Li Long rode his bicycle with a piece of burlap spread over the rear rack. Li Juan sat on it, gripping the rack's metal tubing tightly and looking excitedly from side to side. Whenever she spotted a classmate, she would call out loudly.
Smiling, Li Long pedaled all the way to the elementary school. Once Li Juan got off, he waved to her, then hurried to the middle school.
Classes had not started yet at the middle school. Li Long rode to the teachers' dormitory, propped up his bicycle, and carried his things to the door. Seeing Gu Xiaoxia's door open and her tidying up inside, he called out:
"Xiaoxia."
"You're here." Hearing Li Long's voice, Gu Xiaoxia turned around with a smile. "Why are you up so early?"
"The morning market opens early. Getting there early makes it easier to sell the fish." Li Long walked naturally into the room and set his basket on the floor, saying:
"These are fish I caught this morning. I didn't bring you any big ones, in case they'd be hard to cook."
"Small crucian carp are my favorite anyway. These are just right, but isn't this a bit much...?"
"Not at all. Give some to your colleagues." Li Long opened the cloth bundle as well and said:
"These containers have cooked pork and lamb, sealed with a layer of fat on top. When you want some, take out a chopstickful or a spoonful. They should last you a while, and I'll bring you more after a bit. Oh, and this is cured pork. You know we're not really used to curing it, so it might be pretty salty, but at least it won't spoil. Don't add salt when you cook it. Taste it first, and if it's too salty, give it a