161: Chapter 161 Leisurely Stroll (Part 1)

The two of them strolled down the street while sipping on their bàolǔdá. The thoroughfare was growing increasingly lively, filled with local dai people dressed in vibrant traditional attire, walking together in small groups, chatting and laughing.

There were also tourists from all over the country, holding snacks as they wandered and snapped photos.

Occasionally, they would spot young Dai girls in beautiful traditional dress performing cheerful Dai Dances, drawing crowds of tourists who stopped to watch.

"Chen Mo, look! Their dancing is so beautiful!"

Su Yingxue pulled on Chen Mo's arm and came to a halt to watch the performance.

"I want to learn the Dai Dance too. It looks so simple and joyful."

"Next time we come, I'll take you to learn it."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

"The Dai Dance is naturally very cheerful; it suits you well."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Su Yingxue said happily.

After watching the dance, the two continued forward and unknowingly reached the Lancang River observation deck.

The deck was crowded with people, all admiring the night view of the Lancang River.

Out on the water, cruise ships were brightly lit, drifting and slowly moving like a cluster of brilliant stars floating on the river's surface.

The lights from both banks reflected in the river water, shimmering and exceptionally moving.

In the distance, the mountain ranges shrouded in the night mist held a hazy, unique charm.

"The night view here is just too breathtaking!"

Su Yingxue leaned against the railing of the observation deck, her eyes full of awe as she looked at the scenery.

"It's even more beautiful and distinctive than the night view in Magic City."

"Magic City's night view is about prosperity, while the night view here is about gentleness. Each has its own beauty."

Chen Mo stood by her side, gently putting an arm around her shoulder.

"Look, the distant Dai bamboo buildings with their flickering lights interwoven with the river and the illumination—it's like a beautiful scroll painting."

"It is. It really is like a painting."

Su Yingxue nodded, then turned to look at Chen Mo.

"Chen Mo, thank you for bringing me to such a wonderful place to see such beautiful scenery. I'm truly so happy today."

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Chen Mo looked at the lovely girl before him.

"As long as you're happy, that's enough. In the future, I'll take you to many, many more beautiful places to see many more different sights."

"Mhm, I believe you. No matter where we go, as long as I'm with you, I'm very happy."

The two stood on the observation deck for a long time, feeling the gentle evening breeze, chatting, and watching as the cruise ships on the river gradually decreased and the crowds on the street began to thin. Chen Mo took Su Yingxue's hand and said:

"It's getting late, and the wind is getting a bit chilly. Let's head back to the hotel. We have more exploring to do tomorrow; I'll take you to see a different side of the Dai countryside."

Su Yingxue took one last lingering look at the Lancang River's night view and nodded.

"Okay. Although I hate to leave, we still have to play tomorrow. We should go back and get some good rest to have energy for tomorrow."

The two walked side-by-side toward the hotel. The nighttime streets lacked the clamor of the day, replaced by a sense of tranquility as the streetlights cast their glow upon them.

Su Yingxue gripped Chen Mo's hand tightly, thinking secretly to herself how wonderful it would be if she could stay with Chen Mo like this forever.

But she knew that was impossible.

Back at the hotel, the two did some simple washing up and went to rest.

Early the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Su Yingxue woke up. Abandoning her usual morning lethargy, she excitedly woke Chen Mo.

"Chen Mo, Chen Mo, wake up! Where are we going today? I can't wait!"

Chen Mo was nudged awake. Seeing the joy in her eyes, he said helplessly yet amusedly:

"What's the rush? Let's have breakfast first. After that, I'll take you to a great place. I guarantee it's scenery you've never seen before."

"Yay!"

Su Yingxue hopped off the bed happily, quickly packed her things, and pulled Chen Mo toward the hotel restaurant downstairs.

Breakfast was again full of Dai specialties: soft and chewy Dai-style glutinous rice, fragrant Dai rice noodles, and the local unique baba. Su Yingxue tried a bit of everything.

"The breakfast here is so delicious, I don't even want to go back."

"Then we'll stay a few more days, eat slowly, and wander leisurely."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Eat up. We'll head out once we're finished."

After breakfast, the two got into the pre-arranged off-road vehicle. The Driver was as enthusiastic as ever. Seeing them board, he said with a smile:

"Morning, bosses! Where would you like to go today? I'll take you somewhere a bit different."

Chen Mo replied with a smile:

"Master, you decide the itinerary. As long as it features the characteristics of the Dai countryside, it's fine."

"No problem!"

The Driver agreed readily.

He then started the car and drove away from the city center.

After driving for about an hour, the surrounding scenery gradually changed. It was no longer the bustle of the city or the gentleness of the riverbank, but rather stretches of Tea Mountains. Layers of tea trees spread along the hillsides in a lush green expanse; from a distance, it looked like a giant green carpet draped over the mountains.

The morning dew still hung on the tea leaves, crystal clear. As the sunlight hit them, they shimmered with a faint luster, and the air was filled with a rich, refreshing tea fragrance.

"Wow, it's all tea trees here!"

Su Yingxue leaned against the car window, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Chen Mo, is this the Tea Mountain of Xishuangbanna? This is my first time seeing so many tea trees!"

"Yes, these are the ancient Tea Mountains of Xishuangbanna. The tea here is all-natural. Many villagers from the dai people and the hani ethnic group make their living by planting and picking tea."

Chen Mo explained with a smile.

"In recent years, the ancient tree tea from here has become more and more famous. Many people come here specifically to buy tea leaves."

The Driver also chimed in with a smile:

"The young lady is right. Our Tea Mountains consist of ancient trees hundreds of years old. The tea picked from them is exceptionally fragrant when brewed, even better than ordinary Pu'er."

"Even though it's not the peak picking season right now, there are still villagers tending to the trees. You can go take a look."

The car stopped at the foot of the Tea Mountain. The two got out and walked up the stone path. On both sides of the path were lush green tea trees. Occasionally, they saw villagers dressed in Hani ethnic clothing carrying bamboo baskets, pruning branches among the tea trees.

The Hani clothing was very distinctive, with bright colors and exquisite headgear, completely different from the Dai attire and exceptionally eye-catching.

"Chen Mo, look! Their clothes are different from the dai people's. They're so unique!"

Su Yingxue pointed to the villagers pruning the tea trees and said curiously.

"They are from the hani ethnic group. There are thirteen ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna, and each has its own clothing. Hani clothing is mostly brightly colored, and their headgear often features a lot of silver ornaments, making them very easy to recognize."

Chen Mo looked at Su Yingxue and said:

"Let's go say hello and see how they tend to the tea trees."