Chapter 12: Boss, Bring the Drinks
Taste?
Why this one first? Or was it just random?
But he didn't have time to dwell on it. He circled the crowd and snapped a few photos. His favorite was a close-up of the main dancer, the young lady in the lead. Chen Xing thought her traditional outfit looked really nice.
Ethnic is global.
After seeing too much modern fashion, no matter how fancy, it all starts to feel the same. These ethnic costumes, rarely seen in daily life, were fresh and fascinating.
He turned to look for Zhou Peng, only to find that guy had already dragged Quan Jing into the dancing crowd. Neither of them could sing, but there they were, jumping around and yelling nonsense with the music.
Chen Xing felt Zhou Peng was actually more suited to receiving a system like his.
That kind of extroverted enthusiasm, Chen Xing couldn't pull it off.
He wasn't exactly introverted, but he was reserved. Reserved people weren't as naturally sociable as someone like Zhou Peng.
Smiling, Chen Xing took a couple of close-ups of them as well.
After having the camera for a day, Chen Xing discovered he was especially good at photographing food and people. The results looked far better than his landscape or nature shots.
When Zhou Peng and Quan Jing looked over at him, Chen Xing pointed to the side, signaling that he was going to wander off on his own.
Many tourists didn't stay long at this small plaza. Once the novelty wore off, they drifted toward a narrow alleyway nearby. Chen Xing didn't know what was over there either, but judging from the steady stream of people, it had to be a worthwhile spot, so he decided to follow.
Without using navigation, he had no idea where he was going.
But that's the fun of travel, finding surprises.
There really were a lot of flowers in southern Yunnan, just as the system had said. The air was filled with their fragrance, accompanying Chen Xing wherever he went.
Following the light and the flow of people, he arrived at a crowded street.
Lijiang Old Town already had narrow streets. Now, the crowd was so dense he could only shuffle forward in tiny steps. From the surrounding chatter, he learned this was one of Lijiang's most famous spots, an internet-famous street.
He didn't see any influencers, just lots of people.
It made sense, though. The weather outside lately had been brutal, with temperatures soaring. Word was Sichuan Province had hit 43°C several days in a row. If not southern Yunnan, where else could you escape the heat?
"Hey, handsome!"
Someone suddenly called out to Chen Xing.
A dozen people turned their heads, only to realize it wasn't them being called and looked away.
Chen Xing glanced at the person.
A man in a black ethnic outfit, clearly a local from southern Yunnan.
"Can I help you?"
"You're really good-looking! Want a photo? We rent costumes too."
"Sorry, I'm allergic to being photographed."
Chen Xing waved him off. Quan Jing had warned him not to trust anyone trying to sell you something in tourist areas, whether it was souvenirs or photos, it was usually a scam.
He knew he wasn't good at dealing with this kind of thing, so he chose to listen to Quan Jing.
The whole area was bursting with flowers and people snapping photos. The scenery was stunning, some parts even had artificial mist lit from below, coloring the fog with soft, dreamy hues.
After taking enough pictures, Chen Xing tried to move on, but it was so packed he couldn't get through.
So this is what a peak-season tourist spot feels like?
Lesson learned.
Since he couldn't leave, he decided to enjoy the scenery a bit longer. Some photogenic spots required a fee, and since Chen Xing didn't want to pay, he followed the crowd. Eventually, he managed to find a stone stool to rest on.
"Tick-tock, tick-tock, the clock keeps turning, tick-tock, tick-tock..."
Camera in his left hand, chin propped on his right, Chen Xing gazed at a souvenir shop across the way.
How much do people here love this song? Ever since he arrived in the afternoon, he'd been hearing it on repeat. He was already sick of it. For the locals, having to listen to it every day, it sounded like torture. Truly unbearable.
To his right, about three meters away, another girl was sitting on a stone stool, taking selfies. Noticing Chen Xing looking at her, she got even more enthusiastic with her photos.
Even at night, there were lots of girls taking portraits here. He saw at least seven or eight different ethnic costumes. He couldn't name them all, but that didn't stop him from appreciating their beauty. When he saw someone particularly striking, he'd take a few shots himself.
After resting, he continued on. The road widened as he walked.
Chen Xing really liked these cobblestone streets. Somehow, they felt more comfortable underfoot than the asphalt roads of the city.
Just then, he heard someone singing in the distance:
"Asphalt roads in the city are too hard, can't leave footprints behind…"
He looked up.
Bar Street.
Ah, another famous spot. He had unknowingly wandered into it.
He entered a bar where someone was singing the old song Sailor. The place was quite spacious, with many small tables. A small stage held a singer perched on a high stool. Near the entrance was the bar counter. A guy working the register looked up and noticed him.
"Whoa, we've got a handsome guy in the house!"
Chen Xing nodded slightly, scanning the interior, then asked,
"What drinks do you have?"
"If you're here alone, then… not much."
"Huh?"
Chen Xing looked at him in surprise. What kind of answer was that? Was this guy trying to drive away business?
"Haha, not my fault, it's just bad timing on your part. Take a look." He pointed to a small blackboard behind him. The fluorescent writing, though messy, glowed: Tonight: Find a Date!
"If you want to drink tonight, you need to bring a partner," the bartender said, then gestured toward a section of the bar. "See? There are plenty of people waiting. If you spot someone you like, go ahead and invite them over. First round's on me."
Chen Xing looked in the direction he pointed.
He hadn't noticed it before, but now he saw it was like a speed-dating corner. No one there had ordered anything yet. The guys all looked eager, hoping to find their dream girl among the ladies. The girls, on the other hand, had all kinds of expressions, some flirtatious, some visibly awkward, some just as bold and interested.
Suddenly, one of the bold ones spotted Chen Xing and strode over in a few quick steps.
"Hey handsome, are you alone too?"
The bartender, mid-conversation with another customer, overheard her and chimed in,
"Exactly! What do you think of this beautiful lady, sir? If you're willing to get to know each other, the drinks are on the house."
"I didn't come for free drinks," Chen Xing replied.
He hadn't known this bar had a singles-only policy before walking in. What's wrong with being single? He earned his own money, spent it as he pleased, and traveled on a whim. What freedom.
The girl extended her right hand to him.
"Free drinks are the best drinks," she grinned. "Nice to meet you, handsome. I'm Li Tongrui, my friends call me Muzi. You?"
Chen Xing shook her hand. "Chen Xing."
"Then we're officially acquainted. Boss, bring the drinks!"
(End of Chapter 12)