Children's Fiction

I'm Xiao Qiang, the ace reporter of Food Daily. As long as there is something delicious, I will rush to the scene as soon as possible.

In fact, although my name Xiaoqiang is easy to remember, it is easy to be associated with the pseudonym of a very unlovable little creature. On the one hand, Xiao Qi is quick to find food. On the other hand, I am short-haired, thin and careless all the year round, and I look like a tomboy.

Xiao Qiang often appears in the gourmet pages of major fashion journals, and many headhunting companies are staring at me.

This afternoon, my father, who is a reporter, was temporarily sent by the company, and then my mother called Fu Fei and called me 12, asking me to drive her to Suzhou at night to watch the premiere of the youth edition of Jade Inn.

I have no choice but to be a coachman. Before the performance, I, a patient with cell phone syndrome, refused to turn off my cell phone. My mother was very persuasive and quietly peeled a plum and put it in my mouth. Well, it's sour and sweet, meaty, with a strange smell and endless aftertaste. I have never eaten such delicious plums!

I couldn't help squinting with intoxication, but somehow I remembered an interesting story when I was a child-

It was the night before the National Day, and the adults in the relatives' hospital went to the rehearsal hall of the unit. I led the children to jump rubber bands downstairs, and jumped directly to the adults after three hours of eating, and they danced to their hearts' content!

Mom touched me gently: stop laughing, or the staff will ask you out!

I just came to my senses. Judging from the slight acidity of facial muscles, I was really stupid for a while. Mom pointed to the phone again, and I was in a good mood, so I turned it off.

I was not interested in Kunqu opera, but I am fascinated today. Melodious singing, ink paintings and calligraphy that appear from time to time on the background curtain, make me feel refreshed. Even the famous guqin player used Qin Tang's accompaniment for thousands of years, as if his understanding was suddenly opened!

Driving on the way home is also very honest, and I didn't chase after others because they overtook me.

When I got home, I put on my slippers for the first time and put away my smelly sneakers. My mother called me an old boudoir name with emotion: Xiaoqiang-

Next, guess what she said to me.

If you were a lady like tonight, you would have married off!

In fact, I'm not angry at all: whoever drives you when you get married will ignore you.

In such a good mood. Suddenly, I hit a tingle, tonight's anomaly-could it be that plum?

Do try again tomorrow!

Yawned repeatedly and fell asleep happily as soon as I went to bed.

Woke up the next day, refreshed. Remember to ask your mother for plums.

Mom said yesterday was the last time.

I opened my mouth and said a rude word. After that, I realized: It's over, I'm Xiao Qiang again!

Mom was angry and ignored me.

I pestered her like candy, but she couldn't get enough. She bought prunes while traveling and ate them all.

Hey-she remembered: I have no place to throw the paper you ate last night, so I put it in my wallet.

I want to turn it over. There really is! If I get a treasure, there is nothing on the translucent green paper except the words "fragrant honey house".

As long as there is a clue, I will dig it out!

I searched the internet first, and knocked on the keyboard for a long time, but I still couldn't find it! Wow, these days, goods that can't be bought online are rare!

I drove to several big supermarkets and grocery stores, but there was no such candied fruit called "Mi Xiang Cabin".

This little setback doesn't bother me, Xiao Qiang, an expert in food search! I asked my mother for the address in detail. Then, first, take a plane, get off and change to a train, and travel across mountains and rivers to find it!

Just arrived in the tourist area, looking around, there are candied shops and stalls everywhere, and the air is filled with sweet and sour taste.

Approached but disappointed, dense candied fruit, poor packaging, the fruit inside is surprisingly bright, flies buzzing in droves.

Cheap is cheap, and the big bag is only a few dollars.

The goods in several stores look a little better. I bought some tastings, which were either bland, too salty to swallow, or suspiciously sweet, different from the plum I had eaten.

Ask the store about the "sweet house", and their attitude is always unfriendly. Some say it's a black shop, some say it doesn't exist, and some say it's closed long ago.

I was puzzled by the monk the next year.

Later, I asked some local children for directions, and one of them cried:

I know, you must be looking for Tian Xiang's family. Her candied fruit is the most expensive, and foreigners all want a tour guide to buy it. We locals never buy it. People say that Tian Xiang's parents go out to work, and the money they earn is bought from other places and sent back, and then sold at a high price.

I quickly coaxed the children to take me to Xiang's shop.

Outside a large fruit forest halfway up the mountain, there is an old red brick house with a black plaque of "Sweet House" hanging on the door. It seems very old. On the high apricot yellow flag, the four characters "century-old shop" are vigorous and magnificent.

But compared with other stores, it's deserted and empty. The windows in the shop are clean and spotless, and there is a rich and sweet smell of candied fruit. An old woman in a black tulle button coat sat demurely in front of a high counter. More than 100 kinds of candied fruit are displayed in glass counters arranged neatly along the walls on both sides, leaving a wide passage in the middle. Candied fruit is unusual at first glance, and its flesh is huge and thick. Golden jujube is amber in color and rich in fruit fragrance; Sugar-stained plums are green and moist, and must be sweet and crisp; There are white sugar bayberry, licorice peach strips, dried black mango and big dark plum ... I am dazzled and salivating.

Ah, I found the kind of plum I ate! 50 a catty doesn't seem expensive either. Wait, I read it wrong. It's100g! That is -500 a catty! God, I blurted out "black …" and finally swallowed the word "shop" at the back!

Let's make a counter-offer. A small shop without business must have a long backlog of things. In order to bargain, I deliberately asked: Hey, is the candied fruit in your store fresh?

The store has 180 year old tangerine peel, 600 yuan. The old woman kept a reserved expression.

I rolled my eyes, took out my press card and introduced myself. The old woman gave me a faint look and flatly refused the interview on the grounds of trade secrets.

Seeing me touching my nose bored, the little girl next to the old woman secretly sipped her mouth and smiled.

Your name is Tian Xiang, right? It was your classmate who brought me here just now!

The little girl was about to strike up a conversation when the old woman stopped her with a straight face.

I still bought a packet of high-priced plum to satisfy my appetite.

I didn't give up. In the afternoon, I went to spy at the door of Mi Xiang's hut. There is only a little girl in the shop, and the old woman is probably taking a nap in it. Several Hong Kong people bought a lot of big bags and small bags. Accidentally came forward for an interview, only to find that someone else named me. It seems a little expensive, so I can't forget it after eating it!

The preserves here are really different!

The little girl looked at me curiously and said enviously, Aunt, you are really like a reporter!

What words! I was so angry that I showed her my press card. After carefully comparing the photos, she smiled shyly.

I happened to have the latest food newspaper just bought by the station in my bag, so I showed it to her: all the interviews were about big hotels and private kitchens. Do you think it is worthwhile for me to come all the way to you (continue to show my plane ticket and train ticket) to cheat you?

Basically won the trust of the little girl.

But, auntie, you have to promise not to tell the bad guys about our store!

Of course! I readily promised, while quietly reaching out and pressing the switch of the tape recorder in my pocket.

Tian Xiang, your last name is rare! Your candied fruit is very special. Can you tell your aunt what the secret is?

Sure, but it is a long story. Our "Sweet House" is a time-honored brand with a history of one hundred years. All the candied fruits in the store are refined by real ancient methods, such as sweet plum, fermented ebony, sliced honey plum, etc., which are very famous and must be bought by tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan. But a year ago, because the enemy could not compete with the fierce market, the store was about to close.

In fact, many people in the family have long wanted to give up the ancient method and use chemicals for pickling, assembly line production and cheap sales. But dad, as the eldest son of Xiang's family and the owner of Mi Xiang's hut, refused to agree.

The night before the family's candied fruit business closed down, a special guest came to the family.

She is a woman who smells of vanilla, and the hem of a purple silk skirt is embroidered with lavender. She knocked on my door, smiled and told me that her name was Zixiao, and then explained her purpose. I am happy to take her to see her father.

Zixiao and his father hit it off.

I've heard the name of the vanilla gummy cottage for a long time! At present, a large number of food additives are used in candied fruit on the market, even in excess. Only you have always insisted on frying with the oldest secret recipe, and there is no preservative or cyclamate at all, so people there only eat yours.

I forgot to introduce myself. I come from a place called vanilla witchcraft villa. It is on the edge of the world and the witch world, protected by lavender spells. The sunshine, air, water and soil there are pure and pollution-free. A large number of natural fruits cultivated in this way can provide rich raw materials for making preserves.

As she spoke, she took out bags of fresh plums, olives and plums from the environmental protection bag she carried with her. Wow, everyone is bigger and brighter than I usually see!

Dad's eyes lit up! Mom is also full of praise.

It's really predestined. I heard about your family's recent situation, so I quickly looked for it.

If you are willing to cooperate with us, Wuhuan Mountain Villa will provide raw materials, venues and manpower, and we can jointly pickle real green preserves.

I will also give you very magical vanilla magic essential oil.

Zixiao asked my mother to pour a glass of water. She took out a berry-colored essential oil bottle and dropped a drop in the cup. The room suddenly filled with wonderful fragrance, and we were all intoxicated.

You will feel the magic of vanilla essential oil more in the future! Our only requirement is to add the word "vanilla" after the list of reserved ingredients. Zi Xiao said softly, finally, just give us 30% of the candied fruit, and the rest is yours.

There is nothing to hesitate about such superior and perfect cooperation conditions! Mom happily poked dad a few times, but he didn't say a word for a long time, and finally asked:

Are you interested in our ancient secret recipe?

Zi Xiao paused and immediately laughed. Of course, but I won't ask the secret of the formula. We have no other purpose, just want to give a surprise and reminder to those who have the opportunity to taste the new sweet house.

What is the purest and most beautiful taste? How long has it been since you tasted it?

Zi Xiao also said that the world pollution is too serious now, not only the natural environment is destroyed, but also the food is not environmentally friendly. The worst thing is the pollution of people's minds. In order to make a profit, some people have mixed more and more harmful substances into their food. Now people drink bottled and bottled water. In this way, they may have to wear oxygen masks in the future and can only breathe with oxygen bottles that have been carried on their backs.

In fact, we really don't want the vanilla witchcraft villa to be the last piece of pure land.

Zi Xiao finally moved her heart and persuaded my stubborn father, who agreed to cooperate and went to the Vanilla Witchcraft Villa for a field trip early the next morning.

Tian Xiang, have you been to that villa?

Vanilla Wicca Villa! Not yet, dad said. They are very busy. The fruit pile in the cold storage in the villa is even higher than the hill. It's really a disaster if the candied fruit is not done well! And the business of candied fruit there is also very prosperous!

Today is Sunday. I have finished my homework before I can look at the shop with my mother-in-law. My parents, uncles and aunts didn't come back for more than half a year after they went to the villa last year. In the evening, they often call me and my mother-in-law, and Aunt Zixiao sends us a lot of candied fruit from time to time for us to sell.

I won't give up, so-do you know how to get to the vanilla witchcraft villa?

I don't know. My parents never told me that Aunt Zixiao brought them in.

It seems that no more useful clues can be dug up from the little girl. I clicked photos of 100 kinds of candied fruit, smelling the fragrant fragrance, and couldn't help but ask Tian Xiang shyly: Can I have a taste?

Tian Xiang generously agreed.

I greedily tasted them one by one, ate them all, swallowed them all, and finally didn't know what to eat.

One grain is good, and eating it in large quantities is tantamount to drinking water from cattle and horses.

Oh, I don't know when the old woman came out and laughed at me coldly.

With a kind smile, I put my index finger between my lips and made a secret gesture to Tian Xiang. Under the cold eyes of the old woman, I put oil on my feet and ran away.

In order to get an exclusive report, I am eager to go deep into the candied workshop in the vanilla witchcraft villa. The only breakthrough is Tian Xiang.

On Monday afternoon, I went to school to get to know Tian Xiang's family. Her head teacher, Mr. Lu, was very enthusiastic and introduced what she knew in detail, saying that this semester was obviously more mature and sensible because her parents went out to work. After class, he asked the students to call Tian Xiang to the office.

Looking at Tian Xiang came in from the window slightly shyly, I quickly thought:

Do you really want to uncover the secret of Mi Xiang's cabin?

In that case, the candied fruit in the hut and the vanilla magic villa that may have its place will not be turned upside down.

Should I hurt this kind little girl in front of me?

I suddenly realized my responsibility to Tian Xiang.

So I smiled and said, Tian Xiang, I praised you in front of the teacher. Yesterday you told my aunt an imaginative story!

Well, our newspaper will also properly report the descendants of time-honored foods. So, Teacher Lu, can you talk about Tian Xiang's usual performance again?

Tian Xiang and I walked home after school.

Tian Xiang bowed his head: Aunt, do you believe there is a place called Vanilla Witchcraft Villa?

I put my arm around her shoulder: of course!

But they all said, in fact, our store can't go on, and mom and dad have gone to work in other places.

No, I know what you said is true!

So I told Tian Xiang my personal experience after eating vanilla plums that night, and added:

I think the whole person has become beautiful!

Tian Xiang smiled from the bottom of his heart, so sweet and brilliant.

Now I think Tian Xiang and I are best friends!

I really want to know the mystery of ancient vanilla preserves, and I really want to see the vanilla witchcraft villa! I really think.

Aunt, when are you leaving?

I won't leave until I uncover this secret.

Really?

Really!

Ok, then let me do something! Tian Xiang made up his mind to say. Mom and dad will call home every few days. Last time they told me that there would be an "award ceremony" at Vanilla Witchcraft Villa soon. You are a famous journalist. I'll ask dad to tell them to invite you to attend, okay?

So, when Zixiao came to the store again to deliver candied fruit, I met her as I wished. Zi Xiao said a spell, and we were strongly absorbed by the sharp vanilla airflow, then shuttled through the lightning light flow, and then quickly arrived at the vanilla witchcraft villa.

Later, I learned that it was actually kind Tian Xiang who gave me the quota.

Mr. Lei Huofeng and other people in the villa are warmly waiting for guests at Huatian Gate. Every year, the villa awards the most outstanding people or animals and plants in all fields and invites them to stay in the villa.

I have met many strange and interesting guests, and the experience there for three days and three nights is endless!

In the big yard where candied fruit is made, plaques of various fruits are hung everywhere. I recognized Tian Xiang's parents at a glance. They beat the dried fruits such as plums and olives flat with mallets. From selecting, cleaning, air-drying, seasoning, pickling to finally soaking in diluted vanilla essential oil for air-drying, all these complicated procedures are completed by hand. No wonder they are so busy! Every candied fruit condenses their eyesight, hand strength and heart strength, and is salty, sweet, sour and fragrant, which is particularly attractive.

I photographed the grand scene of making candied fruit with miniature camera.

Each candied fruit is wrapped in lotus leaf-like translucent green paper, and the guests get a big gift package containing all varieties.

I finally got the chance to interview the secret of vanilla preserves:

It turns out that pure fruit can make vanilla essential oil work.

Vanilla essential oil can open the softest and warmest button in people's hearts and awaken the best emotional experience ever.

Only a pure heart can feel the beautiful memories and experiences aroused by vanilla essential oil.

It's been several days since I came back from the Vanilla Witchcraft Villa, but my soul still seems to be there. Really fell in love with that Xanadu.

I am determined to fulfill my original promise to Zixiao. "I promise not to tell the bad guys about the shop, and not to disclose the real address of the Vanilla Witchcraft Villa and the Sweet Honey Cabin, lest curious people flock to harass." My manuscript has changed from the previous color and fragrance rendering to simple brushwork, explaining the real mystery of candied fruit made by ancient methods and essential oils in Sweet House.

In fact, I made this decision, and I was a little entangled with myself. As ruthless as I am, Xiao Qiang is like a paparazzi. I'm even worried about whether I'll regret the magic of vanilla later.

I don't think so. In the electronic document, I restored my name Xiao Qiang.

I feel the beauty of this name for the first time. Mom said that when I was born, all the roses in the yard were in bloom.

It is as fragrant and beautiful as vanilla.

I have been home for a few days, and the editor has urged me many times. I decided to go to work tomorrow.

Before submitting the manuscript, I will ask the editor-in-chief to sign the high travel expense reimbursement form for his long-distance business trip.

The editor-in-chief made a few quick strokes to grab the manuscript in my hand.

Wait a minute! I am busy taking out a box of salt and Tianjin olives from my backpack. When I opened it, I said:

Please try one first. Facts speak louder than words!

The editor-in-chief threw one into his mouth and said vaguely, you boy! Then I can't wait to read the manuscript.

He nodded frequently while watching. It was almost the last few pages, and I secretly observed the best angle of the door.

The editor's face changed again and again, and gradually changed. I can't tell whether I want to laugh or cry. I knew he was going to scold me, but the olive in his mouth touched his happy memories and he changed his expression involuntarily.

I spat out my tongue, smiled and waved to him and ran away!

Far away, I heard him shout behind: where is this sweet hut?

At noon, I invited my middle school deskmate to dinner. She is an online seller. I'm going to join hands with her to open a "vanilla ancient honey hut" on the Internet. Tian Xiang will deliver candied fruit regularly. We want more people to taste the long-lost real pure and beautiful taste! There will also be a live video of candied fruit production filmed at the Vanilla Witchcraft Villa. Welcome everyone to visit Mixiang Cabin!