Only after sending both of them inside to sleep did Ye Yaodong carry the large yellow croaker into a corner of the house. He put the lid on the bucket, then wrapped an old piece of clothing around it to keep the daylight from getting in after dawn.
This was to block out the light and make the large yellow croaker's color even more golden. Unfortunately, they had no ice at home; otherwise, keeping it cold would have been best.
In China, gold had auspicious associations. It symbolized nobility, was reserved for imperial use, and also represented wealth.
During the Republican era, people in Shanghai called gold bars weighing ten Sima taels "large yellow croakers," and those weighing one Sima tael "small yellow croakers." With gold likened to yellow croakers, eating the fish naturally became associated with wealth too.
A yellow croaker brought to the table gleamed golden, symbolizing wealth pouring in. It was much like how people in Guangdong liked eating East Star Grouper because its red color symbolized flourishing prosperity.
With such auspicious associations with wealth, yellow croakers could hardly fail to become a national favorite. That was why gleaming golden large yellow croakers were so popular in China.
Large yellow croakers caught at night were worth more than those caught during the day precisely because the ones caught at night were golden. Of course he had to wrap it up properly.
As for the big Conger Eel and the mud crab, they would stay alive until it was time to cook them tomorrow wherever he left them. They needed no attention.
Only after finishing everything did he wash his hands and go into the bedroom.
"It's the middle of the night. Why are you going in and out instead of going to bed now that you're home?"