Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

The banquet is held in accordance with local tradition, using the "eight bowls and eight dishes" format, consisting of four large bowls and four stir-fry plates.

The four cold and hot stir-fry dishes contain smoked fish, stir-fried shrimp, stir-fried clams, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

The fish were bream caught from the river that morning, and the chickens were free-range chickens carefully raised by the villagers.

Although the dishes weren't luxurious, they were very substantial.

The dish, known as "Kouwan Cai," follows a process of first boiling and then steaming, which removes oil and keeps the food warm. Fishermen call it "Kouwan Cai."

This is similar to the "Eight Bowls" cooking method in the north, except that the local flavor is more savory and salty, and it skillfully combines seafood and pork.

Lin Chuan's family sat at a table with Wang Pusheng, Uncle Li, and several other families.

After all the dishes were served, Dr. Sun stood up, holding his wine glass, and cleared his throat:

"Fellow villagers, today is a joyous occasion for my family in Renpu."

Thank you all for coming! We farmers don't have anything fancy to offer, just one sentence: eat and drink to your heart's content!" Everyone laughed and raised their glasses.

The liquor was bulk baijiu, which was spicy and burned the throat, but it warmed the whole body after drinking it.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the table became lively.

The men started playing drinking games, the women ate and chatted, and the children, having finished eating early, crawled around and played under the table.

Li Jianguo and several elders, including Accountant Zhao, sat at the main table, loudly exclaiming, "Xiao Chuan, it's really amazing that we can still get such tender celery at this hour!"

Renpu is getting married today, and your island is sure to have a bountiful harvest. These are all joyous occasions!

Come on, let's all have a drink together and wish our team even greater prosperity next year!

Lin Chuan responded loudly, and the others echoed in unison, their glasses clinking together.

The wine rippled in the rough porcelain bowls, reflecting the rosy, satisfied faces of the inhabitants.

As the banquet progressed into its second half, the bride and groom came out to offer toasts.

The bride was a round-faced girl with two long, shiny braids. She wore a red cotton-padded jacket, her head bowed, looking shy.

Sun Renpu followed beside her, toasting at each table, his face growing redder and redder, whether from the alcohol or from embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

When the toast reached Lin Chuan's table, Sun Renpu poured an extra glass and said sincerely, "Brother Chuan, this toast is for you. I also want to thank you for bringing the fresh vegetables today, which allowed everyone to enjoy them."

The bride also thanked them in a soft voice.

Lin Chuan took the glass, smiled, and drank it all in one gulp: "It's nothing, congratulations on your marriage!"

The banquet lasted until after 3 p.m.

The aunties who were helping quickly cleared away the dishes, while the men helped remove the tables and dismantle the sheds.

The children, their pockets stuffed with unfinished candy, chased each other and played around in the yard.

On my way home, the setting sun peeked through the clouds, turning the distant river surface into a brilliant golden-red.

Holding Lin's mother's hand, Xiaoman skipped and hopped, asking, "Mom, will my wedding be this lively?"

Lin's mother laughed and scolded, "You little brat, how old are you and you're already thinking about this!"

Xiaoman stuck out her tongue and ran to Lin Chuan's side: "Brother, what do you think?"

Lin Chuan gazed at the fishing boats returning to port on the river, his thoughts drifting far away.

He suddenly remembered his previous life, many years later, when all the young people in the village were getting married in the city.

Dozens of tables were set up in the hotel, the emcee recited the same old platitudes, and the relatives left after eating.

It seems like there's never been such a lively atmosphere again.

Lin Chuan patted Xiaoman's head with a smile: "When you grow up, I'll throw you an even more exciting one."

The 21st day of the twelfth lunar month, two days before the Little New Year.

Before dawn, Lin Chuan got up early and sailed alone to Canhong Island.

The old wooden boat left by the old man was previously taken to the shipyard by Wang Pusheng for simple modifications. The shipyard gave him a discount, and the total cost was five hundred yuan.

The small boat has been equipped with a new power system, replacing manual rowing, and can reach a speed of seven or eight kilometers per hour.

Nowadays, it only takes ten minutes to get from Qingpingzhou to Canhong Island, and less than an hour to get to the commune.

A thin mist floated on the river, and the oars cut through the water, making rhythmic booming and splashing sounds.

When we landed on the island, the eastern horizon was just beginning to lighten.

Lin Chuan lifted the plastic film and stepped into the greenhouse. The warm, humid air, carrying the fresh scent of soil and plants, wafted towards him.

The celery has grown to over a foot tall, with thick stalks and lush leaves. The spinach is even more dense, with each leaf plump and glossy, its edges adorned with tiny dewdrops.

Lin Chuan squatted down, gently parted a clump of spinach, picked a spinach leaf and put it in his mouth. The sweet and slightly astringent juice spread in his mouth.

"You can accept it now." Lin Chuan's face showed a happy smile.

After carefully inspecting several areas and confirming that there were no pests or diseases and that the plants were growing evenly, he turned and left the greenhouse.

The next day, before dawn, the small pier was crowded with people. In addition to Shui Houzi and Li Jiaye, Aunt Wang and Aunt Liang also went to the island to help.

Wang Haiyue is not here. She has been having a headache lately. The orders in the transportation team have been handled in a mess by several people, so she has no choice but to find someone to keep the books.

Lin Chuan didn't have time, so she could only stumble and struggle to get up.

"Get on board, let's go!" Lin Chuan started the engine. "Rumble~~" The engine roared, and the ship shook slightly.

It was Aunt Liang's first time riding a motorboat, and she nervously gripped the hull, exclaiming, "Oh dear, it's so loud!"

"Don't be afraid, Auntie, it's safe," Lin Chuan reassured her with a smile. Turning back, he added to Xiaoman, "Xiaoman, hold on tight."

"Okay." Xiaoman's head was nodding, and her eyes were drooping, clearly indicating that she hadn't slept well.

Since the start of the holiday, the children on the island have been playing to their hearts' content.

Now that there are no more burdens at home, Xiaoman, like other children, no longer needs to get up early to collect fish, shrimp, and shells on the mudflats.

I had too much fun yesterday, so naturally I couldn't get up this morning, but I still insisted on going to the island.

Lin's mother held Xiaoman in her arms, wrapped Xiaoman's clothes tightly, and tightened the collar to prevent the river wind from blowing in.

The boat slowly pulled up to the makeshift dock, and everyone disembarked one by one.

"This...this is really the deserted island we saw before?" Once on the island, Aunt Liang's eyes widened in surprise as she watched the lights.

A well platform has been built next to the sweet water well, and the surrounding area is flat and paved with gravel.

The two large greenhouses are the most eye-catching, and the surrounding land is also cultivated in a neat and orderly manner.

Aunt Wang was also visiting the island for the first time. Looking at the changes before her, she exclaimed in amazement, "Xiao Chuan, you've really transformed Canhong Island!"

Hearing his mother's praise, the water monkey smiled smugly, after all, he was also an important participant in the island's development.

Everyone quickly got to work on the island.

Lin Chuan first demonstrated, picking up the sickle and aiming it two inches above the celery root. With a flick of his wrist, a thick stalk of celery snapped in two with a "snap".

The cut is neat, and the stem is plump.

"Cut it like this, leaving some roots so it can be tied up."

Lin Chuan then demonstrated how to pull spinach. He explained that you can't pull it hard; you have to loosen the surrounding soil first, then hold the roots and gently lift it out, and the whole plant will come out with its root system intact.

"Do you understand now?"

"Understood!" Water Monkey and Li Jiaye said in unison.

Lin Chuan directed everyone, and while chatting, they began harvesting celery in an orderly manner.

Aunt Liang, Aunt Wang, and Lin's mother sat on small stools, tidying up quickly.

The celery was neatly arranged and tied with straw rope. Although Xiaoman was still a little sleepy, she actively helped pass the tools.

"I've lived most of my life," Aunt Liang said with emotion as she tidied up the celery, "and this is the first time I've ever touched such fresh and tender celery in the twelfth lunar month."

Look at this stem, it oozes water when you pinch it.