Chapter 434

Wu An thought so.

Wu An thought so.

As he spoke, A Qing ran over.

While speaking, A Qing ran over. Or "As he spoke, A Qing ran over." We'll keep: As he spoke, A Qing ran over.

Wu An saw him from afar, waved and said, "Slow down."

Wu An saw from afar, waved and said, "Slow down."

Many fishing boats were under construction, the dock was busy with people coming and going, trash littered the ground, you could find anything; slip and you'd take a nasty fall.

Many fishing boats were working, the dock was busy with people coming and going, trash littered the ground of all kinds, one slip could send you flying. We'll translate: Many fishing boats were at work, the dock bustled with people coming and going, trash littered the ground of every sort, and a slip could send you flying.

Seeing him wave, A Qing ran off even faster.

A Qing saw him wave and instead ran even faster. We'll translate: Seeing him wave, A Qing ran even faster.

Brother, you're heading out to sea this early. After coming over, A Qing shouted with a delighted face: "Looks like you're dying to get out."

Brother, you're heading out to sea this early. After coming over, A Qing shouted with a delighted face: "Looks like you're dying to get out."

Wu An asked, "Did you sleep last night?"

Wu An asked: "Did you sleep last night?" We'll translate: Wu An asked, "Did you sleep last night?"

A Qing shook his head: "How could I possibly sleep?"

A Qing shook his head: "How could I sleep?" We'll translate: A Qing shook his head: "How could I sleep?"

I heard from Old Fu Tou this afternoon that we might go out to sea tonight; it's like I've been shot up with adrenaline—I can't sleep a wink.

"I heard from Lao Fu Tou this afternoon that we might go out to sea tonight, it's like I've been injected with chicken blood—I just can't sleep." We'll translate: "I heard from Lao Fu Tou this afternoon that we might go out to sea tonight; it's like I've been injected with chicken blood—I just can't sleep."

Here, these are the buns my mother made.

"Here, these are the buns my mother made." We'll translate: "Here, these are the buns my mother made."

Wu An took it, still warm.

Wu An took them, still hot. We'll translate: Wu An took them, still steaming hot.

The buns aren't big.

The buns are not big. We'll translate: The buns are small.

One bite each.

One bite each. We'll translate: One bite per bun.

Take one out and stuff it straight into your mouth.

Take one out and stuff it straight into the mouth. We'll translate: He took one out and stuffed it straight into his mouth.

With clam filling.

Clam filling. We'll translate: Clam filling.

One bite, fresh and fragrant.

One bite, fresh and fragrant. We'll translate: One bite, fresh and fragrant.

Wu An couldn't help but say, "That's the flavor."

Wu An couldn't help but say: "That's the flavor." We'll translate: Wu An couldn't help but say, "That's the flavor."

A Qing curiously asked, "Brother, what are you praising? What exactly is the flavor?"

A Qing curiously asked: "Brother, what are you praising? What flavor exactly?" We'll translate: A Qing curiously asked, "Brother, what are you praising? What flavor exactly?"

Wu An thought for a moment: "The taste of home."

Wu An thought: "The taste of home." We'll translate: Wu An thought: "The taste of home."

A Qing laughed, "You talk as if you've been away from home for years—just went to college for half a year…"

A Qing laughed: "You talk as if you've been away from home for years, when you just went off to half a year of college..." We'll translate: A Qing laughed, "You talk as if you've been away from home for years, when you just went off to half a year of college..."

Wu An smiled and gestured for A Qing to come over.

Wu An, smiling, gestured for A Qing to come over. We'll translate: Wu An, smiling, gestured for A Qing to come over.

A Qing came over.

A Qing came over. We'll translate: A Qing came over.

Wu An said, "Go play over there."

Wu An: "Go play somewhere else." We'll translate: Wu An: "Go play somewhere else."

A Qing shouted, "Why are you yelling? What's the point of shouting so loud? Lower your voice—I can still hear you."

A Qing shouted: "Why are you yelling? Yelling so loud for nothing—lower your voice, I can still hear you." We'll translate: A Qing shouted, "Why are you yelling? Yelling so loud for nothing—lower your voice, I can still hear you."

Having said that, he turned and walked away.

After saying that, he turned and walked away. We'll translate: After saying that, he turned and walked away.

Not long after.

Not long after. We'll translate: Not long after.

He brought over a few cups of soy milk, first handing one to Wu An.

He brought over several cups of soy milk, first handing one to Wu An. We'll translate: He brought over several cups of soy milk, first handing one to Wu An.

Wu An didn't stand on ceremony, took the soy milk and drank it.

Wu An didn't stand on ceremony, took the soy milk and drank. We'll translate: Wu An didn't stand on ceremony, took the soy milk and drank.

Old Xie had prepared the miscellaneous fish and shrimp, several buckets full.

Lao Xie then prepared the miscellaneous fish and shrimp, filling several tubs. We'll translate: Lao Xie then prepared the miscellaneous fish and shrimp, filling several tubs.

Loaded onto a cart, the two pushed it along.

Loaded onto a handcart, the two pushed it along. We'll translate: Loaded onto a handcart, the two pushed it along.

Just as they got the equipment onto the boat, Mei Wu and Old Fu Tou arrived by bike; Old Fu Tou boarded, made his usual round, and the fish traps, longlines, gill nets, and cast nets were neatly stacked on the deck.

Just as they got the stuff onto the boat, Mei Wu and Lao Fu Tou arrived on their vehicle; Lao Fu Tou boarded, made his usual round, and neatly stacked the crab pots, longlines, adhesive nets, and cast nets on the deck. We'll translate: Just as they got the stuff onto the boat, Mei Wu and Lao Fu Tou arrived on their vehicle; Lao Fu Tou boarded, made his usual round, and neatly stacked the crab pots, longlines, adhesive nets, and cast nets on the deck.

Why put it on the deck?

Why put them on the deck? We'll translate: Why put them on the deck?

Because there's too much!

Because there are too many! We'll translate: Because there are too many!

During this time, Wu An had Zhao Boss purchase almost everything; except for the fish traps, which were factory-made, everything else was basically handcrafted by nearby families in town.

During this period, Wu An had Zhao laoban purchase almost everything everywhere; except the crab pots, which were factory-made, the rest were basically handcrafted by nearby households in the town. We'll translate: During this period, Wu An had Zhao laoban purchase almost everything everywhere; except the crab pots, which were factory-made, the rest were basically handcrafted by nearby households in the town.

It's still quite common around here.

This is still quite common around here. We'll translate: This is still quite common around here.

This work can be done at home; it's ideal for women who need to look after the household, from young daughters-in-law to elderly ladies who are still able, as long as they can endure hardship, they'll keep busy.

Such work can be done at home; it's ideal for women who need to look after the household, from young daughters-in-law to elderly ladies who can still move, as long as they can endure hardship they'll busy themselves with it. We'll translate: Such work can be done at home; it's ideal for women who need to look after the household, from young daughters-in-law to elderly ladies who can still move, as long as they can endure hardship they'll busy themselves with it.

Wu An also discovered that while the handmade gear isn't necessarily better in quality than factory-made, it seems to bring a bit more luck.

Wu An also discovered that while the quality of these handmade items isn't necessarily better than factory goods, their Luck Value can be boosted a bit. We'll translate: Wu An also discovered that while the quality of these handmade items isn't necessarily better than factory goods, their Luck Value can be boosted a bit.

Better than nothing.

Better than nothing. We'll translate: Better than nothing.

Seeing so many fishing tools on the boat, Mei Wu was stunned: "How did you buy so many?"

Seeing so many fishing tools on the boat, Mei Wu was dumbfounded: "How did you buy so many?" We'll translate: Seeing so many fishing tools on the boat, Mei Wu was dumbfounded: "How did you buy so many?"

How many rows of these fish traps?

"How many rows of crab pots are these?" We'll translate: "How many rows of crab pots are these?"

Wu An said, "Fifty rows."

Wu An said: "Fifty rows." We'll translate: Wu An said: "Fifty rows."

Mei Wu asked, "What about the longline?"

Mei Wu asked: "And the longlines?" We'll translate: Mei Wu asked: "And the longlines?"

Wu An said, "Looks like three kilometers."

Wu An said: "Looks like three kilometers." We'll translate: Wu An said: "Looks like three kilometers."

The gill net is 1,500 meters.

"The adhesive net is 1,500 meters." We'll translate: "The adhesive net is 1,500 meters."

There are even more cast nets—maybe twenty-plus sets.

"The cast nets are more numerous—maybe twenty-plus sets." We'll translate: "The cast nets are more numerous—maybe twenty-plus sets."

Mei Wu scratched his head: "Can we handle all this?"

Mei Wu scratched his head: "Can we handle all this?" We'll translate: Mei Wu scratched his head: "Can we handle all this?"

Wu An patted his shoulder: "Let's first set the fish traps; we don't need to haul them in right away—we can wait a day."

Wu An patted his shoulder: "Let's first drop the crab pots; no rush to haul them—we can wait a day." We'll translate: Wu An patted his shoulder: "Let's first drop the crab pots; no rush to haul them—we can wait a day."

After setting the fish traps, we mainly just need to tend the longline and gill net.

"After dropping the crab pots, we'll mainly tend the longlines and adhesive nets." We'll translate: "After dropping the crab pots, we'll mainly tend the longlines and adhesive nets."

If we encounter a school of fish, we just throw the cast net.

"If we encounter a school of fish, we'll throw the cast net." We'll translate: "If we encounter a school of fish, we'll throw the cast net."

So, since we're heading out now, the earliest we can return is tomorrow evening.

"So, since we're heading out to sea now, the earliest we can return is tomorrow night." We'll translate: "So, since we're heading out to sea now, the earliest we can return is tomorrow night."

A Qing saw Mei Wu wanting to speak but holding back, and solemnly comforted him: "Brother Mei, don't worry about not being able to keep up—maybe our catch won't be great."

A Qing saw Mei Wu wanting to speak but stopping, and solemnly comforted: "A Wu Ge, don't worry about not being able to keep up—maybe our catch won't be good." We'll translate: A Qing saw Mei Wu wanting to speak but stopping, and solemnly comforted: "A Wu Ge, don't worry about not being able to keep up—maybe our catch won't be good."

Mei Wu glared: "What nonsense are you talking? Quick, spit, spit, spit."

Mei Wu glared: "What nonsense are you spouting? Quick, pah pah pah!" We'll translate: Mei Wu glared: "What nonsense are you spouting? Quick, pah pah pah!"

A Qing got kicked by Wu An.

A Qing got kicked by Wu An. We'll translate: A Qing got kicked by Wu An.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey." A Qing quickly put his palms together: "Dragon King, Mother Mazu, I misspoke."

"Pah pah pah." A Qing hastily clasped his hands: "Dragon King, Goddess Mazu, I misspoke." We'll translate: "Pah pah pah." A Qing hastily clasped his hands: "Dragon King, Goddess Mazu, I misspoke."

Wu An's phone rang.

Wu An's phone rang. We'll translate: Wu An's phone rang.

He took it out and saw it was Fan Dali calling.

He pulled it out and saw it was Fan Dali calling. We'll translate: He pulled it out and saw it was Fan Dali calling.

He answered.

He answered. We'll translate: He answered.

"'An, have you gone out to sea?'"

"A An, are you out at sea?" We'll translate: "A An, are you out at sea?"

"'We have.'"

"Yes, we are." We'll translate: "Yes, we are."

"Are you still coming over to Xuan Ya Dao?"

No, this time we're heading straight northeast, running toward the middle line.

Going that far…… We might as well work here on Xuan Ya Dao.

Fine, anything else?

No…… none left.

After hanging up, Wu An shook his head, guessing that the Fan Clan father and son's harvest this trip to Xuan Ya Dao would probably be mediocre. On one hand, there's no Crab Pot gathering fish boosted by his Luck Value; on the other hand, Xuan Ya Dao has been visited too frequently lately, so even if the resources are good, recovery also takes time.

He didn't say more.

Some words, if he said them beforehand, might not be useful and could even make people overthink.

Lao Fu Tou piloted the boat.

They also couldn't just idle and rest.

So many Crab Pots needed bait filling; while he was on the phone, Mei Wu and A Qing had already gotten busy, filling the Crab Pots with bait, after which A Qing kept yawning.

Wu An said: "It'll be a while before we reach Shuangzi Dao; go get some sleep."

Mei Wu asked: "You haven't slept?"

A Qing embarrassedly said: "Knowing we're going out to sea, I was too excited to sleep."

No need to sleep, I can still hold out.

Wu An said: "Go sleep a bit; longline fishing and adhesive net are the main tasks."

If you dare to slack off later, don't blame me for kicking you.

Hurry up and go sleep.

A Qing gave an "oh", flopped into the cabin, in less than a minute he jerked, turned over, and snoring started.

Mei Wu saw, laughed: "This kid is probably already exhausted, just holding on with sheer will."

He also yawned.

Took out a cigarette, hurriedly took a strong drag.

A Qing didn't sleep, but they did, though not for long; at first they were energetic, but now at 2 a. m. they're starting to flag.

Originally this time is when people are most prone to sleepiness.

Let's bait the longline.

After Mei Wu finished his cigarette, Wu An called out, and the two got busy again; the Crab Pots were tidied, then came the longline fishing—baiting it isn't hard, but the work is tedious and monotonous.

The two chatted at first.

Later they didn't feel like talking.

The longline fishing was only one-third baited when Lao Fu Tou shouted: "Shuangzi Dao has arrived!"

Before.

Around Shuangzi Dao, the main task is dropping the adhesive net; the longline fishing had been in the water a while, the catch was decent, the Crab Pots are being used for the first time, Wu An plans to give it a try.

Even if the resources are poor, it's fine; anyway, these Crab Pots will be thrown into the sea for a long time before retrieval, and if worse comes to worst, he can also check the system for Luck Value consumption to decide when to collect the Crab Pots.

At worst, just leave them in the sea for a few days.

Having bait is just one word.

Just do it and it's done.

A Qing was still sleeping, so Wu An and Mei Wu could manage on their own without calling him to help.

The Crab Pots were lowered into the sea one after another.

After all the Crab Pots were lowered, the horizon already showed a faint bluish-white; checking the time, it was just after 4 a. m. Wu An had just leaned against the boat rail and sat down when he heard a familiar sharp cry.

It was Hu Zi's voice!

Lao Fu Tou's voice followed: "A An, there's a Killer Whale pod ahead to the left, and a Killer Whale has broken away from the pod heading over; it should be Hu Zi, who's friendly with you."

Wu An quickly stood up, watching Hu Zi rapidly approach, anxiously slapping his thigh: "I don't have anything good to feed him."

Hu Zi came over.

Wu An waved: "Hu Zi, good morning."

Meeting at this time is a bit early; right now there's nothing good to eat on my boat.

Rotten fish and shrimp, I also don't want to feed you that.

Hu Zi's big head surfaced, its small eyes shining like lights; person and whale stared at each other, Hu Zi called twice, then called twice more; Wu An didn't understand: "What does that mean?"

Hu Zi leaned back into the water, then poked its head out again, leaned back and sank, repeating this posture several times, still calling two notes, two notes.

Lao Fu Tou and Mei Wu also looked puzzled, like a monk two zhang tall unable to figure it out.

A Qing was woken by the noise, muttering: "Brother, what are you spacing out for?"

Hu Zi is calling you.

It's just like me wanting to play with you, asking you to come along with me.

Wu An turned back to look at A Qing: "Really?"

A Qing confidently: "Definitely."