The chaotic days finally came to an end. Along the over 500 kilometers from Dongbin to Chen Village, ten brand new Same City Roadside Traveler Inns and shopping streets around it began operating. It was already late November, and the Winter Solstice was approaching. She would soon reunite with Amo, whom she hadn't seen for months, in sunrise bay Xiawan!
Cheng Dian greeted her at the intersection of the big road and XiaWan new town. Guided by the people of Chen Village, the refugees from the outer city of Coastal Defense Haifang City built their houses constructed with a mix of bamboo and wood structures here. They found work in the Ancient Tree Tea Street, a roadside traveler inn with tea house-themed that had recently been completed and put into operation, and settled down.
Reflecting on the achievements during this period, there were ten traveler lodges and interconnected specialty streets along the over 500-kilometer route. Each one had a similar style yet developed its own characteristics according to local conditions. There were fishing-themed operating by Dan people from the boats, the Tong family managing oil mills and leather goods shops, mountain hunters jointly responsible for hunting grounds, the Willow Weaving-themed outside Liuhe Town selling woven goods, the Cocoon Village traveler inn mainly engaged in sericulture, the Bean Plantation-themed shopping street processing and purchasing various beans, the Dairy Village-themed traveler inn with the most cattle and sheep farming in the land around, the Hundred-Year Porcelain Town shopping street is backed by hills rich in kaolin clay, and of course, the Tea House of Chen Village. Tong Xiangbei couldn't wait to show off to Cheng Mo.
Different geographical environments and resident populations formed distinctive unique themed roadside traveler inns and commercial streets. The first store on each street had a North-South supermarket, offering not only local specialties but also various popular goods.
Places that spread outward from the Same City Roadside Traveler Inn as their base have been pre-planned, and the parcels of land in different functional zones have already attracted investment and construction from those with keen business acumen. Speaking of which, it's been a while since Xiang Bei last saw Qiao Ziqiu. She heard that ever since the last exploration of Coastal Defenses Haifang City, he plunged into preparing for the war, specifically handling internal and external contacts and information exchanges with Business Leader Du YunHe. Cheng Mo cut off the information channels between the city officials and the Wa people, so it's estimated that the bandits will be desperate this time. There are rumors that the Wa bandits plan to seize a corner on the shore, making a last stand in this battle. Xiangbei just wonder now if she could encounter Qiao Ziqiu this Winter Solstice.
Cheng Dian led her through the Tea-house Street, and they two arrived at Resettlement Town, newly built after clearing the cassava. Most of the Yunmeng citizens who moved from Coastal Defense Haifang City now reside here. The cassava field behind hadn't been harvested, overgrown with weeds and casually used to raise some chickens and sheep, making it difficult for ordinary people to see what's further inside. Tong Xiangbei originally thought they would have to cross a two-mile-wide wilderness buffer zone before reaching the military tent to see Cheng Mo, but to her surprise, she saw him with just a glance. He stood there, the setting sun shining on his face, his smile reminiscent of many memories, radiating warmth.
"Amo, oh no, Eastshore Prince, no, it's Marshal Cheng. Is the handsome Marshal on duty here today?" Tong Xiangbei ran towards him, full of joy and impatience, but stopped in front of him, teasingly. Heaven knows how much effort she had to put in to maintain even a shred of dignity in the face of such overwhelming charm.
"It's not just standing guard here. To welcome our esteemed new city planner, Cheng's almost turning into a statue."
"I've only heard of the Husband-Watching Rock, never heard of the Wife-Watching Stone."
"Oh, the Wife-Watching Stone? Hmm—"
"Oh dear, legends, legends, legends are all nonsense. Alright, let's go see the new pier."
Tong Xiangbei hadn't been back since the moment the planning drawings landed. After all, it was a military place, so she instinctively avoided it. "By the way, Amo, is it convenient for me to enter the military camp?"
"Why would you say that? Are there people in Hidden Guards troop of Cheng that you don't know? Or is it that you didn't draw the city plans? You are mine, my only love life-long…" Cheng Mo's words were cut off by Tong Xiangbei before he could finish.
"Stop it, can't your aloof demeanor hold up? This habit of confessing love anytime, anywhere, makes me suspect you've been possessed by some time-traveling deity." Tong Xiangbei shuddered at the thought of those modern men who chased women in all sorts of ways. Oh dear, she couldn't stand it.
"What are you muttering about?" Cheng Mo watched her release her hand and run off to the side, muttering to herself, quite curious.
"Nothing, nothing. Since I can go there, let's hurry up. Let's see what our Dawn Promenade looks like." Tong Xiangbei turned around with a cheerful smile and ran ahead.
Cheng Mo flew up on horseback from behind, bending down to scoop up Tong Xiangbei onto the horse's back, galloping into the sunset.
This was the most beautiful dream in Tong Xiangbei's heart. She had only mentioned to Cheng Mo in the initial conception that in the future, she hoped to sit in this once-exclusive secret harbor, watching the clouds roll by, the sunrise, and the sky filled with red clouds. Until now, she was finally about to step into this newly constructed military port. What would it look like? She felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, her heart rising and falling with the rhythm of the horse's hooves.
When Cheng Mo pulled the reins and stopped the horse, embracing her as they stood on the coastal breakwater, Tong Xiangbei heard her beloved's gentle and melodious whisper in her ear, like a cello, "Xiao Bei, this is the first home I've built for you. Is it the way you wanted it? Facing the sea, warm with spring blossoms."