"Dongzi? You're still here? I thought you'd gone back."
Help had arrived just in time!
Ye Yaodong looked at A-Guang with shining eyes. A true brother indeed, showing up just when he was needed.
"A-Guang, hurry! Got any strength left in your arms? Climb over and help me haul this net aboard."
"Huh? Oh, coming."
Actually, neither he nor his father could lift their arms anymore. There was little point in staying, and they had been about to head back.
But those were the men he thought of as his future father-in-law and brother-in-law. Even if he had no strength left, he had to help.
Father Pei brought the boats alongside each other so A-Guang could cross over.
A-Guang scrambled across on his hands and feet, patted the muscles in his arms, then shook out his hands as he walked over before joining in.
All three grimaced, practically grinding their back teeth to pieces. With a tremendous effort, they inched the net upward.
The moment they hauled it aboard, all three dropped onto the deck with a thud. Now they really were spent.
"Not bad, you two. You actually hauled in a marlin with this battered old net?" A-Guang saw broken strands and gaping holes all over it.
"Doesn't stop it catching big fish. Damn, finally got it aboard. I was about to give up."
"Then shouldn't you thank me for showing up in time?"
"Sure, thanks to eight generations of your ancestors!"
Father Ye glared at him. "What kind of talk is that?"
"Oh, it's fine, Uncle. We always talk like this," A-Guang said with a laugh.
"My dad just isn't used to it!"
"Hahaha! You're heading back now, right?"
"Yeah. It's getting dark, and Dad and I are done for. We were already planning to leave, but then