Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1489 1504.
In the hot summer of GD Province, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Huang Xu decided to embark on an unforgettable trip to China. Their story begins in this vibrant province.

Li Xiao stood under the Guangzhou Tower, looking up at this modern landmark. The sun shone through the clouds and shone on this steel behemoth, reflecting a dazzling light. Zhang Yue joked, "Brother Xiao, are you admiring the Guangzhou Tower or your own reflection?" Huang Xu took out his camera to capture this beautiful moment.

"Stop it, Yuezi." Li Xiao responded with a smile, turned to Huang Xu and said, "Xuzi, you need to improve your photography skills, don't make us look like dwarfs in your photos."

The three of them strolled along the Pearl River, feeling the pulse of Guangzhou, an ancient yet modern city. They decided to first visit Guangzhou's Yuexiu Park, where there is the famous Five Goats Stone Statue, the symbol of Guangzhou.

Walking into Yuexiu Park, there are green trees, birds singing and flowers blooming. There is an endless stream of tourists in front of the Five Goats Stone Statue, and Li Xiao and his friends are no exception. They all took out their mobile phones to record this moment. Zhang Yue asked curiously: "Brother Xiao, do you know the legend of the Five Goats Stone Statue?"

Li Xiao nodded and began to narrate: "Legend has it that a long time ago, five immortals rode five sheep and brought rice ears to Guangzhou. From then on, this place became rich. The Five Goats Stone Statue is to commemorate this legend."

After visiting Yuexiu Park, they decided to try Guangzhou morning tea. In a time-honored teahouse, they tasted a variety of dim sum, such as shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and rice rolls, and every bite was an ultimate temptation to the taste buds.

After lunch, they went to another famous attraction in Guangzhou, the Chen Clan Academy. The Chen Clan Academy is famous for its exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings and brick carvings, and every detail reveals the profound heritage of Lingnan culture. While taking pictures, Huang Xu exclaimed: "The carvings here are so exquisite, and there are stories in every corner."

Li Xiao and Zhang Yue were also immersed in these artworks, exchanging their views from time to time. Zhang Yue suddenly said, "Brother Xiao, look at the wood carvings over there, don't they look a bit like the hide-and-seek game we played when we were kids?"

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, we always hid in various strange places at that time. It's funny to think about it now."

As the sun sets, they end their day's sightseeing and decide to go to Guangzhou's night market. There are a variety of snack stands and handicraft stands at the night market. The three of them tasted authentic snacks while choosing their favorite souvenirs.

The bustle of the night market forms a sharp contrast with the tranquility of the day. Li Xiao exclaimed: "Guangzhou is really a vibrant city. Whether it is day or night, it has its own unique charm."

As the night deepened, they ended their day in Guangzhou and prepared to go to the next city, Shenzhen. On the way to Shenzhen, the three discussed what they had seen and heard today and planned their itinerary for tomorrow.

"Where are we going in Shenzhen tomorrow?" Zhang Yue asked curiously.

Li Xiao thought for a moment and said, "I heard that Shenzhen's Overseas Chinese Town is very good. There is a Window of the World there, where you can see famous attractions from all over the world at once."

Huang Xu said excitedly: "That's great, we can pretend to travel around the world!"

The three of them were looking forward to tomorrow's journey with laughter and joy.

The next day, when the first ray of sunlight shone through the curtains onto Li Xiao's face, he stretched and sat up from the bed. Zhang Yue and Huang Xu were already waiting for him in the restaurant downstairs, ready to start a new day of adventure.

They took the high-speed rail and soon arrived in Shenzhen, a city known for its modernization and innovation, with tall buildings and busy streets, full of vitality.

"Let's go to Window of the World first." Li Xiao suggested. He was looking forward to this place where he could appreciate famous places and historical sites from all over the world at once.

Window of the World is a large miniature landscape park that brings together famous buildings and attractions from all over the world. They first came to the replica of the Eiffel Tower. Zhang Yue couldn't help but take out his mobile phone and posed in various funny poses, while Huang Xu was responsible for taking pictures.

"Xuzi, your photography skills have improved a lot." Li Xiao joked.

Huang Xu replied proudly: "Of course, I have undergone practical training in Guangzhou."

They continued their tour, from the pyramids in Egypt to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, from the Statue of Liberty in the United States to the Sydney Opera House, and every attraction amazed them.

"Brother Xiao, look at that pyramid over there. Doesn't it look a bit like the sand castles we built when we were kids?" Zhang Yue said, pointing to a miniature pyramid model.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yuko, you have a very rich imagination, but it does look like one."

During the tour, they also watched a wonderful international dance performance. Dancers from all over the world showed the cultural charm of their respective countries with their enthusiasm and dance.

At lunch time, they chose a restaurant with Shenzhen characteristics and tasted the local seafood feast. The fresh seafood, combined with the unique cooking method, made them praise every dish.

"The seafood here is so fresh and much more delicious than what we have over there," Zhang Yue said while eating.

Huang Xu also nodded in agreement: "Yes, Shenzhen's seafood is indeed well-deserved."

After lunch, they decided to go to another famous attraction in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Bay Park. The park is built along the coast, with the sea breeze blowing and the waves lapping against the shore, giving people a sense of tranquility.

They walked along the beach, looking at the fishing boats and flying seagulls in the distance, feeling the tranquility and harmony of nature. Li Xiao suddenly suggested: "Let's play a game to see who can find the most special shell on the beach."

Zhang Yue and Huang Xu responded immediately, and the three of them began to search on the beach. After a while, Zhang Yue excitedly raised the shell in his hand: "Look, I found a heart-shaped shell!"

Huang Xu was not to be outdone and also found a shell with a peculiar shape: "My shell has many patterns on it, it is also very special."

Li Xiao found a colorful shell. He smiled and said, "My shell has the richest colors and should be the most special."

As the sun sets, they leave behind a string of laughter and joy on the beach. As night falls, they end their day in Shenzhen and prepare to go to the next city - Xiamen.

On the way to Xiamen, they shared their experiences today and discussed tomorrow's plans. Li Xiao said, "Xiamen is a beautiful coastal city. We can go to Gulangyu Island tomorrow."

Zhang Yue and Huang Xu both agreed and were looking forward to the upcoming trip to Xiamen.

On the third day, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Huang Xu embarked on a journey to Xiamen, a coastal city with a vision of the city. Xiamen is famous for its pleasant climate, beautiful beaches and rich history and culture. The train they took shuttled between green mountains and clear waters, and the scenery outside the window was like a flowing painting.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that Gulangyu Island in Xiamen is very famous. We must go and see it." Zhang Yue said excitedly.

"Yes, there are not only beautiful natural scenery there, but also many historical buildings and cultural relics." Li Xiao responded.

The train slowly pulled into Xiamen Station. The three of them couldn't wait to walk out of the station and feel the unique sea breeze of Xiamen. They took the bus and headed straight to Gulangyu Island. Gulangyu Island is a small island full of historical charm. The architectural styles on the island are diverse, from traditional southern Fujian dwellings to Western buildings from the colonial period, each telling a different story. They strolled through the alleys on the island and felt the unique atmosphere here.

"The buildings here are really unique, and every house has its own story." Huang Xu took photos as he walked, recording these beautiful moments.

They first came to Sunlight Rock, which is the highest point of Gulangyu Island, overlooking the entire island and the sea view in the distance. Standing on the top of the rock, with the sea breeze blowing on his face, Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh: "The scenery here is so beautiful, it makes people feel relaxed and happy."

Zhang Yue said mischievously, "Brother Xiao, look at the sea over there, isn't it a bit like the water gun fight we played when we were kids?"

Li Xiao and Huang Xu were both amused by Zhang Yue's humor, and they left many laughters here.

At lunch time, they chose a specialty restaurant on the island and tasted Xiamen's seafood and famous Shacha noodles. Every bite of food made them feel the taste of Xiamen.

"The shacha noodles here are really unique, with a rich flavor that is very memorable." Huang Xu exclaimed while eating.

After lunch, they continued their tour and visited cultural attractions such as Shuzhuang Garden and Piano Museum. In the Piano Museum, they listened to a live piano performance, and the melodious melody made them intoxicated.

"The piano performance here is so beautiful, every note touches the heart." Li Xiao said with emotion.

As night fell, they walked along the beach of Gulangyu Island, enjoying the sea breeze and the night view. The lights on the beach and the stars complemented each other, forming a beautiful night scene.

"Brother Xiao, look at the starry sky over there. Doesn't it look a bit like the nights when we counted stars when we were kids?" Zhang Yue said, pointing to the starry sky.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, the starry sky was beautiful then, just like it is now."

They left many beautiful memories at the seaside, and then reluctantly left Gulangyu Island, ready to go to the next city - Hangzhou.

On the way to Hangzhou, they shared what they saw and heard today and discussed tomorrow's plans. Li Xiao said: "Hangzhou has the West Lake, and the beautiful scenery there is also well-known."

Both Zhang Yue and Huang Xu expressed their great anticipation and were full of longing for the upcoming trip to Hangzhou.

On the fourth day, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Huang Xu embarked on a journey to the historic city of Hangzhou with their longing for the West Lake. Hangzhou is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and profound cultural heritage, especially the West Lake, which is known as a paradise on earth.

In the morning, the train they were on slowly pulled into Hangzhou Station. When the three of them walked out of the station, they were immediately attracted by the fresh air and tranquil atmosphere of the city. They took a bus and headed straight to West Lake.

The beauty of West Lake is like an unfolding painting, with the lake surface sparkling, the mountains in the distance looming, and the weeping willows by the lake swaying in the wind. They strolled along the Su Causeway, admiring the scenery of the lake and mountains.

"The scenery here is so beautiful, it's like walking into a painting," Zhang Yue exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, the beauty of West Lake is hard to describe in any language."

They came to the Broken Bridge, one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake and the place where White Snake and Xu Xian met. Huang Xu took out his camera and recorded this moment: "Brother Xiao, Yuezi, let's take a photo as a souvenir."

The three of them took a group photo on the Broken Bridge with happy smiles on their faces.

At lunch time, they chose a restaurant by the lake and tasted Hangzhou's specialties, such as West Lake vinegar fish, Longjing shrimp, etc. They were full of praise for every dish.

"The vinegar fish here is really delicious, with just the right amount of sweet and sour, and a delicate taste." Zhang Yue said while eating.

Huang Xu also nodded in agreement: "Longjing shrimp is also very distinctive, the fragrance of tea and the deliciousness of shrimp are perfectly combined."

After lunch, they took a boat tour of the West Lake. The boat moved slowly in the water, the lotus flowers on the lake swayed in the wind, and the fish swam freely in the water. They felt the tranquility and harmony of the West Lake.

"Brother Xiao, look at the lotus flowers over there. Don't they look a bit like the dragonflies we caught when we were kids?" Zhang Yue said, pointing at the lotus flowers in the lake.

Li Xiao responded with a smile: "Yuko, you have a very rich imagination, but it does look like one."

As the sun sets, they sit on a bench by the lake and quietly admire the sunset glow of West Lake, which is reflected on the lake, forming a beautiful picture.

"Brother Xiao, look at the sunset over there. Doesn't it look a bit like the scenes in the cartoons we watched when we were young?" Huang Xu said, pointing to the sunset in the sky.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, the cartoons back then were also beautiful, just like now."

They left many beautiful memories by the West Lake, and then reluctantly left Hangzhou, preparing to go to the next city - Suzhou.

On the way to Suzhou, they shared what they saw and heard today and discussed tomorrow's plans. Li Xiao said: "Suzhou has famous gardens, such as the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Lingering Garden. We can visit them tomorrow."

Both Zhang Yue and Huang Xu expressed their great anticipation and were full of longing for the upcoming trip to Suzhou.

On the fifth day, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Huang Xu set off on a journey to this classical water town with their yearning for Suzhou gardens. Suzhou is famous for its exquisite garden art and long history and culture, and is known as the "Venice of the East".

In the early morning, the train they were on slowly pulled into Suzhou Station. When the three of them walked out of the station, they were immediately attracted by the ancient and peaceful atmosphere of the city. They took the bus and headed straight to the Humble Administrator's Garden.

The Humble Administrator's Garden is one of the four famous gardens in China, famous for its exquisite layout and rich cultural connotations. They strolled along the paths in the garden, admiring the pavilions, towers, rockery and flowing water in the garden.

"The garden design here is so ingenious, and every corner is full of poetry," Zhang Yue exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, the beauty of Suzhou gardens is hard to describe in any language."