ATLAS TRANSLATES

Amidst the noisy chaos, sudden heavy coughing sounds broke through. “Tch, be mindful of others.”

They separated, and Feng Ning turned her face away, clearing her throat.

The crew-cut guy smiled warmly, looking them up and down teasingly, “Hold back a bit, this is a dining place.”

After some light banter, he left. For the first time ever, Feng Ning felt a bit embarrassed. Her ears were turning red. She turned to look directly at Jiang Wen.

He was also trying to appear calm, but a thin layer of shyness still appeared on his face.

Not long after, another person came to tease them, saying with a grin: “Ning, why are you still eating? Turn right when you leave, there’s a hotel five hundred meters away, hurry up.”

Feng Ning remained unruffled, making some noncommittal sounds to send the person away. She picked up a grilled chicken wing and put it in her mouth.

A few minutes later, under the table, Feng Ning suddenly kicked him, “Alright, stop being shy.”

Jiang Wen quickly looked up, glaring at Feng Ning.

After glancing at her face a few times, he turned his head away, his eyes wandering elsewhere. With his heart filled with confused feelings, he said trying to cover up: “Can you wipe your mouth?”

“What’s wrong with my mouth?”

“You tell me.”

Feng Ning carelessly sipped her beer, “What? We’ve already kissed, now you’re getting picky?”

Jiang Wen: “?”

She continued obliviously: “There’s still so much left, you’re not going to eat?”

Jiang Wen barely squeezed out a few words, “I can’t eat anymore.”

“How can you waste food? You need to fix this habit.”

Feng Ning picked up a skewer of potatoes and one of crispy bones, “Fine, I’ll finish it then.”

Watching her wolf down the food, Jiang Wen’s romantic bubble burst.

His face alternating between red and white, he felt somewhat defeated, “Who eats barbecue right after confessing their feelings? Feng Ning, are you even a woman?”

“Who says you can’t eat barbecue after confessing?”

Feng Ning didn’t find anything wrong with it at all, “My mood is rarely this good, so my appetite is good too. Of course I should take the chance to eat more.”

Jiang Wen: “…….”

They pushed open the store door and went out into the wind. Feng Ning shivered slightly, burying her face in her scarf to block the wind, hands in her pockets.

They walked side by side on the street, about an arm’s length apart.

Passing by a small convenience store, Feng Ning stopped, “Wait for me here.”

A moment later she came out, tearing open a package of mint candy, throwing two pieces into her mouth before offering some to Jiang Wen.

He took it and put it in his mouth.

It had a very fresh taste, slightly cool.

After the mint candy dissolved, Jiang Wen said: “Give me a tissue.”

Feng Ning dug one out of her bag and gave it to him.

Jiang Wen took the tissue and raised his hand to wipe the corner of her mouth.

Feng Ning froze.

As he withdrew his hand, his movement slowed down. His fingers lingered for a moment, and he couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.

Feng Ning let out a yelp of pain and pulled down his “salty pig’s trotter” (meaning: grabby hand).

Jiang Wen was satisfied.

Their hands naturally remained clasped together, Jiang Wen paused imperceptibly, fingers interlocking tightly.

As they continued walking, their distance grew closer, and occasionally their arms bumped together.

Jiang Wen silently basked in these little moments of sweetness.

Before long, Feng Ning called out to him, “Jiang Wen.”

He turned his head: “Hmm, what is it?”

Feng Ning said with some difficulty: “It’s the middle of winter, and we’re holding hands without gloves, it’s a bit cold.”

Jiang Wen: “…?”

As she spoke, Feng Ning’s hand wriggled a bit, pulling away, “How about this.”

Jiang Wen said nothing, angrily pulling her hand back, stubbornly holding it.

The weather was dry and cold, so she simply stuffed both their joined hands into her coat pocket, “This is a bit warmer.”

Around five-thirty or six o’clock, light snow began falling from the sky. It was New Year’s Day, and the festive atmosphere was thick. East Street was decorated with lanterns and ornaments, warm and lively. They walked among the sea of people, just like any other ordinary couple.

As they wandered aimlessly forward, her phone vibrated – a call from Zhao Weichen.

Feng Ning answered with her free hand.

“Sister Ning, Shuangyao said you’re back?”

Feng Ning made an affirmative sound, “Yes.”

“How long are you staying?”

Feng Ning thought for a moment, “Not sure, probably leaving tomorrow, I have to work the day after.”

Zhao Weichen made a couple of “oh” sounds: “So what’s your situation now?”

“I’m with a friend.”

Zhao Weichen shouted: “What friend? You’ve abandoned me and Shuangyao.”

Feng Ning admitted straightforwardly: “Boyfriend.”

Hearing her say this word, Jiang Wen started.

Zhao Weichen let out several “holy crap”s, “Really? Boyfriend?? Who is it, do I know him, is this guy reliable?”

“Lower your voice, what are you so excited about.”

“What?!” Zhao Weichen confirmed again, “You really got into a relationship? This is too sudden, I wasn’t mentally prepared at all. No way, I need to come see what’s going on.”

Feng Ning held the phone slightly away and looked at Jiang Wen: “Want my childhood friend to come over?”

Jiang Wen shook his head.

“He’s not willing,” Feng Ning brushed off Zhao Weichen, “Forget it then, be sensible and don’t disturb our private time.”

After hanging up, Feng Ning asked, “What should we do now?”

Jiang Wen was silent for a moment, then answered in a mosquito-like voice: “Take a shower.”

“What?” Feng Ning hadn’t heard clearly, “Shower?”

“Mm.”

She made an “ah” sound.

Jiang Wen slightly furrowed his brows, explaining to her: “I didn’t shower yesterday, I smell.”

Feng Ning lifted her collar to smell it, then sniffed her sleeve, indeed there was a barbecue smell. Considering Jiang Wen’s cleanliness obsession, she asked, “Should we book flights back now? There’s nowhere to shower here, and we don’t have change of clothes.”

Jiang Wen refused, “We’ll leave tomorrow.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Jiang Wen: “Go buy clothes now.”

Feng Ning couldn’t believe it: “Say that again?”

So, Jiang Wen repeated: “Now, go buy.”

Seeing his expression wasn’t joking, Feng Ning said: “Is that really necessary?”

Jiang Wen looked at her.

His face clearly wrote two words: Necessary.

…

…

Feng Ning truly didn’t know what to say.

Although she couldn’t understand this behavior, considering they’d only been together for less than two hours, after some thought, she decided to go along with Jiang Wen.

They hailed a taxi to a nearby shopping area.

Entering a random store, the staff eagerly introduced them to the latest popular styles. As Feng Ning’s eyes scanned around, something occurred to her, “Jiang Wen, how come I don’t remember ever seeing you wear a down jacket?”

Even in high school, she basically never saw him wear one.

Jiang Wen: “Don’t really like them.”

“Why?”

“Not good-looking.”

Feng Ning: “……”

“Then you can try a different style today.”

Feng Ning picked through the racks, selected several pieces, and threw them at Jiang Wen, telling him to try them on.

Finally, when he tried on a short black puffy down jacket, Feng Ning’s eyes lit up.

She pushed Jiang Wen in front of the mirror, standing with him: “See, aren’t you quite handsome? Very Korean style, like the ace of some popular boy group.”

Several female staff members smiled like flowers, all agreeing from the side.

Jiang Wen felt extremely uncomfortable being admired by Feng Ning with such undisguised appreciation.

He found it awkward no matter how he looked at it and was about to take it off.

The staff said to Feng Ning: “Oh, this jacket is unisex, why don’t you both buy one, as couple outfits?”

Jiang Wen’s movement to remove the jacket paused, looking at her.

Feng Ning nodded: “Okay, let me try one.”

Soon, Feng Ning was wearing the same style jacket as Jiang Wen, one tall and one short, standing together.

Looking in the mirror, Feng Ning experienced for the first time what it meant to have inferior presence.

She had always been extremely confident about her appearance, but compared to Jiang Wen’s face, she felt like she looked significantly more ordinary.

She thoughtfully stroked her chin, “With your baby face, people would believe if you said you were still in high school. When we hold hands on the street, will someone report me for corrupting a minor?”

Jiang Wen couldn’t stand her peculiar sense of humor: “Can you stop talking nonsense all the time?”

When he was swiping his card, Feng Ning stood beside him.

After they left, she said in a teasing tone: “Why were you in such a hurry to pay?”

Jiang Wen looked straight ahead: “Or were you planning to split it with me?”

Feng Ning sighed, “Watching someone swipe their card for you turns out to be such a pleasant thing.”

Jiang Wen glanced at her.

Feng Ning’s lips curved up, unable to hide the lilt in her voice as she said proudly: “And such a handsome one too, I feel so proud.”

They bought some disposable underwear and a travel set of toiletries at Watson’s. Feng Ning thought of a question, “Where are we going to shower?”

Jiang Wen: “Hotel.”

Feng Ning made an “oh” sound, “Getting a room, are you really just wanting to shower or do you have other intentions?”

“You can wait in the hallway while I shower.”

Jiang Wen sneered: “I’m more worried about you having thoughts about me.”

Who would have thought two professional adults in their mid-twenties would get a hotel room just to shower – it would be embarrassing to tell others.

When Jiang Wen came out of the bathroom, Feng Ning was sitting cross-legged by the large floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the city’s beautiful night view.

Her freshly washed long hair wasn’t completely dry yet, the down jacket casually draped over her shoulders. With the curtains open, her silhouette and the scattered lights outside were reflected in the glass.

Jiang Wen was using a towel to dry his hair, momentarily losing focus.

Feng Ning also saw his reflection in the glass, she turned her head, “You’re done?”

Jiang Wen nodded.

Feng Ning waved, patting the soft cushion beside her, “Come sit.”

This was a protruding small balcony, and being up high, the view was expansive, encompassing most of the southern city.

The light snow hadn’t stopped, the lights were brilliant, traffic flowed endlessly on the roads below, people coming and going. The room had the heating on, it was warm and cozy, Feng Ning really liked this feeling. After looking absent-mindedly for a while, she turned her head.

She was startled.

Jiang Wen was sitting opposite her, his hand resting on his bent leg, leaning against the wall behind him. Silently watching Feng Ning.

“Why are you staring at me so intensely?”

Jiang Wen maintained his previous position without moving, gazing at her: “Are you shy?”

Feng Ning laughed dismissively, “If you’re not shy, what do I have to be shy about?”

She moved in a bit more, inviting him: “Why don’t you come sit with me?”

Jiang Wen sat down beside her, Feng Ning suddenly said: “Am I pretty? You were looking for so long.”

Jiang Wen chuckled softly: “You really think too highly of yourself.”

Having used the same brand of body wash, they sat close together, their scents similar.

Feng Ning lazily stretched out her legs, feeling an inexplicable sense of peace.

She hadn’t slept since last night, and now relaxing, she yawned, her voice becoming fuzzy, “…I think I’m getting a bit sleepy.”

“Want to sleep on the bed?”

Feng Ning tilted her body slightly, “I like curling up here, it feels safe.”

The wall lamp cast a dim orange light, Jiang Wen pressed her head onto his shoulder, “Then just sleep like this.”

“I still want to chat with you though.”

Jiang Wen: “Chat about what?”

“Tell me about your life abroad these past few years. Did you get a full scholarship at Yale?”

“Mm.”

“Can you cook now?”

“A little.”

“Like what?”

“Toast bread.”

Feng Ning couldn’t help laughing again, “That’s not much progress. So besides studying, what else do you like to do?”

“Watch movies, browse bookstores, drive to watch sunsets.”

“Pretty romantic.”

…

…

They chatted back and forth, in this night, Jiang Wen’s voice gentle and deep, Feng Ning fell under its spell, unconsciously, her eyelids slowly closed.

The snow stopped around midnight, and there was a blanket covering her.

Feng Ning’s body slid down, her legs curled up, lying on her side, her whole body curled up like a shrimp, her breathing much steadier than before.

The long night dragged on, after who knows how long, Feng Ning opened her eyes.

Jiang Wen was very close.

She looked up at him from below.

He was dealing with work emails, his profile lit by the faint light of his phone, slightly furrowing his brows, looking very serious. Noticing movement, Jiang Wen turned his eyes towards her.

She asked hazily: “How long did I sleep?”

Jiang Wen checked the time, “Not long.”

Seeing her sit up, Jiang Wen asked: “You’re not sleeping anymore?”

“Mm.” Feng Ning rubbed her eyes, turned her head to look, the snow outside had stopped, the roofs and ground covered in white.

Feng Ning held Jiang Wen’s hand, feeling how cold it was, she pulled his hand into the still-warm blanket, warming it for him for a while.

Feng Ning’s mouth was a bit dry, she stood up, stepping over Jiang Wen, went to the table to get a bottle of mineral water, twisted off the cap and took a sip.

At midnight, she finished drinking and sat back down beside Jiang Wen.

There was still residual warmth in the blanket, her soft hair tips brushed against his wrist, Jiang Wen picked up a strand between his fingers.

Feng Ning felt a twinge of pain, sat up, swatted his hand away, “What are you doing?”

He didn’t speak.

Feng Ning observed Jiang Wen’s expression: “What is it, thinking of some sad memory again?”

“Besides you, what other sad memories could I have?”

“Then I’m quite proud.” Feng Ning smiled, “You know what, when I first saw you I thought, how could there be someone like you in this world, looking down on everyone from up high, couldn’t be more arrogant. But in the end, I actually became your life’s only sad memory, that’s quite an achievement.”

Jiang Wen lowered his face, his expression unclear, his voice light and steady, “You destroyed all my confidence.”

She knew what he was referring to. Feng Ning pondered for a moment, “You should have more confidence in yourself. With your looks, I’m not a nun, given enough time, I was bound to fall for you.”

She sighed long: “I was young and didn’t know better.”

Seeing Jiang Wen still not speaking, Feng Ning suddenly bit his earlobe.

Jiang Wen covered his ear, “What are you doing?”

Seeing him shiver from her kiss, Feng Ning was in a great mood and recklessly laughed out loud.

Seeing this, Jiang Wen also moved closer and bit her lip in retaliation.

It was really a bite.

After biting, he hastily pulled back.

Jiang Wen’s breathing was tight, somewhat chaotic.

Feng Ning was still provoking: “Hmm? That’s it?”

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Wen gripped the back of Feng Ning’s head, his whole body pressing forward. His Adam’s apple moved violently as he intertwined with her lips and tongue, bit by bit, tirelessly kissing her again and again. Swallowing saliva, their hot breaths mingling.

Emotions that had been suppressed for so long burst forth. His heart spasmed uncontrollably, beating out of control.

It was a very thorough deep kiss.

After who knows how long, Jiang Wen’s movements finally slowed down. He released Feng Ning and opened his eyes to look at her expression.

He only paused for two or three seconds before uncontrollably leaning in again.

Jiang Wen lowered his head, extended his tongue, and licked her lips.

Wanting to do it again.

She was almost suffocating and pushed him away slightly, her chest rising and falling as she breathed heavily, “Brother, let me catch my breath.”

Feng Ning supported herself with one hand on the cushion, forced to lean back by him.

After catching her breath for quite a while.

Feng Ning’s eyes were bright and watery, her lips moist and red, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Jiang Wen leaned against the wall, not moving, still looking at her.

“What, gone mute again?”

After a moment, he answered in a low, hoarse voice, “I haven’t kissed enough.”