Everyone on the tractor chattered excitedly over one another, green with envy. A-Guang had arrived late and had not had his chance to marvel at it yet. He squatted there, measuring its head with his hands and occasionally touching the streamers on top.
"Dongzi, how much can you sell this oarfish for?"
"How would I know? I've never caught one before, or heard of anyone catching one. Let's take it to the wharf first and see."
The others chimed in with interest. "Definitely several hundred. Maybe even over a thousand yuan..."
"Holy shit, that much?"
"It's nearly two hundred jin! Who's ever seen a fish this rare? Wouldn't those rich bosses want to buy it and taste the meat? Put on an all-fish banquet? Damn, think of the prestige!"
"Shit, that's true. Carry a fish this big around the streets, and you'd look good just doing that."
"So that's why you shamelessly insisted on tagging along?"
A-Guang glared. "What kind of talk is that? Who's shameless? I'm his future brother-in-law, one of the family. You lot are the shameless bastards..."
They bickered and swore at one another on the tractor, only quieting down a little once they reached the town streets.
"Say, shouldn't we lift the oarfish up? Make it stand out more. Since we're here, we ought to parade it around a bit, right?"
Ye Yaodong rubbed his chin and nodded. "Makes sense. You guys hold it up, then!"
He would sit this one out...
They actually lifted it up with enthusiasm, some supporting its body, one cradling its head, another holding its tail. Their proud expressions made him feel a little embarrassed...
They had barely raised the fish when they saw passersby on the roadside staring with wide eyes.
One man was carrying baskets on a shoulder pole.