Wang Liansheng's letter, Ling Chengyan read it and set it aside for the time being.
She was quite busy these days, and early the next morning, she got up early to go fishing again.
The second time they went, their catch for the day was even more bountiful. Hongjun and Hongbing, who went with them, were grabbing doros and picking clams in the mudflats, and they actually collected more than a bucket.
Doros is the local name for the white jade crab, with small square shells waving two jade-white large claws. They aren't big, but they taste very delicious.
The fish were sent to the commune's buying station as usual. The doros and clams weren't plenty, so they planned to keep them for the family to eat.
Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the commune's buying station, they were told they weren't accepting fish today.
Wang Lianqi fished out a crumpled cigarette from his pocket and offered it, but the person didn't take it. Instead, they waved them off with disdain: "Alright, alright, the load of fish you brought yesterday almost caused trouble... Hurry and leave, hurry and leave."
Wang Lianfa was relatively tidier, at least keeping his face and hands clean, and his clothes weren't as muddy. He squeezed forward with a grin and handed over a pack of 35-cent Peony cigarettes, inquiring about the reason.
Only then did the buying station staff say that this season, there's also a massive influx of fish from the seaside, transporting thousands of pounds a day, all big fish, and the aquatic products company simply doesn't bother with these hundred-some pounds of small fish. The fish that the commune's buying station bought the previous day almost went bad in their hands.
As they left the buying station, the originally cheerful family now wore expressions of worry.
Although the weather in mid-February according to the lunar calendar wasn't too hot, it wasn't freezing either. For fish and shrimp out of water, half a day or a day is fine, but if kept out for too long, they will indeed rot and spoil.
Wang Lianqi's brow was furrowed into a knot as he lit the crumpled cigarette and took deep puffs, gradually enveloping his head and face in thick smoke.
Without any ideas, Wang Lianfa also smoked a cigarette, looking at his elder brother: "Brother, what should we do?"
Wang Lianqi tossed the cigarette butt aside, crushed it underfoot, and decided: "If not, take it back to the village, have the brigade ask around and see who in the village wants to buy, sell it cheaper and get it over with."
Wang Lianfa said, "Take it back to the village? People in the village can hardly afford salt vegetables, let alone buy fish to eat. It's not like it's a festival or anything..."
Ling Chengyan, who had been silent, finally spoke: "Brother, you take the kids back, and I'll go with Second Brother to the county's aquatic products company and ask, maybe they'll take it."
Wang Lianfa's eyes lit up, his tightly furrowed brow relaxed: "Brother, that's a good idea. You take the kids home, and we'll head to the county—this can't be delayed, if we wait until tomorrow, it won't be fresh anymore."
Wang Lianqi looked at his brother, then at his cousin's wife, hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "You two go ahead, I'll take the boys home and borrow a bike to catch up with you."
So, they split up; Wang Lianqi took the kids and the doros and clams home, while Ling Chengyan and Wang Lianfa headed to the county.
By the time they hurried and rushed to the county, it was already dark, and night was falling.
The first place they went into the county was the aquatic products company. Wang Lianfa went to inquire, but they weren't received at all and were directly waved away.
Wang Lianfa handed out cigarettes and spoke nicely, begging for quite a while but couldn't persuade them; he had to return dejectedly.
He looked at the cart full of fish, squatted down, and cradled his head: "What do we do now..."
Ling Chengyan called out "Second Brother," and drove the cart away: "Let's go see elsewhere."
Ling Chengyan drove the cart directly to Da Xiong's house, knocked on the door, and when Xiao Xi saw it was Ling Chengyan, he was momentarily stunned.
Ling Chengyan held a few fish: "Isn't your brother home? I caught some fish to bring a couple for you siblings to taste."
"At home, at home." Xiao Xi seemed to snap back, quickly opening the door to let Ling Chengyan in, then loudly calling into the house: "Brother, Sister Yan is here."
Da Xiong and the others were all inside, startled by the call, feeling a bit uneasy. Only Gou Er was slightly better, being the first to come out: "Sister Yan, you've come over and even brought us fish. How embarrassing..."
Ling Chengyan looked at Sansan and Da Xiong who sluggishly followed out and then at Gou Er, whose guilty eyes were darting around, and said with a smile: "You are all here."
Sansan flinched, and quickly said: "The old shipyard gave a temporary worker position, and Da Xiong can start tomorrow. We're all here to congratulate him."
Ling Chengyan glanced at Sansan and Gou Er again, asking: "Neither of you have any prospects?"
Both lowered their heads.
Ling Chengyan asked if they knew anyone at the aquatic products company. The few exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Ling Chengyan didn't seem disappointed, merely nodded towards the fish Xiao Xi placed in the basin: "I've caught some fish; do you have any means to sell them?"
Sansan, Gou Er, and Da Xiong looked at each other, then Gou Er asked: "Sister Yan, how much?"
Ling Chengyan coolly replied: "Not too much, less than 500 pounds."
The three of them were dumbfounded.
After a moment, Sansan said: "Sister, you're really our sister. 500 pounds of fish, where did you get it from?"
Xiao Xi had already poured hot water, brought it over, and fetched a small stool for Ling Chengyan to sit on. Ling Chengyan blew on the steam rising from the cup, her eyes glancing at Sansan: "From the water, of course."
Sansan was so choked up he couldn't speak for a while, then he got up, gave a thumbs-up to Ling Chengyan, and patted his chest: "Sister, don't worry about this. Leave it to us brothers."
This time, Ling Chengyan didn't even look at them, just sipped her water and responded with a hum.
The three of them left excitedly. After Ling Chengyan finished half a cup of water, she asked for another cup of hot water, took it with her as she stepped out and handed it to Wang Lianfa: "Wait a bit, I've asked someone to inquire about it."
Wang Lianfa by now was completely out of ideas and didn't bother to inquire in detail, just agreed and took the water to drink.
It turned out that Sansan and the others hadn't been idling around in the county for nothing. In less than half an hour, Gou Er ran back with news, telling Wang Lianfa to drive the cart over as they had found a buyer.
Of course, Ling Chengyan went along, and only then did they find out they had contacted the government cafeteria, which bought the fish.
After deducting commission, Ling Chengyan got even more money than she would have by taking them to the buying station—two cents more, in fact.
The person who took them there was a man in his thirties, with an ordinary appearance and attire. Ling Chengyan glanced at him twice and didn't pay more attention: he was just a messenger, not someone who could make decisions.
Having sold the fish, Wang Lianfa became lively again.
When they returned, Xiao Xi had already steamed a pot of patties and stewed some fish.
Ling Chengyan and Wang Lianfa didn't stand on ceremony; they sat down for a meal. Ling Chengyan took out some money and handed a large note to Xiao Xi.
The three of them escorted the two back, and just when they were about to leave the county, Sansan huffed and said: "Sister Yan, can you take us with you when you go fishing? We have nothing to do all day..."
Gou Er immediately chimed in: "Sister Yan, we've been heeding your advice, and haven't dared to think about any ill-gotten gains. But we're not young, and can't just freeload forever... hehe..."