Only after selling all their catch did he head back with his father.
When they got home, father and son went to the back door to wash their faces before going inside to eat, afraid they might frighten the children.
As soon as Mother Ye returned, she put the squid on to braise while it was still fresh. The aroma filled the house, and before it was even ready, the two children were crowding around, asking all sorts of questions.
"Shoo, shoo! Stop hanging around the stove getting in the way. You've only just eaten your fill. What's with all the questions? We're saving it to eat with rice tomorrow. Letting it soak overnight will give it more flavor."
"But it smells so good! When will it be ready?"
"It won't be ready. Not until tomorrow."
Lin Guangyuan sat at the table, propping his chin in his hands as he asked Ye Yaodong, "Little Maternal Uncle, how was your haul today? Did you come back fully loaded?"
"More or less."
"What did you catch?"
"Why so many questions? You wouldn't know even if I told you, and it's too far to take you!"
"That again! Auntie said the same thing today." His eyes full of curiosity, Lin Guangyuan added ingratiatingly, "Little Maternal Uncle, do you still need anyone to work on your boat?"
"You're still young. We'll talk when you're older."
"Sigh..."
"Did you go play on the beach today?"
"Yes. We picked up some sandworms and a few cat's eye snails. Those snails are really fun. There's this huge lump of flesh on their heads that retracts and gets smaller. We fetched a little bucket of seawater and put them in it, and after a while, the flesh on their heads slowly came out again, just like sand