Chapter 57: If you joined the tortoise-and-hare race, you

Well, don't say, this guy runs pretty fast.

By the time Ye Cheng finished his third cigarette, he finally came running back, panting like a dog.

But there was no one behind him.

"Brother, I'm back—how was it? Wasn't I fast?" Xiao Hu said, hands on his knees, panting.

"Yeah, it's fast. If you joined the tortoise-and-hare race, you'd surely win." Ye Cheng gave a thumbs-up.

Hearing that, Xiao Hu was delighted: "Of course, I run much faster than the rabbit."

Ye Cheng gave him a look: "Sorry, in the tortoise-and-hare race the tortoise wins, so your speed is just faster than the tortoise."

Xiao Hu:...

You're messing with me.

"Where's Zhang Guafu?" Ye Cheng looked behind him.

"She's here, just slow." Xiao Hu paused, then said, "Slower than the tortoise."

Xiao Hu lit a cigarette, Ye Cheng didn't; smoking like that nonstop isn't smoking—it's suicide.

After finishing the cigarette, Zhang Guafu arrived.

"A Cheng, what do you need Auntie to do?" Zhang Guafu beamed, she'd just made another 100 yuan—this Ye Cheng is an even bigger boss than the big boss.

"Then, Auntie, these are the goods we gathered today; just keep an eye on them so they don't get away."

"That's simple, no problem—Auntie is famous for her speed; I guarantee they won't get away."

Xiao Hu also specifically pointed out the position of the sea eel: "That sea eel just now ran from here; Auntie, please keep an eye on it later."

"OK!" Zhang Guafu made a fashionable gesture.

Ye Cheng was about to go when he suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Zhang Guafu and asked, "Auntie, how did your foraging go today?"

"Oh, we can't compare to you guys when foraging—we got two catties of red ridge fish and some flower clam kings." Zhang Guafu's words were modest, but she couldn't hide the smile at the corners of her mouth.

Ye Cheng nodded slightly; it seemed everyone's harvest was good today, so he should get a share of normal earnings, plus another share boosted by Luck Value.

Since everyone's earnings are good today, his own earnings should be even higher.

There's still more to be had.

Having settled on the plan, Ye Cheng took Xiao Hu and walked forward a bit more; there were still many reef pits over there.

The two fought on the beach for another hour, gathering two big buckets of red nine thorns, making Zhang Guafu's eyes almost turn red.

"How did you get so much?"

He glanced at the little bit of small caramel in his own bucket and instantly felt it wasn't fragrant.

"Auntie, what is this? Look inside this bag." Xiao Hu, like presenting a treasure, pulled open the bag placed in the large flat that held the spotted fish.

Zhang Guafu lowered her head and glanced; in an instant she was petrified, pointing at the contents unable to speak.

"You... you actually..."

Ye Cheng quickly stopped her: "Auntie, say it all—sounds like we're killing and dismembering someone."

Zhang Guafu stamped her foot: "I could accept you killing and dismembering someone, but that you two managed to get two such huge spotted fish—I just can't figure it out."

Ye Cheng was speechless: "Dude, are you really that fierce, even killing and dismembering?"

"Alright, that's about it. Auntie, keep an eye on things for a bit while I have someone come collect; Xiao Hu and I will go stroll the beach a bit more."

Earlier, when he had a moment, he'd already called Boss Qian, who readily agreed to come collect.

Zhang Guafu couldn't take in anything now; she just put her head in the bag to admire the spotted fish, making constant tsking sounds.

Ye Cheng shook his head, took Xiao Hu and continued strolling the beach; this 100 Luck Value is quite high—high enough that even now they can still pick up marine goods.

After walking just a few steps, Ye Cheng saw a bubble rise on the tidal flat; he picked up a shovel and gently dug along the edge, hitting something hard.

It wasn't small at all; being that hard, it must be a shell. He dropped the shovel and dug with his hands, pulling out a large shell from the tidal flat, a long piece of shell meat sticking out.

This is a geoduck; Ye Cheng used to love eating it—geoduck sashimi is very crisp, and adding ice underneath keeps the texture perfectly.

This stuff isn't cheap either; Ye Cheng just accepted it with a smile.

Not long after strolling, they scooped up some more flower clam kings; Boss Qian's call came through—he had already arrived.

Ye Cheng called out, telling Xiao Hu and Zhang Guafu to help move the things toward the village entrance.

On the beach, a few villagers were still scattered, foraging; after the storm there was plenty, and everyone wanted to take the chance to gather more.

"Lao Er, you've gathered so much—what big haul did you get?" Zhao Shen asked, raising her head curiously.

"Well, we got a bit, Auntie—I've had someone come to collect; if you want to sell your stuff, you can come over and sell it together." Ye Cheng shouted, raising his voice.

"Oh, someone's coming to collect? Great, then I'll just bring mine to sell too." Upon hearing someone was coming to collect, Zhao Shen immediately headed for the village entrance; if she had to sell herself she'd have to go to the dock, but now it's convenient.

Other villagers also chimed in: "Lao Er, what about our haul?"

"Uncle, Auntie, let's go together—they're from a restaurant, and they pay well."

"Restaurant? Great, let's go and check the price."

With that casual call, basically all the villagers who were foraging followed along.

A dark crowd of people made Boss Qian hurriedly sit back in his car, thinking they'd come to fight.

Only when he saw Ye Cheng approach did Boss Qian nervously get out of the car, cautiously asking, "Xiao Ye, why are there so many people?"

"Oh, they all heard you were coming to collect goods, to sell seafood."

Hearing they were there to sell goods, Boss Qian breathed a sigh of relief, then lowered his voice to Ye Cheng: "Xiao Ye, we're old acquaintances, so let me be frank—I definitely won't take subpar stuff, since I couldn't sell it anyway."

Ye Cheng understood and smiled, patting his shoulder: "Boss Qian, rest assured, collect however you see fit—no need to worry about my feelings."

"With that, I'm at ease," he laughed.

To be frank, if Ye Cheng insisted he take it, Boss Qian would have to accept it reluctantly to keep Ye Cheng as a major supplier, but setting that precedent would make things difficult later.

"By the way, did you buy those water tanks for me?" Ye Cheng asked.

"I did—come, let me show you."

Ye Cheng now feels more and more that the Snakeskin Bag is somewhat inadequate; the Water Tank is better, like the fish boxes of those later-era fishing folks, which have all kinds of functions—he doesn't need that many functions, just being able to stay alive temporarily is enough.

This time Boss Qian brought Ye Cheng two Water Tanks, not very big, but they should be enough to hold some high-end goods.

"Fine, not bad, I'll give you the money later." Ye Cheng was quite satisfied.

After inspecting the Water Tank, Boss Qian started officially collecting goods; he first collected a few villagers' items, to avoid having so many people crowded around, which looked scary.