Chapter 15 – Island Home (Part 1)

On Qiongzhou Island, many of the residents were from Guangdong Province. Over the past few years, a good number of educated youth had also come down as part of the “Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside” movement.

In the First Division of the corps where Lu Wei was stationed, many of his comrades were from Guangzhou. However, few of their families were willing to accompany them to the island.

Some would make the trip once a month, often bringing along preserved local delicacies like cured meats, chicken biscuits, or “wife cakes” to share with their loved ones.

Fortunately, travel between Guangzhou and Qiongzhou Island was relatively convenient. There was a daily ferry that went straight to the island, no need to transfer or detour.

Though the journey took thirty hours, the ferry could reach the port directly.

Still, from what Lu Wei knew, most family members refused to move to the island mainly because of the language barrier.

As they often said: it was like a chicken trying to talk to a duck.

They couldn’t understand each other at all.

In terms of development, Guangzhou and Qiongzhou Island were worlds apart—one sky, one earth.

On his journey south, Lu Wei had been worrying about whether his talkative mother would scare off his new wife.

But now that his mother was away on a business trip, that meeting would have to wait.

What really worried him now was how excited Ye Zhi looked when she saw bustling Guangzhou.

She looked like… she didn’t want to leave.

And Ye Zhi wasn’t even paying attention to his furrowed brow anymore. She smiled, picked up her clothes, and walked into the bathroom.

She remembered Lu Wei had said it himself before: if she didn’t want to go to Qiongzhou Island, she could stay in Guangzhou with his mother.

So why was he now acting like he had a toothache?

Well, she was just planning to shop a little—it wasn’t like she was actually staying behind. Let him stew if he wanted.

Before long, Ye Zhi came out in clean clothes with freshly washed hair.

A sweet scent instantly filled the small room.

Smiling, she said, “So convenient! Big cities really are something. Even the guesthouse has running water for showers!”

Lu Wei, who was packing their luggage, darkened his expression further. His face was even more sullen than before.

Ye Zhi ignored his moody look and turned toward Ye Xiaoding.

“Go rinse off, quick! You stink!” she said, still drying her hair as she walked over to help him find a change of clothes.

Xiaoding had been standing by the window, staring in awe at the harbor. There were massive ferries in the distance, some even two or three stories tall, and huge cargo ships coming in and out. He had never seen anything like it!

Hearing Ye Zhi’s words, he quickly grabbed a clean set of clothes and ran straight into the bathroom.

“Don’t forget to use soap!” Ye Zhi called out.

Meanwhile, Lu Wei was silently watching Ye Zhi towel-dry her long black hair. It was the first time he’d seen her with her hair down—until now, she’d always kept it braided neatly.

Even when sleeping on the train, she’d kept her hair tied back.

Now, with her hair cascading over her shoulders, it was… hard to ignore.

Just then, a small voice called out from the bathroom.

“Auntie! There’s no water! How am I supposed to shower?”

Ye Zhi was just about to go check when Lu Wei beat her to it.

“I’ll go,” he said, stepping in.

Fine. Be her hero.

Ye Zhi had just showered, but the muggy summer air made her sweat again almost instantly. Just walking a few steps was enough to feel sticky again.

A few minutes later, Lu Wei came out of the bathroom. Ye Zhi was back at the window, gazing at the harbor.

Unable to hold back, he asked again, “You really don’t want to go to Qiongzhou Island?”

Ye Zhi had almost forgotten they’d even talked about that. She turned and looked at him.

“I never said that,” she replied calmly.
“Or… is it you who doesn’t want me to go?”

Lu Wei suddenly stood up, and the wooden stool beneath him screeched across the floor.

“I never said that either,” he said seriously.

Ye Zhi chuckled, “Then what’s the problem? It’s my first time in a big city. Can’t I be a little excited?”

“Such a grump.”

Lu Wei’s ears turned red, and he turned his face away.

Ye Zhi could see he was easily flustered, so she changed the topic and said, “When Xiaoding’s done, you should take a shower too.”

She knew Lu Wei hadn’t slept well the past couple of days on the train. A nice shower and some rest would do him good.

After resting for a bit, the three of them headed out to find food.