162: Chapter 162 Leisurely Stroll (Part 2)

The two of them walked over, and the hani ethnic group villagers stopped their work when they saw them, greeting them with smiles.

"Welcome to the Tea Mountain. Are you two here for a tour?"

"Yes, Auntie. We're just looking around. This is our first time seeing such a large Tea Mountain, and we find it especially beautiful."

Su Yingxue responded with a smile, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Auntie, are you pruning the tea trees?"

"Yes, young lady. It's not the season for picking tea right now, so we're pruning the branches and leaves to let the tea trees grow more and better tea leaves next year."

The hani ethnic group Auntie said with a smile, picking up a tea leaf and handing it to Su Yingxue.

"Feel it; these tea leaves are very tender. Our Ancient Tree Tea here is meticulously cared for like this."

Su Yingxue took the tea leaf; it felt soft and tender, carrying a faint tea fragrance.

"It feels so nice, and the tea smells so fragrant. It must taste wonderful when brewed."

"Of course!"

The Auntie said with a smile.

"When you come back next spring during the tea-picking season, you'll be able to taste the freshest Ancient Tree Tea."

"Okay, okay! We'll definitely come next time!"

Su Yingxue said happily.

After wandering the Tea Mountain, the Driver took them to a nearby hani ethnic group village, which was different from the dai people bamboo buildings they had seen yesterday.

The houses of the hani ethnic group were earthen roof houses, with flat roofs made of mud and walls also built from mud. They looked simple and heavy, blending into the surrounding Tea Mountains and peaks, giving them a unique charm.

The village was very quiet, with occasional hani ethnic group children chasing and playing by the roadside.

"This is completely different from the dai people village. It's so quiet and feels especially comfortable."

Su Yingxue walked slowly, looking at the surrounding scenery.

"The earthen roof houses are also very distinctive; they're so different from the houses we live in."

"The hani ethnic group's earthen roof houses are built to adapt to the climate here. The flat roofs can be used for drying grain, and the thick walls keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, making them very practical."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Look, there's a hani ethnic group handmade silver jewelry shop over there. Let's go take a look. They're all handmade by locals and are very distinctive."

"Okay, okay!"

Su Yingxue's eyes lit up, and she pulled Chen Mo toward the silver jewelry shop.

The shop was filled with various handmade silver jewelry, including silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and small silver ornaments. They were engraved with exquisite patterns, mostly hani ethnic group totems and auspicious designs, with delicate craftsmanship that made them exceptionally beautiful.

"This silver bracelet is so pretty!"

Su Yingxue picked up a silver bracelet, put it on her wrist to try it out, her eyes full of joy.

"The pattern on this is so exquisite. Is it hand-carved?"

The shop owner was a hani ethnic group Young Man, who said with a smile.

"Yes, they're all hand-carved by us. Every pattern is different and carries an auspicious meaning. It looks especially good on a young lady like you."

"Really?"

Su Yingxue smiled happily, then turned to Chen Mo and asked.

"Chen Mo, does it look good?"

"It looks good; it suits you perfectly."

Chen Mo nodded with a smile.

"If you like it, buy it and wear it back."

"Okay!"

Su Yingxue readily agreed, paid the money, and put the silver bracelet on her wrist.

By the time they left the silver jewelry shop, it was already noon. The Driver took them to a hani ethnic group specialty restaurant in the village. The restaurant was a converted earthen roof house, furnished with simple wooden tables and chairs, and the walls were adorned with hani ethnic group murals and hand-woven crafts.

They ordered hani ethnic group specialty dishes, including Hani Terraced Field Fish, roasted suckling pig, Hani Dipping Vegetable, and a local wild vegetable soup.

When the dishes arrived, the aroma was mouth-watering. Su Yingxue couldn't wait to taste the Hani Terraced Field Fish, and her eyes lit up as she said.

"This is delicious! The fish is very tender and has a faint scent of rice. It's different from the dai people's sour soup fish; each has its own flavor."

"Hani dishes are mostly fresh and fragrant, with the dipping sauce being a specialty. No matter what dish it is, it tastes especially good when dipped in the sauce."

Chen Mo smiled and picked up a piece of roasted suckling pig for her.

"Try this; it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and not greasy at all."

Su Yingxue took a bite of the roasted suckling pig and nodded repeatedly.

"It really is delicious! I've tasted another kind of wonderful food today. I'm so happy."

After lunch, the two rested in the village for a while, and then the Driver took them to a nearby tropical rainforest.

As soon as they stepped into the tropical rainforest, a rich fragrance of vegetation hit them, more intense than the scent by the river, and the air was even more humid.

In the tropical rainforest, ancient trees towered toward the sky, their height blotting out the sun, allowing only dappled light to filter through the gaps in the leaves.

Vines twisted around the tree trunks like green ribbons.

The ground was covered with various mosses, unknown grasses, and small flowers. Occasionally, the sounds of birds and insects could be heard, filling the area with life and vitality.

"Wow, is this the tropical rainforest? It's so magical!"

Su Yingxue pulled Chen Mo's hand and walked forward.

"Look, that tree is so thick; it would take several people holding hands to encircle it! And those vines are growing so long."

"Yes, this is the primitive tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna. It contains many rare plants and animals, but since it's noon, most of the animals are resting and not easily seen."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Many of the trees here are hundreds of years old, which is why they grow so thick and sturdy."

The Driver walked ahead and introduced them.

"Bosses, look over there. That's a Strangler Fig, a plant unique to tropical rainforests. It wraps around other trees and slowly absorbs their nutrients, eventually strangling them. It's quite remarkable."

"And over there is the Traveler's Palm. Its leaves are very large, like a big fan. In the past, if travelers got lost, they could squeeze water from its leaf stalks to drink and quench their thirst."

"How amazing!"

Su Yingxue couldn't help but exclaim.

"Nature is truly incredible to have such unique plants."

By the time they finished exploring the tropical rainforest, the sky had gradually darkened.

The two got into the off-road vehicle to head back to the hotel. Su Yingxue leaned on Chen Mo's shoulder, her face full of exhaustion yet still wearing a smile.

"Chen Mo, I'm so happy today. I saw the Tea Mountain, the hani ethnic group village, and the tropical rainforest—things I've never seen before."

"As long as you're happy."

Chen Mo gently put his arm around her shoulder and said softly.

"Tomorrow we'll go somewhere else and I'll show you more of the different scenery of the Dai countryside."

"Mm!"

Su Yingxue nodded.