Axolotl Translations

This year, Qiao Haoyu was about to graduate and would soon be leaving the regiment. He had originally planned to visit his parents in the capital before heading to the army, and during that time, he also intended to visit Wei Jiajia in Shencheng.

However, he suddenly received an urgent notice instructing him to report to the army in one week. The unit he was assigned to was quite far away, and after accounting for three days of travel, his available time was very limited.

He had asked Wei Jiajia to call him because he wanted to propose to her before departing for the army.

This was something he had been thinking about for a long time. He had originally planned to wait until he arrived in Shencheng to bring up the topic gradually.

But now, time didn’t allow for that. He felt it was best to tell her directly and listen to her thoughts. Regardless of her decision, he would respect her choice.

Wei Jiajia was somewhat taken aback when she heard Qiao Haoyu’s words.

She had never expected that he would bring up this topic. She thought they had both agreed to wait until she graduated from college.

She had never thought about it before, always feeling that she was still young and that they could focus on dating first, postponing the topic of engagement until after graduation. Now that Qiao Haoyu had brought it up, she didn’t know how to respond.

Qiao Haoyu waited for a long time without hearing a reply from Wei Jiajia. Although he felt a bit disappointed, he quickly adjusted himself. After all, she was still young, and if she didn’t want to get engaged right away, he could understand.

“Jiajia, if you don’t want to get engaged, it’s perfectly fine, I…” Before Qiao Haoyu could finish, Wei Jiajia interrupted him with her response.

“I agree. But this is not a small matter, and it concerns both of our families. I’ll discuss it with Great-aunt when I return home today, but what about Aunt Wenjuan and Uncle Qiao? What do you think we should do about them?”

Wei Jiajia lowered her head and thought for a moment. She agreed to Qiao Haoyu’s proposal because they were already an engaged couple. Now that he wanted a ceremony to make it more formal, why would she refuse?

Over the year they exchanged letters, their feelings for each other had deepened, and they only had each other in their hearts. This was simply a way to solidify their relationship.

Listening to the response from the other end of the line, Qiao Haoyu felt an overwhelming rush of happiness, as though fireworks were exploding in his heart. His emotions, usually so carefully controlled, were now on full display. He even wondered if he had imagined it. He had been prepared for rejection, but Jiajia’s agreement took him completely by surprise.

“Jiajia, could you repeat that? I want to hear you say it again,” Qiao Haoyu urgently needed to confirm.

When Wei Jiajia heard the careful tone in his voice, her heart softened, and she felt even more certain that her impulsive agreement was the right decision. With a smile, she repeated her words.

A burst of joyful laughter erupted from Qiao Haoyu. His laughter was so genuine that even the two classmates on duty at the door of the duty room could hear it. They thought to themselves how deeply Qiao Haoyu must love his fiancée to laugh so joyfully from the heart.

Wei Jiajia couldn’t help but smile when she heard Qiao Haoyu’s laughter on the other end of the line.

Qiao Haoyu then shared his plans for their engagement with Wei Jiajia.

He had been planning this for half a year and had already discussed it with his family. He intended to get engaged to Wei Jiajia before leaving for the army. In fact, his mother had already begun preparing for the engagement ceremony.

His original plan was to first obtain Jiajia’s consent and then have his parents travel from Beijing to formally propose to her family. The engagement ceremony would take place in Shencheng. That way, he could go to the army with peace of mind.

However, the sudden notice had disrupted his original plans. He was a little disappointed because, after receiving the notice, he realized he wouldn’t be able to return home for the next two years. This realization left him feeling a bit uneasy.

He knew Wei Jiajia cared for him deeply, but he still wanted to make their relationship official. If not for her age, he would have preferred to obtain their marriage certificate immediately.

After receiving the notice, he immediately called his parents and told them about his plan. His mother fully supported him, saying that if Jiajia agreed, she and his father would take time off and come over immediately. They wouldn’t let anything stand in their way.

In fact, when Zhang Wenjuan heard that her son wanted to get engaged to Jiajia, she wholeheartedly supported the idea.

Wei Jiajia had been raised under her care, and in her heart, she was like her own daughter, the little daughter-in-law she had always wholeheartedly approved of. Just thinking that the two children would be able to be together filled her with boundless joy. She immediately began planning what things to bring to Shencheng for the proposal.

Qiao Mingli looked at his wife pacing around the house, muttering to herself, and shook his head helplessly. However, thinking about how Haoyu and Jiajia would soon be together, he couldn’t help but praise the young man in his heart. Haoyu was a man of action, always decisive when he set his sights on something, swiftly accomplishing his goals without wasting a single moment.

When Wei Jiajia heard Qiao Haoyu’s explanation, understanding that he had already discussed it with his family and that Aunt Wenjuan and Uncle Qiao both knew and supported their engagement, she finally felt relieved.

Although she knew that the Qiao family liked her, and that if Qiao Haoyu brought it up, they would never oppose it, she still felt a bit anxious. A sudden wave of nervousness washed over her, as if a “shy daughter-in-law” was about to meet her in-laws, afraid that she might not make a good impression.

The two discussed the details of the engagement, and Wei Jiajia promised to inform her Great-aunt as soon as she returned. That way, the Wei family would be mentally prepared when the Qiao family came for the proposal. After this, she ended the call.

When she got home, everyone had finished dinner. Even Uncle Zhu had returned from work and was playing with his little daughter. The others were sitting in the yard, enjoying the cool evening breeze.

“You’re back? I saved some food for you in the pot. Go ahead and eat,” Aunt Fen called out as she saw Wei Jiajia walking through the gate.

Wei Jiajia answered and washed her hands before turning and walking out of the kitchen. Her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Qiao Haoyu, she hurriedly ate her dinner and then went to the yard, taking a stool to sit beside her Great-aunt.

Grandaunt glanced at her, raising an eyebrow in surprise, and asked curiously, “What did Haoyu say to you? You look flustered after that phone call.

Wei Jiajia had a rather reserved personality. It was only around those closest to her that she would reveal her playful side.

Seeing Wei Jiajia hesitate to speak, blushing slightly, Grandaunt continued, “Is there something you need to tell us?”

Wei Jiajia felt a little embarrassed with everyone’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t keep the secret any longer. In a few days, the Qiao family would be coming over to propose, and she couldn’t hide it from her Great-aunt any longer.

After thinking it over, Wei Jiajia told Grandaunt and the others about her conversation with Qiao Haoyu earlier that day. The news left everyone in the yard stunned. They hadn’t expected her to return from a phone call with such a significant announcement, and for a moment, they were all overcome with emotion.

Great-aunt paused, looking at the slightly hesitant Wei Jiajia before asking, “So, what about you? How do you feel about this? Are you ready to get engaged now?”

Wei Jiajia, feeling a little shy, lowered her voice and said, “I’ve already agreed to it.”

Great-aunt smiled and gently ruffled Wei Jiajia’s hair. “As long as you’re happy with it, then Aunt is happy too. Haoyu is a young man we’ve watched grow up, and his character is beyond reproach. He will definitely take good care of you, and when you’re with him, your parents will feel at ease.”

Great-aunt patted her back and sighed with a touch of melancholy, “Time really flies. Our little Jiajia has grown up. Getting engaged this year, and in a few years, she’ll be married and starting a family. And the younger ones, when they grow up, will have their own lives too.”

“Great-aunt…” Wei Jiajia leaned into Great-aunt’s arms, her voice choking slightly.

Seeing Auntie’s downcast mood, Aunt Fen quickly added, “Don’t worry, Godmother, you have me and Zhuzi here with you. Let the kids grow up and spread their wings. When they do, we’ll be free to enjoy the house. These little rascals are driving me crazy, giving me a headache all day long.”

The twins, sensing the underlying tone of the conversation, realized that Great-aunt was feeling a bit nostalgic, reluctant to see her eldest niece get married.

Xiangxi quickly intervened with a light-hearted remark, “We’re not going anywhere! If we leave, we’ll starve. We prefer staying home and causing a ruckus with you.”

Xiangdong, more straightforward, added bluntly, “My sister’s just getting engaged now. It’ll still be a few years before the wedding, so we’ve got plenty of time to adjust.”

Even Yangyang and Nuannuan, in their own little way, came over to comfort Grandaunt. Their childlike chatter quickly lifted her spirits.

The conversation soon turned to preparations for the Qiao family’s visit, with everyone offering their suggestions.

Before long, the day of the agreed-upon engagement arrived. After breakfast, the Qiao family, accompanied by Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang, arrived at the Wei household.

Knowing that the Qiao family was arriving today for the proposal, Uncle Zhuzi took the day off from work and stayed home to welcome Mr. Qiao.

The two families exchanged warm greetings and then proceeded together toward the main room, leaving the younger generation behind.

Qiao Haoyu was dressed in a neat military uniform today, looking both confident and handsome. Even with his hands full of various things, he exuded an undeniable charm.

When he entered through the door, his eyes immediately sought out Wei Jiajia, who stood at the back of the room. He smiled at her, his gaze soft and filled with affection.

Wei Jiajia wore a light pink dress, her hair styled in two loose braids adorned with pink ribbons that cascaded into delicate bows. Her fair skin, beautifully complemented by the soft pink, made her appear even more radiant and lovely. She stood there, naturally beautiful, requiring no excessive adornment, like a masterpiece of art.

Qiao Haoyu walked over and stood next to her, his gaze filled with tenderness as he looked at the girl standing before him. His heart fluttered. He thought to himself that now, he truly understood the meaning of love at first sight, of being smitten at a glance. There would always be someone who could capture your heart, making it impossible to forget them.

Wei Jiajia observed Qiao Haoyu, his gaze fixed on her since the moment he entered the room. He appeared slightly stunned. While a little embarrassed, she secretly felt quite pleased. All the effort she had put into choosing her outfit and preparing herself early this morning had not been in vain. As the saying goes, ‘A woman adorns herself for the man she loves,’ and seeing Qiao Haoyu’s reaction confirmed that her efforts were worthwhile.

“Are you back to your senses? Am I that good-looking?” Wei Jiajia teased him, noticing he had been staring at her in silence for quite a while. She waved her hand in front of his eyes, asking innocently.

Qiao Haoyu gently caught her hand, smiling as he said, “You’re stunning, just like the girl I always dreamed of.”

“You’re such a smooth talker! Hurry up and come inside. Everyone’s waiting for us,” she said, playfully scratching the palm of his hand before withdrawing her hand and walking into the living room.

“Jiajia, come here, let me have a good look at you. It’s been years since I last saw you. You’ve blossomed into such a lovely young woman. It’s truly a blessing for my little rascal…” Soon, the sounds of Zhang Wenjuan and Wei Jiajia chatting amiably filled the room.

Qiao Haoyu, hearing his mother’s teasing and the young girl’s playful responses, couldn’t help but smile helplessly. He picked up the items he had left on the floor and walked inside.

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