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

The train slowly glided into Beijing Station.

The platform was tall and dimly lit, echoing with even louder noise, giving it a busier yet solemn tone than Changsha Station.

"We're here! Wake up! Grab your things, don't forget anything!"

The voice of the production assistant echoed in the aisle of the train carriage, carrying the weariness of someone who hadn't slept all night.

The crowd stirred, some carrying luggage, some calling to their companions, and some rubbing their eyes.

Zhang Jinlai carefully slung his satchel over his shoulder; inside were only a few daily necessities.

As he walked past Zhou Fangyuan, he paused, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just nodded and squeezed into the flow of people getting off the bus.

After Zhou Fangyuan nodded in response, he followed Ma Dehua as they struggled to move through the crowd.

After getting off the train, the concrete platform under my feet had been worn smooth by countless people.

The dry northern air immediately enveloped him; it was hot and dry, and the sky was gray and hazy, far from the blue of his hometown.

Director Yang glanced at the familiar gray sky and quickly made arrangements for the group that had gathered.

"Chongqiu, you take the film box directly to the developing lab and keep an eye on things. Fengbo and Chengru, you two come back to Taiwan with me first."

"Xiao Zhou, you should settle in with Dehua first. We'll arrange the formalities for you, and we'll call you when you need to sign anything."

"Okay, Director Yang."

In the blink of an eye, Director Yang and his entourage disappeared into the crowd.

Time was of the essence; there was no room for delay in reporting to the station, producing, and finalizing the next filming plan.

As more people dispersed, the crew members all wore expressions of exhaustion, but this exhaustion could not conceal their joy at returning home.

"I haven't seen my son for almost two months. I wonder how naughty he's become again."

"I need to hurry home and take a refreshing cold shower!"

"Let's go! Don't forget to wait for our call!"

Everyone's words expressed a longing for the most ordinary and warmest family life.

The sound quickly dissipated, and the team that had been united on location soon went their separate ways and rejoined the capital.

Only a few people who didn't have family members to pick them up huddled together, discussing which bus to take.

Zhou Fangyuan, carrying simple luggage, stood slightly to the back, watching all this vibrant scene unfold.

Although he was reborn, this was the first time he had set foot on the grounds of the capital.

Just then, an arm was draped over his shoulder, and Ma Dehua gave a hearty smile that also carried a hint of weariness.

"So engrossed in watching? Our pilgrimage team is disbanding as soon as we get back to the capital!"

"Come on, let's go home. This awful weather, it's so hot this early in the morning. I'll cut you a watermelon when we get home, that'll be so refreshing!"

The two went to have breakfast first, and then boarded a bus, leaving the hustle and bustle of Beijing Station behind.

In the 80s, buses were mostly red and white or blue and white. This is a red and white Yellow River brand bus.

The long wooden bench was packed with people, so Zhou Fangyuan could only lean to the side and stick close to others, gripping the swaying iron handrail above his head.

The car was shaking violently, and with the window slightly open, the wind blowing in made his hair fly wildly.

Upon arrival at the station, the ticket seller yanked the train door open with a loud bang.

In the end, they retreated into a small alley.

Gray brick walls, a mottled gate, and elderly people sitting on the doorsteps, basking in the sun and chatting idly.

Zhou Fangyuan truly felt the atmosphere of life in old Beijing.

The alleyway was filled with the aroma of fried noodles with soybean paste and fried dough sticks.

The old man, shirtless, splashed a basin of water onto the road.

Several children were running around wildly with popsicles in their hands early in the morning, and they almost bumped into Zhou Fangyuan.

"Whose kid is this! Oh, Xiao Zhou, do you see this? This is the lively atmosphere of the alley." Ma Dehua dodged obstacles while disciplining the naughty child on behalf of Zhou Fangyuan.

All of this was completely different from the small mountain village that Zhou Fangyuan was familiar with.

Walking deep into a hutong, Ma Dehua stopped in front of a small courtyard, about to introduce herself to Zhou Fangyuan with a smile.

Just then, a very large quilt slipped off a corner from the clothesline next to them and was about to fall to the ground.

The person hanging the quilt was a young woman, her back to them, who was standing on tiptoe trying to hang another corner securely and didn't notice this side.

Zhou Fangyuan instinctively took two quick steps, caught the corner of the quilt that was sliding down, and helped to put it back on the wire, his movements swift and decisive.

"what!"

The girl turned around in fright, immediately recognized what had happened, and quickly thanked her.

She was in her early twenties, with long, narrow eyes, luscious lips, and fair skin; she was very beautiful.

His clothes were slightly worn but clean, and he spoke with a slight accent from another region.

Ma Dehua also came over and glanced at the girl: "Whose family are you, young lady? Are you new here? I've never seen you around here before."

An elderly woman sitting at the entrance of the courtyard, picking vegetables, chimed in:

"Dehua's back? This is a relative from the Wang family in the east courtyard, coming from the mountains. Her name is Changqing. The child is quite capable and often helps with chores."

The girl named Chang Qing smiled shyly, thanked Zhou Fangyuan again, and then turned around to continue her work.

Looking at the girl's appearance and hearing her name, Zhou Fangyuan seemed to have something flash through his mind, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

I didn't think much of it; I just thought she was a capable girl next door.

Ma Dehua greeted the old lady and then led Zhou Fangyuan into her courtyard.

It was a small, well-maintained courtyard, much better than a large tenement, with only six households.

Hearing the noise, a kind-faced old lady lifted the mosquito net from the house and came out. When she saw her son, her face immediately lit up with a smile.

"Hey! You're back! Are you tired on the way?" Her gaze immediately fell on Zhou Fangyuan, asking inquiringly.

"I'm not tired, Mom. This is Zhou Fangyuan, a new guy in our crew. He doesn't have a place to stay yet, so he'll be squeezing in at our place for now," Ma Dehua introduced.

Upon hearing this, Ma's mother's smile widened, and she quickly invited, "Come in, come in! Don't be shy, make yourself at home!"

As he spoke, he busied himself pouring water and asked if Zhou Fangyuan had eaten breakfast. His enthusiasm warmed Zhou Fangyuan's heart.

The simple but clean house, the steaming hot tea, and the old man's caring words instantly washed away the fatigue of the journey and the feeling of being a stranger in a foreign land.

At this moment, Ma Dehua, holding a watermelon that had just been pulled out of the cold water, called out to Zhou Fangyuan.

"Don't drink that hot tea anymore, we need something cool on a day like this!"

With a "bang," it was cut open, revealing red flesh, black seeds, and juicy flesh.

"Eat! This is the best thing to do on a hot day!"

He first gave Zhou Fangyuan a piece, and then he picked up the large basin and delivered it to each household in the courtyard.

Chilled watermelon, whether in the past or present, is definitely an essential summer treat.

In the past, in the courtyards of Beijing, it was considered good to be able to eat watermelon once every two or three weeks. At that time, watermelons were precious, costing one yuan, which was equivalent to a day's wages for one watermelon.

However, the households in the courtyard acted as if they were hosting a dinner party, and everyone felt important and was very considerate.

You might buy a watermelon from one store today, and another store two weeks later, and so on. You won't let one store buy from you many times.

Usually, when people are resting and enjoying the cool air, they take a large basin from home, cut the watermelon into pieces, and deliver them to each household.

At noon, Ma's mother made noodles with soybean paste, a truly authentic old Beijing flavor. Zhou Fangyuan ate it heartily, and the old woman was delighted to see the young man so appreciative.

Around 2 p.m., a loud shout came from the alley. It was from the old lady who guarded the public telephone.

"Ma Dehua! A phone call! It's from the TV station!"

Ma Dehua was dozing off in her chair when she suddenly jolted awake.

"It must be Director Yang!" He ran outside in his slippers.