Chapter 457: with translation of chapter title

Wu An followed Lao Xie to the shop.

Passing other storefronts, the idle vendors all called out greetings.

"A An, it's been a while since you came to the village dock."

"What sea goods did you get?"

"How was this trip's haul?"

"It's definitely not good, otherwise why would he come here to find Lao Xie." Said Lao Fang, who had previously had an unpleasantness selling fish with this guy, which also led to Wu An and Lao Xie's long-term cooperation.

If you had to say who at the dock dislikes Wu An and Lao Xie the most, it's Lao Fang.

Lao Fang just talks nonsense, not daring to really cause trouble; after all, Wu An is no longer what he used to be—his father is now the acting village head, having become a village bully.

Wu An smiled: "Not really good."

After just two steps, someone retorted to Lao Fang: "Lao Fang, you're really petty."

"It's not that the handsome guy won't sell his catch to you; it's your own doing."

"If you ask me, the handsome guy is just low-key; I saw Lao Xie hire three helpers, from leaving the shop until now they've been busy for almost an hour, so the catch must be plentiful."

Lao Xie smiled and didn't say anything.

Lao Fang felt awful; even if Lao Xie had said something it would have been fine, but saying nothing at all left him with no opening for his snide remarks.

Lao Xie didn't take the bait.

Lao Fang had no choice, so he started arguing with the person who had retorted him.

"Who are you pretending to be a good person for? Even if you spout flowery nonsense, nobody will ask you to take the goods; Lao Xie is getting rich, and you're just like me—only jealous."

"But don't say that—I don't want to be like you."

"What are you pretending? I don't believe you're not jealous."

"Everybody gets red-eyed sometimes, but it's not to the extent of you—go look in the mirror, your eyes are as red as a rabbit's."

Others also chimed in.

"Lao Xie can get the goods only because you drove away the patron, forcing Lao Xie to hire help."

"We only regret that we were too slow back then."

"Unlike some people, whose guts must be turning green with regret now."

Everyone started chatting a few words.

Lao Fang, angry, returned to the stall and pulled down the rolling shutter.

Obviously, Lao Fang is even less welcome at the dock than a passing stray dog.

That's also normal.

Why?

Back when Wu An was undisciplined and occasionally came to sell goods, it was Lao Fang who took him in; that behavior could be called colluding in wrongdoing, making him of the same ilk as the earlier Wu An—Lao Fang is clearly no good person.

After his rebirth, Wu An naturally went his separate way from Lao Fang and his ilk.

At Lao Fang's age, if he doesn't have the fate of rebirth, he'll probably stay like this for the rest of his life.

……

Wu An and Lao Xie paid no mind to Lao Fang the clown; they went into the shop, sat in the back room, Wu An busied himself pouring tea while Lao Xie made out the bill, Wu An listening as he brewed tea.

He had a rough idea in mind; hearing nothing amiss, after Lao Xie finished the bill he took it back, looked it over himself, confirmed there was no problem, then picked up his pen and signed.

112,034 yuan.

It's considerably less than last time.

After deducting expenses and giving A Qing and the others their share of wages, he ended up with just over eighty thousand.

After working two days to earn this, Wu An was somewhat dissatisfied.

He's gotten greedy now.

Lao Xie had cash in the shop, took it out of the safe, and settled the amount.

Wu An drank a cup of tea, got up, and took his leave.

He greeted Lao Xie from afar; Lao Xie was busy, the fish had to be stored quickly, and the sooner they were sold the higher the price.

He returned to the boat.

Wu An divided the accounts.

A Qing got 11,000.

Mei Wu and Lao Fu Tou each got 5,600.

Of course, besides the money, each also got a basket of catch.

This is the old custom: after a trip out to sea, having worked hard and taken risks, one should bring home some of the catch they caught to eat; Lao Fu Tou originally said he didn't want any, having no children, no wife, no boss, Wu An told him not to be pretentious—does he have nephews or nieces, has he chosen someone to care for him in his old age?

Lao Fu Tou, hearing that, didn't refuse.

After dividing the money and the catch, Wu An saw the fishing boat was tidy, chatted with Lao Fu Tou about tomorrow's preparations—same as usual—but they still needed to prepare as much ice as possible.

"Alright, go rest more; we'll set out at dawn tomorrow, and we should be able to make a trip before the weather changes."

"A An, see you later."

"See you tomorrow."

After exchanging greetings, each went home.

Mei Wu didn't follow along; he went straight home.

Wu An arrived home; his elder brother was also there, busy in the chicken coop and duck pen.

Wu An divided the seafood he brought back, keeping some for home, giving some to Gu Anran, some for Lao Meng, some for Lao Jiang, and sundry others; looking at the divided catch, he felt he'd forgotten something.

Upon feeling a pearl in his pocket, he remembered, walked over to his elder brother: "Big brother, this is for you; later you give it to your sister-in-law."

Wu Ping saw it was a pearl and asked: "Where did this come from?"

Wu An said, "I picked it up in the sea."

Wu Ping glared: "Every time you go out to sea, you always find strange and wonderful things."

Wu An smiled.

Wu Ping shook his head: "This must be quite valuable; it would be great to exchange it for money, so I can use it as a favor..."

Wu An interrupted him: "Brother, what nonsense are you talking?"

"Just say you bought it."

"Or maybe you picked up a seashell while walking on the beach, and then it opened up to reveal this."

"Go."

After saying that, he directly pushed Wu Ping toward his sister-in-law.

Wu Ping had no choice; he walked over, looking back every step, bent down, and placed the pearl in front of Mei Yueqin, who was helping to divide the catch.

Mei Yueqin glanced at it, and her eyes immediately widened, almost turning into cross-eyed; she reached out to take the pearl, cradling it in her palm to look at it, her eyes shining brighter than the pearl, she played with it for a moment before asking, "Where... where did this pearl come from?"

Wu Ping turned his head to look at Wu An.

Wu An whistled while gazing at the sky.

Wu Ping said: "A An gave it to me."

Mei Yueqin looked at Wu An, smiled, then shook her head and said: "A An, your kindness is appreciated by your sister-in-law; she's happy, and I haven't spoiled you in vain. However, I don't want this pearl; since you're now dating, give it to An Ran later."

Wu An said: "I've prepared it for An Ran."

"Sister-in-law, this is for you; please keep it."

"At worst, I'll find out the pearl's value later and have my older brother give me the money."

Mei Yueqin thought for a moment: "Like this..."

Wu Ping said: "I think this is still not appropriate."

Mei Yueqin, angry, hammered Wu Ping: "You talk too much."

Wu An sighed, thinking: "What's wrong with my older brother today? He's become so upright."

He didn't know that Wu Ping was also sighing inwardly; at his age, even if he's a steel-straight man, he still understands a thing or two—his lack of romantic savvy is just an act.

He was trying to avoid it, but Wu An ended up giving him encouragement and a boost.

Who could withstand that?

Seeing Mei Yueqin's happy expression, who knows how energetic she might be.

He couldn't say anything either.

Wu An is too young; he probably can't understand.