漂泊

When I was watching Stephen Chow's film "Journey to the West: Conquering Demons" before. There was a song called "300 Children's Songs" that could subdue demons, but it felt so nonsensical that I couldn't understand it at all. Want to awaken the true nature of demons with childlike innocence and kind thoughts?

Many years later today, I happened to listen to the children's song "Let's Row the Boat", which I had heard countless times when I was a child. My heart gave an instant jolt. I immediately understood why "300 Children's Songs" could subdue demons and also knew exactly what kind of demons it was. In the clear voices of children, I will recall my carefree childhood. For a moment, let go of the obsession of wandering for half a lifetime and striving to rise to the top. Back on that dam slope where the gentle breeze was blowing and the fragrance of all the herbs was wafting...

Back to the era when I was still the successor of communism...

I can't remember exactly when I started to like cycling. But almost every time I drift to a new city, I would buy one, from the permanent island tour to the fixed flight to the popular P8 and K3P folding bikes...

It feels more pleasant and suitable to explore by bike. Because cities are huge, taking a taxi or the subway to a place would waste a lot of time on the way. But cycling is different. You can freely move around different streets. Different weather, different times and taking different paths will bring different feelings.

In Beijing, I like to wander through hutongs. For instance, the roads in Beiluoguxiang are very narrow and it's very convenient to ride a bike. One can feel the atmosphere of the common people. When thirsty, stop and drink the Arctic Ocean. In Shanghai, I enjoy cycling along the Huangpu River, where the river breeze is accompanied by the scent of grass in the small woods. There are boats on the river in the distance. Also, Urumqi Road and Changle Road. Riding slowly on the sunlit road, one can see many beautiful girls and individualistic boys...

A few years ago, I even took the National Highway 318 to circle Taihu Lake once.

I think I might just love the feeling of the wind blowing on my face while riding on the road...

The time I spent in Beijing passed by in a flash. I didn't feel it was fast during that period. Ten years later, many scenes still surface from time to time. An event, a person, or a food can all bring memories back to that period of time.

Chaonei Market is located on Chaonei Street within the Second Ring Road, near where I live. Back then, it was just an old alley, but now it has been transformed into the office buildings of Chaonei SOHO. At that time, I lived in one of the small courtyards. Entering the door, there is a deep path. In front of the house, there is a special tree, which is slanted.

I remember back then, I was very busy with work, the house was very small and there was no space to cook, so I basically just looked for food nearby. One time, when I was strolling to the second floor of Chaonai Market, before I could get close, a pleasant aroma wafted towards me. I left upon smelling it and found it was a pastry stand. The freshly cooked pancake has a golden crust with a hint of oil, looking multi-layered. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with countless chopped scallions on it. Every time I'm hesitating about how many to buy...

"How many young men are here?" "Come on..." Um... Half a sheet

So, during those days, I would often go to the pancake stand at Chaonai Market. Usually, I would buy half a pancake and have a bottle of beer, and that would make for a sumptuous dinner. That smell seems to be already in my memory.