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]

decembi

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  • 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! :D

  • @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 ;)

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