ATLAS TRANSLATES

Last night, snow fell silently. It was still snowing on and off now. The thin layer of snow on the road had been compressed into patches of ice by pedestrians and vehicles. Fu Xueli’s snow boots were already quite damp as she walked.

They parked the car and set off on foot. It was Fu Xueli’s first time in Y City, and she curiously looked around as she followed Xu Xingchun. Rather than a small city, it felt more like a town nestled between mountains and water, with peaks visible in the distance.

There was an old-fashioned charm everywhere, as if left behind by time. Stone lions, candied hawthorns, straight smoke rising from chimneys. Young boys lazily cycling past. Far less bustling than the city center, but removed from worldly troubles.

It matched Xu Xingchun’s temperament – detached and undemanding.

Fu Xueli had always had issues with cold sensitivity. As they walked, she felt a heaviness in her lower abdomen. Having only eaten two bites of dumpling, her empty stomach ached dully.

“We’ll talk when I get back,” Xu Xingchun said as he hung up the phone.

Fu Xueli’s face was tense as she stared at him worriedly. “Did something happen at work again?”

He shook his head dismissively and changed the subject.

“You’re still hiding things from me,” Fu Xueli said irritably. Already in a bad mood from not feeling well, she couldn’t stand Xu Xingchun’s evasiveness. Upset, she punched his arm hard.

Xu Xingchun, who rarely smiled, was momentarily silent after being hit.

She had used quite a bit of force – it hurt a little. He rubbed his shoulder and shook his head with a slight laugh. “No, I’m not hiding anything.”

Though it was just a small smile, it was enough to melt the icy surroundings. Fu Xueli felt dazed, as if enchanted.

Xu Yuan stood at the doorway holding bags of groceries while fumbling for her keys. She glanced over and saw her nephew with a masked young woman. The two were playfully jostling each other, their movements intimate.

As they approached, Xu Yuan pushed open the door and casually said over her shoulder, “Xu Xingchun, fix your collar.”

Fu Xueli was caught off guard and felt awkward despite her usually thick skin.

Taking a deep breath, she followed Xu Xingchun inside somewhat nervously. A large yellow dog in the courtyard saw them and came bounding over excitedly, wagging its tail at Fu Xueli.

After a five-second stare-down, Fu Xueli’s mouth twitched. She hurriedly hid behind Xu Xingchun, tugging his sleeve. “I’m scared of it,” she said quietly.

She had always been afraid of dogs, yet for some reason they were drawn to her. Even as a child, stray dogs would follow her home. Last time during filming, if Xu Xingchun hadn’t stopped that police dog, an unflattering photo of Fu Xueli’s terrified reaction might have ended up trending online.

An elderly man with graying hair sat in a chair under the eaves, eyes closed as if listening to music and nodding along. Fu Xueli, led by Xu Xingchun, carefully stepped up and greeted him. “Hello, Grandfather.”

The old man had no reaction, as if he hadn’t seen them.

“His hearing isn’t good at his age,” Xu Yuan explained as she came out after putting away groceries. Wiping her hands, she asked while tying on an apron, “Is this a friend you brought to visit, Xu Xingchun?”

The question was rather indirect.

“Aunt, this is Fu Xueli,” Xu Xingchun said simply.

“Oh, is that so?” Xu Yuan looked surprised. She studied Fu Xueli more closely and smiled. “My, how you’ve grown. Last time I saw you, you were still a schoolgirl.”

Though Fu Xueli’s appearance was quite sudden, Xu Yuan didn’t ask any further questions. She just casually mentioned a few things before going to the kitchen to cook.

The old man was humming something indistinctly. Xu Xingchun went over and tossed some firewood into the brazier. Then he led Fu Xueli to a room.

“Sit on the bed, I’ll find a hair dryer,” he said.

Fu Xueli looked at him in confusion. “What do you need a hair dryer for?”

A few minutes later, she understood.

Xu Xingchun came over and bent down to remove her wet snow boots and socks.

The roar of the hair dryer matched Fu Xueli’s pounding heartbeat.

She couldn’t help but think…detectives like Xu Xingchun must have very keen powers of observation to be so attentive…

“Why are you so good to me?” Fu Xueli asked seriously, leaning back on her elbows and averting her eyes.

Though she knew the answer, she still asked coyly, enjoying the feeling.

She couldn’t deny how much she liked being pampered by Xu Xingchun. It felt nice to be cared for and protected. Thinking back to childhood, his gentleness toward her had always been different. Occasionally fiery like scattered sparks, but mostly lyrical and soothing.

After drying her shoes and socks against the cabinet, the noisy blowing stopped. Xu Xingchun silently crouched down, grasped her calf, and put Fu Xueli’s shoes back on.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he said softly, “Take a nap first. I’ll wake you for dinner later.”

Both lunch and dinner were lavish affairs. The round sandalwood table was loaded with steaming dishes, a feast for the senses with authentic hometown flavors.

They ate very properly, not speaking during meals. Fu Xueli ate quietly with her head down.

After dinner, Xu Yuan spoke with Grandfather in their dialect that Fu Xueli couldn’t understand. The old man felt for his cane and shakily got up to go to the inner hall.

Later, the elderly man brought Fu Xueli a red envelope.

Fu Xueli looked to Xu Xingchun for help.

He nodded, indicating she should accept it.

Once in the kitchen, Fu Xueli followed closely behind Xu Xingchun, fretting, “Is it okay to take this red envelope?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“I…don’t feel right taking money from an elder. It’s not like I need it.” She hesitated. “Never mind, I’ll keep it safe.”

Xu Xingchun turned on the stove to heat some red date milk for Fu Xueli while cleaning up. He looked handsome and capable.

Fu Xueli stood watching, quickly forgetting her concerns.

He took out a bag of cherry tomatoes from the cupboard, washed them, and placed them in front of her. “Eat.”

Fu Xueli was delighted. “You remembered I like these.”

“Mm.” Xu Xingchun continued washing dishes.

After eating several, she suddenly realized something. “Do you want some?”

“My hands are dirty,” Xu Xingchun said in a low voice. “Feed me.”

“Oh…” Fu Xueli picked up a cherry tomato, hesitated briefly, then held it up to his mouth.

Her hand stayed raised.

After a moment, he opened his mouth and ate it.

Fu Xueli enjoyed their domestic interactions. It felt comfortable, like a long-married couple casually passing time in the kitchen. Ordinary yet warm.

She suddenly felt her face grow hot. “Where’s your grandmother?” she asked softly.

“She passed away when I was little.”

“Do you have other relatives?”

“Yes.”

Fu Xueli nibbled on tomatoes, juice spurting with each gentle bite. Her lips were stained red, with a bit of juice at the corner of her mouth.

Xu Xingchun reached up to wipe it away with his thumb.

As if possessed, Fu Xueli licked his finger, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She looked innocent yet sweet.

The milk on the stove began to boil over.

Xu Xingchun grasped her hand and turned off the stove. He held her waist and kissed her.

“Xiao Chun, tonight have Xueli sleep in the second room on the left in the back courtyard—” Xu Yuan said as she pushed open the door and peeked in. She saw Fu Xueli with her head lowered, hiding her face.

Her words trailed off as the kitchen door closed.

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Fu Xueli tried to free her wrist from his grasp. Her hair was slightly mussed, and she still wouldn’t look up. Her face was naturally flushed from the kiss. “Did your aunt see just now?” she asked.

“Probably not,” Xu Xingchun said in a low, soothing voice. “It’s fine.”

“I want to take a bath,” she mumbled with a nod.

Since the courtyard was an old layout, the bathing area was some distance away in the back. With the lights on, it was still dark outside. Fu Xueli was timid and asked Xu Xingchun to wait for her outside.

The courtyard was still brightly lit at night. A cold moon hung in the sky. A calico cat crouched by the stone flower bed, meowing softly.

Fu Xueli emerged in a thick coral fleece pajamas, still damp from her bath. She snuck up behind Xu Xingchun and covered his eyes.

The next moment, she was enveloped in his arms.

Her ear pressed against his chest, hearing his strong, steady heartbeat.

Xu Xingchun had a clean scent with hints of spring greenery. Every time she smelled it, Fu Xueli felt a tingle through her whole body.

She truly adored it.

Emboldened, she wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging tightly and nuzzling him like an animal. “Xu Xingchun, I want to sleep with you tonight,” she said.