Axolotl Translations

After several minutes, Zuo Zhou finally completed his thorough cleaning. He carefully placed Shangguan Yu’s legs back onto the bed, then reached for a soft, dry blanket and draped it over him.

A deep drowsiness washed over Shangguan Yu once more. He curled up slightly, feeling like he could drift off at any moment.

“Go to sleep,” Zuo Zhou said gently, tucking the blanket around him. “I’ll stay with you.”

With that, he reached over to turn off the lights and then settled into bed—neatly, properly—right beside Shangguan Yu.

The mattress dipped slightly under Zuo Zhou’s weight, and Shangguan Yu could feel his closeness.

For a brief moment, he considered asking Zuo Zhou to move further away. But exhaustion weighed him down, and since Zuo Zhou wasn’t doing anything inappropriate, just lying there quietly, he decided to let it go. Instead, he kept his eyes closed and allowed sleep to take hold.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when, just as he was about to fall into unconsciousness, he heard a faint rustling nearby.

Then, a voice—soft, deliberately hushed.

“Brother Yu… are you asleep?”

For a second, Shangguan Yu wondered if he was dreaming.

“Are you asleep?” Zuo Zhou whispered, more to himself than anything. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he added, “Then perhaps I can…”

The rest of his words were too quiet for Shangguan Yu to catch, but he didn’t dwell on it. He still thought he was dreaming.

It was a strangely vivid dream—so real that he could hear sounds and feel sensations.

The mattress beside him dipped suddenly. Then, a wave of warmth inched closer, impossible to ignore.

Shangguan Yu’s body was already burning up—from the alcohol, from the warm towel. The added heat made him uncomfortable, and he furrowed his brow, shifting slightly to ease the sensation.

The warmth paused. The pressure on the mattress stilled.

With the discomfort fading, Shangguan Yu drifted back to sleep—until something soft, warm, and feather-light brushed against his forehead.

It was fleeting, gone before he could fully register it. Half-conscious, he let out a quiet hum, turned onto his side, and finally sank into deep sleep.

Zuo Zhou, who had just stolen a quick kiss on Shangguan Yu’s forehead, held his breath, his eyes stayed glued to his face, watching for the slightest sign of awakening, half-expecting to be caught red-handed.

Ten seconds.

Fifteen.

Nothing.

Shangguan Yu’s breathing was slow and even. His expression was relaxed, undisturbed—completely asleep.

Only then did Zuo Zhou finally exhale, releasing the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Lying on his side, Zuo Zhou quietly watched Shangguan Yu’s peaceful, handsome sleeping face. He stared for a long time before finally reaching out and gently tapping Shangguan Yu’s soft, slightly parted lips with his fingertip.

Then, in a whisper—firm and filled with quiet resolve—he said, “Next time, I’m kissing you here. And I want you to be awake when I do.”

The only response was the steady, unbroken rhythm of Shangguan Yu’s breathing.

Life in the countryside during winter was far from easy. Unlike the city, there was no central heating, only a stove for warmth. Hot water wasn’t available around the clock, making bathing and washing up a challenge.

But after just two days, Shangguan Yu realized none of that mattered.

Zuo Zhou knew his habits so well, anticipating his every need before he even had to ask.

Whenever Shangguan Yu wanted to wash up, fresh hot water was always ready. Whenever he needed to change clothes, Zuo Zhou had already stoked the fire, ensuring the room was warm and comfortable.

He knew how much Shangguan Yu valued cleanliness. To ensure he could bathe properly, Zuo Zhou had gone around the village collecting stones, scrubbing them clean, and promising to build a makeshift sauna just for him.

Shangguan Yu had never felt this before—not even back home.

Staying at Zuo Zhou’s house made him realize something undeniable: he had already grown completely, unconsciously reliant on him.

Zuo Zhou took care of him too well.

Too well.

No one had ever done this for him before.

Not even his grandmother—the person who loved him most—had been able to care for him so personally, simply because of her age.

Shangguan Yu found himself growing greedy.

He wanted Zuo Zhou to stay by his side longer.

Ideally—no, definitely—at least until his graduation season was over, when things weren’t so hectic.

Before he knew it, New Year’s Eve had arrived.

When Shangguan Yu woke up that morning, Zuo Zhou had already been up for hours. The Spring Festival couplets were neatly pasted on the door, and he was bustling about in the kitchen, moving swiftly from one task to another.

Shangguan Yu wheeled himself to the doorway and called out towards the kitchen.

“Xiao Zuo!”

Zuo Zhou immediately appeared, wiping his hands on his apron as he gave him a quick once-over. “Brother Yu, you’re awake?”

Then, in the next breath, he asked, “Have you washed your face yet? I’ll get you some hot water.”

“I’ve already washed up.”

Zuo Zhou narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “You didn’t use cold water, did you?”

Shangguan Yu, who was beginning to suspect he might be getting too used to being taken care of, sighed. “…I do know where the hot water is.”

Zuo Zhou grinned, revealing his bright, even teeth. “Alright, then. Go back inside. I’ll bring you breakfast.”

But Shangguan Yu didn’t budge. Instead, he glanced around and asked, “Where’s Grandma?”

Zuo Zhou leaned against the doorframe. “She went to the village temple early this morning with her friends to pray for the new year. She won’t be back until the afternoon.”

Then, his voice dropped, turning warm and playful.

“So… that means it’s just the two of us now.”

Shangguan Yu’s grip tightened on the armrest of his wheelchair.

“…Behave yourself.”

Zuo Zhou burst into laughter, his voice warm and teasing. “Hahaha! Alright, alright, I’ll stop messing with you. Now go inside—it’s freezing out here.”

“I’m not cold.”

Shangguan Yu paused, then asked, “Are we making dumplings today?”

“Of course! There’s a lot to prepare for New Year’s Eve dinner. Besides dumplings, we need at least four hot dishes and four cold ones.”

“That’s a lot of food for just three people.”

“We’ll finish it. I eat a ton. Whatever you guys don’t eat, just leave it to me.” Zuo Zhou grinned, then shooed him away. “Alright, Brother Yu, go inside. Be good.”

But Shangguan Yu wasn’t feeling particularly obedient. He shook his head. “Take me downstairs. I’ll help you in the kitchen.”

“…Huh?”

Zuo Zhou blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Yu to volunteer to help.

Shangguan Yu felt his face flush. He quickly looked away and urged, “Hurry up.”

Zuo Zhou hesitated for a second before breaking into a smile. “Alright, alright. Whatever you say. But first, let me get you another layer.”

Before Shangguan Yu could protest, Zuo Zhou had already darted inside. Within seconds, he was back with a down vest.

“Put this on, Brother Yu.”

He crouched down in front of him, looking up with a soft but determined gaze. “Once you’re bundled up, I’ll carry you down.”

In the end, Shangguan Yu couldn’t win against Zuo Zhou’s insistence. He obediently put on the vest over his coat before finally following him into the kitchen.

This was Shangguan Yu’s first time in the kitchen since arriving at Zuo Zhou’s home. The room was a bit dated, but like the rest of the house, it was meticulously clean and well-organized.

The kitchen was quite spacious, so even with the stove burning, it wasn’t as warm as the other rooms. But with all the layers he was wearing, Shangguan Yu didn’t feel cold at all.

As soon as they stepped inside, Zuo Zhou rubbed his hands together and said, “I was just about to start kneading the dough. The dumpling filling can wait. We also need to prep the dishes for dinner, but for lunch, we’ll keep it simple. Gotta save some room for tonight’s feast.”

Shangguan Yu lowered his gaze, carefully maneuvering his wheelchair to avoid the vegetables scattered on the floor. “Mm.”

Zuo Zhou noticed him looking down and asked, “Huh? What’s wrong? Are your legs cold? Want me to get you another blanket?”

“…No, I was just checking what’s on the floor,” Shangguan Yu replied, a touch of helplessness in his voice. “Stop piling layers on me. If you keep this up, I won’t be able to move.”

Zuo Zhou burst into laughter. “Alright, Brother Yu, just wash your hands and get ready.”

Under Zuo Zhou’s guidance, Shangguan Yu smoothly settled into his role as an assistant. He washed, chopped, and prepped vegetables—using warm water, of course. The two of them chatted idly as they worked.

Time slipped by without them noticing. By noon, Zuo Zhou had whipped up a simple vegetable noodle soup. He handed Shangguan Yu a steaming bowl, and the two prepared to eat.

At first, Zuo Zhou wanted Shangguan Yu to go inside, but seeing how clear and sunny the day was, Shangguan Yu suggested, “Why don’t we take the small folding table outside and eat in the sun?”

Zuo Zhou thought for a moment, then nodded. “Hmm, yeah, that sounds good. The midday sun is nice and warm. I’ll go move it now.”

Under the bright winter sun, Shangguan Yu sat in a corner of the small farmhouse courtyard, a steaming bowl of vegetable noodle soup resting on his lap. On the small folding table in front of him sat another bowl of noodle soup and a simple plate of pickled vegetables.

Beside him, Zuo Zhou held his bowl, completely absorbed in his meal. From the small chicken coop in the yard, a few chicks chirped, filling the air with lively sounds.

Everything felt peaceful and simple, yet deeply fulfilling, giving Shangguan Yu an overwhelming sense of security.

After lunch, Shangguan Yu returned to his room to rest for a while before heading back to the kitchen to help Zuo Zhou. They stayed busy until a little past 4 PM, when Grandma finally returned home.

“Xiao Zhou, Xiao Yu!” As soon as she stepped into the yard, she called out happily, “Come see what I brought you!”

Shangguan Yu and Zuo Zhou were still in the kitchen, but upon hearing her voice, they responded and stepped out to the courtyard together.

“Come here, come here.” Grandma waved them over, revealing the treasure she held in her other hand. “I went to the temple today and got these for you—blessed prayer beads, to protect you in the coming year. One for each of you.”

As Shangguan Yu moved closer, he saw two simple yet beautifully crafted bead bracelets resting in Grandma’s palm.

“Here, Xiao Yu, this one is for you.” Smiling warmly, Grandma handed one of the bracelets to him.

Shangguan Yu hesitated. He knew how hard Grandma worked to earn money, and it was clear that these prayer beads must have cost something…

For a moment, he was unsure what to do, so he instinctively looked to Zuo Zhou for help.

Zuo Zhou’s eyes curved into a warm smile as he nodded reassuringly.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yu had no choice but to accept the gift. He took the prayer beads with both hands, bowed slightly, and said, “Thank you, Grandma.”

“Good boy.”

Grandma affectionately patted his head before carefully placing the other string of beads around Zuo Zhou’s wrist.

Zuo Zhou held up his wrist, examining the beads closely. Then, as if a thought had just struck him, he asked, “Grandma, didn’t you get one for yourself?”

“I already have one. This time, I went specifically to pray for the two of you, wishing you lifelong health and safety.” She then turned to Zuo Zhou and said earnestly, “Xiao Zhou, from now on, you must always treat Xiao Yu well. Help him in every way you can. Never, ever forget the kindness and grace he has shown you.”

Zuo Zhou listened intently, then nodded with firm resolve. “I will, Grandma. I do it willingly, from the bottom of my heart.”

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