No matter how the form of traditional folk customs changes, “Reunion” is the eternal flavor of the year at the bottom of people’s heart.
The biting cold wind can’t stop people returning home. At 5:30 on January 29, before the night faded, Cheng Qi, who worked in Jinan, hurried to the station and took the high-speed railway home. With her left hand holding a suitcase bound with green onions and her right hand carrying several boxes of specialty products, she struggled to place her luggage weighing more than 40 kilograms near her seat. “There are Zhangqiu green onions, two bottles of Jingzhi wine and a box of Heze specialty yam powder. The authentic Shandong specialty can only have a sense of ceremony when it is brought back by hand.”
Cheng Qi’s family is in a county in the Dabie Mountains, more than 800 kilometers away from Jinan. “It’s not easy to go home in previous years. It takes a day to take three high-speed trains and buses. Now it’s convenient. The county next door has a high-speed railway, and you can get home in six hours.” Cheng Qi said that in her childhood, she looked forward to the elders who worked abroad to go home and open the suitcase like a treasure chest. The children were full of expectation and their eyes were shining. They sat around and salivated. Nowadays, although express delivery is convenient, Cheng Qi is unwilling to give up such a habit. “The ritual sense of family members gathering around, taking over our luggage and distributing gifts is an indispensable part of the festival atmosphere.”
This year, Zhangqiu scallion is a special product specially named by her mother. In fact, many southerners don’t accept raw scallions, and Cheng Qi’s family was no exception. But Zhangqiu scallion is not only “tall”, but also “white and beautiful”. The scallion white part is as white as jade, strong and full, which is almost unheard of and never seen by Cheng Qi’s old family.
“When my parents came to Jinan to see me, they summoned up the courage to eat it raw once, dipped it in soybean paste and took a gulp, which can be regarded as understanding the ‘happiness of Shandong People’. Zhangqiu green onions are not choking and slightly spicy. They are white, crisp and juicy. The more they chew, the more fragrant they are, and there is a sweet aftertaste. If we don’t try, we can’t find the beauty of eating green onions raw.” Cheng Qi said.
All the way, there was heavy snow in my hometown. When Cheng Qi hurried back, her hand had been strangled by the heavy luggage. “Mom and Dad, I’m back!” Seeing her daughter standing at the door with big bags and small bags, Cheng Qi’s parents took over her luggage is both happy and distressed. “Hungry!” The mother lifted the lid of the pot and took out the reserved lunch. The rising clouds on the stove surrounded Cheng Qi, and the wanderer returned to the origin of the family.
Compared with the warm and satisfied reunion atmosphere, Xiao Hao working in Beijing is a little disappointed. Because of the epidemic, he was unable to return to Shandong to reunite with his family this year. Xiaohao sent back spring festival gifts to his family in advance.
Choose from left to right. Filial Xiao Hao chose four boxes of Dong-E-E-Jiao Co.Ltd(000423) for his mother. “I checked the efficacy on the Internet. Donkey hide gelatin is good for people’s health and has been regarded as a top nourishing product since ancient times. In addition, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co.Ltd(000423) has a long shelf life. If my mother is reluctant to eat it, she can store it first.”
“My mother doesn’t trust me. I’m alone in Beijing. She often calls and tells me not to be reluctant to spend money. I have to eat something good and wear warm clothes.” Thinking of these words, Beipiao Xiaohao couldn’t help but sour his nose.
As a native of Jinan, Xiaohao’s family always have new year’s Eve dinner with their grandparents, aunts and aunts during the Spring Festival. Then they go home and make dumplings with stuffing and rolling dough while watching the Spring Festival Gala. This year, my sisters and sisters all came back. He was the only one missing in the noisy scene. However, it is slightly gratifying that on the evening of January 29, the family received the blessing sent back by Xiao Hao in advance. Mother was very happy after receiving it and immediately called Xiao Hao.
“Everything will get better. I can come back to spend the new year with you next year.” Xiaohao on the other end of the phone is comforting his mother. When his father saw it, he immediately picked up the camera and recorded such a special moment.
