Axolotl Translations

Ruan Zhao hesitated. Although he didn’t have a good impression of this world’s male lead, Qi Xingchen, the task still had to be completed, and interactions were unavoidable.

But the psychological shadow the other had left on him wasn’t small. Just thinking about him made the back of his neck ache. He couldn’t control the surfacing memories… the moment Qi Xingchen had pressed the inhibitor needle into his neck.

The slender needle tip slowly piercing his swollen, reddened skin, the cold liquid injected—it hurt… so much.

Ruan Zhao subconsciously reached up to touch the back of his neck. There was no more swelling, nor any lingering pain at the slightest touch. Once an Omega’s heat passed, their gland would retreat deep beneath the skin, remaining hidden unless stimulated.

Yet, from time to time, he could still catch a faint scent of lilies. It came from his own glands, his own body. The pheromones were weak, insignificant even—not enough to affect his health or drive an Alpha into a frenzy.

Still, Ruan Zhao wore a pheromone-blocking patch. He simply couldn’t accept the idea of himself turning into a “flower,” constantly emitting fragrance.

Pulling himself back from his wandering thoughts, he met the bright, expectant eyes of the girl in front of him. In the end, he nodded and said he would go.

Lin Lanyue beamed. “This time, the mixer will be held at the neighboring military academy.”

For someone as naturally reserved as Lin Lanyue, heading to an entirely unfamiliar place and facing a crowd of completely unfamiliar Alphas was no small challenge.

She didn’t dare go alone and wanted to find someone familiar to accompany her. But all her girlfriends were busy—either shopping or getting their nails done. After searching, Ruan Zhao was the only option.

“So… let’s go together.” She invited Ruan Zhao, her fair face flushing red from nerves.

It wasn’t until she heard his soft “Okay” that she finally smiled.

……

By the time they arrived, night had fully fallen. Only the last streaks of red and violet remained on the horizon, shimmering where the sky met the earth.

The mixer was outdoors. The vast training field was packed with people.

A quick glance revealed an overwhelming sea of black, stretching so far it was impossible to see the edges. Three large buses had arrived, unloading nearly a hundred Omegas. In contrast, the number of Alphas present at the event easily numbered in the thousands.

For the first time, Ruan Zhao felt genuinely dizzy from the sheer number of people.

Lin Lanyue seemed equally overwhelmed. The moment she stepped off the bus, she clutched Ruan Zhao’s arm.

Thinking she was scared, Ruan Zhao shifted slightly, positioning himself as a shield.

“So… so many Alphas!” Suddenly, an excited voice exclaimed beside him.

Ruan Zhao: “…?”

“This is it! I’m totally finding a boyfriend today!”

Ruan Zhao: “…Good luck with that.”

……

The mixer required tickets for entry. The Alphas crowding the field’s outskirts weren’t all guaranteed access—those without tickets lingered at the edge, waiting in silence, hoping someone would be eliminated early and free up a spot.

Where there were large crowds, chaos was inevitable. And with Alphas—naturally quick-tempered and easily irritable—fights were bound to happen. A single disagreement could escalate into blows. And fights? They ignited everyone’s bloodlust. Spectators would get riled up, their instincts taking over, and before anyone knew it, a full-blown brawl would break out.

Normally, no one would bat an eye. After all, this was a military academy, where the law of the strongest reigned supreme.

But today was different. How could they let things turn violent in front of the Omegas? If they left a bad first impression, what if the Omegas never attended another mixer again? That would be a disaster.

So today, appearances mattered. Even if they had to fake it, they would all play the part of cultured, well-mannered gentlemen. Every word was calm and measured, not a single curse uttered, every movement carefully restrained—absolutely no room for barbaric behavior.

To ensure things didn’t get out of hand, a patrol team was stationed outside. The moment an Alpha stepped out of line, they would be thrown out without hesitation.

……

The crowd was overwhelming. Ruan Zhao’s nose was flooded with a chaotic mix of scents. All of them were pheromones. He quickly pulled out a bottle of scent-blocking spray from his pocket and doused himself liberally, stopping only when the air felt clean again.

“Want some?” He shook the bottle slightly in Lin Lanyue’s direction.

Lin Lanyue sniffed the air, seemingly unfazed by the overwhelming mix. “I think I’m fine for now. I can handle it.”

“Alright. Just let me know if you change your mind.” Ruan Zhao’s backpack was like a treasure trove—it had everything. After experiencing the absolute nightmare of his last heat, he had no intention of repeating it. So, he stocked up on every precautionary item he could find. Better safe than sorry.

At first, Lin Lanyue kept up a conversation, casually chatting about school or making small talk. But as more and more Alphas filled the area, her attention started to drift.

Before long, her eyes were glued to them, sparkling with excitement. One moment, she was whispering about how handsome one of them was. The next, she was marveling at how another was “so ridiculously hot.”

Then, suddenly, she gasped in excitement. “Oh my god, that one is totally my type! His features are exactly my aesthetic! Do you think I should go talk to him?”

Ruan Zhao glanced at the Alpha she was swooning over but honestly couldn’t see how he was any different from the last two.

Two eyes, one nose—how different could they really look? Ruan Zhao felt like his face blindness was acting up…

“If you like him, then go for it.”

Taking Ruan Zhao’s totally not encouragement as a sign of support, Lin Lanyue clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and charged toward the Alpha.

They were a bit too far from Ruan Zhao, and with all the noise, he couldn’t hear what they were saying. All he saw was the Alpha’s face turning red at an alarming speed—flushed like a ripe tomato—before he scrambled to pull out his optical computer and exchanged contact info with Lin Lanyue.

Ruan Zhao clicked his tongue. He refused to eat this dog food that was being force-fed to him.

The banquet was stocked with snacks and desserts. Ruan Zhao grabbed a small plate and loaded it up with cakes and pastries before settling into a quiet corner to enjoy his feast. He hadn’t eaten dinner and was starving.

After polishing off every last bite of cake, he felt somewhat full but craved fruit to cleanse his palate. Humming happily, he scanned the fruit selection, debating between mango and strawberries.

In the end—he decided to take both. Just as he was about to reach for them, someone suddenly stepped up beside him.

The person openly scanned his face multiple times before grabbing his wrist and exclaiming in disbelief—

“Ruan Zhao? What are you doing here?”

The stranger’s grip was like an iron vice—so tight that pain instantly shot through Ruan Zhao’s wrist. He forcefully wrenched himself free and turned to face the man.

His clear, glassy eyes were filled with wariness and unfamiliarity. “…Who are you?”

Qin Ge’s face darkened. “Pretending not to know me over the phone was one thing. But pulling the same act in person? Don’t you find it exhausting?”

Ruan Zhao blinked, then let out a soft oh—as if he had just remembered something. “So it’s you.”

He calmly stabbed a piece of mango with his fork, took a small bite, and let the sweet, juicy flavor spread across his tongue. The fresh fruit cut through the lingering richness of the cream, making him narrow his eyes in satisfaction.

“My brother didn’t tell you to stay the hell away from me?” he asked lightly. “Said something about not letting your bad luck rub off on me?”

Qin Ge’s expression turned even uglier. Clearly, Ruan Zhao had hit the mark.

Not long ago, he had been on the receiving end of a ruthless scolding from Ruan Ci—told to clean up his mess of unwanted admirers and stop dragging his brother into it. If he didn’t, Ruan Ci had promised to throw them all in prison together. Oh, and he was explicitly banned from approaching Ruan Zhao again.

Ridiculous…

It had always been Ruan Zhao seeking him out—hovering around him, trying to get his attention. When had he ever cared about Ruan Zhao?

Ruan Ci must be insane to think his brother was some kind of irresistible prize that everyone was desperate to get close to.

A flicker of disdain crossed Qin Ge’s eyes. He folded his arms and looked down at Ruan Zhao from his superior height, scrutinizing him—searching for that familiar look of infatuation.

But no matter how long he searched, he found nothing. The boy’s eyes were as clear as glass, transparent to the very depths. Annoyance. Impatience. But not a trace of the emotion Qin Ge had expected to see.

For the first time, a strange sense of something slipping out of his control crept into Qin Ge’s mind. It unsettled him. An uneasy feeling stirred in his chest—something was changing, shifting in a way he couldn’t quite grasp.

He needed to bring things back to how they used to be. “Ruan Zhao, you’re not thinking clearly right now. I won’t hold it against you.”

“This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go somewhere quieter and have a proper conversation.” His tone softened, adopting a negotiating stance—acting as if he were making some great concession. If Ruan Zhao had any sense at all, he wouldn’t keep throwing a tantrum.

Confidence swelled in Qin Ge’s chest, built on years of experience. Without even looking back, he turned and started walking away, fully expecting Ruan Zhao to trail obediently behind him—just like before. To listen. To follow. To do whatever he was told.

Yet after ten whole meters, the only footsteps he heard were his own. Ruan Zhao hadn’t moved.

Qin Ge turned around, bewildered. Not far away, the boy was leisurely eating fruit. A plump, ruby-red strawberry—nearly the size of half his palm.

Ruan Zhao parted his lips, taking a bite with some effort. A few drops of juice splattered onto his lips, glistening against their natural flush… before his tongue darted out to lick them away.

Qin Ge turned back immediately, closing the distance once more. Suppressing his rising anger, he demanded, “I told you to come with me. Didn’t you hear me?”

Ruan Zhao was still preoccupied with his strawberry. Without even looking up, he replied, “I heard you. I just didn’t agree.”

Qin Ge pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “What are you even trying to pull here? You came all the way here just to find me, didn’t you? Well, I’m giving you the chance to talk—what more do you want?”

He added pointedly, “I’m not Ruan Ci. I won’t indulge your spoiled little tantrums.”

That finally made Ruan Zhao lift his head and look at him. His gaze was filled with curiosity, surprise—almost amusement. The way he looked at Qin Ge… it was as if he were watching a circus monkey jump through a ring of fire.

The comparison made Qin Ge’s brow furrow in irritation. “What are you looking at?”

Ruan Zhao tilted his head. “I’m just wondering how thick your skin must be to say something so shameless.”

Qin Ge: “……”

Ruan Zhao swept his gaze around the crowd, his tone unhurried. “There are plenty of Alphas here who are better-looking and more built than you. If I were really here for someone, wouldn’t I have a much better shot with any of them instead of you?”

Qin Ge: “……”

“Tell me, exactly where do you think you’re superior? What makes you so special that you assume I came to this event just for you?”

Qin Ge shot back, “Isn’t that the truth?”

“At the military academy, I’m the only Alpha you know. You always found excuses to visit me—bringing food, snacks, whatever. And now you expect me to believe you weren’t here for me?”

“Drop the act, Ruan Zhao. The more you pretend, the more disgusted I get.”

Ruan Zhao scoffed. “Perfect. I hate you too. Just looking at your face pisses me off.”

A heavy silence settled between them.

As soon as those words left Ruan Zhao’s mouth, Qin Ge’s gaze darkened, murky like a bottomless swamp, thick with unreadable emotions.

“Oh, you’re angry?” A sharp, humorless laugh escaped his lips. He suddenly took a step forward, grabbing Ruan Zhao’s arm and yanking him toward the exit. “Well, if you’re already mad, I don’t mind making you even angrier.”

Ruan Zhao hadn’t expected Qin Ge to grab him so suddenly. The strength of an Alpha was far greater than he’d anticipated. His balance faltered, forcing him to stumble along, nearly tripping over his own feet.

“Let go of me.”

“Let go of him.”

Two voices overlapped at once. One of them was cool, crisp—like melting snow dripping from the tip of a pine branch. Unexpectedly familiar. Like… he had heard it somewhere before.

Ruan Zhao turned his head toward the source of the voice. The crowd instinctively parted, forming a clear path.

A tall, poised figure stepped forward. He had the kind of striking face that could make the entire world fade into the background—like a clear breeze and a bright moon, effortlessly elegant. Everything else around him seemed to dull in comparison, leaving him the sole burst of color in a monochrome scene, an unmistakable presence that commanded attention.

His gaze lowered, settling on Qin Ge’s hand. Even though Qin Ge hadn’t gripped too hard, there were still vivid red marks imprinted on the Omega’s delicate skin.

The man spoke again, slowly and deliberately. “I said… let go of him.”

Qin Ge knew him. Or rather, there wasn’t a single person at the Imperial Military Academy who didn’t know him.

Second-year student, Qi Xingchen. The one who had crushed the previous champion in the league tournament—completely overwhelming his opponent and claiming an undisputed first place. Meanwhile, Qin Ge hadn’t even made the top ten.

A flicker of unease passed through Qin Ge’s eyes. But why was he here? He’d never been interested in social events like this before.

As if sensing Qin Ge’s suspicion, Qi Xingchen raised a hand and tapped his fingers against the badge on his chest. Two engraved words gleamed under the light: Disciplinary Committee.

Qin Ge’s mouth twitched slightly. He pulled Ruan Zhao closer and explained, “Don’t get the wrong idea. He’s a friend. We were just looking for a quieter place to catch up, that’s all—nothing more.”

Seizing the moment, Ruan Zhao stomped down hard on his foot. Qin Ge’s body stiffened. A muffled groan of pain caught in his throat, but even so, his grip remained firm. He leaned in, lowering his voice by Ruan Zhao’s ear. “I’ll deal with you later.”

Ruan Zhao: “???” You actually think you have the right to settle scores with me? If you hadn’t suddenly lost your mind and dragged me, would I have stepped on you in the first place?!

Once again, Ruan Zhao found his understanding of Qin Ge’s shamelessness reaching new heights. He was about to stomp down a few more times—just to make sure Qin Ge really felt it—when the man across from them spoke.

“You know him?”

The question was directed straight at him, the sharp, ice-blue gaze locking onto his face. There was no doubt who the man was asking.

Ruan Zhao froze. By now, their commotion had drawn attention. Many people had turned, watching curiously. Some were approaching, eager to see the drama unfold.

Without hesitation, Ruan Zhao shook his head. “Nope. Don’t know him.” He took a moment to compose himself. “I don’t even know who he is! He just ran up to me out of nowhere, grabbed me, and tried to drag me away.”

“He’s so strong—I couldn’t resist at all…” The beautiful Omega’s expression turned pitiful, his voice growing softer, more delicate. His long lashes trembled unevenly, as if barely holding back tears. “I was so scared. I had no idea what he was trying to do. I kept telling him to let go, but he wouldn’t. He even said just now that he’d settle scores with me…”

A wave of shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“What the hell, man?”

“He saw a pretty Omega and lost all self-control, obviously.”

“I’m gonna be sick. He looks all decent on the outside, but turns out he’s the kind of scumbag who forces himself on Omegas? Disgusting. Makes all us Alphas look bad.”

“Speak for yourself—don’t lump us in with him. He can represent himself and his gender alone.”

“What’s the law enforcement team waiting for? Hurry up and haul him out already! There’s a line of guys outside who couldn’t even get tickets.”

……

Qin Ge was so furious his eyes burned red. “Shut the hell up, all of you! It’s not what you think!”

His grip unconsciously tightened as he turned back to Ruan Zhao, his temper flaring.

“You’ve been following me around since we were kids—clinging to me like a damn leech! No matter how hard I tried to shake you off, you wouldn’t leave. And now you want to pretend you don’t even know me?”

Qin Ge himself wasn’t sure what exactly made him so angry. Was it the way Ruan Zhao’s nonsense had turned the crowd against him? Or was it the fact that, in front of all these people, Ruan Zhao was deliberately cutting ties, acting like they had nothing to do with each other?

“Oh? Is that so?” Ruan Zhao raised an eyebrow, his tone indifferent. “I don’t remember any of that.”

---

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter