Chapter 26: Arrival in Guangzhou City

The middle-aged man expressed his gratitude to Ye Tao. Just as he was about to buy a replacement ticket, the conductor came over. If it had been a moment later, he would have had to pay for another ticket, and although the cost would be reimbursed by his work unit, it was still unnecessary trouble.

In that urgent moment, he hadn’t known how to prove that the ticket was his—thankfully, she helped.

“Hello, my name is Cai Wenzhe. Here’s my card.”

Ye Tao accepted it. The card bore the logo of the Shanghai Publishing House. She handed it to Huo Tingwu to keep.

The conductor worked quickly. While they chatted, the carriage had already been cleaned spotless, with fresh bedding laid out.

Finally, Ye Tao felt she could sit down in peace.

Huo Tingwu peeled an orange, carefully removing all the white threads. “Here, Taotao.”

Ye Tao popped a segment into her mouth. The juice burst out instantly. “So sweet. You try one too.”

She fed him a piece. “Mm, it is sweet.”

Sitting by the aisle, Cai Wenzhe felt like he was already full just from watching them. He couldn’t help missing his own wife.

“Are you going to Guangzhou City as well?” he asked.

Ye Tao’s mouth was busy with orange, so she didn’t reply.

“Yes,” Huo Tingwu answered.

His face was stern with outsiders, but whenever he looked at Ye Tao, it softened.

They exchanged a few dry words. Then the dining cart was pushed over by a staff member. Having gone hungry all day, Cai Wenzhe quickly bought a boxed meal. Only after eating hot food did he feel alive again.

Huo Tingwu bought two meals as well. The meat buns they’d brought were gone, and eating plain mantou alone was too dry. It was good to change flavors.

The boxed meals were generous in portion, though the taste was somewhat bland. Ye Tao brought out a jar of spicy cold rabbit to go with it.

Just as they were eating, a voice drifted over:
“Comrade Ye, may I try some of what’s in your jar?”

Afraid she might think he wanted to freeload, Cai Wenzhe raised the money ticket in his hand. “I can pay.”

It wasn’t just greed—he couldn’t help himself. The fragrant spicy aroma was so tempting, especially since he loved spicy food. He thickened his skin and asked.

Ye Tao smiled. “No problem, I’ll pour you some. Otherwise it’ll spoil if we can’t finish it.”

She generously poured him half a jar, refusing his money. But Cai Wenzhe insisted, leaving the money on the table before eating the rabbit hungrily.

Though cold, the dish wasn’t greasy at all—fragrant, spicy, and dry in the best way, the kind that made you want to swallow your tongue along with it.

“Comrade Ye, what meat is this?” He chewed thoughtfully, unable to place it.

“It’s rabbit. Cold spicy rabbit.”

Rabbit! No wonder the texture was different. The name itself was interesting too. He savored the last bite slowly, still recalling the flavor. “Comrade Ye, your cooking is excellent.”

No new passengers boarded their carriage. Until they disembarked, it was just the three of them.

Guangzhou’s weather was as stifling as ever. Ye Tao felt like she had stepped into a steam room.

Carrying three heavy bags, Huo Tingwu reminded her to stay close. The train station in Guangzhou was crowded and chaotic. If she got lost, it would be like a little lamb falling into a den of wolves.

The first order of business was food. They went straight to a state-run restaurant.

Huo Tingwu ordered several local specialties, which were soon served.

“Taotao, try these. See if you like the flavor. It’s lighter here.”

Drooling over the spread of Cantonese dishes, Ye Tao was thrilled. “I like it. I’m not picky.”

Back in her old life, she had loved Cantonese dim sum. She had even traveled to Guangzhou more than once just to enjoy a proper morning tea.

Huo Tingwu smiled slightly. True enough—though she was slim, he had never seen her turn down food.

Ye Tao ate happily—shrimp dumplings, rice noodle rolls—more than she’d eaten in days. After finishing the last sip of soup, she leaned back in satisfaction.

“Want some more?” Huo Tingwu asked, still putting food into her bowl.

“No, I’m full.”

She had already eaten a basket of shrimp dumplings, a plate of rice rolls, and a bowl of soup—far more than usual. Yet he always thought she hadn’t eaten enough. A sweet burden, but still a burden.

Huo Tingwu frowned slightly. Could she really be full with just that?

Ye Tao raised her brows and smiled. “I’m full. Why wouldn’t I eat if I were hungry? I’m not stupid.”

Seeing she was truly full, he didn’t press further. He mostly worried about her adjusting to the local food and water. Back when he first arrived, it had taken him half a month to adapt.

After the meal, they found a guesthouse. Since they had nothing set up yet, they planned to stay one night, then shop for necessities before heading to the island.

“Comrade, here are our introduction letter and marriage certificate.”

Carefully, Huo Tingwu handed over the certificate as if it were a priceless treasure.

The clerk, seeing his seriousness, also became serious. A simple check-in ended up feeling like signing a million-yuan contract.

“All set. First room on the left up the stairs. Here are your documents. Enjoy your stay,” the clerk said.

Carrying the luggage, Huo Tingwu let Ye Tao take the documents back with a smile. They went upstairs, locked the door, and finally relaxed.

He tucked their marriage certificate safely into his satchel. Such a valuable document was not to be left behind.

The day their marriage report was approved, they had gone to collect their certificate with the introduction letter.

Unlike later generations’ little red booklets, marriage certificates of this era were a single sheet of paper, simply listing the couple’s information—with no photos at all.

The staff member handed it to them. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.” Huo Tingwu passed out candies he had brought. The staff’s blessings became warmer at once.

As soon as they left the registration office, he carefully put the certificate away.

Afterward, they went to the only photo studio in town for pictures. Such a major life moment deserved to be recorded.

Ye Tao, with her background as a food blogger, was natural in front of the lens. Huo Tingwu, however, looked stiff and awkward, not knowing how to pose.

The photographer, long used to this, said, “Comrade, no need to be nervous. Just imagine the camera is your wife. Look this way, lift the corners of your mouth. A wedding is a happy occasion—smile!”

Being corrected in front of Ye Tao only made him more uncomfortable.

Seeing that the photos would be useless if it went on, Ye Tao took his hand gently, encouraging him to relax.

He drew a deep breath. It’s just a photo, nothing harder than facing enemies in battle.

Thinking that way, he managed a small smile. The photographer swiftly captured it. “Perfect.”

They paid extra for express service and received the photos the same afternoon.

Back home, his mother was very pleased.

Ye Tao liked them too. Though black and white, both of them were smiling, the picture radiating warmth.

Huo Tingwu kept the photos close to him. Whenever he was on duty and missed home, he would take them out for a look, as if Ye Tao were always right there by his side.