ATLAS TRANSLATES

The blonde thug struggled to get up from the ground, and without a word, they instantly became entangled in a fight.

Duan Yuwei’s hair stood on end from fear. She screamed twice and quickly cleared the area.

The scene spiraled out of control within minutes, leaving Feng Ning momentarily speechless.

As expected, the heroic rescue scene from idol dramas didn’t play out smoothly.

The handsome moment lasted only seconds before the blonde’s backup rushed in. Jiang Wen’s group only had three people, quickly becoming outnumbered and gradually falling into a disadvantage.

These young masters who grew up in the city had been too well-protected since childhood. Foolishly inexperienced with any harsh lessons from society, they thought they were the best anywhere, but their actual fighting ability couldn’t compare at all to street thugs.

The thugs targeted their stomachs with brutal punches. Just as the heroes were about to be beaten into a sorry state, Duan Yuwei wanted to step in to break up the fight, but seeing the situation, her legs went weak and she couldn’t move.

“Stop fighting, stop fighting, what’s going on over there!” Several security guards approached from a distance.

The thugs who were in the midst of fighting realized something was wrong, cursed, and ran in the opposite direction.

The security guards were called by Meng Taoyu. After they arrived and recognized everyone as students from Qide School, they asked what had happened.

Meng Taoyu’s eyes were still red as she gathered her courage and tremblingly pointed at Duan Yuwei, “It’s her… it was her.”

Duan Yuwei glared at her weakly, knowing the situation had escalated. She lowered her head, not daring to speak.

Meanwhile, Zhao Binlin and Xi Gaoyuan also got up from the ground cursing. They were relatively okay, with just some minor internal injuries, no visible bleeding.

Jiang Wen had attracted most of the attacks while fighting the blonde thug. His eyebrow bone was cut open, the wound splitting and oozing blood.

He remained silent, casually wiping it away.

After a while, both the homeroom teacher and grade supervisor arrived, taking away everyone involved in the fight.

Back at school, after questioning and learning the full story after much back and forth, they finally understood it was a case of standing up against injustice. So Duan Yuwei and Meng Taoyu stayed behind while Zhao Binlin and the others were released from the academic affairs office.

Outside, the sky had grown dark, with a light drizzle starting to fall. Everyone was dirty and somewhat tired.

Xi Gaoyuan hooked his arm around Jiang Wen’s neck, “Who knew, top student, you’re such a wild fighter.”

Jiang Wen looked languid, his hair slightly messy as he casually brushed it.

Zhao Binlin raised his hand and punched Jiang Wen, “Don’t you remember? He was the most vicious fighter when we were kids, he’s just reformed now.”

He hissed, “Hit lighter.”

Following his instinct, Zhao Binlin teased, “Tell us honestly, what love potion did Feng Ning give you?”

The person being teased ignored it completely.

Xi Gaoyuan knew Jiang Wen had been in a bad mood lately, and now belatedly couldn’t help asking, “So what’s the deal with our top student now?”

“No deal, just being strung along in limbo.” Then quickly followed with, “Being strung along is one thing, but being stubborn and refusing to admit it, that’s being blind to your own situation.”

Jiang Wen’s expression changed slightly.

“You know what, this girl’s got game. Playing hard to get, right? Casting a long line to catch a big fish, planning to trap Jiang Wen?”

Zhao Binlin heard the bad tone and hurried to say, “No, no, no, Feng Ning isn’t the type to play games. I was just joking.”

Xi Gaoyuan still found it ridiculous, “Damn, being this handsome but getting played by a girl, how does that make sense?”

Jiang Wen finally lost patience and interrupted them, “Stop arguing, it’s really annoying.”

Xi Gaoyuan pressed him, “So do you like her or not?”

“…Don’t know.”

“Think about it now, dating and chasing girls isn’t a big deal, right? It’s not embarrassing, you’ll have to take this step sooner or later.”

Just as they were about to continue talking, Zhao Binlin’s sharp eyes spotted Feng Ning.

She stood up from the stone bench, patted her pants, and looked their way saying, “Come on, heroes, let me treat you to dinner.”

Feng Ning didn’t ask for their opinion and chose a restaurant herself. Although the sign was old, the hygiene inside was acceptable, and the young masters reluctantly accepted it.

Usually, they wouldn’t even glance at such a hole-in-the-wall place.

After quickly ordering dishes, Feng Ning went out for a while. When she came back, she was carrying a plastic bag.

The food came quickly – green stir-fried tripe, fragrant braised meat, and steaming hot lamb chops. Xi Gaoyuan picked at it suspiciously with his chopsticks, took a bite, and his eyes lit up, finding the taste surprisingly good. Everyone was hungry and ate with relish.

After eating for a while, Feng Ning put down her chopsticks and quietly watched the others eating across from her. She cleared her throat, “I have to say, you all looked pretty cool cursing just now.”

Before they could react, still chewing their food in silence, they heard Feng Ning sarcastically add, “Although you did look quite pathetic when getting beaten up later.”

“Fuck off.” Being reminded of the embarrassing scene, Xi Gaoyuan got angry again, “One day, young master here will find some people and beat those idiots to death, just wait till I catch them.”

Feng Ning crossed her arms, “If the teachers hadn’t come today, you three would probably be in the hospital right now.”

Zhao Binlin rubbed his nose and shouted energetically, “Do you know what youthful recklessness means? What’s wrong with being in the hospital? It’s just another life experience.”

“Being in the hospital would be lucky, what if you ended up in the morgue?”

Zhao Binlin was speechless for a moment.

When Feng Ning lectured others, she was completely different from her usual playful self, her voice becoming very stern: “I know it’s not my place to criticize you. But I still want to say, the wise adapt to circumstances. Showing off momentary bravado is pointless, do what’s within your capabilities.”

While the other three were still stunned, she returned to her relaxed demeanor, “Learning to bow your head is a required course. It’s okay if you don’t learn it now. It’s just that your falls haven’t been painful enough, your injuries not severe enough. Eventually, one day when the pain is deep enough to be unforgettable, you’ll learn.”

After her meaningful words, the table was quiet for a while. Jiang Wen looked up, his gaze meeting Feng Ning’s.

Unable to argue back, Zhao Binlin clapped, “The neon lights intoxicate, listen to sister Ning teach about life.”

Xi Gaoyuan had a strange expression: “Feng Ning, why do you sound so much like a guidance counselor?”

Feng Ning glanced at him and answered seriously, “You’re not wrong, that’s one of my dreams.”

Zhao Binlin couldn’t help laughing at her.

Several bottles of beer were placed on the table. Feng Ning opened them one by one, passing them to Zhao Binlin and Xi Gaoyuan. She got a new glass, poured a little, and placed it in front of Jiang Wen.

She took a big gulp first, raised her bottle, and said to them, “But still, thank you for today.”

After a bewildering two seconds, Xi Gaoyuan followed with a gulp, “First time meeting a girl like you, it’s refreshing.”

Zhao Binlin got excited too, “How about switching to spirits?”

“Forget it, we still have school tomorrow, let’s just keep it symbolic. Another day I’ll treat you properly at Jiantang.”

Jiang Wen looked at the glass in front of him, estimating it was at most two sips. After a pause, he finally spoke: “What do you mean?”

“People who can’t handle alcohol should drink less, to avoid trouble.” Feng Ning chuckled meaningfully.

Midway through the meal, Zhao Binlin suddenly said, “Ah, I need to use the bathroom.”

When he came back, he whispered in Feng Ning’s ear, “Didn’t you go buy something earlier? Did you already pay the bill?”

Feng Ning remained composed, “I said I’m treating, eat without worry.”

Zhao Binlin became anxious, “If others found out that we three guys let a girl treat us to dinner, how embarrassing would that be?”

Feng Ning smiled mischievously, wickedly, “Want me to teach you a trick?”

“What?”

Feng Ning lowered her voice and whispered in his ear for a while.

Soon after, Xi Gaoyuan suddenly stood up from his seat, with exactly the same line, “I need to use the bathroom.”

Feng Ning waved her hand, saying, “Alright, alright, sit down, don’t sneak off to pay the bill, I said I’m treating today.”

Xi Gaoyuan frowned, “How can we let that happen?”

“Then how about this.” Feng Ning slapped the table with one hand and announced: “None of us will pay, let’s dine and dash!”

The other two looked at her.

Feng Ning pointed at herself, “Wait, I’ll run first.” Then pointed at Xi Gaoyuan, “Then you run.”

She pointed to Zhao Binlin, “You follow, Jiang Wen brings up the rear.”

Feng Ning smiled happily, clapping excitedly: “Everyone remember to be quick and run fast, don’t get caught!”

Seeing Zhao Binlin’s expression, Xi Gaoyuan instantly caught on and laughed uncontrollably, playing along, “Alright, if we’re playing, let’s play. Whoever doesn’t run is a coward.”

“Okay.” Feng Ning winked slyly, lowering her voice, “Ready?”

Zhao Binlin and Xi Gaoyuan nodded seriously.

“3, 2, 1—Run!”

After giving the command, she whirled away like a gust of wind.

The waitress stood frozen, startled, and before she could recover, two more gusts of wind swept past. She patted her chest, calming her heartbeat, shaking her head, unable to understand these high school students’ performance art.

Jiang Wen sat alone, waiting until they had all run out, then slowly stood up and went to the front desk to pay.

Just as he opened Alipay, his arm was pulled. He turned to see Feng Ning panting, with an expression of exasperation, “I already paid, you fool.”

Outside, they discovered it was drizzling. Xi Gaoyuan and Zhao Binlin had already run off without a trace.

Feng Ning looked around, “You’re injured, can’t get wet. Come on, let’s take shelter in that pavilion.”

Jiang Wen didn’t object, silently following her to sit on the bench in the pavilion.

She looked down, opened the plastic bag, rummaging through it noisily, pulling out hydrogen peroxide, iodine, band-aids, and cotton swabs.

“Do you know how to use these?” She handed them to him.

Jiang Wen looked for two seconds, then shook his head.

Feng Ning became a bit impatient, “Straighten your knee.” She crouched in front of him.

She observed for two seconds before starting. Having treated Meng Hanmo’s wounds many times, she had become quite skilled.

The moment the medicine touched him, Jiang Wen instinctively flinched.

Feng Ning paused, glancing at him, “Does it hurt?”

“It’s fine.”

She slowed down, “It will hurt a bit, bear with it.”

Jiang Wen watched her serious expression as she applied the iodine, becoming slightly distracted.

A single lamp hung overhead, barely illuminating this small space. Everything beyond was blurred by darkness and rain. Feng Ning squinted, her face looking mysterious in the light and shadow, with a slight smile at the corners of her mouth.

It was just like their first meeting, when she smiled that same way, coming and going, and he, bewitched, let her trick him out of his clothes.

When he came to his senses, he realized he had fallen into her trap.

Jiang Wen’s heartbeat gradually quickened, his mind filled with fragments of memories and Xi Gaoyuan’s words.

He could no longer tell if her behavior toward him included any element of playing hard to get.

If she was playing hard to get, then what about him?

Was he willingly sinking into it?

Feng Ning looked up, meeting Jiang Wen’s direct gaze.

They stared at each other silently, the emotions in his eyes unmasked, immediately understood by Feng Ning.

He asked, “Are you this nice to everyone? Doesn’t your boyfriend mind?”

At such close distance, Feng Ning lifted her lips slightly, smiling at him, “Jiang Wen, I’ve told you before, haven’t I?”

He was confused for a moment, “What?”

“Whether you think I’m presumptuous or reading too much into things, I’ll tell you one more time.”

Feng Ning looked at him steadily, her tone firm, “Don’t fall for me.”

Jiang Wen didn’t respond.

He clearly knew she had a boyfriend. He clearly knew that after being rejected so explicitly multiple times, anyone with sense and shame would have backed off.

Outside the bus shelter, the drizzle hadn’t stopped, and in the flickering lamplight, it seemed to be getting heavier.

Time stretched on slowly.

At some point, Jiang Wen became extremely disappointed in himself. Because he heard himself say,

“—What if I’ve already fallen for you?”