The Passerby Female Supporting Character – Chapter 47
by Little PandaHugging in Public
Hearing this, Song Linlin also turned her head to look at Chi Qianning, and indeed saw a red mark on the otherβs fair neck. Although the mark was very faint, just a pale color, it was quite obvious against that dazzlingly white skin.
It was as eye-catching as a single red petal falling onto snow in winter.
Seeing this mark she herself had made, Song Linlin felt a bit awkward for a moment. Fortunately, Zhang San hadnβt seen anything clearly and didnβt think too much of it.
Chi Qianning raised a hand to touch her neck; she clearly hadnβt noticed before leaving that a mark would be left there. Her palm covered the spot, fingertips rubbing it a few times. When her hand came down again, the red mark had already vanished, as if what the others had seen just now was merely an illusion.
βYou saw wrong,β Chi Qianning said faintly, her tone calm and unruffled, as peaceful as if none of that had happened at all.
Zhang Sanβs eyes widened. She took two steps closer and looked carefully again for several seconds, discovering that there really was nothing on Chi Qianningβs fair, slender neck. Not even a trace of the red mark remained.
She couldnβt help but doubt her own memory. Could she really have seen wrong? Otherwise, how could there be no trace of it now?
Finally, Zhang San nodded, speaking with some hesitation, βAh, maybe I saw wrong then.β
Beside them, Song Linlin quietly breathed a sigh of relief. As the culpritβ1 behind it all, she couldnβt help but feel embarrassed when such a small secret was discovered.
Now that the matter was resolved, Song Linlin couldnβt resist looking at Chi Qianning again, only to meet the otherβs gaze. Chi Qianningβs red eyes were filled with reproach. Her gaze met Song Linlinβs for only two seconds before she looked away.
Zhang San didnβt dwell on these trivial matters anymore. She chuckled, saying eagerly, βLetβs go out for dinner!β
βOkay, letβs go!β Song Linlin nodded. She was also very keen to stroll around the city and was extremely interested in everything about the outside world.
The three of them walked out of the inn together. Looking at the streets, which were still bustling despite nightfall, crowds followed one after another. The light shining from the buildings along the street illuminated the area, so there was no worry about not being able to see outside after dark.
Song Linlin squinted, looking around. Of course, she didnβt know where the good restaurants were here, but finding the biggest one would surely be fine.
She wandered down the street based on feeling. Zhang San thought Song Linlin knew the way, so she obediently followed behind her, constantly looking all aroundβ2 along the way.
They reached a lively area. The wide road was full of bustling crowds, and the tall buildings were brightly lit, with all sorts of noisy sounds coming from within.
Song Linlin led the way at the front. She turned her head and subconsciously reached out, grasping the cool hand of the person beside her, sliding her fingers between the otherβs to interlock them, fingers intertwined.
Chi Qianning lowered her eyes to look at their joined hands, then looked at Song Linlin with puzzlement in her eyes. Only now did Song Linlin realize she had taken the otherβs hand.
Looking at their clasped hands, her fingers could feel the coolness of the person beside her. Her own warm palm pressed against the otherβs, losing some of its heat.
Song Linlin could only smile and explain, βThere are too many people. Holding hands prevents us from getting separated.β
After speaking, she turned her head again to look at Zhang San, who had already run off to a street stall. She called out somewhat helplessly to Zhang Sanβs retreating back, βZhang San, what are you running over there for?β
Zhang San turned back, quickly paid, and ran over holding a sugar figurine. βComing!β
Perhaps because Song Linlin and Chi Qianning were standing very close, Zhang San didnβt notice their clasped hands. She skipped ahead, eating her sugar figurine while saying, βLetβs go, letβs keep going!β
Eventually, the three arrived at the largest restaurant in the area. Song Linlin requested a private room; a booth upstairs could effectively block out the noisy sounds from outside.
After they had eaten and drunk their fillβ3, Song Linlin felt it would be too much of a waste to just go back after eating. The three wandered aimlessly outside.
Suddenly, Zhang San looked towards a place not far away where a crowd had gathered, pointed there, and asked curiously, βWhatβs that place?β
βHm?β
Song Linlin followed the direction of her finger and immediately saw the three large characters: Zui Chun Louβ4. On the second-floor railing leaned many women dressed in light gauze skirts, holding handkerchiefs, striking coquettish posesβ5, teasingly waving at the passersby below.
Even from this distance, one could smell the mixed scent of rouge, powder, and various perfumes drifting in the air. Song Linlin, of course, recognized what kind of place this was at a glance.
Song Linlin reached out and covered Zhang Sanβs eyes, forcibly turning her body to walk in the opposite direction, muttering, βLittle kids shouldnβt ask so many questions. Asking about everything will only harm you!β
βHey hey hey!β
By the time Song Linlin released her hand, they had already started walking in the opposite direction. Zhang San still wanted to look back curiously, but her view was now blocked by other buildings, making it impossible to see the place from before.
Chi Qianning felt that Song Linlin had finally done something right and nodded silently. At this moment, Song Linlin squinted, gazing towards the deepest part of the street. It seemed very lively there; even from this distance, various sounds could be heard coming from within.
βHey, whatβs that place? Letβs go check it out!β
Song Linlin led the way towards the end of the street. When Song Linlin got closer, she saw the sign read: Gambling Den.
This time, Zhang San recognized what kind of place it was. She stood outside the entrance, looking at the motley crowdβ6 inside, where bursts of laughter and angry curses were constant. She hesitated, βSong Linlin, isnβt it kind of bad for us to go in here?β
βWhatβs wrong with it?β
Song Linlin, however, was extremely curious about the inside. She pulled the two beside her and walked straight in.
Chi Qianning decided to retract her earlier thought.
Entering through the main door, the buildingβs interior was quite spacious. The ground floor was filled with various tables, while upstairs consisted of various private rooms, their doors tightly shut, obscuring the situation inside.
Song Linlin glanced around nearby and noticed they were playing different kinds of games. She approached a table playing Sic Bo (dice size comparison), where there happened to be an empty spot.
The people nearby didnβt mind someone suddenly squeezing in. A group surrounded the table, and someone who was clearly a gambling den employee said, βFive taels of silver per turn.β
Song Linlin was slightly taken aback by the price but still silently paid. Anyway, with so many people at the table, the winnings would be substantial if she won.
Zhang San curiously watched from behind Song Linlin the entire time. Chi Qianning didnβt want to get too close and kept some distance from the others.
After paying, Song Linlin received a dice cup. This round was betting on βBig,β meaning whoever rolled the highest total points won.
Holding the dice cup, Song Linlin felt inexplicably confident. Seeing that the points rolled by the people before her werenβt high, she felt she could roll the highest.
When it was her turn to roll the dice, Song Linlin gripped the dice cup, shook it vigorously for several seconds, and then, under the watchful eyes of the surrounding crowd, slowly began to lift the cover.
Song Linlin lifted a corner of the dice cup, revealing a four.
Seeing it wasnβt a six, she silently consoled herself that a four seemed pretty good too, at least it was the third-highest value. Then, Song Linlin swiftly lifted the entire cup.
A glance revealed five dice. Apart from that four, the rest were all glaring ones.
βHoly crap!β
Song Linlin was shocked. The total points of the five dice were only eight. Earlier, she thought the others had rolled low scores, but it turned out that after a full round, hers was the lowest.
βHahahahahaha!β The surrounding people couldnβt help but burst into merciless laughter. Seeing four ones in a row was a rare sight, and they didnβt expect someone could actually roll it.
Zhang San, behind her, hadnβt understood anything the whole time. She tugged at Song Linlinβs clothes and asked curiously, βWhatβs wrong? Whatβs wrong? Whatβs everyone laughing at?β
Nearby, Chi Qianning saw the points Song Linlin rolled and couldnβt help but facepalm and sigh.
Song Linlin naturally couldnβt explain to Zhang San why everyone else was laughing β she wasnβt shameless enough for that. She could only force a couple of coughs and stubbornly say, βAhem, ahem, I just didnβt perform well just now, didnβt have the feel for it. Just a small mistake.β
Hearing this, Zhang San understood, her voice lowering, βAh, so you lost then.β
In the end, Song Linlin could only watch as the five taels of silver in front of her were collected and piled in front of a young man holding a folding fan. So, for the next round, Song Linlin decisively handed the dice cup to Zhang San, placing high hopes on her. She patted Zhang Sanβs shoulder and said, βYou roll!β
βOh, okay!β
Zhang San was quite happy to participate. Holding the dice cup, she shook it vigorously for several seconds before putting it back on the table. She snatched the lid off, and upon seeing the numbers inside, Song Linlin was completely dumbfounded.
Inside were five black ones!
When this result appeared, the surrounding people immediately burst into loud laughter, some even doubling over.
βKid, how is your luck even worse than mine?!β Song Linlin was shocked. This round was still betting on βBig.β Zhang San rolling five ones meant she was destined to be dead last.
βHuh?β
Zhang San scratched her head, still not quite understanding the rules. She asked tentatively, βDid I lose?β
βYou lost so badly itβs hard to watch!β Song Linlin couldnβt bear to look at those five glaring ones.
βOkay, sorryβ¦β Zhang San said weakly.
Song Linlin sighed silently. Now she could only resign herself to bad luck. She had lost ten taels of silver right at the start. She watched as the silver in front of her was collected again and piled before the man who had won the previous round. This guy seemed to have exceptionally good luck; the silver piled in front of him was almost a small mountain.
The next round hadnβt even started yet, but Song Linlin already wanted to leave. Her luck today was too terrible; it was better not to waste it all here.
Just as she was about to withdraw, a hand suddenly reached out from the side. The fingers were fair and slender, with a silver snake-shaped ring on the middle finger. That hand pressed down on the dice cup.
βIβll take the next round,β Chi Qianningβs cool voice sounded beside her.
Song Linlin quickly stepped back to make room for her. Since Chi Qianning wanted to roll the dice, Song Linlin certainly had no objections. After all, both she and Zhang San had already tried once; it was just a matter of five taels of silver.
βOkay,β Song Linlin nodded and paid for the next round.
Song Linlin stood to the side. This round was still betting on βBig.β She first looked at the points rolled by the guy who often won: two fours, two fives, and a three, totaling twenty-one.
None of the others after him rolled a number higher than twenty-one. When it was Chi Qianningβs turn to roll, everyone turned their gaze towards her. After all, this spot had produced the lowest score twice in a row; finding someone with such bad luck in this gambling den was quite rare.
Song Linlin also watched Chi Qianning nervously, but the other person still maintained that calm and composedβ7 appearance, facing the gazes of so many people with ease.
She lifted the dice cup and just casually shook it lightly a few times. The dice collided with each other as they tumbled, making crisp clicking sounds. Then Chi Qianning put down the dice cup and lifted the lid.
Song Linlin immediately craned her neck to look. She saw that all five dice showed the bright red sixes.
βWow!β Song Linlin was stunned.
She and Zhang San seemed to be possessed by bad luck, rolling the lowest scores. Especially Zhang San, who managed to roll the staggering number of five ones.
She didnβt expect Chi Qianning to be a hidden βOu Huangββ8?!
The others were also in an uproar. Even the man with the folding fan, who had won the most, changed his expression upon seeing this score. He had been leaning back lazily in his chair, but now felt the pressure and shifted his posture.
This round, Song Linlin delightedly saw the gambling den staff transfer the silver from the others over to her side.
βWant to go again?β Song Linlin asked.
They had already recouped their losses now and could leave at this point.
Chi Qianning said faintly, βOne more time.β
βAlright,β Song Linlin nodded.
It just so happened that they had lost twice, so Chi Qianning winning twice would count as getting even.
As the new round was about to begin, the man with the folding fan spoke up, βWait, this time we bet on βSmallβ.β
He had clearly been shaken by Chi Qianning rolling five sixes.
Chi Qianning showed no reaction; to her, big or small didnβt matter. In the end, no one objected, and the rule changed to whoever had the smallest total points wins.
This time, Song Linlin, standing to the side, felt no pressure. Anyway, the previous win had already covered their losses, and they even made a profit. It wouldnβt matter even if they lost this round.
Song Linlin continued to watch with Zhang San from the side. The man opposite them rolled a total of only six points this time. This was a very low number. After seeing this number, he also silently breathed a sigh of relief, already feeling that victory was assured.
Unless someone could roll five ones, the smallest possible score, that man would win.
Zhang San had indeed rolled such a staggering number before, but Song Linlin didnβt dare let her play. Song Linlin felt that if Zhang San played again, she might very well roll five sixes, which would be incredibly embarrassing.
Her own luck probably wasnβt much better either. Song Linlin could only cheer for Chi Qianning inwardly.
Chi Qianning picked up the dice cup, again shaking it only a few times before opening the lid. Inside lay five quiet ones.
This result stunned everyone again. The man opposite stood up in disbelief, staring blankly at the points.
Zhang San couldnβt understand the turn of events. Seeing everyone so agitated, she could only turn and ask Song Linlin, βWhatβs going on? Did we win or lose?β
βWe won!β
Song Linlin looked at the dice in pleasant surprise, utterly impressedβ9 by the scores Chi Qianning had rolled these two times.
Chi Qianning turned around, showing no excitement about winning twice. She reached out and gently patted Song Linlinβs arm, saying, βDonβt just stand there stunned, collect the money. We should go.β
βOh, oh! Okay!β
Song Linlin gathered all the silver in front of her, then followed Chi Qianning out of the gambling den.
As soon as they stepped outside, although Zhang San hadnβt understood the proceedings at all, she couldnβt help but exclaim loudly, βWow! Lin Qianqian, youβre amazing!β
Chi Qianning, however, shook her head and said unhurriedly, βThere was something wrong with those dice. Thatβs why you couldnβt win against him.β
βWhat?β Song Linlin really wanted to go back and beat that man up. She said indignantly, βThat guy was actually a cheatβ11?!β
βIn the future, play less of these frivolous thingsβ12 with others,β Chi Qianning didnβt forget to lecture.
Song Linlin nodded, βAlright, I know. I wonβt go to casinos again.β
After saying that, Song Linlin couldnβt resist reaching out and wrapping her arms around the waist of the person in front of her, hugging Chi Qianning from behind. She nuzzled her head against the otherβs shoulder, βBut I really feel like youβre so amazing!β
Seeing Song Linlin suddenly hug Chi Qianning like this in public, Zhang San quickly turned her head to look around. Fortunately, not many people were looking their way. She immediately said, βSong Linlin, how could you do that?!β
βWhat?β
Song Linlin wasnβt keen on letting go. βThis is adult business. Little kids should butt out!β
LP: With that βOu Huangβ explanation, Iβve been thinking, why is Africa associated with βbad luckβ or a βpunishmentβ for someone?
This is me just sharing what I searched, just for curiosityβs sake:
- Cultural Distance & Exoticism: Africa is often portrayed in Chinese media as extremely far away, both geographically and culturally. For many Chinese people (especially in older or rural generations), Africa can represent the βunknownβ or a place so distant and different that being sent there feels like exile.
- Stereotypes About Harsh Conditions: In some novels, Africa is shorthand for βa harsh placeβ β think dangerous animals, tough climate, underdeveloped infrastructure. This stereotype is not accurate or fair, of course, but itβs a common trope in popular media, especially in older comedies or action novels.
- Business Slang: Thereβs a bit of real-life basis too: In some Chinese companies, being assigned to work in Africa (especially in construction, mining, or aid-related work) is seen as a tough job. Workers may get paid well, but the conditions are often described as challenging. So, in workplace slang, being βsent to Africaβ can be a form of punishment or at least a hard task. Some people joke about it the same way Westerners might joke about being transferred to Antarctica.
- Internet Meme Culture: This trope has also become a meme in Chinese internet culture. In web novels, it gets exaggerated for humor or drama. For example, a villain being βexiled to Africaβ might just mean theyβre being removed from the main plot or humiliated.
This doesnβt mean that Chinese people hate Africa or Africans. In fact, there are strong economic and diplomatic ties between China and many African countries. But pop culture doesnβt always reflect that nuance β especially in fast-paced, melodramatic, or comedic novels online.
So itβs less about Africa itself, and more about how itβs symbolically used.
TL;DR:
In Chinese web novels, βbeing sent to Africaβ is often used as a joke or threat to symbolize exile, punishment, or hardship. Itβs not necessarily about Africa itself, but rather reflects stereotypes of it being far away and tough to live in. This trope comes from business slang, internet memes, and exaggeration for dramatic or comedic effect β not actual racism or hatred.
Footnotes
- η½ͺιη₯Έι¦ | zuΓ¬ kuΓ huΓ² shΗu | Lit. βchief criminal, source of disasterβ.
- δΈεΌ θ₯Ώζ | dΕng zhΔng xΔ« wΓ ng | Lit. βgaze east, look westβ; To look in all directions.
- ι θΆ³ι₯ι₯± | jiΗ zΓΊ fΓ n bΗo | Lit. βwine sufficient, rice fullβ; To have eaten and drunk to oneβs satisfaction.
- ιζ₯ζ₯Ό | ZuΓ¬ ChΕ«n LΓ³u | Lit. βDrunken Spring Pavilionβ; Name suggests a place of pleasure, likely a brothel given the description.
- ζι¦εΌε§Ώ | sΔo shΗu nΓ²ng zΔ« | Lit. βscratch head, arrange postureβ; To act coyly or flirtatiously, often by adjusting oneβs hair or striking poses.
- ι±ΌιΎζ··ζ | yΓΊ lΓ³ng hΓΉn zΓ‘ | Lit. βfish and dragons mixedβ; A mix of good and bad people, a diverse and potentially unruly crowd.
- ι£θ½»δΊζ·‘ | fΔng qΔ«ng yΓΊn dΓ n | Lit. βwind light, clouds paleβ; Describes a calm, breezy, and carefree atmosphere or demeanor.
- ιθη欧η | yΗncΓ‘ng de ΕuhuΓ‘ng | Lit. βhidden European emperorβ; Internet slang originating from games. βOuβ (欧) sounds like Europe (欧洲 ΕuzhΕu), associated with luck/good drops in gacha games, contrasting with βFeiβ (ι) for Africa (ιζ΄² FΔizhΕu), meaning unlucky. βHuangβ (η) means emperor. An βOu Huangβ is someone with exceptional luck.
- δΊδ½ζε° | wΗ tΗ tΓ³u dΓ¬ | Lit. βfive limbs/body parts thrown to the groundβ; Originally referred to prostration in Buddhist worship; Idiomatically means to admire someone greatly.
- ε€ͺηδΊ | tΓ i niΓΊ le | Lit. βtoo cowβ; Slang meaning βawesome,β βamazing,β βbadass.β
- θε | lΗoqiΔn | Slang for a cheat or swindler, especially in gambling.
- δΈε‘ζ£δΈ | bΓΊ wΓΉ zhΓ¨ngyΓ¨ | Lit. βnot attend to proper duties/businessβ; To neglect oneβs proper job or studies, to engage in improper activities, or to idle.
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