Chapter 24: Completely Unaware of His Inner Thoughts

“Second Sister-in-law.” Huo Tingjie called out to Ye Tao.

Ye Tao looked puzzled. “Hm? What is it?”

“Second Brother, I need to talk to Second Sister-in-law.” He pulled Ye Tao aside. “Second Sister-in-law, can you wish that I find a wild pheasant every day?”

Ye Tao: …Hadn’t she already said it was just a coincidence?

Huo Tingjie muttered to himself, “No, no, eating pheasant every day is too extravagant. People might report me. Once a week is enough.”

“Third Brother… it really was a coincidence,” Ye Tao insisted.

“Please, Second Sister-in-law.” What if it really worked? Huo Tingjie refused to give up. He had already thought of a hundred and eight ways to cook pheasant.

Huo Tingwu was still waiting, and Ye Tao didn’t want to waste more time arguing. Reluctantly, she said, “Fine. Third Brother, you’ll find a pheasant every week.”

Delighted, Huo Tingjie clasped his hands together like a fist salute. “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law!”

“What are you two doing?” Huo Tingwu, anxious to leave, walked over. The two had been whispering with their heads together for a while, and he happened to hear the word “pheasant.”

“It’s nothing,” Huo Tingjie quickly explained. “I was just asking Second Sister-in-law how she cooked the rabbit yesterday. Don’t let me delay you two from getting on the train.”

Huo Tingwu looked at him suspiciously, then at his wife. Ye Tao only shrugged.

At the train entrance, the crowd was packed tight. Huo Tingwu handed their luggage to Huo Tingjie, shielding Ye Tao as he led her into the carriage. From the window, Tingjie passed their luggage inside.

Not long after the luggage was stowed away, the train roared and, with the conductor’s call, began to move.

Huo Tingwu and Ye Tao waved from the window, saying goodbye to Huo Tingjie on the platform.

Qin Chuang had bought them both lower bunks. After the train set off, no one else came into their compartment. Just the two of them—it felt rather comfortable.

Earlier, Ye Tao had noticed the hard-seat carriages were crammed with people like dumplings.

Thankfully, Huo Tingwu had arranged sleeper tickets in advance. Otherwise, sitting more than two days straight on a hard seat to Guangzhou would have broken her body.

This was Ye Tao’s first time leaving Tongxiang Brigade. Gazing at the unfamiliar scenery outside, she felt a sense of wonder.

There were no skyscrapers like in the future. Everywhere stretched flat plains. Occasionally they passed a riverbank, with birds flying freely in the distance.

At dinnertime, Ye Tao unpacked the food they had brought.

They carried three large bags, one small bag, plus a crossbody bag Ye Tao kept with her.

The small bag was reserved for food, placed conveniently on the little table.

Huo Tingwu took the meat buns and kettle to heat them. Ye Tao, bored while waiting, walked a little in the corridor, but didn’t dare stray far.

Before boarding, Huo Tingwu had reminded her of the train’s safety rules: never let belongings out of sight.

He heated four large buns. Their homemade buns were generously filled; Ye Tao was already full after eating half. Naturally, Huo Tingwu took the rest from her hand and popped it straight into his mouth.

“Eat slower,” Ye Tao chided, handing him the kettle. “Eating so fast isn’t good for your stomach.”

Huo Tingwu swallowed and said, “I’m used to it in the army.” Still, despite his words, his pace slowed down.

Ye Tao smiled knowingly.

After dinner, Ye Tao wanted to use the restroom. Huo Tingwu stowed their bags under the bunk and went with her.

“Is this okay?” Ye Tao asked nervously. “Didn’t you say never leave things unattended?”

Huo Tingwu clearly thought of that too. “It’s fine. The restroom is right at the carriage connection. There aren’t many people in this sleeper car. I’ll stand at the door and keep an eye on our things.”

Hearing that, Ye Tao relaxed and went without worry.

With nothing to pass the time, the constant rumbling of the train only made her more restless.

In the dark, a voice broke the silence. “Can’t sleep?”

“Did I wake you?” Ye Tao asked.

Huo Tingwu shook his head. “No. I’ve been on missions for so many years—any little sound wakes me.”

Neither of them felt sleepy. Huo Tingwu began talking about life on the island. “Whenever the tide goes out, everyone takes tongs and nets to gather seafood. Being surrounded by the sea, the seafood is abundant. Taotao, do you like seafood?”

“I love it!” As a child from inland, the seaside was something she always dreamed of.

Hearing her answer, Huo Tingwu smiled in the darkness. “When we arrive, I’ll take you clam digging.”

From his descriptions, Ye Tao realized life on the island wasn’t as harsh as she had imagined. At least they had electricity and running water. Tongxiang Brigade had only just been wired last year.

Curious, she asked, “Then why don’t people want to go to the island with the army? The conditions don’t sound bad.”

“Because the weather is unpredictable, and it’s too far. After we reach Guangzhou by train, we still have to take a two-hour boat ride, and then another half-hour drive to the family quarters.”

Air, land, and sea—almost all routes covered.

Lying on his back with his hand under the pillow, Huo Tingwu said, “Taotao, when I heard you were coming with me, I was truly happy. Old Zhou used to laugh at me for not knowing the benefits of marriage. This time, when we return, he’ll be stunned. Thank you, Taotao.”

But his words were met only with Ye Tao’s soft snores. After a whole day of travel, she was exhausted, completely unaware of his inner thoughts.

Huo Tingwu chuckled quietly, kissed her forehead, and whispered silently, Sweet dreams.

The next morning, Ye Tao woke up sore all over, listless and weary.

Huo Tingwu, already used to the hard bunk, watched her rub her waist with a frown. He decided that tonight he would spread his quilt under her to make it softer. Not as good as home, but better than nothing.

By the time Ye Tao returned from washing up, Huo Tingwu had come back to the compartment with steaming food.

“Where did you get millet porridge?”

“The dining car sells it. I asked the conductor to add some sugar. Try it, see if you like it.”

Sometimes Ye Tao liked her porridge sweet. She hadn’t expected him to notice.

The train rumbled into Shanghai. As one of the largest cities in the country, the train stopped there for half an hour. Finally, Ye Tao could step outside and breathe some fresh air.

Huo Tingwu had stowed all their luggage on the rack and kept the money and tickets on him, so they could wander without worry.

On the platform, small vendors were openly selling goods. Ye Tao found it novel—no wonder this was a big city, even private trade was conducted so openly.

Huo Tingwu explained that these were actually station staff. To increase revenue, the station allowed it, and higher-ups simply turned a blind eye.

Ye Tao’s eyes lit up when she saw fresh oranges.

Unable to bear his wife’s longing look, Huo Tingwu promptly took out money.

Ye Tao, worried they wouldn’t finish them before they spoiled, only bought six, though each was as big as a palm.

The vendor, seeing how generous he was, praised Ye Tao for finding such a good husband who knew how to cherish his wife.

Ye Tao thought so too, and wholeheartedly agreed.