As dusk approached, Gu Xiaoxia went to the Li Family's home.
Just as she was nearing their house, she happened to run into Li Long and the others returning from Little Haizi. Rather than enter the courtyard, she waited outside until they reached the gate, greeted Li Jianguo first, then said to Li Long:
"I'll go to County Town with you tomorrow morning."
"All right. Get some rest early. We'll leave the team at around seven tomorrow," Li Long said.
"Okay," Gu Xiaoxia answered, turning to leave.
"Xiaoxia, wait." Li Jianguo called her back and took a Five-Stripe Perch weighing two or three kilograms from the Sled, holding it out to her.
"Take this home to help build your dad's strength back up."
"Uncle Jianguo, I can't..."
"Why not? It's for your dad." Li Jianguo pressed the fish into her hands. "All right, hurry home. Get some rest early and do well on your exam tomorrow."
Somewhat moved, Gu Xiaoxia went home with the fish in her arms. Tao Daqiang also hurried home carrying a fish. He wanted to get back and make fish soup to help Tao Jianshe regain his strength.
Li Long took a Common Carp to the Stable and told Lao Luo that he planned to use the cart the next day. Naturally, Lao Luo had no objection.
Li Long got up after six the next morning. First, he went to the Stable, harnessed the horse to the cart, and brought it to the Li Family's home. Then he and Li Jianguo loaded the fish. They had caught over fifty kilograms of fish the day before, but only thirty-odd kilograms met the standard for sale.
Li Long suggested selling all the frozen fish they had stored earlier as well. The thaw would come before much longer, and