Axolotl Translations

Zhong Pei led them to a large multipurpose room on the first floor’s corner, which had already been arranged for the day’s patient support group meeting.

Chairs were arranged in a circle in the room’s center, while a side table held bottled water, fruit, and simple cold snacks. At the front, a laptop was connected to a floor-standing speaker, currently playing a soft, flowing piano melody.

Although Shangguan Yu had agreed to attend—and had mentally prepared himself beforehand—the moment he stepped into the room, a wave of unease and tension washed over him.

Noticing Shangguan Yu’s discomfort, Zuo Zhou casually draped an arm around his shoulders and leaned in slightly, as if offering a loose embrace. In a low voice, he murmured, “Brother Yu, if you’re feeling uncomfortable, we can stay for just five minutes and then leave.”

“…Alright.”

As soon as Zhong Pei entered, the people scattered throughout the room—engaged in small talk—immediately gathered around him, greeting him warmly.

Among them were men and women, young and old, but they all shared one thing in common with Shangguan Yu: they were in wheelchairs.

Like Shangguan Yu, some had brought companions. Everyone seemed to know Zhong Pei well, likely having been his patients.

Uncomfortable being surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces at once, Shangguan Yu instinctively pressed his hands against the wheelchair’s wheels, attempting to subtly roll backward. But before he could, Zuo Zhou noticed the movement and quietly gripped the wheelchair handles, gently pulling him back a step first.

Just as Zuo Zhou was about to subtly pull Shangguan Yu back a bit more, Zhong Pei suddenly turned around with a smile and said, “Shangguan, take a look—do you recognize her?”

Following Zhong Pei’s gesture, Shangguan Yu looked up and saw a young woman smiling sweetly at him.

She had delicate features and an air of gentle elegance. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, giving her a soft, endearing appearance.

She was wearing a short, pale-yellow down jacket, and a dark gray blanket covered her legs. She raised a hand in greeting.

“Shangguan, do you remember me?”

The memories took a moment to resurface, slowly piecing themselves together in his mind. Then, recognition flickered across his face. His eyes widening in surprise, he blurted out, “Xiaomeng?”

The young woman beamed. “It’s me, Xu Xiaomeng. Long time no see.”

“Long time no see,” Shangguan Yu echoed, still in shock.

Back at the hospital, Xu Xiaomeng had been in the same ward as him, admitted a little later. He remembered that she, too, had been in a terrible car accident—her injuries even more severe than his. When she was first brought in, she was completely paralyzed from the waist down, with no sensation at all. She had barely survived after over ten hours of emergency surgery.

During her initial days in the hospital, Xu Xiaomeng had suffered immensely. Shangguan Yu had heard whispers that she had even contemplated ending her life, prompting the doctors and nurses to keep a close watch on her.

There were nights when, even from his own hospital room, he could hear her heart-wrenching cries.

He never would have imagined that in just one year, she would transform so completely—there was hardly a trace of the person she once was.

Xu Xiaomeng seemed to sense what Shangguan Yu was thinking. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking slightly embarrassed. “It’s been a whole year. Can you forget the bad impression I left back then? Otherwise, it’s kind of humiliating for me.”

“…I didn’t—”

“Hahaha.” Zhong Pei’s hearty laughter interrupted Shangguan Yu’s awkward reply. “That just proves you’ve both made it through the toughest times together. Doesn’t that make your bond even more precious?”

Shangguan Yu: …

Meanwhile, Zuo Zhou’s internal alarm bells immediately started ringing: …………??? Excuse me, what’s that supposed to mean? I thought Dr. Zhong was the one with questionable intentions, but now it sounds like he’s less of a doctor and more of a matchmaker.

Sure enough, Zhong Pei’s next words confirmed Zuo Zhou’s suspicions.

“There’s still some time before the conference officially starts. You two go ahead and catch up—I’ll go check if the reporters have arrived.” Zhong Pei cast a meaningful glance at Shangguan Yu and Xu Xiaomeng, flashed a satisfied smile, and then walked off.

Now, in the small corner, only three people remained: Shangguan Yu, Xu Xiaomeng, and one very conspicuous “third wheel”—Zuo Zhou.

Xu Xiaomeng tilted her head, looking at Zuo Zhou standing behind Shangguan Yu. “And this is…?”

Shangguan Yu, not wanting to elaborate, simply said, “He’s my younger brother.”

“Oh, I see! Hello, little brother.” Xu Xiaomeng greeted him warmly. “Shangguan and I are the same age, so I’ll call you ‘little brother’ too. You don’t mind, do you?”

By now, Zuo Zhou had fully assessed the situation and adjusted his demeanor accordingly. He straightened his posture, put on an innocent and friendly smile, and playfully winked at Xu Xiaomeng. “Of course not, big sis. My name’s Zuo Zhou. Any friend of my brother’s is a friend of mine.”

Xu Xiaomeng chuckled. “That’s good to hear. Oh, by the way, I don’t remember seeing you at the hospital when Shangguan was admitted. Am I mistaken? Or were you too young back then and have simply changed so much that I didn’t recognize you?”

“He was out of town at the time.” Shangguan Yu, not wanting to dwell on the subject, casually offered an excuse and quickly steered the conversation in a different direction.

Once the conference began, Shangguan Yu naturally took a seat next to Xu Xiaomeng, while Zuo Zhou, as the accompanying family member, had no choice but to sit in the back.

The event was hosted by Zhong Pei. He began by warmly welcoming everyone in attendance before introducing his research in simple, accessible terms. Essentially, his study focused on the importance of social connections and a sense of belonging for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing how participating in events like this was already a significant step toward a more fulfilling life.

After concluding his speech, Zhong Pei encouraged everyone, now seated in a circle, to openly share their personal stories and experiences.

Shangguan Yu dreaded this portion of the event. Fortunately, with so many attendees, several other people volunteered to share their stories first. The discussion and encouragement naturally revolved around them, allowing Shangguan Yu to avoid undue attention.

Before he knew it, two hours had elapsed. The conference concluded in a warm and vibrant atmosphere.

Zhong Pei stood at the medical school building’s entrance, seeing people off. If they had family members accompanying them, he bid them farewell individually. For those leaving alone, he ensured they had arranged transportation and had his assistant escort them to the university gate to watch them get into their vehicles safely.

Shangguan Yu, Zuo Zhou, and Xu Xiaomeng mingled with the departing crowd and eventually reached the front.

Zhong Pei suddenly remarked, “Xiaomeng, I recall your place is in Mingjun Community, correct?”

Xu Xiaomeng nodded.

“That’s quite close to Shangguan’s residence—his family lives just two intersections away, in Xingfu Jun Community.”

Zuo Zhou thought: You really don’t miss an opportunity, do you?

Zhong Pei turned to Xu Xiaomeng with concern. “I’d feel more comfortable if you didn’t go home alone. How about waiting until the end, and I’ll give you a ride?”

Xu Xiaomeng considered it for a moment, then agreed without hesitation.

Then Zhong Pei turned to Shangguan Yu. “Why don’t you two come along? It’s on the way.”

“No need,” Shangguan Yu instinctively declined. “Zuo Zhou and I will go together.”

“Let’s go together,” Zhong Pei said, leaning in and whispering into Shangguan Yu’s ear. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for a grown man like me to be alone with a young lady. It’s better if you two go together.”

“…” Shangguan Yu, oblivious to Zhong Pei’s true intentions, assumed it was out of concern for their reputations, so he reluctantly agreed. “Alright.”

Zuo Zhou, who had been excluded from the hushed conversation: …

On the way back, as one of the two “able-bodied” individuals, Zuo Zhou felt too awkward to argue over the back seat or insist on sitting next to Shangguan Yu, so he begrudgingly accepted Zhong Pei’s arrangement to sit in the front passenger seat, watching as Shangguan Yu and Xu Xiaomeng settled into the back.

Zhong Pei broke the silence. “Shangguan, have you added Xiaomeng on WeChat? She’s working part-time at the Disabled Persons’ Association in Luocheng. They offer numerous job opportunities, and I think it would be beneficial for you two to stay in touch. That way, if any suitable positions become available, Xiaomeng can recommend you.”

Zuo Zhou thought angrily from the front seat: Here we go again. Doctor Zhong, have you sorted out your own romantic life yet? Why are you constantly interfering in mine?

Shangguan Yu, unaware of Zuo Zhou’s less-than-pleasant expression, considered it for a moment and then took out his phone. He added Xu Xiaomeng on WeChat.

He knew Zhong Pei had a valid point. Although he had some savings for the time being and could manage for a few more years without working, living solely off savings wasn’t a sustainable long-term plan. Eventually, he would need to find a way to earn money.

Besides, there was still Zuo Zhou to consider. If possible, he also wanted to support Zuo Zhou through university.

“So, Shangguan, what kind of work are you looking for?” After adding him on WeChat, Xu Xiaomeng asked eagerly, “We have quite a few job opportunities, maybe there’s something that suits you.”

“I used to work in construction,” Shangguan Yu thought for a moment and tried to explain concisely. “I’ve worked with blueprint drawing, project cost estimation, and interior and exterior design. I’m proficient in all of those areas.”

“I see…” Xu Xiaomeng’s expression faltered slightly. “That sounds a bit too specialized. Most of the jobs we have are simple, low-skill positions. Like making handicrafts, or doing computer typing or customer service work. Would you be interested in any of those?”

Shangguan Yu froze. The jobs Xu Xiaomeng mentioned were completely unfamiliar to him, and he wasn’t sure if he could do them well.

Moreover, if possible, he still hoped to do work that he was skilled at and enjoyed.

In the front seat, Zuo Zhou had been observing Shangguan Yu through the rearview mirror. Seeing his troubled and hesitant expression, he immediately understood what was going through his mind. Turning to Xu Xiaomeng with a disarming smile, he said, “My brother hasn’t been feeling quite himself lately, so he might need a little more time before he’s ready to work. There’s no real rush with any of this, is there?”

Xu Xiaomeng, momentarily taken aback by Zuo Zhou’s warm, engaging smile, paused for a beat. “Oh, no, of course not,” she replied. “He should absolutely prioritize his health. There’s no need to push things.”

Zhong Pei nodded in agreement. His primary goal had simply been to facilitate the exchange of contact information between Shangguan Yu and Xu Xiaomeng, so they could stay connected and explore things further. The job itself had been a convenient pretext.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Yu, seemingly lost in his own thoughts, turned his head and gazed out the window.

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