"Live by the sea, eat by the sea" is an old saying often used by coastal fishermen. In fishing villages, generations of people have been fishing, and even children as young as seven or eight know when is the best time to go fishing.
On the beach, the tide had receded, exposing a few reefs and making the beach and the tidal flats appear even larger. Compared to a few hours ago, there were also many elderly women, aunts, and children swarming the sea.
Several locals nearby saw the couple running over with smiles on their faces. They pointed to a certain spot and warned the couple where it was dangerous - perhaps it was the charm of a smile, or perhaps it was just the occasional sea safari, and people didn't mind sharing their resources.
Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing chatted with these old ladies and praised them a few words to make them happy. Then he took Zhou Jiao away.
Everything in front of her eyes was completely different from what Zhou Jiao had imagined: carrying a small bucket and a small shovel, digging clams, fishing for crabs, and catching small fish.
On the beaches, mudflats, and reefs, everyone was showing off their skills in catching seafood. The tools they used were all kinds of unusual—iron shovels, iron hooks, and even hoes. Younger children swiftly snatched up shrimp with bamboo tongs and scooped out cockles and clams with bamboo stalks.
Perhaps they were used to it, but the fishermen, young and old, who were out at sea, showed no trace of joy from their harvest. Everything is valued by its scarcity; if there are too many, it is worthless.
The beach is littered with kelp, seaweed and sea cucumbers pushed up by the waves, but they are still abandoned right under the noses of the locals.
Even the young children know the importance of maximizing profits. At this moment, the older children are searching for valuable seafood on the reefs and mudflats.
When Zhao Dashan's family was found, they were working hard with iron hooks and shovels around a dug hole.
Zhang Guoqing and his companions went over, but they couldn't attract the attention of the three of them. In this cold weather, the three of them reached into the sea water in the pit to fish something out, their hands red, showing their perseverance.
Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing jokingly asked, "Have you found any gold?"
"There's no gold, but there are a lot of stuff. What took you so long?" Zhao Dashan was startled awake and looked up, pointing to a full bamboo basket beside him.
Zhang Guoqing laughed and said, "I found a driver and took him to buy three boxes. But he was delayed quite a bit in settling the bill at the finance office. We waited a bit long for him. After this pit, do you want to change the place?"
"I've already told Lao Wang to tell everyone that anyone willing to sell should send everything to Lao Wang's house. Don't go too far; it's not safe. Just play around on either side."
Zhang Guoqing nodded. Seeing that Zhou Jiao and Zhao Yuanyuan had finished their conversation, he pulled Zhou Jiao about a hundred meters to the left. There was a reef there that could withstand the sea breeze.
The sea breeze felt like a knife cutting his face. Zhang Guoqing tried his best to block the wind, with Zhou Jiao behind him, while he quickly dug a few holes with a shovel. He threw whatever he saw into the bamboo basket. His goal was to fill the basket, good or bad. He worried Zhou Jiao wouldn't be able to withstand the wind any more.
Gradually he discovered something was wrong. Sure enough, his wife had "smuggled herself out", no wonder the salary could never be filled.
"Treat your wife like a daughter" was a tip from a senior in his previous life. To get this advice, he treated the senior to a Western meal and spent his entire academic year's scholarship.
Just let him "smuggle" it, he has plenty of energy anyway, as long as his Jiaojiao is happy.
Zhang Guoqing changed his position, choosing a spot on the beach under the reef in the leeward direction. He asked Zhou Jiao to stand there and guard the bamboo basket. He quickly started working with a shovel, picking up the fish, washing them in a wooden bucket, and throwing them into the bamboo basket.
Zhou Jiao saw him working hard while she couldn't do anything and felt really bored. She looked at the oyster-covered rocks behind her and secretly climbed up the reef.
Zhou Jiao soon discovered that this reef was right next to the other one across from her, with a large puddle between them. Many marine creatures, pushed up by the waves, were ruthlessly abandoned by the water. They ranged from pot-lid-sized swimming crabs to tiny sea cucumbers crawling all over the ground and reefs, as well as sea urchins, starfish, octopuses, and various small fish.
At this moment, many things were rushing around, and some had already climbed out of the reef. Zhou Jiao didn't care about being criticized and leaned over to wave Zhang Guoqing to come up quickly.
There are many oyster shells on the reef. They are very sharp and you will lose a layer of skin if you are not careful.
Zhang Guoqing was so frightened when he saw this that he dropped his things and quickly rushed over. "Jiaojiao, when did you run up here? I just saw you behind me."
"Brother, look! I'll give you a basket and I'll catch the crabs that escape. Hurry up, or if someone sees them, they won't be ours anymore."
"No, be careful not to get caught. You stay here and guard the basket. I'll be fine soon." Zhang Guoqing quickly hugged her. Seeing her nod, he still looked at her worriedly - her credibility had dropped rapidly.
Zhou Jiao pushed him, making sure she wouldn't move, and hurried him to hurry up. If he hesitated any longer, all that would be left was seawater.
There is no doubt that when it comes to who is the strongest and fastest in doing things, Zhou Jiao would definitely choose her man as the first.
As Zhou Jiao kept changing bamboo baskets, all the marine life in the puddle was looted by them.
Afterward, Zhang Guoqing set his sights on the sea worms nestling in the oyster beds on the reef. These creatures were just as nutritious as sea cucumbers, and their medicinal properties were even better.
He looked at Zhou Jiao, knowing that she was afraid of touching these things, "Jiaojiao, let me carry you down first. I also need to catch some sea worms, which are good for beauty."
Sure enough, when he mentioned beauty, Zhou Jiao nodded quickly.
After getting off the reef, Zhang Guoqing asked her to stay where she was and wait for him to come back. Seeing her nod, he picked up the wooden bucket and walked quickly.
Get moving.
After getting off the reef again, Zhang Guoqing couldn't help but sigh, and then burst into laughter.
He saw Zhou Jiao squatting beside the pit he had half-started, digging vigorously with a shovel. Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled her up, letting her jump on the spot to stretch herself, while he quickly continued working.
"Jiaojiao, why is Xiaowu laughing so loudly? Did he make a new discovery?" Zhao Yuanyuan ran over from afar and shouted loudly.
"He laughed at me for being weak."
Zhang Guoqing watched her and Zhao Yuanyuan laughing and dancing together, running back and forth between him and Zhao Dashan tirelessly. He quickly increased his speed, dragging the bamboo basket with one hand and picking up the things quickly with the other.
After finally filling a bamboo basket, a wooden barrel, and a small backpack, Zhang Guoqing stood up, stretched his arms and legs, and dragged the things to Zhou Jiao.
He glanced at the pile of seaweed and sundries in front of her, knowing that these were things that no one wanted anymore. He smiled and said, "Jiaojiao, let's go. Go back and be with your son early."
Zhou Jiao lost interest when he mentioned his son. His wife and he quickly gathered up the pile of things on the ground and headed towards Zhao Dashan and the others.
Zhao Dashan dragged the bamboo basket and the wooden bucket and set off. He couldn't call his wife and daughter, so he could only drag the things along, wondering where they would put them.
Zhao Dashan and his two companions were some distance away from Cheng Hongli and her daughter. After waiting for a while, they saw Cheng Hongli and her daughter catching up with them.
Upon arriving at Wang's house, Zhao Dashan discussed with Zhang Guoqing and asked Wang to send someone to send some dried shrimp, dried cuttlefish, and shellfish. These things were decent and practical gifts.
After Lao Wang's wife went out to inform the villagers, Zhao Dashan started to pick 50 kilograms of crabs.
Zhang Guoqing stepped forward and reported the number, causing Zhao Dashan to cover his forehead with a headache. He said, "Old Wang, you pick out the male and small female crabs, and start buying up the rest."
His words made everyone laugh. This amount was not enough to buy it all.
Seeing this, Zhou Jiao explained, "Uncle Dashan, a female crab weighs about a pound, which isn't much. Besides, there are five uncles in the provincial capital, Xiaowu's four older siblings, and some close relatives. It's rare for you to drive a truck here, so we should stock up."
Zhao Dashan nodded in understanding after hearing this, "Then ask for more of the things you'll need to buy when you go fishing. They're cheap. Don't give only good things to others; mix them up."
Zhou Jiao smiled brightly and nodded, saying, "Well, I'll listen to you."
Zhao Dashan asked Zhang Guoqing, "Are you planning to send it there tonight?"
"Send it over first while there's a car to go home."
"If you pass by my house before going to the provincial capital, please bring some things to me." After saying that, Zhao Dashan pondered what to send, and decided to wait until he got back to check.
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