Returning to the 82 Mountain Village: An Encounter with the Journey to the West Film Crew at the Beg

Zhou Niang first picked out one, blew on it, and handed it to her daughter who had been waiting anxiously for a long time. Then she picked out another one and handed it to Zhou Fangyuan.

Zhou Fangyuan took it and put it in his mouth.

First comes a chewy, resilient texture, followed by the indescribable spicy aroma of the fish-fragrant leaves that fills the mouth without overpowering the flavor.

It perfectly brings out the sweet potato's own rich, caramel-like sweetness. The two flavors are distinct yet blended together, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth after swallowing.

"Mom! It's done! This is the taste! This tastes great!" the younger sister exclaimed in surprise, her fatigue vanishing instantly.

Zhou Fangyuan nodded happily from the side.

Zhou Niang tried one herself, and after savoring it carefully, a relieved and contented smile finally appeared on her face:

"Yes, that's right this time! The aroma has penetrated, and the sweetness has been preserved!"

She looked at the small handful of hard-won produce that remained, carefully wrapped it in oil paper, and handed it to Zhou Fangyuan.

"Take these with you on the road tomorrow. Shuya can take the rest to town and try them out."

The rain had stopped sometime earlier.

As Zhou Fangyuan watched his mother carefully wrapping the clothes under the lamp, his heart was filled with warmth and a sense of contentment.

This trip back home facilitated the medicinal herb project, and together with my family, we personally brewed this unique flavor that carries the terroir of our hometown. It was a very fruitful experience!

He knew he would be setting off tomorrow, but no matter how far he went, he would always be surrounded by the warmth of charcoal fire, his mother's ingenuity, and the delicate fragrance of fish-flavored leaves.

These will be the most precious comforts in his baggage, and also proof that Qingshi Village is a land that never stops producing surprises.

The next morning, before the mountain mist had completely dissipated, Qingshi Village gradually awoke to the sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking.

When Zhou Fangyuan got up, the aroma of porridge and warm steam were already wafting from the kitchen.

Zhou Niang was packing things into a worn canvas bag. At the bottom was the package of dried sweet potatoes wrapped in oil paper last night, along with two larger oil paper packages.

"This package contains regular dried sweet potatoes, they're well-dried and will keep," Zhou Niang said softly as she sorted through the package.

"This package contains pickled radishes and pickled cowpeas. They taste great with rice and will add some flavor to your film crew. They're all sealed in small jars so they won't spill on the way."

Looking at the simple food that still carried the "rustic" flavor of his hometown and his mother's cooking, Zhou Fangyuan felt both warm and bittersweet.

In 1982, these things might not have been worth much, but they were the best token of his family's affection and the most sincere local specialties he could bring to his colleagues far away.

"Mom, that's enough, that's enough." He stepped forward to help.

"When you're away from home, sharing a taste of your hometown with others creates a special bond."

With a smile on her face, Zhou Niang stuffed in a few more hard-boiled eggs, carefully separating them with an old cotton cloth to prevent them from breaking.

The younger sister, Zhou Shuxiu, also got up, her eyes still a little sleepy, but she remembered to hand a small notebook to her brother: "Guo, what you said last time, you told me to keep in mind, and I did:"

The Chen family at the east end of town loves it because it's chewy and has a perfect sweetness. Aunt Li from the supply and marketing cooperative says her kids prefer it a little stickier…

"Regarding the fish-fragrant leaf flavor, I'll do as we agreed and let our regular customers try it first."

Zhou Fangyuan took the notebook, looked at the childish but earnest handwriting, and patted his younger sister's head:

"My sister is so thoughtful. Let's do it this way. Remember, our flavor is unique. No rush, let people know first."

After a simple breakfast, Uncle Zhao and Uncle Wang arrived one after the other.

Uncle Zhao wore a reassuring smile, holding a receipt stamped with the official seal of the medicinal herb company in his hand.

"I'll let Fang Yazi know so I can go back to work with peace of mind."

The medicinal herb company accepted the letter of introduction and was very serious! They agreed to take us to see their products once we've grown the first batch of samples, and the price will be determined based on the quality then! We've successfully established a foothold.

Uncle Wang was even more practical: "Their technicians said that it's indeed impossible to plant now, but that's perfect! Although it's cold now and not the time for sowing, it's the perfect time to make preparations!"

The land needs to be deeply tilled, exposed to the sun and frost to kill insect eggs and improve soil quality! We also need to accumulate fertilizer and prepare seeds and seedlings so we won't be caught off guard in the spring.

They promised to send someone to check on our two plots of land before spring to see if they're suitable for planting, and then decide on the specific crops to grow!

Zhou Fangyuan felt more at ease after hearing this, and he handed Zhao Bo an envelope that he had prepared beforehand:

"Uncle Zhao, Uncle Wang, this is the mailing address for my film crew. If there's anything in the village that I need to keep an eye out for, or if we need to find any information, just write to me."

This was an "information seed" he planted for the medicinal materials project.

Next, Zhou Fangyuan walked to the windowsill at the back of the house, where there were two broken earthenware pots containing newly propagated fish-fragrant leaf branches, covered with a thin film to keep them warm and moist.

He made this late last night with his mother and younger sister.

Although my mother said, "This tree is delicate and difficult to propagate by cuttings," she still carefully selected the branches and put her heart into it.

"Mom, I'll leave this to you and my sister."

Zhou Fangyuan said gently, "If it succeeds, it's a blessing; if it doesn't, don't feel burdened."

Zhou Niang nodded, knowing that her son had planted the seed of procreation for that unique fragrance.

She didn't say much, but checked her son's luggage straps again to make sure they were secure.

Just then, the creaking of a cart axle and Yang Dabo's characteristic slow, leisurely shouts came from the village entrance: "Fang Yuan, kid—let's go!"

Zhou Fangyuan shouldered his bag and walked outside the courtyard with his mother and younger sister.

Uncle Yang was already waiting on the dirt road in his old oxcart. The old ox snorted and gently pawed at the ground with its hooves. Some clean straw was spread on the cart.

As soon as I reached the old camphor tree at the village entrance, I found that quite a few villagers were already waiting there.

They all came to see him off because they heard he was leaving this morning, and many of them were carrying gifts.

"Fang Yazi, drive carefully!"

Take good care of yourself while you're out there!

"Our village will definitely be different when I come back next time!"

Greetings rose and fell in waves.

At this moment, Aunt Wang squeezed forward with a small bamboo basket on her shoulder and stuffed it into Zhou Fangyuan's hand without saying a word: "These are dried radishes that we dried at home. Bring them to the crew members to have a taste!"

"Thank you to them... thank you for giving our village new hope!" She spoke simply, but her eyes were a little red.

After she started it, the other villagers also handed over what they were holding. The things weren't expensive, but they represented their sincere feelings:

"Take these with you and eat them on the road!"

"Chopped chili peppers make rice so delicious!"

Zhou Fangyuan's arms were soon filled with these heartfelt gifts, each carrying the warmth of family life. He thanked them repeatedly, so moved that he didn't know what to say.

He understood that people were grateful not only for the title of "Journey to the West crew," but also for the path he had led them down that could potentially change their lives.