Chapter 13: San Da Ma Fishing with Steamed Buns

On the other side, San Da Ma was holding her eldest son Yan Jiecheng as they fished.

Yan Jiecheng had frozen for half a day without catching a single fish, and he said anxiously.

"Mom, there aren't any either; let's go back—look at how cold it is, who would come out to fish in this weather?"

San Da Ma slapped his head with one palm.

"I gave today's lunch money to Jie Fang, Jie Kuang, and Jie Di; if you don't catch a fish today, I'll deduct the money from your share."

"Besides, how come there are no fish? Look at others—they caught one."

Yao Jiecheng said angrily.

"How can that be the same? Everyone else uses bait, but you gave me half a steamed bun—how could that possibly catch a fish?"

San Da Ma gave him another slap.

"You still dare to talk back? Not catching a fish is your problem—what does it have to do with the steamed bun?"

"I learned this from your father—using steamed buns to fish works best."

Yan Jiecheng was speechless, indignant—this kind of thing just isn't done.

"Mom, sprinkle more steamed bun crumbs into the water to lure the fish; otherwise, with just that little bit on the hook, when will the fish notice it?"

San Da Ma said ruefully.

"That would be wasteful."

"It's not wasteful—if we catch a fish, we profit. Mom, let's try; maybe we'll get a fish if we try."

Yan Jiecheng pleaded.

Seeing others catch fish, San Da Ma also grew annoyed; after Yan Jiecheng's persuasion, she finally relented and began scattering steamed bun crumbs.

Perhaps the fish really liked steamed buns; after waiting another half day, half a steamed bun was gone, and Yao Jie finally caught a fish.

"We got a fish, we got a fish, Mom."

As he lifted, a fish over two catties was pulled out by him.

San Da Ma rushed forward and grabbed it in one hand.

"Haha, I told you there'd be a fish—quick, keep the line in the water."

"Okay, Mom, keep scattering the steamed buns; if we work together, we could catch five or six fish a day."

With the fish as a boost, the mother and son lost their reluctance and their fighting spirit rose.

Just then, Bang Geng ran past them carrying a fish.

Bang Geng also jeered at them.

"Tsk, just one? I've already caught two today."

He then darted back.

Not long after, a clamor of shouting came from afar, along with Jia Zhangshi's wails for her father and mother.

The mother and son glanced at each other, and Yan Jiecheng said.

"Mom, Jia Zhangshi wouldn't go steal, would she?"

"It's possible—given her shamelessness, she'd really dare to do this."

"That's too bold—she's openly stealing."

San Da Ma said a little enviously.

"Being shameless makes one invincible; we can't match that. Your father is a teacher, we still need our reputation—just keep fishing peacefully."

Yan Jiecheng heard this and said with a dark face.

"Mom, what do you think I am? If my reputation is ruined, will I still be able to marry?"

"Only Jia Zhangshi could pull off something like this, and she isn't afraid that Bang Geng will imitate her later."

San Da Ma gave a meaningful glance toward the distance.

"I'm afraid she actually hopes for that—Bang Geng is still young; even if he makes a mistake, it's no big deal."

"At worst, we just pay compensation."

Yan Jiecheng: "No way—she isn't afraid Bang Geng will be caught and sent to a juvenile detention center?"

San Da Ma gave him a sideways glance.

"What's there to fear? If caught, we pay compensation, apologize, give him a spanking—adults can still see eye to eye with a child; it's not a big deal."

"For such a small matter, if not caught in the act, it's as if it didn't happen; if caught, the police focus on education."

The commotion caused by Jia Zhangshi was so great that soon the story of a fish‑snatching old woman at Shichahai spread.

The fishermen immediately became alert.

No one dared to show off their catch anymore.

Jia Zhangshi also lost the chance to act.

In this year of great disaster, if you were robbed, many might secretly applaud; as for your loss, who cares?

Yang Qing and his wife continued to make a fortune in silence.

By evening, the couple had earned another hundred.

After Yang Qing sold the fish, he said quietly.

"After Jia Zhangshi's disturbance, once workers finish their shift at night, the news that there are fish at Shichahai will probably spread throughout the city."

"We don't need to come tomorrow; even if we do, we won't catch anything."

Chen Hong said regretfully.

"What a good way to make money—just gone like that."

"Otherwise, we could come back tomorrow and eat whatever fish we catch."

Seeing her reluctance, Yang Qing—who had once almost starved to death and thus harbors a deep obsession with making money and food—shook his head and dashed her hopes.

"That's to lure thieves to our household; believe it or not, once we have fish, in less than two days none of it will be left."

Then (they) said again.

"How about this: later you go back on your own, I'll fish all night tonight, and tomorrow early you come over; we'll sell the fish at the market, so the money in our hands will have a source."

Chen Hong shook her head, her attitude resolute, and said.

"That won't work; it'll freeze you."

The weather was a late‑spring cold snap, unusually chilly; at night they huddled together under blankets and felt no warmth at all, let alone one person staying alone for a whole night.

"Then bring me a bed blanket."

Chen Hong's attitude remained resolute.

"That also won't work."

Yang Qing thought again.

"Then we'll go back, take a nap, head out at midnight, and fish as much as we can and sell whatever we catch."

"Otherwise, if those two Lao Qian Po keep watching us, we won't be able to spend the money in our hands."

Chen Hong finally nodded.

According to the old rule, each of the two tucked a fish into their bosom, then returned to the Siheyuan.

At this moment, the Siheyuan was already filled with people.

Yang Qing saw that another meeting was about to start.

Seeing the Yang Qing couple, Yan Fu Gui spoke first.

"Yang Qing, where have you been? You're only just coming back now?"

Yang Qing chuckled and explained.

"We went out looking for odd jobs, all to survive; we have to work hard, otherwise we can't."

Jia Zhangshi hummed.

"Didn't you just get a hundred from the big master? How could you be out of money? I think you went out to do something bad."

Facing the blatant false accusation, Chen Hong sneered and said.

"Today while delivering goods, passing Shichahai, we encountered an old woman with her grandson stealing fish."

"We don't know what kind of bad seed she is, but if we run into her again, we'll definitely turn her in to the authorities."

"It's a new society, yet there are still plundering acts; in my view, such people should be taken out and shot."

When Chen Hong finished speaking, Jia Zhangshi's face turned deathly pale.

Everyone in the courtyard turned to look at her.

At this moment, Yang Qing interjected.

"Big master, these two have become famous now; rumors spread everywhere."

"Our courtyard cannot have such incidents, otherwise what use is our reputation?"

"The people in the courtyard, have they lost their face? The children, will they still be able to marry?"

"If we go out and ask around, they'll hear that this courtyard produced a big thief, how will others view us?"

Finishing move.

With a boom, the people in the courtyard were set ablaze.

The matter concerning the two Jia Family members was seen by many; Bang Geng came back twice carrying fish, which was by no means a secret.

Because he had also shown it off everywhere.