By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 79 Mountain Climbing Preparations
Li Younan wasn't too concerned about finding a guide. To be honest, in a highly commercialized scenic area like Huangshan, although it's still mountain climbing, it's completely different from outdoor mountaineering... mainly climbing stairs.

There's no need to hire a guide.

However, having someone to travel with to Huangshan would be quite nice. Humans are social animals, and while Li Younan can enjoy solitude, he would be more willing to accept an interesting travel companion. The girl he just met is indeed quite interesting, which would make the rest of the journey less boring.

The two packed all their luggage and drove down the mountain together. The girl's car was a Volkswagen Polo, and Li Younan was somewhat impressed that she could drive to a place like this.

After all, the road up the mountain isn't all paved; there's a section of gravel road and a rather large sign that reads, "Tourists, please drive carefully."

If Li Younan hadn't been driving a real SUV, he definitely would have chosen to take a detour. But Zhizhi drove up in such a small car, looking so lively and nimble.

It's not far from here to Huangshan city, only a few dozen kilometers.

The two slowly drove their car from the campsite onto the national highway, and then slowly made their way towards the city.

Li Younan drove very steadily as always. Of course, the main reason was that he was self-aware as a novice and knew that he would lose control if the car went too fast.

All the way, Zhizhi's pink car followed closely behind his car, all the way to the city.

Li Younan found a restaurant with convenient parking. It was already noon, so he could have lunch and then plan his next move.

Zhizhi followed him and stopped the car as well.

Zhizhi said, "Brother Li, you drive so smoothly, and I was able to keep up the whole time."

Li Younan blinked and nodded: "Oh."

……

Of course, it's impossible to go to Huangshan Scenic Area today.

After the two finished their meal, Zhizhi insisted on paying the bill. They then checked into a nearby chain hotel, planning to rest for a day and go hiking together the next day.

Back at the hotel, Li Younan opened the short video platform as usual. His follower growth was steady; while not rapid, he had now accumulated 5 followers. More manufacturers were starting to approach him for collaborations.

JK Longjian's latest video is the one about making a woodworking modified bed. This video also garnered considerable popularity, reaching over 1 likes. However, it must be said that there are simply too many similar modifications online, so it didn't become the viral sensation one might have expected.

Li Younan opened the comments section and saw a very eye-catching comment: "Holy crap, no way? The streamer can actually do carpentry! I've been a carpenter for seven or eight years, and I can say with certainty that the streamer's skill level is obviously professional!"

However, the vast majority of people didn't pay attention to this comment. Most people didn't care how skilled Li Younan was.

As the saying goes, you only think about finding the nail when you have a hammer. A skilled carpenter will focus on Li Younan's carpentry skills. This audience member's "hammer" is the carpenter's technique.

For most people, their "hammer" is simply a boring life. People trapped in trivialities yearn to live their dream life, even if someone else lives it for them—doesn't that seem interesting?
Some of the highly-rated comments were really touching.

"I was working on a PPT until 3 a.m., and when I looked up and saw this video, I almost burst into tears. The freedom you're holding on that steering wheel is something I never even dared to dream of. We're trapped in cubicles 'living,' while you're truly 'living' in the world. Not everyone has courage, but my envy is real. It turns out that you really can hold the steering wheel of your own life."

This comment received over 800 likes.

"My 'poetry and distant places' are those 15-second short videos I see while commuting on the subway this morning, but yours are the gas pedal under your foot and the horizon in front of you. With mortgages, car loans, and PowerPoint presentations weighing on you, quitting your job to travel seems like a luxurious fairytale. But buddy, your video is a window that secretly opens in my suffocating daily life. Step on the gas harder! See more for us!"

This comment has over 600 likes.

The number of views for this video is far beyond what a small-time streamer with 3 or 4 followers should expect. Naturally, the algorithm will also recommend the hardware tools shown in the video to professionals in that field.

Unfortunately, not a single set of the hardware tools displayed in the shop window was sold.

The hardware store owner kept his promise and made the corresponding final payment based on the conversion rate of the traffic. Further payments will be made as the video views and likes continue to rise.

What left Li Younan speechless was that his boss sent him a message on WeChat: "You're really stuck with Q!" Seeing this old joke from the last century, Li Younan felt a strange chill run down his spine and goosebumps all over his body.

After resting briefly at the hotel, Zhizhi came to knock on his door. The two had arranged to go buy some hiking gear that afternoon.

Li Younan had no experience with this kind of thing. Given Zhizhi's terrible performance when setting up the tent before, he was rather cautious about trusting this adorable girl's reliability in this matter. So Li Younan had looked up some tips online beforehand.

Some equipment is necessary to buy, such as a walking stick, but try to travel light as possible.

Li Younan didn't drive; he and Zhizhi took a taxi to Decathlon in the city to pick out some outdoor hiking gear.

Zhizhi meticulously explained the equipment Li Younan would need. Li Younan listened patiently, nodding occasionally.

Then, when making the selection, I basically didn't follow Zhizhi's advice.

Li Younan only picked out a pair of hiking boots, a pair of sunglasses, and a walking stick.

Just as the two were paying, the person in front of them in line got stuck at the payment stage. There was only one person in front of them, a dark-skinned man who was anxiously rummaging through his bag, muttering English with a French accent, and had a thick beard.

The cashier, a young woman, pointed at the screen and repeated in simple English, "Card, not working. Try again? Change the card?"

The man shook his head, stuffed a bank card back into his wallet, and then rummaged through his bag. His bag was open, revealing several camera lenses inside.

Looks like a photographer.

“Sorry,” he turned to Li Younan, and said something quickly in French, then switched to English, “My cards… don’t seem to work. This machine…” He shrugged helplessly, still holding another card in his hand, a French bank card.

The cashier looked at Li Younan, seemingly a little embarrassed. There was no one else in line behind them, but it wouldn't do to remain in this awkward situation.

Li Younan glanced at what he had bought: several pairs of thick socks, a portable water bottle, and a box of energy bars. Not much, probably only a little over a hundred yuan. Li Younan happened to have some cash on him for emergencies.

"Try cash?" Li Younan took out his wallet, pulled out two hundred-yuan bills, and handed them to the cashier. "Let's pay for them together first." Li Younan pointed to the items he had bought.

The man paused for a moment, then a look of relief spread across his face. "Ah! Thank you! Thank you so much!" he said quickly. "I... I'll transfer the money to you right away! I have WeChat, or..." He quickly pulled out his phone.

If your WeChat account is linked to a foreign bank, you may not be able to make payments offline, but this will not affect transfers between WeChat accounts.

"It's okay, no rush." ​​The cashier quickly scanned the code, collected the money, and gave change. Li Younan also put his hiking poles on the conveyor belt and paid the bill.

He quickly added Li Younan on WeChat and immediately transferred the money, even adding a little extra. Li Younan returned the excess. "Okay, just right."

“Thank you so much,” he said earnestly, packing his things into his backpack. “I almost got stuck here. My name is Pierre.”

"It's nothing." Li Younan nodded and picked up his trekking poles.

Pierre suddenly noticed the hiking stick in Li Younan's hand and asked, "Friend, are you also planning to go to Huangshan?"

At this moment, Zhizhi, who had been standing to the side, finally chimed in: "Yes, we're going to Huangshan tomorrow."

Pierre took out his camera from his bag and said with a smile, "I'm a photographer. Maybe I can take some photos for you if we happen to meet tomorrow. Oh, I'm also planning to go to Huangshan tomorrow."

Li Younan glanced at Pierre's equipment; it was a high-end Nikon camera. His bag also contained a bulging small pouch, presumably for the accompanying lenses.

Li Younan smiled and said, "If we are destined to meet again tomorrow."

As he was leaving, the young foreigner said earnestly, "Believe me, I am an excellent photographer!"

(End of this chapter)