ATLAS TRANSLATES

It was quite difficult for Luo Jingyu to type everything out to explain the situation. He worried that Zhan Xi would find it tedious.

However, Zhan Xi wasn’t impatient at all.

Sitting side by side, she watched him type. When Luo Jingyu wasn’t sure how to explain something, Zhan Xi would pat his arm, making him look at her face. She would remind him of a few key words, and Luo Jingyu would suddenly understand, continuing to type bit by bit.

As his beautiful fingers tapped on the screen, Zhan Xi finally understood everything clearly. She also learned that Fang Xu and Little Fish weren’t in a superior-subordinate relationship, but rather business partners.

Theoretically speaking, Little Fish was actually the boss of “Little Fish’s Pressed Flower Workshop” and the technical core. Without him, the online store wouldn’t even exist.

“So what do you think about it?” Zhan Xi asked, leaning back against the sofa.

Perhaps because Luo Jingyu seemed calm and not furious, Zhan Xi maintained the same peaceful attitude.

The kitten had already fallen asleep on her lap, and Zhan Xi was gently stroking its back.

Luo Jingyu thought for a very long time before giving Zhan Xi a series of hand gestures she already knew the meaning of: first pointing to himself, then shaking his right hand for “no,” and finally bending his right index finger to tap his temple twice. The complete sentence meant: [I don’t know.]

Zhan Xi said, “I think you need to talk to Fang Xu. This can’t keep happening again and again. He might not be familiar with the pressed flower industry and thinks he can quote prices randomly, hoping to make extra money if he gets lucky.”

As she spoke, she typed out the two idioms and sayings she used to help him understand the meaning more thoroughly.

Luo Jingyu shook his head and typed: [He knows I’m Teacher Xu’s apprentice. He knows my skill level. He just quotes carelessly, many times already. Very annoying.]

Looking at Luo Jingyu’s dejected expression, Zhan Xi realized she had never imagined how Little Fish actually managed to establish himself in society, or how much his communication barriers had affected him.

Thinking about how he must have felt facing Mr. Chi Jiang’s questioning that afternoon, surely feeling humiliated yet unable to explain himself for various reasons, having to swallow his pride along with the pain.

Zhan Xi was angry at Fang Xu’s arbitrary decisions, and felt heartache for Little Fish. She asked, “Little Fish, can you manage the business yourself? Or hire someone to help you do work similar to Fang Xu’s, but with less authority?”

Luo Jingyu shook his head again and typed in response: [Too difficult. Many things I don’t know how to do.]

Zhan Xi asked again: “Can you learn?”

Luo Jingyu: [No time. Making pressed flowers takes a lot of time. Finding someone qualified to help is very difficult.]

Zhan Xi could sense his anxiety and asked, “When do you plan to talk with Fang Xu?”

Luo Jingyu: [Tomorrow.]

Zhan Xi: “Have you thought about how to discuss it with him?”

Luo Jingyu looked at her for a while, shook his head, and typed: [He doesn’t know sign language. Gets annoyed when I type. I’m afraid I won’t express myself well. But I must go. Can’t let this chaos continue.]

Zhan Xi turned her eyes thoughtfully, coming up with an idea. She said, “Little Fish, would you like me to help you write down everything you want to say on the computer? We can do it now, I’ll send it to you to review, and you can tell me if anything needs changing. After we revise it, you can get it printed at a copy shop and give it directly to Fang Xu to read. That way you can tell him all your thoughts first. What do you think?”

Luo Jingyu read her lip movements very carefully, his eyes widening. He curved his right four fingers a few times and drew a question mark: [Really okay?]

This was sign language that Zhan Xi could understand. She smiled and gestured back just like him: [Of course.]

Luo Jingyu felt so touched! Huanhuan not only listened to him “talk” and gave him advice, but was also willing to help him in this way. He didn’t know how to thank her.

After thinking, Luo Jingyu pursed his lips and gave a thumbs up, then pointed at Zhan Xi. She laughed out loud: “No need to thank me, it’s a small thing. I’m good at writing, I’ll make sure to express all your meanings clearly.”

It was very late when Luo Jingyu left Zhan Xi’s home.

Seeing the time on the wall clock, they were both surprised, not understanding how they had talked for so long.

Gift was already sound asleep in the paper box that had contained the pressure cooker. Zhan Xi found a summer blanket to pad it with, and turned on the air conditioning in the bedroom to keep it warm enough.

Luo Jingyu crouched beside the box watching the kitten sleep, thinking how happy it was, carefree and able to be petted by Huanhuan.

Earlier, when Huanhuan had soothingly stroked his shoulder and arm, just those few touches had made Luo Jingyu’s heart leap, as if electricity had passed through him.

Afterwards, apart from having his arm lightly patted, they had no more physical contact, but Luo Jingyu could still remember the feeling of her hand on his shoulder.

She was really, really so gentle…

After Luo Jingyu left, Zhan Xi opened her laptop and started helping him write his “speech.” Before she knew it, she had written over two thousand words, flowing across five Word document pages.

She edited it down slightly to four pages and sent it to Luo Jingyu.

Zhan Xi didn’t rush him, knowing he read slowly. Sure enough, Little Fish took a long time to reply, and didn’t suggest any changes, only saying—

[Big Fish]: Teacher Egg, you’re amazing! I’m not good at writing essays like this. [dazed]

[Egg Pudding]: Any changes needed?

[Big Fish]: No, it’s perfect!!!

[Egg Pudding]: Good, I’m glad it’s helpful! Good luck, don’t get into an argument with Fang Xu! [happy]

[Big Fish]: I don’t argue with people, I can’t speak, will fight instead [covers face]

[Egg Pudding]: You get into fights???? [surprised]

[Big Fish]: Just kidding, I’m a civilized fish. [grin]

They chatted a bit more before saying goodnight to each other.

Luo Jingyu opened his computer and transferred Zhan Xi’s draft to print it out.

He read through it again slowly from beginning to end. The warm A4 papers made his heart feel warm too.

Such a wonderful girl — he thought, perfect in every way. He couldn’t find a single flaw in her.

What could he do? Yet he was in this state.

Why couldn’t he hear? Why couldn’t he speak? Why hadn’t he studied hard like Luo Xiaomei and become a university student, at least able to type fluently?

Luo Jingyu bent his fingers to tap lightly on the table — no sound. He tapped harder — still no sound. He touched his right ear, pouted dejectedly, and silently sighed.

—

Fang Xu rented an office in a building in the south of the city.

He ran several online stores selling different products: computer accessories, snacks, accessories, and Qiantang specialties. The office was full of shelves and boxes, with thick stacks of shipping labels. Three customer service girls sat at computers in the outer room, while Fang Xu had his own small office.

Luo Jingyu had visited a few times. The customer service girls all knew him, and had once tried to “flirt” with this handsome guy who always wore a mask. However, Luo Jingyu had no reaction, and after Fang Xu told them to stop being frivolous, no one dared to mess around anymore.

Sitting down in Fang Xu’s office, Luo Jingyu didn’t need to exchange pleasantries. He directly handed over the papers Zhan Xi had written.

“What’s this?” Fang Xu was confused — Little Fish had never prepared something like this for him before.

But after reading through each page, he couldn’t stay calm anymore.

In the “speech,” Zhan Xi first analyzed the current state of the domestic pressed flower industry: it was a niche industry, to some extent a game for wealthy people, with few practitioners and customers. However, based on the huge population base, practitioners could make a living if their craftsmanship was exquisite and they continuously improved.

Then, she talked about the master-apprentice relationship between Xu Qingyan and Little Fish, Xu Qingyan’s background and skill level, Little Fish’s background and skill level, clarifying Xu Qingyan’s status in the domestic pressed flower industry.

Next, Zhan Xi discussed Little Fish’s career aspirations. While making accessories for hanfu and Lolita fashion was a major part of the business, what he really wanted to do was high-end work, such as collaborating with luxury brands for haute couture customization, fashion show setup, high-class banquet decorations, and so on. He also wanted to design pieces for domestic and international exhibitions and competitions, and after establishing a good track record and reputation, hoped to have his works participate in handcraft auctions.

None of this was impossible to achieve — he had the craftsmanship, he just lacked the channels and opportunities.

Finally, Zhan Xi returned to the main topic, addressing the matter of Mr. Chi Jiang’s cherry blossom tree order. Little Fish now knew that Fang Xu had inflated the price and was “exposed” by Mr. Chi Jiang in person. If Teacher Xu Qingyan learned about this kind of incident, Little Fish’s industry reputation would face serious doubts, greatly affecting his career prospects.

Regarding this business deal that was concluded but not particularly pleasant, Little Fish’s demands were:

First, Fang Xu must guarantee that similar incidents won’t happen again, and prices must be approved by Little Fish;

Second, accessory pre-order quantities must follow Little Fish’s plan, absolutely no excess pre-orders allowed. If exceeded, Little Fish has the right to refuse production, with all consequences borne by Fang Xu;

Third, Fang Xu must help expand business channels for Little Fish. If there’s no improvement in business direction within six months, Little Fish will consider terminating cooperation with Fang Xu;

Fourth, for Mr. Chi Jiang’s 220,000 yuan order, Little Fish must receive 70%, which is 154,000 yuan, not a penny less.

This content basically expressed everything Luo Jingyu wanted to say. If he had to type it himself, forget whether Fang Xu would have the patience to listen — even given an entire afternoon, he might not be able to explain it clearly.

After reading it, Fang Xu was so angry his hands were shaking. He almost tore up the papers. Looking up at Luo Jingyu, who was sitting properly in his chair, also watching him with calm eyes.

“Who did you get to write this thing?” Fang Xu waved the papers in his hand, leaning back in his office chair. “Luo Jingyu, you think you’ve grown strong wings now? You’re threatening me?”

Luo Jingyu shook his head.

Fang Xu sneered, crossing his legs: “Have you forgotten what you were doing three years ago! Aren’t you forgetting? You were making those messy candles and plastic pieces! Selling them at street stalls! Without me, could you have what you have today? Where did your house come from? Did it fall from the sky?”

He didn’t care if this speech speed was too fast for Luo Jingyu to understand, speaking angrily and urgently: “Do you know how much effort I put in to open up the market for those hanfu and Lolita accessories you mentioned? You think these things are cheap? Easy to sell? Do you know how many hanfu and lolita groups I joined? Chatting with teenage girls every day, explaining to them how pressed flowers are different from ordinary silk flowers! Making them understand that wearing our accessories means having high status! How much time did I spend instilling these concepts! Do you know? You don’t know shit!”

“Collaborating with luxury brands? Are you dreaming? The cake is only this big, with several big shots already dancing on top, how could it be your turn? You should be burning incense in gratitude for getting a share of the hanfu market! Isn’t earning several hundred thousand a year enough? What do you want? To earn a million a year?!”

“You think I’m free? I have to support people here, so many businesses to run, and I haven’t let anyone else handle your part, I’m doing it all myself, making videos, chatting with customers, packing and shipping, handling after-sales! Terminate cooperation? Fine! Go ahead! Who’s afraid of whom? I can still eat well without your business, but can you survive without me?!”

“What’s wrong with quoting 220,000? Who says we can’t quote that? Just because Xu Qingyan quotes 200,000, we must quote lower than her? Who the hell is she! Business negotiations depend on the client! Japanese people have money! They don’t care about money! Didn’t we close the deal? And you’re blaming me? Who told you I was going to take the price difference? I’ll say it here! This 220,000 will be split seventy-thirty with you, you won’t miss a penny of what’s yours!”

“I’m working my heart out to make money for you, and what do you do? You go behind my back to meet clients secretly? Aren’t you afraid of ruining the deal! What were you thinking? Can you communicate with clients? How do you talk? Using your phone to type?”

Fang Xu laughed just thinking about that scene.

Seeing Luo Jingyu’s serious expression, he gradually stopped laughing.

“Luo Jingyu, let me remind you again, I can understand your desire to make a name for yourself, but you need to face reality. The reality is—”

Fang Xu pointed to his own ears, “You’re deaf, you can’t hear, and you’re mute, you can’t speak! In my eyes, you’re no different from an illiterate!”

Luo Jingyu’s face had turned ashen.

Fang Xu sneered and continued his tirade: “Go look at what you write on WeChat! You want to take Xu Qingyan as your goal? Heh, please open your eyes wide and look — are any of the masters disabled? You want to do high-end custom clothing? That requires people to think highly of you! To not mind that you’re a deaf person! Why don’t I let you show your face? Because common people think disabled people are pitiful and miserable, even a bit scary! If those hanfu girls knew these accessories were made by a deaf person, do you think they would buy them? It’s like those intellectually disabled people who get training to open bakeries, no matter how much the media promotes positive energy, I wouldn’t dare to buy! I’d be scared, Fish bro!”

The three customer service girls outside heard their boss’s roars, each staying silent as cicadas.

Later, when the boss’s voice lowered, after a while, Luo Jingyu walked out of the office with a cold face, putting on his mask. Fang Xu followed behind him, patting his shoulder. Luo Jingyu could only turn to look at him.

Fang Xu tried to be earnest: “Little Fish, I know you have ideas, men always want to make their mark in their career, but everyone has a ceiling, and the height of that ceiling isn’t just related to ability, but also to personal conditions. You’re deaf and mute, you’ve done very well to get this far, don’t aim too high. Aim! Too! High! Understand?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

Fang Xu said: “I promise you, I’ll keep an eye out for other business, and I’ll control the quantity of our regular orders, but if we make less money, don’t blame me, don’t forget you haven’t paid off your mortgage yet.”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“However, you also have to promise me, don’t go meeting clients randomly anymore, you don’t understand business negotiations, I can relay anything to you, understand?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“Alright, that’s it then, I won’t keep you for lunch.” Fang Xu turned to one of the girls and said, “Jingjing, order lunch boxes, get me a luxurious one today, this person nearly made me die of anger.”

Jingjing replied weakly: “Oh—”

Luo Jingyu couldn’t stay any longer and left Fang Xu’s workplace immediately.

The subway station wasn’t far from the building, but Luo Jingyu didn’t want to go in. With his mask on and hood pulled down, hands in his pockets, he wandered aimlessly down the street.

His right hand touched a stack of papers – the ones Huanhuan had written for him. He had brought them with him, folded them neatly in his pocket. If he had left them at Fang Xu’s place, they would surely have been crumpled up and thrown away.

Fang Xu had said a lot, speaking so quickly that Luo Jingyu hadn’t caught much of it. Even when he could read the lip movements clearly, he often didn’t understand the meaning. However, he had grasped several key messages.

For instance, three years ago, without Fang Xu, his career would have been stuck in the mud – this was a fact;

For instance, he was able to buy his house because working with Fang Xu had earned him the down payment;

For instance, Fang Xu wasn’t afraid of terminating their cooperation, but he couldn’t survive without Fang Xu – an argument impossible to refute;

And for instance, he was deaf and mute, so he needed to stay hidden, or else people would despise him…

Luo Jingyu stopped on the sidewalk and turned to look at the busy road. They say cars make sounds when they run – engine sounds, horn sounds, brake sounds, the sound of tires rolling over manhole covers… all the sounds are different, and the street should be very lively, but in his world, everything was forever on mute.

A cold wind blew past. Luo Jingyu raised his hand to rub his eyes – somehow they had suddenly become sour. Had sand gotten in them?

Fortunately, he was wearing a mask, and his hood was pulled low over his face. No one could see his expression right now.

Luo Jingyu felt helpless and confused like never before. He didn’t think his ideas were wrong, yet he couldn’t find fault with what Fang Xu had said, which left his thoughts in chaos. He wondered what all his efforts over these years had been for. In this industry, was this really as far as he could go?

— The ceiling.

Did Fang Xu mean he had already hit the ceiling?

But he was only twenty-six.

He hadn’t even gotten a chance to properly showcase himself.

Or was it that because he was deaf, he didn’t deserve such a chance?

After walking for a very long time, Luo Jingyu felt hungry and realized he had walked past two subway stations.

He found a KFC, went in to order a meal, and sat at a table slowly eating his burger.

Opening his phone, he found messages from Zhan Xi.

Egg Pudding: Little Fish, did you meet with Fang Xu?

Big Fish: Yes, I’ve left now.

Egg Pudding: How did it go? You didn’t get into a fight, did you? [grin]

Egg Pudding: Want to have dinner together? I’ll go buy groceries.

Luo Jingyu thought for a moment before answering.

Big Fish: Not today, I have something tonight.

Egg Pudding: Okay, then I’ll cook for myself!

Egg Pudding: I was going to tell you to check on Gift at the vet on your way home, I left it there before work. It’s too young to stay alone during the day. Since you’re busy, forget it, I’ll pick it up after work.

Big Fish: Weekend, I’ll come to your place to see her.

Egg Pudding: Haha, now it’s my turn to say, weekend won’t work, my brother and I are going home for New Year’s Day, we arranged it with mom and dad long ago.

Big Fish: Then where will Gift go?

Egg Pudding: I’ll board it at the pet shop.

Luo Jingyu didn’t know if his brain had crossed some wires when he typed—

Big Fish: How about, I take care of Gift during New Year’s?

Egg Pudding: Won’t it be too much trouble for you?

Big Fish: Not at all. Yesterday, I think she was calling me? I can’t hear, you’re lucky, being her mom.

Egg Pudding: [covers face] You mean Gift was actually calling for you and I just happened to pick up the slack?

Big Fish: Yes, she’s a girl, I’m handsome.

Egg Pudding: Oh my! I can’t argue with that!!! [laughing through tears]

Big Fish: It’s settled then, I’ll take care of Gift for New Year’s, don’t send her to the pet shop, she’s so small, poor thing.

Egg Pudding: Okay! Then I’ll bring her to you before I leave. Take good care of her! If you don’t, I’ll scratch you!

Egg Pudding: angry cat.jpg

Big Fish: Don’t worry, I’ll feed her milk and clean the litter box.

Successfully shifting the topic from Fang Xu to the kitten, Luo Jingyu breathed a sigh of relief and stopped looking at his phone.

In the evening, he actually had nothing to do – what could he possibly have to do? Every day he just stayed at home, cooking, eating, sleeping, running, tending to flowers, working, working, working…

He just didn’t have the courage to face Zhan Xi.

He was afraid she would be like the previous night, gently and patiently letting him type out the details of his conversation with Fang Xu.

He couldn’t refuse her, but he really didn’t want to talk about it.

The street might have sand that gets in your eyes, but her home didn’t. If his eyes turned red again, he really wouldn’t be able to hold it together.

—

January first of the new year fell on a Wednesday. Since it didn’t connect to the weekend, the country didn’t adjust the schedule, and New Year’s Day was just a single day off.

Weiwei had to go to school on Monday and Tuesday and couldn’t take time off, so Zhan Jie decided to drive out on Saturday and return Sunday night, while Zhan Xi took Monday and Tuesday as annual leave and would take the bus back herself on Wednesday, staying home for a full five days.

Early Saturday morning, Zhan Xi arranged to bring Gift to Luo Jingyu’s home.

They hadn’t seen each other for two days, but Zhan Xi didn’t think anything of it – she and Little Fish were just friends, how could they see each other every day?

Luo Jingyu came to the eighth floor to help Zhan Xi – Gift had a lot of things: sleeping box, cat carrier, litter box, milk, syringes, water bowl, food bowl, cat food… Luo Jingyu was worried Zhan Xi couldn’t carry it all, so he came to help.

They took the elevator together to the fifteenth floor. When they got out, Zhan Xi naturally asked, “Little Fish, which unit do you live in? 02 or 03?”

1501 was Gu Xinchi’s home, and since Little Fish lived alone, he must be in one of the middle-sized units – that was Zhan Xi’s reasoning.

After reading her lip movements, Luo Jingyu suddenly smiled brilliantly, showing a row of white teeth.

Ah… he had never told Huanhuan his apartment number.

Luo Jingyu tilted his head, gesturing for Zhan Xi to follow him. After a right turn, they stood in front of unit 1504.

Zhan Xi: “…”

If she remembered correctly, the landlady had said that the 04 units in this building were large apartments, 140 square meters!

Luo Jingyu was already taking out his keys to open the door. When the door opened, Zhan Xi’s eyes instantly widened.

She saw a spacious, bright, and stylish living room that was completely incomparable to her small, plain living room!

Luo Jingyu went in first, but when he turned around, he saw Zhan Xi still stunned in the doorway. He smiled again, put his things down on the entrance cabinet, and waved to her.

Zhan Xi walked in almost stumbling, her mouth slightly open, unable to close her jaw.

Luo Jingyu took out slippers for her from the shoe cabinet. Zhan Xi swallowed and asked in disbelief, “This is your home?”

Luo Jingyu pursed his lips and nodded lightly.

Zhan Xi asked again, “Renting or bought?”

Luo Jingyu pointed at Zhan Xi, then pointed his right index finger at his own temple and drew several circles – this was their special sign language between them meaning “you guess.”

Zhan Xi hesitantly asked, “You… bought it?”

Luo Jingyu nodded again, smiling and shrugging his shoulders.

Zhan Xi was dumbfounded: “Oh my god… Little Fish, you’re actually rich!”