Chapter 335: The First Net’s Surprise

Chapter 335: Chapter 335: The First Net’s Surprise

The Qingming Festival was approaching, a time when people paid respects to their departed relatives. It was, after all, a day born from missing those who had passed away.

"That’s wonderful. I hope Mrs. Wu stays healthy and lives a long life," Han Xiaorui said with a smile. "Here, let me help you with your things."

"Thanks, Sister Xiao Rui," Wu Jiao said gratefully, and they carried the items together.

Wu Jiao had brought gifts for Pingping and An’an: two wooden swords with lifelike, carved patterns.

Red tassels were tied to the hilts. Pingping and An’an loved them, shouting "HI-YAH! HA!" as they brandished their new swords in the yard.

Wu Jiao’s return certainly made things much easier for Han Xiaorui.

With Han Xiaoqing also home for the weekend, Han Xiaorui could finally take a hands-off approach.

At four in the afternoon, Qi Wenxuan arrived with some fruit.

Han Xiaoqing, carrying a large bag of delicious food prepared by Sister Cai, got ready to head back to school with Qi Wenxuan.

Before she left, Han Xiaorui reminded her, "Xiao Jing, I don’t object to you dating Qi Wenxuan, but he’s going to study abroad. You’ll be apart for a long time. You can date, but you can’t..."

Han Xiaoqing giggled. "Sis, don’t beat around the bush. Don’t worry, I won’t sleep with Qi Wenxuan. If our relationship can withstand a three-year separation, then it’s solid. If we can’t make it, it just means we weren’t meant to be."

Seeing that her sister understood, Han Xiaorui breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as you get it. My sister is the best."

Han Xiaoqing nodded. "Sis, I’m grown up now, and I’m smart. Don’t treat me like a child, and definitely don’t treat me like an idiot."

"I know, I know. Go on your date, and be safe," Han Xiaorui said with a smile, taking out two hundred yuan and handing it to Han Xiaoqing. "When you go out to eat, don’t let Qi Wenxuan pay every time. You should pay sometimes, too."

Han Xiaoqing accepted the money without hesitation. "Got it, Sis."

"Sis, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Xiao Jing," Qi Wenxuan said as he drove away with Han Xiaoqing.

Watching her sister leave, Han Xiaorui smiled.

’Everyone has their own life to live, and my sister is no exception.’

’She’d said all she needed to say. What came next was her sister’s own journey to navigate.’

With Wu Jiao back, Han Xiaorui could go out to sea.

"Jiaojiao, tonight, you’ll sleep with Pingping and An’an. I feel at ease leaving the children with you," Han Xiaorui instructed that evening, feeling a bit impatient.

They had three boats now, and every trip to sea brought in a considerable income.

’The money was secondary; what mattered most was her love for the sea.’

The scent of the ocean called to her in her dreams.

Ye Feng saw Han Xiaorui coming out of Wu Jiao’s room and waved her over. "You didn’t bring the kids back home this weekend. Grandma and Grandpa really miss them."

"They decided to come over tomorrow afternoon to have dinner with Pingping and An’an, and then they’ll head back at night."

Han Xiaorui smiled. "I went shopping today, so we couldn’t make it. We’ll definitely go next weekend. By the way, if Grandma and Grandpa don’t mind how simple my place is, they can stay in the guest room."

"There are a lot of people in the village, so it’s lively. The peach blossoms are out now, and the scenery is nice. They can treat it like a little getaway."

Ye Feng thought for a moment. "Alright, I’ll try to convince them to stay. If they’re willing, they can stay for a few nights. If not, I won’t force them."

Han Xiaorui snuggled into Ye Feng’s arms. "I’m going out to sea tomorrow, so tonight..."

Before Han Xiaorui could finish, Ye Feng hoisted her over his shoulder. "Then let’s not waste any time!"

Han Xiaorui quickly covered her mouth, afraid she would cry out and wake the children or disturb Wu Jiao.

She slapped Ye Feng’s back. "Be gentle!"

It was a wild and passionate night.

The next day, before the children were up, Han Xiaorui packed her duffel bag and boarded the boat.

While Wu Jiao and Wu Yao were away, Han Xiaorui had stayed home with her two daughters and hadn’t gone out on the boat at all.

Seeing Han Xiaorui arrive today, everyone greeted her one after another.

As soon as Han Xiaorui was on board, Yang Zhigang grabbed his bag and disembarked. "Xiao Rui, it’s fine if you go. I’m not going."

Now that Han Xiaorui could manage things on her own, Yang Zhigang’s life was much less strenuous.

For Yang Zhigang, not having to clean up his screw-up son’s messes was the good life.

He was learning to enjoy his blessings!

"Alright, I’ll leave things at home to you, Uncle Yang," Han Xiaorui agreed without ceremony.

’This was for the best. If something were to happen to her, Pingping and An’an would still have someone to depend on.’

Qi Heng chuckled. "Brother Yang, you’re really living the good life now."

Yang Zhigang nodded. "Of course. Only a fool wouldn’t enjoy his good fortune when he has it. Old Qi, if you’re ever unsure about something, listen to Xiao Rui. Her word is my word. I’ll back her up completely."

Qi Heng nodded. "Alright, don’t worry. We love going out to sea with Xiao Han. We always run into good fish. It’s great!"

Yang Zhigang happily said his goodbyes to Qi Heng and Wu Guangfu and headed back.

’If he went back now, his granddaughters Pingping and An’an should be awake. He could even have breakfast with them!’

’The two little ones loved pan-fried buns. The ones from Yu the Fourth’s place were pretty good; he’d buy some to bring over.’

Wu Guangfu now had a clear picture of Yang Zhigang’s style: the hands-off boss.

’His son was unreliable, but his daughter-in-law was dependable.’

’Well, she wasn’t his daughter-in-law anymore, but more like an adopted daughter.’

’Yang Zhigang had it better than him. He hoped his own son would mature through his time in the army, find a dependable wife, and build a good life for himself. Then, he would be content.’

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Let’s set sail."

It had been a month and a half since her wedding, and Han Xiaorui hadn’t been to sea in all that time.

After so many days away from the ocean, Han Xiaorui missed it dearly.

"The most expensive fish from the first haul today is what we’re having for lunch!" Han Xiaorui’s mouth watered. She was craving it.

’Seafood pulled straight from the ocean and thrown right into the pot—the taste was absolutely divine.’

Liang Xiaoyu smiled. "Then we’re in for a treat. Xiao Rui, you go untangle the net in a bit. Maybe you’ll pull up something good."

Han Xiaorui didn’t refuse. "Alright."

The bulging net was hauled up.

Han Xiaorui untied the top of the net, and fish tumbled onto the deck.

"Whoa, what luck! It’s a Yellowlip Fish!" Chen Yishui exclaimed. "This one’s not big, but it’s alive."

Han Xiaorui said quickly, "Get it to the live well, quickly! Keep it alive. Professor Wang told me before that he needed a few for his research."

Chen Yishui and the other crewmen moved swiftly, quickly placing the fish into the live well.

"It’s the Yellowlip Fish’s breeding season right now. This one might be a female with eggs in her belly," Han Xiaorui said, following close behind, forgetting all about picking out a tasty fish for lunch.

She added a little of her Water Ability into the live well, praying that these precious Yellowlip Fish would be strong enough to survive.

Yellowlip Fish are primarily found in the river estuary areas of Hua Country, such as the Guangdong Pearl River Estuary Sea Area, the Zhejiang Hangzhou Bay Zhoushan Sea Area, and the Fujian Minjiang Mouth Quanzhou Bay Sea Area.

They inhabit near-shore waters at depths of 50 to 60 meters. The young fish live in estuaries and along the nearby coast, schooling in clear water and dispersing when it becomes turbid.

The fish were just incredibly delicate. But their meat was delicious, and the fish maw made from their swim bladders was truly excellent.

It was an especially restorative food for women who had just given birth.

Currently, the teams led by Professor Wang and Professor Li had already made great progress in the artificial breeding of Big Yellow Fish.

The two Yellowlip Fish that Han Xiaorui had contributed last year had already died in captivity, leaving Professor Wang so heartbroken he couldn’t sleep.