Chapter 405 - 2: Black Feather

Chapter 405: Chapter 2: Black Feather

"Yes, this place has a very deep and rich history," Huang Pengfei said, nodding in agreement.

After touring Huqiu, they went to Pingjiang Road. It was an ancient street in Suzhou, preserving many old buildings and traditional shops. They strolled along Pingjiang Road, sampling Suzhou’s specialty snacks like squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Yangcheng River Crab, and sweet rice porridge.

"This squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is delicious. It’s sweet and sour," Li Xiao said as he ate.

"Haha, the Yangcheng River Crab is wonderfully fresh, too. The food in Suzhou really leaves a lasting impression." Huang Pengfei was also enjoying his meal immensely.

In the evening, they went to see a *pingtan* performance. The performers sang moving stories in the soft Wu dialect, and the beautiful melodies and lilting vocals captivated them completely.

"This *pingtan* is really beautiful. It has such a Jiangnan flavor," Li Xiao said.

"It really is. Suzhou’s culture is so rich and diverse," Huang Pengfei replied.

After the performance, they visited a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, such as Su Embroidery, Biluochun Tea, and silk. Li Xiao bought some Biluochun Tea to take back for his family to try. Huang Pengfei, on the other hand, bought a piece of Su Embroidery as a souvenir from the trip.

"Alright, that’s a wrap for Suzhou. Where are we off to next?" Li Xiao asked.

"Let me think... How about we go to Zhangjiajie? We still haven’t had our fill of its unique peaks and strange rock formations," Huang Pengfei suggested.

"Sounds good! Then let’s head to Zhangjiajie," Li Xiao said excitedly.

Carrying their fond memories of Zhangjiajie, they set off on their journey once more.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived full of anticipation in Sanya, a tropical coastal city of blue seas, clear skies, white sands, and fine beaches.

The moment they stepped off the plane, a wave of hot, humid air washed over them, instantly immersing them in the unique charm of the tropics.

"Old Li, this feels completely different from the other places we’ve been," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Sanya’s tropical atmosphere will definitely give us a whole new experience."

They took a taxi to Yalong Bay Beach. The sight before them was breathtaking. The endless sea glittered like sapphires under the sun, and the fine, white sand stretched into the distance like a soft ribbon.

"Whoa, this is gorgeous!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t wait, dashing onto the beach and running around in excitement.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the beautiful scenery. He walked slowly to the water’s edge, feeling the waves gently lap at his feet. ’This place is truly like a paradise on earth.’

They found a shady spot on the beach to sit down and quietly admire the beautiful ocean view. In the distance, some tourists were enjoying water activities like jet skis and windsurfing, their laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.

"Old Li, let’s go try some water sports too," Huang Pengfei suggested.

Li Xiao thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let’s experience the fun of Sanya’s waters."

They rented a sailboat and, under the guidance of an instructor, raised the sail and headed out to sea. The sea breeze felt cool against their faces as they reveled in the thrilling yet relaxing voyage.

"Haha, this is awesome!" Huang Pengfei shouted with excitement.

Li Xiao also broke into a happy smile. "It really is exhilarating."

After tiring themselves out with water sports, they were getting hungry. So, they went to try some of Sanya’s local specialties—coconut chicken and *qingbuliang*. The coconut chicken soup was savory and delicious, with tender, juicy meat. The *qingbuliang* was a cool and refreshing dessert, a mix of various fruits and ingredients that left a wonderful aftertaste.

"Hey, I can’t believe we’re back in Zhangjiajie so soon," Li Xiao said, his eyes full of excitement as he looked at the familiar scenery.

Huang Pengfei smiled and said, "We didn’t get to see enough last time. We have to really take our time and enjoy it this time around."

They stepped into Zhangjiajie National Forest Park once more, and the sight of the rows of unique peaks was still just as stunning. As they walked along Golden Whip Stream, the water gurgled softly, as if telling them stories of what had happened since their last visit.

"Do you remember us talking about the legends of Golden Whip Stream here last time?" Li Xiao asked, turning his head to Huang Pengfei.

"Of course I do. It feels even more familiar this time," Huang Pengfei replied.

They arrived at Yuanjiajie and were once again captivated by the giant stone pillars. Mist and clouds swirled between the mountains, creating a scene like a celestial wonderland.

"You never get tired of looking at this view," Li Xiao remarked with a sigh.

"Yeah, you feel something different every time you see it," Huang Pengfei agreed, nodding.

Around noon, they found a local restaurant and once again sampled delicacies like *sanxiaguo* and Tujia cured meat. The familiar flavors spread through their mouths, reminding them of the wonderful time they had here before.

"It tastes just the same. So delicious," Li Xiao said with satisfaction.

"Haha, food really is an important part of traveling," Huang Pengfei responded with a laugh.

After their meal, they went to watch a folk performance. The songs of the Tujia girls were as moving as ever, and the performances of the Tujia men were just as spectacular.

"This performance feels even more impressive this time," Li Xiao said while clapping.

"Maybe it’s because we’re more familiar with this place, so we can appreciate it on a deeper level," Huang Pengfei said.

After the performance, they went to a specialty shop and bought some kudzu root powder and Moyan raspberry tea.

"We can take these back for our friends so they can also try some of Zhangjiajie’s specialties," Li Xiao said.

"Mhm, this trip to Zhangjiajie has brought new rewards," Huang Pengfei said with a nod.