Since Sophie had asked him so honestly, he said, "Well, my dear, I'm not good at riding. I'm afraid that taking you on a romantic trip will turn into an adventure."
Li Du was worried for nothing. The tamed Quarter Horse was especially obedient. As long as the rider could maintain its balance, the horse would follow instructions.
This national park was one of the largest and most magnificent petrified forests in the world. The fossils here were from the end of the Triassic period and had a history of 225 million years, even older than the dinosaur fossils.
Before entering the park, the security guard had to check their bags.
Li Du was puzzled. "Isn't this a little invasive?"
The security guard said, "Sorry, sir, this is the rule. We have to prevent people from bringing rocks in and out."
Li Du understood this rule. Because of the movement of the earth's crust and the crystallization of magma, the park had become a favorite of gem hunters and rock collectors. Not only were there ordinary weathered rocks, but there were also all kinds of fossils, agate, and chalcedony.
In addition, there was also a very precious gemstone: fire opal!
Because of this national park, a very popular profession had appeared in Arizona — ore hunters, who specialized in collecting ores for sale.
Just as they were being checked, someone walked in with a magnifying glass, a small hammer, and gloves.
Li Du asked, "Since they brought these tools, they're obviously going in to pick up rocks?"
The security guard was about to speak when a few people overheard him. A young man in sunglasses shouted, "We're gem hunters, Kaizi. We have IDs."
The young man's way of addressing him was very insulting. Li Du was a little angry, but he didn't want to be too rough around Sophie. He knew that Sophie didn't like this kind of man.
However, when he didn't respond, Sophie was furious. She said to the others, "Didn't anyone teach you how to address each other politely since you were young? If I were your teacher or parent, I would be embarrassed! "
This was the second time Li Du had seen Sophie angry. The first time was when he and Mr. Martin were discussing whether Ah Ow was a wolf.
Sophie was just as she had been then, like a lioness protecting her cub.
The gem hunter had addressed Li Du that way because of Sophie. Sophie was beautiful and elegant, and she was born to be a goddess. These people saw her leaning on Li Du and were naturally jealous of him.
Seeing Sophie standing up for Li Du, a few gem hunters were even more envious of Li Du. In addition, they looked down on Li Du even more.
Li Du had the appearance of an Asian. Some arrogant Americans always saw Asians as cowards and cowards. This was a very common racial discrimination and an inherent impression of injustice.
Hence, the gem hunter who had spoken earlier flashed his middle finger at Li Du. "Sorry, buddy, I was wrong. I shouldn't have called you a fool, I should have called you a wuss, haha!"
The people around him also laughed. One of the big men said to Sophie, "Girl, come to me. Why are you following this soft guy? Is he rich? I'm rich too. "
Li Du knew about the job of being a gem hunter, but he did not know much about it.
Sophie wanted to retaliate, but he stopped her. "Don't be impatient. Watch me."
He asked the security guard, "How do I become a gem hunter?"
The security guard said, "Do you have the certificate of a mining worker? If you do, you can register yourself. If you don't, you'll have to pay 500 yuan to get a permit. "
Li Du nodded. "Alright, I got it."
He left with Sophie. The gem hunters thought that Li Du did not dare to provoke them, so they looked down on him even more. They kept shouting from behind:
"Hey, pretty girl, do you really want to follow a wuss?"
"Money isn't as important as happiness. Come to me, I'll make you happier!"
"Buddy, don't go. Bring your girl here. We're very familiar with the park. We can bring you guys around."
Li Du went to the park's visitor center, called the Rainbow Desert Visitor Center. He asked, "I want to register as a gem hunter, the kind that pays."
A ticket seller said, "Register first. Then you can choose a piece of land with a radius of one hectare for 500 yuan per person."
The registration information was very strict. This was to protect the park and prevent people from entering. If the park's stone forest was damaged, the person involved would be held accountable.
Li Du paid the money. The ticket seller turned a touch screen toward him and asked him to choose a piece of land on the map. This way, for the next day, he could take away any ore from that piece of land.
He asked, "May I ask, which piece of land did those people choose?"
The ticket seller said, "Sorry, you can't choose another piece of land that has been taken away."
Li Du said, "Oh, I understand. I want to choose the piece next to theirs."
As he said this, he handed a hundred yuan to the ticket seller. "This is your tip."
Unspoken rules existed in every country and every industry. The Americans had made the unspoken rule of taking dirty money into the open: taking tips.
The ticket seller nodded happily. He found the record and gave Li Du a coordinate, saying that a security guard would take them there.
Li Du brought the receipt and ticket back to the park entrance. The security guard saw them and got on an electric motorcycle. He said, "Follow me."
The two of them could only follow on horseback. Something embarrassing happened. Sophie was much better at horsemanship than him. She looked valiant and elegant on the quarter horse.
Li Du was much more embarrassed. He wished he could lie on the horse's back. The jolting of the quarter horse made him feel like he was going to fall apart.
Crispy Noodles and Ah Ow were in his arms. Ah Meow was in Sophie's arms.
Then, with the two horses galloping, Ah Meow sitting on the horse's back was relaxed and carefree.
Crispy Noodles and Ah Ow were in trouble. Crispy Noodles panicked from the jolting. He slipped and fell with a scream. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and grabbed the reins. His head hung from the reins.
Li Du hurriedly stopped the horse. As soon as the horse stopped, Ah Ow jumped down. She would rather run behind than go up.
Sophie pressed her knees against the horse's abdomen and urged it back. She smiled and said, "Poor child, do you want to sit behind Sister Sophie?"
Li Du smiled bitterly. "Practice makes perfect. I think I can handle it."
"I'm not asking you. I'm asking Crispy Noodles, poor child."
Crispy Noodles stuck out his tongue from the reins. At first glance, he looked like a hanged ghost.
He was also afraid. When he saw Sophie coming, he ran to her side.
Sophie couldn't fit the three little ones, so she threw the ocelot to Li Du.
Ah Meow squatted in front of the saddle, looking confused. Meow, why am I always the one getting hurt?
Li Du patted Ah Meow's furry head and said, "Ah Meow, work harder. Don't be like Crispy Noodles. Come on, let's go!"
The horse continued to jolt. Ah Meow: "Meow, meow, meow!"
Finally, with a howl, the cat's butt was broken!
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