eurekapd Chapter 143: Trip to Tianshui
Chapter 143: Trip to Tianshui
Northwest Journey on Wheels: Heading to Tianshui
In the vast northwest land where wind, sand and magnificence dance together, a winding road weaves through the mountains and rivers like a silver snake, and a spontaneous journey is taking place.
Zhang Bei sat steadily in the driver's seat of the pickup truck, the steering wheel in his hands like the reins of a tamed wild horse, controlling the direction of travel. Xiao Xing beside him was full of energy, like a cheerful little bird, her eyes fixed on the ever-changing scenery outside the window, and she exclaimed in surprise from time to time. The panda dog Abao in her arms was well-behaved and curious. His black bean-like eyes looked out the window at this world that was so new to him, and he occasionally barked, as if expressing his unique views on the scenery along the way. In the truck bed, tents, fishing gear, picnic baskets and other travel equipment were firmly fixed. As the car body swayed, the rhythmic sounds of collisions were played, like an exciting prelude to the journey.
The RV following behind was like a cozy, mobile cabin. Li Fugui was driving intently, his expression relaxed and confident. Little Tao was busy in the car, humming a tuneless tune, rummaging through the snack bags, picking out her favorite potato chips and crunching them, and occasionally getting up to check on the luggage in the back.
Meanwhile, Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan were arguing in the RV. Zhang Tingjian frowned slightly, poking his finger at the section of the route from Lanzhou to Tianshui on the map, and said in a muffled voice, "I think it's only 300 kilometers at most. If we drive faster, we'll be there in half a day." Zhang Nan, however, crossed his arms, shook his head like a rattle, and pouted, retorting, "Don't make wild guesses. These national and provincial highways are so winding, and we have to cross mountains and hills. We can't even reach 400 kilometers!" The two of them exchanged words, their voices rising, and the atmosphere became tense.
"Hey, stop arguing!" Sister Xiao Tao jumped over with a smile, waving her hands in the air, trying to dispel the tense atmosphere, "No matter how far it is, Tianshui is waiting for us up ahead. We'll know when we get there! Tianshui, here we come!" She shouted in a loud voice, instantly drowning out the quarrel between the two and relaxing the tense atmosphere.
The car sped along, the scenery outside the window switching rapidly like a slideshow. The barren sands gradually gave way to rolling hills, and patches of green began to emerge from the withered yellow. Occasionally, a few flocks of free-range sheep could be seen grazing leisurely on the hillside, like white clouds drifting down to earth. The pickup truck in front of us did a cool tailspin and stopped at the temporary rest stop. Zhang Bei jumped out of the car, stretched his body, and shouted loudly: "Everyone, get out and move around, and give Abao some fresh air!"
Xiao Xing, clutching A Bao, eagerly rushed to the grassy field. A Bao broke free and ran wildly, chasing low-flying butterflies, with Xiao Xing following behind, laughing and playing. Inside the RV, Li Fugui pulled out a portable grill, preparing a simple barbecue feast. Xiao Tao busied herself skewering meat and passing out seasonings. Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan were still whispering about the journey, but now they were calmer, occasionally glancing at the navigation system on their phones as they helped, but they refused to admit defeat.
The aroma of meat filled the air as everyone gathered around, feasting heartily. Zhang Bei took a large bite of the sizzling, greasy skewers and mumbled, "Although the journey was a headache at first, looking at it now, it's worth it!" Everyone nodded, their mouths full, and laughter echoed through the rest stop.
As they set off again, the sky darkened, and the sunset glow spread across the western sky like a brilliant oil painting. Zhang Bei turned on the pickup truck's stereo, and a passionate rock melody instantly ignited their passion. Like two birds returning to their nests, the two cars raced towards Tianshui in the twilight. Xiao Xing fell asleep against the car window, and A Bao nestled at her feet, also snoring softly. Back in the RV, the lights were soft. Sister Xiao Tao, tired from playing, had also fallen asleep. Li Fugui focused on driving, while Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan gazed out the window at the endless lights, their hearts filled with anticipation for their impending arrival in Tianshui.
As darkness enveloped the earth like thick ink, the convoy finally crept into downtown Tianshui. Zhang Bei excitedly honked his horn and shouted, "Tianshui, we're finally here!" The sound awoke Xiao Xing and A Bao from their sleep, and the little ones perked up instantly, their eyes wide open with curiosity as they gazed out the window at the dazzling nightscape.
The RV followed, and Sister Tao was attracted by the noise outside. She leaned against the car window and shouted excitedly: "Wow, the water looks so fresh!" Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan had no time to argue. They were attracted by the bustling crowds on the street and the dazzling array of snack stalls.
After finding a place to stay, the group rushed to the night market like wild horses. The lights came on, the night market was bustling with activity, and the vendors' cries echoed one after another. The air was filled with the aroma of various delicacies, making everyone's stomachs churn. Zhang Bei spotted a grilled gluten stall, his eyes lit up, and he rushed over in two steps: "Boss, ten skewers, please!" The grilled gluten was crispy and fragrant, sprinkled with special seasoning, and the spicy flavor was so satisfying that it made him want to take a bite. Xiao Xing was attracted by a small shop selling guagua. A bowl of steaming guagua was served to the table, with emerald green chopped green onions and bright red chili oil, which looked very tempting. She imitated the locals, picked up a piece with chopsticks, and took a light sip. The soft and chewy taste instantly conquered her taste buds, and the spiciness made her exhale, but she couldn't stop.
Abao wasn't idle either, squatting at Xiaoxing's feet, his eyes fixed on the delicious food around him. Xiaoxing would occasionally slip him a small, unseasoned treat, which he devoured with gusto. Li Fugui and Xiaotaojie, meanwhile, found a spicy hot pot stall, where a pot overflowing with ingredients simmered in a crimson broth. The dish, scooped out and coated in sesame paste and minced garlic, was a fragrant, tangy delight. Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan wove through the crowd, clutching a box of freshly bought Tianshui specialty lard. The crust was crispy on the outside, the filling savory and savory on the inside. The crispy crust crumbled away as they bit into it, leaving them grinning from the heat but still exclaiming in delight.
After a satisfying meal, everyone strolled along the Wei River to digest their food. The water shimmered under the lights, like a flowing jade belt flowing through the city. Zhang Bei gazed at the river and sighed, "This whole journey here, from arguing about the distance to now enjoying the bustle of Tianshui, it feels like a dream." Everyone echoed the sentiment. At this moment, the long-debated distance from Lanzhou to Tianshui had long since faded into amusement. The nightscape of Tianshui before them, the aftertaste of the delicious food on their tongues, truly felt beautiful.
Over the following days, they explored every corner of Tianshui. Early in the morning, they rushed to the Fuxi Temple, where, amidst the towering ancient cypresses and majestic temples, they felt the profound heritage of Chinese ancestral culture, a surge of reverence. Xiao Xing took Zhang Bei's hand, and, imitating the elders, they lit a stick of incense before the incense burner and silently prayed for peace and happiness. Then they strolled along the bluestone-paved ancient streets, where traditional artisans' shops lined the streets. Woodcarvers, with their deft knives, sculpted flowers, birds, fish, and insects into lifelike forms. Paper-cutting women, with their deft hands, created festive window decorations amidst a cascade of paper scraps. Xiao Xing was mesmerized, buying a bunch of trinkets and promising to take them home as treasures.
During the day, they drove to Maiji Mountain. As the car wound up the mountain, the scenery outside the window became more and more secluded, with lush forests and melodious birdsong. When they really arrived at the foot of Maiji Mountain, they looked up and saw grottoes embedded in the cliffs like a honeycomb, surrounded by clouds and mist, as if a fairy palace had descended to the earth. Everyone climbed slowly along the plank road, their fingers gently stroking the stone carvings of Buddha statues that had weathered for thousands of years but still retained their charm, their hearts filled with shock. A Bao was held in Xiao Xing's arms obediently, and his eyes widened, as if marveling at this masterpiece of nature. Zhang Bei stopped from time to time to freeze these shocking moments with his camera, muttering: "This scenery is enough for a lifetime."
In the evening, I returned to the city and headed to the snack street again. This time, I settled on the Tianshui stew. A steaming bowl arrived, filled with meatballs, sandwiched pork, scalloped skin, and vermicelli noodles, all smothered in a rich broth and sprinkled with cilantro. One bite warmed me up. There were also the Qin'an peaches, large and thin-skinned, a bite of which was juicy and sweet to the core.
Time in Tianshui felt like a stolen, leisurely dream, too beautiful to leave. As we parted, the trunk was filled with local specialties like Huaniu apples and Gangu peppers, their fruity aromas blending with the spice of this city's gifts. As the car pulled away, looking back at Tianshui, no one mentioned the arguments about the journey, only nostalgia and memories. This journey transformed the distance from Lanzhou to Tianshui into a photo album filled with stories, every page filled with laughter, wonder, and warmth. A myriad of sights lay ahead. As the wheels rolled, my heart set on the distant horizon, the adventures of the next stop already calling...
In their future journeys, they will carry the comfort and satisfaction Tianshui has brought them. Perhaps they'll stop in a mountain town, pitch their tent by the gurgling stream, and fall asleep to the chirping of insects; or perhaps they'll venture into another ancient city steeped in history, feeling the warmth of history beneath its ancient walls. But no matter where they go, this journey from Lanzhou to Tianshui, from contention to ecstasy, will become a heartwarming reminder: the most beautiful scenery lies in the encounters along the way, and even more so, in the moments shared with those who accompany them.