Chapter 204: Putting Aside the Compulsion to Help

Wu An didn't think so.

Even if there is a Trawler, it doesn't guarantee a catch.

Why?

Because we don't know how to use it.

Besides, given the circumstances then, Trawling might not work well either.

Lao Xie asked, "Besides devil fish, what other good goods are there? Don't hide them, show them to us and open our eyes."

Went out to sea once.

Everyone was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their own skill.

Because the fishing boats' methods differed, everyone's haul was different; some netted many mantis shrimp and made a tidy profit, others caught White Pomfret, causing a small stir.

Lao Xie knew Wu An had prepared Crab Pot and Longline Fishing, so he said that.

Wu An spread his hands: "Nothing."

"Just these."

"The rest won't come back today; we'll go out to sea first thing tomorrow to collect them."

Lao Xie was suddenly enlightened.

He called the helpers: "Unload."

"Be careful."

"The live‑fish storage still has devil fish that haven't had their tails removed."

The two helpers walked over.

"Boss Lao, don't worry."

"We're not doing this for the first time."

"Don't worry, if you get stung just pay the medical fees and I won't trouble you."

Haha.

Everyone chatted and laughed, then began to work.

After disembarking.

A vendor who was also receiving goods saw Wu An, recognized his good luck, and curiously asked, "Today's voyage, great fortune—what good goods did you get?"

Lao Xie shook his head.

The vendor sneered, "Look how scared you are, still keeping it secret."

"We can't even handle the goods we receive; we wouldn't be blinded by lard and rush in."

Lao Xie treated their words as nonsense.

When truly good goods appear, these people would even lose face over them.

The vendor then shouted at Wu An, "Hey handsome, what good goods did you get?"

Wu An shrugged: "Just some devil fish."

"Devil fish?"

"How big are they?"

"Your little boat can actually catch devil fish?"

The vendors were uncertain and skeptical.

At this moment, the helpers had already moved the devil fish into boxes and taken them off the boat; A Qing and Mai Hangyu were also helping.

Seeing the devil fish in the boxes, everyone finally believed.

"Not that big."

"These devil fish aren't worth much."

"Hey handsome, with this kind of outing you barely got so little cargo?"

Everyone chattered, then dispersed to their tasks, no longer paying attention to him.

Wu An smiled lightly and said nothing.

He thought it was fine.

Lao Xie didn't say more; he was hoping for exactly this.

Returned to the Dock Gate Store.

Settled the accounts.

Calculated the money.

These devil fish together weighed 610 jin; for that weight Wu An was still very satisfied, it wasn't in vain that he scooped net until his hand cramped.

In the end he received 9,150 yuan.

The first day's sea income was only this much, truly not high, but Wu An was quite satisfied and still looked forward to the harvest from the Crab Pot and Longline Fishing.

After all, today's Luck Value of 166 points was basically spent on those two.

The money from selling the devil fish was an unexpected windfall, nothing more to say.

Wu An took the money and said, "Lao Xie, please set aside some Bait."

Lao Xie nodded: "No problem."

"I'm always in the store; you can come anytime."

"If it's closed, just knock."

Wu An nodded, returned to the boat to look around; Mai Hangyu and A Qing had already tidied the fishing boat, settled Mai Hangyu's wages—once a day, just the two of them, the settlement was simple—took the money, and Mai Hangyu drove back to town.

Originally, Wu An had asked Mai Hangyu to stay and go home with him.

Mai Hangyu refused.

He insisted on going back, but Wu An didn't insist.

He settled accounts with A Qing, then hurried home.

On the way, he also chatted with Gu Anran, recounting the amusing encounter with the orca pod; Gu Anran was very interested, she was also quite busy; today, with the sea opening, she bought plenty of cheap seafood.

With the sea opening, the stall business can last a long time.

It's hard work, but it also makes good money.

Over the past few years, she's been the one holding up the household; not to mention daily expenses and the old lady's medical bills, the damn eldest uncle still shows up from time to time to mooch.

Although there's no external debt, there's also not much money left; otherwise, with her diligence, life at home wouldn't be too hard.

At dinner, Wu An recounted how today's fishing trip went.

Even without using A Qing's exaggerated phrasing, the three at the table forgot to eat for a moment, and Mei Yueqin murmured, "Mazu bless."

Wu An chuckled and said, "Sister-in-law, the devil fish I brought home—have it cooked for tomorrow; it's full of collagen, very nourishing."

Mei Yueqin laughed: "What more nourishing do I need? I'm already like this; even your older brother wouldn't despise me."

On the contrary, it's you.

You're up before dawn and working after dark, fishing day and night, exhausted to the point that you need some nourishment.

Tomorrow I'll go to the traditional Chinese medicine shop, pick up some tonics, and make soup for you.

Wu An glared: "Sister-in-law, I really don't need it."

He's always the one holding up the heavens.

But he dares not take any tonics.

Nowhere to exert himself... he still has to wrestle with his own hands, which isn't even tiring enough.

After the meal.

Wu An headed for the old house.

It's already past 8 p. m.; tomorrow he has to rise at dawn, at most he'll get only a few hours of sleep, so he must seize every moment.

Arriving at the old house, he saw a figure crouching by the gate.

Taking a closer look, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Mao Wang," he called out.

Mao Wang looked up, saw it was him, and sprang to his feet: "Wu An, you've finally returned; I've been waiting for you half a day!"

"Come with me to town."

Wu An looked annoyed; this isn't over yet.

He stepped back, dodging Mao Wang's grasp, and said: "I have to go out to sea early tomorrow; I have no time to fool around with you."

Mao Wang was on the verge of tears: "It's not fooling around; something serious has really happened."

Wu An opened the door and went inside; Mao Wang tried to follow, saying as they walked: "Chen Long intends to harm Shen Fang; he... he wants to bully her."

Wu An shoved Mao Wang out of the house and said calmly: "Shen Fang isn't an idiot; Chen Long is a little dog—if they really fought, it's uncertain who would lose."

Mao Wang was momentarily speechless.

Maybe that's the case.

But... the problem is, Shen Fang doesn't plan to resist; she intends to submit, even deliberately let Chen Long bully her—though of course she won't actually let him—so he came here to watch over Wu An, and at the crucial moment, send Wu An to rescue Shen Fang.

He must do it!

Otherwise, he can't face Shen Fang, and worries even more that she'll be successfully bullied by Chen Long!

Wu An yawned: "I can't go."

"If you're really worried, go yourself."

"But I advise you... don't get involved."

Having said that.

He closed the door.

Mao Wang shouted twice at the door, but then saw Wu An extinguish all the lights; helpless, he gritted his teeth and turned to run.

Wu An sat on the bed's edge; though the surroundings were dim, his eyes were bright.

In the moonlight, Mao Wang's running silhouette could be seen.

Hmm.

Set aside the urge to help; respect others' destinies.

He should wash up and go to sleep.