Jason | 2024.10.05
I got up at 10:30, made a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and thought about what to do today. It seemed that there was nothing that needed to be done, so I would go out first. I took the bucket and went to Yinqiao Town to pick up some express deliveries, and then went to Li Zhenhao's studio to get spring water. As long as it is not troublesome, many people in Dali go to get mountain spring water to drink. Each village has different water collection points, some of which are underground springs, and some are drawn from streams. They are all public water collection points and are free of charge.
I also brought my iPad, and will find a chance to give it to Xiao 6. I have almost cleared out the things at home recently, leaving only some personal items. All the things I want to store, together, almost fill up a plastic box: several paintings, a few pottery plates made by Xiao Jing, a plant specimen frame just given by Li Zhenhao, a lamp bought when I traveled to Thailand 20 years ago, which is not necessary, but I kept it because I thought it was the only daily necessities I brought from Shanghai, and a small jar to store Huahua's ashes.
Because I don’t have my own house, I have been renting for 30 years after I started working. Regarding buying things, I have several psychological stages: when I first started working (1995), I had no money, so I was very simple and couldn’t afford to buy things; after a few years, my income was better, and I lived in Xiangyang Road (2002), and I bought a lot of folk furniture and often bought household items when I traveled; ten years later (2012), before moving to Dali, I was very painful, and I gave my things to my friends, thinking that I must be extremely simple in the future; after coming to Dali, for many years, I could leave with just a mountaineering bag, and I only needed my own motorcycle to move; the year I just moved to Guanyintang (2016), it was an empty house, and I had to buy furniture myself, which made me a little troubled. If I bought, I would have a lot more things at once, and if I didn’t buy, life seemed very uncomfortable. But I soon solved it mentally: In fact, it was not the things that caused the trouble, but the reluctance to part with them. Things themselves will not be wasted or disappear, they are just sold to others at a low price or given to friends, so just be willing to part with them, and the things will naturally circulate. Since then, I have been free. (Click the "original link" at the end of the article for a 2019 record "Guanyintang")
When I saw the iPad on the bedside table, I sent a message to Xiao Liu to ask if she needed it. She replied, "I really need it." Her current job is to take photos of tourists at Longkan Wharf. I often see photographers in that area arguing and fighting over jobs. I thought to myself that Xiao Liu's adaptability seems to have improved a lot. I heard that she told He Chen a while ago, "There is a big sister who leads the sheep, and the business is very good." He Chen asked her to lead one, but she refused.
After leaving the house, I turned onto National Highway 214. I suddenly remembered that I had left my power bank at Fang Fangfang's house last time and had not yet taken it back, so I turned around and headed for Wanqiao Town. I called him on the way and he happened to be at home. Fang Fangfang works as a real estate agent. We are not actually very familiar with each other. He took me to see a house. Although I did not rent it, I had a good impression of him during the process: he would tell you if there were any potential shortcomings in the house. This is something that most people cannot do. I have never met anyone like him in this industry. I met him several times later on other occasions.
Because we all know Charlie, a Korean, he invited me to have dinner with him a few days ago. That day, his wife Fangmian also chatted with us. They were college (middle school?) classmates. Probably partly because she grew up in Jilin, she is a fan of Korea and knows Korean dramas, movies, and variety shows like the back of her hand. She asked Charlie many questions about Korean artists and seemed very naive. I think that in order to become the most special and successful intermediary, in addition to sincerity, the two of them are also very capable. They choose their own topics, shoot short videos, and are quite well-known on the Internet. Because of work, I have come into contact with a Singaporean investment company REAPRA. Wang Jun, the head of the China region, said that the person they want to choose must first do a "boring business" and be able to make their own characteristics in a mature and uninnovative industry. This is very challenging. I think Fang and Fang have achieved this to a certain extent.
I took the power bank. Next to his house is Hunter&Rou Private Kitchen. My van was parked in front of his house. Both buildings are traditional courtyard buildings. I came here for dinner a while ago and had a good impression, so I wanted to say hello before leaving. It was almost twelve o'clock, which was the time for lunch. I could also hear the voices of customers inside. I pushed open the door to the courtyard and saw Rou preparing the meal. Hunter was busy in the kitchen. I greeted Rou and told her that I just happened to pass by. She was very happy and asked me to come in and sit for a while. Because I knew she was not being polite, I did not refuse and sat down at the table in the courtyard. The table was under a green shelf, with several clean light blue curtains hanging around it. On one side was a multi-layer shelf with microgreens.
Hunter was busy in the kitchen, while Rou took the time to come over and chat between dishes. In the end, I sat there until the guests left, and then stayed for a while. Hunter works as a Western chef in a high-end hotel, and Rou works in management. Because of various connections, they came to Dali to live and became neighbors. Probably like many people who moved to Dali from the city, they were tired and wanted to change their lifestyle. Hunter said, "It was okay in the first six months, but later I felt bored with nothing to do." He started by entertaining guests, friends, and netizens, and gradually started to be a private chef. Rou said, "If it is used as a restaurant standard, I am not very satisfied with it myself." "Maybe if it is completely in accordance with the standards of high-end restaurants, it will probably lack the atmosphere of life. I like the way your home is now, which has more of your own characteristics."
The restaurant has been running for more than a year and is already very popular and often fully booked. When Qi Qi introduced it to me, she said, "Although it's not cheap, it's worth it after eating it." This is a very high evaluation. It also fits my idea: if conditions permit, unless there are other ideas, such a commercial service should be provided, because everyone hopes that their work is worth the money. This beautiful courtyard, two people who work seriously and have their own characteristics, and professional cooking skills, when combined, have unique value and are a kind of creation. Guests who can appreciate the value of it will feel good, and if there are many such guests, it's okay. If it really doesn't work, then consider good quality and low price. This is the same as a person looking for a job. Who wants to do a good job but get a low salary? But if you think you are great, but no one hires you, then you can only ask for a lower salary.
Not long ago, after the birth of her child, Rou said, "I was originally planning to close the business, but the child is very well behaved, sleeps through the night, and doesn't cry at noon, so I still have the energy to make lunch and only stop dinner." Apart from her own life arrangements, working 15 days a month is just the right pace.
Hunter and Rou have two dogs. One of them is 18 years old and can walk five or six kilometers in the mountains. Hunter said, "After coming to Dali, it probably feels better and is more likely to live longer."
When I left, it was already past three o'clock. Before leaving, I remembered that He Lian's "Wool Felt Painting" exhibition was opening today, so I drove out to take a look.
He Lian's studio is in a village 6 kilometers south of the ancient city, near Guanyintang. I used to live in that area. When I arrived, there were already a lot of people there, and I met several acquaintances. It was a white house at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. There was a piece of land on the south side, which was fenced off to make a yard. There were a few big trees in the yard, and you could see Cangshan Mountain from a distance.
I don’t usually go to such events. I don’t like gatherings with many people. I don’t know much about music and painting. Because He Lian often came to the late-night canteen to eat more than ten years ago, she was still young at that time, probably just graduated from college not long ago, and had a pair of canine teeth, so Xiaochun and I called her "Little Canine Teeth" in private. Later, when we got to know each other better, we called her that to her face. Because of this fate, now after so many years, I heard that she had accomplished something very creative, and I was very happy for her and wanted to come and see it. If I don’t understand the process, I think it must not be easy.
After staying for a while, I remembered that Honghong said DD was making xiaolongbao at her house today, so I went to eat. Our busy season is over, and everyone has free time to do this and that. However, DD is from Wuxi, and although Shanghainese people have been eating sweet since childhood, they still can't stand it. I can only say: I ate authentic Wuxi sweet xiaolongbao, and I gave up the idea of packing some to take home.
Honghong asked me to take Lucky home because her other team-leading job required her to go to Jingdezhen, Jiangxi to conduct field research.
