Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Picking Crabs

Leave work an hour early on Saturday afternoon.

As May arrived, the days became longer. When Meng Yufei came out of the office, the sun was still high in the sky.

Xiao Zhang went back to the dormitory to change clothes first, and they would meet at the beach later.

Meng Yufei put on a straw hat to block out the hot sun. In her hand, she also held a straw hat that belonged to Xia Qinqin.

When we arrived at the kindergarten, the two children were already standing at the door. The kindergarten also ended classes half an hour earlier today.

Mrs. Zhang was standing at the door with the children in the kindergarten class, waiting for their parents to pick them up. When she saw Meng Yufei, she said loudly, "Sister, you go to the beach first. I'll come later."

Meng Yufei smiled and nodded: "Okay."

She bent down to put a straw hat on her daughter, then turned to look at Lu Yannan standing in the sun. The golden sunlight shone on his face, making his skin look even more translucent.

"Yannan, can auntie let you wear the hat?" Meng Yufei proposed again. She was going to give him the hat this afternoon, but he firmly refused.

Sure enough, this time too, Lu Yannan shook his head: "I won't take it, thank you auntie."

Meng Yufei touched the scarf on her hat, wondering if this was the reason?

There is a new straw hat at home, why don’t you go back and give it to him.

Xia Qinqin touched the wide brim of her hat with her hand, moved to the side of Lu Yannan, tilted her head to reveal her face, and said with a smile: "Brother Yannan, it's so cool to wear a hat. You can't get any sun at all."

Lu Yannan just said calmly: "I'm not afraid of the sun."

"Oh, okay." Xia Qinqin turned around, took her mother's hand, and skipped towards home.

When she got home, Xia Junshan had already returned. He took the wooden barrel and put it in the yard. He also found a few small shovels. No one knew where he got them from. Meng Yufei seemed to have never seen them at home.

"You're back. Is this bucket not enough? How about getting another one?" Xia Junshan asked.

Meng Yufei said, "No need, Mrs. Zhang said she would bring a bucket with her as well."

Xia Junshan nodded and turned to the corner to get the shovel.

"Qinqin, Yannan, put your schoolbags in the house. We're going out soon." Meng Yufei said as she walked into the house.

"Yeah." Xia Qinqin responded happily and followed her mother into the house. Lu Yannan followed silently behind.

After entering the house, Xia Qinqin threw her schoolbag onto the sofa and raised her head and said, "Mom, I want to drink some water."

Meng Yufei poured two glasses of water and handed them to them.

After glancing at Lu Yannan's cheeks that were red from the sun, Meng Yufei turned around and went to the small room to take out two straw hats, one from Xia Junshan and the other was new.

"Come on, Yannan, put on your hat. It will be very sunny when we go to the beach later."

Lu Yannan shook his head in resistance: "I don't want to wear it."

Meng Yufei put the hat on his head and said, "Be obedient, or your face will be scratched by the sun and the wind."

Xia Qinqin looked up, pointed at Meng Yufei's hat, then pointed at her own hat, and said with a smile: "Brother Yannan, we are both wearing the same hat. When we go out, people will know that we are together at a glance."

Lu Yannan paused with his hand holding the brim of his hat, pursed his lips, and did not refuse anymore.

Meng Yufei came out with the hat and handed it to Xia Junshan.

"Okay, let's go."

Xia Junshan was carrying a wooden barrel with a few small shovels in it and an iron shovel on his shoulder.

Meng Yufei walked beside them with a small fishing net.

"Just follow me, I'll lead the way for you." Xia Qinqin ran happily in front, holding the reluctant Lu Yannan in her hand.

On the way, I met Captain Cao's family. Seeing their appearance, I smiled and joked: "Oh, you four are going out to catch the sea. These straw hats look pretty good on you guys."

The four of them wore the same straw hats. Meng Yufei and Xia Qinqin tied their hats with scarves around their chins, while Xia Junshan and Lu Yannan's hats were not tied, leaving them as they were.

From a distance, they really look like a family of four.

After speaking to Captain Cao's family for a few words and saying goodbye, Xia Junshan said with a smile, "We got a lucky son."

Meng Yufei glanced at him and asked, "Why, do you want a son?"

Xia Junshan pointed at Lu Yannan who was walking in front and said, "We already have one, right? Two children are enough. I can't handle another one. I won't even be able to wash the dishes."

Meng Yufei smiled and raised her eyebrows and said, "It seems that you have a lot of opinions about washing dishes."

Xia Junshan said hurriedly: "I have no objection to washing dishes for you and Qinqin even if I do it for the rest of my life."

As he spoke, he raised his voice and called to the front: "Hey, Yannan, you have to learn how to wash dishes when you grow up, okay?"

Lu Yannan turned around, looked at Xia Junshan's smiling face, and said, "Uncle, I have a nanny who washes the dishes at home."

His grandfather's level allows him to have a nanny.

Xia Junshan smiled and said, "You should do your own thing, you know."

“Oh, okay.” Lu Yannan nodded. It was just washing dishes. Uncle Xia did it easily every day. It didn’t seem like a difficult task.

After hearing what they said, Xia Qinqin ran to Xia Xia Junshan and said sweetly with her face up, "When I grow up, I will help Dad wash the dishes."

Xia Junshan felt as if he had drunk honey when he heard her words. He felt relaxed all of a sudden. He said with a smile, "Dad is willing to wash dishes for Qinqin for the rest of her life. It's enough for Qinqin to be a happy child forever."

Xia Qinqin said with a smile: "I am a big kid now."

"Yeah, yes, Qinqin is a big kid now, and she knows how to be considerate of her parents." Xia Junshan praised.

When the family of four arrived at the beach, there were already many locals picking up seafood. Because of the hot weather, many people ran into the sea.

Xia Qinqin pointed to the sea not far away and asked, "Dad, I want to go play with the sea."

Xia Junshan said, "How about we pick the crabs first? We have to fill the whole bucket today." He pointed to the wooden barrel he brought over.

Meng Yufei said: "After we pick the crabs, let's go play in the water together."

Hearing her mother speak, Xia Qinqin nodded: "Okay, I'll pick the crabs now."

She looked down for a while and found a small stone. She quickly ran over, squatted down, and turned over the stone. The last time she picked crabs, Xia Junshan was turning over stones all the time. She made a note of it.

Sure enough, there was a small crab under the stone, holding up two pincers in a show of force.

"Hey, Dad, Dad! Come quickly, there is a little crab here." Xia Qinqin turned around and shouted, "It has claws, it's so fierce, I don't dare to catch it."

Xia Junshan walked over, bent down, reached out and easily grabbed the little crab, and said to his daughter with a smile: "You look for it, and Dad will catch it."

"Okay, I will find crabs." Xia Qinqin patted her chest and promised.

Xia Junshan threw the crab into the wooden barrel. Lu Yannan walked over to take a look and saw that the little crab was only the size of his palm, crawling around the edge of the barrel, as if trying to escape.

"Auntie, can we eat such small crabs?" Lu Yannan asked curiously.

In his impression, crabs are all very big. His uncle once said that only big crabs are delicious.

Meng Yufei said, "Sure. Small crabs have less meat and roe than big crabs, but we're using them to make crab sauce this time. If you want to eat them, I'll buy big crabs and steam them for you next time."

After listening to Meng Yufei's explanation, Lu Yannan nodded, walked to a small stone, squatted down, lifted the stone, pressed the crab's shell with one hand, and grabbed the crab by pinching the sides of the shell with the other hand.

Then, he walked up to Xia Qinqin and Xia Junshan with the crab and said, "Uncle, this is how you catch crabs."

Xia Junshan looked up at the crab in his hand and nodded with a smile: "Yes, that's right, Yannan, you have a talent for catching crabs."

Xia Qinqin clapped her hands and said, "Wow, Brother Yannan is so awesome."

Lu Yannan curled the corners of his mouth slightly, turned around and threw the crab into the barrel.

Xia Qinqin hurriedly said, "Dad, I want to catch crabs too. Can I catch the next one?"

"Okay, I'll find one for you to catch." Xia Junshan turned over a stone, held down the claws of a small crab that was about to run away, and said to his daughter, "Come, grab its shell, just like Yan Nan did just now."

Xia Qinqin followed Xia Junshan's instructions and grabbed the little crab from behind. Sure enough, the little crab's clamps could not reach her hands.

"Haha, its clamps don't bend, so it can't pinch me." Xia Qinqin said with a smile, trotting to Meng Yufei and holding up the little crab in her hand to show her.

"Mom, look, I can catch crabs now."

Meng Yufei smiled and praised her: "Qinqin is so amazing, she learned it in no time."

Then he pointed at the barrel and said, "Put it in quickly."

"Yeah." Xia Qinqin came to the wooden barrel and whispered to the crab in her hand: "Little crab, just get into the barrel obediently." Then she threw it in.

"I still want to catch crabs." Xia Qinqin turned her head and said.

"Okay, Dad will help you find it." Xia Junshan replied with a smile.

After a while, Mrs. Zhang came over with a bucket and Fangfang by her side.

When Xia Qinqin saw her good friend coming, she stopped playing with the little crab and happily ran over to play with Fangfang.

Mrs. Zhang walked in and took a look at their bucket. They had already filled half of it. She was surprised and said, "Wow, they've already caught so much."

Meng Yufei said: "There are a lot of crabs in this area, and there are a lot of us. Even though these two children are small, they are also the main force in catching crabs."

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Okay, then you guys catch them here and I'll go catch them over there."

Xia Junshan said, "Sister-in-law, you stay here, I'll go catch them over there." Then he picked up the bucket and walked towards the distant shore.

Lu Yannan adjusted the wide brim of his hat and followed Xia Junshan. He turned back to look at Xia Qinqin, signaling her to follow him.

Xia Qinqin looked at her father, then at her mother, and still held Fangfang's hand and stayed here.

Meng Yufei and Zhang Dasao took their children with them, turning over stones and picking up crabs while talking.

Xiao Zhang went back and changed into long pants and long sleeves, put on a straw hat, and tied a scarf around him and another scarf around his face. He came out fully armed.

When Mrs. Zhang saw her outfit, she smiled and said, "My dear, Xiao Zhang, you are covering yourself up too tightly, aren't you hot?"

Xiao Zhang said: "Fortunately, the heat is better than the sun."

Mrs. Zhang said, "How are you black? Aren't you quite white?"

Xiao Zhang squatted down and said, "No way, I wish I could be as fair as Sister Meng one day."

Mrs. Zhang picked up the crabs skillfully and threw them into the wooden barrel. She looked at Xiao Zhang and said, "There are not many people on this island who are whiter than your sister Meng. Oh, Teacher Zhou also has white skin. When she first came here, her face looked like she was sick, very pale. Recently, it looks much rosier."

Xiao Zhang said: "She doesn't like to go out so she stays at home to keep warm. She will be healthy if she goes out more often to get some sun."

Mrs. Zhang pointed at Xiao Zhang's long-sleeved shirt and long pants and said, "You said that sunbathing is healthy, but look at what you are wearing. You can't even see any sunlight at all."

Xiao Zhang turned over the rocks and said, "I have been exposed to the sun too much. I need to avoid it."

Mrs. Zhang shook her head and said, "I don't understand you young people. You better be careful not to get prickly heat."

"Oh, I had forgotten about this. It happened to me last year and it was so painful!" Xiao Zhang said distressedly.

Meng Yufei said, "When you go home at night, add a few drops of floral water to your bath water to prevent and treat prickly heat. By the way, do you have floral water at home?"

Xiao Zhang shook his head.

Meng Yufei said, "Then go to my house and get a bottle later. There's an unopened bottle at home. You can take it home first."

Xiao Zhang smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Meng. I'll go to the market tomorrow and buy you a new bottle."

Meng Yufei smiled and said, "Don't worry, you should just do your job." Then she winked at her.

Xiao Zhang lowered her head shyly, but because her face was covered by a scarf, her facial expression could not be seen.

After Xia Qinqin and Fangfang picked crabs for a while, the two little girls were attracted by the colorful shells on the beach and ran to pick up the beautiful ones.

After picking crabs for a while, Xiao Zhang felt a little sore in his neck. When he raised his head to relax his neck, he saw a familiar figure not far away. He squinted his eyes and saw that it was her.

Xiao Zhang stood up, waved his hand and shouted, "Wen Qian, I'm here, come and play."

Zhou Wen Qian saw her friend fully armed and waving at her not far away, and walked over with a smile, facing the bright golden sunshine. The sea breeze blew her hair and fell on her thin shoulders, giving her a fragile beauty.

When she came in, Xiao Zhang asked in surprise: "Wen Qian, you are here to catch the sea too, why didn't you invite me to join you?"

Zhou Wenqian said: "Didn't you say you didn't want to sunbathe?"

"If I'm accompanying you, it doesn't matter if I get some sun." Xiao Zhang said with a smile. Because her face was covered, only her curved eyebrows could be seen.

Zhou Wenqian smiled and nodded: "Okay, then I'll ask you to come with me next time."

She walked over to look at the crabs in the barrel and said, "You guys are catching crabs. You've already caught so many."

Meng Yufei nodded: "Yes, prepare to make crab sauce."

Mrs. Zhang said bluntly, "We are giving you a gift as a disciple, Mr. Zhou. You are going to teach Fangfang and Qinqin to dance, so we decided to give you some food. I will prepare some steamed flower rolls for you. Xiao Meng is very good at making crab sauce. I have eaten it before and it tastes delicious."

Meng Yufei said: "Mrs. Zhang is very good at making noodles. Even the chef in the cafeteria can't compare to her."

Zhou Wenqian said, "You are too polite. I teach my children because they like dancing. I teach them as a bonus. I am not a professional."

Meng Yufei said: "The gift we gave is just to show our appreciation."

"Yes, Teacher Zhou, please don't give up." Mrs. Zhang followed.

Zhou Wenqian said hurriedly: "How could that be? Don't worry, I will definitely teach them well."

Mrs. Zhang said, "I'm sorry to trouble Teacher Zhou to take care of this."

Zhou Wenqian smiled and said, "Fangfang and Qinqin are both very talented in dancing."

Mrs. Zhang said, "I don't ask my child to learn well, the main thing is that she is happy."

Zhou Wen Qian also joined the crab picking army. With strength in numbers, crabs began to pile up in the wooden barrel, and soon it was full.

On the other side, Xia Junshan came back with Lu Yannan, carrying a wooden barrel. The barrel was originally half full, and he and Lu Yannan moved quickly and filled the barrel with crabs.

When Xia Qinqin saw Xia Junshan coming back, she quickly put down the shells in her hands, ran over and asked, "Dad, have you finished picking crabs?"

Xia Junshan brought the wooden barrel over and shook it, then nodded and said, "Well, we've picked all the crabs. The crabs over there are a little bigger."

Xia Qinqin glanced at the crab, then looked up and asked, "Then can we go play in the sea?" She had been thinking about this.

Xia Junshan turned around and glanced at Meng Yufei. Seeing her nod, he smiled and said, "Okay, Dad will take you to play in the water for a while."

"Great, let's play in the water." Xia Qinqin jumped up happily and clapped her hands.

Then he ran back and pulled Fangfang, "Sister Fangfang, let's go together."

Fangfang looked at Mrs. Zhang with anticipation in her eyes.

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Okay, you and Qinqin can go play together."

Hearing her mother's permission, Fangfang smiled.

Xia Qinqin took Lu Yannan's hand with her other hand and said, "Brother Yannan, let's go together."

Xia Junshan led the three children to the beach. Meng Yufei reminded them, "Don't go to deep water. Pay attention to the children's safety. Come back soon."

"Got it." Xia Junshan nodded with a smile. Judging from his skills, he could handle the three children with ease.

After picking up the crabs, a few people sat on the beach to rest. The sun was not so bright at this time, and Xiao Zhang took off the scarf on his face.

"Huh, it's easier to breathe this way."

Zhou Wenqian smiled and said, "Will you come with me to see the sea next time?"

"Well, I can come later. At this time, you see, the sun is not shining, and the sea is also very beautiful." Xiao Zhang pointed to the sparkling sea.

Zhou Wenqian nodded. Suddenly, she stood up, brushed off the sand on her body, and said with a smile, "I recently choreographed a new dance. Let me show you guys."

Xiao Zhang clapped his hands and said, "Great, I haven't seen you dancing for a long time."

Meng Yufei and Mrs. Zhang also nodded.

As the sun sets, Zhou Wen Qian dances gracefully on the beach, in front of the sea.

Her dancing posture is graceful and elegant. Occasionally one or two movements may seem unfamiliar, but this does not affect the beauty of the dance at all.

Xiao Zhang looked at the person in front of him who was immersed in the dance and sighed: "Wen Qian is now a real dancer. Her dance has soul."

At this point, she smiled bitterly and said, "The leader who taught us dancing before said that our dance only had form but no spirit. Only by going through the fire and being reborn can one become a true dancer. Now that I see Wen Qian, I finally understand what the leader meant."

Although Meng Yufei doesn't know how to dance, she couldn't help but say when she saw the dance Zhou Wenqian choreographed: "Wenqian's dance makes the audience feel more peaceful and tranquil. It's as beautiful as a poem."

Mrs. Zhang said, "I don't understand it either, I just think it's good, better than the performances of the art troupe I saw before."

When the dance was over, the three spectators on the beach applauded loudly.

Zhou Wenqian panted slightly and smiled, "I haven't danced for a long time, so some of the movements are not very standard."

Xiao Zhang walked up to her, hugged her, and said seriously: "You dance very well, better than before."