Lucien's lips curve into a smile as he takes my hand, his index finger gently tapping on the back of my hand.

Lucien: It's probably because... your browsing history is synced to my computer.

✂———————–

[Date]

If you want to follow along with the voice- you can hear it here . The date starts at 14:10

=[Part 1]=

The late autumn sunshine is softened by the clouds, leaping through the glass window and casting a honey-like, mottled glow on the wooden floor.

MC: Mmh…

The cold air wakes me. As I'm about to stretch, my right hand accidentally brushes against something warm and soft.

Lucien lies peacefully beside me, breathing steadily. His brow, furrowed from days of relentless work, finally relaxes as he falls into a deep well of sleep.

We crossed the ocean and arrived at an ancient castle on the Atlantic coast last night.

It is said that this castle was personally designed and built by an inventor from the electrical era. He gifted it to his wife as a wedding present upon its completion.

They fell in love as they settled down at this very place, continuously building love founded on mutual companionship. Here they remained until they eventually passed away together and were laid to rest eternally within the castle grounds.

The profound emotions and story, coupled with the beautiful view of maple leaves and the ancient castle before my eyes, strengthen my resolve to rent this castle.

Amidst the intermingling of light and shadow this early morning, I quietly gaze at Lucien and a soft warmth wells up in my heart.

A hand with defined knuckles encloses my right hand, his palm pressed against the back of my hand, transmitting his body heat.

It's as if he's reluctant to grasp it tightly, yet unwilling to let go, so he just gently cups my hand.

I raise the hand that he isn’t holding, my fingertips hovering at the smallest distance as I trace the outline of his features.

Eyelashes, the bridge of his nose, his lips… until those closed eyelids suddenly quiver and blink lightly.

Lucien slowly opens his eyes, a hint of soft sleepiness lingering in them.

His hold on my hand tightens as he looks at me drowsily, revealing a gentle, soft smile under the sunlight.

I shift my body slightly, blocking the sunlight that's falling into his eyes, then lean down and gently press my cheek against his.

MC: Happy birthday, Professor Lucien~

Lucien: [his sleepy, soft voice is so cute-] Thank you, my little lady.

He tilts his face up, nuzzling affectionately against my cheek. The sunlight falls on his side profile, making him look fluffy.

The strands of his hair tangle with mine, stirring tender and lingering itches.

Lucien: Waking up in a castle and hearing MC's blessing, I must be the happiest person in the world right now.

Lucien: If I were to say there's still something missing, it would probably be...

Lucien: [chuckles] You're right. This castle is indeed quite cold.

His teasing tone makes me unable to resist lifting the corner of my lips. I snuggle closer, resting my cheek on his collarbone and nuzzling against it, warming the slightly cold patch of skin.

After warming up his skin that was exposed to the air, I tilt my face up to look at him.

MC: Being here with you under the covers like this makes it feel just a bit warmer.  

MC: However, getting up and moving around might help warm up our body too.

I wink at Lucien, speaking with a feigned seriousness that makes the matter seem like a big deal.

MC: I’ve decided to leave this difficult decision to the esteemed castle owner. May I ask, what would Your Highness like to do*?

My words are the picture of courtesy, yet I press myself against Lucien, my hand boldly and unreservedly traces his cheek.

His chest, pressed tightly against mine, trembles softly. Lucien takes my fingers, bringing them to his pale lips for a gentle kiss.

Lucien: Since I’m the owner of this castle... then, I want to stay in bed with my girlfriend for a bit longer right now.

He looks at me and blinks, his eyelashes casting a warm shadow on his cheek.

Lucien: [chuckles] Is that okay?

His voice holds a touch of playful mischievousness. I meet those eyes filled with smiles and feel a little dazed.

MC: Of course…

Before I can even finish speaking, I feel his hand tighten around my waist, and I yield as he wraps me back in the blanket again.

From just a breath away, I hear Lucien's long, contented exhale.

Lucien: [chuckles softly, then exhales comfortably] Then stay with me a little longer, let's indulge in bed a bit more.

✂———————–

*: MC playfully used 您 (nin) here, which is like the formal way to say ‘you’. I translate this to ‘Your Highness’ as an attempt to capture this~

✂———————–

=[Part 2]=

We linger in bed until almost noon when Lucien finally 'digs' me out of the warm covers while I’m still drowsy from sleep.

After freshening up, we enjoy the sumptuous and exquisite brunch prepared by the butler.

Before the birthday dinner arrives, we still have a long stretch of leisurely time that we can freely arrange.

Considering this rare opportunity to vacation in the castle, we decide to spend half the day on the castle's lawn.

Late autumn is a season of vibrant colors, and the castle's designer clearly understood this well, planting a row of deciduous trees along the castle's edge.

[Trivia: Deciduous trees are trees that shed their leaves each year in the autumn!]

The lawn remains as green as an antique jade, but the leaves of the trees have already turned yellow, with a backdrop of maple forests ablaze in crimson.

The sunlight is warm, the fallen leaves crunch under my feet, and I can't help but take a deep breath.

MC: Mmm... It's the scent of autumn!

Lucien chuckles softly and, imitating me, takes a gentle breath of the autumn air.

Lucien: [chuckles] The air is so fresh. It must have rained last night; I can smell the petrichor.

MC: Hearing you say that, it feels like even the air today is a fresh gift for you~

I reach out and catch a falling leaf carried by the autumn breeze, gently placing it in Lucien's hand.

MC: Lucien, I want to give you a gift of autumn!

Lucien: A gift of autumn?

Lucien takes the leaf with a slightly puzzled look. I swing his hand gently and give him a wink.

MC: Consider this leaf a humble offering to spark something greater.

MC: I want to use these fallen leaves, flowers, and fruits to make an autumn basket, offering a small gift to today's birthday boy using nature's bounty.

Lucien gently nods in understanding, the curve of his lips remaining unchanged.

Lucien: Even though you're preparing a gift for me, the birthday boy himself is eager to join in too.

Lucien: Or is it that my little lady will only allow me to stand back and do nothing?

As he leans in slightly, his tone carries a hint of seriousness, and his fingertips lightly brush against my palm.

Sunlight sprinkles across his face, and his smiling eyes, framed by the interplay of light and shadow, appear even deeper, revealing a gentle slyness.

MC: Of course I need Professor Lucien's help, but when it comes to the final weaving stage, the birthday boy can't peek~

Lucien: No problem, I will be an honest collaborator.

The autumn wind lifts his hair, creating gentle curves as it sweeps through the strands. I gather his fingers in mine and we step onto the forest path by the castle.

MC: Let's go then, we still need a lot of materials~

In the maple forest during late autumn, fruit trees laden with fruit hide amongst the low bushes, while vibrant beeches with flourishing branches and leaves stand beside the tall oaks.

Purple crocuses peek their delicate buds from the grass, while after the rain, strange fungi unfurl their caps and release spores.

It's like stumbling into an autumn oil painting with bold colors and thick brushstrokes, every glance reveals a colorful and magnificent scenery.

When Lucien picks up a plump acorn, a red squirrel with a fluffy tail scurries out and squeaks at him.

MC: Wow, such a daring little squirrel!

Lucien and I are both taken aback for a moment; this little fellow seems completely unafraid of us.

MC: Is it greeting us, or is it trying to steal the fruit we've picked up?

Lucien seems to already have a way to handle this, a hint of cunningness flashing in his eyes.

He takes a pine cone in his hand and gently dangles it in front of the little squirrel's tail.

Lucien: [chuckles] Little guy, do you want this?

The greedy little squirrel's eyes instantly fixate on the new pine cone, completely captivated by his movement, and it scurries forward a few steps.

It stuffs the pine cone from Lucien's hand into its mouth in one gulp, then hops away with its cheeks puffed out.

Lucien: [chuckles] This maple forest is their world. That pine cone, well, let's just consider it an ‘entry fee'.

Lucien raises his hand again, and when he opens his palm before me, there they are—several even plumper and cuter acorns.

MC: Hold on, turns out you've been secretly keeping all these 'hidden treasures' to yourself!

Lucien: [in an ‘innocent’ tone] After all, my little lady needs these acorns, so I had to find a way to evade those sharp-eared and keen-eyed little fellows.

Though he says this, Lucien shows a relaxed expression, looking like a little fox pretending to be innocent.

The thought of the Great Professor Lucien actually ‘tricking’ a squirrel makes me burst out laughing. I grab his hand and pull him along as I run in the other direction.

MC: Hahaha, Professor Lucien, quick, run with me! Be careful, the little squirrel might go find the squirrel police and report us!

I hold hands with Lucien as we walk through the woods. The surrounding scenery is vibrant with colors, creating the impression of a flowing oil painting.

The air around the sweet osmanthus trees is filled with a sweet fragrance like cotton candy, while black walnuts and red oak acorns roll on the ground.

My pockets are loaded with autumn's ‘spoils’ which keep spilling out as I run, as if they are merging with the forest's hidden mysteries.

Despite these minor incidents, we still manage to gather a basketful of autumn's gifts.

✂———————–

Back indoors, I carry my blessings for Lucien and patiently weave them together.

Leaves and fruits gradually take shape in my hands, carrying small heartfelt wishes, preserving the warmth and liveliness of autumn.

And then, I find Lucien by the window.

He seems to have just come inside, a hint of coldness still clinging to him, but when he turns and looks back at me, a gentle smile quickly spreads across his face.

I smile and lift the basket of fruits and flowers with both hands as if I'm holding all the beauty of autumn.

MC: This castle’s most beautiful autumn is all right here! Here, it's all yours—

MC: I hope every day of your future can be as complete, fulfilling, and beautiful as this~

Lucien's eyes curve into a smile as he takes the basket.  Suddenly, I feel a touch of moist coolness against my ear.

Through the glass window, I see him quietly tuck a vibrant Cleome flower into my hair.

Lucien: Thank you, I really like these autumn gifts.

Lucien: But for me, the most beautiful part of autumn is right here before my eyes.

Lucien: She blooms year after year, staying by my side, and leaving me utterly captivated*.

✂———————–

[T/N]

I think the Cleome Spinosa flower, also known as 醉蝶花 ("intoxicated butterfly") carries symbolic meaning. When Lucien gives her this particular flower, it reflects his emotions about her. The final line (她年复一年地盛开,陪在我的身边,令我沉醉其中 — literally translated as "She blooms year after year, staying by my side, and leaving me intoxicated") directly connects to the "intoxicating" (醉) in the flower's name with the word 沉醉 (immersed in a state of intoxication) in the last line, which combines 沉 (to sink or immerse) and 醉 (to be drunk or intoxicated).

沉醉 conveys the emotional nuances of being utterly captivated, deeply enchanted, and overwhelmed in a consuming, blissful way. This imagery mirrors the 'intoxicated butterfly' of the flower, as if he's the 'intoxicated butterfly', utterly captivated and completely consumed by her existence.

✂———————–

=[Part 3]=

It's past dusk, and the sunlight is as golden and radiant as freshly harvested honey. Outside the window, a vast expanse of red maple trees sways in harmony with the evening breeze, whispering a soft melody. Leaves flutter and dance their way into the room every now and then.

I rub my arms, for even this gentle and beautiful scenery can’t stop the temperature from dropping as night falls.

MC: Uh... It feels even colder than it did this morning.

Just then, the sound of rolling wheels comes from behind me. Lucien approaches, pushing a small wooden cart, a plush shawl in his hand.

Lucien: I found a pretty good way to warm up, want to give it a try?

He gently wraps a shawl around me, and I comfortably nuzzle against his warm and cozy neck.

MC: I'm all ears to hear the esteemed opinions of the castle's owner!

Lucien smiles mysteriously, holds my hand, and pushes the cart as we walk together to a door leading underground.

MC: This is... a wine cellar?

Lucien: I think it would be more ceremonial if we chose the wine list ourselves tonight.

He lights the two oil lamps that were prepared in advance. Each of us carries one, and we slowly move forward through the rich aroma of oak barrels.

According to the butler, the wine cellar was recently ventilated.  

Yet, perhaps the overwhelming aroma of wine saturates the air, walking inside makes me feel a bit stifled. I even feel slightly intoxicated just from the scent, before even having a sip.

Besides me, only Lucien still carries the fresh and crisp scent of grass and trees from when we were gathering fruits and fallen leaves.

It feels like he is the only antidote in this dim room filled with the floating aroma of wine.

Red maple leaves, the wine cellar, the wine itself… memories from the past seem to overlap at this moment.

Suddenly, I recall the winery we visited long ago.

The memory of the autumn stained red by the maple leaves has brought with it the restlessness and infatuation of the past, spilling out from the bottom of my heart without any reason...

It's as if my lips still retain the feeling of his touch when he wiped away the wine stain for me, making my heartbeat inexplicably quicken. Just then, I catch sight of Lucien gently placing a bottle of wine into the cart.

MC: Professor Lucien, what kind of wine did you choose?

Lucien: Riesling white wine.

Lucien turns the bottle around to show me.

Lucien: When I got the cart, the butler knew I was going to the wine cellar and recommended this castle's specialty to me.

Lucien: And you?

I suppress the excitement in my heart and wink at him mysteriously.

MC: Hmph, you'll find out soon enough.

The light and soft aroma of white wine fills the air, and even the candles on the wall seem intoxicated by the wine's fragrance, their flames gently flickering.  

Under the twilight dome of the sky, the shadows of the wine rack and stone walls sway gracefully in the flickering firelight.  

Lucien and I sit at a small table nearby, two crystal-clear glasses already filled with wine, exuding a faintly tipsy aura.  

After two glasses of Riesling, I feel warmth spreading through my body and let out a satisfied sigh.

MC: Ahh, so comfortable... I don't feel cold at all anymore~ As expected of the wine Professor Lucien chose.

Lucien: [chuckles] Would you like some more?

I smile and shake my head, winking at him mysteriously.

MC: First, let's try the wine I picked~

I open the bottle of wine I selected and pour a glass for Lucien, sneaking a glance at his face from the corner of my eye.  

The candlelight cast a soft filter over him, concealing his keen and contemplative eyes, which revealed a soft glow under the haze of the wine.

He parts his pale lips, gently swallows the wine, and seems to be momentarily dazed.

MC: How is it?

I can barely contain my anticipation as I watch his brow smooth slightly, relaxing further after taking in the wine.

Confusion and surprise flit through his gentle eyes, before swiftly transforming into a clear understanding.

Lucien:  ...This flavor is very unique, and yet also very familiar.

Lucien: It's sweet and tender, yet with a touch of bitterness and complexity*.

[Notes from Lux: He copied her remark from back then, word by word :”””. 纠结 is a tricky word to translate because it literally means “intertwined”/”tangled”. But figuratively, it implies a kind of intertwined, tangled feeling, commonly describing a state of emotional or mental conflict, where someone feels torn between different choices or is experiencing confusion and hesitation (a.k.a the state of the earlier stage of their relationship-). I went with ‘complexity’ to capture some nuances, but it might not capture this ‘entangling’ feeling.]

The complex yet familiar remark sends a rush of emotions through me. Just as I’m thinking about what to say, Lucien smiles.

Lucien: But when I savor it again, I feel a warmth, like that of sunshine and rain—a delicate, pleasant warmth.

The familiar words stir a trace of emotion in my heart, and in a daze, it feels as if the autumn equinox of that year has arrived at this very moment.

He still remembers—this is the same bottle of wine I tasted back when we were just getting to know each other, during our visit to Eileen's winery for an interview.

My fingertips unconsciously rub against the bottle, and my thoughts follow my gaze to the red maple trees bathed in the evening glow.

Back then, it was also the season when the maples were crimson and the flowers were in full bloom...

A maple leaf, as if on cue, is swayed by the evening breeze and drifts toward me. I instinctively reach out, and the leaf gently lands in my palm.

It feels as though the early days of tentative exploration and the subtle sweetness of that time have traveled with the falling leaf, arriving here in this foreign land at this moment.

Lucien: I remember, on the way to the winery, I mentioned Maple Road. We ended up going there together.

Lucien: On Maple Road, we read a poetry collection together and visited a maple sugar shack.

Lucien: Later, I drew a picture of you collecting maple leaves. That drawing even ended up in an exhibition...

The rippling light of the wine in the crystal glass reflects on him, even his gaze holds tender memories.

Lucien speaks calmly, his memories unfolding like a heavy book, slowly opening before me with the sound of his voice.

The bond beneath the red maple tree and the feelings growing in the vineyard, word by word, moment by moment, intertwine and become etched into our story-

Only those who created it together can turn its pages and retrieve each other's anchors from the endless flow of time.

My heart is stirred, subtly and uncontrollably. I can't help but rush into Lucien's arms, hugging him tightly.

MC: I remember too.

MC: Not just these things you've mentioned... everything about you, I remember it all.

MC: So after today, Professor Lucien should also update this birthday into all our autumn memories.

His chest pressed close to me, trembles slightly. A warm, gentle kiss falls on my forehead, soft and cherishing.

Lucien: Such beautiful memories, I don't seem to have any reason to let them fade away.

I lift my face joyfully and gently kiss his chin.  

We have already experienced countless stories through many autumns and celebrated each of his birthdays.

And I also want to write down promises with him for each and every autumn in the future, continuing on for a very, very long time.

MC: Then it's a promise!

Lucien smiles faintly and lifts me up with one hand, his gentle gaze meeting mine at eye level.

Lucien: [chuckles] However, if I want to make the anchor of this ‘memory’ even more profound, I still need to gather a bit of inspiration…

The remaining of his words are lost into our mingling breaths, replaced by a crisp kiss tinged with the scent of wine.

This kiss is gentle and intoxicating, leaving me somewhat tipsy, though not from the effects of alcohol.

Perhaps it's because the youthful and inexperienced flavor of that past has long since mixed with the passionate love that has matured over time…

Blending and growing, pulling me deeply into it.

✂———————–

=[Part 4]=

The twilight gradually fades into the night, and the bright moon quietly hangs in the autumn night, illuminating the still dazzling and fiery red maple leaves.

Lucien and I are still sitting at the table, enjoying the tranquility, when a sudden coldness brushes against my cheek.

I raise my head and realize, without noticing it, that snowflakes have already begun drifting down from the sky. Just then, I hear Lucien's smiling voice beside me.

Lucien: It seems that today's ‘gifts’ are not over yet.

MC: After all, today is your birthday—the whole world will be sending you blessings~

Our gazes meet, and with a tacit understanding, we both set down our glasses and take each other's hands.

Lucien: Then, can I invite my ‘world’ to go out with me and experience this beauty together?

In the courtyard, rustling red maples intertwine with falling snowflakes, as if autumn and winter themselves are completing their handover at this very moment.

We get an umbrella from the butler and hold hands as we follow the stone path down the hill from the old castle.

The moonlight on a snowy night grows brighter as we walk side by side to the small town at the foot of the hill, where the houses and streetlights are all covered in a delicate layer of snowflakes.

On the streets of the small town, many people, like Lucien and I, stroll under the moonlight, accompanied by the backdrop of the first snowfall, tacitly enjoying this tranquil night.

I turn my head to look at Lucien and find him reaching out his hand, gently catching a falling snowflake.

His eyes curve faintly, as if harboring some kind of quiet longing, even carrying a touch of rare childlike innocence.

MC: [smiles softly] Why does it feel like Professor Lucien has a special fondness for this snow?

My tone holds a hint of curiosity, wanting to capture this rare glimpse of his innocence. Lucien smiles and begins to speak softly.

Lucien: [softly, like recalling a cherished memory] Just remembered a movie I watched when I was little. I remember... it was about an inventor who lived in a castle.

Lucien: After watching it as a child, there was a time when I also wanted to be an inventor with a castle.

My eyes widen in a bit of surprise.

MC: [pouts] I can understand wanting to be an inventor, but why did it have to be one who lives in a castle…

MC: Professor Lucien, could it be that you're teasing me on purpose just because we came to a castle this year?

Lucien: [chuckles] Of course not. But if this story will make this little lady happy, I’d be more than willing to tell it to you.

MC: I want to hear it, I want to hear it!

I enthusiastically put on an attentive look, Lucien smiles as he begins to speak.

Lucien: Actually, the reason for wanting to own a castle is quite simple.

Lucien: Because that way, just like the main character in the movie, I could have a space of my own to carry out those daring and even dangerous experiments.

Lucien: And my parents could also accompany me in the castle, pursuing the research they are deeply passionate about.

Lucien: That way, they wouldn’t have to be 'trapped' in the lab all the time.

Lucien speaks naturally, his voice imbued with a soft smile, yet it's as if a tiny window is being opened.

Through that window, I seem to see a little Lucien, his eyes sparkling with fascination as he watches the movie, his heart filled with simple and pure longing.

My heart suddenly softens, and I can’t help but smile tenderly as I start to speak.

MC: The dream of becoming an inventor could now be considered halfway realized~

MC: After all, Professor Lucien is a great scientist walking at the forefront of humanity—it’s perhaps even more remarkable than that!

MC: As for the castle... you've been the ‘owner of the castle’ for a day today, does that count?

Lucien: [chuckles] Of course it counts. And now, there’s even the first snowfall.

He takes my slightly cold hand and slips it in his pocket, softly rubbing it.

Lucien: I can no longer recall the plot of that movie very well. But I do remember that on the day we watched it, it also snowed in Loveland City.

Lucien: That day, they finished work early and brought home the videotape of that movie.

Lucien: The movie ended with the town welcoming its first snowfall, and we also stepped outside together to enjoy the snowy world.

He speaks vaguely, but I understand everything.

His low voice feels especially serene on this snowy night, yet as he speaks, another scene unfolds before my eyes.

When his room flooded before, he tidied up those old videotapes and set them aside, placing them carefully in a separate spot.

Is this old movie among those tapes?

As he put away the videotapes, did he recall that ancient castle and that warm snowfall?

I don’t know the answer, but I can feel that those fleeting, rarely mentioned fragments of his past were once so distant and cold.

But now, those precious fragments have thawed like melting ice and snow, filled with nostalgia and warmth as they slowly flow.

I instinctively tighten my hold on his hand.

The first snowfall is falling thicker and thicker, yet it isn't biting cold. Snowflakes gently drift past the edge of the umbrella, landing on the tips of my hair and forehead, as well as Lucien's.

It's as if this world is bestowing its blessings on Lucien in the most gentle way.

MC: Even though it's many years late, it seems that we've now made little Lucien's childhood dream come true.

With a chuckle, Lucien's low voice reaches me through the wind and snow.

Lucien: [chuckles] Indeed, so I was quite surprised, but also delightfully so.

Lucien: However, if it weren’t for this twist of fate, perhaps I wouldn’t have thought of this idea again for a very, very long time.

Lucien: [softly] Because I've long had something far more important.

Lucien: To me, those forgotten thoughts are more like a bottle of wine hidden in a cellar.

MC: Wine?

Lucien: Mm, just like the wine we’re drinking today.

Lucien: Grapes can never return to their original form, but time makes them richer and more mellow, and they will always meet someone who knows how to cherish them.

Lucien: She will give me a castle, stay in bed with me, treasure an entire autumn with me... and walk with me through quiet streets on snowy nights.

A snowflake quietly lands on his eyelashes and melts a moment later. It’s as if the melted droplets seep into my heart, creating ripples of sweet warmth.

I can't help but speak softly, offering all my blessings to my beloved standing before me under the moonlight of this snowy night.

MC: Happy birthday, Lucien.

May each and every year of your future be surrounded with love as you move forward.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*FIN*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

[Bonus Phone call]

Lucien: I received the email you sent. Looks like it has some intel about a birthday.

MC: Yes! It's a text-based open-source game I found online. I modified it a bit~

MC: You can start from age 0 and randomly generate the 'life' of a little Lucien!

Lucien: Mm, just now, I've already completed two endings.

Lucien: The first time, little Lucien was accidentally captured by an alien spacecraft at the age of three and left Earth forever.

Lucien: The second time, little Lucien received a mysterious admission letter at the age of sixteen. No one knows where he went.

[Aren't these just a reflection of his past??? from being kidnapped by BS to mysteriously disappearing hhhhh]

MC: Haha, is the game’s random value design too harsh? Maybe I should tweak it a bit...

Lucien: No need, I really like this level of difficulty. It’s precisely this randomness that makes it so interesting to me.

Lucien: I’ve just started my third playthrough. This time, I’ve decided to reallocate some of the 15 points I gave to intelligence and assign some to luck.

[Not this basically saying that his genius may be the reason for his unluckiness in life :""". His 'luck' in life is that he's able to met her]

MC: So Professor Lucien had been putting all the points into one stat before! No wonder you kept having such over-the-top mysterious experiences...

Lucien: I just subconsciously wanted to test the limits of this little game, and unexpectedly made real discoveries.

Lucien: Although these endings greatly increased the game's replayability, this time, I want to make the game last a bit longer.

Lucien: That way, perhaps I can meet you in the game as well.

MC: Hehe, you can look forward to it!

MC: So, how's it going? What age did you reach in your third playthrough?

Lucien: …Hmm, I've already invented the elixir of immortality and reached the age of two hundred, but I still haven't encountered you.

Lucien: Am I on the right track?

MC: Pfft! I did set up an encounter, but I didn't set an age limit, thinking it would slightly increase replayability...

MC: I feel like I might have overdone it...

Lucien: It’s okay. In the game, little Lucien has already met you—at the age of five hundred.

Lucien: Then, on his birthday, we confessed to each other at the same time and spent a happy life together.

[Man so love-brained that he creates an immortality elixir and stubbornly waits a long time to finally meet her LOL. In this way, it can be said that his current life might be the 'luckiest' possibility because it allows him to meet her so soon]

MC: Hahaha, that's good, that's good... So, do you like this "life path" of becoming an inventor?

Lucien: I like it. I like everything and my destined encounter with you.

Lucien: I’ll be home soon, and when I get there, I’d like to invite you to explore all the other possibilities for little Lucien together—

Lucien: And explore every moment I spent with you on this birthday.

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Strategy Game Date - English Translation (2/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

My fingers inadvertently brush against his earlobe as I slowly drape my necklace on his face.

Like marking him as my guaranteed prize in advance, I grasp the chain and gently tug it, pulling him half a step closer to me.

The dazzling light settles back into my eyes, as if he has always meant to be mine.

Translation under the cut!

Previous: Part 1 & 2-> [Here]

=[Part 3]=

After I mention wanting to learn chess, Lucien unexpectedly takes me straight to the exhibition hall next to the banquet room.

Seven black and white checkered platforms of varying sizes divide the space vertically, connected by steps and reaching almost to the ceiling.

Towering above me, the black and white chess pieces are nearly life-sized. Like the legions of a mighty emperor arrayed for battle, they cast a majestic gaze down upon me, making me suddenly realize something.

MC: This... could this be a giant, three-dimensional chessboard?

Lucien: Hm, when the organizers created this exhibition hall, they probably wanted people to directly experience the spatial sense of three-dimensional chess.

Lucien picks up a remote control from the entrance and brightens the lights.

MC: So, if we're thinking like chess players, shouldn't we head up to the top level?

Lucien: [chuckles] Sometimes I wonder if this student has secretly seen my courseware.

He smiles and takes my hand, leading me up the steps. We weave between oversized chess pieces, finally reaching the top of the chessboard.

Lucien: Actually, looking from directly above, the rules for moving the pieces are generally similar to international classic chess.

Lucien: You've had some 'hands-on' experience with me before, so you should pick this up pretty quickly.

Lucien: The pieces in three-dimensional international chess can move vertically between adjacent boards. In addition to this, these small boards can rotate under corresponding rules.

He presses the remote, and a small chessboard begins to rotate horizontally until its black squares once again align with those of the adjacent larger board.

MC: Wow...! That's so interesting!

Lucien: [chuckles] Might as well give it a try.

I take the remote and, after a few shifts, gradually start to figure out the pattern.

MC: The smaller boards can only rotate if they're empty or have just one piece on them.

MC: But it seems like it can only move on the same side of the big chessboard and to the adjacent corners?

Lucien: [chuckles] As expected of a clever girl.

MC: Well, it's all thanks to the patient and guiding Teacher Lucien.

Lucien: Now then, rather than boring you with the rules, why don't we learn and gradually reinforce them through hands-on practice?

MC: So, are we going to jump right in and play a chess game?

Lucien: Mm, in an interesting way.

Lucien takes my hand and leads me to the level where the white chess pieces are arrayed.

Lucien: By entering the game personally, perhaps you'll be more immersed in it.

He smiles calmly and walks over to a white Queen piece. He extends his hand and pushes it aside, creating an empty space.

Lucien: Come on, give it a try.

Only at this moment do I belatedly understand the meaning of ‘entering the game personally'.

Gazing at each of the chess pieces solemnly arrayed around me, I take a deep breath and step into the center.

Like a coronation, the light crowns me. And amidst my nervousness, I also feel a thrill of excitement.

MC: Lucien, I'm ready.

Lucien: [chuckles] Okay, but you'll need to be cautious from now on.

Lucien: In chess, the Queen is the most powerful piece, and also the one most easily captured.

A voice that feels strangely familiar traverses the depths of distant memories, falling clearly upon my ears. I freeze for a moment, then a smile spreads on my face.

MC: Of course I know, especially since this is my first time on the 'battlefield’.

MC: However... I will do my best to fight a good battle.

Lucien: [chuckles] I'm honored to be your opponent.

With Lucien stepping onto the position of the black king, the instructional match begins.

To gain a more intuitive understanding, I open up the chessboard simulation that Lucien gave me.

Lucien: In three-dimensional chess, occupying and controlling the center layer is very important.

I suddenly recall the knight's jump in Carl's opening and skillfully push the white knight forward, seizing the initiative to start the game.

A flicker of surprise momentarily crosses Lucien's face, but he quickly smiles and moves to occupy the White Knight's most likely next landing spot.

After a few rounds, we soon converge on the strategic focal point—the center of the chessboard.

Lucien: The Queen piece can move along any horizontal row, vertical column, and diagonal line.

MC: Then I won't hold back.

Seeing my chance to capture Lucien's freshly placed pawn by moving between levels, I don’t hesitate. I walk over and gently push it.

A spotlight immediately illuminates this small victory of mine.

The display stand is already waiting nearby, and I proudly push the captured pawn onto it.

As Lucien explains the rules, the beams of light repeatedly light up, and I capture several more black pieces in succession.

MC: This feeling is just too addictive!

Lucien: Looks like this classmate is gradually discovering the joy of chess.

A subtle smile plays on Lucien’s lips, his expression brimming with lively interest as he appears engrossed in this entertaining and educational game.

At this moment, I notice Lucien standing diagonally across from me, just a step away.

According to the rules, I can checkmate this enemy king in just one step.

Suppressing my wildly beating heart, I casually start to speak as if it’s unintentional.

MC: What do chess players do at the moment of victory?

Lucien: They usually call out 'Checkmate' to tell the opponent, 'You've been ‘eaten’ by me'.*

MC: Ohhh~ Checkmate!~

Looking at him with his smiling eyes, seemingly unaware of his situation, I feel a bit giddy and rise slightly on my tiptoes.

Suddenly, tiny flecks of light glimmer across Lucien's face. Following his slightly narrowed gaze, I realize it's the light reflecting off my necklace.

The flecks of light dance just perfectly on his face, inexplicably arousing a desire within me.

I want to triumph over this genius, to have him celebrate for me, to have him witness my coronation.

Driven by this thought, I gently set the chessboard aside and take off my necklace.

My fingers inadvertently brush against his earlobe as I slowly drape the necklace on his face.

Like marking him as my guaranteed prize in advance, I grasp the chain and gently tug it, pulling him half a step closer to me.**

The dazzling light settles back into my eyes, as if he has always meant to be mine.

MC: Checkmate.

I look into his eyes and speak softly.

MC: Lucien, it seems like you're about to be ‘eaten’ by me now.

Lucien: Is that so?

Lucien: But... it seems my turn to make a move now

MC: …?

He raises an eyebrow, pushes the black Bishop aside, and moves along the line towards the King chess piece behind me.

Because I was focused on capturing pieces earlier, I didn't set up any defenses around my king. Now, I can only watch as Lucien advances towards it unimpeded-

As if in response to his words, the white king collapses in defeat.

Everything is happening so suddenly. A blinding beam of light abruptly shines just a few steps away, making me squint.

The chessboard, which just moments ago rested on the ground, now lies askew without me noticing, its tilted surface like a declaration of my defeat.

A golden chess piece rolls dejectedly towards the light until a large hand with defined knuckles picks it up.

Within the spotlight, Lucien holds the chess piece between his fingers and casually glances up.

Lucien: [the way his CN VA said this in english🤧] Game Over.

Lucien: Did this Miss Player enjoy the game to her heart's content?

The translucent colored glass refracts the cold light into his eyes, making him look like a proud and indifferent figure of high status.

It's as if, should he desire a win, the golden fruit of victory will naturally fall into his hand; and should I relish the challenge, he would be quite happy to help me experience that same joy.

Lucien has always been a good teacher.

Although the frustration of failure lingers in my heart, there is still a hidden sense of thrill that draws me toward him.

MC: Winning would make it even more enjoyable for me.

MC: However, losing might not be a bad thing either.

MC: That way, I can see how far I still have to go before I can beat you.

Lucien: [chuckles] That's very good.

Lucien: ‘Desire to win’ is the first step towards victory.

He gently caresses the chess piece in his hand, stretches his arms out even more languidly, and makes no attempt to hide his overflowing eagerness and anticipation.

Lucien: MC, do you still want to play?

MC: Of course.

He smiles ambiguously, his narrow eyes taking me in completely.

Lucien: Then, go ahead and beat me quickly.***

✂———————–

[T/N]

p.s. Did you catch all the references to S1 chapter 23 👀 Very interesting to see him saying essentially the same thing as Winter World Lucien/Ares, but more in casual tone and wording🤧 Also, as for the plot,… For now, I can only say that he's truly a black-bellied ‘beauty bait’ 😂 I will talk more about the plot at the end of the date~

*: In Chinese, 'capture' in chess is expressed as 吃掉 (chī diào), which literally means 'to eat up' or 'devour.' This creates an interesting double meaning in the MC's line, if you know what I mean🥴

**: The phrase used here is 囊中之物 (náng zhōng zhī wù), which literally translates to "something in the bag". It implies that something is already securely in one's possession, entirely under one's control, or easily obtainable—like something that's already been caught and placed in a bag or like a prize of a secured victory. By using this phrase, besides being overconfident she also expresses a desire to assert her “sovereignty” on him~

Also as for the line right after that (仿佛他本就是我的), a more literal translation would be that “as if he inherently/naturally/fundamentally belongs to me.”. like, him belonging to her just feel natural and inherent 🤧. That sounds awkward in EN so I use a more natural-sounding phrase sksksksks

***: Alternative translation: “Then, go ahead and win me quickly.” . 赢我 (literally, “win me”)can either be interpreted as him urging her to beat him in the game or literally ‘win’ him, with him still wearing her necklace a.k.a her stake on him, like a prize yet to be claimed… both can be true imo-

✂———————–

=[Part 4]=

Throughout our trip, Lucien's chess lessons continue to progress step by step.

Soon, it's the last day, and we're heading back to the guesthouse after completing our itinerary.

I rest boredly on Lucien's lap, thinking about how to properly wrap up the vacation.

Suddenly, an idea pops into my mind.

MC: Lucien.

Lucien: MC.

Our voices ring out at the same time, and then we both laugh together.

Lucien: [chuckles] You go first.

MC: I've been learning chess for a week. Shouldn't the teacher check the results?

Seeing me glance meaningfully at the chessboard on the desk, he catches my meaning with a knowing smile.

Lucien: It seems a chess match is inevitable then.

MC: Hee hee~ But since Professor Lucien often has a habit of going easy on me, I must give you a serious reminder…

MC: If you don't give it your all, then I won't play with you anymore.

Seeing my eager expression, Lucien smiles and winks.

Lucien: In that case, I'll probably give it my all even more than I would for the championship.

✂———————–

MC: Woo hoo, you're too amazing!

Lucien innocently arranges the chessboard, as if he wasn't the one who checkmated me three times in five minutes.

Lucien: Do you want to play another round?

MC: No, no, no more. If we keep playing, I might develop some psychological scars…

Lucien: [chuckles] In that case, why don't we go have some fun?

MC: Hm?

As Lucien draws open the floor-to-ceiling curtains, a bright orange-pink view suddenly floods my retinas.

Flamingo floaties, heart-shaped balloons, and red lip-shaped water balloons are arranged around the pool, creating a lively party atmosphere.

Lucien: We agreed to have a pool party on the first day we arrived here.

Lucien: It's just that a certain classmate was so engrossed in learning chess that she seems to have completely forgotten about this.

Hearing the pretend grievance in his tone, I laugh and pinch his nose.

MC: Could it be that a certain professor was playing such a fast game of chess just to get me to go have fun sooner?

Lucien doesn't say anything, but a smile plays on his lips as if in confirmation.

Lucien: You always keep your head down when we play chess. It seems like I haven't seen your eyes in a long time.*

✂———————–

A party should naturally have the vibe of a party.

By the time I arrive in the garden, having changed into my pink dress, Lucien is already waiting for me.

The beige suit hugs his elegant form, accentuating his sharp lines, while the light green tie adds a touch of freshness.

MC: This trip is totally worth it!~ I unexpectedly got to see so many different styles of Professor Lucien.

Lucien: Initially, I didn't quite understand why you didn't want to wear a swimsuit to the party, but now—

Lucien: Seeing such a lovely picture, I think I understand.

The summer breeze gently tousles his bangs, and I suddenly realize that his hair has grown longer without me noticing.**

I can’t help but reach up to fiddle with his hair a couple of times, but it doesn't feel like enough. So I take off my hair clip and stand on tiptoe toward him.

My fingertips twirl a strand of his hair. He seems to realize what I'm doing and gently leans down. His warm breath falls steadily on the corner of my lips, like a phantom of a kiss.

His naturally exquisite brows and eyes are now fully unveiled, making me smile with satisfaction.

MC: It's better this way~ I can see your eyes all the time now.

Those dark eyes freezes for a fleeting second, then the world held within his gaze curves into the faintest of smiles. For a moment, I'm completely spellbound by the sight.

"Pop!" The balloon bursts with a bang, and we both blink in surprise, then burst into laughter together.

Sunlight casts dappled light and shadow on the water's surface, and a giant flamingo float drifts towards us, like an invitation of some sort. So, I reach out my hand to Lucien.

MC: Are you ready?

Lucien: Although I don't know what MC is referring to, I think I'd be more than happy to entrust myself to you.

He places his hand on my palm, and I immediately hold it tightly.

MC: [laughs] Then I won't hold back-

I raise our intertwined hands high above our heads and take a big step forward, jumping towards the flamingo with all my might.

As we float in midair, the warm sunlight, woven with dappled shadows cast by the trees, rushes toward me, and a joyful exclamation escapes my lips.

His familiar gentle voice sounds by my ear as his strong arm pulls me close and protects me firmly in his embrace.

Bam-!

We feel a soft, bouncy sensation on our backs as we sink before being bounced back up.

Colorful balloons float in mid-air, while polka-dotted water balloons bobbing along with the waves, like a pop art canvas unfolding before one's eyes.

The splashing water droplets glint like the world’s own flash, capturing all the joy in that moment.

The flamingo drifts leisurely until the waves finally calm down, and I turn to look at the person beside me.

MC: Once you board my “pirate ship”, there's no easy escape!

Lucien: [chuckles] If you're using yourself as bait to lure me onto your pirate ship…

Lucien: Then it seems this pirate miss has ensnared herself in her own trap. After all, we're in the same boat now... [whispers] you can't escape either.

With a soft laugh, he deliberately tightens his arms around me.

MC: Hahaha! Don't underestimate me!

I feign a struggle to break free but discover something tangled around my arm—

Several bright red lipstick decorations each trailing a long red thread, winding messily and mischievously around our bodies.

I'm just about to take it off, but then an idea strikes me, and with a smile, I tilt my chin up.

MC: Shall we play a little game?

Under his noncommittal gaze, I loop a red thread around his fingertips, pressing one red lip against his chest. The other, I keep in my hand.

MC: Let's see who can snatch away the other's 'red lips' first. I may not be able to beat you at chess, but I'm still quite confident in this kind of little game—

Before I even finish speaking, I feel a sudden tug on my fingertip.

I turn my head in surprise and find that Lucien has already firmly grasped the “red lips” in my hand.

MC: ….

Isn't this too fast?!

I laugh in spite of myself as I turn my head back, meeting that gaze filled with a hint of smugness and mischief.

MC: [pouts] So you really have such a high desire to win.

Lucien: Of course.

He gives a subtle, almost imperceptible smile, and purposefully tightens his grip on the red lips, but doesn't take it away.

Lucien: But compared to winning, I find myself savoring this moment even more.

Lucien: A well-matched opponent... makes the competition itself more enjoyable.***

Gazing deeply into his calm, smiling eyes, I can't help but hook my finger around his tie, pulling myself closer to drown in their depths.

MC: But... when I really think about it…

MC: Lucien, have I ever won against you?

Lucien: [chuckles] What do you think?

His dark, ink-like eyes glimmer with interest, yet remain extraordinarily serious as they're waiting for my answer.

MC: I don't know.

MC: Sometimes I feel like I've never won, because it seems that even when I use all my strength, I'm only just engaging in a match with you, still a distance away from victory.

MC:  Sometimes I feel like I've won, but those instances don't seem to count as ‘winning or losing’.

The shimmering light of the waves drowns in the depths of his tender gaze, making me fall into those eyes just by looking at them.

Lucien: [sincerely] You've won against me many times.

Lucien: Sometimes, even when I fight back with everything I have, I still can't overcome you.

He smiles, a little helplessly, yet with a hint of willing surrender in his expression.

MC: Am I really that powerful?

Lucien: [chuckles] Mm. Besides, whenever I'm playing with MC, the rules, the strategies, winning or losing… none of it holds any significance anymore.

Lucien: I think, maybe you're just naturally talented at turning everything into the world's most fun game, making people want to keep playing…

Before I know it, he has silently wound a red thread around us, like the unbreakable red thread of fate. Greedily, I wind it tighter, until my fingertips touch his.****

MC: So, can I take that to mean that Professor Lucien enjoys playing with me the most?

Lucien: [chuckles] If I said yes…

Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] Would you be willing to play with me forever, MC?

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: “You always keep your head down when we play chess. It seems like I haven't seen your eyes in a long time.”- By seeing her eyes, he confirms that she’s also ‘looking’ at him, paying attention to him. He's basically saying that she's so absorbed in chess that she seems to haven't looked at him for so long🥺 Although he's saying this in a lighthearted way, it also hints at his longing for her attention 🤧

**: This highlight how MC hasn't paid much attention that now his hair has grown longer without her noticing u.u

***: 旗鼓相当 (qí gǔ xiāng dāng) - "Evenly matched" or "well-matched." This idiom literally translates to battle flags and drums being of equal strength, symbolizing that both sides in a competition are equally capable or have the same chance of winning. It also implies mutual respect for the opponent, recognizing them as a worthy rival.

****: The red string/thread of fate! In the East, it conveys a sense of destined love. Lucien being the one who silently wounds it around them, he takes the initiative to establish the bond between them, but it is loosely at first, as if inviting her to be the one who tightens it. He’s not just forcing a bond; he’s creating an opportunity for her to choose how close they want to be. And longingly and greedily, she tightens the bond because she wants them to be as close as possible 🥺 Love is always a two-way street that requires active participation from two sides 🤧. Along with his “childish” proposal, you could also interpret it as a “trap” that he weaves for the two of them, but it’s one that neither of them wants to escape from 😂

✂———————–

[Moments- Emotional Expression]

Lucien's post: Sometimes, showing childishness can be seen as a way of expressing emotions.

MC: Do you also feel this way?

Lucien: Of course. In front of you, I often can't help but want to act a little spoiled.

[Reply 2]

Lucien's post: Sometimes, showing a ‘childish’ side can be seen as a way of expressing emotions.

MC: Does Professor Lucien like this way of expressing emotions?

Lucien: Mm, if lovers can freely show their childishness, it might mean their relationship has entered a new stage.

[Reply 3]

Lucien's post: Sometimes, showing a ‘childish’ side can be seen as a way of expressing emotions.

MC: I agree! Sometimes I want to act like a little kid in front of you~

Lucien: You have always been my little friend.

[T/N]

While "childishness" has a negative connotation in English, it carries a more neutral and sometimes even endearing connotation in Chinese. In this context, it conveys a sense of playfulness and innocence rather than pure immaturity👀

✂———————–

[Lux's Afterwords]

Not gonna lie, when I first read it, I felt a bit disappointed because this date seems to emphasize Lucien's victories despite being promoted as an "evenly matched game." 😂 However, after reading it a second time, I think I understand what the writers are trying to convey with this date (Also thank God at least they show this ‘evenly matched’ aspect in his Halloween date LOL).

I think this date is really trying to showcase Lucien's mischievous and “childish” side, reminiscent of his childhood before everything changed after the car accident 🤧 As we know from the R&S (that I shared before the beginning of the date- go read it if you haven't ahah), he was a gentle and quiet kid, yet there’s also that little “bad” streak in him. As a child, he loved teasing Fan Zihang (Zack in EN localization), and now he’s shifted that teasing to his girlfriend🤣 although there's still an obvious double standard like him still willing to go easy on her from time to time~

Just like what his reply in the moments said, a partner showing ‘childishness’ might mean that the relationship is entering a new stage. The fact that he can show this side of himself means he feels comfortable enough with MC to let his guard down. It’s like he’s letting her see a glimpse of the genuine him, the one who can be mischievous and has a high desire to win, just like he was as a kid. Perhaps…this is the kind of person he would have become if his parents were still alive. From being indifferent and distant, the snow is melting and he's entering a new spring in his life🤧

Then, reflecting on how the date mostly highlights his victories, I think Lucien’s not letting her win easily isn’t just about his mischief or his strong desire to win. He also hopes to challenge her with, make her understand, and eventually surpass his true capabilities 🥺. What MC says (“That way, I can see how far I still have to go before I can beat you.”) emphasizes this point. His display of true strength is meant to motivate her, not discourage her. He’s willing to give her a taste of victory, making the game more enjoyable regardless of winning or losing, and is even willing to teach her how to beat him. After all... an evenly matched opponent makes competition all the more enjoyable.

Furthermore, Lucien sincerely acknowledges that there are times when he can't win against her even when he fights with all of his might. Although it feels hollow if we only based it on the date alone, there are many, many instances of him ‘losing’ to her in previous dates and main stories- one instance that I can think of is this line from The Sea No Longer Distant MQ:

He feels as if she has left him far behind, as if she knows more things that he cannot comprehend.

He’s helpless to such outcomes, yet willing to surrender (coming from someone with such a strong desire to win... if this isn’t love, I don’t know what is). The result doesn’t matter as much as just enjoying the moment together🥺 Lastly, let's talk about his last line.

MC愿意永远和我一起玩下去吗? (Would you be willing to play with me forever, MC?)

With this date revolving around games and his ‘childishness’, the closing line is perfect ｡⁠:ﾟ⁠(⁠;⁠´⁠∩⁠`⁠;⁠)ﾟ⁠:⁠｡ 永远 (forever) is a heavy word, and it turns this seemingly playful line into something like an earnest yet almost childlike proposal 🥺. Through this, he’s expressing a wish for her lifelong companionship and commitment. There’s also an underlying vulnerability here—by asking for "forever”, Lucien hints at a deeper hope that she’ll stay by his side, to keep ‘playing’ with him until the end of life and more🤧

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Strategy Game Date - English Translation (1/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

"Wow, if you remember someone, they must be really impressive!"

"Not at all. In fact, on most of the days we've played, he couldn't even win a pack of biscuits."

"So, about the same level as me then~"

"But MC is special to me. Whether it's ‘biscuits', 'candy', or even 'unreasonable requests', you always manage to win them over in another way."

Translation under the cut!

[T/N: Before reading the date, I highly recommend you all to read this R&S: Regarding What Book Doesn't Say (and while at it read The Victim Who Disappeared too~). This date contains important references to that R&S, and I would like to analyze this date later in comparison with it at the end of this date🥺 There's also some reference to S1 chapter 23 but I'm gonna assume that y'all already read it u.u.]

If you want to follow along with the voice, you can follow it here.

-

[Call- On The Way Home from Work]

Lucien: I just saw your missed call, what's wrong?

MC: [worriedly] I was just wondering why Professor Lucien, who clearly got off work an hour ago, still hasn't come home yet.

Lucien: [chuckles softly]  Sorry, I was held up a bit by something.

Lucien: If you're not too busy, could you bring a trolley and come pick me up at the small park outside the complex?

MC: I certainly can, but what happened?

Lucien: I was stopped by that old gentleman who often plays chess in the park, and he invited me to play a game with him.

MC:  Hmm? Why did that grandpa suddenly "abandon" his friends and come to you?

Lucien: Today, his chess friend stood him up, so he was searching the whole park for a "destined" person who could play chess.

Lucien: And on my backpack, I happened to have a chess pendant that you gave me.

MC: Oh~ But the Xianqi (Chinese chess) Grandpa plays and international chess aren't the same type, right?

Lucien: There are indeed quite big differences between the two, but luckily, I'm not too unfamiliar with the rules of Xiangqi.

MC: Judging by Professor Lucien’s tone, it seems like he has won~

Lucien: It was a narrow victory.

Lucien: However... I'm having some regrets now.

MC: Why?

Lucien: Things seem to have gotten a little out of hand after I won the game. He enthusiastically invited me to solve an endgame puzzle—

[Trivia: In chess, endgame refers to a chess problem where only a few pieces remain on the board, and the challenge is to find the best moves to win or achieve a draw.]

Lucien: And after I solved it, I found out that this puzzle has apparently been around for a few years.

MC: Wow! That's amazing...! So, doesn't that mean the brilliant Professor Lucien is going to become a big celebrity in the park?

Lucien: [sighs] ...But they're a bit too enthusiastic.

Lucien: [he sounds so helpless and dumbfounded it's cute LOL] To celebrate, that grandpa and the elderly watching the game gave me all the eggs, rice, and cooking oil they got from the supermarket.

Lucien: I couldn't refuse at the moment, so now I'm stuck here, overwhelmed by this weighty goodwill.

MC:  Pfft, hahaha~ So that's why you asked me to bring a trolley and rescue you!

MC: I think I see you! Hmm? Are you buying something?

Lucien: [chuckles] Mm, I just found a flower vending machine here.

Lucien: After all, I did ask my girlfriend to come rescue me, so I figured I should at least buy a bouquet of flowers as a thank you.

[Prologue-Surprise Journey]

MC: You're going to compete against the world champion of 3D chess next week?!

When I arrive home from work and step into the entryway, the news hits me like a brick, leaving me frozen in place.

[Trivia: 3D Chess is a variant of traditional chess that adds a third dimension with multiple horizontal layers. It's different and more complex compared with classic 2D chess because besides being able to move horizontally, it can also move vertically between layers, and naturally, it has different rules compared to the classic (I tried to search the rules of one type of 3D chess and ended up being confused at it HAHA). Most ppl def can't easily learn it in one try unless you're Xu Mo]

Lucien calmly takes my bag and nods slightly.

Lucien: Mm, the tournament organizers invited Carl to play a simultaneous exhibition.

[Trivia: In chess simultaneous exhibition means one player plays against multiple opponents at the same time]

Lucien: Besides me, there will also be many 3D chess players and enthusiasts participating.

MC: ...Wait a minute, Lucien, you haven't been scammed, have you?

MC: There are a lot of scams going around these days that seem to trick people with things like registration fees.

[gurl why would you think that the great and mighty™️ Professor Lucien would get scammed🤣]

Lucien: That possibility certainly can't be ruled out, but I've already confirmed it.

Lucien can't help but chuckle a bit and opens the official website of the International Chess Federation.

Following the movement of his fingertips, I quickly found Lucien's name on the shortlist.

MC: So awesome…

MC: You've obviously only been playing 3D chess for a month, yet you're already able to participate in such a competition.

Lucien: This type of game is actually not that difficult once you grasp the rules.

MC: ...That's precisely something a genius would say.

He winks a little smugly, smiles, and pulls me into his arms.

Lucien: So, would MC like to go together?

Lucien: I recall you don't seem to be very busy next week.

MC: Of course, I would like to!

MC: This is your first time participating in a chess tournament, so I wouldn't want to miss it.

Lucien: That's good to hear. Otherwise, I might have to repack my suitcase.

Following his gaze, I notice he's already packed some of my clothes in the suitcase and I can't help but laugh.

MC: You already knew I'd say yes.

Lucien: Mm, after all, it seems like MC can never bring herself to turn down my requests.

[Date]

=[Part 1]=

MC: The guesthouse you chose is so beautiful!

I lean out from the villa window and look outside; the warm breeze passes through the tropical orange trees, stirring sweet orange-scented ripples on the clear pool water.

MC: This garden is exactly like a scene from an American movie, I feel like a pool party is about to start any second now.

Lucien: [chuckles] After I finish my competition, we might as well have a pool party here too.

MC: Sounds good! Then I…

I spin around excitedly, but then my gaze is suddenly caught by a vibrant blaze of crimson, making me fall silent.

Lucien is dressed in a cherry-red suit paired with an olive-green tie, giving off a bold retro vibe.

Complementing this look, a sleek leather belt with a ring buckle and a tilted round hat adds a touch of simplicity and style.

Lucien: [teasingly] If you keep looking at me like that, I might actually get a little shy.

Despite saying so, he doesn't shy away and instead approaches me with a smile.

MC: It's just so stunning... Did this Great Chess Player pick this outfit specifically for the competition?

Lucien: There will be a lot of people at the competition, so maybe this will help me better attract the attention of a certain little lady.

[T/N: Great Chess Player (大棋手 - dà qíshǒu) is how MC teasingly and admiringly refers to him while little lady (小姑娘 - xiǎo gūniang) is Lucien's special term of endearment to MC. So yes, he's the one picking the outfit to attract her attention, just like male peacocks displaying their feather🤣 Please don't be harsh on his color choice because he literally can't see them🥲]

MC: [pouts] Humph, I want to protest~

MC: Even without any help, I can still instantly spot you in a crowd!

Lucien: [chuckles] Of course, I believe that. But I also have a selfish motive.

He gently pinches my puffed-out cheeks and meets my gaze with a smile.

Lucien: [gently and sincerely] Just thinking about you watching me throughout the competition... it'll likely fill me with strength.

✂———————–

In the vast venue, a hundred chess players are seated at their tables, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Carl, the world champion.

The audience seats are already packed with hundreds of spectators, and the broadcasting equipment, along with the commentators, is set up and ready to go.

Feeling the solemn atmosphere, I shrink back a little and quickly walk over to the family seating area within the venue to sit down.

Host: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the International 3D Chess Championship!

Host: Here today, we have chess elites gathered from all around the globe.

Host: They have emerged from fierce preliminary rounds and will face Carl, the champion of the International 3D Chess Championship, in a head-to-head battle.

Just then, on the large screen suspended above the venue, a refined-looking man is waving and greeting the crowd below.

Host: Following the classic tournament rules, each player will have 120 minutes to make their first 40 moves, after which they will have another 60 minutes to complete the rest of the game.

Host: To ensure fairness and smooth progression, a team of referees will supervise the entire match.

Host: Please remain quiet during the match so that the players can concentrate.

Host: We hope you all enjoy this feast of intellect and strategy!

As the match bell rings, the first game appears on the big screen.

Carl opens with a knight's jump, using the black pieces. Time flows in silence for a long while before his opponent finally makes their move.

Just as the unfamiliar and complex cross-layer moves are starting to make my head spin, the game reaches Lucien's table.

Facing Carl's aggressive opening, Lucien doesn't panic. Calm and collected, he establishes his defensive formation.

I quietly note the position of his piece, trying to summon the knowledge I learned from playing classic chess with him in an effort to keep up with the game.

However, as the game progresses, I quickly become lost amidst the complexity of the situation.

Thankfully, that splash of cherry-red color always manages to blur out the world, allowing me to clearly see him every time I look up.

While waiting for his turn, Lucien leans back and intently watches the live screen, unlike the others who are engrossed in studying their own games.

[This passage implies that, unlike other players who are focused solely on their own games, Lucien is observing the matches on the live screen to study the world champion's strategies and gameplay. Also, this passage is an interesting parallel with how Lucien sees the world - to him, her color blurred the world around her, allowing him to see her clearly🥺]

Yet whenever it's his turn to make a move, he does it extremely quickly.

After a few rounds, players on the field are gradually eliminated and leave, but Lucien remains seated, his remaining time nearly equal to Carl's.

Most of the time, his expression remains calm, only occasionally does his brow and eyes curve slightly as if he's noticed some clever moves.

Even though he's far away, I feel like I can see that fascinating and captivating world through his eyes.

I gaze for a long time, so long that I only snap back to reality when Carl sits down opposite Lucien.

The stage is empty, and before I realize it, only that red figure remains.

The black and white sides are locked in a tense struggle, like a small battlefield. Pieces fell constantly, yet new attacks were relentlessly launched.

A hushed silence gradually spreads over the audience. Finally, the timer goes off, and the referee, who has been observing from the sidelines, rises to his feet.

He takes a step forward, waiting for Lucien to put down the piece in his hand, pick up a pen and write something, then seal the paper in an envelope.

As if on cue, the people around me rustle and leave. I instinctively get up as well, feeling puzzled, and head towards Lucien, who is also departing.

MC: Is the match over?

Lucien: Not yet, it's just that the official match time is up. Now the moves are sealed, and the match will resume in an hour.

MC: I see. So, what do you think?

Lucien: Although the situation is a bit tense right now, I've more or less deduced the strategy he'll likely use.

He narrows his eyes, looking like a smug little fox.

MC: Wow, I knew you were good, but I'm blown away that you've been able to hold your own against the world champion for so long…

Lucien: Would you mind holding onto that compliment until the 26th move and telling me again later, MC?

MC: Um?

I suddenly figured something out, and in that instant, I found the answer in those confident eyes.

Lucien: By then, I'll have won.

=[Part 2]=

Lucien wins.

At the 21st move in overtime, Carl topples his cornered king piece and concedes defeat.

It's not that I never thought he would win, but seeing Lucien standing on the podium, the clear reality of his victory washes over me along with the tide of applause.

I clap with extra force, wanting to convey all my heartfelt congratulations to him.

MC: Congratulations, grand champion!

As the award ceremony ends, after waiting by the side of the stage, I step forward and greet the person before me with a big hug.

An icy chill clings to him, yet the voice that falls upon my ear is incredibly gentle.

Lucien: [chuckles] I received all of MC's congratulations.

Lucien: Even though you were a bit far away, the way you clapped so enthusiastically was especially adorable, just like a little seal.

MC: Of course! As your girlfriend, I can't let myself be outdone by anyone else…

??: Mr. Lucien, congratulations.

A stranger's voice suddenly interrupts the conversation as Carl, dressed in a suit, walks over in surprise.

Carl: I'll always remember this match, I hope to see you again on the competition stage someday.

Lucien: Thank you, there will be a chance.

Lucien nods politely, and only after watching the other person disappear into the crowd does he speak, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Lucien: Was that Carl?

MC: Hmm? Even a superbrain like you can have face blindness?

Lucien: Perhaps I was too focused on the chessboard, so I didn't pay attention to his appearance.

Lucien: Besides, his clothes seem completely different from what he wore this afternoon.

Seeing him explain earnestly, I can't help but laugh.

MC: [laughs] If I were Carl, I think I would be more hurt that my opponent, whom I faced for half a day, doesn’t remember me than about losing the match.

MC: Speaking of which, you don't forget everyone you've played chess with, do you?

Lucien: [stunned as if hit by a memory of someone from his distant past] …

It’s as if something leaps into the depths of those dark eyes along with my words, and they suddenly blink quickly.

Lucien: Not quite everyone.

MC: Wow, if you remember someone, they must be really impressive!

Lucien: Not at all.

Lucien: In fact, on most of the days we've played, he couldn't even win a pack of biscuits.*

MC: So, about the same level as me then~

I can't help but curve my lips into a smile, and it seems as though my rising smile also slowly melts that touch of indifference.

Lucien: [chuckles] You're right, it's about the same level. But MC is special to me.

Lucien: Whether it's ‘biscuits', 'candy', or even 'unreasonable requests', you always manage to win them over in another way.

MC: [laughs happily] Hahaha, that friend of yours would probably think you're way too biased if he heard you say that!

Lucien smiles faintly as if my words allow him to vaguely picture that person before his eyes—

Fuzzy... distant... yet somehow a little vivid.

Lucien: Perhaps, but all of those are just assumptions.

MC: Even if they are assumptions, aren't they still based on deductions from the past?

I hook my finger around his, gently swaying our hands together.

MC: Even if the past may be gone, isn't there still “something” from it that continues to run through your life in different forms;

MC: Accompanying you as you pass by and meet many amazing, yet lovely and warm people?~

Lucien: Of course, I have never denied that.

It was as though an imperceptible wound within those profound eyes had been quietly mended, allowing a trace of a smile to escape.**

Wanting to keep that smile lingering for a while longer, I wrinkle my nose.

MC: But... I've clearly played chess with you too, and several different kinds! Yet the first person Professor Lucien thought of wasn't me!

Lucien: …

Seeing his eyes widen slightly, I smile with satisfaction.

MC: Hmph, looks like I need to work harder! In that case, I'll start by learning 3D chess!

I take the prize chessboard from Lucien's hands, giving it a gentle shake.

MC: Please teach me, Teacher Lucien.

✂———————–

[T/N]

*: the biscuits!!! I'm sobbing ;-;, turns out Lucien still remembers Fan Zihang/Zack so clearly... I hope we'll get another mention of Fan Zihang/Zack on his birthday too huhu.

**: I'm taking liberties in translating this one 😂. The original line is “那双幽深的眼瞳里似有道小小裂隙被悄悄填上,终于泄 出一点笑意。” which if literally translated it will be “In that pair of deep and dark eyes, it was as if a small crack had been quietly filled up, finally revealing a hint of a smile.”. The 'crack' can symbolize an unhealed wound from the past. As it gradually fills, this wound is slowly mending, allowing him to release some of his past burdens and letting a hint of joy show through his eyes. Or, you can also think of it as a frozen lake that slowly melts and reveals a small crack, allowing the sunlight to fill in and showing what's in the water all this time (there's happiness from those past memories too).

Next: Part 3 & 4-> [Here]

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Flavor Date - English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

It feels like all my other senses are being fully engaged and heightened by him as well.

As Lucien and I taste the same flavors, my eyes are filled with Lucien, my ears hear only his voice, my nose is enveloped by Lucien's lingering fragrance…

In my heart, there's only Lucien.

Translation under the cut!

[T/N: This date has a theme that is a kind of continuation to his car UR MQ, [On Fire MQ]; So please give it a read if you haven’t! I personally love this date because it’s sort of role reversal for them? I think Lucien truly understands her struggle here because he used to go through the same thing (losing his ability to sense the world around him to some degree) before meeting her :” So he sincerely wants to help her regain them]

[Subbed Video]

[Transcript Ver]

=[Part 1]=

Waiter: We used horseradish cheese sauce and basil pesto in this dish, resulting in sour and spicy flavors. Please enjoy the meal.

The waiter eloquently introduced us to the newly served exquisite dish. Lucien nods and takes a bite.

Lucien: Mm, the sour and spicy flavors make the ingredients themselves taste more refreshing. It's delicious.

Watching Lucien savor the dish so attentively, I also take a bite, my heart full of anticipation.

MC: Uhh…

MC: [unconsciously frowns in disappointment]…ah…

Seeing my slight frown, the waiter immediately becomes a bit nervous.

Waiter: Madam, is there something you're not satisfied with about our dish? Please feel free to share your feedback…

MC: No, no, the flavor is quite good!

I wave my hand, signaling to the waiter that he doesn't need to continue attending to us. After he leaves, I turn to Lucien and let out a long sigh.

Lucien: [chuckles] How did your face turn so sour* while eating?

MC: Ugh, it's all because of my tongue…

Last week, the flu virus spread explosively through the company, and I unfortunately became one of its victims.

By the time I finally managed to break the fever and stop coughing, I discovered I had developed a bit of an "aftereffect."

My sense of taste... has undergone a subtle change.

MC: I can clearly tell that this dish is sour, and that dish is salty, but no matter what I eat, there's no lingering flavor…

MC: Lucien, I finally understand what 'taste like cardboard’ means!

I listlessly poke at the food in front of me with my fork as I speak. Seeing me like this, Lucien can’t resist chuckling.

Lucien: [chuckles] It’s indeed painful for our gourmet Miss MC not to be able to experience the deliciousness of the food.

MC: The pain doesn't stop there.

I can't help but start counting on my fingers, listing them one by one.

MC: You have no idea how expensive and hard to book this private kitchen is!

MC: I booked a month in advance, battling countless scalpers on their app, and finally managed to snag a VIP table for two.

MC: I specifically chose today to celebrate the end of your research project…

MC: Argh, and I was even planning to take you to try out this newly opened specialty cocktail bar after this meal!

Before I can finish my grumbling, Lucien suddenly takes hold of my fingertips.

Under the warm light, his smile is gentle and clear.

Lucien: So, are you regretting the money you spent, the loss of your taste, or the fact that our date isn't going as planned?

MC: You tell me.

I hook my finger around his, pouting justifiably*.

MC: Can the clever Professor Lucien help me think of a way to turn this "tasteless" date into something more "flavorful"?

Lucien tilts his head slightly, pondering seriously for a moment.

Lucien: Then let's change our date plans. After dinner, let's do something that doesn't require a sense of taste.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N]

Fun fact, him finally reaching the end of his important research project is something that also recently happened in main story SO yeah imo main story and dateverse are indeed connected-

*: Lucien uses the word "苦瓜脸" (bitter melon face - kǔguā liǎn) to teasingly describe her facial expression😂It is a Chinese idiom used to describe someone who looks unhappy or has a sour expression. It implies that her expression resembles the bitter, wrinkled appearance of a bitter melon!

**: The phrase used here is 理直气壮 (lǐ zhí qì zhuàng) which is a Chinese idiom that describes someone confident and assertive, often due to having a strong justification for their actions or words. It literally translates to "reason is straight, spirit is strong.". MC feels wronged because the date doesn’t go as planned, so she assertively challenges Lucien to ‘turn the tasteless date into something flavorful’ and feels justified to do so~

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

=[Part 2]=

After leaving the private kitchen, I hand full control of the date over to Lucien with complete peace of mind.

We stroll along the riverside path, petting kittens at pet stores, gathering flowers still damp with evening dew, and finally arriving at a used bookstore.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

MC: Lucien, is this the book you've been looking for?

Lucien: [with a surprised tone] Where?

Lucien takes the old book from my hand and flips through a few pages, his eyes light up noticeably, and a surprised smile appears on the corner of his mouth.

Lucien: [delightful gasps] It really is this one... good thing you have a keen eye; If it were up to me, I'd have definitely missed it.

MC: Heh, I have a keen sense for anything related to you.

I proudly nuzzle against his arm and then lean my head against him.

The bouquet in my arms, the faint scent of ink mingling with the fragrance of Lucien's clothes, all lingered around my nose, drawing a contented sigh from me.

Lucien: [chuckles] What's wrong?

MC: It's nothing. I just suddenly realized that although my sense of taste wasn't indulged today, all my other senses have been thoroughly delighted thanks to your arrangements.

MC: I'm really happy, so I want to cuddle up to you for a bit.

Lucien lowers his head at my words, a hint of smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Lucien: [chuckles, then whispers softly] I'm also very content and happy today, and I don't want to just ‘cuddle’ with you.

I understand the meaning behind his words and deliberately elongate the end of my tone.

MC: [interesting word choice you got there MC] Ah, it's not really appropriate in a bookstore, is it~?

MC: I'm also feeling a bit tired now. Shall we head home?

Lucien: [chuckles] That's just what I was thinking.

I carry the flowers, and Lucien carries the old book as we head home together.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

As soon as I push open the door, I notice a pile of delivery boxes stacked next to the shoe cabinet. Lucien also notices my gaze and starts to explain.

Lucien: They're all your packages.

Lucien: I happened to run into the delivery person on my way out, so I signed for them.

MC: Ah, I don't recall buying anything recently?

Lucien: Hmm… it seems MC was indeed a bit out of it from the fever a few days ago.

Lucien picks up the scissors to open packages, struggling to suppress the laughter in his voice.

Lucien: That night, weren't you a bit out of it from the fever, refusing to go to bed, and ended up watching a bunch of food live streams?

Lucien: [his tone when he imitates the notification sound asjjxjdjdkl] During that time, I heard a lot of ‘ding ding ding, payment successful’.

MC: —I remember now!

Heat rushes to my face in an instant, and I bury my face in my hands, feeling a little embarrassed

MC: …As expected, it was a combination of cravings, impulsive shopping, and a viral invasion that left me with no rationality at all.

Lucien: I actually think it was a good thing that the food livestream distracted you that night, so you didn’t feel so uncomfortable.

Lucien helps me take the snack bags out of the box, then soothingly takes my hand and leads me to the sofa to sit down.

Lucien: Besides, I'm also curious to know if these snacks are as delicious as the live streamers described them to be.

Remembering the live streamers' over-the-top expressions, I also get curious and take the initiative to tear open a bag of sandwich cookies first.

I chew and swallow with the utmost seriousness, but I can still only taste bland saltiness and sweetness.

Seeing my increasingly dejected expression, Lucien is about to offer words of comfort, but I quickly stuff the other sandwich cookie from the bag into his mouth.

Lucien: [confusedly] Um…?

I prop myself up on a pillow, lean closer to Lucien, and wink at him.

MC: Hehe, I want to watch you eat it.

MC: If you think it's delicious, then that means I think it's delicious too.

Mirroring my gesture, Lucien winks back, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallows the cookie.

Lucien: [chuckles] So, you want me to be your ’tongue’ then?

MC: Exactly, you describe it, and I'll imagine it; that's not a bad idea either.

MC: Maybe if I keep imagining and imagining, my sense of taste will return as well.

Lucien can't help but smile, his eyes curving with amusement. He leans down and places a kiss on the corner of my lips.

Lucien: [kiss sound] I’ve noticed that a certain little foodie’s resentment towards not being able to enjoy delicious food has become as deep as a black hole.

MC: Haha, it's not that exaggerated…

Lucien: I completely understand how you feel, MC.

Lucien's sigh-like whisper overlaps with my words, swallowing my dry laughter entirely.

He doesn't say anything more, but I know he understands my current frustration and dejection.

I let out a long sigh, then bury my head in his chest affectionately, murmuring softly.

MC: I really want to get my sense of taste back soon…

Lucien: Then, how about we try making a plan to reawaken your taste buds?

MC: What?

Lucien: Taste buds are essentially signal receivers. When they malfunction, your brain also experiences cognitive errors, leading to a decreased sensitivity to taste.

Lucien: The tongue is most sensitive to sweetness first, then saltiness, followed by sourness, and finally bitterness.

MC: What about spiciness?

Lucien: Spiciness is actually a sensation of touch, not taste.

Lucien: How about we try this: starting tomorrow, you taste, and I describe. We can use synesthesia to try and awaken one flavor at a time?

MC: That might actually work. So, which flavor should we start with?

Lucien smiles, then unwraps a toffee candy, holds it between his teeth, and leans towards me.

Lucien: [chuckles, kisses, then whispers hoarsely] …Sweetness.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

=[Part 3]=

Perhaps because I'm looking forward to Lucien's ‘taste buds awakening plan’, I wake up really early without needing an alarm.

I yawn as I drag myself into the bathroom and find that Lucien is also washing up.

Lucien: Good morning. Have you decided where we'll carry out our plan later?

MC: There seems to be a highly-rated dessert shop on Floral Road. My colleagues have recommended it before. Let's go check it out.

I squeeze out some toothpaste and start brushing my teeth, continuing to chat with Lucien with my words slightly muffled.

MC: By the way, I happn to fearch for popular science articles 'bout tafe recobery before going to bed, it said… Lucien! Lucien! (By the way, I happened to look up some science on taste recovery before going to sleep, it said… Lucien! Lucien!)

Startled by my voice, Lucien immediately lifts his head from the towel.

Lucien: Hmm? What's wrong?

MC: I think I can taste a bit of toothpaste!

At this moment, I realize with a mix of delayed comprehension and crystal-clear certainty—my sense of taste seems to be gradually returning!

Lucien is momentarily stunned, then he also breaks into a chuckle.

Lucien: That's great, it seems like this afternoon we should be able to… Mmm.

The rest of his words are cut off as I pounce on him, kissing him. He widens his eyes slightly in surprise, but almost instantly, he happily accepts my lead.

I grasp his arm, and with a sense of satisfaction, I lick my lips.

MC: Did you taste it?

Lucien: Mm, it's the taste of white tea and pomelo.

MC: Right, right! Although it's faint, I can finally distinguish some of them now!

MC: I almost don't want to rinse my mouth.

Lucien's smile deepens as he hands the glass of water to me.

Lucien: Well, this classmate still needs to rinse their mouth. Otherwise, how will you be able to taste the deliciousness that's yet to come?

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Lucien: [teasingly] You look as nervous as if you're about to go to a job interview.

MC: Regaining my sense of taste is a big deal, of course I'm going to take it seriously!

I'm sitting up straight in the dessert shop, looking at Lucien with a serious expression on my face.

MC: On the other hand, does Professor Lucien have the confidence to be a good ‘tongue’ for me?

Lucien raises an eyebrow at me noncommittally, then picks up the menu.

Lucien: Hello, I'd like one macaron, one red velvet cake, one Basque cheesecake, one Napoleon pastry…

I watch Lucien expertly order a mountain of desserts, and I can't help but feel a little guilty.

MC: [worriedly] Wait a minute, can we really eat this much?

Lucien: No need to worry, if you can't finish them, just hand them over to me.

Lucien: Besides, you're still in the recovery phase of your sense of taste. Of course, you need to try as many different flavors of sweetness as possible in order to remember them well.

I nod in partial understanding. Soon, plate after plate of desserts are brought to our table.

Vibrantly colored jams, intricately patterned cream, and delicate little candies…

They are arranged across the table and dessert tower, resembling bright and vibrant gems under the afternoon sun.

Lucien picks up a cupcake and holds it near my lips.

Lucien: [chuckles] You first.

I take a bite of the cake, and the moist, soft texture instantly fills my mouth.

Lucien: How does it taste?

MC: Hmm... It seems like it's light cream with a tart fruit jam?

Lucien: [chuckles] You got most of it right.

MC: Then what's the remaining small part?

Lucien doesn't answer right away. He lightly trails his finger across the frosting on the cupcake.

The fluffy frosting rests on his finger like a tiny cloud. He lowers his eyes and sticks out his tongue, slowly and carefully licking it.

A small amount of the thick and sticky jam escapes the lingering sweep of his tongue, slowly slides down the skin of his knuckles.

Lucien's voice is neither hurried nor slow, each word enunciated with a hint of honeyed sweetness.

Lucien: [why his breathy and husky voice sounds so seductive here-] The cream melts quickly, leaving a slightly fatty, sticky coating on the tip of the tongue, but this sensation is soon overtaken by the sweet and tart flavor of the jam.

Lucien: [x2] In the end, they blend together, creating a gentle and delicate flavor.

Even though I haven't taken a second bite of the cake, Lucien's description makes me involuntarily swallow.

That's the most fundamental desire—known as appetite*.

I don't know why, but I'm suddenly thinking about that deep kiss from this morning.

Looking back, I definitely should have kissed him a few more times.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N]

Can confirm that MC kiss isn't just a peck on lips because the summary of the date phrase it like this: “顺便也尝了尝许墨嘴里牙膏的味道” (while at it, I was also tasting the toothpaste in his mouth), the text uses "嘴里" (zui li), which literally means "inside the mouth”, and add the fact that she was not just ‘visiting’, but tasting…. the kiss was rather an… intimate exploration🤪

*: the use of 食欲 (appetite; desire for food) is interesting because at first, you would think she was referring to the food (and it IS more commonly used for food), but then instead she thinks back to the kiss they shared that morning.... like, ma'am are you confusing lust with hunger again just like in the qixi AU LOL

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

=[Part 4]=

Lucien: [gently] Basque cake is very thick and sticky, not quite like the filling of an egg tart. You can slowly and gently stir it with the tip of your tongue to melt it…

Lucien: The Napoleon pastry from this particular shop is generously filled with almond slices. As they blend with the flaky pastry, you can slowly distinguish their textures and flavors…

MC: The puff pastry is crumbly and buttery, while the almond slices are smooth with a slight chewiness?

Lucien: [chuckles] Well said. Would you like to try the apple pie?

MC: I'd love to!

I take a bite of the apple pie he cut for me, chew carefully, and my eyes widen in surprise.

MC: I can taste it... this apple pie is a bit tastier than the one we had last time!

Lucien: [chuckles] It seems that classmate MC is starting to develop a standard for distinguishing similar flavors?

As Lucien speaks, he takes a bite of the apple pie and nods.

Lucien: Hmm... it does seem like it. I think the difference might be that they added a bit of liquor to the filling, which gives the apples a more fermented flavor. Can you smell it?

I lean closer, my nose twitching slightly. Sure enough, amidst the rich aroma of apples and cream, I catch a faint whiff of alcohol.

MC: There really is a hint of alcohol! How did I not taste it earlier?

Lucien: [chuckles] That means it's time for you to try the next dessert and awaken your taste buds further. Here, have a macaron.

We taste various desserts, and Lucien continuously describes the different textures and aftertastes to me, guiding me to gradually recover my sense of taste.

This ‘awakening plan’ seems to be doing more than just reawakening my sense of taste. It feels like all my other senses are being fully engaged and heightened by him as well.

As Lucien and I taste the same flavors, my eyes are filled with Lucien, my ears hear only his voice, my nose is enveloped by Lucien's lingering fragrance…

In my heart, there's only Lucien.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Lucien: [chuckles] What are you writing?

After returning home from the dessert shop, I excitedly open my computer and create a new document.

MC: Now that my sense of taste is back, I definitely need to rearrange the gourmet plans that I put on hold over the past couple of days.

MC: It's the first time I've truly felt how much having a sense of taste can enhance happiness!

MC: How about we go for a hot pot this weekend?

MC: It's also time to stimulate my tongue with some salty and spicy flavors!

MC: I know you said spiciness is a pain sensation, but hey, they are all handled by the tongue anyway…

Lucien leans back on the sofa, listening to my chatter, nodding with a warm smile beaming on his face.

Lucien: [chuckles] Only planning for next weekend? I was actually thinking about what we could eat together tomorrow.

MC: Of course, we should also plan for tomorrow! Let me see if there are any good places to eat nearby…

MC: Oh! There's this too!

I lean over and grab those bags of snacks from yesterday, the ones I couldn't taste when I ate them.

Rich cheese, tangy plums, savory dried meat... I savor each snack, one by one, and a feeling of immense happiness wells up in my heart.

MC: Sniffle sniffle… Lucien, those streamers weren't lying! It really is delicious, you should try some too!

I hold out the snacks to Lucien's lips like I did yesterday, but he doesn't open his mouth. Instead, he just looks at me and smiles.

MC: Why the smile? Do you think I'm being too greedy?

Lucien: [gently] Of course not. I just realized there was an idiom I didn't like before, but now I don't feel the same way about it anymore.

MC: Which idiom?

Lucien: "饮食男女" [yǐn shí nán nǚ - literally mean drink, eat, man, woman, it is derived from what Confucius once said, "饮食男女，人之大欲存焉 (Food and sex are the greatest/basic desires of humans) -T/N]

Lucien: Food and sex are the greatest desires of humans. These are the most basic and instinctual impulses of human beings, and there's nothing vulgar about them.

He reaches out and gently wipes the snack crumbs from the corner of my mouth.

Lucien: On the contrary, they're very endearing.

MC: Of course, being able to experience and engage the world through one's nature is a very endearing thing.

MC: And haven't you noticed that your perception of the world is becoming increasingly nuanced, vibrant, and lively?

Lucien: Are you referring to our 'taste bud awakening plan' today?

MC: Far more than that. It's also the text messages you sent me, the photos you took and gave to me, and all our trivial little chats;

MC: We're experiencing the beauty in all the small, ordinary things together. Even if it’s merely a tiny change like adding a bit of alcohol to the apple pie…

I gently nuzzle my cheek against his fingers, which he hasn't yet withdrawn, smiling with contentment and pride.

MC: It's because I'm endearing that you're becoming endearing too.

MC: We're endearing people who enjoy the basic desires of humankind.

Lucien: ….

Lucien is momentarily stunned, and then his narrow eyes suddenly lit up at my words.

His lips open and close, but in the end, no words come out. He just leans toward me slowly.

The atmosphere becomes somewhat suggestive. I realize what he's about to do and quickly cover my mouth, leaning back.

MC: Wait... Not now!

Lucien: [chuckles then asks gently] Why?

MC: I just ate jerky, dried fruits, and cookies, now my mouth tastes like a mess.... So, not now!

I twist my waist, trying to dodge him. Lucien, resigned yet amused, can only straighten back up.

Lucien: [chuckles helplessly] I'll brew you some plain tea then.

Lucien finishes brewing the tea and hands it to me. I accept it a bit awkwardly and sip slowly, regret starting to creep into my heart.

Why am I even bringing up rinsing my mouth? When I was brushing my teeth this morning, wasn't it natural to just pounce and kiss him directly?

Besides, Lucien wouldn't mind if it's me…

Now it's like this, my mouth doesn't taste bad anymore, but kissing has become this serious and stiff affair, like some kind of formal ceremony.

MC: I really…

Lucien: What?

MC: It's nothing, it's nothing. I meant... I finished my drink.

I pull Lucien's arm, then, feeling a bit uncertain, lower my head to huff a breath.

MC: It should be fresh now, right...?

MC: Lucien, why do I feel like I'm starting to doubt my sense of smell again?

Lucien: [whispers] No need to doubt.

Lucien cups my face in his hands, and his scent, like that of green tea, envelops me completely.

In the moment of our intertwined breaths, Lucien personally confirms the answer.

Lucien: [breathes then whispers huskily] Very sweet.

— — — — — — — —FIN — — — — — — — — — —

[Bonus Moments - Dull Interdental Pain]

(this is just so funny I can't resist translating it LMAOO. Man really got toothache from too much sweet he ate for her sake skksks)

Lucien: Sweetness is both a kind of joy and a lingering dull pain.

MC: Have you taken some painkillers? Maybe you should go see a dentist tomorrow QAQ

Lucien replied to MC: Dentists are very scary, I don't dare go alone.

[T/N: it's read: let's go but you have to accompany me *insert pleading pink rabbit xm here*]

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[Afterwords]

HELLO LUCIEN'S COPYWRITERS???? how come you are able to write another banger even for a mere fragrant sunshine ER! There are many things that I like about this date and I'll slowly list them one by one~

Just like car UR MQ, the central theme of this date revolves around fully experiencing the world through your senses and his emotional growth.

How do I put it, but really, loving Lucien is like pulling a god down from his high altar. He begins as an indifferent observer, detached from the warmth of the human world, but with MC's guidance, he learns to immerse himself in it; What's interesting is that this date shows a kind of role reversal for them.

In both the main story and the 'date-verse,' it was Lucien who had lost his senses to fully experience the world, and MC’s presence helped him regain them and learn how to immerse himself in it. In this date, however, the opposite occurs—MC is the one who loses her senses, and Lucien helps her reawaken them.

Lucien genuinely wants to help her because he truly understands her struggle. He went through a similar experience, his senses used to be f*cked up due to the experiments he went through (as confirmed in S2 ch 33), hence hindering his ability to fully experience the world around him. And as I mentioned in his car UR MQ analysis, emotions and senses are linked, so his limited sensory engagement with the world naturally made his emotional perception and expression rather dull and detached.

With MC, Lucien slowly regains his sensory and emotional connection to the world, learning to immerse himself in it. This date is clear proof of his growth. Whether it’s him beginning to appreciate and savor food or finding beauty in the small, everyday things, his perception of the world has become vibrant and alive—no longer dull or detached.

Then there's also his emotional growth. Lucien's words that he didn’t like the idiom "饮食男女" reflect his earlier detachment from human emotions and basic desires. This dislike implied that he thought those things to be mundane or even vulgar aspects of human nature. Perhaps he even used to see himself as above them and wanted humanity to evolve beyond those desires. However, now, he sees these basic human needs in a different light. He now understands that there is nothing vulgar about these instincts—they are part of what makes life meaningful and humanity rather endearing🥺.

Lucien’s growth is a response to MC’s care and love. All of this (his emotional growth, his increasingly nuanced perception of the world) is influenced by MC.

MC: It's because I'm endearing that you're becoming endearing too.

MC: We're endearing people who enjoy the basic desires of humankind.

I like these lines because she basically mirrors Lucien’s earlier use of the idiom "饮食男女" (basic desires of humankind; food and sex). She reflects his words about how these simple, instinctual desires make people endearing. MC’s ability to embrace what makes us human rubs on Lucien, making him more "endearing" as well. I always love how they influence each other throughout the years🥹. Honestly, this date is another win for the writers!

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien - Entangling Date - English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

[Warning]: The content of this date is currently the most explicit compared to other SSR dates and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 17 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

// ⚠️ cw v*re-ish theme, (not heavy) blood, dubious consent, (magic) bondage, strangulation you'll never guess who. Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to these topics

[Translation Notes]

In here, both MC and Lucien are Snake Demons (蛇妖). Demons (妖 yāo) – (which is sometimes left untranslated as “Yao” or alternatively translated as Monsters) are born when an animal, plant, or even an inanimate object absorbs spiritual energy over a long period and then gains spiritual awareness. They're not necessarily evil and are different from 魔 (Mó)/Evil Spirits. Still, their identity as such beings in this AU is important to remember because it means that both MC and Lucien are indifferent to human standards of morality.

Also in this date, there's a concept of cultivation or "修炼" (xiūliàn), which is a central concept in many Chinese fantasy genres, particularly in xianxia (仙侠) literature. It involves the practice of refining one's body, mind, and spirit to achieve higher levels of power, enlightenment, or immortality. As for other terms… I'll add T/N if there are more specific terms ahah-

And, let me explain a bit about the v*re theme... So, in some Chinese fantasy literature and cultivation stories, consuming others can be a method of cultivation. This practice might involve eating parts of these beings to gain their powers or absorb their essence, which is believed to advance their cultivation level. Although I’m also kind of convinced with what Chuverall said that ‘hunger’ here is a metaphor for another kind of desire or Lucien just genuinely confuses lust with hunger😂

[Subbed Video]

I highly recommend watching the subbed video! I SWEAR I never heard him moan and pant so much on one date or heck, even in ASMR. If YouTube decides the date is too explicit, I'll upload it on Twitter instead~

Also, to avoid the video getting deleted by youtube, I age-restricted it u.u

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[Transcript Ver]

—[Part 1]—

I'm starving.

I swallow a pile of random 'food' expressionlessly, yet the intense emptiness and hunger are not satisfied in the slightest.

Immense power courses through my body, but it seems as if it is confined within an earthen jar, desperately trying to find an outlet, yet unable to find a way out.

I am well aware that, after four hundred years, I have once again encountered the opportunity to break through the Primordial Spirit stage.

Back then, I devoured the crocodile demon that had occupied the deep pool for hundreds of years, and only after digesting its entire Primordial Spirit did I successfully achieve the breakthrough.

[T/N: Primordial spirit or 元神 (yuán shén) is typically regarded as a higher, more refined level of consciousness or spiritual essence within a being. If cultivated enough, a primordial spirit can gain some consciousness and you can project yourself outward (important for the later part ;)]

[T/N: A breakthrough in cultivation refers to a significant leap in spiritual or martial progress, often leading to enhanced abilities or a higher level of power. It can happen several times.]

I feel the surge of power within me, and now I only crave for more.

Half a country's worth of humans is probably not enough. I still need to find a way to concentrate on cultivation, or perhaps consume another powerful being.

The harsh, blazing sunlight pierces through the cave entrance, casting a bright circle inside the cave.

I squint my eyes, lazily stretching my snake tail towards the patch of light.

The cautious tip of my snake tail ventures only an inch into the light but is instantly pierced by the scorching heat, causing it to shudder and quickly recoil back into the shadows.

MC: …So hot.

MC: I'll think about it later.

The chilly and damp stone cave dispels the scorching heat of the sun. I close my eyes and adjust my position for greater comfort, half my body submerged in the pool water.

There's no need to rush. After all, this scorching summer heat that could kill a demon is a mysterious demon-slaying technique in itself.

??: …

Suddenly, I sense something entering my cave.

It's just that the little creature's demonic power is too weak to stir even a sliver of my interest.

Perhaps because of my indifference, "it" seems to be growing bolder, venturing closer and even approaching my pool.

Slightly displeased, I open my eyes, only to meet with a pair of unfamiliar eyes—deep and brimming with smiles.

??: So hot. May I borrow a corner of your abode, My Lord?

The man's clothes hang loosely on his frame, barely concealing his broad, sculpted chest in a manner that seems almost deliberate as he leans casually against a nearby rock.

[T/N: The use of 欲盖弥彰 😂 This idiom literally means "trying to cover up but only making it more obvious." This implies that his attempt to ‘dress modestly’ is actually drawing more attention to his physique and carrying a subtle hint of deliberate seduction LOL]

Who is he?

Countless lesser monsters inhabit this mountain, and I never pay attention to those I can crush with half a finger.

But perhaps it's because I'm so bored, or perhaps because he carries the scent of my own kind, that I can't help but stare at him for a long while.

Lucien: My Lord, my name is Lucien.

Perhaps sensing the reason for my silence, he smiles gracefully and bows his head respectfully.

Lucien: I have been living in this mountain for many years, always relying on your protection, My Lord.

Lucien: I have expressed my gratitude to you many times before, My Lord, but it seems...

He pauses, his deep and bright eyes settling on me.

Lucien: ...those sentiments have not reached you.

Hearing him say this, I try to recall the countless memories I've accumulated over the years on this mountain, but I can't possibly remember the face of every insignificant lesser demon.

Seeing that I still show no reaction, the lesser demon's face seems to stiffen for a brief moment.

But a seductive curve quickly forms on his lips as he steps into the pool.

His body bends gracefully in the pool as water laps over his waist and abdomen, leaving him glistening wet.

He extends his arms into the pool, seemingly sensing and finding my tail as if guided by instinct.

His cold fingertips gently caress my scales, then encircle my tail and draw it towards his chest.

Water droplets run down his hair, trace the contours of his jaw and cascade onto his chest, mingling with the water dripping from the tip of my tail. Together, they seep through his semi-transparent garment, disappearing into the curve of his waist.

The uncomfortable warmth faintly spread over me, yet his audacious behavior piqued my curiosity. I wonder what intriguing actions this lesser demon can do.

But my somewhat arrogant and silent scrutiny doesn't seem to instill any fear in him.

He nuzzles my snake tail with his face, his lips gently pressing against my scales. After a moment of delicate caressing, he—

Suddenly bites down hard.

MC: …!

A tingling numbness quickly spreads from the tip of my tail. The venom is manageable, and it will take me less than a moment to neutralize it.

Yet, in that fleeting moment, a particularly hazy, green-colored figure forms in my mind.

MC: Are you that little green snake who bit my tail decades ago and then fainted?

—[Part 2]—

=Flashback start=

One autumn many years ago, the sunlight was still pleasant, and I was coiled idly in the mountain, feeling bored to death.

The autumn light stretches endlessly, the entire forest suffused with a lingering pleasant fragrance that makes me coil my body even more lazily.

My demonic aura permeates the entire mountain, utterly unrestrained. The lesser demons cower in corners, none foolish enough to dare disturb my tranquility.

Suddenly, a burst of very weak stings prickled the tip of my tail.

Puzzled, I lifted my tail, only to find a small green snake clinging to it.

It must have tried to feed on my energy but was overwhelmed by the backlash of my demonic power. The little snake has already fainted, but its tiny fangs are still tightly embedded in me.

It's natural for creatures to have a predatory instinct, but such a bold and greedy little thing might eventually develop even greater desires.

I observed it for a few more moments with interest before casually tossing it away.

=Flashback ends=

That blurry green shape in the daylight unexpectedly coalesces into the face of the person standing before me.

Turns out it really transformed into a demonic form.

My tail instantly coils around his entire body, tightening around his neck, and pulls him towards me.

MC: What did you say your name was?

Lucien: [his sexy gasps and breathless voice?#(#+-$(asdfghjkl] My Lord, my name is Lucien.

The venomous fangs in his mouth remain unretracted as if deliberately left exposed to provoke.

I grip his upper jaw, my fingertips sliding into his parted lips, caressing the delicate tips of his fangs.

As I gradually apply pressure, a pale yellow liquid slowly trickles down my fingertips.

A fascination stirs within my heart, and I drive the venom to flow uncontrollably until it overflows my palm.

The labored breath escaping his lips doesn't bring even a hint of fear to the face before me. Those eyes, like mysterious deep pools, draw me in completely.

MC: I remember you.

I lick the venom on my fingertips and then lightly lean toward his lips.

MC: Perhaps devouring you wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Lucien: [x2!] It would be my honor to become a part of you, My Lord.

Venom from his fangs spills to the corner of his lips, adding an inexplicable allure to his serene expression.

Lucien: [X3!!] However... to you, my lord, my demonic power is very weak. Even after appearing before you many times, I never caught your attention.

Lucien: [X4!!!] I'm afraid I can't help you achieve your breakthrough, my lord.

[T/N: Throughout this date, he used a "您" (nín) to address MC instead of the usual “你” (nǐ), which is the formal and polite way to say "you" in Chinese. It is used to show respect, deference, and admiration to the person being addressed.]

His face even bears a hint of hidden bitterness, as if silently reproaching me.

MC: How did you know I wanted to breakthrough?

Lucien: Because in my eyes... all I see is your figure.

Lucien: In the corners you never noticed, I've always been watching you.

Through those deep and unfathomable eyes, I see a reflection of a slender white figure, and her face is filled with disdain and inexplicable emotion.

Lucien: You've protected this place for many years, providing us with a safe haven. So, I also wish to contribute my humble efforts to your cause.

Lucien: I have found a group of remarkable humans who might be able to help you break through your cultivation, My Lord.

Half a country wouldn't even suffice.

I form this sentence in my mind but don't say it out loud.

Facing my silence, he gently smiles, as if he had expected it.

Lucien: What do you think, My Lord... about the 361 demon-slaying cultivators of the Qingping Sect, including the Sect Leader—what should be done with them?

His hushed whispers are carried on a breathy exhale and reach my lips. Sinking into the depths of his dark eyes, I curl my lips into a smile.

MC: What's your purpose in doing this?

Lucien: In the past two years, many demon hunters from this sect have repeatedly disturbed the peace in the mountain, and many lesser demons have fallen at their hands.

Lucien: My Lord, you have cast spells in this mountain, clearly not wishing to be disturbed. I merely volunteered to ease your worries.

MC: But those bugs always manage to get in, do you know why?

Lucien: A sophisticated formation like yours, My Lord, is naturally beyond the comprehension of a lowly demon like myself.

Lucien: The Qingping Sect is also a great sect with a hundred years of history; [chuckles] Perhaps there are some mysterious and powerful humans there.

Lucien smiles modestly and looks at me obediently.

I close my eyes, pondering his words over and over.

The Qingping Sect people have been coming to the mountain to hunt demons in summer and winter for the past few years. They must have observed my movements.

When I'm dormant, I'm usually too lazy to bother with such trivial matters. But if it's delivered to my doorstep, there's certainly no reason to refuse.

But with Lucien's cultivation level, it should be very difficult for him to handle such a large sect.

I think for a moment, then fling him away.

MC: So, in a place where the talented and powerful people hide, how are you going to offer them to me?

Lucien: I'm just using a few little tricks. You can inspect it now, My Lord.

His words barely leave his lips when the scene before me abruptly blurs. In a flash, I conceal my demonic form.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

An unfamiliar Taoist temple comes into view. We are already standing in the shadows of a corner.

I glance around, slightly raise my fingertips, and strangle Lucien's neck.

MC: Lucien, I don't like being controlled by anything else.

[T/N: MC actually called him 小许 (Xiao Xu) here which can be translated into ‘Little Lu' but that sounds odd in EN-]

Lucien: [gasping for breath and hoarsely says-] Perhaps… I was just too eager, hoping I could be of some help to you.

Lucien: [still with his hoarse voice-] I really long to see you happy.

His eyes curve into a gentle arc, showing a certain beauty that is both pleasing to the eye and delightful to the heart.

I let out a cold snort, dismissing him, and step out of the shadows, releasing my hold on his neck.

The scorching sun beats down mercilessly, making me irritable. Just as I'm about to turn around and warn that little creature to make it quick, I sense an unusually strange and mysterious Qi in the air.

In the shadows, Lucien stands still, his deep, dark eyes hiding a gleam.

Interesting.

A spark of interest ignites within me, and I swagger down the road.

Several demon hunters who look quite delicious pass by me. They appear numb, like puppets, and show no sign of panic in my presence.

??: Ah, it's Mr. Lucien!

Suddenly, a young Daoist Priest seems to regain his senses and runs towards me.

Lucien, who is already standing beside me, responds gently.

Lucien: Greetings, Daoist Priest.

Lucien's eyes shimmer with an emerald green light. As his voice trails off, several nearby demon hunters eagerly gather around, engaging him in conversation.

MC: "Do they know you?"

I glance at Lucien and use a spell to transmit the words directly into his mind.

But he merely smiles faintly, and under the gaze of those empty eyes, he leans down and whispers in my ear.

Lucien: [whispers] Some things are easier to erode from within.

Lucien: After all... I'm just a little green snake.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Part 3]—

Abundant power surges within me. After absorbing and dissolving the last remnants of the primordial spirit, I open my eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

While there's still a long way to go before my primordial spirit breaks through, I won't force it.

The blazing sun overhead reminds me of the day I parted ways with Lucien, leaving me to wonder how many days and nights have slipped by since.

The vastness of time has long since lost its meaning for me.

=Flashback start=

MC: Some of these are for you.

Lucien: …?

Upon hearing my words, he seemed to freeze for a moment, his eyes darkening slightly.

Lucien: If I wanted to keep it all for myself, I wouldn't have invited you, My Lord. All of this is my offering…

MC: You're so long-winded.

MC: Rewards are given for merit; take it if it's given to you. Those are my rules.

I was too lazy to listen to his long-winded speech, so I stood on the steps and looked down at him.

MC: Lucien, I have only one question for you right now.

MC: Aren't you hungry?

Lucien: ….

He stood in my shadow, deeply gazing up at me.

After a long pause, he curled his lips into a bewitching smile, his gaze locked intently on me. He extended his tongue, lightly licking his lips.

Lucien: [the long licking noises!??+$+*+$+] Very hungry, my lord.

=Flashback end=

I stand up and stretch, ready to take a stroll in the mountain and see how Lucien's cultivation is progressing.

He's very clever. In just a few decades, he's not only cultivated into a demon form but also amassed considerable power and even dealt with the entire Qingping Sect.

Perhaps in a few more decades, he could be the final piece I need for my breakthrough.

Just as I am about to leave the cave, I sense an extremely familiar pheromone nearby.

Its owner is cleverly masking their scent within my demonic aura, but it seems they're struggling to maintain the disguise, and faint traces are still leaking through.

I raise my head to gaze at the colossal Buddha statue before me, and then with a swift movement, I stand atop the entwining vines that encircle it. A quick glance reveals a familiar figure—

sexy bgm playing

Lucien: ...!

His dark green outer robe has slipped down to his arms, revealing a large expanse of his back. The slanting rays of the sun illuminate the faint snake scales on his skin.

Gold dust spills from the cracks in the Buddha statue, scattering around him. One of his hands, unable to contain the surging power, has fully transformed into its demonic form.

His broad and supple snake tail is fully exposed, writhing restlessly against the stone statue, creating a subtle rustling sound as it rubs against the surface.

Fine beads of sweat emerge on his forehead, gradually dampening his hair, which clings stickily to his flushed skin and trails downwards.

Lucien seems surprised by my arrival, turning around with a guarded look, his fingers reaching for his shoulder as if wanting to cover up more.

Lucien: [panting as if he's in a freaking heat] My Lord, how could you...?

MC: Lucien, you're really good at finding places, aren't you?

I examine the area around the Buddha's Hand. Lush bushes cover most of the cave entrance, providing him with ample shelter along with my demonic aura.

A small white snake then slithered into the opening of his clothing, making its way up to his face.

[T/N: Remember what I mentioned about how powerful cultivators can project themselves outward—so this white snake is indeed MC but she has projected her soul outward]

Lucien: [x2] I'm fortunate to have your protection.

He pants lightly, his eyes never leaving even for a moment, fixed firmly on my figure.

Lucien: I understand that you needed to focus on your cultivation and didn't want to be disturbed.

Lucien: [while slightly panting] But I haven't experienced many breakthroughs before. I need to focus all my energy on refining my spirit. Last time, I almost got eaten by other lesser demons…

Lucien: [with more panting and huskier voice] Being by your side, My Lord, I feel more at ease and can also help guard against potential dangers for you.

His husky voice sends tingling sensations through me, making me inexplicably feel a bit hungry.

Lucien: [man literally panting with each sentence?!$+($+$asdjfjdkd] I just didn't expect you to be so powerful, absorbing so many spirits in such a short time…

He furrows his brow in what seems like frustration, which looks a bit cute.

MC: Those are still far from enough, but your breakthrough speed is also faster than I thought.

Lucien: [still with the sus panting as if in heat] It's all… thanks to you, My Lord.

He forces a weak smile, seemingly still struggling to suppress the surging power within him.

I know that feeling, the unbearable heat from the inside out, the frantic surge of Qi sweeping through the body again and again, as the soul drifts between fullness and emptiness.

I've always been on my own, so it's quite interesting to witness someone else going through this for the first time.

Lucien's fingertips continue to tighten, revealing an attractive white color.

He seems to be waiting there, waiting for me to disappear. But I don't.

I wiggle my fingers, and the little white snake glides along his burning skin. Every inch closer elicits a heavier, instinctive gasp from the depths of his throat.

The increasingly prominent snake scales seem to be burning, and his long tail coils around the Buddha's hand over and over while continuously trembling.

MC: Is it hard to bear?

He knows she's laughing.

Through his hazy gaze, he sees the girl perched on a nearby branch, like a wisp of delicate white gauze, overlooking him completely.

He can feel the cold little snake mischievously exploring all over his body as if her fingertips were stroking him.

This makes him feel even more messed up.

The power surges within him, more violently than he anticipated, and it's taking longer than expected.

He overestimated her greed, and at the same time, underestimated his own.

A tremendous sense of emptiness drowns him in an instant, magnified infinitely under her wicked gaze.

At that moment, it's as if he forgets everything.

He instinctively follows that surge of intense force, returning to a darker place, where he finds some form of primitiveness and liberation.

A surge of heat courses through him from his chest to his lower body, carrying him from the heights of the clouds to the mist below.

He is obviously filled with a momentary sense of satisfaction, yet a greater emptiness is born. Amidst the lingering white mist, her eyes always remain clear.

Bright, vile, and charming.

As if shining into his greedy soul, allowing him to see the reflection of his face so clearly.

Lucien: [breathing heavily after some kind of ‘release’...but obviously haven't ‘satisfied’ yet-] ….

Suddenly, I see Lucien smile.

He leans against the Buddha's palm, his entire body sprawled out and clothes in a mess. It's as if he's completely submerged in water.

The tense snake's tail trembles as it lifts, gently and intimately coiling around my wrist.

People say snake demons are masters of seduction, but perhaps they are not even one ten-thousandth as good as the person before me.

Lucien: [panting, whispers hoarsely] Teach me... My Lord.

MC: Aren't you afraid that I'll really eat you?

I laugh and tease him. The moment my toes touch the Buddha's hand, a scorching hot snake's tail wraps tightly around my waist, coiling down to one of my ankles.

With a gentle tug, he pulls me into an even hotter embrace.

Lucien: [moans and pants as he whispers hoarsely] Then just eat me.

Lucien: [x2] From the very beginning, I didn't mind becoming one with you, My Lord.

His breath is hot, and so is his gaze. This kind of temperature, which usually makes me uncomfortable, fills me with some kind of pleasure now.

I gently caress his chest, feeling the surge of Qi within him, and can't help but smile even wider.

MC: If you want to be eaten by me... you're still too weak.

Infusing my power into my palm, I gather his power into one place.

At this moment, I realize that I might have left Lucien with too much force. It's no wonder he hasn't fully absorbed such a massive force. It's also fortunate that he has exceptional abilities.

If he were an ordinary demon, his meridians would have ruptured long ago.

[T/N: Meridians (经脉) are the channels through which Qi/vital energy flows in the body, if it ruptures it can lead to death]

MC: Luckily, you've been able to hold on until now.

MC: But... you still need to work harder.

I push my palm forward, dismantling that power and sending it into his primordial spirit.

I feel myself being hugged tightly, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. His snake fangs bite hard into my shoulder and release his venom with a force that feels like a torrent.

The venom he secreted is like sweet honey, devoid of any threat.

When he raises his head again, I see that his deep eyes have become even brighter, as if they have swallowed a thousand surging tides.

MC: How do you feel?

Lucien: [x3] My lord... your body is so cold and feels so good.

His tail coils tighter around me, and his scorching breath falls on my neck.

He seems to have coiled his entire body around me, enveloping me in his center.

Lucien: [x4] You... are very beautiful.

His wet tongue slides again and again across my throat and neck. I feel like his whole body is exuding a delicious scent.

I'm so hungry.

I can't resist the urge to bite his lips. His strong essence is absorbed into my body through our intertwined lips and tongues.

Lucien doesn't resist at all and just hugs me tightly as if devoutly offering his entire being to me.

In an instant, I push him away, meeting his gaze, which seems to hold an air of expectation.

Lucien: [gasping weakly] Are you not going to eat me anymore?

He looks a bit tired, but his lips still rest against mine, like the instinctive nuzzling of an animal.

I don't respond to him, only glancing at him for a moment before covering his captivating eyes with my hand.

MC: Go to sleep.

Just a little longer. If I wait a bit more, he'll be even more delicious, and it'll help me break through even further.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N: Fun fact: In real life, snakes intertwine their tails and bite each other when they mate. Why do I mention this? Well you'll see :)]

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Part 4]—

Over a month later, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the evening breeze brings a chill. I stretch and head down the mountain, holding up my skirt as I walk.

I quite enjoy human festivals. Every year, during these times, the lively and interesting rituals make this frail race seem a bit more endearing.

Bathed in the soft glow, a familiar figure dressed in green appears in my sight.

Lucien: My Lord, it seems quite lively down there. Is that the human "temple fair" they speak of?

MC: You've been in human form for decades, and you know quite a few demon hunters from the Qingping Sect. Haven't you ever been to a temple fair?

Lucien: I'm just a lowly demon, so I wouldn't dare.

Lucien: But if I go with you, I'm sure I'll be able to experience some of the fun.

MC: [smiles softly] Are you a fool?

With a grand sweep of my hand, I lead him into the warm and dazzling sea of lights.

I turn to face him, a smile playing on my lips as I tilt my chin up in a challenge.

MC: Since you're already a demon, you can afford to be even more bolder sometimes.

His pupils dilate sharply. The gently swaying lanterns cast a soft, flickering light as Lucien gazes deeply into my eyes. Then, in a surprising turn, he reaches out and takes my hand in his.

Lucien: I will certainly heed your teachings, My Lord.

We make our way through the bustling crowd. Though Lucien seems a little curious about everything around him, he still walks steadily by my side.

Suddenly, he stops in his tracks.

I turn back to see him carefully wiping a jade bracelet on one of the stalls.

The bracelet is a vibrant green throughout, its color rich and translucent, with a subtle, warm glow. At a glance, it's clearly a piece of exquisite jade.

I don't know why, but that captivating shade of green reminds me of his original appearance.

He quickly pays for it, and amidst the vibrant spectacle of festive lights, gently places the bracelet on my wrist.

MC: What are you doing?

Lucien: I saw that other humans seem to do this. Do you like it?

In that fleeting moment, he seems to be imbued with the essence of the human world. His eyes curve into gentle crescents as he smiles tenderly.

In the vast and endless expanse of time, I can no longer remember if the last person who smiled at me like this was also so soul-stirring.

Perhaps, there has never been such a person before.

MC: Though I can't say whether I like it or not...

MC: But you seem to have become even more delicious.

Lucien seems to smile even more happily. For some reason, I think I see the same emotion of mine reflected in his eyes.

But that's probably just my imagination. Despite his greed, he's ultimately just a weak lesser demon.

As we stroll along, the distant voice of a storyteller drifts towards us.

Storyteller: “Continuing from where we left off, the battle between the thousand-year-old white snake demon of Baihua Mountain and the crocodile demon has been at a standstill for a full hundred days…”

Groups of young boys and girls walk together, their faces flushed with shy smiles. An elderly woman calls out, advertising her steaming hot meat buns. Red firecrackers explode, welcoming a bride from some unknown family.

The festive atmosphere surrounds us. Perhaps influenced by the surroundings, I hear Lucien's curious voice.

Lucien: My Lord, are you also interested in human love?

MC: That's the most impermanent thing in this world.

I take a bite of the candied hawthorn he's holding and gaze at the ordinary faces around us.

MC: It might be interesting, but as demons, we live for far too long. So long that...

MC: Such fragile things can't nourish our parched and greedy souls.

MC: But if you're interested, you could always find a human and experience it a little.

I smile and playfully bop his nose.

MC: [teasingly] But be careful, don't let any bad woman trick you, Lucien.

Lucien: You worry too much. I have no interest in those.

Lucien: Because I've already encountered and tasted something far more delectable.

His dark inky eyes hold my reflection captive, as if drawing me into their hidden depths.

Lucien: Lord MC has taught me everything I wanted to know…

Lucien: As one of the same kind.

Later, Lucien takes the initiative to show me around several places. After we've explored the town extensively, fireworks illuminate the deep night sky.

Lucien: Do you know where we can enjoy the most beautiful fireworks?

MC: You've asked the right demon.

With a flick of my finger, I whisk him away to an ancient pagoda that's been sealed for many years.

The airtight walls keep the interior pitch black. The air is filled with the scent of sandalwood, and the faint sound of fireworks echoes like distant bells.

Lucien: It seems... we can't see any fireworks here.

MC: Just wait.

I turn my palm, and in the blink of an eye, the surrounding stone walls suddenly become transparent, as if they were never there.

I pull Lucien to sit at the center of the circular platform. Suddenly, a profusion of vibrant fireworks bursts forth all around us, their carefree beauty so close as if within reach.

The vibrant colors of the fireworks paint Lucien's figure, layer upon layer. For the first time, someone is here with me to enjoy the fireworks, and my heart can't help but fill with a touch of joy.

MC: Humans are so rigid. They think a tranquil place can't also be lively. What a waste of a good spot.

MC: Might as well let these Buddhas enjoy the show too.

Lucien: [softly] Indeed… incredibly beautiful.

As he speaks, it's hard to tell if his eyes are fixed on me or the fireworks behind me.

But beautiful scenery is always fleeting. Soon, the fireworks display comes to an end.

And as I try to stand up, I suddenly realize that I can't move.

Just as I'm about to summon my power, a piercing pain shoots through my entire body. It feels as though some invisible ropes in the air are binding me in place.

While I'm still puzzled, I hear Lucien's surprised voice—

Lucien: ...I didn't expect it to succeed on the first try.

I lift my head, and our gazes collide. His eyes are full of smiles.

His index and middle fingers pressed together, their tips shimmering with a faint light as he swiftly forms an intricate seal in the air.

The instant I see the strikingly familiar gesture, my eyes widen in shock.

MC: ...Why do you know a sealing spell used only by demon hunters?!

Lucien: Humans are rigid, thinking a tranquil place can't be lively. And you demons are just as rigid. Who says...

Lucien: ...a demon can't learn the arts of eliminating demons?

His lips form a triumphant and seductive curve as his cold fingertips caress my cheek.

Lucien: Don't worry, I know my own capabilities.

Lucien: The formation I've set up across the entire town, combined with the second layer of formation at the heart of it, will only restrain you for a short while.

Lucien: [whispers] However, this short time will be enough.

His voice softly weaves into my ears as he holds me tightly in his embrace.

MC: Those places you took me to earlier... were they all part of setting up this formation?

Lucien: That was merely just a test.

Lucien: [chuckles] It was you who said, I could be a bit bolder.

His delicate breath steadily brushes against my neck, making me feel lightheaded that maintaining my human form takes almost all of my strength.

MC: This… this is a Qingping Sect ancient text... You couldn't possibly have had the chance to…

A shockingly unbelievable thought suddenly pops into my mind. I clutch his lapel tightly, my whole body trembling.

MC: So it was you... You found the weakness in the mountain formation and led the Qingping Sect to hunt the demons.

Lucien: Yes, it was me.

All pretense vanishes from his eyes, revealing utterly raw and unbridled greed and desire.

Lucien: Those humans are so easily deceived. As long as I help them kill a few demons, they think I'm a talent worth cultivating.

Lucien: So I had the chance to plant the poison. In just over a decade, they would be completely under my control.

Lucien: And My Lord, you are my best reward.

Lucien: I finally found the opportunity to gain your trust. And with your help, I also obtained the ancient text.

[T/N: I think, her ‘help’ refers to her ‘eating’ the most Sect member which was his offering. Now that the whole sect was gone, he was able to gain access to the Sect's sacred ancient text, which allowed him to learn how to create this formation to trap her-]

His words are incredibly gentle, yet devoid of any warmth. He meticulously plans every step, taking small risks for greater gains. In the end, he uses the entire town as a formation, waiting for me to walk into the trap myself.

MC: Have you been wanting to eat me all along?

Lucien: [whispers hoarsely] I've never lied to you.

He smiles as he presses his cold lips against my brow and eyes, tenderly caressing my lips.

Lucien: [his whispers become increasingly obsessive-] I told you, from the moment you appeared in my life, in my eyes... all I see is your figure.

Lucien: [x2!] A snake wanting to eat another snake… that's normal, isn't it…?

Lucien: [x3!!] I've always, always... wanted to eat you.

*sexy bgm playing-*

Along with his voice, a slippery tail coils around the tip of my own.

As if fearing I might escape, it coils around me tightly from the start. Our scales rustle as they rub against each other, and I feel inexplicable suffocation.

Lucien lowers his gaze to look at me, his eyes filled with undisguised desire. He bares his fangs, teasingly grazing my skin before swiftly sinking them in with a sharp bite.

After a slight sting, a cold liquid is injected into the bite mark. My skin grows hotter and hotter, making the coldness even more alarming.

He probably knows that this bit of venom can't harm me, so he indulges in "tasting" me to his heart's content.

His sharp fangs expertly latch onto the easy-to-bite spots, biting down hard as if he really intends to devour me.

He leans toward me, pressing closer and closer. Our tails are already entwined inseparably; the tips of our hair and the sashes of our clothes are in complete disarray.

I can't summon any power to resist the venom's encroachment. I can only feel the burning heat spreading through my limbs and bones, my whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Lucien: [moaning and panting] I know I can't completely devour you yet, but it doesn't matter…

Lucien: [x2!] I will leave my mark inside your body, on every inch of your skin.

Lucien: [x3!!] Let your every breath…… be stained with my scent.

He bites my lip, his mouth devouring every bit of my moan and wet sounds. His tongue, laced with venom, forcefully swirls over mine, compelling me to swallow every drop.

Lucien: [hisses and groans] Until... the day I eat you.

My head is swimming, all I can feel is his snake tail coiling tighter around me, a tingling heat flowing through my body as something is being poured inside me again and again.

The feeling is too arousing, making me instinctively tighten my body, but also wrapping him even tighter.

The air is heavy with erotic scents, and the sound of our entwined scales rubbing against each other creates an ambiguous symphony of slick and moist noises, intensifying my hunger step by step.

MC: [laughs] The one who should be eaten... is you, isn't it?

MC: Given time, I will cleanse your weak poison completely.

MC: Great, you already look delicious.

Unfamiliar yet pleasurable waves surge rapidly within me, hitting me again and again, causing me to instinctively bite him back.

The cloyingly sweet blood, mixed with venom and clear bodily fluids, fills our mouths, necks, and entire bodies.

Lucien: [groans and breathlessly says] …Then let's see if you can.

Scalding sweat trickles down his jaw, blending into my clothes that are already soaked with sweat.

Lucien pushes deeper into me as if even the deepest part of my soul is being imbued with his essence.

Lucien: [moans and gasps] No matter the outcome… we will… become one.

———————Fin——-—————

[Lux's afterwords]

Not much analysis here, this date is pretty much just ‘fast food’ LOL. So, while his obsession towards MC definitely gets amped up in this AU, I do like how it still retains his core like his greediness, curiosity, and obsessiveness/stubbornness though 👀 and the details of them mirroring each other's desire are always so!!!

Although the ending is fairly predictable given his character, this date introduces a fresh element with its unique dynamic where the power balance shifts in favor of MC 😂 It conveys a similar dynamic of the ‘God x mortal’ trope, where the mortals yearn for the love of their God. And despite all the things he did, I really can't help but think that he really is just a hardworking yet stubborn/obsessive little snake HAHA.

His final line! I think… it's the biggest proof that he never really lied to her. His final line on this date reveals that his ultimate goal is to become one with her, whether through her eating him or vice versa, the method or outcome doesn't matter to him. Since he is much weaker than her, it's easier for him to be consumed (which is why he keeps asking her to eat him). However, in case she doesn’t want to eat him, he also has this backup plan. Whether he is to be consumed or to consume her, both scenarios require decades of deceiving humans to first gain her attention. While his methods may not be entirely honest, it is undeniable that he has worked very hard for her and it's a bit endearing🤧 or maybe it's time for me to admit that atp i'll forgive any shits he pulled *kicked*

[whiteswanco]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s The Sea No Longer Distant MQ translation (Part 1/3)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a MQ that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

[Warning]: The content of this MQ is pretty explicit and may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18 (CN server). It is recommended that those who do not meet this age requirement refrain from proceeding beyond this point.

Translation under the cut!

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[Notes from Lux: Special thanks to @ivioivioivi for checking some lines of the translation! Personally, translating this date is a hell of a struggle for me and I wouldn’t able to finish it without her help lol-

Before we start, I’d recommend you all read Fantasy Book Date, Devotion Date, Distant Similarity, and Monochrome Scenery. This MQ specifically references these dates/shares a similar theme so, if you haven’t read it or just want to jog your memory, please check them out first! :>

Currently, I haven't made the subtitled video, so for now here’s the CN video link if anyone wants to follow along his voice acting.]

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Part 1]—

Host: ... And now, we are about to unveil the final award of the evening at the Magnolia Awards - the Best Variety Show.

As thunderous applause erupts, I find myself holding my breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

The "Best Director" award I just received feels heavy in my hands as if it's also waiting for another trophy of equal weight to be embraced.

Host: ...Now, let's take a look at the nominated works for this year's Best Variety Show.

The first nominee, produced by my company, appears on the big screen, a montage of past highlights flashing by.

After the five short films are shown in sequence, the award presenter opens the envelope in her hand.

Presenter: And the winner of the Magnolia Award for Best Variety Show is...

Her final words unleash a thunderous wave of applause, and the dazzling lights make it nearly impossible for me to keep my eyes open, leaving me in a daze.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

The ceaseless traffic flows by like a stream, and it is not until a vaguely familiar building appears in the distance that I slowly come back to my senses.

I blink, and the white building becomes clearer as I focus on it, standing out with a sense of tranquility in the fading twilight.

….Unbeknownst to myself, I find myself subconsciously drawn to the vicinity of the research institute.

I can't help but sign, feeling a pang of annoyance as I become aware of my own emotions.

MC: I really do want to talk with Lucien after all…

Am I hoping for his comfort? Or seeking his advice?

Perhaps I just want to see him at this moment.

MC: He is probably still busy…

At 7 in the evening, the world slows its pace with the fading twilight on the horizon. The rhythmic flashing of the red traffic light at the crosswalk spreads the last remnants of twilight.

And in that small, illuminated scene, I see a familiar figure.

He gazes steadily ahead, his eyes appearing to hold a multitude of things, yet also seeming to contain nothing.

His face bears traces of exhaustion, and he seems distant and unreal as if he were merely a figment of my imagination.

But in a twist of fate, his vacant gaze shifts in the next second and meets mine.

After a moment of stunned silence, I see him smile gently.

The green light stops flashing at the last second, and I see Lucien standing in front of me.

Lucien: [chuckles] Good evening, MC.

MC: [smiles softly] Good evening, Professor Lucien, I didn't expect to meet you here.

I can't help but smile, and naturally take his hand as we walk towards home.

Lucien: I want to leave work early today.

Lucien: Meeting you proves that this was the right choice.

His voice gently accompanies the evening breeze, and I inexplicably feel that Lucien's mood doesn't seem particularly good either.

Considering his recent state of intense overtime, perhaps he's been dealt with some setbacks or failures.

I swallow the words that are about to spill out of my mouth. I purse my lips and start talking to him about amusing things I haven't shared yet, and listen to him talk about the bickering among his assistants.

Such a rare leisurely stroll, sharing everyday life we've missed with each other, everything is so good.

Lucien: By the way, I forgot to congratulate you on winning the awards.

Suddenly, I hear Lucien's voice.

Lucien: I received your message this morning, but I had some unexpected situations this afternoon, so I didn't have time to watch the live awards ceremony.

Lucien: Having won all the major awards for both "Best Director" and "Best Program" in two variety shows, for such an amazing Miss Producer, I should have congratulated you much earlier.

His tone is so brisk and firmly assured* that I'm momentarily stunned, letting it fall heavily to the ground.

Lucien is also stunned.

The air around me turns stiff, and I don't know how to describe my feelings.

The wave that's directly crashing over me now feels far more immense and intangible than the moment the guest announced it, causing both pain and sadness.

I clench my palms and instinctively muster a smile at him.

After all, if I were to cry pitifully now, it would only make me appear weak and humiliated.

MC: Hehe, I'll accept half of Professor Lucien's congratulations first! Winning Best Director is a small victory, right?

MC: I still need to keep working hard!

I can't even bring myself to look into his eyes and just want to keep walking forward.

Just as I'm about to walk away, he holds my hand to stop me, and when I turn around, I see his deep gaze filled with guilt and comfort.

Lucien: [guiltily] Sorry, it was my mistake for not confirming.

Lucien: [in a comforting tone] Don't worry, you've already done a great job. Awards are just one way of judging, and they can't determine everything.

Lucien: If you feel sad, tell me all about your feelings.

The night falls, and the streetlights stretch his shadow long.

Lucien: It's okay, you can always slow down your growth in front of me.

I look at the person in front of me, take a deep breath, and hold his hand back.

MC: I know, I am moving forward at my own pace.

MC: If I didn't do well, I'll just find a solution.

MC: Please don't worry Professor Lucien, I know what I need to do. I will keep working hard.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N: Before we move on to the next part, I want to say that this time I won't write an essay because I think the date itself explains its plot theme pretty well, I'll just use T/N to highlight some important parts and more ;)

MC uses the word 笃定 (dǔ dìng) to describe Lucien's tone (and also gaze, which will be used in part 2). I translated it to 'firm assuredness'. This word often describes how certain and unwavering a person is about something or a specific belief. In this context, Lucien is confident that MC will always be the ‘best’ and can achieve any goal she sets. However, this may also imply a kind of ‘expectation’, which is where the ‘problem’ of this date arises.]

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Exclusive Radio - Resignation Application]—

[door knocking sounds]

Lucien: Come in.

Zeng Shu: Long time no see, sorry to bother you.

Lucien: Is there a problem with the project's progress?

Zeng Shu: No, the project is going very smoothly. The results from the last few trials have been very stable.

Zeng Shu: The reason I came to see you today... is to discuss a personal matter with you.

Lucien: Oh? Please go ahead.

Zeng Shu: I want to withdraw from the project.

Lucien: …

Zeng Shu: Ah, don't worry. I will complete all the handover tasks before I leave.

Zeng Shu: The project is very stable in all aspects now. Although the manpower is not abundant, having one less person won't be a problem.

Zeng Shu: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join the project. I'm sorry I won't be able to work with everyone to see it through to completion.

Lucien: …

Zeng Shu: …

Lucien: Is there a specific reason for this?

Lucien: Although we're not in a critical period, personnel turnover will inevitably have an impact on the project.

Lucien: I believe most problems can be solved.

Zeng Shu: You've misunderstood. There's no problem.

Zeng Shu: I'm just tired.

Zeng Shu: I want to take some time off.

Lucien: How much time off do you need?

Zeng Shu: I’m not trying to pressure you into approving my leave, Professor.

Zeng Shu: I just... need some time to really think about whether I’m actually suited for research.

Lucien: You’re not a fresh graduate.

Lucien: You’ve worked on your own projects, supervised students, and you’re experienced. You’ve also published numerous high-impact papers.

Lucien: I can't understand the meaning behind your statement.

Zeng Shu: …

Zeng Shu: Professor, I'm aware of everything you mentioned.

Zeng Shu: But not everyone can be like you, maintaining such passion for research no matter what.

Zeng Shu: And not everyone who pursues research is as gifted as you are.

Lucien: ...I always thought you were quite level-headed.

Lucien: I generally don't recommend bringing emotions into work.

Zeng Shu: Your judgment of me is not wrong; I am very calm right now.

Zeng Shu: From the moment I had this thought to... coming to your office, I've carefully considered it for three months.

Zeng Shu: This is the result of my comprehensive consideration. I hope you can approve it.

Lucien: …

Lucien: Do you want to withdraw from the current project, or are you not considering joining any future projects either?

Zeng Shu: I won't join any of them.

Lucien: Even the project you proposed two years ago? I received news last week that it can be officially approved.

Zeng Shu: Yes. I'm not considering it anymore.

Lucien: [sighs heavily] I understand.

Lucien: I will respect your decision.

Lucien: However, I hope you can continue to perform your related duties normally before you leave completely.

Lucien: If the project is affected at this stage, it will be difficult for either of us to handle.

Zeng Shu: I understand, don't worry.

Zeng Shu: I'll start the handover process tomorrow.

Lucien: Alright.

Zeng Shu: Sorry for the trouble, goodbye.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N: This part is interesting because it shows how Lucien's subconscious 'expectation' extends not only to MC but also to the people who work with him. This 'expectation' can make people ‘tired’ and ‘exhausted’ from trying to keep up with him, and it's something that he himself is not really aware of. Additionally, I want to highlight how he doesn't understand the concept of being tired in a non-physical sense, like, at all, which will be important in a later part ;)]

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Part 2]—

Sunlight streams through the windowsill, casting a brilliant and rejuvenating glow over the quiet room.

I walk into the computer room, swiftly turn on the computer, and bring up the rough cut of the video completed yesterday.

In the footage, the guest laughs endlessly in a seaside cottage. The suitable music and adorable text overlays convey the happiness even more directly.

I sit on the seat while hugging my legs, letting the laughter from the headphones linger in my mind, but it can't seem to drown out what happened yesterday.

I don't know when it started, but after putting in so much effort, success has somehow become a kind of arrogant ‘matter of course'.

Perhaps I've gotten used to the taste of success, so when failure arrives, I become even more at a loss.

And compared to this frustration... my mind returns to the firmly assured eyes I saw yesterday.

??: Boss, why are you here so early?

I lift my head and see Willow standing in front of me with a bit of a worried look.

MC: You're one to talk, didn't you come early too?

Willow: I just felt like something was up, so I thought I’d come and check on things.

She says that as she sits down next to me and turns on her computer. The dim glow of the screen reflects on her face, revealing traces of fatigue and frustration.

Yet, she turns her head and smiles at me.

Willow: Boss, do you want to take a break? You've been busy for a long time lately, haven't you?

I think I should say something, but as I gaze into those firm eyes, it seems like all words are inadequate.

In the end, I just shake my head with a smile.

MC: Don't worry, I'm not tired.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Over the next week, the shadow of failure gradually fades away, and everything returns to normal.

Lucien is still busy, and I'm still immersed in the intense preparations for the summer special.

It's just that I often feel Lucien's gaze on me. During our interactions, he seems to observe me from time to time, yet he never says a word.

Is he thinking about how to comfort me, or is he worried that I'm just pretending to be strong?

After much thought, I stubbornly chose not to break his silence.

Compared to words, perhaps more proactive actions can show him that I have become more resilient.

It seems like an invisible thread is becoming more tense, but neither of us has the time to care.

I come home late at night and notice Lucien sitting on the sofa, looking at some documents.

A vast expanse of night covers him, and his eyes, as calm as still water, seem unable to be touched by any emotion.

MC: Lucien, are you okay?

He doesn't seem to notice my return. He freezes for a moment before slowly raising his head.

Lucien: I'm fine.

Speaking softly, he naturally draws me into a hug, his chin resting on my head. A long sigh escapes his lips.

The world becomes peaceful in the instant, fully contained within this gentle embrace.

MC: [worriedly] Is the experiment not going well?

Lucien: [inhales deeply before speaking softly] Mm. I've tried a few methods, but none of them can quite solve the problems.

Lucien: So, I'm thinking of throwing this out and starting from scratch.

MC: Is the direction wrong?

Lucien: [chuckles] Probably.

He remains silent for a while before continuing slowly.

Lucien: One of my senior research associates who's been working with me recently quit. No one can fill his shoes right now, so it's making the process a bit more troublesome.

Lucien: Overall, it might be more efficient to just start fresh.

MC: Why did he quit?

Lucien: He said he was too tired.

His calm voice seems full of incomprehension and ambivalence. Although I can't see Lucien's face at the moment, I can imagine his slightly furrowed brow.

Lucien: But theoretically, the work arrangements are sound, and I didn't force him to constantly monitor every result with me.

Lucien: So I don't know either.

Lucien: Since he was determined to leave, I let him go.

His tone reveals a rare cold sternness as if he is unwilling to waste time on unnecessary matters.

Lucien: There will always be a replacement.

I blink in a daze, feeling like I can see that senior professor.

I really want to say something to Lucien, but in the end, I still don't know how to start.

Lucien: MC, let's not talk about that. Actually, I really want to chat with you.

MC: Hmm?

He releases his hug and gently caresses my face.

Lucien: [in a gentle tone] I wonder if you're still feeling a bit sad because you didn't win the award for best work.

The soft moonlight made his face appear so gentle at this moment.

Under his dotingly gentle gaze, I don't want to hide my heart. I know Lucien has been waiting for a long time.

MC: Actually, I thought I had already secured victory, but unexpectedly, I failed.

MC: So when the results were announced, I felt very frustrated.

I look at Lucien honestly and muster up the courage.

MC: I originally thought this feeling of frustration was simply because… I failed.

MC: But when I saw you and when you congratulated me, subconsciously assuming that I should be the "best"...

I feel my voice tremble a little.

MC: It was then that I realized I hadn't fulfilled your expectations.

MC: And at that moment, it was the saddest time for me.

Lucien is rational and effortlessly capable. He believes that if something can be done, it can be done.

So he subconsciously believes that the heights I can reach are ones I will undoubtedly attain, or even surpass.

Otherwise, on this long and arduous journey of pursuit, I would only watch his figure grow further and further away.

In those slightly widened eyes, I see a lot of confusion and incomprehension.

Lucien: I…

“Ring ring-”

A sudden, insistent phone call interrupted him. After hesitating for a moment and seeing the caller ID, I decided to answer.

Man: Boss, urgent news! Looks like a storm is about to hit. The weather department says the coastal weather won't be good for the next two weeks.

Man: All the subsequent filming will be affected. We just went over the script and realized we need to make major changes.

Man: What should we do? Should we cancel it? Or what? The guests' schedules are kind of hard to change.

MC: It's definitely going to be difficult to change the guests' schedules now, and it will also affect the following weekly broadcasts. Let's revise the script.

I quickly run through the ideas in my head and a vague idea comes to me.

MC: Have the production team book me a flight tonight. I'm going straight there.

After hanging up the phone, the previous atmosphere has already dissipated. Lucien sits in front of me, much of his body falling into the shadows.

MC: Lucien, I didn't say those things to make you feel guilty or anything, because those were just my own feelings.

MC: It's me who wants to catch up to you and fulfill your expectations.

I smile and reach out to stroke his face, gently smoothing out the slight frown that forms unconsciously on his brow.

MC: I'll take care of my own feelings, so don't worry.

MC: I'll run even faster next time.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

—[Memory Silhouette - The back of a running figure]—

MC: I'm leaving now. Make sure to drive safely on your way home!

Lucien: Relax, don't worry.

Lucien: You don't need to rush. There's always a solution.

MC: I know. Don't worry~ I'll message you as soon as I land. Don't wait up too late for me.

Lucien: [chuckles] Okay, I'll be sure to follow Miss Producer's instructions. I'll go to sleep as soon as I feel tired.

In the somewhat deserted early morning airport, the girl gives him a quick peck on the cheek before heading towards the security checkpoint.

The security checkpoint is almost empty, but she still instinctively turns her head and waves to him at every turn.

Yet, it seems like she hates to leave him waiting, so she keeps waving back at him non-stop.

Lucien: "Slow down."

He mouths the words, knowing full well the sound won’t reach her, yet somehow he still has this feeling that she can hear them.

As her figure walks into the security checkpoint, she waves to him one last time from dozens of meters away before disappearing from sight.

He doesn't know why, but looking at her figure from behind, he felt as if he was being escaped from.

This feeling makes him very uncomfortable.

He furrows his brows in irritation and turns to walk into the black night.

Where exactly did things start to go wrong?

The girl's slightly bitter smile flashes back into his mind, but it brings more confusion than answers.

Why does his unconscious firm assuredness sadden her more than the failure itself?

Why do I feel assured that she can do it, and why does she think my expectations are so important?

We're clearly not on the same track.

Clearly, she can have her own pace, and I also allow her to fail...

Is it because I am someone special to her?

Does she want to meet my expectations? But my expectation is for her to just be happy and always within my sight*.

Do I have any other expectations for her?

Too many fragmented questions flood his mind, and each one of them feels unfamiliar and chaotic. This feeling of not having a starting point unconsciously makes him a bit infuriated.

There are still more tricky problems and troubles at work waiting for him, which he has to tackle one by one.

Despite thinking this way, her face still appears again and again among the numerous and complicated tasks in his mind.

Compared to those things that can be redone or thrown away, he feels some kind of deep-seated emptiness and unease.

He feels as if she has left him far behind, as if she knows more things that he cannot comprehend.

This feeling makes him even more irritable.

He instinctively turns at a fork in the road and continues until the familiar white building comes into view. Even so, his irritation doesn't seem to have subsided even a bit.

At this moment, his phone vibrates. He looks down and sees that it's a departure message from her.

MC’s message: "I'm boarding~ Just let me know when you get home! Don't forget to go to bed early~”

His fingers, naturally inclined to send a reply in the next second, hesitate just before hitting send. He closes his eyes and temporarily turns off the screen.

In that instant, he suddenly feels very childish.

What does it mean to say that she can handle her own emotions, yet still wants to run away to a faraway place?

He doesn't know the answer and can't think of a way to solve it.

He hurriedly walks into the lab. His sudden appearance caught everyone off guard. After a moment of stunned silence, they quickly come forward to greet him.

Assistant: Professor, why are you here?

Lucien: It's nothing. I'm just here to handle some other work. You can carry on.

Saying this, he walks into his own laboratory.

He doesn't plan to think about it anymore. There are still many things waiting for him, many plans and arrangements to implement—

Lucien: [whispers softly] Why…

The sound of the plane seems to pass overhead in the distance, and the night grows even darker.

Suddenly, he feels very lonely**.

✂— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[T/N: *: Just want to expand on what Lucien said here! One of his expectations is ‘for her always within my sight', I think it refers to what he said back in S2 ch 51

MC: Maybe it’s because I know that no matter where I go, you'll always be watching over me. MC: Lucien, I hope you can always keep your eyes on me. Lucien: Of course, I will always watch over you. Until... you go to a place that even I can’t reach...-

-that no matter where the direction she goes he will always watch over her 🤧 I personally like this quote a LOT, like it's more or less what's ‘growing’ in his route feels like. He won't stop you and will support anything you do, no matter what you'll ‘grow’ to be. Even if you walk in a different direction from him, even if what you do is risky, even if the road is full of failures… He'll always give his unconditional attention, support, and safety from afar. He hopes for her to be ‘always within his sight’ so that he can continue to do so 🥺

**: "寂寞" often conveys a more profound and enduring sense of isolation than "loneliness”. It emphasizes the emotional aspect of feeling isolated or abandoned such as the sadness, emptiness and the yearningಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ]

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