Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1637 1.
Li Xiao is a travel fanatic who loves traveling to his core. Deep in his mind, there seems to be an extremely detailed map of China. Every corner of the map is marked with fascinating destinations with the brushstrokes of his dreams.

Normally, whenever he got the chance, he would tell his friends about those anecdotes from far away, with a fiery light in his eyes, as if those beautiful scenery were just around the corner. This time, after much persuasion, he finally managed to get his good friends Zhang Yue and Lin Fei to join him on this spontaneous trip to China, full of unknowns and surprises.

On the day of departure, Li Xiao arrived at the airport lobby early and stood upright among the crowd, his eyes full of irrepressible excitement, like an explorer about to head for a treasure land.

In his hand, he kept fiddling with the travel guide that had been read to a certain extent and was somewhat worn. The corners of the pages were slightly curled up, and it was densely covered with his notes. Those tiny handwritings were all his meticulous research on various attractions, food, and folk customs.

Zhang Yue followed slowly behind, dragging a pink suitcase with a few cute cartoon pendants hanging on it, which swayed with her steps. She muttered:

"Li Xiao, you have to take it easy on this trip. My thin arms and legs can't stand your tossing and turning. Look at you, you're as energetic as if you've been given an injection of chicken blood before we even set off." Although there was a hint of anger in his words, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously. Obviously, deep down he was looking forward to this journey.

Lin Fei wore a pair of black-framed glasses and carried a large backpack. He looked calm and reliable, just like a big brother who could protect everyone from the wind and rain. He smiled and joked, "Zhang Yue, don't worry, I'll protect you. Li Xiao, where is our first stop? Don't keep me in suspense, my curiosity is about to burst."

When Li Xiao heard this, he patted his chest loudly and announced confidently, "It must be Chengdu! 'In the morning, see the red wet places and the flowers in the brocade official city'. We must go and experience the hot and charming Shu style, taste the authentic Sichuan cuisine, and stroll around the quaint old streets. I guarantee you will linger."

After several hours of flight, the plane landed smoothly at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. As soon as the cabin door opened, a humid air with a unique smell of fireworks hit us, as if it was a warm embrace from the city. Zhang Yue was the first to jump off the plane, like a happy little deer, taking a deep breath excitedly and shouting: "Wow, this is Chengdu, the air seems to smell like hot pot, I feel like the glutton in my stomach has been aroused."

Li Xiao looked at her and couldn't help but laugh and tease, "You have a really good nose, like a professional food detector. Let's go to the hotel to drop off our luggage, and then head straight to Chunxi Road to see this charming city that combines fashion trends with traditional charm."

After arriving at the hotel and packing up briefly, the three of them rushed to Chunxi Road like wild horses. Along the way, people were coming and going, and the high-rise buildings were rising like giants. In the gaps between these modern buildings, there were quaint western Sichuan-style buildings, with flying eaves, brackets, carved doors and windows, as if telling stories of the past. Modernity and tradition blend perfectly here, colliding with unique sparks.

"Look, that's 'Taikoo Li', a lot of trendy people are checking in there." Lin Fei said excitedly, pointing to the front, like an explorer who discovered a new world. Taikoo Li was crowded with people, and the breath of fashion was overwhelming. There were all kinds of fashion brand stores, and the new clothes displayed in the windows were shining under the bright lights, which was dazzling. Zhang Yue was immediately attracted by a jewelry store. The accessories in the store were shining with colorful light, as if they had magic. Without saying a word, she pulled Li Xiao and Lin Fei and rushed in: "Quick, help me with some advice, how does this necklace match my new skirt? I think it is tailor-made for my skirt."

Li Xiao shook his head helplessly, saying with a smile: "We just arrived and you've already started shopping. Take a look first, there will be plenty of time to buy later. There are more interesting places in Chunxi Road than just this one store. There are many specialty shops waiting for us to discover."

After walking around Chunxi Road, my stomach started to growl, as if protesting against the "ignorance" along the way. Li Xiao's eyes lit up, and the image of the red, fragrant hot pot appeared in his mind. He said excitedly: "Let's go, I'll take you to eat authentic Chengdu hot pot and feel what "hot on the tip of the tongue" means. I guarantee that your taste buds will have a carnival."

The three of them came to a time-honored hot pot restaurant. As soon as they entered the door, the rich and mellow aroma of butter spread like a tide, instantly enveloping them. The waiter came up to them enthusiastically, with a friendly smile on his face, and quickly arranged for them to sit down. After a while, a pot of red hot pot was served on the table. The chili peppers and peppercorns in the pot rolled happily in the boiling soup, like a group of enthusiastic dancers, which made people salivate.

"This looks too spicy. Can I order a shabu-shabu hotpot?" Zhang Yue looked into the pot hesitantly, a hint of fear in his eyes, and his hands unconsciously clenched the corners of his clothes.

Lin Fei smiled and said, "You have to eat red hotpot when you come to Chengdu. It's really tasty. If you're afraid of spicy food, I can make a sauce for you to relieve the spiciness. This red oil hotpot base is the soul of Chengdu hotpot. It would be a pity to miss it."

Li Xiao also echoed: "That's right, Zhang Yue, be brave for once, I guarantee you'll want to eat more after you've tried it. Just imagine how wonderful it would be to have those hot and fresh ingredients bursting in your mouth."

Zhang Yue half-believed and half-doubtedly picked up a piece of tripe and carefully put it into the pot. Following Li Xiao's instructions, she simmered it several times, and when the tripe was covered with soup, she nervously put it into her mouth. Instantly, her face turned red, like a ripe apple, and she kept breathing out: "Wow, it's so spicy, but so refreshing! This taste is really amazing."

The three of them ate and chatted, their laughter echoing in the store, blending into the lively atmosphere around them. After eating the hot pot, night had quietly fallen, but the streets of Chengdu were still brightly lit, with neon lights flashing, like a dreamy ocean.

"Let's go to Kuanzhai Alley for a stroll. The alley has a different flavor at night," Li Xiao suggested.

Kuanzhai Alley is composed of Kuanxiang, Zhaixiang and Jingxiang arranged in parallel. The indigo bricks and tiles, carved doors and windows, under the background of night and lights, are full of ancient charm. They strolled in the alley, and the stone pavement under their feet has been polished by years, becoming smooth and warm, as if every step can step out a story of the past. There are a variety of street food stalls, such as sugar-coated fruits, long shao shou, Zhong dumplings... All kinds of delicacies exude tempting aromas, arousing the appetite of passers-by.

"This sugar-coated fruit looks so cute, like a string of rubies." Zhang Yue's eyes sparkled like a little child, and his feet involuntarily stopped in front of the snack stand.

Seeing this, Li Xiao smiled and bought a few skewers, passing them to everyone: "Try it, this is a specialty snack in Chengdu, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet but not greasy, take a bite, and you will feel full of happiness."

As they were eating, they heard a burst of cheers from the front. It turned out that a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance was being performed in a small square. The three of them hurried over and saw the actors in gorgeous costumes, with a nimble figure. With a wave of his hand, his face changed color instantly, as if it were a magic trick. The audience applauded and cheered one after another. "It's amazing, how did they do that?" Lin Fei opened his mouth in surprise, staring at the stage without blinking, afraid of missing any details.

Zhang Yue also applauded and said excitedly: "This is the charm of Sichuan Opera. The face-changing is faster than I can turn the pages of a book. This actor must have practiced for a long time to have such perfect skills."

After the performance, they walked into a handicraft shop next door, which was filled with various exquisite specialties such as Shu embroidery, facial makeup, and bamboo weaving. Li Xiao picked up an exquisite Shu embroidery handkerchief, on which the flowers and birds embroidered were lifelike and the needlework was delicate. He exclaimed: "This handicraft is really amazing. Buy a few to give as gifts. It is both thoughtful and unique, and let your relatives and friends feel the charm of Chengdu."

Zhang Yue picked out a few small facial mask pendants and played with them in her hands: "I want these. They will look good on my bag. I can carry the memory of Chengdu with me wherever I go."

After walking around Kuanzhai Alley, the three of them returned to the hotel, feeling a little tired. Lying on the bed, Li Xiao said excitedly, "Today is just the beginning. There are many more fun places in Chengdu. Tomorrow we will go to Qingcheng Mountain to experience the tranquility of the famous Taoist mountain, get close to nature, and relax our bodies and minds."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. But you have to let me get a good sleep tonight. My legs are almost broken from walking." Zhang Yue said while yawning, his voice full of weariness.

Lin Fei also responded with a smile: "Yes, today is indeed quite fulfilling. I look forward to the trip to Qingcheng Mountain tomorrow. Maybe I can meet some immortals."

After a good night's sleep, the next morning, the sun shone through the gaps in the curtains, like golden threads on our faces, soft and warm. The three of us were like little suns infused with energy, fully revived, and set off on the journey to Qingcheng Mountain. Along the way, the mountains were undulating and green, and the scenery outside the car window was like a flowing painting, beautiful beyond words.

"Mt. Qingcheng is worthy of its nickname 'The Most Secluded Place in the World'. The air is so fresh that I feel like my lungs have been cleansed. Every breath is like a purification ceremony for the body." Li Xiao opened the car window and enjoyed the mountain breeze. The breeze brought a hint of coolness and the fragrance of grass and trees, blowing his hair.

When they arrived at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, they looked up and saw the peaks towering into the sky, surrounded by clouds and mist, as mysterious and charming as a fairyland. They began to climb along the winding mountain road. Along the way, there were towering ancient trees, and the sun shone through the gaps between the branches and leaves, forming golden spots. The clear springs gurgled, making clear and pleasant sounds, as if playing a natural movement.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

"There are so many steps here, it feels like they go straight to the sky." Zhang Yue said while panting, his steps became a little heavy, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Lin Fei encouraged her: "Hold on, the scenery is definitely more beautiful when you are on the top of a dangerous mountain. Just think about it, when you stand on the top of the mountain and overlook the magnificent scenery of the mountains, all the hard work along the way will be worth it."

On the way, they passed by a Taoist temple, with smoke rising from the sky, solemn and dignified. A white-haired Taoist priest was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard, his moves were as smooth as flowing water, soothing and powerful, as if he was integrated with the surrounding nature.

"Master, is there anything special about Qingcheng Mountain?" Li Xiao walked forward and asked curiously, his eyes full of desire for knowledge.

The Taoist priest smiled and stopped, looking at them gently: "Qingcheng Mountain is one of the birthplaces of Taoism, which emphasizes adapting to nature and cultivating one's body and mind. You young people, come and walk in the mountains more often, feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and listen to the sounds of nature. It is very beneficial to your body and mind, and can calm your restless hearts."

The three nodded thoughtfully and continued to climb. Finally, they reached the top of the mountain and looked down at the magnificent mountains and rivers below. The clouds and mist rolled in the mountains, like a dream, as if they were in a fairyland.

"It's so beautiful. All the hard work along the way is worth it." Zhang Yue excitedly took out his mobile phone and kept taking pictures, wanting to freeze this beautiful scene forever.

Li Xiao also opened his arms and shouted: "Qingcheng Mountain, we conquered you!" The voice echoed through the valley, filled with the joy of victory.

After a short rest at the top of the mountain, they began to descend. On the way down, Li Xiao shared what he had learned about the history and culture of Qingcheng Mountain, from the origin of Taoism to the footprints left by literati and scholars of all dynasties. Zhang Yue and Lin Fei listened with great interest and asked a few questions from time to time for discussion.

Back in the city, it was already late, and they came to Jinli Ancient Street. Jinli Ancient Street was decorated with red lanterns, bright lights, and bustling, as if traveling back to ancient times. Street food stalls, handicraft shops, and teahouses were lined up next to each other, with people coming and going, shouting, and laughing, forming a picture of a bustling market full of fireworks.

"This Jinli is different from Kuanzhai Alley and it has more ancient charm. It feels like every stone slab and every shop carries the memory of history." Lin Fei said, his eyes wandering on the ancient street, admiring the unique scenery.

They walked into a teahouse and ordered a few cups of tea in covered bowls. The tea leaves expanded in the hot water, emitting bursts of fragrance. Listening to the Sichuan Qingyin on the stage, the melodious tunes were like the sound of nature, making people intoxicated and feeling the leisurely life of Chengdu people. After drinking tea, they shuttled through the ancient streets, tasting snacks such as Dandan noodles and three big cannons, and enjoying the performances of various folk artists. The sugar painting master can outline lifelike patterns with a spoonful of sugar liquid, and the scissors in the hands of the paper-cutting artist flew up and down to cut out exquisite patterns.