📖Written by: MSY

🗓️Published on: December 31, 2025

🌸 A Journey of Nine Years: Translation, Family, and the Gift of Support

When I look back on my nine-year journey as a fan translator, I realize that it has never been a solitary path. Behind every chapter I translated, every idiom I wrestled with, and every late night spent polishing dialogue, there has always been a quiet but powerful force of support—my family ❤️.

My husband, my son, and even my boss at one point, all formed the pillars that allowed me to pursue this passion. What began as a hobby in university slowly grew into a defining part of my life, and it was their encouragement that transformed it from a fragile dream into a sustainable journey 🌱.

💍 Meeting My Husband: A Simple Beginning

My husband is, at heart, a simple man. We first crossed paths in university, though at the time we were not particularly close. He was my senior, and life carried us in different directions after graduation. For a while, we lost touch, each busy with our own careers.

Fate, however, has a way of weaving threads back together ✨. Years later, we met again—this time at my workplace. He was my boss’s best friend, a fellow alumnus, and he often came by the office to visit. At first, it seemed like coincidence, but I later realized he had another reason for showing up: he wanted to see me.

Our first date was nothing extravagant. We went out for lunch, and that simple meal became the start of our story 🍽️. Our dating life was ordinary, filled with the small joys that couples share—conversations, laughter, and the comfort of companionship. Yet even in those early days, he showed me something extraordinary: unwavering support for my passion 💖.

📚 Translation as a Shared Journey

I had already begun translating manhua during my university years. It was a labor of love, a way to bridge cultures and bring stories to readers who might otherwise never experience them 🌏📖.

But translation is never easy. Chinese idioms, slang, and cultural references often resist direct translation, demanding creativity and sensitivity.

This is where my husband stepped in. Being Chinese-educated, his grasp of the language was stronger than mine. He would sit with me, read along, and offer ideas on how to render tricky phrases. Sometimes he would explain the cultural nuance behind a metaphor; other times he would suggest a clever equivalent in English 💡.

In those moments, translation became more than just my project—it became ours 🤝.

For five years, we dated, and throughout that time he never once wavered in his encouragement. When we finally decided to marry, I knew I was not just marrying a partner but someone who believed in my work as deeply as I did 💍.

🏡 Marriage, Support, and Everyday Acts of Love

After marriage, his support only deepened. He took on household chores without complaint, often insisting that I use my free time for translation instead. Cooking, cleaning, errands—he handled them all 🍳🧹.

It wasn’t just about the practical help; it was about the message behind it. He was telling me, in his quiet way, that my passion mattered, that my work had value, and that he was willing to shoulder responsibilities so I could pursue it 💞.

Even my boss at the time recognized this passion. He allowed me to translate during work hours, a rare gift that made balancing career and hobby possible. Unfortunately, circumstances later forced him to close down his company—a turning point I reflected on in my article When Passion Meets Reality: My Health and Life After Losing Platform Income .

Yet even in that difficult period, my husband remained steadfast. He reminded me that translation was not just about platforms or income—it was about love for the craft and the community it created 🌟.

👶 Motherhood and Continuing the Dream

When our first child was born, life shifted dramatically. Motherhood brought joy, exhaustion, and a new rhythm to my days 💕.

Many might have expected me to set aside translation, but once again, my husband stepped in. He continued to cook, clean, and manage the household, ensuring that I still had time to translate.

It was in those moments—holding my baby while reviewing a chapter—that I realized how deeply blessed I was 🤍. Translation had become part of my identity, and my family embraced that identity fully.

My son grew up seeing me at my desk, immersed in stories. Sometimes he would sit beside me, curious about the characters and their adventures 👀📖. Other times, he would offer the kind of innocent encouragement only a child can give: a smile, a hug, or a playful question about what I was working on 🧸.

In his own way, he became part of the journey too.

🙏 Gratitude and Reflection

Nine years is a long time. It is long enough to face setbacks, to question whether passion can survive reality, and to wonder if the effort is worth it.

Yet every time doubt crept in, I found strength in my family. My husband’s quiet acts of love, my boss’s early encouragement, and my son’s innocent support all reminded me that translation was never a solitary pursuit 💫.

I am deeply thankful for my husband—his simplicity hides a profound strength. I am thankful for my son, who reminds me daily why stories matter. And I am thankful for the chance to continue translating, even when life throws challenges my way ❤️.

🌈 Looking Ahead

As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons of these nine years. Translation is not just about words; it is about relationships. It is about the bond between languages, the bridge between cultures, and the support of loved ones who make the journey possible 🌉.

From now on, I am taking a temporary pause from translation due to my health. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 🩺, and while this means stepping back for a while, I carry deep gratitude for every chapter, every idiom, and every shared laugh over tricky phrases.

I promise to return one day—stronger and ready to continue the journey 💪✨.
Until then, I cherish the family who made it all possible and whose support gives me the courage to believe in coming back.

💬 Reader Engagement

I’ve shared my story of nine years as a translator, supported by my husband, my son, and the people around me. Now I’d love to hear from you:

• • Have you ever had to pause a passion project because of health, family, or life circumstances?
• • Who has been your biggest supporter in pursuing your dreams?
• • What keeps you motivated to believe you’ll return to the things you love?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I want this space to be a place where we can encourage one another, share our journeys, and remind ourselves that passion doesn’t disappear; it simply waits for us to come back.

🌸 Written with love and reflection on nine years of translation.