Axolotl Translations

Shangguan Yu finished typing the last few lines, only to be gently guided back to the living room by Zuo Zhou.

“Brother Yu, just sit down and have some water. I’ll make dinner—it won’t take long.”

“…?” Shangguan Yu glanced at Zuo Zhou’s injured arm, concerned that it would be difficult for him to cook. “I’ll do it. We can just make some porridge—it’s simple enough.”

“No need, no more porridge,” Zuo Zhou said with a grin. “We’ve had porridge for days now. Let’s have some mini wontons instead—I still have some left in the refrigerator from last time.”

Shangguan Yu couldn’t help but smile. They had indeed been subsisting on porridge for days. It wasn’t that he particularly craved it—he simply considered it the easiest option.

“Alright, then I’ll at least prepare the water.”

“No need, I’ve already taken care of it. It won’t take long.” Zuo Zhou playfully winked before hurrying off to the kitchen before Shangguan Yu could protest.

Although he’d mentioned only mini wontons, Zuo Zhou knew that Shangguan Yu had likely subsisted on little more than snacks all day while working. Therefore, he quickly prepared two side dishes—cucumber salad and braised beef—to ensure Shangguan Yu received proper nourishment.

The only issue? With his injured arm, his knife skills were rather erratic. The cucumber slices and beef pieces were noticeably uneven, making the dishes look somewhat…amateurish.

But Shangguan Yu didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. He simply sat there, contentedly eating with his bowl in hand.

Watching Shangguan Yu eat so happily, Zuo Zhou felt a profound sense of fulfillment, unlike anything he had experienced before.

Zuo Zhou reached out and casually placed a piece of beef in Shangguan Yu’s bowl. Then, as if making casual conversation, he asked, “Brother Yu, what were you working on earlier?”

“Oh, something Xiaomeng recommended,” Shangguan Yu replied, not giving it much thought as he answered truthfully.

“I see.” Zuo Zhou’s eyes flickered with curiosity, but he didn’t pry. Instead, he said, “It’s good that you have something to occupy your time at home; just don’t overexert yourself.”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Just typing—nothing strenuous.” Shangguan Yu dismissed it lightly. Then, he suddenly recalled something. “Oh, by the way, I was using my computer earlier and noticed some unfamiliar applications on my desktop. Did you install them?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What are they for? They look like programming tools.”

“Oh, those? Yes, they’re for programming.”

“…Do you need them?” Shangguan Yu asked, puzzled. “Does studying architecture involve coding now?”

Zuo Zhou chuckled. “No, not at all. I use them because I’m also pursuing a double major in software development. I need them for my classes and assignments.”

“Wait, what?” Shangguan Yu looked genuinely surprised. “You’re doing a double major?”

“Yes.” Zuo Zhou nodded. “During my first year, the university offered the option to pursue a double major. I thought it was a good opportunity, so I enrolled in software development. That way, I’ll graduate with two degrees, which should make job hunting easier.”

“Huh,” Shangguan Yu nodded thoughtfully.

“What? Surprised?” Zuo Zhou grinned.

“A little,” Shangguan Yu admitted honestly. “It’s just that the two majors are so disparate. If you were going to do a double major, I imagined you’d choose something more closely related to architecture.”

“That was my initial plan, but after researching the job market, I felt it would be more practical to choose a field with broader career opportunities and better long-term prospects. What do you think, Brother Yu?”

Shangguan Yu, observing Zuo Zhou’s earnest expression, couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration. Young people from less privileged backgrounds truly matured quickly. At Zuo Zhou’s age, he had never even considered job prospects, yet Zuo Zhou had already given it considerable thought back in his freshman year.

“I think you made an excellent choice. You’re very well-organized,” Shangguan Yu praised sincerely. “When you graduate, you’ll be far more prepared than most people. That’s a significant advantage.”

Hearing the compliment, Zuo Zhou’s eyes sparkled like a child receiving a cherished gift, a broad smile spreading across his face.

“There are so many aspirations I want to realize in the future, so I have to work diligently now to make them happen.”

So, Brother Yu, just wait for me.

After dinner, the two of them took a brief stroll in the living room and played a few rounds of cards.

Having spent the entire day working intensely—a level of exertion he hadn’t experienced in a long time—Shangguan Yu soon felt drowsiness creeping in. After bidding Zuo Zhou goodnight, he retired to his room to rest.

Zuo Zhou, however, asked to borrow Shangguan Yu’s laptop, explaining that he still had assignments to finish. Shangguan Yu, thinking nothing of it, told him to take it from his room.

Later that night, Zuo Zhou sat cross-legged on the tatami mat in his room, laptop in his lap. While working in his programming software, he occasionally glanced at the lower-right corner of the screen, as if anticipating something.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but eventually, just as he had expected, a notification appeared.

Zuo Zhou moved his mouse and clicked on the new message.

It was from Xu Xiaomeng.

“Shangguan, are you still awake? How was today’s work? Tiring?”

The soft glow of a small wall lamp illuminated Zuo Zhou’s face, accentuating the confident and satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

“Not yet. I’m feeling pretty good.”

On the computer screen, Zuo Zhou typed a reply, meticulously mimicking Shangguan Yu’s usual tone.

After sending the message, he paused, then added another line:

“Thank you for recommending the job opportunity.”

“You’re welcome. It’s part of what I do, and I’m glad I could help.”

The “typing…” indicator flickered for a considerable moment before the next message appeared.

“Oh, by the way, a friend gave me two tickets to a concert this weekend. Are you free? We could go together.”

Zuo Zhou’s lips curved into a knowing smile. Just as I anticipated. His fingers flew across the keyboard, swiftly composing a response.

“I’m afraid I have prior commitments this weekend. I need to take my younger brother to the hospital for a follow-up appointment and then care for him at home.”

“I wouldn’t feel right leaving him alone.”

After sending the message, Zuo Zhou rested his chin in his hands and gazed at the screen, anticipating Xu Xiaomeng’s reply.

“Oh, I see…”

“Your younger brother seems quite self-sufficient. I didn’t realize you were so protective of him.”

Zuo Zhou’s eyes narrowed slightly, his fingers gliding across the keyboard as he effortlessly crafted his next response.

“Of course. He’s very important to me.”

Xu Xiaomeng: “Speaking of important people, I never had the chance to ask—has Shangguan ever had a girlfriend before? I’d wager he has, right? Someone as exceptional as he is must have.”

Zuo Zhou stared at the screen, his face flushing with irritation. Was this woman illiterate, or was she deliberately overlooking the obvious? “Very important,” “very important”—add it up, and it practically screams “partner!” No, scratch that—even more important than a partner! And yet, she had the audacity to ask such a question right in front of the person in question? Unbelievable!

Meanwhile, on the other end, Xu Xiaomeng remained blissfully unaware that she wasn’t actually corresponding with Shangguan Yu. She continued typing.

“But that’s all in the past. Dr. Zhong mentioned that you’re currently single. Is that correct?”

“If so, then perhaps…we could explore a relationship?”

“After all, I think we’re quite compatible in many ways.”

Compatible, my foot!

Zuo Zhou muttered a curse under his breath. If anyone is a perfect match for Brother Yu, it’s undeniably me!

Resolved to put an end to this charade, he furiously began typing while muttering to himself.

“Xiaomeng, you’re a wonderful person, but I’m already involved with someone. We haven’t made it official yet, but it’s only a matter of time. So, please don’t invest any more energy in me.”

“And regarding the job—my younger brother doesn’t want me to overwork myself, so after I complete this project, I won’t be taking on any further assignments. There’s no need for you to find anything else for me.”

A long silence ensued on Xu Xiaomeng’s end.

Zuo Zhou, however, remained unsatisfied. He stared at the message he had sent in a fit of pique, feeling as though he had acted too hastily. Had he taken his time, he could have crafted something even more pointed, something that would strike at the core—words so cutting that Xu Xiaomeng would completely relinquish any hope of a relationship with Shangguan Yu.

Normally, at this juncture, Shangguan Yu would likely offer some gentle reassurance. But Zuo Zhou? Absolutely not. He wanted Xu Xiaomeng to abandon her pursuit definitively—ideally, to the extent that their paths would never cross again.

Several minutes elapsed before Xu Xiaomeng finally responded.

“Oh, I see. That was presumptuous of me. I hope you and your special someone become a couple soon. Let’s remain friends, then!”

She even appended a smiling cat sticker to the message.

Zuo Zhou, internally: …This isn’t over yet…

After concluding the conversation, Zuo Zhou immediately deleted their chat history on the desktop version of WeChat—just in case Shangguan Yu woke up the following morning and discovered that someone had been impersonating him.

With that accomplished, he shut down the computer, lay down on his bed, and began formulating his next strategy. The following morning, he would have to slip into Shangguan Yu’s room before he awoke, retrieve his phone, and erase the conversation from there as well.

A week later, after completing the typing assignment and receiving his payment as agreed, Shangguan Yu suddenly realized that he should probably express his gratitude to Xu Xiaomeng for recommending the job.

It was only then that he noticed—his entire conversation history with her had mysteriously vanished.

They had definitely communicated previously, but no matter how diligently he searched, the conversation was nowhere to be found.

Shangguan Yu, left with no other option, searched for Xu Xiaomeng’s contact information and sent her a brief message of thanks.

“The job is finished. Thank you for your assistance.”

It took some time before she finally responded with a curt: “No problem.”

Something about her tone seemed different, but Shangguan Yu couldn’t quite discern what it was. He decided not to dwell on it and set his phone aside before going to find Zuo Zhou and ask him to make tea.

That evening, Shangguan Yu was preparing porridge at home, waiting for Zuo Zhou—who had gone to university earlier—to return for dinner. Just as he was occupied with the task, he heard the sound of the door unlocking.

A moment later, Zuo Zhou’s cheerful voice echoed through the apartment.

“Brother Yu, I’m home!”

The instant he heard that voice, before he even consciously registered it, a smile had already spread across Shangguan Yu’s face.

“I’m in the kitchen.”

Zuo Zhou replied with an enthusiastic “Okay!” before changing his shoes and hurrying directly into the kitchen.

“Brother Yu, didn’t we agree that I would cook when I got back? Why did you start without me?”

As he spoke, Zuo Zhou positioned himself between Shangguan Yu and the stove, his tall frame completely obstructing Shangguan Yu’s access.

Shangguan Yu chuckled resignedly. “Alright, alright. Go wash your hands first, then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Got it! Just wait for me.”

“Okay.”

Having no other choice, Shangguan Yu wheeled himself to a corner of the kitchen, observing Zuo Zhou’s back as he washed his hands, patiently waiting for him to take over.

“Brother Yu, I have something special in my pocket. Come and get it.” Zuo Zhou said with a playful smile, glancing at Shangguan Yu as he continued washing his hands.

“Huh? What is it?”

“Come on, take it yourself,” Zuo Zhou said playfully, holding up his soapy hands. “See? My hands are covered in bubbles.”

“…Alright.”

With that, Shangguan Yu maneuvered his wheelchair forward, stopping beside Zuo Zhou.

“Here.”

Zuo Zhou shifted slightly, turning his right side toward Shangguan Yu and revealing the pocket of his jeans.

The unspoken message was clear—Shangguan Yu would have to reach in himself.

Today, Zuo Zhou was wearing straight-leg jeans. They weren’t overly tight, but denim was still less yielding than sweatpants. For Shangguan Yu to slip his hand inside, he would have to brush against Zuo Zhou’s thigh.

The crisp autumn air had arrived, yet Zuo Zhou was wearing only a single layer of denim. As Shangguan Yu reached into the pocket, he immediately noticed—there was nothing underneath. The firm, toned muscle beneath his fingertips radiated warmth, like a personal heater.

The sudden contrast between his own cool fingertips and the intense heat of Zuo Zhou’s skin sent a jolt of unease through him. His pulse faltered.

He couldn’t explain the sensation. Perhaps it was an instinctive reaction to the vitality of a young, healthy body. Or perhaps, deep down, he still wasn’t accustomed to this degree of intimacy. Regardless, he swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly, and swiftly retrieved the small, hard object from Zuo Zhou’s pocket—barely lingering for a moment.

“This…a bank card?” Now that he had a clear view of it, Shangguan Yu frowned slightly. “Why are you showing me this?”

Zuo Zhou, still smiling, feigned ignorance of the faint flush rising on Shangguan Yu’s ears.

“Because,” he said lightly, “it’s for you.”

---

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter