Chapter 20: Yellow Croaker

He took them straight to town to sell, then bought some groceries before returning.

As soon as he got home, he saw from a distance that Lin Qiyan was clumsily helping feed the geese in his goose pen.

Lu Ao walked over and lightly knocked on the goose pen door. "Why are you the one feeding the geese?"

"Lu Ao, you're back?" Lin Qiyan looked delighted, then explained, "Lin Gongshang went to the provincial capital, and Zhang Ge and the others are busy fishing. I had more free time, so I volunteered to help feed them. Besides, your geese are pretty cute."

Lin Qiyan crouched and gently stroked a fluffy goose, his eyes full of envy. "It's making me want to raise some too."

"As pets?"

"...Yes."

"Then take one home."

"No, no, no. I was just saying it. I'm not asking you for a goose." Lin Qiyan stood up with a smile. "Forget asking for geese. I want to work with you on something else."

"Work together on what?"

Lin Qiyan scratched his head. "Don't you go fishing every day? Especially you—you catch so many fish, and they're all genuine wild-caught sea fish. Some of my followers have asked whether they can buy fish from us if they cover the shipping?"

"Where are your followers from? Will the fish still be fresh by the time they get there?"

"They will, they will. If they're in this province or a neighboring one, I can take them directly to the station and send them by rideshare. If they're farther away, we can ship them by air from town. It'll only take a few extra hours. Don't worry, preservation technology is so advanced now. We'll pack them with ice and oxygen, and they can usually arrive the same day. The fish's eyes should still be clear when the followers receive them."

Lu Ao considered it.

Lin Qiyan looked at him eagerly. "You know I can't fish, so I can only ask you guys."

Lu Ao did not refuse. A sale was a sale no matter who he sold to, and selling to Lin Qiyan would save him a few steps.

"Tomorrow, then. I'll send you pictures of whatever I catch tomorrow, and you can tell me which fish to set aside."

"Alright. I'll wait for your message tomorrow."

Lu Ao nodded. After thinking for a moment, he added, "How do you ship fish? I want to send two to some friends while I'm at it."

"Where are you sending them?" Lin Qiyan said readily, "I'm mailing fish to my followers anyway. Just give me the fish and the addresses, and I'll send them for you."

"They're both in this province." Lu Ao said, "I'll tell you tomorrow after I see what fish I catch."

Lu Ao wanted to send two fish.

One to his childhood friend, Ge Ranzhou.

One to Song Zhou.

Chapter 20: Yellow Croaker

Lu Ao had good luck the next day. He caught some Red Snapper, White Wax Fish, Golden Drum Fish, and Black Seabream.

Lu Ao specifically set aside three plump Black Seabream and kept them alive in a water tank before taking them to see Lin Qiyan.

By the time he went to find Lin Qiyan after selling his fish, Lin Qiyan had only just gotten up. His hair was a mess, and he kept yawning.

Lu Ao could not help looking at him a few more times.

Lin Qiyan scratched his head awkwardly and rubbed his eyes. "I was editing videos last night, so I went to bed pretty late. I usually get up quite early."

Lu Ao smiled. "I came today to ask how to ship these fish."

"That's easy. Just go to the courier station in town and have them pack them with oxygen and ice. Wait for me—I'll wash up and go into town with you to send them."

"The town is enough?"

"Yeah. Don't let how remote this place is fool you. Lots of fish dealers come here every day, so the courier business is well developed."

Lin Qiyan quickly headed to the bathroom to wash up.

When his grandmother saw Lu Ao, she warmly offered him some pancakes she had made that morning. "These are eggplant pancakes made with eggplants we grew ourselves. Have a taste."

His grandmother's surname was Ye. She was thin but sturdy, and looked exceptionally kind.

With an elderly woman like that looking at you, probably no one could refuse.

Lu Ao hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took a pancake, bringing it to his mouth for a small bite.

The eggplant pancake tasted astonishingly good. The fried eggplant was soft and creamy, fragrant with seasoning powder and spicy from chili powder. Paired with the batter, it was crisp on the outside and tender within—delicious beyond words.

Lu Ao took a large bite, then held the pancake up to inspect it. "This eggplant pancake is delicious. Grandma, how do you make it?"

"Marinate the eggplant with salt, seasoning powder, and chili powder. Make up the batter, mix the eggplant into it, then fry it." Grandma Ye pushed the plate closer to him. "If you like it, eat more. There's still some in the pan."

Lu Ao thought of his own grandmother and could not help taking another one.

Grandma Ye watched him eat with a beaming smile. "You just got back from fishing?"

"Mm."

"Fishing is hard work. It's tough on a young man like you. Why not enjoy yourself in the city instead of coming back here to fish?"

"There are more fish here, and I earn more too."

"That's true. This place is famous as a land of good fortune. Lin Qiyan says home is nice too. He didn't want to stay in the big city enjoying himself, so he came back specially."

Lu Ao looked outside. Lin Qiyan was brushing his teeth over the ditch with a cup in hand.

Lu Ao said, "He came back because he wanted to keep you company."

"He's filial." Grandma Ye smiled. "When he first came back, I was worried and kept urging him to return, but he insisted on staying."

Lu Ao said, "There's nothing bad about coming back. He can work as long as he has a computer. He doesn't earn less at home than he would outside, and it's quieter too."

Old people liked having someone to talk to.

Grandma Ye pulled Lu Ao into a long conversation. By the time Lin Qiyan was ready and had finished breakfast, she stuffed a large bag of pancakes into their hands for them to eat on the road.

Lin Qiyan was still sleepy. He yawned and refused, "No need. We're just going to town to mail a few fish. We'll be back in half an hour."

Grandma Ye scolded him lightly. "Even if you won't eat, what about Lu Ao?"

Lin Qiyan knew Lu Ao's appetite. At that, he looked at Lu Ao and saw that he had not refused, so he hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, we'll take them. Grandma, go chat with people at the shop. Leave the clothes here—I'll wash them."

Grandma Ye was unwilling. "Leave what? I can wash them while I'm at it. They're not even dirty."

"However convenient it is, can it be more convenient than a washing machine?" Lin Qiyan put his hands on his grandmother's shoulders and gently pushed her toward the house. "It's settled. I'll wash today's clothes, so Grandma, don't you dare wash them."