Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

As night fell, the two walked along the river in the ancient city, the river sparkling in the moonlight. They talked about what they saw and heard today and shared their feelings.

“Brother Xiao, today was a really fulfilling day. Not only did I see the beautiful scenery, but I also got to experience the local culture.” Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded, "Yes, that's the meaning of traveling, to experience different lives and feel different cultures. Tomorrow we will go to the next attraction. I heard that there are more beautiful scenery waiting for us there."

The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for tomorrow.

The morning sun shone through the gaps in the curtains onto Li Xiao's face. He opened his eyes, stretched, and sat up from the bed. Outside the window were rolling hills, and at the foot of the hills was the famous mountain city.

"Brother Xiao, get up. Today we are going to the famous attraction in the mountain city - the Thousand-Layer Stairs!" Huang Pengfei's voice came from outside the door.

Li Xiao quickly washed up, and the two of them packed their bags and set off on a journey to the Thousand-Layered Stairs, a landmark attraction in the mountain city. It consists of thousands of stone steps that wind up to the top of the mountain.

"This thousand-layer staircase looks really spectacular. How long will it take us to climb it?" Huang Pengfei asked as they walked.

"Don't worry, the scenery along the way is definitely worth your time to appreciate." Li Xiao replied with a smile.

As they climbed, they admired the beautiful scenery along the way. There were lush trees on both sides of the stone steps, and occasionally some small animals could be seen shuttling through the woods. As the altitude increased, the full view of the mountain city gradually appeared before their eyes.

"Brother Xiao, look, the panoramic view of the mountain city is so beautiful!" Huang Pengfei stood on an observation deck and pointed into the distance.

Li Xiao also stopped and looked around. He saw that the mountain city was built against the mountain, with a staggered layout and perfect integration with the surrounding natural landscape.

"Yes, the scenery here is really refreshing." Li Xiao said with emotion.

After climbing for a long time, the two finally reached the top of the mountain. There was an ancient temple on the top of the mountain, which was very popular, and many tourists burned incense and prayed for blessings.

"Brother Xiao, let's make a wish too." Huang Pengfei suggested.

The two walked into the ancient temple and made their respective wishes devoutly. Afterwards, they sat down in a teahouse next to the temple, tasting the local mountain tea and feeling the tranquility of the mountains.

"The tea here is so fragrant, and tastes completely different from the one down the mountain," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

"Yes, the tea here absorbs the spiritual energy of the mountains and is naturally different." Li Xiao responded.

After the rest, the two continued their journey. They came to the old street of the mountain city, where many traditional handicrafts and snacks are preserved. While walking around, the two tasted various delicacies and enjoyed the fun of traveling.

"Brother Xiao, look at that sugar painting, it's so delicate!" Huang Pengfei pointed to a sugar painting stall.

"Let's go and take a look." Li Xiao pulled Huang Pengfei over.

The stall owner was an old artist who skillfully made sugar paintings of various patterns. The two were fascinated by the scene and finally bought a sugar painting each and ate it while walking.

As night fell, the night view of the mountain city became even more charming. The two found a good spot on the top of the mountain and quietly watched the lights of the mountain city.

"Brother Xiao, I had a really great time today. Not only did I climb the Thousand-Layer Stairs, but I also experienced so many interesting things." Huang Pengfei said with satisfaction.

"Yes, that's what traveling is all about, constantly discovering new things and experiencing different scenery. We will have a new journey tomorrow, so let's keep moving forward." Li Xiao encouraged.

The two of them enjoyed the cool breeze on the top of the mountain, looking forward to tomorrow's adventure.

In the early morning, the Jiangnan water town was misty, with small bridges, flowing water and houses, creating a peaceful and beautiful picture. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood on an antique stone bridge, looking at the fishing boats in the distance and the weeping willows on both sides.

"Brother Xiao, the scenery here is as beautiful as a painting." Huang Pengfei exclaimed, and the camera in his hand kept capturing the beautiful scenery in front of him.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. His eyes were attracted by the rows of quaint wooden houses on the river bank. "Let's go to the wooden houses over there. I heard there is a famous teahouse there."

The two walked along the river bank and soon came to the teahouse. The owner of the teahouse was a kind old man who greeted them warmly and asked them to sit down.

"Dear guests, please try our Longjing tea, which is grown here." The old man said with a smile.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei sat down, and the old man brewed a pot of fragrant Longjing tea for them. The two of them savored it carefully, and the fragrance of the tea lingered in their mouths, making them feel relaxed and happy.

"The tea here is really delicious, and the environment of the teahouse is really relaxing." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

"Yes, the pace of life in the Jiangnan water town is slow, and people know how to enjoy life better." Li Xiao responded.

After tasting tea, the two continued their exploration. They took a small boat, shuttled through the river of the water town, and admired the scenery on both sides. While rowing, the boatman introduced them to the history and culture of the water town.

"Look over there, that's a century-old house here, and people are still living there." The boatman said, pointing to an quaint house.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei looked at it curiously and saw that the old house was simple and elegant, blending harmoniously with the surrounding environment.

"Brother Xiao, look at that bridge, it's so unique!" Huang Pengfei pointed to a uniquely shaped stone bridge.

"Well, that's the 'Lover's Bridge' here. Legend has it that if lovers walk across this bridge, they will live together forever." The boatman said with a smile.

On the boat, the two admired the beautiful scenery of the water town, listened to the boatman's stories, and felt the poetry and romance of the Jiangnan water town.

In the afternoon, they came to the local specialty snack street. There are all kinds of Jiangnan snacks here, which are fragrant and mouth-watering. The two tried Xiaolongbao, sugar lotus root, osmanthus cake and other delicacies, and every bite was full of happiness.

"Brother Xiao, the snacks here are so delicious. I don't want to leave." Huang Pengfei said while eating.

"Haha, then let's stay for a few more days and try all the delicious food here." Li Xiao joked.

As night fell, the lights in the water town gradually lit up, and the lights were reflected on the river, like stars. The two walked along the river, enjoying the tranquility and beauty.

"Brother Xiao, today is a really wonderful day. I am deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery and delicious food of the Jiangnan water town." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

"Yes, every place has its own unique charm, and traveling is about discovering these beauties. Let's continue exploring tomorrow, and there will be more surprises waiting for us." Li Xiao encouraged. The two sat down on a bench by the river, looking at the lights on the river, their hearts full of expectations for tomorrow.

From the gentle and delicate water town in the south of the Yangtze River to the vast and magnificent grassland, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei's journey spanned thousands of mountains and rivers. They stood on the edge of the grassland, with an endless green ocean in front of them, cattle and sheep visible in the wind blowing the grass, the sky blue, and the clouds white as snow.

"Brother Xiao, this grassland is so spectacular. I feel like I have come to another world." Huang Pengfei opened his arms and took a deep breath of the fresh air.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded, "Yes, the vastness and freedom of the grassland are something you can't experience in the city."

The two decided to go deep into the grassland on horseback to experience the nomadic lifestyle. They found local herdsmen, rented two horses, and began their adventure on the grassland.

"Brother Xiao, how do you think I ride?" Huang Pengfei was riding the horse. Although he was a little unfamiliar with it, he soon found the feeling.

"That's right, Pengfei, you will soon become a knight on the grassland." Li Xiao said jokingly.

They rode their horses across the grasslands, occasionally stopping to admire the sheep and cattle in the distance. The wind on the grassland brought the fragrance of green grass, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

"Brother Xiao, look over there, there is a group of horses running." Huang Pengfei pointed to the distance.

"That's the herd of horses belonging to the herdsmen. Let's go and take a look." Li Xiao suggested.

The two rode horses, followed the horses, and felt the freedom and unrestrainedness on the grassland. Together with the herdsmen, they participated in a small horse racing event and experienced the passion and vitality of the grassland.

In the afternoon, they rested in the herdsmen's tent and tasted homemade milk tea and cheese. The herdsmen were hospitable and told them stories and legends of the grassland.

"Brother Xiao, the milk tea and cheese here taste really special, different from what we usually eat." Huang Pengfei said while eating.

"Yes, everything here is so natural and primitive, making people feel the essence of life." Li Xiao said with emotion.

In the evening, they attended a bonfire party on the grassland. The herdsmen sang and danced around the bonfire, and Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei were also invited to join in, feeling the enthusiasm and joy on the grassland.

"Brother Xiao, I'm so happy today. I feel like I have completely integrated into the life here." Huang Pengfei said excitedly beside the campfire.

"Yes, traveling is about experiencing different lives and feeling different cultures. We will have a new journey tomorrow and continue to explore the unknown world," Li Xiao encouraged.

The two sat down by the campfire, looking at the starry sky, their hearts full of longing for tomorrow.

From the green grassland to the golden desert, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei's journey has entered a new chapter. They stood on the edge of the desert, with rolling sand dunes in front of them, shining with golden light under the sun.

"Brother Xiao, this is the desert, it's so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, and the camera in his hand kept capturing the scenery in front of him.

Li Xiao nodded, his eyes sparkling with curiosity about the unknown, "Yes, the desert has its own unique charm. Today we are going to a miracle in the desert - Crescent Lake."

The two took a local off-road vehicle, crossed a series of sand dunes, and finally arrived at Crescent Lake. Located in the desert, Crescent Lake is shaped like a crescent moon, with clear water and lush vegetation around it, which forms a sharp contrast with the surrounding desert.

"This is truly a miracle in the desert. Water and sand can coexist so harmoniously." Huang Pengfei exclaimed, squatted down, and gently touched the spring water with his hand.

Li Xiao also squatted down and felt the coolness of the spring water. "The ecological balance here is really amazing. It can maintain vitality in such a harsh environment."

They rested for a while beside Crescent Lake, and then continued to explore the desert. Every step in the desert was full of challenges, but it also brought the fun of adventure. They tried sandboarding and felt the excitement and pleasure of sliding down from the top of the sand dune.

"Brother Xiao, sand sliding is so exciting. I want to try it again!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

"Haha, let's do it again, but be careful." Li Xiao responded with a smile.

As the sun gradually sets, the scenery in the desert becomes more charming. The golden sand dunes look even more spectacular under the setting sun. The two climbed up a higher sand dune and quietly watched the desert sunset.

"Brother Xiao, this sunset is so beautiful. I feel like my soul has been purified." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded. "Yes, the sunset in the desert has an indescribable beauty that shocks people's hearts."

As night fell, the starry sky in the desert was particularly bright. The two spread a piece of cloth on the sand dunes, lay down and looked up at the starry sky. The stars seemed to be within reach.

"Brother Xiao, look at those stars, they seem to be right above our heads." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the starry sky.

"Yes, there is no light pollution in the desert night sky, and the stars look particularly bright," Li Xiao responded.

Under the starry sky, the two talked about life and ideals and shared each other's stories. Although the desert night was cold, their hearts were unusually warm.

"Brother Xiao, this trip has taught me a lot and given me a new understanding of life," Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

"Traveling is a baptism of the soul, and every experience will make us grow. Tomorrow we will continue to move forward and explore more miracles." Li Xiao encouraged.

Under the starry sky in the desert, the two of them were filled with longing for the future and curiosity about the unknown.

From the golden sand dunes of the desert to the silver-clad snow-covered plateau, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei's journey once again ushered in new challenges. They stood at the foot of the plateau, with a pure white snow-capped mountain in front of them. Under the sunlight, the snow-capped peaks reflected a dazzling light.

"Brother Xiao, the snow-capped mountains here are so spectacular. I feel like I have come to another world." Huang Pengfei looked at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, his eyes full of longing.

Li Xiao nodded, breathing the fresh air of the plateau, "Yes, the scenery of the plateau has a sacred beauty. Today we are going to visit the ancient village under the snow-capped mountains."

The two walked along the rugged mountain road, and after several hours of trekking, they finally arrived at a small village hidden in the snow-capped mountains. The houses in the village were built of stone and wood, and the roofs were covered with thick snow, which looked particularly quaint.

"The houses here are very distinctive, completely different from what we usually see." Huang Pengfei observed the surrounding buildings curiously.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Every place has its own unique architectural style, which is also one of the pleasures of traveling."

They were warmly received by the villagers in the village. The villagers wore traditional ethnic costumes and had simple smiles on their faces. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei tasted the special food prepared by the villagers and felt the simplicity and enthusiasm of the people of the plateau. (End of this chapter)