Axolotl Translations

So, that’s that.

A few days later, Huo Yunyuan came to pick Shen Jingque up from work. The moment he got in the car, Shen Jingque asked, “Boyfriend, how’s the prep going for our project?”

“…” Huo Yunyuan sighed silently, helpless against the teasing. This cheeky little bird had figured out he wouldn’t retaliate in public and had been getting bolder by the day.

“You’re being kinda cold, boyfriend,” Shen Jingque said, covering his mouth with a laugh.

Huo Yunyuan gripped the steering wheel tightly and shot back calmly, “Just wait till we get home. Then you’ll see how cold I really am.”

Thinking about last night, Shen Jingque instinctively tightened up and immediately stopped messing around. He behaved himself. After all, Huo Yunyuan held grudges—and always made sure to settle the score.

The car pulled up to a large pharmacy, and Huo Yunyuan parked.

“Huh? Are you sick or something?” Shen Jingque looked out the window, confused.

“You’re the one who told me to hurry up and get the project ready, remember?” Huo Yunyuan glanced at him. “I’m here to pick up some tools.”

Shen Jingque blinked, then immediately got it. His ears turned red and he clenched his fingers. “Well, I should come too… I mean, I am one of the project leads…”

“Sure. Let’s go together.” Huo Yunyuan smiled when he noticed Little Feather putting on a mask before getting out of the car—clearly embarrassed. Still nosy even when he’s shy.

“What are you laughing at?!” Shen Jingque stuffed both hands into his coat pockets, clearly nervous. When he noticed Huo Yunyuan smirking at him, he gave him a light kick. “If you laugh again, I’m not going in. I’ll leave you to face the cashier all by yourself.”

“Please, you think I’d be scared? My skin’s not as thin as yours,” Huo Yunyuan replied smoothly.

Fair enough—Shen Jingque couldn’t argue with that. Once they got inside, he instantly turned into a quiet little quail, keeping his lips tightly shut and eyes wide as he watched Huo Yunyuan pick that thing off the shelf.

Huo Yunyuan wasn’t fazed by the cashier’s looks. What got to him was Shen Jingque’s intense, silent staring. Never in his life had he imagined buying these things with his boyfriend in tow. A wave of guilt washed over him again.

Once they were back in the car, Shen Jingque finally took off his mask and casually glanced at the bag.

When they got home and Shen Jingque tried to head inside empty-handed, Huo Yunyuan stopped him and pointed to the bag. “Aren’t you gonna carry the supplies?”

Only then did Shen Jingque reach out and awkwardly pinch the bag between two fingers. As soon as they got upstairs, he tossed it onto the nightstand—then, not satisfied, stuffed it in the drawer for good measure.

“Little Feather, where’s our project gear?” Later that evening, Huo Yunyuan looked around the room, not seeing what he needed, and called out to his co-lead.

A startled Shen Jingque peeked his head out from the bathroom. “Wha—so soon?”

Huo Yunyuan bit back a laugh, feeling like he’d finally won a round. He teased, “Why not? Didn’t you rush me to buy it? Don’t tell me you’re chickening out now.”

Shen Jingque thought for a second. “Alright, why not.”

“?” Huo Yunyuan turned to look at him.

“What, don’t tell me you’re the one who can’t handle it?” Shen Jingque saw him hesitate and instantly got fired up, forgetting all about his own nerves.

“You have work tomorrow.”

“I could take the day off,” Shen Jingque mused, then raised an eyebrow. “Actually, you think you’re confident enough to make me take the day off?”

Before Huo Yunyuan could walk over and teach him a lesson, Shen Jingque slammed the bathroom door shut. From inside came the sound of smug laughter.

“You sure you wanna be that cocky?” Huo Yunyuan’s voice came through the door, calm as ever. “Think you can last long in there?”

The laughter stopped cold. Shen Jingque’s expression shifted into an awkward grimace.

Knowing when to bend and when to yield, he emerged after his shower looking as sweet and well-behaved as possible. “I admit… my tone earlier might’ve been a bit much,” he said, tugging at the hem of his pajamas.

But Huo Yunyuan wasn’t buying the innocent act. He smiled slightly, cupped Shen Jingque’s chin, and kissed him—deeply.

Leaning into his arms, Shen Jingque felt like even the air around them was rebelling against him, refusing to be breathed—like every breath he could take was something Huo Yunyuan had allowed, filled with his scent. It made his head spin.

Very quickly, Shen Jingque realized this kiss was different from every kiss before. This time, Huo Yunyuan was serious… and just as he had that thought, he was swept off his feet.

“Little Feather,” Huo Yunyuan murmured, voice low and warm, eyes so deep they made Shen Jingque’s heart race. “If you nod, I’ll carry you to bed. You…”

Before he could even finish, Shen Jingque nodded quickly, biting his lip as his face flushed red.

Huo Yunyuan chuckled softly, unable to resist kissing him again. “You’re so good. I love you.”

“Mhm…” Shen Jingque blinked slowly, breathing tangled with his, neither of them willing to close their eyes. They just stared at each other, unable to look away.

The clothes Shen Jingque had just put on were soon peeled away again under Huo Yunyuan’s hands. He wasn’t one to fall behind, though—his hands were just as quick, just as bold.

To keep him from getting too embarrassed, Huo Yunyuan turned off the main light and left only the warm bedside lamp on. The amber glow softened the room, wrapping it in warmth. It was the kind of atmosphere that made it impossible not to fall deeper.

Their fingers intertwined, and between kisses and whispered sweet nothings, their lips curled with happiness.

That was the first part. Once they got to the main event, though, Shen Jingque couldn’t laugh anymore. His face twisted just like the character in those “educational materials,” and his voice turned tragically dramatic. But to be fair, it wasn’t just from the pain. There were other feelings in the mix, ones that needed to be expressed that way. It was a completely natural response…

“Little Feather,” Huo Yunyuan murmured gently, kissing the sweat from between his brows. “You okay?”

It sounded like a riddle, one with no subject, no object—but it didn’t need any.

“I’m okay…” Shen Jingque shook his head, eyes starting to glaze over. His hand, resting on Huo Yunyuan’s shoulder, instinctively pulled him in closer.

“Alright.” Huo Yunyuan had been holding back this whole time, completely focused on Little Feather’s experience. He hadn’t really thought much about himself—this was about helping Little Feather accept everything. And ideally, enjoy it. Otherwise, this whole “project” might be permanently on hold.

Shen Jingque could feel how careful Huo Yunyuan was being, and he was touched. But honestly, there was no need to be that cautious. Something like this should be fun for both people.

“Ahem… this might sound kinda weird, but… you can be a little more manly, you know.” Shen Jingque said, raising an arm to slick back his sweat-damp hair. Even now, he couldn’t resist teasing Huo Yunyuan. “I’m not that fragile; I won’t break.”

Huo Yunyuan laughed in exasperation. “Who do you think I’ve been being careful for…” Fine. If someone’s not going to appreciate his kindness, he might as well show them just how “dangerous” people can be.

Shen Jingque frowned, trying to hold it in. Who do you think I’m doing this for, you block of wood? I was thinking of your first time, alright?!

“…Forget it. I can’t bear to be rough.” Huo Yunyuan gave up the idea of revenge and instead just held him close, kissing him gently.

When both people cared about each other and worked together, it was hard not to have a beautiful first time.

The only real downside, Shen Jingque thought, was that Huo Yunyuan was just way too… chatty. So many questions. All the time.

Afterward, lying on the bed, Huo Yunyuan looked over at the flushed, sweaty Little Feather and asked, “So, Little Feather… are you one of the happy individuals or the unhappy ones?”

Shen Jingque really wanted to throw a pillow at him—but his arm was too sore. He’d had it wrapped around Huo Yunyuan’s neck earlier, and now he could barely lift it.

He rolled his eyes (or tried to), but the moment his gaze landed on Huo Yunyuan’s face, his heart softened. “Uncle Huo, you were amazing.”

Huo Yunyuan’s face darkened immediately. “Who are you calling uncle?” He was only, what, ten years older?

“Oh? You don’t like ‘uncle’? What, would you prefer daddy? Is that more your style?”

“…You little menace.”

After a beat of quiet, Shen Jingque elbowed him lightly. “No, seriously. You were… really good.”

“…” Huo Yunyuan looked down at him.

Those wide, sparkly eyes, that shy smile—it was definitely sincere.

“Are you gonna take the day off tomorrow?” Huo Yunyuan asked as he pulled the blanket up and snuggled his boyfriend close.

“Don’t think I need to.” Shen Jingque added quickly, “Not to diss you or anything! You were just… really gentle.” He blushed again and pulled the blanket up over his mouth.

“Watch that mouth.” Huo Yunyuan grinned and nipped at his lips. “Let’s take the day off anyway. I’ll stay home with you.”

Shen Jingque gave him a sideways look. “Just say you wanna skip work.”

Huo Yunyuan looked at him, stayed silent for a second, then sighed and admitted, “Yeah… I wanna skip work.”

Shen Jingque nodded. “Alright, I’ll allow it. You’ve earned a lazy day.”

Huo Yunyuan didn’t need to notify anyone about taking a break. But for someone like him—a total workaholic—an unannounced absence was bound to raise eyebrows.

[You’re not in today?] Fu Shaoheng and Jiang Ye both messaged, one after the other. [What happened?]

Normally, even if he couldn’t show up, Huo Yunyuan would at least let them know where he was. But today… he was acting way out of character.

Huo Yunyuan: [Nothing really, just took the day off.]

Fu Shaoheng: [I just tried ordering coffee and Jingque’s not at work either. You two calling in sick together? Seriously, nothing going on?]

Huo Yunyuan: [Seriously. Nothing.]

Fu Shaoheng: [Is Jingque okay? You’re such a bad liar. You think I can’t tell?]

He was fishing. Worst-case scenario, he’d apologize if he got it wrong. Chances were slim—maybe thirty percent at best—but worth the shot.

Huo Yunyuan stared at the message. He thought it over carefully. At this point, there was no real reason to keep Jingque a secret. Might as well go with the flow and come clean.

Huo Yunyuan: [So… you already know?]

Fu Shaoheng: [????????]

And just like that, Huo Yunyuan accidentally came out to his friend. He put down his phone and looked at the sleeping Shen Jingque curled up beside him, alternating between zoning out and rubbing the weird ache in his chest. Yep. Staying home today was the right call. If he’d gone out, someone might’ve seen how mushy he was acting.

“Wait, WHAT?” Shen Jingque finally woke up around noon, only to find out that Huo Yunyuan had not only outed them—but also planned a dinner tonight with friends. He clenched his teeth. “You couldn’t have told me before making a life-altering decision like that?!” He was one of the project leads, damn it!

He grabbed a pillow and started smacking Huo Yunyuan, who dodged around the bed, begging for mercy. When things finally calmed down, Huo Yunyuan sat up and said seriously, “Okay, then I’m telling you now. President Shen, do you approve?”

Shen Jingque liked the title. He tossed the pillow aside, nodded like a boss. “Fine. I’ll let it go this time. But next time, show some respect.” He cracked up right after—but pointed at Huo Yunyuan, warning him not to laugh. Laugh, and he’d get hit again.

“I’ll go get your towel. Already put toothpaste on your brush,” Huo Yunyuan said, looking super proud, like: See how good I am to you?

“You should do that,” Shen Jingque grumbled. The moment he got out of bed, his whole body ached. Yep—he’d been way too stubborn yesterday. Taking the day off was absolutely the right move.

They grabbed a light lunch, then headed out in the afternoon to pick up their two “uncles” from the office. That night, dinner was simple: Shen Jingque ate, while Huo Yunyuan got lectured.

Jiang Ye and Fu Shaoheng took turns scolding him. “How could you pull something like this?”

“Do you even have a moral compass?!”

Finally, Shen Jingque spoke up with a calm smile. “Uncles, don’t be mad at him. I’m the one who chased him down. I even threatened to die if he said no.” Then he ladled some soup into Huo Yunyuan’s bowl. “You must be starving. Eat up.”

Both uncles stared: “…”

Let’s be real—knowing how slick Shen Jingque was, there was no way he got taken advantage of. More likely, he’d sweet-talked Huo Yunyuan into submission. They didn’t need to worry.

Huo Yunyuan knew they were only concerned. But honestly? No need. This little guy was the one he’d raised with care since childhood—someone he wanted to protect like fragile glass, too precious to risk even a scratch.

A little while later, they came clean to the family too—no more secrets, no more stress. And finally, the endless pressure to get married stopped.

Shen Jingque, on the other hand, didn’t think there was any rush. When Huo Yunyuan asked why he wasn’t in a hurry, was it because he didn’t want to go public?

“…” Shen Jingque thought to himself, My circle’s tiny. Who am I even supposed to come out to? You want me to fly to the mountains and chirp about it to the birds?

Men in love can be ridiculous sometimes.

That year on New Year’s Eve, Huo Yunyuan actually brought Shen Jingque home. He told his family, “I didn’t bring back a daughter-in-law—but you’re gaining another son.” Later, in private, he explained that Shen Jingque didn’t have any family left. And no matter what anyone thought, he was going to take care of him. That wasn’t up for debate.

Outside the window, Shen Jingque was playing in the snow like he’d never seen it before—laughing, throwing snowballs, just having fun. His world was simple. Not weighed down by worries or overthinking. He only came back inside when he’d had enough fun—and immediately stuck to Huo Yunyuan like glue.

“Huo Yunyuan, what’s your New Year’s wish? I’ll write it in the snow for you!” he said, waving a stick like it was a magic wand.

Huo Yunyuan pulled his snowball of a boyfriend into a hug and said sincerely, “I wish for good health and a long life… so I can stay with you as long as possible.”

Shen Jingque wrapped his arms around him tightly and nodded. “Alright then! Your little bird god has heard your wish. Consider yourself blessed!”

(END)

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