ATLAS TRANSLATES

Bai Yan’s water scene took over ten hours to film. Compared to Sister Ruofan struggling in the water and the heroic male actors rescuing her, I had it worst. I’d never heard of drowning looking good, but the director insisted on it and closely supervised me. I grumbled internally but remained professional.

The director was extremely picky about the visuals. He wanted me to slowly sink from the surface to the bottom while keeping my eyes open, showing Bai Yan’s complex emotions through a series of eye expressions. My posture had to look graceful, and most importantly, a teardrop needed to be clearly visible sliding down my face.

Shu Shuang didn’t have any scenes that day and could have rested, but she kindly stayed to help, handing out blankets and hot water. She mainly took care of me since my manager wasn’t there and I had no assistant. After hours in the water, my eyes were red, skin wrinkled, and I was exhausted.

Shu Shuang stayed by my side the whole time, for once not arguing with me. When we finally finished successfully, Ding Yue really had to rescue me from the water. I was so weak I didn’t need to act fainting – I could have done it for real.

When the director yelled “Cut!”, everyone stopped what they were doing and applauded. They crowded around the monitor to watch the playback, praising the scene. I felt proud but tired as Shu Shuang quickly helped me to the dressing room, wrapped in a blanket.

Later, when filming the hospital bed scene, I fell asleep for real. Shu Shuang and Ding Yue acted their parts while I lay there unresponsive. Eventually, to everyone’s amusement, I rolled over and started snoring softly.

The director said, “This looks good too. We’ll release it online later as a behind-the-scenes treat for our supportive audience.” I regretted it immediately…

After the wrap party, we all had a final meal together. Everyone was reluctant to part. Shu Shuang couldn’t help teasing me: “Gu Baobei, you kept saying you’d be bad from the start to the end of this drama. But I watched your Bai Yan, and how was she bad? She was always being bullied.” I lowered my gaze and silently looked at the scriptwriter Liu Wenwen sitting diagonally across, eating noodles. The writer said nothing, swallowing her noodles before quietly taking a sip of wine, then inexplicably choking and coughing.

The director also joked about me and Fang Ding Yue, saying: “Xiao’ai, in your first drama together, you fell in love. In this second one, you got married. For the next one, are you going to have a child?” When I heard this, seeing Ding Yue’s teasing half-smile, I choked and coughed, leaning on Sister Ruofan, speechless for a long time. So I channeled my embarrassment into my appetite and started eating with my head down.

Heaven knows! Every time Ding Yue and I fell in love on screen, weren’t we suffering? Cutting wrists, rolling down stairs, jumping into lakes – it was too tragic. I don’t want to do it anymore…

When I got home carrying all my bags, I couldn’t contain my excitement! After opening the door, I called out like An’an: “I’m home!” Once, twice, three times… But after a long while, no one answered me.

Isn’t anyone home? A string of black lines appeared above my head as I sighed helplessly. I had no choice but to bend down and move my luggage to the hallway myself. By the time I closed the door, I hardly had any strength left in my hands.

Only then did I start searching for Fu Junyan and An’an room by room. In the end, there really was no one home! Not even Xiao Qi! I looked up at the sky speechlessly. I had originally wanted to surprise them, so I didn’t call Fu Junyan in advance. As a result, I ended up shocking myself! Aowu…

Later, I just left those big and small bags in the entryway. Like a boneless animal, I listlessly crawled back onto my big bed, hugging my pillow and feeling sorry for myself as I fell into a deep sleep.

I don’t know how long passed, but in a daze, I seemed to hear Fu Junyan’s voice. He said very softly, “Be good, don’t disturb sister.” I was slightly alerted by the sound and blearily opened my eyes a little. I vaguely saw Fu Junyan pulling Gu Xiao’an, who was climbing onto me, off the bed. Then I rolled over and fell back asleep.

But later, my nose started to itch, then my face also itched. The feeling wasn’t sharp, but it was very uncomfortable. What is it? I unhappily squinted my eyes open to see a white blur. I wrinkled my nose, which also felt itchy and warm. Finally, as my anger at being woken up flared, I swatted away whatever was on my face. The unknown object fell to the ground in a diagonal line, followed by a pitiful “Woof woof woof!”

I touched my face, then a dog hair fell from my forehead onto me. It was Xiao Qi! I stiffly turned my head to look at Xiao Qi, who had fallen at the foot of the bed and was lying on its back with a resentful look. I yelled angrily: “Xiao Qi! Who gave you the guts to climb on my face?” As I spoke, I jumped out of bed barefoot, holding the dog hair between my fingers as evidence. I walked out puffing my cheeks, still holding up the “evidence” in front of me.

An’an heard the commotion and also came running out. Completely unaffected by my anger, the little one excitedly hugged my leg and sweetly called out: “Sister, sister, wow! Sister finally woke up! Qi Qi is so amazing…” What?! What do you mean Qi Qi is amazing? Don’t tell me someone deliberately let the dog wake me up?!

My eye twitched as I looked towards Fu Junyan coming from the kitchen. He was holding bowls and chopsticks, and gave me a slight smile. After putting the tableware on the dining table, he came over and ruffled my hair, asking softly: “Awake?” I nodded, puffing my cheeks and pointing disgustedly at Gu Xiao’an by my feet. Understanding, he bent down to pull An’an away from my leg and picked him up.

Gu Xiao’an smiled with squinty eyes in his arms, looking at me, then looking up at Fu Junyan. The little one suddenly grinned mischievously, his big eyes bright and shining as he pointed at my hair and shouted: “Hair! Hairy!” Then he covered his mouth and giggled into Fu Junyan’s shoulder.

I was embarrassed and messily ran my hand through my hair. Fu Junyan chuckled softly and pulled down my hand, then plucked two more dog hairs from my head. Seeing this, I looked resentfully at Xiao Qi’s fur then back at him, both annoyed and aggrieved: “Fu Junyan! Look, even Xiao Qi is bullying me…” As I spoke, my face scrunched up like I was about to cry…

“I’ll punish it for you,” Fu Junyan comforted me softly, stroking my hair. But the laughter in his eyes couldn’t be erased. Then he said: “You’ve slept for a day and a night. Sleeping too long will give you a headache. Go wash your face quickly, An’an and I will wait for you to eat.”

“Woof!” Xiao Qi behind me barked softly. As I turned to walk towards the bathroom, I made a face at it, thinking, I won’t give you any food, hmph!

But in the end, Fu Junyan didn’t punish Xiao Qi…

Much later, I asked him: “Fu Junyan, do you remember last time when Xiao Qi climbed on my head, you said you would punish it?”

He turned to look at me and asked: “Did I?” Then he nodded and said: “Let’s punish it now then…”

By that time, looking at Xiao Qi, how could I still hold a grudge? I had to act magnanimous, waving my hand and saying: “Forget it, I’m very kind. A good woman doesn’t fight with dogs!” After I finished speaking, I saw Fu Junyan turn his face slightly and smile…

For the next few days after coming home, we didn’t go out. I fed myself like I was fattening a pig – eating when full and sleeping when tired. Fu Junyan seemed very enthusiastic about this project too, making delicious food for An’an and me every day in different ways. I don’t know if outsiders saw the virtuous image of Young Master Jun cooking and washing dishes, whether their lofty image of the young master would be shattered…

That day, I asked Fu Junyan: “If I keep eating like this, will I turn into a pig?”

He shook his head very calmly and said: “You won’t.”

I asked: “Why not?”

He answered: “You’re a pufferfish…” So a few days later, I pinched An’an’s slightly rounder little face, then poked my own cheeks, and started restraining myself again.

When you truly enter Fu Junyan’s life, you’ll find that he’s actually extremely busy, and seems to always have endless things to do. But if you don’t look at the constantly running fax machine on his desk, you’d only think this was just a handsome scholar quietly reading books at night. I think the reason Fu Junyan can be called a young master is not just because of his good looks, but because he does everything so calmly and unhurriedly, always with that faint, gentle expression, neither surprised nor pleased.

For several days, I noticed one of his computers always had the US stock market trend chart open, so I curiously asked: “Are you buying stocks?”

He shook his head and pointed to a stock with its own trend chart open on the screen, saying: “I have some original shares of this stock.” Oh… I was a little surprised and leaned in to look at the market, muttering softly: “Fu Junyan, it’s all red, the limit up!”

He glanced at it lightly and said: “Then let it rise…” He was so calm about it that I could only rub my nose and walk away.

A few days later, I was shocked to find that stock had become an ST problem stock, suspended from trading for investigation by the Securities Regulatory Commission. I asked him worriedly, tilting my head: “If that stock is found to have problems and gets cancelled, what will you do?”

“Hm?” He actually smiled and comfortingly patted my head, saying “Then it’ll be gone…”

In the end, my jinx actually came true! The company was found to have very serious problems, declared bankruptcy, and the stock was subsequently game over. The more I thought about it, the more depressed I felt. That was money! How much must those original shares have been worth…

But Fu Junyan just kissed me and said: “Silly baby, don’t worry, we have food to eat…”

Sometimes Fu Junyan would stay up late, shutting himself in the study for video conferences, often working until the early hours before he could sleep. Sometimes I’d play the role of a good wife, going into the room to drape a coat over his shoulders, or make a cup of warm tea and place it on the corner of his desk, then quietly retreat. At those times, he would give me a gentle, noble smile that seemed able to drive away the cold of the night.

I don’t know what he was discussing, but when he talked business, he still had that light and breezy manner, yet with a hint of nobility that let people know at a glance this person was not to be trifled with. But there was one time, and only once, when I saw him seem to get angry. At that time, Fu Junyan’s expression was especially cold, but his tone of speech was still so warm, his whole aura completely different from usual. I don’t know why, but I vaguely disliked him looking that way, feeling that in that moment, he suddenly became so distant from me…

In my heart, Fu Junyan is only warm and dependable, always looking the gentlest and most handsome… For example, he always finds a way to make time to accompany An’an and me, taking meticulous care of us.

Several times I felt bad for him and asked: “Are you busy? Why don’t I cook instead?”

But he would just shake his head and say he wasn’t busy, then turn to close the study door and hold me in his arms with a mischievous smile, saying: “If I don’t look, then I’m not busy.” That tone was like a naughty child.

Fu Junyan and I have an understanding. We’re not deliberately hiding our relationship, but we’re also not eager for everyone to know about it. Sometimes, we naturally protect our love from outside disturbances. As for how to proceed, I trust my man will tell me, and then hold my hand as we walk forward together.

Usually if Fu Junyan and I are both at home, since we’re public figures, even though the neighborhood security is good and relatively private, we still choose to take Xiao Qi out for walks before dawn because it’s more comfortable that way.

So on days when he stays up late, I’ll take Xiao Qi out for a few laps by myself around five or six in the morning. Of course, I sternly warned Xiao Qi that if it dares to climb on my face again, I’ll pluck all its fur! Though whether it understood me or not, I don’t care…

One time Gu Xiao’an woke up early and came with me to walk Xiao Qi. The two-year-old child was extremely curious, asking about everything he saw. That day, the little one shook his little head and asked in a milky voice: “Sister, what are we going to do?” I answered: “Walk the dog.” The little one seemed to understand and nodded very seriously.

When we got home, Fu Junyan was already awake. He sat lazily on the couch reading the newspaper, and seeing Gu Xiao’an bouncing behind me, he beckoned to the little one and asked in a praising tone: “An’an got up so early today, where did you go?”

An’an puffed out his little chest proudly and answered: “Walked sister!” …

I…

Even someone as calm as Fu Junyan couldn’t hold back, turning his head away to laugh. I stood silently behind the little one, at a loss.

Later I pouted and simply buried my head as I charged into Fu Junyan’s arms. He reached out one arm to hug me, laughing as he tugged my earlobe. I whined and squirmed in his arms, grumbling: “The world’s gone mad!” As I spoke, I also found it funny and finally laughed out loud shamelessly.

Fu Junyan held me in his arms and ruffled my hair, saying softly: “Silly pufferfish, you should think of it this way – the two little ones have learned to bully you, so they’ll soon learn to protect you.” I ignored his twisted logic and glared at him. But he just dotted my nose lovingly without saying more. Then he looked up at An’an with a gentle smile and reached out his hand warmly towards An’an.

Gu Xiao’an looked at the two of us, and seeing Fu Junyan’s outstretched hand, his expectant little face brightened. He ran a couple steps and his chubby little hand covered Fu Junyan’s. The large and small hands overlapped, instantly forming a vivid and heartwarming contrast. Gu Xiao’an adorably dimpled, softly calling out: “Brother-in-law…” As he spoke, the little one also threw himself into Fu Junyan’s arms. And so the three of us hugged together, warm and cozy.

Fu Junyan is tolerant, but he doesn’t indulge. He spoke very calmly to An’an, as if talking to an adult, explaining in a way the child could understand, even using a tone of discussion to tell An’an that he had used the word incorrectly, that “walk” wasn’t used that way. Gu Xiao’an was originally a smart child, and after hearing Fu Junyan’s explanation, the little one’s big eyes rolled thoughtfully, and he quickly understood.

He looked at Fu Junyan obediently, his eyes full of attachment and trust. Then the little one turned and tugged on my finger, loudly correcting: “Just now sister took An’an to walk Qi Qi.” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smile, kissing Gu Xiao’an’s forehead while in Fu Junyan’s arms.

After several consecutive days of gloomy rainy weather, the sun finally came out. On this day, Fu Junyan and I took out the quilts, pillows, and sheets from the house and dragged them into the bathtub to wash.

I laughed and jumped around like an idiot, chanting: “This is great! Now we’ll all be able to smell the sun when we go to bed tonight!” Fu Junyan heard my words and teased: “Silly pufferfish.” But his eyes smiled warmly and sincerely.

Young Gu Xiao’an obediently practiced piano with Xiao Qi in another room, while Fu Junyan and I listened with one ear as we helped each other roll up our sleeves.

The heavy lifting should be done by the man. So after I filled the bathtub with warm water, I stood by like a landlady watching Fu Junyan carry the heavier quilts into the bathroom and toss them into the tub, one trip after another.

Then we both stepped into the big bathtub with our pant legs rolled up and sleeves pushed back. The feeling under our feet was a bit slippery and soft, very fun and warm.

As we trampled the quilts, more and more white foam filled the tub, and our feet felt increasingly slippery and warm. I lost my balance several times, but Fu Junyan always reached out to steady me. I would tilt my head back and let him hold me, grinning foolishly at him.

Later, feeling playful, I pretended to slip on purpose. When Fu Junyan reached out to catch me, I grabbed a handful of foam and smeared it on his face and hair. Seeing his soft hair turn white with patches of foam, his face speckled with bubbles, and his expression of complete surprise at my attack – it was unbearably cute.

I was so amused that I poked his face without restraint, then clutched my stomach and burst out laughing shamelessly.

They say extreme joy begets sorrow, and maybe this is what it looks like. As I laughed uncontrollably, I really did lose my footing this time. Fu Junyan had just fallen for my trick, but this time he still reached out to catch me without hesitation, though he was a bit off-balance himself. And so we both tumbled down into the bathtub, covered in white foam from head to toe.

Now not just him, but my head and face were also covered in white foam. In an instant, two snowmen appeared in the bathtub.

In the moment we fell, Fu Junyan had quickly moved his hand to protect the back of my head. Now that he confirmed I was unhurt and still giggling, he finally withdrew his hand. But halfway through pulling back, he reached out again to pinch my nose. I puffed out my cheeks and twisted away.

The corners of his eyes crinkled upwards, his gaze dazzling and beautiful beyond compare. I was mesmerized, staring at him stupidly, feeling I never wanted to look away. He took a breath, then raised his head slightly as he lay on top of me. He poked my forehead with his finger, the corner of his beautiful mouth lifting as he said with exasperated amusement: “You…”

I fell silent, gazing at him even more intently, captivated by his gentle tone…

And so we stayed in this embrace, surrounded by soft quilts and foam. His gaze gradually became focused and serious, his expression so enchanting. I thought he was going to kiss me, so I closed my eyes shyly, not wanting to miss a moment. But his hand stroked my hair, and he leaned close to my face, gently nibbling my earlobe as he said with infinite tenderness: “See, we’ll grow old together…”

At that moment I was too happy to know that this sentence of his would become all my hope and belief in the days to come.

Because he said, see, we’ll grow old together…