Chapter 52 (Second Update) The First Day of the Trip (Part 1)...

Tang Mingli and her group boarded the bus more than ten minutes earlier than expected, and naturally arrived more than ten minutes earlier than the meeting time agreed upon by the hostel.

Besides the eight people from their compound, the other two members of this trip were a retired university teacher couple.

When Tang Mingli and the others arrived, the two were already waiting in front of the hotel building.

Also waiting was the guide who was traveling with us, a middle-aged woman in her forties surnamed Zhong.

He is tall and strong, and gives people the impression that he is very hardworking and reassuring.

As Guide Zhong looked at the elders in front of him, each decades older than himself, a bitter smile crept onto his face.

Even before setting off, I already knew this job wouldn't be easy.

However, upon seeing Tang Mingli, this youthful and beautiful figure in the crowd, I felt a surge of joy.

With a young person around, the journey wasn't as dull as it could have been.

I wonder what she will think when she finds out that this young man is the most lifeless person in the group.

As a guide, he is naturally eloquent.

While waiting for the car to arrive, they were already chatting away with the old ladies, creating a lively atmosphere before they even set off.

Tang Mingli sighed inwardly; being a tour guide was indeed not a job for just anyone. With such an excellent guide, their trip shouldn't be too boring.

Before long, the vehicle that would take them arrived; it was a brand-new blue and white mid-sized bus.

Tang Mingli was very happy to see this.

It's a new car, so it'll definitely be more comfortable to ride in.

Guide Zhong proudly told them, "This is a minibus that our travel agency recently purchased, and today is its first time being used."

This can be seen as proof of their travel agency's strength, and also as a demonstration of the leaders' determination to strengthen and expand the tourism industry.

"Everyone, get on the bus quickly."

The guide greeted everyone with a smile and helped them get on the bus, even helping the driver carry their luggage.

Tang Mingli originally wanted to sit in the back, but her mother-in-law and grandmother both wanted to sit in the front, saying that they could hear the guide better that way, so she had no choice but to sit in the front as well.

Grandma and Grandpa sat in the front, and she and her mother-in-law sat in the back, so that they could easily take care of each other if anything happened.

The car moved forward slowly, and once it started moving smoothly, Guide Zhong began to speak again.

His script was somewhat similar to that of some tour guides in later generations. He solemnly introduced himself and the driver again, explained the itinerary for the next four days, gave some instructions on things to pay attention to, and expressed his hope that everyone could help each other over the next four days.

The difference was that these minibuses weren't dedicated tourist buses and didn't have microphones or loudspeakers. To ensure everyone could hear what they were saying, they had to shout.

As the car drove out of the city, the scenery outside began to look unfamiliar.

The elderly men and women who were chatting away were immediately drawn to the scenery outside the window.

In fact, some of them had lived in other places, but after the war ended and they settled in Guangcheng, they rarely left the city, and decades passed in that time.

The outside world, even if it's just a few trees by the roadside or lush green rice paddies in the distance, is all new and exciting to them.

Someone remarked that they had witnessed vast fields of crops being destroyed by enemy fire during the war. This immediately resonated with everyone, and they all began to reminisce about those days.

This touched a nerve with Grandpa, who, who was usually quiet, joined the group chat.

When everyone learned that he was a veteran who had participated in the War of Resistance against Japan, they had even greater respect for him.

Tang Mingli smiled as she looked at Old Master Fu and Old Madam Fu, who were sitting in front of her and talking very enthusiastically. Even though they had only just set off, she suddenly felt that this trip had been quite worthwhile.

This was a topic she couldn't join in on, but one she still enjoyed listening to.

She listened with a smile, looking out the window.

The road was not smooth at this time, with sections of flat road followed by potholes, causing the car to sway and make Tang Mingli feel drowsy.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, I caught a glimpse of a particularly beautiful cloud on the distant horizon.

It's white and soft, just like a marshmallow.

I really want to eat it.

Why is she craving something sweet? Isn't it time to eat?

Tang Mingli glanced at her watch and realized it was almost noon; it was time to arrange lunch in one of the towns she was passing through.

Thinking of this, she instantly perked up.

Surprisingly, the car ride wasn't too long. Listening to everyone chatting and laughing, it was almost noon before I knew it.

Tang Mingli guessed correctly. Not long after she checked the time, the guide stood up from his seat.

When everyone saw the guide stand up, they realized she must have something to say, and they gradually stopped chatting.

After things quieted down, Guide Zhong said to everyone, "It's almost noon, and I'm sure you're all hungry. We'll be passing through a small town soon, and we'll have our meal there."

After being reminded by the guide, many people realized that they were indeed a bit hungry.

For example, Fu's mother whispered to Tang Mingli, "I didn't even realize I was hungry until the guide said so. You really don't know you're hungry when you're out having fun."

Tang Mingli touched her nose guiltily; she had been hungry even before the tour guide mentioned it.

But she understood why her mother-in-law thought that way, so she went along with her mother-in-law's words: "People don't feel hungry when they are excited because their attention is distracted."

Fu's mother was just making a casual remark, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be based on something.

Guide Zhong continued speaking, laying the groundwork before finally getting to the point: "...In a small place, the places to eat are bound to be simpler, and the food may be just average. I know that you all paid extra for an upgraded tour, but due to the limited conditions, I hope you can make the best of it."

Apart from Tang Mingli, everyone on the bus had lived through impoverished times. The only problem was that they ate less well, which was not an issue for them at all.

"Don't worry, we've always survived on sweet potatoes and brown rice, we won't be picky."

"Yes, as long as I can eat my fill, that's fine."

"You can't be too picky when you're out and about; you can just eat whatever's available."

...

Grandparents who weren't afraid of hardship all spoke up.

Guide Zhong was relieved, but Tang Mingli's face slowly scrunched up.

I knew that lunch on the way there and back wouldn't be very good, but I was still somewhat looking forward to it.

Perhaps it's simple, but you might be lucky enough to stumble upon some hidden culinary gems.

Half an hour later, the car entered the small town where we stopped along the way.

Since it was their first time leading a tour group, and the hostel didn't have any regular restaurants they frequented, they had to search around town before finally stopping in front of a small restaurant that could seat all twelve of them.

The guide told everyone to stay in the car while she got off to negotiate with the restaurant.

Tang Mingli peered into the restaurant through the window.

It was lunchtime, but there wasn't a single customer inside.

Experienced people know that these kinds of restaurants are often easy to run into a bad customer.

Tang Mingli was probably the most experienced person in the group, so while everyone else was excitedly anticipating the moment, she was the only one who sighed softly.

She no longer expected it to taste good; she just hoped she could eat it.

Not long after, the guide, who had reached a settlement, returned to the vehicle and told everyone that they could get off and have lunch.

The group got off the bus one after another and filled up the tables and chairs inside.

Just as the shop sign says – a small restaurant.

Tang Mingli was extremely flustered.

Is it going to be a huge disaster on the very first day?