The trains of the 1980s were generally similar to the green-skinned trains that still exist decades later.
Fu Wan and Fu Ming had to navigate through the crowded throng to find their sleeper car.
There were fewer people in the sleeper carriages than in the hard-seat carriages, but only slightly fewer.
They lost count of how many times they had to say "excuse me" before finally finding their bunks with a lot of effort while carrying their luggage.
Perhaps because it was only early autumn, there were still straw mats on the sleeper berths. The only thing in the stuffy carriage was a few small fans on the train ceiling, and many passengers sat in the aisle seats with the windows open to let in some fresh air.
Fortunately, their spots hadn't been taken. Fu Wan sat on her bunk, and a breeze blew in from the window, making her feel refreshed. Only then did she feel alive again.
This long journey has only just begun.
Night had fallen, and Fu Wan and Fu Ming had just found their seats when, with a gasp from the passengers on the train, the overhead lights snapped off.
With no phones to pass the time, Fu Wan and Fu Ming simply closed their eyes and went to sleep.
Fortunately, the two were young and fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Many tourists who couldn't sleep sat on small stools in the aisle, chatting quietly.
When Fu Wan woke up from her nap, it was just dawn, and the train was still swaying and wobbling along.
When Fu Ming woke up, it was already broad daylight. He was initially surprised to see the trees outside receding as the train moved forward, and the scenery was completely different from that of Fu Family Village.
However, this novelty didn't last until Beijing. As dusk fell, the train conductor shouted, "We've arrived in Beijing! Those going to Beijing, please prepare to disembark!"
We've arrived?!
Fu Wan and Fu Ming climbed down from the sleeper berth and realized that their backs and waists ached. This was more tiring than going out to sea.
If sleeper berths are this bad, then hard seats must be even more unbearable.
The two got off the train with their luggage and stood in the unfamiliar station. Fu Ming looked at the hurried pedestrians and couldn't help but hesitate.
"Ah Wan, how do we get to that Pan something-or-other place?"
Fu Wan looked around and said, "It's already late, let's find a place to stay first!"
Fortunately, there was a guesthouse next to the train station, so Fu Wan pulled Fu Ming and headed there.
Fu Ming carried his luggage and a large cloth bag made by Ye Xiaocui on his back, which contained ambergris.
The receptionist at the guesthouse was a pretty young woman. She didn't seem to mind Fu Wan and Fu Ming's disheveled appearance, probably because she was used to seeing tourists looking like that when they came out of the train station.
"Comrade, I would appreciate two single rooms."
The receptionist flipped through her notebook, nodded in agreement, and said, "We have private rooms. Please show me your ID."
Fu Wan took out a wrapped plastic bag from her cloth bag, which contained the introduction letters for her and her brother.
The receptionist took the letter of introduction, and before even opening it, asked with suspicion, "Comrade, where are you from? Don't you have any ID cards?"
ID card—such a strange yet familiar term. For a moment, Fu Wan thought she had returned to the modern world.
In 1985, did people already have ID cards?
It seems she lacks experience.
Fu Ming, listening from the side, was completely confused. "ID card? What ID card?"
"Comrade, is this letter of introduction not acceptable?"
He was a little scared. If the letter of introduction didn't work, not only would they be sent back, but they might also be arrested as vagrants.
The young man shook his head, carefully examined the letter of introduction, and said while registering their information, "A letter of introduction is fine, but ID cards are now widely used in Beijing, which are much more useful than this letter of introduction."
As expected of the capital city, they issued ID cards so early on.
However, Fu Wan was still a little curious, "Comrade, what does this ID card look like?"
The woman noticed that Fu Wan was pretty and her clothes were neat and clean. Fu Ming, who was next to her, also had clear eyes and didn't seem like a bad person.
She took out a leaflet from the police station from the drawer next to her. "This is a leaflet from the police station here promoting ID card processing. You can take a look!"
Fu Ming took the flyer, finding it extremely interesting.
“Ah Wan, there are photos and names on this.”
Fu Wan examined it carefully. The first-generation ID card looked no different from those of later generations. It recorded the holder's name, address, and photo.
Unlike later generations, the first generation of ID cards used a small piece of cardboard with a plastic seal on the outside.
The back of the ID card clearly reads "Chinese Resident ID Card," while the front features a black and white photograph and a bright red police station stamp.
What surprised Fu Wan even more was that the names, addresses, and other information on it were all handwritten.
"Ah Wan, let's get one when we get back. This thing is so cool."
"Okay, okay, I'll go ask about it when I get back."
Look at his strange expression; even the receptionist was secretly laughing, but he was completely unaware.
Fu Ming then realized he had made a fool of himself and could only scratch his head and laugh awkwardly.
Fortunately, the young man registered her quickly. Fu Wan took the room key, thanked him, and then went upstairs to her room with Fu Ming.
This was Fu Wan's first time staying in a guesthouse since her rebirth. As expected of the capital city, the guesthouse was clean and tidy. She taught Fu Ming how to open the door with the room card, and then carried her things into her room.
Their dinner consisted of pancakes prepared by Ye Xiaocui and prawns that Fu Wan had dried.
Fu Wan ate a little something, then took her clothes to the guesthouse's public restroom to wash up. When she returned to her room, she felt sleepy and slept until dawn.
The next morning, the two of them set off with ambergris on their backs.
The two hadn't walked far when they passed a breakfast stall. Seeing that it was still early, Fu Wan pulled Fu Ming to find an empty table and sit down.
"Boss, two bowls of tofu pudding and two spring rolls!"
Fu Wan had visited Beijing in her previous life and loved spring rolls and savory bean curd the most.
As soon as Fu Ming sat down, he saw an old man next to him drinking something from a bowl.
The old man noticed Fu Ming's curious look and knew he was from out of town.
He was still a curious outsider.
A mischievous thought suddenly arose in my mind.
He took a big gulp of what was in his bowl, then let out a sigh of enjoyment.
What kind of delicacy is this? It tastes so good!
Fu Ming was puzzled. Although the bowl looked grayish, he felt that the old man's enjoyment didn't seem fake.
"Ah Wan, let's try the drink that the old man is drinking!"
Fu Wan thought it was something strange, turned her head to take a look, and looked at her older brother with a complicated expression.
Are you sure you want to drink this?
Fu Ming nodded, and Fu Wan sighed. If she wanted to jump into the pit, then she couldn't be blamed!
"Boss, another bowl of douzhi!"
Fu Ming was still in a daze when Fu Wan could name these unfamiliar things by name. His mind was completely focused on the various foods the busy boss was eating nearby.
Fortunately, the boss was quick and efficient, and soon brought out what Fu Wan had ordered.
Fu Ming picked up the bowl of soy milk, about to put it in his mouth, but then asked Fu Wan, "Wan, do you want some?"
Fu Wan shook her head decisively, and Fu Ming immediately took a big gulp.
"Si...yue?!"
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