Journey to Hangzhou (24): Let's ride! (1)

"The morning breeze feels so nice~" Dania hummed softly, "Hmm... I'm getting sleepy again."

"If you can fall asleep on a bicycle, then I'll have to respectfully call you the God of Sleep," Xiao Ling teased.

They are currently cycling along the Qiantang River Bridge. As the most historic cross-river bridge in Hangzhou, it is also the first dual-purpose road and rail bridge in Dragon Country designed by local architects, making it a landmark project.

Of course, the bridge did not restrict cycling enthusiasts from going up to take a look, so Xiao Ling and his group quickly stepped onto this rather old bridge, where the mighty Qiantang River stretched as far as the eye could see.

Due to traffic restrictions, they could only push their bicycles across the sidewalk, but this also gave Xiao Ling and the group of girls a chance to enjoy the scenery of the Qiantang River.

Dania didn't want to get out of the car and walk, so Xiao Ling let her. Anyway, Dania was delicate and easily pushed over, so sitting in the car wouldn't make Xiao Ling feel any difficulty in walking.

But if she actually falls asleep on the bicycle, Hajiling will find it difficult to handle.

Dania watched the turbulent river quietly, the rising sun generously gilding the already shimmering surface with a golden glow.

"It's so nice," she murmured involuntarily.

"What's so good about it?" Xiao Ling asked with a light laugh.

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just feels good." Dania seemed to have made up her mind, and with a whoosh, she jumped off the bicycle. "Want to take a picture together?"

"I don't know how to take pictures?" Xiao Ling smiled. "Yaya, you used to be in the photography department at the Star Torch Academy, right? You should be more skilled than me, right?"

"Actually, I mostly work as a model in the photography department," Dania said with a smile. "But I've learned a bit about photography, enough to handle this kind of situation."

"Come on, look at the camera."

Xiao Ling obediently moved closer to Dania and struck a very simple pose, while Dania winked and made a cute face.

With a click, the camera captured the moment.

"I don't look very photogenic," Xiao Ling commented after looking at the finished product.

"It's not just that she's not photogenic, she's downright ridiculous," Dania joked.

"Hey, Yaya's gone bad; she's even swearing at me now," Xiao Ling said, raising an eyebrow.

"I learned it all from someone~" Dania said with a smile.

"Then I'll have to correct you properly."

"How do you plan to fix this... Hahaha~ It's so itchy, Ling, you're so cunning~ Let me go!"

"Speaking of which, are there really dolphins in this river?" Sigrika, tilting her head as she looked at the river below.

"Actually, to be precise, these are finless porpoises," Aemeath replied. "But they're all shy little guys; you usually won't see them unless you're very lucky."

"I heard that the Yangtze finless porpoise is a nationally protected animal here—the whole country protects them. They almost went extinct for various reasons, but the situation is much better now," Lynae said, leaning against the fence. "Perhaps, Senior Sigrika, you could try making a wish? See if they'd be willing to come out."

"Can it really be done?" Sigrika blinked her big eyes.

"Give it a try, maybe they'll gladly appear because of the beautiful girl's sincere prayers?"

"Oh..." Sigrika was half-believing, but she still obediently did as she was told, putting her hands together and closing her eyes to begin praying.

Although Sigrika didn't know the meaning of doing this, her wish to see the Yangtze finless porpoise with her own eyes was genuine. If she couldn't see these river spirits today, she would definitely feel a little regretful when she left Hangzhou. Well, just a little bit.

She prayed there for a long time, like a devout witch, but even so, the river remained calm.

"Gurgle..." Sigrika gave up, her expression revealing undisguised disappointment.

"Looks like we're not having much luck today," Aemeath said with a hint of regret.

"It's alright, we don't have a chance to meet this time, we can come again next time," Lynae comforted her generously.

Just as the three were feeling disappointed, Suisui, who was chatting and laughing with her younger sister and Liang Yu not far away, noticed the commotion coming from underwater.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Yangyang asked softly when she saw Suisui staring blankly at the river.

"It looks like something's coming from the bottom of the river," Suisui replied.

"Could it be fish or something like that?"

No, it's bigger than a fish, more like—

Then came the joyful cheers of Sigrika and the others.

Suisui followed the three people's gaze and looked into the distance. Suddenly, several figures appeared on the river surface, leaping lightly out of the water.

"Looks like we're in luck today," Suisui chuckled. "These little rascals, who are usually rarely seen, have all come out to welcome us."

"Is that a finless porpoise?" Jinhsi pushed her bicycle over to Suisui and the others, and they all looked at the finless porpoise that was swimming excitedly towards their feet. "Young Master Xiao said they don't usually appear."

"Perhaps they appeared in response to some little girl's expectation?" Iuno leaned closer to Suisui and pointed in Sigrika's direction. "I saw her making a wish over there a long time ago. I was curious about what she wished for, but now I know."

"Wow~ Even a little guy like this can't resist the charm of a beautiful girl?" Suisui said with great interest.

"Stop teasing your sister. If we don't take this opportunity to remember this moment, we don't know when we'll see each other again," Yangyang said with a light laugh.

"That's right," Iuno agreed. "Look, Lupa and the others have already taken their pictures."

Seeing Lupa and the others taking pictures with great interest further back, Suisui chuckled twice and then took out her phone as well.

"Miss Iuno is right. We should take this opportunity to record this wonderful moment."

"Yaya, remember to send me a copy of the photos later." Xiao Ling sat on the bicycle, watching Dania intently taking pictures of the finless porpoises leaping and falling on the river.

"Why don't you take pictures yourself?" Dania asked back while taking pictures.

"Now that I have your personal photographer, I won't do everything myself."

"And what about my payment?"

"Didn't I already pay you? Or is it tonight...?"

"This is legitimate payment, I don't even want to expose you..."

After taking photos of the finless porpoises, Dania casually sent a copy to Xiao Ling before sitting back on the back of her bicycle.

She looked at Sigrika and her group, who were excited about the sudden visit of the finless porpoises, not far behind her, and her eyes were full of gentle smiles.

"That's great! Everyone looks so happy."

"Of course we should be happy," Xiao Ling grinned. "But we have to keep going, or we'll miss our chance."

"Girls, we have to go! Otherwise we'll miss the tide!"

Coming to their senses from their excitement, the women remembered their business. Reluctantly watching the finless porpoises disappear into the distance, they continued on their way. Luckily, they were on a bridge; otherwise, they might have had to spew water to bid farewell to these otherworldly travelers.

Xiao Ling drove Dania ahead, while the latter quietly dozed off in the back of the car, with the cheerful laughter of the other girls occasionally drifting up behind them.

Looking at the surging Qiantang River, he suddenly remembered an old folk song, so he slowly pushed his bicycle forward with Dania while humming it softly.

A wide river flows, its waves surging; the wind carries the fragrance of rice blossoms to both banks...