Part of his consciousness quickly sank beneath the sea again. He watched familiar and unfamiliar fish swimming, feeding, mating. He saw shrimp, crabs, shellfish, seaweed, and mud and sand on the ocean floor.
He did not know how long he had slept when someone gently nudged his shoulder. "Lu Ao?"
Lu Ao opened his eyes and saw Hu Xingjin.
Hu Xingjin grinned. "It's already past eight. We're getting ready to head back."
The morning sunlight was bright and warm, tinged with orange, heating Lu Ao's cheeks.
He opened his eyes to the calm sea, then looked at the blue sky, white clouds, and blazing sunrise. Rubbing his face, he asked, "Did I sleep the whole morning?"
"Yeah. Even all our shouting didn't wake you." Hu Xingjin handed him the bread they had bought before heading out to sea. "We're heading back soon. Have something to fill your stomach first."
Lu Ao stood and stretched his limbs, then went over to check their morning catch. "How many did you catch?"
"I caught two. A-Zhi caught the most, four. Lin Qi Yan only caught one."
"Not bad. Let's sell them when we get back to the harbor."
Chen Shengrong had already packed up the fishing gear. He entered the cockpit and called out, "Then I'm starting the boat, okay?"
"Go ahead."
The engine began to chug, and their fishing boat turned and headed forward.
The fishing boat cut through the surface, leaving behind a shimmering trail of ripples.
Tian Mingzhi walked over. "Lu Ao, how are we selling that big fish you caught this morning?"
Lu Ao's interest was piqued. "What do you have in mind?"
"I don't think the fish shops' dealers will be able to afford it." Tian Mingzhi suggested, "How about we take photos and post them on Moments?