Axolotl Translations

Zhang Huimin pulled Zeng Guoqiang to a secluded spot. She then realized she was still holding his sleeve. Clearing her throat, she let go.

“What did you want to talk about?” she asked.

“To me, you’re a fairy too,” he blurted out.

They’d spoken almost simultaneously. Zhang Huimin’s face flushed. She felt uneasy.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I’m serious,” Zeng Guoqiang said, flustered. “Comrade Wei is beautiful, but you’re the most beautiful. You’re just as good as her.” That was how he truly felt. No other woman compared to Zhang Huimin.

Looking at him, his voice urgent, his face sincere, Zhang Huimin felt a surge of emotion. She believed him. His eyes told her he was telling the truth.

Zeng Guoqiang had planned to make his presence known first, then confess.

Having already revealed his feelings, Zeng Guoqiang seized the moment. Seeing Zhang Huimin’s shy reaction, he pressed on.

“Huimin, I like you! I have since the first time I saw you. Let’s be together!”

Zhang Huimin was taken aback. Her blush deepened. Her heart pounded.

She looked at him. His lips were pressed together, his jaw tense. He was nervous. She felt a sudden urge to tease him.

“What if I say no?”

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, but he quickly recovered. “Then I haven’t done enough,” he said. “I’ll work harder until you agree.”

His expression was serious, his tone firm. “Consider this my application. If you’re ever ready, consider me first. But if you fall for someone else… even though it’ll hurt, I’ll still wish you happiness.”

Zhang Huimin simply looked at him, watching as he solemnly declared he’d endure the pain and offer his blessing if she chose someone else.

Watching him, Zhang Huimin felt a mix of fondness and exasperation. How could he be so endearingly foolish?

“You idiot!”

“Huh?” Zeng Guoqiang looked confused.

Zhang Huimin glared at him. “If you like someone, you chase them with everything you’ve got! You haven’t even started, and you’re already planning for failure?”

Zeng Guoqiang felt like the sun had finally come out. He burst out laughing, the sound growing louder.

Zhang Huimin rolled her eyes. “You look ridiculous,” she said, though her lips curved slightly.

Zeng Guoqiang just grinned, his laughter even more foolish.

Zhang Huimin couldn’t take it. “Come on, I’m starving!” she said, turning away.

Zeng Guoqiang followed, “So, you’re saying yes?”

“When did I say that?”

“But that’s what you meant! You’re my girlfriend now!”

“I never agreed. I said you should work to win me over.”

“I will! But does that mean yes?”

“We’ll see.”

“…”

The sound of their playful banter faded as they disappeared.

Meanwhile, Wei Jiajia arrived at Su Pan’s home, following the directions she’d been given. The area was part of the steel mill’s residential compound, a sprawling district housing thousands of workers.

She saw a group by a flowerbed and approached. “Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to Building 7?”

The group paused their conversation and turned. A striking young woman in a white blouse and knitted vest stood before them.

“Well, look at you! A lovely young lady!” an old woman said.

“Never seen you before,” another woman, holding green onions, said. “Visiting someone?”

“Yes, I’m looking for Building 7. Could you direct me?”

“Who are you visiting?” someone asked. Building 7 housed factory leaders and senior technicians. They couldn’t help but wonder which family this girl was connected to.

“I’m looking for Su Pan.”

One of the women recognized the name. “Su Pan…isn’t she the deputy director’s daughter?” she asked.

“That’s right!” someone replied. “In that building, besides the director’s family, the only other ‘Su’ is Old Su, the senior machinist.”

Just then, a woman with short hair walked into the courtyard and spotted Wei Jiajia. “You must be Su Pan’s classmate?” she asked, approaching. Up close, she was even more striking than she’d seemed at the department store.

Wei Jiajia nodded. “Hello.”

“Chief Li,” one of the group said, “this young lady is looking for the director’s house. Since you live in the same building, why don’t you take her?”

Chief Li smiled at Wei Jiajia. “Come with me! I’m in the same building.”

Wei Jiajia thanked the others and followed Chief Li.

“You’re from Shencheng, right? I saw you at the department store with four children.”

“Yes, that was me. I was out with my siblings.”

They chatted as they walked to the Su family’s home.

“Two sets of twins, weren’t they?” Chief Li asked. “Your parents are blessed to have such wonderful children.”

Wei Jiajia smiled but didn’t reply.

“What do your parents do?” Chief Li continued. “They must be remarkable to raise such exceptional children. I could tell your siblings will be impressive too.”

“They were martyrs…” Wei Jiajia said quietly. If they’d lived, they would have raised us all to be outstanding.

Chief Li frowned. She hadn’t expected Wei Jiajia to be a war orphan. It was different from what she’d assumed. The way the girl had spent money at the department store…Chief Li had thought her family was well-off. But now, knowing her parents were gone and she had four siblings to support, even with her savings, Chief Li reconsidered her assumptions.

After offering her condolences, Chief Li was quiet. Wei Jiajia appreciated the silence.

At the building, Chief Li pointed. “Su Pan’s is on the third floor, far left. I won’t go up.”

“Thank you, Auntie Li!”

Chief Li smiled. “It was nothing.” She turned home.

On the third floor, Wei Jiajia heard Su Pan and Yang Sisi chatting.

Whenever those two got together, they were always talking a mile a minute—never a quiet moment.

Across the hall, Zhao Zhaodi was the first to notice Wei Jiajia and waved her over.

The others, seeing her movement, all turned to look at the doorway.

Su Pan rushed over, glancing at the bags in Wei Jiajia’s hands with a pout. “I told you not to bring anything! Yang Sisi and the others even brought rations—grains! Do you think I’d let my guests go hungry?”

“Alright, don’t be mad,” Wei Jiajia said, showing her a package. “This isn’t food. It’s your birthday present. Comrade Su is officially grown up today—I had to get you something special.”

“Really? Let me see!” Su Pan eagerly took the package and rushed inside.

Wei Jiajia smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm and followed, joining the Su family and the other dorm mates.

Her gift was a bra from her special stash. Simple, elegant, and appropriate. The other gifts were thoughtful too, so hers wasn’t out of place.

“Ah!” Su Pan suddenly squealed, her face turning beet red. She quickly stuffed the bra back into the bag, avoiding everyone’s gaze in embarrassment.

Su Pan’s reaction piqued everyone’s curiosity. What had Wei Jiajia given her? All eyes turned to Wei Jiajia.

But Wei Jiajia just sat there, smiling mysteriously and shaking her head—no way she was spilling the secret.

Even though it was just Su Pan’s family and a few dorm mates, they were still reserved about such things. It wasn’t something to discuss openly.

Seeing they wouldn’t get an answer, and that Su Pan had moved on, they dropped it and joined the conversation.

Her family had already celebrated her birthday earlier in the day, so that evening, only her mom and grandma were there to host the gathering. Both of them were kind and easygoing, even making Zhao Zhaodi feel at home.

The meal was lively, filled with laughter and birthday wishes. As they finished, there was a knock.

Su Pan’s mother frowned. She’d told the family to come home later. Who could it be?

When she opened the door and saw Section Chief Li standing there, she was caught off guard. “Oh! Section Chief Li! Please, come in.” She stepped aside.

Section Chief Li entered, smiling at the curious looks. She placed a small bamboo basket on the table. “I heard it’s Panpan’s birthday, and her classmates are here. Just some apples I managed to find.”

Su Pan’s mother was embarrassed. “Oh, you really shouldn’t have gone to such trouble! These must have been hard to get.” Fresh fruit was expensive and scarce these days. Judging by the quality of these apples, Section Chief Li had probably gone through a lot of effort to get them. Su Pan’s mother immediately started thinking about how she could return the favor.

“They’re for the kids, don’t be so formal with me,” Chief Li said with a casual wave of her hand before turning her attention to Su Pan.

Seeing this, Su Pan’s mother didn’t press the matter and instead began introducing her daughter’s classmates.

Chief Li learned they were all university classmates, her eyes gleaming. She subtly gathered information about their families. He Shengnan was married with children, Zhao Zhaodi was from a rural family, and she already knew about Wei Jiajia. But her attitude warmed toward Yang Sisi and Yang Yang.

She casually dropped unfamiliar names into the conversation, and the two girls unwittingly revealed details about themselves. Su Pan’s grandmother frowned as she listened.

Grandmother Su suppressed her thoughts for as long as she could, but in the end, she couldn’t help but speak up.

“Panpan, weren’t you going back to school today?”

Su Pan looked out the window and saw that dusk had begun to set in. Their home was far from the university, requiring bus transfers. It wouldn’t be safe for a group of young women to travel back too late.

She promptly interrupted the conversation. “Auntie Li! It’s late. We need to go back to school. We can’t keep you any longer.” She signaled the others to gather their things.

Section Chief Li had been hoping to learn more about them, but the circumstances didn’t allow for it. She could only express her regret. “Then hurry back. It’s not safe to stay out too late. You should visit our steel factory more often—I truly enjoy your company. My relatives’ child has the college entrance exam next year. I was hoping for some advice.”

The girls agreed politely, said goodbye, and left.

Grandmother Su watched Section Chief Li’s lingering gaze and frowned. She wasn’t fooled. She knew exactly what that woman was doing.

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