When he reached the pier, he stopped to say hello to A-Cai and told him he would be back later to settle up. They still hadn't settled the payment for the abalone from two days earlier, so he gave him advance notice to have the money ready.
It was the middle of winter, and a run of so many sunny days was rare. There weren't many boats moored outside the pier; most had already headed out.
Of the two largest boats moored there, one belonged to A-Guang and the other was his. Seeing Father Pei bent over the engine on his boat, he steered closer.
"Uncle Pei, I heard there's a problem with your boat's engine. What's broken?"
Father Pei had heard the engine before the boat approached, but he hadn't had time to see whose boat it was. Hearing someone call him now, he sat up and looked over.
"Oh, it's you, A-Dong. A few parts have rusted and worn out. I was afraid something might happen at sea, so I didn't dare go out today. I went to town this morning to buy parts, and I'm replacing them now."
"That's all right, then. As long as you spotted it before heading out and replace them in time. Otherwise, it'd be trouble if the engine broke down at sea."
"Exactly. That's why you have to check before every trip and be careful. Where are you off to now?"
"To haul in my fishing pots. I haven't checked them for days."
"You're certainly hardworking. You've set quite a few nets, too."
He chuckled. "I'm just trying to get better returns. If I'm making a trip out, I at least have to cover my costs. Having a few kinds of nets aboard means I'm prepared."
"You've set a good example for