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

"Comrade Li, how are you?"

Zhou Fangyuan asked with concern.

He held her firmly in his hands until she was completely steady, then released his grip at the appropriate time, maintaining a proper distance.

The arm I just grabbed was slender, and I could feel its warmth through the thin fabric.

Li Lingyu's cheeks were slightly flushed.

Zhou Fangyuan thought she was frightened.

That's true. In this desolate wilderness, it would be too embarrassing to be soaked to the bone.

Actually it is not.

Li Lingyu's eyes were filled with gratitude and complex emotions.

"No...it's okay, thank you..."

"It's good that everyone is alright." Zhou Fangyuan smiled gently.

"This rock is covered in moss and is very slippery. Let's slowly get ashore first."

Li Lingyu nodded slightly.

Leaving the bluestone, she looked at her soaked shoes and socks, feeling somewhat helpless, but mostly grateful to Zhou Fangyuan.

The two returned to the small mountain village.

A temporary rest area for the film crew was set up in an open space in the village, and the atmosphere there was even more tense than before.

"Comrade Zhou, we really owe you a lot today."

Li Lingyu thanked them again: "Not only did you lead the way and help, but you also..." She glanced at her feet, her lips curving into an embarrassed smile.

"It was nothing, don't mention it. Your shoes and trousers are wet, you should change them quickly so you don't catch a cold."

"good……"

Li Lingyu moved very slowly, as if she didn't want to leave, but then she left behind a hurried silhouette.

At this moment, Zhou Fangyuan's stomach betrayed him and made a "gurgling" sound.

A strong feeling of hunger reminded him that breakfast and lunch should be combined, and that filling his stomach was the most urgent task.

"Luckily you called me now; if it had been a moment earlier... that would have been embarrassing..."

After thinking for a moment, I realized I still had some brown rice at home, so I ate some to fill my stomach first.

Zhou Fangyuan turned and walked towards his own mud-brick house.

As I passed by the dilapidated rest shed set up by the film crew, two crew members happened to come out of it.

He walked along, complaining as he went.

"Ugh, this bumpy ride is making my bones feel like they're going to fall apart. I was hoping to get some decent food when we arrived, but it's still spicy. My stomach just can't take it."

The young man rubbed his stomach with a pained expression.

"Just bear with it... I heard the conditions are even tougher in the Wave Moon Cave. We're already lucky to have anything to eat right now."

"I just want a bowl of hot, non-irritating porridge..."

The two of them walked away with sighs.

"Their stomachs... They've been traveling a long way and are resting here, they're already exhausted, and on top of that, they're not used to the food..."

Zhou Fangyuan knows firsthand how tough the filming of Journey to the West was, having experienced it firsthand.

The crews of the "Lu" drama series in the 80s generally endured hardships, fueled primarily by their ideals.

The Hong Kong drama production team, on the other hand, is relatively wealthy and prioritizes commercial interests, operating at a fast-paced and efficient pace.

Not only is it well-funded, but its technology, equipment, business model, market orientation, and even the status of its actors are far superior to those of Da Lu.

Zhou Fangyuan thought for a moment and decided to cook some thin porridge with brown rice.

It would be enough to share some warm food with the crew.

Without further hesitation, he rushed home.

He was slow and could only rely on a little memory to start a fire, wash rice, and boil water.

At the same time, he was muttering to himself.

"Sigh... I've been disabled for many years, and I need to pick up my acting and martial arts skills again. Although I've learned some now, it's still far from enough... I'm too green and need to hone my skills."

After some time.

A delicate aroma of rice wafted from the iron pot.

After cooking the porridge, Zhou Fangyuan used the cleanest earthenware pot in his house to serve the porridge, and also wrapped some of his homemade pickled radish in it.

At that time, enamel mugs were not common. Most households could only use the cheapest ceramic ones, which were not afraid of breaking and could be repaired and still be used.

Let my stomach rumble a little longer.

Zhou Fangyuan carried his things, leaving only the tall, thin man, who was sitting listlessly on the stone stool.

Zhou Fangyuan stepped forward with a smile.

"Comrade, you must be tired from the journey. I made some rice porridge, it's good for your stomach, and I also gave you some homemade pickled radish. Try it and see if it suits your taste?"

The latter was taken aback at first, then looked at the steaming jar, and his throat moved involuntarily.

But he began to politely decline, saying, "How can I take things from the masses?"

"It's okay, it's homemade, it's not worth much."

Zhou Fangyuan handed the items forward.

"You've come all this way, have some hot water first, it'll make you feel better."

He hesitated, but the fatigue of the journey and the discomfort in his stomach ultimately overcame his politeness.

He took the jar, and as soon as he opened the lid, a warm and rustic aroma of rice wafted out.

"Thank you so much, comrade! I'm so grateful!" A genuine smile appeared on the young man's face.

People used to be very simple and honest.

Most expressions of gratitude are heartfelt.

Unlike later generations, who often put on one face but have many hidden agendas...

The tall, thin young man found a container, poured out the porridge, divided it into several portions, and then scooped it up with a small spoon, eating it with dried radish, and ate with great satisfaction.

This scene made Zhou Fangyuan feel more at ease.

But as I watched, I felt a pang of sadness...

It seems that it was because I was older in my previous life, and older people tend to be more susceptible to illness.

Zhou Fangyuan didn't linger; he took back the pottery jar and left politely.

The place was still bustling, and he was still looking around. Who wouldn't want to see Director Yang when they came to the Journey to the West film crew?

Who wouldn't want to see the Monkey King?

Who wouldn't want to see...?

It was on his way back that he saw a kind-looking, slightly overweight middle-aged man sitting under the shade of a tree, fanning himself with his hat, watching the children running around in the village with gentle eyes.

Zhou Fangyuan paused, recognizing him.

It's Ma Dehua, the actress who plays Zhu Bajie!

All the actors and teachers here are much younger than they appear on TV.

He hadn't put on the Pigsy outfit yet, but his smiling expression already hinted at what he would become later.

At this time, "Journey to the West" had not yet been broadcast.

On July 3, 1982, filming of "Journey to the West" officially began in Yangzhou, Jiangxi, with the pilot episode "Exorcising Demons in Wuji Kingdom" being shot.

At this time, Teacher Ma Dehua had not yet become famous, so naturally no villagers surrounded him.

Moreover, in his artistic creation for this drama, he always hid behind a pig-head face, making him look different both on and off screen.

If Zhou Fangyuan hadn't been a big fan of Journey to the West, he really wouldn't have recognized it.

Ma Dehua also noticed this.

This handsome young man was walking from the direction of the film crew, carrying a ceramic jar in his hand, seemingly delivering something.

He smiled and nodded.

He greeted him in a thick Beijing accent, "Young comrade, all done with your work?"

Zhou Fangyuan calmed himself down. He also really liked Ma Dehua's acting skills, and besides, she was one of the lead actresses. This was a stroke of luck.

His face was beaming with smiles.

"Hello teacher, I haven't been busy with anything, I just cooked some porridge at home. A colleague had an upset stomach, so I brought him some."

"Do you like the food here? We have some leftover porridge at home, you can have it to warm your stomach."

Upon hearing this, Ma Dehua's smile became even more genuine.

The film crew was new to the area and unfamiliar with the people, so meeting such warm-hearted locals touched him deeply.

"Oh, no need, no need! This is great news. I've heard many people complaining of stomach problems on the way here. You're a real lifesaver."

Ma Dehua's tone was appreciative, and then she continued to ask questions.

"Are you from this village?"

"Yes, home is over there." Zhou Fangyuan pointed to the east end of the village.

"Teachers, what are you filming here? There don't seem to be many people here."