[CN] Victor’s Ranch Date (Eng Translation)
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 牧场之约, that is yet to be released in the global server! ♡
It’s very important to read the PROLOGUE and the DIARY ENTRIES before the date. Remember to read them first! ♡
[Translation Under The Cut]
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✧ [PART 1] ✧
The awning overhead under the bus stop next to the ranch renders shade in the fervent summer sun.
I look at the time on my phone screen and can’t help but sigh.
MC: What’s taking him so long...
I set several alarms before going to bed last night, wanting to give Victor a “surprise,” who specifically reminded me not to oversleep.
As a result, I rushed to the bus stop where we planned to meet with my heart abounding in excitement, only to find that I’d arrived a full hour early.
Staring at the chat box, I debate whether or not to send Victor a message.
MC: No, nope, can’t! If I did so, there would be no point in getting up early today!
I release a gigantic yawn, my gaze wandering over the passing crowd in my surroundings.
Passerby: Darling, let’s go milk the cows first! That’s the ace of the items here!
I look around at the sound of the voice, watching the young men and women walking toward the gate of the ranch as they chat and laugh.
On the huge billboard at the entrance–– adorable cattle and sheep are roaming among the vast pastures, looking carefree and at ease.
My heart, which has grown somewhat restless from the wait, gradually settles down under the influence of the relaxing ambience.
I casually pick up the guidebook that’s placed by the bus stop and look at the tagline on the cover.
MC: “Experience close interactions with the animals to your heart’s liking, and enjoy a relaxing holiday that allows your heart to fly freely.”
I mumble to myself as I read through the guidebook, inwardly figuring out what items I want to experience with Victor today.
MC: …let me find that ace event… ah, here it is!
MC: “Taste the exclusive mellow reward with the milking challenge,”…it really seems that they weren’t wrong.
MC: Wow~ The ranch’s special offer, “Bunny Pasta,” looks so cute and delicious!
Each of the unique experiences offered by the ranch makes it difficult for me to choose as I’m constantly weighing the order of priorities.
Perhaps it’s the brain operating a brief “job,” or perhaps it’s the warm sunshine–– I find that my drowsiness has been set off.
I yawn again, though only ten minutes have passed.
MC: How about I shut my eyes for a little while…
With this thought, I close my eyes. The vision of a brilliant summer day appears in my mind as Victor brings out a chilled pudding from the kitchen.
MC: [eyes still closed] …it’s such a hot day. If only I could pull out a chilled pudding from my bag at any time.
?? (Victor): You’re the first person with the ability to “talk in sleep” while being awake.
A deep, low, helpless voice resounds in my ear, forming a wonderful overlap with the scene in my mind.
My eyes snap open–– the familiar figure standing in front of me just happens to screen off even the last beams of the blazing sun.
—
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✧ [PART 2] ✧
Seemingly because of my “sleep talking” just now, Victor brings me straight to the “Bunny Restaurant” after we walk into the ranch.
The not-so-big restaurant is decorated with a few tables, and the soft tablecloths are trimmed with various cute bunny prints.
Waiter: Soft-boiled eggs for two, and our signature dish, “Bunny Pasta.” The chilled pudding will be served at the end of the meal. Please enjoy.
The pasta on the plate is orchestrated in the silhouette of a rabbit, with carrots and broccoli embellishing the rather soulful features.
The steamy soft-boiled eggs sit on small rattan-woven trays, representing a rather ranch-like style.
MC: [to the eggs] Let’s start with you!
I reach for the steaming hot egg, but am captured in the air by another hand.
Victor: Not afraid of the heat?
MC: If I get burned, I will pinch the ears.
I speak in a serious manner. However, I still can’t resist the gaze Victor casts me; obediently take out a tissue and wrap the egg.
The heat travels down my fingertips. I subconsciously pinch the two corners, unexpectedly drawing out the shape of two cat ears.
MC: Pfft. Victor, don’t you think it looks cute?
Victor: Are you planning to pinch the egg’s “ears” if you get burned?
MC: I can also eat it and take revenge “for the burn.”
Victor: You’re quite vindictive.
MC: I call this fair and aboveboard “revenge.”
I lightly knock the egg twice on the edge of the table as I speak. The fine cracks spread irregularly across the eggshell, a familiar-looking pattern intruding into my line of sight.
MC: This pattern...
–
━━━ [FLASHBACK BEGINS] ━━━
A month ago, I was at Souvenir for Victor’s “new dish tasting session.”
As the sole tasting official, I’d availed myself of Victor going out to answer a call and treated myself with an extra pudding.
I snuck into the back kitchen with an absolutely empty plate and quietly cleaned it up.
MC: Why are they here? They shouldn’t be expired, right?
I picked up the eggs and sifted through them. The date of manufacture on them was the day before, so I guess Victor had left them here.
With this thought in mind, I opened the fridge door to return them to their original host when I unwittingly glanced at an inconspicuous pattern next to the date.
A chick half squatted in an eggshell, the simple lines were nifty and exquisite, and appeared to have been designed with care.
MC: What on earth is this chicken pattern for?
Victor: It’s a logo.
MC: !
I was given a scare by the sudden sound behind me, causing the egg in my hand to be tossed in midair.
In the next second, Victor caught it steadily, looking at me with a more roguish, playful look in his gaze.
Victor: Is this your new method of “blowing up the kitchen?”
MC: No, of course not. It’s cause you appeared out of nowhere and startled me.
Victor: What are you doing sneaking around here.
Victor: Staring at an egg in a daze?
MC: I-I was just here to wash my hands, that’s all. I cleaned all the dessert plates while I was at it!
Looking into those inquiring eyes, I hurriedly diverted the topic.
MC: The chick logo on this egg is so unique. Are those very special eggs?
Victor: Not really. It’s just that their manufacturing ranch doesn’t supply goods to the outside world. As a result, they can’t be seen on the market.
━━━ [FLASHBACK ENDS] ━━━
–
This pattern… is the same as the one I’ve seen previously at Souvenir. As I recall this scene, I can’t help but be entranced.
Victor: Why are you staring blankly at the egg again?
MC: Where was the “again”…
Victor: It was the time when you ate a pudding on the sly, snuck into the back kitchen, and were discovered by me.
MC: D-Do you have any evidence!
Victor: Nope. But the glass of the external wall is transparent.
MC: …
After suddenly being struck by the tale of being caught in the act after a month’s time, I lower my head and peel the egg, knowing that I’m the one in the wrong.
Victor: Take this one.
Victor naturally puts his peeled egg into my palm and takes away the one I was peeling.
MC: So… is this the ranch you were talking about that doesn’t supply goods to the outside world?
Victor: Your mind’s turned quite speedily this time.
MC: In that case, let me make another reasonable speculation…
MC: Was LFG among the investors who supported the redevelopment of this town?
Victor doesn’t reply, just softly hooking the corners of his upward. The answer already needs no explanation.
—
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✧ [PART 3] ✧
[T/N]: Sorry, but the first section without any context is just–– skfksjzpwk my head went straight into the gutter LOL and HIS VOICE ACTING DOESN’T HELP!!! (//◎/o/◎//)
—
After brunch, Victor and I enter the stall barn to experience the “milking challenge,” the one I’ve been looking forward to the most.
Staff Member: ...before milking, create distractions for the cows with food, then gently stroke their backs to build trust.
Staff Member: During the process, as long as you don’t pull too hard and apply the appropriate amount of pressure, it’ll be fine.
I lean on Victor and listen attentively to the staff’s explanation.
At the thought of doing it myself later, I can’t help being eager and squeezing my palms.
MC: How much is the “appropriate” amount of pressure?
Noticing my muttering, the staff member smiles and winks, pointing to Victor beside me.
Staff Member: Miss, you can try it out by squeezing your boyfriend. He will feel just a little amount of pain, that’s all.
I tentatively look at Victor as I conscientiously contemplate this suggestion.
My eyes travel from his fingertips to his forearms, to his shoulders, then to his chest and his slightly peeking out collarbones through his half-open neckline.
Finally, my gaze meets those ever-calm and deep eyes. Sure enough, he knits his brows into a frown.
Victor: What’s on your mind?
MC: No-nothing.
Victor laughs out loud, a little helplessly. He then inches a bit closer to me.
Victor: Squeeze anywhere you like.
Victor: However, there’s a condition.
MC: What’s the condition!
Victor: It’s confidential for the time being.
I pout, but lean over anyway, ready to seize this rare opportunity.
My gaze cruises along the tips of his slightly damp hair, and lands on the exposed half of his arm. I raise my hand and gently squeeze an inch of warm skin on his arm, exerting slight pressure.
MC: Is this force okay?
Victor: Too gentle.
MC: Ah, how about this?
Victor: [sexy gasp] …too strong.
MC: Then, I’ll change the position again.
Victor: [laughs helplessly] Do you think you’re kneading dough?
Though a little helplessness is evident in Victor’s tone, his eyes reveal a tinge of laughter. He takes my hand in a smooth motion and squeezes it twice in his palm before holding it firmly in his grip.
Victor: This is just right, got it?
Soon, we grab our tools and make our way to the fenced-off area on the outdoor lawn.
As I rest my upper body on the fence and enjoy the relaxed and contented “cow walk,” my eyes fix themselves on a pair of relatively docile-looking mother and child.
But unexpectedly, as soon as we walk into the enclosure, the little cow continues to make a low, vigilant “moo” sound.
MC: Why does the calf keep shouting? Is it afraid or…
Victor: Wait a moment first.
Victor pulls me behind him and takes two steps toward it. The little cow’s bellowing grows more and more high-pitched.
He creases his brows, as though he already knows what the problem is.
Victor: This should be a stress response. It’s afraid that we might hurt its mother.
Victor: A little appropriate appeasement will do.
MC: Soothing seems to be done with feeding it first, and then, what should we do?
Victor: Weren’t you quite engrossed when listening to the briefing?
MC: How can you remember if you only listen to it once…
I poke Victor’s arm with my finger, tossing a look of “I’ll leave this in your hands.”
Victor curls his fingers and taps me on the forehead, leaning down to lift the milk jar.
He places the milk jar in front of the calf and successfully attracts its attention. Then squatting down, he raises his hand to the calf’s back and strokes it gently.
Along with his action, the calf gradually quiets down, letting out a relaxed “moo” sound from time to time.
Looking at Victor exuding an air of such proficiency, I can’t resist poking fun.
MC: I didn’t expect CEO Victor to be so experienced in milking cows. Could it be that he’s learned this before?
Victor: I’m not like a dummy.
Victor: Once you’ve understood the demonstration, come over and give a hand.
He straightens up as he speaks, preparing to stand up. But at some point, the mama cow suddenly appears behind him.
MC: …Victor, behind you!
I open my mouth nervously, subconsciously freezing where I’m standing. Victor’s hand pauses in mid-air, still holding the posture of appeasing the calf.
In the next second, the mama cow’s curled tongue is licking at him as if thanking him for soothing the calf.
Victor smiles. As though thinking of something, an unbridled tenderness streams through his eyes.
I heave a sigh of relief, my footsteps immediately becoming relaxed. I promptly take the milk bucket, which Victor stuffs into my hand.
Victor: It’s time for a certain someone to go into the battle personally.
MC: I’d still like to ask “Teacher Victor” for more help!
I imitate Victor’s movements and squat down next to the cow, and the soft yet solid sensation unconsciously makes my hands shudder a little.
After a few very careful squeezes, there is not even a single drop of milk in the bucket.
MC: Victor, what should I do? Should I use a little more force?
–
[T/N]: LOL this cracked me up, remembering his MC imitation of the same sentence hahaha 🤪
–
Victor chuckles softly and slowly crouches down beside me.
He lifts his hand and covers the back of mine, softly nudging my knuckles twice. As the familiar warmth spreads along my palm, I tilt my head and look into his eyes.
Victor: You were panicking just now.
Victor: I don’t see you thinking this much when you’re pawing at me.
MC: That’s because the object is you. How can this be the same!
Victor: Remember the strength I used just now?
As he speaks, he clasps my five fingers with slight force, a little more, and a little more.
As I watch the pure white milk slowly fill the iron bucket, my heart also becomes wonderfully crammed and heavy.
—
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✧ [PART 4] ✧
By the time we come out of the stall barn, the color of the sky is already gradually turning dark.
The deep twilight tinges the distant pastures with a smear of crimson, and even our overlapping shadows become softer.
I take Victor’s phone and admire the photos he has taken during this time.
The kitten hiding in the cardboard box, the scenery of the streets, the restaurants he’s visited–– each of them corresponds to the “tasks” I assigned him.
MC: It seems that CEO Victor has completed his tasks properly.
MC: I actually thought you’d been so busy with work that you wouldn’t have the means to complete all these tasks.
Victor: Since I’d promised you, naturally, I’d fulfill it.
MC: I should have known to give you more tasks!
Victor: The vacation isn’t over yet. It’s still within the period of validity.
MC: In that case, I want to have caramel pudding tonight! The extra-large kind!
A soft laugh spills from Victor’s throat, as though he’s already guessed my childish desire long ago.
Victor: You can have whatever you want tonight.
MC: Then I’ll have the spicy crayfish, aromatic pan-fried steak, and better yet, some fried chicken!
Victor: You do know how to seize the opportunity.
Victor: Go on, what else do you want to do?
MC: I also want to decorate the dinner setting a little! After all, I’ve chosen a delicious bottle of red wine. So, of course, we have to complete the sense of ceremony.
MC: Consider it our celebration party~
Victor: What are we celebrating?
MC: Celebrating that… the both of us have completed all our tasks perfectly.
I take Victor’s to-do list, preparing to tick the last one–– “spend a wonderful vacation together with MC at the ranch.”
At this moment, the sudden “baa baa” sound drifting to my ears captures my attention. But when I look around, I find no sign of a sheep.
MC: Victor, wasn’t that the cry of a lamb just now? Or did I hear wrong?
Victor: You’re right. I heard it too.
MC: But there’s nothing around here.
Victor: A flock of sheep passed by not long ago, and a lamb may have wandered off and got lost.
MC: So, shall we look for it then!
Victor arches an eyebrow, displaying an expression that he’s already guessed my thoughts long ago. He takes my hand and walks down the slope towards the depths where the wildflowers are luxuriant.
MC: Baa baa, baa baa~
Lamb: Baa~
The sound of a lamb crying finally rings out again in the underbrush next to us. I hurriedly brush aside the sawdust and wildflowers, and a tiny black-and-white lamb emerges in front of us.
Seemingly wounded, its body shudders faintly, but it’s not afraid of strangers.
Victor bends down and cradles it up. The little lamb lies quietly in his arms, making a feeble “baa baa” sound.
Victor: [HOW CAN YOUR VOICE BE SO TENDER AKASKVKD] Its hind leg is injured, nothing serious.
I scan the surroundings to see if there’s anything I can find to help cheer it up. The blooming small, pure white flowers ineffably seem a little familiar on the endless field.
MC: I think I’ve seen this kind of flower in the guidebook… are they alfalfa flowers?
MC: This one is food for the lambs!
Victor: You really do have a good memory when it comes to food.
I smile mischievously, pluck an alfalfa flower and bring it to the lamb’s mouth. The lamb, which has been lowering its head till now, is instantly drawn to it.
MC: As soon as you’ve seen food, you’re in high spirits! There’s such a large area of alfalfa blossom here…
MC: Victor, do you think this little fella sneaked off wanting to eat at the buffet?
Victor: Is this also a resonance among the foodies?
MC: It’s a cross-species communication regarding delicious food!
Victor: Sophistry.
Victor hooks the corners of his lips upward in an evasive manner.
After he calls the staff, we sit together on the ground and wait for them to come over and pick up the lamb.
Enjoying the last smear of the indulgent sunset of the day, looking at the lamb resting comfortably in our arms, and this pastureland atmosphere, I can’t help but open my mouth.
MC: Victor, investing in small towns to help them restore their industry… it’s unlike the usual style of your business ventures.
Victor raises his eyebrow at me, wearing an engrossing expression.
Victor: What do you think I was supposed to do?
MC: Meticulous planning and earning money speedily.
Victor: Well, that’s exactly what it’s doing now too.
MC: But, this is also the supplier of Souvenir.
MC: You wouldn’t just stock causally at such an important place, right? There must be some special reason.
Victor: Take a guess.
MC: Can you at least give me a hint!
Victor: The answer lies in the places we have visited today.
I carefully search my mind for the memories of today, looking for anything “special” within this context.
My train of thought skims over every stretch of road from the bus stop, to the restaurant, to the ranch, until it finally rests at the milking scene.
MC: Is it the milking? Milk… could it be pudding! Is it the raw material for the pudding you make?
Victor: To be precise, it’s part of the material.
Victor: For the purpose of restoring an irreplaceable part of the memory to its original state.
His voice is light, and his entire being seems to have shed its sharpness and is enclosed in a soft layer of gentleness.
I recall the story he told me about learning how to make pudding. I suddenly realize what’s going on.
For a while, neither of us speaks. I follow his gaze into the distance as though I, too, can see that distant place wholly tinged with the colors of memories.
–
[Tidbits]: MC is referring to Victor’s 5th Birthday ASMR, where he tells MC how his mom taught him to make “the most delicious” pudding in the world when he was a lil kid. And, today, if she knew just how much MC loves his pudding, she would be very happy~ 🥺❤️
–
I lean on Victor’s shoulder, speaking in a half-joking manner.
MC: How about making some extra puddings for me tonight then?
Victor: Nope.
MC: Why! I’m exercising my right to continue mentioning tasks during this trip!
I poke his arm in feigned dissatisfaction, only to be caught by a hand in mid-air.
The only remnants of light scattered on the horizon reflect the premeditated smile hanging at the corners of his lips.
Victor: I’ll decide the menu for tonight.
Victor: This is the condition under which, earlier, you were allowed to run amok on me.
–
–
[T/N 1.0]: Me sobbing at how not only MC cherished the taste of his pudding for 17 years, even though she couldn’t remember his face, but she also tried her best to replicate that flavor, possibly so that boy in her memory would still be with her! Throwback to 泽言哥哥!!! 😭
[T/N 2.0]: VICTOR!!! I can’t with the depth this man’s love!!! This reminds me how–– because his mom took him to that designer’s exhibition as a kid and said she really liked the “Heart Of Eternity” earrings–– many years later when he’d become his own person and had the ability to do so, he purchased and donated those earrings to the museum– (Dazzling Date + Only Tonight MQ).
[T/N 3.0]: Not to mention how he suffered and carried the burdens of travelling through time and space for his mom too, as a kid (R&S Fleeting)🥲 And adding to that the emails his mom left for him and how he still calls her number to let her know about the minutes of his life HHNNGGGNNN AND NOW THIS!!! Zero was right and truer words have never been spoken!!!😭
“Victor, I am afraid even the gods don’t have such a heart of tender affection for the world as you do, do they?”
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