Chapter 27 – Arrival at the Island

Her whole body felt sticky. After such a long journey, Ye Tao hadn’t yet recovered. All she wanted was a proper bath before collapsing into bed.

The guesthouse only had shower rooms, located in the backyard on the first floor. She and Huo Tingwu bought some toiletries at the front desk, then took the key to the bathhouse.

They had been stuck on the train for five days. At first it was bearable, but later she couldn’t stand it anymore. She had to wipe herself off in the train toilet, though washing her hair was impossible. Her once glossy, dark hair had become clumped and tangled.

It took Ye Tao four thorough washes before she finally felt human again. Luckily, they were staying at the guesthouse for the night. Otherwise, if she arrived at the island looking like a mess, she would surely become the butt of laughter. First impressions mattered.

When Ye Tao stepped out, Huo Tingwu was already waiting outside.

Her hair hung loose over her shoulders, framing her rosy cheeks. His eyes darkened at the sight.

Ye Tao didn’t notice. She was anxious to dry her hair—this climate was far too damp, and if she didn’t dry it properly, it would tangle again.

After returning the key to the front desk, they went back to their room.

Huo Tingwu’s short-cropped hair had already dried while waiting at the bathhouse door. Seeing his wife struggling with her long, waist-length hair, he stepped forward, took the towel from her, and said, “Let me.”

Her thick hair was indeed troublesome. Relieved to hand over the task, Ye Tao sat back on the chair to rest. Outside, cicadas chirped. A gentle breeze lifted the curtains, and sunlight poured onto her peaceful face.

His hands moved carefully, tenderly, until Ye Tao drifted into sleep.

When he finally finished, Huo Tingwu realized she was already asleep. Moving lightly, he carried her to bed and held her in his arms as he too fell asleep.

They slept straight until sunset. If not for hunger, Ye Tao felt she could have kept on sleeping.

“I don’t want to get up,” she groaned, rolling on the bed with the blanket.

“I can go buy food back,” Huo Tingwu offered.

After some thought, Ye Tao decided it was better to get up. The more she slept, the sleepier she became. It would be nice to walk with him anyway.

After washing up, she braided her hair into a plait, slung her shoulder bag, and headed out with him.

First things first—dinner. They returned to the state-owned restaurant they had eaten at earlier, this time ordering different dishes.

By the time they finished, night had fallen. Not interested in sightseeing, they headed back to rest, saving their energy for shopping the next day.

During the dull train ride, Ye Tao had prepared a list of items to buy before reaching the island. Anything unavailable there, she would stock up here.

“Taotao, are you full?” Huo Tingwu asked.

“Of course. We just ate,” Ye Tao answered, puzzled. Was he still hungry?

“But I’m not full yet,” he looked at her pitifully.

“…Should I borrow the kitchen and cook you some noodles?” At this hour, she wasn’t sure they’d allow it.

Before she could realize his true meaning, Huo Tingwu swept her up and pressed her onto the bed.

“Huo Tingwu?!” Even Ye Tao, usually slow to catch on, knew they were talking about different things.

After so many days of restraint, she too had begun to long for closeness.

Sensing her cooperation, his eyes lit up and he grew even more ardent.

Ye Tao bit her lip to muffle her sounds, afraid someone might overhear.

His gaze lingered on the faint teeth marks, and he kissed her deeply, passionately, until their storm quieted in the early hours of morning.

Exhausted, Ye Tao couldn’t move a finger. Huo Tingwu carefully cleaned her up before pulling her into his arms, content.

The next morning, they headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.

The most important items on her list were clay pots—one for medicine, one for soup. But Huo Tingwu said cookware was available on the island, so they didn’t need to carry too much.

Most items on her list could be found. In Guangzhou, they focused on buying spices and skincare products.

The skincare options here were far better than at home. To Ye Tao’s delight, she even spotted the domestic brand Pechoin. Overjoyed, she bought it immediately, along with some snow cream. Under her careful care, the calluses on her hands had begun to fade.

At the fabric counter, she picked several pieces of soft cloth to make undergarments. She only had two left from what she’d made earlier—the rest had been ruined by Huo Tingwu during their nights together, leaving her too annoyed to speak to him.

Surprisingly, spices turned out to be the most expensive purchase, nearly rivaling the cost of skincare.

Next, they went to the Chinese medicine shop with her prescription. She only bought enough for a month for now. If the island had access to medicine later, she wouldn’t need to make the long trip back to Guangzhou. After all, as a self-proclaimed homebody, she just wanted to stay cozy in her little nest.

Back at the guesthouse, they collected their luggage and headed for the pier. With ten minutes to spare before departure, they hurried aboard and found seats in a corner.

It was Ye Tao’s first time on a ship. Everything about the sea fascinated her. Huo Tingwu, worried she might get seasick, had bought oranges and hawthorn beforehand—but it turned out she didn’t need them.

The sea was calm, glittering under the sun. Seabirds swooped overhead, and the horizon stretched endlessly.

Ye Tao watched with keen interest until suddenly a pair of large hands covered her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Taotao, rest for a bit. Staring at the sea too long will tire your eyes,” he said.

She obediently closed her eyes, massaging her sore eyelids, realizing why they felt strained.

Without any wind on the sea, they arrived twenty minutes earlier than scheduled.

The pier was crowded with people waiting.

As they disembarked, Huo Tingwu clasped Ye Tao’s hand and led her through the throng.

“Old Huo, you’re finally back!” A burly man leapt on him in a bear hug.

Huo Tingwu quickly shoved him off, frowning. “We’re in public, have some decency.”

The man thumped his chest with a laugh. “What’s the fuss, between brothers?”

Rolling his eyes, Huo Tingwu said helplessly, “My wife’s here.”

Ye Tao composed herself, hiding her surprise, and greeted with a polite smile.

“So this is the sister-in-law? Hello, I’m Zhou Chongli.”

“Hello, Comrade Zhou,” Ye Tao replied.

“Damn, is this girl even of age? Old Huo, you beast!”

Ye Tao couldn’t help laughing aloud. This comrade’s words were far too blunt—he didn’t realize he had just tugged a tiger’s tail.

Veins bulged on Huo Tingwu’s forehead. Didn’t he tell Xiao Song to come meet them? Why was it Zhou Chongli instead! His dignity was about to be ruined.

Before Huo Tingwu could explode, Zhou Chongli grabbed their luggage and ushered them into the vehicle.

On the way, Zhou drove cheerfully. “Sister-in-law, you don’t know—when Old Huo filed his marriage report, we were all shocked! This guy’s been dragging his feet for years, never rushing, ignoring every persuasion. We thought he’d end up a lifelong bachelor. Luckily you took him in.”

Ye Tao: … Why did that sound like she had bewitched him?

Huo Tingwu felt his face grind against the pavement in embarrassment. Unable to stand it, he gave Zhou a swift kick. “Just drive.”

“Hey, don’t bully me! Even in front of your wife you’re this arrogant?” Zhou yelped.

Huo Tingwu ignored him, holding Ye Tao’s hand firmly.

Zhou caught sight of their intertwined hands through the rearview mirror and chuckled. As expected—heroes, too, could never withstand the power of beauty.