Chapter 23 – Setting Out to Join the Army

When Uncle Wen came back with the medicine, he was met with the sight of a table full of food.

Ye Tao smiled. “Uncle Wen, I made this cold-spiced rabbit and mushroom meat sauce myself. Please try them. I’ve also set some meat buns here for you—eat them while they’re still fresh.”

She was worried the old man might scrimp and eat spoiled food, which would harm his health.

Having lived half his life alone, Uncle Wen usually ate either at the state-run restaurant or casually filled his stomach with whatever he had. His acquaintance with Huo Tingwu had been by chance—he had once helped in the war zone and pulled Tingwu back from the brink of death. Later, during their talks, they discovered they were fellow townsmen. Since then, they had become close despite the age gap, keeping in touch even after returning home.

Now, seeing Tingwu with such a virtuous wife, Uncle Wen felt sincerely happy for him.

Heart full of comfort, he set the medicine down and began rummaging through the bookshelf, leaving the couple puzzled.

“Found it.” From a corner, he pulled out a box.

“This old man doesn’t have much to give you as a return gift. Take this—one day it might be useful.”

Without waiting, he eagerly picked up a piece of rabbit meat and popped it into his mouth. The irresistible aroma had been taunting him the whole time. One bite led to another, until he was licking the chili oil off his fingers.

“That fool Tingwu sure is lucky,” he thought.

Meanwhile, the couple stood stunned at the sight of the large ginseng root in their hands.

“Uncle Wen, this must be at least a hundred years old, right?” Ye Tao asked, astonished.

Gnawing on a meat bun, Uncle Wen calmly pinched his fingers in thought. “About a hundred and fifty years.”

About! He was calm, but they were shocked.

The box in Ye Tao’s hands suddenly felt impossibly heavy. “Uncle Wen, this is too valuable—we can’t accept it.”

With a dismissive wave, he said, “It’s useless to me anyway. Just take it—I still have more in storage.”

Only then did Ye Tao carefully tuck it away in her shoulder bag.

“Xiao Ye, how did you cook this rabbit? It tastes incredible,” Uncle Wen asked, utterly smitten with the flavor.

Since she had been worrying about how to thank him, Ye Tao quickly said, “I’ll write the recipe down for you. I’ll also add another version for spicy stir-frying. It works with chicken, duck, or goose too.”

“Good, good! Then this old man will really be blessed,” he said happily, already drooling at the thought of spicy stir-fried chicken, duck, and goose.

After bidding Uncle Wen farewell, Ye Tao decided to buy some fruit for the train. Dry rations alone were too choking.

The apples at the supply store were large and fragrant. She bought eight—four for the road, and the rest for little Miaomiao. She also noticed some newly styled hair clips, and picturing Miaomiao’s shiny black hair, she decisively bought two.

Sure enough, when Miaomiao received the gift, her little face flushed red with joy. “Thank you, Auntie!” She ran off happily to admire herself in the mirror.

“Taotao, you really shouldn’t have. She wanted one yesterday, but I didn’t agree. Now her wish has come true,” said Cao Shuya sincerely, full of gratitude.

Hair clips weren’t cheap, and though they doted on their daughter, even they only allowed themselves to buy one pair a month. Her sister-in-law’s thoughtfulness warmed her heart, making her regard Ye Tao even more fondly.

“It’s nothing—so long as Miaomiao likes it,” Ye Tao said, then played with the girl for a while before joining her sister-in-law in the kitchen to help with dinner.

“Sister-in-law, sorry to trouble you today,” she said, having just learned from Miaomiao that her sister-in-law had even swapped shifts to host them.

“What trouble? It’s rare for you two to come visit—I’m more than happy,” Cao Shuya laughed.

“Hehe, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

The two busied themselves in the kitchen until Tingwu came in, asking how he could help.

Ye Tao directed him to peel and shred the potatoes, and clean the celery.

After he left with the vegetables, Cao Shuya leaned close with a grin. “Taotao, how did you train him? The second brother is way too obedient.”

Her tone was half in jest, half genuinely curious. Ye Tao blushed. “I didn’t—he just wants to help.”

“Not bad. Much better than his older brother,” Cao Shuya sighed.

Ye Tao tilted her head curiously. “Eldest brother doesn’t help you with chores?”

“That’s not it…” Cao Shuya’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment. Whenever her husband helped, he always demanded “payment” afterward—sometimes nearly being caught by Miaomiao, which gave her quite the scare. Not wanting to share her awkward secret, she quickly changed the subject.

At noon, Huo Tingwen even came home early to join them.

After lunch, Ye Tao and Tingwu couldn’t afford to rest—they had to head straight to the city’s train station. Trains didn’t wait.

When it came time to part, Miaomiao clung to Ye Tao with teary eyes, unwilling to let go. In just half a day, the little girl had already decided her aunt was one of her favorite people.

Learning that Ye Tao was leaving, she sobbed in protest.

Ye Tao crouched down and promised, “I’ll send you a letter once we arrive.”

“You must!” Miaomiao sniffled.

After saying goodbye to the eldest brother’s family, the four of them set out again. The ride was easy, only half an hour to reach the city.

Tingwu asked his younger brothers to guard the luggage while he took his wife to the ticket counter.

“Comrade, hello. I’d like two tickets to Guangzhou. Station Master Qin told me to come. My name is Huo Tingwu—here’s my ID.” He handed over his officer’s certificate.

The clerk checked and confirmed his identity. “Two sleeper tickets to Guangzhou, departing at 4 p.m. today. Please keep them safe.”

Once the tickets were secured, Tingwu tucked them into his inner pocket and explained their background as they walked back.

“Station Master Qin’s real name is Qin Chuang. He was my comrade and fellow townsman at the border. We fought side by side in many battles—our bond is one of life and death. Later, due to injuries, he had to retire early. This time, I asked him to help get us sleeper tickets.”

“This time was too rushed. Next time we come back, let’s treat him to a meal or send him some specialties from the island as thanks,” Ye Tao suggested.

“My wife is the best. If we weren’t married already, I’d think we were of one mind,” Tingwu said warmly.

Ye Tao shot him a glare. “Behave—we’re in public.”

Instantly, he straightened up. “Yes, Comrade Ye. I will follow orders.”

She coughed softly, eyes curved in a faint smile that rippled through his heart.

At the station, leaving the bicycles with an attendant cost ten cents. Tingjie was reluctant to pay, so Tingfeng stayed behind to watch them, while he went in to see the couple off.

Since it was the departure station, no one was in a rush to board. People stood on the platform exchanging farewells.

“Third brother, tell our parents not to worry. As soon as we reach the island, Taotao and I will call home to report our safety.”

“Got it. Second brother, second sister-in-law—travel safely.”

Though soldiers patrolled the train, the crowds were so large that pickpockets were rampant. Some would rather risk jumping off a moving train than being caught.

A conductor walked along the platform blowing his whistle, signaling passengers to prepare for boarding.

Seeing this, Tingwu said, “We’ll head up now. You two be careful on the way back.”

With that, he grabbed the luggage and boarded the train with Ye Tao.