jdhmnovel Chapter 326 Journey 3
Chapter 326 Journey 3
The rich aroma of Wuzhou Bingquan soy milk and the crispy taste of paper-wrapped chicken still seemed to linger on the tongue as the "Food Express" carried a satisfied family into the heart of Guangxi.
The scenery outside the car window gradually changed, and the hills in the south became more and more beautiful and rugged. One after another, karst peaks rose from the ground like giant bonsai, dotting the green fields and winding rivers.
"Wow! Mom, look! Doesn't that mountain look like an elephant drinking water?" Xiao Zhi leaned against the car window, excitedly pointing to a mountain peak in the distance that looked like an elephant's trunk protruding into the Li River.
The boy, who is about to enter the sixth grade, is full of curiosity about natural wonders.
"It's Elephant Trunk Hill! We're almost in Guilin!" Aunt Ping immediately chimed in, having practically become a tour guide, replacing her food map with a copy of "Chinese National Geography."
"Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven. Since we're already here, we have to stop and relax! Let's find a good place to park, enjoy the scenery, and try the most authentic Guilin rice noodles!"
Aunt Yuan and her aunt also crowded to the window, gazing at the picturesque scenery, and exclaimed repeatedly, "This mountain is truly amazing, a masterpiece of nature!"
"The air smells sweet and fresh."
Bao Guo steadily gripped the steering wheel and chuckled, "Alright, Pingping's on command! Guilin rice noodles, all arranged!" He glanced at Yuan Bao through the rearview mirror, "Xiao Bao, find a suitable campsite or viewing platform?"
Yuan Bao was looking down at Little 9, who was sleeping like a ball of fluff again. Hearing this, she nodded and said, "Yes, I'm watching." She casually scratched Little 9's soft belly with her finger.
Before Little 9 even opened its eyes, a stream of thought accurately entered Yuan Bao's mind: [Master, the route has been planned.]
12 kilometers ahead lies the 'Fisherman's Song' Ecological Campsite on the banks of the Li River. It boasts an excellent location, overlooking the water and mountains, and offers comprehensive RV supply facilities.
There is a local 'Lao Guo Rice Noodles' stall that has been run by locals for 20 years. It has an excellent reputation, with rich ingredients and authentic pickled bamboo shoots.
Meanwhile, a preliminary safety check of the surrounding area has been conducted, and no abnormalities have been found. Confirm?
Yuan Bao scratched Xiao 9's open belly, mentally confirming the situation.
Then he looked up at Baoguo and said, "Brother, there's a campsite called 'Fisherman's Song' up ahead, right by the Li River. The scenery is beautiful, and you can resupply water and electricity there. There's also a rice noodle shop with a great reputation inside."
"Great! This is it!" Baoguo immediately set up the navigation.
The "Fisherman's Song" campsite was indeed as pleasant as Xiao 9 had described.
Several huge banyan trees cast deep shade, and the RV parking area faces the wide Li River. Several bamboo rafts glide by leisurely, and the distant green mountains are reflected in the clear river water, like a flowing ink painting.
As soon as the car came to a stop, the most excited people besides Xiao Zhi were Xiao Le Yi.
She toddled towards the riverbank, calling out, "Water! Boat!" But Aunt Ping, quick as a flash, caught her, saying, "Little darling, wash your hands first, then it's time to eat your delicious rice noodles!"
Aunt Yuan and her aunt set up a folding table and chairs under the shade of a tree, and placed water glasses and fruit on it.
Bao Guo was busy connecting the water and electricity.
Xiao Zhi, meanwhile, took out his camera and started snapping photos of the mountains and rivers.
Yuan Bao, holding Xiao 9, seemed to be admiring the scenery, but was actually whispering a "report": "Xiao 9, where is the rice noodle shop?"
Little 9 snuggled closer to her, gesturing in a direction with a subtle movement that only Yuan Bao could understand:
Turn right at the campsite entrance; the stall with the longest queue, covered by a red canopy, is 'Lao Guo Rice Noodles'.
"Pingping, come on, let's go buy rice noodles!" Yuan Bao called to his cousin.
As expected, there was a long queue in front of the "Lao Guo Rice Noodles" stall, full of lively atmosphere.
Two large, steaming pots: one simmering with rich bone broth, its aroma filling the air; the other boiling with snow-white, tender rice noodles.
Stall owner Lao Guo worked quickly and efficiently, scalding the rice noodles, pouring the soup, and adding the toppings all in one go.
The condiment counter is overflowing with a dazzling array of items: crispy fried pork belly slices (golden and crispy fried pork belly slices), braised beef, braised eggs, pickled cowpeas, pickled bamboo shoots, fried peanuts, scallions, cilantro, chili oil... It looks so tempting.
"Wow! This is such a generous amount of ingredients!" Aunt Ping's eyes lit up. "Boss, seven bowls, please! One bowl without chili, for the kids; one bowl with less chili, for the elderly; the rest are normal!"
She took the order skillfully, and didn't forget to remind them, "Put in extra braised pork, and extra pickled bamboo shoots too!"
While waiting, Yuan Bao felt Xiao 9 move gently in her arms: [Master, it has been detected that the rice noodle soup base is made by simmering local pork bones and spices with fresh water from the Li River for more than eight hours. The pickled bamboo shoots are made using traditional methods and are fully fermented, resulting in a unique flavor.]
The pan-frying is done with precise control of the heat, resulting in a crispiness of 98.7%. Highly recommended.
The chili oil is homemade by the owner; it's fragrant, spicy, and rich, but has a strong aftertaste. It's suggested that Aunt Ping reduce the amount if she orders "normal spiciness."
Xiao9's "food analysis" function is always so detailed.
Yuan Bao couldn't help but chuckle, and leaned close to Aunt Ping's ear: "The boss's chili oil is really strong. Are you sure you want it normally spicy? Don't end up jumping around from the spiciness."
Aunt Ping waved her hand boldly: "Don't worry! What's a little spiciness compared to delicious food!"
Even so, she quietly added to the owner, "Uh... please put a little less chili oil in the ones we ordered..."
Seven steaming bowls of Guilin rice noodles, piled high with toppings, were brought back to the camp and immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.
Snow-white rice noodles are soaked in amber-colored broth, topped with golden roasted pork, dark brown braised beef, bright green scallions and cilantro, and the soul of the dish, with its unique aroma of pickled bamboo shoots and pickled cowpeas.
"Let's eat!" Bao Guo ordered, and everyone picked up their chopsticks.
"Slurp—" Xiao Zhi eagerly slurped up a big mouthful of noodles, panting from the heat, but squinting his eyes in satisfaction: "Mmm! Smooth and the soup is so delicious!"
In Xiao Leyi's special little bowl, there was a light soup base, shredded rice noodles, a few slices of tender braised beef and roasted pork, and the "flowers" (peanuts) she specifically requested.
She scooped it up with a small spoon, getting rice all over her face, and didn't forget to "share" a small piece of rice noodles into Xiao 9's food bowl.
Little 9 leaned over to smell it, then elegantly... walked away.
Those who don't know might think it has little interest in human food, but in reality, it's complaining that it's not being given enough.
After tasting it, Yuan Bao immediately copied the recipe for rice noodles into his mind and transmitted it to Xiao Xiaobai in the space using his consciousness.
Have Xiaobai make ten servings right away and keep them in the kitchen, ready to use at any time.
Xiao 9 then revealed his little teeth with satisfaction. It was a smug smile on his face. He was planning to find a time to hide in a corner and then enter the space to enjoy authentic Guilin rice noodles.
Aunt Yuan carefully picked at the chili oil in her bowl, tasted the soup, and praised, "This soup is really rich and flavorful; it must have taken a lot of effort to make."
"These pickled bamboo shoots! They're so flavorful!" My aunt picked up a slice of pickled bamboo shoot and ate it with relish. "Eating rice noodles with this mountain stream is so comforting!"
Aunt Ping bravely took a bite of her "slightly modified" normal spicy soup, and her cheeks instantly turned red and sweat beaded on her forehead: "Hiss...so satisfying! So refreshing!" She gulped down a mouthful of ice water, but couldn't stop eating.
Yuan Bao savored it carefully.
The smooth rice noodles, the rich broth, the crispy and savory fried pork, and the unique fermented flavor of the pickled bamboo shoots intertwine in the mouth, while the chili oil ignites the taste buds just right. It truly lives up to Xiao 9's accurate evaluation.
She glanced at Little 9 lying at her feet, seemingly resting with its eyes closed, but actually watching Little White make rice noodles in the space, and silently gave it a thumbs up in her heart.
Baoguo slurped down a bowl in a few bites, still wanting more: "It's so delicious, I want another bowl! And double the amount of braised pork! Anyone else want some?"
"Then let's order three more portions and share them." Yuan Bao looked at everyone and followed his older brother's lead to order more.
Sunlight filters through the branches of the banyan tree, casting dappled patterns, while a gentle breeze carries the moisture from the Li River.
The family sat together amidst the mountains and rivers, enjoying the most authentic local delicacies and chatting happily.
After Ash and Joy had eaten their fill, they began chasing and playing on the grass, while Little Nine, with its signature "rolling gait," leisurely surveyed its new territory.
Yuan Bao watched this harmonious and heartwarming scene, feeling the satisfaction in his stomach and the relaxation in his mind.
The significance of this journey lies not only in the delicious food of Leshan, the destination, but also in the scenery along the way, the time spent together, and every flavor shared.
"After a good rest, shall we go to Elephant Trunk Hill Park this afternoon, and then look for beer fish along the Li River tonight?" Aunt Ping had already started planning the next stop.
"Yay!" everyone responded in unison, filled with anticipation for the next leg of the journey.
The "Food Express" ship's brief stop in Guilin added a touch of vibrant landscape memory and a bowl of unforgettable sour, spicy, and savory flavors to this "Discovering the Flavors of Sichuan" journey.