ATLAS TRANSLATES

Chapter 38: Yuan Yuan

Xu Si stared at the overly burnt fish in the pot and fell silent for a moment, deciding it would be better to feed the cat some canned food instead.

“Come here,” he called. The little black cat heard Xu Si’s call and ran into the kitchen.

Xu Si poured the cat food into a bowl and watched it eat happily, reaching out to pat its head. After a week of keeping it, Xu Si realized he hadn’t given it a name yet – he couldn’t just keep calling it “come here.”

Xu Si stared at it for a while, deciding it needed a proper name. He looked at the little black cat for a long time but couldn’t think of anything.

Jiang Rong was reading when her phone suddenly buzzed. She was surprised to see a message from Xu Si – his username was simply his initials.

XS: Help me pick a name, classmate.

Jiang Rong opened the picture. The kitten was pure black – the kind you’d lose sight of in the darkness – with bright black eyes. It was quite cute.

Xu Si read Jiang Rong’s reply, staring at her username “Little Classmate” for a while before changing it to “Desk Mate.”

[Little Classmate]: Qiu Qiu [Little Classmate]: Yuan Yuan [Little Classmate]: Tang Tang

Xu Si looked for a moment, then replied with the second option.

XS: This one works. XS: Thanks, classmate.

Seconds later, he received a “you’re welcome” from her. He stared at those words for a while, able to imagine exactly what expression she’d have while saying them.

He picked up the black cat: “You have a name now. From now on, you’re Yuan Yuan.”

Yuan Yuan meowed, seeming pleased with its new name.

Xu Si quickly made some noodles to satisfy his hunger, then took a shower. After his shower, he brought the black cat to the bathroom to bathe it. Just as he was drying the cat with a towel, his phone started buzzing non-stop.

After drying Yuan Yuan’s fur, he checked his phone and listened to Yang Shikun’s voice messages.

[Yang Shikun]: Brother Si, in just these few minutes, my emotions have been up and down and down and down… [Yang Shikun]: My mom said she’d give me 500 yuan if I did well on the test, so I went to check the answers. I found out I got many multiple choice questions right in math. [Yang Shikun]: The bad news is I think I forgot to fill in the answer sheet. [Yang Shikun]: I’m doomed!!!

Xu Si patted the cat in his arms and sent back a message.

Xu Si: There’s always the next test.

Thinking about tests reminded him of Jiang Rong, who had been writing non-stop during the exam. She probably did well.

Yang Shikun sent a video call request. Xu Si declined it.

[Yang Shikun]: Brother Si, are you not free to video chat? Xu Si: Not free.

Yang Shikun pondered this response.

[Yang Shikun]: Brother Si, are you in the shower?

Before he could retract his message, Xu Si sent a picture.

In the photo, the young man wore a white t-shirt and held a black cat. The cat’s eyes were bright, and as if sensing it was being photographed, it lifted its head toward the camera. If not for those eyes, Yang Shikun would hardly have been able to make out what that pitch-black thing in Xu Si’s arms was.

Yang Shikun excitedly replied.

[Yang Shikun]: Brother Si, when did you get a cat? Why didn’t you mention it? Xu Si: Just a few days ago. [Yang Shikun]: Does it have a name? Brother Si, why not call it Little Black? [Yang Shikun]: Hahahahaha, it’s really black! Or maybe call it Pitch Black? [Yang Shikun]: Hahahaha, it’s like a black sesame ball, hahahaha. [Yang Shikun]: Sorry, Brother Si, I made myself laugh, hahahaha.

Xu Si listened to his endless “haha”s and turned off the voice messages. He looked at Yuan Yuan and said seriously: “Well, you are pretty black.”

Yuan Yuan meowed several times, seemingly unhappy about being teased.

Xu Si comforted it: “But what color should a black cat be if not black?”

Yuan Yuan nuzzled his palm, appearing to respond.

…

“Qiao Qiao, have some hot milk.” “Okay, just leave it here.”

Tian Ling looked at Jiang Rong, who was reading, seeming hesitant to speak. Jiang Rong wore pajamas, her eyes like beautiful amber. She looked at Tian Ling for a moment: “Is there something else?”

“Remember to take your medicine after drinking the milk, Qiao Qiao.” “Okay.”

Jiang Rong answered, then picked up the milk and took a sip. She couldn’t take medicine immediately after drinking milk, so she took a few sips and closed her book.

She chatted briefly with Jiang Zhixu, who said she had to work overtime today. Jiang Rong gave her a few reminders and left it at that.

Then she heard voices from next door.

“Qiao Qiao is still sick, Jiang Zhien, when will you ever stop?” “If Qiao Qiao wasn’t sick, do you think I’d still want to be with you?” “Why don’t you bring that woman home and talk in front of me? Go ahead, I’ll make space for you two.” “How many times do I have to explain? It’s a client, a client! How many times must I explain? What’s the point of being so suspicious? You’re always saying I have someone outside, but who do I have? Can you stop being so paranoid? It’s really exhausting.” “You think you’re the only one who’s tired? When have you ever cared about Qiao Qiao all these years? You’re so enthusiastic about other women, and now you’re tired of me, aren’t you? After I gave you a child and my face aged, you’re sick of me, right?” “Tian Ling, honestly, I don’t see any point in continuing this. We’ve been fighting for so many years, aren’t you tired?”

After a long silence, Jiang Rong heard Tian Ling’s voice: “If you don’t want to continue, then let’s get divorced.”

…

Jiang Rong heard a door slam and put her earphones in, seeing a video call request from Jiang Zhixu.

“Weren’t you working overtime?” “Taking a break, wanted to video chat with you.”

Jiang Zhixu wore a vintage blouse and khaki shorts, with light makeup today. Her winged eyeliner made her eyes more alluring. Her hair was in a simple bun as she rested on the sofa.

Seeing Jiang Rong’s expression, Jiang Zhixu suddenly moved closer to the screen: “What’s wrong? Little one, are you unhappy?”

Jiang Rong shook her head: “No.” “You can’t hide your unhappiness from me.” Jiang Zhixu asked: “What’s wrong? Tell me.” “I’m really fine, Sister Xu.”

After chatting briefly, Jiang Zhixu got busy again: “Use the air conditioning and keep covered at night, remember to take your medicine. If you want to talk about what’s making you unhappy later, you can tell me then. I need to get back to work now, bye-bye.”

Jiang Rong replied: “You should rest too.”

Jiang Zhixu blew her a kiss and hung up.

Jiang Rong lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as everything around her grew quiet. Her phone buzzed.

She opened it to see messages from Xu Si.

Xu Si: It really likes your chosen name.

Jiang Rong played the video, hearing Xu Si call “Yuan Yuan” and watching the black cat approach his hand. His hands were attractive, long-fingered with elegant bones, his nails neatly trimmed.

Jiang Rong watched the video again, then smiled.

[Jiang Rong]: Very cute. [Jiang Rong]: I’m glad it likes the name.