Intro & Li Chuan’s Past (沥川往事) – Xuan Yin (玄隐) : Summary

books I recently started reading Chinese internet novels and have become an addict. My English reading speed can be considered above average, but Chinese…not so much. After reading Li Chuan’s Past (沥川往事) and discovering that the series has already been filmed, I decided I needed an English version so that I can quickly flip back and read it over and over again before the series is officially released. I always love reading more than watching, so I am determined to get this done before the series airs (hopefully!)

Maybe it’s the handsomeness of Li Chuan, or the way he takes care of her, or the love between them, or so many other things about this story…but I fell for this story and wanted to share it with everyone who can’t read Chinese. He’s rich and handsome with one imperfection. She’s a country girl thrown into the big city. It’s a love story (of course) between the two, attempting to overcome the harsh realities of what life has dealt. They are separated as a result of a big secret and six years pass before they meet again. While their love remains, six years can really change a person. Especially one who was given no explanation as to why she had been left behind.

The drama version is called Remembering Li Chuan (遇见王沥川) starring Godfrey Gao (高以翔), who is pretty much perfect for the role. In terms of looks, anyway. We’ll see about the acting…for now, am enjoying the prettiness. I’m not going to post a picture of it yet (you can go google it if you want) because I like forming an image in my head through the novels’ descriptions before having someone else cementing a picture for me. Just from the trailers that have been out for quite awhile now, there are a couple of glaring differences between the series and the novel. Hopefully, the meat of it will stay true to the novel. We’ll see when it airs, which is who-knows-when. It was originally slated to air last year, but seems to have been delayed and has no new air date. Hopefully, that allows me to pace myself. I read the entire novel in a day and a half… I’ve done a fair share of translations in the past, but it’s been awhile since I did any translations and I’m not too used to editing my own translations, so please feel free to point out any errors.

Without further ado…

[Summary]

There is a type of love that is meant to be separated.

Six years ago, her boyfriend Li Chuan left without a farewell. Since then, Xiao Qiu has continuously been a prisoner of love. She could not understand how such a strong romance could just fall through over night.

The mystery of Li Chuan leaving Xiao Qiu gnawed at Xiao Qiu’s heart. When they met again by chance, Xiao Qiu hesitated between advancing and retreating. Facing the restrained emotions of such a high quality man, Xiao Qiu suddenly understood that happiness has never been easily obtainable. Flaws and perfections are always shadows accompanying the other.

Xiao Tong said, “Only he will give a really high tip every time. So we are always willing to serve him. As soon we see him coming, as long as we can get away, we will normally take the initiative to go over and ask him what he wants and then bring the coffee over to him.”

“Why? Doesn’t everyone line up to buy coffee here?”

“It’s not too convenient for his leg.”

“Oh.” It was only then that I noticed the black cane hanging on the side of his table. Yet, his entire body appeared to be the same as anyone else’s.

“How is it not convenient?” I continued asking.

“It’s not that it’s that much of an inconvenience, it’s merely his right leg has a slight limp, that’s all.”

“Maybe it’s just a temporary injury.” I said.

“It’s not. His car parks in the handicapped spot. A BMW SUV.”

—–

“It doesn’t matter, you aren’t the first to spill coffee on him. Don’t worry. We won’t tell the boss. But, next time you must stay calm when you see a beautiful man.” Then he leaned down to my ear, half jokingly said, “A word of advice, whether you want to listen or not: Don’t waste time on him by all means. He never glances at a girl more than once.”

16 thoughts on “Intro & Li Chuan’s Past (沥川往事) – Xuan Yin (玄隐) : Summary

      1. I mean Lichuan Wang Shi is written by Xuan Yin right? Then how come the picture if the book here the author’s name is 施定柔? Hope I didn’t read wrongly because my Chinese isn’t too good.

        1. Ah, I see. 施定柔 (Shi Ding Rou) is the author’s real name. 玄隐 (Xuan Yin) is her pen name that she first wrote this internet novel under.

    1. Actually, the book that led me to this one was 何以笙箫默 Silent Separation. You can find more details about it here: http://www.books.shushengbar.com/?p=396 . It’s currently being translated and has considerably less chapters than Li Chuan’s Past.

      You can also discover a lot of other books that are being translated into English at Shu Sheng Bar :).

  1. Hi, I just finished reading your translation on “Li Chuan”. I must say you did a great job,it’s very close to the Chinese novel! Thanks for your hardwork, m looking forward to your other works.

  2. I completely fell in love with LiChuan. His gentleness, politeness, the way he loves her. I found your blog while I was searching for the drama ‘Remembering LiChaun’, and because I couldn’t find that drama anywhere the instant I saw this I started reading and completed in 2 days. As I watched the trailer of RL, the image I had of LiChaun was the same shown in the trailer while starting to read this but slowly that image faded and a new LiChaun was born but still it was very close to the one I saw in trailer. I don’t know why I was not able to relate to the lady of the show to Xia Quio portrayed in this novel. The XiaQui here is much a brighter and lively person.
    I totally loved the novel. Thanks again

  3. Thank you for translating this story. I have enjoyed every moment of it despite the tears. I just posted a summary of this story on my blog based on the audiobook that I have listened.

  4. I am thrilled to find this English version online. I watched the TV series both in Chinese and English Sub for the forth time now. I have to read the novel in English. Thank you Thank you! You saved me!

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