ATLAS TRANSLATES

Ruan Mian got first place in both the preliminary and final 50m sprint races for second-year high school girls that morning.

After her only event for the day, she was playing games with Meng Xinglan in the class break area when she suddenly got a call from her father Ruan Mingke.

Ruan Mingke was a researcher, so his work meant he rarely got days off throughout the year. Coming back to Pingcheng this time was a day off he had suddenly taken, and he said on the call that he wanted to have a meal with Ruan Mian and also had some things to give her.

Ruan Mian didn’t refuse. She got permission from Zhou Hai to leave school and then left. Ruan Mingke’s car, a black Santana bought when Ruan Mian was three years old, was parked at the school entrance. It had been over ten years now.

Ruan Mian had always had a good relationship with her father. When she was younger, Ruan Mingke’s work wasn’t as busy as it was now, and he often took Ruan Mian to participate in various track and field competitions. The year she started middle school, Ruan Mian participated in that year’s Pingcheng Lake 10km marathon with Ruan Mingke, and they took first place in the adult and youth categories respectively.

When he and Fang Ruqing got divorced, Ruan Mian had thought about living with her father, but because of Fang Ruqing’s insistence and Ruan Mingke’s work, custody was given to her mother in the end.

As Ruan Mian walked towards the car, Ruan Mingke was on a phone call that sounded like it was about a project. When he saw Ruan Mian’s figure, he quickly opened the car door and got out, his voice full of smiles, “I’ll have to call you back, I just saw my daughter. I’ll revise the data when I get back.”

Ruan Mian hadn’t seen him for over a year, and noticed he seemed tanner. Ruan Mingke used to spend all his time in the lab, so he was very fair. With his handsome, scholarly appearance, he had always exuded a bookish air. Now he was tanned, which oddly gave him more of a heroic feel, making him look much more spirited.

She smiled and called out, “Dad!”

Ruan Mingke responded, smiling with wrinkles clearly visible at the corners of his eyes.

Once in the car, he asked Ruan Mian, “It’s Saturday today, why are you still at school?”

“The school sports meet is happening.”

Ruan Mian fastened her seatbelt.

Seeing what she was wearing, Ruan Mingke smiled and asked, “What event are you participating in? Track again?”

Ruan Mian nodded. “I signed up for the 50m and 3000m. You called me after I just finished the 50m.”

“First place?”

“Mm, the referee said I missed breaking the school record by 0.03 seconds.”

Ruan Mian said, “I still have the 3000m this afternoon, Dad. Do you have time to come watch?”

Ruan Mingke made a U-turn at the intersection. “Of course I have time.”

Ruan Mian and her father went to the Cantonese restaurant they often frequented.

After the meal, the server brought desserts, but Ruan Mingke wasn’t one for sweets so he gave them all to Ruan Mian.

He took a sip of water, stared at Ruan Mian’s slender face for a bit, then spoke up, “Mianmian.”

“Hm?”

Ruan Mian looked up, holding her spoon.

Ruan Mingke took out a file folder from his bag and handed it over. “Dad’s project team is being transferred out west soon, and I probably won’t be able to come back or contact family for the next two years. This has the transfer documents for the Nanhu Hometown house, and there’s also a bank card. The password is your birthday, you keep it.”

Nanhu Hometown was where Ruan Mingke, Fang Ruqing, and Ruan Mian had lived as a family before the divorce.

Ruan Mian was very surprised and also somewhat sad in a way she couldn’t express. She fiddled with the long handle of her dessert spoon for a few moments. “So you won’t even be in Pingcheng for Chinese New Year this year?”

“That’s right.”

Ruan Mingke looked at her, his eyes slightly red. “It’s because Dad is useless, I wasn’t able to hold this family together, and now I have to leave you here alone.”

Ruan Mian’s eyes moistened, but she didn’t want to cry in front of Ruan Mingke. She quickly wiped at her eyes, her voice hoarse, “No, Mom is right. Divorce isn’t anyone’s fault, it’s just that you two didn’t have a deep enough bond.”

Ruan Mingke looked away, silent for a moment before saying, “Whether as a wife or mother, your mom is extremely capable. She’s brought you into a new family now, and might not be able to pay as much attention to you sometimes, so don’t resent her. It’s not easy for her either.”

“Mm.”

“I haven’t changed the locks at home, so feel free to go back anytime. If you don’t want to stay there for New Year’s this year, go to Grandma’s. She’s always thinking of you.”

Ruan Mingke forced a smile. “While Dad is away these two years, I’m entrusting both your mothers to you.”

Ruan Mian sniffed. “…Okay.”

After the meal, Ruan Mingke sent Ruan Mian back to school.

The 3000m run was the last event that afternoon, starting at 4pm, and Ruan Mingke had a meeting at 5 so he had to leave before the race began.

Ruan Mian felt awful. She only walked him out to the track. “Dad, take care on the road.”

“I will.”

Ruan Mingke ruffled her hair. “Go on back then.”

“Mm.”

Ruan Mian walked a few steps then looked back. Seeing Ruan Mingke still standing there, she waved to him again. When she turned around to walk back, tears suddenly spilled from her eyes.

Cheerful singing echoed around the track, and people milled about. Ruan Mian wiped her tears and quickly made her way through the crowds.

That day, Ruan Mian was the only girl who finished the entire 3000m race, but also the only one who cried so hard.

From the two-thirds mark onward, Meng Xinglan who was jogging alongside could tell something was off. Tears and sweat covered her entire face.

Meng Xinglan was both shocked and anxious. “What’s wrong, Mianmian? Are you not feeling well?”

Ruan Mian only shook her head, her pace never slowing. The wind gusted in from all directions, blowing away the heat from running.

Entering the final sprint lap, Ruan Mian suddenly sped up. Meng Xinglan couldn’t keep up as she sprinted halfway across the track toward the finish line.

By then it was early evening, and there were only a few more people on the field. Meng Xinglan grabbed Jiang Rang who had just finished up and come to find her. “Hurry, come with me!”

Jiang Rang let her pull his arm as they walked forward. Long-legged Liang Yiran easily kept up with her jogging pace, with Shen Yu following behind.

Jiang Rang asked, “What’s up?”

“Something’s wrong with Ruan Mian, she’s been crying the whole time.”

In the time they were talking, the group had arrived at the finish line. Not far away was Ruan Mian crossing over the finish line.

The referee clicked the stopwatch as Meng Xinglan rushed over to support her. Beside her ears were the girl’s uncontrolled sobs, her completely limp body leaning back.

Liang Yiran braced her from behind. “Let’s go to the side first.”

Seeing the situation, the teachers around said, “Don’t sit, help her walk around a bit. Feeling awful is normal, she’ll be fine soon. Crying it out is fine too.”

Hearing the teacher say this, Meng Xinglan wasn’t as worried. She used tissues to wipe Ruan Mian’s face. “There there, it’s alright.”

A classmate from the logistics team came over with electrolyte water. “Drink some, you’ll feel better.”

After crying it out, Ruan Mian took a few sips then stopped drinking. Not knowing what to do with the bottle in hand, Jiang Rang who was standing beside reached out to take it.

She didn’t care, swallowing and saying hoarsely, “I’m fine now, you guys go do your things. I’ll rest here for a bit.”

“No rush, rest up. There aren’t any other events left anyway.”

Meng Xinglan let out a breath of relief, leaning back against the stairs. “Where’s Chen Yi? How come I don’t see him?”

“He’s napping in the classroom.”

Jiang Rang tossed the water bottle in his hand. “Yu, call him to come over. We’re all going out to eat later.”

“Got it.”

Shen Yu walked to the side with his phone.

Ruan Mian closed her eyes to rest. Hearing Shen Yu return from his call saying Chen Yi would come over soon, her eyelid twitched and she opened her eyes. “Xinglan, I want to go back first.”

“Huh? You’re not eating with us?”

“I’m not feeling well, want to go back and rest early.”

Just after running 3000m, Ruan Mian’s complexion was pale and her eyes were red and swollen. Her hair was a mess and she was drenched in sweat, clearly not in a state to go out together. Plus she really was feeling awful and had no appetite.

Meng Xinglan said, “Then let me take you back.”

Ruan Mian didn’t refuse.

The two of them had already left for a while when Chen Yi came over from the classroom. His events were all tomorrow, so he had only come to school today to avoid facing his nagging parents at home.

He looked like he had just woken up from a nap, fatigue written all over his face. The setting sun’s yellow light cast his shadow long.

On the way to eat, the guys talked about what had happened just now. Shen Yu rubbed his neck, “That was my first time seeing a girl cry like that.”

Not knowing the context, Chen Yi indifferently asked, “Who cried?”

“Your deskmate. She was sobbing her heart out after finishing the 3000m, it scared me and made me think something had happened to her.”

Shen Yu said.

Chen Yi hadn’t seen what Ruan Mian crying was like, but he remembered her fearless sprinting that morning. Looking down, he asked, “Why was she crying?”

“Don’t know, probably because she felt awful. She was the only one who finished running.”

Shen Yu laughed. “I saw girls from other classes who didn’t finish running crying just as hard as Ruan Mian.”

Jiang Rang interjected, “Where should we eat tonight?”

“Let’s eat hotpot, I’m craving it.”

Liang Yiran said.

Shen Yu slung an arm over his shoulder, “Say it clearly, is it you who wants to eat it, or does your little sweetheart at home want to?”

Liang Yiran smiled. “She wants to eat it.”

Long drawn out sounds of disdain came from the group.

At that time, the sun was setting on the horizon at the end of the road, warm orange glow blanketing the earth. The figures of the boys walking shoulder to shoulder, fearless and unafraid.

Meng Xinglan sent Ruan Mian home. No one else was home then. Ruan Mian washed her face in the bathroom, then went to the kitchen to get a yogurt drink for Meng Xinglan.

With a towel over her shoulders, she sat down on the other side of the sofa, and took the initiative to explain when she saw Meng Xinglan staring blankly at the photo album on the phone desk. “This is Zhao Shutang’s home. My mom registered their marriage this past summer.”

Meng Xinglan was dumbstruck. “So you and her are…” She couldn’t get the words out, gesturing with her hands instead.

“It’s what you’re thinking.”

Ruan Mian pursed her lips. “I wasn’t trying to hide it from you on purpose. Zhao Shutang didn’t want other classmates knowing about our relationship, so I never brought it up either.”

“Whoa.”

Meng Xinglan unconsciously swallowed. Blinking, she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it secret.”

Ruan Mian smiled slightly. “Thank you.”

Meng Xinglan didn’t stay at the Zhaos’ for long. Getting the dinner location from Liang Yiran, she left. After Meng Xinglan was gone, Ruan Mian went upstairs to get a change of clothes and took a shower.

The hot water brought out the soreness in her calves after the intense exercise. She massaged her legs for a bit before sitting on her bed and opening the folder Ruan Mingke had left her.

Inside, apart from the transfer documents and bank card Ruan Mingke mentioned, there were also three letters addressed to Ruan Mian at ages 16, 17, and 18.

Ruan Mian’s 16th birthday was still over a month away. She put everything into a drawer and locked it, then blow dried her hair and lay in bed.

Exhaustion and drowsiness washed over her like a tide. Ruan Mian couldn’t hold out for long before falling into a dazed sleep. When she awoke, the sky was already dark.

Voices of Fang Ruqing and Zhao Yingwei talking drifted in from the hallway. Ruan Mian rubbed her eyes and got out of bed to turn on the lights and open the door.

The light coming through the cracks under the door must have shown outside, because not long after, Fang Ruqing came to knock on the door. “Mianmian, are you awake?”

“I’m awake.”

Ruan Mian shuffled to open the door in her slippers.

Fang Ruqing came in, holding a shopping bag. “This afternoon, your Uncle Zhao and I went to the mall and got you a skirt. Try it on.”

“Okay.”

Ruan Mian took the clothes. Fang Ruqing pulled the curtains closed and stood with her back facing Ruan Mian at the desk. “Did your dad come see you today?”

“Yeah, we had lunch together.”

“How is he recently?”

Ruan Mian zipped up the side waist. “Pretty good. It’s just he’s being transferred out west in a few days, and probably won’t be back for the next two years.”

“That long, huh.”

Fang Ruqing asked, “All changed?”

“Yup.”

What Fang Ruqing bought was a light blue plaid long skirt, very flattering. Ruan Mian was fair and slender, wearing it made her look very refreshed.

“It’s really nice looking.”

Fang Ruqing walked over to straighten her collar. “Great, wear this out to dinner tonight.”

“Going out to eat?”

“That’s right. It’s rare we’re all free today, so your Uncle Zhao specially made reservations at a restaurant.”

Fang Ruqing removed the tag from the skirt. “It’s a bit cool out tonight, bring a jacket.”

“Okay.”

Ruan Mian went to the closet to grab a jean jacket.

That night, it seemed like everyone was home. Zhao Shutang didn’t give Ruan Mian her usual attitude, only speaking a little less. Ruan Mian was the same, not taking the initiative to speak much.

On the other hand, Zhao Shuyang called both her sister and mother intimately, occasionally saying childish things that made everyone at the table laugh.

Ruan Mian didn’t have much of an appetite. After eating a few bites, her phone in her jacket pocket buzzed continuously. She put down her chopsticks to check it under the table.

It was a message from Meng Xinglan.

Meng Xinglan: The new seating chart is out.

Meng Xinglan: Teacher Zhou is amazing!

Meng Xinglan: She actually put you and Zhao Shutang as deskmates!