ATLAS TRANSLATES

“Oh my god, no way.” Someone sighed softly. Looking back, they realized it was a handsome guy from the armed police standing nearby. He had a nickname “Laughing Bro”. He smiled, glanced over, and casually said, “This doesn’t seem like your style, looking at this kind of thing.”

Seemingly not hearing the teasing remark, Xu Xingchun leaned on the edge of his desk, head slightly lowered, patiently watching the livestream.

The scene had descended into chaos. The host tried to smooth things over but found they couldn’t get a word in.

Under the bright lights, Fu Xueli’s eyes were moist, looking exceptionally gentle. With a bitter smile, she sighed: “As I got older, I didn’t mature much. I still did whatever I wanted, selfish and self-centered. You could say we were childhood sweethearts, but I was so awful, I did many things that hurt him.”

“I remember his eyes were very light in color. When we were young, he was always secretly watching me from behind, his heart completely devoted to me.”

It sounded like a statement, but also like she was talking to herself. Those past times still remained vivid in her mind to this day. Even now, thinking back and realizing how humbly Xu Xingchun loved her back then, she couldn’t help feeling guilty.

Before Fu Xueli started speaking, she had hesitated a little. But now, she felt nothing mattered anymore.

“Even though I couldn’t handle hardship myself, I made him suffer so much. My close friends said I didn’t know how to care for others at all. I never denied it because I knew what kind of person I was. I knew I had hurt him. For several years after, I saw many therapists. Fu Xueli with all her bad habits was always inconsiderate, yet very lucky. Because after going in circles for a long time, she finally found her way back to him.”

“But I can’t bring him in front of you all. He’s not easily back in my life, so I hope everyone can give me some privacy.”

“Lastly, I want to say I’m sorry. Most people here probably think I’ve gone crazy, but the truth is, I really can’t control my feelings anymore.”

“I can’t be too greedy. He and I don’t need any kind of blessing from anyone else. So I hope after today, you won’t use my relationship for publicity anymore.” Taking a deep breath, she looked at the nearest camera and slowly said, “These last words are for you to hear.”

“I know you’ll definitely see this video someday.” Fu Xueli blinked, holding back her racing heart, and said casually, “Do you know, I actually love you very much, and I’m also very afraid of losing you.”

These heart-melting words of love left the venue in complete silence when she said them.

If the camera had zoomed in on Fu Xueli’s hands at that moment, it would have shown her fingers tightly clenched together, tense with effort. The expression on her face was pure, without a hint of pretense. She wasn’t acting at all.

It was exposed… thoroughly… Exposed. Her private life, the things she had always wanted to say but was too afraid to face, were laid bare in front of everyone without much reservation.

Most people remained silent for a long time.

“Ah… I really admire Fu Xueli. She’s so sincere, daring to say anything.” The young man watching the livestream with Xu Xingchun sighed wistfully. After his comment, he suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. He raised his hand and waved it in front of Xu Xingchun’s eyes. “Chun-ge, what are you thinking about? Are you mesmerized?”

Xu Xingchun snapped out of it. Without a word, he straightened up, intending to leave.

“Wait.” The young man caught up with Xu Xingchun and carefully said, “Chun-ge, you’re still holding my phone!”

“Sorry.” Xu Xingchun paused, looked down at the now-ended livestream on the screen, and asked, “Can this be replayed?”

“……” Two people nearby looked at them.

Although he found the question odd, the young man still coughed twice and answered, “It should be possible.”

The assistant outside lowered her head, repeatedly asking people to make way as they walked out, pushing through the swarming reporters and fans. Fu Xueli was escorted, surrounded by flashing camera lights. She didn’t respond with another word.

In the backstage rest area. Tang Xin exploded in anger, nearly throwing everything within reach.

“You’re a celebrity, don’t you have any sense of what to say and when? And you, didn’t you know to stop her? Have you all gone mad?”

Xixi lowered her head as she was scolded, mumbling for a while without being able to say anything, trembling slightly. Fu Xueli quietly told her to leave, and Xixi hurriedly went out, afraid of facing more of Tang Xin’s wrath.

Not at all concerned about the huge news she was about to create, Fu Xueli remained calm and even reassured Tang Xin confidently, “I was affected by the incident with He Lu before. Continuing to stir up rumors would only make the public perception worse, so it’s better to just announce the relationship directly. You see, every time I attend an event, I get mocked by those demons. I can’t take that humiliation.”

“Keep making things up,” Tang Xin sneered, rolling her eyes in anger. She cursed in dialect, “You’re out of line.”

Fu Xueli puffed up angrily, her face dropping, “No, I’m really not making this up. It’s a small matter anyway. I’ve already earned enough money, I can quit the entertainment industry anytime.”

“It’s useless to say anything now. The company will have to clean up your mess again.” Tang Xin finally turned her gaze to Fu Xueli, looking at her like she was a fool blinded by love, exasperated, “Love-struck idiot, no sense of career at all, and no consideration for the consequences.”

In the spacious rest area, only Fu Xueli and Tang Xin remained.

The sudden tension and joy from earlier had cooled down a bit. She lowered her head, playing with her nails, saying carelessly, “What’s there to consider about the consequences? I really don’t know what to do anymore.”

“What do you mean you don’t know what to do?”

Tang Xin looked at the expression on Fu Xueli’s face and realized she wasn’t joking.

“I like Xu Xingchun too much.”

“I like him so much that none of you can save me.”

Right after the Spring Festival, there was a string of events. The snow in Shanghai hadn’t stopped, blanketing the city. Liu Jingbo had already slept in the office for two days and nights straight. Today, a pot-bellied and balding leader came for an inspection, and he had to accompany him back and forth.

He took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, lighting it with a lighter. He took a heavy drag and exhaled, “Damn, we’re already busy enough, and today at noon, some rich kids driving under the influence were racing in the downtown area, three dead and two injured.”

Xu Xingchun stepped on the gas pedal without changing his expression.

Liu Jingbo complained non-stop, “We just had an irregular special case meeting, and the investigation deployment was adjusted countless times. I know you’ve been busy with a case recently, but we’re short-handed over there, so we had to come to you. Really, a bunch of sons of bitches.”

After cursing, he remembered something and looked at Xu Xingchun who was driving, “Oh right, I heard through the grapevine that a big case at the city bureau is about to wrap up. When you get the intel, remember to let us in on the action.”

“Mm.”

Throughout the journey, Xu Xingchun said very little. But he was usually like this, so Liu Jingbo didn’t notice anything unusual.

Until they were in the autopsy room, and Xu Xingchun was putting on the autopsy equipment according to procedure. Liu Bo, who was observing nearby, couldn’t help but remind him, “Chun, what’s going on today? Pay attention, you’ve put your gloves on backwards.”

Tonight there was a fireworks show at the Shanghai Stadium.

But Fu Xueli couldn’t see it.

She had pushed back several scheduled appearances and was kept at the company all afternoon by Tang Xin. With nothing to do, curled up on the fabric sofa, she could only browse Weibo, check forums, and watch variety shows.

The more she looked, the more depressed she felt.

The trending headlines were all: [Popular star Fu Xueli’s relationship exposed, passionate confession, first time admitting partner is outside the industry!]

Such a big deal… Such an exaggerated title She didn’t believe Xu Xingchun hadn’t seen it… Xu Xingchun had clearly seen it but didn’t take the initiative to contact her.

Wasn’t he moved at all… Fu Xueli lay on the sofa kicking her legs. What a capital J jerk! Even just a phone call would be good.

Holding her phone, waiting and waiting until it was too late. Still no response. Angrily turning off her phone, she curled up on the sofa again, rolled into a ball. Men really are all scumbags. Heartless bastard!

Winter nights come early. There was a dinner with a film crew in the evening. She forced herself to be energetic and deal with it. By the time the gathering was over, it was very late.

During the meal, most people looked at Fu Xueli strangely. She kept a gloomy face, pretending not to notice.

Waiting and hoping, at ten o’clock, a text message and phone call finally came.

“Xixi, help me tell Tang Xin later that I have something to do and left early.” She hurriedly packed her things.

Xixi looked at Fu Xueli in surprise, opened her mouth, then closed it, “Sister Xueli, you…”

Before she could finish speaking, Fu Xueli had already disappeared.

The address he sent was in a very remote park. Fu Xueli searched for a long time using GPS.

She felt like a hero who had done something great today, now full of confidence.

When she finally found Xu Xingchun, she was first surprised. He was actually sitting on a flower bed. Not at all like his usual finicky and severely germaphobic personality.

She slowed her steps and adjusted her expression, not wanting to show too much excitement.

Step by step, she inched behind him, then suddenly patted his shoulder.

Xu Xingchun turned his head, seeming dazed, looking at the newly appeared Fu Xueli.

“Did you miss me?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Her wrist was firmly grasped.

“You’re holding too tight, it hurts.”

Xu Xingchun gripped her hand once more before letting go. He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead, “I’m sorry, I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink.”

Looking not much different from usual, Fu Xueli unexpectedly found this version of him extremely adorable.

She playfully poked him. Sat down. Poked his face again.

She felt Xu Xingchun’s body leaning close to her. He buried his head on her shoulder.

Fu Xueli was very close to him. With a glance, she could see Xu Xingchun staring at her intently.

Through the patterned lamplight, she looked at him. In those eyes was a clingy, almost morbid love. His face was far from ordinary. If she moved her head just a little, they could kiss. It was truly tempting one to commit a crime.

Drunk Xu Xingchun wasn’t much different from usual, just more willing to let her tease him.

Fu Xueli deliberately scolded him, blinking her eyes hard twice, then opening them wide, “What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen a beautiful woman before?