Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, with the cool autumn breeze and warm sunshine. It was the first time for both of them to come to this historic city, and they were full of expectations and excitement.

"Brother Xiao, look at Tiananmen Square, it's so majestic and magnificent!" Huang Pengfei pointed to the Tiananmen Tower in front of him, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, Pengfei, every brick and tile here records the history of China. Let's go to the Forbidden City first."

The two walked through the bustling crowd and entered the Palace Museum. The ancient palaces, exquisite carvings, and rich cultural relics made them dazzled. They stopped in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and Li Xiao said with emotion: "This place has witnessed the changes of many dynasties, the rise and fall of many heroes."

Huang Pengfei nodded in agreement: "History is like a book, every page is worth reading carefully."

After visiting the Forbidden City, the two decided to taste the authentic food of BJ. They came to a time-honored roast duck restaurant, sat in an antique box, and waited for the roast duck to be served.

"Brother Xiao, the aroma of this roast duck is really mouth-watering." Huang Pengfei couldn't help swallowing.

Li Xiao smiled and nodded: "Yes, this is BJ's signature dish, you should eat a few more pieces later."

The roast duck was served, with golden crispy skin, tender and juicy meat, sweet bean sauce and chopped green onions. The two ate it with gusto. Huang Pengfei said while eating: "This roast duck is really worthy of its reputation, it tastes great!"

After dinner, they went to Nanluoguxiang to experience the hutong culture of old BJ. In a small shop, they watched a shadow play performance. Li Xiao exclaimed: "This shadow play is really an art. Every movement is lifelike."

Huang Pengfei also nodded: "Yes, we must not forget these traditional cultures."

As night fell, the two of them wandered around the bar street in Houhai, listening to street performers playing guitar and singing, and feeling the BJ nightlife. Li Xiao suggested: "Let's go to the Great Wall tomorrow to see the winding dragon."

Huang Pengfei responded excitedly: "Good idea! Great Wall, here I come!"

The two ended the first day's journey with laughter and looked forward to the Great Wall trip on the second day.
The early morning sun shone on the ancient Great Wall. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei stood at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, looking up at the winding and undulating walls, feeling an indescribable shock in their hearts.

"Brother Xiao, this is the Great Wall, it's so spectacular!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly, his eyes flashing with awe for history.

Li Xiao took a deep breath and said with emotion: "Yes, this is not just a wall, but also the backbone of the Chinese nation."

The two began to climb up the stone steps of the Great Wall step by step. Along the way, they admired the magnificent scenery of the Great Wall and felt the weight of history. Huang Pengfei took out his camera from time to time to record this unforgettable moment.

"Brother Xiao, look at the mountains over there. They blend into the Great Wall. They are so beautiful." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to the mountains in the distance.

Li Xiao nodded in agreement: "Every brick and stone here carries the wisdom and sweat of the ancients. We must cherish it."

When they climbed to the highest point of the Great Wall, they looked around and saw the Great Wall winding through the mountains like a giant dragon, which was magnificent. Li Xiao couldn't help but sigh: "Standing here, you can truly feel the heroic spirit of 'If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you are not a true man'."

Huang Pengfei also felt deeply touched: "Yes, every brick and stone here has witnessed the changes of history. We are lucky to be here."

After the tour, the two went down the mountain and came to a nearby specialty restaurant to taste local farm dishes. In the restaurant, they tasted authentic Beijing noodles with soybean paste and bean juice. Huang Pengfei said while eating: "This noodles with soybean paste is really authentic, much more delicious than what we usually eat."

Li Xiao responded with a smile: "The ingredients here are all fresh, so the taste is naturally different."

After dinner, they went to a nearby handicraft market. Huang Pengfei was attracted by a stall selling paper-cuts. He looked at the exquisite paper-cuts and exclaimed: "Brother Xiao, look at these paper-cuts. They are so exquisite."

Li Xiao also came over to take a look, nodded and said, "It's really good. We can buy some to take back as a souvenir."

The two picked out a few paper cuts as souvenirs of their trip. As night fell, they ended their day's trip and returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day's trip.

"Brother Xiao, where are we going tomorrow?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

Li Xiao smiled mysteriously: "Tomorrow, we will go to a poetic place - Hangzhou."

Huang Pengfei's eyes flashed with anticipation: "Hangzhou? There is the West Lake and the legend of White Snake there. I have wanted to go there for a long time."

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, tomorrow we will go to West Lake to experience the beautiful scenery and legends there."

The two fell asleep in anticipation of tomorrow, but their journey to China continued.

In the morning, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set off on their journey to Hangzhou. The high-speed train shuttled through the fields of Jiangnan, and the scenery outside the window was like a flowing ink painting, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that the West Lake in Hangzhou is as beautiful as a paradise on earth. Is that true?" Huang Pengfei asked expectantly.

Li Xiao smiled and replied: "Yes, the beauty of West Lake has been praised as 'paradise on earth' since ancient times. When we get there, you will be able to experience it for yourself."

Soon, they arrived in Hangzhou and headed straight for West Lake. Standing by the lake, looking at the sparkling lake and the Su Causeway in the distance, Huang Pengfei couldn't help but exclaim: "This scenery is so beautiful that it makes people intoxicated."

The two strolled along the lake, admiring the "Broken Bridge with Residual Snow", one of the ten scenic spots of West Lake. Although it was not winter, the beauty of the Broken Bridge was still unforgettable. Li Xiao pointed to the small island in the lake and said, "That's where the White Snake and Xu Xian met. According to legend, their love story took place here."

Huang Pengfei listened attentively: "It's so romantic. If I were Xu Xian, I would also be willing to do anything for love."

Li Xiao smiled and joked: "Then you have to find your White Lady first."

After visiting the beautiful scenery of West Lake, the two found a teahouse by the lake and sat down to taste Hangzhou's special Longjing tea. The fragrance of tea filled the air, and the two chatted while sipping tea, enjoying a leisurely afternoon.

"Brother Xiao, this Longjing tea really lives up to its reputation, with a refreshing fragrance." Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, Longjing tea from Hangzhou is one of the top ten famous teas in China. If you come here and don't taste it, it's like coming here for nothing."

After tea, the two went to the nearby silk market. Huang Pengfei was attracted by the colorful and soft silk and couldn't help buying a few scarves as gifts.

"Brother Xiao, look at this scarf. It has such great texture. My mother will definitely like it if I give it to her." Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao also picked out some silk products: "The silk here is really good. It's a good choice to bring it back to family and friends."

As the sun went down, the two enjoyed a sumptuous dinner at a restaurant by the West Lake, tasting another famous dish in Hangzhou - West Lake Vinegar Fish. The fish was fresh, sweet and sour, and left a lasting aftertaste. After dinner, they took a walk by the lake again, admiring the night view of the West Lake. The lights on the lake and the moonlight complemented each other, forming a beautiful picture.

"Brother Xiao, today's trip was so perfect. I can't forget the beautiful scenery of West Lake, the fragrance of Longjing tea, the delicious West Lake vinegar fish, and the beautiful silks." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, Hangzhou has given us so many wonderful memories. Tomorrow we will continue our journey and explore more places."

The two ended the day's trip in the night of West Lake and prepared to greet the new day with great anticipation.

In the morning, Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei boarded the train to Suzhou. Outside the window, the scenery of the Jiangnan water town was like an exquisite ink painting, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

"Brother Xiao, I heard that the gardens in Suzhou are very famous. Which garden are we going to today?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

Li Xiao smiled and replied: "Today we are going to the Humble Administrator's Garden, which is one of the four famous gardens in China and is known as 'the best gardens in Jiangnan, and the best gardens in Suzhou in Jiangnan.'"

After arriving in Suzhou, the two went straight to the Humble Administrator's Garden, where ancient trees towered into the sky, winding paths led to secluded places, small bridges flowed by water, pavilions and towers, each of which revealed the refinement and elegance of Jiangnan gardens.

Huang Pengfei was full of praise: "The scenery here is so beautiful, every place is like a carefully designed work of art."

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, the art of gardening in Suzhou gardens emphasizes 'borrowing scenery to create scenery', skillfully integrating natural landscapes with artificial landscapes."

The two strolled in the garden, admiring the rockery, ponds, flowers and trees, and feeling the tranquility and harmony of the garden. Huang Pengfei took out his camera from time to time to record the beautiful scenery.

"Brother Xiao, look at the pavilion over there, it's really antique." Huang Pengfei said, pointing to an exquisite pavilion.

Li Xiao responded with a smile: "Yes, we can go sit over there and take a rest."

The two sat down in the pavilion, enjoying the tranquility of the garden. At this time, the melodious sound of the pipa and the graceful singing of Pingtan came from not far away. The two were attracted by the wonderful music and decided to go and watch it.

They came to a small Pingtan performance venue, where a Pingtan artist in traditional costume was playing the pipa and singing ancient stories. Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei were deeply attracted by this unique art form and listened to it with fascination.

"Brother Xiao, this Pingtan is so charming. I feel like I have traveled back to ancient times." Huang Pengfei said with emotion.

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, Pingtan is a traditional art of Suzhou. It combines four performance forms: speaking, singing, playing and beating, showing the unique charm of Jiangnan culture."

After the performance, the two tasted Suzhou's special snacks - squirrel mandarin fish and Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs in a teahouse in the park. The fish was fresh and the crab meat was plump, which made people linger.

"Brother Xiao, this squirrel fish is really worthy of its reputation, sweet and sour, it's delicious." Huang Pengfei said while eating.

Li Xiao responded with a smile: "Yes, Suzhou's cuisine is also a major feature, and every dish is unforgettable."

As the sun sets, the two end the day's journey in the beautiful scenery of the Humble Administrator's Garden. Li Xiao suggests: "Let's go to Shanghai tomorrow to experience the modern urban atmosphere there."

Huang Pengfei responded excitedly: "Good idea! Shanghai, I've wanted to go there for a long time."

The two fell asleep in anticipation of tomorrow, but their journey to China continued.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei set out from Suzhou early in the morning and took the high-speed rail to Shanghai. The city's high-rise buildings and busy streets formed a sharp contrast with the tranquility of the Jiangnan water town.

"Brother Xiao, Shanghai is so prosperous. The skyscrapers here are dizzying for me." Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

Li Xiao smiled and responded: "Yes, Shanghai is an international metropolis in China. Its prosperity and modernization are unmatched by other cities."

The two decided to go to the Bund first to experience the beauty of the blend of history and modernity. Standing on the Bund, facing the Huangpu River, opposite are the skyscrapers of Lujiazui, and behind are the historical buildings of the Bund.

Huang Pengfei exclaimed: "The scenery here is so stunning. Modernity and tradition are perfectly integrated here."

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, the Bund is a landmark attraction in Shanghai. It has different beauty whether it is day or night."

As night fell, the lights of the Bund gradually lit up, and the scenery on both sides of the Huangpu River became more charming. The two found a restaurant by the window and enjoyed the night view of the Bund while tasting Shanghai cuisine.

"Brother Xiao, look at this night view, it's so beautiful, especially those buildings illuminated by lights, they are so beautiful that it makes people intoxicated." Huang Pengfei exclaimed while eating.

Li Xiao smiled and said, "Yes, Shanghai's night view is world-famous, and many tourists come here just to see it."

After dinner, the two walked along the Bund, feeling the vitality of the city. Huang Pengfei suddenly suggested: "Brother Xiao, let's go on a cruise. The night view of Shanghai from the Huangpu River must be more beautiful."

Li Xiao readily agreed: "Good idea, I've always wanted to experience it too."

They boarded a cruise ship, and as the ship slowly sailed out, the night view of Shanghai unfolded before them like a flowing painting. Huang Pengfei said excitedly: "This is really spectacular. I never thought that the city at night could be so beautiful."

Li Xiao was also immersed in the beautiful scenery: "Shanghai's night view is indeed well-deserved, and every angle has different beauty."

After the cruise, the two sat down in a bar on the Bund, sipping cocktails and continuing to enjoy the night view of the Bund. Huang Pengfei said with emotion: "Brother Xiao, this trip is really wonderful. Every place has its own unique charm."

Li Xiao nodded: "Yes, China is rich in culture and beautiful scenery. Every trip can bring us different experiences and insights."

As the night fell, the two ended their day's trip and returned to the hotel with full of anticipation for the next day.

"Brother Xiao, where are we going tomorrow?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously.

Li Xiao smiled mysteriously: "Tomorrow, we will go to an ancient and mysterious place - Xi'an."

Huang Pengfei's eyes flashed with excitement: "Xi'an? There are terracotta warriors and ancient city walls there. I have long wanted to explore them." (End of this chapter)