Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1805

They continued walking along Central Avenue, admiring the surrounding night view. The ice sculptures on the street, illuminated by the lights, were crystal clear, like exquisite works of art. The trees along the roadside were adorned with colorful lights, twinkling as if stars had fallen to earth.

"The night view of Central Street is truly beautiful, combining the romance of European architecture with the lively atmosphere of Northeast China," Zhang Yuedong remarked.

“Yes, every view here is breathtaking. I wish time could stand still at this moment,” Li Xiao said.

Enjoy Harbin cuisine

After strolling around for a while, all three of them got a little hungry. They decided to find a restaurant to try some of Harbin's local specialties. After some searching, they went into a very popular Northeastern Chinese restaurant.

Upon entering, a friendly waiter greeted them, arranged seats, and presented them with menus.

"Give us a few of our signature dishes: sweet and sour pork, stir-fried potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant, stewed pork with vermicelli, and a plate of dumplings," Zhang Yuedong ordered skillfully.

"Alright, please wait a moment, your food will be here shortly," the waiter said with a smile.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another. The first dish was sweet and sour pork, with golden and crispy slices of pork coated in a sweet and sour sauce that made one's mouth water.

"Wow, this sweet and sour pork looks so tempting!" Li Xiao picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork, took a bite, and found it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. It tasted amazing. "This flavor is absolutely incredible, better than any sweet and sour pork I've had elsewhere," Li Xiao exclaimed.

Next up was "Di San Xian" (Three Treasures of the Earth), made by deep-frying potatoes, eggplants, and green peppers, then stir-frying them with a rich sauce. It was visually appealing and had an enticing aroma.

"This 'Three Treasures of the Earth' is also very good. The potatoes are soft and tender, the eggplant is flavorful, and the green peppers are crisp. Together, they create a rich and delicious taste," Zhang Yuedong said, savoring the dish.

Finally, the dish served was braised pork with glass noodles, a classic Northeastern Chinese dish. Large chunks of pork and smooth glass noodles are stewed in a rich broth, releasing an irresistible aroma.

"This pork stew with vermicelli is so generous, a whole big bowl full, and it tastes amazing too," Lin Yifei said, before taking a big bite.

Besides these dishes, there was also a plate of steaming dumplings. The dumplings were filled with pork and scallions, with thin wrappers and generous fillings. One bite and the broth bursts out, making them incredibly delicious.

"These dumplings are delicious too, with thin wrappers and generous fillings, and the flavor is authentic," Li Xiao said while eating the dumplings.

The three of them enjoyed their meal and chatted, experiencing the charm of Northeastern cuisine. The other diners in the restaurant were also eating with relish, their hearty laughter and thick Northeastern accents filling the air, giving a sense of the warmth and generosity of the people of Northeast China.

Buy local specialties and watch performances

After finishing their meal, the three went to a specialty shop to buy some local products to take home. The shop had a wide variety of specialties, including Harbin red sausage, rye bread, kvass, and Wuchang rice.

Li Xiao selected some Harbin red sausage and rye bread, saying, "These red sausage and rye bread are Harbin specialties. I'll take them back for my family and friends to try."

Zhang Yuedong bought some Wuchang rice and kvass. He said, "Wuchang rice is very famous. The cooked rice is fragrant and sticky. Kvass is a special drink with a unique taste. I'll take it back for everyone to try."

Lin Yifei also bought some souvenirs and local specialties. He said, "This trip has been very rewarding. These local specialties and souvenirs will help me remember this wonderful trip."

After buying local specialties, they went to a theater to watch a performance of Errenzhuan, a traditional folk art form from Northeast China, which is loved by many for its humorous performances and unique singing style.

The performance began, and the actors, dressed in brightly colored costumes, sang and danced on stage. Their performance was spectacular, featuring not only humorous skits but also high-difficulty acrobatics and graceful dances. The actors' singing was high-pitched and melodious, full of the charm of Northeast China, captivating the audience.

"This Errenzhuan is so interesting! The actors' performances are fantastic!" Li Xiao laughed so hard he almost fell over, clapping and cheering non-stop.

"Yes, this kind of folk art is really charming, allowing people to feel the cultural heritage of Northeast China." Zhang Yuedong also watched with great interest.

Lin Yifei used his camera to capture the wonderful moments of the performance, saying, "Such a wonderful performance must be captured on camera to keep as a memento."

After the performance, the three left the theater, still feeling quite satisfied. As they walked back to their hotel, they reminisced about the wonderful day.

"I had so much fun today. Harbin is truly a charming city," Li Xiao exclaimed.

"Yes, the beautiful scenery, delicious food, and culture here are unforgettable," Zhang Yuedong said.

"The journey ahead is sure to be even more exciting, let's look forward to it!" Lin Yifei said with anticipation.

Back at the hotel, the three washed up and lay down to rest. Although physically tired, they felt exceptionally relaxed. In this icy city, filled with anticipation for tomorrow, they drifted off into sweet dreams.

Second stop: Jilin - A wonderful journey of rime ice and skiing
Heading to Wusong Island

After a fulfilling and wonderful few days in Harbin, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei embarked on their journey to Jilin. Their train sped across the vast northeastern land, the scenery outside the window flashing by like a slideshow. The fields, covered in thick snow, shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, resembling a silver ocean. In the distance, rolling mountains, against the backdrop of blue sky and white snow, created a magnificent and awe-inspiring panorama of northern landscape.

"The winter in Northeast China is full of beautiful scenery; every shot is a masterpiece." Lin Yifei looked out the window while constantly pressing the shutter button on his camera, wanting to capture all the beautiful scenery.

“Yes, it feels even more beautiful in every part than in the painting,” Li Xiao said excitedly.

After several hours of driving, they finally arrived in JL City. After a short rest, they couldn't wait to head to Wusong Island to chase after the dreamlike beauty of the rime ice.

The moment they stepped onto Wusong Island, it felt like they had entered a fairytale world. The trees on the island were enveloped in a layer of pure white, crystalline frost; every branch and every leaf was covered with thick frost flowers, resembling blooming pear blossoms or strings of silvery crystals. A gentle breeze rustled the branches, making the frost flowers whisper and murmur, as if playing a beautiful winter symphony.

"Wow, this is so beautiful! It's like stepping into a fairyland." Li Xiao was so stunned by the beautiful scenery before him that he couldn't speak for a while before finally letting out a gasp of amazement.

"It's truly magnificent! This is the first time I've ever seen such beautiful rime ice. It feels like a dream," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed excitedly, his eyes glued to the breathtaking scenery.

Lin Yifei had already picked up his camera and was snapping away, muttering, "This scenery is absolutely stunning; every photo could be a wallpaper." They strolled around the island, fully appreciating the rare and beautiful scenery. Tourists frequently passed by, all captivated by the beauty of the rime ice, taking out their phones to capture the moment, their faces beaming with excitement and joy.

"How do you think this rime ice forms?" Li Xiao asked curiously.

Zhang Yuedong adjusted his glasses and explained, "This is because the Songhua River does not freeze in winter and has abundant water vapor. When it encounters cold air, the water vapor condenses on the tree branches, forming ice crystals and creating this beautiful rime."

"Nature is truly amazing; it can create such beautiful scenery," Li Xiao exclaimed.

They walked along the riverbank, admiring the rising mist on the water and the villages faintly visible on the opposite bank. In the distance, several water birds frolicked on the river, adding a touch of life and vitality to the tranquil winter day.

"If I could live here for a while and see such beautiful scenery every day, that would be wonderful," Lin Yifei said wistfully.

“Yes, but we can’t stay here forever. There are still many places waiting for us to explore,” Zhang Yuedong said with a smile.

The three spent an unforgettable time on Wusong Island, reluctantly leaving only as the sun began to set. Filled with memories and the beautiful scenery captured in their cameras, they headed to their next destination—Songhua Lake Ski Resort.

Songhua Lake Ski Resort
Early the next morning, Li Xiao, Zhang Yuedong, and Lin Yifei arrived at Songhua Lake Ski Resort. As soon as they got out of the car, they were captivated by the bustling scene before them. The ski resort was teeming with people; ski enthusiasts, dressed in brightly colored ski suits, sped down the slopes on their skis, creating a vibrant spectacle like colorful rainbows.

"Wow, there are so many people here! It seems everyone is just like us, wanting to enjoy skiing to their heart's content in the snow," Li Xiao said excitedly.

"Yeah, I can't wait to get on the field," Lin Yifei said, pulling Li Xiao and Zhang Yuedong to rent ski equipment.

With the help of the staff, they quickly changed into skis and ski boots. Wearing ski boots for the first time, Li Xiao felt a little uncomfortable, walking unsteadily like a child just learning to walk.

"These snowshoes are really heavy, I feel like I can't even walk anymore," Li Xiao said with a wry smile.

“It’s like this at the beginning. Once you get on the slopes, you’ll feel that it was all worth it,” Zhang Yuedong comforted him.

The three of them cautiously entered the ski resort and arrived at the beginner slope. Looking at the slope, which wasn't too steep, Li Xiao felt both excited and a little nervous.

"I'll try first, you guys wait for me a bit." Li Xiao took a deep breath and then slowly slid down. At first, he was able to maintain his balance, but he hadn't gone very far when he lost control of his direction due to excessive speed and fell on the snow.

"Haha, Li Xiao, your posture is really pathetic," Lin Yifei joked with a laugh.

Li Xiao got up from the snow, brushed the snow off himself, and said defiantly, "It was just an accident. I'll try again."

This time, Li Xiao learned from his mistake, slowed down, leaned forward slightly, and kept his eyes focused ahead. Gradually, he found his rhythm and was able to glide more smoothly.

"I did it!" Li Xiao shouted excitedly.

Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei also mustered their courage and skied down. At first, they were a little clumsy and fell a few times, but through continuous attempts and practice, their skills gradually improved, and they were able to move freely on the ski slope.

"Skiing is so exciting! I feel like I'm flying!" Lin Yifei said excitedly.

"Yes, and we can also enjoy such a beautiful snow scene, it's really great," Zhang Yuedong exclaimed.

After practicing on the beginner slope for a while, they felt it wasn't enough and decided to challenge themselves on the intermediate slope. The intermediate slope was steeper and more difficult than the beginner slope. But all three of them were full of confidence and wanted to try a higher challenge.

“Let’s go down together and look out for each other,” Li Xiao said.

“Okay, no problem.” Zhang Yuedong and Lin Yifei nodded in agreement.

The three stood at the starting point of the intermediate ski slope, took a deep breath, and set off simultaneously. At first, their pace was relatively slow, but as the slope increased, their speed rose faster and faster. The wind whistled past their ears, and their heartbeats quickened.

"Wow, this is so exciting!" Li Xiao couldn't help but shout.

During the skiing, Zhang Yuedong accidentally fell, and his skis flew off. Lin Yifei and Li Xiao immediately stopped and ran over to help Zhang Yuedong up.

"Are you alright?" Li Xiao asked with concern.

"I'm fine, I just fell and it hurts a little," Zhang Yuedong said, rubbing his bottom.

"That's good. Be more careful next time. Let's rest for a while before continuing to skate," Lin Yifei said.

After resting for a while, the three continued their journey. This time, they were more careful and cautious, and successfully skied to the bottom of the slope.

"That was awesome! I succeeded in the challenge!" Li Xiao jumped up excitedly.

"Yes, although it was a bit thrilling, it was really fulfilling," Zhang Yuedong said with a smile.

They spent a thrilling and joyful day at Songhua Lake Ski Resort. Only when the sun set and the resort lights gradually came on did they reluctantly leave. Although physically tired, their faces beamed with satisfaction. They had not only experienced the joy of skiing but also challenged themselves, gaining courage and confidence.

Experience Ula Manchu Hot Pot
After leaving the ski resort, all three were starving. They decided to try the local specialty – Ula Manchu hot pot. On the recommendation of locals, they went to a restaurant serving Manchu cuisine.

Upon entering the restaurant, they were immediately drawn to its rich Manchu cultural atmosphere. The interior was decorated in an antique style, with traditional Manchu clothing and folk paintings adorning the walls, and the tables and chairs were all made of solid wood in Manchu style. The waiter warmly greeted them, inviting them to sit down in fluent Northeastern Mandarin and presenting them with the menu.

"Come and try our Ula Manchu hot pot, it's our signature dish, we guarantee you'll be satisfied," the waiter said with a smile.

"Okay, one of those will do. And bring us some other specialty dishes as well," Zhang Yuedong said.