Early in the morning, not long after the sun had peeked over the horizon, Feng Ye was still asleep when he was woken up by someone.
It turned out to be Ah Chan and his two companions.
"You bunch of animals, are you trying to kill me? You won't even let me sleep!"
Feng Ye said dejectedly, closed his eyes, and went back to sleep.
"Ah Ye, wake up and get up to go out to sea."
"That's right, Brother Ye, get up quickly and let's make some money."
"We will never disturb you when you fall into a deep sleep. Now get up quickly."
Feng Ye knew he couldn't sleep, so he had no choice but to get up and wash.
Breakfast was ready, but it wasn't made specifically for him; it was made for Feng Jiaqing.
Feng Jiaqing and Feng Xuan had to take the ferry to the town's dock for work every day, so they had to get up early, otherwise they wouldn't be able to cross the sea once the ferry left.
Breakfast was a thin porridge with shrimp, clams, and oysters...
It was very delicious, but Feng Ye couldn't savor it properly.
Urged on by everyone, Feng Ye quickly shoveled the porridge into his mouth, practically pouring it directly into the porridge.
Then, carrying their tools, the group couldn't wait to head to the dock.
"Ah Ye, are you going out to sea?"
Just as he stepped out, Feng Xuan, who was coming out of his kitchen, called out to him.
"Brother, you didn't go to work today?"
Feng Ye asked, somewhat puzzled.
At this time, the ferry was about to depart, so why was his older brother still at home?
"I'm not going to work today. Ah Ye, can you take me out to sea with you?"
Feng Xuan felt a little embarrassed.
Ultimately, it all boils down to his wife being jealous of her brother-in-law's income and wanting him to get a share of it.
"Of course, no problem."
Feng Ye agreed without even thinking about it.
If others can be brought along, why can't my own older brother be brought along?
Besides, if he refused, not only would his older brother and sister-in-law have a problem with him, but his parents probably wouldn't forgive him either.
"You guys wait for me at the dock while I prepare the tools."
"good."
Feng Ye responded and went to the dock with A-Can and the others first.
"Where are my trap and net? Who stole my trap?"
When they arrived at the dock, Feng Ye stared wide-eyed at the empty wooden boat, dumbfounded.
I was so excited after making a lot of money selling fish yesterday that I didn't even think to bring home the fish traps that I hadn't thrown into the sea.
I only remembered this when I saw the ship today.
"Didn't you move back yesterday?"
"You moved it?"
"We're going back empty-handed, okay?"
The group looked at each other, bewildered.
Feng Ye originally planned to first set the fish traps, then wander around to see if he could be as lucky as yesterday to encounter a school of fish, and then go to the island to fish in the sea when the tide was about to go out in the afternoon.
But now the fish traps and nets are gone, and they even brought baskets with them.
"Why don't we ask around and see if anyone knows who stole it?"
"No need to ask, no one will know. It must have been stolen at night when no one was around."
During the day, the docks are bustling with people, and even if things get really bad, there are still the owners of the three recycling stations around, so no one dares to steal things from the ships at this time. But at night, there are hardly any people at the docks, and that's when thieves have their chance.
Therefore, Feng Ye knew that asking would be pointless.
Ah-Can scratched his head: "Brother Ye, what do we do now?"
How would I know?
Let's go fishing on the deserted island. But the timing is wrong; the tide has just come in and will continue until midnight.
Just as I was about to say that we should go back first and then go to the island to fish in the sea in the afternoon, Feng Xuan arrived late with several baskets.
"Why aren't you getting on the ship? What are you doing standing on the dock?"
"Brother, my fish trap and net have been stolen."
Feng Xuan asked in surprise, "You didn't move back yesterday?"
"I forgot."
"You guys are really something, how could you forget that?" Feng Xuan was speechless. "Luckily, I brought a hand-throwing net, so I'll just have to make do with it."
"Who cares what kind of network it is, as long as it works, it's better than turning back. Let's go, get on the boat."
Feng Ye was overjoyed and climbed onto the small wooden boat, carrying his tools up with him.
"I'll row."
Feng Xuan was the last to board the boat. As soon as he got on, he snatched the oar from Feng Ye's hand and started rowing.
The small wooden boat sailed away from the shore and slowly headed out to sea.
Apart from Feng Xuan, who was rowing, the others sat idly in the cabin.
Being too close to the shore means there's practically no cargo, so it's all a waste of effort.
Therefore, it will take some time for the ship to sail outwards.
Ah-chan said listlessly, "Except for Xuan-ge who rows the boat, there are exactly four of us. If we had brought a deck of cards, it wouldn't be so boring."
"All you ever think about is playing cards. I really don't understand how you can be so addicted?"
Feng Ye rolled her eyes at him.
In my memory, Ah-Can was always addicted to playing cards. He would play mahjong and poker without hesitation, but he never gambled or played with strangers.
"I'm bored, let's kill some time."
Xiao Guowen shook his head: "Bringing a pot is better than bringing a license plate. We can cook lunch and not have to eat dry rations."
Feng Xuan, rowing the boat, smiled slightly: "I brought not only a pot, but also salt."
"real?"
"Of course it's true, what's the point of lying to you?"
...
The small wooden boat slowly made its way to the vicinity of where the large yellow croaker had been caught the day before.
They still harbor the illusion that a large shipment can still be found here today.
"Haha, this is the place, let's get started."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xuan stopped and placed the oars on the gunwale.
"I'll cast the first net."
Xiao Guowu impatiently took the hand-thrown net from Feng Xuan's basket, tidied it up, and stood at the bow of the boat.
Almost every household along the coast has a hand-thrown net; some buy them, while others weave them themselves.
I occasionally go to the beach to cast a net when I have free time. Even if I don't make any money, it's good enough to add some dishes to my family's meals.
Hand-thrown nets are very easy to use. Even beginners can throw them quite well after a few tries.
There are two ways to use it: the crooked handle method and the two-handed scattering method.
The crooked handle method involves preparing the net, lifting the leftmost part, and hanging it on the left elbow about 50 centimeters from the opening. The left hand holds one-third of the net opening horizontally, while the right hand, along with the stake, holds a little more than one-third. When casting the net, the right hand, left elbow, and left hand are extended in sequence.
Its characteristics are speed, easy to get dirty, and suitability for shallow water.
This usage is suitable for beginners.
The two-handed casting method is a bit more complicated. The method is to hold the net's slack and about one-third of the net opening with your left hand, hang the net's slack on your thumb with your right hand, and then hold the remaining net opening. Keep your hands at a distance that allows for easy movement, rotate to the right from the left side of your body, cast the net with your right hand, and simultaneously send the net opening out with your left hand. Use your right thumb to hold the net's slack and send it out at the right time.
Its advantages include not getting your clothes dirty and being able to operate in chest-deep water.
Xiao Guowu used the two-handed throwing technique; he was no beginner.
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