Axolotl Translations

At four o’clock the next afternoon, Wei Jiajia freshened up, locked her door, and headed straight to Commander Qin’s house.

As she approached, she could already hear the chatter of several women inside.

“Sister-in-law, I’m here!” she called out.

“You’re here so early? We’ve still got plenty of time, and we’ve got enough hands. You didn’t need to trouble yourself,” Madam Qin said, wiping her hands on her apron as she stepped out of the kitchen to greet her.

“I had nothing to do at home, so I thought I’d come see if I could help with anything,” Wei Jiajia replied with a smile.

When they entered, Wei Jiajia saw three other women in the kitchen.

The moment the women noticed Madam Qin bringing in a new face, they all paused their work and looked over.

This must be the woman everyone’s been talking about—Captain Qiao’s wife. And she’s just as beautiful as they said.

Through Madam Qin’s introduction, Wei Jiajia learned that the three women were the wives of the Second Battalion Commander, the Third Battalion Commander, and the Deputy Commander of the Third Battalion.

The three of them lived in the nearby apartments and had come early to help, knowing Madam Qin would be overwhelmed. They had brought their children, who were now playing on the field with Madam Qin’s kids and would return for dinner.

After introducing Wei Jiajia, Madam Qin felt it wasn’t right to let her sit idle in the main hall, so she gave her a task—picking vegetables.

Hearing this, Wei Jiajia immediately followed along and got to work.

The woman sitting next to Wei Jiajia glanced at her as she lowered her head, focused on picking vegetables, and couldn’t help but marvel silently.

She was simply too beautiful. Her skin was as smooth as a peeled egg, her eyelashes thick like tiny brushes, and even her presence carried a faint, distinct fragrance.

Then there were her hands—slender, delicate fingers without a single callus. It was obvious she’d been raised in comfort, never having done hard labor.

She truly was a delicate flower—no wonder Captain Qiao was so captivated by her, unable to see anyone else.

Take Li Linlin from the art troupe, for example. Back in the day, she was the most beautiful woman in their military district, and yet, what happened? She liked Captain Qiao but ended up a laughingstock, with everyone saying she had overestimated herself.

“What’s wrong, sister-in-law? Is there something on my face?” Wei Jiajia asked curiously when she noticed the woman beside her staring intently.

“Oh, no, no! It’s just that I’ve never seen such a beautiful comrade before. I got a little mesmerized,” the woman admitted with an embarrassed smile.

Hearing this, the other women in the kitchen chimed in, laughing and sharing their first impressions of Wei Jiajia.

Once the conversation started, the atmosphere quickly became lively, and before long, the other military wives began arriving at the Qin residence ahead of time. The house was soon filled with laughter and chatter, carrying on until Commander Qin returned with the men.

With the sound of footsteps, the commotion of children laughing and shouting spilled in from outside.

“Sister-in-law, I’m troubling you again!” someone said sheepishly to the commander’s wife.

“What trouble? It’s just a simple home-cooked meal. The important thing is that everyone gets to enjoy themselves,” Commander Qin’s wife replied with a hearty laugh.

Hosting a gathering like this didn’t cost much. All the military wives had brought their own rations, so there was no real expense. Besides, since her husband was in a leadership position, inviting his subordinates for a meal was a good way to strengthen relationships and make his future work easier.

As the men arrived, the food in the kitchen was nearly ready.

With so many people, they set up two tables—one for the men and another for the women and children.

When Wei Jiajia stepped out of the kitchen, she immediately noticed Qiao Haoyu watching her. She smiled sweetly at him before heading to the women’s table.

Only after seeing his wife comfortably seated and chatting with the others did Qiao Haoyu finally look away. But as soon as he did, he was met with the teasing smirks of several comrades across the table.

He ignored their antics, remaining calm and composed as he took his seat.

Seeing his lack of reaction, the others quickly lost interest. That guy really knew how to keep his cool.

Since Wei Jiajia was a fellow soldier’s wife, no one stared too blatantly. However, even a quick glance was enough to confirm that the rumors about her beauty were true.

Some of the unmarried men at the table couldn’t help but fantasize about their future wives. Their standards weren’t high—if their wives were even half as beautiful as Wei Jiajia, they’d be more than satisfied.

“Captain Qiao, does your wife have any sisters? What do you think—would I have a chance?” asked the Fourth Company Commander, still single. Having seen Wei Jiajia in person, he couldn’t help but be curious. If the older sister was this stunning, surely the younger one wouldn’t be too different.

Qiao Haoyu glanced at him, instantly seeing through his wishful thinking, and mercilessly dashed his hopes.

“Her younger sister is only seven years old—you’re way too old for that!”

“Pfft!” The Second Company Commander, who’d just taken a sip of water, nearly sprayed it out. He hurriedly swallowed and started coughing uncontrollably. “Cough, cough, cough!”

Between coughs, he pointed at the two of them, clearly struggling to hold back laughter.

The Fourth Company Commander, unfazed, pressed on. “What about a cousin? A distant relative works too!”

“My wife has only one younger sister. No cousins, no extended relatives for you to pick from. Give it up.”

Besides, even if she did, there’s no way I’d introduce her to you. With your wild personality, how could you possibly take care of a woman properly?

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Company Commander slumped in his seat, utterly dejected, mourning his misfortune.

Where on earth was he supposed to find a beautiful wife? He needed to find one soon, or he’d end up getting set up by the organization. The thought of returning home for New Year and being forced into blind dates was horrifying. And knowing his mother’s taste in choosing a daughter-in-law… He shuddered.

Seeing the Fourth Company Commander sulking, the others barely reacted—this was nothing new. Instead, they all picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

Given the times, it must have taken Madam Qin considerable effort to put together such a feast.

The sight of cured meat mixed into the dishes, along with a whole platter of spicy and sour fish, had everyone’s mouths watering.

The men chatted about everything under the sun while the women tended to the children, the lively meal filling the Qin household with warmth and laughter.

The next day, at noon, Qiao Haoyu came home and, instead of resting, immediately went to the backyard and started tilling the soil.

After a full day of hard work, Qiao Haoyu finally finished preparing the two plots of land in the backyard. Meanwhile, Wei Jiajia headed out to find Sister Cui, hoping to ask if she had any vegetable seeds and get some advice on how to tend the land.

“Sister Cui, are you home?” Wei Jiajia called from outside the Cui family’s door.

Shortly after, footsteps sounded from within, followed by a response. “I’m here! Who is it?” As she spoke, the door swung open.

Seeing Wei Jiajia standing there with a bright smile, Sister Cui was slightly surprised—she hadn’t expected a visit.

“Sister-in-law, I hope I’m not bothering you?” Wei Jiajia asked apologetically.

“Of course not! I was just a little bored home alone. Now that you’re here, I have someone to chat with. Come on in!”

As they entered, Wei Jiajia noticed an unfinished garment on the sewing machine in the main room and immediately realized she’d come at an inconvenient time.

“Please, have a seat! Look at this mess,” Sister Cui said, handing her a cup of water.

“Not at all! I didn’t know you could sew.”

“Oh, it’s nothing special. Just some rough stitching. My kids’ autumn clothes are too small now, and it gets really cold here in October. I have to make them some light padded jackets.”

Hearing this, Wei Jiajia suddenly remembered she hadn’t prepared any warm clothes or bedding for herself either. She made a mental note to add that to her to-do list.

Not wanting to interrupt too long since Sister Cui was busy, Wei Jiajia quickly explained the reason for her visit.

“Oh, if that’s what you need, I’ve got plenty of vegetable seeds. I can give you some. But you know, a lot of crops can’t be planted this late in the season. The cold weather comes early here, and if the vegetables don’t mature in time, they’ll freeze in the ground before harvest.”

“What can still be planted now?” Wei Jiajia asked, a little worried.

“Cabbage, radish, rapeseed greens, celery, spinach, cilantro, and green onions! These can still be harvested before the cold sets in. I happen to have seeds for all of them,” Sister Cui said, walking to a cabinet to fetch the stored seeds.

Wei Jiajia did some quick mental calculations and felt this selection would suffice. Cabbage and radish were crucial since they stored well for winter. She could even secretly stash some in her space and take them out later when needed—her husband wouldn’t suspect a thing. As for the other vegetables, she could pickle them after harvest.

“Oh, right! Do you actually know how to plant them?” Sister Cui asked, handing the seeds to Wei Jiajia.

“I watched my family do it back home. It doesn’t seem too hard,” Wei Jiajia replied, a little embarrassed.

Sister-in-law Cui chuckled to herself. This delicate young lady really doesn’t know what she’s in for. Watching and doing are two completely different things.

She patiently explained the entire vegetable planting process to Wei Jiajia. However, when she got to fertilizing, Wei Jiajia’s expression stiffened. She endured the rest of the explanation, thanked Sister Cui, and quickly left.

Looking down at the seeds, she thought, Thank goodness I have the spring water in my space. It’s far more effective than fertilizer, and I won’t have to deal with the mess.

When she got home, she changed into work clothes and got busy in the backyard. She worked diligently until it was almost time for Qiao Haoyu to return from work. Following Sister-in-law Cui’s instructions, she carefully planted the seeds.

With this major task out of the way, it was time to start thinking about what to do next.

The package she’d mailed would arrive in about a week. Inside were her clothes and bedding, just in time for the colder weather. This meant she wouldn’t have to bother making new ones herself.

However, when she checked the wardrobe, she noticed her husband didn’t have many winter clothes. She needed to find a way to make him something warm to wear under his uniform—preferably a wool sweater and pants.

The supermarket in her space didn’t stock loose yarn, only thermal underwear. But that modern item wasn’t available yet, so she couldn’t bring it out without raising suspicion. It seemed she’d have to find time to accompany the army’s supply truck to the city’s department store. While there, she could also check the black market for fur. They said in the Northeast, furs were abundant and excellent for warmth. If she sewed a layer inside her husband’s clothing, he wouldn’t have to worry about the cold during missions.

Then there was the matter of work.

Coming to live with the army meant she hadn’t accepted a teaching assignment. In other words, she’d given up her secure government job. To many, her university education was now wasted.

But she didn’t regret it.

In her past life, she’d spent every moment chasing stability, struggling for every penny, constantly worrying about the future. She didn’t want to live like that again. Now, her days were peaceful. She had a husband, a home, and a sense of belonging that soothed the loneliness she’d once carried.

Besides, it wasn’t as though she was completely unemployed—her work was just less stable than a government job.

She had never stopped submitting articles to newspapers, and over the years, the payments from her writing had matched, if not exceeded, what she would have earned as a teacher. And best of all, she could work from home on her own schedule.

In just a few years, the country would enter that turbulent decade. When the time came, teachers and schools would be the first to be affected. She had no power to change history, nor did she know how. So, selfishly, she chose not to look, not to dwell on it.

Qiao Haoyu understood exactly what Wei Jiajia was thinking. That’s why he’d turned down the battalion school principal’s request for her to teach there.

The school conditions weren’t great. The classrooms were freezing in winter, and the military families’ children grew up rough, making the teenage students particularly difficult to manage. His wife was young and soft-spoken—if she went there, she’d definitely be bullied.

So, he shut down the idea before it even reached her.

In Qiao Haoyu’s heart, he was willing to dedicate himself to his country, to sacrifice and endure hardship. But his wife didn’t have to. That wasn’t her mission. She deserved to live comfortably, to stay safely behind him, shielded from the world.

That evening, when Qiao Haoyu came home, Wei Jiajia excitedly pulled him out to the backyard, eager to show off her day’s work.

“In just two months, you’ll be eating vegetables I grew myself. Isn’t that exciting?” She shook his arm, her face filled with pride and anticipation.

“…Very exciting.” A smile played at the corners of Qiao Haoyu’s lips. Watching his lively, cheerful wife, he was even more certain turning down the principal’s request had been right. He loved seeing her simple, happy smile.

He stood there, listening quietly as she enthusiastically explained how she planned to cook the different vegetables once harvested. Her soft lips moved nonstop, speaking animatedly, almost as if they were tempting him.

Suddenly, Qiao Haoyu lowered his head and kissed her, savoring her unique sweetness.

“Mm…~” Wei Jiajia was mid-explanation when her husband launched a surprise attack, silencing her with a kiss.

She tried to struggle lightly, but when it proved ineffective, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

Encouraged, Qiao Haoyu deepened the kiss, growing more intense, until he simply lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the house.

“Mm… dinner~”

“I’ll eat first. Once I’m full, I’ll feed you…”

Soon, sounds of passion filled the room.

By the time they emerged, the sky was completely dark.

Qiao Haoyu went to the kitchen and quickly cooked two bowls of noodle soup. Then he returned to the room, gently lifting his exhausted wife and carrying her to the dining table.

“This is all your fault…” Wei Jiajia muttered, casting a reproachful yet bashful glance at him when she realized her hands were too weak to hold the chopsticks.

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault,” Qiao Haoyu replied with an indulgent smile, utterly content.

Then, without giving her a chance to protest, he scooped her onto his lap. “Your hands are weak—I’ll feed you.” With that, he carefully picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and brought them to her lips.

Since this was entirely his doing, Wei Jiajia accepted his care without hesitation, enjoying the pampering.

And so, they finished the meal—one feeding, the other eating—until her bowl was empty. Only then did Qiao Haoyu quickly finish his own.

“I want to take a bath.” After their earlier activity, Wei Jiajia had worked up a sweat, and her skin felt sticky and uncomfortable. She turned to the culprit and made her request.

“Wait here, I’ll heat some water.” With that, Qiao Haoyu gently placed her on a stool, making sure she was watching him before heading to the kitchen.

Wei Jiajia rested her chin in her hands, watching him bustle about with an expression of pure infatuation.

Once the water was ready, Qiao Haoyu carried the bucket to the bathhouse in the backyard. Then, he went back inside to fetch his wife’s change of clothes before returning to her.

Seeing his intentions, Wei Jiajia was startled. She quickly stood up, alarmed. “That’s not necessary! I’m fine now—I can walk.” She reached out to take the clothes from his hands.

“How could I let that happen? What if you slip and fall? I’d be worried.” His tone was firm.

Seeing that she was about to argue further, Qiao Haoyu didn’t waste any more words. He simply scooped her into his arms and carried her to the backyard.

“Ah… You—!” Realizing resistance was futile, Wei Jiajia could only look up at the sky in exasperation.

The bathwater was already mixed and ready. Without hesitation, he undressed her and placed her in the tub.

“Well, now you can leave, right?” Wei Jiajia said, looking at him.

“How could I just leave? Now that I’m here, I might as well keep you company. Besides, it’d be a waste.” With that, he began unbuttoning his shirt.

Wei Jiajia: “……”

I knew he was up to no good…

Once his clothes were off, he stepped into the tub with his long legs in one smooth motion.

With his added weight, the water rose and spilled over the edge.

Wei Jiajia looked at him like a lamb about to be devoured.

“This place isn’t soundproof. The neighbors will hear us,” she tried to reason.

“They won’t. No one’s moved in next door yet,” Qiao Haoyu replied casually.

“Then…” Wei Jiajia desperately tried to think of another excuse.

Before she could finish, Qiao Haoyu leaned in, pulling her into his embrace. His voice was husky as he whispered, “Then just keep your voice down.”

And with that, he left her no time to think…

Wei Jiajia: “……”

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