Chapter 96: How ridiculous, how ridiculous

Wu An didn't know that butter crabs had a first‑hand/second‑hand distinction; sorting only by size still meant they had to re‑sort.

The people Gao Qiangqi brought were all seasoned veterans.

Although they hadn't handled butter crabs much, they were all old hands in this line of work for several years, each with a flashlight for sorting.

Gao Qiangqi didn't even look at Wu An and A Qing, reminding: "A An, you guys keep an eye on things too."

Wu An shook his head: "I trust the old brother."

Gao Qiangqi smiled and patted his shoulder.

Soon.

Sorting finished.

"The first‑hand butter crabs total 21 catties."

"The others add up to 83 catties."

"There are also 23 catties of green crabs, plus some other odds and ends, which I also took in."

"A An, you see no problem, right?"

Wu An nodded; before coming, Lao Meng had reminded them they'd weighed the cargo, the numbers were correct, and those green crabs, along with the other sea products, belonged to Gu Anran.

They also caught some green crabs and mantis shrimp and such sea products; the amount was small, so they didn't sell them, instead keeping them for themselves— their table here can't do without seafood, and with many people at home they can finish it all.

He made an OK hand gesture, and Gao Qiangqi waved at A Jin.

A Jin immediately went back to the car and took out a messenger bag.

Altogether is.

Gao Qiangqi pulled out four bundles of money from inside, first gave three bundles to A Jin, then counted out 5000 from one bundle, and directly handed the messenger bag to Wu An, saying: "I've taken out a total of 200,000."

"This contains 165,000."

"You count it."

Wu An nodded.

This isn't a small sum, so we really need to count it; it's not about distrust— after all, he's not alone, he has many people behind him.

Making sure the money is clear is also being responsible to everyone.

Counting is simple: the loose change of 5000 needn't be counted, each other bundle is 10,000, making sixteen bundles total, and it's quickly cleared.

Gao Qiangqi then took out another 3800, which was Gu Anran's money; Wu An took it, counted it, and slipped it separately into his pocket.

Later he'll have to deliver it to Gu Anran.

Look.

What a reasonable and above‑board excuse for a meeting.

Wait a moment.

Gu Anran had cheerfully handed over the sea products to him; could it be that he also had this in mind?

The more Wu An thought about it, the happier he became.

To pack the money, he felt awkward— he'd forgotten to bring a bag for the money.

Gao Qiangqi voluntarily said: "Use this bag to hold the money."

Wu An said: "I'll borrow it for now; tomorrow I'll come to town to find you and return it."

Gao Qiangqi waved his hand: "No need to return anything, I'm giving it to you."

Wu An: "That's rather embarrassing."

Gao Qiangqi laughed heartily: "Definitely don't feel embarrassed."

"If you could deliver goods to me like this every day, I'd be willing to send any number of bags."

"By the way, I've arranged a meeting with the boat owner for you."

"Tomorrow I'll set up a venue, and we can get this done then."

Wu An nodded: "Fine, if it's suitable I'll just buy it outright."

He has money in hand.

He's not panicking inside.

If it's roughly right, he'll act decisively.

Don't look at just this one day— relying on "green crab transit" and butter crab, together they earned about 200,000, but it's only a windfall.

Only by going out to sea can he fully exploit his moneymaking ability; that's the long‑term plan.

Gao Qiangqi nodded.

He took a puff of a cigarette, waved his hand, and they each walked to their cars.

A Qing lifted the messenger bag and happily said: "Brother, it's pretty heavy."

"Turns out money is this heavy; I'd guess it's three or four catties."

"If it were several million, I might not even be able to lift it."

Wu An smiled and said: "That day will come."

A Qing's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Of course it's fake." Wu An said while getting into the car: "We're not doing some shady deal; if the amount were huge, we wouldn't need cash."

"Sit tight."

A Qing hugged the bag with both hands and crouched in the carriage.

……

At home.

Not long after Wu An and A Qing rode off on their bikes, Duan Dajie's family returned from gathering at the sea, saw the gate of the old Wu household open, came over to visit, and asked how today's sea gathering harvest was.

Mei Yueqin certainly couldn't tell the truth, merely saying there was nothing to show for it.

I heard at the pier that Wu An went to the tidal flat to harvest the sea, went too far down, and even had a little accident—could it really be true?

Uh… that's actually the case.

Oh dear, that's really careless—being greedy and reckless is one thing, but also holding up others from making money, truly…

Whatever the delay, it's fine.

You're really generous to Wu An; today is what day, a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years money‑making chance. Duan Dajie kept chattering, couldn't help bragging after half a day's setup; "I just went to the beach near Rocky Beach to harvest the sea, worked only three hours, and easily earned almost two thousand."

Mei Yueqin said, "That's pretty good."

The typhoon passing combined with the high tide— for the villagers, that's a "feast". Although the pier vendors bought at prices lower than usual, they couldn't handle the sheer volume of sea goods.

Wu Ping shouted from inside the house.

Mei Yueqin quickly made an excuse and walked into the house.

Duan Dajie, unable to stop the shout, pursed her lips in displeasure and said, "Hmph, who are you, leaving before I get two words in, can't stand seeing others do well."

"Only you get to show off, but I can't brag a couple of lines?"

"Go be jealous, you all."

Duan Dajie waved her hand, headed home, and happened to meet a passing villager, greeting and chatting, "Hey, big sister‑in‑law, how was today's sea harvest?"

"Yeah, it was fine."

"I'm doing okay too, it's just that Lao Wu Jia didn't make money today, because of that Wu An kid…"

Bla bla bla.

The villager, after being pulled aside, gave a perfunctory two sentences and hurried away; no time for idle talk. By now the sea harvest has indeed earned money, but it's also exhausting and hungry—who wouldn't rush home for a hot meal and rest?

After the others left, Duan Dajie, feeling bored, finally went home, and once inside, she loudly shouted at the two elders, so loudly that even through a wall—or two houses away—it was crystal clear.

Inside.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh, finding Duan Dajie quite ridiculous.

After a while, Mei Yueqin returned to the doorway to watch, occasionally stepping to the entrance to look toward the road.

Wu Ping also stepped out, saying, "I was waiting at the doorway; you go back inside and keep Aunt Li Juan company for a chat."

Li Juan was originally about to leave.

But she was stopped.

Mei Yueqin nodded, went back inside to keep Li Juan company for some small talk.

Entered the house.

Lao Meng and Wu Yingwei were smoking and asked, "The two should be coming back soon, right?"

"Hmm, I guess they're almost here," Mei Yueqin said, sitting beside Li Juan, watching Li Juan stitch clothes with needle and thread, praising her dexterity.

As they were talking, a motorcycle roared outside; everyone stood up and went to the courtyard. Wu Ping flung the main gate wide open, and Wu An rode his motorcycle straight into the shed.

Mei Yueqin couldn't hold back and asked, "A An, how much did you sell?"

"I… I'm just curious, nothing else."

She feared everyone would think she was eager to split the money, so she quickly added an explanation.

Wu An smiled; not only the big sister‑in‑law, but seeing the others' expectant looks, he knew everyone was extremely curious.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Wu Ping said, and also asked, "A An, don't hold back, quickly tell us."

See? Also in a hurry.