What would you say is the most valuable thing in this world?
A mountain of gold and silver.
Wrong.
Then what is it?
The return of the prodigal son.*
*Prodigal means extravagantly wasteful. In this context, you can think of a libertine, a wanderer. There’s a famous chinese saying 《浪子回头金不换》which means that you won’t exchange the return of a prodigal son for gold. I chose the prodigal son because it’s also usually means the second son, which fits perfectly with the title.
[Ebook] [English translations] [Nhị gia nhà ta][Audiobook][Radiodrama]
A huge old favourite of mine! Only 7 chapters and really a perfect story that still makes me cry and laugh at the same time. If I could summarise the story in one sentence, it would be the faithful love of a good woman saves the desolate heart of a wastrel son (so conventional, and yet so utterly wonderful in the story!). I chanced across some translation parts of this in my archives and decided to complete the translations properly.
Have posted the english translations for the first two chapters here: http://onesecondspring.blogspot.sg/2015/08/our-second-master-by-twentine-he-5.html
OMG this story is so good! I’ve just read the first two chapters and did have the patience to wait for the whole release in a week. So I google translate the last five chapters…it only left me more or less confuse but my hunger for more grew ten-fold.
Okay I definitely cried. The “healing” aspect in this one reminds me of another book called 买夫 by 楼雨晴 which is also short and sweet. I love this kind of stories. Thnx for the rec Decembi.
@Mry – the story isn’t very unique actually, it’s the amazingly nuanced writing style of the author. I will try and get the updates out faster.
@hamster428 – Me too!!! I teared the first time I read this because the feels. The perfect phrasing. The amazing depth from seven short chapters! I’ve a few other good ones to recommend, but who knows when I will ever get to writing about them. Thanks for the book recommendation! Will add it to my to read list.
Just finished reading this story after Decembi’s post/translation. Definitely a sweet and heartwarming short story. Wish it’s a bit longer cause “little monkey” has some pretty darn funny moments. I’m a sucker for angsty stories, makes me tear up every time so thank goodness this one isn’t a tearjerker.
@Michearies – Awww I agree! I love the little monkey. I wanted more sweet parts but the author really knows how to leave you wanting more.
Ooh Twentine!! I hope this book doesn’t take too much of a toll on my emotions :/ I was going to read her books because of all the rave reviews I saw, but then I heard that her books are an emotional roller coaster and generally have bad endings 🙁 But since this has a Happy Ending I’m going to give it a shot! 😀
@dramasbooksandtea – not surprised by the rave reviews, i really like her style of writing! But I also have not read her other novels because a lot of them i heard have open endings! Hope you enjoy this one 😉
Thanks for sharing the book. Just in time for my daily e chinese novel. 4 stars from me ^^
@ii – Awww! It makes me really happy to hear that people like this story too. <3
I love short novels! Just a thought — would it be possible to have a ‘short story’ genre? I guess it’s not a genre, but so many Chi novels are long… Sometimes, I’m just in the mood for a short read. Not sure if this would be useful for others as well haha.
@decembi – thanks for posting this! I’m adding it to my list. I might save your translations for a dull day and just read all the chaps together ^_^ … bc if I start it now, I’ll likely get addicted and end up finishing the rest by the end of the day.
@jolleymerry – It’s a good idea! Haha, though Peanuts will have to decide that as webmaster. The english translation page does separate the short stories (max 3 chapters I think) from the longer novels. I actually have a few other awesome short story recommendations – but they aren’t organised or in a list. When I have the time, I will organise them in a list and post them on my blog.
I’ve posted the first four chapter translations. Will be busy the next few days but hopefully it finishes by the weekend. 🙂
@decembi – thanks for the recommendation! I read a few chapters on your website, then ended up searching for the original and finishing the novel in one day. I really liked the author’s writing style…kind of like a Chinese Madeline Miller.
Such a nice read…short and bittersweet. But it is such a waste that our male lead is so badly injured, didn’t expect him to lost both legs :(( I have never like OTP of master and servant nature. But this one seem very logical given she really take great care of him without realising that she had love him since a long time ago. Thanks
@decembi – Thank you so much for introducing me to this story! I really enjoy it. It seems so simple but so heartwarming. I was surprise at the details of his injuries. It was realistic enough to make me pity the male lead and praise the female lead’s dedication but it didn’t gross me out. What I love the most is her matter-of-fact personality in taking care of him and how this made him realized how special she is. It was very sweet how she is his motivation to survive and he turned himself into a better man just for her.
@hamster428 – I need more short and sweet story so I checked out your recommendation. Thank you! I really enjoy this short story as well but I have to say that the male lead is just way too good to be true. I want to buy one too lol
@Apricity, it’s so interesting that you say she’s like a Chinese Madeline Miller. Would you elaborate why?
@Snow berries – completely agree! The relationship dynamics really work on this because the power is wholly with the servant. She just doesn’t know it… till the end.
@BreezeC – you are very much welcomed! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. The female lead is super special. I mean, we never even get to learn her real name – or sadly, she might never have one. But, she has found her perfect home with Second Master.
@decembi, I tried posting a response multiple times to your reply on your site but for some reason it gets stuck and wont let me ‘publish’. Anyways, I totally stalk your recommendation page in my free time, so if you can list other stories as you read that’d be amazing! Question about short stories, how do you find them?
@jollymerry – safari doesn’t work well on my blog 🙁 i do check out chiness forums and if you go to the author’s main page, you can find their short stories if they have any
Translations are completed! Enjoy <3
MWAHAHAHA
AUDIOBOOK!
http://www.ximalaya.com/10522472/album/349166
your welcome <3
OMG I love this story! So sweet and touching T_T Are there other good short stories similar to this?
Absolutely beautiful. Twentine and her novels completely blow these popular ‘authors’ out of the water. (Tang7 should take some notes no offense.)