Axolotl Translations

The next morning, Qin Weidong had to report to his new company. Before leaving, he went downstairs to buy Fang Li some warm porridge and crispy fried dough sticks for breakfast. He pressed a few gentle kisses through the bedcovers onto Fang Li’s forehead and murmured that breakfast was waiting for him on the table outside.

Still lost in the embrace of sleep, Fang Li nodded drowsily and returned Qin Weidong’s affection with a sleepy kiss on the cheek. Then, Qin Weidong headed to the company.

Chaojiang Exploration and Development Co., Ltd. was a newly established entity, backed by the powerful Kunshan Holdings. Its primary focus was on resource evaluation and the research and development of cutting-edge metallurgical technologies. Qin Weidong had been assigned to the project department, the very heart of the company’s operations.

Word had already circulated among the staff that a new deputy manager—an outsider, no less—would be reporting for duty that day, and everyone was buzzing with curiosity about him.

The morning commenced with a meeting led by the company’s senior management. General Manager Zhang Hongzhi himself extended a warm welcome to Qin Weidong, who responded with polite expressions of gratitude. Half of the people seated around the conference room were older employees, likely transfers from Kunshan’s headquarters. As the meeting got underway, Qin Weidong immediately picked up on an unfriendly gaze directed his way.

He subtly turned his head and noticed a young man seated at the far left end of the side table. The nameplate in front of him clearly read “Qin Zijie.” The contempt in his eyes was unmistakable.

“We’re currently handling the Fengxin Mining Project—a truly significant assignment,” Qin Zijie interjected. “And the project department is at its helm. Now that Old Wu is out sick, are we really putting a rookie in charge as deputy manager? Isn’t that taking a rather substantial risk?” The voice, dripping with unconcealed skepticism, belonged to none other than Qin Zijie.

Right there, in front of the company’s top leadership, he casually plucked a cigarette from a pack on the table, lit it with practiced ease, and began to smoke. Even among those who had been transferred from Kunshan’s headquarters, not a single person dared to object.

Seated at the center of the table, General Manager Zhang Hongzhi maintained a placid smile and said, “Qin Weidong’s appointment came directly from the higher-ups. Though young, he demonstrated exceptional capabilities during the acquisition of the Nanpan Mining Project at headquarters. Clearly, he made a strong impression on the leadership, which is why he has been assigned here.”

“Assigned?” Qin Zijie sneered, extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray with a deliberate grinding motion. “General Manager Zhang, I would suggest that for the overall good of the company, we transfer a more seasoned manager from another department to guide the project team. We could even create another deputy manager position—to help mentor the newcomer.” The implication hung heavy in the air; this was a blatant attempt to dilute the new deputy manager’s authority.

Zhang Hongzhi, who had a background in finance at Kunshan Group headquarters and was a man in his prime, around forty years old, maintained a pleasant demeanor throughout. “Zijie,” he said smoothly, “I understand that you’re considering the company’s best interests. However, we also need to have faith in the decisions made by the leadership. We are currently in a period of reform. Chaojiang is a new company with high expectations resting upon it. We need to set a positive example. Reform means being willing to trust young talent and daring to move forward.”

Qin Zijie still seemed ready to dispute the matter, but Zhang Hongzhi interjected again, his tone measured. “We understand everyone’s concerns. You’re worried that the significant responsibility of the Fengxin Mine Project might be too much for someone as young as Qin Weidong. In that case, let’s allow the results to speak for themselves. The financial reports will offer an objective assessment. If it becomes apparent that Weidong requires further seasoning, we can certainly revisit the matter at a later stage.”

Zhang Hongzhi’s words were carefully constructed, leaving no room for direct criticism. On the surface, he appeared to be defending the upper management’s decision to support Qin Weidong, but in the very next breath, he offered Qin Zijie a face-saving compromise. Some of the more astute individuals in the room grasped the underlying dynamics immediately.

Qin Weidong, a newcomer parachuted in from above, was still an unknown entity. However, Qin Zijie’s background—his close ties to the powerful Qin family that held considerable sway in Jin Province—was common knowledge. Clearly, Zhang Hongzhi, a seasoned operator if there ever was one, had no intention of alienating either side.

The meeting adjourned close to noon. Qin Weidong gathered his notebook and started to leave, only to be called back by a voice from behind. He recognized the nameplate: Zhang Bin, from the Resource Evaluation Department.

“I’m Zhang Bin, Resource Evaluation Department. I used to be in Evaluation Group Two at headquarters,” the man introduced himself. Another transfer from the main office. Zhang Bin was lean and had a dark complexion. Qin Weidong extended his hand. “Qin Weidong, Project Department.”

It was clear Zhang Bin had already heard about him. “I know. When the news first broke, everyone in the company was in shock, wondering who would land such a crucial position. No one expected it to be you—so young! The new generation really is pushing the old guard aside. I bet that spoiled little princeling nearly had a heart attack.”

The company cafeteria was situated outside the main building, in an adjacent annex on the first floor. As they walked and talked, the intense midday sun beat down on them. Suddenly, the sharp roar of an engine shattered the air behind them. A security guard hurried to raise the barrier, and a sleek black Mercedes sped out of the courtyard without even slowing down, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

“Riding high just because of a flimsy connection to the Qin family,” Zhang Bin muttered, tilting his chin toward the departing car. “Don’t let what happened this morning get to you. That’s just how he is. We all figured he had his sights set on your position. Bet he’s furious it went to you instead.”

Qin Weidong inquired, “The Qin family?”

Zhang Bin offered a knowing smile. “I heard you’re not from around here—figures. Well, it’s not your Qin. In Jinyang, it’s like a miniature capital. Stick around long enough, and you’ll understand.”

Qin Weidong remained silent. Zhang Bin understood he was new and wouldn’t readily share information with a stranger. He continued, “I’m a few years older than you, so take a piece of advice, brother. Don’t be fooled by how small Chaojiang appears—small pond, big fish. Especially that Qin Zijie. If you absolutely have to offend someone, fine, but whatever you do, don’t cross him. He’s not someone you can afford to make an enemy of.”

The finance department had provided Qin Weidong with a meal card for the company cafeteria, but instead of eating there with Zhang Bin, he drove to the market, picked up some groceries, and headed straight home.

Fang Li didn’t stir until noon. The previous day’s travel had left him a bit carsick, and he was still curled up in bed when Qin Weidong quietly opened the door. The moment he saw Qin Weidong, he sat up. Qin Weidong placed the groceries in the kitchen sink to soak, then went into the bedroom, gently scooped Fang Li up in his arms, and carried him into the bathroom. He squeezed a generous amount of toothpaste onto a toothbrush and then gently inserted it into Fang Li’s mouth. “Brush your teeth.”

Holding the toothbrush, Fang Li mumbled around the bristles, “How was your morning at the company?”

“Not bad,” Qin Weidong replied simply.

Fang Li rinsed his mouth with the water Qin Weidong held up for him and spat. Qin Weidong’s gaze softened as he took in the faint red marks still lingering on Fang Li’s sleepy face; all his earlier worries seemed to dissipate. “So, tell me honestly, do you feel more comfortable at school, or living here with me?”

“Do you even need to ask…?” Fang Li’s mouth was still full of foam as he playfully nipped Qin Weidong’s cheek. “Honestly, I really want to take a shower later. I was starting to feel pretty gross back at school.” He sniffed his own shirt and made a face. “Smell me—don’t I stink? I must’ve been marinating in grime. I washed myself several times, but I still felt like there was a lingering smell.”

Fang Li was notoriously bad at taking care of himself—though it wasn’t entirely his fault. Having grown up with Qin Weidong attending to his every need, it would have been a genuine surprise if his self-care skills were anything to write home about. And Fang Li wasn’t even the type to care much. He knew he wasn’t great at it, but it never really bothered him.

Take night school, for instance. Even when Qin Weidong was busy and couldn’t help him, Fang Li would force himself to shower a couple of times before eventually giving up. He figured it wasn’t worth the effort and would rather go around with a slight odor than argue with Qin Weidong over something so trivial.

“Do I really smell that bad?” Fang Li asked again, his brow furrowed slightly.

Qin Weidong didn’t answer verbally. Instead, he frowned slightly and gently pulled Fang Li’s clothes off, went to the wardrobe, and retrieved a clean shirt to carefully slip over his head.

“When did you even buy these shirts?” Fang Li chuckled as Qin Weidong meticulously buttoned him up. “You’re such a hypocrite. If I smelled so awful, how come you still kissed me so sweetly those past few days?”

Qin Weidong leaned in and kissed him again, a soft and lingering press of his lips. “Even if you stink a little, I can still kiss you.”

Fang Li burst into a fit of giggles, his bright, fox-like eyes gleaming with amusement. His mood had clearly taken a turn for the better, especially now that he was in the capital with a stable and comfortable place to call home.

Qin Weidong felt a wave of relief wash over him. He had initially been concerned that Fang Li might struggle to adapt to their new life in the capital, but it was now abundantly clear: having Fang Li by his side was undeniably the best arrangement for him.

These past weeks, Qin Weidong had been working relentlessly, often leaving before dawn and returning long after nightfall. Sometimes, he would come home with the faint but unmistakable scent of alcohol clinging to his clothes. Fang Li’s heart ached with empathy, witnessing the sheer effort Qin Weidong was pouring into his new job. However, there was little he could actively do to alleviate Qin Weidong’s burden, and it seemed Qin Weidong had no immediate plans to find him any occupation either.

A persistent rain had been falling over Jinyang for days, causing the temperatures to plummet sharply. People on the streets were bundled up in thick, heavy coats against the chill. Today was yet another sodden, gray day. In the afternoon, Fang Li leaned languidly against the soft cushions of the sofa, idly scribbling a few disjointed notes, attempting to connect the random thoughts that drifted through his mind. When he heard a low rumble of thunder echoing outside, he roused himself to bring in the clothes that were hanging out to dry on the balcony.

Not long after, the familiar click of the door lock echoed through the apartment—Qin Weidong was home.

“You’re back early today?” Fang Li asked, noting the unusual time of his arrival.

Qin Weidong’s expression was uncharacteristically grim. He tossed the thick stack of documents he held onto the shoe cabinet by the door with a loud, heavy thud that made Fang Li flinch slightly.

“Why are you so angry?” Fang Li asked, his voice laced with concern.

Qin Weidong kicked off his damp shoes at the doorway and took a long, steadying breath. He flung his rain-soaked jacket carelessly onto the sofa, then walked over to where Fang Li was sitting and pulled him close, enveloping him in a tight embrace. Only then did some of the simmering anger from the day’s office meeting begin to dissipate.

“It’s nothing,” he murmured, his voice still rough around the edges. He looked down at Fang Li, his gaze softening slightly. “Did I scare you with that noise?”

Fang Li nodded almost imperceptibly and reached out a hand to gently smooth the deep furrow between Qin Weidong’s brows. “Was it something at the company again? Are they giving you a hard time?”

Qin Weidong hesitated for a fleeting moment before replying, “It’s not exactly that. Just some fool who popped up out of nowhere, completely muddling everything up.”

The Fengxin Mining Project was, in reality, a carefully constructed trap, openly laid by Wei Jianghe with the specific intention of targeting Liu Chongyue and the influential forces backing him. Not only was the Chaojiang Group strictly forbidden from getting involved in any way, but they were also required to maintain a clear and deliberate distance from the entire affair. And yet, Qin Zijie, completely misinterpreting the situation and seeing it as a golden opportunity to advance his own standing, insisted on making a grand display of involvement, foolishly attempting to use it as leverage to undermine Qin Weidong.

Anyone with even a modicum of business acumen within the company understood that for him to propose such a significant motion, he couldn’t possibly be acting independently. It wasn’t difficult to deduce who was pulling his strings from behind the scenes. But Qin Zijie was too blinded by his own ambition to see the obvious and had stubbornly fought tooth and nail at the meeting, vehemently demanding independent mining rights and aggressively pushing for joint technical development with Qin Weidong’s project department. He was, in Qin Weidong’s estimation, an absolute fool.

As Qin Weidong’s expression darkened, his grip unconsciously tightening, Fang Li let out a sharp hiss, his eyes widening in surprise and discomfort as he swatted Qin Weidong’s arm. “Qin Weidong, are you even listening to me? You’re hurting me…!”

The moment Fang Li cried out in pain, Qin Weidong snapped back to the present. Seeing Fang Li wince, his breath catching between clenched teeth, Qin Weidong realized with a jolt that he had been lost in his dark thoughts, unconsciously squeezing Fang Li’s slender waist far too tightly, causing him genuine discomfort.

A wave of guilt washed over Qin Weidong. He hurriedly lifted Fang Li’s shirt to inspect the area. Sure enough, a faint bluish imprint of his fingers marred the delicate fairness of Fang Li’s skin. His heart aching with remorse, Qin Weidong pressed soft kisses to the bruised spot repeatedly. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?” he murmured, his voice filled with concern.

“Would you even have heard me if I had?” Fang Li retorted, a hint of annoyance coloring his tone as he tried to push Qin Weidong’s hand away. But Qin Weidong’s heart still ached too much to let go; even as Fang Li swatted his hand away several times, he persisted in gently rubbing the tender area. Glancing at the time, he said, “It’s still relatively early. I’m not going back to the office this afternoon. How about I take you shopping? You’ve been here for so long, and I haven’t even shown you around properly yet.”

Fang Li was eager for an outing as well. He had been cooped up at home for far too long, and with the seemingly endless stretch of rainy days, he felt like he was practically growing mold. He retreated to the bedroom to change out of his pajamas, while Qin Weidong went to retrieve his coat. As he picked it up from the back of a chair, his eyes fell upon Fang Li’s notebook, carelessly tossed on the sofa. A few pages were filled with messy, hastily scribbled musical notes, riddled with crossings-out and edits.

A fleeting memory surfaced–that night, when Ding Haoyang had desperately tried to persuade Fang Li to stay, almost shouting in frustration, “You love music too!”

Without betraying any emotion on his face, Qin Weidong glanced at the open notebook, then quietly crumpled the pages Fang Li had written on and tossed them into the nearby trash can.

As they settled into the car, Fang Li was already stifling another yawn. He had spent so many idle days at home recently that he was practically becoming a creature of comfort. In the past, when they were constantly struggling financially, Fang Li had always been restless, perpetually seeking something productive to occupy his time.

But now, even though he didn’t know the exact figure of Qin Weidong’s salary at Chaojiang, it was evident that they were no longer living hand-to-mouth. And so, under Qin Weidong’s attentive care, Fang Li had gradually slipped back into some of his old, more leisurely habits.

When they arrived at the department store, Fang Li’s eyes widened with childlike curiosity as he took in the sheer scale of the place. He had never set foot in such a massive shopping mall before. He wandered into several stores, his gaze darting left and right, taking in the dazzling array of goods, and eventually picked out an outfit that caught his eye.

The salesgirl, her smile warm and professional, enthusiastically urged him to try it on, and Fang Li readily obliged.

It was a stylish ensemble: a soft white sweater paired with well-fitting blue jeans, both undeniably trendy. When Fang Li emerged from the fitting room, the salesgirl’s eyes widened in genuine amazement. “Sir, you have such an incredible figure! You look like a model straight out of a fashion magazine—no, even better! This sweater is made from pure cashmere; it will keep you wonderfully warm throughout the winter.”

Fang Li chuckled softly to himself, thinking that even the salespeople in this big city were exceptionally beautiful and masters of smooth talk. But when he flipped over the price tag on the sweater, his tongue clicked in shock.”This is way too expensive! A sweater this thin costs a hundred and twenty yuan? Are clothes in the capital woven from gold?”

He didn’t even bother to check the price of the jeans. Flustered, he tried to hang the outfit back on the rack, but Qin Weidong took it from his hands instead and carried it directly to the cashier to pay.

Fang Li couldn’t shake the thought that Qin Weidong must have bumped his head hard—there was no other explanation for spending such an exorbitant amount of money. One single piece of clothing cost a staggering one hundred and twenty yuan, and who knew how much the jeans would add to that total.

Tugging insistently on Qin Weidong’s sleeve, Fang Li whispered urgently, “Qin Weidong, are you completely out of your mind? Did you somehow miss the decimal point?” It wasn’t twelve yuan—it was a ridiculous one hundred and twenty!

Qin Weidong accepted the neatly packaged clothing from the cashier, his expression calm. He thought the simple white sweater Fang Li had just tried on looked exceptionally good on him—comfortable, clean, and radiating a fresh appeal. “I didn’t misread it. You look good in it,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Fang Li silently fumed, thinking that Qin Weidong clearly knew absolutely nothing about fashion or sensible spending. Seeing that Qin Weidong had already paid without a second thought, an overwhelming wave of regret washed over Fang Li. He hadn’t even fully decided if he wanted it—it was simply too outrageously expensive.

“Just how much is Chaojiang actually paying you these days?” Fang Li couldn’t help but ask, his curiosity and concern battling within him.

“Enough to comfortably support you,” Qin Weidong replied, his tone reassuring but also somewhat dismissive of the financial details.

He then proceeded to purchase a few more sets of comfortable undergarments for Fang Li, and a smart-looking suit for himself, considering his new professional role. With the cold grip of winter fast approaching, he also planned to buy a couple of warm coats for Fang Li to wear once the temperature plummeted. He worried that his increasing workload later on would leave him with little time for such leisurely outings.

Initially, Fang Li dutifully trailed Qin Weidong around the sprawling mall, his eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and slight bewilderment. But by the time they started browsing through the racks of winter coats, a noticeable weariness had begun to creep into his demeanor.

Inside the brightly lit mall, they passed a charming little stand selling creamy yogurt in old-fashioned glass bottles. Fang Li promptly made Qin Weidong buy him one, then gratefully sank onto a nearby bench to slowly sip at the sweet treat, relishing the brief moment of rest. Once he had finished the last spoonful, Fang Li declared with a sigh, “I’m absolutely exhausted. I can’t walk around anymore. You’ll have to pick something out for me.”

The two of them, two grown men, shouldn’t have been so utterly drained by a simple shopping trip—they had mostly just bought whatever caught their eye without excessive browsing or deliberation. Qin Weidong wasn’t particularly picky about his own purchases either. Seeing Fang Li slumped dejectedly on the bench, clearly unwilling to move another inch, Qin Weidong realized with a slight frown that Fang Li’s old, more indolent habits had indeed resurfaced. He hadn’t fully factored this into his calculations when he had decided to keep Fang Li at home with him.

The last time Fang Li had sneaked out to sing at a dimly lit nightclub, Qin Weidong had been consumed by a white-hot fury, seriously contemplating locking Fang Li up at home to prevent any further such escapades.

But seeing him now, content to spend entire days lounging on the sofa, idly scribbling or doodling in his notebook without any real physical activity, made Qin Weidong reconsider his earlier harsh inclinations.

He also vividly recalled the doctor’s somewhat vague but still concerning advice: regular, gentle exercise could potentially help slow down the progression of Fang Li’s underlying health condition.

“You’re at home all day with nothing much to do—you really should try to get some exercise,” Qin Weidong suggested gently.

Fang Li took another slow sip from his straw. “It’s absolutely freezing downstairs. And we don’t even have enough space to run around properly at home.”

Qin Weidong felt the familiar stirrings of a headache. Fang Li often seemed to have a knack for conveniently ignoring his well-intentioned advice. Seeing that Fang Li had finally finished his yogurt, he returned the empty glass bottle to the vendor, only for Fang Li to declare that he needed to rest for just a little bit longer.

On their way back to the car, Fang Li suddenly pointed excitedly at a brightly lit shop they were passing. “Stop the car…! Qin Weidong, look!”

Following the direction of his pointed finger, Qin Weidong saw it too—a shop with a vibrant sign that read “Sari Music Shop.” Fang Li practically bounced out of the car before it had even come to a complete stop.

The shop owner was a man with his hair tied up in a small topknot, sporting a loud floral shirt that was popular in the south and a pair of wide-legged bell-bottoms. His rather eccentric style immediately made Qin Weidong’s brow furrow slightly—it wasn’t a look he cared for in the slightest.

Seeing potential customers enter his shop, the owner greeted them warmly and asked what kind of instrument they were hoping to find.

“Do you have any guitars?” Fang Li asked, his eyes already scanning the walls.

“Yes, absolutely, right over here.” The owner gestured towards a whole wall dedicated to various guitars, hanging neatly on display. Fang Li didn’t really know much about choosing one, so he simply picked out the one that visually appealed to him the most. The owner carefully took it down from the wall, expertly tuned the strings, and played a short, melodic riff for them.

Fang Li’s eyes lit up with pure joy, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Qin Weidong, let’s buy this one! Please!”

Qin Weidong saw the genuine sparkle of happiness in Fang Li’s eyes and a fleeting image of what Ding Haoyang had said that night flashed through his mind—followed by the memory of the crumpled music drafts he had silently discarded in the trash at home.

Fang Li likely knew that Qin Weidong wasn’t particularly fond of him dabbling in music, especially after the rather embarrassing nightclub incident.

Fang Li leaned in slightly, his gaze direct and his eyelashes fluttering as he blinked at Qin Weidong. “Qin Weidong,” he said softly, a hint of pleading in his voice, “I really like this one.”

He had clearly expressed his desire to Qin Weidong. Would Qin Weidong really be able to refuse him this simple request? Fang Li didn’t believe that for a single second.

In the end, Qin Weidong paid for the guitar without saying a word and walked out of the Sari Music Shop carrying the guitar case, his expression unreadable—neither particularly happy nor overtly displeased—but with a subtle undercurrent of regret that Fang Li, in his excitement, completely missed.

Fang Li followed close behind him, a wide, unrestrained grin plastered across his face, so broad it almost seemed like he might fold in half with laughter. He truly felt, in that moment, that Qin Weidong was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with him and could deny him nothing.

---

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter