ATLAS TRANSLATES

Zhan Ji called Zhan Xi ten minutes ago to say he was on his way, so she didn’t have much time to properly look around Luo Jingyu’s big house.

She only glanced at his kitchen – it was huge… The countertops were cream-colored with silver-gray cabinets, decorated in a modern style and exceptionally clean.

Interestingly, against the cool main color scheme, the bottles and jars on the counter and the frying pans hanging on the wall were in warm colors – reds, yellows, and oranges, all with simple yet elegant designs.

Zhan Xi felt that this kitchen was just like Little Fish himself – appearing cold and stern at first glance, not one for unnecessary words, but once you got to know him, you’d discover he was actually very, very warm.

Back in the somewhat empty living room, Zhan Xi saw a flower rack near the balcony, filled with potted plants and flowers. Even in this cold season, several flowers were blooming beautifully. She couldn’t name them but could tell their owner took great care of them.

Beyond the glass sliding doors on the balcony, there was even more greenery.

The winter sunlight streamed through the glass into the living room. Zhan Xi squinted, able to see tiny dust particles dancing in the air.

She turned to look at Luo Jingyu. He wore dark sportswear and was casually leaning against the large white workbench with his arms crossed, his long legs crossed at the ankles. Seeing her look over, he tilted his head slightly, a gentle smile appearing at the corners of his lips.

Zhan Xi walked to his side and saw many unfamiliar materials, tools, and some unfinished jewelry spread across the workbench. She remembered the photos Little Fish had sent her – that tank, various pieces of jewelry, the glass vase with sunflowers… So this was where they were all photographed.

Luo Jingyu’s gaze followed her constantly. It was a shame that as the owner of this house, despite putting so much thought into its decoration, he had no way to describe it to her.

Zhan Xi’s fingers grazed the table surface and picked up a piece of jewelry to examine curiously.

It was a strawberry hair clip, seemingly from the same series as the strawberry brooch she first saw in Little Fish’s video. The strawberry was red and round, very appealing.

Zhan Xi turned to Luo Jingyu and said, “I used to have a strawberry hair clip too, but it wasn’t made with pressed flowers. It wasn’t as cute as this one.”

Luo Jingyu took out his phone to type: [This one isn’t finished yet. Once it’s done, I’ll give it to you.]

Zhan Xi giggled, “Why do you keep wanting to give me things? This is something teenage girls would wear – it’s too childish for me!”

Luo Jingyu smiled and typed: [I think you’d look very good wearing it!]

After putting down the jewelry, Zhan Xi looked around the living room again and said, “Little Fish, your home is so beautiful!”

Luo Jingyu became shy and pointed to several closed room doors, using his eyes to ask if she wanted to see them all. Zhan Xi shook her head, “Let’s skip the tour for now, we’ll have chances in the future. I need to go down – my brother will be at the complex entrance to pick me up soon.”

She then pulled out a folded A4 paper from her pocket and handed it to Luo Jingyu, “Here, I’ve written down how to take care of Gift. Just follow these instructions.”

Luo Jingyu took it and looked – it was Zhan Xi’s handwritten “Gift Care Guide,” detailing everything about feeding, milk feeding, cleaning the litter box, managing sleep schedules… all written very thoroughly.

He nodded at her and gave an “OK” hand sign. Zhan Xi then took Gift out of its carrier and placed it in Luo Jingyu’s arms.

The kitten was well-behaved. Zhan Xi petted it and said softly, “Gift, be good at Uncle Fish’s place. Don’t be naughty. Mommy will come back for you in a few days.”

Luo Jingyu carefully held Gift, smiling at Zhan Xi.

Zhan Xi arranged Gift’s things one by one, then turned to Luo Jingyu and said, “Well… I should go now.”

Luo Jingyu’s eyes showed questions, but since he was holding Gift, he couldn’t reach for his phone. His eyes blinked several times, and his lips parted slightly, seeming a bit anxious. Zhan Xi noticed and asked, “Are you wondering when I’ll be back?”

Heavens! Zhan Xi had read Luo Jingyu’s mind exactly – Teacher Egg was truly amazing!

He nodded in relief, and Zhan Xi said, “I have to come back on the first, next Wednesday afternoon.”

Luo Jingyu calculated mentally – she would be gone for five days… such a long time. His expression showed some reluctance.

Zhan Xi smiled and said, “When I come back, I’ll bring you some specialties from my hometown.”

Luo Jingyu pressed his lips together and shook his head slightly. Zhan Xi said, “They’re not expensive, just some food items.”

She really had to go. Luo Jingyu carried Gift and saw her to the door. After Zhan Xi put on her shoes, she waved to him: “Little Fish, bye bye, see you next year.”

Luo Jingyu nodded to her, watching as she entered the elevator. Only after the elevator doors closed did he withdraw his smile and close the door with a hint of loneliness.

Gift stirred in his arms. Luo Jingyu looked down at it and saw it squinting its eyes and opening its mouth. He thought: Are you calling for her? Do you miss her?

Or like me, she’s barely left, and I already miss her.

—

Tong County was a county under Greater Qiantang’s jurisdiction, an economically developed and scenically beautiful county. It shared the same area code as Qiantang, its main district was fully urbanized, located west of Qiantang, and took nearly two hours to reach by highway after leaving the city.

Zhan Xi and Zhan Ji’s hometown was in Fucun Town under Tong County’s administration, which was also a vibrant and well-developed place.

On the road, Zhan Ji drove while Qin Fei sat in the passenger seat, with Zhan Xi and Weiwei in the back.

Zhan Xi noticed Qin Fei seemed unhappy, guessing it might be because she had to visit her in-laws.

Mom and Qin Fei had accumulated grievances over a long time – not only opposing when Zhan Ji was dating, but also during the wedding when there were conflicts over bride price due to different marriage customs between their hometowns. Later, when Qin Fei was in confinement after childbirth, her own mother came to Qiantang to take care of her, and the two mothers had another falling out with Chi Guilan.

Fortunately, Zhan Ji and Qin Fei would only stay one night this time. Zhan Xi prayed they could get along peacefully without fighting.

At the service area, after using the bathroom, Zhan Ji complained about being too tired from working overtime the previous night and didn’t want to drive anymore, so Qin Fei switched to the driver’s seat.

After driving for another hour or so, they reached Fucun Town, and the streetscape gradually became familiar. Soon, their three-story dark gray house appeared in Zhan Xi’s view.

After the four got out of the car, Zhan Xi saw Chi Guilan already waiting at the door. Mom had permed short hair, wore an army green down jacket with floral arm covers, and seeing her children, her face immediately creased into smiles as she ran over to meet them.

“Grandma!” Wei Wei called out politely.

“Oh, my precious grandson! Let grandma see if you’ve grown taller!” Chi Guilan tried to pick up Wei Wei, but Zhan Ji quickly stopped her: “Mom, be careful of your back! Wei Wei is almost 60 kilos now!”

“I really can’t lift him anymore. Quick, wash your hands, it’s time to eat.” Chi Guilan let go of Wei Wei and looked at Zhan Xi, her eyes widening, “Have you registered for the provincial exam?”

“Yes, yes, I have,” Zhan Xi nodded repeatedly.

“I knew you’d be the most obedient one.” Chi Guilan immediately smiled brightly, pinching her daughter’s face, “Huanhuan, have you lost weight? Haven’t you been eating properly? Look at this pointy chin!”

“No, I haven’t. What’s wrong with your eyes?”

Zhan Xi felt she’d been eating quite well, especially recently having enjoyed several feasts cooked by Little Fish, each time with four or five dishes. She felt she’d gained weight if anything.

Qin Fei, carrying gifts, walked last and heard this exchange. She glanced at Chi Guilan, who looked back at her. Qin Fei called out, “Mom.”

“Oh! Feifei, come in quickly, it’s time to eat.” After speaking, Chi Guilan linked arms with Zhan Xi, and mother and daughter went in through the gate affectionately.

This three-story house had a large yard. Chi Guilan had planted vegetables in a small plot and raised several chickens. Today, because her children were coming home, she specially killed one to make chicken soup for them.

Old Dad Zhan Qiang was watching TV in the first-floor living room. He was very happy to see his children come in, and after chatting for a bit, Zhan Xi asked, “Dad, where’s Grandma?”

“In her room,” Zhan Qiang answered.

“I’ll go talk with Grandma.” Zhan Xi happily headed toward the first-floor bedroom.

Chi Guilan heard and said loudly, “Your grandma’s hearing has gotten so bad now! She can’t hear anything, but her voice is very loud. I get exhausted every time I talk to her. Don’t waste your effort!”

Zhan Xi smiled, “It’s fine, I won’t talk, I’ll just listen to Grandma talk!”

She thought, when it came to communicating with someone who couldn’t hear, she had plenty of experience!

When Zhan Xi was little, her parents worked at the factory, and it was Grandma who took care of her. The grandmother and granddaughter were especially close.

Grandma had a good temperament, Dad took after her, and Zhan Xi felt her own temperament also took after Grandma.

After Mom married into the family, there had been some unpleasantness with Grandma due to her strong personality, but Grandma never held it against her daughter-in-law. It was also because of her mild temperament that she could live peacefully with her son and daughter-in-law until now. No matter how much Chi Guilan fussed, the old lady would just smile happily.

After spending some time talking with Grandma in her room, Chi Guilan called them out to eat.

The first lunch after coming home was warm and peaceful. After eating, Chi Guilan said to Qin Fei, “Feifei, could you clean up the dishes?”

Qin Fei: “?”

Zhan Xi knew what her mother meant – she wanted Qin Fei to wash the dishes. She quickly stood up and said, “I’ll clean up, I’ll clean up!”

Chi Guilan glanced at her and started stacking bowls, saying, “Oh forget it, forget it, I’ll do it. You young people are born lucky, while people like us are born to labor, we can never rest…”

Qin Fei rolled her eyes but still didn’t move.

Zhan Ji sat cross-legged playing games, apparently not hearing anything. Zhan Xi wanted to help her mother stack dishes, but Chi Guilan said, “I told you not to touch them! The water is so cold.”

Yet her eyes kept glancing at Qin Fei.

Qin Fei kicked Zhan Ji under the table. Zhan Ji looked up bewildered. In this smokeless war, he was quite experienced. He got up, rolled up his sleeves and said to Chi Guilan, “I’ll wash the dishes. I told you long ago to install a gas water heater at the sink so we could have hot water, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Chi Guilan coldly snorted and pushed away her son’s hands: “That’s too much trouble, we’d have to reinstall the water pipes. No no, don’t you move either, you’ve been driving all day, aren’t you tired?”

Zhan Ji was very awkward. Zhan Xi mumbled quietly, “Today sis-in-law did most of the driving.”

Chi Guilan: “…”

Qin Fei could also be patient – if told not to move, she wouldn’t move. In the end, Zhan Ji washed the dishes.

After lunch, since Zhan Ji and Zhan Xi hadn’t been home for three months, the whole family gathered in the first-floor living room to watch TV and chat.

Chi Guilan made several phone calls and invited her two sisters over. Zhan Ji had brought gifts for his aunts, and with nothing else to do, they set up a table to play mahjong.

Three little old ladies plus Zhan Ji made up one table, while Zhan Qiang watched cartoons with his grandson.

Qin Fei didn’t play – she was busy with work and had to take calls frequently.

Zhan Xi didn’t play either – she wasn’t very good at it and didn’t particularly like it, so she just sat on the side playing with her phone.

—

Luo Jingyu had a full set of filming equipment for recording his pressed flower videos.

He set up his phone on a tripod in the second bedroom, adjusted the angle, and sat cross-legged on the window seat holding Gift to feed it milk.

Zhan Xi had written that the fur on Gift’s belly had started growing, and the doctor said it could probably be weaned soon.

After drinking milk, the white kitten curled up in Luo Jingyu’s arms, its two fluffy little paws holding onto his finger to suckle – so cute. Luo Jingyu rubbed its belly and looked up at the phone with a silent smile. After a while, he went over to stop recording and sent the video to Zhan Xi.

Looking at the warm and handsome young man in the video, Zhan Xi secretly blushed and couldn’t help downloading the video to her phone.

She comforted herself: I actually just want to see the cat.

It wasn’t just this video – there was also footage of Gift walking on the floor. It still wasn’t very good at walking, tottering about and occasionally falling flat on its face. Luo Jingyu would pick it up and fondly rub its head.

Zhan Xi laughed watching the videos, and then happily started chatting with Little Fish.

Egg Pudding: Have you cleaned Gift’s litter box?

[Big Fish]: Done, so smelly! [vomit]

Egg Pudding: [crying laughing][crying laughing][crying laughing]

Egg Pudding: Don’t dislike it! It’s still a baby!

[Big Fish]: It’s learned to go potty, just not good at walking, very clumsy.

Egg Pudding: As if you never fell when learning to walk as a baby.

[Big Fish]: My mom said I could walk at 11 months, very smart!

Egg Pudding: Then I was later than you, I didn’t walk until 14 months.

[Big Fish]: That’s okay, you definitely learned to talk earlier than me [grin]

[Big Fish]: [sneaky smile]

This guy was joking around – Zhan Xi didn’t know how to respond.

Little Fish was quite amazing. Before meeting, he kept saying his conditions were poor, afraid she would be scared or dislike him. After meeting and her finding out he couldn’t hear, he seemed less concerned about it and could even joke about it.

Egg Pudding: Remember to keep Gift warm, don’t let it walk on the floor too much, the floor is very cold.

[Big Fish]: I know! I’m holding her, she’s eating my finger.

He sent another photo, taken very close up with his right hand holding the phone – Gift was curled up in his arms, sucking on his left finger again.

Zhan Xi’s willpower was very weak. At this point her eyes weren’t even looking at the cat anymore, only focused on his beautiful hands.

She thought this person was quite bad – was he doing this on purpose? Was he doing this on purpose? Hmph! He definitely was doing this on purpose!

Just as she was smiling stupidly at her phone, she heard Chi Guilan’s voice: “Huanhuan?”

“Huh?” Zhan Xi quickly looked up. Chi Guilan was looking at her suspiciously from the mahjong table: “I called you several times. Who are you chatting with that makes you so happy?”

“No one! I’m not chatting! I’m just… watching funny videos.” Zhan Xi’s face heated up as she stammered.

Chi Guilan seemed unconvinced and watched her daughter for a while before turning her attention back to the mahjong tiles.

“Oh right, Huanhuan, do you remember Cui Lin?” Aunt turned to ask her, “You went to the same elementary and middle school.”

Zhan Xi said, “I remember, what about her?”

“She got married this month. The groom’s family is quite well-off, they’re relocated residents from Qiantang’s suburbs. The wedding procession was quite grand, must have spent a lot of money.” Aunt turned to Chi Guilan, “Second Sister, Cui Lin isn’t as pretty as our Huanhuan, her school wasn’t good, and her job is just so-so. If she could have such a grand wedding, our beautiful Huanhuan will definitely marry an excellent young man in the future!”

“Hmph.” Chi Guilan drew a mahjong tile, speaking disdainfully, “Marrying a relocated resident counts as grand? Four of a kind.”

Big Aunt said: “Isn’t being a relocated resident good? They have several houses! Three bamboo!”

“Like nouveau riche, what’s good about that?” Chi Guilan snorted again, “I wouldn’t approve. Our Huanhuan is educated, she’ll work at a good institution in the future. If she marries, it should be to someone cultured, like from a scholarly family, or a civil servant, or someone from a bank – I like those best. Doctors won’t do, tsk tsk, too busy. Teachers… university professors are okay, but high school teachers aren’t much.”

Zhan Ji chimed in: “What about police officers? Peng!”

“Are you joking? Such a dangerous job, never home!” Chi Guilan glared at Zhan Ji, “Alei, you absolutely must not introduce any matches to your sister! Unstable jobs are absolutely not okay, dangerous jobs are even more out of the question!”

Zhan Ji smiled sheepishly: “How would I dare?”

Zhan Xi: “…”

Little Aunt chuckled and turned to ask Zhan Xi: “Huanhuan, your mom has such high expectations for you, you better hurry! Do you have a boyfriend now?”

Zhan Xi shook her head.

“Hu!” Zhan Ji called out.

Chi Guilan pushed away the mahjong tiles and stood up, calling: “Old Zhan, you come play, I’m done.”

Zhan Qiang took Chi Guilan’s seat, and Chi Guilan sat down beside Zhan Xi. She made no attempt to hide it, directly taking her daughter’s phone and saying cheerfully: “Come, unlock it for mom.”

Zhan Xi was dumbfounded: “What for?”

Chi Guilan smiled: “Weren’t you watching funny videos? You were laughing so happily, let mom watch too.”

Zhan Xi: “…”

She would never unlock it! Her chat with Little Fish was still at the top of WeChat, with his photos and videos that he’d just sent!

Chi Guilan stared at her daughter: “Unlock it.”

“I won’t!” Zhan Xi’s face turned from red to white and back again, “Mom, I’m twenty-three, almost twenty-four after New Year’s. Please stop treating me like a child!”

“Why are you so nervous?” Chi Guilan laughed, looking down at the black screen of the phone in her hand, “Are you chatting with a boy? Even if you are chatting with a boy, mom won’t scold you. At your age, you should be looking for someone.”

“Mom, don’t worry about what I’m doing. I’m grown up now, and I don’t want to show you my phone.” Zhan Xi was extremely nervous, that incident from her freshman year still fresh in her memory, leaving her with psychological trauma.

The four people at the mahjong table all heard their conversation but dared not make a sound.

Chi Guilan spoke seriously: “Even if you’re grown up, you’re still my daughter. You’re too honest and naive. Many of your friends are questionable – mom is worried you’ll be led astray or deceived.”

Zhan Xi said: “Mom, trust me, I won’t be. I know how to choose my friends.”

“Oh? So it really is a boy?” Chi Guilan seemed to understand now, excitedly asking, “What’s his situation? How old is he? Where’s he from? What’s his education level? What does he do? How much does he make a month?”

Zhan Xi was about to break down. She looked pleadingly toward the mahjong table, but Zhan Qiang and Zhan Ji both turned away. Zhan Xi clenched her fists tightly, terrified her mother would grab her hand and force her to unlock the phone.

During this standoff, Qin Fei spoke up: “Mom, Huanhuan is grown up, she should have her own privacy. Aren’t you being too controlling?”

Zhan Xi looked gratefully at Qin Fei.

Chi Guilan also turned to look at her daughter-in-law: “Too controlling? If I’m not strict enough, she’ll be living with men before marriage. Who would I complain to then?”

Zhan Ji’s forehead was practically dripping with sweat.

Qin Fei’s expression turned cold: “Mom, I don’t like hearing that. What do you mean?”

“I don’t mean anything. Our Huanhuan has always been obedient and sensible since childhood. I just don’t want her learning bad habits.” Chi Guilan glanced at Zhan Ji, then at Qin Fei, “Originally, after Huanhuan graduated and lived at your place, I was very reassured. But then she actually moved out to rent an apartment. Why do you think that is? Such a grown girl living alone, I worry every day and can’t sleep!”

Qin Fei was angry now. She looked toward the mahjong table, and after meeting her gaze, Zhan Ji said: “Mom, our place is really far from Huanhuan’s work…”

“Shut up! This isn’t your business.” Chi Guilan cut off her son’s words.

The atmosphere in the living room became silent and awkward, with only the TV’s sound remaining. Qin Fei stood up and called her son: “Weiwei, let’s go upstairs, mom will help you with homework.”

Weiwei was reluctant: “I haven’t finished watching my cartoon!”

“Stop watching. Finals are coming up soon, do homework first.” Qin Fei insisted, taking her son’s hand and carrying his schoolbag upstairs.

“No manners, that’s what you get from rural people.” Chi Guilan muttered before looking back at Zhan Xi. Zhan Xi had calmed down now and silently took the phone back from her mother’s hand, also standing up: “I’m going back to my room too.”

“Huanhuan!” Chi Guilan called after her.

Zhan Xi stopped but didn’t turn around, saying quietly: “Mom, I’m long past nineteen years old.”

—

At night, after dinner, Zhan Xi used the excuse of going back to her room. Her room was on the third floor with no one next door. Except for using the bathroom and showering, she hadn’t come out again.

Zhan Xi knew Chi Guilan had always been very controlling. Since childhood, many things her mother did had greatly impacted her.

When Zhan Xi was younger, she didn’t know how to resist. Her transformation came after starting university. The incident at nineteen was a turning point, then she was influenced by the free-spirited Luo Xinran, and learned from her other two roommates about their relaxed, close, harmonious, and trusting family atmospheres. Zhan Xi finally understood that her mom’s behavior had become too extreme.

But she never expected that even at her current age, her mom would still so righteously demand to see her phone in front of so many people!

Just like in high school when she would search through her backpack without rhyme or reason.

Hiding under her blanket, Zhan Xi opened WeChat and saw messages from Luo Jingyu.

[Big Fish]: Gift is sleeping, how about you?

[Egg Pudding]: I’m not asleep yet.

[Big Fish]: I made a hole in the sleeping box, she can come out. I put water and food bowls next to the box so she can eat.

Zhan Xi thought for a moment and decided to tell Little Fish something she hadn’t written on the paper.

[Egg Pudding]: Little Fish, these past few nights, Gift starts out sleeping in the box, but she wakes up in the middle of the night, not sure if it’s because she’s cold or feels insecure. She’ll cry and scratch at the box, so in the late night I always end up taking her to sleep on the bed, and then she’ll fall asleep again. The doctor said kittens need to sleep a long time, almost twenty hours a day, so if possible, please check on her at night. Nothing else, I just worry she’ll disturb the neighbors.

[Big Fish]: I understand, I’ll check on her, don’t worry.

Zhan Xi felt quite embarrassed – this request was really too much for Luo Jingyu. He couldn’t hear the kitten cry, couldn’t know immediately when it woke up, and had to look after a cat in the middle of the night. He wouldn’t get good sleep himself.

[Egg Pudding]: If you think it’s too dirty to let her on the bed, just make her bedding thicker, maybe she won’t cry then.

[Big Fish]: I’m not afraid of dirt, she’s very cute. [smile]

They chatted for over an hour before saying goodnight, and Zhan Xi went to sleep.

At some unknown hour in the night, someone quietly entered Zhan Xi’s room without turning on the lights. They felt around her bedside for a while – not on the bedside table, not by the pillow, not in her bag… That person even reached under Zhan Xi’s pillow to feel around. Zhan Xi turned over, and only then did they stop.

After a while, the person left empty-handed, letting out a soft “hmph” before reluctantly leaving the room.

In the darkness, Zhan Xi opened her eyes, her body tense and completely still.

Her phone was already powered off, hidden in a drawer at the bottom of the bookshelf, covered by old books. Even if called, it wouldn’t ring or light up.

Much later, she finally let out a breath.

She made a decision in her heart – after turning on her phone tomorrow, she would delete all chat records with Little Fish, and Lin Yan’s, Wang He’s, male university classmates’, other male colleagues’ from work… everything, everything had to be deleted.

The only thing she was reluctant to part with was her chats with Little Fish… Over a month, they’d had countless conversations, shared countless photos… but they all had to be deleted!

It was really heartbreaking.

Zhan Xi had no choice – she would be home for five days, and she couldn’t stay vigilant every moment for five days. It was too difficult! She absolutely would not allow what happened when she was nineteen to happen again!

Especially since this time, it could be Little Fish.