Yi Anguo chuckled softly and said, "Since that's the case, I can only express my regret and wish Mr. Jack Ma the best in achieving his goal.

"However, as far as I know, Yahoo's new CEO isn't so easy to talk to, is he? This Mr. Bartz has a very different personality from Yang Zhiyuan!

"Moreover, he has a particularly strong opinion of you personally, so I dare say that as long as Mr. Bartz is the CEO and decision-maker at Yahoo, you'll never be able to buy back Taobao's shares from them."

Yi Anguo couldn't understand Jack Ma's way of thinking or why he was unwilling to accept his investment in Taobao. But Yi Anguo felt he had extended an olive branch; since Jack Ma was unwilling to accept it, there was nothing more to be done. He had no intention of forcing the issue.

After the fruitless meeting with Jack Ma, Yi Anguo did indeed take his assistant, Zhou Mengdie, to tour West Lake and admire its so-called "Ten Scenes."

After a full day of sightseeing, Zhou Mengdie seemed to have a wonderful time and was quite happy. Yi Anguo, on the other hand, perhaps lacking a deep cultural appreciation, felt that the entrance fees were steep, the prices in the scenic area were high, and the overall cost was exorbitant. To him, the famous Leifeng Sunset Glow was nothing special.

It couldn't compare to the view from the mountains back home, watching the sunset's glow wash over the peaks. The 'Curved Yard and Lotus Pool' was just a pond full of lotuses with koi swimming in it. When I was a kid, we had huge lotus patches, too. If I got a craving, I'd just wade into the mud, dig up a fat lotus root, wash it off, and eat it raw. I can still recall that sweet, crisp taste.

To be honest, West Lake's beauty is just so-so. The water isn't very clear, especially near the city, where it's a bit murky. No one would dare drink from it directly. The water in the Fairy Maiden Lake reservoir back home, on the other hand, is crystal clear. It's pure mountain spring water, completely unpolluted. When I was a boy herding cattle, I'd just lie down and drink straight from it whenever I was thirsty. It was sweet and refreshing.

The only real difference is that West Lake is famous nationwide. The mountains and water back home, no matter how beautiful, are only known to the local villagers who get to enjoy their beauty and taste their sweetness for free. Our scenery will always be free; it will never have an entrance fee.

West Lake is quite large, and not all areas require a ticket. Before the tour, his assistant, Zhou Mengdie, had already done her research and prepared a guide.

Their first stop was "Broken Bridge Remaining Snow" on Beishan Road. From the bridge, they could see the "Gem-Colored Sky" over the distant hills, complemented by the nearby Baoshi Tower. This juxtaposition of near and far scenery captured two of West Lake's most characteristic features in a single view. Zhou Mengdie explained, "Since snowfall is rare in Hangzhou these days, people now appreciate the 'Broken Bridge Heavy with Lotus,' which is most stunning in June. The snowy winter scene is beautiful, but the lotus-filled summer view is equally dazzling."

Next, they strolled along the White Sand Embankment, named in honor of the poet Bai Juyi. As they walked along the willow-lined path, the lake breeze felt fresh and cool against their faces. About ten minutes later, they arrived at "Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake." As the name suggests, it's a perfect spot for moon-gazing. Bringing a partner here to raise a glass to the bright moon would be an incredibly romantic and satisfying experience. However, since it was daytime, there was no moon to be seen; they had to make do with the sun.

After walking through a winding water corridor and taking a tea break, they stood at a pavilion and looked out across the lake. In the distance was the scenery known as "Wushan Heaven Wind," famously described in a couplet: "Eight hundred li of lakes and mountains, a painting from a forgotten age; a hundred thousand household lights, all gathered within these towers."

"For those who like museums," Zhou Mengdie continued, "you shouldn't miss the Zhejiang Provincial Museum and Wenlan Pavilion. The pavilion houses the national treasure painting, 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains,' as well as Hangzhou's copy of the 'Complete Library in Four Branches.' If we have time, we can also visit Zhongshan Park and the Xiling Seal Society."

A top student through and through, Zhou Mengdie never forgot her duties as an assistant, even while enjoying the beautiful scenery with her boss. She explained the sights as they went, and anyone who didn't know better would have mistaken her for a professional tour guide or someone who had visited many times before.

Since they had come all this way, Yi Anguo decided he might as well see everything properly and not miss any of the famous spots. Continuing on, they passed Xiling Bridge and the tomb of the courtesan Su Xiaoxiao, and in the distance, they could see the tomb of Wu Song, the tiger-slaying hero. Soon, they arrived at Yue Wang Temple. Out of deep respect for the national hero Yue Fei, Yi Anguo naturally wanted to go inside and pay his respects.

However, just to enter and pay their respects to General Yue Fei, they each had to pay twenty yuan for a ticket. While Yi Anguo didn't care about the money, the principle of it made him uncomfortable. Charging people to visit the tomb of a revered general seemed excessive.

Does this mean that people without money aren't qualified to pay tribute to a national hero? Some money just shouldn't be made.

Despite his displeasure, Yi Anguo still bought the tickets and went in to pay his respects to General Yue Fei.

When they came out of the temple, they found themselves directly across from the "Curved Yard and Lotus Pool." Not only was the scenery beautiful, but the view also shifted with every step, revealing new perspectives. They even encountered a variety of wild animals, which made the walk quite interesting and fun. For those feeling hungry, plenty of restaurants nearby offered delicious food. If one was feeling adventurous, they could try the local specialty, lotus root powder soup.

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