"Chengyuan, Ping'an, why did it take you so long to get back?"
"Come and eat quickly, the food's getting cold."
As soon as the two brothers entered the courtyard, they heard their mother's nagging voice, which sounded somewhat reproachful.
Yu Chengyuan said to his mother with a grin, "Mom, we just went to get the fish basket. You don't need to wait for us, just eat first."
Pan Cuilian rolled her eyes at him, but said, "I've already eaten. I didn't wait for you. It's your own fault for not coming back sooner!"
Actually, she wasn't waiting for her son; she just ate the leftovers from last night.
Thinking about the fresh vegetables I cooked for lunch, I decided it would be better to save them for my sons.
"Mom, you've already eaten, so please pour these crayfish into the bucket!"
Also, keep these snakehead fish and soft-shelled turtles in water for now; my brother and I are going to deliver them to Boss Su this afternoon!
My older brother and I went to eat first.
As Yu Chengyuan spoke, he smiled and handed the fish basket to his mother.
"Alright, you two brothers go to the kitchen to eat first. I've kept it warm in the pot for you!"
Pan Cuilian was overjoyed, thinking to herself that her home was finally starting to look presentable.
"Mother, could you please invite the village chief to our house?"
I need to speak with him.
Yu Chengyuan suddenly remembered what his mother-in-law had told him: the patients at the hospital wanted to buy snakehead fish, and they needed 20 to 30 catties every day!
Since I don't have that much time, it's better to let them do the catching and make a little profit myself.
You can make 20 to 30 kilograms a day, earning 50 cents per kilogram, which adds up to more than ten yuan a day – that's pretty good.
"Alright, you two brothers go eat quickly. I'll go call the village chief after I finish this. It won't delay your business."
Pan Cuilian said with a smile.
The two brothers then jogged to the kitchen to eat. They ate very quickly and without dawdling, finishing their meal in no time.
Yu Pingan patted his round belly and said with a worried look, "Oh dear, I ate a bit too much today, my belly is all round."
"Haha...it does look a little round."
"Come here, let me tap it. Is this watermelon ripe? Can we pick it?"
Yu Chengyuan laughed heartily and leaned closer to his older brother, patting him twice like he was slapping a watermelon, muttering to himself, "Listen to this sound, is it ripe yet?"
Yu Pingan pushed him away and said irritably, "Get lost, go pat your own body instead!"
I need to walk around in the yard; my stomach is a bit upset.
Yu Chengyuan smiled and comforted him, "It's alright, brother. We'll be pulling a cart later, so it'll all be digested in no time."
Just then, Mother arrived with the village chief and his son.
The Yu brothers quickly welcomed the father and son into the main room, warmly greeting them: "Village Chief, please have a seat, please have a seat!"
"Chengyuan, your mother said you have something urgent to tell me, but what happened?"
Or has something gone wrong that requires my intervention?
Zhou Jianguo asked with a concerned expression.
His expression made it seem as if Yu Chengyuan's affairs were his own.
You see, this kid is leading them to make money, so of course I have to be extremely attentive to his affairs.
That's why his wife repeatedly reminded him before leaving home: resolve what can be resolved as soon as possible, and find a way to help him resolve what can't be resolved.
"Uncle Zhou, I'm really sorry to have called you here at this time. I'm sorry to disturb your rest."
But things are urgent, so I had to ask my mother to call you over.
I should have spoken to you in person, but I've been too busy today.
My older brother and I just got home and finished eating, so we didn't have time to come over and tell you in person.
Yu Chengyuan quickly explained, his face full of apology.
"You don't need to go in person. We're not outsiders; we're from the same village. Your father and I are old friends."
If anything happens, just have someone from your family come and let them know.
Zhou Jianguo waved his hand with a smile, joking, "This is the God of Wealth, what's a trip for him?"
He'd be happy to do anything, even if it meant running himself ragged, as long as he could make money and lead his fellow villagers to prosperity.
"Here's the thing, I made another deal today. Someone wants some cuttlefish, not a lot."
I eat 20 to 30 kilograms a day.
After thinking about it, I think it would be enough for just the four families: ourselves, you, and my two uncles' families.
I can catch some snakehead fish every day when I have some free time.
You can ask Brother Zhou Xiaoyu to go; it's one yuan per jin (500g), but don't take the small ones. A fish should weigh at least one and a half jin.
"If you're willing, let Xiaoyu go; if not, I'll find someone else."
Yu Chengyuan spoke his mind directly, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube, without any need for beating around the bush, and he didn't have much time for it.
Upon hearing this, the village chief's eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice, "Yes, of course I'm willing."
That kid is currently farming at home; he's just idling around anyway.
I'll talk to him when I get back.
The village chief's smile was so wide it almost reached his ears.
One yuan per pound, and each fish weighs about two pounds. If you can catch two or three snakehead fish a day, you can earn five or six yuan.
And it costs nothing, you just need to spend some time to catch it.
This kid is taking such good care of them, so I should also give them extra consideration when they pay their grain taxes in the future. I can't let them suffer any losses.
"Since Uncle Zhou is willing, let's do it this way."
You can have Xiaoyu catch it this afternoon and bring it to my house tonight. That would be better.
If others see it, just say you ate it yourself.
No need to say anything more.
Yu Chengyuan didn't want to be envied by others, after all, there are always people who get jealous, no matter what era.
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