Axolotl Translations

The next morning, Wei Jiajia awoke to find Qiao Haoyu gone. A feeling of freshness and cleanliness suggested he’d taken care of her after she’d fallen asleep, gently cleaning and applying medicine. She wondered when he’d risen. After staying up so late last night, he was still able to wake up early—his stamina was truly impressive.

Memories of the previous night flooded her mind, painting her cheeks a delicate rose. Instinctively, she cocooned herself in the blanket, rolling across the bed like a caterpillar in its chrysalis.

Lost in thought, the door swung open, revealing Qiao Haoyu. He paused, taking in the sight of the wriggling bundle beneath the covers. Looks like she has plenty of energy, he thought, a smirk playing on his lips. Perhaps next time, we can stay up even later.

Hearing his approach, Wei Jiajia froze mid-roll. Could she feign sleep?

Seeing no sign of her emergence, Qiao Haoyu took matters into his own hands. It was a warm day, and overheating wouldn’t be healthy. “Rise and shine,” he said. “Auntie Liu has made breakfast.”

The mention of food was enough to rouse Wei Jiajia. She threw back the covers and sat up, then, catching the glint in Qiao Haoyu’s eyes, glanced down. She was completely unclothed.

Panic seized her. She yanked the blanket back around herself, her face burning. “Get out! And no peeking!”

Qiao Haoyu raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. “I saw everything last night. What’s left to peek at?”

“Oh, come on! Just go already!” Wei Jiajia playfully whined.

Seeing her embarrassment, Qiao Haoyu relented. He turned toward the door. “Get dressed and come down for breakfast. I’ll be waiting downstairs.”

“Got it!”

Only after the door clicked shut did Wei Jiajia emerge from beneath the blanket. “…Ouch.” The first step off the bed sent a jolt of pain through her lower body.

One glance at herself, however, stopped her in her tracks. Crimson marks dotted her skin, even her arms bearing the evidence of their passion. With a sigh of resignation, she went to the wardrobe and selected a long-sleeved shirt. At least he’d spared her neck. That would have been too much.

Ignoring the lingering soreness, she dressed, quickly freshened up in the bathroom, and headed downstairs.

Qiao’s father had already left for work, and his eldest brother had finished his breakfast and departed. Only Qiao’s mother, who had taken the day off, his sister-in-law, their son Doudou, Auntie Liu, Wei Jiajia, and Qiao Haoyu remained.

“Sorry, Mom. I overslept,” Wei Jiajia apologized, a pang of guilt striking her as she saw everyone waiting.

“Nonsense, dear. We weren’t particularly hungry,” Zhang Wenjuan reassured her quickly, wanting to ease any awkwardness.

“Doudou just woke up as well, and I only just brought him down,” her sister-in-law added with a warm smile. “So, you’re not late at all. I’ve been getting up around this time myself since I arrived.”

Qiao Doudou, nestled comfortably in his grandmother’s arms, turned his head instantly at the sound of his mother’s voice, his large, round eyes blinking inquisitively, as if asking, “Why are you calling me?”

Wei Jiajia, hearing the others’ reassurances, began to relax. Her gaze drifted to the couch where her husband sat, looking utterly at ease—the same husband who had kept her up so late she’d overslept. She shot him a glare before heading toward the kitchen.

Qiao Haoyu cleared his throat, wisely choosing silence. He was, after all, guilty as charged.

After breakfast, Zhang Wenjuan began preparing to take the children to the department store for wedding supplies. Though times were lean, and a lavish celebration was out of reach, she was determined to make the occasion as respectable as possible. A good meal for their guests was paramount, even if it wasn’t extravagant. She had been carefully saving ration coupons for months for her youngest son’s wedding.

“How are you feeling? Perhaps you should rest at home today. I can go with Mom,” Qiao Haoyu murmured softly in his wife’s ear. He had been carried away last night, and despite tending to her afterward, he worried she might be pushing herself.

Wei Jiajia gave him a pointed look. Now he’s being considerate? Where was this concern last night, when he didn’t even consider whether she could handle it?

Qiao Haoyu awkwardly rubbed his nose. Alright… I admit it. I was wrong…

With everything organized, Zhang Wenjuan led the way, her daughters-in-law flanking her, while Qiao Haoyu followed, carrying his nephew. They strolled out of the courtyard and, a short distance from home, encountered two women approaching from the opposite direction.

“Doctor Zhang, where are you headed?” one of the women, perhaps in her fifties, asked with a warm smile, her gaze sweeping over the group with friendly curiosity.

Zhang Wenjuan gestured subtly toward Qiao Haoyu and his nephew. “My youngest is getting married in a few days, so we’re off to pick up some things for the wedding.”

“Time certainly flies,” the woman remarked with a sigh. “That whole group of boys—Haoyu included—all grown and married now, some with children of their own!” Her eyes settled on Wei Jiajia, a knowing smile gracing her lips. “And this lovely young lady must be Haoyu’s wife. She’s quite a beauty! I don’t think we’ve ever had such a stunning girl in our neighborhood. No wonder you weren’t entertaining any matchmakers—you’d already secured her early on. I wouldn’t have let her get away either!”

The woman, close in age to Zhang Wenjuan, had moved into the compound with her and had watched the Qiao brothers grow up. As children, they had been the leaders of the neighborhood pack—bright, well-behaved, and later, successful in their military careers. Coming from a military family themselves, the Qiao brothers had attracted considerable attention from other families in the compound, who saw them as ideal husbands.

Rumors, however, had circulated early on that Haoyu was already betrothed. The girl’s parents had fought alongside his own in the revolution, even sharing the battlefield. With such a deep bond between the families, their union seemed both fitting and inevitable.

With Qiao Haoyu off the market, attention quickly shifted to his older brother. As the eldest son, he was considered quite the catch. Marrying into the Qiao family meant becoming the eldest daughter-in-law—a position of considerable standing. Beyond his parents’ status, Qiao Haoxuan himself was a promising young man whose future achievements seemed assured.

Ultimately, Director Ou’s wife from the logistics department won out, introducing him to her niece from her mother’s side of the family. The announcement of their engagement dashed the hopes of many families who had been vying for the match. Rumors circulated that some people had even tried to dig up dirt on the girl, hoping to sabotage the wedding. However, upon learning she was a university graduate from a prestigious teacher’s college—graceful, well-mannered, and from a respectable family—most gave up, recognizing their own daughters couldn’t measure up.

“Yes, this is my younger daughter-in-law, Jiajia. She recently graduated from Shencheng University,” Zhang Wenjuan said with a smile, then gesturing toward her eldest son’s wife, added, “And this one needs no introduction. My elder daughter-in-law, Director Mi’s niece from the Women’s Federation. You were even at their wedding.”

“No wonder you’ve been beaming from ear to ear,” the woman replied, a touch of envy in her voice. “Two accomplished sons, two beautiful, well-educated daughters-in-law, both college graduates. Who in this compound wouldn’t be envious?” Even she couldn’t help a twinge of bitterness. Why did all the best matches seem to gravitate toward the Qiao family?

The other woman, having moved to the compound only a few years prior, had yet to become acquainted with the younger generation of the Qiao family.

The woman observed the group with open admiration for a moment before exclaiming, “Doctor Zhang, your younger son is truly exceptional, and your daughter-in-law is so stunning she seems almost unreal! I’ve heard such wonderful things about your children since I arrived. I was curious before, but now that I’ve seen them myself, I can attest they weren’t exaggerating.”

Zhang Wenjuan listened to the compliments with a modest smile, though her heart swelled with pride. “Oh, you’re too kind,” she demurred politely. But wasn’t it the truth? Forget her sons—she had an exceptional eye even when it came to choosing daughters-in-law. Her two daughters-in-law simply shone wherever they went, eclipsing everyone else.

As they were pressed for time, the conversation was brief, and the two groups soon parted ways.

Watching Doctor Zhang and her family disappear down the street, the younger woman sighed. “That woman truly has an enviable life! A successful career, a husband in a high position, and sons and daughters-in-law who are all outstanding. Any of them would be considered a catch back in my hometown.” Since arriving in the capital, she had rarely seen an entire family as accomplished and attractive as the Qiaos. Truly, the men and women were strikingly handsome and beautiful. Especially the younger daughter-in-law—beside her, even the loveliest women seemed to pale in comparison.

“You have no idea,” the older woman said knowingly. “A few years back, when her sons were still unmarried, nearly every young woman in this compound had her sights set on those two brothers. It wasn’t just your hometown where they would have been fought over—there were almost pitched battles here.” Back then, families with daughters of marriageable age had resorted to all manner of schemes, causing quite a few rifts.

Oblivious to the whispers trailing behind them, Zhang Wenjuan and her group left the residential compound and boarded a crowded commuter bus, heading directly for the department store.

Shortly after arriving, Qiao Haoyu stepped outside for a cigarette break, setting down a few shopping bags he’d been carrying. The women were still inside, engrossed in their shopping.

A man on a bicycle zipped past, then circled back. “Well, well, I thought you looked familiar—it’s you, kid! When did you get back?” The man leaned on his handlebars, one foot on the ground, a casual smirk playing on his lips.

Recognizing the newcomer, Qiao Haoyu smiled. “Just yesterday. What about you? What brings you here?”

“Just running an errand, heading home now,” the man replied, accepting the cigarette Qiao Haoyu offered and lighting it.

The man was Wu Wei, a childhood friend from the same residential compound. Their paths, however, had diverged. Unlike Qiao Haoyu, Wu Wei had refused military service, a decision that had earned him countless beatings from his father, who had worn out more than a few belts in the process. Eventually, his father, defeated, had given up trying to change his son’s mind.

“Waiting for someone? That’s quite a haul,” Wu Wei asked, gesturing toward the pile of shopping bags.

“My mom and my wife are still inside. Just came out for some air,” Qiao Haoyu replied.

“Oh! So, it is that childhood sweetheart of yours? My mom mentioned she’s a college graduate. True?” Wu Wei teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Everyone in the compound is dying to know!”

Qiao Haoyu, despite the ribbing, remained unfazed, his expression calm and collected.

“How’d she fall for a block of ice like you? No way—I’m going to wait right here and ask her myself!” Wu Wei declared, dismounting his bicycle to emphasize his point.

Qiao Haoyu watched his antics with an impassive face.

Truth be told, Wu Wei was genuinely pleased to have bumped into him. “Once I meet your wife, I’ll go find Hong Bing and the others. We’ll get together tonight and give you a proper welcome back! We all miss you—you’re a frequent topic of conversation. Consider it a pre-wedding celebration!”

Qiao Haoyu nodded. He missed his old friends too.

Just then, the three women emerged from the department store, having purchased nearly everything they needed. They were ready, though perhaps a little reluctantly, to head home.

As soon as Qiao Haoyu spotted them, he went to relieve them of their shopping bags.

Wu Wei also stepped forward, offering a polite greeting. “Hello, Auntie Zhang!”

“Oh, it’s you, Wu Wei! Out shopping too?” Zhang Wenjuan asked, handing her son the bags and smiling warmly at Wu Wei.

“Just happened to be passing by and saw Haoyu, so I stopped for a chat,” Wu Wei explained.

Qiao Haoyu, having taken all the bags, introduced his wife. “Jiajia, this is Wu Wei, a childhood friend.” His introduction of Wu Wei was equally simple. “And this is my wife, Jiajia.”

Wu Wei, momentarily speechless by Wei Jiajia’s beauty, turned to Qiao Haoyu and gave him an enthusiastic thumbs-up, his admiration clear.

Seeing his friend’s reaction, Qiao Haoyu no longer bothered to hide his own pride. His expression practically radiated satisfaction. He knew his friends had gossiped about him, whispering that despite his looks, his personality was too cold for most women. Well, now they could see for themselves. Not only did he have a wife, but she was far superior to any of theirs. Whatever he was like, his Jiajia loved him. Like a proud boy showing off a prized possession, Qiao Haoyu reveled in his triumph.

After the introductions, Qiao Haoyu turned to Wei Jiajia and mentioned he was meeting some friends that evening. In public, Wei Jiajia was always respectful of him. She simply reminded him not to stay out too late. She understood he was telling her in advance because he valued her opinion.

After dropping the three women at home, Qiao Haoyu, foregoing lunch, immediately left with Wu Wei.

The women, exhausted from their morning of shopping, had a leisurely lunch and then retired to their rooms for a nap.

Upon waking, Wei Jiajia finally had the energy to sort through the gifts she had bought for the Qiao family.

Shencheng’s imported goods were far more stylish than those found elsewhere. Wei Jiajia had also discreetly brought along various food items and household supplies from her own secret stash.

Her arms laden with gifts, she carefully descended the stairs. Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law hurried over to assist.

“What’s all this?” Zhang Wenjuan asked, her curiosity piqued.

“These are little gifts Haoyu and I brought back from Shencheng. It was late last night, so I didn’t unpack them then,” Wei Jiajia explained, setting the items on the table.

She then presented a ladies’ Dacron blouse in a rare shade of green to Qiao’s mother. “This is for you, Mom. And this white shirt is for Dad,” she added, handing another item to Qiao’s father.

Zhang Wenjuan was immediately captivated by the color and held the blouse up against herself. “How does it look?”

“That color is perfect on you! It takes years off,” Qiao’s eldest sister-in-law complimented.

Wei Jiajia then picked up another package and gave it to her sister-in-law. “This is for you. I wasn’t sure about the size,” she said, smiling expectantly.

Her sister-in-law opened the package, quickly tucked the item away, and her face flushed crimson. She shot Jiajia a playful glare.

“You little tease,” she murmured, both embarrassed and amused.

Wei Jiajia giggled at her reaction.

Seeing their exchange, Zhang Wenjuan’s curiosity deepened. “What did Jiajia give you that made you blush so?” she asked.

Wei Jiajia picked up another package and handed it to Qiao’s mother. “Here, I got one for you too. It’s something that’s only good for us women—no downsides at all!”

It was a modestly designed brassiere she’d chosen from her secret space. Though the style was somewhat classic, it was still considered quite fashionable in the current era. She’d given a similar one to Su Pan for her birthday, believing it was one of the best gifts a woman could receive.

Zhang Wenjuan examined the garment and immediately understood her eldest daughter-in-law’s flushed cheeks. It was such a personal item—most women, even when purchasing one for themselves, did so discreetly, wary of being seen. But Jiajia, with her playful nature, had no qualms about presenting it openly as a gift.

Holding the brassiere, Zhang Wenjuan could tell it was of excellent quality. Such fine items were typically found only at the Friendship Store; those in regular department stores paled in comparison.

Though Qiao’s sister-in-law was embarrassed, she also appreciated the thoughtfulness of the gift. Despite her shyness, she genuinely thanked Wei Jiajia.

Wei Jiajia smiled as she passed the gifts for Qiao’s elder brother and Qiao Doudou to her sister-in-law. All that remained were the food supplies she had brought.

The food shortage persisted. Before leaving, she had discreetly left some grains, powdered milk, and preserved meats from her secret stash with her grandaunt and the others, fabricating a plausible excuse. She worried about them going hungry in her absence.

She had also brought some supplies for this trip to Beijing. When Qiao Haoyu noticed and inquired, she simply mentioned a pre-arranged exchange, and he accepted her explanation.

She feared the Qiao family might face food shortages after their wedding. Quietly providing for them from her own resources was the only way to ease her mind.

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