Axolotl Translations

“Brother Yu?”

Zuo Zhou noticed something was off with Shangguan Yu and bent down slightly, asking with concern.

“I’m fine.” Shangguan Yu snapped out of it, replying calmly. “Let’s go inside.”

Xu Jun had made a reservation in advance, so as soon as they entered the restaurant, a waiter approached them.

“Mr. Xu, I see that your reservation is for two people. Would you like me to switch you to a table for four?”

“No need,” Xu Jun answered immediately. “Just arrange a separate seat for this gentleman.”

He deliberately motioned toward Zuo Zhou as he spoke.

“Oh, understood. Please follow me.”

The server led them to a cozy window-side table and bowed slightly. “This is the reserved seating, and the additional table is just ahead.”

“Thank you,” Xu Jun replied quickly. “Now, please escort this gentleman to his seat.”

He promptly attempted to maneuver behind Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair, clearly intending to push Zuo Zhou aside and take his place. However, Zuo Zhou gripped the wheelchair handles tightly, making it clear he wasn’t budging.

A silent but fierce battle commenced behind the wheelchair, neither man giving way.

Meanwhile, the bewildered waiter and the ever-composed Shangguan Yu exchanged helpless glances: “…”

Realizing the situation wasn’t going to resolve itself, Shangguan Yu finally spoke. “Xiao Zuo, go.”

“Oh,” Zuo Zhou responded, clearly reluctant. Still, he obediently released the wheelchair handles. “Alright, I’ll head over then. Brother Yu, if you need anything, just text me.”

“Mm.” Shangguan Yu hesitated for a moment before adding, “Order whatever you want. I… just go.”

He had originally intended to reassure Zuo Zhou not to worry about the cost, that no matter how much he spent, he’d cover it.

He had intended to reassure Zuo Zhou not to worry about the cost, that he would cover it no matter what. But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he changed his mind and left it unsaid.

“Got it,” Zuo Zhou grinned, as if he’d understood Shangguan Yu’s unspoken message. “Then I’ll eat my heart out!”

Once Zuo Zhou left, a waiter came over to remove a chair, making space for Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair.

Shangguan Yu declined Xu Jun’s help and maneuvered himself into position at the table. Seeing that he managed fine, Xu Jun didn’t insist and instead took a seat across from him.

The waiter handed Xu Jun a tablet for ordering, then politely stepped away.

“Same as before?” Xu Jun asked, looking at Shangguan Yu expectantly.

“No,” Shangguan Yu replied, his tone indifferent. “I want to try something different.”

His words carried a deeper meaning. Xu Jun’s expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure as he handed the tablet to Shangguan Yu.

“Alright, take a look,” Xu Jun said. “It’s been a while—this restaurant must have plenty of new dishes by now.”

Shangguan Yu took the tablet and focused on choosing his meal, ignoring Xu Jun’s small talk.

Xu Jun pressed his lips together, then tried again. “Xiao Yu, this past year has been terrible for me. Every night, I think about you. Work has only gotten busier. Wang Hao must have told you—I’ve been promoted to department manager, the youngest at Haode Real Estate. My next step is VP…”

He went on and on, talking about the pressure at work, his endless overtime, and how he was on track to become vice president within the next five years.

Shangguan Yu finished placing his order, then slid the tablet back to Xu Jun, cutting him off with a soft, “I’m done ordering.”

“Ah,” Xu Jun paused, momentarily thrown, before quickly taking the tablet. “Alright, let me take a look.”

“Do you want something to drink? I see they have a new red wine on the menu.”

“No.”

“Oh… how about juice?”

“Mm.”

As they waited for the food, Xu Jun continued rambling about his life over the past year—even mentioning a failed blind date.

Shangguan Yu remained seated, head slightly lowered, silent. He neither responded nor interrupted. It was impossible to tell if he was even listening.

Xu Jun, still basking in the joy of finally getting Shangguan Yu to meet him, kept talking non-stop. It wasn’t until the food arrived that he finally paused.

“Xiao Yu, you weren’t always this quiet,” he said.

“Is that so?” Shangguan Yu replied indifferently. His expression remained composed as he unfolded his napkin, placed it neatly on his chest, and began cutting his steak.

“Xiao Yu,” Xu Jun said, sensing the coldness in Shangguan Yu’s demeanor, unable to hold back any longer, “I know I hurt you before. I truly want to make it up to you. Xiao Yu, thank you for giving me this chance.”

Shangguan Yu let out a quiet sigh and set down his utensils. “Xu Jun, you’ve misunderstood. I came today because I thought it would be better to say some things in person.”

“What… What do you mean?”

“I mean that you and I ended things over a year ago. It hasn’t been easy for me, but I’ve finally found some peace in my life. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t disrupt that.”

“?! ” Xu Jun’s eyes widened in shock. This was nothing like what he had imagined.

He had assumed that Shangguan Yu agreeing to meet him was a step toward forgiveness. It hadn’t crossed his mind that he would hear this instead.

“Xiao Yu… but we shared so many good memories. I don’t believe you’ve forgotten them all. I…” Xu Jun struggled to maintain his composure. “I still have feelings for you. After all this time, you… you couldn’t have moved on so easily.”

Shangguan Yu let out a soft, mocking laugh. “What makes you so sure I wouldn’t forget you?”

Xu Jun didn’t respond immediately, but his gaze involuntarily drifted downward—toward the space beneath the table, where Shangguan Yu’s legs would be.

The teasing smile vanished from Shangguan Yu’s face, his tone turning icy. “So, because I’m disabled now and no one else would want me, I should be grateful—on my knees—just because you still do?”

“Of course not! I would never think that,” Xu Jun denied immediately, his voice almost desperate. “Xiao Yu, why are you acting like this? You weren’t like this before… You never—”

“Enough! Stop telling me how I used to be!” Shangguan Yu suddenly raised his voice, cutting him off. Several nearby tables turned their heads, curiosity flickering in their eyes. The weight of their stares made Shangguan Yu’s body tense. His numbed legs, usually devoid of sensation, now burned with an inexplicable, stabbing pain.

Even as the pain gripped him, Shangguan Yu forced himself to remain composed, lowering his voice. “I’m a cripple now. Do you expect me to speak to you with kindness and courtesy? When I said it was over, I meant it. It ended over a year ago—that day in the hospital. From now on, don’t ever let me see you again.”

“……”

Xu Jun stared at Shangguan Yu in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief—as if he were looking at a complete stranger.

A chill ran down Shangguan Yu’s spine under that gaze. His body tensed, bristling like an agitated cat ready to lash out at any perceived threat.

Not far away, Zuo Zhou, who had been distractedly pushing his food around while keeping an eye on Shangguan Yu, shot to his feet the moment he heard the raised voice. Without hesitation, he rushed over to their table.

He had caught the last part of Shangguan Yu’s words. Although he had been informed beforehand of the purpose of this meeting, his heart had been uneasy the entire time. Only now, hearing Shangguan Yu’s final statement, did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Brother Yu.” Zuo Zhou crouched beside Shangguan Yu, looking up at him and speaking gently. “Brother Yu.”

Noticing Shangguan Yu’s tense and unstable state, Zuo Zhou didn’t dare touch him directly. Instead, he spoke gently, trying to pull him back from his agitation.

“Should we leave?”

At the sound of Zuo Zhou’s steady, gentle voice, Shangguan Yu slowly regained his composure. He took a few deep breaths before speaking, his voice still slightly shaky. “Take me away.”

“Alright!”

Zuo Zhou instantly stood up and began pushing Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair toward the exit.

As they passed Xu Jun, he suddenly stood. Whether to stop them or offer an explanation, he reached out—his hand hesitating in midair, as if trying to grasp the wheelchair.

Zuo Zhou reacted swiftly, blocking Xu Jun’s outstretched hand with a sharp movement of his elbow. His expression was ice-cold as he turned slightly and uttered a single word: “Leave.”

The sheer hostility radiating from Zuo Zhou stunned Xu Jun, leaving him frozen. He stared in disbelief, unable to process how this usually easygoing, ever-smiling young caretaker could suddenly exude such an intimidating presence.

While Xu Jun remained dazed, Zuo Zhou didn’t waste another second. He shot him a sharp glare before pushing Shangguan Yu out of the restaurant at a brisk pace.

Outside, the cool air rushed into Shangguan Yu’s lungs, and he couldn’t suppress the cough that followed.

Zuo Zhou immediately took off his jacket and draped it over Shangguan Yu’s shoulders. Then he crouched in front of him, his eyes filled with concern. “Brother Yu, are you okay?”

“Cough, cough. “I’m fine… cough… take me farther away… cough…” Shangguan Yu managed between coughs. Even though they had left the restaurant, the feeling of being watched lingered. He urged Zuo Zhou to keep moving, as if only by putting more distance between himself and that place could he finally feel at ease.

“Alright, alright, we’re leaving,” Zuo Zhou reassured him softly as he quickened his pace.

After crossing an intersection, they arrived in a residential area lined with small, homey shops bustling with life.

It was lunchtime, and the streets were relatively quiet; most people were inside small restaurants, enjoying their meals.

At last, Shangguan Yu’s breathing steadied, and his coughing subsided. He absentmindedly touched the jacket draped over him before tilting his head. “You should wear this. I’m fine now.”

Zuo Zhou stopped walking, bent down so they were at eye level, and smiled. “I’m not cold, Brother Yu. You keep it on.”

“…I don’t—”

“I really don’t feel cold,” Zuo Zhou interrupted, and before Shangguan Yu could protest further, he reached out and grasped his hand—pale and icy against the wheelchair’s armrest. “See? I’m warm.”

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