Axolotl Translations

Zuo Zhou’s warm breath ghosted across Shangguan Yu’s neck, a ticklish whisper.

Shangguan Yu tried to calm his emotions, wanting to turn and face Zuo Zhou. After all, what he was about to say—he wanted to look into Zuo Zhou’s eyes when he said it. But no matter how many times he tried, he couldn’t manage to turn around—because Zuo Zhou’s grip was too tight. A few futile struggles later, Shangguan Yu sighed in exasperation. “Xiao Zuo, loosen up a little. Let me turn around first.”

“Oh! Right.” Zuo Zhou loosened his hold, though with obvious reluctance.

Finally, Shangguan Yu managed to turn, meeting Zuo Zhou’s gaze. He’d thought he could keep his composure, but the moment he faced Zuo Zhou, his cheeks flushed crimson.

Zuo Zhou, who’d been a bundle of nerves just seconds ago, felt a wave of ease wash over him at the sight of Shangguan Yu’s apple-red face.

“Brother Yu,” Zuo Zhou’s voice held a playful lilt, “your face is burning.”

“…” Shangguan Yu shot him a frustrated glare. “Just be quiet and go to sleep.”

“Hey, wait!” Zuo Zhou’s voice rose in a panic. “Didn’t you have something to tell me?”

“I…” Shangguan Yu faltered, unsure where to begin.

His face felt like it was on fire. He hadn’t even started talking, and he had already been embarrassed at least eight times over.

Zuo Zhou waited, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. He tried to be patient, but Shangguan Yu’s hesitant, conflicted expression sent a wave of panic through him.

What if Shangguan Yu kept hesitating and decided not to say anything at all?

Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Zuo Zhou blurted out, “Brother Yu, I like you. Will you be with me?”

It was a bit blunt—too direct, even—but Zuo Zhou didn’t care. All he wanted was a clear answer. He didn’t have the energy to overthink his wording.

Shangguan Yu was momentarily taken aback. But then, he quickly realized what Zuo Zhou was doing—he was giving him an easy way out.

He pressed his lips together, inwardly berating himself for his cowardice. If he’d already acknowledged his feelings, he shouldn’t let the person he cared about suffer through this uncertainty any longer.

Taking a deep breath, he placed a gentle hand on Zuo Zhou’s shoulder and said, his voice steady, “Zuo Zhou, I do. I mean… I feel the same way about you.”

Even though he had mentally prepared himself, hearing the words spoken aloud left Zuo Zhou speechless.

He gazed at Shangguan Yu, trying to imprint the moment into his memory—the first time Shangguan Yu had ever reciprocated his feelings. He wanted to remember it forever.

Before he knew it, his vision blurred.

Shangguan Yu had never seen Zuo Zhou cry. His heart ached, and he instinctively reached out, his fingers brushing softly against the corner of Zuo Zhou’s eyes. His voice softened. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Zuo Zhou shook his head, pulling Shangguan Yu into a tighter embrace. “I’m happy,” he murmured, his voice trembling. “Brother Yu, you have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that. Thank you… for giving us this chance. I won’t let you down—ever.”

Shangguan Yu couldn’t quite describe how he felt at this moment. His nose tingled slightly, and he had the urge to cry.

But Zuo Zhou was already crying—he had to stay strong. He needed to comfort him. With that thought in mind, Shangguan Yu returned the embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around Zuo Zhou.

That night, Shangguan Yu barely got any sleep.

Zuo Zhou clung to him like he had a desperate case of skin hunger, refusing to let go.

Shangguan Yu wasn’t accustomed to such fervent affection. He’d intended to hold him briefly, just enough to calm him, then they’d sleep separately.

But every time he pulled away, thinking he could finally get some rest, Zuo Zhou would instinctively scoot back over, nuzzling against him, wordlessly asking for another hug.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that Shangguan Yu finally drifted off into a deep sleep.

He had no idea how long he slept. When he awoke, a dull ache radiated from his waist.

Reaching out, he found Zuo Zhou’s side of the bed empty, the sheets cool—he’d been up for some time.

Shangguan Yu sat up slowly, bracing himself against the mattress, and grabbed his phone from the nightstand.

It was almost 11 AM.

“…”

He was about to get up when he noticed something strange—his wheelchair, which he had left beside the bed last night, had been moved to the window, far beyond his reach.

A wave of helplessness washed over him. He sighed and called out, “Zuo Zhou! Zuo Zhou!”

“Coming!” A distant reply echoed, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

In an instant, Zuo Zhou appeared in the doorway, wearing his bright red sausage-print apron, grinning from ear to ear.

“Brother Yu, you’re awake?”

“Mm.”

“I’ll carry you to the wheelchair.”

“No need, just bring it over. I can—”

Before Shangguan Yu could finish, Zuo Zhou had already darted to his side, pulling back the covers.

“I think carrying you is better.” Zuo Zhou grinned, effortlessly scooping Shangguan Yu into his arms. As he walked, he leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Good morning, boyfriend.”

Shangguan Yu’s face instantly turned red. He tightened his arms around Zuo Zhou’s neck, burying his face against his shoulder, and mumbled a barely audible, “Good morning.”

Thanks to Zuo Zhou’s attentive care, Shangguan Yu’s fever never returned, and his cold gradually subsided.

With more than a week left before Zuo Zhou’s classes started, they decided to take a trip back to Jiuru Village to visit his grandmother.

The nature of their relationship had changed, and so had their feelings. On the drive, Zuo Zhou chuckled and teased, “Brother Yu, don’t we look like a couple heading back to your in-laws for New Year’s?”

Shangguan Yu, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at him speechlessly. “Why don’t you say I’m the one accompanying you to visit your maiden home?”

Zuo Zhou burst into laughter, briefly releasing the steering wheel with one hand to clasp Shangguan Yu’s fingers resting beside him. “Either way works, as long as you’re with me. If you’d rather be the one visiting my maiden home, I’d gladly take you.”

Shangguan Yu couldn’t suppress a chuckle. He gave Zuo Zhou’s hand a gentle squeeze and reminded him, “Keep your eyes on the road.”

“Yes, sir!” Zuo Zhou immediately released his hand, focusing on the road ahead. “I always listen to my Brother Yu.”

Shangguan Yu smiled, turning his head slightly to admire Zuo Zhou’s profile.

Zuo Zhou always had a bright, cheerful smile around him, so Shangguan Yu often overlooked the natural sharpness of his features—the confidence and sharpness they carried.

But now, looking at him from the side, Zuo Zhou radiated the charm of a striking young man—a far cry from the clingy, endearing puppy he usually pretended to be.

The thought brought a soft chuckle to Shangguan Yu’s lips.

“Brother Yu, what’s so funny?” Zuo Zhou asked suddenly, his eyes still fixed on the road.

“Hm?” Shangguan Yu was taken aback. “How did you know I was laughing? You weren’t even looking at me.”

“I just know.” Zuo Zhou’s expression remained perfectly serious. “The air feels different when you smile—I can tell.”

Shangguan Yu chuckled lightly. “Don’t be silly.”

“Heh, okay.”

The drive continued without incident, and soon they reached the village entrance. Zuo Zhou pulled the car to the side of the road, hesitating for a moment.

Shangguan Yu noticed and asked, “Why aren’t we driving in?”

Zuo Zhou paused, then turned to him with a serious look. “Brother Yu, we made good time today, so we’re a little early. What I mean is… it’s not mealtime yet, so there’ll likely be a lot of people outside. If we go in now… we’ll definitely be seen.”

Shangguan Yu was slightly surprised—he hadn’t expected Zuo Zhou to worry about something like this. Now that he thought about it, no wonder Zuo Zhou had been stalling before they left, saying it wasn’t time yet.

Back then, he hadn’t understood what Zuo Zhou meant by “the right time.” Now, it finally made sense.

“It’s fine,” Shangguan Yu said. “Just drive in—Grandma’s waiting for us.”

“Are you sure?” Zuo Zhou glanced at him, concern etched on his face, still hesitating. “Maybe we should wait in the car for a while?”

Shangguan Yu wasn’t particularly keen on being the center of attention again—especially after the incident with Old Man Wang. But seeing Zuo Zhou’s worry, he offered a reassuring smile. “It’s really okay. People stare whenever I go out anyway. It’s nothing new—I’m used to it.”

Zuo Zhou’s expression shifted to one of clear heartache. He didn’t speak, simply reached out and took Shangguan Yu’s hand.

Shangguan Yu returned the gesture, giving Zuo Zhou’s hand a gentle squeeze.

For a moment, the two sat there quietly, neither speaking. Then, Zuo Zhou sighed. “Alright. Let’s head up to the house.”

As expected, they encountered several villagers strolling and chatting along the village road.

The moment the unfamiliar car entered, every villager turned in unison, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Shangguan Yu sat calmly in the passenger seat, doing his best to appear natural—at least until Zuo Zhou parked in front of the house.

“Brother Yu, shall we get out?”

“Mm.”

After getting out of the car, Shangguan Yu settled into his wheelchair with Zuo Zhou’s assistance.

Grandma was already waiting at the door, greeting him with a warm smile.

Zuo Zhou locked the car and was about to push Shangguan Yu inside when Old Man Wang—the same one from before—reappeared, stepping closer with a curious gaze. “Xiao Zhou, you’ve brought your brother back again?”

“Yes,” Zuo Zhou replied with a polite smile, but he didn’t slow his pace.

However, Old Man Wang seemed oblivious to the subtle dismissal, continuing, “Didn’t know you had a brother! Which side of the family is he from?”

Zuo Zhou didn’t feel like entertaining the question, so he simply kept moving forward with a smile. Grandma, too, remained silent, subtly extending her hand as if to shield Shangguan Yu from the prying eyes.

Shangguan Yu observed the small, protective gesture, his heart warming. Clearing his throat, he replied in a steady, calm voice, “I’m not Zuo Zhou’s relative—I’m his… senior.”

Zuo Zhou froze.

Old Man Wang also looked surprised. He stared at Shangguan Yu for a long moment before asking, “What’s a ‘senior’?”

Shangguan Yu: “…”

This time, Zuo Zhou reacted first. He chuckled and explained, “Oh, it just means he’s a student at my university who’s a few years ahead of me. We call that a ‘senior.’”

Old Man Wang let out a long “Oh~” as if he finally understood.

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