This was the first time Chen Hong had ever eaten fresh bamboo shoots. Before, the ones she had were either dried bamboo shoots that had been soaked or pickled in salt water.
This is the first time I've tasted something this fresh. It's crisp, sweet, and tender—absolutely delicious.
Chen Hong decided that from now on, that valley would be her secret base. She would try to go there once every spring and winter to dig for bamboo shoots and pick mushrooms.
It would be best to wait until winter, when my son is on vacation, and then take him there. It would be ideal if he could spend a day there.
When you get tired, you can stay in a cave and soak in a hot spring, experiencing the secluded life of the ancients who cultivated immortality.
After the meal, Yu Yang rubbed his stomach and asked, "Mom, why are there bamboo and bamboo fungus in our mountains? Didn't the TV say they can only grow in the south?" Yu Yang was very curious.
Chen Hong proudly told her son, "This is because of the different temperatures. Bamboo is a plant that likes warm and humid conditions."
In most parts of northern China, the four seasons are distinctly hot and cold, and there is little rainfall. Bamboo has difficulty surviving the cold winter and is easily killed by drought and frost.
Son, let me tell you something amazing. Today in the mountains, I discovered a truly magical place.
That was a large valley, with not only a vast bamboo forest, but also a stone cave where immortals once lived, and a large hot spring inside the cave.
The only downside is that it's too far from home. If I were to take you there, it would take a whole day just to walk there.
You have to go to school now, so you definitely can't go. When winter comes and you're on holiday, Mom will take you to stay for a couple of days. We'll bring pots, pans, and blankets, and stay there for one night.
Take a hot spring bath, and then dig up some winter bamboo shoots. Winter bamboo shoots are tastier and more tender. There's also a stream with very warm water; Mom won't worry if you play in the water, she won't let you catch a cold.
Yu Yang was captivated by the scenery his mother described and longed for life deep in the bamboo forest. He then made a three-point agreement with his mother.
"Mom, you must remember this, don't forget about it when winter gets busy. I'll remind you then, and I definitely want to go dig for winter bamboo shoots too."
Chen Hong smiled and hugged him, "I'll never forget it, I'll definitely take you there. The bamboo forest there is huge, I'll give you a hoe and you can dig as much as you want. If you dig too much, Mom will bring it back and make you braised bamboo shoots."
"Mom, the braised bamboo shoots are so delicious! I've never eaten such delicious bamboo shoots before."
Chen Hong laughed heartily, "You rascal, this is the first time you've ever eaten bamboo shoots. You've never eaten bamboo shoots that aren't good either? But you're lucky to have such fresh and delicious spring bamboo shoots on your first try."
After tidying up the kitchen, Chen Hong carried out a large bamboo basket from the storage room. The bottom half of the basket contained bamboo shoots, while the top half contained bamboo fungus.
She then took two clean small baskets and placed them on the living room floor, calling Yu Yang over to help pick bamboo fungus and peel bamboo shoots.
She first picked up a bamboo fungus and taught Yu Yang how to peel off the small cap on the fungus, leaving only the edible white and tender part.
After peeling the mushrooms, holding up the tender white flesh, she said to Yang, "Look, son, just peel them like this. Be careful not to get them dirty."
We can't finish them all fresh, so Mom will put them in the drying oven to dry them later. When we want to eat them again, we just need to soak them in warm water.
See how you peel bamboo shoots? Tear off the small tip, then use this small bamboo stick, see? Roll it up like this, and roll it forward.
"Oh, once the whole skin is peeled off, all that's left is the tender, white bamboo shoot flesh. We only use this tender flesh when cooking; the skin is useless, it's only good for drying and burning."
Chen Hong patiently taught her son how to handle the two ingredients. Although Yu Yang is young, he has a very strong hands-on ability.
After watching Chen Hong demonstrate once, the little one was able to imitate it very well. Although it was slow, the order of the steps was correct, and the finished product was very clean and neat.
The son sat in front of the bamboo basket, working diligently; his serious little face was quite comical.
Chen Hong watched her son work and said, "Xiao Bao, I've noticed that you've improved so much this year! Even adults struggle with these tasks, but you do them so well. You've really become a great helper to your mother."
"Mom, what's so difficult about this? Anyone can do it well as long as they work hard."
"My son is right. Everything in this world comes down to being serious. No matter how difficult something is, if you do it seriously, you will definitely succeed."
Conversely, if you're not careful, even the simplest things are prone to mistakes, and you won't be able to do them well. Don't you agree, son? That's the way it is, isn't it?"
"Mom, I understand. Our kindergarten teacher often tells us short stories, and each story contains many different lessons."
I listened carefully and remembered everything, Mom. I promise I'll study hard. When I grow up, I'll get into a good university, and then I'll take you there.
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