It Was a Dragon

"It's good that he can eat. A good appetite means strength." Niu Deyu hurriedly told one of the young shop assistants to buy lunch next door, then brought out some fine tea leaves to brew tea for them.

Before long, lunch arrived, and Niu Deyu chatted with them as they ate.

Soon, people from the Jiacheng Grand Hotel arrived as well. Niu Deyu breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Ao and the others had almost finished eating, so he quickly greeted both sides. "Manager Shen, you're here? Have you had lunch?"

Manager Shen had his mind entirely on the Giant Grouper and hastily waved a hand. "I have."

Niu Deyu introduced them. Manager Shen gave them a quick handshake, then impatiently asked, "Where's the Giant Grouper? I want to see the fish first."

"It's inside. Come, come, follow me."

Selling the fish was the priority. Lin Manzhang hurried over as well. Seeing Lu Ao still elegantly yet swiftly finishing the last pancake, he tugged him along and urged him to hurry.

Niu Deyu led Manager Shen to the fish tank.

Manager Shen had been mentally prepared, but he was still startled when he saw the enormous Giant Grouper. "It's this big? And it's still alive?"

Niu Deyu looked proud. Smiling, he said, "Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called you in such a rush. I've run this fish shop for over thirty years, and this is the biggest wild Giant Grouper I've ever seen. What's more, it's still alive."

Surrounded by so many people, the Giant Grouper flicked its tail, splashing water everywhere.

Manager Shen hurriedly stepped back, his eyes even more amazed. "This Giant Grouper is really lively."

"Yes, it's full of vitality. Keep it well, and there won't be any problem raising it until you hold your Giant Grouper banquet."

Manager Shen inspected the Giant Grouper from every angle. Without further hesitation, he turned to Lu Ao. "Mr. Lu, are you selling this Giant Grouper?"

"Yes."

Lin Manzhang quickly added, "That depends on your price. Someone outside was just willing to offer one hundred and ninety per jin."

Manager Shen pondered for a moment before saying, "How about this? We'll take it for two hundred per jin. That's the highest price I can offer personally. Don't be fooled by how loudly he was shouting; a Giant Grouper this large isn't actually easy to sell."

Ordinary wild Giant Groupers usually sold for only one hundred and thirty or one hundred and forty per jin. For one this large, getting this price was already extremely good.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Ao.

Lu Ao lowered his head to think for a moment, then agreed. "All right."

"Ha ha ha, good. Let's weigh it first."

Lin Manzhang and the others shouted as they exerted themselves, lifting the tank and its water onto the platform scale.

After removing the tare, they fished out the Giant Grouper and weighed it again.

The electronic display on the scale clearly showed the weight—forty-two point two kilograms.

That came to eighty-four point four jin.

It was several hundred grams more than when Lu Ao and the others had weighed it at home, perhaps because of the water.

Manager Shen wiped the sweat from his forehead and rapidly punched numbers into a calculator, muttering, "Eighty-four point four jin, two hundred per jin. That comes to sixteen thousand eight hundred and eighty yuan. Check and see if that's right?"

Lu Ao nodded. "That's right."

A bystander couldn't help murmuring in awe, "Damn—one fish for over sixteen thousand yuan."

It Was a Dragon

Lu Ao couldn't take all of the more than sixteen thousand yuan from selling the Giant Grouper. Forty-five percent in tax had to be deducted.

After taxes, Lu Ao received only nine thousand two hundred and eighty-four yuan.

The income looked decent, but he had truly risked his life for it.

Lin Manzhang and the others were all fishermen, so they understood the dangers of fishing better than anyone.

Lu Ao invited them to have lunch at a nearby hotel. They did not choose anything expensive, ordering only some moderately priced dishes.

When Lu Ao saw the menu, warmth filled his eyes, and he took the initiative to order several pricier signature dishes.

After lunch, Lu Ao prepared to part ways with them. "I'm going to the county town to pick up my vehicle, then buy some groceries. I won't be heading back with you."

Lin Manzhang quickly asked, "How are you getting there? Want me to drive you?"

"No need. Didn't my sister-in-law tell you to get home early? You still need to plant vegetables, right? I can take the bus."

Seeing that he refused, Lin Manzhang did not press the matter. He nodded. "All right, then we'll head back first. Be careful on your own. The vegetable seedlings your sister-in-law bought for you are already at my house. Stop by and pick them up when you get back."

"Weren't we supposed to have dinner at my place tonight? You can bring them over then."

"Next time. Fishing isn't easy for you either. We already ate at your expense this afternoon, so let's forget dinner. We can go fishing together again next time."

Lu Ao nodded. "All right."

The canopy on the tricycle Lu Ao had ordered had only been installed today. He rushed to the county town, paid the remaining balance, tested the vehicle, then went straight to the market to buy groceries before driving it home.

He was not very familiar with the tricycle, and the roads through the towns and villages were not in particularly good condition.

He drove slowly the entire way. By the time he returned to the village, it was already after seven.

The sky had gone dark, leaving only a faint streak of sunset at the horizon.

It was too late, so Lu Ao did not detour to Linwu Village and disturb Lin Manzhang and the others.

He drove straight home.

Lu Ao drove along with the wind brushing his face, feeling thoroughly at ease.

That sense of ease came to an abrupt end when he spotted someone standing outside his door.

The man wore a white dress shirt, a white T-shirt, and even white pants. His face was especially pale, handsome, and refined.

A timid person might have been scared stiff at first glance.

Lu Ao raised his head and met his gaze. The man's eyes curved slightly as he smiled, and his demeanor seemed quite gentle, yet Lu Ao somehow sensed the danger beneath that gentleness.

Song Zhou was also looking at Lu Ao—the A-class dangerous individual marked by their Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency.

Lu Ao looked exceptionally handsome. Even sitting on a farm tricycle, he looked as though he were filming a blockbuster, his legs appearing especially long.

He looked rather cool, too.

Song Zhou smiled. "Lu Ao, hello. I'm Song Zhou."

Song Zhou?

Lu Ao looked over the man whose name sounded strangely appetizing, then nodded. "Hello."