ATLAS TRANSLATES

When Fang Xu asked this question, Luo Jingyu wasn’t particularly surprised.

Deep down, he felt that Fang Xu had seen through his thoughts.

All good things must come to an end. After nearly four years of collaboration with Fang Xu, their conflicts had grown increasingly sharp, and they were bound to part ways eventually.

But now wasn’t the time. He wasn’t prepared. Without Fang Xu, most of Luo Jingyu’s business would come to a halt. A halt meant no income, and for him, no income was a very serious matter.

Luo Jingyu actually had a small plan in mind. When he went to Shanghai for advanced training in May, he wanted to talk with Teacher Xu in person and hear his opinion before making a decision.

So at this moment, he shook his head at Fang Xu and typed on his phone before showing it to him: [No, don’t overthink it.]

After reading it, Fang Xu’s expression didn’t soften. He crossed his legs and asked, “What does your girlfriend do? Is she also into hot pressing flowers?”

Luo Jingyu shook his head.

Fang Xu gave a cold smile: “Then your girlfriend must be quite something, able to help you get orders. Where did she get them from?”

Luo Jingyu thought for a moment and typed: [Cherry blossom tree, Japanese party.]

After reading this, Fang Xu was stunned, thinking this girlfriend met him at that Japanese person’s birthday party?

Luo Jingyu’s phone came over again: [I invited you before, you said you wouldn’t come.]

Fang Xu: “…”

Indeed, Luo Jingyu had invited him. That day he had to work from early morning until dawn the next day to finish, worried he couldn’t manage it all. He was also concerned about communicating with people, so he wanted to ask Fang Xu to come along.

But Fang Xu complained it was tiring and said he wouldn’t be useful since he couldn’t install flower petals. He suggested having Little Li from the sculpture studio handle the communication, so Luo Jingyu didn’t force him.

Thinking of this, Fang Xu felt a bit embarrassed and slowly began speaking: “Little Fish, you’ve been busy lately and I haven’t had a chance to talk with you. Now that you’re resting, let’s have an open discussion. Actually, ever since we took that cherry blossom tree order at the end of last year, I noticed you were acting strange. You went to meet the Japanese clients without telling me, then wrote me a long essay afterward. I wanted to read that essay again later but couldn’t find it.”

He spoke very slowly, wanting Luo Jingyu to be able to read his lips. Luo Jingyu was reading very carefully, but since Fang Xu wasn’t like Zhan Xi, they rarely talked face to face, and Luo Jingyu wasn’t familiar enough with his pronunciation style. When reading his lips, he could only desperately grasp key words and try to understand by connecting the context.

Fang Xu continued: “I know you have issues with me. Last time when you came to find me, I already explained very clearly – it’s not that I don’t want to help you open new markets, but the market itself isn’t big. How many times do I have to tell you before you understand?”

He pointed at his right ear, “You can’t hear, so why can’t you just be content? This year, let’s focus on preparing for the Hanfu Festival business, make thirty or forty thousand, your income will be more than last year. We’ve been making progress, haven’t you noticed? Business gets better every year, all the girls acknowledge your craftsmanship. If you want to be more famous, I can help promote you – Teacher Luo, or Teacher Little Fish, either name would work fine.”

Fang Xu felt he was truly trying to reason with him, “I just ask that you be a bit more practical, don’t daydream, always wanting to compete with Xu Qingyan! How many Xu Qingyans are there in China? Those hot pressing flower crafters, many don’t even earn as much as you, have you thought about why they’re more famous than you?”

Luo Jingyu stared at him with a gloomy expression.

Fang Xu answered his own question: “They can film short videos, dress up beautifully and show their faces, demonstrating flower-making while explaining; they can also offer online paid teaching courses, teaching enthusiasts entry-level flowers; they can even hold hot pressing flower salons privately, attended by wealthy wives and young ladies, four or five people having afternoon tea while each making a flower, earning in one afternoon what takes you two days of hard work. Can you do any of these? If you could, I’d arrange them for you right away!”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“There’s an idiom called ‘play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses,’ have you learned it?” Fang Xu sneered, “It means you should develop your advantages, strengths, and avoid your disadvantages, weaknesses. So what are your advantages? You’re persistent, patient, skilled, and your designs match the aesthetics of Hanfu girls. And what are your disadvantages? No need for me to say it, right, Luo Jingyu!”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“Last time, you sent me photos of that cherry blossom tree, asking me to help promote it. I did, do you know what the industry feedback was? I didn’t even dare tell you!” At this point, Fang Xu started laughing.

Luo Jingyu didn’t know the feedback. During that time, he was making peonies day and night, had no time to check group messages, and had muted several hot pressing flower groups.

He frowned and drew a question mark in the air.

“You really want to know? Don’t get angry at me after knowing.” Fang Xu gave a dry laugh.

Luo Jingyu nodded.

Fang Xu put down his crossed legs, leaned forward slightly, and moved his mouth very obviously, speaking almost word by word: “They said, people who take orders like this are crazy.”

Luo Jingyu’s expression suddenly changed.

“Everyone was laughing at you, saying who would be crazy enough to take such an order? Making a tree with hot pressing! Are they sick? Didn’t they work until they vomited? Isn’t it degrading? What’s the point of repeatedly making so many identical flowers? Are they that desperate for money? I couldn’t even face replying, you know? I didn’t dare mention your name, and you wanted me to promote it? It was truly group mockery!”

Fang Xu shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Little Fish Luo, society is very realistic, and you’re too naive. Do you think making a tree is impressive? But people are calling you an idiot! This is why I didn’t want to take this order in the first place! Wouldn’t it be better to make more Valentine’s Day limited editions? Isn’t that money more pleasant to earn? If I hadn’t quoted twenty-two thousand and actually followed your quote of fifteen thousand, we would have lost terribly!”

Color rushed to Luo Jingyu’s face, then quickly drained away leaving him pale. This kind of feedback was unexpected – he had hoped to gain some recognition with this cherry blossom tree, but this was the result?

Was he really crazy to take this order? Was he the only one willing to take it?

Was he too stupid?

Was this beneath him? Apart from earning money, was there no other meaning?

He couldn’t understand, feeling deeply hurt, so ashamed he wanted to turn away and never look at Fang Xu speaking again, but he couldn’t.

Fang Xu was calmly communicating with him, and he did need to know the industry feedback. He couldn’t not listen just because the opinions were unpleasant. He wasn’t that fragile – he wanted to improve, he wanted to know exactly what he had done wrong.

“See? This is the big order you talked about. We took it, you made it, made it quite well, but what’s the result? The reputation is completely ruined! Fortunately, this kind of thing only spreads within the hot pressing circle, it doesn’t affect our business. The Hanfu girls don’t understand these things, and no one knows this stupid tree was made by you.”

Fang Xu took a sip of tea after blowing away the tea leaves, then sighed deeply and looked up, saying, “Don’t think I’m unwilling to communicate with you. Actually, I’m very willing, it’s just that communicating with you is very tiring, you know? You can’t hear, you’re not good at typing, every time it’s like now – just me rambling on while you stare blankly at me. I’m really curious, how do you communicate with your girlfriend? She can hear, does she know sign language? How can she stand you? One person talking while the other stays silent when dating, that’s not normal! Do you think you two can last? … Hey hey! Did you understand everything I just said?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

He “heard” clearly, but didn’t want to respond, didn’t want to react, didn’t want to move, just wanted to become invisible.

Fang Xu was about to explode: “Luo Jingyu, ah Luo Jingyu, please accept your position! Ah damn! How should I say it to make you accept your fate? You’re deaf, deaf and mute, brother! We’ve been partners for so many years, haven’t I taken care of you enough? Have you forgotten where we first met? Without me, would there be today’s you? Our accounts are clear and clean, I’ve never withheld your money, what more do you want?”

He took a breath, “You want to go solo, I won’t stop you, go look around, see if you can find another partner more reliable than me? When I first wanted to do the hot pressing business, plenty of people wanted to partner with me, why did I choose you? Just because I felt sorry for you, learning well but having no business. I helped you so much, not saying you need to be grateful and repay me, but at least you shouldn’t burn the bridge after crossing it, right?”

Luo Jingyu: “…”

“Did I use too many idioms again, you don’t understand? Well, do you understand ‘white-eyed wolf’? Luo Jingyu, don’t be a white-eyed wolf! I know you’re not that kind of person, you’ve always been sensible. Who taught you this? Who helped you write that long essay? Your girlfriend? What’s her deal! If she’s so capable, why doesn’t she help you herself? Anyone can just talk! Isn’t this stirring up trouble? I’m kindly advising you, Luo Jingyu, keep the money you earn for yourself, don’t foolishly spend it all on women. They probably just see you as a deaf person, stupid with money and easy to deceive!”

Luo Jingyu didn’t want to “listen” anymore, really, not a single word. He wanted to tell Fang Xu to leave, please leave, please leave right now. He truly couldn’t face him for another second.

Fang Xu had basically finished speaking. After drinking some more tea, he stood up and walked to Luo Jingyu, patted his shoulder, looking down at him, saying: “Little Fish, think about it carefully. You’re disabled, deaf and mute. Without me, can you run the business by yourself? Those broken peony decorations, can they compare to the Hanfu Festival? The Hanfu Festival, hundreds of thousands in business – if you don’t want to do it, tell me early, I’ll find someone else to partner with. Breaking up our partnership isn’t difficult, just one word from you.”

Luo Jingyu looked up at him. After Fang Xu finished speaking, he patted Luo Jingyu’s arm once more and left.

Much later, Luo Jingyu finally stood up from the chair and turned to see Gift still on the cat tree. He walked over and reached out both hands to Gift, and the little cat obediently came into his arms.

He sat on the sofa holding Gift, his palm gently stroking Gift’s white fur. The soft little creature seemed able to heal the hurt in his heart, but couldn’t stop his eyes from becoming red and swollen again.

He certainly remembered his first meeting with Fang Xu.

Fang Xu’s girlfriend at the time was a young lady from a wealthy family who loved Hanfu culture. She met Luo Jingyu while learning basic hot pressing in Shanghai, though Luo Jingyu didn’t know her.

After returning to Qiantang, she told Fang Xu about Luo Jingyu’s situation. Fang Xu got to know about hot pressing because of the young lady and started considering doing this business. Having trouble finding a partner, after hearing about it, he had the young lady get Luo Jingyu’s WeChat from Xu Qingyan.

Their first meeting was when Fang Xu and the young lady went to find him at the night market. Luo Jingyu was helping Chen Liang watch the stall at the time. It was a hot summer, both of them were sweating profusely and covered in mosquito bites.

Fang Xu looked at the heat shrink accessories Luo Jingyu made and the hot pressing works he had specially prepared, like an interview. The two reached an initial cooperation intention.

Actually, from the very beginning, Fang Xu found it annoying to communicate with Luo Jingyu. Luo Jingyu could feel it but didn’t dare say anything. Having a hearing person willing to actively help him start a business, he was truly grateful. He would fulfill any request from Fang Xu, even if it meant not sleeping to complete orders.

Later, Fang Xu broke up with the young lady, but Luo Jingyu remained bound to him for many years.

He thought he really wasn’t a white-eyed wolf. After so long, had he still not repaid his debt to Fang Xu? Every time there was conflict, Fang Xu would repeatedly remind him that he was deaf, deaf deaf deaf… as if being deaf was his biggest mistake, his flaw, his shortcoming, a sin he must deeply hide.

Luo Jingyu’s tears fell one by one, feeling that he was such a failure, seeming to be persuaded by Fang Xu again.

The cherry blossom tree he had worked so hard to make was actually mocked and ridiculed in the industry, saying he was crazy, saying he was an idiot. Fortunately, Fang Xu hadn’t revealed his name – if people knew this tree was made by Luo Jingyu, he would never be able to show his face in this industry again.

What to do?

What to do?

Was he just going to live like this day after day?

365 days a year, first doing Spring Festival & Valentine’s Day business, then Flower Festival business, then a month of custom orders, going to Shanghai for advanced training for over a month, coming back to prepare for the Hanfu Festival, then Christmas items, year after year, was this how it would continue?

Thinking about it, it wasn’t so bad. This year’s earnings could be more than last year’s, maybe over 400,000, much better than his sister and brother-in-law, not to mention old classmates like Chen Liang and Yue Qi.

But why was he still so sad? Fang Xu wasn’t wrong – he was deaf, couldn’t make videos, couldn’t teach online courses, definitely couldn’t do face-to-face teaching in salons. With so many business opportunities he couldn’t pursue, what right did he have to expect good opportunities?

Good opportunities were for hearing people, he didn’t deserve them! He shouldn’t have learned hot pressing, spending so much time, energy and money, working hard to master the techniques, only to hit such a low ceiling. He had reached it, that was his limit, he couldn’t break through!

Ah… why was he crying again?

When he was young and didn’t know better, he often cried. Why was he still crying as an adult?

These past few months have been strange, shedding so many tears, was he still a man?

He was just this kind of person – deaf, mute, yet foolishly dreaming of making a name for himself in China’s hot pressing industry, having naive dreams of marrying Huanhuan. How naive and stupid.

Luo Jingyu pulled out some tissues to wipe away his tears. After holding Gift for a while longer, he put the little cat down and returned to his workbench, continuing to assemble the red peony.

When Zhan Xi returned from work, she quickly noticed something was wrong with Luo Jingyu.

He was very dejected, his whole body lacking vitality. Even his kisses were particularly perfunctory, his eyes completely lifeless.

After dinner, Zhan Xi asked if he wanted to go for a walk, but Luo Jingyu shook his head and gave her a simple sign: [I’m tired, you go home.]

How could Zhan Xi leave? Noticing a box of pastries and a bag of fruit on the entrance cabinet, she sat beside Luo Jingyu and patiently asked: “Little Fish, what’s wrong? Why are you unhappy? Did someone visit today?”

Luo Jingyu didn’t want to say. He shook his hand at her, keeping his lips tightly sealed.

The last time he was berated by Fang Xu, he didn’t dare meet Huanhuan, afraid he would break down. It took him several days to recover. This time, he couldn’t stop Huanhuan from coming to eat at his home, but he wanted her to leave quickly after eating so he could face the wall and reflect alone.

Zhan Xi wasn’t so easily brushed off. Little Fish was a very sensitive person who often kept his thoughts hidden, but after knowing him for several months, she knew better – Little Fish was gentle and pure by nature, sincere and kind to others, a person without any malice.

This kind of Little Fish could withstand great storms because he had an inner resilience. Yet at the same time, he might not be able to handle even a tiny setback in certain moments, just like after his first meeting with Mr. Chi Jiang. He would sink into a low point, needing time to figure things out before being able to pick himself up again.

Today, he must have been triggered by something to become so depressed. Zhan Xi’s eyes drifted to the pastries and fruit again, and suddenly it clicked. She asked: “Was it Fang Xu who came?”

He didn’t look at her, so Zhan Xi made the sign for [Fang] right under his eyes.

Luo Jingyu’s body trembled, suddenly looking up at her.

What a simple person! Zhan Xi thought. He couldn’t stand being tested at all – one question and everything came out.

She asked again: “What did Fang Xu say to you? Did you two argue?”

Luo Jingyu didn’t know how to answer. He was too upset – even though he had a belly full of words he wanted to tell Huanhuan, thinking about how she couldn’t understand sign language and typing was troublesome, he immediately lost the desire to speak.

Let him process it himself, he could figure it out. Luo Jingyu took Zhan Xi’s hand with his left hand, slowly shaking his head, his right hand making a sign: [Don’t ask.]

Zhan Xi’s temper flared up. This wouldn’t do! He couldn’t keep everything bottled up inside!

She gently caressed Luo Jingyu’s cheek, looking at his downcast eyelashes, signing: [But I want to know.]

Luo Jingyu looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

[I want to know, Little Fish.] Zhan Xi slowly signed, not fluently, but each gesture clear and standard, like textbook demonstrations. [Tell me, speak slowly, let’s talk, I want to know what’s in your heart.]

Luo Jingyu still shook his head, even closing his eyes.

Zhan Xi didn’t want to give up. She knew if she gave up this time, following his wishes and leaving, next time when the same situation happened, Little Fish would be even less likely to open up to her.

People need to vent and process when they’re upset, just like when she felt suffocated at home and desperately wanted to confide in Luo Xinran. She didn’t believe Little Fish didn’t want to open up to her – it was just that opening up was difficult, both communication methods were challenging. Zhan Xi really wanted to quickly become proficient in sign language. If she had Ji Hongzhe’s level of skill, Little Fish wouldn’t be so sad.

Regardless, Zhan Xi wasn’t planning to let Luo Jingyu off today. She was determined to wait him out, not going back to the eighth floor, staying right here to see how long he could remain silent.

They sat facing each other on the sofa, Zhan Xi’s right hand still tightly held Luo Jingyu’s left hand, while her left hand soothingly caressed his cheek, over and over, never stopping.

He wouldn’t open his eyes, but she didn’t mind. As long as he knew she was here. She wanted to hear him speak, wanted to know what he had experienced, wanted to know his inner thoughts.

Little Fish’s thoughts were so soft and delicate, yet also so resilient and strong. She knew he would speak up, once he got past that mental barrier, he would understand.

She was still his egg teacher, just like back then when they would get online at 9:30 PM sharp every night to chat. She hadn’t been impatient then, how could she be now?

The two sat quietly like this for a very long time. Half an hour? An hour?

Zhan Xi didn’t know, only knew that Gift wandered around the living room before finally climbing into a small box in the cat tree and settling down.

At this moment, Luo Jingyu also opened his eyes, and as if in a dream, what entered his vision was still Zhan Xi’s smiling face.

“You’re awake?” she smiled, “I thought you had fallen asleep.”

Luo Jingyu blinked at her, his eyelashes carrying a hint of moisture, his black pupils misty. Zhan Xi said: “I’ve been waiting. Are you willing to talk to me now?”

Just then, something unexpected happened that Zhan Xi could never have anticipated. Luo Jingyu opened his mouth and made two unclear, strange syllables: “Wai-e wai-e…”

Zhan Xi saw his lip movements clearly – these were definitely not meaningless sounds. Her heart began racing wildly as she vaguely guessed what he was trying to say, which two words he was attempting to mimic!

“Say it again,” Zhan Xi contained her excitement and said patiently, “Little Fish, say it again, you said it very well, I know what you’re saying.”

Luo Jingyu’s thick eyebrows furrowed, his lips trembling as he lowered his head to sniff, and when he raised it again, he called out to her once more: “Wai-e wai-e…”

What a sweet and moving sound!

Zhan Xi immediately threw herself forward and hugged him tightly, her lips also pressing firmly against his.

He was calling her! Calling her “Huanhuan” – he didn’t know how to pronounce the “h” sound, so when he opened his mouth it started with “w”. It didn’t matter! It already sounded so good – he was willing to call her name, using the lip movements memorized in his mind, not caring how it sounded, just wanting to call out her nickname!

Luo Jingyu also held her tightly, welcoming her tsunami-like passionate kisses. He knew his pronunciation wouldn’t be standard, definitely strange, but he just wanted to call her name, using his own understanding, his own way.

Look! Huanhuan understood, understood immediately, proving he hadn’t pronounced it too far off. Huanhuan was so clever, able to understand even this. He was satisfied, relieved, and even his gloomy mood improved considerably.

After an intense and lingering kiss, Luo Jingyu’s mood gradually calmed. He and Zhan Xi cuddled together as he took out his phone, his fingers slowly tapping the screen, telling her bit by bit about what had happened that afternoon.

He wasn’t afraid of Huanhuan laughing at him anymore. When typing words like “idiot,” “crazy,” “deaf person,” “white-eyed wolf”… his heart barely rippled. He didn’t want to hide anything, maybe because he felt wronged and just wanted to tell Huanhuan everything, let her judge if he was right or wrong.

Was he really doing something wrong? Was he really ungrateful? Was he really stupid beyond help? Was he really aiming too high?

It took over an hour before Zhan Xi fully understood the situation, and indirectly learned about the results of the previous conversation between Fang Xu and Luo Jingyu.

After reading all of Little Fish’s written narrative, Zhan Xi was angry.

At around 10 PM that night, Zhan Xi flipped down the toilet lid in Luo Jingyu’s guest bathroom and sat on it, carefully gathering her thoughts for a moment.

She summoned the same spirit she had when writing two graduation theses a year ago, running through what she wanted to say in her mind three or four times. She was very young, less than a year into society, and was about to confront a slick businessman in his early thirties, but she wasn’t afraid. Her heart was filled only with anger.

After finishing her preparation, Zhan Xi finally dialed Fang Xu’s phone number.

When Fang Xu had delivered “Good Fortune” to her, he had called, and Zhan Xi had saved his number.

When the call connected, a man’s voice came through: “Hello, who is this?”

“Mr. Fang? Hello, I’m Luo Jingyu’s girlfriend.” Zhan Xi said, “We’ve met once, when you delivered goods to me, ‘Good Fortune,’ remember? My surname is Zhan.”

“Good Fortune?” Fang Xu remembered, “It’s you? Miss Zhan? You’re Little Fish’s girlfriend?”

“Yes.”

Fang Xu asked: “What’s the matter, calling so late?”

“You visited Little Fish’s home today and said some things to him,” Zhan Xi said. “He told me everything, so I wanted to communicate with you, since you’re still partners now. I need to explain that I haven’t tried to drive a wedge between you two, and I also hope you can explain why you said those things to Little Fish.”

Fang Xu was surprised. Over these years, he and Luo Jingyu had several conflicts, all of which he had suppressed. Based on his understanding of Little Fish, Little Fish had never confided in others, not even his parents or sister.

This was the first time he had told someone else, and it was a hearing person, his girlfriend – how did he tell her? By typing? Wasn’t that too troublesome?

Fang Xu played dumb: “What did I say to Little Fish? I didn’t say anything, you must be misunderstanding?”

Zhan Xi’s voice was very soft and gentle, seemingly without any aggression, almost like she was telling a story: “Mr. Fang, Little Fish couldn’t fully understand what you said, he only grasped the general meaning. When he repeated it to me, I felt many of your comments were inappropriate, so I’m checking with you. If there’s a misunderstanding, that’s better – I can explain it to him so he won’t overthink. You might not realize how your casual words can affect him. I believe you have no standing to say these things to him, because he hasn’t done anything wrong and shouldn’t have to accept your biased attacks.”

“I’m biased? Attacking him?” Fang Xu snorted, “What did I attack? Don’t make baseless accusations. I’ve known Little Fish much longer than you have, don’t try to meddle in our business just because you’re his girlfriend. Who knows what your intentions are? Such a pretty girl, who would believe you’d fall for a deaf person? No one would believe that, okay?”

Zhan Xi endured and endured before speaking: “Mr. Fang, I’m not speaking to you now as Luo Jingyu’s girlfriend, I’m communicating with you from Luo Jingyu’s own perspective, with his authorization. You’re just taking advantage of the fact that he can’t hear or speak, saying whatever you want without ever thinking about listening to what’s in his heart. So now I’m going to tell you, hoping you can show him the most basic respect.”

“Are you sick or something? What time is it, and you’re not sleeping, you…”

“You’d better not hang up on me,” Zhan Xi said. “I won’t just speak over the phone – I’m also good at writing articles, studied Chinese in university. I know besides hot pressing, you have other online shops. Since your business relies on the internet, you probably wouldn’t want to be exposed for discriminating against, exploiting, and humiliating disabled people, right? I know several Weibo influencers and popular WeChat accounts. I’m not threatening you, just calmly communicating with you, hoping you won’t hang up, that’s all.”

Zhan Xi was making up serious-sounding nonsense, but Fang Xu really didn’t dare hang up now. He exclaimed: “What- what are you talking about?!”

Zhan Xi said: “Please calm down and listen to me. Mr. Fang, first of all, yes, Luo Jingyu is deaf, can’t hear or speak, but you and I both know his professional abilities are outstanding. He’s not unwilling to make Hanfu accessories, he just hopes that you, as an outward-facing partner, could put more effort into helping him explore new markets. Almost four years now, apart from that cherry blossom tree, he hasn’t had any big orders. I’ve checked – while hot pressing is a very niche field, the business channels aren’t as limited as you say. At the very least, you should register him for handicraft fairs and maker fairs, right?”

Fang Xu retorted: “You make it sound so simple. Do you know how much it costs to rent a booth at a maker fair? These are all money-losing ventures – if things go wrong it’s just throwing money away. After several days at the booth, you might not earn anything! And should he stay at the booth? How would he handle customers who come to ask questions? Should I go? I don’t even understand hot pressing!”

“How do you know he can’t handle customers without trying? He can afford to hire a sign language interpreter!” Zhan Xi was really exasperated. “You just think it’s pointless, right? You think being deaf makes him inferior, so you don’t want him to be in the public eye. Not being able to hear isn’t his fault! Mr. Fang, put away your prejudice and superiority! I won’t let you continue using this excuse to suppress and hurt him! He doesn’t owe you anything – you’re partners, he’s not your subordinate! On the surface you say the hot pressing shop revolves around him, even naming it after his nickname, but deep down you don’t respect him at all! You just treat him like your money-making machine.”

Fang Xu raised his voice: “Don’t slander me! How have I not respected him? Do you know how badly he was doing back then? Setting up stalls at night markets! If it weren’t for me, could he have the good life he has now? Oh! Now that he’s earned money, bought a house, and has a girlfriend, he wants to kick me aside? This is what you call ungrateful, understand? Being heartless!”

Zhan Xi wasn’t provoked, her tone remaining even: “Hasn’t he helped you earn money all these years? Why do you only remember your initial help to him, but always forget his dedication to you over these years? How has he wronged you? You were mutually beneficial, brothers fighting together, originally supposed to trust each other with your lives, but now he works until his hands are covered in injuries while you keep accusing him of being ungrateful, as if he’s never helped you at all. Do you think this is right?”

“You this person…”

Zhan Xi didn’t wait for Fang Xu to rebut and continued: “I know your views won’t change because of this phone call. Your impression of Luo Jingyu is already deeply rooted – you just think because he’s deaf and has trouble communicating, he doesn’t deserve better development opportunities. I’m not trying to change your view of him, or even get you to apologize to him. How good a person he truly is, I know in my heart. The main thing I wanted to say in this call is…”

Zhan Xi’s voice grew increasingly calm: “Regarding that cherry blossom tree, I was there at the scene. I saw how satisfied and happy the tree owner was, heard almost all the guests’ feedback. They were all amazed, because that tree was so lifelike, clearly made with great care. Combined with the tree owner’s story, it was very romantic and touching. Not a single guest thought the owner was stupid for spending money on this tree, and no guest questioned Luo Jingyu for taking this order or thought he was crazy for making a tree.”

“This cherry blossom tree is a handcrafted work of art. Whether in terms of its design or meaning, it has incomparable significance and can give people strength. At the banquet, I only heard positive reviews, not a single negative comment! It’s because the tree was made so well that I was able to help Luo Jingyu get other hot pressing orders through the banquet. I just don’t believe that fellow hot pressing artisans, industry professionals across the country, would give such negative reviews to such a sincere artist and such a heartfelt piece of art!”

Fang Xu: “…”

“So, I believe you lied to Luo Jingyu,” Zhan Xi gave a soft laugh. “Either you never actually helped promote it, or you selectively only told him about a small portion of extreme negative feedback, hiding the majority of positive opinions. As for why, it’s simple – you know he has no way to verify, he’ll believe whatever you say. To continue controlling him, suppressing him, you just made things up, making him feel guilty and willing to continue being your money-making machine.”

“Mr. Fang, Luo Jingyu doesn’t go online much, doesn’t understand what ‘PUA’ means, but I do.”

Zhan Xi had never said these words to anyone else. Her self-awareness, which had only begun awakening in college, had been warning her in her mind all these years: “You are psychologically manipulating Luo Jingyu, constantly belittling and attacking him, discriminating against his physical disability, making him feel he can’t survive without you.”

She thought of her own mother – Chi Guilan and Fang Xu’s behaviors were similar, just different methods.

Zhan Xi had never thought her mother had any problems before, at most feeling she was too strict, believing things would get better when she grew up. But when she really became an adult, her mother didn’t hold back, instead becoming even more excessive.

Whenever she slightly disobeyed her mother’s wishes, she would say: I’m doing this for your own good, you used to be so obedient, why are you so disobedient now? Where’s your conscience?

When Zhan Xi was young, she would feel guilty and blame herself, but not anymore.

As long as Chi Guilan didn’t cross her bottom line, Zhan Xi was willing to endure, because that was her mother.

But why should Luo Jingyu endure? Fang Xu wasn’t anyone to him!

Zhan Xi coldly said to Fang Xu, “Aren’t you just afraid you can’t control Luo Jingyu anymore? That’s why you use such a low method against him. But you should know, his heart is far more open than yours, his abilities far more outstanding than yours, and his inner strength isn’t as weak as you imagine – he just can’t be bothered to argue with you. Do you really think you can hold onto him?”