The next morning came as promised, and Yang Zhen was disappointed to find that he was still in this ruined temple, neither returning to earth nor turning back into the young Yang Zhen.
Tie Zhu got up earlier than him and was walking into the room carrying a bucket of water.
Although she has not turned back into an adult, Yang Zhen only feels that her energy and spirit are much better than yesterday, and her whole body is more energetic. She wonders if it is because of the half piece of fish last night. It's just that the portion is a little smaller. Although I have more energy, the hunger in my stomach seems to be stronger.
The two quickly finished packing, each picked up a wooden stick, and then went down the mountain together. As for the wooden stick that the iron pillar regarded as a treasure, he still hid it in the Taoist temple.
Fog arose in the mountains in the early morning, shrouding the two of them. Except for the nearby green grass and paths, everything else was shrouded in clouds and mist, making it impossible to see anything clearly. The two of them walked and chatted. When the sun came out and the clouds and fog gradually dispersed, they arrived at the foot of the mountain. Looking back, the mountains are green and vast, and the mist seems to cover the mountains with a thin layer of gauze, like a dream or fantasy, like a fairyland.
After climbing over the last hill, a majestic city suddenly appeared in front of them. Yang Zhen estimated that the city wall was several times taller than the ancient Xi'an city wall he had seen in his previous life. It was like a stone mountain. But after seeing the immortal's methods and the more majestic bridge on the river yesterday, Yang Zhen didn't seem so incredible after seeing such a high city wall.
There is a group of guards under the city wall, wearing armor and looking indifferent. Yang Zhen looked at these "ancient" soldiers curiously, but received cold glances from the guards. Fortunately, they did not stop them from entering the city. After passing through a long, tunnel-like city gate, the two entered the city called "Xuyang".
The first thing that comes into view is a straight and spacious stone road with shops on both sides. The rising sun shines slantingly on the pavilions and tile-roofed houses. In the interplay of light and darkness, a bustling and lively ancient city appears in front of you.
Yang Zhen followed Tiezhu for a few steps and merged into the crowd walking on the street. Looking at the faces of the ancients who passed by, some were simple, some sophisticated, some laughing, or some sad, and listening to all kinds of complicated sounds, including the sound of splashing water, the sound of wheels, the sound of greetings, and the sizzling sound of pancakes being put into the pan. And the penetrating shouts of vendors could be heard faintly not far away. Yang Zhen felt like she was in a grand costume drama, with a sense of absurd reality, which was both novel and confusing. She didn't know what such an ancient city would bring to her.
…………
Finally arriving at a bustling market, Tie Zhu stopped and Yang Zhen also stopped and looked at him curiously.
"This is the morning market. Just wait for me here while I go for a walk." Tie Zhu ordered, not wanting Yang Zhen to follow him anymore.
Yang Zhen knew what he was going to do. He had been mentally prepared since last night, so he nodded without saying anything more. Watching Tie Zhu blend into the crowd, Yang Zhen withdrew her gaze and looked at the surrounding stalls.
There are all kinds of food here. Sizzling beef pancakes, translucent osmanthus cold cakes, fried golden pot stickers, and steaming wonton stalls...
The fragrance wafted over, and Yang Zhen kept swallowing her saliva.
"The ones with thin skin and large fillings should be Xiao Long Bao. You have to eat them while they are hot, but you have to be careful when scalding them. It is best to gently bite a small hole, take a sip, and sip, sip, sip, juicy, delicious, and endless aftertaste. ah……"
"This one looks like pea yellow, and the color is light yellow. I don't know if it tastes the same as ours. It tastes sweet, has a delicate texture, and melts in your mouth..."
"Is this white and slender one also rice noodles? It looks so elastic and must taste chewy. Is the red one next to it the chili powder? Pour a little of this into the steaming soup. You’ll definitely be sweating after eating, it’s so cool!”
"Well, there are also grilled chicken wings. The skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy. I really miss it... Grilled chicken wings are my favorite..."
Yang Zhen looked at these delicacies dizzyingly, commented on how to eat them, and recalled the taste, her mouth watered unconsciously...
He didn't realize it, but in the eyes of others, he felt a little annoyed. A fat middle-aged woman selling barbecued pork buns came to drive her away with her hands crossed:
"Little beggar, stand aside and don't interfere with my business. Go away!"
Yang Zhen was so embarrassed that she smiled at the woman and hid quickly, but the woman was still chattering:
"My saliva is dripping on my barbecued pork buns. My barbecued pork buns are made with fine meat fillings. They are fresh and delicious. I don't have to be spoiled by you beggars, bah!"
Yang Zhen followed the flow of people and came to a wonton stall. A man was pouring the wontons into the hot pot, and then scooping up a bowl with quick hands and feet, saying: Here it comes, be careful not to burn it!
Yang Zhen stared at it for a long time, swallowing saliva again and again. The man was so busy that he didn't seem to notice Yang Zhen at all.
Yang Zhen smiled to herself and left sadly, going to the next stall.
This is a sesame seed shop. The stall owner is an ugly, short man. He is humming a ditty. He glances at Yang Zhen and ignores her.
At this time, Yang Zhen was so hungry that her chest pressed against her back. Looking at the yellow and golden pancakes, she wanted to open her mouth several times to ask for it, but when it came to her mouth, she could not get over the hurdle in her heart. She hesitated and couldn't say anything. . He just stared at the stack of sesame seed cakes, his eyes seemed to be on fire.
The business of the sesame cake stall is very average, and not many people patronize it. Probably because Yang Zhen had been standing nearby for a long time, the stall owner finally felt compassion, took out a piece of hot sesame seed cake and gave it to her:
"You little kid, you're always standing around doing mozi. Are you hungry? Here!"
Yang Zhen was wandering away, savoring the taste of sesame cakes. Suddenly someone handed him a cake. Almost subconsciously, he immediately refused:
"No, no, I'm not hungry, thank you, brother!"
"You don't want to? You still call me big brother?" The man was stunned and looked Yang Zhen up and down. Could this kid be a fool?
"Uh..." Yang Zhen also realized that she called it wrong and wanted to cover her mouth. She felt extremely regretful in her heart: Why did she refuse so quickly? Now she must regret it! Listen, this belly is complaining!
But if Yang Zhen goes back to ask for it, he won't have the shame. Embarrassed to stand in front of other people's stalls, he had no choice but to continue wandering aimlessly in the morning market until there was a commotion in front of him...
When I got closer, I saw a beggar being driven away by two people. A young man who looked like a waiter was cursing:
"I'm really backing you up, and I've met you, an ugly guy. It's hard to sell anything! I tell you, don't wander around in front of my stall in the future, or I'll beat you every time I see you... Get out!"
The young man staggered back and did not resist. He just covered his head with his hands, but Yang Zhen could see clearly that it was Tie Zhu who had just separated.
"Brother Tiezhu..." Yang Zhen shouted from the side.
Tie Zhu turned around and saw Yang Zhen, who looked a little frightened and... ashamed and angry!
Why is he frightened, ashamed and angry? Yang Zhen was surprised, and suddenly, he understood.
From waking up yesterday to now, although Yang Zhen has only known Tie Zhu for a day, in his heart, he is a brave, hard-working, kind, smart... young man with many advantages! He regarded Yang Zhen as his younger brother, found food for Yang Zhen, and protected Yang Zhen from wind and rain. Although he is a beggar, he behaves like a big brother in front of Yang Zhen!
Such a person can do all kinds of despicable things when Yang Zhen can't see him, he can grovel to beg for food, and say flattering words that he thinks are flattering... But in front of Yang Zhen, But he was careful to cover up all this and maintain the dignity of the elder brother. That's why he asked to be separated from Yang Zhen just now, because he didn't want to beg in front of Yang Zhen; that's why he would be bumped into by Yang Zhen, and he would be... ashamed and angry!
As if to confirm Yang Zhen's guess, Tie Zhu suddenly roared, his voice full of grief and anger, grabbed the wooden stick in his hand and hit the waiter hard!
