Better in Time

BIT – Side Story One (Part 1)

Better In Time (当我遇上你/漩涡) by Wu Chu Ke Tao (无处可逃)

Synopsis: Better In Time

List of Characters:

Male Lead – Xiao Bei Yuan

Female Lead – Tang Tu Quan

Xiao Yi Jin / Luo Luo (nickname) – XBY & TTQ’s adopted daughter

Xiao Yi Dong – XBY & TTQ’s biological son

Wen Cheng – XYJ’s husband

NOTE:

FAQs Update – 28/02/2016

No.

If readers see translated text from trungtnguyen123 blog on other online sites, it’s because the translated text are copied from trungtnguyen123 blog without permission.

If readers see online sites with similar names to trungtnguyen123 blog, those online sites have no a.s.sociation with trungtnguyen123 blog.

It’s common courtesy for bloggers not to make their blog names similar to other bloggers’ online sites.

e.g. shushengbar.com is a blog that has been around for a few years. A new blogger wouldn’t use shengbar.com as their blog name.

Reality. There are twenty-four hours in a day. Think about your day to day life. Unless you’re superman / superwoman / super boy / super girl etc. – you’ll need to sleep, eat, work etc.

During the Easter break, I’ll update new chapters of on-going c-novel translation projects.

In a nutsh.e.l.l – Because humans can’t predict the future. In most c-novels, characters compare their older selves to their younger selves. Since most Asian languages don’t include the concept of tenses in writing, i.e. stories are one continuous flow from past to present and future, it’s not applicable to translate in present tense.

Detailed explanation:

Most c-novels flows back and forth from future events to present and past events, which is why I translate those c-novels in past tense to incorporate future events.

i.e. story from the perspective of a character comparing themself from a point in time in the future to their younger self.

e.g. A Walk To Remember by Nichols Sparks – Landon Carter recounting his and Jamie Sullivan’s love story at a point in time in the future when he’s a doctor. The reader is shown how Jamie influences Landon’s future. Hence, A Walk To Remember is written in past tense.

In general, there are not as many novels written in present tense as novels written in past tense.

e.g. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Susan Collins – It’s written in present tense through Katniss Everdeen’s perspective. The reader is shown how daily events affects Katniss’ life.

i.e. The Hunger Games isn’t written from the perspective of an older Katniss looking back at her younger self.

Better In Time shows what is happening to characters, and how past events affects their present lives.

BIT – Side Story One (Part 1)

A CD playing a romantic song… loving you for years, hoping one day I can stand in front of you, and bravely say I love you.

Xiao Yi Dong hits the steering wheel of the stationary lemon car. ‘I knew today’s an unlucky day!’

Xiao Yi Dong steps out of the lemon car, opens the bonnet, and checks the engine.

‘Dammit!’ Xiao Yi Dong curses.

Xiao Yi Dong didn’t want to be late for his cla.s.s, because the lecturer is strict about students being punctual.

It’s a hot day, Xiao Yi Dong stops trying to fix the lemon car. He’s indecisive whether to walk to the nearest bus stop or hitch a ride.

A sports car stops beside the lemon car.

‘Little brother, what happened?’ Xiao Yi Jin asks.

‘Big sister, you’re driving a Maserati,’ Xiao Yi Dong says. ‘How can big sister understand the struggles of someone who drives a lemon car?’

Xiao Yi Jin steps out of the Maserati. ‘Let big sister see what the problem is.’

‘Big sister, don’t hurt yourself,’ Xiao Yi Dong warns. ‘I’m dead! Big sister, you burned your hand.’

Xiao Yi Dong fears his dad punishing him because of his big sister being hurt more than being late for cla.s.s. His dad favors daughters over sons. If his dad finds out his big sister hurt her hand trying to fix the lemon car, his dad will burn him alive.

‘Yi Dong, hop in my car,’ Xiao Yi Jin says. ‘I’ll take you to cla.s.s.’

‘Big sister, I don’t want you to be late for your appointment,’ Xiao Yi Dong says. ‘I’ll find my own way to cla.s.s.’

Xiao Yi Jin looks at her sweaty little brother, and glances at her watch. ‘There’s still time. Hop in my car.’

Another sports car stops in front of the Xiao siblings.

‘Xiao Yi Dong, big brother will take you to cla.s.s,’ Wen Cheng says.

‘OK, big brother Wen Cheng,’ Xiao Yi Dong says.

‘Wen…’ Xiao Yi Jin calls.

Wen Cheng nods, and drives off like the wind before Xiao Yi Jin can call his full name.

‘Big brother Wen Cheng, why are you on your way to work this early?’ Xiao Yi Dong asks.

‘There’s a problem with the server at work,’ Wen Cheng says. ‘What happened to your big sister’s hand? Is she OK?’

‘Big brother Wen Cheng, shouldn’t you ask me if I’m OK?’ Xiao Yi Dong asks. ‘If my dad finds out big sister hurt her hand, my dad is going to fly to the U.S. to choke me.’

Wen Cheng smiles at Xiao Yi Dong’s antics.

‘Big brother Wen Cheng, what’s going on between you and big sister?’ Xiao Yi Dong asks. ‘Every time I see you and big sister together, both your faces redden.’

Wen Cheng slowly brakes instead of answering. ‘Here’s your stop.’

Xiao Yi Dong steps out of the car, and smiles slyly. ‘Big brother Wen Cheng, I get it. You really care about big sister.’

In the evening, Xiao Yi Dong carries a dinner bowl to his big sister’s bedroom.

‘Yi Dong, you’re right on time,’ Xiao Yi Jin says. ‘I’m skyping with dad and mum.’

Xiao Yi Dong nervously takes several steps away from his big sister’s desk.

‘Are you eating dinner?’ Xiao Bei Yuan asks.

‘Yes dad,’ Xiao Yi Dong says nervously.

‘Papa, I want to talk to you about the car,’ Xiao Yi Jin says. ‘Papa, the car is too flashy. None of my friends own flashy cars. I want to trade in the car.’

‘Luo Luo, it’s up to you want you want to do with your car,’ Xiao Bei Yuan says. ‘Tomorrow Papa will transfer more money into your bank account.’

‘Papa, I can use my own money,’ Xiao Yi Jin says. ‘What I meant is… can I give the Maserati to Yi Dong?’

Xiao Yi Dong feels like his big sister wants their dad to strike him with a lightning bolt.

‘Luo Luo, is this yours or Yi Dong’s suggestion?’ Xiao Bei Yuan asks.

Xiao Yi Dong is on the verge of crying. Ever since that incident, he doesn’t dare to covet the gifts big sister receives from their dad.

End of Side Story One (Part 1)