Chapter 104 A Bountiful Fish Harvest in the Village
Chapter 104 A Bountiful Fish Harvest in the Village
"what?"
"That carp with a red tail and golden scales."
"it's me."
"Very good."
The girl's eyes lit up, and without saying a word, she grabbed Zhang Wenshan's hand and shook it vigorously.
Before he could react, the girl had already let go of his hand, turned and ran, her cheerful shouts carried on the wind.
"I touched good luck! I touched good luck!"
Zhang Wenshan finally came to his senses and raised his hand to touch his nose.
The news spread faster than he had imagined, and the girls of the 1980s were bolder than he had expected.
Before he could react, more footsteps approached.
"Comrade Zhang, wait a minute, may I shake your hand? Hope I can share some of your good fortune!"
"Comrade Zhang, tell me quickly, how did you catch that lucky fish?"
"I was here first! Don't push!"
Lin Deqiang's expression changed instantly when he saw the workers surrounding him. He subconsciously tensed up and even considered calling his security colleagues for help.
But he soon discovered...
Zhang Wenshan seemed to have anticipated this, and with a calm smile on his face, he handled the situation with ease, showing no sign of panic.
Lin Deqiang smiled, shook his head, and stepped aside.
No wonder my brother-in-law walked out of the cafeteria like an old man taking a stroll, unhurried and calm. It turns out he had been waiting for the workers to come looking for him.
People still have some respect for the person who caught the lucky fish, and there is no excessive behavior.
Unlike the girl from before, he didn't force a handshake.
In fact, most of the female workers just watched from afar and did not go up to join in the fun.
"How come I never noticed before? Zhang is actually quite handsome." A female worker whispered to the person next to her, glancing at Zhang Wenshan every now and then.
He's someone who constantly brags about having a brother-in-law who's the deputy head of the security department, and who openly defies factory rules by gambling and betting money.
Zhang Wenshan is somewhat famous.
"Well, you know what," another female worker nodded in agreement, "look at him now, he's actually much cleaner and more upright now that he's dressed worse."
"That's right. He used to be so unserious and lifeless, with dark circles under his eyes. He looked so listless. But he's different now."
Just then, a sour voice came from the crowd.
"It's just catching a fish, what's the big deal? Why are so many people gathered around?"
"My master said that many people have never seen that kind of fish in their entire lives."
"And there are big fish, strips of rice, and willow roots, all of them are huge—"
"If you're so capable, try catching one yourself."
Several female workers immediately retaliated in unison, and the men were not to be outdone.
"I work at the factory every day, completing the tasks assigned by the organization. How could I have time to catch fish?"
A worker nearby chimed in, his tone laced with a hint of superiority, "Country folks have no choice but to fish for money. We're legitimate state-owned factory workers, we get paid every month, we don't need that little bit of money!"
A woman who had eaten in the cafeteria before and had seen Zhang Wenshan pay for his meal stepped forward, arms crossed, her eyes full of disdain.
"They just paid four yuan for their meal. You're not short of money, why don't you also take out four yuan and treat everyone to a meal?"
The man's face flushed red instantly, and he dared not utter a word.
Four yuan.
That's more than two days' wages!
How could I possibly invite someone to dinner?
Those around them gasped in surprise, their eyes wide with astonishment, and they began whispering amongst themselves.
Four yuan for a meal?
Is catching fish really that profitable now?
The scorching sun of a summer afternoon in Northeast China cannot dampen people's joy at the harvest.
More people than usual have gathered under the large banyan tree in the center of Chishongtun today.
Countless women occupied the spots beside the well, queuing up to draw water and clean the fish. The air was filled with a strong fishy smell, but everyone seemed oblivious, their faces beaming with smiles.
"Everyone should really thank Shanzi today. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to get all these fish."
Once someone started, others followed suit.
In everyone's basins, there were as few as seven or eight, and as many as ten or so, and that wasn't all.
"Who says otherwise? You can catch fish with a winnowing basket. The last time was probably ten years ago, right?"
"It's been almost twenty years, not just twenty. Shanzi is a good kid. He doesn't keep things to himself and always thinks of everyone when there's something good to be had."
"That's right, that fishing and hunting group helps people in need. I heard they get more than a dollar a day. I'm so envious."
"
"They have a conscience too. They even sent shrimp, crabs and snails to the team before, for the people digging frog ponds to eat."
"Is the Toad Pond project almost finished? Do you think it'll be profitable?"
"Of course! Shanzi's skills are unparalleled."
Amidst the enthusiastic discussion, a bicycle bell rang.
"Gentlemen, make way."
"Oh, Shanzi's back?"
"How was your day?"
"Thank you, Shanzi. The fish we caught will last us for several days!"
As soon as the women saw who it was, instead of making way for them, they swarmed around them, their voices full of warmth.
Zhang Wenshan welcomed everyone without hesitation, greeting them with one foot on the ground.
All that hard work over the past few days, isn't it all for this moment?
"Shanzi, you know how to read the weather, tell me when it's going to rain?" A voice suddenly came from the crowd. "I think the sky looks a bit strange. It's been almost ten days since it last rained, hasn't it?"
"Oh, it really is true."
"Shanzi, hurry up and do my fortune telling—"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wenshan was secretly delighted, but he deliberately feigned a troubled expression and stammered, "Well, I've only learned the basics, I can't be sure—the uncles and elders in the village all have experience in farming—"
With that, he suddenly pushed off the bicycle pedal and fled in panic.
"Hey, don't go, let's chat for a bit."
"This child, once he's learned well, has become shy around strangers."
"No, something doesn't seem right about him. Maybe there's something he's hiding."
"What's wrong with asking about the weather? If it's not raining, just say so."
As soon as the words were spoken, the chaotic scene instantly fell silent.
"Is it really true that there's no rain and you're afraid to say?"
"There was a major flood in early spring, which delayed planting for a long time. There wasn't much rain in May, and now—"
'
The old woman's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
"Pah! Don't talk nonsense, everything will be fine."
"But last year—"
Last year was a year of floods.
Under the banyan tree, the previous laughter and chatter had vanished. The aunties and grandmas from each household cleaned the fish and left silently.
"Go to the brigade leader's house and return the car."
Zhang Wenshan handed the bicycle to Lang Qiuping, glanced back, and whispered.
"Just mention what happened earlier to the captain."
Lang Qiuping was slightly dazed, then nodded, pushed his bicycle forward a couple of steps, and couldn't help but turn back and say, "Brother Shanzi, there's something wrong with Tianzhen."
"I know what I'm doing."
"it is good."
After they parted ways, Zhang Wenshan went straight home and saw a mountain of fish as soon as he entered the yard.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and all kinds of products.
"Mother, did you do all this?"
"How could that be?" Xu Xiulian said with a smile, but also with a hint of helplessness. "Everyone who went to catch fish gave us some. Look, here we are again."
"Brother Shanzi, Auntie, my mother asked me to bring the fish over."
A little girl, about seven or eight years old, came over carrying a washbasin.
He went into the yard, slammed the fish on the ground, and then ran away in a flash.
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