ATLAS TRANSLATES

The three girls danced to a three-minute song over and over. Whenever Teacher Qiu noticed they weren’t in sync or someone’s movements weren’t precise enough, she would pause the music and count the beats to help them perfect it.

Zhan Xi originally thought the annual party dance was just for fun, but she didn’t expect Teacher Qiu to take it so seriously. The three of them no longer dared to slack off – none wanted to drag the small team down, and their attitudes became increasingly serious.

After two hours of practice, the results were much better than when they practiced on their own.

Luo Jingyu stood outside the classroom watching them dance. Though he couldn’t hear the music, he could feel the vibrations. When the intro started, even before Zhan Xi moved, he had already placed his palm against the glass.

After several rounds, Luo Jingyu even discovered a pattern – when the rhythm reached certain points, Zhan Xi would begin to dance.

He verified this pattern again and again, his left hand fingers moving lightly, counting “three, two, one,” with increasingly smaller margins of error! This insignificant little game secretly delighted him. He couldn’t explain the feeling, just realized that music and dance weren’t entirely meaningless to him after all.

He had always liked beautiful and quiet things. Now he discovered that those lively, abstract things he’d never experienced, like unimaginable music, could actually be perceived in another way.

When Zhan Xi danced, she would look at him with blazing eyes. Luo Jingyu was forced to look away several times, but couldn’t help looking back.

He told himself he shouldn’t be so captivated, yet selfishly thought it was just a moment of indulgence. He was only watching her practice dance – what was wrong with that? She had said they could still be friends, they were friends! They hadn’t cut ties, right?

At 8:00 sharp, Teacher Qiu finally called an end to class. Zhan Xi collapsed on the floor exhausted. Teacher Qiu crouched beside her to massage her thighs, asking, “Tired?”

Zhan Xi didn’t even have energy to speak, only nodding.

While massaging, Teacher Qiu smiled and said, “During my years learning dance, and later as a trainee, I practiced from morning until night every day. Have you watched those talent shows? Some people train for just a few months before being sent to compete, just because they have a pretty face and personality that people like, so they stand out. But people like us who truly love dance but don’t have outstanding personalities never even get the chance to compete.”

Zhan Xi asked, “Do you regret it?”

“Not at all.” Teacher Qiu kept her head down, massaging firmly. “It’s not easy for someone to find something they truly love doing. I know you think I’m strict and unnecessarily particular, but I’ve taken your money, and this is what I’m best at – I want to do it well. I think you also want to go on stage with confidence, right?”

“Yes!” Zhan Xi nodded vigorously, then asked, “Teacher Qiu, how much do regular classes here cost? Can someone my age still learn?”

Teacher Qiu raised an eyebrow: “Why couldn’t you learn? I have students in their forties and fifties! Dancing – what age can’t dance? Look at those plaza dancing aunties, how happy they are dancing every day. When I’m old, I’ll definitely be the most beautiful among the plaza dancers, doing splits and cartwheels!”

Yuan Sichen and Qian Yun were also resting. Hearing Teacher Qiu’s words, they all giggled together.

After resting for three minutes, Zhan Xi saw Luo Jingyu still waiting outside. She gritted her teeth and bravely got up to get her clothes, saying, “Sisters, I’m leaving first. My friend is waiting for me.”

Qian Yun looked at her hesitantly. Yuan Sichen pulled her arm, so Qian Yun didn’t ask.

Only after Zhan Xi went to the changing room did Qian Yun ask Yuan Sichen: “Is Xiao Zhan’s friend deaf and mute? I saw her using sign language with him.”

Yuan Sichen said: “I think so. She said this morning she had plans to eat with a friend – probably this guy.”

Qian Yun said in surprise: “But today is Valentine’s Day! Is she… is she dating him? A deaf-mute person? No way!”

“How is it your business?” Yuan Sichen smiled. “Hey, let’s not talk about this at work. We shouldn’t meddle in the young lady’s private affairs.”

Teacher Qiu, while packing up, added: “I agree with that. Besides, I think Xiao Zhan seems quite open about it, doesn’t look like she minds.”

Qian Yun pouted: “I just wonder what about Lin Yan?”

“Xiao Zhan obviously has no interest in Lin Yan – she won’t even drink his milk tea.” Yuan Sichen picked up her clothes. “Let’s go, I need to spend some couple time with my boyfriend too.”

Qian Yun grinned lecherously: “After dancing so hard today, can you still handle couple time?”

Yuan Sichen pushed her: “Oh! So when you have couple time with your husband, you’re the one getting tired? Quite adventurous!”

Teacher Qiu was drinking water and almost spat it out: “You two get out of here! Not suitable for children!”

—

While the sisters were experienced, Zhan Huanhuan was still just a rookie.

Going downstairs with Luo Jingyu after changing clothes, she secretly glanced at him. Each glance made her want to smile, her little heart going thump-thump. Thinking about how he had come to watch her dance, hehe… looks like she wasn’t the only one saying one thing but meaning another!

But Luo Jingyu couldn’t smile at all. If he had known earlier this was Valentine’s Day, he would never have agreed to eat with Huanhuan, let alone come looking for her and agree to wait after she had already cancelled dinner.

He didn’t want Huanhuan to misunderstand again. He really couldn’t face getting another “just friends” card from her.

Walking onto the street, the cold wind whipped around them. Zhan Xi had just worked up a sweat, and when the wind hit her, she shivered all over, immediately remembering the scarf in her bag.

She turned to look at Luo Jingyu – he wore that familiar black down jacket, with what looked like a crew neck sweater underneath. Even with the zipper pulled all the way up, his neck was still somewhat exposed. Zhan Xi quickly took out the scarf and handed it to him: “Put it on, the wind is strong. I washed it.”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

So it was to return the scarf after all?

He took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck. Zhan Xi stood still, looking up at him, raising her hand to point at her own face.

Without needing words, Luo Jingyu understood her meaning and obediently took off his mask. When Zhan Xi saw his face, her smile became bright and radiant: “When you meet me in the future, can you not wear a mask?”

Luo Jingyu frowned and signed: [Why?]

“You’re asking why?” Zhan Xi unconsciously acted coy, thinking this person really… what else could it be? She just wanted to see his face! They hadn’t seen each other for so long – she could only satisfy her cravings by watching videos of him feeding Gift on her computer. Finally seeing him in person, how could she not look her fill?

However, Luo Jingyu really didn’t know why. He blinked but didn’t pursue the question further.

Walking side by side with him, Zhan Xi suddenly tugged his sleeve. When he turned his head, she asked with a grin: “Why did you come here?”

Luo Jingyu didn’t want to answer.

Zhan Xi persisted: “How did you know I was here?”

Luo Jingyu just looked at her, showing no intention of taking his phone out of his pocket.

Zhan Xi seemed not to notice his coldness and asked again: “Little Fish, did you think I danced well just now?”

Seeing her expectant eyes, thinking of her passionate and energetic dance moves earlier, Luo Jingyu’s expression became awkward again. Finally unable to hold back, he nodded slightly and gave her a thumbs up.

Zhan Xi was very happy, but her stomach growled. She muttered to herself, “I’m so hungry!”

Standing at the street corner looking around, she remembered to use the few signs she had learned while speaking: “I haven’t had dinner. Have you eaten?”

Luo Jingyu was shocked – she hadn’t eaten? Yet she had danced for so long – where did she get the energy?

He looked around with Zhan Xi, and they both spotted a KFC at the same time. Zhan Xi pointed and said: “Let’s go to KFC, I want a chicken roll!”

Luo Jingyu nodded, and Zhan Xi naturally tugged his arm: “Let’s go.”

But the man beside her pulled away as if electrocuted. Zhan Xi froze, saying awkwardly: “Sor-sorry.”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

He pressed his lips together, shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he walked to KFC with Zhan Xi.

In the restaurant, Luo Jingyu ordered on his phone. Zhan Xi got a chicken roll, wings, fries, and hot milk tea. Luo Jingyu ordered just a coffee for himself, returning with the tray shortly after.

At this hour, most people in KFC were just chatting, with a few couples here and there. Zhan Xi looked at them, then at Little Fish, feeling sweet inside, thinking they were like on a date.

They sat at a small round table. Zhan Xi was starving and decided to fill her stomach first. While eating, she secretly observed Little Fish. He seemed to be in low spirits, his eyes always downcast, long eyelashes blinking slowly, jaw tense, face completely without a smile.

Zhan Xi shifted her chair closer to him. Luo Jingyu noticed and actually moved his chair away in the opposite direction. Zhan Xi didn’t dare move again and picked up her chicken roll to eat.

She didn’t like him being so distant! Before when they were together, he would joke with her! His eyes would always curve up in a smile, not like now, as if she owed him two million yuan.

When Zhan Xi went on blind dates with others, she talked very little, never initiating topics. But with Luo Jingyu it was different. Especially in this situation – if she didn’t speak up, Little Fish seemed like he could meditate until KFC closed.

After finishing the chicken roll and wings, Zhan Xi prepared to have a good talk with Little Fish.

“Just now…” seeing he wasn’t looking at her, she tugged his sleeve. Luo Jingyu looked up, and Zhan Xi continued, “Just now when you put your hand on the glass, could you feel the music?”

Luo Jingyu shook his head. Seeing her right hand resting on the table, he curved his index finger to tap the table, then pointed at her right hand and drew a question mark in the air.

“…Vibrations?” Though Zhan Xi was an arts student, she remembered her physics.

Luo Jingyu nodded and typed on his phone: [I don’t know what music is.]

Seeming like an unpleasant topic… Zhan Xi thought for a moment, wanting to lighten the mood between them, and asked with a smile: “Now that Mr. Chi’s cherry blossom tree is finished, what have you been busy with this week?”

Luo Jingyu typed: [Flower Festival.]

Zhan Xi asked: “What’s the Flower Festival?”

Luo Jingyu: [Baidu it.]

Zhan Xi: “…”

She pouted: “You won’t even tell me about it?”

This was really asking too much. Luo Jingyu was utterly helpless – how could he explain? He could explain in sign language clearly, but she wouldn’t understand. Type it out? Explaining the origins and development of a traditional festival would take half his life.

Seeing him holding his phone with such a conflicted expression, Zhan Xi burst out laughing: “I’m just joking with you, why so serious?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“These past few days, people really have come to consult me about pressed flowers,” Zhan Xi said slowly while eating fries. “That Mrs. Wu called me. She wants to make a peony bonsai. I told her I need to ask about your work schedule. Last time it took you almost a week to make ‘Good Fortune Comes.’ I guess a peony bonsai would take quite some time too. Are you interested in taking it?”

Luo Jingyu typed: [Peony, few flowers four days, many flowers one week, 900 per flower, but I have no time.]

“…” Zhan Xi was silent for a moment, then asked, “There’s another client, also a guest from Mrs. Chi’s birthday party. Her sister is getting married, and she wants to make a bridal bouquet for her sister. You don’t have time for that either?”

Luo Jingyu didn’t type, just shook his hand in response, his expression gloomy.

How could he have time lately? During the day he was already working with his stock materials to make peony hair accessories. For the next half month, he really couldn’t do anything except eat, sleep, and shower.

But Zhan Xi didn’t know this and felt very anxious, only sensing Little Fish’s distance.

The gentleness he showed earlier at the dance studio door when brushing back her hair was now completely gone. Why? Because she had said “Happy Holiday” to him? Zhan Xi thought for a long time, then looked up at Luo Jingyu and asked: “Little Fish, are you still angry with me?”

Luo Jingyu “silently” looked back at her, his gaze unfathomable.

Zhan Xi continued: “That is… those things I said to you on your birthday, are you still angry about that?”

Luo Jingyu sighed and typed: [I’m not angry.]

He looked at this girl, still wearing her ponytail. Because of dancing, her work makeup had long worn off. On her fair, clean face, her big eyes looked at him timidly, like a little friend seeking reconciliation after an argument.

Luo Jingyu didn’t understand why she would think this way. How could he possibly be angry with her? If he was angry, he could only be angry with himself. Angry at his daydreaming, thinking he could quietly stay by her side without anyone knowing, yet easily having his unseemly secret discovered by her. How embarrassing! He hadn’t said anything, yet she directly exposed it.

He regretted not leaving earlier! Now they wouldn’t have fallen back into this topic – he hated this topic! About that birthday night, he didn’t want to mention it at all, only hoping Huanhuan would let him go. He definitely wouldn’t overstep again!

“If you’re not angry, why are you being so mean to me?” Zhan Xi looked at him pitifully.

Luo Jingyu: “?”

When had he ever been mean to her?

Zhan Xi felt this couldn’t go on – she had to clear things up: “I know you’re angry, Little Fish. I apologize. What I said that day, I… I…”

She “I”-ed for a long time, her cheeks flushing red without finishing. Finally, she simply pulled out a box from her bag and placed it on the table, her finger pressing it as she pushed it towards Luo Jingyu, “For you. Happy Holiday.”

The box was covered in foreign text that Luo Jingyu couldn’t understand – not English, not Japanese – but from the pictures, he could tell they were chocolates.

Chocolates?!

Valentine’s Day, a girl giving chocolates to a boy…?

Luo Jingyu wasn’t an idiot – he had this much common sense. His mind exploded like a nuclear bomb. Looking at Zhan Xi again, his eyes widened, lips parted, hardly believing his own eyes, repeatedly denying this thought in his mind.

What did this mean? Impossible! Was she joking? Maybe the calendar was wrong – was this actually April Fool’s Day?!

Seeing his body become rigid, Zhan Xi’s face grew redder as she said: “Those WeChat messages I sent you on your birthday, I… I…”

She finally gathered her courage to complete a whole sentence: “I want to take them back.”

Luo Jingyu: “???”

“You… you…”

After endless “I-I-I’s,” Zhan Xi now started “you-you-you-ing.” This was the first time in her life saying such things – it was really embarrassing. “What do you… feel about me?”

She really wanted to lower her head but knew she couldn’t – if she did, Little Fish wouldn’t be able to see her lips. She could only force herself to look at him, nearly spitting out each word: “I… I feel about you, it’s like… that… Oh! Do you like me or not?”

Luo Jingyu had been knocked senseless by a huge wave, staring at her blankly.

Just be a bit thick-skinned and pretend he likes me!

Zhan Xi decided to explain her face-slapping behavior: “Little Fish, listen to me. I’m a coward. I was afraid my mom wouldn’t approve – she’s really controlled me strictly since I was little. When I thought about her disapproval, that’s why I said those things to you. But these past days, I’ve thought about it so much, and I realized I just can’t forget you. I just thought… I just wanted to be a bit braver… I… I don’t want to regret anything.”

Zhan Xi’s eyes grew wet as she looked at Luo Jingyu. “I’ve changed my mind, Luo Jingyu. Did you understand what I said? I’ve changed my mind, I’ve changed my mind, I really have changed my mind!”

From start to finish, Luo Jingyu stared at Zhan Xi’s face, “listening” very intently. Perhaps because people develop an understanding after spending time together, when it came to lip reading, he had become increasingly familiar with the way Zhan Xi’s lips, tongue, and teeth formed words – it was easier than reading anyone else’s lips.

But what had she just said? Was it an illusion? Was he dreaming? She must be being foolish!

He understood, but he wished he hadn’t!

When Luo Jingyu looked at that box of chocolates again, it was no longer just chocolates – it was a bomb! He didn’t dare touch it. He looked at it, then at Zhan Xi, then back at the chocolates…

Just as Zhan Xi was becoming anxious from his shocked expression, Luo Jingyu suddenly stood up and turned toward KFC’s main door. He moved as fast as the wind – by the time Zhan Xi turned around, he had already pulled open the glass door.

“Little Fish!” Zhan Xi grabbed her bag to chase him, not forgetting to take the chocolates. When she rushed out the door and looked around, Luo Jingyu was already dozens of meters away, leaving only his black silhouette.

“Little…” Zhan Xi remembered it was useless to call out. She’d better catch up to him. Fortunately, she hadn’t changed out of her dance shoes. Taking big strides, she finally caught up.

Zhan Xi once again grabbed Luo Jingyu’s arm from behind.

This time he didn’t struggle with her, quickly turning around but forcefully shaking off her hand. He glared down at her, his eyes resolute, lips pressed into a thin line, and raised his hands to sign a long series of gestures.

[What are you thinking? What are you taking back? Your relationship with your mother has nothing to do with me! Whether your mother agrees or not, you and I are impossible! You are a healthy person, a university graduate, beautiful and smart, while I am deaf! I can’t hear anything at all! Can’t speak a single word! You’re not a coward, and I’m not amazing! Your previous decision was correct! We really have no hope, no future! We can only be friends! The kind of friends who chat casually when meeting in the elevator! I don’t know what’s happened to you these days! Whatever it is, you’re wrong! I’m very sorry, really very sorry! I shouldn’t have disturbed your life, shouldn’t have let you misunderstand! It’s my fault, I’m wrong! Really, take back your chocolates, take back those words – you and I are impossible!]

Luo Jingyu’s signing was very forceful, with large movements. When his left and right hands collided, they made various “pah-pah” sounds. His facial expression never changed: such shock, such anger! As if Zhan Xi had committed some unforgivable sin.

To Luo Jingyu, what just happened wasn’t an urban fairy tale of requited love, but a glaring satirical fable!

She was such a smart, capable Teacher Egg, the most dazzling girl in any crowd! She was gentle, kind, patient, and considerate, like a flower fairy! All flowers bowed before her, like the moon in the sky! Pure as jade and not to be defiled!

While he was completely, utterly deaf.

How could a flower fairy lower herself? How could the bright moon fall to earth? It would get dusty! She would regret it!

He couldn’t let her get dusty! Couldn’t let her regret! He couldn’t let others look at her with all sorts of messy judgments.

How could she like a deaf person?

He could wear black clothes, black pants, black mask to turn himself into a shadow, but what about her? She was so outstanding – how could he hide her away? She would become a living target!

Zhan Xi didn’t understand any of Luo Jingyu’s signing. She only saw a flurry of hand gestures that made her dizzy. Even though she knew a few of the words, by the time she recognized them, they had already flashed past.

Because they were standing close, Zhan Xi’s upper body was forced to lean back from Luo Jingyu’s waving hands.

She could see his despairing gaze clearly, leaving her completely stunned.

Passersby glanced at them curiously, including couples walking arm in arm. When Luo Jingyu caught their gazes, his hands finally dropped dejectedly, and he took out his phone to type to Zhan Xi.

[When I speak, you don’t understand most of it, what are you thinking?]

[When I speak, others watch us, you lose face!]

After reading this, Zhan Xi looked up and shouted at him: “I’m not losing face! I’ll learn sign language! I need to find a teacher! You need to give me time!”

Luo Jingyu was really going crazy, raising his hands to sign another string: [This has nothing to do with sign language! Even if you learn sign language, we are still impossible! You are healthy! I am deaf! Don’t be so foolish!]

Zhan Xi didn’t like him treating her this way, calling out: “You know I don’t understand so much sign language right now! Can you type it out for me first? I don’t know what you’re saying!”

Luo Jingyu suddenly stopped, his face pale as he looked at her. His right index finger forcefully pointed at his chest, then at his right ear, his mouth, and finally crossed his forearms in front of him making a big “X”.

Zhan Xi stared at him with red eyes: “I know you can’t hear! Can’t speak! I didn’t just find out today! I don’t care!”

Luo Jingyu’s eyes also turned red, blood-shot, his hands trembling as he typed: [You need good man! I not!]

“You are good! Little Fish!” Zhan Xi was almost crying as she spoke, “I’ve never met a better man than you! Really!”

Luo Jingyu turned his head and “pah!” – slapped his palm against his forehead, truly about to break down.

He had so much he wanted to say! Tell her that he could secretly like her, not asking for anything in return, not expecting any result! But she couldn’t! No no no! This was absolutely the stupidest thing she’d ever done! The craziest thing! How could she have such thoughts? Wake up! Smart Teacher Egg, it’s not too late to give up now!

But his typing was so poor! He was about to die of anxiety!

At this point, what should he do?

He had to make her give up! Yes, he had to make her give up!

Opening his phone, Luo Jingyu’s trembling hands typed one final line for Zhan Xi: [I congenital deaf! Is genetic! Children deaf! You willing?]