Chapter 415 - 7: A City of Culture, A Sea of Grass

Chapter 415: Chapter 7: A City of Culture, A Sea of Grass

"Hey, Old Li, this Shaoxing feels so rich in history!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Shaoxing is a famous historical and cultural city. A lot of famous people have come from here. Come on, let’s go check out Lu Xun’s Hometown first."

They arrived at Lu Xun’s Hometown, which preserves the former residence where Mr. Lu Xun lived, as well as Baicao Garden and Sanwei Bookstore. Stepping into the old home, the ancient architecture seemed to whisper tales of Mr. Lu Xun’s childhood.

"Wow, Old Li, look! So this is where Mr. Lu Xun lived as a kid! It feels so historic," Huang Pengfei said, looking all around.

Li Xiao was also immersed in the atmosphere. "That’s right. Mr. Lu Xun’s works influenced so many people. Being here helps us better understand the environment he grew up in."

They visited Baicao Garden and gazed at the grounds, once so full of childhood fun, imagining Mr. Lu Xun playing there as a boy.

"Old Li, this Baicao Garden is really neat. Look at those plants—they’re growing so lushly," Huang Pengfei said.

Next, they went to Sanwei Bookstore. Looking at the old desks, especially the one carved with the character for "early," their hearts filled with admiration for Mr. Lu Xun.

"’Mr. Lu Xun was so diligent, even as a child. He’s truly someone to learn from,’ Li Xiao remarked with a sigh.

After leaving Lu Xun’s Hometown, they came to Shen Garden, an ancient garden filled with a romantic atmosphere.

"Old Li, Shen Garden is gorgeous! I hear there’s a tragic love story associated with it, too," Huang Pengfei said.

"Yeah, the love story of Lu You and Tang Wan is very moving. The scenery here is also captivating—the pavilions, small bridges, and flowing streams are all so poetic," Li Xiao said.

They strolled through Shen Garden, admiring the beautiful scenery and soaking in the rich sense of history.

After touring Shen Garden, they started to feel hungry and decided to go try some of Shaoxing’s famous food.

"I hear the stinky tofu in Shaoxing is famous. Let’s go give it a try," Li Xiao suggested.

"Great idea! I’ve been wanting to try it for ages," Huang Pengfei said eagerly.

They found a small food stall and ordered a serving of stinky tofu. Before long, the dish, with its distinctive aroma, was served.

"Whoa, that smell... is really something else!" Huang Pengfei said, pinching his nose.

Li Xiao laughed. "Don’t just smell it, give it a try. The stinky tofu from Shaoxing is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It tastes great."

Huang Pengfei cautiously took a bite, and his eyes lit up. "Mm, this is actually delicious! The flavor is really unique."

After finishing the stinky tofu, they sampled other Shaoxing specialties, like yellow wine and braised pork with preserved greens. Every dish left a lasting, wonderful impression.

After their meal, they went to a venue for folk performances in Shaoxing, where a Yue Opera was being staged. The actors’ beautiful singing and brilliant performance gave them a taste of Shaoxing’s cultural charm.

"This Yue Opera is beautiful! And the actors’ costumes and makeup are gorgeous," Huang Pengfei said, applauding.

"Yes, Yue Opera is a unique part of Shaoxing’s traditional culture," Li Xiao said.

After the performance, they started shopping for local specialties. Shaoxing is famous for its yellow wine, preserved vegetables, and black felt hats. They picked out a few things they liked, planning to bring them back as gifts for friends and family.

"Old Li, this trip to Shaoxing was so rewarding," Huang Pengfei said, his hands full of shopping bags.

"Mhm. We didn’t just see beautiful scenery, we also ate delicious food, watched a folk performance, and bought souvenirs. Now, it’s time for our next destination," Li Xiao said.

Filled with a yearning for the vast grasslands, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei arrived in Hulun Bei’er. The moment they stepped off the plane, the fresh air and the immense, open sky filled them with excitement.

"Wow, Old Li, Hulun Bei’er is so majestic! Look at this blue sky, these grasslands... It’s spectacular," Huang Pengfei exclaimed, spreading his arms wide to feel the prairie wind.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded. "It is. Hulun Bei’er is the pearl of the grasslands. The beauty here is something we’ll never forget. Come on, let’s head to the Hulunbei’er Grassland first."

They rode in an off-road vehicle, driving deep into the great grassland. Along the way, the green prairie stretched out endlessly like a vast carpet. In the distance, herds of cattle and sheep were grazing, and fine horses were galloping.

"Hey, Old Li, look at those sheep! They’re so cute! And those horses, they’re so fast," Huang Pengfei said excitedly, pointing out the window.

Li Xiao was also captivated by the scenery. "The Hulunbei’er Grassland is just gorgeous. Everything here makes you feel so free and untamed."

They arrived at a yurt encampment, where hospitable members of the Mongolian Clan came up to greet them.

"Travelers from afar, welcome to the Hulunbei’er Grassland," an older man from the Mongolian Clan said in a booming voice.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei quickly replied, "Thank you for your warm hospitality."

They stepped into a yurt, which was decorated with a cozy warmth. Members of the Mongolian Clan served them specialty dishes like milk tea and hand-grasped mutton.

"Wow, this milk tea is so rich! And this hand-grasped mutton is delicious," Huang Pengfei exclaimed as he ate.

Li Xiao also sampled the food. "The cuisine of the Mongolian Clan is very distinctive. This hand-grasped mutton is so tender and juicy, and the milk tea is very comforting."

After their meal, they went out onto the grassland to watch a folk performance by the Mongolian Clan. Riders galloped across the plains, showing off their superb horsemanship, while young women from the clan performed elegant dances to the sound of melodious singing.

"What a brilliant performance!" Huang Pengfei said, applauding.