ATLAS TRANSLATES

That evening, Jiang Rong lay in bed, taking out the New Year’s gift Xu Si had given her. It was a necklace – a delicate silver chain with a small butterfly pendant. She remembered what Xu Si had said and put the necklace back in its box. She also placed those books on the bookshelf. She had been so close. She had almost pulled him out of that state. Just a little more…

“Brother Si, these past few days we’ve been so worried about Student Jiang. We even went to the police station. The police told us to go home and wait for news.”

Hearing Jiang Rong’s name, Xu Si paused. Before, just hearing her name would make him happy. Now it only made his heart ache. He said in a deep voice: “Don’t mention her anymore.”

“Huh? Why? Brother Si, did you and Student Jiang have a fight?”

“No reason,” Xu Si didn’t want to explain, and Yang Shikun didn’t ask further.

“Brother Si, why aren’t you living at your old place anymore?”

“Moved back home.”

Though Xu Si maintained his cold demeanor, Yang Shikun could tell he wasn’t happy.

After returning home, Yang Shikun couldn’t help but message Jiang Rong.

[Yang Shikun]: Student Jiang, what happened between you and Brother Si?

Jiang Rong replied quickly.

[Jiang Rong]: Nothing happened. Don’t ask.

Though he didn’t know what had happened, Yang Shikun felt certain something was wrong between them.

The things Jiang Rong bought for Xu Si were locked away in his cabinet, but even so, he wasn’t at ease. Because Xu Hengyu was capable of anything. He opened the cabinet and took out the red scarf again, pressing it against his face. And the watch – he put it on his wrist, as if telling himself: “The little teacher has good taste.”

There were also the clothes she bought for Yuan Yuan – red, beautiful, and festive. He carefully put everything away and locked the cabinet again.

On the evening of January 4th…

“Hello, is this Xiao Ling? Your mother fainted suddenly while dancing this morning. She’s been taken to the hospital. We couldn’t reach your brother, so we had to call you.”

“I’ll come right away. Which hospital?”

The person named a hospital.

“Drive faster, drive faster,” Tian Ling urged from the passenger seat as Jiang Zhien drove. Jiang Rong sat in the back, staring ahead absently.

Just as they arrived at the hospital room, a doctor who appeared to be in his fifties came out: “Are you Xiao Ling?”

Tian Ling nodded: “Thank you.”

“No need,” Ding Bang said as he left the room.

“What’s your relationship to the patient?”

“Daughter.”

The doctor looked at Tian Ling: “It’s a lacunar cerebral infarction. Surgery should be arranged quickly. The estimated cost will be at least a hundred thousand yuan. You should discuss this with your siblings.”

Tian Ling called Tian Linchang. After several rings, he answered.

“Mom’s in the hospital.”

There was silence on the other end before he asked, “Is it serious?”

“Yes, she needs surgery. It’ll cost at least a hundred thousand yuan.” Tian Ling wanted to suggest he come help with the care, saying they could take turns, and he wouldn’t need to pay for anything.

“The signal’s bad here. I’m hanging up.”

Though it wasn’t on speaker, Tian Linchang’s voice clearly reached everyone in the hospital room. The doctor glanced at the old woman on the bed, thinking the situation was hopeless.

“I’ll pay for everything. Please use the best equipment.”

The doctor looked at Tian Ling and replied, “Alright.”

The surgery was very successful, but she needed to stay for observation for a few days. When Cui Shumei woke up, her first words were: “Where’s Xiao Chang? Why hasn’t Xiao Chang come?”

Tian Ling held her hand, unsure what to say. Jiang Rong stated the facts: “He didn’t come. As soon as he heard the surgery would cost over a hundred thousand, he hung up.”

Cui Shumei coughed a few times, grabbed the cup from the bedside table and threw it at Jiang Rong, yelling: “What nonsense are you talking, girl? I raised Xiao Chang, he’s so filial, how could he not come see me? You’re lying, you must be lying to me, you wicked girl.”

Jiang Rong was soaked. She pulled some tissues from the table and silently wiped herself dry. Cui Shumei continued making a fuss, demanding to see Xiao Chang and her eldest grandson.

At noon on January 5th, Tian Ling and Jiang Zhien went to get medicine. Jiang Rong was feeding Cui Shumei. Cui Shumei couldn’t stand the sight of Jiang Rong, hating how quiet she was, like a mute. She refused to eat when Jiang Rong tried to feed her.

Jiang Rong set the food aside: “Eat by yourself when you want to.”

Though she put the bowl down gently, Cui Shumei saw it as impatience. She knocked the food over, spilling it all over Jiang Rong. Jiang Rong stood up to leave the room.

Cui Shumei continued berating her: “Why are you throwing bowls? I’m not dead yet and you’re already like this. What will you do when I’m dead – dance on my grave? Are you hoping I’ll die?”

Jiang Rong turned back to look at her: “I have manners.”

Realizing Jiang Rong was mocking her, Cui Shumei’s insults became even more vulgar, spewing all kinds of foul language. A nurse on duty had to remind her: “Please be quiet in the hospital.”

Jiang Rong ran into Tian Ling returning to the room. Seeing the mess on her clothes, Tian Ling asked: “Rong Rong, did your grandmother do this?”

“Yes.”

Tian Ling didn’t know what to say: “Your grandmother has a bad temper. I’m sorry you were wronged. Go home and change your clothes. You don’t need to come to the hospital anymore, we can handle things here.”

“Okay.”

Watching Jiang Rong’s retreating figure, Tian Ling sighed. As soon as she entered the room, Cui Shumei started complaining: “Did you see her attitude? I said I wouldn’t eat and she threw the bowl! I’m not dead yet and she treats me like this. She even mocked my manners. Is this how you raised your daughter?”

Tian Ling had been running herself ragged these past few days and snapped: “Mom, please say less.”

This made Cui Shumei even angrier: “Now you’re telling me to talk less? I’m old, not like before, so now you find me too talkative? Let me see Xiao Chang, I want to see Xiao Chang.”

Jiang Zhien was exasperated: “If he wanted to come, he’d have come already. We paid all the medical expenses, yet you still praise your son.”

“Shouldn’t my daughter pay my medical expenses? Why else did I raise you? Xiao Chang must have something important keeping him away. You’re black-hearted to think so badly of others.”

Knowing she couldn’t reason with her, Jiang Zhien gave up trying.

When Jiang Rong returned home, Liu Ma saw the mess on her clothes: “Rong Rong, did your grandmother do this?”

Jiang Rong nodded.

Liu Ma’s eyes reddened with anger: “Poor child, you’ve been wronged.”

Jiang Rong shook her head: “I’m not wronged.”

Liu Ma looked at her with heartache. How could she not feel wronged?