The weekend's sudden temperature drop could not hold back the enthusiasm of the Shanghai Gaopeng team. In our matching uniforms and with equally warm smiles, we stood out in the deep autumn season.
Despite the clear autumn weather, the lack of bright sunshine, the overcast Saturday afternoon, and the fatigue of a five-hour drive, our determination to go sea fishing remained unshaken. As the boat rocked, everyone eagerly joined the crew in casting the net. After casting the net came a long wait, just like planting a seedling in our hearts and patiently waiting for it to sprout, grow, blossom, and bear fruit. The hour-plus wait was neither short nor long. Some colleagues, losing patience, headed to the KTV in the lower deck to sing, jokingly calling it "luring the fish and shrimp into our net." Others, unable to handle the rocking waves, went straight to the lounge to lie down. When the bell rang to haul in the net, everyone rushed from the cabins to the deck. Waiting was both mesmerizing and nerve-wracking, but above all, it was full of anticipation. As the crew dumped the catch onto the deck, our cheers echoed across the sea. Phones came out for photos and videos, and naturally, we showed off on our social media feeds. Of course, we did not forget to release the young fish, shrimp, and crabs back into the sea, letting them return to the embrace of the ocean.
The allure of Yuhuan Wendan pomelos has long been known. Every year we enjoyed the pomelos sent by President Ye. But this year, our colleagues wanted to go to the orchard themselves and pick one to bring home. Early in the morning, we arrived at the orchard. The tranquil pastoral scenery was beautifully arranged, creating a picture-perfect view. Entering the orchard, we greedily breathed in the fragrant aroma of the pomelos. Seeing the fruit trees with branches bent under the weight of the fruit, everyone was amazed — so many, so big, how could we choose? Dozens of people ran through the orchard joyfully. We heard calls: "This one's big! This one's round!" Others shouted: "Take a photo of me — beauty filter, make me look slim!" And from another side: "It won't fit anymore! Get another bag!" The chatter and laughter seemed to make the fruit trees bend over in laughter. "The bus can't fit any more!" came the driver's voice from up front, finally making this bunch of "green" colleagues realize that our footprints had covered most of the orchard.
Someone quipped: "Last year we came in a business van, this year we are filling the bus. Will we need a truck next year?" This drew another round of hearty laughter and cheers.
With some free time in the afternoon, we drove to Yandang Mountain and visited the Dalongqiu Scenic Area, which has been famous since the Song Dynasty. The Zai Jing Tang Ji once recorded: "The source and setting of the Dalongqiu are vast and magnificent, with towering, steep, and winding terrain rarely reached by travelers. It would be a pity to see only the waterfall pool without the full view of the waterfall's course." This year, due to the drought, we did not get to see the spectacular sight of the waterfall cascading from mid-air with thunderous roars and earth-shaking grandeur. Though we felt regretful and could only wait for another visit, everyone's spirits remained high, and we lingered, reluctant to leave.
In just two days, besides having a great time, our team actually had quite a few tasks. First, we competed to see who had the best appetite in a seafood-eating contest; second, who was the strongest in picking the most pomelos; and third, who had the sharpest eyes in taking in all the scenic beauty and unique rocks of Dalongqiu.
A happy journey always feels short. We are grateful to President Ye for two days of companionship and hospitality! Everyone let loose, emptied their minds, and cast off the worries of work and life. At the same time, we adjusted our mindset and organized our thoughts for the final performance sprint of 2020. With 2021 fast approaching, we want to say that we are ready to paint our future blueprint with full enthusiasm and realize our Gaopeng dream tomorrow.
