Love at 7-11 (II)
This is a continuation of my old Chinese homework that I decided was a waste to just leave it in the binder on my shelf, forgotten with the sole purpose of gathering dust. Depressing life of old homework, it is. I can't believe I translated this instead of my current Chinese homework -- there's still one more part left (the part I wrote), but I can control myself and do my homework now. I hope.
Here's PART 1 with a longer introduction and explanation. ^^ All translation mistakes are my own.
第二部：男篇
我知道她其實已經很久了，但開始注意她，卻是在一個星期前。
我是成大研究生，她是那家7-11的早班員工。她看起來也是個學生，因為7-11制服掩不住那股清純的學生氣息。她很溫柔秀氣，有一頭長髮，還有白淨的皮膚。
我十點出門，騎上那台爛野狼機車，然後在十點零五分，到了那家7-11。進店前，我喜歡推一推眼鏡。因為我想看清楚她。我會拿一份民生報，因為我喜歡看體育新聞。以及一瓶藍色利樂包低脂鮮乳，20元的那種。早餐這樣剛好，吃多了中午不餓，吃少了早上會餓。前陣子不小心打破了個陶瓷撲滿，多出了一堆十元硬幣與五元硬幣。正好趁此機會消耗它們。
我將兩個十元硬幣與兩個五元硬幣拿給她。因為我講究公平。她總會親切地問我，「需要袋子嗎？」我則用笑容回報她的熱心，然後搖搖頭。因為舉手之勞做環保。我把報紙夾在左手腋下，右手以姆指、無名指、小指，拿起鮮奶，以食指和中指夾起一根吸管。因為我對我的指頭也講究公平。她總會把發票放在我攤開的左手掌上，我感受到她手指輕觸的餘溫。我滿足地笑了一笑，然後點點頭，謝謝她的細心。
我會在7-11門口，看著來往的車輛，然後思考實驗的進度。喝完鮮奶，我會將包裝紙壓平，再放入垃圾桶。我實在很環保。我把報紙放在座墊，因為沒籃子。跨上機車，屁股坐在報紙上，踩動車子走人。臨走之前，我還會再看她一眼。她彷彿意識到我的眼神，然後她總會靦腆地笑一笑。
昨天早上，我的習慣一如往昔。但我的硬幣已經沒了，只好拿張百元鈔票。我遞給她這張百元鈔票，她竟然愣住了。我們互望了數秒鐘，我才開口問道：『小姐，不用找錢嗎？』不知怎的，我們同時覺得好笑，於是笑聲充滿了整間7-11。我又說：『小姐，笑也笑完了，還是得找錢吧！我午餐就靠它了。』她不好意思地拿出70元給我。我又得理不饒人地問：『小姐，明天不會又忘了找錢吧!?』她笑著回答：「我一定準備好70元等你來找。」
我戴上我的黑框眼鏡，穿上黑色球鞋，背上空的黑色書包。因為我是學生，總得背個書包。書包裏只有我實驗室的鑰匙。我今天特地又帶了一張100元鈔票。我在那張紅色鈔票的孫中山肖像旁，輕輕寫下我的姓：“蔡”。那是昨晚電視上的影片給我的靈感。
新來的7-11小姐告訴我，昨天是她在那家7-11的最後一天。因為她找到了一個薪水較高的伴讀工作。然後找給我這張50元鈔票，和兩個十元硬幣。她果然遵守我和她之間的約定。我拜託新來的小姐，如果可能，請她務必轉交這張百元鈔票。
我今天發現，那個新來的小姐，笑容跟她竟會如此相似。我突然好懷念起那充滿了整間7-11的笑聲。她知道我姓蔡嗎？我在心裏輕輕地問著。
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Part 2: Guy Version
Honestly, I knew her for quite a while already, but I only began to notice her a week ago.
I am a graduate student and she is the part-time worker at that 7-11. She appeared to be a student as well, because the 7-11 uniform couldn’t hide the feeling of a pure student. She is gentle and graceful with long hair and clear skin.
I left at 10 riding that worn down scooter. At 10:05, I would arrive at the 7-11. Before I entered the store, I liked to move my glasses up and down because I wanted to see her clearly. I would take a copy of the People’s Daily because I enjoy reading the sports section, as well as a blue aluminum foil pack of low-fat milk, the 20 yuan kind. This happened to be my breakfast since if I eat too much, I wouldn’t be hungry come noon, and if I eat too little, then I would be hungry in the morning. At a previous point in time, I had accidentally broken my piggy bank, so I had too many 10 yuan coins and 5 yuan coins, so I took advantage of this opportunity to use them.
I would take out two 10 yuan coins and two 5 yuan coins and give them to her, because I was particular about fairness. She would always kindly ask me, “Do you want a bag?” I would smile in return to her enthusiasm then shake my head because I wanted to effortlessly protect environment. I placed the newspaper under my left arm and then I would use my right hand’s thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger to pick up the milk and the forefinger and middle fingers to hold the straw, because I also had a thing with being fair to my fingers. She would always place the receipt on my left, spread out palm and I would feel the warmth from the light touch of her fingers. Then I contentedly smiled and nodded my head, thanking her for her softness.
I would be at the entrance of 7-11 watching the cars come and go. Then I would think about the progress of my experiments. Once I finished drinking the milk, I would flatten the package and place it in the trash can. I’m truly concerned about the environment. I place the newspaper on my cushioned seat because I have no basket. I would straddle my bike and sit on the newspaper then I would ride the scooter aside the people. Just before I leave, I would give her one more look and as if she was aware of my eyes, she would shyly smile.
Yesterday morning, I did everything as usual. However, I had no more coins so I only took a 100 yuan bill. I handed over this 100 yuan bill to her and she was unexpectedly taken aback. After we both counted the seconds that passed, I opened my mouth to ask, “Miss, don’t you need to give me change?” I don’t know why but we thought it was funny at the same time, so the sound of our laughter filled all of 7-11. Then I said again, “Miss, we’ve already laughed but you still need to give me my change - my lunch counts on it!” Embarrassed, she took out 70 yuan and gave it to me. Then I unmercifully asked, “Miss, you won’t forget to give me my change tomorrow, right!?” She answered with a smile, “I will definitely prepare 70 yuan for you.”
I put on my black framed glasses, wore my black tennis shoes, and carried my empty book bag because I’m a student and I always have to carry one; there’s only the key to the lab in it. Today, I made a special effort to bring a 100 yuan bill. Beside the portrait of Sun Yatsen on the red-colored bill, I lightly wrote my surname: “Cai”. It was the inspiration that last night’s movie on television had given me.
The new girl working at 7-11 told me that yesterday was the last day that she worked at the 7-11 because she found a new part-time job with a comparatively high salary. Then, she gave me my change of this 50 yuan bill and two 10 yuan coins. Sure enough, she kept our promise. I asked the new lady if she could please hand over this 100 yuan bill to her.
Today, I discovered that the new lady’s smile unexpectedly resembled hers like so and I suddenly reminisce about the laughter that had filled up the entire 7-11. Does she know my surname’s Cai?, I softly asked in my mind.
PART 3
Here's PART 1 with a longer introduction and explanation. ^^ All translation mistakes are my own.
第二部：男篇
我知道她其實已經很久了，但開始注意她，卻是在一個星期前。
我是成大研究生，她是那家7-11的早班員工。她看起來也是個學生，因為7-11制服掩不住那股清純的學生氣息。她很溫柔秀氣，有一頭長髮，還有白淨的皮膚。
我十點出門，騎上那台爛野狼機車，然後在十點零五分，到了那家7-11。進店前，我喜歡推一推眼鏡。因為我想看清楚她。我會拿一份民生報，因為我喜歡看體育新聞。以及一瓶藍色利樂包低脂鮮乳，20元的那種。早餐這樣剛好，吃多了中午不餓，吃少了早上會餓。前陣子不小心打破了個陶瓷撲滿，多出了一堆十元硬幣與五元硬幣。正好趁此機會消耗它們。
我將兩個十元硬幣與兩個五元硬幣拿給她。因為我講究公平。她總會親切地問我，「需要袋子嗎？」我則用笑容回報她的熱心，然後搖搖頭。因為舉手之勞做環保。我把報紙夾在左手腋下，右手以姆指、無名指、小指，拿起鮮奶，以食指和中指夾起一根吸管。因為我對我的指頭也講究公平。她總會把發票放在我攤開的左手掌上，我感受到她手指輕觸的餘溫。我滿足地笑了一笑，然後點點頭，謝謝她的細心。
我會在7-11門口，看著來往的車輛，然後思考實驗的進度。喝完鮮奶，我會將包裝紙壓平，再放入垃圾桶。我實在很環保。我把報紙放在座墊，因為沒籃子。跨上機車，屁股坐在報紙上，踩動車子走人。臨走之前，我還會再看她一眼。她彷彿意識到我的眼神，然後她總會靦腆地笑一笑。
昨天早上，我的習慣一如往昔。但我的硬幣已經沒了，只好拿張百元鈔票。我遞給她這張百元鈔票，她竟然愣住了。我們互望了數秒鐘，我才開口問道：『小姐，不用找錢嗎？』不知怎的，我們同時覺得好笑，於是笑聲充滿了整間7-11。我又說：『小姐，笑也笑完了，還是得找錢吧！我午餐就靠它了。』她不好意思地拿出70元給我。我又得理不饒人地問：『小姐，明天不會又忘了找錢吧!?』她笑著回答：「我一定準備好70元等你來找。」
我戴上我的黑框眼鏡，穿上黑色球鞋，背上空的黑色書包。因為我是學生，總得背個書包。書包裏只有我實驗室的鑰匙。我今天特地又帶了一張100元鈔票。我在那張紅色鈔票的孫中山肖像旁，輕輕寫下我的姓：“蔡”。那是昨晚電視上的影片給我的靈感。
新來的7-11小姐告訴我，昨天是她在那家7-11的最後一天。因為她找到了一個薪水較高的伴讀工作。然後找給我這張50元鈔票，和兩個十元硬幣。她果然遵守我和她之間的約定。我拜託新來的小姐，如果可能，請她務必轉交這張百元鈔票。
我今天發現，那個新來的小姐，笑容跟她竟會如此相似。我突然好懷念起那充滿了整間7-11的笑聲。她知道我姓蔡嗎？我在心裏輕輕地問著。
--------------------
Part 2: Guy Version
Honestly, I knew her for quite a while already, but I only began to notice her a week ago.
I am a graduate student and she is the part-time worker at that 7-11. She appeared to be a student as well, because the 7-11 uniform couldn’t hide the feeling of a pure student. She is gentle and graceful with long hair and clear skin.
I left at 10 riding that worn down scooter. At 10:05, I would arrive at the 7-11. Before I entered the store, I liked to move my glasses up and down because I wanted to see her clearly. I would take a copy of the People’s Daily because I enjoy reading the sports section, as well as a blue aluminum foil pack of low-fat milk, the 20 yuan kind. This happened to be my breakfast since if I eat too much, I wouldn’t be hungry come noon, and if I eat too little, then I would be hungry in the morning. At a previous point in time, I had accidentally broken my piggy bank, so I had too many 10 yuan coins and 5 yuan coins, so I took advantage of this opportunity to use them.
I would take out two 10 yuan coins and two 5 yuan coins and give them to her, because I was particular about fairness. She would always kindly ask me, “Do you want a bag?” I would smile in return to her enthusiasm then shake my head because I wanted to effortlessly protect environment. I placed the newspaper under my left arm and then I would use my right hand’s thumb, ring finger, and pinky finger to pick up the milk and the forefinger and middle fingers to hold the straw, because I also had a thing with being fair to my fingers. She would always place the receipt on my left, spread out palm and I would feel the warmth from the light touch of her fingers. Then I contentedly smiled and nodded my head, thanking her for her softness.
I would be at the entrance of 7-11 watching the cars come and go. Then I would think about the progress of my experiments. Once I finished drinking the milk, I would flatten the package and place it in the trash can. I’m truly concerned about the environment. I place the newspaper on my cushioned seat because I have no basket. I would straddle my bike and sit on the newspaper then I would ride the scooter aside the people. Just before I leave, I would give her one more look and as if she was aware of my eyes, she would shyly smile.
Yesterday morning, I did everything as usual. However, I had no more coins so I only took a 100 yuan bill. I handed over this 100 yuan bill to her and she was unexpectedly taken aback. After we both counted the seconds that passed, I opened my mouth to ask, “Miss, don’t you need to give me change?” I don’t know why but we thought it was funny at the same time, so the sound of our laughter filled all of 7-11. Then I said again, “Miss, we’ve already laughed but you still need to give me my change - my lunch counts on it!” Embarrassed, she took out 70 yuan and gave it to me. Then I unmercifully asked, “Miss, you won’t forget to give me my change tomorrow, right!?” She answered with a smile, “I will definitely prepare 70 yuan for you.”
I put on my black framed glasses, wore my black tennis shoes, and carried my empty book bag because I’m a student and I always have to carry one; there’s only the key to the lab in it. Today, I made a special effort to bring a 100 yuan bill. Beside the portrait of Sun Yatsen on the red-colored bill, I lightly wrote my surname: “Cai”. It was the inspiration that last night’s movie on television had given me.
The new girl working at 7-11 told me that yesterday was the last day that she worked at the 7-11 because she found a new part-time job with a comparatively high salary. Then, she gave me my change of this 50 yuan bill and two 10 yuan coins. Sure enough, she kept our promise. I asked the new lady if she could please hand over this 100 yuan bill to her.
Today, I discovered that the new lady’s smile unexpectedly resembled hers like so and I suddenly reminisce about the laughter that had filled up the entire 7-11. Does she know my surname’s Cai?, I softly asked in my mind.
PART 3