Chapter 55 Making a fool of them (Seeking monthly votes)
Xu Qingmo said, "Auntie, I have two carp now, and we can't finish them all even if we take them home. You can have one of them."
Zhou Haihong wanted to say something more, but she found the words spoken by others unpleasant to hear.
She deliberately raised her voice and replied, "Since you have such a good intention, little sister, I can't refuse you anymore."
Zhou Haihong's words energized everyone around her.
They all stopped washing their clothes and crowded around Xu Qingmo, asking how she caught such a big fish.
Xu Qingmo simply stated, "Once you spot a fish, you just wade into the water and catch it."
Everyone was speechless. Everyone knew how agile fish were in the water. Even experienced fishermen couldn't catch such a big fish with their bare hands without any fishing equipment.
It was obvious that the little girl was making a fool of them.
However, she did indeed catch the fish, which was obvious to everyone.
"Little girl, can you jump down and catch such a big fish?" Some people wanted to see Xu Qingmo catch fish in the river with their own eyes.
Xu Qingmo looked at her as if she were an idiot. "I already have so many fish. I can't possibly catch any more to eat."
“I can buy it from you with money.”
"I'll buy it too."
Xu Qingmo hesitated; that was all money.
Since leaving Xujia Village, she has been unable to catch wild boars to sell to Butcher Li, and her income has dried up.
Xu Qingmo said, "I remember that we can't speculate or profiteer now. If someone reports us, we'll all be in trouble."
Xu Qingmo wasn't really scared, but she was worried about causing trouble for Wang Jing and the others.
Several women had a sudden inspiration: "I'm good at mending clothes. You can give me fish, and I can sew your clothes."
“I’m a good cook. My family used to be chefs in a state-run restaurant, and I helped out there. I’ve learned some cooking skills. Give me the fish, and I can make it taste like the fish from the state-run restaurant.”
"I'm strong, I can help with the work."
Xu Qingmo listened to them one by one and felt that these people's abilities could be put to good use.
Xu Qingmo pointed to the one who could cook, "Come home with me later and I'll cook all these fish and crayfish. After I'm done, I can give you a portion to take home and eat."
"Really?" Hong Lanlan's eyes lit up.
Xu Qingmo nodded, "Of course it's true, I have no reason to lie to you."
Shen Jiang is usually busy, Wang Jing's cooking is so-so, and Xu Qingmo can't cook at all. She had been thinking about finding someone who could help with cooking.
I didn't expect to run into you so soon.
Hong Lanlan quickly introduced herself, "My name is Hong Lanlan. I live in the family compound. You can call me Aunt Lanlan."
Xu Qingmo would never have called anyone "auntie" or "auntie" before, but since Wang Jing married Shen Jiang, this family compound is different from other places, and she needs to be a well-behaved and sensible child.
Try not to cause trouble for Wang Jing.
"Aunt Lanlan, Auntie, let's go back." Xu Qingmo felt the sun was a bit too strong and didn't want to linger there any longer.
To impress, Hong Lanlan took the initiative to carry Zhou Haihong's clothes along with her, while Zhou Haihong carried the fish and shrimp and followed Xu Qingmo away.
The remaining people were envious. Some of them had lost interest in washing clothes and picked up the clothes they were washing halfway through, then followed Xu Qingmo and the others to join in the fun.
Xu Qingmo had the others wait at the gate of the compound while she carried the four or five-pound carp home.
When they arrived at her doorstep, Xu Qingmo deliberately let go of the fish in her arms, and the fish kept jumping around on the ground.
Xu Qingmo exclaimed, "Wow, what a big fish! It's so heavy, I can't carry it by myself."
The others were speechless as they watched this scene.
After all, they had seen Xu Qingmo bring the fish back very easily.
Hearing the noise, Wang Jing came out of the house, her pretty face flushed, as if she had just gotten up.
A short while later, Shen Jiang also came out of the house and wrapped a silk scarf around Wang Jing's neck.
Wang Jing's face turned even redder.
Xu Qingmo noticed several red marks of varying shades on Wang Jing's neck.
Shen Jiang spoke to Xu Qingmo, "Did you bring this fish back all by yourself, Momo?"
“Not only did we have this fish, but we also had a lot of shrimp. I gave another fish to an aunt, and she lent me a basin to hold the fish and shrimp,” Xu Qingmo said.
Shen Jiang's eyes were full of praise, "Mo Mo is so sensible."
Shen Jiang carried the fish into the house, but Xu Qingmo did not.
She waved to the people at the gate, signaling them they could come over.
Zhou Haihong and Hong Lanlan immediately jogged over, and the others followed.
Hong Lanlan put the basin of clothes aside, took the basin of fish and shrimp from Zhou Haihong, and went to the kitchen to get busy.
Shen Jiang and Wang Jing were puzzled by all this. "Mo Mo, what are these?"
Xu Qingmo explained, and Wang Jing and Shen Jiang understood.
Wang Jing approved of Xu Qingmo's actions, patted her head, and praised her without uttering a single word of dissatisfaction.
Shen Jiang, standing to the side, also praised, "As expected of my daughter, she is indeed smart and capable."
Others echoed this sentiment, saying that Shen Jiang had married a good wife and a good daughter.
Zhou Haihong then realized that the father Xu Qingmo was referring to was Shen Jiang, and turned away somewhat disappointed.
Xu Qingmo grabbed the fish by the gills with one hand and chased after Zhou Haihong, saying, "Auntie, this is the fish I promised to give you. If you have trouble carrying it, I can take it home for you."
Zhou Haihong was still thinking of refusing, but Xu Qingmo was very sincere, so she couldn't say no again.
She reached out and took the fish, thanking him, "Thank you, I'll accept this gift, I really like it."
Xu Qingmo smiled, said nothing, and turned to go home.
Hong Lanlan worked quickly, scaling the fish, removing its internal organs, and cutting the fish in half. She braised one half and kept the other half to make fish soup.
Heat oil in a wok, add spices, put the fish in the wok, add water and start cooking.
Before long, the aroma wafted directly from the kitchen.
Taking the opportunity, Hong Lanlan spoke to the people outside, "We'll be able to eat in a little while."
Xu Qingmo wasn't in a hurry; she wasn't hungry.
But the group of women who came with them were tempted by the aroma of the fish.
Although the living conditions here are better than in their hometowns, they all have elderly people and children to support, and a large portion of their monthly salary has to be sent home.
They eat meat once a week, and some who are better off can eat it every two or three days.
Xu Qingmo can eat meat every day now, something she takes for granted, but it's what these people dream of.
"Xu Qingmo, your family can't possibly finish such a big fish. It's hot now, could you share a bowl with me?" the strong woman asked.
Although the others didn't ask that question, they all stared at Xu Qingmo expectantly.
Xu Qingmo stroked her chin. "This fish can't be divided. I've already promised to give Aunt Lanlan a portion. If we divide it again, there won't be any left."
Everyone looked disappointed.
Xu Qingmo said, "I will go to the river again tomorrow. If I catch any fish, I can share some with others."
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