"Our seats are here."
After boarding the train, Jiang Hai and Ai Xiaoxi quickly located their seats. Jiang Hai hoisted Ai Xiaoxi's luggage and his own backpack onto the overhead rack before they both sat down.
They had opted for business class seats, which were wider and more comfortable than the standard B-class ones—comparable to first-class airplane seats.
China might not be at the forefront when it comes to building airplanes or cars, but in terms of rail systems, it leads the world. High-speed trains in China aren't just fast—they're well-designed and of excellent quality. Many developing countries today begin their infrastructure partnerships with China through high-speed rail projects.
Compared to other forms of transportation, trains offer greater convenience. There's no need for extensive security checks like at airports, you can enjoy the scenery outside, and you even have internet access on board—at least when the train isn't moving too fast.
The seating resembles that of an airplane. Second-class is similar to economy class, first-class is more comfortable, and business class rivals airline first-class. Jiang Hai and his companions had chosen business class. Each passenger had an assigned seat, so there was no need to worry about anyone taking it. More importantly, the environment was cleaner and more orderly than regular trains.
Of course, this comfort came at a cost. The fare from the capital to their destination—Wei City, in Shandong Province—was over 1,100 yuan for a business-class seat, while a second-class ticket cost about 379 yuan. It wasn't cheaper than flying, but it was more convenient. The journey would take around six hours—not too long.
After stowing their luggage, Jiang Hai and Ai Xiaoxi relaxed in their seats, scrolling on their phones. Ai Xiaoxi leaned gently on Jiang Hai's shoulder, watching the reflection of the two of them in her phone screen.
"This is the first time we've been alone together for so long," she said softly, her eyes still on the screen. Jiang Hai paused to think—he'd spent one-on-one time with other people before, but not with Ai Xiaoxi.
Well, there was that night...
But that didn't really count. They hadn't really talked then—not like they were now.
"Yeah," he said after a moment, intertwining his fingers with hers.
"It feels like a dream. You and I... heading home together for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I never thought this would happen." Ai Xiaoxi snuggled in closer, finding a comfortable spot against him. Her tone was serious, but there was a touch of laughter in her voice.
Jiang Hai didn't know how to respond. He just scratched his head and looked out the window with her.
The train was full today, but unlike airplanes that sometimes wait for late passengers, high-speed trains in China leave exactly on schedule. Soon enough, the train rumbled to life and sped down the track toward its destination.
As they watched the scenery go by, Ai Xiaoxi started talking about her hometown—Wei City in Lu Province. It wasn't in the city proper but near the outskirts, at the boundary between urban and rural. The area was close to the coast and had been developed a few years ago into a sort of agritourism hub. That's where they were headed.
After arriving in Wei City by train, they would still need to take a two-hour bus ride to reach her home. It would be quite late by the time they got there. To make things easier—and to buy some gifts for her family—they decided to spend the night in the city and head out the next morning. Naturally, Ai Xiaoxi followed Jiang Hai's lead on this plan.
As the train continued, Jiang Hai gained a rough understanding of Wei City.
It was considered a tourist destination in the north, though far less renowned than Qing City or Lian City. When northerners talked about going to the beach, it was usually one of those two cities. While Wei City had better beaches and more affordable costs than Lian City, it lacked iconic attractions, so fewer tourists visited.
Still, for those interested in history, Wei City had some significance. It was home to the Beiyang Fleet—the first modern navy in Chinese history—and the site of the infamous Sino-Japanese War of 1894. After that war, Wei City became one of the "seven sons" ceded to foreign powers. Today, its only widely known historical site was Liugong Island.
For seafood lovers and beachgoers, however, it was a hidden gem. The cost of living was low, and its proximity to Japan and South Korea made it a prime shopping spot. Many imported goods—especially fishing gear—were cheaper here than inland.
A top-quality carbon fishing rod could be had for 80 yuan in Wei City, complete with accessories like floats, hooks, and line. The same rod would cost about 150 yuan in Bingcheng, and up to 270 yuan in Shudi. It made Wei City a great place to stock up on gear.
After chatting for a while, Ai Xiaoxi dozed off, lulled by the rhythm of the train and the scenery. Jiang Hai let her rest against him, staying still and letting time pass.
Before they knew it, six hours had flown by. As dusk settled outside, the train slowed and pulled into Wei City station. Jiang Hai gently woke Ai Xiaoxi, gathered their belongings, and they disembarked.
They hailed a cab and went straight to Golden Bay Hotel, one of the city's finest. After checking in, Jiang Hai and Feng Yunchen each took a room. He didn't splurge this time—just a standard double.
After tossing their bags in the room, they went down for a buffet dinner, then returned to wash up. The train ride hadn't drained Jiang Hai too much, but Ai Xiaoxi was clearly exhausted. He didn't push her for anything. He just held her in his arms until they both fell asleep.
That night may have been the most peaceful Ai Xiaoxi had experienced in years. She was in the arms of the man she loved, without any other woman present—just the two of them.
The next morning, sunlight filtered into the room. As Jiang Hai slowly opened his eyes, Ai Xiaoxi was already gazing at him, blinking her big, bright eyes.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Morning..." Jiang Hai smiled back. Despite everything that had happened between him and Afra, this was the first time a woman had ever said "good morning" to him like this. The moment felt strangely touching. He reached out and pulled Ai Xiaoxi into a gentle embrace.
As he hugged her, Ai Xiaoxi's cheeks flushed pink. She could feel the change in his body—something every man experiences in the morning.
"Do you want me to help you with that?" she whispered, her voice teasing.
Jiang Hai hesitated. "Hmm... better not. We've got a lot to do today. Let's get up."
He tried to be rational—they were going to visit her parents, after all. It wouldn't do to show up late.
But Ai Xiaoxi wasn't nearly as hesitant. As soon as he said that, she slid down beneath the sheets on her own. The quiet morning quickly turned passionate...
By the time they finished and checked out of the hotel, it was almost noon. They grabbed another meal before heading to a local department store. Since they were visiting her family, they needed to bring gifts.
In Chinese culture, visiting your future in-laws without gifts is unthinkable. The standard etiquette includes two bottles of liquor worth around 300 yuan each and a pack of premium cigarettes worth around 400 yuan (brands like Zhonghua, Tianzi, or Suyan)—a total of roughly 1,000 yuan.
If someone's budget is tight, the "lite" version might cost around 600 yuan. But Jiang Hai wasn't short on money. Naturally, he went for the best. That unrepentant nouveau riche style—it was just in his nature.