IRWTBWY Chapter 6.1

 Translator: Coral

Editor: Sarcasm
Proofreader: Diya

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Qi Nian had raised a dog before, but she never raised one owned by a male god.

A user asked: Dada, Dada, how do you feel raising the dog of your male god? [t/n: A nickname for her pen name.]

‘Feel?’

Qi Nian glanced at Qi Bao at her feet gnawing away at the bone. 

She couldn’t answer for a while.   

Every morning, she takes Qi Bao for his daily walk. It doesn’t matter where they walk, but she would need to order xiao long bao while they were at it. 

In front of the breakfast shop, Qi Bao would grab his own leash, wag his tail and wait for Qi Nian to get the steam buns. 
 
The first time Qi Nian brought Qi Bao to buy the steamed buns, the restaurant owner looked at her for a long time. When he gave her the buns, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you Ji Yanxin’s girlfriend?”

Qi Nian’s hand shook, and the change dropped all over the floor with her ears turning red. 
   
The owner put in another order of steamed buns into the steamer. Turning his head he pointed with his chin at Qi Bao who was waiting for her. “Don’t bully me because I’m old. I can recognize Professor Ji’s dog from a mile away. I am familiar with him, isn’t that right Qi Bao?”
    
Qi Bao moved his ears and barked. 
  
The owner became prouder, taking a look at her, he started humming, obviously in a good mood. 

Qi Nian looked at the smiling Qi Bao and touched her hot ears. Picking up the change, she walked towards his direction.

Qi Bao sniffed the steamed buns and in excitement licked Qi Nian’s hand. Tugging on the leash, he eagerly wanted to go home. 

Everyday at noon, Qi Bao would be fed a cup of yogurt, no more and no less. 
    
At night, he would eat more, having his dog food mixed with the shark cartilage powder. 
  
Also there were his daily walks. 
    
As Qi Nian finished cleaning up in the kitchen, Qi Bao was already waiting for her with his leash. 
    
Thanks to Qi Bao, Qi Nian got very familiar with every crook and cranny of her apartment. 
  
Liu Xia had actually met Qi Bao at the underground parking lot a while back. She couldn’t believe that someone as cold as Professor Ji actually owned such a cute pet. 
    
Therefore, after Qi Bao moved in with Qi Nian, she couldn’t help but come over the next day. 

She was so envious of Qi Nian, with a dreamy expression, she cooed about how cute and handsome Qi Bao was.     

Awwww, he* knows!

As soon as Qi Bao was hugged by her, she couldn’t stop doting on Liu Xia and she ended up sleeping over at Qi Nian’s place. 

~~~
  
Like any other day, Qi Nian was taking Qi Bao on his daily walk. 
  
She had been walking him for a couple of days and had become familiar with the doorman. When he was on duty and saw them passing by, he would greet her warmly and ask if they were going on a walk. 

In autumn, the night was really cold and the sun set early. 
  
There was a small gym next to Qi Nian’s apartment and was free for the people in the complex to use. Usually, she would take Qi Bao there for him to run a bit on the track. 
    
There was a small alley in between two residential buildings lit with a small light that leads to the gym. 
    
Since she went out late today, she looked at the alley for a while. Feeling a bit scared, she decided to take a turn and walk in the main street. 
  
When she got back from the walk, it was already half an hour later than usual. 
 
The doorman had cooked instant noodles for dinner, looking up, he saw Qi Nian and Qi Bao jogging back in. He wanted to tell her that there was a man waiting for her at her apartment. However, when he called out, she and Qi Bao had already disappeared at the corner. 
   
Going to her apartment building, Qi Nian vaguely glanced at an Audi that was parked in front of the apartment building and felt that it was a bit familiar. Suddenly, Qi Bao became excited and started to sprint towards the man in the distance. 

Ji Yanxin heard movement behind him and turned around to look.
    
In the night breeze, Qi Bao’s fur was like waves of water. In just an instant, he jumped into his arms. 

This impact caused Ji Yanxin to step back a little bit and used the car’s door handle to balance himself. 
  
Qi Bao had raised his head, sniffing him and wagging his tail desperately. 

It seems like he had just been washed, and the scent of the shampoo still lingered. 
 
Ji Yanxin rubbed Qi Bao’s head and held onto his front paws, “Have you been a good boy?”
 
Qi Bao let out a “woof” and rubbed his head on Ji Yanxin’s clothes like a baby. 
   
Ji Yanxin turned his head to look at Qi Nian.

She wore her hair in a high ponytail, and was standing under the street light. She was catching up to Qi Bao and was panting a bit. Catching her breath and looking at him in disbelief. “Ji... Professor Ji, you, you’re back?”

You can’t blame her for being surprised.

Ji Yanxin was two days early from his original return date. 
  
“Yeah.” Ji Yanxin let go of Qi Bao to look at her properly. 

Unexpectedly, there was a slight smile in his eyes and with a clear and smooth voice, “I’m back.”

The sound that reached her ears was like bells ringing, long and deep. 
  
There was a soft buzz in her ears, indulging in his rare gentleness. 

Qi Nian invited Ji Yanxin into her apartment. 
   
When Qi Nian entered, she realized that she did not have men slippers. Looking at her awkwardly, “I only have a pair of large-sized women slippers, is that okay?” [t/n: Asians would take off their shoes and put on slippers before entering the main house. It is a tradition for many asian households and basically serves the purpose of “leaving bad luck outside.”]

Ji Yanxin’s eyes fell to the pair of red slippers in her hand. 

“No one has worn it!” She hurriedly explained, “This pair is the same as the ones I’m wearing. The seller sent the wrong size...they’re size 41, does it fit?” 

Seeing her embarrassment, Ji Yanxin wore it without any objection. 

Qi Nian watched him change his shoes. His slender fingers dangling in front of her so clearly that she can see the veins on the back of his hands. 
   
She blushed and averted her eyes. “I’ll get you something to drink. I-I don’t have tea. Is water okay?”

Ji Yanxin didn’t plan to stay long. Hearing those words, he looked up and saw her red ears. Hesitating for a few seconds, he replied, “I’m okay with anything.”
 
Qi Nian breathed a sigh of relief and went into the kitchen. 

Qi Bao followed behind her with his tail wagging. 

Qi Nian’s apartment was not that big and had an open layout. 

Ji Yanxin went to the sofa and sat down. There were a few sheets of paper littering the coffee table covered in sticky notes. Each of the notes had something scribbled on them. 

Seven O’clock: Qi Bao went to the bathroom. 

Gave him a bowl of dog food, added nutritional cream, a bowl of water, and two chicken breasts. 

Five O’clock: A bowl of dog food, plus shark cartilage calcium powder, a bowl of clean water, and a big bone. 
  
Qi Nian came out carrying a tea cup, almost tripping over a chair once she saw that Ji Yannxin was reading “Qi Bao’s Daily Journal” which was written by her.

When she brought him the cup, she tried to cover up the papers by pressing Qi Bao’s toy bear on top of it. 

Raising her head, despite feeling intimidated, she maintained eye contact, “Mr. Ji, how come you came back so early?”

Ji Yanxin picked up the glass, “The schedule for the next couple of days was not important so I came back early.”

Qi Nian did not verbally respond, just turned her head and glanced at Qi Bao lying on the carpet. 
 
Since he came back, Qi Bao was most definitely going to leave. However, he didn’t notify her in advance so she wasn’t able to prepare. 
 
As if reading her mind, Ji Yanxin took a sip from his cup and stated, “I called you, but you didn’t answer your phone.” 

Qi Nian was taken aback, scrambling to find her phone. 
    
When she saw her dead phone by her bed, she bit her lip in annoyance. 

Before going to bed last night she wanted to scroll through Weibo before charging her phone. However, she wasn’t able to fight her sleepiness and forgot about it. 
   
Ji Yanxin guessed the reason from just her expression. Becking his fingers at him, Qi Bao climbed up and rubbed against him. 
   
He cupped his chin and ruffled his fur. 
    
Feeling the time pass, Ji Yanxin raised his wrist to look at the time. “It’s getting late, I’ll take Qi Bao home.” 
    
“Then I’ll go pack things up.”

Qi Bao didn’t have many things, but she had bought a lot of delicious foods and toys for Qi Bao.
    
Probably knowing that he was about to leave, Qi Bao followed Qi Nian and watched her organize his things. He stared at her and let out a whimper. 

As soon as Qi Nian turned her head, Qi Bao placed his paws in her hand. 
   
Taken aback, Qi Nian looked over at Ji Yanxin. 
    
Ji Yanxin was also surprised. After pulling himself together, he replied “He’s comforting you.” 

Suddenly it seemed like time stopped. 

Qi Nian’s ear was only echoing “He’s comforting you.” 

~~~
  
Qi Nian was still asleep when the morning sun rose. 
 
In her dream, she was playing with Qi Bao. As the golden retriever ran, she followed with the sunlight shining behind her. 
    
As Qi Bao ran faster ahead, a fog started to cover his figure with no ending. 

Afraid to lose Qi Bao and explain it to Ji Yinxin, Qi Nian chased after him anxiously. In the thick fog where she could not even see her fingers and could only hear the sound of her heartbeat, the sound of a phone ringing brought her back to consciousness. 
    
Qi Nian suddenly woke up, moving her hands around the bed searching for her phone. “Hello?”
   
In the last couple of days, the temperature kept dropping and was getting colder and colder. 
  
When Qi Nian’s mother called last night, she had heard the weak voice of Qi Nian over the phone. Fearing she would catch a cold, she called early to remind her to wear more layers. 

Qi Nian closed her eyes and mumbled. “It’s still early, I haven’t even woken up yet.”
   
“How is it early, I’m already out buying groceries.”
    
After being lectured for a few more minutes, Qi Nian was finally awake and stretched under the blankets. 
  
“Then are you coming back today? Last week you said you would go shopping with me.” Qi Nian’s mother asked. 

Qi Nian remembered as she mentioned this.    

Her mom’s birthday was slowly approaching. Last week she felt confident and said that she would be in charge of Mama Qi’s birthday party. As a result, if her mother didn’t remind her, she would have forgotten it. 

After hanging up the phone, Qi Nian sat up and looked at the bright sky for a while before washing up.
   
Her mother’s birthday was next Tuesday. 

On Sunday afternoon, Qi Nian made an excuse to go back to school in order to go to the cake shop Liu Xia had recommended to her last night. The shop had good reviews, but the location was a bit far. 
    
Qi Nian had to take seven subway stops before arriving at the designated station. 

There was a dark gray sign, and four storefronts. 
    
Different kinds of bread and desserts were displayed by the window.
  
From afar, the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. 
    
Qi Nian pushed open the door and entered. The bell on the door signaled her arrival and a sweet aroma welcomed her. 
  
Qi Nian couldn’t help but take a deep breath, looking at the exquisite pastries and desserts on the shelves. She swallowed her saliva with greed. 
    
An employee came over to her, understood that she wanted to order a cake, and led her to the stands displaying the cakes.
    
Qi Nian had classes on Mondays and Tuesdays. If it was to be ready on time, the cakes had to be ordered in advance. In the end, she decided on a 10-inch fruit cake, confirmed the time of the pick up, and paid the initial deposit. 
    
The bell on the door rang again and someone came in. 

Qi Nian was looking down at the smooth and beautiful macarons in the glass case. Hearing the sound, she turned around to look. 

At four o’clock in the afternoon, the sky was turning dark. 
 
However, in the bakery, it was bright as day, and the lights were like shining stars. 
    
When he pushed open the door and entered, it was like walking into the light. 
    
He held the doorknob with his slender finger and propped open the door. The petite Ji Qiu next to him took his hand and walked in front of him. 

Ji Yanxin lowered his head and carried a pink school bag in his left hand. Probably due it being heavy, his knuckles had turned white. 

His profile was perfect, with his clear skin and the light illuminating around him. 

His tall figure and gentle appearance grabbed everyone’s attention. 
    
He was not aware of the people staring at him, but was listening intently to Ji Qiu’s words. The glass door slowly closed behind him with the sound of the bell slowly fading. 

Qi Nian opened her mouth in surprise. Is this a coincidence? 
   
Almost at the same time, Ji Qiu spotted her and shook Ji Yanxin’s arm, “Cousin! It’s Qi Nian!” 
    
Her voice was a bit squeaky, but it didn’t prevent Ji Yanxin from hearing it clearly. 

He raised his eyes. His narrow and deep eyes blinked and looked at her quietly.
   
There was no surprise in his eyes. In his eyes, it was just a very common encounter and there was no difference.     

Qi Nian stared at the two of them blankly. It took her awhile before she realized what she was doing. Blushing, she addressed the two of them, “Teacher Ji, Ji Qiu.”
   
Ji Yanxin nodded his head and patted Ji Qiu’s hand, “Go get the cake.”
   
Ji Qiu only let out an “oh,” letting go of his hand, she winked at Qi Nian as she passed her.
   
“...” 
    
She doesn’t quite understand why Ji Qiu gives her so many small suggestive gestures every time they meet.
   
Could it be that her motive towards Ji Yanxin was written on her face, and only he couldn’t tell? 
  
“What brings you here?” He approached, his gaze on the receipt in her hand, “Is it your birthday?”
    
Qi Nian shook her head. “It’s not mine, it’s for my mother’s birthday. I came to place an order in advance.” 
    
After answering him, Qi Nian glanced at Ji Qiu who was at the counter talking to the chef. “Is it Ji Qiu’s birthday?” 

She remembered that Ji Yanxin’s birthday was also in the winter. 
   
“Yeah.” Ji Yanxin took out the receipt voucher and gave it to the shop manager and asked casually, “Are you going back to the school later?”    

They were not aware when Ji Qiu returned, but she clutched Ji Yanxin’s hand and asked, “Can I invite Qi Nian to celebrate my birthday?” 

Ji Yanxin seemed to be taken aback. He looked between the two of them, thinking for a few seconds before replying, “If you are free tonight, then let’s celebrate it together.” 

Qi Nian was stunned. 

Th, th, th, this again... Going to the male god’s house!

Ji Qiu pulled Qi Nian from the side and with her eyes full of brightness and fearing Qi Nian would refuse, she said softly, “Come, let my brother** take you home later. Every year, I don’t have friends that attend my birthday, and it feels lonely. Please?”
    
Qi Nian’s heart almost melted into a pool of water, but she couldn’t point out why. 
   
She always felt that Ji Yanxin’s critical gaze was just tentative. If she was to turn her head a bit, it would seem like he was plotting against her. But she couldn’t give up any opportunities to be close with him. 
    
“Don’t think too much about it.” Ji Yanxin’s voice didn’t waver and it didn’t make Qi Nian feel any better. “Later, I have to go back to the school so I can drop you off along the way.”
  
The light tone and deep voice made Qi Nian’s ears go soft and her nose turn red.
    
She touched her nose and nodded, “Thanks...and sorry for the trouble.”
   
Ji Qiu and Qi Nian squeezed into the back seat. 

Ji Qiu’s hands that were holding hers were warm. Even in front of Ji Yanxin, she didn’t hide her interest in Qi Nian. “You called my brother ‘teacher’. Are you his student?”

It’s taboo to have a relationship between teachers and students. 
   
Qi Nian quietly glanced at Ji Yanxin who was focused on driving and smiled awkwardly. “Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t be since I’m a student majoring in ancient literature...” 

Ji Qiu let out an “Oh” seeming to understand and glanced at Ji Yanxin. “Then how did you meet my brother?”

Qi Nian was caught off guard. 

How did they meet? 

She just approached...and they met...
   
But the person involved is here as well, plus the relationship of the girl next to her with Ji Yanxin. Even if Qi Nian were to die right now, she wouldn’t even dare to say how. 
    
After thinking about it for a bit, Qi Nian replied, “It is due to Qi Bao...” 
  
Ji Qiu blinked. Being curious she held on to Qi Nian, “Qi Bao?”
    
The yellow light at the intersection flickered twice and then turned into a red light. 
   
Ji Yanxin stopped the car, took a look at Qi Nian and said, “Ji Qiu, sit properly.” 
   
“Oh.” Ji Qiu moved back obediently and did not dare to speak again. 
  
After a while the light turned green. 
   
Ji Qiu only remained quiet when the light was red. Seeing Ji Yanxin not paying attention, she quietly pulled Qi Nian’s cuffs and whispered, “I heard that the exam went very bad, so my brother isn’t in a good mood.”
    
Qi Nian was stunned and her whole body became alert. 

The exam!
   
Obviously, Ji Yanxin also heard. “Who told you?”

“Grandpa Shen.”

Ji Yanxin was not surprised by this and raised his eyebrows. “He told you about this?”

“Grandpa Shen heard it was my birthday today, so he called me specifically to congratulate me. After chatting for a while, he casually asked how you were doing...” Ji Qiu paused before continuing, “I said you were in the study and that you didn’t seem too happy...”

Professor Shen had remembered that he had sent Qi Nian’s exam to Ji Yanxin, and had immediately expressed his understanding. “The exam this time was bad. If he is in a bad mood, I wouldn’t provoke him, or anger him either.” 

After recalling that memory, Ji Qiu added, “Cousin, you can’t go on business trips casually in the future. No one would care when you leave and that would be terrible.” 

 When Qi Nian heard this, her ears perked up. 

She had not forgotten the look Professor Shen gave her when he collected her exam.    

Moreover, she can predict well how she did on the exam without seeing the results. 

* Apparently Qi Bao is female. In the past chapters they have been referring to Qi Bao as 它(ta), which is the animal pronoun. But here, Qi Bao was referred as 她(ta), which is a female pronoun. (Male pronoun is 他(ta), which can also be used in general reference). 

** They are first cousins. In most asian countries, first cousins would refer to one another as siblings (since family is important and this was a way to be close). Thus her calling him brother or older brother (哥哥).