That afternoon, when Li Long and Tao Daqiang went to Little Haizi to set their nets, they ran into Wang the Miser.
Li Qingxia did not go-or rather, Du Chunfang had not let him go. Liang Yuemei was going to make clothes for them, and Du Chunfang had told Li Qingxia to stay home.
Li Long guessed it was probably because of the vegetables Li Qingxia had bought and taken home. After lunch, Du Chunfang must have asked where the money had come from. Once she learned that Li Long gave Li Qingxia money every time, she stopped letting Li Qingxia come over.
She was afraid her youngest son would give away all his money and be unable to save enough to get married.
Of course, that was only Li Long's guess.
When the two of them arrived at Little Haizi, they saw Wang the Miser and Meng Zhiqiang setting nets along the East Bank.
Watching Li Long and Tao Daqiang approach carrying inner tubes, they stood in the water and smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Wang the Miser took the initiative to greet them:
"Xiao Long, you're here to set nets? Those inner tubes-are you setting them in deep water?"
"Yes." Li Long smiled. "There are fish in the shallows, but not many. There are more in deep water. Oh, and there are duck parasites in the water now. Their bites itch and hurt. You'd better get out as soon as you finish setting your nets."
"Sure, sure." Wang the Miser nodded repeatedly.
Carrying their inner tubes, basin, and nets, Li Long and Tao Daqiang went to the southeastern shore. After choosing a spot, they pushed the inner tubes into the water.
Li Long was still the one setting the nets. He first went a dozen meters or so from shore