ATLAS TRANSLATES

“I’m tired. I want to go home and rest,” Xu Miyu said to Ji Feng without any emotional fluctuations.

Ji Feng also began to feel disappointed. He had only chatted with others for a while, and when he returned, Xu Miyu seemed to have changed completely.

He didn’t know where the problem was. According to Xue Rui’s suggestion, he wanted to use the method of publicly announcing their relationship today to give her a sense of security.

If it were someone else, they wouldn’t receive such treatment from him. Yet, she didn’t seem happy.

Why?

Since Xu Miyu proposed to leave, Ji Feng felt that insisting on staying would only be more disappointing.

So he said, “Fine, I’ll take you.”

On the way, the two sat in the car without saying a word. Xu Miyu kept looking out of the car window, studying the night scenery of the city attentively.

Finally, Ji Feng couldn’t help it. He grabbed Xu Miyu’s wrist, making her turn to face him.

“Come back to the hotel with me tonight. Since I’ve publicly announced our relationship at the party, let’s be completely open. There’s nothing to hide in the hotel,” he paused and added, “This way, you can openly stay on the top floor, and I won’t have to go to your small apartment anymore.”

Xu Miyu thought he still looked down on her small apartment.

“I’m tired today. Let’s go back to the apartment. You go back to the hotel,” she answered calmly.

Ji Feng frowned, furrowing his brows into two small hills.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the driver accelerated as if to end this suffocating mood quickly. They soon arrived at Xu Miyu’s apartment building.

When Xu Miyu got out of the car, Ji Feng followed.

She handed the suit jacket back to Ji Feng and said, “Goodnight,” turning to go upstairs.

Ji Feng grabbed her wrist, turning her back.

“What happened tonight?” He finally lost patience and asked directly, “What do I need to do to make you happy? How can I appease you?”

Xu Miyu looked at him, took a deep breath, and spoke her mind, “Earlier, you said you were afraid it would affect your work, so you didn’t want to make our relationship public. Why did you suddenly decide to do it today without discussing it with me first? Does it make your work more convenient now? If not, why the sudden decision?”

Ji Feng was momentarily stunned, then became somewhat helpless and annoyed, “I told you at the party. Before, I didn’t make it public because I was worried people would overlook your ability at work, afraid they’d say everything you achieve is because of your boyfriend. But now, you’ve independently planned and executed events in the planning department very well. You’ve proven that you can stand on your own, so I felt it was the right time to make it public. It wasn’t a random decision!”

Ji Feng paused, trying to calm his emotions. However, he became more agitated, “Moreover, isn’t this for your sense of security? We were dating secretly, and you kept asking me strange questions, worrying about things that shouldn’t be worried about. I refused to say those pseudo-scientific words like I won’t fall in love with someone else in the future. You lacked a sense of security, and you weren’t happy. Now, I openly declared you as my girlfriend in front of everyone, intending to give you a sense of identity and security. Yet, you’re still not happy?”

Ji Feng, breathing heavily, raised his voice and furrowed his brows, “So what do you want from me? I wouldn’t do many things for others, but for you, I’ve done everything unprecedented. What else are you unhappy about? How should I give you your so-called sense of security? Do you want me to kneel down right now and propose to you and get married for you to be happy and feel secure?”

Ji Feng, in his emotional outburst, was almost speaking without filter.

Xu Miyu stared at Ji Feng with widened eyes. He didn’t ask what she had experienced to make her unhappy. He only complained about why, after doing so much unprecedented for her, she was still not happy.

Did he expect her to appreciate and accept this self-sacrifice and self-impression he had created for her? His final words seemed to clearly convey that he had already done enough for her, and she shouldn’t think about impossible things like marriage.

Xu Miyu sarcastically smiled, nodded, and said, “Yes, I want you to kneel down and propose to me right now, and tomorrow we get married. That’s when I’ll be happy!”

But what she truly wanted wasn’t any of that. She never had the urgency to marry him.

She just wanted…

What did she want?

After thinking about tonight’s events and the root of her dissatisfaction, she realized she just wanted a dating pattern where they could communicate and be equal.

She didn’t like the “surprises” he created for her from a position of superiority. They brought her nothing but unexpected trouble and criticism, causing her embarrassment.

She never wanted a public declaration of their relationship; she only wanted a bit of security. Even if it was with those pseudo-scientific words, a little bit of security would be enough. But he couldn’t provide even that. In fact, just now, he clearly and explicitly told her that he never thought about marrying her.

Recalling the criticism and disdain of those wives tonight, the disdainful glances they cast upon her.

She used to think she stood reasonably in the crowd, not so bad, gradually becoming outstanding. Yet, just because she was dating someone from a different class, she was made to feel like she couldn’t lift her head.

She was too tired. Tired to the point of exhaustion.

This relationship consumed her effort, enthusiasm, and hope.

She felt like she was turning into another person, someone who was gradually losing confidence, someone who was constantly worried and self-pitying.

She had had enough of herself and this relationship she had crafted.

The night was calm with no wind. The moon and stars were bright, hanging high in the sky, coldly overlooking everyone in the city.

Standing in the cold moonlight, Xu Miyu suddenly realized her heart was clear. She had never been so clear-minded.

She understood now. Before, it was her wishful thinking. She was ultimately unable to control this relationship with Ji Feng.

The vast gap between them loomed over their mutual liking, making that liking just liking, never reaching the shores of love and absolute commitment.

She remembered the hundred things lovers were supposed to do, and they hadn’t done a single one together. But it didn’t matter; she no longer had the strength.

She decided to let herself go and let him go.

“Ji Feng,” she called his name softly, standing in the clear moonlight, calmly telling him, “Let’s break up.”

Ji Feng looked at Xu Miyu’s upturned face, momentarily unable to believe what he had heard.

Moonlight bathed her face, making her look particularly delicate.

“What did you say? Say it again,” he said in a composed tone, anger welling up in his eyes, coldly demanding.

Xu Miyu’s expression remained unchanged, her voice as calm as before. She repeated, “I said, let’s break up. We’re simply not compatible,” she smiled, her eyes appearing teary, “In the eyes of others, I’m not even worthy of you. I used to think that as long as we liked each other, compatibility wouldn’t be an issue. But today, you made the decision yourself to openly declare our relationship. The fact that I’m still not up to your standards is now exposed to everyone, and I can no longer escape judgment and criticism. You may not see it as a problem, but it’s a huge problem for me. The pressure it brings has almost left me breathless.”

Her voice faltered.

She paused, took a deep breath, looked at Ji Feng with tearful eyes, and forced herself to speak calmly, “In the end, it was my foolish fantasy. I shouldn’t have asked for too much. I should have chosen a partner within my reach. Like the dress and shoes on me, they’re luxurious and beautiful, making me look pretty. But wearing them doesn’t make me feel comfortable or happy. They’re not what I want, and they’re probably uncomfortable on someone like me. They seem to constantly remind me that, on my own, I can’t afford them. I’m not worthy of such expensive clothes and shoes.”

This speech made Ji Feng realize that Xu Miyu wasn’t just expressing emotions; she was sincerely suggesting a breakup.

Ji Feng was stunned, utterly stunned. Anger and resentment surged in him; it felt like a betrayal.

“Why do you think like this? Am I not good enough for you? Gap, what gap? Why care about how others perceive us? I treat you well, isn’t that enough?”

Xu Miyu’s calm tone was ripped apart, “But the good you do for me is what you think is good. Before making decisions, you never asked if I would think it’s good! What you think is good might not be good for me! Your actions, like transferring me to the top floor as an assistant without consulting me, or today, deciding to publicize our relationship without discussing it with me, you think it’s for my benefit, like a reward. I should be happy, moved, and grateful for it. But in reality, it’s not good for me; it’s not what I want! It’s pressure for me because, before I was ready, I had to face scrutiny, judgment, and even humiliation from people around you!”

Ji Feng immediately asked, “So, what do you want? Why are women so hard to understand?” He paused and quickly added, “Who, who scrutinized and humiliated you? Did something happen just now? If someone dares to treat you like that, tell me, and I’ll deal with them!”

Xu Miyu smiled bitterly, thinking that he had finally asked if something had happened tonight. But she didn’t care anymore.

“Forget it,” Xu Miyu looked at Ji Feng and said, “Settling scores won’t solve the problems between us.”

“What problems do we have?” Ji Feng’s tone turned bad, and his entire mood soured.

Xu Miyu looked up at the night sky, as if seeing the dark corners of her heart. “The problem between us might be that when I need some comforting words, you refuse to say anything other than reasoning. Maybe when I need some security, you’re waiting for me to come to you with a temper. Perhaps I lack confidence, and you can’t let go of your high status, unable to empathize with my feelings. Maybe being together was a rash mistake, and if you tried other women, you might find my divorced self tasteless and dragging down your taste. So let’s break up. Let’s end it before we hurt each other more.”

Xu Miyu turned her gaze back to Ji Feng’s face and smiled. In the moonlight, she smiled like a beautiful fairy.

“Ji Feng, the problem between us is that from the beginning, we shouldn’t have decided to be together.”

Ji Feng looked at Xu Miyu, admiring how beautiful she smiled despite mentioning a breakup.

Hearing her suggest a breakup, he was first shocked, almost thinking he misheard. Confirming that she was serious about breaking up, he felt a mixture of hatred and anger.

He never thought he would be asked for a breakup.

Wasn’t he good enough for her? How many women had a boyfriend as high-quality and devoted as him? There were so many young, beautiful, and outstanding women who confessed to him, but he ignored them all, choosing her. Yet, she didn’t cherish the relationship he gave her. Just because he openly declared their relationship, she threw a fit, saying she wanted to break up? He never thought about breaking up, but she easily and actively brought it up!

She led him on first, and now she easily suggested breaking up. She was playing with his feelings.

She was a truly bad woman!

Who was he? He was Ji Feng, the always proud Ji Feng, always looking down on everyone. But now, he was being lashed at by Xu Miyu, using a breakup to whip away his dignity.

He was truly angry and resentful.

But he was more angry at himself. Until now, he wanted to swallow his pride and try to keep her. He still wanted to ask her one more time:

“Are you serious? Can’t we not break up?”

But this thoroughly bad woman actually didn’t cherish his effort to retain her. She calmly nodded, saying she was serious, then shook her head, saying they couldn’t avoid breaking up.

“Fine.” Every word he spoke seemed to be filled with anger and determination. “Xu Miyu, since you insist on breaking up with me, remember, I tried to retain you. It’s you who insisted on breaking up; don’t regret it!”

After saying this, he made a graceful turn, got into the car neatly, and left stylishly.

From the rearview mirror, he watched her gradually shrinking figure, observing her standing still with indifference.

She didn’t shout, cry, or run after him to say she regretted and asked him not to leave.

He clenched his fists. He made himself remember this night. That troublesome woman had hurt his dignity deeply. He scolded himself with harsh words: from now on, if he fell under her charm again, thought about her, or couldn’t let go of her, he would be a fool.

When Ji Feng returned to the hotel, he was almost fuming with anger.

He grabbed Xue Rui, held onto his collar, and angrily interrogated, “What lousy idea did you suggest? I did as you said, and now, Xu Miyu wants to break up with me!”

Xue Rui was dumbfounded, “Huh? Why? What did Miyu say?”

“She said what I did wasn’t what she wanted but only what I thought she wanted. Why are women so complicated? What does she really want?” Ji Feng let go of Xue Rui, pulling at his own hair in frustration.

Xue Rui fully agreed with Ji Feng’s perspective: women are indeed troublesome, and poor men like them just don’t understand what women really want. But there’s no way around it; they are drawn to these complicated women like moths to a flame.

Xue Rui asked, “Boss, why don’t you tell me in detail what you did? I’ll help analyze where the problem might be.”

Ji Feng, with a cold face, recounted the events from beginning to end:

He gave her a dress and shoes. Though they looked good on her, when she decided to break up, she claimed they weren’t what she wanted.

He took her to a high-end party, publicly announcing their relationship to give her a sense of identity and security. However, she later said it wasn’t what she wanted and accused him of not discussing such decisions with her beforehand.

After digesting it for a while, Xue Rui felt like he understood both Xu Miyu and Ji Feng. For Xu Miyu, what Ji Feng gave her wasn’t what she wanted. For Ji Feng, he couldn’t figure out what Xu Miyu really wanted; she didn’t say, and he could only watch and guess.

It was difficult to judge who was right or wrong; perhaps both had made some mistakes. However, if they broke up because of these things, it would be a pity.

Xue Rui asked Ji Feng, “After Miyu suggested a breakup, did you agree right away?”

“I agreed,” Ji Feng said firmly.

“What?!”

“And I warned her not to regret it.”

“What?!”

Xue Rui decided not to say more, fearing he might incur Ji Feng’s wrath. Tonight, Ji Feng seemed a bit mad…

He did his best to persuade Ji Feng to take a rest, suggesting that after a good night’s sleep, his emotions might stabilize, and they could discuss the matter more calmly the next morning.

Ji Feng returned to the bedroom, still furious.

Xue Rui stayed in the guest room.

Early the next morning, Xue Rui was half scared when he opened his eyes.

Ji Feng’s head was hanging directly above him. Black circles under his eyes, he stared at Xue Rui impatiently. It seemed like he had been staring at him for a while, and now, he finally succeeded in waking him up.

Even Ji Feng had complaints, “Why did you just wake up now?”

Xue Rui, still holding the water cup, almost tragically dropped it on the floor.

His days of freedom were over.

He sincerely hoped Xu Miyu and Ji Feng would reconcile soon.

On the night Xu Miyu announced the breakup, Ji Feng was furious. He thought, “Fine, let’s break up. Who am I? I am Ji Feng, the one others have to please. When have I ever suffered such humiliation, especially from a woman threatening to break up?”

So, he thought, “Let’s break up. It doesn’t matter. I’m not Ji unless I say so.”

However, on the second day of Xu Miyu’s announcement, just as Xue Rui mentioned, Ji Feng began to regret. He regretted agreeing to the breakup too quickly, not considering that breaking up meant he and Xu Miyu would become unrelated individuals. He couldn’t visit her apartment, teach her things whenever, deliberately disturb her when she was reading, see her smiling brilliantly, enjoy the meals she cooked, or engage in a hundred other activities that lovers do together. Thinking about these losses, he felt a deep emptiness and panic.

He began to wonder if there was a possibility that Xu Miyu’s proposal to break up with him was just a fit of anger. Was it a trick to gain more attention and affection from him?

He thought that if it was just a trick, Xu Miyu would soon find an excuse to come upstairs—whether reporting work to him or finding something for Xue Rui. Then, they could each help the other with a ladder, and everything would be back to normal. He was sure that Xu Miyu had deep feelings for him, deep enough that she shouldn’t be able to let him go.

But as he waited, there was no ladder or reconciliation from Xu Miyu. Instead, he received news that she was thriving in the Planning Department. The department manager even personally submitted a transfer request, determined to keep Xu Miyu under his command because he believed she had great insight and ability for planning.

In a fit of stubbornness, Ji Feng signed the transfer request. Did she want to keep her distance from him? Fine, he would grant her that.

Xu Miyu officially became a member of the Planning Department.

However, just a couple of days after signing the transfer request, Ji Feng regretted it. Why did he let his pride dictate his actions? The days when she was by his side were the most comfortable and enjoyable.

Now, he couldn’t see her.

Xu Miyu didn’t come to reconcile or offer a ladder. Well, in the end, he couldn’t wait any longer.

With Xue Rui, he found a grand reason to inspect the planning activities at the Planning Department.

He finally saw Xu Miyu. His gaze was fixed on her like it was glued to her face, unable to move.

But she didn’t even give him a proper glance. When answering his questions, her eyes were slightly lowered, looking at his chest. Her attitude was official and polite, appearing calm and focused on her work.

There was no sign of regret on her face for the breakup.

Watching Xu Miyu, who seemed unruffled by any tricky questions, Ji Feng went from being annoyed to confused and then to feeling somewhat panicked.

Her demeanor suggested she really didn’t want to reconcile with him. She wasn’t playing breakup tricks, wasn’t teasing him, wasn’t just angry for a moment—she genuinely wanted to break up with him.

Back at the top floor, Ji Feng paced nervously in the living room of his suite.

His thoughts were as chaotic as his steps.

He had initially agreed to the breakup in anger. He never thought they would actually part ways.

But now, after confirming it from Xu Miyu’s face, he realized that they had indeed broken up.

He had been waiting for her to come upstairs to apologize and reconcile, but now he found the idea laughable.

So, what should he do next?

He paced in the living room with disarrayed steps. Finally, he stopped abruptly, sneering as he thought, “If it’s over, it’s over. Without Xu Miyu, can’t I find someone better?”

He spent a week no longer rejecting his mother’s arranged blind dates.

Efficiently, he met three or four people in a single morning. His mother was overjoyed at the change, thinking she might soon have a grandchild.

Xue Rui accompanied Ji Feng through these blind dates. By the time Ji Feng could still endure it, Xue Rui was almost at his breaking point.

These potential partners were carefully screened by Ji Feng’s mother, outstanding in terms of family background, appearance, personality, and capabilities.

However, Ji Feng found that none of them could capture his eyes and heart.

Even Xue Rui was horrified to notice that Ji Feng was gradually seeing shades of Xu Miyu in the faces of these potential partners.

The eyes of one person resembled Xu Miyu’s, so Ji Feng stared at those eyes throughout the meeting.

Another person’s mouth, when slightly pursed, resembled Xu Miyu’s shy expression. Ji Feng focused on that person’s lips without looking away.

The most promising candidate bore some resemblance to Xu Miyu’s charm when she smiled. Ji Feng almost thought this one might work, but when the person suggested having a meal together, Ji Feng suddenly snapped out of his daze, feeling everything was tasteless.

By this time, even Ji Feng himself realized that, by engaging in these blind dates at this moment, he couldn’t save himself but was absurdly affirming that he was sinking deeper into his feelings for Xu Miyu.

This realization made him feel angry and embarrassed.

Consequently, he put an end to the week-long blind date activity.

Ji Feng reluctantly admitted to himself that maybe it wasn’t Xu Miyu valuing herself too much; instead, he had inadvertently placed her deep within his heart.

Admitting this was difficult because it hurt his male pride. But once he accepted it, he found himself unable to resist the urge to meet the woman who had wounded his pride.

So, while internally scolding her and calling her a bad woman, telling her to wait and see who would be unable to let go of whom, Ji Feng also schemed to create opportunities for them to be in the same room.

Just as Ji Feng was struggling to find such an opportunity, Xue Rui reported something to him.