Axolotl Translations

Old Man Wang’s prying gaze slid down, lingering on Shangguan Yu’s legs. He looked as if he was about to ask what had happened.

Thankfully, Zuo Zhou reacted swiftly, pushing Shangguan Yu through the gate before the old man could speak. He added, with practiced politeness, “It’s too cold out here—we’ll head inside first.”

Grandma, perceptive as always, took a step forward, subtly positioning herself between Shangguan Yu and Old Man Wang. “Old Wang, you…”

Shangguan Yu didn’t catch the rest; Zuo Zhou had already wheeled him into the courtyard and closed the door.

“…”

Shangguan Yu chuckled, amused by Zuo Zhou and Grandma’s blatant protectiveness. It wasn’t as if he was so delicate that he couldn’t be looked at or asked about. Still, the feeling of being genuinely shielded was comforting.

Once inside, Zuo Zhou didn’t stop. He pushed Shangguan Yu several meters into the courtyard, ensuring they were well away from the entrance. Only then did he crouch down, meeting Shangguan Yu’s eyes. “Brother Yu, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“…Sorry,” Zuo Zhou said, his voice laced with guilt. “I should have timed this better. It won’t happen again.”

Shangguan Yu shook his head, smiling gently. “Really, it’s not a big deal. Xiao Zuo, you misunderstand—I don’t like being stared at or made a spectacle of, that’s all. It doesn’t truly upset me.”

“Even so… thank you. Both you and Grandma. I know you’re just trying to protect me.”

Zuo Zhou blinked, momentarily surprised. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in and gave Shangguan Yu a firm hug.

“Brother Yu, you’re too kind.”

“? What do you mean?”

“You’re the one who got hurt, yet you’re still trying to comfort others… Seeing you like this, it makes my heart ache.”

As Zuo Zhou spoke, his arms instinctively tightened around Shangguan Yu.

A complicated feeling stirred within Shangguan Yu. He couldn’t quite articulate it, so he simply reached out and patted Zuo Zhou’s broad back—a silent gesture of comfort.

The two of them remained in their little bubble, wrapped up in each other’s concern, until a sudden noise came from the direction of the gate.

Shangguan Yu immediately recognized the sound—it was Grandma, about to enter. His first instinct was to pull away and push Zuo Zhou off. But Zuo Zhou, seemingly oblivious, continued to hold him tightly, showing no intention of letting go.

And then, in a matter of seconds, Grandma stepped into the courtyard.

Her gaze fell directly on them, standing in the middle of the yard… still locked in a close embrace.

Shangguan Yu panicked. Sure, he had agreed to be with Zuo Zhou, but their relationship was still so new. He certainly hadn’t planned on coming out to Zuo Zhou’s grandmother this soon.

Without thinking, he mustered all his strength and shoved Zuo Zhou away—so hard that Zuo Zhou stumbled back a full meter.

Zuo Zhou hadn’t expected that at all. He staggered back a step, then stared at Shangguan Yu in stunned disbelief for several seconds before suddenly clutching his chest and letting out a dramatic groan.

“Ow! That really hurt!”

Shangguan Yu: …

Grandma hesitated before asking weakly, “Xiao Zhou, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just had the wind knocked out of me a little.” Zuo Zhou rubbed his chest and added, “It’s nothing a little massage from Brother Yu won’t fix.”

Shangguan Yu: ………………

The main purpose of their visit was to spend time with Grandma, so most days were spent at home—helping with chores, playing cards, and chatting.

Under the watchful eyes of both Grandma and Shangguan Yu, Zuo Zhou even reinforced and repaired the chicken coop in the courtyard. They also worked together to fix the wobbly leg of the dining table, which had always rocked precariously during meals.

Grandma was overjoyed. She spent her days beaming, her happiness practically palpable. She busied herself making all sorts of treats for them, insisting on packing a huge batch of homemade buns for them to take back and freeze for later.

The peaceful, simple days flew by. Soon, it was almost time for Zuo Zhou to return to school—which also meant it was time to leave Grandma’s and head back to Luocheng.

The day before their departure, Zuo Zhou suddenly turned to Shangguan Yu and asked, “Do you want to visit Jiuru Village Primary School?”

Shangguan Yu considered it for a moment, then nodded.

That was where their story had begun—the school where Zuo Zhou had studied as a child. If they had the time and opportunity, it only made sense to visit.

After lunch, Zuo Zhou took Shangguan Yu out.

At first, Shangguan Yu had a vague sense of the general direction, but as Zuo Zhou led him through turn after turn, he eventually gave up trying to remember.

“Just two more turns and we’ll be there,” Zuo Zhou said, glancing at him with a grin. “Brother Yu, do you still remember the way?”

“…I don’t really remember,” Shangguan Yu admitted. “Things have changed so much since I left. A lot of places feel completely unfamiliar.”

“That’s because we’ve had several rounds of funding over the years,” Zuo Zhou explained. “Some came from the government, some from private donors, and others from various organizations. Thanks to that, the village built new roads, renovated houses, and made a lot of improvements… The school was completely rebuilt. Now, the classrooms don’t leak when it rains.”

As Zuo Zhou spoke, Shangguan Yu listened intently. A mix of emotions stirred within him—relief at the progress, but also a faint ache for the hardships the village had endured.

“Everything is getting better,” he said reassuringly.

Zuo Zhou smiled. “Yeah, as long as I have you with me, I’m not afraid of anything.”

As they chatted, they reached the entrance of Jiuru Village Primary School.

Since it was winter break, the school gates were locked, and the grounds were eerily silent. Shangguan Yu peered through the gate. Just as Zuo Zhou had described, the teaching buildings and the main stage on the playground had been renovated beyond recognition. Everything looked brand new to him.

Leaving Shangguan Yu at the gate, Zuo Zhou walked over to the security room and knocked on the window.

A head popped out—a middle-aged man Shangguan Yu didn’t recognize.

The guard had probably been napping, and having his peace disturbed, he opened the window with a scowl. “What do you want? School’s closed for the holidays—no entry!”

With his back to Shangguan Yu, Zuo Zhou chuckled.

“Uncle Guo, it’s me, Zuo Zhou! Don’t you remember? Sun Xia’s grandson.”

“Xiao Zhou?” Uncle Guo squinted at Zuo Zhou, his brows furrowed as he gave him a thorough once-over. After a few seconds, recognition finally dawned on his face. “Oh, it’s you! Wow, you’ve grown so much in just a few years. Time really does fly.”

“It sure does,” Zuo Zhou replied with a smile before stepping aside and gesturing to Shangguan Yu behind him. “I wanted to bring my brother in for a quick look around. Can you open the gate for us, Uncle Guo?”

With that, he leaned in and whispered something to the old man—words too soft for Shangguan Yu to hear. Then, he casually pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, one he had just bought on the way, and handed it over.

Uncle Guo hesitated for a moment before accepting the gift with a chuckle. Without further argument, he stepped out of the guardroom and unlocked the gate for them.

Just like that, the two of them strolled into the empty school grounds without any trouble.

After they had walked a short distance, Shangguan Yu couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly did you whisper to him that made him open the gate so easily?”

“Hmm?” Zuo Zhou tilted his head, pretending to think before grinning mischievously. “Oh, that? Haha, I told him I wanted to have a romantic date here with my boyfriend and that he should be a bro and let us in.”

“…,” Shangguan Yu gave him an exasperated look.

Zuo Zhou burst into laughter. “Nah, just kidding! What I actually said was, ‘Uncle, do me a favor, I’ve got something good for you.’ And then I handed him that 30-yuan pack of cigarettes.”

“A whole 30 yuan? Ouch, that hurts.”

He exaggerated the last part with a dramatic tone, making Shangguan Yu chuckle despite himself.

The two of them continued their slow walk through the quiet campus. The winter afternoon sun cast a soft golden glow over the empty grounds, stretching their long shadows across the soil.

“Brother Yu, do you remember that stage over there?” Zuo Zhou asked, pointing ahead. “That’s where you stood when you donated money to me all those years ago.”

Zuo Zhou nudged Shangguan Yu forward, positioning him directly in front of the stage before pointing at the newly renovated platform.

“Hmm, I remember the old one was smaller and lower than this,” Shangguan Yu said, reminiscing. “Back then, I went up first and stood with all the school officials. Then I watched you come up from the front…”

As he spoke, a chuckle escaped him.

Hearing this, Zuo Zhou immediately protested. “Come up? No way! I vaulted up, alright? I was just showing off my agility! I didn’t use the stairs on purpose—I wanted to impress you. I made it up in one smooth move!”

Shangguan Yu didn’t argue, simply smiling in amusement. Truthfully, after all these years, he couldn’t remember if Zuo Zhou had really vaulted up as effortlessly as he claimed. What he did remember, though, was standing on that stage, watching an energetic boy rush forward to receive his award. He remembered feeling a mix of amusement, encouragement, and quiet pride.

Looking at Zuo Zhou now, he was grateful for the decision he had made back then. Not just for himself, but for the young man standing beside him today.

Back then, he had helped Zuo Zhou. And now, in a way he never expected, Zuo Zhou had helped him in return.

After taking in the view of the field, Zuo Zhou suggested going inside to see the classrooms.

The school had been renovated, but it still lacked accessibility ramps. To enter the building, they’d have to go up a few steps.

Shangguan Yu shook his head. “No need. The classrooms are locked anyway, so there’s not much to see.”

But Zuo Zhou only grinned. Instead of answering, he bent down, gripped the wheelchair firmly, and—with a determined look—lifted both Shangguan Yu and the wheelchair right off the ground.

“When we first met, I was in fifth grade,” Zuo Zhou said, stopping Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair in front of a classroom. “It was right here.”

Shangguan Yu leaned forward and peered through the window. Inside, he saw nothing more than an ordinary elementary school classroom—simple desks, a blackboard, and an empty teacher’s podium.

“I was short back then, so I sat in the second row, near the window…” Zuo Zhou pointed inside as he spoke. “Right there.”

Shangguan Yu followed the direction of Zuo Zhou’s finger. “That’s pretty far to the side. Could you even see the board from there?”

He waited for a response. But after a moment of silence, he turned back—only to find Zuo Zhou’s face very close to his.

Shangguan Yu froze.

They were so close that if he moved his lips even slightly, they would brush against Zuo Zhou’s.

Instinctively, he leaned back. But before he could pull away, a firm, warm hand pressed gently against the back of his head—Zuo Zhou’s hand.

There was no escape.

Heart pounding, Shangguan Yu held his breath, his eyes locked on Zuo Zhou’s.

Zuo Zhou swallowed hard. His throat was dry, his pulse unsteady. He stared at Shangguan Yu for a long moment before whispering softly—

“Brother Yu, I’m going to kiss you.”

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