I thought Jinan was beautiful enough, but Shaoxing's scenery captivated me even more.

## The Enchantment of a Water Town Jinan's scenery is undeniably beautiful. The stones of Thousand Buddha Mountain, the waters of Baotu Spring, and the lotus leaves of Daming Lake all present a refreshing and delightful sight. I once lingered there for several days, believing I had seen the best landscapes in the world, feeling quite pleased with myself, thinking nothing could surpass it. However, Shaoxing shattered my confidence with its own unique charm. Upon arriving in Shaoxing, I immediately noticed how different its waters were from Jinan's. Jinan's waters are jumping, gushing, and roaring; while Shaoxing's are silent, flowing, and quiet. Black-awning boats glide through the canals, leaving long trails that are quickly smoothed away by the water, as if they had never existed. The boatmen paddle with their feet, their bodies motionless, only their eyes occasionally moving to observe passersby on the banks. This scene created an illusion that time stood still in this place. Shaoxing's old houses are also quite interesting. Gray bricks and black tiles, with upturned eaves and walls covered in vines. Some houses are tilted yet stubbornly standing, like obstinate elders refusing to bow to the passage of time. I once got lost in a small alley, with high walls on both sides and only a sliver of sky visible above. My footsteps echoed on the stone pavement, making me feel as if I had stepped into another era. What amazed me most were the historical sites of famous scholars hidden among the ordinary streets. Turning an unremarkable corner, I suddenly saw a stone tablet inscribed with "Qingteng Study," realizing this was where Xu Wei once splashed his ink. Entering a teahouse, the owner casually pointed to a table in the corner, saying Lu Xun often read there as a young man. These historical figures seemed so ordinary in Shaoxing, as if they had never left, just stepped out temporarily and might return at any moment. I wandered around Shen Garden for half a day. The garden isn't large, but its rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers are arranged with exquisite care. The story of Lu You and Tang Wan is engraved on a stone tablet, the inscriptions now blurred. A young couple stood before the tablet, the girl softly reading the verses while the boy looked bewildered. History and reality converge here, yet pass each other by. I couldn't get used to Shaoxing wine. The dark brown Shaoxing rice wine tastes sweet initially but has a strong aftereffect. Locals drink it with relish, while I could only sip it slowly, soon becoming flushed. The tavern owner laughed at me for "not knowing how to drink," and I didn't argue, thinking perhaps it was this stubborn flavor that nurtured the unyielding character of Shaoxing people. As night fell and lights came on, Shaoxing's night scenery differed from its daytime appearance. The water reflected the lights, creating rippling patterns. Finger-guessing games echoed from taverns, while Yue Opera melodies drifted from theaters. Sitting alone at the Eight-Character Bridge, watching people come and go, I suddenly understood that Shaoxing's beauty lies not in its landscapes but in its way of life. Everything here is alive, breathing, and warm.