Li Zhijie was also very satisfied with his student. He smiled and said with narrowed eyes, "Not only do you not have to worry about food, but you also don't have to worry about anything in life. Wuya can be taken care of. He is definitely a good kid."

Their words were meaningful; they were actually addressed to Lu Wuyai.

Lu Wuyai wasn't stupid. He understood that both teachers spoke well of him, but he thought it was wrong. It was tantamount to bullying Lu's son's family and widow.

So he smiled and said, "Making a dish is very simple, and Mr. Zhu's dishes are also very delicious. When I was a child, I loved eating steamed buns at Mr. Zhu's house."

Sun Fuhua took a sip of his drink and said, "Brother Wuya, you're too modest. You can definitely do it. I heard about what happened a few days ago. There are very few people who can discourage Yang Shuyong, and you're the best at subduing the hooligans in the county. As for ties, you're number one."

After a pause, he simply gave a thumbs up: "I'm not just praising you, you absolutely are."

Lu Wuyai couldn't help but laugh, though he wasn't praising what he had done.

Lu Wuyai said politely, "Then it's my turn to give my opinion. Okay, Brother Muyang has many good points, so I'll list them one by one."

Lu Wuyai picked out a fish scale for her and said with a cold smile, "No rush, no rush, you eat first, and then praise my merits after you're full."

Then, he gently changed the subject: "Brother Sun, I'm planning to build a small house behind Dongbian Village, two or three stories are fine, how much would that cost approximately?"

“It depends on what you want to do. The minimum is 150,000, and the maximum is 2 million. It’s hard to say.” Sun Fuhua crunched on the fish skin with pickled peppers. The more he chewed, the more fragrant it became. He took a sip of wine, and the taste was even better.

Lu Wuyai pondered for a moment and said, "We'll build it according to this 500,000 yuan. Give me a blueprint later, and I'll see if it's useful. If it is, we'll start construction in a few days."

With grain readily available and business opportunities piling up, Sun Fuhua said smugly, "Hey, don't look back. I'll call my buddy and have him come up with the blueprints tonight, just a small idea..."

In fact, most houses in rural areas don't require blueprints; instead, they rely on the experience of construction teams. The basic structures are generally the same, unlike the more elaborate buildings found in cities.

More than an hour later, a simple drawing was delivered. Lu Wuyai licked his chopsticks, added two more dishes, and everyone gathered around the small building to discuss.

After a satisfying meal and drinks, the house was roughly settled.

Late July saw a major downturn.

Low tide is a common natural phenomenon, familiar to everyone on the beach. Simply put, it's the process of sea level dropping, water receding into the ocean, and the seabed being exposed.

This phenomenon is related to the sun and moon and occurs every day. The indigenous people here in Li Muyang call it a half-day tide, meaning that the tide rises for half a day and recedes for half a day.

Compared to ordinary low tides, large low tides are relatively rare. They only occur at special times each year, such as the Qiantang River tide, and the low tides do not fall on the same day in different years.

For fishermen, the annual low tide is a major event, almost equivalent to the busy farming season for farmers, with every household busy going out to sea to catch fish.

Back then, not only were the adults busy, but the children were also incredibly busy. The adults went out to sea, while the children went to the mudflats after the tide receded to catch fish, shrimp, crabs, and other seafood. The whole family pitched in.

However, that was a long time ago. Coastal resources have become scarce time and time again, and now there is not much to harvest at low tide, so everyone is no longer particularly busy.

According to the fishermen's custom, Lü's son gave the children a day off in advance, as the tide would leave behind some fish, shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and other seafood.

Lu Wuyai wasn't particularly interested in low tide. He didn't plan to go out to sea that day. The rolling waves at low tide were very dangerous. Besides, the maritime surveillance and fisheries administration departments had already issued regulations this year prohibiting fishing on low tide days.

Early in the morning, Li Zhijie repeated the relevant regulations through the village committee's loudspeaker, causing some people on the street to complain bitterly: "Why are you not allowed to go out to sea? We finally got some catch after a big low tide."

"You ask me? I'll ask who to ask," Li Zhijie snorted in dissatisfaction. He was always the most active during low tide, because his boat was the biggest and most stable.

Upon hearing the news from the village, Li Qianyao exhaled a tear and said, "The regulations are getting stricter and stricter. This year, there was just a large low tide that prevented people from going out to sea. It is estimated that a fishing ban will be implemented next year."

A fishing ban has been implemented in 90% of the waters around a certain island, generally from June to September each year. During this period, fishing is not allowed at sea, allowing marine life to rest and recuperate.

However, the waters south of the Red Sea are still pristine. A few impoverished towns, such as Qiantan, enjoy special privileges. They have relied on the ocean for sustenance since ancient times. The local villages have no land and no one to work; they can only make a living by fishing.

Therefore, the government granted them local approval in a very humane way, allowing fishing boats under 200 tons to go to sea, leaving fishermen a way to make a living.

Upon hearing that arrests would be completely banned next year, someone immediately asked, "Is it true? Qian Yao, where did you hear this news from?"

Li Qianyao snorted, "I heard it from others. I heard it from the Party. Wenchang is preparing for the civil service exam at home, isn't he? He's keeping a close eye on the news..."

Lu Wuyai was listening to his neighbors chatting when Lü Zhizi walked towards him with his hands behind his back and his head held high.

The little count (dog) immediately ran over to her, wagging its tail vigorously, looking like a fully-fledged, begging dog.

Lu Wuyai chuckled, then pulled a large bone from behind him and tossed it to the dog. The little count (dog) strutted around the local village, looking quite smug, likely showing off.

Upon seeing Lu Wuyai, the female teacher asked, "The tide is out today, are there any activities planned? Let's get to know each other."

Lu Wuyai thought for a while and said, "It's just that the seawater keeps flowing downstream, which isn't very interesting. But you haven't seen it before, so I can take you to see it."

He led Lu Zhizi and Little Earl (the dog) to the village entrance. The villagers were up very early. The sun had just risen, and the sun was shining brightly. Almost the entire local village had gathered on the beach.

Besides the indigenous residents of Coconut Grove Village, people from surrounding villages also come to Shanghai because they find great success here. After all, this is the legendary place where the Dragon King landed when he ascended to heaven.

This cannot be answered with mere superstition. Coconut Grove Village is a place of auspicious geomancy. Their soil is extremely fertile. Their village is the closest to Dragon Water Lake. The shallow sea areas surrounding their small village used to be teeming with fish.

Tang Congyang and his parents set up a stall at the entrance of the village to sell breakfast, including steamed buns, dumplings, wontons, fried dough sticks, and fried pancakes, offering a full range of options.

After sunrise, the tide receded, and Lu Wuyai, unhurried, pulled Lu Wuyai over to have breakfast: "Hey, they also have pan-fried buns here. Not bad, what kind of filling?"

Tang Congyang smiled and said, "That must be it. There's pork with scallions, shrimp with chives, peanuts with brown sugar, herring, pork with celery, and a three-delicacy filling—everything you could want."

Li Mupeng, hands behind his back, looked at the breakfast stall: "This is deep-fried. I thought it was fried buns."

"You country bumpkin," Tang Congyang laughed.

Ao Qianlai, an inconspicuous man from the village, arrived carrying a bucket and a rake. When he saw the steaming food at the breakfast stall, he could no longer move and said, "Dapeng, I'm hungry."

Li Mupeng said angrily, "What's the use of telling me? This stall belongs to Brother Feng."

Li Qianlai looked at Tang Congyang again and grinned foolishly, "Brother Feng, I'm hungry, hehe."

Tang Congyang said helplessly, "Don't call me brother, I can't afford it. Buy it if you're hungry, and I'll give you a discount."

Li Qianlai immediately clutched his pocket and shook his head: "No money, no money. I have to save money. I know a capable person in the county town. He told me to save money so I can buy a Vietnamese wife in the future."

Because of his mental disability and the early death of his parents, this man has never married. While not intelligent, he is not entirely stupid either. He knows he must marry a wife to be considered to have a family.

Seeing his ragged clothes, Lu Wuyai felt pity for him and said, "Come, Uncle Li, come and sit with us. Take whatever you want, it's on you."

Li Qianlai immediately laughed: "Okay."

A plate of fried dough sticks, four large steamed buns, and a stir-fry dish. He brought over a bunch of things, and finally ordered a large bowl of tofu pudding: "Brother Feng, add some more tofu pudding, add some more white rice, and give me extra rice." He also ordered cilantro and chili.

"Then you'll need two bowls."

Li Qianlai shook her head like a rattle drum: "That won't do, two bowls would cost too much money, and we wouldn't be able to finish the presentation."

Lu Wuyai laughed and said, "It's just a small amount of money, it's alright. Uncle Lai, what did you say about buying a wife? Don't get scammed."

Li Qianlai took the food and wolfed it down: "You can't fool me, it's delicious."

After eating a plate of stir-fried pork and a plate of vegetarian delicacies, Lu Wuyai was full. He then pulled Lu Wuyai towards the island's trading post.

At this time, the island's trading post was crowded with people, bustling with activity. Everyone was repairing their fishing boats to prevent them from being damaged by the receding tide.

Lu Wuyai thought there was nothing to see during a low tide. Unlike a high tide, which has an awe-inspiring and earth-shattering force that changes the color of plants and trees, it was just the tide slowly receding.

As the sun rose, the pale yellow seawater began to recede, gradually revealing the seabed covered in moisture.

The tide rises and falls, sometimes high, sometimes low, flashing and shimmering, gradually moving away from the shore.

The water ripples and shimmers continuously, like the strings of a zither. They sway gently, making a soft "shush" sound, carrying away the seawater, as if the sea god is playing the zither.

The receding tide is rhythmic, with wave after wave moving away from people, eventually revealing the sand and seabed.

"The tide is out. The tide is out." The children, barefoot and wearing shorts, ran on the beach exposed by the receding tide.

As the sea recedes piece by piece, waves appear on the sandy seabed, resembling continuous fish scales, row upon row.

When the children ran over, the beach was covered not only with undulating sand but also with footprints.

Lu Wuyai explained, "This time it is considered low tide, and what is exposed is the sand on the seabed. The outermost edge of the seabed is sandy land, and inward it is muddy land, which is the tidal flat."

"What if the tide goes out?" Lu Zhizi took off her shoes and carefully stepped onto the sand. Her feet were small, her skin was fair with a rosy tint, her ankles were round and soft, and her insteps were arched, making her look delicate and graceful.

Lu Wuyai subconsciously looked down and noticed that the female teacher's toes were long and neat, with a semi-harp-like parabola from the thumb to the little finger, and her nails were crystal clear and exquisite.

Lu Wuyai kicked him and said angrily, "I want to ask you something."

Lu Wuyai sneered, "Oh, I was daydreaming just now. No, I was looking for Little Earl (dog). I didn't hear you ask what to do about Little Earl (dog). Come here, Little Earl (dog), no fighting."

The beach wasn't just crowded with people; it also had many village dogs. Every household brought their own water dogs to catch fish in the sea.

Dozens of dogs were mixed together, and Little Earl (the dog) joined in, quickly barking. He chased the pack away, and just as he knocked over a fat dog, he heard Lu Wuyai shout. He could only helplessly get up and run towards him, stumbling along the way.

Behind it, another black male dog lay on top of the fat dog...

Lu Zhizi, looking frail, said, "The little count (dog) doesn't seem to be fighting; he's a scoundrel."

What could Lu Wuyai say?

The little Earl (dog) waddled over, and Gu Yuxin took the shoe from Lu Wuyai and handed it to him: "Here, put it in your mouth, don't lose it, there's mine too, I can't hold it in any longer. It's okay, I have a way."

The image of the once invincible Earl (the dog), who was unbeatable among his pack, has been greatly damaged. He now carries two shoes in his mouth, a rope around his neck with a shoe attached to each end...

After the tide receded, people began to get busy.

The beach was littered with trash, and a little seafood. The seafood included shellfish of all sizes, strips of seaweed, and occasionally, fish and shrimp jumping around.

Gu Yuxin pulled Lu Wuyai to pick seaweed and said, "I'll make you a soup tonight. This soup is very delicious. In the past, we didn't have MSG, so we dried the vegetables to enhance the flavor when we made the soup."

"The knowledge gained." Lu Wuyai was filled with admiration.

Lu Wuyai said, "What kind of insight is this? Be prepared, no matter what you say, I will take you to learn it seriously. Today, the main thing is to open your eyes."

He took Lu Wuyai and Little Earl (the dog) for a walk on the beach. Seaweed and kelp were the most abundant plants on the beach, along with a type of flower clam.

This stuff tastes great when stir-fried with chili, so Lü Zhizi happily picked it up, slowly collecting dozens or even hundreds of them.

On the way, they met Li Mupeng, who had nothing but a shovel.

Lu Wuyai greeted him, but he kept shaking his head: "Damn, this ebb tide is like a weasel hunting mice, each one worse than the last."

Lu Wuyai understood what he meant and said, "Never mind, it's not a big deal if we find something. As long as we have fun."

Lu Wuyai said, "This is the result of overfishing. You should let the ocean rest and give the fish, shrimp and crabs a chance to recover."

Li Mupeng looked aggrieved: "Mr. Lu, you've wronged us. We're empty-handed, and the ocean will never dry up. Those who need the ocean to go are the ones who sail big ships and operate machines."

Lu Wuyai asked him for a shovel, and then walked forward, shoveling sand with the shovel.

Several shovels fell down, and spotted clams grew on the sand. The deer exclaimed happily, "Wow, what big clams! Your trick is amazing!"

“I’m not doing this to find clams, hehe, there are some.” Lu Wuyai took another shovel and then a round hole about one centimeter in diameter appeared on the flat sand that had been shoveled out.

He put down the shovel and waved to Lu Wuyai: "Come on, put your hand in and feel what's inside."

Lu Wuyai put his hands behind his back and shook his head: "I won't touch it, I won't touch it. What should I do if this is a sea snake's nest?"

“How could that be? Then let me do it,” Lu Wuyai laughed. “A person should have an adventurous spirit, and I think there’s one in this nest—damn it. Is that so?”

It felt like something bit his hand and dragged him into the small hole, where half of his fist plunged deep inside.

The little count (dog) was startled and quickly spat out the shoe, running over to scratch it with its paws. Lu Wuyai was even more surprised and immediately bent down, grabbing his wrists with both hands: "Pull hard."

As soon as she exerted force, Lu Wuyai's hand was pulled out, but there was nothing there.

Lu Wuyai successfully cracked a joke and burst into laughter.

Enraged, Lü Zhizi raised her foot to kick Lu Wuyai, but she was wearing a short skirt today, while Lu Wuyai was squatting on the ground. As she raised her foot, Lu Wuyai's eyes widened.

"Your sister." The female teacher angrily pulled her leg back, but still lightly kicked him from behind to vent her anger.

The little count (dog) was confused. Seeing that Lu Wuyai was alright, he went back to pick up the straw sandals and diligently did his work.

Lu Wuyai smiled and said, "Don't be angry. Come, let me show you a fine pen."

"I'm not looking." Lu Wuyai immediately covered his eyes. "You're disgusting, spying on a cow."

Lu Wuyai was taken aback, then realized he couldn't laugh or cry: "You've got this word pretty well. Let me show you something funny."

Lu Wuyai lowered his hand: "Let me see."

Gu Yuxin said to Li Qianlai beside her, "Uncle Li, can I use your salt bag?"

Li Qianlai handed him the salt bag and asked, "Have you encountered...?"

"Stop talking," Lu Wuyai interrupted him, "I want to give Teacher Lu a surprise."

Li Qianlai carried a horse, put it down and handed it to Lu Wuyai, saying, "Alright, Mr. Lu, sit down and watch the show."

Just as Lu Zhizi sat down, Lu Wuyai sprinkled some salt into the small hole.

Ten seconds later, bubbles suddenly began to emerge from the hole, and then the bubbles turned into white foam. A few seconds later, a yellowish-green seashell popped out of it, about the length of a deer's purple middle finger.

Lu Wuyai felt a flash before his eyes, and a flat, slightly cylindrical seashell appeared in his hand.