Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1641 5.
"Nature is so magical. In this vast desert, there is such a clear spring." Lin Fei held up the camera and kept pressing the shutter, trying to freeze this beautiful scene.

After coming down from the sand dunes, they came to the camel rental point, each rode on a camel, formed a small camel team, and swayed into the depths of the desert. The camels took steady steps, and the sound of bells rang crisply in the silent desert. Zhang Yue gently stroked the camel's hump and said happily: "This feeling is so special, as if I have traveled back to the ancient Silk Road."

After visiting Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake, they went to Mogao Grottoes with great anticipation the next day. As they entered the Mogao Grottoes, they were overwhelmed by a solemn atmosphere. Following the guide, they visited each cave in turn. When the flashlight shone on the colorful and exquisite murals, everyone held their breath.

"Look at this mural of flying figures. Their graceful figures and fluttering ribbons seem as if they will fly out of the wall in the next second." Li Xiao said in a low voice, fearing that he would disturb the thousand-year-old tranquility.

Zhang Yue nodded repeatedly: "These murals have been eroded by time, but they still retain such clear lines and bright colors. The wisdom and skills of the ancients are amazing."

Lin Fei was very interested in the Buddhist stories in the murals. He listened to the tour guide attentively and asked a few questions from time to time.

After visiting the Mogao Grottoes, they came to the Dunhuang Night Market. It was very lively here, with a wide variety of special handicrafts and snacks. Li Xiao stopped in front of a stall selling Dunhuang colored sculptures and picked up a small flying fairy colored sculpture: "This is so exquisite. If I take it home and put it at home, it will be a work of art."

Zhang Yue was attracted by a shop selling Li Guang dried apricots. After tasting one, he praised it highly: "This dried apricot is sweet and sour, and has a strong fruity aroma. I will buy some to bring back for my relatives and friends to taste."

Lin Fei sat in front of a snack stand, eating donkey meat noodles with relish, and said vaguely: "The noodles are chewy, and the donkey meat is tender and fragrant. The food in Dunhuang is not inferior."

The days in Dunhuang passed quickly. Before leaving, Li Xiao said reluctantly: "Dunhuang is like a thick and mysterious book. After just turning a few pages, I am already intoxicated by it. I really don't want to leave."

Zhang Yue also agreed: "Yes, but the journey continues. The next stop is Qingdao, where I want to feel the sea breeze and the romance of the coastal city."

Lin Fei made the decision: "Okay, let's go to Qingdao and embrace the sea!" When they continued to take the plane and landed at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, the moist sea breeze, carrying the unique salty smell of the sea, instantly awakened the senses of the three people. Li Xiao stretched and said happily: "Qingdao, we are here again! I couldn't forget this place last time. The sea, beer, and European-style buildings, just thinking about it makes me feel comfortable."

Zhang Yue looked out the window at the coastline not far away, his eyes full of anticipation: "This time I have to make up for the places I didn't have time to visit last time. I'm also thinking about going to Xiaoyushan Park to overlook the red tiles, green trees, blue sea and blue sky of Qingdao."

Lin Fei dragged his luggage with a brisk pace: "Of course, there are also various seafood. I am ready to feast on them. Qingdao's clams and Spanish mackerel are so delicious that they will make your eyebrows drop when they are grilled."

After dropping off their luggage at the hotel, they headed to the pier as their first stop. The pier was crowded with tourists, and the sea breeze blew past, blowing up the corners of clothes and waves. Li Xiao stood at the end of the pier, looking into the distance, the boundless sea sparkling in the sun: "Every time I look at the sea, my mood becomes particularly open, the sea seems to have a kind of magic that can sweep away all my worries."

Zhang Yue took out some bread from his bag and threw it to the flocks of seagulls under the bridge. The seagulls chirped happily and circled in the air to compete for food. "Look how lively they are. It's so interesting to interact with the seagulls."

After leaving the pier, the three hungry people walked into a small seafood shop on the street. Although the shop is inconspicuous, the seafood in the aquarium is fresh. Lin Fei ordered the dishes skillfully: "Boss, I want a plate of spicy fried clams, a portion of Spanish mackerel dumplings, and a braised prawn." Soon, the steaming dishes were served. The spicy fried clams were very spicy, and the clam meat was tender and plump; the Spanish mackerel dumplings had large fillings and thin skins. When you take a bite, the delicious juice bursts in your mouth; the braised prawns are bright red in color, and the shrimp meat is firm and chewy.

"The seafood in Qingdao is so delicious, fresh, spicy and fragrant. Every bite is super satisfying." Li Xiao gave a thumbs up while eating.

After dinner, they went to Xiaoyushan Park. They climbed up the winding mountain road, which was lined with trees. After reaching the top, the beautiful scenery of the entire QD city was presented in front of them without reservation: red tile roofs were inlaid in patches of green, and in the distance, the blue sea and blue sky were connected, and ships were sailing on the sea.

"This scenery is amazing, it really lives up to the saying 'red tiles, green trees, blue sea and blue sky', it looks like a colorful oil painting." Zhang Yue said excitedly, taking photos non-stop.

In the evening, they arrived at Badaguan. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the buildings of different styles, covering them with a layer of golden gauze. Li Xiao strolled among them and exclaimed: "Walking here feels like traveling around the world. The Russian grandeur, British elegance, and French romance are all gathered in this block."

Zhang Yue walked into a German-style building with a deep courtyard and was attracted by the roses blooming in the yard: "These flowers are so beautiful. Against the backdrop of the old building, they have a unique charm."

As night fell, Qingdao Beer Street became lively, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of beer. The three of them walked into a beer house and ordered a few fresh Tsingtao beers, paired with some skewers. Li Xiao took a big sip of beer and exhaled happily: "This Tsingtao beer still has the old taste, refreshing and smooth, with a strong malt aroma, it is a perfect match with the skewers."

After playing in Qingdao for a few days, they were ready to return. When packing their luggage, Zhang Yue was a little reluctant: "Qingdao is too comfortable, I really don't want to leave, but I am also looking forward to the next stop."

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Let's go to Kunming for our next stop. Kunming is like spring all year round, so there must be different flowers and delicacies waiting for us."

Lin Fei clapped his hands and cheered: "Okay, let's go to Spring City to feel the warmth, maybe we can encounter a romantic flower event, let's go!"

The plane landed smoothly at Kunming Changshui International Airport. The warm air, filled with the fragrance of flowers, gently enveloped Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei who had just gotten off the plane. Li Xiao took a deep breath, his face full of satisfaction: "It's worthy of being the Spring City. The air is full of freshness. It's so comfortable."

Zhang Yue looked around excitedly, his eyes sparkling: "I can already imagine the city full of flowers. Let's go to Dounan Flower Market first. I heard that there are a lot of flowers there and they are cheap. It's simply a sea of ​​flowers."

Lin Fei dragged his luggage and responded with a smile: "Okay, after visiting the flower market, let's go try Kunming's cross-bridge rice noodles. I've been craving for it for a long time."

Arriving at Dounan Flower Market, the scene in front of them instantly intoxicated them. In the huge market, there were piles of flowers of various colors, including gorgeous roses, fragrant lilies, colorful carnations, and smart baby's breath... Zhang Yue was like a happy little bird, shuttling between the flowers, exclaiming: "This is so spectacular, there are so many flowers, it feels like I can have flowers freely here!" She picked and chose, and soon her arms were full of bouquets. Li Xiao was attracted by some novel succulents, squatting in front of the stall to examine them carefully: "These succulents are really interesting, chubby, it's just right to buy a few pots to decorate the desk."

Lin Fei saw a corner selling dried flowers and selected a few uniquely shaped dried flowers: "Dried flowers can be kept for a longer time. I can take them home and hang them in my room so that I can always feel the atmosphere of Kunming."

After coming out of the flower market, their stomachs started to growl, so they went straight to a time-honored cross-bridge rice noodle shop. The shop was crowded and steaming. The waiter brought a set of exquisite tableware, and a boiling hot soup bowl, tender meat slices, juicy vegetables, and smooth rice noodles were laid out in order. Zhang Yue followed the steps and first put the meat slices and side dishes into the hot soup. The meat slices changed color instantly, and then poured in the rice noodles. She stirred it gently, took a bite, and said with satisfaction: "This cross-bridge rice noodle is so delicious, the soup is rich, the rice noodles are smooth, and the side dishes are also rich. Every bite is a pleasure."

Li Xiao also ate with gusto: "Indeed, it is really different from rice noodles elsewhere. This is the authentic Kunming taste."

After eating, they headed to Dianchi Lake. There was a gentle breeze by the lake, the lake water sparkled in the sun, and flocks of seagulls soared in the sky, occasionally swooping down on the crowd to ask for food. Lin Fei bought some gull food and threw it into the air. Seeing the seagulls nimbly catch it, he laughed happily: "These seagulls are so smart, it's so fun to play with them."

Zhang Yue stood on the shore and took many photos with Dianchi Lake as the background: "This scenery is so beautiful, with blue sky and white clouds, lake water and seagulls. Any photo you take will turn out great."

The next day, they came to Cuihu Park. At this time, the park was full of flowers, with tulips and crabapple flowers competing for beauty. Citizens were leisurely strolling, practicing Tai Chi, and dancing among the flowers. Li Xiao joined in and learned the basic moves of Tai Chi from an old man: "It must be very pleasant to live here, surrounded by flowers and a leisurely atmosphere every day."

Zhang Yue was attracted by the folk artists in the park and stopped to watch an old man drawing sugar paintings: "This sugar painting is so exquisite and edible. It is really a combination of art and food."

After visiting Cuihu Park, they went to Yunnan University. Strolling among the ancient buildings on campus, they felt the atmosphere of profound cultural heritage and youthful vitality. Lin Fei looked at the clock tower on campus and said, "This clock tower has a story. It has witnessed the youth of so many students."

On their last night in Kunming, they strolled along Nanping Street. The street was brightly lit, and there were many shops on both sides selling all kinds of special snacks and handicrafts. Li Xiao bought a few mobile phone cases with ethnic patterns: "I will take them back to give to my friends so that they can also experience the characteristics of Kunming."

Zhang Yue tasted the soft, sweet and fragrant flower cake and said: "This flower cake is so delicious, with a strong rose flavor. It is worthy of being a specialty of Kunming."

When leaving Kunming, Li Xiao said reluctantly: "Kunming is like a big garden that is always in full bloom. It is so beautiful that I really don't want to leave."

Zhang Yue nodded: "Yes, but the journey does not stop, let's go to Guilin next. I want to see the Guilin landscape again, maybe there will be new experiences."

Lin Fei responded immediately: "Okay, let's go to Guilin to encounter more beautiful landscapes!"

Arriving at Guilin Station by high-speed train, the familiar warm air hit Li Xiao's face. He stretched and said excitedly, "I'm back to Guilin, a place with the best scenery in the world. I didn't see enough last time. This time I have to make up for the beautiful scenery I missed."

Zhang Yue was also full of anticipation, looking at the looming mountains in the distance: "Yes, the scenery of the Li River is like a poem or painting. This time I also want to go to the Yulong River to take a bamboo raft. I heard that the scenery along the way is beautiful."

Lin Fei dragged his luggage and agreed with a smile: "Try the beer fish in Guilin again. I still miss the taste of it last time. The tender fish meat with the special sauce is absolutely delicious."

After settling in the hotel, they headed straight to the Yulong River. They rented a bamboo raft, and the raftman gently pushed the bamboo pole, and the raft slowly left the shore and drifted down the green river. On both sides of the river were rolling green hills, swaying green bamboos, and occasionally curling smoke from farmhouses in the fields. Li Xiao leaned comfortably on the bamboo raft and sighed: "This is the life of a god, floating leisurely on the water, with beautiful scenery everywhere, and my heart is calm."

Zhang Yue reached out and touched the water. The water was cool and made her giggle. "The water is so clear. I can see the rocks at the bottom of the river. It's so comfortable."

Passing through several shallows on the way, the bamboo rafts stirred up white water splashes, adding a lot of fun. Lin Fei held up the camera and captured every wonderful moment: "Any shot can be a wallpaper. The scenery of the Yulong River is so photogenic."

After landing, the three hungry people walked into a farmhouse restaurant. Lin Fei ordered dishes in a familiar way: "Boss, give me a beer fish and some local seasonal vegetables." Soon, the steaming beer fish was served, with rich sauce wrapped around the plump fish meat and a faint aroma of beer. Li Xiao picked up a piece of fish meat and put it in his mouth. The fish meat was tender and smooth, and melted in his mouth: "This beer fish is still so delicious. You can't get such authentic taste anywhere else."

Zhang Yue also praised it highly: "Indeed, the fish meat absorbed the sauce, and every bite was super satisfying. The side dishes were also stained with the fish flavor, and it went really well with rice."

In the afternoon, they went to Yangshuo West Street. West Street was bustling with small shops of different styles on both sides of the street, selling ethnic costumes, handicrafts, and special snacks. Zhang Yue was attracted by a small shop selling Zhuang embroidery and stopped to admire the colorful and delicate embroidery: "These embroidery are so exquisite, showing the ethnic customs vividly."

Li Xiao tasted Yangshuo baba at the food stall: "This baba is crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, with both sweet and salty flavors, and it's quite unique."

Lin Fei walked into a bar, feeling the unique lively atmosphere of West Street at night, and swayed his body gently to the rhythm of the music: "This West Street is so vibrant. The tranquility during the day and the liveliness at night form a sharp contrast. It's interesting."

The next day, they got up early and rushed to Longji Rice Terraces. When the layers of terraces that wound around the mountains came into view, everyone was shocked by this magnificent man-made landscape and was speechless. It was the rice filling period, and the green rice fields were gleaming with vitality under the sunshine.

"The Longji Terraces are so spectacular. It's hard to imagine how the ancients cultivated them one hoe at a time." Li Xiao looked up at the towering mountain top and admired them sincerely.