Jiang Chunlan didn't mind that they called her a widow.
"Oh dear, Xiao Cui's family is so kind; they want to take me out to sea with them. I'm just going back to get ready so I can go out and collect fish!"
The villagers were all surprised. Everyone had witnessed Ye Xiaocui's family's recent good fortune in shipping, but they never expected that not only would they bring Fu Liang along, but now they would also bring his widowed mother.
Several women, like Jiang Chunlan, were waiting at home for their husbands to return from sea, and they understood the anxiety of waiting at home.
Everyone wished Jiang Chunlan a great success at sea, but amidst the harmonious voices, there were always a few envious ones.
Wang Zhaodi is one of them.
"When you go out to sea to fish, it's hard to say whether it's the fish or the man fishing, yet you're already showing off like this!"
Jiang Chunlan wasn't deaf, so she naturally recognized Wang Zhaodi's voice.
"Who do you think is spewing nonsense this morning after eating shit? Oh, it's you!"
"Has your Fu Qiang paid back the money he owed the villagers from the last fishing trip? He said it would be ten yuan per person, but how many people have actually received their ten yuan?"
It would be better if this weren't brought up, because the villagers are all indignant about it.
“That’s right, it’s been over a week and I still haven’t seen the money.”
"My son was so frightened he had a high fever for several days. Your family has to compensate him for this!"
Seeing the crowd gathering around, Wang Zhaodi quickly slipped away and ran home.
That little bitch Jiang Chunlan, all she knows is how to stir up trouble. Where would her family get the money? Her son was beaten up like this by Xue Qing and she didn't even get a penny in compensation!
Fu Qiang was lying in the room when he heard Wang Zhaodi muttering curses outside, which gave him a headache.
"Stop making noise, I want to sleep!"
Wang Zhaodi immediately stopped talking. Just then, Fu Lao Er returned from working outside and saw that Wang Zhaodi had started cursing before she even started making lunch.
"What are you doing at home, you lazy bum? It's so late, why aren't you cooking yet?!"
"I'm going out to dig for wild vegetables!"
"What about your wild vegetables?!"
When Wang Zhaodi saw her empty basket, she exclaimed, "Good heavens! I must have dropped it when I ran home!"
Old Mrs. Wang sat at the door and snorted coldly, "All he does is wander around outside all day, and he can't even bring back a single fish for me to eat."
"We're out of money, how are we going to buy fish?"
Wang Zhaodi was truly wronged; she wasn't given a single penny, so where was she supposed to steal fish?
"Honey, if all else fails, let's sell the boat. You're not going to sea, and Qiang isn't going either. We can get some money by selling the boat."
When Grandma Wang heard Wang Zhaodi's words, she got angry and immediately picked up the broom next to her and swung it at her.
"I'll beat you to death, you spendthrift! How can you sell that boat?! That boat was left by his father! Selling it would be a disgrace to the family!"
Fu Lao Er remained silent, but Fu Qiang came out of the house at some point.
He's been afraid lately that people will come to his house asking him for money, and he hasn't been able to go to Xue Qing either. He's lost a lot of weight.
"Father, let's sell the boat. I want to go out and do business!"
Only short-sighted people like Fu Ming and Fu Wan would stay in Fu Family Village and be fishermen for their entire lives. Fu Qiang, on the other hand, is going out to make big money.
Since even her favorite grandson had said so, Old Lady Wang couldn't argue back and could only sit by the door and silently shed tears.
Back then, a boat was like a car or house for every household in modern times—it represented status. If a fisherman didn't even have a boat, could he still be called a fisherman?
"Grandma, once I've made enough money, I'll buy you a big house in the county and bring you to live there! Who wants to stay in this shabby little place!"
The idea of moving to a big house in the county tempted Old Lady Wang, but she still didn't agree verbally.
"Those big houses in the county are beyond our means to buy."
Fu Qiang gritted his teeth, "Trust me, I must go out and make my own way, otherwise I'll just hang myself at home and have no face to show my face to anyone."
The old lady fell silent. No matter how important the boat was, it wasn't as important as her grandson. Fu Lao Er's back had become quite hunched over.
My sons are all a burden!
"Sell it, sell it! I'll go ask the village chief later!"
"Sell it to my uncle's family, they're the richest!"
Fu Lao Er remained silent. He truly couldn't bring himself to do it; logically and emotionally, half of the ship belonged to Fu Lao Da.
The Fu family, of course, had no idea of the Fu family's plans; at the moment, everyone was busy loading things onto the boat.
"The village chief's boat is really something!"
Fu Ming carried the fishing net to the dock and took a liking to the village chief's boat.
"Later, you'll be sailing this boat with Ah Liang and his mother. I'll be sailing our own boat with your sister and your mother."
Upon hearing Fu Ming's words, Boss Fu immediately assigned the boats.
Fu Liang, who was following behind, certainly had no objections. Fu Ming was initially quite happy, but then he felt that something was amiss.
"Dad, are you saying you don't like me?"
Boss Fu snorted coldly, "You're only just realizing that now!"
"Once you get back from this sea voyage, you'd better find me a girl. Look at me, I'm almost thirty, still a bachelor!"
“When I was your age, you and Awan were already running around everywhere!”
Fu Ming, an old bachelor, didn't care at all. "Brother Liang is also an old bachelor, so why don't you scold him too!"
"You two old bachelors, go find someone to marry. Once you've found someone, build a house. Our mission will be complete after you have your baby!"
Ye Xiaocui followed behind and bluntly retorted.
"I don't know who gave you guys this assignment. I'm only twenty-five, how come I'm already an old bachelor!"
Fu Ming muttered to himself, and Fu Ling ran to his side, "Uncle, it's okay, I'll take care of you from now on!"
Fu Ming was amused by her serious expression.
"You're so young, yet you're supporting me?"
Fu Ling was a little unhappy, "I'll eat more, and I'll grow up tomorrow!"
"I will not only support my uncle, but also my mother, my maternal grandparents, my uncle A-liang, and my maternal grandmother Jiang!"
She sighed after saying that, "I'll be so busy when I grow up, I'll have to make a lot of money!"
The child's innocent words made everyone laugh, and Fu Wan touched Fu Ling's wet, tangled hair.
"We can make money, you don't need to support us. Just grow up well."
The child was supposed to register for primary school in the next few days, but because he was too young, the village primary school told Fu Wan to send him over next spring.
At that time, there was no kindergarten in the village, and Fu Ling had just experienced being abducted, so she was unwilling to leave Fu Wan to go to school.
Never mind, I'll teach her some simple knowledge when I get back from fishing. After all, Fu Ling is only five years old. Let her be happy first.
Time flew by and the sun set, and everyone boarded the boat.
Fu Laoda and Fu Ming cranked the diesel engine back and forth, and Fu Laoda turned the rudder.
"Let's go, we're going to a deserted island today!"
Ye Xiaocui was confused. "Which isolated island?"
Fu Wan explained in a low voice, "It's that isolated island where we caught ribbonfish and harvested bird's nests!"
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