Chapter 38: Noodles
As soon as the golden and transparent noodles entered his mouth, Wen Shizhang's eyes widened instantly. The noodles in his mouth were smooth and chewy. As soon as his teeth bit down, the noodles bounced back instantly. The noodles were slippery in his mouth, as if playing a game of hide-and-seek with his teeth and tongue. Every time he tried to catch it, it would mischievously slip away. After slipping away, it left behind a fragrant aroma. It swept across the tip of the tongue as smoothly as silk, constantly teasing the lips, tongue and teeth with its tempting taste, and giving them plenty of imagination. Imagine how wonderful it would be to catch this mischievous golden elf and take a bite.

Finally, the teeth grabbed the smooth noodles and bit them without hesitation. The noodles broke instantly, as if they had turned into countless tiny springs, bouncing wildly in the mouth. They also seemed to have turned into countless small hands, gently pressing the mouth and gums, bringing a strong sense of comfort.

This peculiar feeling makes people unable to help but chew continuously. Every time they chew, the noodles keep bouncing in the mouth. They have infinite energy, like a tireless dancer, stretching their graceful body and dancing happily in the mouth.

After enjoying the smooth and chewy taste, the taste buds are then occupied by the unique sweet fragrance of wheat. It tastes light at first, but has a strong aftertaste. The nutrients absorbed by wheat throughout the year are transformed into golden grains, storing in them the fragrance and vitality of nature.

Various vegetables are cut into thin strips, and after careful processing, they retain their original fresh and tender taste, and make a crisp sound when bitten. Although they are all cut into thin strips, the vegetables retain their own unique flavors, which may be crisp and refreshing, or sweet and pleasant, or smooth and delicate with the flavor of the ocean, or fresh and natural with the scent of grass.

Different tastes and flavors are intertwined together, while maintaining their own flavors, all tastes are cleverly integrated into one, just like a rainbow in the sky, with different colors, yet inseparable.

The soup base of the noodles is made from broth that has been boiled for a long time. It has a silky and rich taste, and at the same time has a strong fresh fragrance. The rich soup evenly wraps the noodles and vegetables, allowing them to be soaked in the rich flavor of the soup. On top of their own unique taste, it adds a mellow flavor, making the taste richer and more varied.

Every bite is a new taste, every bite is a fresh feeling.

The feeling brought by each chewing is completely different.

Although I only ate one dish, dozens of flavors appeared in my mouth, as if I had eaten a whole banquet in one bite.

It brings people unprecedented satisfaction both physically and mentally.

In addition to this sense of satisfaction, there is also a nostalgic taste.

It is so familiar, warm and reassuring that it instantly brings people back to distant memories. Using the taste as the key, it gently opens the long-closed door in memory.

I seemed to smell a familiar scent of ink. It was the ink that my father treasured. He would take it out only on important festivals. He would grind it carefully on the inkstone and write with his brush.

The familiar wheat aroma wafted through my nose again. It was my mother kneading the dough and rolling the skin with her own hands. My mother's craftsmanship was excellent and she was well-known in the surrounding area. Every festival she would do it herself and make a table full of delicious dishes for everyone.

The face in my memory was golden and shiny, so transparent that I could almost see the scenery on the other side.

A familiar noisy sound came to my ears. It was my childhood friends calling each other and going out to play.

There was obviously not much to play with at that time, but I never seemed to get tired of it. Even squatting on the ground and watching earthworms was a lot of fun.

The group played and made noises until it got dark, then they reluctantly went home.

As soon as I entered the door, I heard my mother calling me, "The meal is ready!"
After playing all day, his stomach was already growling with hunger. He wiped his hands hurriedly, sat upright at the table, and waited eagerly for his mother to bring him the meal.

What a bowl of noodles that is!
The color is golden, clear and bright, dotted with green, orange and red vegetables, and the fragrant broth makes people drool.

Another mouthful of noodles went into his mouth, and the feeling in his mouth instantly resonated with his memory. Countless strong emotions at this moment were like wild horses running wild in his heart.

Familiarity, peace of mind, yearning, sadness, etc., countless emotions intertwined together, and finally turned into the initial desire. Eat!
I want to eat one more bite!
I want another bowl!
He wanted to eat it forever!
He wanted to hold on to this taste and let it stay in his mouth for a second longer.

It seems that as long as the taste is still in my mouth, the longing will never go away.

"belch……"

Just when he was about to take another bite of noodles, he burped unconsciously.

It was only then that he woke up from his memory and realized that he could no longer eat.

Even though his soul was not yet satisfied and still longed for the taste of his hometown, his body could no longer bear it.

Wen Shizhang put down his chopsticks regretfully, stared blankly at the bowl of soup in front of him, speechless for a moment.

After a while, he asked in a hoarse voice: "What is this bowl of noodles called?"

The smell was so familiar, and the name was right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't say it.

For the first time, Wen Shizhang hated his body and reflected on his recent food and daily routine. He was so immersed in the deliciousness of the food that he neglected his physical condition.

His memory was declining and he had difficulty concentrating. Otherwise, he would not have forgotten that familiar name, the name he had called since he was a child and always longed to have one more bite of, the name that was soaked with all his longing for his hometown.

"This bowl of noodles is called zhuan mian."

Xu Qing replied.

This is one of the answers he and Master Abei have speculated. The process of making zhuan noodles is complicated and time-consuming. Ordinary people rarely have the spare time to do so, and rarely spend too much time on a meal. They have enough time and effort just to make a living every day.

Only those with wealth and power can have such leisure time and interests.

Zhuan Mian, yes! It’s Zhuan Mian!
The familiar name brought back memories and stirred thoughts in his mind.

The mood that had been gradually calming down surged up again, spreading from the chest to the corners of the eyes, turning into crystal tears and dripping down. Wen Shizhang couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Zhuanmian... yes, this is my favorite dish since I was a child. Ever since I ate it, I always pestered my mother, hoping that she would make it more often. However, the process of making this dish is extremely complicated and laborious. Finally, under my pleading, my mother only agreed to make this dish during festivals and when there are happy events in the family."

"After I became an adult, I went to school and took the imperial examinations. After I became an official, I moved around. I was so busy that I no longer had time to care about it. I was so busy that I forgot what I once loved the most, and I was so busy that I forgot the initial desire and emotion."

(End of this chapter)