LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 31: Your Man is Awesome
Chapter 31: Your Man is Awesome
The young translator approached Lu Yuan, calling him “brother” repeatedly.
“Aren’t you going home?” Lu Yuan asked curiously.
“I did go home, then came back after work. I’ve been waiting for you here, Brother Lu,” the young man replied quickly.
Lu Yuan continued walking homeward. “What do you want from me?”
The translator responded shyly, “I’d like to ask you a few questions…”
Lu Yuan guessed it was about English. Typically, he wouldn’t bother helping—there was nothing in it for him. Besides, he needed to get home quickly to share his good news with his wife. They’d go out for dinner tonight and then enjoy some private time afterward. Where was the time for tutoring?
However, this clearly meant a lot to the young translator. After considering, Lu Yuan nodded. “Alright, I’m heading home now. We can talk on the way.”
The young translator nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Brother Lu! Let me get my bike first—I’ll ride over here.”
A bike? Lu Yuan was surprised. He waited as the translator hurried to a nearby carport to unlock his bicycle.
Bicycles were rare items—only the eldest brother in Lu Yuan’s compound owned one. This kid must come from a good family. For people Lu Yuan’s age, merely attending school was fortunate, let alone learning English. The young translator clearly had advantages, though Lu Yuan wouldn’t inquire further. That might appear like social climbing.
Soon the young man returned, pushing his bicycle. Without hesitation, Lu Yuan stretched his legs and settled directly on the rear seat. Why walk when you could ride?
The translator looked embarrassed. “Brother Lu, I’ve only been riding for a few days… I don’t know how to carry passengers yet…”
Lu Yuan stared blankly. How ridiculous. What was so difficult about it? In junior high school, the day after his parents bought him a bicycle, Lu Yuan had ridden with friends all around the city.
He curled his lips, stood up, and moved to the front seat, handing his bag to the translator. “I’ll drive. You sit in back.”
The young man seemed confused at first—had he not expected Lu Yuan could ride a bicycle? Recovering quickly, he took the rear seat.
Lu Yuan pedaled off smoothly and rapidly. A journey that normally took half an hour was completed in five or six minutes.
During the ride, Lu Yuan learned more about the young translator. His name was Lin Zhidong, he lived in the southern part of the city not far from Lu Yuan, and at nineteen—two months younger than Lu Yuan—he had just started working recently.
When Lu Yuan arrived home with Lin Zhidong, Su Liyan was preparing to cook. Seeing her husband, she glanced at the wall clock. Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t be home until almost six? It was barely past five-ten.
Lu Yuan smiled at Su Liyan as she emerged from the kitchen. “It’s too hot for you to be busy in the kitchen today. We’ll eat out.”
Concerned his wife might worry about the expense, he added, “Something good happened today. Put on nice clothes—after dinner, we’ll walk around Houhai to help with digestion.”
Su Liyan blinked, then nodded repeatedly. She had noticed Lin Zhidong following her husband.
Lu Yuan made introductions: “This is Lin Zhidong, a friend I just met.” Turning to Lin Zhidong, he continued, “This is my love, Su Liyan.”
Lin Zhidong stared at Su Liyan, then at Lu Yuan, amazed. Brother Lu was truly impressive!
Collecting himself, he bowed respectfully. “Hello, sister-in-law.”
His formal greeting confused Su Liyan. Neither villagers nor compound residents greeted people this way.
“Go change your clothes,” Lu Yuan instructed his wife with a smile.
After Su Liyan acknowledged Lin Zhidong and headed to the bedroom, Lu Yuan sat on the living room sofa. “Sit down. What do you need help with?”
Lin Zhidong immediately joined him, opening his briefcase to extract study materials. He asked about English sentences and pronunciation, reading examples aloud while Lu Yuan listened and offered corrections when needed.
After a dozen sentences, Lu Yuan realized the young man’s pronunciation was actually more standard than his own.
“There’s nothing wrong with your English,” Lu Yuan observed. “You’re not lacking ability—you’re just nervous, which affects your fluency. You don’t need to learn from me. You just need practice. Communicate in English regularly with your colleagues, and within months you’ll be fluent.”
Lin Zhidong admitted reluctantly, “I’m the only newcomer in my department…”
“That’s fine,” Lu Yuan replied directly. “Take weekends and go to places like Liulichang or Antique Street. Many foreigners visit those areas—you can be their free tour guide and interpreter.”
Lin Zhidong’s eyes brightened. “That’s brilliant! I could go not just weekends but every day after work.”
“Exactly,” Lu Yuan nodded. “With your bicycle, you can easily ride over after work.”
Lin Zhidong jumped up, quickly packing his materials. “Brother Lu, thank you for such an excellent suggestion.”
His eagerness showed he planned to start immediately. Despite his initially timid appearance, he was clearly action-oriented.
As he prepared to leave, Lin Zhidong asked, “Brother Lu, may I come see you again in the future?”
Without hesitation, Lu Yuan nodded. “Of course. You’re welcome anytime. If you have questions, just visit.”
Delighted, Lin Zhidong packed up and bid Lu Yuan farewell. “Sister-in-law, I’m leaving now,” he called toward the interior of the house before departing excitedly.
After seeing Lin Zhidong off, Lu Yuan returned to find his wife looking at him with surprise.
“Brother, when did you learn a foreign language?”
Lu Yuan raised his head proudly. “Your man is awesome. Let’s go out for dinner, and I’ll tell you the good news.”