Chapter 38: Others go gathering seafood, we go fishing

The two returned to Xixi Village; it was already dark.

First they went to the old house, put down the furniture and fishing gear, let A Qing go back to sleep early; although they had bought fishing gear, Wu An still planned to go try gathering seafood first.

After A Qing left, he took the ointment he had bought for his sister-in-law and went out.

What needs to be faced still has to be faced.

Although the household had come through safely, Old Tan's men came to the house to collect debts; ultimately it was because he had taken out a high-interest loan.

His going this time, Father didn't know what attitude he would have.

In his previous life, he lacked the courage to face it, and finally fled in panic.

This life.

He dare not say anything else, but he has the courage to face everything.

The road is bad to walk at night.

But there is also an advantage: every household is at home, no one on the road, and he arrived at the gate quietly all the way.

The iron gate stood wide open.

Wu An looked into the courtyard; everything was as usual, it seemed Old Tan had not lied, his men had not caused a ruckus in the house.

He was hesitating when a voice came from behind: "Second son."

Wu An hurriedly turned his head.

It was his sister-in-law, Mei Yueqin.

He nodded and asked, "Sister-in-law, are you home today? Old Tan's men came to collect debts..."

Mei Yueqin smiled and said, "It's fine, it's fine."

"Come, let's go inside to talk."

"It seems there's something going on in town; the village is holding an emergency meeting, Dad isn't home."

Only then did Wu An follow and walk into the courtyard.

Wu Ping was busy in the kitchen; seeing Wu An, he happily greeted, "A An, perfect timing you're here, then I don't need to bring you fish soup."

"Wash your hands and sit down to eat."

Wu An called out "Brother," was about to decline, when his stomach suddenly gurgled, making Mei Yueqin laugh and urging him to hurry and wash his hands.

After washing his hands, the three sat down.

Wu An took out the ointment; Mei Yueqin looked surprised, then smiled as she picked it up to examine and asked, "Is this expensive?"

Wu An said, "It's not expensive; sister-in-law, you use it first; if it doesn't work well, I'll buy a better one in town another day."

"Don't waste money." Mei Yueqin snapped, put down her chopsticks, opened the ointment and began applying it; it was clear she was truly pleased.

Wu Ping then asked about the high-interest loan matter; Wu An gave a brief explanation, after which he also asked, "Brother, sister-in-law, how did Old Tan's men find our home?"

Wu Ping hesitated a moment and said, "Someone said Chen Gui led them here."

Wu An suddenly understood.

Then there was no escaping.

It must be that Chen Gui called Old Tan, saying he wouldn't repay the debt, so Old Tan sent his men; logically, such a thankless task would make anyone avoid it, and only a worthless person like Chen Gui would willingly step forward.

Compared to Chen Gui, he felt that his former self was all good.

The former Wu An was openly bad, while Chen Gui did his mischief in secret.

Wu Ping saw Wu An not speaking, a little worried, and said, "A An, no matter what, you've repaid the high-interest loan and got the IOU back; this counts as having been resolved safely despite the scare."

"But don't let things branch out again."

Mei Yueqin also nodded along.

Wu An smiled and said, "I know."

The high-interest loan matter is settled.

But Chen Gui made the call and showed the way, so we still need to get an explanation from him.

But there's no need to tell the older brother and sister-in-law about this; he is no longer the former Wu An, and will think before acting.

Mei Yueqin said, "Let's eat first."

Wu An wolfed down his food.

Previously, eating at home seemed ordinary; only after losing it did he realize how precious it was.

Having eaten well and wiped his mouth, Mei Yueqin said, "Just leave the utensils; I'll tidy up together later."

Wu An, having eaten and drunk his fill, then rose to take his leave.

Fortunately Father wasn't home, which saved him some trouble.

Otherwise, upon meeting him, he wouldn't know what to say, mainly because he felt ashamed to chat casually with Father.

Wu An had not been gone long.

Wu Yingwei returned home; Mei Yueqin heated the dishes, Wu Ping took out a bottle of wine and poured it, Wu Yingwei took a sip and asked, "How did you buy this wine?"

"Ergou Tou is enough."

"I drink casually; I don't need such good wine."

Wu Ping laughed and said, "I forgot to tell you this morning; this wine was bought by A An."

"It's specially to honor you."

Originally Wu An didn't want it said, but he thought since Dad already knew, there was no need to hide it.

Wu Yingwei was startled, but didn't say anything.

Wu Ping hurriedly poured another cup, and Mei Yueqin took out the ointment, saying, "Second son also bought me this hand ointment."

"Dad, Second son has truly learned well."

Wu Yingwei said blandly, "That's what he ought to do."

He can be unfilial to anyone, but he cannot be unfilial to you.

Buying some ointment is nothing.

Hearing this, Mei Yueqin's nose felt sour.

The old and young of the Wu family all threw themselves into work; all the big and small matters in the household were handled by her. It's no exaggeration to say that Wu An was raised by her.

Wu An's misbehavior exhausted her mentally and physically.

Sometimes she also complained that this life was too hard.

But now seeing Wu An improve, she felt that all her previous hardship was worth it.

Wu Ping, taking advantage of the moment, said: 'Dad, I never expected A An to change this much.'

Now, the high-interest loan has been repaid.

It's also time to let him come home.

Wu Yingwei snorted coldly: 'Wait until you're the one in charge of this family before you say that.'

After eating and drinking well, Wu Yingwei washed the bowls and chopsticks, smoked a cigarette, and went out to aid digestion.

Wu Ping then muttered quietly: 'If I were the head of this household, I wouldn't need to say anything; I'd just have A An come back directly.'

Mei Yueqin said: 'That's enough.'

From now on, you shouldn't say such things either.

I asked the second son; even if Dad were willing to come back, he wouldn't want to just return home like that.

Wu Ping shook his head and said: 'The old and the young alike are equally stubborn.'

Mei Yueqin said: 'If it weren't for the father-son relationship.'

……

Wu Yingwei hadn't gone far when Lao Meng happened to be at the doorway; the two old men squatted by the roadside smoking.

Lao Meng handed over a cigarette: 'Smoke this.'

Wu Yingwei took it.

Lao Meng said: 'A An gave it to you; he wouldn't not have given it to you, would he?'

'He's just trying to win people over.' Wu Yingwei snorted coldly, saying: 'He didn't give me any.'

Just as Lao Meng was about to make a joke, Wu Yingwei seized the moment to say: 'Actually, he gave me two bottles of wine.'

Lao Meng froze, then burst out laughing: 'Showing off, just go ahead and show off.'

Wu Yingwei twitched the corner of his mouth.

He also laughed along.

Only in front of his old brothers could he let go of everything and be himself.

……

'Ding ling ling.'

The alarm clock rang promptly at one o'clock in the morning.

Wu An sat up after crawling; perhaps because he had repaid the high-interest loan and felt light-hearted, he slept very soundly, and being woken by the alarm didn't feel too unpleasant.

He washed his face.

Not long after, A Qing came running; the two of them, clad in night, carrying fishing gear and lugging beachcombing equipment, headed straight for the beach.

Yellow Sand Beach had few people.

All the way west, the Rocky Beach at midnight was pitch black, but upon reaching the tidal flats, lights crisscrossed, illuminating the surroundings brightly; A Qing instantly widened his eyes: 'This... there are way too many people.'

'Brother, what should we do?'

'Cold salad.' Wu An smiled, saying that gains and losses come together, there's nothing to quibble about: 'Let's not go deep; we'll just grab some bait nearby to fish.'

'But...' A Qing wanted to speak but hesitated; he truly felt uncomfortable, and in his view, the tidal flats should belong to him and his brother.

These people came to the tidal flats to gather seafood, just to snatch what belongs to him and his brother.