Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

When Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei arrived in Hangzhou, it was early morning. The soft sunlight shone through the thin clouds and fell on this poetic city. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus, mixed with moist water vapor, as if telling the unique gentle story of Hangzhou.

"I'm finally in Hangzhou. This is the place I've always wanted to visit." Li Xiao took a deep breath, an excited smile on his face.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, Hangzhou has a lot of beautiful sights, we must enjoy them all this time."

Lin Yifei looked at the scenery outside the car window, his eyes full of anticipation: "The first stop is West Lake, which is the iconic attraction of Hangzhou. It would be a pity to miss it."

The three of them simply packed their luggage and headed to West Lake. West Lake, like a bright pearl inlaid in the land of Hangzhou, has clear and green water that sparkles under the sunlight.

The mountains in the distance are rolling and shrouded in clouds and mist, like a landscape painting in light ink. The willow trees by the lake hang down their long branches, swaying in the wind, like a girl's hair, gently brushing across the lake, creating layers of ripples.

They strolled along the Su Causeway, which was lined with willow trees and had peach blossoms in full bloom, red like fire, pink like clouds, white like snow, emitting bursts of fragrance.

There are six single-hole semicircular arch stone bridges on the Su Causeway, from south to north, namely Yingbo Bridge, Suolan Bridge, Wangshan Bridge, Yadi Bridge, Dongpu Bridge and Kuahong Bridge, which are small in shape and exquisite in craftsmanship. The bridge railings are decorated with patterns such as leaping lions, butterflies and Huiwen, which are lifelike.

"This Su Causeway is so beautiful. It's no wonder that it was built by Su Dongpo when he was dredging the West Lake." Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him.

Zhang Yuedong continued: "Su Shi not only left us this beautiful Su Causeway, but also left us so many poems that have been passed down through the ages, such as 'If I want to compare West Lake to Xi Shi, light makeup or heavy makeup is always suitable', which vividly describes the beauty of West Lake."

Lin Yifei looked at the lake in the distance and said, "Walking on this Su Causeway, I feel like time has slowed down. I really want to keep walking like this."

They walked along the Su Causeway and came to Yingbo Bridge. Standing on the bridge, you can see Leifeng Pagoda to the south, with golden sunlight shining on the pagoda, which looks particularly solemn and sacred; looking north is "Watching Fish at Huagang", one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake, where you can see groups of red carps in the red fish pond swimming happily in the water, attracting many tourists to stop and watch.

"This Leifeng Pagoda looks so majestic. I really want to go and see it." Li Xiao said, pointing at the Leifeng Pagoda in the distance.

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "Don't worry, we still have early time today, it won't be too late to go after we finish touring the lake."

After leaving Yingbo Bridge, they continued to stroll along the Su Causeway, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The breeze blew on their faces, bringing the scent of flowers and the smell of lake water, making people feel extremely comfortable. Unconsciously, they arrived at the Yadi Bridge.

Yadi Bridge is located at the golden section of the north and south of Su Causeway, and is one of the best places to overlook the scenery of the entire lake. Standing on the bridge, you can have a panoramic view of the entire West Lake, with mountains, islands, and cruise ships in the distance and lake water, lotus flowers, and weeping willows nearby, forming a picturesque scene.

"Wow, the scenery is so beautiful. I want to take more pictures." Lin Yifei took out his camera and kept pressing the shutter, wanting to record this beautiful moment.

Li Xiao and Zhang Yuedong also took out their mobile phones to take pictures of the beautiful scenery in front of them. While taking pictures, they shared their feelings, and their laughter echoed over the Su Causeway.

"It would be great to go boating on the West Lake." Li Xiao looked at the cruise ship on the lake, his eyes full of longing.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Okay, let's rent a boat and experience the charm of West Lake."

So the three of them went to the boat dock and rented a boat. The boatman paddled skillfully, and the boat slowly sailed to the center of the lake. The lake water was clear and you could see the bottom, and you could see the fish swimming freely in the water. The breeze blew over, and ripples appeared on the lake. The sunlight shone on it, and the waves sparkled, as if countless diamonds were shining.

"Sitting on this boat, I feel like I am integrated into the beautiful scenery of West Lake." Lin Yifei closed his eyes, feeling the breeze, with an intoxicated expression on his face.

Li Xiao looked at the surrounding scenery and said with emotion: "The beauty of West Lake is really indescribable. Every place is like a painting."

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "Yes, no wonder so many writers and poets have left masterpieces for West Lake. It is really so charming."

Their boat slowly passed by Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, the largest island in West Lake, with beautiful scenery and tranquil views. The Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is especially famous both at home and abroad. Three stone towers stand tall on the lake, like three elves guarding West Lake.

It is said that on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, if a candle is lit in the round hole of the stone tower, the light beam will be reflected on the water through the hole, and dozens of real, fake, virtual and real moons will appear at the same time, creating a spectacular scene.

"It's a pity that it's not Mid-Autumn Festival now, otherwise we could see that magical sight." Li Xiao said with some regret.

Lin Yifei comforted him: "It's okay, we'll come again when we have the chance, maybe we can catch up."

The boat continued to move forward, and they visited other scenic spots in West Lake, such as the Lake Center Pavilion, Ruan Gongdun, etc. Every time they went to a place, they could feel the unique charm and profound cultural heritage of West Lake. Unconsciously, the sun gradually set in the west, and the beautiful sunset glow appeared on the horizon, covering the West Lake with a golden coat, making it even more charming.

"Time flies by so fast. I feel like I haven't had enough fun yet." Li Xiao said reluctantly as he looked at the gradually darkening sky.

Zhang Yuedong smiled and said, "It's okay, we can come again tomorrow. There are many fun places in Hangzhou."

Lin Yifei nodded and said, "Yes, and we haven't tasted the delicacies of Hangzhou today, so we must go and try them later."

So, the three of them ended their trip to West Lake in a happy mood and looked forward to the next wonderful journey.

After the tour of West Lake, the three people's stomachs began to growl. They walked along the West Lake, looking for a restaurant of their choice. After a while, an antique Hangzhou restaurant came into view, with the three big characters "Lou Wai Lou" written on the sign at the door.

"This Louwailou is a very famous Hangzhou cuisine restaurant in Hangzhou. Many people who come to Hangzhou come here to taste the food. Let's go and try it." Li Xiao said, pointing to the restaurant.

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei nodded in agreement, and the three of them walked into Louwailou. The restaurant was elegantly decorated, full of the charm of the Jiangnan water town. The waiter greeted them warmly and led them to their seats.

The three took the menu and looked at the dazzling array of dishes, not knowing how to choose. "When you come to Hangzhou, you must try West Lake Vinegar Fish, which is one of the representative Hangzhou dishes." Li Xiao said.

Zhang Yuedong went on to say: "There is also Dongpo pork, which is also a must-order. I heard that this dish was invented by Su Dongpo."

Lin Yifei smiled and said, "Then let's order some Longjing shrimp. The combination of West Lake Longjing and shrimp is delicious just thinking about it."

Finally, they ordered a bowl of Song Sao fish soup and some other special side dishes. Soon, the dishes were served one after another. The first one to come up was West Lake vinegar fish, which was bright red in color, drizzled with a layer of rich sweet and sour sauce, and dotted with some minced ginger, exuding an enticing aroma.

"Wow, this West Lake vinegar fish looks so appetizing, let me try it first." Li Xiao couldn't wait to pick up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. The fish was tender and smooth, melting in the mouth, and the sweet and sour taste of the sweet and sour sauce was just right, not too sour, not too sweet, and with a hint of crab flavor, which made people linger.

"Well, it tastes really good, the fish is tender and the vinegar is sweet and sour. It is worthy of being the signature dish of Hangzhou cuisine." Li Xiao praised while eating.

Zhang Yuedong also picked up a piece of fish and savored it carefully: "It's really good. The cooking time of this dish is very good. The fish is just cooked through, yet still tender. And the sweet and sour sauce is also very particular. It has a rich flavor but does not cover up the freshness of the fish itself."

Lin Yifei also nodded in agreement: "Yes, I think the best part of this dish is the hint of crab flavor. I don't know how the chef made it. It tastes as delicious as crab."

Then, Dongpo pork was served on the table. The square pieces of pork belly were bright red and shiny, making people salivate at the sight.

"This Dongpo pork looks very tempting, fat but not greasy, melts in your mouth, it must be delicious." Zhang Yuedong said, picking up a piece of Dongpo pork and putting it in his mouth. Sure enough, the skin is soft and glutinous, the fat part melts in your mouth, the lean meat part is tender and juicy, fat but not greasy, sweet but not greasy, with a light aroma of wine and rich meat, which makes people unable to stop.

"Wow, this Dongpo pork is so delicious. I have never eaten such delicious braised pork." Zhang Yuedong couldn't help but exclaimed.

Li Xiao also ate a piece and nodded, saying, "Well, this Dongpo pork is really worthy of its reputation, and it is worthy of being Su Dongpo's masterpiece. The meat is stewed just right, the texture is soft and glutinous, the taste is mellow, and it makes people have an endless aftertaste."

Lin Yifei smiled and said: "It seems that Su Dongpo is not only a great writer, but also a gourmet. This Dongpo pork is simply a delicacy."

Then, Longjing shrimps were served. The white shrimps and the tender green Longjing tea set off each other, and the color was fresh and bright. The shrimps were plump and crystal clear, tender and chewy, with a light Longjing tea fragrance, fresh and refreshing, with a unique flavor.

"This Longjing shrimp looks very delicate, and it must taste good." Li Xiao picked up a shrimp and put it in his mouth. The tenderness of the shrimp and the fragrance of the tea blend perfectly, with a delicious taste and the fragrance of tea, making people feel as if they are in a tea garden by the West Lake.

"Well, this Longjing shrimp is really special. The shrimp is fresh and tender, and the tea aroma is refreshing. The combination of the two is a perfect match." Li Xiao praised it highly.

Zhang Yuedong also tasted it and nodded, saying, "Yes, this dish is not only delicious, but also very beautiful and pleasing to the eye."

Lin Yifei smiled and said: "I think this dish best reflects the characteristics of Hangzhou. It has the beautiful scenery of West Lake, the fragrance of Longjing tea, and the delicious shrimp. It is really a delicious dish with good color, fragrance and taste."

The last dish served was Songsao Fish Soup, a traditional Hangzhou specialty with a history of more than 800 years. The fish soup is golden in color, thick and delicious, and contains shredded ham, shredded mushrooms, eggs and other ingredients, making it rich in nutrition and taste.

"This Song Sao fish soup looks very appetizing, and it must taste good." Zhang Yuedong said, scooping a spoonful of fish soup into his mouth. The fish soup is fresh, tender and smooth, melts in the mouth, and tastes delicious, with a hint of sourness and pepper, which makes people's appetite open.

"Well, this Song Sao fish soup is really delicious, fresh, rich in taste, and very appetizing." Zhang Yuedong praised.

Li Xiao also tasted it and nodded, saying, "It's really good. The ingredients used in this fish soup are very particular. The fish shreds are fresh and tender, the ham and mushroom shreds add fragrance, and the eggs make the fish soup thicker. It tastes really great."

Lin Yifei smiled and said, "I heard there is a legend about Song Sao's fish soup. Back then, Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, tasted the fish soup made by Song Wu Sao and praised it highly. Since then, this dish has become famous all over the world."

The three of them shared their feelings while tasting the food, and the laughter echoed in the restaurant. They fully enjoyed the unique charm of Hangzhou cuisine and felt the food culture of Hangzhou. This delicious meal not only satisfied their taste buds, but also made them have a deeper understanding and love for the city of Hangzhou.

As night falls and the lights come on, Hangzhou is decorated with lights and becomes particularly charming. After tasting the delicious food, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei decided to watch a folk performance with the theme of Song Dynasty style to further experience the cultural charm of Hangzhou.

They came to an antique theater, where a wonderful Song Dynasty performance was about to be staged. The theater was packed with people, and everyone was waiting for the performance to begin with great anticipation.

"I heard that this performance combines various art forms from the Song Dynasty, such as music, dance, and drama. It must be wonderful," Li Xiao said excitedly.

Zhang Yuedong nodded in agreement: "Yes, and I can also feel the cultural atmosphere of the Song Dynasty up close. I am really looking forward to it."

Lin Yifei also said with anticipation: "I can't wait to see what the folk culture of the Song Dynasty was like."

The performance officially began with the sound of melodious ancient music. On the stage, actors dressed in gorgeous Song Dynasty costumes, holding various traditional musical instruments, played beautiful music. The music seemed to travel through time and space, bringing them into the prosperous streets of the Song Dynasty.

"This music is so beautiful. It feels like I'm walking on the streets of the Song Dynasty." Li Xiao closed his eyes and immersed himself in the music.

Zhang Yuedong also said with emotion: "Yes, this music is really infectious, and it makes people feel as if they can see the prosperous scene of the Song Dynasty."

Then, a group of dancers dressed in Song Dynasty Hanfu took to the stage. Their dancing was graceful and smooth, like fairies descending to earth. The round fans in the dancers' hands opened and closed to the rhythm of the music, and the patterns on the fans were lifelike, as if telling stories of the Song Dynasty.

"This dance is so beautiful, and the Song Dynasty Hanfu is so beautiful. It is really a visual feast." Lin Yifei stared at the dancers on the stage and exclaimed. (End of this chapter)