Chapter 3 Qiang Qiang Xuan Weird Tale

1 The first time I walked into that store, it was twenty years ago when I was in my early twenties. The location is in Arakawa, Tokyo. It is only a 10-minute walk from the east exit of Nippori Station, passing through the side street of the snack shop that is no longer visible, and coming to the area of ​​Okubashi Street.In terms of address, it would be Nishi-Nippori, but that detail doesn't matter. I don’t remember why I entered that shop on purpose (but the reason why people go to ramen shops is usually just because they are hungry), I only remember that there was a rare heavy snowfall in Tokyo that day.Probably should be late February or early March.

I live near Yanaka Ginza on the other side of the station.That day, I was wandering around in the heavy snow with a black umbrella.In fact, something frustrating happened the day before, and I was afraid that I would be doubly depressed in the crappy apartment, so I rushed outside instead. After looking at the Yamanote Line and Joban Line passing through the snow from the West Exit Land Bridge, I went down the stairs and walked out of the East Exit.Now it has been redeveloped and has become tidy and clean, but at that time, in front of Nippori Station, the north side was a busy area lined with small shops, and it was also the most suitable place for aimless walking.There is also a coffee shop here that collects the complete works of "wild7" by manga artist Mochizuki Sankiya, so I have often spent time in the East Exit area since I moved here two years ago.

I remember it was after two o'clock, I stopped in front of an old Chinese restaurant in a deserted alley.Because I was immersed in my thoughts, it was only then that I remembered that I hadn't eaten anything since morning. It is said to be a Chinese restaurant, but one can tell at a glance that it is not a so-called authentic Chinese restaurant. On the signboard erected in front of the entrance, there are common dishes such as ramen, fried rice, char siu noodles, and curry rice. It seems more appropriate to simply call it a ramen shop or a public canteen.The price written on it is also very fair, it should be said to be super cheap, but I have never walked into that store before.Although I have walked by the store many times, but for some reason, I have never deliberately patronized it.

Now that I think about it, even that kind of trifle strikes me as inconceivable. I remember that the glass on the sliding door has been yellowed by oily smoke, and the red curtain is stained with countless stains of unknown origin (all customers who come out should wipe their mouths with that!), the decoration of the store is really not beautiful, but if it is too It's impossible to live in a civilian neighborhood if you care about that kind of problem.Especially for a young man like me whose life is definitely not rich, even if the appearance is a bit rough, as long as the price is good, any store is worth visiting, but I have never seen it before, and I didn’t pay attention to that store at all. .

However, this day, as if I had locked in this destination from the beginning, I opened the door as a matter of course.A gust of hot wind blows towards the face with the smell of sesame oil and vinegar, ah!It's so warm. The moment I thought this way, a pillar of fire exploded fifty centimeters in front of my eyes, which made me stunned. welcome! On the other side of the flame, a man with a white triangular scarf wrapped around his head, wrinkled his face like a stone lion to suppress evil and shouted.As soon as you enter the door, there is an inverted L-shaped bar counter, and a gas stove is set up opposite. The man is shaking a huge Chinese-style frying pan.The pillar of fire comes out of the frying pan.

one?Just find a seat and sit by yourself. The man with the triangular scarf on his head still said with a frown. To be honest, I didn't realize it was a woman until I heard the other person speak.Because she has a thick frame and a body of fat, she can't see the body line (once a person becomes fat to a certain extent, the body will become like a man and a woman), and that person's face is full of wildness, Strictly speaking, full of masculinity. Considering the size of the skull, he had a rather large red face, big eyes with copper bells, a nose shaped like an eggplant, and thick eyebrows hanging upward at a forty-five-degree angle. After the player Xiaojin is compressed, the taste of the fighting image is strengthened.It is estimated that the age is about forty-five or so!

①Ozeki, one of the ranks of Japanese sumo wrestlers, is simplified from the word Ozeki, and is the second highest title after yokozuna. (Is this person a woman?) While I was thinking to myself, I sat down in the nearest chair, and she continued to shake the frying pan and said: What are you doing, sitting there?You're an idiot? Leaving aside the weird Japanese, I couldn't help opening my eyes when I heard her say that.Obviously she told me to find a seat and I sat down, but she actually called me an idiot right from the start. There, near the door.It's snowing outside.Every time a guest comes in and out, the wind blows.There is no need to sit there.

oh!That's right. It looks like I've entered a strange store. I thought as I walked into the depths of the store.Basically, if the people in the store have an arrogant attitude, even if the taste is good, I can't agree with it. In front of you is a bar counter and two tables that can accommodate about eight people. The inside of the store is narrow and long.If you think about it, you should be able to squeeze out space for another table, but there is a Buddhist altar on the wall at the back, so it seems impossible to do that.In order to keep a proper distance from the three previous guests, I sat down near the Buddhist altar.

At this time, I glanced inadvertently, and it was the portrait of Guan Yunchang in "Three Kingdoms" who had a long beard and held a Guan knife.It is said that he is regarded as the god of commerce, and most of the shops opened by Chinese people will worship him.It turns out that the woman who looks like Xiao Jin is a genuine Chinese. However, neither the name of the dish on the greasy wall nor the stand-up menu on the bar counter has the name of authentic Chinese food.Yes, all ramen, fried rice, curry rice and that kind of dishes. (Forget it, forget it. Hurry up and leave!) The name of the dish that caught my eye suddenly was Fried Rice with Scallion Eggs.Walking all the way through the snow before, I wanted to eat ramen, but looking at the woman shaking the frying pan, I suddenly wanted to eat fried rice.

Excuse me, please give me fried rice with chopped green onion and eggs. I said to the woman who was transferring the frying pan to plates and handing it to customers across the bar. Oh, fried rice with scallions and eggs, that's my signature dish!You know what to do. Calling me an idiot just now is too much praise now. I picked up the cold water jug ​​on the bar and poured water myself, thinking to myself.Although it is not stated as self-service, but it seems that there is only one woman in the store. If I wait stupidly, I am afraid that no one will ever come to pour me water. Sir, first time to my store?

The woman rinsed the used frying pan with hot water, and while scrubbing the pan with a bamboo brush, said something that looked like a special sales lady. I've passed by several times before, but this is the first time I've come in. Yeah?That's because, in the past, you didn't need the food from this store. After I answered, the woman said something incomprehensible. Ah, what does that mean? Once you eat it, you will know. The woman said as soon as she put the wet frying pan on the gas stove, the fire dried up the pan in a blink of an eye.Then the woman took a ladle and poured a large ladle of oil into it. After eating my fried rice, you will never go to another restaurant again. Picking up two eggs from a nearby bowl, she broke them simultaneously with one hand and dropped them into the smoking hot oil.Only her hands, which are super huge for women, can pull off this trick. After the eggs absorbed the oil and began to swell, she put in the chopped green onion, poured the oil again and put it in the cold rice. The latte ladle started to stir-fry vigorously. After that, it was her personal performance.The frying pan in one hand is like a big drum, and the iron ladle in the other hand is like a drum stick.Clang!Clang!Clang!Start banging hard. Of course, I also know that her purpose is not to play drums.She wants to fully mix the rice, vegetables, and seasonings so that the taste is even.Although I know it, is it really necessary to make such a big commotion? (This is simply an exaggeration.) I couldn't help but want to plug my ears, but I heard a guest appear with bright eyes muttering, auntie's fire drum! (What the hell is that?) It's probably because she always makes a fuss when frying rice, so the regular customers took this strange name!I laughed reflexively, but looking at the woman throwing the pot with one hand, I suddenly realized why it was named that way. Yes, that can be called fighting fried rice.It was snowing heavily outside, but she was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt (a bunny with a huge Playboy logo on the back, but upon closer inspection it turned out to be a knockoff with drooping ears), the bottom of the sleeves was about as thick as the thigh of a boy in elementary school His arm was shaking up and down at high speed.Even though there was not enough oil in the pot to catch fire, the frying pan was covered in flames from time to time. (That's pretty awesome.) That intense performance took my breath away.Fried rice, is it such a ferocious food? Finally, the woman scooped up the round fried rice with a ladle and put it on the plate.Pick up some of the rest of the pot and put it directly on the side. The fried rice looks like it has lightly put a hat on its head. Come on, I kept you waiting. Feeling a little nervous, I scooped up fried rice with chopped green onion and eggs and put it into my mouth. tasty. With the scent of gas and fire passing through the nasal cavity, for a moment, my mind went blank.Apart from the idea of ​​being delicious, I have no other thoughts. Thinking about it carefully, food comics were popular at that time, and they would use various techniques to express the taste of food, but I found that when I really felt delicious, I couldn’t say anything.If I had to say it, it was the smell of flames that would even give people the illusion, as if every grain of rice contained a ferocious flame. How about it, is it delicious? The woman asked while scrubbing the used pot with a bamboo brush, but I couldn't give any answer except nodding.Please don't talk to me right now.That was the only thought in my mind. People, you can’t do without food.Hungry and can't think of anything good to do.People who want to commit suicide, in fact, as long as they eat enough, they will be fine.The thought of wanting to die will disappear immediately. I empathize with the woman when she says she's done eating fried rice with a serious face.The previous depression has completely disappeared, but my whole body is full of energy.It seems that everything can be done now, which is the invincible state. Ma'am, you are a genius. I said while paying, the woman shook her huge body and laughed.Looking at that face, I feel that rather than saying that she looks like Xiao Jin, the title of Guan Yunchang, who has no beard, seems to be more suitable for her. welcome again. After being sent out the door by these words, the non-stop snowflakes no longer make people feel cold, but the whole body is warm and comfortable. (I found a good place to eat again tomorrow!) While I was thinking, I turned my head to look at the restaurant, and suddenly found a strange thing: the orange awning above the entrance (the metal frame is covered with plastic, which looks like a spring cushion), clearly says Baolai Pavilion. There are red letters, but the name Guan Guanxuan is printed on the curtain at the door. (Which one is the name of the store?) Presumably there is no special reason, but that kind of generalized attitude makes me feel inexplicably happy. 2 Afterwards, I reported to the store almost every day. Although sometimes I can't go to work or rehearse dramas, but whenever I go, I will definitely eat fried rice.Although the ramen noodles are good, if you don’t see the flame drum, you always feel like something is missing. After going there a few more times, my aunt and I started to talk intimately.Even if I don't speak, the other party will take the initiative to speak, so it is really natural to take it for granted. I think, it should be in the early days of our acquaintance that I tentatively asked the question that I have been brooding: Which one is the correct name of the store, Baolai Pavilion or Guan Guanxuan? My home is Guan Guanxuan!Bao Lai Ting is the name of the previous owner's shop. At that time, the aunt was frying eight-treasure vegetables with a big flame drum, and the appearance of throwing salt into the wok with a swing of the cross arm from a distance of one meter caught my attention again.This seems to spread the salt evenly, but the regulars must have come up with a funny name for it! About five years ago!I directly bought the store that was so bad that it was about to be dumped.The table and tableware are all included with the purchase, so it is easy and hassle-free. That is the so-called whole room ceiling.The advantage of buying all the equipment and tools left by the previous boss is that the store can be opened immediately. But if the writing on the awning is not erased, I am afraid that someone will make a mistake with the previous store, right? Boy, are you really an idiot?Whether you make a mistake or not, as long as you come to this store, aren't you the same as a customer? I originally said this for her sake, worrying that she would be unhappy if she was compared to a restaurant that was closed down because it tasted bad, but it seemed like it was a waste of effort.Auntie doesn't care about such trivial matters at all. So, the aunt came here empty-handed? No, no, this is the only one I brought. The aunt said, and showed me the wok that was frying eight-treasure vegetables in my direction. This pot is my life.No matter what, you can't let go. I see, the chef loves the familiar tools like his life, and the aunt shook the fat around her throat, widened her eyes, and replied: You are right, but this one is more valuable.This is a pot that can give people vitality. At first, I didn't really understand the meaning of that sentence.I think it probably means that after eating the dishes fried in that pot, you will feel full and full of energy, so I just echoed the words that are so or make sense, but what Auntie really wants to say seems to be different. . You don't understand!This is what my dad used to use.My father, was a chef when he was young.He used this pot to make shredded pork with green peppers for Sun Yat-sen when he was young.At that time, that person had no vitality.However, after eating my father's meals, he has vitality.Therefore, it will become so great. Oh, so! Although I tried my best to cooperate with her topic, I was completely at a loss as to who Sun Yat-sen was.From the looks of it, he seems to be a person who has become great after eating pork shreds with green pepper fried by his aunt's father, but the name of a Chinese is really meaningless just by listening to the pronunciation. Don't you know Sun Yat-sen?Oh, you really are a big idiot. The aunt seemed to see through my half-knowledge, so she pursed her lips and said.She had that look, somehow fish-like and some kind of strange fish from the Yangtze River. The Sun Yat-sen you are talking about, shouldn’t it be Sun Wen? At this time, a man who looked like a student sitting side by side at the bar interjected.What the aunt is frying is the eight-treasure dish he ordered. Yes, yes, on your side, is it called this name?Do you understand, kid, it’s Sun Wen, Sun Wen! The aunt held out the oil-stained iron ladle to the tip of my nose and said angrily. I still couldn't fully understand what I was talking about, so I had to ask the man who looked like a student honestly, and he told me that Sun Wen was the leader of the 1911 Revolution and a great man known as the father of the Chinese Revolution.It is said that in China, most people usually call him Sun Yat-sen. Let me say it again, my father used this pot to fry shredded pork with green peppers for Sun Wen.So, that person, became great. In other words, can you become great after eating the dishes made in that wok? Nah.Can become great because that person works hard.This pot is not that powerful.However, eating the dishes fried in this pot will give you a lot of energy.This is not a lie.This pot has the power to give people vitality. The aunt said as she put the fried eight-treasure dish into the plate with the blurred and mottled fairy pattern. So energetic people don't really need my shop.Didn't you also say that you never came in when you passed by the store before.That's because, at that time, you were very energetic.However, you have been a little listless recently.So, you came to my shop. It was this pot that told you to come in. After being explained by her in this way, I finally understood that the pot that was said to have fried shredded pork with green peppers for Sun Wen could make magical dishes that bring people vitality (it’s really embarrassing to say that), and it was a magical cooking pot. (How could a story that only appeared in comics be true.) I almost blurted out that, but my aunt was cutting something with a kitchen knife, so I held back.Because I have been to the store a few times, I have somewhat understood that the aunt is a woman with a very strong personality. But to be honest, in my heart, I half believed in that comic-like story.Regardless of whether it is the magic of the wok, after eating the dishes made by the aunt, you will indeed be full of vitality. Since the day it snowed heavily, I have eaten Auntie's fried rice many times, and every time, I feel a surge of heat in my body.There is nothing in the dish that can trigger that effect, but when you walk out of the restaurant after eating, you will feel an incredible sense of high spirits.I don't know if I want to run immediately, or I can't bear to stand still anymore. In short, that feeling emerged from the bottom of my body, and even made me shout out of nowhere: I want to fight!If what my aunt said is true, Sun Wen, a great man, probably would have yelled like this after eating the shredded pork with green peppers made by my aunt's father! I think he must have yelled because, the day I heard this story, I saw a male guest who looked like a student, after eating the eight-treasure dish fried by my aunt, he also yelled: Fight!Just go out of the restaurant with no sense of energy. In fact, it’s so much later that I can say that at the time, I was really lucky to have come across this restaurant.Because, as my aunt saw through, I was a little depressed at the time, because I was very distressed and didn't know whether I should continue acting. My own affairs are actually not worth mentioning. At that time, my dream was to become an actor and joined a theater company located in Takadanobaba.Ever since I played Bing Ju in "Golden Fox" ② at a high school fair, I have been completely immersed in the interesting world of drama. I left home to join a theater troupe immediately after graduating from high school. ② "Golden Orphan": Children's literature created by Xinnan Meiji.Bingju is the victim in the story who was teased by the golden fox. When I first started, it was really no distinction between left and right, and I rushed forward with a stuffy head.In retrospect, although there were all kinds of pleasures, it was indeed one of my golden ages, but staying in the same place for three or four years in a row will naturally witness many things that I don't want to see.It's not about the theater itself, it's about the power relationships within the troupe, the ugly intrigue, whatever it is, that's what you see. In fact, shortly before the day when Nippori was covered by heavy snow, I had a fierce conflict with the director of the theater company.Because he was not satisfied with the way I interpreted a character in a play, and said nothing. I think I've done my best. I communicated with him as much as possible, and I also let other members of the group watch my performances, during part-time work breaks (at that time, I remember I was working as a clerk in a record store in Naka Okachimachi), and I also hid behind the store to practice.However, he was not only still dissatisfied, the situation even worsened day by day.The more enthusiastic I am about acting, the further away I am from the director's request. No matter how hard you try, it's pointless. One day, a member of the boy band who was close to me whispered something to me. That person is not dissatisfied with your performance at all.He is not convinced that you are favored by the leader. The troupe is led by a famous male star who often participates in movie performances.I don’t feel favored by him myself, but occasionally he will give me advice when we meet in the rehearsal field, and he once asked me to play a character who was hacked to death in an ancient costume martial arts drama starring him.But that character had no lines and appeared for less than ten seconds. How is it possible, isn't that the case? When I answered this way, the male members of the same period smiled and said: Don't be an idiot, that's the way it is.You should grow up too! This statement frustrates me.Thinking about it from another angle does seem to have that kind of sign, and because of the fierce competition in this circle, it is not surprising even if there is such a thing. After that, for a while I was in a state of paranoia. The day before the heavy snow, something happened that made me extremely depressed. The boy troupe member who told me to grow up quickly was fired from the troupe.I didn't find out the clear reason, but it seems that he repeatedly criticized the troupe leader, director and screenwriter behind his back, which made the troupe's bosses no longer able to watch it. (In the end, who is right?) When I heard the news, I wondered to myself if the boy band members in the same period told me the truth?Or, those words themselves were just used to frame me? Just as I was thinking about all kinds of thoughts, the vitality was drained from my body at an alarming rate.The efforts of the past seem to be all in vain now, and the self who sees his life in mere dramas seems so insignificant.Most of my former classmates went to college and became serious office workers, but I was stuck in this small circle, so I simply gave up. It was at this time that I encountered that restaurant.Then I was rescued by the wonderful scallion egg fried rice made by Flaming Drum. So, I can't easily laugh off my aunt's insistence that the magic wok that brings people's vitality calls me in.The world is full of wonders, and there is even a diamond of hope that can curse the misfortune of the holder, and a cursed chair that can surely kill the person who sits on it.Even if there is such a wonderful tool that can bring people's vitality, what's the matter? Therefore, the correct name of this restaurant is Guan Guanxuan, which is taken from Guan Shengdijun, but I decided to call it Qiangqiangxuan, which has a similar pronunciation, in order to pay tribute to the magic wok.It is absolutely impossible to talk about that restaurant without mentioning that!Clang!Clang!powerful metallic sound.However, although the pronunciation of the two is similar, I insist on calling it that way. Those who understand the subtle performance differences should understand it.However, it doesn't matter if you don't understand. 3 It has been about half a year since I visited Qiang Qiang Xuan, and it is already the end of summer. I remember that day was not a holiday, and I had no part-time job or rehearsal, so I went to have dinner early.The sun has not completely set, it is the time when the setting sun shines through the yellowed entrance glass, and I am the only guest.Although fried rice can bring vitality, after all, it is impossible to eat it every day, so today I ordered fried rice with mixed vegetables. That pot is really powerful. I picked up a piece of brightly colored carrot from a colorful plate with my chopsticks, indulging in the beauty and deliciousness. I didn't expect carrots to be so delicious. Oops, make no mistake!It depends on the power of the pot to give people vitality, but the taste depends on me! Oh, so! I snickered and agreed with my aunt casually.In fact, I suspect that it's my aunt's fault for being able to keep my spirits up, but since my aunt herself said so, it's okay anyway. Let me tell you, the secret to delicious food is this. As she spoke, the aunt reached into the oil can near the kitchen stove and scooped it up to show me. That is just ordinary oil! It's not just ordinary oil The aunt poured the oil from the ladle into the pot on the stove, heated it until the pot was about to smoke, and then poured the oil back into the oil pot. I know that trick.I remember it was called Runguoyou!However, that's purely for getting the pan or wok to eat first! Also has that effect.It does make the oil more flavorful though, it's true. In fact there may be problems with hygiene, but I can understand it.Although it's not playing video games, it's oil with a high experience value.It feels like you can make delicious dishes with just that. Wow, there are so many ways! Just when I was sighing like this, the glass sliding door was roughly opened, and three young men walked in one after another.Each wore fancy printed shirts, one with the front completely open to reveal a purple and gold belly pocket.It's not a good thing at first glance. Oh, you guys, here we go again! The aunt frowned and said. Is this how you greet guests?Does this store still choose customers? The men sat down at the two tables respectively, and kept complaining that the shop was small and dirty. Three bowls of char siew noodles, delivered within five minutes. That can't be done. I straightened up in front of the bar, eating while listening to the conversation between the man and the aunt.I couldn't understand what was going on, I couldn't even taste it. Finally, the aunt cooked char siew noodles and brought them to the table.The men only took one bite, and began to criticize evil just like before, this is simply pig food!No, pigs eat better than this. You guys are obstructing other guests.I won't take your money anymore, please go out. The aunt finally couldn't bear it anymore and said, the man wearing light-colored sunglasses got up and stood behind me, and put his hand on my shoulder with a slam. Little brother, did we get in your way? At that moment, although it was different from the first time I ate Fried Rice with Scallions and Eggs, my mind went blank again.As a result, there was a strange grunt in his throat. oops!Don't touch that kid.Get out of here quickly. The auntie drove those men out with swords drawn.The men laughed wildly and left, but the last one to leave tore the curtain by pretending to be caught in it. Oh sorry sorry.It's too tattered, so it's broken when it's hooked a little. Maybe it was because the move of going away worked, the aunt was full of anger this time, just like the real Guan Yunchang, she picked up the iron ladle in the kitchen and wanted to catch up.I grabbed her hand firmly, trying to stop her. Calm down first, auntie.You'll kill someone if you swing that thing around. Not kidding or exaggerating, I mean it seriously. What were those people doing just now?Never seen it in this area. After finally getting my aunt to sit down in front of the bar, I asked while pouring water for her from a cold kettle. Those people are home hangers-on. In just a few seconds, I seriously thought about what that word meant.Is jaguar pronounced like this in China? ③Jaguar, British Jaguar, is a manufacturer of luxury cars.Here is where the protagonist gets it wrong. It's been a while since they've been yelling at me to sell the land for this store, it's annoying. Ah, you are talking about fried land (jiagcya)?Squeeze Ah to Ya, the family loses to Ya, and the family hangs up. I sniggered alone at the dawn of realization. What are you laughing at?Boy, are you really an idiot? The aunt spoke a little angry, and I straightened my back in a hurry. Thinking about it, it was the peak of the bubble economy in the second half of the 1980s. Although I don't remember benefiting from it at all, the world was very generous.There are also people buying and selling land with the intention of making a fortune, and there is a whirlwind of land speculation everywhere in Tokyo.Even if you buy a small piece of land at a high price, as long as you put it together to form a large piece of land, you can resell it at several times the price, so I heard that the offensive of those people is quite powerful. This shop and the land belong to my aunt, right? I don't like renting from people. Just because of such a simple reason, I bought land in Tokyo (and it was in front of the Yamanote Line station). It seems that my aunt is also very rich. When did those people start looking for you? About a month ago.I kept saying I wouldn't sell the land, and they started looking for me.Every time I come to the door, it will be the same as before. Fortunately, probably because I usually come late for dinner, I have never met them before. According to my aunt, those land speculators are not locals, but they are very obsessed with the land around the east exit of Nippori Station.Whether the redevelopment plan in front of the station that was promoted later was announced at that time, I can’t confirm this point, maybe the land speculators had already foreseen that plan. After all, how much are they asking for the land?Seeing them looking for trouble so maliciously, I'm afraid they plan to buy it at a low price! I remember last time it seemed like the asking price was 100 million won! I can't help but gasp.If the asking price for such a small piece of land is 100 million, I'm afraid I will sign a sales contract on the spot. oops!It's so boring to talk about money. Seeing that I am dumb, the aunt said. Just enough money to eat.More money will only get in the way.If you have too much money, you will not be able to distinguish the value of things, and even want to buy people's feelings with money. After drinking the water I handed over in one gulp, the aunt said. Do you think thank you can be bought with money? Uh hard to say. So, can refueling be bought with money? I tilted my head in thought.Maybe you can really use money to buy that kind of thank you and cheer, maybe it's meaningless. I think neither should be available. After hearing my answer, the aunt smiled and said: Although you are a big fool, you are very clever.Great great. The aunt walked into the kitchen while talking, and for some reason lit the fire and put on the frying pan again. Me, I like to cook for young people. As she spoke, she scooped up the oil with a ladle and poured it into the pot, heating it over high heat. In fact, it doesn't matter if you are not young.In short, I like to cook and eat for people who work hard. Beat two eggs in the oil that is starting to smoke. When the eggs are full of oil and start to expand, add chopped green onion, and then pour in cold rice.Then start the flame drum as usual. Those who work hard will grow up sooner or later.After growing up, it will definitely make this society better, just like Sun Yat-sen who ate the shredded pork with green pepper made by my father. The iron ladle held by the thick arm slammed on the shiny black pot, and the sound resounded in the small shop.Clang!Clang!Clang!Clang!It kept ringing. Compared with that, money is nothing, and it has no meaning at all. Looking at the aunt waving the ladle, I thought to myself, is that so? It's embarrassing to say that I was still very immature at this time, and couldn't fully understand what my aunt said.Sometimes I even think, isn't it because of such a desire that people can make progress? Hahaha, you still don’t understand! The aunt's tone was slightly disappointed, and she put the fried rice with chopped green onion and eggs in front of me. I treat you.Thanks for stopping me just now, thanks. Having just eaten fried vegetables, I really can't handle this free meal.However, I still pick up the spoon and eat fried rice. It was really delicious. After one bite, the aftertaste is endless. I ate fried rice in two bites.The movements of the hands naturally quickened, unknowingly turning into a desperate effort to pick up the rice. It's not just a simple stomach pouch, but as I eat, I feel that deep inside my body, every grain of fried rice is on fire, as if it will burn the fear I felt from those people just now.Something is winding me up, motivating me ahh!This is food. I still want to continue here and cook for young people.So I don't want to compromise with fried land.Shame on me if compromised.This pot must be angry too. The aunt picked up the pot that had been washed and was drying on the fire and said. Speaking of which, that pot was originally used by your father, right?It seems that it has a long history, I don't know how many years? You say this?Well, maybe a hundred years! The aunt said nonchalantly. ah!a hundred years?How can it be. Yes, it was originally my father's mother's dowry.In other words, it was my grandma and, my father is now in his eighties.I have also used it for 20 years, so adding up, subtracting and subtracting, it is almost a hundred years old! The moment I heard this sentence, I remembered the weird tales I had read in books before.It was written in the drama reference, and it is said that if you cherish the same tool for a long time, there will occasionally be spirits attached to it. (Could it be that the pot has also become fine?) Like a child with hands and feet, the scene of the pot running around in the empty kitchen, appearing in his mind and disappearing in an instant is not scary at all, but it makes people smile. 4 Unfortunately, Qiang Qiang Xuan no longer exists. The area around the east exit of Nippori Station has been redeveloped, and the scenery has completely changed.Headed by the famous snack shop Hengjie, many buildings have disappeared, but Qiang Qiang Xuan disappeared earlier than them. However, it was definitely not because the aunt had compromised with the fried land.In fact, in the first half of the 1990s when the so-called bubble economy rebounded, restaurants were said to be still open. The reason why I use the word "said" is because after that, I left Nippori and could not confirm it with my own eyes. Somehow, about a year after my first visit to Qiang Qiang Xuan, I was promoted to a supporting role in a TV martial arts drama.It was a great opportunity for an unknown actor like me, and the troupe ordered me to fully cooperate. As a result, I had no choice but to move to Kyoto, where the studio is located.Afterwards, I never returned to Tokyo in these years because of the piecemeal and non-stop work. When you can do it, do it as much as possible.Boy, you have to work hard. On the day before leaving Tokyo, I will never forget the scene of talking with my aunt at Qiang Qiang Xuan for the last time.The aunt's right hand was injured and her wrist was bandaged.So she couldn't make fried rice with chopped green onion and eggs again before parting, which made her very unhappy and she complained repeatedly. Don't worry about such small things.But having said that, there are really incredible miracles in the world. I glanced at the big wooden box in front of Guan Shengdijun's portrait and answered.In fact, about two weeks ago, a very unbelievable event happened. In the wooden box, there are things that can be called evidence. That, I will treat as a lifetime treasure. Yeah that guy must be happy too. As I answered, I recalled the appearance of my aunt shaking the pot and beating it with an iron ladle in front of the fire. That incredible event also happened on a snowy day. I remember that it was Wednesday afternoon, I didn’t have a part-time job and I didn’t go to rehearsal. As usual, I went to Qiang Qiang Xuan very early.That day, I ate breakfast and lunch at the same time, so I was hungry again at the same time. When we arrived at Qiang Qiang Xuan, the gate was locked, and there was a sign of preparation.Usually between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., most of the aunts will go out to buy vegetables. (what can we do about it?) I looked at my watch, thinking.I wanted to just stand at the door of the store and wait, but I didn't know when the aunt would come back.The main reason is that it is very cold. Although there is not much snow, it is somewhat sad to stand and wait in the snow. In desperation, I decided to go back to the supermarket near the station first.I plan to read the comics there to pass the time, and come back when the time is almost up. Walking on the spacious road without dividing sidewalks and driveways, I saw a strange-looking person approaching in front of me.The top of the head is blunt and pointed, and the chest hangs down in a straight line. The body is like a large cannonball. (This guy is still amazingly equipped.) Needless to say, it was Auntie. The aunt is afraid of heat and cold, and when she goes out in winter, she wears unimaginably heavy clothes.層層疊疊穿了好幾件以後還要罩上披風似的大衣，再從頭套上大斗篷，看起來就像公主不倒翁。兩手還持了好幾個鼓脹的超市購物袋，所以簡直是分量十足。 我正想朝大嬸跑過去替她拎幾個購物袋。大嬸也看到我，正要勉強舉起一隻手。 就在那一瞬間。 從後方駛來的貨車，追上來後突然方向盤一轉，以高速自後方將大嬸撞飛。貨車的車身也許是撞到什麼，只聽見鏘地一聲金屬巨響。 哇，大嬸！ 我清清楚楚看見，她魁武的身體飛起一公尺高，在空中猛烈翻轉。貨車沒有停下來，直接擦過我身旁後高速駛離。 在那瞬間看到的駕駛臉孔，很眼熟。是上次來鏘鏘軒找碴的年輕男人之一，分明是那個敞著襯衫前襟，露出紫色腹兜的傢伙。他們眼看大嬸死不肯點頭答應，於是氣惱之下終於採取武力。 大嬸，妳沒事吧？ 購物袋裡的東西全撒落在地上，大嬸也倒地不起，我慌忙跑過去。 痛死了可惡，居然來這招。 幸好大嬸還活著，像不倒翁似地想坐起身子。我慌忙制止，嚴厲要求她別動。以剛才的時間點判斷，絕對撞到腦袋了。 我的後腦杓的確有鏘的一聲。雖然一點也不疼，但說不定真的撞到了。 大嬸也神色不安地撫摸後腦之後，她被送進醫院急診做了檢查，令人驚訝的是，結果竟然只有右手腕扭傷，別無任何傷痕。為求保險起見還住院觀察，結果也沒有任何不良症狀，住了二天就平安出院了。 一定是因為幸好衣服穿得多。 oops!幸好我怕冷。 大嬸說她在日本沒有親人，所以基於這好歹的緣分，出院時是我去接她的。那時，我才知道大嬸叫做麗君這個莫名可愛的名字，令我不禁失笑，她姓雷，我暗自感嘆這個姓果然也是人如其名。 小子，給你添了不少麻煩。不過，這下子，他們應該會安分一點了。 從醫院回來一邊開店門的鎖，大嬸如釋重負地說。 由於我清楚目睹對方的臉孔，開貨車的傢伙當天就被捕了。當然，還不能完全安心，但炒地皮集團也不能太明目張膽地找碴了吧！ ah!果然，我還是最喜歡這裡。 大嬸說著不勝懷念地環視店內，突然間，她朝廚房那邊小聲驚呼。 小子，你看那個。 大嬸粗指指的方向是爐臺，那裡，本該放著那口鍋子如今不見鍋子的蹤影，只有一堆閃著黑光如破瓷片的東西散布。 This is 拿起來一看，那顯然是薄薄的鐵板。從十五公分的大塊碎片到一公分左右的碎片，大小不一，但每一片都有徐緩的弧形，拼起來明顯會成為巨大的半球狀。 那個鍋子，是鐵做的耶！會碎成這樣嗎？ 對，不管怎麼看，都只能說那是魔法炒菜鍋碎裂的殘骸。 但是，正如大嬸所言，就算再薄也是鐵片。到底是怎樣才能如此碎裂如玻璃。 會不會是大嬸敲得太用力了？ 我半帶調侃地說，其實內心也很贊成大嬸脫口說出的意見你，是代替我死掉了嗎？ 後來，我們慶祝大嬸出院的同時，也小小地追悼了鍋子。奇妙碎裂的鐵片全都收進了木箱，慰勞它長達百年來的辛勞。 鍋子一定也喜歡替努力的人做飯，一定是這樣。 大嬸的大眼睛不斷流出大顆的淚珠，一再如此重申。我將鐵片一一拈起，想像這口鍋子與大嬸搭檔，曾經帶給多少人力量。然後茫然思索，如果可以，我希望自己也能成為有那種本事的演員。 真的，你要加油。 大嬸，妳也要在電視上看我喔！ 出發前往京都的前一天，我與大嬸，就這樣道別了。 從此，到今天再也沒見過面，不過信倒是不時會收到。大嬸寫得一手好字，但是日文還是沒有進步，總是直接用口語化的方式寫成文字。 其實有一次，我半帶淘氣地試著用雷麗君這個女性名字上網搜尋，結果令我大吃一驚。在臺灣經營大型連鎖餐廳的大富翁千金之中，竟找到同樣的名字。 （怎麼可能不會吧！） 我繼續上網搜尋了半天，終於找到一張一九八二年拍攝的家族合照。那好像是大富翁的八十幾歲生日壽宴，我把那張比明信片還小的照片放大打量站在坐輪椅的大富翁身旁，的確有一個女人看似剃了鬍子的關雲長。 至今我一直沒說出我的發現，當然，大嬸不管是什麼人都與我無關。因為無論她是什麼出身，我都不認為她會改變她的生活方式。 大嬸如今在埼玉縣的某處，經營一間小小的中國餐館。 詳細的地址及店名不便透露，但只要經過附近，想必會立刻明白。因為那種鏘！Clang!Clang!的巨響，一定會竄入耳中。 萬一，諸位找到大嬸的店，請務必吃吃看蔥花蛋炒飯。雖然那口炒菜鍋已經沒了，但大嬸肯定會做出，能讓人打從體內深處冒出活力的飯菜。