Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1519 1534.
Li Xiao stood on the street in BJ, looking at the bustling crowd, and felt an inexplicable excitement in his heart. He turned to look at Huang Pengfei beside him and said with a smile: "Pengfei, we have finally taken the first step of this journey."

Huang Pengfei, a burly northern man with a forthright personality, patted Li Xiao on the shoulder and laughed: "Brother Xiao, isn't this the adventure we've always dreamed of? Let's go to Tiananmen Square to experience it first."

The two walked through the crowd and arrived at Tiananmen Square. Li Xiao gazed at the magnificent tower and could not help but feel awe in his heart. Huang Pengfei took photos and introduced the history of BJ to Li Xiao from time to time.

"Brother Xiao, look over there," Huang Pengfei pointed to the snack street not far away, "How about we go try BJ's noodles with soybean paste?"

Li Xiao nodded, and the two walked towards the snack street. Along the way, they tasted various BJ snacks, from noodles with soybean paste to candied haws, and they praised every one of them.

After eating and drinking, they went to the Peking Opera House to watch a wonderful Peking Opera performance. Li Xiao was deeply attracted by the gorgeous costumes and superb performances, while Huang Pengfei praised the high-pitched and passionate singing.

As night fell, the two strolled along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, enjoying the nightlife of BJ. Li Xiao suddenly suggested, "Pengfei, how about we go to the Forbidden City tomorrow? I heard that the architecture and cultural relics there are very unique."

Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement: "Good idea, Brother Xiao. However, we have to get up early, the Forbidden City is packed with people."

The two agreed on the itinerary for the next day and went back to their rooms to rest, looking forward to their trip to the Forbidden City the next day.

The morning sun shone through the curtains onto Li Xiao's face. He rubbed his eyes and sat up from the bed, his heart full of anticipation for the upcoming trip to the Forbidden City. Huang Pengfei was already waiting in the living room, and after breakfast, the two of them couldn't wait to set off for the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City, a royal palace that has witnessed hundreds of years of Chinese history, attracts tourists from all over the world with its magnificent architecture and rich cultural collections. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei followed the crowd into this ancient palace, and their eyes were attracted by the magnificent palaces and exquisite carvings.

"Brother Xiao, look at the roof of this palace, it's shining with golden light, it's so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement, his eyes lingering on those ancient buildings: "Yes, every brick and tile here carries the weight of history."

They strolled along the corridors of the Forbidden City, listening to the guide telling ancient stories. Li Xiao was deeply attracted by the stories about the emperor, empress and court life, while Huang Pengfei was more interested in the stories about wars and political struggles.

After visiting several major palaces, the two came to the Imperial Garden. The scenery here is pleasant, with various exotic flowers and plants blooming, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. They found a quiet corner in the Imperial Garden and sat down to enjoy the tranquility.

"Pengfei, what do you think of this place?" Li Xiao asked.

Huang Pengfei took a deep breath and said with emotion: "This place is so beautiful, it makes people feel like they have traveled back to ancient times. Brother Xiao, have you ever thought about what it would be like if we lived in that era?"

Li Xiao smiled, imagining them wearing ancient costumes and walking between these palaces: "I think we might be two loyal guards, protecting this land."

The two rested for a while in the Imperial Garden, and then continued their tour. They visited the Treasure House, which housed countless precious cultural relics and jewels, each of which was breathtaking.

As the sun gradually set, the two reluctantly left the Forbidden City. On the way back to the hotel, they discussed what they had seen and heard today, as well as their feelings about the Forbidden City.

"Brother Xiao, today was really fulfilling," Huang Pengfei said, "but I heard that the place we are going to tomorrow is even more interesting."

Li Xiao asked curiously: "Where is it?"

Huang Pengfei smiled mysteriously: "You will know when you go there."

The two ended the day's journey with anticipation for tomorrow.

In the early morning of BJ, there was a hint of coolness in the air. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei got up early and prepared to go to the holy place in their hearts - the Great Wall. After breakfast, they drove to the Badaling Great Wall.

Along the way, Li Xiao was both excited and nervous. He had seen the magnificent sight of the Great Wall many times on TV and in books, but seeing it with his own eyes was a completely different feeling. Huang Pengfei seemed more relaxed, and he seemed to be full of anticipation for the upcoming challenge.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that the Great Wall is very long. How far do we have to walk?" Huang Pengfei asked.

Li Xiao smiled and replied, "Our goal today is to reach Haohanpo, which is said to be one of the highest points of the Great Wall."

As the car drove along the winding mountain road, the outline of the Great Wall gradually became clear. When they arrived at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, both of them were shocked by the scene before them. The Great Wall was like a giant dragon, winding between the mountains and ridges, majestic and imposing.

"This is truly spectacular!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.

The two began to climb up the stone steps of the Great Wall. Each step seemed a little strenuous, but they persisted and encouraged each other. As the height increased, the surrounding scenery became more open. Li Xiao stopped from time to time to take pictures to record this unforgettable moment.

"Pengfei, look at the mountains over there, they are so beautiful!" Li Xiao said, pointing to the mountains in the distance.

Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement: "Yes, the scenery here is refreshing. No wonder the ancient emperors built the Great Wall here."

When the two finally reached Haohanpo, they were exhausted and panting, but their faces were filled with satisfied smiles. Standing at the highest point of the Great Wall, looking around, the surrounding scenery is in full view, making people marvel at the wonders of nature.

"Brother Xiao, we did it!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao also smiled: "Yes, we did it. It feels very different standing here, like conquering the world."

The two rested for a while on the Hero's Slope, and then began to go down the other side of the Great Wall. The way down seemed to be more difficult than going up, but they still maintained an optimistic attitude, joking with each other to relieve fatigue.

When they returned to the foot of the mountain, it was already dark. The two found a local restaurant and had an authentic Beijing meal. At the dinner table, they shared what they had seen and heard today, as well as their feelings about the Great Wall.

"Brother Xiao, today's experience is really unforgettable," Huang Pengfei said, "I feel that we are not just sightseeing, but more like experiencing history."

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, every brick and stone carries a story, and every step brings us closer to those ancient days."

The two spent a pleasant evening in the restaurant, and then returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for a new journey tomorrow. As BJ's journey came to an end, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei boarded the train to Suzhou. They were full of expectations for this city famous for its gardens and water towns. The train slowly drove out of the platform, and the two sat by the window, admiring the ever-changing scenery outside the window.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that Suzhou's gardens are very famous. Do you have any special expectations?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

Li Xiao looked out the window with a twinkle in his eyes: "I look forward to finding a sense of harmony with nature in those ancient gardens."

A few hours later, they arrived in Suzhou. The tranquility and elegance of the city formed a sharp contrast with the prosperity of BJ. They first came to the Humble Administrator's Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Suzhou.

Walking into the garden, the two were immediately attracted by the scenery in front of them. The rockery, flowing water, pavilions and towers, each of them revealed exquisiteness and harmony. They strolled in the garden, stopping from time to time to appreciate the carefully designed scenery.

"The design here is so ingenious, every place looks like a painting," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, these gardens are not just architecture, but also an art of life."

They lingered in the garden until the sun set. Afterwards, the two decided to experience another major feature of Suzhou - the water town. They took a boat tour to Zhouzhuang, an ancient town famous for its unique water town style and well-preserved ancient buildings.

Sitting on the boat, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei admired the ancient buildings on both sides of the river and the lights reflected on the water, feeling the tranquility and beauty of the water town. They also tasted local specialties such as three-thread shark fin and squirrel mandarin fish, and every bite left them with an endless aftertaste.

"Brother Xiao, the night view here is so beautiful. I feel like I'm completely relaxed." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao also felt the same way: "Yes, every brick and tile, every river and bridge here makes people feel the accumulation of time."

As night fell, the two sat down in a tavern in the ancient town, tasting local rice wine and talking about what they had seen and heard that day. They discussed the art of gardens and the customs of the water town, as well as the insights these brought to them.

"Pengfei, I think this trip is not just about seeing the scenery, but also about experiencing different cultures and lives," said Li Xiao.

Huang Pengfei nodded: "That's right, Brother Xiao. Every trip broadens our horizons and enriches our souls."

The two spent a pleasant night in the pub and then returned to the hotel to rest, looking forward to a new journey tomorrow.

As the tranquil water town of Suzhou gradually faded away, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei embarked on a journey to Hangzhou. Hangzhou, a city famous for its beautiful West Lake, had already planted the seeds of expectation in their hearts.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that the scenery of West Lake is picturesque. How do you plan to arrange our itinerary?" Huang Pengfei asked on the train.

Li Xiao flipped through the travel guide in his hand, his eyes gleaming with anticipation: "I think we should go for a walk by the West Lake first, and then taste the local Longjing tea."

The train slowly pulled into Hangzhou Station. The two walked out of the station with their luggage and were immediately attracted by the fresh air and beautiful scenery of the city. They did not stay for long and went directly to West Lake.

Standing by the West Lake, the two were deeply attracted by the scenery in front of them. The lake was sparkling, the mountains in the distance were looming, and the weeping willows by the lake were swaying in the wind. Everything seemed so harmonious and peaceful.

"The scenery here is so beautiful, it feels like being in a painting," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Yes, the beauty of West Lake lies in the perfect combination of nature and humanity."

They strolled along the path by the lake, stopping from time to time to admire the lotus flowers in the lake and the Leifeng Pagoda in the distance. Afterwards, the two rented a boat and rowed to the island in the lake, experiencing the pleasure of "boating on West Lake".

"Brother Xiao, look at the lotus flowers over there. They are truly untainted by the mud." Huang Pengfei said, pointing at the lotus flowers in the lake.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, this lotus is like the spirit of West Lake, adding some vitality to the lake."

After visiting West Lake, the two went to Longjing Village to experience the fun of picking Longjing tea. In the tea garden, they followed the tea farmers to learn how to select tea leaves and picked some fresh tea leaves by hand.

"The tea here is so fragrant that it makes people feel relaxed and happy." Huang Pengfei said as he smelled the tea in his hand.

Li Xiao was also immersed in the fragrance of tea: "Yes, the aroma of Longjing tea is fresh and elegant. A sip seems to wash away the fatigue of the day."

After tasting the fresh Longjing tea in the tea garden, the two returned to the city with a full harvest. They tasted authentic Hangzhou dishes such as West Lake Vinegar Fish and Dongpo Pork in a local restaurant, and they were full of praise for every dish.

"Brother Xiao, today's trip is so perfect. The beautiful scenery of West Lake and the aroma of Longjing tea are unforgettable." Huang Pengfei said at the dinner table.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, every trip can make us discover the beauty of life and make us cherish everything in front of us more."

The two spent a pleasant evening in the restaurant and then returned to the hotel to rest, looking forward to a new journey tomorrow.

As the graceful West Lake in Hangzhou gradually became a memory, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei's next stop was Lijiang. This ancient city in Yunnan Province is famous for its unique Naxi culture and ancient architecture.

"Brother Xiao, the ancient city of Lijiang is known as the 'Venice of the East'. What are you looking forward to?" Huang Pengfei asked on the plane.

Li Xiao looked at the clouds outside the window, his eyes twinkling with longing: "I look forward to experiencing a kind of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle there, as well as the ancient Naxi culture."

The plane landed at Lijiang Airport, and the two walked out of the airport and were immediately embraced by the fresh air and bright sunshine. They took a local minibus, crossed the winding mountain road, and arrived at Lijiang Ancient Town.

The streets of the ancient city are paved with bluestone slabs, and on both sides are antique wooden buildings, each of which exudes a historical atmosphere. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei strolled in the ancient city, feeling the slow life and leisurely atmosphere here.

"The buildings here are so unique. Every door and every window seems to be telling an ancient story," Huang Pengfei exclaimed.