sharp (blade); pointed; sharp (pain); stabbing; perceptive; keen
drawing room; parlor; parlour; guest room
performance of one's official duties
reception (e.g. of visitors); dealing with
chair; stool; post; office; position
disorder; confusion; clutter; mess; muddle; disarray
to put out one's hand; to extend one's arm; to reach (for); to try one's hand at (something new)
noisily (running around); with heavy feet; in a fluster; in a flurry; slapstick
quickly (esp. actions); suddenly (esp. wind, rain, etc.)
restless; fidgety; in a hurry
coming and going; keeping in touch; visiting each other; street traffic; highway
cloth; bujian (spade-shaped bronze coin of ancient China)
indicates reason or excuse; indicates dissatisfaction; indicates desire to be pampered or indulged
appreciation; thanks; gratitude
to grow; to cultivate; to wear a beard
middle-age; middle age; midlife; one's middle years
appearance; (outward) looks; exterior appearance
bag; sack; skin of an orange (and other like fruits); dead end; plot of land surrounded by water
mouth; lips; shape of the mouth; near an entrance; vicinity of an entrance
favourable; favorable; doing well; OK; all right
previous time; last time; previous installment; previous instalment; previous session
failure; mistake; blunder
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
... all over again (repeating the same failure)
to act (a part); to play (a role); to perform (a play, etc.); to put on (a production); to commit (a blunder); to pretend (e.g. to be a good father)
youngster; neophyte; greenhorn
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
bounce; spring; momentum; impetus; moment; instant
with a bang; with a crash; with a bump; suddenly (fall); sharply
same; similar; (just) like; equal
embodiment; materialization; actualization; realization; taking form; taking shape
to backfire; to have a harmful result
quick; swift; nimble; quick (understanding, judgement, etc.); alert; prompt
heart; guts; nerve; central part
to stop up; to close up; to stand in the way; to obstruct; to occupy; to fill up
to go past; to pass; to pass by
to remain; to abide; to stay (in the one place); to be limited to; to be confined to; to only account for
fast; quick; early (in the day, etc.); premature; (too) soon; not yet