to tighten; to fasten tight; to constrict; to control strictly; to put pressure on; to squeeze (e.g. an economy)
shackles; fetters; irons; bonds (e.g. family); ties; binding relationship
constraint; reserve; feeling hesitant; being afraid of troubling someone
walking; strolling; roaming; wandering; exploring
selfish; egoist; (arch.) self-indulgent; (arch.) wilful; (arch.) willful
to become aroused (of emotions, nerves, etc.); to become excited; to become stirred up; to be proud; to be haughty; to be pompous
to hit hard; to strike hard
wick; marrow; core; heart; pistil (of a flower); stamen
gradually (progressing); steadily; slowly; seeping out (sweat, tears, etc.)
September; ninth month of the lunar calendar
middle ten days of a month; 11th to 20th day of a month
six o'clock; six periods of a day (morning, midday, afternoon, evening, midnight, late night)
vengeful ghost; avenging spirit; apparition
clever; bright; smart; intelligent
gloomy; dismal; miserable; spirit of yin
eerie; hair-raising; exaggerated; ostentatious
simmer; bubble out; flow out
sense; idea; desire; concern; attention; care
to well up; to burst; to arise
demon; devil; evil spirit; monster; goblin; apparition
with a click (of a button or switch); one (small protrusion, hole, etc.); single
(bank) balance; remainder
online shopping; e-commerce; mail order
to buy online; to make an online purchase
cashback rewards; point rewards; point rebate
crisis; critical situation; emergency; pinch
residence; housing; residential building
rate; ratio; comparatively; contrary to expectations
to continue to increase; to continue to mount
quiet; still; surreptitious
smirkingly; broadly (grinning)
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
breakwater; mole; seawall; bulwark; shield (e.g. against critcism); protective barrier
management; (executive) staff; leaders; leadership; top brass; upper echelons
temptation; allurement; lure; enticement; seduction
one's financial situation; one's finances; state of one's purse
backlight; backlighting; backlight (in a liquid crystal display); backup light; reversing light
value; worth; virtue; blessing