Li Long and the others returned before the sun had set.
At three spots, through six holes in the ice, they had scooped out seven or eight kilograms of fish altogether. The largest was the common carp Li Long had caught. Most of the rest were small, mainly crucian carp.
But everyone was delighted to have fresh fish in the depths of winter, even if there wasn't much.
The four families divided up the fish and carried their shares home, all saying they would make fish soup for a taste of something fresh.
Li Long had the same idea. He had eaten quite a lot of meat these past few days, and fish would make a nice change.
Naturally, Li Long took the common carp too. He carried it and over two kilograms of crucian carp back to his eldest brother's place, intending to leave the red carp for Dad and Mom to stew and eat, and take just some crucian carp home himself.
"No need. This carp's so pretty. Take it home and eat it yourself," his mother, Du Chunfang, said. "Your dad catches fish every day in summer. We've eaten plenty like this. We're not short of a bite."
Quite apart from how it tasted, its red head and red tail certainly looked festive. No wonder Du Chunfang said that. She made no secret of her favoritism.
"I want the crucian carp. I like eating them." With Dad and Mom both here, Li Long felt it would be rather improper to take the biggest fish for himself.
"Take it. We have plenty," Liang Yuemei said. "Aren't you going out to scoop up more fish tomorrow and the day after? You should catch plenty then."
Once his elder sister-in-law spoke, Li Long nodded.
By now, Du Chunfang had caught