Chapter 202

Seeing Ye Cheng and them come in, Zhang Guafu happily stood up and whispered, 'Ya, sister-in-law, Lao Er, Xiao Hu, how did you guys come here?'

Jiang Yunxiang took Dou Dou and hurried over, then took Zhang Guafu's hand, 'Xiao Liang had surgery, you didn't even say a word, how could you manage alone? Tell us, we can lend a hand.'

Zhang Guafu looked gratefully at Jiang Yunxiang, 'How could I trouble you guys? Everyone has things to do.'

'You said that, how is the child?'

Talking about the child, Zhang Guafu turned to look at Xiao Liang, a happy smile on her face, 'The doctor said the surgery was very successful; from now on Xiao Liang will be like a normal person. I also have to thank Lao Er for lending me money; otherwise I wouldn't know when this would be dragged out.'

As she spoke, Zhang Guafu thanked Ye Cheng twice.

Ye Cheng had Xiao Hu put down the milk in his hand, then took out a red envelope, 'Aunt, this is 1000 yuan; take it to nourish Xiao Liang's body.'

'No, no, that won't do; you've already lent me money, I can't take your money.' Zhang Guafu repeatedly declined.

Ye Cheng shoved the money over, pointing at the boxed meal by the bed, 'Aunt, you're taking care of Xiao Liang alone; you also need to eat better, not just vegetables, no meat.'

Jiang Yunxiang then noticed the meal on the table: it was plain white rice with some pickled vegetables.

This sparked her sense of justice again; she took Zhang Guafu's hand and began, 'You, you also need to take care of your health. Like this, these few days I'll discuss with a few sisters-in-law in the village; we'll come during the day to help you watch over him, and you can come at night to guard, so we can take turns.'

'Okay, I'll pay for the transportation.' Ye Cheng interjected.

Hearing how enthusiastic the two were, Zhang Guafu's tears almost wouldn't stop; she held Jiang Yunxiang's hand and spoke gratefully, while Dou Dou curiously looked at the little companion on the bed.

Xiao Liang's chest was wrapped in a band; actually, in about ten years, minimally invasive surgery will be the norm, and he won't have to suffer so much.

To avoid disturbing Xiao Liang's rest, they didn't stay long; after chatting for half an hour, they left.

It was agreed that someone would come during the day tomorrow to relieve Zhang Guafu.

After leaving the hospital, the four took a taxi back; in the evening Ye Cheng didn't go to his older brother's house, guessing that Jiang Yunxiang still needed to report to Ye Guowei, so he stayed in his room playing games.

He also went online and added Zhao Zhiming's QQ.

The sound of 'didi' rang out; it really brought back his youth.

Zhao Ge's QQ name is 'Tianya Langzi', quite the wanderer; Ye Cheng also took the nickname 'Ganhaixiao Wangzi'.

He had just added him casually, not expecting Zhao Zhiming to have something to ask him.

【A Cheng, brother is treating you to lunch the day after tomorrow; come to the city and let's have a meal together.】

【Being so formal, is there something up?】

【Yeah, there's something I need your help with; just come over the day after tomorrow.】

【Okay, I'll come over at noon the day after tomorrow.】

Ye Cheng agreed without thinking; Zhao Zhiming had helped him a lot, and it was rare for him to be asked for help, so he couldn't refuse.

The next day, Ye Cheng got up and checked the system.

Luck Value: 70+20

Points Value: 2150

Savings: 520,000, External Debt: 400,000, Mortgage: 300,000 (including interest).

With this Luck Value, it's another day of work.

He hadn't decided whether to go clam digging or set fish traps today; he first exchanged for six fish traps.

After breakfast, Ye Cheng was about to go out to call Xiao Hu when he saw the Chen brothers standing at the door.

'Cheng Ge.' Chen Zhangfu and Chen Zhanglong saw Ye Cheng and called out respectfully.

Ye Cheng looked at them curiously, making sure they weren't there to fight, 'You're looking for me?'

Chen Zhangfu nodded, 'Cheng Ge, we want to invite you to go clam digging with us.'

'Invite me to go clam digging?' Ye Cheng was a bit puzzled; we aren't that familiar yet, are we?

Seeing Ye Cheng wanting to refuse, Chen Zhangfu quickly said, 'Cheng Ge, we know a place with earth dragons; we want to see if you're interested in going together.'

The earth dragon Chen Zhangfu spoke of is a kind of sea eel, burrowing in the mudflats of tidal flats, looking very much like the yellow eel in freshwater; its scientific name is 'Myrichthys colubrinus', belonging to the eel family, commonly called earth dragon.

Besides its delicious flesh, the earth dragon has miraculous dietary benefits for the lower back and can be used to steep liquor; it is said to have the effect of nourishing yin and strengthening yang.

Therefore the price is also high; in later times it sells for several hundred per jin.

Now Chen Zhangfu says they want to dig for earth dragons, and Ye Cheng is somewhat interested.

'Are you sure?'

'Cheng Ge, don't worry; I have a buddy who found one there—it just happened to poke its head out, but that's all he managed to get.'

'Brothers in arms, they wouldn't lie to me.'

Seeing Chen Zhangfu's earnest assurance, Ye Cheng decided to give it a try.

'Alright, do you have a vehicle? I'll bring Xiao Hu; my motorcycle can only seat one.'

Upon hearing Ye Cheng's agreement, the Chen brothers were overjoyed and quickly replied, 'Cheng Ge, we don't have a motorcycle; we'll ride bicycles, a bit slower but not far.'

'Okay, let's meet at the village entrance in half an hour.'

The Chen brothers went back to prepare; Ye Cheng also went to call Xiao Hu. Upon hearing they were going to dig for earth dragons, Xiao Hu's face wrinkled like old tree bark.

'Brother, that thing isn't easy to dig; the burrows are deep and they run fast, harder than crab tiger fish.'

Speaking of this, Ye Cheng then remembered why earth dragons are expensive: they're also hard to catch; the tidal flats have so many holes, you can't tell from the outside which hole contains an earth dragon, and it takes experienced old folks to know.

Generally speaking, there are a few methods:

The first method is using a hook. Earth dragons don't stay in their burrows long; they come out to breathe. When they do, you walk up quietly, hook the hook onto the earth dragon's chin, and give a strong upward jerk; the earth dragon will be flung out.

But this method is difficult because it's hard to catch an earth dragon just as it comes out to breathe, so another method was derived: plug the earth dragon's burrow entrance with smoking silk; the smoke is too irritating, so the buddy can't help but burrow out.

The second method is using a fork. First you need a homemade earth dragon fork, somewhat like a ji (halberd) but with the halberd's head welded sideways onto an iron rod a little over a meter long.

Then you find the earth dragon burrow entrance, first encircle the opening and pool water (or insert a plastic water pipe into the opening); afterwards you take the fork and jab it into the nearby mud; if you hit the earth dragon burrow, the water level here will change.

After that, pull it out, move forward five or six centimeters and jab again, following the burrow to look for the earth dragon.

If you hit the earth dragon, you'll feel the fork move uncontrollably; then you press down hard, twist the earth dragon fork to bring it onto those two hooks above, and pull it out.

The third method is fishing; I won't elaborate further.