The taste of fish and meat both blend together and have their own characteristics. The combination of sea and earth, the forging of sunshine and fire, is the delicacy that makes me unforgettable about my hometown. During the Chinese New Year and festivals, or when distinguished guests come to visit, this bowl of barbecued meat is a must. When I was in junior high school in the 1960s, during the autumn and winter seasons, the school organized our class to go to the mountain villages of Lixiang to carry out "three labors together." "Three together" means eating together, living together, and working together. The head teacher assigned two pairs to arrange food and accommodation in each farmer's home. Before leaving, the teacher told us that the villagers are very polite and may treat us as distinguished guests. We should pay attention when eating and drinking. Barbecue is the main meal here, so we cannot eat casually. Please don't use your chopsticks. Xiao Xu and I lived in a five-guarantee household. Their son went to join the army, and there were only two elderly people in the family. On the first night, there was no barbecue, but local fresh dishes, which were very delicious. Unexpectedly, at noon the next day, there was actually grilled fish on the table, authentic large yellow croaker. Although the two old men politely asked us to eat, we both responded without moving our chopsticks. On the last day, the old man put the barbecued meat into our bowls, and we put it back quietly, but we were a little greedy.

A little bit of nostalgia, wisps of nostalgia, just lingering in this barbecue...