ATLAS TRANSLATES

In any industry, there are always those who are prominent and those who remain invisible.

This is especially true in the field of artistic creation. When an artist – whether they sing, act, make pottery, or paint – has created notable works, won awards, and received public recognition and approval, their name becomes added value to their work.

In the industry, Luo Jingyu was invisible. He had never taken on major commercial projects, never participated in exhibitions with independent works, never won awards, and his works had never been auctioned. From any perspective, he had no right to compare himself with Xu Qingyan.

Xu Qingyan went to Kyushu, Japan for two months each year to study advanced pressed flower techniques. After receiving authorization from the Japanese side, she would organize teaching materials and return to Shanghai to teach students in China.

Besides learning, students had to submit assignments according to their level. These assignments would be sent to the Kyushu classroom, and after passing, students would receive certificates for their respective levels.

Luo Jingyu went to Shanghai every year to study at Xu Qingyan’s studio for a month and a half.

The tuition was very expensive, more expensive for higher levels, but as this was his full-time career, this expense couldn’t be spared.

Luo Jingyu had thought about studying in Japan, but being deaf, he couldn’t even share translation costs with other students. There were too many difficulties, so he had to give up.

Therefore, his quote being higher than Xu Qingyan’s would definitely become a joke if word got out.

Ji Hongzhe said to Dong Cheng: “Mr. Dong, this must be a misunderstanding, right?”

Dong Cheng asked: “How so?”

Ji Hongzhe glanced at Luo Jingyu: “I’ve known him for over twenty years. He’s not that arrogant, not that kind of person at all.”

Dong Cheng looked at the blushing Luo Jingyu and smiled: “I think so too.”

At this point, Luo Jingyu finally reacted, using sign language with Ji Hongzhe. Ji Hongzhe didn’t translate immediately, instead exchanging a few signs with him, finally signing: [Are you sure?]

Luo Jingyu nodded, his right fist clenched with index finger extended, making a downward stroke that meant: [Sure.]

Ji Hongzhe turned to Dong Cheng: “Mr. Dong, Master Luo wants to apologize. Due to lack of experience, he overestimated the budget this time. He later recalculated but didn’t have time to tell Mr. Fang. Um… Master Luo says the correct price should be 180,000, and out of apology, the design fee and teaching fee for the cherry blossom hair ornament set can be waived. 180,000 would be the total package price.”

Luo Jingyu had wanted to quote 150,000 or 160,000, but that would be an even bigger difference from 220,000, making it seem more like he and Fang Xu were asking for an unreasonable price. So he had to bite the bullet and quote 180,000.

After hearing this, Dong Cheng translated it for Mr. Chi Jiang. The flush hadn’t yet faded from Luo Jingyu’s face as he sat very formally, feeling sweat forming on his back.

A moment later, after hearing Mr. Chi Jiang’s feedback, Dong Cheng said: “Master Luo has misunderstood. We arranged this meeting not to negotiate prices. Art is priceless – Mr. Chi Jiang accepted the price of 220,000 and won’t change it. He only hopes Master Luo will put his heart into creating it, and that will make it worthwhile for Mr. Chi Jiang.”

The meeting ended, and Dong Cheng paid the bill before leaving with Mr. Chi Jiang.

Only Luo Jingyu and Ji Hongzhe remained in the private room. Ji Hongzhe drank tea and ate snacks while asking Luo Jingyu in sign language: [Little Fish, what exactly happened?]

Luo Jingyu felt helpless and signed back: [My partner’s surname is Fang. He quoted a higher price without telling me.]

Ji Hongzhe frowned: [Then why didn’t you explain that just now?]

Luo Jingyu stared at him, his signing becoming more forceful, as if carrying emotion: [If I blame Fang, it won’t make me look more professional – it will only make them think there’s no trust between Fang and me, that we shift blame when problems arise. Right now, Fang and I need to present a united front to maintain client trust! As for how we communicate between ourselves, that’s for behind closed doors.]

Ji Hongzhe understood. Swallowing the last piece of red bean cake and brushing off the crumbs, he asked: “So is that all for today? If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first.”

Luo Jingyu signed: [Thank you for today. Let me treat you to dinner tonight?]

“No thanks, I have a date.” Ji Hongzhe smiled mischievously. “It’s Christmas! Who wants to eat with a single dog like you?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

Speaking of Christmas, he remembered about buying a gift for Zhan Xi. As he stood up to put on his coat and scarf, he asked Ji Hongzhe: [Are you going on a date with your girlfriend tonight?]

Ji Hongzhe answered: “Yeah, why?”

Luo Jingyu pressed his lips together, somewhat awkwardly asking: [Did you buy a Christmas gift for your girlfriend?]

“Buy yarn? Ha!” Ji Hongzhe laughed loudly. “We’re just having dinner, maybe watching a movie at most. Why buy gifts?”

Luo Jingyu was still confused about why one would “buy yarn” when he read Ji Hongzhe’s complete sentence and finally understood.

They left together and went downstairs. After leaving the tea house, Ji Hongzhe asked: “Where do you live now?”

Luo Jingyu: [Qingque Gate.]

“That’s quite far, not on my way, so I won’t send you home.” Ji Hongzhe patted Luo Jingyu’s arm. “Have a good talk with that partner of yours later. Quoting prices blindly – isn’t that embarrassing!”

—Indeed, it was embarrassing.

After saying goodbye to Ji Hongzhe, Luo Jingyu walked alone on the street. As he walked, he realized he’d forgotten to bring his mask out.

His wool coat didn’t have a hood either. Luo Jingyu felt very uncomfortable showing his full face on the street, so he pulled his scarf higher to barely cover his mouth and chin.

His fingers touched the soft scarf – it was Huan Huan’s Christmas gift to him. Thinking of her, he sent her a WeChat message.

[Big Fish]: Huan Huan, I’m done for.

Egg Pudding: [surprised] What’s wrong? What happened? Did the meeting not go well??

[Big Fish]: It went well.

Egg Pudding: Then why do you say you’re done for???

[Big Fish]: It’s over.

Putting his phone back in his pocket, Luo Jingyu looked around. This was the city center, very lively, with large shopping malls and supermarkets nearby selling everything.

What Christmas gift should he buy for Huan Huan?

Clothes? Bags? Perfume? Cosmetics? Jewelry?

These things all seemed like gifts a boyfriend would give to his girlfriend… quite… ambiguous.

Luo Jingyu didn’t dare let Zhan Xi discover his feelings, so his thoughts turned in other directions.

Huan Huan had moved in over half a month ago – what else did her home need? Best to be something commonly used, daily necessities, like housewarming gifts. As Luo Jingyu walked and thought, he saw a large supermarket ahead and went in.

—

At this time, Zhan Xi was getting a headache because Chi Guilan had called her at work again, going on and on.

“Register for the provincial exam! Register! Go register!” Chi Guilan was extremely anxious. “Why do I have to remind you about these things? Huan Huan, register quickly. If you dare not register, don’t come back for New Year’s!”

Zhan Xi: “…”

Chi Guilan continued: “The exam is at the end of February next year, some units are quite good. Next month you go sign up for a prep class, mama will pay for it!”

“That’s not necessary, right?” Zhan Xi held her forehead, speaking very softly. “I’ll register, but no need for classes. Our unit is very busy at year-end.”

“No! You must take the provincial exam seriously! You didn’t do well last time because you didn’t take it seriously!” Chi Guilan shouted. “There are only a few opportunities each year, you think you’re still young? Just muddle through each time? You should treat it like the college entrance exam! This is an exam that can change your fate!”

Zhan Xi thought, how would this change her fate? If she couldn’t pass the civil service exam, couldn’t get a public institution position, was she worthless? Was her life over?

But this wasn’t the time to argue with Chi Guilan – her mom was fired up. Zhan Xi could only respond with “mm” and “ah” before hanging up.

Seeing her slump onto her desk, Yuan Sichen smiled and asked: “Little Zhan, where did you go on a date yesterday?”

Zhan Xi turned her head to look at her: “I didn’t go on a date.”

“Who are you trying to fool? Wasn’t there a handsome guy waiting for you downstairs after work yesterday?” Yuan Sichen said. “I saw him, Lin Yan saw him too, right?”

“Just a friend,” Zhan Xi didn’t want to say more. “Just had a meal together, that’s all.”

Yuan Sichen sighed knowingly: “Ah… doesn’t everyone start as friends?”

Zhan Xi slumped onto her desk again.

With her eyes hidden in the crook of her arm, she naturally thought of Luo Jingyu.

When Little Fish said he would wait for her downstairs at the company, she hadn’t felt anything inappropriate about it. She hadn’t thought about what her colleagues would think if they saw him; hadn’t thought about how to introduce him if someone asked; hadn’t even thought about how they would view her if they discovered Luo Jingyu was deaf and mute.

But Little Fish was just Little Fish – it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t hear.

After work, Zhan Xi bought some groceries and walked through the residential complex gates.

Walking along the main path, her gaze unconsciously drifted to the right. She stopped in her tracks, seeing someone sitting on a bench not far away, smiling at her with a square, colorful box beside him.

It was Luo Jingyu!

Zhan Xi happily ran over to him, only calling out when she reached him: “Little Fish! Why are you here?”

Luo Jingyu put the back of his right hand under his chin, then pointed at Zhan Xi.

Zhan Xi widened her eyes and asked: “Were you… ‘waiting’ for me?”

Luo Jingyu nodded.

Zhan Xi looked at the box beside him, which had a pot printed on the packaging, and asked: “You bought a pot?”

Luo Jingyu stood up, picked up the box and solemnly handed it to Zhan Xi.

Zhan Xi was puzzled: “What for?”

She took the box and held it – it was heavy! Luo Jingyu took out his phone and typed for her to see: [Christmas gift, for you.]

Zhan Xi froze: “…”

This was a pressure cooker, and an expensive one at that.

Zhan Xi indeed didn’t have a pressure cooker, but she could never have imagined someone would give a pressure cooker as a Christmas gift. What kind of unique thought process was this?

Luo Jingyu was quite proud, typing to show her: [You can steam old duck.]

After reading his message, he smiled, curving his lips.

Those two marinated ducks were still hanging on Zhan Xi’s balcony! She quickly said: “Thank you, thank you, you’re so thoughtful! I really didn’t know how to steam that marinated duck.”

Luo Jingyu made the “you’re welcome” sign, stuck his hands in his pockets, and looked down at his shoes, apparently embarrassed.

Only then did Zhan Xi have a chance to properly look him over.

Oh my! Little Fish looked so handsome in his new clothes! Though still dressed in black from head to toe, his figure was tall and straight, his legs especially long. The gray scarf around his neck was the only bright spot, setting off his refined and handsome face, his smiling eyes gentle and bright.

“Tonight…” Zhan Xi stammered, “Do… do you want to… come to my place… for dinner?”

Luo Jingyu: “?”

“It’s Christmas, you’re alone, I’m alone, might as well eat together.” Zhan Xi hugged the box tightly, struggling to wave the plastic bag hanging from her fingers. “I bought groceries, you can cook.”

Luo Jingyu finally reacted, quickly taking the box from her hands. Zhan Xi smiled, about to ask Little Fish to walk with her, when she suddenly tilted her head and blurted out: “Did you hear that?”

Seeing Luo Jingyu’s bewildered look, Zhan Xi realized she’d said something stupid: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I just heard… what seemed like a kitten’s sound.”

She put her bag and groceries on the bench and followed the sound toward the greenery behind the bench. Luo Jingyu also put down the box, curiously following behind her.

Zhan Xi pushed aside the shrubs. In the greenery, a small white thing moved and made a soft cry: “Meow~”

“Ah, it really is a kitten, and so tiny!” Zhan Xi went in and soon came out holding a very small kitten. “It doesn’t even try to run away, how old can it be? Poor thing, where’s your mama?”

Luo Jingyu hadn’t caught much of her lip movements, only seeing the tiny kitten in Zhan Xi’s arms. It was very small, not much bigger than a palm, curled up quietly in Zhan Xi’s arms, blinking its eyes. Its white fur looked a bit dirty.

He inexplicably thought of the white cat mug on Zhan Xi’s desk, and that apron with the white cat pattern.

Huan Huan really likes white cats! Luo Jingyu thought.

“In such cold weather, it will freeze to death if it stays here.” Zhan Xi held the kitten and looked up at Luo Jingyu. “There’s a pet hospital outside the complex, let’s go ask.”

Luo Jingyu nodded, gathered everything, and followed Zhan Xi outside the complex.

At the pet hospital, the female doctor examined the kitten and told Zhan Xi that it hadn’t been weaned yet, needed to be fed with a syringe using modified milk, couldn’t be bathed, needed to be kept warm, and if they wanted to keep it, it would need deworming and checks for feline distemper and FIP. After weaning, it would need vaccinations.

The doctor took a soft towel and gently wiped the kitten’s body. Zhan Xi bent over watching beside her, chatting with the doctor. Luo Jingyu watched her, and when Zhan Xi unexpectedly turned her head, he couldn’t retract his gaze in time, meeting her eyes directly.

Zhan Xi asked: “Little Fish, should I keep it?”

Luo Jingyu took out his phone to type: [If you like kittens, keep it.]

“I do like it.” Zhan Xi carefully petted the kitten’s head. “Look how small it is, so cute.”

Zhan Xi considered for a while, then decided: “I’ll keep it. It’s my kitten now.”

Luo Jingyu hadn’t expected Zhan Xi would let him go to her home first.

“I’ll stay here with the kitten. The doctor says everything will take over an hour.” She handed her keys to Luo Jingyu. “You go cook first, it’s not your first time anyway. When I get back home with everything done, we can eat right away!”

Luo Jingyu stood there dumbly holding the keys, not moving.

Zhan Xi gave him a pat: “Did you understand? Go on, remember to steam half the marinated duck, use the new pot!”

So Luo Jingyu, carrying the box and Zhan Xi’s groceries, went home alone.

In the elevator going up, he met Gu Xinchi’s father who had just gotten off work. Mr. Gu greeted him: “Little Fish, you’re back. Bought a pot?”

Luo Jingyu just smiled.

Mr. Gu pressed for the fifteenth floor, and Luo Jingyu freed a hand to press for the eighth floor.

Mr. Gu: “?”

When the eighth floor arrived, Luo Jingyu nodded to Mr. Gu and fled the elevator.

Mr. Gu muttered to himself: “What’s he doing on the eighth floor?”

Entering Zhan Xi’s home, Luo Jingyu felt strange about everything.

He wondered, was Zhan Xi like this with everyone? So trusting? They’d only known each other for a month – how could she be so comfortable giving him her keys?

Luo Jingyu took off his coat, brought the groceries and pot to the kitchen, put on the apron, and after getting ready, he went to the balcony to get the marinated duck.

To reach the balcony, he had to pass through Zhan Xi’s bedroom. This was Luo Jingyu’s first time entering her bedroom. He found the light switch and turned it on, standing at the doorway to curiously look around.

This is Huan Huan’s room!

He saw the big blanket spread on Zhan Xi’s bed – it had Elsa princess patterns!

Then he saw – the little whale plushie beside her pillow!

Luo Jingyu: “???”

His face inexplicably started burning. He quickly went to the balcony to get the hanging marinated duck, only to see – Zhan Xi’s little underwear drying on the balcony!

That pink underwear had a little cat on the front and a chubby cat bottom on the back, even with a small tail hanging down.

Luo Jingyu: “!!!”

He couldn’t look anymore! He fled in panic, feeling like a pervert.

An hour and a half later, Zhan Xi stood at door 802 with her bags. After knocking twice, she came to her senses and messaged Luo Jingyu to open the door.

Within seconds, the door opened. Zhan Xi looked up to see warm yellow light in the living room, the air conditioning already making it very warm, and the kitchen hood still humming loudly. The dining table was set with three steaming dishes and a soup, their aroma wafting through the air.

The young man stood by the door wearing a shirt and sweater vest, with a pink apron over them. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, revealing long, fair arms, and his face wore a warm smile.

Zhan Xi felt somewhat dazed as she shook off the cold and entered. Luo Jingyu took her things and lifted them to look carefully.

“Cat litter, litter box, modified milk, cat food,” Zhan Xi said after he looked at her, listing each item. “Pretty expensive, cost me quite a bit. Got a small-sized box.”

She opened the cat carrier and took out the little kitten to show Luo Jingyu: “It’s been dewormed and checked – no distemper, very healthy. Little Fish, pet it.”

Luo Jingyu understood her last lip movement and reached out to gently stroke the kitten’s back. The kitten curled up, seemingly very comfortable, squinting its eyes and giving another “meow.”

“Kitten eats little fish.” After saying this, Zhan Xi suddenly started laughing, her shoulders shaking non-stop. “Hahaha… Little Fish, you’re not afraid of cats, are you?”

Luo Jingyu smiled and shook his head, taking out his phone to type: [I’ve never had one before.]

“I had a little dog called Flat Bean, but never had a cat.” Zhan Xi looked up at him. “Let’s give the kitten a name! It’s a girl.”

Luo Jingyu was stumped, frowning in thought. Zhan Xi said: “It’s Christmas today, why don’t we call it ‘Gift’?”

—Gift.

Luo Jingyu couldn’t help making the sign: right hand in a fist, index finger pointing up, bending twice, then both hands in fists, index fingers touching once before all fingers spread open.

“Is that the sign for ‘gift’?” Zhan Xi asked delightedly.

Luo Jingyu nodded.

“Alright then, you’ll be called ‘Gift’.” Zhan Xi passed Gift to Luo Jingyu’s arms. “I’ll set up the litter box. You hold her, she’s afraid of the cold.”

As she walked away, Luo Jingyu held little Gift and looked down to meet her eyes. The kitten had been held by Zhan Xi the whole time, and being in new arms made her nervous. She “meow meow meowed” several times in protest and even hid her head.

Luo Jingyu was so nervous he didn’t dare move. After a while, Gift probably realized he meant no harm and poked her head out, opened her mouth in a yawn, nuzzled his arm – she was so fluffy – making Luo Jingyu smile.

After settling the kitten, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu ate together.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Zhan Xi was truly impressed. With just the few ingredients she’d bought, Luo Jingyu had managed to make four dishes and a soup.

It was hard to chat while eating, so they just exchanged glances. Zhan Xi kept giving thumbs up to express her admiration, easily making Luo Jingyu shy again.

The Christmas dinner was simple but delicious. After eating and washing dishes, Zhan Xi and Luo Jingyu sat side by side on the sofa. She used a syringe to feed Gift milk while Luo Jingyu watched attentively.

The kitten ate very little. Afterward, perhaps because the room was so warm, the little one regained some energy and played coquettishly on Zhan Xi’s leg, occasionally meowing.

Zhan Xi turned her head to look at Luo Jingyu, thinking they finally had time to chat.

She asked: “This afternoon, did your talk with Mr. Chi Jiang go well?”

Luo Jingyu had his elbow on the sofa back, his palm supporting his cheek. He squinted his eyes, and Zhan Xi thought he looked just like Gift, all lazy and relaxed.

Surprisingly, he shook his head. Zhan Xi was startled and asked: “What happened?”

Luo Jingyu thought for a moment, then took out his phone to type: [Fang Xu did something wrong, Dong and Chi Jiang weren’t happy, but they didn’t blame me and forgave me, so I feel very bad.]

He really had no way to explain the whole thing in detail to Zhan Xi – how many words would that take? And she couldn’t understand sign language.

At times like these, Luo Jingyu felt particularly lost. He still couldn’t communicate well with Huan Huan, couldn’t speak freely, at most could only tell her his emotions.

Zhan Xi stared at him blankly, at his lowered eyelashes and melancholy expression. She really couldn’t guess what Fang Xu had done to upset Mr. Chi Jiang. But she knew Little Fish must be innocent yet had been hurt. He had been smiling all evening, but his mood was actually terrible.

Zhan Xi raised her hand, hesitated for a moment, then stroked Luo Jingyu’s shoulder, her palm sliding up and down his upper arm a few times.

Just like – petting a cat.

Luo Jingyu had already raised his eyes to look at her, question in his gaze.

Zhan Xi smiled at him: “Don’t be sad, Little Fish.”

Luo Jingyu thought Zhan Xi would just comfort him with a simple phrase, but unexpectedly, she continued: “If you’re willing, you can tell me about it. Type slowly, don’t rush. Let’s talk about it, and I’ll help you analyze it.”

Zhan Xi spoke very slowly and clearly. Luo Jingyu understood, and was stunned at the same time.

On this Christmas night, in the small apartment at 28 degrees Celsius.

On the coffee table were two cups of hot cocoa, steam rising, and a bowl of mandarin oranges beside them.

On the two-seater sofa sat two people squeezed together, and one cat.

Gift yawned again and rolled over on Zhan Xi’s knee.

Luo Jingyu had been watching Zhan Xi’s expression, and Zhan Xi was also looking at him tenderly.

After a long while, he smiled softly and opened his phone.