"It's my pleasure to serve you.
My customer, let's go. " The native young man ran out of the shop immediately after hearing Zhang Lisheng agreeing to it. He ran to another straw mud house not far away in the mud barefoot and pushed a broken three-wheeled motorcycle that was almost as tall as him with all his might.
He started the motorcycle's engine with all his might, the native young man shouted amidst the rumbling noise, "Come on sir, let's go."
"I hope you have a motorcycle driver's license," Zhang Lisheng mumbled in the dark and sat on the side of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle started to move shakily, and its speed gradually increased. On the bumpy street, it rushed into the distance.
Over ten minutes later, the motorcycle stopped next to a hotel with bright lights far away.
The young man looked at the hotel with an indescribable emotion sparkling in his eyes. "Sir, that's the Grand Forest Hotel.
The headman said we can't go there, you'll have to walk there yourself. You'll have to pay me later.
I'll be waiting for you. "
Zhang Lisheng just found out that to ordinary people in Tatetutu, civilization and wilderness could not be crossed easily. They were clearly differentiated.
"Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can," He got off the motorcycle and walked to the hotel far away in big steps.
The 300 meters distance brought Zhang Lisheng back to civilization. The waiters at the entrance of the Grand Forest Hotel turned a blind eye to how dirty he looked. They served him courteously.
This was Amazon, many VIPs who came back from their adventures would be messed up.
There was an ATM in the hotel. Zhang Lisheng took the money after booking a room. Just when he was going to send the money to the native young man, the phone in his backpack went 'chirp chirp chirp …' all of a sudden.
He looked at the screen and picked up the phone. He said directly without caring if it was credible or not, "I'm sorry Tina, I'm not in Tuikano anymore.
I went out in the afternoon and got on a bus by accident. I can't believe I'm on it all the way to Lunuk City. But don't worry, I'll be back at the Paradise Hotel tomorrow … "
Tina who wanted to ask Zhang Lisheng for dinner was stunned for a while and asked, "Lunuk, where's that?"
"I'm not sure, I only know that it's around 100 kilometers away from Tuikano.
Alright, my phone is almost out of battery. We'll talk more tomorrow. "Zhang Lisheng hung up the phone in a hurry.
Tina put her phone down in a daze as she sat at the long round table in the western-style dining area of the Golden Brick Hotel's restaurant in Tuikano. "Lisheng said he left Tuikano by bus unintentionally when he was strolling in the afternoon. He's arrived at a city called Lunuk and he'll only be back tomorrow."
"Don't worry, Ms. Tina. Lunuk is a bustling city 120 kilometers to the west of Tuikano. Of course, it's only bustling compared to Tatetutu.
Most of the residents there were from the gatherer tribes of Yekadido and Moxillin. The people there were simple and honest, and public security was very good.
There's a bus that goes straight to Tuikano on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week … "Upon seeing Tina's uneasiness, an old man with white hair and beard wearing a well-ironed old gray suit comforted her thoughtfully.
He looked like an aborigine, but his temperament was completely different from that of the jungle aborigines. The words "wisdom" and "erudition" seemed to be printed on his high and thin cheekbones. His every movement showed the calm manner of an old gentleman who had received Western-style higher education.
"There's a bus that goes straight to Tuikano on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That means there's no bus today, Dr. Tubalin," Shittu who was sitting aside said loudly all of a sudden in anger, "That Zhang Lisheng is lying. We have no idea where he's fooling around …"
"Shut up, Shittu," Sheila grabbed her boyfriend and said softly seeing Tina's uneasiness.
"Oh, perhaps I remembered it wrong. Perhaps Lunuk City has a bus that goes to Tuikano on Mondays.
After all, I've been in the jungle for half a year this time. Many things have changed, "Tubalin said apologetically knowing that he had misspoken.
"I can't believe you're defending a rascal that you've never seen before. Dr. Tubalin, you're such a gentleman.
I can't believe you're from Tatetutu … I mean, your temperament and demeanor make people feel … "
"Young man, it seems like you're prejudiced against us, Tatetutu.
But it's alright. Just like how America was just a place where British exiled criminals and poor people risked their lives to make a living 300 years ago, I believe my country is poor and ignorant now.
However, one day, it'll be on par with the other countries on this planet. Nobody will look down on it anymore. I believe that day will come not too far in the future.
45 years ago, I went to Cambridge to study because of this, "Tubalin looked at Shittu with a smile and said in a manner that was neither humble nor arrogant.
Compared to a 'patriot' who would only argue or even curse in the face of criticism, a person who was rational and respectful would undoubtedly resonate with others more.
Hearing that, Shittu who was a little rude stood up formally and bowed. "I'm very ashamed, Dr. Tubalin. Compared to you, I'm obviously more like an uneducated barbarian. Please forgive me."
This young New Yorker who was born in a noble family had received formal etiquette education. He seemed to be very polite as soon as he spoke.
"Oh, young man, even God will forgive you when you make mistakes, let alone me."
Shittu's little careless mistake was compensated perfectly. Subsequently, the waiters began serving the dishes. The dinner atmosphere was getting more and more harmonious.
Among the people eating, Tina was the only one who seemed to be distracted. She apologized and left the dining table immediately after eating the appetizer and main course. She walked out of the restaurant in big steps and called Zhang Lisheng again.
"Zhang Lisheng, the bus from Tuikano to Lunuk City only runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week. How do you explain that?"
The person on the other end of the phone fell into silence for a while. "Alright then, I didn't take the bus. I got lost when I was walking in the jungle with the help of some special tool. I came to Lunuk by mistake."
"Special tool?" Tina screamed after being stunned for a while, "What kind of special tool can bring you up to 100 kilometers in the Amazon rainforest in just a few hours?!"
"Lower your voice Tina, don't let the whole world know.
Do you remember that I have some little secrets of my own?
Don't ask too much, you'll see it when it's time for you to see it. "
"Lisheng, it's hard to believe that you're being so vague.
Maybe you didn't leave Tuikano at all, maybe you're fooling around somewhere in the city.
A 16-year-old young man, or a 17-year-old young man now. Oh, really … "Tina provoked him on purpose.
"It's okay if you think that way.
I'm having dinner, I'll talk to you later. See you tomorrow. " Zhang Lisheng did not fall for her provocation at all. He casually untied the jelly stone that he bought with 100 dollars on his finger and hung up the phone.
The jelly stone turned into an oval shape slowly after it was untied.
Zhang Lisheng sat on the bed in the guest room of the Grand Forest Hotel. He studied the strange rubber carefully while eating his burger. He found nothing in the end, so he simply crushed it into a pancake and stuck it on his wrist. He took out Mountoad from his backpack after turning off the light and began cultivating the secret method.
After a night of cultivation, Zhang Lisheng got off the bed the next morning. He went to the Grand Forest Hotel reception to ask for the location of the long-distance bus stop in Lunuk City.
Many of the foreign tourists who came to Tatetutu had experienced the daily life of the indigenous people, but clearly, not many of them could adapt to it successfully. The front desk lady in a grass skirt reminded him politely, "Sir, of course, you can try taking the Lunuk bus if you're not busy.
However, I'd like to remind you that it'll be an extremely difficult journey no matter where you're going. The time you'll spend might be far longer than you expected. "
"So, is there any other way apart from the long-distance bus if I want to go to Tuikano?" Zhang Lisheng was stunned and said smoothly.
"Of course there is. For example, taking a canoe to Tuikano. Of course, it'll take longer that way.
The fastest way is to take a plane while the most comfortable way is to get a limousine from our hotel to send you to Tuikano directly. "
"Plane? There's an airport here?"
"Of course."
"That's great, I love flying in the blue sky. Send me to the airport."
"Please wait for a moment, I'll get you a cab."
"Thanks, I'll wait outside," Zhang Lisheng carried his thick rucksack and walked out of the hotel.
The air outside was refreshing. Since it was a tropical rainforest, the sun that had just risen was already bright. Raindrops were falling on the ground clearly under the sunlight.
Sun rain was common in Tatetutu but it was Zhang Lisheng's first time seeing it. He walked to the edge of the balcony in shock and extended his hand to grab the raindrops. His arm that was covered in colorful patterns was drenched instantly.
At that moment, a smooth English voice came from behind him all of a sudden, "Sir, is this the limousine service to the airport that you're looking for?"
"Yes, let's go." Zhang Lisheng turned around and smiled at the indigenous driver who was wearing a green uniform and a round hat. He removed the colorful jelly stone from his wrist without realizing and wrapped it around his palm. He then entered the ancient Mercedes-Benz next to him.
The hotel driver closed the door after seeing his guest entering the car. He walked to the driver's seat quickly and drove to Lunuk Airport.
The limousine stopped in a flat field after driving on the road that was full of potholes for a while.
"Sir, we've arrived at the airport."
Zhang Lisheng was speechless as he looked at the few small propeller planes that were parked next to a few cement houses far away in the field. He asked after being stunned for a while, "How much would it cost if I change my mind and plan to rent this limousine to Tuikano?"
"It's 10 dollars per kilometer based on kilometers."
"Okay, it's still within my budget. What are we waiting for? Let's go to the Paradise Hotel in Tuikano now."
"I'll contact the hotel and we'll leave right away, sir." The driver showed his eight white teeth and mumbled some indigenous language from the car walkie-talkie. He then turned the car around and rushed to the road again.
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