Li Xiangdong was one of only two people among this group who were wolfing down their food, and he ate very quickly, but his movements were elegant, unlike the others who made a mess of their hands and faces.
"Eat more if it's delicious! Shrimp and crab are nutritious, and eating more can help you grow taller!"
Li Xiangdong then picked out a large crab and handed it to Li Guoqing.
Back then, they lacked food and drink when they were young. Li Guoqing was less than 1.7 meters tall and thin when he grew up. Because his family was poor, Li Guoqing didn't succeed in finding a partner until he was 29 and married a girl from the suburbs of Bincheng.
At the time, no one understood why a girl from a big city would fall for a poor, unattractive country boy like him.
Some people even said behind her back with a sour look, "This girl looks so impressive, she must have some kind of defect to marry Li Guoqing. Maybe she can't have children."
Li Xiangdong didn't take these words seriously; the villagers just resented those who had things and laughed at those who didn't.
Less than two years later, he accidentally learned the truth behind the matter.
It turns out that when this girl was seventeen or eighteen, she was in love with two men at the same time and was convicted of hooliganism. She couldn't find anyone to marry in her local area, so she looked for a husband from afar and finally chose the honest and reliable Li Guoqing.
Li Xiangdong didn't tell anyone about this.
The crime of hooliganism is a crime that is very characteristic of the times. It is perfectly normal for young men and women to be attracted to each other and fall in love.
Moreover, Li Xiangdong investigated and found that the claim that she was dating two people at the same time was actually a fabrication by a man who couldn't have her.
Li Guoqing adored his wife, and she even had a nickname, "Old Nine O'Clock," because no matter what, he would always be home before nine o'clock at night.
Li Xiangdong observed the past two years coldly and found that Li Guoqing's wife had no other intentions. Although she was a bit aloof, she was wholeheartedly devoted to living with Li Guoqing.
So he kept the hooliganism charge to himself and didn't tell anyone.
But who knew that such earth-shattering changes would occur later?
Li Xiangdong was holding his breath, and now he wished he could give Li Guoqing extra nutrition so that he could grow taller and stronger. Damn it, how dare he complain that my brother isn't handsome!
Seeing Li Guoqing eating with a big smile, Li Xiangdong suppressed the anger that had inexplicably risen in his heart. After all, it was something from his past life, and there was no need to use it to upset him again!
After finishing our meal, it was time to haul in the nets again. This time, there were mountains of red-legged shrimp!
Meanwhile, more and more fishing boats gathered on the sea, all catching red-legged shrimp.
These fishing boats all belong to the local fishing village production teams. If one boat makes a sound, the news spreads very quickly, so everyone rushes over.
"Old Chen, that's about it. We still need to get to Beiluo Island."
Professor Liu wasn't the type to compete with fishermen for profit. The fishing families were poor, their entire livelihood depending on their catch at sea. If it were up to him, one net would suffice, but he also had to consider the feelings of the crew and students, which was why he was only speaking up now.
Actually, the red-legged shrimp they caught belonged to the Pengcheng Aquatic Products Research Institute. Once they took them back, they would most likely send some to the canteen first, and then distribute some to each employee.
Chen Jihuo nodded slightly after hearing Professor Liu's words, "Let's leave after we've finished this round!"
So they cast three nets and sailed away.
After walking for another two days, Li Xiangdong saw a rocky island in the distance, with tall rocks standing there, and what appeared to be a two-story house in the middle of it.
Upon closer inspection, the island was found to be covered with abundant vegetation. The rocks were covered with a layer of silvery-green grass, its slender leaves swaying in the wind.
It's like a high grassland in the ocean; the feeling is truly breathtaking.
Chen Jihuo moored the boat, and Professor Liu, along with his students who had packed up their tools, prepared to go to the island. Before leaving, he called Li Xiangdong and Li Guoqing over, "Are you going to stay on the boat, or come with me to the island?"
Li Xiangdong naturally wanted to go to the island to take a look, and Li Guoqing, who hadn't had his feet on the ground for many days, was now eager to set foot on solid ground.
So, Li Xiangdong and his companion followed Professor Liu and the others to the island.
Chen Jihuo led the crew to process the red-legged shrimp they had caught. Although the temperature was not high, the shrimp would easily rot if not processed properly.
Li Xiangdong never expected that there were indigenous people on the island!
Right in the middle of the island, there are seven or eight crooked houses, with fishing nets and dried small fish drying inside.
Professor Liu asked an old man on the island to show them around, while he took his students to do more serious business.
The old man couldn't speak Mandarin, and Li Guoqing couldn't understand a word he was saying. But seeing that Li Xiangdong could communicate with the old man so smoothly, Li Guoqing couldn't help but admire Li Xiangdong even more.
"Grandpa, how many people live here?"
More than seventy people!
The old man was clearly not very friendly with strangers, and he seemed quite happy to see that Li Xiangdong could communicate with him without any problems.
Do you usually make a living by fishing?
The old man pointed to a row of small sampans moored at the dock below the mountain, "catching fish and shrimp to sell for some money to buy food."
Li Xiangdong looked around and realized there really wasn't any place to grow grain.
It seems that this small fishing village with only seventy-odd people relies entirely on exchanging goods with the outside world to maintain a normal life.
"Grandpa, are there any good fishing spots around here?"
"You want to eat fish? Just set a net, why would you keep fishing for so long!"
As he spoke, the old man tried to pull Li Xiangdong and his companion home, saying, "My son just caught a bunch of fish last night."
Li Xiangdong was both amused and exasperated by the old man's enthusiasm. He quickly explained that he simply wanted to experience the joy of sea fishing, and only then did the old man let go of his hand.
"Go over there, there's a group of spotted rats there recently."
The old man was very kind and led Li Xiangdong to a rocky outcrop facing the sea and backed by a mountain. He even brought Li Xiangdong a bucket of small squid as bait.
Li Xiangdong uses a bamboo rod with a hand-operated reel. Nowadays, fiberglass and carbon fiber rods are unavailable, so this kind of relatively primitive soft bamboo rod is the only option.
Li Guoqing helped carry the net and the bucket.
Everything was ready except for the right opportunity. Li Xiangdong baited the hook with a still-live squid, then cast it, and all that was left was to wait for the big fish to bite.
Perhaps it was because of the beginner protection period, but Li Xiangdong soon felt the fishing rod being dragged, and then the rod suddenly bent!
We've caught a fish!
Li Guoqing cheered, and Li Xiangdong immediately lifted the rod and reeled in the line. The fish wasn't very strong, and Li Xiangdong pulled it out of the sea without much effort.
"Hey, a spotted rat!"
An old man's exclamation came from behind Li Xiangdong.
"You caught a fish so quickly?"
The old man simply couldn't believe it.
He was entrusted by Professor Liu to look after the two children. Li Xiangdong wanted to go fishing, and he couldn't just stand by and watch, so he went back to get his fishing rod. In less than two minutes, the boy caught a fish!
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