Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a week had gone by.
On this day, Zhang Zhang, as usual, led her little cockroach brother and walked happily through the intricate sewers.
Three days had passed since she woke up.
However, Zhang Zhang had forgotten many past events, and the memories in her mind seemed to be covered with a layer of fog, looming and blurred.
She seemed to have had a beautiful and painful memory.
But it doesn’t matter, let it go, let it drift away with the wind.
At this moment, Zhang Zhang is just a carefree and ordinary southern cockroach.
The night deepened, and everything was silent.
Night is the best time for cockroaches to appear, and Zhang Zhang still did not stop and continued her “journey”.
Something guided her in the dark, and Zhang Zhang unknowingly came in front of an ancient temple.
She moved her six legs and slowly crawled in.
Finally, Zhang Zhang came under a Begonia tree.
With the weak moonlight, she was surprised to find a cockroach lying under the tree.
When she got closer, she found that it was a male cockroach in a coma!
Zhang Zhang didn’t know why the male cockroach was unconscious here, but if he was allowed to stay here, he would probably be trampled to death sooner or later.
So, the kind-hearted Zhang Zhang decided to take him back to the sewer where she lived, at least to ensure his temporary safety.
The next morning, the male cockroach woke up faintly, and he didn’t know why he appeared in the sewer.
“You’re awake!” A voice called him, “I’m Zhang Zhang, I saved you.”
The male cockroach turned around and found that it was Zhang Zhang, and an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
“You…” The male cockroach hesitated.
“What’s your name? How did you faint in front of the temple?” Zhang Zhang asked casually without noticing his abnormality.
“I fainted because I was too hungry… I don’t have a name.” The male cockroach lowered its antennae.
“How about you help me come up with one?” The male cockroach said cautiously.
He stared at Zhang Zhang, his two slender antennae tightly entangled together because of nervousness, as if they were about to be twisted into a dough.
Faced with such a request, Zhang Zhang agreed without hesitation: “Okay!”
For some reason, Zhang Zhang always felt that the cockroach in front of him had an indescribable sense of familiarity.
After a little thought, Zhang Zhang suddenly had an idea: “I picked you up under the crabapple tree in the temple… Then I’ll call you ‘Tang Lang’!” [1]
[1] “唐螂” (Táng Láng):
This name combines “唐” (Táng), which means “begonia” (a type of flower), and “螂” (Láng), which means “cockroach.” The name “唐螂” translates to “Begonia Roach.” The choice of “唐” is a reference to the begonia tree where the cockroach was found.
Hearing this name, the male cockroach fell silent for a while.
As if realising that the other party was not satisfied with this name, Zhang Zhang quickly started thinking and came up with another name: “How about ‘Si Lang’?” [2]
[2] “寺螂” (Sì Láng):
This name combines “寺” (Sì), which means “temple,” and “螂” (Láng), which means “cockroach.” The name “寺螂” translates to “Temple Roach.”
However, this time it was still dead silence.
“You can call me Asi.” The male cockroach broke the silence. [3]
[3] “阿寺” (Ā Sì):
Meaning: “阿” (Ā) is a common prefix used in Chinese names for familiarity or endearment. “寺” (Sì) means “temple.”
“阿寺” is a more affectionate and simplified version of “寺螂” (Temple Roach). It’s a name that gives more warmth and closeness, making it more personal.
Zhang Zhang gently shook her antennae and tapped Asi’s antennae to show her agreement, and then said happily: “Okay, from now on, you are my little brother.”
Since that day, Asi has been following Zhang Zhang like a shadow, but compared with other ordinary cockroach little brothers, Asi is particularly special.
Asi treated Zhang Zhang with great care and meticulousness. He also knew that Zhang Zhang had lost her memory during this period of time.
In the following days, whether they were foraging in the dark or in humid sewers or facing various difficulties and obstacles together, Asi always guarded Zhang Zhang.
Moreover, Asi knew that Zhang Zhang liked delicious cakes, and he would always do his best to find and bring them back for her to eat.
In addition, Asi would often make a heart shape with his antennas to make Zhang Zhang happy.
Even, Asi would lead Zhang Zhang to dance an elegant waltz.
And so, Zhang Zhang fell in love with him.
That night, Zhang Zhang and Asi were outside looking at the stars.
Zhang Zhang asked, “Asi, how do you know so many things? I always feel that you are not an ordinary cockroach.”
Asi did not speak.
Zhang Zhang continued, “I always feel that you are familiar. Have we met before?”
At this moment, a meteor passed through the sky.
Asi said, “No, I am just Asi.”
“An ordinary cockroach that loves you.”
=
The End.
___________________________________________________
Whew, a lot happened, what a ride! My emotions.. 😭💖
There is one extra after this!!
Thank you for reading! If you found any typos please let me know in the comment section!
If you like the translation or novel please rate it on NU and support me on Ko-fi for bonus chapters:
Have a lovely day~~
(づ˶•༝•˶)づ𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒
