Axolotl Translations

Early the next morning, after breakfast, the couple packed their luggage and prepared to leave for the train station.

As Wei Jiajia glanced back, she saw her family standing at the doorway, watching them go. The adults, though clearly reluctant to see her leave, managed to maintain their composure.

Yangyang and Nuannuan, however, were inconsolable. They knew that after this departure, it would be years before they saw their sister again. Their wails were heart-wrenching, their small hands reaching out desperately, begging her not to leave them behind. The twins holding them back were almost pulled forward by their strength.

Seeing her older siblings so distraught, little Xiangqing, clinging to her mother’s leg, whimpered softly, a mixture of fear and confusion in her eyes.

The dragon-phoenix twins were still young and had always been deeply attached to their sister. To them, Jiajia was like a second mother—even their Great-aunt and older brother couldn’t compare.

This deep bond wasn’t always apparent in their daily lives because they knew their sister was away at school and would always return home on weekends.

But this time was different. This time, she was leaving with her husband—leaving Shencheng for good. They wouldn’t see her again.

That realization broke their young hearts. Their grief quickly turned to resentment, and they suddenly saw their brother-in-law as the one stealing their beloved sister away.

Seeing the children so devastated, Wei Jiajia couldn’t bear it. She dropped her luggage and ran back to them.

As soon as their sister turned around, Xiangdong and Xiangxi, releasing the twins they had been restraining, ran forward, joining their younger siblings in their desperate rush toward Jiajia.

Deep down, they, too, were reluctant to see her go. But they were older, and they understood. They couldn’t be selfish. Jiajia had already sacrificed so much for their family—she deserved her own happiness.

When the dragon-phoenix twins reached their sister, they threw themselves into her arms, each clinging tightly to one of her arms, as if afraid she would vanish again.

Watching the five siblings embrace, the women of the family discreetly dabbed at their eyes. No one had the heart to interrupt the poignant scene or urge them to hurry.

Squatting down, Wei Jiajia fought back the rising tide of emotion in her chest and gently comforted the two little ones clinging to her.

“Be good and wait for me at home, okay?” she whispered. “Once I’ve settled in and everything is ready, I’ll come back for you.”

“Really? You’ll really come back for us?” Nuannuan asked anxiously, her voice thick with tears.

“Of course,” Wei Jiajia reassured her. “When have I ever lied to you? I haven’t even seen our new home yet. Once I do, I’ll come back for you so we can all live together.”

Wei Jiajia had been planning this for a long time. Once she and Qiao Haoyu were settled at the base, she wanted to bring her younger siblings to live with them.

Aunt Fen and her husband had already done so much for them. Now that she was married, she couldn’t simply leave the children behind for them to raise.

They didn’t owe her or her siblings anything.

If anything, the five siblings owed Aunt Fen and her family an immeasurable debt.

She had already discussed her plans with her Grandaunt and Aunt Fen, but they hadn’t agreed.

They both felt that now that Jiajia was married, she should focus on her own life. As for the younger children, they reassured her that they would take good care of them.

She had just gotten married—if she insisted on bringing the children with her, her Great-aunt and the others worried that the Qiao family might object.

Wei Jiajia understood they were thinking of her best interests. She wasn’t an unreasonable person; she wouldn’t make such a significant decision without careful consideration.

In a marriage, honesty and open communication were paramount. No matter how deep their love, if they didn’t consult each other on major decisions, their relationship would inevitably suffer.

She had already discussed this with Qiao Haoyu, and he was fully supportive.

From the moment he decided to marry her, he had also embraced her family as his own.

Besides, having the children with her would be a blessing. He often worried that when his duties took him away, she might feel lonely or afraid.

“Then let’s pinky swear!” Yangyang said, extending his little finger, wanting his sister’s solemn promise.

Wei Jiajia chuckled at the earnest little boy.

“Alright, let’s pinky swear—whoever breaks the promise is a little liar!” she said, linking her pinky with his.

“Pinky swear, sealed with a hook, this promise lasts a hundred years! If you break it, you’re a little liar!” The two youngest children, finally reassured, broke into smiles.

Having calmed the little ones, Wei Jiajia turned to the twins. “You two need to take care of yourselves and your younger siblings while I’m gone,” she instructed. “Help Aunt Fen with the chores. I’ll come back for you.”

The twins listened attentively to their sister’s words and nodded solemnly.

She patted them on the shoulders. “Take them inside now. It’s time for me to go.”

After giving each of the little ones a quick kiss on the cheek, she turned and walked toward Qiao Haoyu.

This time, the twins didn’t cry or throw a tantrum. They simply pursed their lips, bravely holding back their tears.

They believed their sister would return for them.

By the time Qiao Haoyu and Wei Jiajia arrived at the train station, she was sitting on a bench in the waiting hall, keeping watch over their luggage while Qiao Haoyu went to purchase the tickets.

The station teemed with people coming and going. As Wei Jiajia scanned her surroundings, her eyes unexpectedly landed on a familiar figure in the crowd.

The woman across from her also noticed her. She nudged the man beside her and murmured something, prompting him to glance in Wei Jiajia’s direction. He gave her a polite nod before finding a seat nearby.

The woman approached Wei Jiajia, a warm smile gracing her lips. “Long time no see! You’re as beautiful as ever.”

“You’re looking well yourself,” Wei Jiajia replied, surprised to run into her former classmate, Zhao Ting. “Much more… polished than in high school.”

Zhao Ting didn’t seem to take offense at her teasing. She casually settled into the empty seat beside her. “Where are you headed?” she asked, glancing at the luggage at Wei Jiajia’s feet.

“Beijing,” Wei Jiajia replied. “What about you? Seeing someone off, or…?” She trailed off, glancing towards the man.

Following her gaze, Zhao Ting saw the man watching her. She smiled at him before turning back to introduce him. “This is my husband. We’re traveling together—heading to the Northwest to contribute to the development efforts there.”

“Really? But weren’t you…?” Wei Jiajia asked, her surprise evident.

“You’re wondering why, aren’t you?” Zhao Ting finished her sentence. “Why I’m married to someone else when I was engaged to Wang Weiguo?”

Without waiting for Wei Jiajia to respond, Zhao Ting continued, “There was a time when I genuinely thought we would end up together. Funny, isn’t it? I even resented you back then because he… he had a thing for you. You must have thought I was ridiculous.” She shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips.

“So, what happened?” Wei Jiajia asked. “You seemed so invested in him back then.”

“He was… involved with several women in college,” Zhao Ting said, her voice laced with disdain. “No matter how much I liked him, I wasn’t about to let myself be humiliated like that. A man like that… why would I want him?”

“College seems to have done you some good,” Wei Jiajia commented. It was true; environment and experience shaped a person. Zhao Ting, a few years older now, was noticeably more mature than the girl she had been at sixteen or seventeen.

“Well,” Zhao Ting continued, her gaze fixed on some point in the distance, “things didn’t end well for him. He was arrested… for disturbing the peace.” She paused, watching Wei Jiajia’s reaction. But her expression remained unchanged—calm, indifferent, as if she neither cared nor was surprised.

Seeing this, Zhao Ting dropped a bombshell.

“He harbored a grudge after you rejected him,” she said, her voice low. “He… he hired men to try and kidnap you. And, well, since he was capable of doing it once, he clearly had no qualms about using the same tactic on others. The only difference was… you were lucky enough to escape the first time.”

Wei Jiajia shot up from her seat, staring at Zhao Ting in disbelief.

“Surprised I know?” Zhao Ting offered a knowing half-smile. “We were… close behind those men that night. Wang Weiguo just didn’t realize I was there too.”

“I remember that day,” Zhao Ting recounted, her voice steady. “I was on my way to his house when I saw him leaving the compound in a hurry. It seemed… suspicious, so I discreetly followed him.

“And then I saw… what happened. You being followed, cornered, and ultimately rescued.

“When the police arrived, his face turned ashen. He immediately turned tail and went back home.

“At the time, I thought it was strange, but it wasn’t until the next day, when the police came to question people, that I started to suspect him.

“But… I was so infatuated with him then,” she admitted, a hint of self-deprecation in her voice. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell the police the truth.

“I even… deluded myself, making excuses for him, convincing myself it was all just a coincidence.

“It wasn’t until three years later, when another girl he had pursued went through the same… experience, that I finally faced the truth. That girl managed to escape and reported him…”

Zhao Ting turned to Wei Jiajia, her gaze sincere. “I know saying this now is… inadequate, but I still owe you an apology.”

With that, she bowed deeply, a full ninety degrees. “I’m so sorry.”

Wei Jiajia looked at Zhao Ting, her expression thoughtful. She had never imagined she would learn the truth from her after all these years.

Even though Zhao Ting had finally confessed and apologized, forgiveness wasn’t easy. She couldn’t simply dismiss it—even if Zhao Ting hadn’t been directly involved.

And it wasn’t just about her.

How many years had passed? And yet, even now, every time Qiao Haoyu was sent away on assignment, he was tormented by worry for her safety. The thought of her being alone, vulnerable, haunted him. He had carried that burden of guilt for years.

Zhao Ting hadn’t approached Wei Jiajia expecting forgiveness. She hadn’t sought some grand reconciliation. She had simply encountered her by chance, and before leaving Shencheng, she wanted to ease her conscience—even if only a little.

Straightening up, she noticed Qiao Haoyu walking towards them. Turning back to Wei Jiajia, she said, “I used to envy you,” her voice soft. “Your beauty, your grades, the admiration of everyone around you, even… the man you chose. But now, I finally understand. I’ve found someone who sees me, who loves me for who I am. And now, I’m going to pursue my own happiness. I wish you happiness, too.”

With that, she turned and walked away. As she passed Qiao Haoyu, she gave him a brief nod.

“Who was that?” Qiao Haoyu asked, curious. He had no idea what they had been discussing, but he could tell from his wife’s expression that it had been something significant.

“A high school classmate,” Wei Jiajia replied. “She… she wanted to tell me something.”

She glanced back at Zhao Ting. Her husband was now by her side, offering her a water bottle, then gently dabbing at the corners of her mouth with a towel. His gaze, as he looked at her, was filled with tenderness.

Yes, Zhao Ting had truly found her own happiness.

Perhaps this was for the best. They would part ways here, and from now on, each would walk their own path.

Shaking off her lingering thoughts, Wei Jiajia turned back to Qiao Haoyu and recounted everything Zhao Ting had just revealed.

Qiao Haoyu was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. Had they not encountered this former classmate today, they might never have learned the complete truth.

Finally, the lingering unease in his heart began to subside.

Even though Jiajia had been safe all these years, the events of four years ago had never truly left his mind. The fear that someone might still be out there, waiting for another opportunity, had been a constant, gnawing worry.

It was one of the reasons he had been so insistent on her joining him in the military, despite knowing how much she would miss her family. It wasn’t simply about the pain of separation so soon after their wedding—it was about keeping her safe, away from the potential dangers that still lurked in Shencheng. Only by having her by his side could he truly have peace of mind.

Now, at long last, the thorn that had been buried deep within their hearts had finally been removed.

With lighter steps and a sense of relief washing over them, the two picked up their luggage and made their way to the platform.

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