ATLAS TRANSLATES

Xu Miyu began to take on the role of Ji Feng’s assistant.

For a week, she followed Xue Rui closely, observing how he arranged Ji Feng’s work, handled Ji Feng’s daily affairs, assisted Ji Feng in meeting clients, and pre-screened and classified documents in advance.

She worked hard to learn, memorizing everything Xue Rui taught her like a black hole absorbing information.

After a week, she tried to work independently and surprisingly managed to organize Ji Feng’s work and life properly.

Ji Feng was pleased with Xu Miyu’s intelligence and work insight, but he was also strict. If she did something wrong or not up to par, he would criticize and correct her sternly.

Sometimes, Xu Miyu felt a bit aggrieved. The person criticizing her relentlessly was none other than her boyfriend.

However, she consoled herself, reminding that it was the right thing to do. After all, besides being her boyfriend, he was also her boss. They had agreed that work and personal matters would not be mixed.

Moreover, if she performed well, she wouldn’t face criticism. Ultimately, it was her own issue.

Usually, in public, they maintained a boss-assistant relationship. Ji Feng remained cold and distant, not easily pleased. Xu Miyu continued to be respectful, well-behaved, and within bounds.

They both agreed to keep their relationship private, separating work and love. Ji Feng had advised Xu Miyu, “Letting others know about a personal relationship with my assistant could complicate things.”

Xu Miyu agreed with this perspective, thinking that if their relationship was public, people might attribute her achievements to having Ji Feng as a boyfriend. They wouldn’t see her efforts and capabilities.

Despite agreeing, Xu Miyu couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if others found out about their relationship.

When she finally voiced this concern, she realized that what she really wanted to understand was whether Ji Feng was concerned about inconvenience or if he thought their mismatched image would trouble him in others’ eyes.

Seeing Ji Feng’s furrowed brow, she quickly assured him that she would handle it discreetly.

Ji Feng patted her shoulder and instructed her not to overthink. He urged her to prepare for their upcoming meeting with clients.

In the study, Xu Miyu hurriedly prepared the documents Ji Feng would need.

Observing her from behind, Ji Feng pondered. He wanted to tell her that if others discovered their relationship, it wouldn’t matter to him, but she might face unnecessary scrutiny. However, he struggled to find the right words, fearing she might interpret it as a critique of her current abilities.

Luckily, she seemed to quickly understand his intentions and assured him that everything would be fine.

As Xu Miyu packed the files in the study, she couldn’t help but think about their conversation.

Ji Feng, on the other hand, was relieved that she understood his intentions. He wanted her to excel independently in her career without being overshadowed by their relationship.

When Xu Miyu became proficient in her assistant role, Ji Feng started taking her on external assignments.

On this day, they were going to a private room at a club to meet Ji Feng’s junior, Hu Yang, who was involved in the new energy car business. Hu Yang aimed to collaborate with Ji Feng and leverage the luxury hotels under Ji Feng’s management for a nationwide product launch event.

Choosing Ji Feng’s hotel for the event would highlight the high-end nature and quality of Hu Yang’s new energy cars.

According to Hu Yang, “Not every brand can successfully hold a promotional event at your hotel. But if it works out, there are only two words: high-class!” Hu Yang praised Ji Feng, trying to please him, and asked, “Senior, am I right?”

Ji Feng remained silent, unimpressed by the flattery.

Fortunately, the business discussions proceeded smoothly after the formalities. Afterward, during casual conversation, Hu Yang observed Xu Miyu working at the side.

He asked Ji Feng, “Senior, is this your new assistant? Where did Xue Assistant, who was always with you, go?”

Ji Feng briefly replied, “Recently, Xue Rui is overseeing the group headquarters for me.”

While Xu Miyu was alone at the bar counter, organizing the meeting records on her computer, Hu Yang, looking at Ji Feng and then at Xu Miyu, asked with a smile, “Senior, is this your new assistant? Where did Xue Assistant, who was always with you, go?”

Ji Feng responded sternly, “Shut up, don’t think about pursuing her. Show some decency. You’re only a year younger than her, where do you get the nerve to find her old?”

Hu Yang immediately retorted, “Senior, you lack experience in matters of love. Let me tell you, for a man, even a one-year age difference, or even just half a year, or better yet, just one month, is significant. Because women age faster than us! You have to find someone younger; otherwise, in a few years, while we’re still in our prime, she’ll be getting old, and the interest will fade.”

Unable to contain himself, Ji Feng retorted with a curse, “Nonsense.”

Undeterred, Hu Yang continued, “Senior, you’re unusually fiery today. But considering it, if you’re a year older, your new assistant seems to be half a year older than you. Senior, you actually found such an old woman to be your assistant.” He shook his head, sighed dramatically, and confidently told Ji Feng, “Senior, trust me. If you want a woman, she must be several years younger. It ensures lasting interest in the future.”

Unhappy with Hu Yang’s words, Ji Feng warned him, “Hu Yang, listen to me. I detest discussions about messy things in relationships. If you ever talk this nonsense again, we won’t meet again.” He then turned his attention to Xu Miyu, “And who gave you the courage to think my assistant will age faster than you? In five years, she’ll still be the same, while you, with your habits of idleness, smoking, and drinking, will have a beer belly and saggy skin. Add some balding, and no one will find you attractive.”

Hu Yang was stunned by Ji Feng’s words, struggling to keep up with the conversation.

“Shige, what’s wrong with you today? Are you too protective? I just casually mentioned your assistant’s age, and you launched a personal attack on me? Fine, you brought the person, you defend her, I won’t say anything more!”

Huyang even made a gesture of begging for mercy, touching his own mouth.

Jifeng scoffed, showing no interest in engaging with him.

Xu Miyu sat at the small bar, eyes on the computer, her mood quietly turning gloomy.

Even though Jifeng shut that person up with a powerful attack, sadly, what that person said wasn’t entirely wrong.

Perhaps the most embarrassing thing in life is hearing the truth you don’t want to hear.

Xu Miyu felt a bit suffocated in her chest, thinking of going out to wash her face for some fresh air. She stood up and said she was going to the restroom.

Closing the door behind her, she glanced at the two men through the window, two elite gentlemen of the upper class. For a moment, she felt like an outsider, someone with a bit more or a bit less in life.

She silently closed the door, went to the restroom.

Washing her face, taking a deep breath.

She took out a hand towel to dry her damp hair.

Then she looked at herself in the mirror, silently encouraging herself—

Don’t let other people’s words affect your emotions too much. Otherwise, her future days with Jifeng would undoubtedly be difficult, filled with comments and gossip about the vast gap between them.

After taking another deep breath, Xu Miyu pushed open the restroom door and walked out.

But as soon as she came out, she was surprised.

Jifeng was actually standing outside the restroom. Without a doubt, he was waiting for her.

Xu Miyu quickly looked up at him and asked, “What’s wrong? Why did you come over here to wait for me? Is there something urgent you need me to handle?”

Before she could finish her sentence, he lowered his head, lightly pecked her lips, planting a quick kiss.

Xu Miyu quickly covered her lips and looked around to make sure no one had seen them before exhaling in relief.

But her heart was pounding like a drum.

In that instant, she was surprisingly charmed by him.

“Why did you suddenly kiss me?” she asked, blushing.

Jifeng cleared his throat, answering somewhat unrelated to her question, “I don’t like younger ones.”

Xu Miyu was stunned for a moment at his response, then burst into laughter. Her cheeks became even redder, like two pieces of evening glow after the rain, charming and bright.

On the way back from the club, Xu Miyu sat with Jifeng in the back seat.

Jifeng was a bit tired, leaning back on the seat with his eyes closed, resting.

Xu Miyu quietly took out a powder box from her bag, opened it, and looked at the small mirror on the lid, carefully examining the corners of her eyes.

Left, right, a gentle smile, a forced smile. She wanted to see the extent of the fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

Suddenly, the powder box was snatched from her hand, and there was a “snap,” sealing the box, covering the mirror.

Jifeng closed the powder box and tossed it aside.

Xu Miyu exclaimed and reached out to retrieve the powder box.

On the way, her hand was held by Jifeng.

Xu Miyu’s heart skipped a beat, her hand resting quietly in Jifeng’s palm.

Jifeng held her hand, giving it a slight squeeze.

Xu Miyu looked up at him.

He spoke to her, “Don’t listen to Huyang’s nonsense. His brain hasn’t developed properly.” He was a bit annoyed, but Xu Miyu knew that his annoyance wasn’t directed at her; it was aimed at Huyang.

She forced a smile at Jifeng and then shook her head, telling him, “Okay, I won’t listen to his nonsense.”

But after a pause, she couldn’t help asking a silly question, “Do you think I’ve aged a lot being half a year older than you? Will I be older in five years than I am now?”

Jifeng answered seriously, “Hard to say, aging depends on genetics, environment, mood, and experiences.”

Xu Miyu suddenly became serious. She didn’t want to hear him talk seriously; she just wanted to hear a comforting word from a man to a woman. So she continued to inquire, “Without considering these factors, just talking about the results, what if I do get old in five years?”

Jifeng looked at her, with a somewhat puzzled expression, as if not understanding why she insisted on asking such a question.

“If you get old, you get old. Accept it, it’s a normal natural law. Can people defy natural laws?” he replied.

Xu Miyu still didn’t hear the comforting words she wanted. Her heart hung in the air, making her feel uncomfortable. Perhaps this feeling was what one would call a lack of security.

She shook Jifeng’s hand and asked again, “What if I get old in five years but you don’t? Will you still like me then?”

Jifeng chuckled, “Then let me ask too. If things were reversed, would you still like me in five years?”

Xu Miyu decisively said, “Yes.”

Jifeng shook his head with a smile, “It’s hard to say about five years from now. I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. So, firmly saying that you will definitely still like me or I will definitely still like you in five years is actually a false proposition. But these things don’t matter. What matters is, at this moment, I am sure I like you, and you like me.”

After saying this, he embraced Xu Miyu and kissed her.

Xu Miyu gradually got lost in his gentle kiss, letting go of her seriousness.

Suddenly realizing the presence of the driver, Xu Miyu quickly pushed Jifeng away.

Blushing, she glanced at the rearview mirror. The driver hadn’t looked at them; he was driving attentively, seemingly indifferent.

Xu Miyu breathed a sigh of relief. Jifeng picked up her powder box from the seat and returned it to her.

As she took it, he said, “Miyu, I hope you don’t worry about things so far in the future and then worry about the imagined worries.”

Accepting the powder box, Xu Miyu nodded and smiled at Jifeng, saying, “Okay, I won’t imagine future worries anymore.”

Jifeng felt relieved, holding her hand, leaning back on the seat with closed eyes to rest.

Looking at his profile, Xu Miyu couldn’t help but marvel at his perfect, sculpted face. She actually had such an outstanding, wealthy, and handsome man as her boyfriend.

Thinking about it, a hint of melancholy surfaced in her heart.

Although she had just agreed not to think about worries, she couldn’t help but continue to be serious in her mind: If he could have comforted her just now, it would have been better. If he could have said: Even if you get old in five years, I will still love you.

Even if he had just said that, it would have given her some sense of security.

With this thought, Xu Miyu sighed silently.

But she quickly comforted herself. Who is he? He is Jifeng, a man who is stern and has never been in a relationship.

He is just like that, not good at sweet talk or saying comforting words beyond objective facts.

Thinking this way, Xu Miyu gradually reconciled with the serious part of herself.

When the car was two streets away from the SWI Hotel, Xu Miyu said to the driver, “Could you please stop by the roadside after this intersection?”

She wanted to get off there and walk back to the dormitory.

However, Jifeng, who had opened his eyes, rejected her suggestion, telling the driver, “Continue driving, don’t stop.”

Then, he looked at Xu Miyu, his eyes deep, filled with affection and impulsiveness.

“Go to my place,” he said, looking deeply into Xu Miyu’s eyes, speaking with a slightly hoarse voice.

At the red light at the intersection, the car stopped, waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Listening to Jifeng’s words, Xu Miyu’s cheeks turned red.

“I’m going to your place. If I stay overnight from evening to the next morning, people will speculate,” she said.

Jifeng thought for a moment and said, “Then don’t go back to SWI. Let’s go to the hotel above ‘Night Encounter.’”

He spoke normally, but his words couldn’t hide the underlying implication that he wanted her tonight, no matter what.

Xu Miyu blushed even more.

“But recently, Xue Rui goes to ‘Night Encounter’ every day, pestering Li Qiaoqi. They might also go upstairs to book a room. If we accidentally run into them, won’t it be awkward?” she said.

Jifeng thought about it. Encountering subordinates in another hotel would indeed be awkward.

This or that. At this moment, the green light came on, and the driver, seeking confirmation, asked, “Mr. Ji, Miss Xu, do you want to stop the car ahead?”

Jifeng felt a bit annoyed and said, “Stop.”

The driver immediately opened the turn signal and pulled over to the side of the road.

When Xu Miyu was about to get off, Jifeng grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

Looking at him in surprise, Xu Miyu thought he had changed his mind, maybe he wanted to go back to the hotel or book a room at “Night Encounter.”

“Mr. Ji…” she began, her voice containing a plea.

For some reason, she felt tired today. She wanted some peace and didn’t want to go to a hotel with him.

Jifeng looked into her eyes as if understanding her thoughts. He decided to let her go.

“I’ll give you a day off tomorrow,” Jifeng said with some annoyance and discomfort. “I’ll accompany you to find a house you like, and the rent will be reimbursed by the company. Move out of the dorm as soon as possible.”

Xu Miyu immediately shook her head. “You don’t need to accompany me to find a house. You have a full schedule tomorrow. I’ll find one myself. You can rest assured.”

Since he could see from her determined gaze that she didn’t want him to accompany her, Jifeng reluctantly agreed. He let go of her hand, finally allowing her to leave.

After returning to the dormitory, Xu Miyu slept well. When she woke up, her mood was no longer gloomy. Following Jifeng’s advice, she took a day off to look for a house.

After spending the whole day with the agent, she finally found one that she found satisfactory in the evening.

It was a well-decorated one-bedroom apartment, not too large but tidy and clean. The room had a large floor-to-ceiling window, allowing sunlight to flood in, making the entire place bright and comfortable.

Xu Miyu signed the contract and paid the rent on the spot, using her own money without considering reimbursement from Jifeng. She felt that using his money would make her feel like she was being kept, and their relationship should be one of equals rather than a dependent one.

On the third day, everything was settled. Xu Miyu moved her belongings from the dormitory to her new apartment, officially moving in.

That night, Jifeng couldn’t resist and came over to see her.

As he walked around the room, he couldn’t help but express his disapproval, “Why is it so small? Is there even enough room to turn around in the bathroom? In this bedroom, even one person staying overnight feels cramped. If two people stay, does one have to stand in the corner as punishment?”

Xu Miyu didn’t know Jifeng was so good at making complaints. Unable to hold back, she burst into laughter.

She moved agilely around, showing him the space, “Where is it small? Look, wherever I stand, there is plenty of space around me.”

Pointing at her, Jifeng, a bit gnashing his teeth, said, “I agreed to let you rent by yourself because I was worried you would find it expensive and luxurious if I rented for you, making you uncomfortable. But did you have to choose such a small place yourself?”

“If I knew, I shouldn’t have let you rent by yourself. I should have had Xue Rui directly find a house!” he exclaimed.

Xu Miyu retorted, “Where is it small? The one next door is the same size. A family of five lives there—one couple and two children, plus an elderly person who comes to take care of the children. Our place only needs to accommodate two people at most. When you and I are in the bedroom, we still have to leave a whole living room empty. Where is it small?”

Looking at her vigorously refuting his complaints, Jifeng suddenly couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

Sitting on the bed, he patted the space beside him and said, “Come here.”