Chapter 2: First Time Arriving In Hong Kong

Ye Tianhui lay on the cold, damp beach, her ears filled with the sound of waves crashing against the shore, icy and merciless.

The sky was beginning to brighten faintly, the distant horizon bleak and desolate.

She knew she should get up and keep moving.

Judging by her direction, she should now be in the Yuen Long District of Hong Kong. As long as she got up, crossed Yuen Long, and entered the urban area, she would succeed.

Currently, Hong Kong was implementing a Touch Base Policy^[1]An immigration policy in British Hong Kong from 1974 to 1980 towards the refugee wave from the People’s Republic of China to British Hong Kong. Under the policy, illegal immigrants from China … Continue reading. As long as she reached the urban area or made contact with her relatives in Hong Kong, she could obtain a Hong Kong identity card and stay here.

But she was truly exhausted. She wanted to rest for a while.

Closing her eyes, she thought of the voice she heard when she was soaked in the icy seawater, nearly losing all will to fight.

That was the voice of the Sage.

She didn’t know why she had heard the Sage calling her name.

For that majestic emperor, she had always felt he was too deep and inscrutable for her to understand.

Why hadn’t seven urgent letters elicited even a single response? Was he deliberately letting her die?

Was he wary of her military power, simply biding his time in silence?

Or was her trip to Minzhou a meticulously planned trap, with Fenghuang Mountain meant to be her grave?

But these things could never be known anymore.

When she woke up, she had become a wailing infant, starving and tormented every day. After much hardship growing up, she struggled to learn to read and impatiently searched the sparse books in the impoverished library for the history that had once been hers.

However, after scouring records from every dynasty and secretly consulting history professors, she finally understood. The history recorded today had no trace of the Dazhao Kingdom.

This world had vast yellow sands and towering mountains but no longer the emperor who once ruled over heaven and earth. Nor was there any legend of the Ye family’s century-long military campaigns across thousands of miles.

Ye Tianhui had spent a long time coming to terms with the fact that her desperate battle at Minzhou, her month-long siege in the sorrowful city, and her leap into the abyss below Fenghuang Mountain were merely memories imprinted in her mind.

Perhaps it had all been a dream that never existed at all.

She now had a new life, in an entirely new world.

A gust of sea wind blew past. The September air was bitterly cold, and she sneezed in her soaked clothes.

She turned over and finally got up.

First, she felt for the plastic bag tied to her calf. It was a packaging bag from a convenience store in Bao’an County where she had bought biscuits. She had wrapped all her belongings in it, sealed it tightly, and tied it to her calf with a cloth strip.

Inside were some Hong Kong dollars, not much—just over a hundred, money she had saved up over the years and exchanged on the black market.

When she checked, fortunately, the hundred-plus dollars were still intact. This was her capital for survival in Hong Kong.

Aside from the two hundred Hong Kong dollars, she also had two chocolate bars, which she had bought at a high price.

Recently, rumors had been rampant, and countless people were trying to cross the border. Food at the local convenience store had sold out, and she had spent quite a bit to secure those two chocolate bars.

But it was all worth it. She was now cold and hungry and urgently needed to replenish her strength.

She swallowed a chocolate bar. It was too sweet and made her thirsty, so she used her hands to catch some rainwater to drink.

After eating and drinking, she felt a bit more energized. She carefully stashed the remaining two hundred dollars and then pulled a small knife from her left calf. It was just an ordinary small knife, but it was a knife nonetheless.

Using it, she cut off the ping-pong balls tied to her body. The ping-pong balls had been tightly woven together with thin strips of cowhide to prevent them from scattering. The weaving had been intricate, and it took some effort to cut them apart.

After cutting them loose, she also cleaned off the seaweed and debris sticking to her.

While cleaning, she found a tiny shrimp stuck to her clothes. It was transparent and wriggled around in her palm.

She thought the shrimp was pitiful. Looking out at the sea, she saw the early morning waters were gray and murky, with waves crashing in succession.

Standing on the sand, she walked forward and released the tiny shrimp back into the sea with a wave.

In her past life, she had waged countless battles, taking more lives than she could count. She had never been a compassionate person. But now, after such a harrowing experience, she felt a newfound sympathy for all living things. Since they had crossed paths, she thought, she might as well give it a chance to live.

Leaving the beach, she began heading toward the farmland ahead.

Plan first, act later; know when to stop and what to gain. Before deciding to take this path, Ye Tianhui had made meticulous preparations. She had not only gathered Hong Kong dollars and ping-pong balls but also waterproof plastic bags and a lot of information.

She had memorized route maps and topographical charts and gathered other key details.

As she walked, she observed the terrain, deducing that she was now in Yuen Long, Hong Kong. Yuen Long was the northwesternmost district in Hong Kong, a plain area surrounded on three sides by mountains.

According to Hong Kong’s current Touch Base Policy, people like her needed to escape south of Jiexian Street^[2]Boundary Street or find relatives in Hong Kong. Then they could go to the immigration registration office in Admiralty to apply for legal residency in Hong Kong.

She had no relatives in Hong Kong, so she had to reach Jiexian Street. Jiexian Street was on Tai Po Road in the Sham Shui Po District, about twenty kilometers from here.

In the process, she needed to avoid patrols and not be caught by the Hong Kong police for deportation. If she managed that, she would succeed.

However, it was evident that relying on herself to trek over the twenty-some kilometers would not be easy. First, she wasn’t familiar with the terrain here. Second, her clothing likely carried a strong rural mainland aura, which Hong Kong locals would recognize at a glance. It was said that most Hong Kong residents were relatively friendly toward people from the mainland, but the patrol police would show no mercy. She had no confidence in avoiding their notice.

Thus, for her, the best course of action was to find a local snakehead^[3]Human Smuggler.

More than thirty years ago, Hong Kong was actually part of Shenzhen’s Bao’an County. There were countless ties between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and over the years, people from Bao’an County flocked to Hong Kong like schools of fish crossing a river. Naturally, this gave rise to those who profited from it.

These Hong Kong snakeheads facilitated people’s passage to Hong Kong in exchange for money.

Having spent some time in Shenzhen, Ye Tianhui had inquired around and managed to obtain contact information for a snakehead in the Yuen Long area.

But first, she needed to make contact with them.

By now, the heavy rain had turned into a drizzle, a fine mist of rain falling. Ye Tianhui wiped the water from her face and began stepping toward the farmland further inland.

This area was likely Hong Kong’s outskirts, quite remote. At first glance, there were green mountains, clear water, farmland, and ponds. Amid the drizzle, it was quite picturesque, and everything appeared no different from the rural countryside of the mainland.

The only difference was the visible signs of road construction. Word had it that Yuen Long was being developed into a new town, with plans for bridges and roads. Now, it seemed to be true.

As she gazed and walked, she noticed an elderly woman ahead. The woman wore a traditional Chinese top, cropped pants, and had her hair styled in a bun at the back of her head.

Ye Tianhui was slightly surprised but not entirely. It seemed that although Hong Kong was a bustling metropolis, there were still rural areas retaining the same traditions as the mainland.

The elderly woman was holding an umbrella and carrying a basket in the crook of her arm as she walked forward. Upon suddenly spotting Ye Tianhui, she was also surprised.

The elderly woman clearly identified Ye Tianhui’s origin at a glance. “You better leave quickly, go now, or the Guka Bing will come and catch you!”

Ye Tianhui didn’t understand Cantonese before, but during her time in Guangdong, she had learned some. Although the elderly woman spoke quickly and she couldn’t fully comprehend it, she understood the term “Guka Bing.” These were Nepalese soldiers hired by the British Army, known in English as Gurkhas.

Nepalese soldiers, known for their bravery and combat skills, had become elite mercenaries globally. In Hong Kong, the Gurkhas were employed by the British to guard borders and handle emergencies.

She immediately gestured and spoke in broken Cantonese, “Granny, I want to ask, do you have a phone? I need to contact relatives.”

The elderly woman waved her hand, clearly refusing. Ye Tianhui then asked about the streets nearby, hoping to find a public phone there.

Seeing Ye Tianhui’s persistence, the elderly woman finally said, “I’ll take you there.”

Hearing this, Ye Tianhui expressed her gratitude in Cantonese, saying, “M̀h’gōi.^[4]In Cantonese, “唔該” literally means “not obligated” or “ought not to”. It’s an abbreviation of the phrase “麻烦你真唔应该” meaning “should not be troubling you” or … Continue reading” She knew it meant thank you. The elderly woman waved her hand and gestured for her to follow. As they walked, the elderly woman chattered about various things.

Her accent was heavy, and Ye Tianhui could only half-understand. From what she gathered, the elderly woman had encountered many people like her over the years, most of them men. Quite a few had drowned. Being kind-hearted, she would give these people something to eat.

However, the elderly woman clearly disapproved of such actions, repeatedly emphasizing, “You should go back. You’ll live longer there. At least you’ll have food to eat!”

Soon, the elderly woman brought Ye Tianhui to their village. The village had single-story houses and some two-story buildings with slanted gray-tiled roofs and white walls whose original color was no longer visible. At the village entrance were piles of discarded paint barrels.

The elderly woman pointed in a direction and said, “There’s a phone there.”

Following her gaze, Ye Tianhui looked over and was surprised. Beyond the old and weathered village stood towering high-rises and brightly lit signs, exuding the unmistakable air of capitalist decadence.

The elderly woman brought out a pair of old cloth shoes and a yellowed white short-sleeved shirt for Ye Tianhui. She had no shoes, and her wet clothes clung to her uncomfortably, cold and sticky. Receiving these items felt like a lifeline in the snow.

Having received such help, Ye Tianhui didn’t dare delay the elderly woman further. She solemnly thanked her.

The elderly woman seemed to understand only parts of her words but was visibly anxious, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. She gestured hurriedly, indicating, “You should go quickly.”

Not wanting to trouble her further, Ye Tianhui expressed her thanks again and quickly headed toward the street.

Seeing hope ahead, she walked faster. Before long, she reached the street and found herself in a scene utterly different from the mainland.

Skyscrapers towered overhead, streets lined with countless signs. Shops sold all kinds of food and clothing, as well as electronics. Shoppers’ outfits were varied.

Some dressed simply, similar to mainlanders, while others were exceptionally fashionable.

Ye Tianhui even spotted a tall young person wearing a white shirt, jeans, and sunglasses. Their trendy appearance was striking, though it was hard to discern their gender.

By now, daylight had fully broken. Many eateries along the street emitted steam, and enticing aromas wafted into Ye Tianhui’s nose.

She glanced around and saw vendors selling Wing Wah cakes, wife cakes, beef brisket noodles, fried fish skin, and grass jelly.

Her mouth watered at the sight, but she managed to control herself.

The old woman just mentioned that the Gurkhas have their base stationed around Yuen Long, so this area likely has Gurkhas or their families scattered everywhere.

Ye Tianhui understood that she must be cautious to avoid drawing their attention.

She first went to a secluded corner, took out two ten-dollar Hong Kong banknotes from her leg bindings, and then walked casually along the street, pretending to be an ordinary citizen of the area. Perhaps the old woman’s clothing played a role, as no one seemed to notice anything amiss.

She quickly slipped into a corner where there was a jewelry store display. At the corner, an old man was selling newspapers and magazines, with a telephone booth set up nearby for making calls. She walked over, handed the money, and indicated she wanted to make a call.

The old man glanced at her slowly, said nothing, and handed her change after taking the money.

Ye Tianhui, holding the phone, quickly dialed the number she had memorized. A coarse, gruff voice came through on the other end: “Who are you looking for?”

Ye Tianhui, too tired to speak Cantonese, responded directly in Mandarin: “I’m from the mainland. I want to touch base.”

The person on the other end instantly understood and switched to Mandarin: “Do you have money?”

Ye Tianhui: “How much do you want?”

The snakehead said: “1,000 Hong Kong dollars.”

Ye Tianhui: “…”

So much! That amount would be 10,000 yuan in the mainland! If she had that much, why would she need to come to Hong Kong at all?

She took a deep breath. “I don’t have that much.”

The snakehead responded: “How much do you have?”

Ye Tianhui: “I originally had 200, but I spent 50. I only have 150 left. Forget it, I’ll find someone else—you’re too expensive.”

The snakehead asked: “Are you a girl?”

Ye Tianhui knew “girl” meant female and replied, “Yes.”

The snakehead said, “You can pay 150 first and owe the remaining 850.”

Ye Tianhui raised an eyebrow. “That works.”

After reaching an agreement, the snakehead asked for Ye Tianhui’s location and promised to come and pick her up.

During the wait, Ye Tianhui found a public restroom where she quickly hid the rest of her remaining change, leaving only 150 HKD. If the snakehead came, she would give him that.

She couldn’t risk having no money left—it would leave her starving. But she also couldn’t let the snakehead know she had any additional money. Snakeheads often had connections with local gangs, and with her appearance, they might harbor malicious intentions.

Returning to the newspaper stand, the snakehead hadn’t arrived yet. Bored, Ye Tianhui started flipping through the magazines. The colorful covers were different from the serious and proper newspapers in the mainland.

She saw magazines like 《Wuxia World》, 《Old Master Q》, and one titled 《Hong Kong Celebrities》. On the cover of 《Hong Kong Celebrities》 was a photo of a stylish woman, with bold headlines next to her reading something like “The Gu and Ye Families Unite in Marriage: Ye Wenyin Snags a Rich Husband.”

Ye Tianhui quickly found the corresponding page and opened it. Hong Kong used traditional Chinese characters, similar to what her era used, so she could read them easily.

The article was about Ye Wenyin, her “mother’s” biological daughter, the one who had taken her place in Hong Kong. The report detailed her.

It stated that due to connections between Elder Gu and Elder Ye, the two families had arranged a marriage. According to photos taken by the media, just the previous day, Gu Family’s young master Gu Zhixin and Ye Family’s sixth young lady Ye Wenyin attended an event together, appearing to be dating. If so, Ye Wenyin might marry into the Gu Family and become the young mistress.

As she read on, the article delved into the Gu Family’s background and wealth. Although some of the terms were unfamiliar, she understood that the Gu Family was wealthy and influential, comparable to a duke’s family in her era.

Ye Tianhui returned to the cover. The woman on the cover—Ye Wenyin—had her hair styled with gel, curled into waves, wore fashionable platform shoes, and accessorized with shiny gold jewelry. She looked quite pretty.

Beside Ye Wenyin was Gu Zhixin. As for Gu Zhixin’s appearance—

Ye Tianhui examined closely and thought Gu Zhixin was excessively good-looking.

His facial features resembled a delicately drawn gongbi painting, with skin like top-grade cold white porcelain. His defined jawline and long neck were complemented by an elegant and expensive white suit, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Standing next to Ye Wenyin, he appeared high-class and elegant, the epitome of a fairytale prince.

When she was younger, scavenging for scraps to sell, she once found a discarded comic book. The Western comics in it depicted small colorful characters, and the princes in them looked just like this.

She always thought those were just illustrations, that such beauty couldn’t exist in the real world. Yet here it was.

But Gu Zhixin clearly had an arrogant demeanor. He seemed to look down on everything, his attitude haughty.

As Ye Tianhui was engrossed, a voice from the side said, “Is that you?”

She turned toward the voice and saw a man in a floral shirt, tattooed arms, and a shiny shaved head.

She nodded. “It’s me.”

The snakehead scanned her quickly, his eyes sweeping over her figure. Then he licked his cheek and said, “Follow me.”