Chapter 163: Taking Advantage of the Fire

On the other side.

Wu An drank the congee his sister-in-law cooked; it was plain congee, with somewhat rich toppings including dried scallops, not bought but sun-dried at home.

The matter of him getting drunk yesterday still couldn't be hidden.

Yesterday after returning to the old house, his sister-in-law called to inquire.

A Qing talks fast.

He let it slip unintentionally; hearing it, his sister-in-law naturally complained a couple of sentences—not that he drank alcohol, but that he got drunk and didn't come home.

Being drunk with no one to look after you is life‑threatening!

Wu An quickly admitted he was wrong.

Mei Yueqin felt sorry for him being busy outside and still having to drink for social engagements, so she cooked congee early this morning.

Mei Yueqin asked, "So you mean the boat will be available soon?"

Wu An nodded: "Yes."

"We haven't gone out to sea yet, but having a boat means we can do many more things."

Fishing and gathering at sea go without saying; they're routine operations.

It's not about buying a water pump; find an uninhabited island with many water pits, let the pump draw water, they go gather at sea first, then after returning they can directly go to the pits to catch fish and scoop shrimp.

During low tide, not a moment is wasted; at high tide they can still fish, and as long as they go out to sea, the workload can be maxed out directly.

As long as the luck value is high enough, they will surely earn a decent amount in a day.

He glanced at the system.

Yesterday's daily luck value was low, only 8 points, because he was busy with big matters and also drank and got drunk, so naturally it wasn't used up.

His personal luck value had already reached 150 points.

But today's daily luck value is still low, only 10 points; such a little luck value doesn't require going far—just loitering by the seaside gathering at sea will easily consume it.

He estimated they'd earn only a few hundred yuan.

Just barely get by.

According to his understanding of the system, the daily luck values have been low for several days straight, likely to charge up for a big move.

He greatly looks forward to the daily luck value breaking into three digits.

He also needs to prepare actively.

Don't wait until the system gives a three‑digit daily luck value, only to find he exhausts himself trying to use it up—that would be quite frustrating.

Mei Yueqin ladled another bowl of congee and said, "Don't overwork yourself."

"Money is something you can never finish earning."

"Take it slow."

Wu An nodded slightly; his sister-in-law's concern was not without reason—now only he and A Qing are two people, dealing with water pits, gathering at sea, and fishing.

In the future they'll also need to set crab pots and use longline fishing.

He and A Qing simply can't manage on their own; they must increase manpower.

For now Mai Hangyu can fill in, and occasionally the older brother can help, but that's not a long‑term solution; he must hire employees who can work steadily over the long term.

Wu An drank three bowls of congee, patted his now‑full belly, and said, "Sister‑in‑law, don't serve more—I'm already full."

"What is my older brother Wu busy with?"

Mei Yueqin tidied the bowls and chopsticks, then casually said, "What could he be busy with? He's earning money by operating a sewing machine in the factory."

Wu An asked, "How much can he earn in a day?"

Mei Yueqin shook her head, saying, "I don't know either; it seems to be piece‑rate, the more you work the more you get. Xiao Wu can endure hardship, so he should be able to earn a fair amount in a day."

Upon hearing that, Wu An roughly figured it out in his mind.

He asked, "Then he must be pretty busy; lately he hasn't come here."

Mei Yueqin said, "What would he come for? Before, he used to come deliver things and money; now I often go back myself, so he naturally doesn't need to come."

Wu An said, "Then next time you go back to your natal home, I'll go along."

Mei Yueqin teased, "You've gotten bold lately—you're not afraid Xiao Wu will beat you, are you?"

Wu An gave a hehe laugh: "What's there to be afraid of?"

"It's only right if he hits me."

"Besides, the money's been repaid, and I ought to talk to him face to face."

Before, he and Mei Wu were on bad terms; he had tried to swindle Mei Wu out of a sum of money, and though that money has naturally been repaid now, he never apologized in person.

Mei Yueqin laughed and said, "Fine, in a couple of days then."

"I'll call home to ask, pick a day when both the older brother and Xiao Wu are home, and then go back."

Wu An nodded slightly.

He followed his sister‑in‑law back to her natal home; besides apologizing, the most important thing was to keep an eye on Mei Wu.

Although he and Mei Wu had previously ended on unpleasant terms, that was also because he was undisciplined and Mei Wu, feeling sorry for Mei Yueqin, took a dislike to him.

Now there naturally is no conflict anymore.

Moreover, Mei Wu is someone who can endure hardship, and with this sister‑in‑law connection, he basically counts as one of our own.

When looking for help, it's naturally better to rely on our own people.

These thoughts don't need to be told to the sister‑in‑law for now; after meeting Mei Wu, he'll also have to ask Mei Wu's opinion, in case Mei Wu isn't willing.

If the sister‑in‑law acts as the middleman, wouldn't she be left awkward?

He certainly doesn't want to put the sister‑in‑law in a difficult position.

Eat well.

A Qing also arrived, not empty‑handed, carrying a big watermelon as a gift.

Wu An wasn't standing on ceremony, took the big watermelon and put it in the well water to chill, waiting to eat after the afternoon sea gathering, blowing in the wind he started chatting about Chen Guang Liangjun.

A Qing suddenly thought of something, said: "Brother, when Guang Liangjun was released, I saw Chen Long also being released."

Wu An blinked: "Why didn't you say yesterday?"

A Qing scratched his head, said: "I thought it wasn't a big deal and forgot, just now I remembered."

Wu An smiled: "Yeah, not important."

As long as the money is paid in full, he doesn't plan to cause trouble for Chen Long anymore.

Idle, nothing to do.

Wu An brought A Qing back to Lao Wu, after experiencing a typhoon, Lao Wu was very stable, showing that Foreman Li's work quality is beyond reproach.

Next, after earning money he'll need to start the renovation plan; he intends to find time to talk with Foreman Li, such a big project can't be taken lightly.

Before that.

He also needs to find a designer, but that's not something he needs to worry about; Mai Hangyu has a friend at school who studies design, and he's already contacted the teacher through that friend.

A Qing asked: "Brother, aren't we going to the water pit today?"

Wu An shook his head: "No, we're not going."

"We'll go sea gathering after the tide goes out."

"Today we'll rest."

Earn a few hundred bucks, enough for today's expenses is fine.

Wu An is mainly waiting.

Waiting for Guang Liangjun to come to the door.

It wasn't long before Guang Liangjun arrived.

Wu An saw that Guang Liangjun had a broken hand, wasn't surprised at all, greeted him, feigning ignorance, and asked: "How did you come?"

Guang Liangjun, voice trembling, directly asked: "Wu An, do you still want to buy the fishing boat?"

Wu An hesitated: "I do want to buy it."

"But... your fishing boat, I'm a bit afraid to buy it."

"I heard your fishing boat is unlucky."

Guang Liangjun stamped his feet in anger, cursing: "That's just them talking nonsense, my fishing boat is fine."

Wu An pointed at his broken hand: "Before you say that, could you wait until your hand heals? Otherwise I find it hard to believe."

Guang Liangjun was so anxious he swore all kinds of oaths saying the fishing boat is absolutely fine.

Wu An couldn't be bothered to tease him, said: "Alright, I believe you."

"I've said before, unless your boat is half price, I won't take it."

"Forty-four thousand."

"Including what you owe me, I'll give you another thirty-five thousand nine hundred fifty, so I'll round it up to thirty-six thousand."

Guang Liangjun, upon hearing, jumped up: "No, no, this price is too low, definitely not acceptable."

"You can't be taking advantage of the situation like this."

Wu An laughed: "How can I not take advantage of the situation?"

"Besides, I'm going to take advantage of the situation."

"What can you do about it?"