Stumbling into a Peach Blossom Spring

Stumbling into a Peach Blossom Spring, Guangzhou Congshe Liuxi Yuanshu 10:00, December 23: Sitting on the balcony, the sunlight feels so warm, gently comforting me. There are few people on the road, and the occasional low hum of a car can be heard. Our city, she seems sick, and like her, I can only breathe slowly. 11:00: I'm already driving slowly on the airport expressway. I didn't ask myself where I wanted to go, just kept heading north, as if it was purer there. 12:00: I got off at Liangkou. The country road is long, the smell of grass is pleasant, the cows don't block the road, and the harmony satisfies me. I passed a primary school where students walked in small groups. They weren't wearing school uniforms and classes hadn't been suspended. They just occasionally stopped in front of the ice cream freezer, looking at the ice cream, and that was enough. After the school, the country road narrowed, motorcycles passed by, and a river surface suddenly appeared on the right, faintly visible. I stopped and stood by the road. It was noon, and there was no one around. The village houses on both sides were quiet. There was a bridge not far away called Niulu Bridge. On the right was a courtyard, with an abandoned tractor outside the wall. The azaleas in the courtyard were particularly pleasing, red but not gaudy. Well, it should be okay to ask for a cup of tea, right? The door was open, and there was no one in the courtyard. Birds were playing and chasing each other overhead. At this time, a tall man walked towards me, yes, very tall, 1.8m, strolling slowly. "I'm Fang, the owner here." I quickly cupped my hands and explained my purpose, just passing through the village, lost on the way, and wanting a cup of tea. "Please!" Fang said and led the way alone. Passing through the living room, the view suddenly opened up. There were three or four guests sitting under a bamboo grove, and a lake in the distance was clear and blue. A kayak was parked in the lake, and occasional laughter could be heard. The guests were enjoying themselves here. There was a clay pot on the stove, brewing tea, the aroma filling the air. Dried longans, sweet potatoes, and corn were placed around it. I couldn't believe it was real. Hot tea warmed my stomach and made me feel comfortable all over. The guests chatted with each other, and I found out they were all passers-by. It turned out to be a homestay, unassuming from the outside. It was originally Fang's private residence, but as more friends visited, he decided to share the joy. I looked at the rooms, all named after local plants: Shuirong, Dujuan, Nanzhu... It was quite interesting to savor the names. Only those with similar interests can appreciate it. Compared to a five-star hotel, it might seem plain and uninteresting. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. 18:00: Dinner was a pot of chicken, seasonal vegetables, and village dried tofu stewed together, simple but not simple. The setting sun shone through the stone bridge, sparkling gold. The sun set over the fence, and the farmers on the other side of the field had already returned home. I pecked at the food, my mouth full of the aroma of fat, enjoying myself immensely. 19:00: The guests had already left in the evening. I was reluctant to leave and stood alone by the river. The lights of Congshe were not on. Right, this place was originally called Congshe. Two people make a "Cong" (following), following your heart and letting go. Everything is so calm, neither humble nor arrogant, neither disgraced nor favored. White mist gradually rose from the lake. I took a deep breath, feeling vast and boundless as if riding the wind, not knowing where it would stop, feeling free and unfettered as if living in seclusion, transcending the world and becoming immortal. I reminded myself that I wasn't drunk, the bayberry wine was just so-so. I don't know when, but Fang was standing next to me, drinking his single malt. I suddenly said I wanted to stay. Fang didn't answer. I couldn't help but ask weakly, "Can I get a discount?" "Haha... 85% off." Fang patted me, laughed loudly, and walked away. 23:00: I continued to sit on the balcony. The streetlights were dim and yellow. This city is tired. Rest well and recover...