Suzhou Mudu Ancient Town & Gate to the East

Today's itinerary began at the Yan Family Residence in Mudu Ancient Town. The courtyard was quiet and beautiful in the early morning, with its corridors, rockeries, and ponds exuding the unique scholarly atmosphere of Jiangnan. Walking through it, one's mood naturally slowed, and one's steps even adopted a touch of the elegance of ancient scholars. After leaving the Yan Family Residence, we finally began our leisurely stroll through Mudu Ancient Town. Unexpectedly, we stumbled upon a culinary script orchestrated by fate—bags of lively hairy crabs beckoned to me by the roadside. The owner initially asked for ¥280, and my destiny of eating hairy crabs for the first time in my life began here—bargaining! I finally managed to get ten six-ounce crabs for ¥250, feeling quite pleased with myself. We found a shop to cook them and ordered a few other dishes. When the steaming hot crabs were served, I suddenly realized: this was my first time eating hairy crabs! The crab roe was so rich it felt like the autumn scenery of Jiangnan was filling my mouth, making me wonder what wonderful things I had missed before. But the most eye-catching person today might not have been me, but my fellow traveler. He generously bought a whole bunch of Angong Niuhuang Wan (a traditional Chinese medicine), clutching it tightly the whole way, as if afraid of losing even a single gram. His expression was more protective of his possession than any treasure; we almost knelt down and addressed him as "Master." In the afternoon, we headed to Jinji Lake, gazing at the distant Gate to the East towering against the sky. Then we walked to Suzhou Central Square, where the sounds of people taking photos and snapping pictures filled the air, as if everyone was shooting their annual personal poster. After a week of walking, my legs were aching, so I finally went to "Zheng Yuanyuan" for a foot bath and massage. The masseur's touch instantly relieved all my fatigue, and I transformed from a "traveling traveler" back into "the living me." From the scholarly atmosphere of Yan Jiagan's residence to encountering my first hairy crab in the alleys of the ancient town; from the breeze of Jinji Lake to the relaxation in the massage parlor; this day was one where Suzhou truly treated me with gentle kindness.