Axolotl Translations

“Sister…”

Hearing her younger brother’s voice suddenly call out, Wei Jiajia’s book slipped from her grasp and tumbled to the floor. She sprang to her feet and quickly crossed the room towards him, reaching out a hand to gently touch his arm, almost as if afraid he wasn’t real. The warmth of his skin against her fingertips was undeniable, and before she could utter a single word, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

“Xiangxi… you’re back!” she exclaimed, her gaze fixed on the younger brother who had left when he was just eighteen. Now, at twenty-five, he had returned a grown man.

Seven years—it felt like an eternity. The boy she remembered had transformed into a striking, confident man.

Seeing the tears on his sister’s face, Xiangxi felt a deep ache in his chest. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the sister he hadn’t seen in years, burying his face in the familiar crook of her neck, just as he had done countless times as a child. With the same childlike affection, he murmured, “Sister, I missed you so much.”

“Good boy. I missed you too. We all did. I’m just so incredibly happy you’re back… so happy,” Wei Jiajia said, gently patting his back. Only in his embrace did she fully realize how much he had grown—her head now barely reached his chin.

Standing nearby, Qiao Haoyu felt a subtle twinge of jealousy as he watched the close embrace between the siblings. Since Xiangxi’s arrival, his wife hadn’t spared him a single glance.

Still, he was genuinely happy for them—especially for his wife. Over the past few years, she had often spoken of her brother, sometimes shedding quiet tears when her longing for him became too intense. It had always tugged at his heart.

“Alright, I’ll leave you two to catch up. I need to get back to base,” Qiao Haoyu said, gently separating the siblings without making it seem deliberate. He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his wife’s tears, then leaned in and kissed her without hesitation. “Don’t cry anymore. It hurts me to see you like this.” Then he pocketed the handkerchief, gave Xiangxi’s shoulder a brief pat, and walked out.

He did indeed have official duties awaiting him. He had only come home after the front gate guard had called his office to report a visitor—specifically naming Xiangxi to confirm his identity. Knowing how emotional his wife would be upon seeing her brother again, he had accompanied him home. But now that she had regained some composure, it was time for him to return to base.

Watching his brother-in-law’s smooth, almost practiced departure, Xiangxi rolled his eyes inwardly. What a petty man. What was so wrong with hugging his own sister for a little while?

Wei Jiajia remained oblivious to her husband’s subtle maneuvers. She closed her eyes, savoring his brief tenderness, and once he had left, she turned back to her brother. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you? What are you in the mood for? I’ll make something for you.”

Xiangxi was indeed feeling a bit hungry, and with his sister, there was no need for formality. He rubbed his stomach with a grin and said, “A bit, yeah. Just make whatever—you know I love everything you cook.”

His words filled Wei Jiajia with delight. She told him to go freshen up and rest for a bit while she prepared a meal.

In the kitchen, she moved with practiced efficiency, grabbing noodles, tomatoes, and eggs. She started a pot for tomato and egg noodle soup and cracked five eggs into it without a second thought.

Having cleaned up, Xiangxi followed her into the kitchen. Watching the effortless way she cracked the eggs, a warm smile touched his lips.

Only his sister would cook with such generosity. No matter the ingredients at hand, they only seemed to count once they filled your mouth—she was never stingy, never holding back. Even during those three difficult years, thanks to her foresight and resourcefulness, the siblings had never once gone hungry.

These past few years, his days had been relentlessly busy. Canteen food was a constant, but he had missed his sister’s cooking more than anything.

“Hungry? It’s almost ready.” Seeing her brother enter the kitchen, Wei Jiajia quickened her movements.

“Sister, this is too much. It’s just me eating, and you’re using five eggs. What if Eldest treasure and the others don’t get any?”

She rolled her eyes playfully at him. “It’s just this one meal. Next time, they’re out of luck.” A chuckle escaped her lips as she said it, a fleeting image of a meme from her past life crossing her mind: those viral clips depicting kids’ extravagant meals upon returning home for break, followed by the stark reality of plain steamed buns and scallions later on. It wasn’t so different from her lighthearted threat.

Still, looking at her brother’s somewhat gaunt face, she decided he truly needed to replenish himself. Time to subtly incorporate the “spiritual spring water.” She couldn’t know what kind of routine he’d endured all these years—did he eat properly, or had work caused him to skip meals? He looked thinner and more worn than Xiangdong.

As these thoughts ran through her mind, she subtly glanced at the top of his head. Thank goodness—still a full head of thick hair. A little nourishment, and he’d be a proper handsome guy again. Not that he wasn’t already.

Xiangxi remained completely unaware of his sister’s silent hair assessment. Once the noodles were served, he eagerly took the bowl to the table and dug in with gusto, shoveling mouthful after mouthful.

“Slow down! Don’t burn yourself!” she called out, watching him eat with an intensity that suggested he hadn’t had a proper meal in days. She turned back to the pot and scooped out the remaining noodles, letting them cool slightly so he could eat more comfortably.

Only after he had devoured two large bowls and let out a satisfied burp did he finally feel full. He had been craving his sister’s cooking for seven long years.

Once he helped with the dishes, Wei Jiajia finally sat down to inquire about his experiences over the past few years.

Xiangxi knew his sister was worried. He recounted everything he could, leaving out no detail—except for the parts he couldn’t disclose.

Back then, the movement was in full swing. His professor’s research project had originally been slated to launch a couple of years later, but the prevailing political climate had accelerated everything. Many professors and scholars were facing potential trouble, so higher-ups had expedited the project’s implementation to provide a shield for some of them.

His professor was one of the fortunate ones. Having studied abroad in the Soviet Union, he would have been a prime target for criticism and exile if not for his position at a military university. Even so, the returnee professors had been compelled to constantly write self-criticisms and reports—until the project was finally launched and they were taken away to begin the actual work, bringing that period of political peril to an end.

His outstanding grades and exceptional performance had caught his professor’s attention by his sophomore year, and he was soon taken under his wing as a protégé.

As the political movement gained momentum, even the students began to feel a growing unrest. The future seemed uncertain, casting a pall of unease over the academic atmosphere. His professor, unwilling to see his promising student’s education go to waste, sought his opinion before making a decision. Upon receiving a resolute response, he brought him along.

They were initially taken to a desert in the northwest—a remote, desolate expanse devoid of any signs of human habitation. Upon their arrival, there wasn’t even shelter to be found. For two entire months, this group of highly educated scholars constructed their own rudimentary dwellings using bricks and earth. Yet, no one complained. They all understood they were fortunate—at least they had a place to live and could continue the work they were passionate about.

To maintain the secrecy of their location, supply vehicles arrived only once a month. Aside from the researchers and a contingent of soldiers assigned to their protection, they saw no one and had no contact with the outside world.

Later, they successfully overcame a significant technical hurdle. Under his professor’s guidance, he gained invaluable practical experience and was soon transferred to a new, albeit still remote, site—it was only then that he had the opportunity to write home and reassure them of his safety.

Aside from missing his family and the infrequent communication, everything else was bearable. He genuinely relished the sense of accomplishment that came with conquering complex problems.

“How long can you stay this time? Will you have to go back again soon?” Seeing the contentment radiating from her brother’s face, Wei Jiajia felt a surge of happiness for him. As long as he found fulfillment in his work, she would wholeheartedly support him.

Feeling a touch awkward, Xiangxi glanced at his sister and said, a little sheepishly, “I’ve got twenty days off this time.” This brief respite was only possible because his transfer to a new work location provided a window for him to return home before reporting for duty.

Wei Jiajia felt a wave of relief wash over her—it was more time than she had dared to hope for. Still, knowing he would undoubtedly want to visit his other three siblings as well, the time suddenly felt a bit constrained.

Noticing his furtive glances towards her expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Simply seeing him with her own eyes was enough—naturally, she would be even more overjoyed if he could stay longer. But this was his career, his life—something beyond their control.

She smiled warmly and said, “That’s wonderful—more than I expected. You’ll have time to visit Aunt Fen and Nuannuan too. Yangyang is just down the road, stationed in the nearby village, so he’ll be easy to find. As for your big brother… well, I’m not entirely sure if you’ll have time to see him.”

Hearing this, Xiangxi let out a quiet sigh of relief. He had been concerned that his sister might be disappointed by the brevity of his stay.

“I called my brother’s unit before I came back. I think he’s already on his way home.”

He hadn’t seen his older brother in years. Before college, the two of them had been inseparable. After seven years of separation, their longing for each other ran deep. As soon as he had called and explained his situation, Xiangdong had said he would take time off and come back as well. The eastern province wasn’t far from where his sister lived—taking a week off was feasible.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Wei Jiajia exclaimed, so overjoyed she nearly jumped to her feet. Compared to Xiangxi, Xiangdong’s schedule was slightly more flexible, but his job, much like her husband’s, didn’t afford him much freedom. The last time she had seen him was during the Spring Festival the previous year.

Thinking about how both her younger brothers had returned, Wei Jiajia felt a surge of pure joy. If she counted them, out of the five siblings, only Nuannuan wouldn’t be present.

That simply wouldn’t do—she had to call and see if Nuannuan could take time off and come back as well. It was such a rare and precious occasion for all five of them to reunite; they could even take a family photograph to immortalize the moment.

With this delightful thought, Wei Jiajia found herself unable to remain still. She told Xiangxi to go back and rest while she went to place the call. As she spoke, she stood up and hurried out the door with an energetic stride.

“Sister, I’ll go with you. I can chat with Nuannuan for a bit too,” Xiangxi said, having embraced his sister’s idea wholeheartedly. It would be wonderful if Nuannuan could join them, and even if she couldn’t, he would be heading to Shencheng to visit Aunt Fen and the others anyway—only the family portrait wouldn’t be entirely complete.

“Come on then, hurry!” Wei Jiajia urged, her voice filled with anticipation. The sooner they made the call, the sooner Nuannuan could secure her ticket and make her way over. Their time together was too precious to waste a single moment.

The two of them walked briskly toward the mail room, drawing curious stares and friendly greetings from others in the compound. Anxious with excitement, Wei Jiajia barely exchanged pleasantries—she merely offered a quick introduction of Xiangxi as her younger brother before hurrying on.

Watching the pair disappear into the distance, those sitting in the shade erupted into a lively buzz of conversation. Everyone in the compound knew that Wei Jiajia had two sets of twins as younger siblings, in addition to her own triplets.

The twin siblings who were a boy and a girl had lived with her for a time, so everyone knew them quite well. But since they had started working or gone to the countryside, they hadn’t been around much. As for her twin brothers, aside from a brief stay when she first transferred with the army, they hadn’t appeared in years, not even during holidays—many of the newer military spouses were completely unaware of their existence.

“Is that man really her younger brother?” a short-haired woman asked the person sitting beside her, her curiosity piqued.

“He is, but I’m not entirely sure whether he’s the older or younger of the twins. They’re identical, and it’s been so long since I saw them, I can’t tell them apart anymore,” the other woman replied, her memory stretching back to when she first joined the compound and learned the general details of Wei’s family.

Back then, the twin brothers had come to visit their sister dressed in casual sneakers and carrying a basketball, turning many heads among the young women in the compound. But after returning to Shencheng for school, their appearances had become exceedingly rare. Some of the hopeful young women had even tried asking Wei Jiajia about them, only to be told that the boys were still young and focused intently on their studies. They wouldn’t consider marriage for at least another five years. That vague response hadn’t sat well with everyone—some whispered that she was looking down on them, and rumors circulated behind her back.

Somehow, the gossip eventually reached Commander Qiao.

He didn’t engage in arguments with the women directly, but he did confront their husbands, challenging them to one-on-one sparring matches. The resulting beatings were harsh but cleverly disguised as friendly exercise, leaving the men bruised, both physically and emotionally, and effectively silencing their families from stirring up any more trouble. None of them were eager for another “lesson” under the guise of a friendly bout.

Back then, when Commander Qiao had stood up for his wife and “sparred” with those men, he was only a deputy company commander. Among the group, many held ranks equal to or even higher than his. Yet he had charged in without a second thought to defend his wife’s honor, completely unfazed by the potential impact on his career. Because of this unwavering devotion, others both envied and admired Wei Jiajia. They felt she had made an excellent choice in a husband—Commander Qiao clearly cherished her, treating her as the most precious thing in his life. This stood in stark contrast to their own lives, where they often felt destined only to the roles of housewives.

The woman speaking now remembered the details vividly. At the time, her husband had come home and sighed, remarking that Qiao Haoyu was a reckless young man who valued beauty more than ambition. If he continued to act so impulsively, all his hard-earned education would be for naught. Even with a college degree and exceptional martial skills, without the ability to navigate social complexities, he wouldn’t progress far.

Over the years, Commander Qiao had accumulated numerous military achievements, yet his promotions had been surprisingly slow. Even now, he was still just a regimental commander—a rank that hardly seemed to reflect his contributions. Some people attributed this to his wife, suggesting he would eventually come to regret his choices. But the woman didn’t share that opinion. What she observed was a couple perfectly content and happy with their life together.

She had never truly envied Wei Jiajia. After all, everyone had their own predetermined fate. Some were simply born lucky—blessed with a supportive family and a loving husband. That was just destiny, not something to breed jealousy. Most people lived lives grounded in the essentials—rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—simple, practical days.

“Is her brother married?” the short-haired woman asked again, her mind already working. If he wasn’t, she was considering introducing him to her husband’s younger sister. After all, the girl was a high school graduate and currently working as a primary school teacher—a respectable match.

She had heard that Commander Qiao’s wife came from a strong family background, and her own husband happened to be under Commander Qiao’s command. If this connection worked out, her husband’s superior would become his wife’s older brother-in-law—a development that could only be advantageous for his career.

But the older woman saw right through her thinly veiled scheme and offered a faint, knowing smile. “Don’t bother. It’s not going to happen. Plenty of people tried to pursue her brothers back then, and she turned them all down. I don’t think much has changed now. Both of her brothers are college graduates and working far from here. Would your family really allow your sister-in-law to marry someone so distant, barely seeing her husband for years?”

Hearing that he was a college graduate, the short-haired woman’s eyes briefly lit up with interest—but then dimmed again with practicality. Sure, she had her reasons for trying to arrange a match—hoping it might elevate her husband’s career—but her mother-in-law might not agree. That younger sister was the old woman’s precious darling. There was absolutely no way she would willingly let her marry someone living so far away.

Wei Jiajia remained blissfully unaware that after just one fleeting glimpse, someone was already considering her brother as a potential match. She and her husband quickly reached the mailroom, where she picked up the phone and dialed her sister’s workplace.

As soon as the call connected, Wei Jiajia swiftly stated her desire to speak with Wei Xiangnuan, clearly identifying herself.

It wasn’t long before the receiver was picked up again, and she heard Nuannuan’s slightly breathless voice on the other end—she had clearly hurried to answer the phone.

“Sister…”

Wei Jiajia began by inquiring about her sister’s well-being and her work, before transitioning to the real purpose of her call.

Nuannuan had initially assumed her sister was simply missing her and calling for a casual chat. She hadn’t anticipated hearing that their second brother had returned and that her sister wanted her to take some time off so the entire family could be together again. Even their eldest brother was making his way home. She readily agreed, explaining that she had just finished filming a movie and had some free time available.

Knowing her second brother was with her sister, Nuannuan asked to speak with him. After seven years of separation, it was the siblings’ first conversation in person. By the end of their brief exchange, both their eyes were a little red with emotion.

They didn’t speak for long before hanging up—Nuannuan needed to rush and request leave, then purchase a train ticket. There was no time to lose.

From the moment Wei Jiajia hung up the phone, knowing her sister would be coming home too, her spirits soared. She couldn’t recall the last time she had felt such unadulterated happiness. The prospect of her siblings reuniting after so many years filled her with such profound joy that she was certain she would be smiling even in her dreams.

Qiao Haoyu: …

He couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason… but he was feeling inexplicably annoyed!!!

---

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter