Chapter Forty: Where Did They Go?
Xin Li did not raise any objections.
After all, they were more familiar with each other, and those people had all witnessed Zhang Chen's previous attempt to apologize to her.
Since they've apologized, the matter is essentially over.
If she were to step forward at this moment and say that she was afraid Zhang Chen would sabotage things behind her back, wouldn't that give him leverage against her? Then the problem between her and Zhang Chen would be seen as her being petty and unwilling to forgive.
She was an outsider, so people were very intolerant of her.
If she continues to persist like this, people will think she's being aggressive.
Then all the good impression she had made on everyone will be lost.
Xin Li is very confident in her abilities. She believes that no matter how much Zhang Chen blows the whistle unfairly, she will not lose.
So Xinli simply said, "Okay, let's begin."
Those people's faces showed obvious joy.
"Zhang Chen, let's begin."
Zhang Chen nodded.
He thought his actions were very subtle, but in reality, Xinli was very sensitive to people's gazes, and as soon as he looked over, Xinli sensed that something was wrong.
However, she did not make a move at this time, but instead felt a sense of certainty that "I knew it."
Zhang Chen's arrival is clearly hostile; it seems this match is starting to have some suspense.
I just don't know what methods Zhang Chen will use to deal with her.
Xinli stood with the others by the rocks.
These people are also suspected of cheating, since they have been going to the beach here for many years and they already know which places have crabs.
However, they did not tell Xinli, but instead each took their own good spots, leaving Xinli with only a small, relatively secluded corner.
It's obvious at a glance that this isn't a place where crabs are plentiful.
"Oh right, I forgot to tell you guys earlier, since this is a competition, we can only catch crabs in the places we each choose. We can't just go around touching them everywhere, otherwise it's no different from just snatching them from other people's baskets, and then there's no point in the competition."
Xin Li thought to herself, "As expected."
She looked at Zhang Chen and saw him smiling slightly: "Okay, I don't think this rule will have any impact on the outcome of the competition."
Xin Li laughed in exasperation.
This has no impact?
Not being able to go anywhere else means that she will have to stay in this remote corner of her life. Regardless of whether she can catch crabs or not, there are not enough crabs here for her to defeat those people.
It's really interesting. If these people had put their minds to making money, they probably would have been rich long ago.
"start!"
Zhang Chen pretended not to see Xin Li's unhappy look, shouted, and the others immediately jumped into the sea like dumplings being dropped into boiling water.
Xinli did not choose to jump in.
There are rocks everywhere here; who knows if you'll hurt your foot if you fall in.
If you were to twist your ankle, it would be even more of a loss than a gain.
She found a spot where she could clearly see what was underneath the water and slowly moved down.
Seeing Xinli's actions, the others immediately concluded that she couldn't swim at all, and they all burst into laughter.
"You dare to compete with us in crab-catching with that posture? It's hilarious! I mean, pampered young ladies should just stay at home and wait for men to pamper them. Why do you have to come out and embarrass yourself?"
"Exactly, exactly. People from the city are so delicate. They even dawdle like this when they go into the water. It's a pity for our Deputy Division Commander He. He's such a capable person. If he had a good wife, his life would be so much better. Now he's been forced to marry such a delicate young lady. It's really bad luck."
"Others get married to reduce their burden, but our Deputy Division Commander He got married and completely created trouble for himself."
"She's just being difficult. When Deputy Division Commander He can't take it anymore, he'll definitely ask her for a divorce."
"Haha, who can argue with that?"
"I really look forward to that day."
Amidst the gloating and mocking laughter of the crowd, Xin Li had already thoroughly explored that area.
Good news: There are crabs!
Bad news: There are only two or three kittens.
Xinli did not pick up those tiny crabs.
These kinds of crabs are usually released as seedlings in other places.
Now that she's caught them all, there might not be any crabs left in this area.
This is not good for next year's fishing, just like how some people release very small fish fry they catch while fishing.
But other air forces are at most ridiculed.
If she doesn't catch any crabs today, she'll probably be locked up in He Mingzhou's house.
Social death can even occur on the entire island.
"I caught him!"
"I'm going to find a crab den here. We're going to have a feast tonight. There are enough crabs for us to eat for a long time."
Those people kept exclaiming in surprise, and as crabs were pulled out one after another, the contrast on Xin Li's side was too tragic.
"Haha, look at her, she's just standing there like an idiot and hasn't moved at all."
"There must be some crabs out there, right? Are our city folks just scared?"
Xinli ignored those people.
She was focused on her basket, hesitated for a moment, then took it off and placed it between two rocks to wedge it in place.
What is she going to do?
Someone saw her move, and their face was full of surprise and uncertainty.
"She doesn't want to go into the water, does she?"
"Although the water around here isn't deep, it's still sea. How could someone who's always hesitant to go into the water dare to go straight in?"
"This is terrible! Should we not let her go? What if something happens and we get held responsible? But that has nothing to do with us. She insisted on competing against us."
"You all go and stop her!"
As soon as these words were spoken, someone walked towards Xin Li.
Xinli ignored her and plunged straight into the water.
"Her movements seem quite standard..."
Someone asked in great surprise, "Does she know how to swim?"
Immediately, someone scoffed, "You really know how to swim? Were you so scared when you got into the water? Do you think she was afraid of getting her clothes wet?"
That makes some sense.
"But……"
Xin Li is an islander after all. If something really happens to her at sea, I'm afraid He Mingzhou and Sister-in-law Lu won't let her off the hook.
Many people have even begun to reflect on whether their behavior was too excessive.
Xin Li is ultimately just a weak woman; there was really no need to make things like this.
"Should we give in to her?"
Some people softened their hearts.
What are you guys doing?
Zhang Chen's voice rang out at the right moment: "Have you forgotten that this is an individual competition, not a group of you competing against Xin Li? If any of you lose to Xin Li in the end, it won't be a joke."
"Everyone will know that you can't even compare to the pampered young ladies from the city."
"This is incredibly embarrassing."
These words ignited the fighting spirit in those people's hearts.
"That's right! How could I forget that? We're not teammates! Hurry, keep catching them! Guan Xinli, go to hell!"
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