Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1668

"These duck intestines are amazing. I feel like I can eat a whole plate of them." Lin Yifei was busy putting various meatballs and vegetables into the pot. Soon, the bowl was filled with delicious food. He ate until his mouth was full of oil and he made satisfied exclamations from time to time.

The three of them were feasting and sharing their feelings with each other. The lively atmosphere and piping hot pot in the restaurant made them deeply immersed in the enthusiasm and generosity of Chongqing.

Street Juggling and Sichuan Opera After eating and drinking, they walked out of the hot pot restaurant. At this time, the street outside was still very lively. Not far away, a group of people gathered in a circle and burst into cheers from time to time. It turned out that street performers were performing juggling.

The three of them squeezed in curiously, and saw an artist waving three burning torches in his hands. The torches drew beautiful arcs in the air, and his movements were skillful and smooth, as if he had merged with the flames. Then, he threw the torches into the air and caught them steadily, causing the audience to exclaim.

Lin Yifei was stunned with his mouth wide open: "This is amazing! How long does it take to practice this hand speed and technique?" Zhang Yuedong quickly raised his camera to capture this wonderful moment. He said excitedly: "This picture is so lifelike. I'll go back and organize it. It will be another blockbuster film." Li Xiao was also deeply attracted by the artists' performances and applauded with the crowd from time to time.

After watching the acrobatics, they were still not satisfied, and when they heard that there was a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance nearby, they went there with great interest. The performance venue was not large, but it was full of spectators, all staring at the stage with great anticipation.

As the exciting sound of gongs and drums sounded, an actor in gorgeous costumes came on stage. As he raised his hand and turned around, his facial makeup changed instantly: red face, white face, black face... It was a feast for the eyes.

Once, the actor walked directly to the stage and interacted closely with the audience. In the blink of an eye, the facial makeup changed again, causing the audience to exclaim. Li Xiao watched the face-changing process closely, not daring to blink, trying to explore the mystery: "This face-changing is too magical, there is no flaw at all, it is worthy of being our national quintessence."

Zhang Yuedong was concentrating on recording the video, afraid of missing any wonderful details: "I have to study it carefully when I go back, it's so shocking." Lin Yifei was immersed in the performance, clapping along with the rhythm from time to time, with an excited smile on his face.

After enjoying the wonderful performance, it was late at night, but the three were still in high spirits. They came to a specialty store and prepared to pick some Chongqing specialties to take back. The store was filled with a variety of goods, the most eye-catching of which were hot pot bases of various flavors, spicy, clear soup, tomato...

Li Xiao picked up a pack of beef hotpot base, looked at the ingredient list carefully, and said to his companion: "This base looks authentic. Take it back for your family to try, so that they can also feel the charm of Chongqing hotpot."

Zhang Yuedong picked some special aged fried dough twists, which were golden in color and fragrant. He smiled and said, "These fried dough twists are crispy and delicious. They are perfect as snacks on the road." Lin Yifei also found some pickled bacon and sausages. His eyes lit up, "These bacon look delicious. They will definitely go well with rice if I take them home and cook them."

The three returned with a full load, carrying large and small bags of local specialties, walking in the night of Chongqing. The street lights were still flashing, the river was flowing slowly, and this charming mountain city left them with countless beautiful memories. They knew that the excitement of this trip was still going on, and what kind of surprises would be waiting for them at the next stop?
When the first rays of dawn gently broke through the night sky of Beijing, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei were already waiting in Tiananmen Square. People from all corners of the country had already gathered in the square, all of them with the same ardent patriotic sentiments, looking forward to the solemn and sacred moment.

As the breeze blew, Li Xiao's eyes revealed a hint of excitement and reverence. He raised his head slightly and said softly: "Every time I think about witnessing the five-star red flag rising slowly in Tiananmen Square, I feel an indescribable excitement in my heart. This is not just a flag-raising ceremony, but also an expression of deep respect and love for the motherland."

Zhang Yuedong beside him was also overwhelmed with emotion. He held the camera tightly, his eyes fixed on the Tiananmen Gate Tower, and responded: "Yes, I want to use the camera to record every shocking moment and let this touching moment last forever." Lin Yifei stood quietly aside, immersed in this solemn atmosphere, occasionally taking a deep breath, as if to calm the waves in his heart.

As the passionate and loud flag-raising horn pierced the sky, the entire square suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were cast towards the Tiananmen Gate Tower.

The soldiers of the national flag guard marched in a uniform and powerful pace, escorting the five-star red flag and steadily walking towards the flag-raising platform. They were as tall and straight as pine trees, and every step seemed to echo the history, demonstrating the majesty and style of a great country.

Li Xiao followed the national flag guard closely, his eyes full of admiration: "Look at their steps, so firm and powerful, how much sweat and effort must have gone into it. Day after day of hard training, just to protect the dignity of this national flag, I salute them."

Zhang Yuedong quickly pressed the shutter of his camera to capture every wonderful scene, muttering to himself: "This scene is so shocking, every angle is perfect, I must organize these photos well when I go back." Lin Yifei straightened his back and saluted solemnly, with a strong sense of patriotism in his heart.

When the bright five-star red flag slowly rose towards the morning sun accompanied by the majestic "March of the Volunteers", thousands of people in the square saluted in a solemn manner, their eyes full of respect and pride for the motherland. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and everyone was immersed in this solemn and sacred atmosphere, silently wishing the motherland prosperity.

When the national flag rose to the top of the pole, the crowd burst into cheers. Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei also applauded excitedly. They knew that this fluttering national flag carried the dreams and hopes of countless Chinese people and was a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation.

After leaving Tiananmen Square, the three of them entered the gate of the Palace Museum with respect for history. The Palace Museum, this ancient and magnificent palace complex, is like a silent history book, quietly telling the glory and vicissitudes of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Walking into the Meridian Gate, the first thing that comes into view is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, commonly known as the Golden Throne Hall, is the largest and highest-ranking building in the Forbidden City and is also the venue for major ceremonies. Li Xiao looked up at the magnificent roof of the hall and couldn't help but sigh:

"The Hall of Supreme Harmony is worthy of being the core building of the Forbidden City. It is so magnificent and majestic, showing the majesty of the royal family. Look at the glazed tiles on the roof of the hall, which sparkle in the sunlight. There are also these exquisite carvings. Every detail shows the superb skills of ancient craftsmen." Zhang Yuedong was busy using his camera to capture the panoramic view of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. While adjusting the angle, he said, "The momentum of this building is so magnificent. Taking pictures from this angle can perfectly show the majesty of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It will definitely be stunning when I develop it when I go back."

Lin Yifei strolled in the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, imagining the grand scene when the emperor held the ceremony here, and his heart was filled with emotion: "Hundreds of years ago, this was the center of the empire. Countless political orders were issued from here, affecting the fate of the entire country. Now that we are standing here, it seems that we can still feel the weight of that history."

Walking along the central axis, they visited the Zhonghe Hall, Baohe Hall and other palaces in turn. Zhonghe Hall was where the emperor rested before going to the Taihe Hall for grand ceremonies, while Baohe Hall was where the emperor gave banquets and held palace examinations.

Each palace has a unique purpose and historical significance. The three people shuttled through them, as if traveling through time and space, having a silent conversation with the ancients.

Walking into the Qianqing Palace, Li Xiao pointed at the dragon throne in the palace and said:
"This is the emperor's throne. How many people dreamed of it and fought for it. Now we can watch it from such a close distance. How the world has changed." Zhang Yuedong approached the dragon throne and carefully examined the carvings on it. He exclaimed: "The craftsmanship of this dragon throne is so exquisite. Every dragon is lifelike, as if it will take off at any time."

Lin Yifei looked at the furnishings in the hall and imagined the emperor handling government affairs and living his daily life here, gaining a deeper understanding of ancient court life.

Then, they came to the Imperial Garden. The garden was shaded by green trees, colorful flowers, and pavilions and towers were scattered in an orderly manner. Li Xiao took a deep breath, feeling the tranquility and beauty of this moment: "After walking around the palace for so long, I feel a lot more relaxed when I come to the Imperial Garden. The scenery here is really beautiful. It must have been a good place for the concubines in the harem to relax and play."

Zhang Yuedong sat in the pavilion, took a short break, and admired the beautiful scenery around him. He took out his camera and took a picture of a corner of the Imperial Garden: "This picture is full of poetry. In this prosperous palace, the Imperial Garden is like a paradise." Lin Yifei looked at the ancient trees in the garden curiously, stroked the rough bark, and sighed at the vicissitudes of time:
"These ancient trees have witnessed the rise and fall of the Forbidden City. They are like the guardians of history, standing here silently and watching the dynasties change."

In the various palaces of the Forbidden City, there are also a large number of cultural relics and treasures on display. The three of them walked into the Treasure House and were instantly attracted by the dazzling array of exhibits in front of them. There were crystal clear jades, gorgeous and exquisite porcelains, and dazzling jewelry.

Li Xiao stood in front of a jade carving, admiring it intently: "The craftsmanship of this jade carving is simply amazing. How did the ancients carve a piece of stone into such a beautiful work of art? It's amazing." Zhang Yuedong has a special liking for a porcelain from the Qianlong period. He walked around the exhibit several times and took photos from different angles:
"The colors and textures of this porcelain reveal the luxury and taste of the royal family. It is indeed a masterpiece of that era." Lin Yifei looked at the jewelry with shining eyes: "If these jewelry were put on now, they would also be the darlings of the fashion industry. The aesthetics of the ancient times were really advanced."

Walking on the stone pavement of the Forbidden City, the three people seemed to have traveled through a time tunnel and returned to that glorious era.

Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and every tree in the Forbidden City carries the memory of history, which has given them a deeper understanding of ancient Chinese culture. They know that this ancient palace is not only a treasure of China, but also a shining pearl in the world's cultural heritage.

It was already noon when they came out of the Forbidden City, and their stomachs began to growl. They decided to walk into the alleys of BJ to explore the authentic delicacies hidden in the alleys and experience the atmosphere of the old BJ.

Walking into a narrow and quiet alley, with courtyards with gray walls and green tiles on both sides, you can occasionally hear the old Beijing dialect coming from the courtyard, with a strong Beijing accent and charm.

Li Xiao took a deep breath and smiled happily: "The smell in this alley is the most authentic smell of old BJ. Without the hustle and bustle of traffic, people feel particularly relaxed." Zhang Yuedong looked around curiously, taking pictures of the scenery in the alley with his camera from time to time:

"Every door and every brick in these courtyards seem to hide a story. Take a picture and savor it slowly when you get home." Lin Yifei followed behind, muttering, "I wonder what delicious food is hidden in this alley. I can't wait."

Not far away, a time-honored noodle shop appeared in front of them. The three of them walked into the shop, which was filled with the aroma of noodle sauce.

After finding an empty seat and sitting down, three steaming bowls of noodles were served to the table. The noodles were evenly thick and chewy, with tender green cucumber shreds, juicy bean sprouts, bright radish shreds and other vegetables on top, and a large spoonful of attractive fried sauce in the middle. Li Xiao skillfully mixed the fried sauce with the noodles, making sure every noodle was covered with the sauce, then picked up a chopstick and put it in his mouth, closed his eyes, and savored it carefully:

"This fried noodles has a strong sauce flavor, chewy noodles, and fresh vegetables. One bite makes me feel happy. This is the authentic taste of old BJ, much better than what I eat outside." Zhang Yuedong also imitated Li Xiao and ate the noodles with big mouthfuls, nodding and praising: "It's really delicious. The flavor of this fried sauce is just right, with a hint of sweetness in the salty fragrance. The more I eat, the more addictive it is."

Lin Yifei ate voraciously. After a while, he finished his bowl of noodles. He wiped his mouth and said with satisfaction: "I think I can have another bowl. This noodles is really to my taste."

After eating the noodles with soybean paste, they continued to wander around the alley.

Passing by a douzhi shop, there was a long line at the door. Lin Yifei approached curiously and asked, "What does this douzhi taste like? So many people are lining up to buy it." Li Xiao smiled and explained, "Douzhi is the specialty of old Beijing. It tastes a bit sour and smelly. Most people can't get used to it, but old Beijingers like it. They say they get more addicted the more they drink it.

How about we try it too?” Zhang Yuedong also became interested: “Since we are here, let’s give it a try.” So the three of them bought three bowls of soy milk and found a corner to sit down.