ATLAS TRANSLATES

Few people were around. A car passed by, honking twice with its high beams on. It briefly illuminated the inside of the car.

Then darkness fell again.

Feng Ning was stunned by his mature and direct words.

Jiang Wen’s silhouette was covered in flickering light and shadow. His expression wasn’t particularly excited, but emotions churned in his eyes. He held Feng Ning’s wrist but made no further moves.

Feng Ning stared at him, appearing deep in thought.

Finally, Jiang Wen moved. Without a word, he slowly loosened his grip and let her go.

Just as Feng Ning started to laugh, he kissed her again.

After a long while, they separated.

Jiang Wen straightened up and said slowly, “You should go up now.”

…

…

Just after entering her home, Feng Ning saw the empty dog bed in the living room and messaged Min Yueyue.

Ning: [I’m back in Shanghai, I’ll pick up the dog tomorrow. Is it doing okay at your place?]

MY: [It’s fine! Where did you and handsome Jiang go, playing until now?? Any progress??]

Ning: [Stop gossiping]

After thinking for a moment, she sent Jiang Wen a message too.

Ning: [I’m home, going to clean up. Send me a message when you get home.]

After waiting two minutes with no reply, she figured he was probably driving. Feng Ning put down her phone, took off her coat, and went to shower.

She hummed unconsciously, eyes closed, letting the shower water flow down. When she reached for the shampoo, she glimpsed the scar on her arm.

Her fingertip touched it, slowly sliding along the wound. Slightly raised, it stretched across her skin.

After a dazed moment, Feng Ning lowered her hand.

Her good mood suddenly dissipated a little.

Steam filled the bathroom, making everything hazy like a dream. These past two days with Jiang Wen in Nancheng also felt like a dream. She floated along, floating back to her carefree youth. Fearless of everything, she would cry loudly, laugh loudly, without restraint.

Only now, alone, did she feel a sense of reality with her feet on the ground.

After finishing her shower and coming out, the first thing she did was check her phone.

Half an hour ago, Jiang Wen had replied with an “okay.”

While buttoning her pajamas, Feng Ning sat on the bed and messaged Jiang Wen:

Ning: [Home yet?]

-61nfiawj: [No]

Ning: [How long has it been?]

A few minutes passed.

-61nfiawj: [Done with your shower?]

Ning: [Yes]

Another few minutes, and Jiang Wen sent an “oh.”

Ning: [Where are you? Don’t text while driving]

-61nfiawj: [Take a picture of the moon for me to see]

Feng Ning found this message strange. She thought Jiang Wen was being quite romantic. She laughed, got up and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains.

Turning on the flash, she casually took a photo of the crescent moon in the night sky. Feng Ning leaned against the window and sent the picture to Jiang Wen.

Ning: [How’s that, satisfied?]

-61nfiawj: [Image]

Feng Ning opened the image he sent – it was pitch black except for a bright spot in the middle. She glanced at it briefly, assuming he had also taken a photo of the moon.

She zoomed in and looked more carefully. Something wasn’t right – that red building looked familiar, wasn’t this her apartment complex?

Feng Ning continued zooming in with her thumb and index finger. She froze.

In the image Jiang Wen sent, that bright spot was her lit window.

Feng Ning quickly moved her phone away and looked down, but the darkness of night revealed nothing except a few faint trees.

Ning: [You’re still downstairs and haven’t left?]

-61nfiawj: [Mm]

So when he asked her to photograph the moon earlier, it was just to capture her?

She had to admit, suddenly even someone like Feng Ning who wasn’t prone to sentimentality was moved by his romance.

She laughed for a long while.

Ning: [Want to come up?]

-61nfiawj: [No]

Ning: [?]

-61nfiawj: [Not safe]

Ning: [It’s fine, nothing unsafe about it. I trust you.]

-61nfiawj: [I’m worried about my own safety]

Ning: [???]

Ning: [………]

Ning: [Alright then, your self-preservation instinct is indeed quite strong]

Feng Ning lay on the windowsill laughing. After laughing enough, she originally wanted to call out Jiang Wen’s name, to interact with him across the distance. But it was so late, she worried about disturbing others, so she gave up. She went back to bed and messaged Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen sat leaning against the planter. From far away, he watched as the curtains drew closed over that lit window, and the light dimmed.

His phone vibrated with a message from Feng Ning.

Ning: [Alright, hurry home now]

The arm holding his phone dropped to his side, a glowing red point flickering at his fingertips.

It took Jiang Wen a long while to collect his thoughts.

They’d been apart for less than an hour, and he already missed her.

After making a cup of milk, Feng Ning got into bed with her laptop, nestled in her blankets, proofreading an English document.

Jiang Wen initiated a video call.

She answered, fixed her phone on its stand, and reached out to adjust the angle, “Wait a few minutes, I’m almost done reading these last few sections.”

Feng Ning continued reading the document.

After a while, she glanced at her phone screen and found Jiang Wen’s end was black.

Feng Ning closed her laptop, put it aside, picked up her phone and said, “Where are you? I can’t see you.”

Jiang Wen’s voice came through: “It’s enough for me to see you.”

Feng Ning turned off the main light, leaving only a desk lamp on. She pulled a pillow behind her back, fixed her hair for the camera and said, “It’s boring just looking at me.”

Jiang Wen showed half his face.

Feng Ning said: “You’re not… embarrassed, are you?”

Jiang Wen remained silent.

She smiled.

There was some movement on Jiang Wen’s end as he also got into bed, this time showing his whole face.

Fresh from the shower, his black short hair was slightly damp, and he wore a low-necked sweater. Maybe because of the video filter, his slightly upturned eyes looked very gentle.

She studied the painting behind him for a moment – dark blue tones, like a twisted sunflower, “Where did you learn all these girl-chasing techniques? You’re quite skilled.”

Jiang Wen was confused: “What?”

“Having me take pictures of the moon and all.”

He asked: “Where’s the dog?”

Feng Ning was getting sleepy and yawned, “Left it at Min Yueyue’s, I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Feng Ning: “Oh, okay.”

“What time tomorrow?”

“After work.”

Jiang Wen switched his phone from his left hand to his right, poured himself a glass of water, “What time do you get off work?”

“Five-thirty.”

On the other end of the call, Jiang Wen tentatively said: “I’ll wait for you at your company?”

“Whatever, do you know where my company is?”

“Yes.”

…

…

In her drowsy state, Feng Ning didn’t even know when she dozed off.

The next day she was woken by her alarm. Checking her phone, she saw their video call from last night had lasted several hundred minutes, only ending after six in the morning.

Having just passed New Year’s Day, everyone was quite listless. Shi Yuange held an early meeting. As Feng Ning passed by the break room, she happened to hear Guan Tongfu discussing Maruko’s situation.

Thinking of Jiang Wen, she took out her phone and searched for “maruko.”

The first result that popped up was actually from Baidu Translate.

maruko — meatball noodles

She was stunned, then Baidu Images appeared. All the related images were of a familiar anime character, Chibi Maruko-chan.

She clicked on a Baidu Zhidao entry:

Maruko’s full name is Sakura Momoko, romanized in Japanese as sakuramomoko.

Her nickname is Maruko, romanized in Japanese as chibimaruko.

Maruko…. was that what it meant?

She remembered that day when she delivered documents to Manager Li, she had visited Jiang Wen’s company once, and their logo was something like a cherry.

Many details and scenes flashed through her mind, then everything connected. For a moment, complex emotions filled Feng Ning’s chest.

Since their youth, Jiang Wen had always been like this with her. Awkward yet proud, but his feelings for her were direct and honest, his heart laid bare before her, letting her do as she pleased.

Xiao Zhu floated past her with a water cup, “Goddess, what are you spacing out about!”

Feng Ning smiled: “Nothing.”

She was distracted all day.

Near the end of work, Guan Tongfu came to discuss contract details with Feng Ning.

Feng Ning replied to Jiang Wen’s messages while half-heartedly listening to him.

After a while, Guan Tongfu suspiciously stopped: “Sister Ning, do you have something on your mind?”

Feng Ning made a sound of acknowledgment, “What would I have on my mind?”

“That’s what I’m asking you.”

Hearing Feng Ning’s phone ring, Guan Tongfu shut up. He watched her finish a phone call and was about to continue.

Feng Ning hurriedly asked: “Why haven’t you gone home yet?”

Guan Tongfu: “What time is it?”

Feng Ning lifted her wrist to check her watch, “Five forty already.” She began tidying up her desk.

Guan Tongfu scratched the back of his head, “Sister Ning, do you have plans?”

“Yes, I do. For the contract matters, go talk to the legal department.” As she spoke, she took off her work badge, “I’m leaving first.”

Guan Tongfu turned around and brushed past Xiao Zhu.

Xiao Zhu chased after Feng Ning’s retreating figure, “—Sister Ning, wait for me!”

In the descending elevator, Xiao Zhu giggled twice.

Feng Ning was touching up her lipstick in the reflection, and glanced at her.

Xiao Zhu: “Sister Ning, what shade is that lipstick?”

“Forgot,” Feng Ning said to the mirror, using her index finger to wipe away excess color at the corner of her lips.

Xiao Zhu blinked her eyes and gossipped, “You’re still making yourself pretty after work, are you going on a date?”

With a ding, the elevator reached the first floor.

After a brief silence, Feng Ning put the lipstick back in her bag, “Why are you so concerned about everything? Too much free time?”

Xiao Zhu pouted.

The two walked out together. Just after passing through the revolving glass doors, they immediately saw Jiang Wen.

He had parked by the road and was standing under a tree. Very eye-catching in his suit, everyone who passed by couldn’t help but look at him a few times.

Xiao Zhu and Feng Ning’s steps stopped simultaneously, “Hey… isn’t that…”

“My friend is here, I’ll go over first.”

After saying goodbye to Xiao Zhu, ignoring her surprised gaze, Feng Ning walked straight to Jiang Wen.

“How long have you been waiting?”

Jiang Wen raised an eyebrow without speaking.

Feng Ning stood in front of him, raised her hand, and flicked his cheek.

It was quite soft, nice to touch.

So she couldn’t help but flick it two more times.

Jiang Wen quietly watched Feng Ning, letting her bully him for quite a while before catching her hand.

He was driving the same car as that day.

Feng Ning entered Min Yueyue’s address into the navigation – it was in Jing’an district.

Jiang Wen drove while Feng Ning sat beside him messaging Min Yueyue.

While waiting for a reply, she turned her head to look at him. Jiang Wen focused on the road ahead, very seriously driving.

Just as they reached a turning point, he steered with one hand.

Feng Ning thought of the recently viral TikTok trend — filming boyfriend driving.

Following her impulse, Feng Ning leaned sideways and opened her camera.

In the slightly shaky footage, his suit sleeve was neat, there was a silver watch on his left wrist, a few veins slightly protruded on the back of his hand, and half his palm casually rested on the steering wheel.

His fingers were long and slender, straight and delicate.

Seeing Feng Ning filming him, Jiang Wen raised his right hand to change gears, “What are you doing?”

“Ah, you look quite handsome when driving, super alpha.”

Jiang Wen understood that Feng Ning was complimenting him.

Feng Ning directed him: “Quick, turn the steering wheel again.”

Jiang Wen: “…”

Feng Ning urged: “Hurry up.”

He glanced at her, “There’s no turn coming up.”

Her phone kept dinging with WeChat notification sounds.

Usually after work, Feng Ning would turn off WeChat sounds in settings, leaving only vibration. Today she hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

She opened WeChat to a flood of messages, all from Xiao Zhu:

ZhuZhu pig: [Sister Ning, if I’m not mistaken, wasn’t that just Maruko’s boss?! We even had dinner together before!]

ZhuZhu pig: [Oh my god! I’m blown away, didn’t you just get into his car? That silver BMW?]

ZhuZhu pig: [Oh right, you two were high school classmates.. are you going to a class reunion with him today?!]

ZhuZhu pig: [But, but why did I see your greedy hands touch that super hunk’s face? And you even took advantage of him, I think I must be blind..]

Xiao Zhu sent up to this point when Feng Ning finally interrupted her.

Ning: [Can you calm down a bit?]

ZhuZhu pig: [No, I really can’t calm down, what’s your relationship with him?]

Ning: [It’s the kind of relationship you’re thinking of.]

ZhuZhu pig: [I dare not think….]

Ning: [It’s okay, go ahead and think about it]

ZhuZhu pig: [Is it the kind where you can sleep together?]

Ning: [.]

Ning: [More or less]

After being silent for half a minute, Xiao Zhu, even more excited than Double Yao, sent countless exclamation marks and question marks flooding the screen.

Feng Ning was about to reply to Xiao Zhu when Jiang Wen suddenly called her name.

Feng Ning made a sound of acknowledgment, “What is it, are we there?”

Jiang Wen said casually, “Need to turn.”

At first hearing, Feng Ning didn’t understand, but after a pause she realized what he meant and laughed.

Min Yueyue was waiting downstairs holding the dog leash, with Bo Hongyi standing beside her.

The situation was somewhat awkward.

The four people looked at each other.

Little Yellow started barking excitedly upon seeing Feng Ning and Jiang Wen, wagging its tail enthusiastically. Min Yueyue pointed at them in surprise, her eyes falling on their clasped hands, “Are you two…”

Feng Ning took the dog.

Bo Hongyi was petrified on the spot.

Min Yueyue at least had some mental preparation, but he was completely uninformed, facing such a shocking scene. He stared with disbelieving eyes, looked carefully twice more – it really was Jiang Wen.

After a long while, Bo Hongyi found his voice: “Ryan…?”

Min Yueyue kept giving her meaningful looks.

Feng Ning was very calm, “Thanks for taking care of the dog. Why don’t I treat you to dinner while we’re here?”

Min Yueyue readily agreed, “Sure, sure.”

While Jiang Wen and Bo Hongyi were talking, Min Yueyue pulled Feng Ning aside, “You two are really together?!”

Feng Ning was a bit helpless: “Why does everyone look at me like they’ve seen a bomb go off when I’m just dating someone?”

Min Yueyue pinched her face hard, “Obviously because your boyfriend is too perfect!”

…

…

In the car, Jiang Wen drove with Feng Ning in the passenger seat.

Bo Hongyi and Min Yueyue sat in the back.

Having weathered many storms in life, Bo Hongyi quickly accepted this reality. He sighed somewhat: “I really never would have guessed that Ryan’s high school ex-girlfriend was you.”

Min Yueyue was reminded of something, “So you two, after going round and round, still ended up with each other?”

Feng Ning made a joke: “I’m only twenty-six, how is this ‘ended up’?”

Jiang Wen drove quietly, not participating in their banter.

Throughout the evening, Bo Hongyi kept describing to Feng Ning just how popular Jiang Wen was in Chinese circles.

At every party, women would come in droves to chat him up – the reserved ones would ask for his number, the bold ones would directly propose one-night stands. But he never accepted any of them, acting like he was asexual.

The funniest part was that later Jiang Wen’s supposed asexuality spread through their circle, and someone even anonymously emailed Bo Hongyi sincerely suggesting he take Jiang Wen to see a psychologist.

When hearing these stories, Feng Ning laughed at first. But as she laughed, she began to feel heartache.

After dinner, Min Yueyue and Bo Hongyi went to see a movie, so they parted ways.

…

…

There was a park nearby, so they took an after-dinner walk in the night breeze, walking the dog.

“Jiang Wen?” Feng Ning called his name.

Jiang Wen stopped walking and turned to look at her.

“I’m a bit tired, let’s find somewhere to sit.”

They found a pavilion to sit in. It overlooked a plaza where elderly people were exercising.

Little Yellow obediently lay on the ground.

Feng Ning asked him with a smile: “Were those things Bo Hongyi said earlier true?”

When she didn’t hear an answer, she asked again: “Were they true?”

“A bit exaggerated,” he said, “But mostly accurate.”

“Are you stupid?” Feng Ning leaned against him, though smiling, her heart ached, “Why are you so stubborn? All these years, you never tried being with anyone else?”

Jiang Wen felt his pocket – it was empty, no cigarettes.

She looked at Jiang Wen’s face.

Almost everyone found it unbelievable that a man like Jiang Wen could be won over by her. Even Feng Ning wondered how she had managed to fool him in the first place.

Over these eight years, Feng Ning had recalled memories with Jiang Wen countless times. From when they first met, she had always been mean to him, constantly picking on him. Later, when her family ran into trouble, Jiang Wen quietly stayed by her side. After her mother passed away, it was also him who accepted all her negative emotions.

The older she got, the more she understood just how sincere Jiang Wen’s feelings had been for her back then.

Feng Ning said helplessly: “Jiang Wen, did I give you some love potion or something? Otherwise why would you only want me?”

A long silence.

Jiang Wen stared at her for a long while before slowly saying, “I fell for you when I was just a teenager. I didn’t know any tricks or strategies. When you rejected me, didn’t like me, I had no way to deal with it. When you were a little nice to me, I didn’t want anyone else.”

Feng Ning was speechless.

“Sixteen was our beginning.”

Jiang Wen’s voice was low but still clear, “Twenty-six isn’t your end, but it is mine.”