Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C173. Plans for the Scenic Area.

Chapter 173: Plans for the Scenic Area

At the entrance of the scenic area, there was a dedicated staff passage. Anyone who worked there or came to do business only needed a magnetic card to enter.

Song Yimo and Miao Zhiruo already had their own, of course. Although Song Yimo could have simply gone through with facial recognition, she dutifully swiped her card anyway.

The ticket inspector smiled as soon as she saw her. “Yimo, here already?”

Song Yimo smiled back, using the moment to ask, “Many tourists today?”

“Solo visitors are about the usual. Group tours, though, there are plenty! Yesterday, the manager arranged for someone to monitor the busy spots all day. The feedback was fantastic. They’re saying this is what natural beauty should be. Everyone seems thrilled.”

The young woman speaking, Yu Xia, was two years older than Song Yimo. She hadn’t continued her studies after high school. With her cheerful nature and ready smile, she was placed here to give visitors a warm first impression.

Just as they were talking, a tour group arrived behind them. Song Yimo waved at her friend and pulled Miao Miao along, moving further into the scenic area.

Xinghu Scenic Area charged only an entrance fee; once inside, no additional charges were imposed for any of the attractions. Nor did the area rely on fabricated legends to attract visitors.

Song Yimo’s vision for Xinghu was simple yet ambitious: to create a place of pure, natural beauty, clean and restful, where people could enjoy both scenery and food, a place worth returning to—not one of those forgettable tourist traps.

To achieve this, Zhai Muyang had invested considerable effort. The project had been extended by six months, and even then, he felt only eighty percent satisfied with the result.

Xinghu’s sights might not be the most stunning or unique, but he could confidently claim that no other scenic area could quite compare. Many of the concepts they implemented here were things other places hadn’t even thought of attempting. That confidence was why he had invited esteemed figures like Zheng Senlin to review the area. Several of them were still staying in the red cottages, dining at one of the nine restaurants each day, and it seemed they hadn’t tired of it yet.

The real reason, perhaps, was that by the time anyone began to grow bored, the menu would have already changed.

The chefs Zhai Muyang had recruited weren’t all famous culinary masters; in fact, the ones at restaurants six and seven mostly came from unconventional backgrounds, having never studied in a formal setting. Yet even Zhai Muyang would raise his thumb in praise after tasting their creations.

More remarkable still was their eagerness to improve, with a passion for crafting new dishes. Zhai Muyang had set up a quarterly tasting event, hosted in rotation by each of the nine restaurants, inviting well-known food critics and discerning gourmands. If successful, this event could add another layer of prestige to the scenic area, a true win-win.

In high spirits, Song Yimo watched the clean asphalt paths, the cheerful faces of tourists passing by or overtaking each other, each seeming thoroughly contented. She couldn’t help but smile.

“Miao Miao, don’t you think this place will become something incredible?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I believe it?” Miao Zhiruo replied warmly, thinking, 'How could it not, with all your hard work and Zhai-ge’s dedication?'

Watching her friend, Miao Zhiruo felt a pang. The two of them had once walked side by side. When had Yimo started to pull ahead?

She supposed it was that summer after junior high graduation, when Yimo had gone to visit Song Yi. That woman would regret it one day.

“Look, there’s Wu Ting,” Song Yimo said, noticing someone in the distance.

Lost in thought, Miao Zhiruo stumbled slightly as Song Yimo tugged her along. She didn’t mind, though. If Yimo ran ahead, she would just follow, and if she couldn’t keep up, she’d stay behind to protect her. Yimo was kind to a fault; for every ounce of kindness she received, she would give back tenfold. Someone had to watch over her, to keep her from getting hurt.

“Just thinking it was about time for you two to show up!” Wu Ting greeted them cheerfully, her clothes dotted with oil stains, clearly having been at it for quite a while.

At each stall, there were lines of people—some taking food to go, others sitting under the umbrellas nearby to enjoy their meals before moving on. Trash was inevitable, but four cleaners were stationed nearby, and many tourists were even mindful enough to dispose of their garbage in the bins, leaving the ground fairly clean.

Spotting Zuo Chun working diligently at the fourth stall, Song Yimo didn’t interrupt her. She turned to Wu Ting instead. “Been helping out here all this time?”

Wu Ting grinned. “I finished my exams and didn’t have much else to do, though I haven’t been much help. Chunzi has been assisting her mom here for years, so she’s a pro. I’m basically just here for show.”

Song Yimo poked Wu Ting’s flushed cheek affectionately, appreciating her willingness to come and help despite the summer heat.

Zuo Chun’s mother made handmade noodles from sweet potatoes, topped with finely chopped cabbage and their homemade chili paste. The flavor was exquisite, a dish Song Yimo had enjoyed many times before. Her mouth watered at the thought, and when Zuo Chun noticed her and waved, Song Yimo turned back to Wu Ting. “Was it this busy yesterday too?”

“This isn’t much at all; the lines were way longer yesterday,” Wu Ting said, pulling them over to sit under an umbrella. “Let me get you some food.”

Miao Zhiruo checked her pocket for change and got up. “I’ll stand in line. Yimo, you can chat with Wu Ting about the area; it’ll keep her from worrying.”

“It’s not that serious,” Song Yimo protested, though she couldn’t deny her curiosity. “Who in Xinghu County isn’t interested in how this place is doing, right, Tingzi?”

“Exactly! County officials have been around all week, just to make sure nothing happens to damage the area’s reputation.”

“It’s good that they care,” Song Yimo said thoughtfully. “Better than just pocketing profits and doing a careless job.” Though she wasn’t as concerned as Miao Zhiruo thought, she observed that the snack stalls had a steady flow of customers, few leftovers filled the trash bins, and she hadn’t heard anyone complaining about the prices—good signs all around.

It was only a matter of time. This was a new scenic area, known to few, so good marketing and positive word-of-mouth would be crucial. Still, she wasn’t overly worried. After all, in her last life, the place had become popular. If anything, it should attract even more visitors this time around, with all the improvements.

Zuo Chun jogged over, balancing a disposable bowl. “Yimo, it’s starting to get hot. Grab a bite and then head back. Where’s Zhiruo?”

Wu Ting pointed toward the line. “Went to get food.”

Not hesitating, Song Yimo took a bite and closed her eyes in satisfaction. “Zuo Auntie’s cooking is as delicious as ever.”

“It’s easy to get tired of, so one bowl’s plenty. Otherwise, you won’t have room for lunch. Speaking of which, Yimo, where are you eating? At one of the restaurants?”

“I’ll skip the crowds and just head home,” Song Yimo replied, motioning for Zuo Chun to continue helping her mom.

Glad to be of assistance, Zuo Chun waved and hurried back to her work.