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missproducergirl · 10 months

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Summer’s Covenant Date [CN Translation]

word count: 3,103

requested by: @sj224

notes: This translation was done with Google Translate. 9 time out of 10 it spews none sense so I had to take my best guess on a lot. Take everything with a grain of salt!! Special thanks to the best person in the world, @hopelesstotstan for proofreading!

[Part 1]

MC: Uh… So sleepy…

I opened my eyes with difficulty and used the person next to me to straighten up with one hand.

Even when I was on vacation with Victor, the long flight still made me unconsciously fall into a deep sleep.

Victor: Finally got enough sleep?

MC: Hehe, it’s so comfortable to sleep next to you… now what time is it?

I rubbed my eyes and looked at the laptop on Victor’s lap, wanting to glance at the time.

There seemed to be a file full of pictures and text on the screen. But before I could see it clearly, Victor closed the computer and reached out to open the window shutters.

Victor: See for yourself.

MC: What… Wow!

A bright golden streak of sunlight at the end of the cloud breaks into sight, and the quiet sunrise is extremely beautiful.

I woke up completely, picked up my phone to take pictures, and glanced at Victor.

MC: Speaking of which, why did you suddenly take me out on vacation?

MC: Could it be my reward for doing well recently?

Victor: Wasn’t someone talking about the end of summer?

Victor: Just this time, I’ll give you a chance to do it all over again.

I blinked and recalled the “encounter” when I said this sentence before—

While going out on location to film under the hot sun, three colleagues suffered from heatstroke one after another. Two colleagues fell ill at the same time, and a machine fell out of order.

Almost all of the late summer was devoted to work, and it was not until the breath of autumn turned the leaves gold that this busy time finally came to an end.

The leisurely activities and travel plans originally written in the summer plan were all wasted.

One day when I came home disheartened, I saw Victor packing a suitcase that I hadn’t packed for a while and suddenly felt wronged.

I couldn’t help shouting “I don’t like summer anymore”, and just stood there crying…

Now thinking of Victor’s surprised gaze at that time, I scratched my cheek in embarrassment.

MC: All those angry words… how do you remember…

Victor: After all, some people kept whining until winter, and it’s hard not to remember.

Victor: What’s more, with such a clear and feasible demand, there is no reason not to make it come true.

As if sensing my embarrassment, Victor raised his hand and rubbed my hair. I couldn’t help raising my smiling face, pretending to hold his hand solemnly.

MC: CEO Victor!

MC: Don’t worry, I will try my best to cover all the unhappiness from before!

[Part 2]

Sunglasses, skirts, fresh fragrance—

I took one last look in the mirror and patted my cheek with satisfaction.

Enjoying summer, of course, starts with dressing up beautifully. It would be even better if you can also fascinate the calm Mr. Li!

I adjusted my expression, opened the door of my room, and prepared to make my debut.

MC: Victor, I—

Victor: Ready?

The voice that sounded at the same time made me stunned for a moment, and before I had the time to feel sorry for my failed appearance, my attention was attracted by the person next to the sofa.

Victor seemed to have been waiting for a while, the computer at hand was still on, and he closed the screen when he saw me come out.

He rarely wore a fancy resort-style shirt, perhaps because he was used to his usual minimalist style. The colorful patterns looked particularly bright on him.

Although it has been a long time, I still recognized at a glance that it was the shirt I bought him.

I still remember his slightly helpless expression when he first received it, but I didn’t expect that I would really see the day he puts it on!

I hopped to his side, pulled his arm, and looked at him left and right.

MC: This shirt suits you very well!

Victor: I can’t think of another person with this peculiar taste.

MC: Isn’t that because there are people who can pull off these kinds of “outlandish clothes”~

MC: I haven’t seen you wearing it, I thought you didn’t like it.

Victor: I just didn’t find a chance to wear it.

I met his calm gaze and couldn’t help raising my eyebrows at him.

MC: I understand! What Mr. Li means is that we should go to the beach a few more times in the future!

MC: You can rest assured that I am here to ensure that your floral shirts can maximize their value.

Victor: Idiot. Is that the point?

Victor: Let’s have enough sun this time before talking about the future, so as not to leave any regrets.

MC: Mr. Li is right. It shouldn’t be too late, let’s go out now!

I took his arm and was about to go out, but Victor hesitated for a moment, turned around, and took a big backpack.

I watched him put the computer in, and then he took the items from my hand.

Victor: Put your things in here first. Some people will definitely lose them after running around.

MC: Some people don’t forget to complain about others even if they are kind enough to help…

I muttered while helping him organize his backpack, and took a second look at the computer that was inseparable from him.

MC: Victor, do you still have unfinished work?

Victor: Still a little bit. It will be taken care of soon.

It has been a long time since we got off the plane. Judging from his usual efficiency, this must be a lot of work.

Could it be that he decided to accompany me on vacation temporarily before work can be scheduled?

A trace of guilt rose from the bottom of my heart. I hugged him lightly and glanced at the clock beside me.

MC: Don’t worry. Work is important.

MC: It’s still early. How about I go around by myself first, and you can finish your work at ease and then meet up? How does that sound?

Victor hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Victor: Okay. Don’t go too far, and keep in touch.

MC: No problem!

[Part 3]

I thought Victor would stay in the room to deal with work, but I didn’t expect him to come to the beach with me.

I was collecting shells by the sea, and he continued to work in a hammock not far from the shore.

[Flashback]

MC: Are you going to work here?

Victor: What is the problem?

MC: It doesn’t suit your style to work in such a noisy place.

MC: Could it be…

I paused on purpose, leaned closer to him, and blinked.

MC: Am I so good-looking today that someone can’t take their eyes off me?

Faced with my teasing, Victor just smiled lightly without averting his gaze.

Victor: I’m just afraid that some dummy will get lost and I will have to find someone else.

[Flashback ends]

Recalling the conversation just now, I puffed up my mouth somewhat unconvinced.

There is just a coastline here, where can I get lost?

I turned my head, and I could see the slightly fancy shirt under the tree from a distance.

The person leaning on the hammock didn’t seem to notice me, so I took the opportunity to make a face, only to meet Victor’s gaze in the next second.

MC: !

Victor: ?

Even from a distance, being stared at by him like this made me a little guilty, and I hurriedly gestured to him and mouthed a sentence.

MC: “Concentrate!”

I don’t know if he understood it, but I saw him faintly smile and then turned his eyes back to the computer.

I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to continue my walk when suddenly a group of boys who looked like middle school students ran past me.

They wore uniform jerseys with the words “Youth Training” printed on the back. The leading boy proficiently took the soccer ball under his feet and called out to his friends behind him.

Boy: Come on! There’s no one here!

They ran towards a nearby net, appearing to be playing beach soccer.

Seeing that this place is going to become more lively, working in this environment will be difficult for even Victor, right?

MC: I’ll ask him if he wants to change places.

I put away the shells I picked up along the way, and quietly approached Victor, bypassing the children playing soccer.

However, when I saw the familiar figure clearly, I soon realized that my worry was unnecessary.

Victor was half leaning in the hammock, wearing earphones, as if he was talking to someone.

Not knowing if he encountered a difficult problem, he scratched his hair unconsciously, revealing a trace of entanglement in his serious expression.

Victor: Is there anything else I need to do that day?

Victor: …Okay, let’s adjust it like this.

A low voice faintly floated into my ears. The sea breeze was blowing gently, and the sun fell on him through the shade of the trees, but it didn’t disturb him at all.

Although it was inappropriate, my eyes were still firmly attracted by the person in front of me.

His fluffy hair brushed against his fingers, and the light shirt hugged his waist tightly with the sea breeze.

I unconsciously slowed down, wanting to peek a little longer.

I’ve seen him at work a lot, but it doesn’t seem to be common to see him on vacation.

With the noise around, he leaned on a soft and comfortable hammock, and still stared at the computer so intently…

I couldn’t help but speculate about what kind of work and what kind of clients would be able to disturb Mr. Li who was on vacation.

??: Hey—watch out!

Before I could think about it, there was a call from behind, and I suddenly felt something lightly hit my ankle.

I looked down and there was a soccer ball at my feet. I looked over to the school boys and they were waving at me to kick the ball back.

MC: It’s a little far away…

I was a little embarrassed looking at the shoes on my feet. I subconsciously looked at Victor, and my brain suddenly had an idea.

I don’t know if he still plays soccer now. If the ball is passed to him, how will he react?

I cleared my throat, trying to get his attention.

MC: Victor!

Seeing him looking up, I lightly kicked the ball to him and pointed to the children not far away.

MC: They accidentally kicked the ball away, can you help pass it back?

Victor: I can.

Victor didn’t seem to notice my thoughts. He put down the computer and turned over, naturally aiming in the direction of the goal.

Then he took a step back, raised his leg, and kicked hard—

The ball drew a perfect arc in the air and flew towards the goal.

Seeing this, the boys started running. One of them ran to the goal, jumped high, and kicked the ball. It went straight into the goal!

Boy: Nice shot!

MC: Wow! Goal!!

The schoolboys cheered and hugged each other, and I also cheered and rushed toward Victor.

Victor: Be careful!

MC: That’s amazing! As expected of Older Brother Vic who kicked down my sandcastle!

Victor: …Are you praising someone?

MC: Hey, have you been playing soccer since then? Why haven’t I seen it?

Victor: I don’t…

MC: Oops I should have filmed it! Can you kick it again later?

Victor: …

I wanted to say something more, but Victor swept me off my feet and put me in the hammock.

Victor: Why are you so excited?

MC: I didn’t expect to see you play soccer. I feel very pleasantly surprised.

Victor: Even if it is a surprise, it is too easy for you to be satisfied.

MC: Because it’s all about you. Wearing the clothes I chose and doing things I’ve never seen before is a surprise to me.

MC: How about it? Isn’t this very touching?

I cupped Victor’s cheek and pinched it, but he didn’t hide, just left a chuckle in my palm.

Victor: Is there anything more I can want?

MC: Hmm… not for now.

Victor: Okay, then I will answer you one by one.

Victor: I started playing less soccer after breaking your sandcastle, less after working.

Victor: So that kick just now was pure luck, there is no second time.

MC: But…

Before I could finish speaking, Victor leaned over and turned off the computer. He then flipped through the shells in my hands with his fingers.

Victor: Our reservation for the water sports that you wanted to play is soon. Let’s go there together.

MC: Are you done with your work?

Victor: Yes, it’s taken care of.

Victor: Let’s go. Show me what treasures you picked up along the way.

[Part 4]

The short vacation passed quickly, and it was already our last night in a blink of an eye.

After dinner, Victor and I walked along the beach. Today’s weather is exceptionally nice, the night sky is clear, and the broken stars reflect in the sparkling sea.

A perfect vacation in every sense, even the ending. Looking at the scenery in front of me, I couldn’t help but sigh.

Victor: What’s wrong?

MC: I was thinking, this summer is really coming to an end, and there is no chance for me to regret it.

Victor: It seems that it is nosy to make up for your regrets.

MC: Not at all!

MC: It’s rare that Mr. Li is so proactive in cooperating with my sense of ritual, but I’m not moved yet.

I shook his arm fawningly. Victor chuckled lightly and held my hand.

Victor: Tell me, what kind of ceremony did you originally envision?

MC: Actually, it is almost the same as now. Enjoying the warm sunshine and cold drinks, and stepping into the water with your favorite people.

MC: After a leisurely day, it would be even better if you can watch the fireworks at the beach.

Victor: Fireworks?

Victor showed a thoughtful expression, and I waved my hands hastily.

MC: I just said it casually, just to make a deep impression.

Victor: However, it is indeed a good arrangement.

The person next to me seemed to smile a little, and I was about to ask more when I caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar scene out of the corner of my eye.

It was an area enclosed by a small fence and the small gate was ajar, which looked a bit strange on the flat beach.

MC: What is this? I haven’t seen it before while walking around.

Victor: Go and have a look.

I followed Victor and approached. I looked at Victor from outside the fence, but I stretched out my hand and pushed the door open.

There is nothing special in the enclosed area, except for a few rows of black shadows with small red lights on the ground.

MC: This is…

I felt that these black shadows look familiar, but the sky is too dark, and I can’t see clearly.

Just as I was about to get closer to confirm, the “black shadow” suddenly took off.

A slight hum lingered in my ears, and I instantly recognized it as a drone.

MC: Why are there drones here?

I looked around subconsciously but saw no one nearby. I vaguely had some guesses in my heart. I turned my head and glanced at Victor.

MC: Could it be…

Victor: Look up first.

He didn’t return my gaze, just squeezed my hand. I tried my best to suppress my curiosity and looked up at the sky with him.

The drones slowly arranged a pattern in the air, and I took a closer look. It was a small Shiba Inu.

MC: Hahaha, this looks like the doll I gave you.

Victor: Not too stupid.

MC: The next pattern… is pudding!

MC: Wait, aren’t these patterns all my favorite things?

Victor: You can guess.

MC: Then I guess the next one is Mr. Li’s red wine!

I opened my eyes expectantly and looked at the sky, only to be greeted by a camel.

Victor: Unfortunately, alcohol was not approved.

MC: Watching the drone show without getting drunk…

I muttered softly, subconsciously wrapping my arms around Victor.

The patterns in the sky are all related to me without exception. Kittens, bowknot hairpins, lipstick…

The memories of spending the summer together are brought back again and again, and those bright days spread a happy background in my memory, making the corners of my mouth uncontrollably curl up.

Looking at those colorful patterns, I gently tickled his palm.

MC: When was this prepared? The pattern is quite cute, not like Mr. Li’s style.

Victor: If it is not cute enough, I am worried that dummies will not appreciate it, so I adjusted it many times.

MC: I won’t… huh?

I was about to refute when I realized something.

MC: You have been staring at the computer busy with work before, so you are not talking about this, are you?

Victor smiled and squeezed my hand.

Victor: Let’s watch it first.

After all the patterns were spelled out, the drone flickered like a star for a moment, then moved slowly again.

I carefully watched and read out word by word—

MC: [In English] “See you next year”...

MC: Is this a message from summer?

Victor: It can be understood in this way.

Victor: Unpleasant things will always pass, and the life you look forward to will come again.

Victor: So there is nothing to regret. Instead of struggling for so long, you should just tell me what you want.

MC: But even if I didn’t say anything, you have it all considered.

MC: There are even plenty of surprises!

I pointed to the sky and tugged on his shirt again.

MC: Maybe you have a better understanding of me than I do.

Victor: Fool. Willing to bid farewell to summer this time?

I nodded vigorously, then shook my head again.

MC: It is true that I can let it go willingly now, but I will still look forward to the next summer!

The hovering drones landed back on the ground and parked neatly beside us.

Victor looked down at me, his deep voice overwhelmed the waves and reached the bottom of my heart.

Victor: That’s good. After all next time when summer comes…

Victor: I don’t want to be the only one looking forward to it.

You can find the call that comes after the date here.

#i live for their bantering #they’re so cute #and mc is so silly #SORRY FOR THE LOW QUALITY KARMA AHHHH #mlqc #mr love #mr love queen's choice #mr love victor #恋与制作人 #mlqc translations #mlqc spoilers #mlqc victor #love and producer

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laxmiree · 1 year

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[CN] MLQC Lucien's Bizarre Record Date 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~

“Only this painted skin demon has no story and no ending.”

“If you were him, would you hate the person who wrote you out but then forgot about you?”

Translation under the cut!

The early winter sunset shines through the glass, tinting the small room with orange and golden color.

Headless ghost: …She told me that there was never a monster like me. When we parted, she stood in the twilight. Do you know how beautiful it was?

The headless ghost spoke incessantly with his coarse voice. I tapped the keyboard quickly, noting the key points.

The street outside the house is full of traffic, no one knows that in such a modern society, the monster hide their faces and lurking in the crowd.

Headless ghost: Although we were separated in the end, in the 1111th year of my ghost life, we loved each other and she said I was a good person.

I sighed, unable to break his beautiful fantasy of unrequited love, rummaging through the cupboard to find a set of glowing green scarf.

MC: Be careful and keep warm.

He took the scarf, and his non-existent head made a depressed sound.

Headless ghost: Human, is my beautiful love story worth this much? I heard you gave her a necklace for her last story about the evil beast!

MC: Tragic love is not a novelty anymore, next time bring a more interesting story and I'll give you a better reward.

MC: But I could write you a good ending.

Headless ghost: Really?

MC: Absolutely. However, a bad ending in a story can become a satisfactory one, and a happy ending can still have regrets.

Headless ghost: Just don't let it be a regret, remember to write me handsomely.

He happily wrapped the scarf around his headless neck a few times, and then suddenly remembered something.

Headless ghost: By the way, recently there is a painted skin demon in the city, I heard that he likes to skin young girls alive.

MC: Painted skin demon?

Seeing that I was stunned, he gloated and laughed.

Headless ghost: You should be careful.

I'm not surprised by the ghost's scares, but when I hear that monster’s moniker, my heart can't help but beat a little faster.

I've always wanted to write a story about the Painted Skin Demon, but I've never seen one before. And now, I finally have the opportunity to do so.

MC: I wonder if he has any interesting stories.

??: Excuse me, I heard there's a human writer here who listens to tales of monsters.

A gentle voice interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up to see a man standing in the doorway.

He was wearing a cloud patterned robe that was out of place in this simple and modern home. Looking through his glasses, those dark eyes made me lose my mind for a moment.

There is a demonic aura lingering around in his body, deceitful yet captivating.

Lucien: Hello, my name is Lucien. I'm a painted skin demon.

I snapped back to my senses, realizing that the very source material I had been thinking about had come to me.

MC: Hi, are you here to sell a story?

Lucien: I don't have a story.

I was stunned, it was the first time I heard that kind of reply.

Lucien: To be precise, I would like to ask you to write a story about the "Painted Skin Demon".

Lucien: But once you start this story, you can't stop halfway.

Lucien: If you're willing to consider it, feel free to come and visit me.

There is nothing much to consider.

Sometimes the biggest story comes when there is no story. I have a feeling that this demon is very special.

The next day, I walked across town to the address Lucien had given me yesterday.

This street is one of the city's most famous old town streets, filled with the bustle and hustle of the crowds.

In front of me is a rather simple courtyard gate, looking like a forgotten corner.

MC: Excuse me-

After pushing open the door and stepping into the courtyard, the entire surrounding instantly darkened. The blue sky, which was breezy and sunny, now has a bright moon hanging over it.

In the middle of the courtyard stood an old locust tree hung with copper lanterns, its branches were full of blooming flowers; its fragrance was spread throughout the courtyard.

There is a small building next to the tree, when I open the carved wooden door, I can feel an insidious atmosphere coming from inside.

MC: Hello?

In the dark room, there was only a dim light in front of me, and the air was filled with the scent of sandalwood mixed with grass and ash.

Amidst the dead silence and darkness, I immediately tensed up and walked in subconsciously.

But as I lifted my foot, there was an abrupt thud behind me- and the door slammed shut.

There was a rustle of creepy snickers and whispers coming from the abyss, like millions of ants burrowing their way into my eardrums.

??: Hehehe, there's someone there.

??: Let’s dig her heart out~

??: Or eat her soul~

Even though I have seen many monsters, instinctive fear still makes my palms seep with cold sweat.

What the headless ghost said rang in my mind, the painted skin demon likes to skin young girls alive, which made my scalp go numb.

??: She is my guest, don't scare her.

A lazy voice came from the direction of the burning light, and stopped the ear-splitting sneer.

The remarkably familiar voice gave me great relief, I closed my stiff fingers and moved closer to the burning spot of light.

As my eyes were gradually lit up, I went around a screen and lifted the curtain.

I saw an elegantly decorated tea room, a copper incense stove with rising white smoke, the shelves were filled with spooky ghost masks.

The masks looked at me with their empty eyes, as if they were alive, and sneered silently.

Lucien was sitting on a mahogany chair, holding a tung blossom lamp covered with purple smoke, looking at me nonchalantly.

Lucien: Since you are here, it means that you have already thought about it.

I took a look at those creepy weird shaped masks and nodded with determination.

MC: That’s right. According to my terms, when the story is finished, I'll pay you accordingly, but you can't hurt me.

Lucien: Are you trying to negotiate with a demon?

Listening to his smirking tone, I humbly expressed my attitude.

MC: Yes, I am. However, I can promise you that I will make the best story.

Lucien: It would be something to look forward to.

He said it casually, without any expectation on his face. Instead, he looked at me with great interest.

Lucien: What's your name, little writer?

MC: It’s MC.

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I visit Lucien every day to observe and collect writing material.

The street scene beyond the wall is very lively, but the courtyard is exceptionally quiet, save for the spooky masks that occasionally like to scare me.

Today, the house was unusually full of the sweet smell of sandalwood, and I casually lifted the bead curtain.

MC: Good morning-

The scene in front of me made my voice stuck in my throat.

Lucien was hidden in the dim light; at the intersection of light and darkness, his long fingers holding the tung blossom lamp.

As he gently exhaled his breath, I can hear a soft sigh emanating from the air.

Wisp of purple smoke wrapped in Lucien's side as if it had a soul, and immediately, a ghost mask slowly coalesced in mid-air.

It is the same as the masks on the wall, like a life that has not yet awakened, without sorrow nor joy.

Hearing my footsteps, Lucien slightly glanced back at me with his calm and indifferent gaze.

This is the first time I saw him make a mask, my gaze were involuntarily attracted by that pair of sultry eyes, unable to move away for a moment.

MC:Was that you who made that sound?

Lucien: That sound wasn’t made by me, by ‘it’.

Lucien looked at the ghost mask that was gradually taking shape in mid-air.

Lucien: Each mask created by obsessions and desires has its own soul.

Lucien: They are happy to be born, but unwilling to live only as a mask for others.

Lucien gently stroke the ghost mask, a trace of ridicule flashed in his eyes.

Lucien: Did it scare you?

I snapped back to my senses and remembered that I had come here to collect materials. And Lucien was making the rare ghost mask in front of me!

MC: Wait, don't move.

I quickly dug out my laptop, opened the document, and leaned closer to Lucien's face-

MC: Relax your wrists a little, and keep your expression a bit colder…

Lucien wasn’t a bit annoyed when I "manipulated" his posture.

MC: Okay! Hold still!

I seized the inspiration that was about to leave and quickly tapped on the keyboard.

After writing a long paragraph, I looked up. The incense had mostly burned off, and Lucien was still in the same pose as before.

The moment our eyes met, he blinked, the corners of his eyes teased a little smile.

Lucien: Is it over yet?

I hastily nodded and rubbed my nose a little apologetically.

MC: Sorry, I tend to lose track of time when I write.

Lucien: Can you show me what you've written?

MC: Sure!

I pushed the laptop over to him and looked forward to what he would say after reading it.

Lucien: "His face is cold, like the cold moon in early winter reflected by a clear glimmer of light at night."

…He unexpectedly just read out the script I wrote!

Lucien: "His inky eyes seem to have thousands of butterflies emerging from their cocoons, weaving into an ethereal illusion, enticing people to gradually become lost and addicted."

Lucien: "His well-defined hand slowly approaches, carrying an unknown temptation and danger"...

MC: Stop, stop!

The words that were so satisfying a while ago, seemed especially grandiose and contrived when he read them out in his warm voice.

I felt so embarrassed that I had curled up on my toes, turned my computer back around, patted my face that was a little hot, and decided to change the subject.

MC: So… is this tung blossom lamp the prop you use for painting the skin*?

(T/N: 画皮, literally translated as painted skin is something that can transform a monster into a beauty. I assume that the masks are the 画皮 that he created.)

Lucien: This prop is called Xueqing.

MC: So you don't need actually need human skin to paint the skin…

Lucien: Human skin are too fragile for monsters. If we want to paint, it is better to use the skin of a monster.

Suddenly there was a soft sound behind us, and two monsters stood there, looking fearfully at Lucien.

Monster: W-we've come to get the mask.

Lucien immediately collected his emotions and pulled the two ghost masks off the shelf.

Lucien: I've been waiting. Don't forget the conditions you promised me, and the price for breaking the deal.

Monster: Y-yes, of course.

The two monsters nodded their heads nervously and quickly took the masks before leaving in a hurry

MC: The monsters are so afraid of you, is it because you’ve actually skinned monsters?

Lucien: Of course not.

MC: Oh… I thought-

Lucien retrieved the Xueqing, picked up an unfinished book and leisurely flipped through it.

Lucien: At most, I simply ripped out their hearts.

MC: ....

His long fingers slowly turned the pages, his tone soft as if he was talking about what he had eaten today.

Lucien: However, this is just a price I set for all the monsters who came to trade with me

MC: A price?

I got interested and moved closer to him.

Lucien: The life span of a monster is not endless. Some monsters will disappear from the world after fulfilling their obsessions or wishes.

Lucien: So the price for me to make the mask is to hand over their core to me before they disappear after fulfilling their long-cherished wish.

MC: But what if they have a new wish, or refuse to pay?

Lucien: Then I can only take matters into my own hands and forcibly execute the deal.

The masks on the wall were already terrified and kept their mouths shut.

Lucien: However…

His indifferent and mysterious eyes flickered and landed on my face.

Lucien: You don't seem to be afraid of a demon like me who skinned monsters and took their cores.

MC: …No, no. In fact, I’m still scared.

I silently gulped and waved my hand at him.

MC: But I also think that fear is part of the story.

MC: In the past, I also encountered terrible monsters when I was fetching materials, and almost got eaten a few times.

MC: Although it is scary to think about it, it is also because of that feeling of fear that what I write is more realistic.

He quietly looked at me, a glint of interest flickered in his eyes.

Lucien: Do you think that stories are more important than your life?

I thought about it and replied seriously.

MC: They are equally important. Being alive is the only way to write more stories, and stories make me feel "alive".

Lucien: No wonder there is a certain obsession in your words, in addition to your passion and imagination.

Lucien pulled off a book from the mahogany shelf and pushed it over. I was a little surprised by the familiar cover.

MC: You've read my novel?

Lucien: Mmm, the wonderful stories are always worth reading.

Lucien: I can see that you have given soul to each character, and they aren’t just characters, but more like your friends.

I blinked and gently stroked the book cover.

MC: I grew up seeing monsters, initially I was quite scared, but then I found out that monsters also just want someone to talk to.

MC: That's why I like to listen and talk to them.

MC: But in other people eyes, I was probably a weird kid who liked to talk to herself, and they gradually avoided me...

Lucien: So how did you start writing stories?

MC: Without friends, I'm always bored, so I read books to pass the time.

I smiled and flipped open the book.

MC: I've read a lot of people's stories in the book, but slowly I began to not satisfied with just reading other people's stories.

MC: I also wanted to create my own story and build a wonderful world for my characters.

Lucien steadily gazed at me with surging emotions in his eyes that I did not understand.

MC: But at the very beginning I didn't know what to write...

Lucien: So you adapted those monster stories that you heard.

MC: Mmm! My first story is a story about a fox demon.

MC: Afterwards I will actively seek out the monsters and listen to their stories.

MC: Over time, the monsters will also approach me to tell their stories, and I will also give them some kind of payment.

MC: However, I have other reason for collecting your material.

I paused.

MC: When I was very young, I read an ancient book and there was a painted skin demon in it.

Lucien froze.

MC: Although he was overlooked in the story, I always remember that mysterious aura, and I wanted to write about him.

I don't know what Lucien was thinking about. He lowered his eyes and as he remained silent, I tentatively looked at him.

MC: Lucien, do you have any imaginary scenarios? I can help you to write them.

Hearing my words, his eyes flashed with astonishment for a moment.

Lucien: It is true that I had some fantasies in the past, but they don’t matter anymore.

Lucien: I just want to leave a story, as for the specific content, I' ll leave it to the author to write it.

MC: Actually, I already have a little idea.

MC: I decided to let the painted skin demon go out of his own little world and go on a long and exciting journey of adventure!

Lucien flipped through the outline I wrote, and the arc of his brows became playful.

Lucien: So in your eyes, the Painted Skin Demon is a monster that is picky about the taste of fried tofu and gets so nervous about riding roller coasters that it makes objects around it float?

(T/N: sobbing because we’ll never get the Lucien that got nervous about riding roller coaster from third anniversary :”)

MC: A story should always be exaggerated and dramatized, contrasting with its own mysterious and powerful portrayal.

MC: I'm going to let him travel the world, meet the mummies in pyramids, and sly ghosts while walking under sakura trees...

Lucien: [chuckle] That sounds really wonderful.

MC: Monsters live a long life, so perhaps you will encounter a more exciting story in the future!

As I spoke, I suddenly realized that perhaps a thousand years later, Lucien may still be walking in the world.

And then, who will he ask to write the stories that I won't be able to see?

Thinking of this, a sense of sadness came to my heart. Lucien broke the silence just in time.

Lucien: What happens in the future, let's just leave it to the future.

Lucien: I won't leave, at least not until the end of this story is complete.

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It may be because we all live in our own worlds, or maybe because he is the only demon who reads my stories carefully.

But spending time around Lucien made me feel like I was no longer alone.

I want to write many, many stories for him.

However, this idea was soon "smashed" by reality.

MC: Ah… I can't write.

I put down the book on my head and threw myself on the table, causing Lucien, who was sitting beside him, to put down the book in his hand and look at me.

Lucien: You seem to be very irritable these days, is your writing not going well?

Seeing me nodding sorrowfully, Lucien turned to my laptop and scanned through the text.

Lucien: This story is very interesting, why are you not satisfied?

MC: I can't tell, I just feel like something is missing…

I could never write about the ‘soul’ of the Painted Skin Demon, just as I could never see through the entirety of Lucien.

Seeing my half-dying look, Lucien had a rare moment of contemplation.

Lucien: How about going to a place that I like?

Lucien: If you look at some other scenery, you may have a different idea.

I followed Lucien to the outskirts of the mountains.

The hills were bare in winter, the animals were hiding from the freezing cold, and the only sound in the forest was the sound of us occasionally stepping on dead branches.

The cool and crisp air enters my lungs and refreshes my body.

MC: Strange, the last winter when I was here to collect materials, the monsters have arranged a lot of mischief, how come there is no one today?

Lucien: Perhaps it is because you have a "big demon" in your side that they do not dare to touch.

MC: I wish I knew you earlier, and I can come here to show off.*

Lucien: With me, they might not have the leisure and grace to tell you stories.

(T/N: 狐假虎威, is an idiom that literally means “the fox exploits the tiger's might” and figuratively means “to use powerful connections to intimidate people”)

As we chatted through the trees, we saw a clear view of the cliff-side.

The sea of clouds in the twilight has spread to the end of the sky; tinted with a beautiful golden glow by the sunset light, and haloed in layers.

MC: Lucien, is this the place you like?

Lucien nodded, and we stood side by side, seeing the large part of the city through our eyes

The golden sun gradually sank into the horizon, and the dark color crept over the orange sky, giving Lucien a bit of depth.

He hides all of his secrets under an indifferent face, as if his heart was also covered with a shell.

Lucien: What's wrong?

MC: I just feel that you and twilight are somewhat alike.

MC: Very soft, yet also very distant. At times it seems as though everything is visible, yet many things seem to be hidden.

I met his deep eyes confusedly.

MC: Lucien, what are you really like?

He narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth softly when it seemed like I wouldn't be able to wait for an answer.

Lucien: A long time ago, I also knew another writer.

His fingertips landed on the side of my face and slowly descended. The instant his cold palm brushed against my neck, an irresistible force washed over me.

My field of vision turned upside down, my vision rotated rapidly, and after a moment of dizziness, I was "back" in Lucien's courtyard.

However, there is something wrong here - the trees do not have the slightest fragrance of flowers, even the glow of the lanterns have faded.

"Lucien" was staring at the lantern under the flowering tree and whispered to himself.

“Lucien”: This year's blooming season came at an inopportune time…

He is Lucien, yet he doesn't seem to be him, I subconsciously asked him.

MC: You… Who are you...?

"Lucien" turned his head to me, his expression was distant and unfamiliar.

“Lucien”: It’s you…

And behind him, a huge demonic shadow swept me away, the violent and unsettling demonic energy choking my throat and eroding every inch of my limbs.

There were many voices overlapping on the ears amidst the suffocation.

??: Who am I?

??: Where is my story?

The familiar voice bearing a sense of confusion and murderous intent, is… Lucien’s?

“Lucien”: It’d be better to simply kill-

The darkness gradually spread, and finally, only those purple eyes remained in my field of vision.

It is the first time I saw this kind of emotion in Lucien's eyes.

In the midst of perplexity and hatred, there is a certain profound obsession, and an unspeakable sadness.

My heart felt like it sensed some kind of throbbing, beating faster and faster. I reached out to him with the last of my strength...

I felt that it was becoming difficult to breathe as my consciousness was gradually leaving my body.

Lucien: MC.

Like water drops falling into the surface of a lake, this soft and gentle voice quickly eliminates the feeling of oppression and "Lucien".

I was standing on the edge of the cliff, with the brink of the cliff half a step away, and my body was trembling uncontrollably, but not out of fear.

There was burning and surging emotion, which is about to come out from the bottom of my heart.

The fiery clouds have been completely darkened by the night sky, leaving only the last hint of lonely yet dazzling purple.

Lucien stood in front of me in silence, as if he too was going to follow the twilight into the night.

He looked at me, his hand had left my neck at some point, and he softly caressed my cheek.

Lucien: Why are you crying?

MC: ...?

His rare perplexity slowly brought me back to my senses, and when I touched my cheek I realized that the place was all wet.

Lucien: Are you afraid?

I shook my head and held his hand.

MC: I'm not scared, I just feel a lot of… emotions.

Those intense and burning emotions that he hid deep inside his heart and never showed.

Lucien: Have I helped you in this way?

Lucien: I don't have a story, I only have myself.

For a moment, he silently gazed at me, and deep in his calm eyes, a crack in his heart seemed to have opened.

The darkness of the night covered us with a layer of loneliness, the night breeze was cold, but I felt that something was burning.

Was it the unending burning clouds, or the heart in his chest that had not yet calmed down?

Or maybe what was burning is the Lucien in front of me.

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Lucien and the burning clouds that melted into the sunset that day were like hot lava fused into my bones and blood, leaving a profound and magnificent mark on my heart.

After I got home, I sat down in front of my laptop. Once my restless mind calmed down, I typed my very first word-

The ideas come like a raging flood, turbulently flowing in an unending stream.

They tugged frantically at my hands, eager to get turned into words and stories.

I don't remember how many sunrises and moonsets have passed, and only after tapping the last dot I finally slipped into sleep.

After I woke up, I picked myself up again and started to polish the manuscript from the very beginning.

MC: The real identity of the Painted Skin Demon is revealed here, pushed the story to the climax, and then at the grand finale…

My hands stopped tapping on the keyboard, and I stared blankly at the flickering cursor on the screen.

After writing this story, do I have to say goodbye to Lucien?

My hands stopped in mid-air for a long time, and finally fell down.

After refining and polishing the story for nearly half a month, the story of the Painted Skin Demon was finally finished.

On the last day of winter, snowflakes were falling from the sky. I stood in front of the Lucien courtyard with my printed manuscript and took a deep breath.

MC: I hope this story will satisfy him.

However, as soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I noticed that something was wrong.

The locust blossoms were falling all over the place, the colored lanterns were no longer bright, and an emptiness of dead silence filled the entire courtyard.

MC: …Lucien?

Nobody answered. The tea room was also empty, and even the ghostly masks on the shelves had turned into stiff wooden masks.

Everything here seems to have lost its soul, except for the lamp left on the table, which proves what happened here.

I have a faint hunch about the reason for all this change, but I don't want to believe it.

-Lucien is no longer here.

Did he know that I had finished the book and decided to left?

The manuscript in my arms was losing its weight, and I picked up the Xueqing in a despondent manner. A huge piece of my heart felt like it had been ripped out.

Lucien: I won't leave, at least not until the end of this story is complete.

MC: Liar…

MC: Didn't you say you would read the story and ending I wrote? Why did you disappear when you said you wouldn't?

The silent room didn't respond, and the grievance in my heart grew stronger and stronger.

MC: And don't you want me to give you something in exchange for letting me write your story?

Out of nowhere, I seem to hear a familiar soft chuckle ringing in my ears.

??: What is the ending like?

MC: Lucien?

I hastily looked around, but there was no one else in the empty house.

The fire in my heart that had just ignited was quenched, and I muttered to myself in disappointment and anger.

MC: The ending is that the Painted Skin Demon is sealed in a magical amusement park. He has to ride the upside down roller coaster and the pendulum ride 100 times to get out!

The laughing voice was more pronounced than before and I could even smell the familiar scent of sandalwood.

Lucien: It seems that after the ending, the Painted Skin Demon will no longer be afraid of roller coasters.

A hazy purple demonic energy spread from the Xueqing my hand, and gradually wrapped around me.

MC: ....Lucien?

As if in response to my voice, the demonic aura was tinged with throbbing warmth, and slowly embraced me thoroughly from behind.

A familiar hand steadily picked up the Xueqing.

I looked back and met a pair of smiling purple eyes, as if they had been there for a long time, just waiting for me to crash into them.

Slowly, his face also coalesced amidst the purple mist, followed by his body… The faded room also gradually regained its original life.

I held my breath and looked at him without missing a beat, afraid that this dream would disappear in the blink of an eye.

The cool fingertips touched my face, as if they were also checking and confirming, leaving the most gentle touch.

Lucien: I want to read the stories you write.

The sound in my ears was clearer than ever, and the feeling of his hand was unmistakable, I followed the lines of his glove and clasped his fingers tightly.

Lucien once said that there are monsters who will disappear from the world after fulfilling their wish in this life.

So those dull wood masks and the quiet Xueqing…

I suddenly realized what Lucien had said about "leaving" might not mean leaving the house.

MC: Lucien, did you just… Disappeared?

Lucien: Mmm. Because my obsession is accomplished.

There are some sighs in it, and yet some unknown expectations also seem to grow.

MC: ...What was your obsession?

Lucien: It was myself.

I tightened my grip on his hand and looked at Lucien in a daze.

I used to think that the confusion and despair I saw on the cliff was his inner self.

But now I realize that the invisible wall between us has never disappeared.

MC: Lucien, your story… what exactly is it?

He slightly lowered his gaze, took an old book from the shelf, and placed it next to my manuscript.

MC: This is… The one I read when I was a kid!

Lucien: The main character in your book is powerful and lively, he likes to eat fried tofu, eats grapes without their skins, and draws a different symbol every time he writes a postcard…

Lucien: He is a lot luckier than the Painted Skin Demon that was mentioned by a single stroke.

I was stunned, not sure why he was comparing the two.

His delicate fingers flipped to the story of the Painted Skin Demon, and on the slightly yellowed paper, there were only a few words written about it.

Lucien: There are many monsters in this book, and they all have good encounters and wonderful endings.

Lucien: Only this painted skin demon has no story and no ending.

Lucien: If you were him, would you hate the person who wrote you out but then forgot about you?

I suddenly remembered the Lucien that I saw on the cliff in the lonely courtyard, and my breath hitched.

He didn't seem to know who he was or where he was going.

Even the demonic aura that was filled with fury also mixed with confusion and aggravation.

At that time, the hateful voice in my ear was like a key to unlock the secret, and a strange but reasonable idea gradually came to my mind.

MC: I would, but if others don't give me a story, then I will give myself a story.

Lucien softly smiled and gazed at me with a ripple in his eyes.

He held my hand and led me to the courtyard.

The familiar fragrance of locust blossoms spread throughout the courtyard again, and the dead branches were covered with new flowers.

If there is really a world within the story, how does he spend every empty days in it?

And how big is his obsession that it is enough to turn him into a real demon and come into this world?

Lucien: This courtyard and Xueqing are the only things I have been given.

Lucien: I don't know how long I waited until one day I found myself being able to smell the scent of locust flowers and leave the courtyard.

Lucien: At last I had broken free from my cage. So I want to find the person who wrote me and ask him what my story is.

Lucien: But the time in the book passed too quickly, the writer died hundreds of years ago, and the answers I wanted to know were forever submerged in his heart.

A white flower fluttering with the night breeze, and lightly fell on Lucien's palm.

Lucien: So I started looking for my own story. I've used many faces and become different people.

MC: And have you found it?

Lucien shook his head.

Lucien: I can't be someone else, I can only be myself-

Lucien: When I realized this, I saw my face for the first time.

My throat was a little choked up, I asked the question that I had been holding in my heart.

MC: Did you ask me to help you write your story to fill the regret you once had?

Lucien: I've found myself and have no regrets.

Lucien: I just want to leave something behind.

If wanting to leave a story behind was his last tiny wish, the moment it was finished, he had no more worries.

MC: But I think your story is far from over.

I don't know what kind of intention the writer had in mind when he created this character, but for Lucien, who had already left the shackles, it didn't matter.

He has found out who he is.

I handed him my manuscript.

MC: I want you to be the first reader of this story.

I nervously stared at him, but he just flipped through it in silence, there was no sadness or joy. When he turned to the last page, he froze slightly.

Lucien: “The early sun dawned with brilliant morning glow. He faced the first ray of light and saw the sea...”

MC: I thought about it for a long time, and I just couldn't let the story end there.

MC: So I wrote an open ending. In the future, I want to write a second and third book for him… I want to keep on writing forever.

MC: I want to know more about you, and in the future, there will certainly be more and more wonderful stories.

MC: Whether it's you, or the Painted Skin Demon in the story.

MC: That’s why… Can you please don't disappear just yet?

I held his hand tightly, afraid that if I wasn't careful, he would turn into mist and slip through my fingers.

Lucien: Why do you think I'm here again?

The moonlight reflected in Lucien's eyes as he gazed at me, cold and soft.

Lucien: A little writer said she would write the best story for me.

Lucien: But that's part of it. There is another part, which you just said.

Lucien: I want something else as a "payment" for the story I gave you, which is why...

He gradually drew closer as I gazed at him in confusion. The gleam in his eyes was even more brilliant than the colored lanterns in the tree.

And more than that, I am addicted to lost in it.

I can feel the smile at the corner of his lips as his fluttering breath hits my face.

Lucien: I want you to be my story.

Call Section- [Catching Up]

Putting this here bc I think this call is relevant with this date ahah-

Lucien: I just finished the experiment. What was the "wonderful news" that you just texted?

MC: It's about a piece of writing that I followed when I was in high school, but the author didn't write the half of it because of health reasons.

MC: Now it's back to update! Aaah my youth is back.

Lucien: Looks like I made this call at the right time. Just reading the text messages doesn't seem to give me a full taste of all the happiness you're feeling.

Lucien: The fact that you're so excited makes me interested in that work, too.

MC: Actually it is a romance novel, compared to many works nowadays; the writing is not that amazing.

MC: But the author's ideas are always surprising and the story is very touching.

MC: So I was sad for a long time when it was discontinued.

Lucien: Finding the lost and found always makes people feel happier. The readers have been waiting for so many years, and I think that the author is very lucky.

MC: After such a long time, she is still willing to finish this book, I am a little surprised…

Lucien: Maybe because the author also loves her story and each of the characters in it.

Lucien: After all, the author can choose how to write and the reader can choose whether to read it or not.

Lucien: But the characters in the story don't have a choice, they have to wait for the author to give them the ending.

MC: If you think about it, it's a sad thing for the characters in the story to be constantly waiting for outcome.

MC: I thought Professor Lucien was a logical thinker, but I never thought he would empathize with the fictional characters in the book.

Lucien: It's probably because waiting is something that everyone goes through.

MC: But Professor Lucien would have calculated the probability of the outcome in advance, so if you can’t wait, you won't waste time, right?

Lucien: It depends on the person waiting.

Lucien: Just like you waited for this story to continue.

Lucien: Sometimes it's the uncertainty of the outcome that makes it fun and worthwhile to wait- and it's the anticipation of the outcome that makes it rewarding.

Lucien: The moment you reach the finish line, you will realize that all the time you have waited was worth it.

[rambling corner]

//feel free to ignore it

AAAAA what a great date. I like every bits of it and the plot is really beyond my expectation.

The core of this date is the pursuit of meaning of existence and self-identity. Lucien in this AU is Painted Skin Demon that born without ‘self-worth’; he ‘exists’ but doesn’t know the meaning of his own existence because the person who wrote him doesn’t give him a story or ending. And Lucien, who was forgotten by his creator, can only watch as other character like him have their own story, experienced sorrows and joys, and have their endings, while he is deprived of those things. He yearns and longs for those colorful world that he didn’t have and this leads to his obsession towards pursuing self-worth, turning him from a mere fictional character to a real demon. This obsession is both blessing and curse, making him break free from his cage but also tortures him with pain and confusion. Even then, after becoming a real demon he still didn’t have a sense of self-identity. So he used many faces and become different people, only to found out that he can’t be anyone else but himself.

His last wish is to leave a proof of existence before he disappears completely and so he asked MC to write a story for him. By writing him a story, MC gives him a meaning of existence, and illuminated his dark world with color. And when the story is completed, he really disappeared because all of his wishes (self-identity, meaning and proof of existence) already fulfilled. However, the time he spent with MC and what MC taught him (to write his own story) also ignited two new wishes. First one being to continue writes his own story and two is wanting MC to be ‘his story’. This two wishes stopped him from disappear, giving him a new meaning of existence. He doesn’t need other to ‘define’ who he is and he can be the writer of his own story.

I just??? Like it so much :”””. This date and call also can be interpreted as the relationship between him and us, between the ‘fictional character’ and ‘reader’. Which reminds me of what he said in one of his moment; “也许你的出生不只是因为我，但我的存在一定是为了与你相遇” (Maybe you were born not just because of me, but I must have existed to meet you.).

Anyway thank you for reading! I hope y’all enjoy this one date as much as I do :D

#mlqc #mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #HALLOWEEN DATES NEVER FAIL FR #i have high hopes for his b day karma all thanks for this date ahah #i put most of my screaming on the end of the post #mlqc translation #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mr love lucien #mlqc xu mo

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