Chapter 11: Following

Jia Zhangshi didn't sleep well all night; her home had no clock, no alarm clock, not even a pocket watch or a wristwatch.

So she could only tell time by waiting for the rooster's crow, looking at the sky, or going out to look at the stars.

Originally her biological clock was quite reliable, but she was afraid that Yang Qing and his wife would wake early and she wouldn't keep up, so she didn't dare take off her clothes or fall into a deep sleep.

This caused her to doze off and wake intermittently, so she didn't sleep well.

By the time Yang Qing and his wife set out in the dark, Jia Zhangshi had already put on a pair of National Treasure Brand Glasses.

"These two bastards, what are they doing up so early, ruining my sleep."

"Watch me catch your handles, then I'll figure you out."

After saying that, she got out of bed, grabbed a few steamed buns, and sneaked out.

She had just reached the doorway when she saw another person.

Jia Zhangshi stared, then asked softly.

"Is it the Yan family?"

San Da Ma was startled by her, patted her chest, and asked softly.

"Is it Elder Sister-in-law Jia?"

Jia Zhangshi nodded, then asked unhappily.

"It's still so dark; why are you up so early?"

San Da Ma looked at Jia Zhangshi, who was fully dressed and acting sneaky, not like she was going to the toilet.

Then, recalling the couple who had just left, she thought of something.

"Sister-in-law Jia, you're tailing Yang Qing, aren't you?"

Jia Zhangshi panicked and blurted out a lie.

"I'm just going back to my hometown for a trip."

San Da Ma rolled her eyes, "Going back to your hometown? There aren't any vehicles running yet; how would you get there? On foot?"

"Then go home; I'm leaving."

After saying that, she turned and left; if she didn't go now, Yang Qing and his wife would have disappeared.

Seeing San Da Ma's expression, Jia Zhangshi also realized something, and her face immediately fell.

"You shameless thing, you're here to steal my livelihood."

Hearing the noise behind them, San Da Ma didn't bother much; first grab the leverage, then talk—there'll always be a share to be had.

The two of them went along sneaking about; it's only because it's dark and no one's around, otherwise they'd surely be caught and handed over to the authorities.

Yang Qing, however, was completely unaware, or rather he simply didn't care—fishing isn't illegal, so what's there to feel guilty about?

When making the trade, even more so on the spot, just say it was someone else who caught the fish; nobody can pin any fault on it.

Unless they're caught at the scene of the trade.

But what's that windbreak for? It's just to block others' sight and hearing.

If you get too close, worst case I won't sell; I'll just sell to the market.

Yang Qing couldn't sense it, but Chen Hong was different; ever since they left, she felt something was off, vaguely sensing someone behind them.

When she passed a lit stretch, she paid attention and observed a bit, then, upon reentering darkness, she turned back to look.

At that moment, because of the light's halo, anyone behind coming forward could only see a blank white expanse of the lit area, while further ahead in the darkness, nothing could be seen.

Chen Hong instantly saw the two old women under the light.

"Hey, it seems someone is following us."

Yang Qing also turned his head to look.

"It's Jia Zhangshi and San Da Ma."

"Looks like our early departures and late returns these past two days have drawn suspicion."

"Come on, let's run a couple of steps."

"Let's give these two old women a run for their money."

Having said that, Yang Qing took Chen Hong's hand and they started a light jog.

Hearing the running footsteps ahead, the two women behind panicked and also started to run.

"They want to run; chase them."

You know it's winter now, with snow piled at the roadside; by day it melts, the meltwater flows onto the road, and by evening it freezes again.

So some stretches are very slippery.

Yang Qing and Chen Hong are poor, wearing thin clothes, which doesn't hinder their movement.

But San Da Ma and Jia Zhangshi's families are well off, so they wear thick clothing (as anyone who's worn a cotton-padded jacket knows, the thicker it is, the heavier and the more it hinders movement), especially Jia Zhangshi, who is already stout; with the cotton coat she's like a ball.

With light it's fine, but once you plunge into darkness, the front suddenly goes dark, and with ice suddenly appearing underfoot, there's a plop.

"Oh dear!"

She tumbled and knocked San Da Ma over.

San Da Ma had been running onto the ice, her vision still a blur, her heart also panicking, about to fall, when Jia Zhangshi bumped her, and she ended up sitting on Jia Zhangshi's body by momentum.

With a slap, San Da Ma sat on Jia Zhangshi and slid a considerable distance.

San Da Ma realized something bad had happened, and immediately played the victim, accusing first.

"Jia Zhangshi, you're blind—why did you bump me?"

Jia Zhangshi, having been sat on by San Da Ma's rear, nearly lost her breath, and she angrily retorted.

"Yan family, there's ice on the road—why didn't you say anything? Are you trying to harm me?"

San Da Ma is also a seasoned hand.

"I wanted to warn you, but just as I opened my mouth you hit me."

Jia Zhangshi.

I don't care, anyway you've sat me until I'm broken.

Ai ya, my waist, I need a wave-ridge cover...

Hurry up and pay the medical fees, otherwise I won't let this end with you.

San Da Ma also knew her sitting was a bit harsh, and she had even slid two or three meters while riding on Jia Zhangshi; if Jia Zhangshi got entangled with her, she would definitely lose money.

She quickly diverted Jia Zhangshi's attention.

Jia's sister-in-law, if we don't chase now, Yang Qing will get far away.

Jia Zhangshi stared blankly, then a surge of anger rose—it was all because of Yang Qing that she had to suffer this.

Chase, keep chasing, but the fact that you hurt me isn't over either.

San Da Ma went along and said.

At worst, I'll let you pick first when the time comes.

The two seemed to reach an agreement, then rose up smoothly and chased after Yang Qing and his spouse.

By then Yang Qing and his group had already run far off; from a distance it was just a dark blur, nothing could be seen.

The starlight reflected off the snow also didn't help the two find Yang Qing and his group.

They could only chase with their heads down.

Meanwhile, Yang Qing and his spouse had come all the way to Shichahai, returning by the same route to their own snow den.

Until dawn, Jia Zhangshi was panting from exhaustion, having run all around, yet still couldn't find Yang Qing.

Finally they arrived at Shichahai.

As dawn broke, more people came to fish; some even stopped hiding and began fishing naked.

Jia Zhangshi and San Da Ma gradually also noticed that Shichahai was different today.

Jia Zhangshi looked at the lake surface and poked San Da Ma.

Yan family's, look, isn't that person catching a big fish?

San Da Ma followed Jia Zhangshi's pointing and looked over; indeed, she rubbed her eyes and looked again to make sure she wasn't seeing things, then exclaimed excitedly.

It's true, fish have appeared, fish have appeared, Shichahai has produced fish; I must hurry back to tell Old Yan of my family.

Having said that, she didn't even bother with Jia Zhangshi, let alone look for Yang Qing, and rushed off in a puff toward the siheyuan.

Jia Zhangshi watched San Da Ma run off and snorted.

Blockhead, talking as if San Da Ye doesn't have to go to work.

Afterward her eyes rolled around, looking at those fishing people.

Gradually a smile appeared on her face, a particularly lewd smile.

Then she also ran toward the siheyuan, not knowing what bad idea she had come up with again.