Travel · Hangzhou arc (25): Let's ride! (2)

After crossing the Qiantang River Bridge, you'll find yourself on a greenway stretching over ten kilometers along the river.

Looking up from here, the Qiantang River stretches out in a vast expanse, shrouded in a thin layer of mist, like a maiden draped in a light veil. Several egrets stand gracefully on the mudflats after the tide has receded, strolling and foraging in the water.

With a "click," the egret was captured in Sigrika's camera lens, and Lynae and Chisa immediately came over.

"Nice photo." Chisa nodded, looking at the egret in the picture. "Could you give me a copy when we get back? I'd like to keep it."

"Don't forget my share, Sigrika- senpai," Lynae said with a grin.

"Wow, you guys didn't even think to share these beautiful photos with me! That's so mean!" Aemeath hugged the three little ones from behind. "Have your feelings cooled? Is there no love left? Are we still a loving student group?!"

"Don't worry~ Everyone gets a share." Sigrika smiled softly, "It's more fulfilling to share such great photos with everyone~"

Aemeath was chatting with the three little ones when she suddenly caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of her eye and, somewhat eagerly, poked Sigrika's cheek.

"Xixi, can I borrow your camera?"

"Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh!" Before Sigrika could agree, her camera was snatched away by Little Ai. "What do you want to photograph, Little Ai?"

Aemeath didn't reply immediately; she focused on adjusting the angle and camera focus, then clicked to start the camera.

"What did you take pictures of, Little Ai? Let me see, let me see!" Lynae asked curiously as she leaned closer, and the other two little ones followed suit.

"Here," Aemeath showed them the photos she had taken.

"The people in the photo... are Yaya and her senior," Sigrika said knowingly, glancing at the spot in the photo where the two were.

Not far ahead, Dania's arm was resting on the railing beside the greenway, gazing at the towering buildings on the opposite bank of the river. Her starry eyes reflected the scenery she had witnessed. The morning sun became the best light source for the girl, bathing her in a gentle halo.

Standing next to Dania, Xiao Ling had his back to the river, watching the pedestrians doing their morning exercises. Perhaps he preferred this touch of everyday life to the scenery. However, he would occasionally turn his gaze to Dania, who was admiring the view, and casually tuck a strand of her hair that had been blown by the wind behind her ear.

The moment Aemeath captured was when Xiao Ling touched Dania's hair with his hand.

"It's a great photo. Shall we send a copy to everyone later?" Chisa suggested.

"That won't do, I have to keep this one for my own collection," Aemeath said playfully.

"Hey~ Little Ai used my camera, you should at least leave me a copy, right?" Sigrika protested.

"Hehehe, no way, no way!" Aemeath pretended to run away.

"Don't let her get away! We have to make her spit out the photos today!" Lynae shouted.

The final result was self-evident: four young women began arguing and fighting over a camera, clearly showing no regard for the camera's feelings.

"What are they doing?" Dania asked, looking at Aemeath and her group who were making a ruckus. "Is it really worth it for a camera?"

"We were probably taken without our consent," Xiao Ling said, snapping her fingers. "They're probably fighting over who gets ownership of the photos now."

"Is it really necessary? It's just a photograph, not some rare treasure."

"I don't know, but it's not bad, is it?"

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"Mmm~ It tastes good." Roccia ate the xiaolongbao one after another, nodding frequently, "But it's still a little inferior to the xiaolongbao made by Miss Jinhsi herself."

A folding table was set up on the lawn beside the riverside greenway. I don't know who brought it there. There were all sorts of dishes on the table, all of them local specialties of Hangzhou. Fei Luo Mo, Ri Yue, Long Feng, and Yang Sui were enjoying their meal together around the table.

"I am truly honored that Miss Roccia likes my food so much." Jinhsi accepted Roccia's praise with a smile.

"A breakfast personally prepared by Lord Lingyin would be priceless in Jinzhou," Suisui teased, taking a sip of soy milk before her delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Hmm... I definitely prefer something sweet for breakfast."

"Besides making sweet soy milk, are there other ways to make it?" Iuno asked curiously as she tried it. "... Why is it salty?"

"Compared to soy milk, I always feel this is more like a soup," Changli commented after tasting it. "Normal soy milk shouldn't have pickled vegetables in it, right?"

"Isn't it precisely because it's original that it's considered unique?" Crimson Snow nodded.

"Hmm... This kind of unconventional idea is really a bit too novel. It might be hard to accept without getting used to it..." Morning shook his head slightly.

Augusta didn't interrupt at this point, quietly eating her beef and vermicelli soup, and then--

"Wow, it smells so good!" A little wolf came over, drawn by the aroma. "Governor, you guys are really something, eating something delicious without even inviting me..."

"Seeing you having such a great time with Cartethyia and the others, I didn't want to spoil your fun," Augusta said with a smile, offering a small steamed bun to Lupa's lips. "Want a bun?"

"Then I won't be polite, ooh!"

Lupa took a bite of the juicy steamed bun and let out a satisfied groan.

"Mmm~ It's delicious! Can I bring some for Cart and the others?"

"Let them come over and eat with us. You've been making a ruckus for so long, you need to rest and recharge."

After Lupa twice, Lupa immediately turned and ran away.

A short while later, she led Cart and the others back to the makeshift dining table.

"You've already started eating?" Looking at the table full of delicious food, Liang Yu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to Yang Sui. "Then I won't be polite."

Lupa and Mia sat down next to Riyue and began to eat the breakfast that was already half-eaten on the table.

Cartethyia and Phoebe were relatively more reserved, their delicate, boneless hands holding the steamed buns as they popped them into their mouths one bite at a time.

"I initially thought I'd bought too much and was a little worried we wouldn't be able to finish it," Roccia chuckled. "But with these little ones here, I actually feel like we don't have enough."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't we leave some for Xiao Yu and the others? They haven't eaten yet, have they?" Yangyang asked gently.

"Don't worry~" Iuno waved her hand dismissively, "Blank would rather starve himself than let those girls around him go hungry."

"If you ask me, they're probably already thinking about where to eat at this point."

Although that's what she said, Yangyang still decided to send a message to Xiao Ling to confirm. If they really planned to come, her group could save some food for them while they were at it.

Yangyang: [Image]

Yangyang: Xiao Yu, have you eaten?

Xiao Ling: Such a lavish meal? It looks so delicious it makes my mouth water.

Xiao Ling: You all enjoy your meal. I'm taking the others to find a restaurant.

Xiao Ling: We'll meet at the usual place then.

After receiving Xiao Ling's reply, Yangyang was relieved and happily began to eat the steamed buns in her hand.

"Mmm, it really is delicious!"