ATLAS TRANSLATES

Xiao Mi Yu did not look back again and continued dancing with Li Qiao Qi.

After returning to the booth, Yoneda said in succession: “She looks pretty good, her figure is also decent, but her mind is too simple. She doesn’t understand anything, can’t even understand gestures, so boring!”

Seeing his somewhat angry expression, Jiang Zhichun thoughtfully handed him a drink to calm him down.

Xue Rui glanced at Ji Feng from the side.

He was surprised to see Ji Feng faintly smiling with an upturned mouth.

In the dance floor, Li Qiao Qi slowly swayed along with the music while asking Xiao Mi Yu: “What nonsense was that Japanese guy saying to you just now?”

As she gently swayed her hips, Xiao Mi Yu mocked her: “I remember you took Japanese classes in college too.”

Li Qiao Qi rolled her eyes at her: “Long returned to the teacher. Hey, aren’t you the same as me, also returning everything you learned in school back to the teachers? You don’t understand either yet pretend to be mocking me, right!”

Xiao Mi Yu laughed and shook her head: “Of course I understand. Simply put, he just wanted to hook up with me.”

Somehow, on such a reckless night, even her speech became reckless.

Li Qiao Qi’s brows shot up as she questioned severely: “Why didn’t he want to hook up with me? Am I not hotter??”

Xiao Mi Yu laughed heartily, bending over. She had rediscovered a fascinating person tonight.

Li Qiao Qi also laughed.

The two leaned their shoulders together, lightly bumping into each other.

A server squeezed over looking for Li Qiao Qi, saying a VIP customer wanted to speak with her.

Li Qiao Qi moved to Xiao Mi Yu’s ear and yelled over the loud music: “I gotta go greet some customers. You go ahead and have fun yourself first. Order anything you want, it’s all on me! If you need anything just grab any server and have them call for me, no problem!”

Xiao Mi Yu nodded, telling her to go ahead and not to worry. Li Qiao Qi left with the server.

Xiao Mi Yu thought after this song ended, she’d return to the booth to rest a bit and have some drinks.

Suddenly someone patted her shoulder from behind.

She turned around to see a roguish, booze-reeking face with bright pink hair.

Xiao Mi Yu remembered Li Qiao Qi had called this person “Zhao Xinghua” before.

In the next moment, her eyelid involuntarily twitched.

Because behind Zhao Xinghua’s pink head, she saw someone who also looked familiar.

Just then the dance music ended and the lights brightened.

She could see clearly that the person behind Zhao Xinghua was none other than the scumbag Duan Xiangxiang from the top floor who had constantly bothered her and even caused her one night stand with Ji Feng.

Her hands hanging by her sides involuntarily clenched into fists.

Zhao Xinghua sprayed her with alcohol breath, acting like he was very roguish as he spewed vulgar and offensive words: “Missy, what’s with you? I invite you but you don’t appreciate it, yet you’re quite into dancing by yourself here. Didn’t you say you had a partner? Where’s your partner? Turned invisible? You don’t look like a young girl either, so why are you still lying to people? What’s the point wandering around by yourself here?”

Xiao Mi Yu ignored him, wanting to slip past them before Duan Xiangxiang recognized her.

But as soon as she took a step aside, Zhao Xinghua immediately chased after her like a dog eyeing a steamed bun, blocking her path again.

“You’re quite pretty but so impolite. I’m talking to you, answer me!”

A male voice sounded from behind him.

“That’s enough messing around, Xiao Hua. First take Mr. Duan to a seat.” His voice contained some deterrence and warning.

Xiao Mi Yu hadn’t seen this person before. She looked him over briefly.

Zhao Xinghua immediately turned around at the voice. Despite his drunken, blurry eyes, he displayed the epitome of a fawning yes-man: “Sure thing, cuz! As you say!”

He turned back to Xiao Mi Yu: “What are you looking at? My cousin is Mr. Duan’s assistant, don’t go checking him out! If not for my cousin’s face, I wouldn’t let you off!” After he finished, he let Xiao Mi Yu be and stepped aside. Turning to the man behind, he said: “Mr. Duan, bro, come with me. I’ll take you to the Da Ya booth.”

Xiao Mi Yu silently breathed relief. Standing aside, she waited for them to pass so she could return to her own booth.

She lowered her head, counting them off. Zhao Xinghua passed. Duan Xiangxiang’s new assistant passed. And this Duan Xiangxiang passing now should also…

She lifted her head, preparing to leave as well.

But just as she looked up, she saw Duan Xiangxiang hadn’t continued walking. He stood still before her, staring at her with a mocking smile. His gaze and smile clearly contained malignant intent.

Duan Xiangxiang looked Xiao Mi Yu up and down for a long while before grinning wide, like the scoundrel whose rotten interior was about to spill from his eyes and mouth.

Zhao Xinghua stepped back excitedly asking: “Mr. Duan, you know her?”

Duan Xiangxiang ignored him. He stroked his chin and said to Xiao Mi Yu: “Isn’t this the Ms. Xu who cleans the hotel rooms for me? My, I almost didn’t recognize you. People really depend on clothing, huh? What’s this, bored of hotel work so you came to bars to have fun?”

His voice and tone were extremely lewd. After hearing this, Zhao Xinghua immediately exclaimed: “Oh my, so this lady isn’t so proper after all. Then why keep pretending to be pure around me? Not good enough to entertain you? Let’s see if I don’t make you keep me company tonight, you’re not getting away!”

As he spoke, Zhao Xinghua reached out to grab Xiao Mi Yu’s arm.

Xiao Mi Yu dodged, but Duan Xiangxiang took a step to block her path.

She quickly sidestepped, trying to break through from the other direction. But Duan Xiangxiang called “A-He” and his new assistant immediately copied him, completely barricading her alternate escape route.

Xiao Mi Yu yelled for the servers, wanting to notify Li Qiao Qi to come over. But just then the music swelled deafeningly, completely drowning out her cries.

With Duan Xiangxiang and A-He cutting off her paths and the music muffling her voice, Xiao Mi Yu watched Zhao Xinghua reaching for her and felt her heart plummet heavily.

She couldn’t believe that in 21st century civilized society, in a developed city, a woman could still face such indignities.

She had thought modern life would be bright and beautiful, but the sordid reality slapped her hard.

So when Zhao Xinghua rushed up to her, she reacted without thinking – lifting a hand to fiercely slap his face.

It was the first time in her life slapping someone. Her palm burned and her whole body trembled slightly.

She heard Duan Xiangxiang let out an amused “tsk” beside her: “Interesting!”

The stunned Zhao Xinghua covered his face. It took several seconds before he reacted to what had just happened.

Then he immediately became violent, raising his arm to return the slap.

Xiao Mi Yu had nowhere to evade so she steeled herself, deciding not to dodge or plead but to seize the chance to retaliate when his blow came.

But just as his hand stirred the air before her face, it was halted mid-swing.

The gust of wind made Xiao Mi Yu flinch, her eyes reflexively squeezing shut.

Yet the expected slap didn’t come.

Opening her eyes, she froze in astonishment.

Because the person who had stopped the slap was actually Ji Feng.

He stood right beside her, one hand firmly gripping Zhao Xinghua’s wrist, his face ice cold and disdainful.

Ji Feng flung Zhao Xinghua’s hand away, sending his whole body staggering several steps before he tripped and fell.

Ji Feng’s icy gaze settled on A-He first as he sneered mockingly: “Do you know what became of your Mr. Duan’s last assistant who offended me? Not long ago he committed many offenses and has already been locked away.”

A-He’s expression changed, his eyes already tinged with fear.

Duan Xiangxiang joked with a silly grin: “Old Ji, what’s with the ominous insinuations? Don’t go scaring my assistant like that.”

Ji Feng ignored him and reached out with his other hand, grasping Xiao Mi Yu’s wrist and pulling her behind him.

Xiao Mi Yu’s heart thumped loudly.

Zhao Xinghua clambered up, yelling in a shambles: “Who the hell are you?! Looking to die?!”

Before he finished speaking, A-He had already rushed over to muffle his mouth, pushing him aside.

“Can’t you tell? Even Mr. Duan doesn’t dare provoke this one lightly. Keep your mouth shut and behave!”

Zhao Xinghua was cowed by A-He’s expression and words. He nodded vigorously above the hand gagging him.

On the other side, Duan Xiangxiang watched Ji Feng shield Xiao Mi Yu and made teasing sounds: “What’s going on with you two? Don’t tell me, Old Ji? After sleeping together that night, feelings blossomed?” He lewdly mocked: “You sure have heavy tastes, Old Ji. Aren’t you afraid a used woman like her will dirty you up?”

Ji Feng threw a punch, putting an end to Duan Xiangxiang’s vulgar babbling.

The blow sent Duan Xiangxiang staggering sideways, his head tilting.

But he just laughed, one hand lifting to wipe the blood from his mouth as he cockily straightened back up.

He saw Ji Feng ignore him and turn to glance at Xiao Mi Yu instead.

That woman who had changed so much today, under the intermittent bright lights her face was ashen. Her slender body seemed to teeter on the verge of collapse yet still stood strong and steadfast. She shook her head at Ji Feng to indicate she was fine, wearing that frail yet resilient look.

How interesting. Ji Feng was concerned for her and they could understand each other without speaking. Truly an unexpected delight.

While Duan Xiangxiang watched the show, Ji Feng finally turned back to properly face him.

But his gaze was full of disdain and contempt: “Your assistant isn’t dead yet because he still doesn’t qualify for me to kill. And you’re not dead yet because I’m considering your father’s face. His face is only good for one use. Next time you’re up to no good again, nobody can save you. You’d do well to look after yourself.”

Ji Feng coldly warned Duan Xiangxiang. Oddly, his voice still fully penetrated the deafening music, retaining its lethality.

After hearing this warning, Duan Xiangxiang cackled wildly, even wiping tears of mirth. “Old Ji, aren’t you making yourself sound too merciful? Haven’t you already wrecked me completely? The tiny bit of industry I struggled for years to build up in Thailand, didn’t you sweep it all away cleanly? You know what my old man calls me now? He jabs his finger at me and calls me useless! Think it’s easy for me? I worked hard for so many years just wanting to prove myself to the old fart. And nicely done – you truly know how to destroy what someone wants most!”

He spoke and laughed as if conversing with an old friend. But Xiao Mi Yu felt chills behind Ji Feng, goosebumps rising on her arms.

Ji Feng paid Duan Xiangxiang no more mind. As if unable to see him again, he pulled Xiao Mi Yu and headed out of the dance floor.

His strides were long while Xiao Mi Yu’s dress and steps were small. She was nearly dragged off her feet stumbling after him.

Finally reaching the seating area, he halted abruptly and whipped around.

His gaze raked up and down Xiao Mi Yu’s body like a knife.

She felt flayed by his eye blades, as if her very bones ached faintly.

She expected Ji Feng to next mock and condemn her: What was a woman doing dressing so indecently and coming to such a place late at night?

She had already prepared a retort, wanting to righteously counter: What business is it of yours? How is dressing like this indecent? What’s wrong with this place, are men allowed but not women?

But when Ji Feng spoke, she was taken aback.

“Dressed so nicely yet coming alone to a bar late at night. Do you think everyone here is a good person without any scumbags? Even 5-star hotels have scoundrels, do you think here would be clean?”

His tone was extremely displeased, yet Xiao Mi Yu found it…strangely comfortable and touching.

He said she was dressed nicely tonight, not interrogating her attire.

It turned out she had underestimated him.

She smiled and answered okay, I’ll be careful next time.

But Ji Feng’s voice grew even more irritated.

“Don’t smile!” He even sounded a little frustrated. “Always smiling, aren’t you afraid of wrinkles? Do you know you look like you’re making certain insinuations to men when you smile like that?”

Xiao Mi Yu’s smile froze.

She took back her earlier assessment of Ji Feng. He deserved her underestimation.

Was a woman’s smile an original sin? Those so-called insinuations – weren’t they just imagined by opportunistic men?

She gave Ji Feng a slight bow, wanting to say goodbye and stop imposing.

In a glance, she saw Xue Rui, Jiang Zhichun, and the Japanese man who had hit on her in the dance floor all sitting in the booth behind Ji Feng.

Looking between them and Ji Feng, her heart suddenly felt complicated.

She also couldn’t help thinking, the Japanese man had come with him. So had Jiang Zhichun.

Couldn’t help thinking, he had brought his female companion. She had obediently and charmingly nestled against him. Sitting together, they had been the most pleasing couple in the entire bar.

Then he had blithely allowed his Japanese client, right before his eyes, to enter the dance floor wanting to hit on her.

For a time, Xiao Mi Yu couldn’t describe what she was feeling.

She softly bid Ji Feng goodbye, wanting to hurriedly leave this place.

But Ji Feng called out to stop her again, forbidding her departure.

Then he beckoned to the booth, calling Xue Rui over.

“It’s late, you take her home.” He tersely instructed Xue Rui.

Xue Rui also didn’t rush to leave. He came over and held up the hand Ji Feng had used to punch someone, yammering: “Boss, you didn’t injure your hand right? Oh good, not injured. Why didn’t you let me come with you earlier? Then I could’ve been the one to hit him! Don’t forget I’m also your part-time bodyguard. My fists have been itching!”

Ji Feng shook his hand off in disgust, leaving him to jabber on.

Since Ji Feng ignored him, Xue Rui switched to babbling at Xiao Mi Yu: “Sis Mi Yu, you’re so, so, so elegant tonight! My first impression seeing you was: stunned! My second impression was: yo, this is Sis Mi Yu I know! So beautiful!”

Xiao Mi Yu carefully sniffed him. Xue Rui didn’t reek of alcohol. But why was he acting drunk and hyper? She guessed it must be the environment.

Ji Feng hurried Xue Rui again: “Stop running your mouth and hurry take her home.”

Xiao Mi Yu protested: “I didn’t say I was leaving.”

Just then, a faint floral fragrance drifted over.

It was Jiang Zhichun gracefully walking toward them.

After stopping by Ji Feng’s side, she looped her arm around Ji Feng’s. Smiling brilliantly at Xiao Mi Yu.

Ji Feng’s attention had been occupied by Xiao Mi Yu’s earlier defiance. Thus he didn’t notice what had happened to his arm. Dissatisfied, he coldly eyed Xiao Mi Yu asking: “What time is it and you’re still not leaving? Don’t you have work tomorrow?”

Xiao Mi Yu’s gaze darted swiftly over their linked arms.

Raising her chin, she staunchly answered: “I know my limits. It won’t affect work tomorrow.”

Ji Feng scoffed.

Jiang Zhichun’s clear sweet voice sounded then: “Supervisor Xu why don’t we all head back. Staying up is bad for our skin, especially for us women. We’ll age!”

Xiao Mi Yu could only say: “Then let me go notify my friend first that I’m leaving.”

She left to find Li Qiao Qi at the bar after speaking.

Ji Feng told Xue Rui to also return to the booth and inform Yoneda.

Xue Rui ran over, then quickly ran back to report to Ji Feng: “Mr. Yoneda said, you all go ahead with your business. He already booked a room upstairs at this bar’s hotel. Once he’s played enough, he’ll head up to rest himself, no need for us to worry.”

Ji Feng nodded.

Then he finally noticed Jiang Zhichun had looped arms with him. He promptly uncomfortably extracted his arm. Seeing Jiang Zhichun’s expression dim with hurt, he changed the subject by asking her: “Need to use the restroom?”

Jiang Zhichun instantly turned her dejection into a sweet smile, praising Ji Feng’s thoughtfulness and saying she did want to go.

Ji Feng told her: “Then I’ll wait outside for you. Come straight to the car after using the restroom.”

Jiang Zhichun blanked briefly before pitifully asking: “You won’t come with me?”

Ji Feng’s brows furrowed. “Do I also need to accompany you to the toilet?”

Jiang Zhichun quickly shook her head. “No need, no need! I’m just used to going with my girlfriends, so I absentmindedly asked. You go wait in the car!”

After speaking obediently, she turned and went to the restroom herself. Once she had her back turned, her expression became very aggrieved.

Watching Jiang Zhichun temporarily leave, Ji Feng narrowed his eyes at Xue Rui: “There’s more that Mr. Yoneda said earlier you haven’t relayed, isn’t there?”

Xue Rui’s face looked aghast. He nodded, giving Ji Feng a thumbs up: “Boss is boss, immediately sensing it. No wonder you intentionally got rid of Miss Jiang.”

Ji Feng kicked him. “Cut the crap, what else did Yoneda say?”

Xue Rui dodged while pleading for mercy. He confessed then told Ji Feng: “Mr. Yoneda also said to me earlier: Chairman Ji really is an interesting man. Mouth says one thing but body is very honest, that kind of interesting. When I went to hit on that woman earlier, Chairman Ji still advised me against it, seeming very repulsed. But then seeing that woman get harassed by other men, Chairman Ji rushed over first. And that was right in front of the woman you brought! Chairman Ji really is amazing, enjoying blessings that regular people can’t get.”

Xue Rui mimicked Yoneda’s tone and expressions flawlessly. Ji Feng watched with deeply furrowed brows.

Then he coldly told Xue Rui: “This man truly doesn’t know propriety! After concluding this deal with Yoneda, immediately switch clients.”

Xue Rui gave an “oh”.

Ji Feng immediately instructed Xue Rui: “After sending Xiao Mi Yu back, just go home. You can come to the hotel later tomorrow.”

Hearing he could come in late, Xue Rui was elated enough to nearly take flight.

Not wanting to hear him suck up anymore, Ji Feng directly left for the parking lot outside the bar.

Reaching the car, he opened the door and was about to get in but paused.

He closed the door again and stood outside the car.

After waiting a while, Jiang Zhichun came out.

Like a cheerful, beautiful little bird, she flew out of the bar entrance and up to Ji Feng.

Ji Feng beckoned her over and opened the car door to let her in.

Sitting inside, Jiang Zhichun smiled sweetly at him, expecting him to close the door and enter from the other side.

But after shutting the door, Ji Feng rapped on the front window instead. Once it was lowered, he instructed the driver: “Send Miss Jiang home.”

The driver acknowledged.

Jiang Zhichun was so shocked her smile vanished entirely. She hastily cranked down the window and clung pitifully to the edge, peering at Ji Feng and asking: “You’re not coming with me?”

Ji Feng told her: “I still have matters to handle. My driver will take you home.” After a pause, he added, “He’s been with me many years and is very reliable. You can rest assured.”

Jiang Zhichun disappointedly murmured: “Oh, alright then.” But she raised her eyes again to gaze at Ji Feng outside and said: “We’ll do it like this for today then. Go take care of your things and just have the driver bring me back. But next time, you have to take me yourself!”

Her eyes pleaded as pitifully as her stance appeared.

Yet Ji Feng’s brows swiftly knitted together.

He still wasn’t good with women fawning over him.

Rather than fawning, he preferred them to be unyielding toward him.

But seeing Jiang Zhichun working hard to oblige and accommodate him, he told himself this was his own issue, not the girl’s.

So he curbed his temper and was about to say “I’ll try my best next time”.

Unexpectedly, the girl proved more perceptive than he imagined. As if sensing his discomfort, she promptly provided her own off-ramp.

“Just kidding! Go ahead and take care of your things. I’ll head home then? Bye!”

Ji Feng nodded and gave an “Mm”.

Then he rapped the front door, signaling the driver to go.

As the car departed, Jiang Zhichun still clung to the window waving goodbye to Ji Feng.

Ji Feng waved back, watching car and girl recede into the distance. For some reason, he felt vaguely relieved.

Inside the bar after Ji Feng left, Xue Rui went to the bar looking for Xiao Mi Yu.

He saw her chatting with the smoking hot lady boss of this “Nightlife” bar.

Going over to greet her, he called, “Sis Mi Yu, can we leave now?”

But Xiao Mi Yu looked at him brightly and asked instead: “Assistant Xue, want to join us in doing something bad?”