Chapter 50: What on earth happened—how did you catch fish with empty hands?

Hearing her own mother's question, Liu Chuxue belatedly realized she had done something foolish—she shouldn't have brought the bucket out in the open. It was something from her space; if someone with a discerning eye saw it, it would likely cause trouble.

After all, this was a wooden bucket made of hundred-year rosewood, and it wouldn't be easy to explain to anyone.

She quickly changed the subject: "Didn't the physician say my dad needs to eat some nutritious food to build himself up? We don't have meat coupons on hand, so I thought I'd go over to the moat and see if I could get some fish. Didn't expect my luck to be pretty good."

At this moment, not only Liu's mother but also the auntie keeping watch next door crowded over: "Oh my goodness, such a big fish."

Before Liu's mother could react, Ji Ganlan, who had been following behind Chuxue, laughed and said: "Sister, you've raised a good daughter—she knows how to care for people."

Seeing her mother looking completely blank, Liu Chuxue hurriedly explained: "Mom, this auntie wants to trade fish with us."

Ji Ganlan was anxious to take the fish back to make fish soup for her daughter-in-law, and hurriedly spoke up: "Sister, it's like this—my daughter-in-law just gave birth this morning, but her milk hasn't come in yet. I was getting anxious and worked up about it, and that's when I ran into your daughter.

The child is kind-hearted and agreed to let me trade meat coupons for the fish. She was afraid you parents wouldn't feel at ease, so she asked me to come along and let you know."

Liu's mother finally understood—the other woman wanted to trade meat coupons for her daughter's fish to help her daughter-in-law's milk come in. She felt a bit embarrassed for a moment, after all, the meat coupons were easy to take, but getting this fish had taken some effort.

But after clearly seeing the fish in the bucket, she was indeed quite shocked: "The fish was caught by my daughter—she can decide for herself."

Ji Ganlan now smiled even more happily: "This morning I was just standing outside the delivery room worrying about my daughter-in-law, and only after seeing the baby did I remember I needed to make soup to bring the milk in. Where would there be any fish left to buy?"

With things said to this point, Liu Chuxue smoothly went along: "Auntie, take all the fish. With the meat coupons I can also give my dad more nourishment. I'll make another trip to the moat later—maybe I'll get lucky and catch some fish again."

Ji Ganlan was more than happy. She directly pulled a handful of coupons from her pocket, nimbly picked out the equivalent meat coupons, and casually threw in two industrial coupons as well: "Count them. Those two industrial coupons are a gift from your auntie."

Her family really wasn't short on meat coupons—ever since learning her daughter-in-law was pregnant, her family had taken every chance to trade for meat coupons with others, so giving a few extra didn't matter. But this fresh black fish wasn't something you saw every day.

The family had a refrigerator, so there was no worry about not being able to store it—perfect for taking turns making soup for her daughter-in-law.

The reason she gave two industrial coupons was because she felt this whole family was quite sincere. When she had come in earlier, she had noticed the rough porcelain bowl on the bedside cabinet—anyway, everyone in her family had a job, and they received a portion each month with their wages.

The little girl had said she wanted to share in the good fortune of her grandson—that was a remark she loved hearing.

After Liu Chuxue thanked her, she was stumped—how was she supposed to carry the fish?

Ji Ganlan knew what she was worried about: "I have a relative who works in the hospital cafeteria. I'll go find her and figure something out."

She had already thought it through—once at the kitchen, she'd first cut off a portion and start stewing it, then have her son immediately send the rest home to put in the refrigerator. It wasn't that far anyway.

Liu Chuxue had her own plan, so she went all the way and helped deliver the fish to the cafeteria. After coming out, she found a spot and put the bucket back into her space.

Of course, she had also thought ahead about how to deal with her mother later.

When she returned to the hospital room, family members had already brought meals.

Seeing her daughter back, Liu's mother worriedly pulled her over: "What on earth happened today? How did you catch fish with empty hands?"