Chapter 138: Camping in the Canyons

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Hearing what Tina said, the people around the Mustang laughed. Someone whistled at the blonde-haired teen, "Jason, you’re finished!"

The blonde teen looked at Tina playfully, and said, "I like you, girl, you’re a fine Mustang."

"Your mom’s a Mustang, too," Tina coldly replied. She pulled open the F-150 car door and threw her bag in. She then got into the front seat.

Mr. Li was troubled. "Pretty lady, did I ask you to get in my car?"

The other girls followed Tina and went into the car. Mr. Li was even more perplexed. "My—my car can’t fit so many people."

"It’s ok, they just squeeze," Tina laughed.

One of the girls asked playfully, "Can the shotgun seat fit two people?"

Li Du smiled bitterly and said, "I’m afraid the police don’t allow that."

"Of course—if they did, then Tina would be sitting on your lap. Look, her hips are already moving," Ilfen said.

Tina smiled and said, "Then how about I sit on your lap? So that you can feel the charm of my hips."

"Forget it, I guess."

Tina, sitting in the shotgun seat, wanted to hug Ah Meow, but Ah Meow didn’t give her the chance and firmly buried itself into Li Du’s lap.

With that, Mr. Li could only try to fit Ah Meow with him under the safety belt, like a baby strapped to a mother’s chest.

Following Highway 179, they drove south. After exiting town, they headed west. Soon, a lush stretch of forest could be seen.

Tina asked, "Hey, are you familiar with this place?"

Li Du shook his head. "No, not familiar."

"Then I won’t just let this be a free ride—I can be your tour guide. Look, what we see now is the Coconino National Forest." Tina pointed forward, out the winds.h.i.+eld. Under the restraint of the seatbelt, her chest was even more prominent.

Mr. Li acted like a gentleman, and kept his eyes on the forest.

"To explore this area, the best methods are through hiking, biking, or horse-riding. There are many beautiful birds and insects in the surrounding…"

Li Du nodded, "I read an introduction of this national forest in a map. It’s a great place."

"Where did you get that map?"

"Bought it for 5 dollars."

"You’re generous, why didn’t you get a free map instead? Sedona Forestry Administration’s Tourist Center provides free maps."

"That’s possible? I didn’t know."

"See, I said that this wouldn’t be a free ride. You’ve learned something new again, right?" Tina’s smile looked sweeter with each pa.s.sing moment.

As they conversed, they had soon arrived at the town of Oak Creek. On the sides of the road, two rows of colorful wooden houses appeared. It was almost like entering a town from a fairytale.

"It’s beautiful," Li Du said in admiration.

The scenery was beautiful, but soon after, his mood wasn’t as "beautiful" as it should have been.

Oak Creek had specialized parking lots, so they couldn’t park wherever they liked. But the lots charged a fee, requiring one Redstone ticket, costing 15 dollars.

Tina brought out the 15 dollars and helped him pay for the parking fee. Li Du gave his thanks and said, "I’ll treat you girls to lunch then."

"All of us?" Ilfen pointed to herself and her companions, "We’re included too?"

Mr. Li laughed and said, "Of course, but I hope that you girls are used to eating Chinese food, because I’m preparing to make a hot-pot dish."

Ilfen said, "Cool, I’ve eaten Hai Di Lao hot-pots. They’re great, but expensive."

Hai Di Lao hot-pot was a Chinese dish that had entered the global market. It had followed a high-cost model in the global market, but failed due to that gutsy move.

That, however, was unrelated to Li Du. He packed up his things, carried the tents, crockery, and ingredients, and then they went to the supermarket to buy some meat and vegetables. Afterwards, he went to Oak Creek Canyon with the rest.

Oak Creek Canyon didn’t allow free camping, and had marked out a camping area. It was in a forest near the road. There was also payment needed to book a spot; 18 dollars for a site.

A camping spot could accommodate two double-person tents. There were five girls together with Tina, so with a fifth person, they had to pay for an extra camping spot.

Tina immediately stood with Li Du and said to the person at the counter, "We’re together."

Li Du rolled his eyes; not to Tina, but to the Forestry Bureau.

The local Forestry Bureau sure knew how to make money. Almost everything charged a fee. They were more merciless than the "black shops" in China.

But as he pa.s.sed through the forest into the camping spot, he understood why they charged a fee.

The canyon didn’t just provide s.p.a.ce, but there were also showering facilities and barbecue stands which were free to use.

The camping spot was situated on slightly elevated ground. The view was broad, and the surrounding forest was full of beeches, oaks, and pine trees. They were green and luscious, with flowers on the ground in full bloom. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.

The camping ground had over 80 spots with pop-up tents of various colors.

Li Du found an empty spot and stopped there. He was prepared to set up camp when Tina smiled sweetly and said, "Leave the tents to me—we’ll help you with it—you go prepare lunch. Let’s split up the work."

Li Du hesitated and said, "That’s fine, but I’d like to clarify some things, Tina. Just now, to save money, we said that we’re together. We should stay separate tents."

Tina couldn’t hold back her laughter and said, "Of course, what do you think I am? A s.e.xually-frustrated middle-aged wife?"

Mr. Li observed her bold figure; she did somewhat look like a mature lady.

The camping spot had a tap. The water was apparently from a clean creek, and could be drank right from the tap.

After was.h.i.+ng the crockery, Li Du added wine to the pot, and flames came bursting out, heating up the pot.

He poured in the soup base, added onions, garlic, and ginger, and then a large serving of spices and chili. Soon, the soup began to boil, and a spicy fragrant began to emit from it.

The five girls seemed to be experienced campers. They were good at setting up the tents. By the time that the hot-pot was ready, they had already set up the three tents.

Li Du asked Ilfen, who was walking over, "Only two tents? What are the five of you going to do?"

"We’re letting Tina sleep in your tent. Then won’t it be fine for the four of us?"

Li Du could tell that Ilfen was joking, so he said, "Since you girls have kindly proposed this, then I’ll gladly accept. Remember not to close your tents, I’ll visit at night."

Ilfen licked her lips and asked with antic.i.p.ation, "Can you handle five people?"

The other girls looked at him with interest, and at this point, Li Du couldn’t keep up the joke anymore. "Ah, alright, you win. I’m an advocate of abstinence—wash your hands and prepare for lunch."

The other girls didn’t continue to make fun of him, and fervently took their bowls and utensils over to sit together.

Li Du added some slices of lamb into the pot. Soon, he said, "Alright, we can begin now."

"Is it cooked?"

"Of course, these cook quickly." He used peanuts and chives and mixed them together, and said that everyone should eat it all together.

After eating the lamb, he added vegetables, beans, lettuce, cabbage, kale and coriander. Green, blue, white, yellow: All sorts of vegetables were cooking in the red soup, giving a fresh taste to it to go with the spicy fragrance.