Mandarin Chinese

Walk the terraces with Master Chen in March: hear that this year is the last year, ask whether he means it, hear that his father planted these bushes, ask whether his father fried tea too, hear that it is a long story, tell him to take his time, hear that it was sixty-odd years ago, and say you want to hear it all the more.

Stand in the frying room with Master Chen and Missus Wang before the season: hear that this wok was left by his father, ask whether it has been used all along until now, hear that it has, hear that it is even older than he is, ask why not change it for a new one, hear that he cannot bear to, hear that an old wok fries fragrant, and say that then you will not change it either.

Sit by the cold stove while Master Chen tells of his first fry: hear that he was fourteen, say that is so young, hear that his hands blistered, say it must have hurt, hear that it hurt so much he cried, ask about his father, hear that his father did not say a single word, ask what happened next, and hear that the next day he went on frying.

Hear the story of the great frost of Master Chen's youth: hear that year's frost was bigger than any year's, ask how big, hear that the whole mountain went white, hear from Missus Wang that not a single leaf was left, ask how they got through that year, hear that the whole village had it hard, ask what he learned, and hear the proverb that closes the story.

Hear Master Chen's side of the day in 1985: hear that the day she left he was frying tea, ask whether he went to the station, hear that he did not, ask about the teapot, hear that he handed it to her and went back, ask whether he has ever regretted it, hear that tea does not wait for people, ask whether she knows, and hear that she knows now.

Hear Missus Lin's side of the day in 1985: hear Lan ask whether she waited for him, hear that she waited an hour at the station, ask whether he came, hear that he did not even say goodbye, ask whether she kept the teapot all along, hear that she has carried it for forty-odd years, hear Lan ask why she came back, and hear that if it were not for the teapot she would not have.

Hear Missus Wang's side, the funniest: hear that the whole village knows about those two, ask whether it really does, hear that only he thinks it is a secret, hear Lan ask when she found out, hear that she knew the day she married him, ask whether she was not angry, and hear that it cracked her up.

Hear Teacher Song tell the legend of tea at dinner: be asked where tea comes from, guess Hangzhou, hear that legend has it Shennong tasted a hundred plants, ask why, hear that he was poisoned seventy-two times in one day, ask how he did not die, hear that a leaf fell into the water, ask whether it was a tea leaf, and hear that from then on there was tea.

Hear Lan tell the legend of the village's name at dinner: be asked why Longjing is called Longjing, hear that a dragon lived in the well, ask whether there really was one, hear that the people prayed for rain in a dry year, ask whether the dragon heard, hear that the rain really came, hear Master Chen say believe it or not, and say of course you believe it.

Hear Teacher Song and Missus Wang tell the legend of the imperial bushes: hear that the Qianlong Emperor went down to Jiangnan and picked tea himself, hear that he stuffed the leaves into his sleeve, ask why, hear that his mother was ill and he was in a hurry, hear that those eighteen bushes became imperial tea, ask whether they are still there, and hear that they are, to this day.

Greet Little Wu at the gate in April: hear that he is here, say it has been a year, hear him ask about the buds, say they are three days earlier than last year, say the master decides, hear that this year you have the final say, and set the picking for tomorrow.

Pick beside Auntie Liu on the terrace: hear that Little Ou is a master already, tell her not to laugh, hear that her back is no good any more, tell her to sit a while, hear that buds don't wait, ask if she'll come next year, and hear her say of course she will.

Stand at the wok with Master Chen and Missus Wang: hear whether he is still frying today, hear that he fries just one wok a day, offer one more, hear that his hands could not take it, ask about the rest, hear that the rest is yours, ask if it is time, and hear that the heat is right.

Stand at the family graves on Ching Ming morning: hear Lan tell you to offer incense to Great-Grandpa, tell him who you are, hear Master Chen present you to his father, hear that from this year on the wok goes to you, tell Great-Grandpa to rest easy, hear Lan's father say his father can finally rest easy, and go home to eat.

Welcome Teacher Song for his thirty-sixth spring: hear Missus Wang marvel that he still comes at eighty, hear that he comes every year as long as he can walk, offer him a seat, hear him ask this year's price, say it is the old rule and no rise, hear him count the years, hear that he is an old friend, and hear him take his five jin.

Answer a young woman with a backpack at the gate: hear her ask for Master Ou, say that is you and ask who she is, hear she has come from Shanghai, ask what she wants, hear she saw you on television, ask what happened next, hear she has quit her job to learn to fry tea, and greet her with the words you were greeted with.

Take the newcomer into the frying room: hear her ask what to do, tell her to watch first and not touch, hear her ask if the wok doesn't hurt your hands, say that hot is certain, hear Master Chen say hands quick and heart still, hear her ask how, tell her to watch the hands and not the wok, and hear that she watches for three days.

Plan the Grain Rain day with Auntie Ma on the phone: tell her the whole village is coming, hear her ask how many, say forty-odd, hear her take the cooking, ask if she can manage alone, hear that the more people the better, hear that the village head must be invited too, and say you will go and invite him.

Borrow chairs from Old Hu's teahouse: hear him call you handsome and correct himself to Master Ou, say you would like to borrow chairs, hear him ask how many, say forty for Grain Rain, hear that the chairs and the tables are on him, ask how much, hear not to stand on ceremony because a near neighbour beats a far relative, and give him a seat in front.

Sit up with Lan's parents the night before Grain Rain: hear her father ask if Dad really is not frying this time, hear Lan say he only says so, say his hands are still itching, hear her mother ask where he is, hear he is sitting alone watching the wok, hear her ask why he is not asleep at this hour, hear her father bet he will fry, and say tomorrow will tell.

Pick the last basket of the spring on Grain Rain morning: hear that it is Grain Rain, say this is the last basket, hear that the rain tea ends today, ask whether the picking stops tomorrow, hear what comes after Grain Rain, agree that once the picking is done you knock off, and hear that everyone is to come to the house.

Meet Auntie Ma at the gate on Grain Rain: be asked whether you have eaten, say not yet, hear she has brought a carful of food, say there are thirty people, hear she will manage it alone, hear Missus Wang offer to help, hear the old rule that keeps her out of the kitchen, and hear her give in for the day.

Set out the frying room with Little Wu and Zhou Yu before the village arrives: be asked where the table goes, say to move it to the doorway, be asked about the wok, say to polish it till it shines, hear Zhou Yu take the job, be asked whether you are nervous, say it would be a lie to say no, and hear that your friend is there.

Receive the village head and the elders at the frying-room door: hear him count sixty-four years, hear Master Chen call for a seat, hear that nobody in the village has fried longer, hear Master Chen say he is old, hear that they have all come to watch, welcome the room, seat the village head, and hear that they are counting on you.

Watch Missus Wang seat thirty people: hear that no one talks while the tea is fried, hear Old Hu agree, hear that phones are to be off, hear Teacher Song say his is long since off, hear Old Hu sent to the back, hear him ask why, hear that he talks too much, and hear that nobody is to move.

Stand beside Master Chen at his last wok: hear him ask for silence, say the fire is ready, be told to listen to the wok, say you are listening, hear that the heat is right, hear Little Wu whisper to look at his hands, say they are still as quick as ever, and hear that this is the last wok.

Hear Master Chen hand the wok on in front of the village: hear Missus Wang ask him for a few words, hear that the wok was his father's, that he took it from his hands at fourteen, that today he hands it to Owen, ask why you, hear that your hands are steadier than his, hear that tea waits for no one, and hear that it is your turn.

Answer Master Chen in front of the village: be asked for a few words, say that six years ago you came here, hear Lan say you did not know a word of Chinese, recall the first line your master taught you, hear him say it, answer with the saying about water and its source, hear him tell you to remember it, and promise not to let him down.

Raise your cup at the long table on Grain Rain: hear Teacher Song toast Old Chen with the flame passed on, hear Old Hu say the student has surpassed the master, hear Auntie Liu wish him a hundred years, hear Old Hu ask Missus Wang for a few words, hear that friends are friends and money is money, hear Auntie Liu ask about today, and hear that today nobody pays.

Take the wok: hear that it is yours now, say you have hold of it, be told to fry, hear Missus Lin brew your first batch in the old teapot, give her the first cup, hear her pass it to Old Chen, hear his verdict, and when the room has emptied, hear the first question you were ever asked, and answer it.