ATLAS TRANSLATES

Shu He stared at his money transfer for a long time, about to question him when she received a call from Yao Qing.

Her expression cooled as she swiped right. “Mum.”

“Hehe, why did it take you so long to answer?” Yao Qing’s tone was gentle, but still betrayed her careful hesitation.

“I was busy and didn’t notice.”

Something crossed her mind and she frowned, sitting up on the bed. “Is your stomach bothering you again?”

“No, no.”

Yao Qing quickly denied it. She paused, and Shu He faintly heard Shu Hua’s voice in the background.

“Hehe, when are you coming home?” she asked tentatively, but Shu He knew all too well why they wanted her back.

She fell back onto the bed without emotion, her gaze falling absently on the small Christmas tree.

“We’ll see. I’m a bit busy lately.”

“I think you just don’t want to come back.” Shu Hua’s loud, reproachful voice came through clearly. “Your mum and I are only thinking of what’s best for you. Why are you being so stubborn?”

“If you don’t get married, what will you do when your mum and I are gone?”

“Getting married through matchmaking is better than struggling on your own. Why can’t you understand your parents’ good intentions?”

Though Shu He was used to Shu Hua’s speeches, she couldn’t help snapping back. “Do I need to remind you?”

“How many times did you abandon me when I was little?”

“When you wanted to get rid of me, did you think about my future? Now you claim you’re looking out for me. Don’t you find that laughable?”

“You—!”

Shu Hua seemed speechless at her retort. Shu He couldn’t be bothered to continue and hung up.

—

Before sleeping, she saw Cheng Shu had shared a post about his mother’s upcoming lecture at a university.

From her time working at the school radio station, Shu He knew about this field and was naturally aware that the most famous radio host was Cheng Shu’s mother.

She casually liked the post, and his message followed: [I happen to have an extra lecture ticket if you’re interested.]

Shu He didn’t actually enjoy attending lectures, but she politely accepted: [Sure, thanks.]

Cheng Shu: [By the way, when does your mother plan to come for a check-up? Medical records are just one reference—it’s better if she comes in person.]

Remembering Yao Qing’s tendency to push through everything, she thought for a moment: [Maybe in a while. I’ll let you know in advance.]

Cheng Shu: [That works. Anytime is fine.]

—

Perhaps due to Jing Yi’s overpowering cologne, Shu He messaged him before heading to the shop.

Shu He: [Remember to open the windows for ventilation.]

When he saw the message, he was in the middle of rehabilitation.

The man was supporting himself on equipment, muscles faintly tensed, his pale face covered in sweat, veins standing out on his neck, chest slightly heaving with unsteady breathing.

The white light of his phone fell across his handsome features. Something in her message made him suddenly smile.

Jing Yi: [Okay, I’ll head to the shop soon.]

He waited a while, but Shu He didn’t reply. He wasn’t disappointed and continued his exercises.

The doctor wanted him to stop: “Don’t rush it. You need to take it slowly now.”

“High-intensity training will only make your legs worse.”

Jing Yi pushed himself up silently, breathing lightly, his thick black hair falling forward, somewhat stubbornly: “I can handle it.”

After finishing rehabilitation, Jing Yi went home for a shower. Before leaving, he opened the windows as she’d instructed.

As for the colognes Liang Xu had bought for him, he frowned—none were the kind Shu He used, but he wasn’t sure how to dispose of them.

When he arrived at the shop, he looked around but didn’t see her.

A staff member came to help push his wheelchair, but Jing Yi refused.

Perhaps because his wheelchair was too noticeable, several customers glanced his way. He endured the discomfort of being observed. His previous spot was taken, so he settled near a window.

Instead of ordering right away, he asked the employee, “Isn’t Shu He here today?”

Tong Yuan recognised the handsome sick man and nodded, “That’s right. She had something to do and will be here later.”

Jing Yi thanked her with a bland expression, though inside he felt a twinge of disappointment.

But soon enough, Shu He returned, accompanied by Xiang Lanye.

“Shu He, your friend is here again.”

Following her gesture, Shu He saw the man sitting by the window.

The shop’s heating was on. He’d placed his coat on the opposite chair and wore a loose navy-blue jumper that accentuated his pale skin. His thick black curly hair looked freshly washed, soft and fluffy. He adjusted his familiar silver-rimmed glasses, revealing clear black and white eyes.

Seeing her look his way, the man gently curved his lips, holding a hot coffee.

This was the first time Xiang Lanye had seen him in two years.

As Shu He’s friend, she thoroughly disliked Jing Yi.

But now, studying the man carefully, she found herself speechless.

A person really could undergo a complete transformation.

The Jing Yi she remembered with Shu He looked physically similar to this man.

But back then, with his thick curly hair and tall stature, he would stand lazily under trees while waiting for Shu He, one hand in his pocket, looking at his phone—even his shadow exuded effortless coolness.

But when he saw Shu He, the young man’s dark, deep pupils would fix on her, one arm pulling her into his embrace, lips smiling with undisguised possessiveness, just like those American high school boys in films—utterly bold.

Once, she’d glimpsed them chatting.

Jing Yi: [Look at this, what is it?]

It was just an ordinary photo.

Under a streetlight sat a plump orange cat.

They put their heads together to study it but couldn’t figure out any special meaning.

Jing Yi lazily explained: [Don’t you think it looks pitiful?]

Shu He: [Why?]

Jing Yi: [It doesn’t have a girlfriend, but I do.]

“…”

Basically, he looked decent enough, but was quite annoying.

Now, the man sat obediently in his wheelchair, warm light falling on his porcelain-white profile, his former wildness seemingly stripped away.

He resembled that orange cat from two years ago—harmless, lonely, somewhat pitiful.

Xiang Lanye had a good memory. She narrowed her eyes and asked Shu He, “Isn’t that jumper the one you bought him before?”

Shu He naturally remembered. This jumper was the first birthday gift she’d given Jing Yi.

The last time they met before breaking up, he had worn this same jumper.

Shu He didn’t go to him. The man visibly drooped.

Xiang Lanye leaned against the counter, teasing: “How’s living with your ex-boyfriend going?”

Shu He was busy packaging coffee and didn’t look up. “We don’t bother each other. It’s fine.”

“Really?” Xiang Lanye kept glancing at the man by the window.

He sat silently with his head down, looking dispirited and emotional.

“Does he know you’re going on a blind date?”

Shu He gave her a wordless look. “I haven’t decided if I’m going yet.”

Xiang Lanye, experienced with family-arranged dates, warned, “Once you go home, you won’t escape it.”

Mentioning this annoyed Shu He. “We’ll see.”

Xiang Lanye had plans that evening. After sitting for a while, she placed a small bag aside. “The cologne’s here. I’m off.”

“Take care.”

After arriving at the shop, Shu He was swamped with work and never went over to speak with Jing Yi.

He didn’t disturb her either, just sitting quietly by the window. Occasionally other customers would look his way, but his expression remained bland, emanating a don’t-approach-me remoteness.

By evening, Shu He was dizzy with hunger. He was still sitting by the window, seemingly not having moved since afternoon.

Just as she was about to order takeaway, whispers from a corner reached her ears.

“Why do you keep looking at that guy?”

The jealousy in the young man’s voice was obvious. The girl giggled coquettishly. “What are you thinking? I’m just curious.”

“I mean, he’s disabled—how can he sit so long without needing the bathroom?”

Shu He looked up to see both their faces showing undisguised scrutiny. The young man pursed his lips: “Who knows.”

“It’s so sad.”

“Tsk.” The young man pinched her face. “Don’t think I don’t know—you just think he’s handsome.”

The girl laughed playfully: “What’s wrong with being handsome? It’s not like I’m into disabled people.”

“You’d better not be.”

Their voices weren’t loud, but close enough to the counter that Shu He heard every word clearly.

She put away her phone and walked out.

“Sorry, we’re closing soon.”

The couple looked at each other in confusion. “Isn’t it supposed to be 8:30?”

Shu He smiled without it reaching her eyes. “Yes, but we’re closing early today. Sorry.”

At her words, they had no choice but to leave.

Shu He also let the other staff go home early. With the shop nearly empty, she approached Jing Yi.

“Ready to go?”

He raised his face and slowly closed his laptop.

The couple’s conversation kept replaying in Shu He’s mind. She instinctively looked at his legs and suddenly asked, “How are your legs?”

Her concern made Jing Yi happy: “They’re good. I can stand longer today. I’ll be walking soon.”

His tone was too excited, but Shu He’s heartbeat felt unusually heavy, each beat like a stone crashing, dull and uncomfortable.

“Does rehabilitation hurt?”

Oddly, though her tone was perfectly neutral, Jing Yi suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

He nodded, then shook his head. “I can bear it.”

Being able to bear it didn’t mean it wasn’t painful.

Shu He was silent for two seconds, then asked, “Liang Xu says you don’t like going out. Is that true?”

Jing Yi couldn’t quite understand her meaning. He carefully answered, “Not really.”

Shu He knew him too well to miss the truth. She knew what she was about to say might upset him, but still—

She paused slightly, her tone utterly calm: “Don’t come to the coffee shop anymore.”

The man’s expression froze instantly. His black pupils filled with panic: “Why?”

He wheeled to her side, swallowing with difficulty. “Did I do something wrong?”

“I won’t bother you.”

Shu He’s gaze fell on his legs. She frowned: “You don’t need to force yourself to come out.”

“I’m not.” His voice trembled with urgency. “Are you still angry with me? Because of the scarf?”

“I’m sorry. I won’t use cologne at home anymore.”

“Shu He, please don’t send me away, okay?”

His tone was too pitiful. Shu He’s deliberately cold words reached her lips but somehow couldn’t come out.

Her red lips moved, somewhat helplessly: “You’d be more comfortable working at home.”

Jing Yi acted as if he couldn’t understand her, shaking his head: “Here is fine too.”

He was too stubborn. Shu He looked away. “Don’t you creative types need specific environments to work?”

“If you can’t write anything good, won’t Liang Xu blame my coffee shop?”

“He won’t.”

He anxiously said, “I’ve already written a song for him. He’s very satisfied.”

Afraid she wouldn’t believe him, he took out his phone to show her their chat.

At 3 AM, he had sent a new song to Liang Xu. Not until after 10 AM did Liang Xu reply with a “thanks for the charity” emoji.

His gaze was intense, impossible to ignore.

Shu He tugged at her lip. “Suit yourself.”

Jing Yi relaxed slightly. He’d been so tense that now, as he calmed down, his palms were soaked with sweat.

Shu He went to turn off the lights while Jing Yi waited at the door, slowly applying the hand cream she’d given him, breathing in her scent, his erratic heartbeat gradually steadying.

When Shu He emerged from the shop, she was carrying a small bag.

For some reason, seeing him using her hand cream, wearing the jumper she’d given him, waiting for her to go home together created a strange sense of comfort.

The temperature had dropped considerably. Shu He didn’t feel like eating out and decided to cook something simple at home.

Jing Yi went along with whatever she wanted.

Back at their apartment building, in the elevator, he suddenly sniffed, keenly noticing something was off.

“Shu He.”

In the wide silver mirror, the woman’s eyelids flickered. Jing Yi quietly moved closer, catching the unfamiliar perfume on her, his thoughts completely transparent: “Did you change your perfume?”

“Ding.”

Shu He let out a light snort, hands in her coat pockets, a small bottle of perfume hanging from her wrist.

Once inside, Jing Yi followed behind her: “Is the perfume I gave you still around?”

Shu He was opening the refrigerator to see what to cook. Without turning around, she asked, “What, do you want it back?”

“No.”

He hurriedly denied it, then added glumly, “Don’t always think the worst of me.”

Shu He couldn’t be bothered with his sensitivity. The cleaning lady must have come—the fridge was full. She found a pack of wontons to make do with.

“Let me do it.”

He slowly approached, looking up at her. “You go rest. It’ll be ready when you come out.”

Shu He gave him a sidelong glance. Sitting in his wheelchair, the navy-blue jumper made him look particularly docile.

“No need.”

She turned away. “Turn up the heating. It’s freezing.”

Jing Yi didn’t ask if there would be enough for him. He just obediently followed her instructions.

Making wontons was simple. Jing Yi watched her, his gaze so intense she found it hard to ignore.

“Don’t you get hungry in the evenings when you don’t eat?”

By his schedule, he went to rehabilitation from 1 to 3, arrived at the coffee shop at 3:30, and waited until 8:30 to return with her—all that time with just coffee and a slice of cake.

Hearing her concern, Jing Yi shook his head, his lips curving slightly: “It’s nothing.”

“I mean, you don’t have to wait for me to come back together.” Shu He’s voice mixed with the bubbling sounds of boiling water. “Sometimes I might be late.”

Jing Yi’s thought process was clearly different. He paused, his gaze falling on the soon-to-be-ready wontons, as if understanding something: “You want me to go home early and prepare dinner for when you return, right?”

“?”

Shu He looked at him wordlessly, only to see him already agreeing with himself: “Good idea. We can’t eat instant food every day.”

“……”

Meeting his bright gaze, Shu He tugged at her lip. “Fine, do whatever you want.”

“Mm.”

“…..”

The wontons were ready, and they finished eating by 9:30.

Jing Yi kept looking at her, making it impossible to ignore him.

As she was about to return to her room, he finally asked slowly: “Shu He, what… perfume are you using now?”

Shu He was holding the newly made perfume. It was the scent in his room that had reminded her of her long-delayed perfume-making plan.

Today she’d finally had time to go with Xiang Lanye.

Seeing her look, he thought of a flimsy excuse: “You know, I need to smell perfumes for inspiration.”

Shu He didn’t know that at all. She crossed her arms, looking at him: “Don’t you have lots of perfumes?”

Jing Yi touched his nose. “Those aren’t what I want.”

After saying this, he added: “I’m not sure how to dispose of these perfumes. Would you like to try them and keep any you like?”

Shu He wasn’t that keen on perfumes. When she found one she liked, she could use it until it ran out.

She was happy with her new custom perfume and had no intention of changing.

Receiving her refusal, Jing Yi was a little disappointed, but his bright eyes still looked longingly at the bag in her hand.

“Or, could you let me smell it, so I can buy the same one?”

Shu He suddenly thought he was being a bit silly. There were so many perfumes in the world—he wasn’t a dog who could identify a brand just by smell.

Besides, this was her custom creation.

Shu He felt like teasing him. Seeing she hadn’t refused, Jing Yi’s heart began beating faster.

She took out a bottle and told him to extend his hand.

But Jing Yi offered the back of his hand instead. Shu He gave him a glance. “Your wrist.”

She’d taught him how to test perfumes before.

But unusually, he didn’t listen, exposing his pale hand: “The sleeve is too tight. I’m wearing a lot of layers, so this is better.”

Shu He sprayed his hand once, expressionless. He lowered his gaze, carefully smelling the fragrance on the back of his hand. His long eyelashes fluttered twice, clearly confused.

She deliberately asked, “Well? Do you know which brand it is?”

“……”

He frowned, silently continuing to smell it. His nose twitched slightly as if pondering something important.

After a long while, he looked up and said softly: “Which brand is it?”

Shu He’s mood suddenly improved. She put the perfume back in the bag, her smile beautiful and gentle, making him momentarily dazed.

“It’s custom-made. In the whole world, only I have it.”

—

After trying the perfume that day, Jing Yi secretly asked every day if he could buy a bottle, but Shu He refused.

During this time, he still went to the shop daily, occasionally returning home early to prepare dinner for when she came back.

Last night there had been heavy snow, creating a white landscape where children were building snowmen.

Today might be a good day.

Liang Xu was busy and gave Yu Mo some money to help deliver things to Jing Yi.

But he first went to a mall.

The scarf he’d ordered could only be collected in-store, and he’d waited a long time for it to arrive.

Sales assistants at these high-end brands seemed to judge potential customers by appearance. Jing Yi rarely bought clothes for himself these years and looked ordinary. Perhaps because he was in a wheelchair, a male sales assistant approached.

The man held his hands in front, looking down at him. Though smiling, his tone lacked politeness: “Hello, this is XXX. If you’re looking for affordable options, you might try the third floor.”

His blatant scrutiny also fell on Jing Yi’s legs without disguise. Jing Yi wasn’t disturbed by the pitying gaze—or perhaps he’d grown numb to such looks.

He simply kept his expression neutral and looked around: “I’m looking for Linda.”

The sales assistant lazily called for Linda and walked away. Soon, a saleswoman ran out and tentatively said, “Mr. Jing?”

He nodded coldly, and she immediately said, “Your item is already packaged. Just a moment.”

Until he left, Jing Yi never bothered to look at the sales assistants’ expressions again.

Back in the car, Yu Mo looked at the man holding the package and asked, “Where to now, bro?”

Jing Yi thought for a moment: “The coffee shop.”

He still wanted to see her one more time.

When Jing Yi arrived, the shop was moderately busy.

Shu He was occupied, but Tong Yuan saw him immediately.

She approached him. “Hello, Shu He is busy right now. Would you like to order something and rest for a bit?”

Jing Yi glanced at her busy figure, nodded, and said thanks.

He’d been lucky these days—each time he came, the corner spot was empty.

When Shu He finally had a break, she noticed he hadn’t brought his tablet or notebook today and was just sitting there drinking coffee.

“Not working today?”

He nodded, and Shu He found it strange. “Then why did you come?”

“Just to sit for a while.”

“…..”

“Will you be home early today?”

Shu He considered: “Yes.”

Every Thursday the coffee shop only operated until 6 PM, allowing staff to go home early.

So she’d be home by 7 PM today.

Jing Yi smiled. “Good, I’ll wait for you at home.”

He was acting strangely today. Shu He eyed him suspiciously: “Are you leaving?”

Her question made him look up, his tone cheerful: “I can stay longer if you’d like.”

“…..Get out then.”

“…..”

Back in the car, Jing Yi calculated the time—two hours should be enough.

Yu Mo dropped him off at home and left. Before going inside, he checked a new message on his phone.

The cold white light fell across his handsome features. After a long moment, he put away his phone, expression blank.

Leaving the scarf on the sofa, Jing Yi put on gloves and went out.

The small park still had thick snow. The wheelchair wasn’t ideal for snow travel, but he managed to reach a spot where he could bend down and slowly gather snow, rolling it into increasingly larger snowballs.

The bent posture was uncomfortable and took effort.

By the time one snowball reached the size of a football, the sky suddenly started snowing again.

Despite wearing gloves, the bone-chilling cold seeped through. His knees ached too.

Breathing slightly, he continued rolling a second snowball. His eyelashes were unknowingly dusted with white.

A child noticed him rolling snowballs and trudged through the thick snow: “Mister, are you making a snowman?”

He nodded, and the child, seeing his difficulty, huffed and puffed to help.

But soon the child was called back by his parent, who noticed his wet trousers and worried, “Your mum’s going to scold us again when we get home.”

By the time Jing Yi finished rolling the snowballs, his limbs felt too stiff to move. His gloves, trouser legs, and coat were all dampened by a thin layer of snow.

He carried the two snowballs home, earning curious glances from property management staff.

Back home, Jing Yi carefully brought the snowballs to the balcony and set them down.

Fearing they might melt before she returned, he didn’t turn on the heating and began assembling the snowman.

It wasn’t large, just two football-sized balls. A carrot nose, twigs, and cherry eyes.

Jing Yi looked at his creation with satisfaction and regret.

If his legs were better, he could have built her a bigger snowman.

Checking the time, Shu He should be home soon.

Jing Yi rushed to his room to change clothes.

Changed and ready, he began preparing the defrosted steaks, eagerly anticipating her delighted expression when she saw the snowman.

By 8:45 PM, the snowman had already lost a layer of its shell. Jing Yi had sent several messages with no reply and worried something had happened to her.

The moment this thought appeared, he panicked. Without thinking further, he hurried out to find her.

The elevator dinged at the first floor. Jing Yi was calling Shu He when his wheelchair suddenly stopped moving forward.

He pressed the controls in frustration, but the battery was dead.

Just as he was about to call Yu Mo, his eyes fell on a man and woman in the distance.

They walked side by side, talking about something. Cheng Shu’s gaze rested openly on her profile. One tall, one shorter—the sight was particularly jarring.

A passerby approached and, seeing him sitting motionless in his wheelchair, kindly asked if he needed help.

But Jing Yi seemed suddenly mute, his dark eyes fixed on the pair, unable to say a word.

Before leaving, the person muttered that he was weird. Jing Yi clenched his fist, his mind buzzing.

He was indeed weird.

A monster nobody wanted.

Monsters could only hide in corners, secretly watching the ones they loved standing with others.

Shu He seemed to be smiling.

She was smiling at another man.

Jing Yi masochistically watched them together until she was about to enter. Then he desperately looked away, wanting to escape but finding he couldn’t even do that.

All he could do was wait for her arrival, wait for her to finish dating someone else and find a person who shouldn’t be here.

He didn’t want that.

With all his strength, he stood up from the wheelchair. His legs trembled painfully, and instantly sweat covered his neck. Without the wheelchair, he had no support.

But he still wasn’t ready to walk normally.

He gritted his teeth, his eyes immediately stinging. As footsteps approached from behind, he could almost feel the woman’s cool gaze on his rigid back, like a gradually approaching net, about to capture this pathetic, ridiculous monster.

His legs couldn’t support him for long. Jing Yi’s heart sank heavily, the acid of self-loathing nearly spilling from his eyes—being seen like this by the woman he loved, about to fall in front of her—

Just as he was about to fall, a familiar faint fragrance suddenly reached his nose. He stumbled toward her, and her hands instinctively steadied him.

“Jing Yi—”

His eyelashes trembled. Before he could say anything, heavier footsteps approached from behind, and a strange hand suddenly grabbed his arm.

“Shu He, are you two alright?”

Hearing this voice, Jing Yi reacted as if stung, violently shaking off the man’s hand. Gone was his usual docile, cold demeanor—his eyes reddened at the corners, his voice carrying icy sharpness: “Get away!”

His movement was so forceful he almost stumbled again. Fortunately, he hadn’t shaken off Shu He’s hand, and she quickly but firmly seated him back in the wheelchair.

Cheng Shu clearly hadn’t expected to be shoved away. He paused briefly, withdrew his hand, and maintained his elegant, gentle demeanor.

The atmosphere turned awkward. Shu He’s hand was still being gripped, so she could only look at Jing Yi from this position: “Why did you come down?”

“When you left, I saw you suddenly run off. I thought something happened. But since everything’s fine, I’ll go now.”

“Okay.”

Before leaving, Cheng Shu glanced concernedly at the man in the wheelchair.

After his figure disappeared, Shu He looked at the emotional man without saying much and pushed him into the elevator.

Back home, Shu He discovered it was freezing—he hadn’t turned on the heating.

“Why did you suddenly go downstairs?”

“Why didn’t you answer my messages?”

His voice was hoarse, without the direct stare from before.

Shu He paused slightly and explained: “My phone died.”

“Didn’t you promise to come home early today?”

Today was genuinely unexpected.

Near closing time, a customer had stomach pains, possibly from the coffee. As the owner, Shu He accompanied her to the hospital for a check-up, where they met Cheng Shu.

The girl’s issue was simply not eating all day. After leaving the hospital, Shu He’s phone was dead, so she hadn’t refused when Cheng Shu offered to drop her home.

The air smelled of cooled steak. He raised red-rimmed eyes, looking hurt and accusatory.

“You lied to me.”

Shu He’s warmth gradually faded from her eyes. The curtains fluttered in the wind, beating against the windows, leaving the lonely snowman outside on the balcony.

That afternoon, building the snowman, he hadn’t felt cold.

But now, the biting cold came rushing back. His lips moved, black eyes misted, wet eyelashes seeming ready to drop tears at any moment.

“I waited for you so long, but you didn’t reply to a single message.”

“I went downstairs only to see you standing with another man.”

“Shu He, I spent the whole afternoon making a snowman. I thought you’d be happy when you came back, but I didn’t wait for you.”

His voice trembled badly, his hurt emotions overwhelming, making it hard to breathe.

But he wasn’t the only one who had been hurt.

Under the cold white light, she looked down at his heaving chest, his disheveled, wounded appearance.

His accusations were like a string suddenly breaking, spreading sharp pain.

But pain goes both ways. They’d both forgotten—she’d been abandoned by him two years ago. Her once-burning heart had long since withered because of him.

His attempt to touch would inevitably result in getting hurt by thorns.

“After you left, do you know how long I waited, how long I searched for you?”

“When did you ever explain anything to me?”

Shu He’s pale eyes held no trace of a smile, so distant that just looking at him completely stripped away his disguise, returning him to that ugly, universally despised monster.

“Jing Yi, what right do you have to feel hurt?”