87: Chapter 87 Foraging for Food and Viewing the Waterfall

It was almost half past twelve when they came down from Wuling Village, and their stomachs had already started rumbling.

"Let's find somewhere to eat," Qiao Yichen glanced at his phone. "There's local cuisine over on Yinshan Street."

Lin Wei immediately perked up: "Let's go, let's go, I'm starving."

Yinshan Street was a small lane in the center of the scenic area, lined with restaurants and small shops.

It was peak mealtime, and every doorway had a line. Waitstaff weaved through the crowds carrying dishes, the smell of cooking oil and food mixing together and drilling straight into their noses.

Su Qing frowned: "So many people..."

"We're already here, let's squeeze in," Qiao Yichen took Liu Yanran's hand and walked toward a restaurant that looked slightly emptier.

As soon as the four of them stopped at the entrance, a big sister wearing an apron rushed up: "How many people? Please come in!"

Only one small table remained in the corner inside, and the four of them squeezed in to sit down. Lin Wei grabbed the menu and started flipping through it, her eyes shining: "Dried Bamboo Shoot and Old Duck Stew, Braised Bamboo Shoots with Oil, Stir-fried Wild Scallions, Native Eggs..."

Su Qing interrupted her: "Are you going to eat all that?"

"I can finish it, I can finish it. I'm hungry enough to eat a whole cow."

Liu Yanran was amused and added two light dishes. Qiao Yichen ordered a few bottles of water.

While waiting for the food, Lin Wei slumped on the table, listless: "I'm exhausted... I walked over ten thousand steps this morning..."

Su Qing glanced at her: "This is nothing. We still have the Sword Pool in the afternoon."

Lin Wei wailed: "Are you even my best friend?"

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Su Qing said expressionlessly: "No, I'm your mom."

Lin Wei was choked with anger and reached out to pinch her. Su Qing had long been prepared and dodged to the side.

"You two settle down," Qiao Yichen said helplessly.

Liu Yanran leaned back in her chair, watching them make a fuss, a smile blooming in her eyes.

The dishes were served one after another. Lin Wei picked up a chopstick of Braised Bamboo Shoots with Oil and stuffed it into her mouth. It was so hot she kept sucking in air, but she didn't forget to nod: "Delicious, delicious—"

Su Qing poured her a glass of water: "Slow down, no one is snatching it from you."

Liu Yanran picked up a piece of duck meat for Qiao Yichen: "Try this."

Qiao Yichen lowered his head and ate it.

Lin Wei chewed and mused: "At times like this, everything tastes good."

Su Qing glanced at her: "You usually eat quite a bit too."

"That's different. Usually, I'm hungry. Now, it's hunger compounded by exhaustion."

The meal took over forty minutes. After finishing the last spoonful of soup, everyone leaned back in their chairs, looking completely satisfied.

Lin Wei patted her stomach: "Fully revived!"

Su Qing said lightly: "If you're revived, let's keep moving. We still have the Sword Pool this afternoon."

"Let's go, let's go, who's afraid of whom."

The third stop was the Sword Pool, the landmark attraction of Mogan Mountain, and the highlight of today's itinerary.

The most crowded place was here. Walking down the bamboo forest path, before they even saw the waterfall, they heard the sound of water—a rumbling roar coming from the depths of the valley, like rolling muffled thunder.

The further down they went, the more crowded it became. The path was completely jammed, forcing them to shuffle forward inch by inch with the flow of people.

On both sides were dense bamboo groves. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, falling onto the moss-covered stone steps.

Lin Wei was pushed around by the crowd and couldn't help but complain: "This isn't sightseeing, this is a market fair!"

Su Qing tugged the strap of her bag from behind: "Stop talking nonsense. Watch your feet, they are all steps. If you fall, I won't be responsible."

"Can't you wish me something good?"

They finally reached the area below the waterfall.

The view opened up suddenly—a cascade of white silk poured down from a cliff dozens of meters high, crashing into the deep pool below with a deafening roar.

The edge of the pool was surrounded by people: taking photos, taking selfies, holding up phones, setting up selfie sticks—a dense mass.

Lin Wei grabbed Su Qing and squeezed forward: "Quick, quick, take a picture for me! I need a photo with the waterfall!"

Su Qing was pulled along stumbling, reluctantly following her forward.

They finally found an empty spot. Lin Wei struck a pose, and Su Qing raised her phone.

"Smile."

Lin Wei grinned widely.

"Too fake, change it."

Lin Wei changed to a more natural expression.

"Okay, don't move." Su Qing pressed the shutter a few times. "Done."

Lin Wei leaned over to look at the photo and nodded in satisfaction: "This one is good, send it to me."

Su Qing lowered her head to operate her phone.

Lin Wei turned to look at Liu Yanran: "Yanran, you and Qiao Yichen should take one too, since we're here."

Liu Yanran was pulled over, and Qiao Yichen stood beside her. Lin Wei held up her phone, looking for an angle: "You two lean a little closer—yes—Qiao Yichen, put your hand on her shoulder—more natural—done!"

She pressed the shutter a few times, checked the photos, and handed the phone over with satisfaction: "This one works, you keep it."

Liu Yanran took the phone, glanced at it, and a smile bloomed in her eyes.

The four of them stayed by the waterfall for nearly half an hour. Lin Wei wanted to photograph every angle, while Su Qing was already leaning against the railing, too lazy to move.

Qiao Yichen shielded Liu Yanran, standing slightly off to the side, gazing thoughtfully at the waterfall.

She leaned her head lightly on his shoulder and whispered, "Although today is tiring, being able to see scenery like this is still quite nice."

He looked down at her, said nothing, but tightened his arm around her.

It was almost four o'clock when they came up from the Sword Pool. The four sat in the rest area drinking water. Lin Wei leaned on Su Qing's shoulder, listless: "I can't anymore... my legs are shot..."

Su Qing rarely didn't push her away, just sighed: "Whose fault is it for not exercising usually?"

"I do exercise, I exercise my fingers—chatting with customers on Taobao."

Su Qing was speechless.

Lin Wei suddenly remembered something: "Right, are we still going to the Big Pit?"

The three exchanged glances and said in unison: "No way!"

Qiao Yichen laughed: "Alright, let's head down the mountain."

Waiting in line for the shuttle bus down the mountain took another hour. By the time they finally got on the bus, Lin Wei was already asleep on Su Qing's shoulder. Su Qing had her eyes closed, resting, and Liu Yanran was also sleepy, her head nodding slowly.

Qiao Yichen held her hand, watching the mountain scenery outside the window gradually recede.

It was already evening when they returned to the transfer center at six o'clock.

As soon as the four got off the scenic area bus, their legs felt like they were filled with lead.

Lin Wei held the railing and shuffled down slowly, wincing with every step. Su Qing followed behind, her pace half as slow as usual. Liu Yanran also slowed her steps, gently rubbing her calf.

"We walked too much today, let's eat here," Qiao Yichen checked his phone. "There's a place called Golden Fish Mom nearby; it has good reviews online."

Lin Wei wailed: "We still have to walk? I feel like throwing up just seeing steps right now."

"Stop the nonsense and walk," Su Qing gave her a push.

The three shuffled toward the restaurant, limping, like wounded soldiers just off a battlefield. Qiao Yichen walked ahead, glanced back, and couldn't help the corner of his mouth from turning up.

There was a line outside the restaurant, and it was noisy inside. During the ten-minute wait for a table, the three leaned against the wall, none of them speaking, their eyes vacant.

Lin Wei stared blankly at the floor, Su Qing closed her eyes to rest, and Liu Yanran gently massaged her calf.

Finally, a table became available. The four were led to a window table and sat down. The three almost simultaneously collapsed into their chairs, like three wilted plants scorched by the sun.

Qiao Yichen took the menu, glanced at the state of the three opposite him, and shook his head: "Alright, I'll order."

He looked down at the menu, his peripheral vision catching Liu Yanran still rubbing her leg.

He flipped the menu with one hand, and with the other, he reached over her hand resting on the table, gently pushed it aside, and took its place—his thumb pressed against the inside of her calf, beginning to knead it.

Liu Yanran paused for a moment, looked down briefly, said nothing, but the smile in her eyes softened.

While massaging her, Qiao Yichen looked up and swept a glance toward the opposite side: "You guys have poor stamina. You look like this after only visiting a few sights. Seems like you need to exercise more in the future."

Liu Yanran looked up at him, gave him a light glare, but her eyes held a trace of amusement.

Lin Wei lay on the table and answered weakly: "If I have time to exercise, I'd rather sleep."

Su Qing spoke up, uncharacteristically, her tone a bit more serious than usual: "After starting work, I really don't have time to exercise. My body isn't as good as it used to be."

Qiao Yichen didn't stop his movements but continued flipping the menu: "Then after this trip, you can try to get moving. Not much, just half an hour every day."

Lin Wei buried her face in her arms and mumbled: "Don't talk about it, just let me have some peace."

Qiao Yichen ordered the dishes. First, he ordered the Pine Needle Drink—sour, sweet, and refreshing, perfect for quenching thirst and stimulating the appetite. Then came the Mogan Lake Secret Recipe Fish Stew, Stir-fried Prawns with Tea Oil, Beef Stewed in Red Wine with Chicken, and seasonal fresh bamboo shoots.

After ordering, he handed the menu to the waiter, his hand still resting on Liu Yanran's calf, pressing it rhythmically.

The first thing to arrive was the Pine Needle Drink. In the transparent glass pot, the light green liquid looked cool, with a few pine needles floating inside. Qiao Yichen poured a cup for everyone.

Lin Wei picked hers up, took a sip, and her eyes instantly lit up: "Mmm—this is delicious!"

Su Qing also nodded: "Sour and sweet, it whets the appetite."

Liu Yanran took a small sip. The faint fragrance of the pine needles mixed with the sweet and sour taste dissolved on her tongue, making her feel a bit more energetic.

Qiao Yichen also poured himself a cup and drank it down. The icy liquid slid down his throat, carrying the scent of the wilderness.

One word: refreshing.