ATLAS TRANSLATES

It was probably because of the alcohol stimulation.

Stimulating to the point that everything that happened seemed so matter of course.

In the enclosed, cramped space, one could vaguely hear the sound of panting that continuously raised the surrounding temperature – light or heavy, hurried or slow. Along with the almost deafening heartbeat in the dim environment, it was already enough to set the two young bodies’ hearts racing wildly.

Chen Jinyao’s face was flushed red, her mind completely blank.

She was currently completely suppressed and unable to move at all despite wanting to resist. Yan Cheng greedily attacked, and Chen Jinyao could feel his breath surrounding her entirely, seemingly wanting to swallow her whole.

Instinctively, she shrank back a little. Yan Cheng seemed to sense it. His long eyelashes fluttered as he opened his eyes to a slit before closing them again tightly. His tongue continued to entangle hers refusing to let go. The big palm placed behind her head also exerted a bit of strength.

Until there was nowhere left to retreat, Chen Jinyao simply closed her eyes. Throughout the process, she went from desperately struggling to helpless concession then to fighting back with all her might.

Between men and women, fiery passion could easily lead to unclear boundaries.

……

About ten minutes later.

Sanity was gradually regained as the impulsive nerves occupying her brain receded.

The man’s arms were wrapped around her waist. The space was too cramped, such a stooping posture was uncomfortable. Their faces were only inches apart, the tips of their noses touching. Both their breathing had yet to steady, one face red the other ears burning. Their gazes sticky and blurred as they stared at each other, seemingly about to be endlessly entangled the next second.

But that didn’t happen.

On the contrary, after a few seconds of thunderous heartbeats while staring at each other, the suggestive atmosphere that should have escalated was somehow completely dispersed. Belated embarrassment crawled up both their hearts. Yan Cheng’s Adam’s apple rolled up and down. Chen Jinyao lowered her eyes to stare for a bit before blinking. Then, as if having touched something outrageous, they immediately recoiled away from each other like released springs.

“……”

“…………”

The previously scorching air temperature plummeted sharply.

The two returned to their original spots, sitting up properly.

Their gazes stared at the near pitch black outside the windows, secretly breathing – in, out, out, in.

Stay calm, stay calm. They were all adults now.

They must stay calm. And they were legally married adults to boot.

But to be honest, this kind of drastic atmosphere change really was rather awkward.

Aside from the lingering palpitations, only mutual silence remained.

The two quietly calmed down for a moment.

Just as Yan Cheng was about to pick a topic to diffuse the atmosphere, Chen Jinyao lazily retracted her gaze. She lowered her eyes to softly curse “shameless scoundrel” under her breath. Then she got out of the car, slamming the door shut behind her without looking back as she walked away swiftly, seeming more like she was fleeing in defeat.

As she fled in defeat, she didn’t even take the car keys with her.

Yan Cheng still in the passenger seat was stunned for a second. The swaying car keys brought him back to his senses. He touched his bitten, painful lips and gritted out a hiss. The light in his eyes flickered slightly. Then he chuckled softly.

There was no denying Yan Cheng’s current mood was especially elated.

And when he made his move earlier, his mind was also perfectly clear and not drunk at all. It was probably just the perfect mood and timing for a kiss. When her pitch black eyes entered his, he was suddenly and unconsciously overcome with passion. After laughing enough, Yan Cheng pulled out the keys and got out to lock the car.

He started to quietly whistle a cheerful tune, wind at his heels as he dashed towards the elevator.

……

It had to be said, this was a very strange feeling.

But it was truly hard put into words what exactly was strange.

If forced to describe it, it was probably usually sleeping wrapped tightly together yet now feeling somewhat “estranged” from each other due to a small passionate kiss.

Of course, it was a one-sided “estrangement”.

Yan Cheng was a through and through thick-skinned person. From the parking garage back home, this stretch was enough for him to adjust himself back to normal. He was still his usual self, just his behavior and conduct changed a bit secretly, secretly becoming more unscrupulous.

At this moment, he was casually leaning against the front door, hands in his pockets as he lowered his eyes to stare at Chen Jinyao. She had her back to him as she crouched to feed Duni cat food, the picture of stubbornness. “Wife, you’re shy?”

“……” Isn’t it obvious!

Chen Jinyao imperceptibly shifted her sore legs and continued staring at Duni who was eating, her gaze absent-minded.

“What’s there to be shy about.” Seeing her unreasonable stubbornness, Yan Cheng didn’t make things difficult for her after all. But things that should be pointed out still had to be, “It’s bound to happen sooner or later.”

“And you’re not someone who seems shy either.” He mumbled.

What he said was right. But the current Chen Jinyao’s face was red enough to bleed. After a few silent moments, she turned her head to glare at him, “None of your business!”

Her tone was unfriendly, even seeming to be throwing a tantrum.

But Yan Cheng detected her coquetry from it. After staring at each other a few seconds, he deliberately dragged out his words, making an “oh I see” expression as if having a sudden realization. He smiled teasingly, “Paper tiger!”

“…………” She really wanted to jump up and bite him to death!

Awkwardness was a catalyst in the process of two people getting along.

Because of this catalyst, one could vaguely sense a bit of change between them. This change wasn’t obvious, yet especially important.

It sprinkled their ordinary everyday interactions with “feelings”.

These “feelings” crept in undetected, impossible to grasp.

Chen Jinyao’s thin-skinned awkwardness had yet to dissipate. She hugged Duni and went into the bedroom, attempting to use Duni the light bulb2 to diffuse her embarrassment with Yan Cheng when alone. But it didn’t work out. By the time she finished showering and came out, Duni had already been tossed expressionlessly by Yan Cheng onto the living room sofa.

Seeing her look of shock, he didn’t even think before honestly saying, “Duni snores, it’ll disturb me.”

Chen Jinyao was even more expressionless than when he threw the cat. She incessantly smeared on night cream, exceptionally calm, “……Oh.”

———————————————

The bedside lamp went out the moment the bedroom sunk into darkness.

Only the silvery moonlight outside silently crawled in through the windows, piercing through the gaps in the not fully shut curtains and shining down a few rays.

“I think marriage needs some passion.”

In the darkness, Yan Cheng slowly spoke out this line, the implication crystal clear.

There were no twists or turns, straight from the heart.

Chen Jinyao uncharacteristically didn’t burrow into his embrace tonight. With her back facing him, she bundled tightly in her blanket at the edge of the bed. If she shifted outwards just a tiny bit more, she’d probably fall off the bed.

Yan Cheng: “You can’t just become a shrinking turtle after one burst of passion.”

He flipped over. Lying flat, he said, “I won’t do anything to you now.”

“……..” Chen Jinyao, “Hmph!”

“What’s with the hmph, proper attitude. Don’t suspect me groundlessly. If there’s an issue then resolve it.”

From a certain perspective, she had to admit Yan Cheng’s words made complete sense. After hugging the blanket and pondering it over for a good while, Chen Jinyao finally deigned to discard her aloofness. As if having given up, she turned over and slid into the man’s embrace.

She nestled and sniffed for a bit, then bestowed, “Fine.”

Young Master Yan discontentedly hmphed, “Huh, quite capable aren’t you!”

Chen Jinyao raised her head to peck his chin.

Midnight.

It started raining outside.

Pitter patter, pitter patter. Then it gradually grew heavier, pounding on the windows almost like small hail, making crackling sounds incessantly.

There wasn’t a shred of light in the room.

The mutton soup was probably working.

Yan Cheng started running a fever, fiery qi rushing about vigorously below. He tossed and turned for quite a while before waking up, no longer able to fall back asleep.

Seven or eight minutes later, he sat up in bed.

He turned on the warm yellow bedside lamp and stared blankly into the distance for a while, utterly exasperated. After not too long, he slowly retracted his gaze and lowered his head to look at Chen Jinyao sleeping beside him. One shoulder exposed, a few red marks from their playing around earlier remained on her shoulders and neck. They didn’t go all the way in the end though. He had spared her right at the crux.

It was already very late then. If he had really played with her, the bed would probably still be creaking right now. And she had to get up early tomorrow for work too.

“……” Just take it he had a sudden attack of conscience then!

But now he deeply regretted it!!!

The heavy rain outside came in bursts.

After each heavy bout it would become light pattering again.

This kind of pitter patter sounded very mild, also easily settling somewhat restless moods. Yan Cheng narrowed his eyes halfway and put on his outerwear to the living room for a smoke.

Duni extremely well-behavedly crouched by his feet. He nearly choked when inhaling deeply once. Exhaling smoke rings, his thoughts started wandering – earlier when messing around, Chen Jinyao was nearly brought to tears by him. He felt he had gone insane, or become perverted even, actually finding her crying very cute. And wanting to make her cry harder.

This marriage under the fixed agreement, was surprisingly not bad out of expectations.

After finishing the cigarette, he returned to the bedroom.

Yan Cheng took a warm shower, which finally completely extinguished the restlessness brought by the mutton stew. The potency was from the medicinal ingredients added to the mutton stew.

He felt his father and mother-in-law had some misunderstanding about him.

……

It was hard to say if it should be called a timely coincidence or not.

Right as a shirtless Yan Cheng walked out of the bathroom just after Chen Jinyao’s phone lit up. Water droplets rolled down his exposed shoulders, abdomen and other places, especially eye-catching in the darker environment. He narrowed his eyes and walked over, eyes drooping as he casually glanced over.

It was a Wechat verification message.

“Jinyao, this is Huo Qidong.”