The literary era since 1979

Chapter 136 A Bite of China
Hougulouyuan Hutong is located on the east side of the Drum Tower.

Walking from north to south, Fang Yan and Han Yuemin followed the broker to a mansion in the middle, with a Western-style arched gate.

At the door stood an old man in his sixties. He was not tall and was wearing a cotton jacket. He was clean and spotless.

"You are Mr. Wang, right?"

Fangyan greeted the homeowner.

On the way here, the broker had already given a general account of the seller's situation. Uncle Wang's son had gone abroad a few years ago with the help of his overseas relatives, and had gradually established himself. He was ready to take the two elderly people away, so there was no point in keeping the house here.

I just sold it and got some money to take to the United States.

"Come in and take a look."

Uncle Wang glanced at their bicycles, both of which were Phoenix brand. He nodded with satisfaction and invited the two men into the yard.

The second courtyard covers an area of ​​approximately 300 square meters.

The original layout was that the northern house of the first courtyard had seven rooms with a tile roof, and the east and west wing rooms of the second courtyard had three rooms each with a tile roof.

But now it looks like a mess.

The crowds and chaos inside were beyond Fangyan's imagination.

A few boards together make a shed, a few bricks together make a kitchen, there are sheds on top of sheds, and rooms on top of rooms, they are densely packed and messy, with a kind of strange coordination, the mess is very orderly, the aisles are narrow and cramped, but there is space left for every household.

There is a kind of messy beauty.

Han Yuemin followed Uncle Wang and Fang Yan and walked around the house. It was really an eye-opener.

"Have all the residents here moved away?"

Fangyan stood at the mottled wooden window frame and looked inside. It was empty, with only broken bowls, jars and flower pots left on the ground.

"Don't worry, they've all moved away."

Uncle Wang made a solemn promise.

All the people who originally lived here moved with the factory to the new factory in Yanjiao and lived in the housing buildings allocated by the unit.

"No wonder, if this incident hadn't happened, I'm afraid so many households wouldn't have moved out so happily."

I took a quick look at the dialects and found that they were completely adopted.

But all it left was room after room of garbage.

"Who says it isn't?"

Uncle Wang said that if the house had not been unsold, he would have gone abroad with his wife and reunited with his son and daughter-in-law long ago.

Fang Yan asked cautiously, "Can you let me see the deed?"

"This is it."

Uncle Wang took out a piece of paper from his briefcase.

Fangyan took it and looked at it carefully. The location and area of ​​the room matched. When he saw the stamp of the official seal, he was completely relieved.

I was afraid that the old man didn't understand how to count, so I took out the house deed that had been invalidated before liberation to tease him.

"Sir, please name a price."

Fangyan handed the deed back and said, "If the price is right, we can complete the transfer procedures right away."

Uncle Wang came up to him and said, "I want 1."

Fangyan remained expressionless and looked at Han Yuemin.

Han Yuemin understood what he meant and played the good guy:

"Uncle, this is a bit expensive, isn't it? A small western-style building in Tuanjie Lake, 150 square meters, is only a little over 1 yuan."

“My house is 300 square meters!”

Uncle Wang replied.

Han Yuemin said: "But look at how much area these huts take up, I estimate it is more than half.

"Hey, isn't this a good thing?"

Uncle Wang mistakenly thought that the two were housing transfer officers from a state-owned unit and that they bought the house to allocate housing to employees.

"He didn't tell you clearly."

Fang Yan glanced at the broker and said, "I'm buying a house for myself."

"Yourself? All by yourself? You buy a house by yourself?!"

Uncle Wang was stunned, then looked at him seriously, "Young comrade, can you really take out more than 10,000 yuan?"

"Of course, we came all the way here not to make fun of you." Fang Yan smiled and said, "I really want to buy it, so please be more reasonable and give me a fair price."

"Yes, sir, there are not many people with a monthly income of 10,000 yuan these days, and even fewer people who can take out so much money at once."

Han Yuemin took the opportunity to add, "Besides, after buying your house, it will cost a lot of money to spruce it up."

Uncle Wang looked at them on the left, then at the broker on the right, gritted his teeth, and quoted a price of 1.25, a reduction of 500. It seemed like a small amount, but it was equivalent to more than a year's salary for an ordinary worker.

And because they were going abroad, apart from taking some personal belongings, all their old items, such as furniture, were given to the buyers for free.

"How about you give in a little more?"

Han Yuemin and Fangyan worked together to play the good cop and the bad cop and tried to bargain again, but Uncle Wang insisted on 1.25.

"Okay, as you say."

Fangyan pretended to think and hesitated for a long time, and finally nodded seriously.

"Can you really take it out?"

Uncle Wang was surprised and happy. Rather than having 500 more or 500 less, he wanted to sell the yard earlier and reunite with his family abroad as soon as possible.

"Uncle, I'm not kidding you. This is the price. I agree. When can we complete the transfer?" Fang Yan nodded with a smile.

"Let's go to the Housing Management Office the day after tomorrow."

Uncle Wang said that during this time, he and his wife should pack up the things that needed to be moved so as to make room for Fangyan.

Han Yuemin watched Fang Yan and Uncle Wang make an appointment, then say goodbye and leave, his mind going blank.

"Yanzi, are you buying it now?"

"Yes, Brother Han, speed is of the essence in war."

Fangyan knew why he was shocked. After all, more than 81 yuan in was really too scary.

Han Yuemin understood what the words meant and couldn't help thinking that after the T-shirt business was done and he had saved enough money, he would one day buy such a courtyard house for his mother and Fang Hong.

It would be best if we could live in Hougulouyuan Hutong and be neighbors.

"Brother Han, let's say hello to our future neighbors."

Fangyan agreed with the broker that he would pay the agency fee after the property was sold. After sending him away, he pushed the cart and walked leisurely.

"greet?"

Han Yuemin couldn't help but be stunned.

"Check the information to see if what they say is true."

Fangyan smiled and said, "Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be prepared for one."

Han Yuemin suddenly realized what was going on and immediately went visiting the neighbors.

After confirming that the situation was true, Fang Yan specially invited Han Yuemin to Kaorouwan for lunch to celebrate buying a house. They had barbecue for lunch.

Among the barbecued meats in the old city, the only old brand that can be compared with it is Kaomei Ji, which is known as "North Ji and South Wan".

"Yanzi, let me treat you."

Han Yuemin stood at the door and said, "Save this money for that Lafang Xianer the day after tomorrow. After all, buying a house is a big expense."

Fang Yan hooked his shoulder and said, "I know Brother Han is worried that I will buy a house and my pockets will be cleaner than my face, but you don't have to worry."

Then he patted his pocket and said, "Keep this money for yourself. When you go south to Hangzhou, buy more cloth and silk thread."

"If you say that, I feel relieved."

Han Yuemin changed the subject and said, "But if you want to celebrate, there are plenty of places in East City. Why come all the way here?"

"This is not only a celebration, but also a way to find inspiration for creation."

"Inspiration?"

"Yes, I am going to write an essay about food next. How can I write it without a good meal?"

Fang Yan and Han Yuemin walked into the lobby arm in arm.

After all, practice must be combined with theory.

There are many documentaries about Chinese cuisine, not to mention "A Bite of China", a classic among classics.

There is "A String of Life" which records the special barbecues from all over the country, "One City, One Flavor" which records the delicacies of each city, as well as "The Source of Chinese Flavors" and "Flavorful Worlds", and so on.

The first documentary about Chinese cuisine that he had watched in his previous life was "Chinese Food Culture", which was organized by the Cultural Bureau and co-produced with Japan. It covered four regions: Yanjing, Jiangnan, East Guangdong, and Sichuan and Chongqing. Once it was broadcast in Japan, it caused quite a stir.

It is said that the TV series "The Cooking Master Boy" which states that "food that doesn't glow is not good food" also got its inspiration from this documentary.

For the assignment assigned by Shen Congwen, Fangyan plans to combine "A Bite of China" and "Chinese Food Culture" and write in the first person about a "lonely gourmet" of Chinese food culture.

The title is still "A Bite of China".

The cuisine of a great country must be grand!
"Zizzizi."

The lamb was lying in the oven, with a sizzling sound, and oil splattered everywhere.

What is burning now is pine branches, and there is a light fragrance mixed with the aroma of the meat. When the meat is cooked, it is eaten with pickled garlic and cucumber strips. It is especially delicious in the cold autumn and winter. You will sweat profusely and feel refreshed after eating it.

That's an authentic thing!
Fangyan held a long bamboo chopstick in one hand, dipped the thinly sliced ​​beef in seasoning, and grilled it on the grill.

At this moment, the big brother at the next table shouted:

"Waiter, why don't I put shrimp oil in my seasoning?"

"Let it go, your taste is too strong."

The waiter rolled his eyes in annoyance and brought the pickled garlic to Fangyan's table. The man at the next table saw this and his eyes lit up.

"Brother, just because you asked for pickled garlic, you know how to eat."

"You are the same."

Fangyan pointed at the pickled garlic on his table and said, "The reason we come to Kaorouwan to eat barbecue is just to eat this pickled garlic."

"That's right. Not having braised shrimp oil is a small matter. Not having pickled garlic is a big deal." The man at the next table was eating pickled garlic with barbecue.

"We made these dumplings just for this little bit of vinegar."

Fangyan slapped the table lightly.

"For what you said, one of us must go."

The man at the next table immediately raised his glass with a serious expression.

"cheers."

Fangyan picked up the Arctic Ocean and touched it with him.

The face that came into view seemed familiar, but I couldn't remember where it was.

(End of this chapter)