ATLAS TRANSLATES

The night market street was noisy, filled with all kinds of sounds. Not far away, a vendor was playing popular internet songs through speakers.

Zhan Xi’s voice was naturally soft and gentle, immediately getting drowned out by the noise.

The man in black still showed no reaction.

Zhan Xi finally noticed the white earmuffs showing under his hat brim.

Oh, no wonder he couldn’t hear.

Just as she was about to call out a third time, Wang He walked up beside her and asked, “What are you doing, Zhan Xi? Did you run into a friend?”

He also looked at the man in black behind the stall.

“No, I…” Zhan Xi couldn’t answer for a moment.

“Let’s head back, it’s too cold. I’ll take you home first,” Wang He rubbed his hands together, his breath coming out in white puffs.

Zhan Xi’s heart was in turmoil. She looked back at the man in black, who still hadn’t lifted his head, as if immersed in his own world. She couldn’t even see his eyes under the hat brim.

With Wang He beside her, Zhan Xi gradually calmed down, suppressing her complicated feelings as she walked back with him.

Luo Jingyu actually sensed someone watching him.

That person stood in front of the stall, not browsing the goods like regular customers, just standing there motionless. From his peripheral vision, he could see it was a white figure.

Luo Jingyu forced himself not to look up, focusing only on the red string in his hands.

Unless that person wanted to buy something, he didn’t want to interact with strangers.

When outside, he didn’t like being stared at, just wanting to be a “normal person.” Using sign language with Chen Liang and his wife was unavoidable, but when alone, he didn’t want anyone to discover his secret.

So, no matter how intense or uncomfortable the staring felt, he gritted his teeth and refused to look up.

Fortunately, that person left after a while.

—

Zhan Xi reluctantly followed Wang He away from the night market. Wang He offered to drive her home, but she politely declined, saying she’d take a taxi.

She couldn’t let it go and wanted to go back to the night market to confirm – was that person really Little Fish?

Why would Little Fish be setting up a stall at the night market? He had never mentioned it to her. Besides, his appearance seemed perfectly fine, so why did he say his conditions weren’t good, that she would be scared and afraid when she saw him?

Wang He sensed Zhan Xi’s distraction and felt slightly annoyed. But being a well-mannered person, he changed his approach and asked, “Zhan Xi, when will you unblock me on WeChat Moments?”

Zhan Xi’s mind was in chaos, and she looked up in confusion. “Huh?”

“You’ve never unblocked me on WeChat Moments.” Wang He smiled and said seriously, “After meeting you today, I really like you. If you think I’m okay, I hope you can unblock me so I can learn more about your life.”

Zhan Xi thought for a moment before speaking: “I’m sorry.”

Wang He: “?”

He was rejected?! Unbelievable!!

Wang He couldn’t save face anymore and asked, “Did I do something wrong? What are you unsatisfied with? Is it because of what happened last time? I’ve already explained that to you.”

Zhan Xi hurriedly said, “No, no, you’re very excellent. I just think your conditions are too good, and we’re not very suitable.”

“What?” Wang He was even more confused, “The matchmaker already told you about my situation before, and I know about yours too. I don’t think we’d have any problems in that aspect.”

Zhan Xi didn’t want to say more and just repeated: “I’m sorry, I really think we’re not suitable.”

“Are you playing with me?!” Wang He got angry, “Zhan Xi, let me be honest with you, I’m sincerely looking for a girlfriend! Earlier when I heard about your family situation, my mom wasn’t very satisfied, but when the matchmaker showed me your photo, I liked you right away. That’s why I didn’t hold it against you when you blocked me last time! But it turns out you weren’t seriously looking for someone at all? Aren’t you just wasting everyone’s time?”

The matchmaker had shown Wang He her photo… no need to guess, it must have been her mom’s doing.

Zhan Xi looked up at Wang He: “I’m sorry, Wang He. I’ll transfer the dinner money to you on WeChat. It’s my fault. You’re really excellent, and you’ll definitely find a girlfriend who matches you in every way.”

Wang He stared wide-eyed: “What do you mean?”

“I…” Zhan Xi didn’t know how to explain, “I mean we’re not suitable.”

“You!” Wang He was furious, “If we’re not suitable, why did you chat with me? If we’re not suitable, why did you meet me? Am I crazy to come all this way in such cold weather to accompany you to the night market?”

“I’ll transfer the money to you, let me treat you to today’s meal, okay?” Zhan Xi’s voice also got louder, she was so anxious! Anxious to return to the night market, not wanting to keep arguing with Wang He here.

“This isn’t about the meal money!” Wang He declared forcefully, “Don’t you think you’re being too much? Is this how all young girls are nowadays, so self-centered? You’ve been playing with me for half a month, you know that? Are you chatting with many people at the same time? Do you know that guy in black from earlier? An internet friend? I saw you couldn’t even walk when you saw him!”

“I wasn’t playing with you!” Zhan Xi suddenly shouted, “What do you want? I don’t like you, okay? I’ll transfer the meal money, okay? You’re the one who asked to meet! You’re the one who wanted to go to the night market! Your time is valuable, but isn’t my time valuable too? You’re just judging by appearances! Do you know what kind of person I am? My personality, my temper, my interests and hobbies, do you know any of that?! You don’t know anything!”

After saying this, Zhan Xi turned and walked away. Wang He shouted from behind: “Zhan Xi!”

Followed by: “Fuck! Are you crazy?!”

Zhan Xi walked very quickly, and as she walked, she broke into a small run, heading toward the night market street.

Little Fish, Little Fish! Was it really you?

She asked over and over in her heart, running faster and faster.

Her long hair flew in the wind, her back covered in sweat. After rushing into the bustling night market street, Zhan Xi stumbled into several people, receiving quite a few glares and curses.

She hadn’t run like this in a long time. When she finally reached that stall, Zhan Xi’s steps gradually slowed. One hand holding her bag, the other supporting her waist, she could barely catch her breath.

But when she clearly saw the person behind the stall, her excited heart sank with a “thud.”

This was definitely the right stall! But that man in black was gone! Behind the stall sat a young couple, both looking at her curiously.

Zhan Xi panted while asking: “Excuse me… pant… was there… pant… a man in black… pant… here earlier?”

Chen Liang and Mao Mao stared in amazement. To be honest, they couldn’t read the lip movements of this beautiful girl clearly. Chen Liang opened his mouth to say something, just a few words, but they came out muffled and unclear, as if rolling stickily from his throat. Zhan Xi couldn’t understand a single word.

“Huh? What did you say?” she asked.

Mao Mao became unhappy, patted Chen Liang’s arm, warned him with a look, then pointed at the sign on the stall, telling Zhan Xi to look.

Zhan Xi looked at the sign, and the five characters “Deaf-mute Stall Owner” shocked her.

Oh my god! Had she crossed into another dimension? Entered a parallel space? Was she hallucinating?

Zhan Xi was certain, absolutely certain, definitely certain, positively certain! There hadn’t been this sign on the stall earlier!

She stared blankly at Chen Liang and Mao Mao, while the young couple stared back at her just as puzzled.

After a long while, Zhan Xi finally adjusted her bag, smoothed her hair, said “I’m sorry,” and left the stall.

Walking out of Fenglin Night Market Street, Zhan Xi walked aimlessly on the main street with her bag, her mind full of that man in black.

Was he really Little Fish?

How old was he?

Zhan Xi recalled the few times she had seen the man in black. Although he wore a mask and had a student-like hairstyle, he looked to be in his twenties.

Was it definitely the same person?

Zhan Xi answered in her heart: Definitely.

The man at the night market stall and the man in the elevator must be the same person. That feeling couldn’t be wrong.

Then… could she just ask Little Fish directly?

Would it scare him?

What if she was wrong? What if it wasn’t him? Wouldn’t that be awkward?

Besides, Luo Xinran said that man was handsome.

But Little Fish said his conditions weren’t good, that Zhan Xi would be scared when she saw him.

Why would she be scared?

Cars came and went on the street, lights dazzling. Zhan Xi’s eyes swept vacantly over this prosperous night scene. Her mind was about to burst, but she still couldn’t figure it out. Suddenly, a very strange thought popped up.

That man, assuming he was Little Fish, always wore a mask!

Could it be that… he had some kind of facial deformity on the lower half of his face?

This absurd guess made Zhan Xi feel helpless herself. She gave a bitter laugh, her head full of tangled threads, thinking she must have a good chat with Little Fish when she got home.

—

Zhan Xi and Little Fish’s chat time had become an unspoken routine, starting at 9:30 every night and ending about an hour later, every day without fail.

Sometimes Zhan Xi would message first, sometimes Little Fish would message first.

That night, Zhan Xi very ceremoniously took a shower, crawled into bed, hugged her little whale plushie and opened her phone. Sure enough, Little Fish had already sent her a message.

[Big Fish]: Egg teacher, how did your blind date go today?

Zhan Xi smiled, Little Fish was like a child learning to copy her way of speaking.

She looked up at the ceiling, thinking he might live upstairs, though she didn’t know which floor, and felt strange about it. She now had an image of Little Fish in her mind – a cool boy in black clothes who was a bit childish when chatting. How cute.

[Egg Pudding]: Not good, it failed. [Egg Pudding]: [smirk][smirk][smirk]

Luo Jingyu looked at her reply and fell into confusion.

It failed… but she didn’t seem sad about it.

He felt he should comfort her.

[Big Fish]: Don’t be sad, you are very excellent girl, will have very good condition boyfriend in future.

[Egg Pudding]: I’m not sad at all, I don’t like him, didn’t feel anything, wasn’t moved.

Moved — Luo Jingyu’s heart skipped a couple beats.

So you need to be moved to like someone?

Had he been moved then?

At this moment, Zhan Xi was squeezing her little whale plushie, her heart itching with curiosity, and decided to drop a hint directly.

[Egg Pudding]: Today I had dinner with my blind date, afterwards we went to a night market street, Fenglin Night Market. It was quite lively, Little Fish, have you been there?

She nervously stared at the screen, waiting for his reply.

At this moment, Luo Jingyu was indeed startled.

Egg teacher went to Fenglin Night Market tonight? Were they in the same place?

Had she walked past him?

But with hundreds or thousands of customers flowing through the night market in one evening, and Luo Jingyu only staying for half an hour, how could he be so lucky as to cross paths with her?

How should he answer?

Should he say he was also at Fenglin Night Market? Wouldn’t Egg teacher ask what he was doing there? Should he say he went to visit his classmate who had a stall? Wouldn’t Egg teacher then ask what his classmate was selling? Maybe even which stall it was?

Should he say he went shopping? Wouldn’t she ask if he went alone or with friends? Going alone would be strange, but if with friends, who? Male or female?

After thinking it through, Luo Jingyu felt that any answer would eventually lead to lies, so he decided to cut off this topic right at the start.

[Big Fish]: I have never been there.

Zhan Xi: “…”

Well, the conversation died there.

Let’s try a roundabout approach! Zhan Xi decided to change tactics to fish for information.

[Egg Pudding]: It’s so cold today, the wind is so strong! Whoosh whoosh scary! I live on a high floor, I’m even afraid the glass windows will be blown in by the wind, how about you? Which floor do you live on?

Luo Jingyu couldn’t imagine the terrifying sound of wind blowing against high-rise windows, so he answered—

[Big Fish]: It’s okay here, I installed double-layered glass.

Ah! The silly kid didn’t answer her question directly! Zhan Xi felt very frustrated.

[Egg Pudding]: I’ve always wondered, where do you live? Which area, north, south, east or west?

[Big Fish]: I live at Qingque Gate.

Ohhh Qingque Gate! It must be him! Zhan Xi almost jumped out of her blanket with excitement.

[Egg Pudding]: Wow! We live very close then, I live near Qingque Gate too! Little Fish Little Fish, when should we meet up?

Luo Jingyu regretted sending that message as soon as he sent it. He had forgotten that Egg teacher worked at Qingque Gate, and apparently her apartment was also rented nearby. But he had another question—

[Big Fish]: What is meet up?

[Egg Pudding]: Meet up means to meet in person!

[Big Fish]: [embarrassed][embarrassed] Egg teacher, I don’t want to meet.

[Big Fish]: I told you before, I’m not good, you will be scared of me, really don’t want to meet.

Zhan Xi: “…”

[Egg Pudding]: But I want to meet you~ [pitiful]

[Big Fish]: When you see my real appearance, you won’t think this way, please believe me, I am really thinking for you.

“Ah! So frustrating!” Zhan Xi angrily threw the little whale at her pillow. The poor whale bounced twice before Zhan Xi retrieved it and hugged it back.

This fish was too hard to catch! She didn’t dare tell Little Fish that she might have already seen him, afraid of hurting him. Given his resolute attitude, who knows if he might block her if he found out!

What was he insisting on? Or what was he trying to hide?

Zhan Xi had never been so proactive in trying to meet someone, only to be rejected again and again. She didn’t know what to do anymore. She gritted her teeth—

[Egg Pudding]: Little Fish, no matter what you look like, what your conditions are, I don’t care. I consider you a good friend, I just want to meet you, won’t you agree?

[Egg Pudding]: [cute cat begging.jpg]

[Big Fish]: Egg teacher, I consider you a friend too, a very very important friend, so please forgive me, I really don’t want to meet. I’m willing to keep chatting with you on phone, if you feel bothered by me, tell me, I won’t bother you anymore, I really don’t want you to be disappointed.

—I don’t want to lose you, want to keep accompanying you, even if only as an internet friend.

These were Luo Jingyu’s true feelings.

Zhan Xi lay flat on her back.

It wasn’t that she wanted to give up, but she seemed to understand Little Fish’s feelings.

He was really afraid of meeting her, not rejecting her, but that contradictory psychology of wanting to meet but not daring to.

Why was he so certain she would be disappointed? Would dislike him? Would be scared?

Can’t figure it out, can’t figure it out, can’t figure it out!

But it’s okay! Zhan Xi knew he lived upstairs, though the last time she saw him in the hallway was a week ago, when she met Gu Xinchi. But Zhan Xi believed she would eventually see him again in the hall.

Time to catch the fish!

From now on, Zhan Xi decided to cast her net wide. When the time was right, she would definitely catch this slippery, stubborn silly fish!

—

On Sunday, Zhan Jie called Zhan Xi, asking if she wanted to come over for dinner. Zhan Xi declined, saying she had a university classmate gathering.

Zhan Jie asked: “That Qing Qing, or that Luo…”

“Both!” Zhan Xi answered.

Zhan Jie: “Boss? Your boss is going too?”

Zhan Xi: “…”

Having gained freedom for the weekend, Zhan Xi had no intention of going to her brother’s house.

She traveled almost across the entire city to meet Luo Xinran in the east. Zhao Qingqing also snuck out from school, and the three girls watched a movie before having dinner together.

During dinner, Zhan Xi mentioned her blind date with Wang He from the previous day. Zhao Qingqing was very curious and asked to see Wang He’s photo.

“What’s there to see? He’s blocked me already.” Zhan Xi rested her chin in her hand, responding dejectedly.

Luo Xinran couldn’t help laughing and asked: “So did you transfer the meal money to him in the end?”

Zhan Xi sighed: “I told you he blocked me, I didn’t get the chance.”

Luo Xinran comforted her: “Never mind, the next one will be better.”

Zhan Xi suddenly thought of Little Fish and asked Luo Xinran: “Hey, Xinran, do you remember that guy in black clothes we saw in the elevator when you came with me to look at the apartment? The one you said was handsome.”

“What handsome guy?” Zhao Qingqing became interested.

Luo Xinran thought for a moment: “Oh yeah, I remember. What about him?”

“Why did you say he was handsome? Just because his eyes were nice?” Zhan Xi asked sincerely, “I’ve seen him a few times since then, and he always wears a mask. Could it be that there’s something wrong with his face?”

“Huh?” Luo Xinran was stumped by Zhan Xi’s imagination, “How would I know? I just thought his features looked handsome.”

Zhan Xi asked again: “Then what would make someone look scary enough to make people afraid?”

Luo Xinran and Zhao Qingqing exchanged glances. Zhao Qingqing hesitantly said: “…burn… burn scars?”

“Cleft lip and palate?” Luo Xinran added.

“Ah!” Zhan Xi’s “ah” came out like a wave, feeling heartbroken, she said softly, “It can’t be.”

Luo Xinran laughed: “He’s wearing a mask, who knows? If you’re really curious, just go ask him to take off his mask and show you.”

Zhao Qingqing agreed: “Yeah yeah yeah! Xixi, you’re so beautiful, you could charm anyone!”

Zhan Xi chickened out: “I don’t dare… I’m afraid he might kill me.”

After parting with the two girls, Zhan Xi took the subway home. Halfway there, she received a call from Chi Guilan, getting scolded thoroughly.

Wang He and the matchmaker had complained, saying Zhan Xi was very rude, had no manners or upbringing, completely unlike her quiet and gentle appearance. They said she was relying on her beauty, being too proud, and wasn’t seriously looking for a partner.

At twenty-three years old, this was the first time Zhan Xi had received such an evaluation.

She wore earphones listening to her mom’s tirade, not arguing back. When her mom finally tired of scolding, she suddenly changed her tone, speaking sweetly: “Mama, I’m still young, I don’t want to find a partner now. I’m busy with work and reviewing for exams, I’m very tired, and I don’t have time to chat with boys. How about waiting until I pass the civil service exam before you introduce boys to me, okay?”

Chi Guilan: “…”

After hanging up the phone, Zhan Xi noticed an old man sitting beside her giving her strange looks. She smiled at him before returning to her blank expression.

In dealing with Chi Guilan, she was quite experienced. When she couldn’t win an argument, she would simply act coy and yield. As long as she didn’t use this tactic too often, it was quite effective.

Looking at her phone, Wen Qin had tagged everyone in the work group chat, saying they needed to wear formal attire tomorrow, arrive half an hour early, and were strictly forbidden from eating breakfast at the company because the Japanese inspection team was coming.

Zhan Xi thought of that “Good Fortune” plant – tomorrow, Manager Sun would probably give it to that Japanese client. She wondered if he would like it.

That flower was made by Little Fish, and because of that plant, she had met Little Fish. So she was actually quite looking forward to the Japanese visitors’ arrival.

Thinking of Little Fish reminded her of the conversation with her two friends, their guesses about Little Fish having a cleft lip and palate, burn scars, or other facial deformities. Just thinking about it made Zhan Xi very sad.

She asked herself, if Little Fish really had such conditions, would she be afraid of him?

The answer was no.

No matter what Little Fish looked like, she thought he was a super cute boy.