Ginger Scallops

My grandmother, although she has been away from us for almost 26 years, her voice and appearance are still so clear. She has white childlike hair, big eyes, and fair skin. She loves to bask in the sun, treats others kindly, and never quarrels with others again. I heard from my mother that when she was young, her grandmother often wrote home letters to neighbors. I have never done farm work. Only in the first few years of the Cultural Revolution, I did some piecemeal work to supplement my family.
My first painting was taught by my grandmother, and it was still a brush drawing. The first word I learned was also taught by my grandmother. Grandma occupies a big place in my childhood. From the time I was weaned to the kindergarten when I was 5 years old, I stayed at my grandmother’s house. During the day, my aunt and grandpa had to work in the fields. Only my grandmother and I were at home. At first I was young. Grandma only took care of three meals a day. I play at home. Feed the pigs and raise rabbits. Play with the children in the same yard. When I went to kindergarten for summer vacation, I stayed at my grandmother’s house and played with the other children in the yard. At that time, my grandmother was in charge of it too. Only when my grandmother was cooking, I went out and played crazy for a while. I was called home by my grandmother.
Grandma never scolded me, she only said to me in a kind tone: Be obedient, don't run around, be careful of being caught by bad guys. But I've never been intimidated by my grandmother's words, and I'm still playing crazy. Once I played for an afternoon before going home, I was afraid that my grandma would say me. I sneaked into the yard quietly, wanting to see what grandma was doing? She had already started cooking dinner, and I went in lightly. Grandma saw it and said, "I’m coming back so late? You can’t eat the fruits of palm trees, and girls can’t climb trees!" I was surprised. Grandma was. How did you know? I replied in a low voice, "Yeah." Grandma continued, "Catch a hairy crab by the beach. Although it is small, it will bite. Have you been bitten?" I said loudly, "Yes, I caught it just now." I was bitten by it, and it hurts me to death." "Don't go next time, you are going to tell grandma, grandma will go with you." Strange, how does grandma know what I did? I tilted my head and asked my grandmother. Grandma never told me. At that time, I thought my grandmother was so powerful, just like Monkey King. Later I learned that my grandma would always come to me from time to time to see what I and other children were doing, so that she would be relieved.

My father and mother often went fishing at that time, and sometimes they brought some shellfish back. Among them was this scallop. The scallops made by my grandmother were always so delicious, and the family was full of praise.

Grandma doesn't like taking pictures, and she walks so suddenly. All you have left is a black and white photo of you wearing a cheongsam when you were 17 or 18 years old...Grandma, I miss you!