Travel · Hangzhou Arc (Twenty-Three): Let's Ride! (Prelude)

After several days of rain, Hangzhou finally welcomed the long-awaited sunny day.

Xiao Ling and his group were about to begin their last group activity before leaving Hangzhou.

5:30 a. m.

In summer, the sun rises early; before six o'clock, it has already slowly risen over the horizon, announcing the arrival of a new day.

But Dania clearly had no time to appreciate this hopeful scene.

"Sleepy..."

Her eyebrows drooped, and her head bobbed up and down, practically screaming "I'm so sleepy!"

"There's still some time before we leave, why don't we take a nap while we can?" Xiao Ling rubbed Dania's head.

"Then let me lean on your shoulder for a while."

As soon as Dania finished speaking, she grabbed Xiao Ling's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

Xiao Ling gently covered Dania's head with her hand so she could sleep more comfortably, then looked up at the girls watching the sunrise in the distance.

The rising sun was fiery red, and its golden rays awakened the entire city from its slumber, gilding the delicate and lovely faces of the young girls with a layer of gold leaf.

"Come on, cheese!"

Aemeath, as always, loves to document her life with photos, dragging her best friends along for a snap of pictures. Maybe I can ask her for a copy later to keep in my archives?

The girls from Rinascita leaned against the wall, marveling at the magnificent river and the Qiantang River Bridge in the distance. The gentle morning breeze caressed their cheeks, ruffled their hair, and carried their laughter into the distance.

Speaking of which, there's still no news about Little Potato and Sister Kan. I wonder if we'll find any trace of them at the next stop.

"This bridge looks magnificent..." Jinhsi murmured, gazing at the Qiantang River Bridge in the distance. "I wonder what it would be like to step onto it in person."

"Didn't Young Master Xiao say that our cycling route happens to pass by this bridge? We'll naturally have time to admire it then," Changli said with a smile.

"Yangyang, if I can't ride anymore, you'll have to carry me!" Suisui blinked and said cutely to her younger sister, "You're beautiful and kind-hearted, you definitely wouldn't abandon your older sister, right?"

"Well~ you never know!" Yangyang grinned mischievously. "If you're too heavy, I'll just leave you by the roadside and walk by myself~"

"Waaah, Yangyang is so heartless, she actually wants to abandon her sister..." Suisui wiped away non-existent tears from the corner of her eye, "Since that's the case, I'll just have to trouble Brother Ling to come back and pick me up again..."

"Elder sister!"

"It's alright, Miss Yangyang. We can take turns carrying Miss Suisui all the way to the finish line," Liang Yu suggested. "What do you think?"

Xiao Ling gazed at the group of girls who were reborn in the real world, a smile of joy curving her lips.

He said that's how it should be, everyone should be happy together, chatting and laughing, cycling together, enjoying the same scenery, and forget about life and death, love and hate.

It was almost six o'clock, and Dania, leaning against Xiao Ling's chest, murmured softly.

"Hmm... what time is it... is everyone still waiting for us?"

"Yes," Xiao Ling said with a light laugh.

"Mmm~"

Dania stretched and sat up from the ground, brushed the dust off her pants, and then reached out her hand to Xiao Ling was still sitting on the ground.

"Let's go, everyone's waiting for us, now's not the time to rest."

"I never thought I'd hear something like that from you." Xiao Ling's eyes were full of smiles.

Then, he took Dania's delicate hand and stood up.

"You're right, it's time for us to set off and head towards the Qiantang River tidal bore!"

Actually, the best place to see the Qiantang River tidal bore is in the Jiahe area, but since they were about to leave Hangzhou for Magic City, and there happened to be a place in Hangzhou where they could see the Qiantang River's tidal bore, Xiao Ling decided to choose that area.

Xiao Ling initially thought of driving the group of girls there, which would be fast and convenient, making it a very good option.

But as you know, when Xiao Ling comes up with a good idea, the other girls will come up with an idea that's more in line with their style.

"A-Ling, I'd like to try riding my bicycle there." This was the second option proposed by the Shorekeeper.

"By bike?" Xiao Ling was taken aback. "Let me make this clear, Shorekeeper, it will take at least two or three hours to ride all the way there, it'll be very tiring. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Besides, not everyone can ride a bicycle. What if something bad happens..."

"You don't need to worry about that, A-Yu. Shorekeeper taught us all about it a few days ago!" Aemeath said with a smile.

"So strong?!" Xiao Ling's pupils dilated in shock.

"Yes, it's Blank. It's just that we went out to learn in batches, so it's normal that you can't react quickly enough." Iuno waved his hand. "I have to say, cycling is a great form of exercise, and you can also enjoy the scenery along the way—it's a win-win situation."

"But it's really hot riding a bicycle there in broad daylight, what if you get heatstroke or something..."

"Then let's go in the early morning!" Roccia smiled. "It won't be hot then, perfect for a bike ride or road trip. Dania should be able to get up then, right?"

"Uh, I'll try..." Dania said, looking embarrassed.

"It's okay, I'll call Yaya then!" Sigrika said earnestly, holding Yaya's hand.

"Ah..." Dania sighed. jpg.

Encouraged by the atmosphere, others also expressed their opinions, and their words all conveyed their agreement with the Shorekeeper's decision.

But while the discussion was ongoing, the final decision rested with Xiao Ling.

"Alright, let's have a democratic vote. Raise your hand if you agree with the Shorekeeper plan," Xiao Ling said.

Except for Dania, everyone else raised their claws in unison.

"Yaya, why aren't you raising your hand?" Xiao Ling asked with a light laugh, looking at Dania face was somewhat embarrassed.

"Actually, I'm not very good at riding a bicycle..." Dania said shyly, "I'm afraid I'll fall halfway if I ride for two or three hours straight..."

"Then you can sit in the back seat of my car." Xiao Ling smiled and patted Dania's pink hair.

That's how it all started. So now, everyone is standing on Zhijiang Road in front of Six Harmonies Pagoda, preparing to cross the Qiantang River Bridge from here, then cycle along the riverside greenway, and finally arrive at Xiaoshan Beauty Viewing Platform the tidal bore.

"Everyone, it's almost time. Have you finished your preparations?" Xiao Ling clapped his hands to signal.

The girls who were admiring the scenery in the distance turned their gaze to Xiao Ling, and then nodded in unison:

"We are well prepared and ready to depart at any time!"

"It seems everyone is very enthusiastic, so let's set off now!" Xiao Ling reiterated the cycling precautions to the girls in front of her. "This cycling journey is quite long, so traffic safety along the way is of paramount importance. Don't be careless. If you feel sleepy or tired, find a place to rest for a while before continuing to avoid injury. Finally, it's very hot, so everyone remember to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke."

"Good!"

"Alright, we can begin this ride!" Xiao Ling snapped his fingers. "Heading towards the Qiantang River tidal bore!"