Axolotl Translations

“Wait here for a moment,” Qiao Haoyu said. “I’ll go find where our ride is parked.”

After exiting the train station, Qiao Haoyu led Wei Jiajia to a designated area in front of the station. He set down their luggage and gestured for her to remain there.

“Alright!” she replied.

A short while later, Qiao Haoyu returned with a young man in military uniform who looked to be in his early twenties.

“Jiajia,” he said, “this is Xiao Chen, my father’s orderly.” Turning to the young soldier, he added, “This is my wife.”

“Hello, sister-in-law!” Xiao Chen exclaimed, his face instantly flushing crimson as he averted his gaze, too flustered to look directly at her.

Brother Qiao’s wife is… stunning! he thought. Even from a distance, she stood out like a beacon in the crowd. And now, up close… she’s practically ethereal.

In all his life, he had never seen a girl so beautiful.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Xiao Chen,” Wei Jiajia replied, her smile warm and genuine. “And thank you for coming to pick us up.”

Noticing the young soldier’s obvious shyness, she couldn’t help but giggle softly.

Standing beside her, Qiao Haoyu frowned subtly as he watched his wife interacting with Xiao Chen. Something about the exchange made him feel… uneasy.

Without making it too obvious, he shifted his position slightly, subtly placing himself between them. Clearing his throat, he said, “Alright, let’s get going. Mom and Dad are waiting for us at home.”

Wei Jiajia chuckled, looking at the broad figure standing protectively before her. With a playful smirk, she reached out and pinched the small of his back. This jealous man…

Qiao Haoyu tensed slightly at the touch but quickly recovered. Seizing the opportunity, he brushed his hand against her soft fingers before casually turning to help Xiao Chen load their luggage into the car.

Once inside, as the cityscape blurred past the window, a trace of unease flickered in Wei Jiajia’s heart.

She wasn’t worried about Qiao’s parents—on the contrary, she loved them. They had always treated her like their own daughter, and now that she was officially their daughter-in-law, she was confident they would dote on her even more.

Her concern was Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law. They had never met, and she had no idea what kind of person she was. If they didn’t get along, it could create an awkward situation for the entire family.

Thankfully, their stay in Beijing would be short. If things went poorly, as long as it wasn’t anything too serious, she could endure it for a while. After all, they wouldn’t be living together permanently.

That thought offered some comfort.

Soon, the car reached the entrance of a large residential compound. After the driver registered their arrival, the vehicle slowly rolled inside.

A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a two-story house.

Hearing the car outside, the Qiao family knew immediately that Qiao Haoyu and Wei Jiajia had arrived.

Mother Qiao immediately set aside the vegetables she was sorting and rushed outside.

Sister-in-law Qiao wiped her wet hands on a cloth and followed her husband out of the kitchen toward the front door.

Father Qiao, however, remained seated on the couch, seemingly engrossed in a newspaper. Beside him, a small wooden crib held the Qiao family’s eldest grandson, little Doudou, fast asleep.

Prior to their arrival, Father Qiao had been glancing at his watch with increasing frequency. But now that he heard the car approaching, he feigned interest in his newspaper, as if completely unconcerned.

As soon as Wei Jiajia stepped out of the car, she saw Zhang Wenjuan hurrying towards her. Overwhelmed with emotion, she ran forward and embraced her future mother-in-law.

“Auntie Zhang, I’ve missed you so much!”

Their last meeting had been three years ago, at her and Qiao Haoyu’s engagement ceremony. Since then, life had kept them busy, their contact limited to letters.

Zhang Wenjuan held her close, affectionately stroking her hair. She was about to respond when Qiao Haoyu approached, a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Jiajia,” he chuckled, “you got it wrong again. You can’t call her Auntie Zhang anymore!” He then turned to greet his elder brother and sister-in-law, who had just come outside.

Realizing her faux pas, Wei Jiajia’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It had been an unintentional slip—old habits dying hard.

With everyone watching expectantly, she lowered her voice, a touch of shyness coloring her tone, and softly corrected herself.

“Mom… Big Brother, Sister-in-law.” She quickly greeted Qiao Haoxuan and his wife as well.

Hearing the word “Mom,” Zhang Wenjuan beamed with joy. She responded warmly and, taking Wei Jiajia’s hands in hers, immediately began fussing over how thin she had become, insisting that she needed to be properly nourished now that she was home.

In her excitement, she completely forgot about her youngest son, whom she hadn’t seen in years, and pulled Wei Jiajia inside the house without another thought.

As she passed her elder daughter-in-law, Zhang Wenjuan also took her hand, pulling her along inside.

Qiao Haoxuan patted his younger brother’s shoulder sympathetically, a silent message that he should get used to this.

Just two days prior, when he had returned home with his wife and child, their mother hadn’t even glanced his way.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that several dishes on the dinner table were his favorites, he might have wondered if he had somehow become the son-in-law instead of the son.

By the time the two brothers finished bringing in the luggage, the house was already buzzing with lively conversation.

Little Doudou, barely a year old, had just woken up and immediately noticed a new, unfamiliar, yet beautiful aunt in the room.

His big, round eyes blinked in confusion as he stared intently at Wei Jiajia, his gaze following her every movement like a tiny, curious owl.

Zhang Wenjuan found her grandson’s reaction highly amusing.

Even at such a tender age, he already possessed a keen sense of beauty and preference. He loved being held by attractive people, but the moment someone he didn’t find pleasing picked him up, he would burst into tears.

She had observed this tendency recently. Whenever she took the little one out, he would cling to anyone he found good-looking, refusing to let go.

Seeing him gaze so intently at his young aunt, Zhang Wenjuan shared this little observation with everyone, and his mother wholeheartedly confirmed it.

It was absolutely true! Back in the southwest, she wouldn’t even dare carry him outside.

Hearing the comments, Wei Jiajia decided to give it a try.

The moment she extended her arms, little Doudou, who had been quietly nestled in his grandmother’s embrace, suddenly became a whirlwind of excitement. His tiny legs kicked furiously as he reached his little hands toward Wei Jiajia, eager to be held by her.

Zhang Wenjuan, caught off guard by his sudden movements, nearly lost her grip. Quickly, she transferred him to Wei Jiajia’s arms.

As soon as he was settled in her embrace, little Doudou calmed down instantly. He wrapped his chubby little arms around her neck and grinned, a string of drool escaping his mouth.

Wei Jiajia didn’t mind at all. She simply held him close and playfully teased him, eliciting a series of delighted giggles from the little one.

Standing nearby, Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law watched the scene unfold with relief. Jiajia clearly showed no signs of impatience.

She had always known that her future sister-in-law was exceptional—a strikingly beautiful university student whom their in-laws had practically watched grow up.

When she first married into the family, her husband had cautioned her that, while their parents only had two sons, they also considered Jiajia a cherished daughter—one who would eventually become their youngest son’s wife. He wanted her to keep that in mind so she wouldn’t feel insecure or threatened when Jiajia joined the family.

To be honest, she had been a little worried initially. She had feared that their in-laws might show favoritism or that people would constantly compare them.

However, over the years, none of her initial anxieties had materialized.

For one thing, she and her husband had spent most of their married life living apart from the Qiao family, so their interactions with her in-laws had been relatively limited.

More importantly, her in-laws were truly exceptional people. They never interfered in their small family’s affairs.

In fact, they frequently sent them various food items and household goods from Beijing, concerned that she might struggle to adjust to life so far from home.

Over the years, she had built a fulfilling and happy marriage. Her husband was considerate and successful, their son was bright and cute, her career was stable, and her in-laws were unfailingly supportive.

Throughout the entire residential compound, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t envy her.

This time, returning home with her husband for his younger brother’s wedding, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of apprehension.

She worried that her new sister-in-law and the shifting family dynamics might disrupt the peaceful equilibrium she had come to cherish.

But the moment she saw Jiajia at the entrance, she realized she had underestimated her.

She had rarely encountered a young woman as strikingly beautiful and genuinely charming as Jiajia. Especially the way she playfully interacted with her mother-in-law—it was evident that she had been raised in a loving and nurturing environment.

Now, watching her play with her son, displaying not a hint of impatience, even as the child smeared drool on her clothes, she finally felt at ease.

By the time Xiao Chen returned with the car, dinner was ready at the Qiao residence.

Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law and Aunt Liu brought out the dishes, and everyone quickly washed their hands before gathering around the table.

Tonight’s dinner was particularly sumptuous. Aside from Xiao Chen and Aunt Liu, this was the first time the entire Qiao family had gathered since the two sons had enlisted. And now, they even had a new addition to the third generation.

Qiao Mingli was in high spirits. He eagerly urged Zhang Wenjuan to bring out the fine liquor she had been saving—he wanted to share a proper drink with his two sons.

Zhang Wenjuan simply reminded them to drink responsibly and then left them to it. She didn’t interfere—after all, even if they overindulged, their wives would take care of them. That wasn’t her concern anymore.

At the women’s table, they poured small glasses of mild plum wine and enjoyed their meal while chatting.

Qiao Doudou, comfortable and content in his aunt’s arms, was reluctant to leave. It wasn’t until his mother, concerned that he was disrupting Wei Jiajia’s meal, gently but firmly took him away.

In protest, the little one turned his back on his mother, pointedly ignoring her for quite some time.

His dramatic reaction sent the women into fits of laughter.

Though Qiao Doudou had no idea what they were laughing about, he grinned along, displaying a few tiny baby teeth.

He was so adorable that everyone wanted to cuddle him!

Seeing how much Wei Jiajia enjoyed children, Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law smoothly steered the conversation in her direction.

“Jiajia,” she began, “you clearly like children—you and Haoyu should have one soon! You’re both so good-looking; your child will undoubtedly be beautiful.”

“That way,” she added, wiggling her son’s tiny hand, “our little Doudou will have younger siblings to look after in the future, right, Doudou?”

This time, Qiao Doudou cooperated with his mother. Whether he truly understood or not, he obediently nodded his little head.

Wei Jiajia, already flushed from the plum wine, blushed even deeper.

She glanced at the adorable Qiao Doudou, and for the first time, a thought began to form in her mind—perhaps one day, she and Haoyu would have a child of their own.

Zhang Wenjuan, noticing that Wei Jiajia didn’t seem averse to the idea of children, was delighted.

She couldn’t help but anticipate the possibility that, by this time next year, the Qiao family might welcome another new member.

Aunt Liu, observing how well Zhang Wenjuan interacted with her daughters-in-law, was also genuinely happy for her employer.

After all, she had been working in the Qiao household for many years. Most of the time, it was just her and Doctor Zhang at home. And when Doctor Zhang had to work late, she was left alone in the large house, making for rather lonely evenings.

Tonight was the first time she had ever seen the Qiao family so completely gathered—it truly felt like a New Year’s celebration.

Moreover, both of the Qiao sons were accomplished, and their wives were not only beautiful but also highly educated university graduates.

A family like this was a rarity, even within their social circle.

By the time their lively dinner finally drew to a close, it was almost nine o’clock.

Qiao Doudou was taken upstairs by his mother for his evening feeding.

Zhang Wenjuan, assuming that Wei Jiajia must be exhausted after two days of train travel, escorted her to Qiao Haoyu’s room to rest.

Meanwhile, back at the dining table, the three Qiao men remained, deep in conversation and continuing their drinks late into the night.

“I’ve heated some water for you,” Zhang Wenjuan said, gesturing toward the second-floor bathroom. “Xiao Chen will bring it up shortly. Go ahead and take a relaxing bath. Don’t wait up for Haoyu—he and the others will probably be drinking for a while.”

“Thank you, Mom!” Wei Jiajia replied.

After Zhang Wenjuan left, Wei Jiajia took a moment to look around the room.

It appeared to have been recently repainted, and the furniture looked brand new. Even the bedding—from the sheets to the pillowcases—was a festive shade of red.

She leaned down and inhaled deeply. The blanket smelled of sunshine, a clear indication that Zhang Wenjuan had aired it out in anticipation of their arrival.

Wei Jiajia unpacked her clothes, carefully placing each item in the wardrobe. The only things left in her bag were some snacks and the gifts she had brought for the Qiao family, which she planned to distribute the following day.

When the hot water arrived, Wei Jiajia indulged in a long, soothing bath. Afterward, as she lay in bed, inhaling the warm, sun-kissed scent of the blankets, she let out a contented sigh.

The accumulated exhaustion of the past few days finally caught up with her, and she drifted off to sleep.

She had no idea how much time had passed when a sudden weight pressed down on her. The sensation was suffocating—she struggled to breathe, her mouth covered.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally managed to open her eyes and saw Qiao Haoyu hovering above her.

Frustrated, she slapped him hard on the chest.

He reeked of alcohol—great, now her bath had been completely pointless!

Her hand stung from the impact, yet he didn’t even flinch. Feeling aggrieved, she pouted silently.

Qiao Haoyu took her hand, gently blew on it, and said, “I have tough skin. Don’t hit me with your hand next time—if you hurt yourself, I’ll feel terrible. You can punish me in other ways instead.”

“In what ways?” she asked, intrigued.

With a mischievous grin, Qiao Haoyu leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.

Wei Jiajia, instantly flustered, grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

“Get lost~~”

Chuckling, Qiao Haoyu caught the pillow, placed it at the foot of the bed, and stood up to get some clothes before heading out to shower.

He had initially come in just to grab a change of clothes. But when he saw his little wife sleeping so peacefully, completely at ease in his room, he couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her.

Who knew that would provoke the little kitten into showing her claws?

Qiao Haoyu took a quick, cold shower, finishing in less than five minutes.

He still had something important to do tonight!

When he returned so quickly, his hair still dripping with water, Wei Jiajia looked at him in surprise. “That fast?”

“That’s how we do it in the military,” he replied. “I’m used to it.”

Hearing this, she didn’t question him further. Instead, she got up, grabbed a towel, and prepared to dry his hair.

“Sit here,” she said, patting the edge of the bed.

Qiao Haoyu obediently sat down as instructed.

As Wei Jiajia moved closer, her delicate fragrance mingled with the faint scent of alcohol, enveloping his senses.

His hair was short and slightly rough to the touch. With gentle care, she used the towel to dry it, running it over his head again and again.

Suddenly, without warning, Qiao Haoyu scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed.

“Ah~” she yelped in surprise.

Qiao Haoyu reached for the towel in her hands, casually tossing it onto the table before turning his attention to the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one.

Seeing this, Wei Jiajia immediately understood—he was planning to consummate their marriage right here, in his own room.

A strange sense of anticipation bloomed within her.

“What… what are you doing?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

“What else? We’re making a baby,” he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. “After seeing Qiao Doudou today, weren’t you already picturing our future child?”

“How do you know that?” she asked, genuinely curious. She was sure he had been drinking with his father and brother at the time—he couldn’t have overheard their conversation.

“Wherever you are,” he murmured, his voice low and husky, “my eyes follow.”

With those words, he moved toward her, ready to transform her unspoken wish into reality.

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