Chapter 241: Yang Qing Knows When to Stop Fishing

Zhao Ruoyun brought over the eggs and snacks others had sent, and went home to eat.

Yang Qing ate Chen Hong's leftover rice, leaned against the side, and dozed for a while.

"Waaah…"

A burst of crying came over.

Yang Qing, who had dozed twice, was startled awake.

Yang Qing hurriedly picked up the baby to check if it had wet itself, and indeed it had.

He clumsily put on the diaper, then rocked and swayed to soothe the baby back to sleep before placing it back into Chen Hong's blanket.

Chen Hong was truly exhausted; the baby had been fussing for a while, yet she didn't wake, probably because she knew Yang Qing was there, so she slept soundly.

Afterwards Yang Qing dozed a bit more, then the mother-in-law came over.

Others from the courtyard also came over.

They brought all sorts of things; nobody came empty-handed.

Yang Qing felt utterly overwhelmed by the favor.

Jia Zhangshi also came over, bringing an old hen.

"Good thing I bought an old hen before the snow; otherwise, with this heavy snow, I couldn't go buy one even if I wanted to."

"For postpartum recovery, an old hen is the most nourishing."

"Chen Hong, with her big frame, needs extra nourishment."

Yang Qing hadn't expected Jia Zhangshi to be so generous.

"Thanks, Jia Shen'er, for your thought."

"We only have two left at home, which really isn't enough to eat."

"With this big snow, I truly have nowhere to go buy anything."

"People come with good intentions; you don't strike a smiling face, so any grudges should be let go now."

Jia Zhangshi looked proudly at the others, as if saying, "See? Those giving gifts should learn from me."

"Because timing worked out just right, nobody else's gift could match what Jia Zhangshi brought."

"These days, people rarely give money; they mostly give things, mostly eggs."

"But now, with the heavy snow, where could you buy eggs? So we can only rely on the few rations coupons in the grain ledger to scrape together whatever we can to bring over."

"Yang Qing and Chen Hong are no ordinary folks now; if others bring gifts and you don't, isn't that offending them?"

"Seeing some people look embarrassed, Zhao Ruoyun immediately smoothed things over."

"It's fine, it's fine; just being able to come see us is great, and you brought gifts—we're truly overwhelmed by the kindness."

Yang Qing also said.

"The gift is light, but the feeling is heavy; Yang Qing thanks everyone here."

With Yang Qing and Zhao Ruoyun's words, the atmosphere became lively again.

Yang Qing was once again slowly squeezed out.

Chen Hong was also once again roused by the commotion.

Yang Qing felt sorry but couldn't help it; that's just how social exchanges go.

Relatives are like that, let alone others.

With these people around, Yang Qing and Chen Feng went out for a stroll.

"Come on, let's go get some fish for your sister to eat."

This is Yang Qing's old skill.

While others were still busy shoveling snow, Yang Qing took Chen Feng to Shichahai.

Chen Feng was visiting Shichahai for the first time.

"Brother-in-law, there's actually such a big lake here."

Yang Qing pointed south.

"Do you see it, instructor? They live over there."

"This place and that place are connected."

Chen Feng looked south, excited.

"That's it, that's it… the southeast… sea…"

Yang Qing affirmed.

"Yes."

Chen Feng was excited beyond himself.

"Brother-in-law, I didn't realize you lived so close."

Yang Qing didn't make a fuss like him; he picked up a bucket and went down to the lake.

The old method—build a wall, chisel a hole.

The two of them squatted inside, unseen by anyone.

A handful of bait was scattered down.

The fish that couldn't hold back began to gather here.

Chen Feng whispered.

"Brother-in-law, won't this be too wasteful?"

"A handful goes down to half a catty of food; even a landlord's family couldn't afford such waste."

Yang Qing explained.

"He who is unwilling to let his child go cannot catch a wolf."

"Now the fish in this lake are scarce; you don't need heavy bait, you still can't catch more than two fish a day."

"This is called 'hitting a nest.'"

"We won't lose; catching a pound of fish means we earn."

"Exchanging coarse grain for fish meat, however you count it, it's still profit."

Chen Feng felt that his brother‑in‑law was different in every way.

"Whose husband cooks every day, whose husband lets his wife eat so well, whose husband stays by his woman all day…"

His brother‑in‑law did it.

And he knows many things: cooking, fishing, caring for pregnant women…

Moreover, from others' brief remarks, he could tell that his brother‑in‑law knew a lot more.

"Brother‑in‑law, you're great!"

Yang Qing extended a finger.

Shh………

"Fish peacefully."

The surroundings fell silent.

Ten minutes later, snap, a fish was hooked.

Chen Feng widened his eyes: so simple?

Then his fishing rod twitched; he quickly lifted it.

Snap, another one.

After that, as if by magic, the fish rushed to collide with their hooks.

When dusk began to fall, in front of them were dozens of fish, already more than twenty caught.

Although most fish were small, about half a jin each, this still thrilled Chen Feng beyond measure.

One by one, the fish he caught himself gave a sense of achievement that was irresistible.

Yang Qing stopped Chen Feng, who still wanted to continue.

"Enough, we should go back."

Chen Feng was reluctant to leave.

"Brother‑in‑law, let's fish a bit longer; so many fish, so many fish!"

Yang Qing, while doing Household Chores, urged him.

"Hurry, enough to eat is fine; any more and we can't finish it."

"One must not be too greedy; know when to stop."

Know when to stop?

Chen Feng felt his brother‑in‑law sounded a bit awkward saying that.

"Brother‑in‑law, I heard you're doing great in the Jiedao."

Yang Qing didn't understand why he suddenly brought that up.

He even felt proud.

"It's okay, it's okay; your brother‑in‑law is about to dominate the new‑house market of Jingcheng."

Chen Feng, recalling his mother's words, hinted obliquely.

"Then brother‑in‑law, do you also need to know when to stop?"

Yang Qing, hearing that, froze for an instant.

Indeed, after urging others to stop, he felt he had been a bit too reckless himself.

Jingcheng, new‑house market, self‑controlled?

Unwittingly, he found himself dazzled.

"Thank you, Xiao Feng."

"Brother‑in‑law almost made a mistake."

Chen Feng scratched his head.

"Brother‑in‑law, I was just talking nonsense."

Yang Qing patted his broad shoulder.

"Alright, let's go back."

"Your sister must be hungry now."

When it came to Chen Hong, Chen Feng, though reluctant, had to leave.

He packed his things and followed Yang Qing.

"Brother‑in‑law, can you teach me this fishing method?"

Yang Qing replied naturally.

"Of course, if you want to learn, brother‑in‑law will teach you."

……

The two walked and talked, slowly returning to the courtyard.

Just as they entered, San Da Ye appeared promptly before Yang Qing.

Yang Qing, being considerate, also plucked a fish.

"San Da Ye, add a dish for dinner."

San Da Ye quickly took it.

"I'm honored, I'm honored, thank you, Yang Qing."

Yang Qing nodded.

"No need to be polite, San Da Ye, I'm going back to cook, so I won't say more."

San Da Ye nodded.

"Alright, alright, you be busy, you be busy."

"This is Chen Feng, right? When you have time, come sit here at San Da Ye's."

Chen Feng smiled along.

"Alright, San Da Ye."