When the lychees turn red

July 15, 1986 Sunny

By the Liuxi River, the lush and dense lychee forest is filled with heavy clusters of bright red lychees. Today, I came here to pick them as per Aunt Pei's invitation.

Aunt Pei is a local from Conghua. My mother, who is a doctor, met her while on a medical team visiting the countryside of Conghua when she was young. Every year when the lychees turn red, she writes to invite us over. Her family has planted a few lychee trees by the Liuxi River.

At this time, my husband has already started picking lychees from the tree. That thin branch, will it break? I am a bit worried, but he looks completely at ease. He has always been fearless, and seeing him so pleased, he stretches his mouth to the hanging lychees, bites through the skin, and chews, making me envious to death. I pick one up from the basket, peel it, and take a bite; it’s so refreshing and sweet, truly a royal treat, I think, nothing could make a concubine smile like this... Haha, a bit exaggerated. Aunt Pei says this one is the Guiwei lychee.

After a few days of hiding, the sun has come out. I pick a handful of lychees with branches and leaves and walk with my husband to the Liuxi River ahead.

The water is clear and sparkling. We are both wearing casual shorts, taking off our shoes to step in, feeling the coolness. The water is only knee-deep, but it flows quickly. I place the lychees in the water among the stones, letting the cool water soak them. I think they will taste even more refreshing later.

“Wei, don’t go too far, I’m scared.” I stand in the deeper water, almost being swept away.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” He holds me, as if afraid the water will really sweep me away.

“Let’s walk with the current, it will save energy.” I say.

So he wades ahead, watching me follow. We enjoy the coolness of the water. After getting tired of wading, I want to go ashore.

Suddenly, I discover something new in the water: “Fish, look, there are little fish!” He tries to catch one, but it slips away, all of them slip away, and he feels very frustrated.

“These pebbles are really pretty, they would look great in a goldfish bowl.” My husband makes another discovery. He bends down to pick up some egg-shaped and elongated small stones.

I snatch one from him: “Let me see.”

“They would look beautiful in a goldfish bowl.” I say, and he wipes the water off his face, smiling happily.

Then he takes my hand, and we wade together to the place where the lychees are soaking. So we start peeling the lychees in the cool water. The lychees soaked in cool water are indeed even more refreshing and fragrant.

While he is enjoying his lychee, I splash water at him.

“You’re so naughty!” Of course, he won’t back down and splashes back.

“Alright, alright, no more splashing. Oh no, water got into my ear.” I shout loudly. We go ashore, and he helps me pat and blow, but it doesn’t work. I stomp my foot, and finally, the water comes out.

The sun has disappeared, and the river flows quickly. Aunt Pei’s younger son comes to call us back for dinner.

July 16, 1986 Sunny

I got up at eight in the morning, and everyone in the house was up earlier than me. Aunt Pei had already gone to the lychee forest early in the morning.

After having breakfast prepared by Aunt Pei, my husband said to me: “The lychees on the tree in the morning are very sweet, let’s go to the lychee forest.”

I readily agreed: “Let’s go. Shall we go now?”

He nodded. We walked through the morning dew, along the country path, passing through the lychee forest again and again, finally arriving at Aunt Pei’s place.

The air around is fresh and pleasant, and the little chickens that got up early like the owner are running around looking for food.

“Aunt Pei, you’re up so early!” I see Aunt Pei has already climbed up the tree to pick lychees.

“Yes!” she replies loudly.

We ate some lychees that Aunt Pei picked, then ran to the riverbank to collect small stones.

After lunch, we took a nap and then said goodbye to this beautiful and lovely place. Of course, we returned with a full load, carrying a mind full of wonderful memories, deep feelings for the countryside, and bags full of lychees. We will come back next year. Bye-bye.