Wherein ZCL gets a major level up.
So, I noticed that none of my "back to top" links work, lol. Will be trying to fix asap.
As always, thank you Emma P for proofreading!
Notes
1. Very common saying that illustrates the patrilineal society within feudal China: a daughter is considered to belong to the husband's family once she has married, so for a family to have a daughter is often likened to "raising a child for another". Associated beliefs and customs after the abolition of the strictly patrilineal system have been a factor that made sexism (selection for sons) worse during the one-child policy era.
2. 尔虞我诈 idiom. Lit. "you cheat, I swindle".
3. Lord Seventh says ZZS always put on "the stern face of a father or older brother" in the original. It was clunky so I simplified it.
4. 大荒 translated literally. The name is meant to sound awesome/awe-inspiring/fear-inspiring.
5. ZZS says he fears WKX would "upturn the vinegar jar" in the original, referring to the expression "eat vinegar" which means being jealous.
6. Ok, I had to point out the humble brag here. ZCL is like the ideal student from a Chinese teacher's POV.
7. 大智如愚 is a quote from Su Dongpo. 大巧若拙 is a quote from Laozi.
8. WKX uses the expression 红杏出墙 or lit. "the red apricot tree leaning over the garden wall" (a.k.a. cheating). I like the expression but cut it because it sounded clunky in the dialogue there.