Chapter 20, "Mom Won't Talk to You on the Phone"...
Moscow was covered in snow. Lin Ke stuffed her phone into her pocket, waved her hand, picked up her suitcase, and followed the crowd.
Meng Jing came to pick him up personally.
When we were checking her in, we struck up a conversation: "You really aren't planning on coming here?"
When Si Yuming was there last time, she didn't say much. Now, after thinking for a while, she replied seriously, "I'm preparing. I'll be taking the exam this year. I just registered a couple of days ago."
Meng Jing relaxed and laughed, "I was just thinking about how to persuade you, but it seems I don't need to put in any more effort."
Lin Ke smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Meng Jing."
"No need to thank me. I can't help you much, and besides, I have my own selfish reasons. Of course, I'd choose you more than anyone else." Meng Jing looked at her right hand. "Is your hand alright?"
Lin Ke was somewhat surprised, "You know about Brother Meng Jing?"
"How could I not know? Yu Ming posted a lot of photos in our little group chat during the National Day holiday. Speaking of which, I've never been to Inner Mongolia. I guess I'll have to find time to go there. The scenery there is truly beautiful."
He continued, "After I finish this, I'll go back to China and come over with Yu Ming for our wedding."
Lin Ke was even more shocked, "How come I've never heard Yu Ming mention that you have a girlfriend?"
"We didn't really date; we only met a few times, and it was all at the behest of our elders."
It took Lin Ke a while to understand the meaning of those words.
She thought that people in their privileged circles sometimes felt helpless, forced to marry someone they had no feelings for. They were quite pitiful; if they were lucky, they would live a peaceful and happy life, but if they were unlucky, they would waste their lives.
She smiled and said, "Congratulations."
"Thank you." As he spoke, Meng Jing's phone rang. He held up his phone to indicate, "I'll take this call."
Walking to the side, Meng Jing glanced at the caller ID, then at the woman who had already gone to check in. Somewhat puzzled, he pressed the answer button. "Looking for me? Or your wife?"
The person on the other end spoke softly, followed by the sound of a door opening and closing, "Looking for you."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Lin Ke is all alone over there, please take good care of her."
Meng Jing understood and smiled knowingly, "I know, Boss Si. I'll take care of things even if you don't say anything." He then looked at the receptionist, "She's right next to me. Should I give her my phone?"
The man paused, then said in a deep voice, "No need."
"Okay, then that's settled."
As he took the phone away from his ear, he heard him call out again. Meng Jing answered the phone again, "What is it?"
"Is it snowing in Moscow?"
"It's raining, it's been raining for two days now."
Lin Ke dislikes winter the most. She is afraid of the cold and doesn't like to go out in winter. She always has to wear thick clothes.
But she also loves snow. She is always overjoyed when it snows, and she can't wait to go out with her best friend to build a snowman and have a snowball fight before the snow even stops.
He watched from upstairs, and each time he could see her red cheeks and nose from the cold, her small figure wrapped in a down jacket like a little ball.
Even after they got married, it was the same. When it was cold, she didn't like to move around. When he came back from outside, he would always see her holding their daughter, snuggled up on the sofa watching cartoons. The heating wasn't enough, so the mother and daughter had to cover themselves with two fluffy little blankets.
When he held his daughter, her body was warm.
...
The first thing I did after getting up the next morning was to call Si Xiaotie. The little girl's voice sounded a bit stronger, but it was still nasal. Fortunately, she didn't have a fever.
Lin Ke looked at the laughing, seemingly unaffected girl in the video and pretended to be serious as she warned, "You can't just take your clothes off like that anymore, understand?"
"Okay, okay."
It's noon in China now, so Lin Ke asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"
"Dad's doing it." Si Xiaotie held up his phone with both hands and asked with concern, "Mom, aren't you tired?"
"Not tired."
"Okay, Daddy said Mommy has a lot of work and is very tired. Mommy, please take good care of yourself. Daddy and I miss you so much!"
Lin Ke smiled gently: "Okay, Mom will take good care of herself."
"Dad also said it's snowing where you are..."
Before he could finish speaking, a muffled male voice came from the other end, sounding utterly helpless, "Si Xiaotie."
The girl looked over, blinked her big eyes, and asked, "What's wrong, Dad? Did I say something wrong?"
Then, after a moment of reflection, she muttered to herself, "That's right." Then, she grinned at the video, "Dad said it's snowing in Mom's city, and I have to remind Mom to wear more clothes, otherwise she'll catch a cold like Xiao Tie! Mom, you need to wear lots of clothes!"
The child's words were innocent and natural, but Lin Ke's heart skipped a beat. She smiled and replied, "Okay, Mom understands."
Si Xiaotie turned to look at the kitchen again, "Dad, do you want to talk to Mom on the phone?"
Footsteps sounded from the other end, and Lin Ke panicked for some reason. She quickly said, "Xiao Tie, Mom has to go to work. Maybe next time."
"Okay then." Si Xiaotie raised his voice again, "Dad, Mom won't talk to you on the phone."
"..."
After the call ended, Lin Ke shook her head and laughed, thinking, "That Si Xiaotie."
She put her phone away and prepared to get ready for work.
All the important leaders were in attendance at this international conference, and the externally hired translators did not have access to the core circle; they were only responsible for liaising with the general officials from both sides.
For the sake of secrecy and security, everyone only learns their assignments that morning.
Furthermore, there are two days of closed training before starting work, during which mobile phones are handed in and communication with the outside world is prohibited.
Lin Ke had never taken on such a serious task before, and she was on high alert.
The person in charge of the training was a senior translator from the Translation Department who had retired to a behind-the-scenes role. Her name was Zhou Rong, and she had previously appeared behind important leaders on many occasions. When I was in school, my teachers always used her as an example to encourage students to set lofty ideals.
Zhou Rong's translation videos were also important learning materials for her.
Therefore, Lin Ke was really looking forward to the training these two days.
Upon arriving at the training conference hall, Lin Ke signed in, handed in her phone, and entered. She was delighted to see Zhou Rong explaining details to the staff on the podium.
She found her seat, sat down, and quietly looked at the podium.
Refined and capable, elegant and composed.
Becoming an outstanding woman like Zhou Rong was her dream during her teenage years. She wanted to climb step by step to the highest level, and to make people think of someone named Lin Ke when they think of Russian translators.
She never gave up on this dream and firmly believed that she would realize it.
After Zhou Rong finished speaking on the podium, he looked down, his gaze sweeping over her and stopping on her. Then he beckoned to her.
Lin Ke was surprised and quickly got up and went forward.
"Hello, Teacher Zhou."
Zhou Rong looked him up and down, then smiled slightly. "You're Professor Fan's student?"
"Yes, Teacher Zhou."
Zhou Rong spoke in a very friendly manner, saying, "Before I came, Lao Fan told me that one of his students was coming and asked me to take care of her. I didn't expect her to be such a beautiful young lady."
"You flatter me, Teacher Zhou."
How old is the baby?
Lin Ke was taken aback for a moment, then guessed that Teacher Fan must have told her, and replied, "Almost four years old."
"That's good. With everything resolved, you won't have any worries about your work in the future." Zhou Rong looked at her. "Old Fan said you're going to take the translation exam this year?"
"yes."
"Keep it up, I look forward to becoming colleagues."
"Thank you, Teacher Zhou."
After speaking, Lin Ke returned to her seat.
She looked up at the solemn and grand national-level ceiling above her, and suddenly felt a surge of strength.
After two days of intensive training, Lin Ke began his official work. On his first day, he was in charge of the first meeting between the Ministry of Commerce leaders and the heads of state of various countries.
Having received the information the night before, she prepared until 2 a.m.
In such a formal setting, if things go wrong, no one can afford to take responsibility.
We left home at 7 a.m. for breakfast, and after breakfast, we gathered and went to our respective work stations.
Zhou Rong came to lead them into the venue and asked before they entered, "Are you nervous?"
Others may not know, but Lin Ke was very nervous. Even though she had a lot of experience in big occasions, her palms were sweating with nervousness.
Several years after graduation, repeated training made her more and more composed, and she remained calm and collected when she sat at the translation desk.
But standing here today, I feel like a novice who's taking on a translation job independently for the first time.
I worry about whether my knowledge base is sufficient, whether my superiors will make things difficult for me, and what to do if unexpected events occur.
Zhou Rong looked over and asked, "Where's Lin Ke?"
Lin Ke took a deep breath and smiled, "Don't be nervous."
When she was in school, her teacher once told her, "Never show weakness; confidence comes from within."
As the conference hall doors opened, Lin Ke turned her head and saw national flags from various countries standing in rows, with each seat neatly arranged, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Hers was behind the main seat.
The interview started promptly at nine o'clock.
The Russian official greeted them, and Lin Ke began translating the first sentence.
She calmed herself down, and her mind and hands worked quickly to follow the other person's words.
Lin Ke worked intensely until 5 p.m., and when the meeting ended, she couldn't straighten her back. She took a break while tidying up the meeting room and secretly stretched.
Unexpectedly, the leader suddenly turned around and looked at her. The woman sat up straight in a second, with a solemn expression that matched the conference room.
"What's the little girl's name?"
"Lin Ke".
"Well translated."
"Thank you, Director Takabe."
The leader got up and left, but inside the room, important figures from various countries were still exchanging ideas and talking with staff, all discussing potential future economic policies.
Lin Ke glanced at the five-star red flag beside her, secretly raising the corners of her lips, inwardly praising herself.
Well done, Lin Ke, you're awesome!
The peak experience in life comes from the realization of self-worth. At this moment, all worries are no longer worries, and she strides forward with great pride and vigor.
All work was finished on Sunday, and we packed up to head home the next day.
Back at the hotel, Lin Ke chatted with Si Xiaotie, feeling relaxed. Her tone became lighter, "Si Xiaotie, what time is it? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Si Xiaotie chuckled and started chattering away, sharing his feelings about his trip to the amusement park that day.
"Mom, I rode the pirate ship and a spinning pony! It was so much fun!"
"Did your dad go with you?"
"Yes, Dad took my brother and me to the park yesterday. We flew big kites, and they all flew into the sky!"
Si Xiaotie's large face completely covered the phone screen, so Lin Ke couldn't see the person outside the frame, but he should be there.
Before she could answer, Si Xiaotie asked again, "Mom, are you happy today?"
"Happy," Lin Ke said. "Especially happy."
"Yay, I'm happy too!"
The phone was taken by the person next to her, and Lin Ke saw his face. His face had clear features and distinct angles, and every inch of it was cherished by God.
His pure black pupils narrowed slightly, his gentle gaze fixed on her.
Lin Ke looked back quietly.
At that moment, she thought that leaving him didn't seem like such a terrible thing. Love or not, responsibility or not, didn't matter so much anymore.
"What time will you arrive tomorrow?"
"Seven o'clock in the evening."
"Xiao Tie and I will come to pick you up."
"good."
......
Lin Ke landed at 7:00 and collected her luggage before heading to the arrival hall.
Si Xiaotie, who had been waiting early, was carrying a bouquet of flowers. As soon as he saw her, he rushed over. Lin Ke squatted down and picked up the little girl. Si Xiaotie kissed her cheek and said softly, "Welcome home, Mommy!"
Lin Ke tapped her nose, "Who taught you to say that?"
"dad!"
Lin Ke shifted her gaze away.
Si Yuming took two steps forward and gave her and her daughter a light hug.
Welcome home.
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Author's Note: Here comes the little red envelope~
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