Chapter 15: Discussing a Matter

As Lin Yu swaggered through the village and returned to the courtyard, he immediately attracted a crowd of curious villagers. Several children, like a flock of cheerful little birds, rushed to the front, their eyes wide and mouths forming perfect “O” shapes, filled with wonder and excitement. They hopped and bounced around the fish and crabs on the ground, occasionally reaching out their small hands to touch them, only to be gently pulled back by the laughing adults.

The adults hurried over as well, their faces etched with disbelief. Old fisherman Wang, who had spent his entire life eking out a living in these waters, couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. His rough hands stroked his chin as he murmured, “I haven’t seen a mackerel this big in years.”

Aunt Li, busily stitching a shoe sole, kept her eyes fixed intently on the catch, muttering, “This must be worth quite a bit. Lin Yu really has some skill.”

In no time, Lin Yu’s small courtyard was packed to the brim. Discussions buzzed through the crowd, with exclamations of awe and praise mingling in a lively symphony, as if the whole village were immersed in a grand festival.

Yet, witnessing this scene, Second Aunt’s anger flared instantly. She jabbed a finger at Lin Qiang’s nose and scolded, “Look at you! I told you to leave early! But you dawdled like a stubborn mule, and now Lin Yu, that little brat, has scooped up all the fish—plus that huge mackerel. Aren’t you jealous?”

Lin Qiang, annoyed by Liu Guilan’s nagging, snapped, “Enough! It’s a windy day; everyone in the village is at home drinking or sleeping. How could I have known that brat would beat me to the shore and be faster than me? Next time, if you think I’m slow, why don’t you brave the wind and go fishing yourself? You’re not missing any limbs, always just telling me what to do.”

“Oh, so now you’re all tough because you’re the man of the house? I’m not the head of the family. If you’re so capable, bring home a mackerel over a meter long! I’d serve you like a maid, just to see what you’re really made of.” Liu Guilan’s eyes flared as she stared at the fish in the yard, her anger boiling over. The thought that if her husband had arrived at the shore earlier, those fish would have been theirs only added fuel to her fury.

“Shh! Keep your voice down, it’s embarrassing!” Lin Qiang warned.

“I’m not afraid of embarrassment! I told you to leave early, but you dawdled. Now look—no fish for you, all gone to that little brat. Think about it: going out to sea and catching this many fish? Everyone else doesn’t even know about this. It should have been our family’s catch, but it all went to him.”

Lin Qiang’s face flushed red, speechless from the reproach.

“Don’t you find this a bit too weird? Windy days happen every year, but we’ve never picked up this much fish from the shore before. Especially that big mackerel—usually, you can’t catch one even going out to sea. This kid just casually stumbles on one? That’s some unbelievable luck.”

Liu Guilan’s anger only grew. “Don’t talk to me about luck. This is about being diligent. If you’d gone early as I told you, none of this would have happened.”

Lin Qiang was thoroughly frustrated.

Strong winds in the mackerel fishing waters aren’t uncommon, but large whitecaps like this are rare. Most fishermen don’t even know fish can be found on the shore during such weather.

In past years, the fish washed ashore were always theirs, so he never worried. Who would have thought this year Lin Yu would beat him to it?

Moreover, the catch from the shore usually amounted to just ten or eight pounds at most; a mackerel over a meter long was unheard of. If this isn’t sheer luck, what is?

Villagers chattered incessantly, most eyes fixed on the enormous mackerel.

At that moment, the village chief, carrying his back bent, walked in. He glanced at the catch on the ground, surprise flickering momentarily in his eyes before fading. “Everyone, don’t crowd here. It’s a windy day—go back to your homes. Don’t wander around needlessly.”

The old chief was clearly trying to disperse the crowd.

After everyone left, he looked at Lin Yu and said in a low voice, “Lin Yu, come inside with me.”

The village chief’s tone made Lin Yu’s mother, Wang Yufen,’s heart skip a beat. Could it be that the chief was about to trouble her son? After all, the catch was unusually large.

Their family didn’t have any quota to fulfill for the village. If the fish had to be handed over, all Lin Yu’s efforts would be for nothing.

Just as she was about to plead for her son, the old chief glared at Lin Yu and sharply scolded, “Are you stupid, kid? Can’t you keep your success quiet? You made such a scene, and now the whole village knows. What if someone reports you and confiscates your catch?”

The chief’s words stunned both Lin Yu and Wang Yufen.

“Your family’s already struggling. It’s fine to catch some fish to improve your life, but don’t flaunt it. The villagers look down on you for being poor and fear you getting rich. They’ll be jealous of such a big catch.”

The chief’s tone softened. “You can sell the fish, but try not to let others know. If anyone asks, just say you’re keeping it at home to eat.”

Lin Yu immediately understood. The chief was looking out for their family. A smile broke across his face. “Thank you, Grandpa Luo, for taking care of us.”

Luo Quan sighed. “Your family’s struggling, but I’m not about to let you starve. No one in the village is wealthy enough to help you. If you can make it on your own, that’s real skill.”

“I can turn a blind eye, but you must be careful too.”

Wang Yufen’s eyes brimmed with tears.

This was undoubtedly a lifeline for her family, an immense kindness she could not help but feel deeply grateful for.

She grasped Luo Quan’s hand, dropping to her knees, tears streaming, “Uncle Luo... thank you. I bow to you.”

Luo Quan, usually tough on the outside but warm inside, was taken aback. Quickly, he helped her up. “Get up, what are you doing? Hurry up, or I’ll get mad.”

“Uncle Luo, please let me bow to you! I know if this got out, little Yu would be accused of profiteering. You allowing us to keep the catch is a lifeline for our family of three. You’re our benefactor.” She pulled Lin Yao and Lin Yu down with her, “Quick, bow to Grandpa Luo.”

Lin Yu and Lin Yao knelt promptly, bowing three times.

This left Luo Quan even more flustered.

“Stand up. Since you’re villagers, it’s right I look out for you. But as I said, I can’t give you food or clothes. My own family isn’t rich. If you’re capable, you have to fend for yourselves.” Luo Quan took a couple of puffs on his cigarette.

That was the hard truth.

Though village chief, his salary was modest, just a few coins a month. His son had entered the mountains two years ago, attacked by a wild boar, leaving one leg crippled. The household depended entirely on the old man.

His daughter-in-law was pregnant and due soon. Life was tight; their own grain was barely enough, let alone any surplus for others.

“Well, I have other matters. Remember what I said.” Luo Quan began to leave.

“Grandpa Luo, wait!” Lin Yu hurried after him. “May I talk to you about something?”

“What is it? Speak up! But I have no grain!” Luo Quan said.

Lin Yu shook his head. “You misunderstood. I’m not asking for grain. I want to ask for your help buying timber. I plan to repair our house.”

“What? Buy timber? Fix the house?” Luo Quan was surprised. He glanced at the house, which was indeed dilapidated. On windy days like this, they had to stuff straw everywhere just to keep out the drafts.

“To repair your house, you’ll need a lot of timber. Can you afford that?”

Lin Yu quickly said, “Once I sell all this catch, I’ll have enough money. I know buying timber requires dealing with the mountain brigade and paperwork. I can’t handle it alone, so I’ll have to ask you. In return, I’ll cover the cost of the timber for your own roof.”

Luo Quan’s house wasn’t much better. The roof had a huge hole that had never been fixed. On rainy days, water would leak inside, making life miserable.

The elders could manage, but now with his daughter-in-law pregnant, this was unsustainable.

The problem had been keeping Luo Quan awake at night.

After pondering, Luo Quan said, “You can’t sell these fish at the dock. Can you really find buyers?”

“Yes. The dock forbids sales to avoid angering villagers, but I can take them to the city and sell door to door. Besides, I’d get a better price there than at the dock.”

“You know how to do business?”

“Not really, just learning as I go. But with fish, there’s always demand. Those small fish vendors don’t just sell at docks; they go house to house.”

Luo Quan bit his lip and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take advantage of you this once. After you sell the fish and have money, come find me. I’ll take you into the mountains.”

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