“Before we had machines, people in our town used this mill to grind tofu and flour,” Aunt Wang said, looking at the turning stone mill with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. “Now, although we have electric milling machines, people still prefer to come here to grind tofu because they think the beans ground by the stone mill are more fragrant.”
As they left the mill, Aunt Wang packed each of them a bag of freshly ground tofu pudding to take home for afternoon tea. Ah Yu held the warm tofu pudding, walked along the path by the stream, and listened to the babbling of the water, feeling exceptionally relaxed.
The stream was crystal clear, and you could see small fish darting among the water plants. Xiao Zhang, unable to contain himself any longer, took off his shoes and waded into the water: "Sister Yu, Brother Chen, look! There are so many little crabs here!"
Ah Yu and Chen Mo also walked to the stream and sure enough, they saw several small crabs hiding in the crevices of the rocks, waving their large pincers and watching them warily. Lin Xiaoman took out her phone and squatted down on the bank to take pictures: "They're so cute, quickly take a picture of me with the little crabs."
Chen Mo rolled up his sleeves and went into the water: "I'll try to catch one."
So the four of them started playing by the stream. Ah Yu directed from the bank, Lin Xiaoman took photos, and Chen Mo and Xiao Zhang caught crabs in the water. Although the little crabs were very agile and always darted into the crevices of the rocks just when they were about to catch them, everyone still had a great time, and their laughter echoed through the valley.
Before they knew it, it was noon, and Aunt Wang came to call them back for lunch. Everyone reluctantly left the stream. Little Zhang was still holding a glass jar containing small crabs, his face covered in water droplets and mud, but he was smiling very happily.
"I'll take you to pick bayberries this afternoon," Aunt Wang said while setting out the bowls and chopsticks. "The bayberry trees behind the house are all ripe, dark purple, and very sweet."
Ah Yu remembered the bayberry tree she had seen on the terrace yesterday, and her heart began to fill with anticipation again. She knew that every day in Qingyang Town held new surprises for them to discover, and every moment was filled with simple and pure joy.
Chapter Five: The Wind on the Field Ridge and the Clouds Returning Home
The afternoon sun was quite harsh, causing the rice stalks in the paddy fields to curl slightly. Aunt Wang handed out straw hats to everyone and led them towards the bayberry grove on the back hill. Waist-high weeds lined both sides of the path, and unknown wildflowers bloomed among them, with several butterflies fluttering among the flowers.
"Watch your step," Aunt Wang warned. "It rained a couple of days ago, so the road is a bit slippery."
Wearing a straw hat, Ah Yu followed behind Aunt Wang, feeling like a real farmer. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the hat, warming her face. The distant mountains appeared somewhat hazy under the blazing sun, and the sky was as blue as a transparent pane of glass, with only a few white clouds drifting lazily by.
As you enter the bayberry grove, a sweet and sour aroma wafts through the air. Tall bayberry trees stand majestically on the hillside, their branches laden with dark purple bayberries, like sparkling gems. Ah Yu couldn't resist picking one and popping it into her mouth. The sweet and sour juice instantly filled her mouth, carrying a refreshing fruity fragrance.
"Wow, it's so sweet!" Lin Xiaoman picked one and exclaimed excitedly, "It tastes much better than the ones you buy at the supermarket!"
Little Zhang had already climbed the tree impatiently and sat on a branch picking bayberries: "Aunt Wang, let me pick the ones on top for you, they're bigger and sweeter!"
Aunt Wang said with a smile, "Climb slowly, be careful not to fall."
So everyone got busy in the bayberry grove. Ah Yu and Chen Mo were in charge of picking the bayberries under the trees, Lin Xiaoman was in charge of putting the picked bayberries into bamboo baskets, and Xiao Zhang acted as a "scout" in the trees, looking for the biggest and sweetest bayberries. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and an occasional breeze brought a touch of coolness.
“Do you know,” Aunt Wang said while picking bayberries, “we used to eat the bayberries here ourselves or give them to relatives and friends. We never thought about selling them. Later, when tour groups came, tourists liked to come here to pick bayberries, so we started to learn how to make dried bayberries and make bayberry wine.”
Ah Yu looked at the bamboo basket gradually filling with bayberries, her heart filled with emotion. This quiet little town was slowly integrating into the outside world in its own way. But thankfully, it still retained its most simple and beautiful charm.
After picking the bayberries and returning to the guesthouse, Aunt Wang began teaching everyone how to make dried bayberries. She washed the bayberries, put them in a pot to boil, added an appropriate amount of white sugar, and then took them out and placed them on a bamboo sieve to dry. Ah Yu and Lin Xiaoman gathered around the pot, watching Aunt Wang's process with curiosity, occasionally tasting the bayberries in the pot, and frowning at their sourness.
Chen Mo sat on the porch reading a book, occasionally glancing up at Xiao Zhang playing in the yard. Xiao Zhang was chasing butterflies with a net, the sunlight shining on him, like a carefree child.
As evening fell, Ah Yu walked alone to the edge of the paddy field. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the rice paddies golden, and the wind rustled the rice ears. In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the village chimneys, and a few birds flying back to their nests flew overhead, leaving behind a few clear chirps.
She walked slowly along the ridge of the field, feeling the softness of the soil beneath her feet. Everything here seemed so peaceful and beautiful, as if time had stood still. She recalled the bits and pieces of her time in Qingyang Town over the past few days, the sound of the stone mill in the old mill, the crabs in the stream, and the laughter in the bayberry grove, and her heart was filled with gratitude.
This trip not only allowed her to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, but also helped her rediscover inner peace. She no longer felt anxious about KPIs and reports, nor was she overwhelmed by the fast pace of life. Here, she learned to slow down and appreciate the beauty in life.
"Ah Yu!" Lin Xiaoman's voice came from behind, "Come back for dinner, Aunt Wang made bayberry ribs!"
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