Exchange

Fang Yue had thought he had misheard.

His own sister had actually told him to bring fish to Widow Yu. For a moment, he stood there dumbfounded, without moving.

"What are you standing there for? Go quickly and come back quickly. In a while, you still need to bring food to Father and Eldest Brother." Fang Lan urged him again.

"Oh, oh, I got it."

Fang Yue took the prepared fish and meat and immediately headed out.

Third Uncle and Seventh Uncle were both close relatives of Fang Yue's family.

They also lived fairly near, so whenever something came up, the families often helped one another.

Thus, in a situation like today's, they would all send each other some food.

After all, there was too much fish and meat for one family to finish.

There was no way to preserve it in this era. It would spoil after today, so it was better to do someone a favor with it.

Fang Yue first went to Third Uncle's and Seventh Uncle's homes. After delivering the fish and meat, he passed Widow Yu's house on his way back.

"Mother, Brother Yue is here."

The little girl, thin and small, though with a touch more color in her face than before, was playing in the yard.

The moment she looked up and saw Fang Yue, she hurriedly called out.

A moment later, Widow Yu emerged from the room, still dressed the same way, still as graceful and alluring as ever.

She swayed as she walked.

What a seductress!

Ordinarily, one ought to heed the saying: what was improper should not be seen, what was improper should not be spoken of.

But Fang Yue was, after all, a soul from another world. He had never been born with so many shackles.

Besides, there was no one else here. He could not help staring at her a while longer.

Widow Yu naturally noticed Fang Yue's gaze. Her fair face instantly flushed all the way to the roots of her neck.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Fang Yue.

Though she looked bewitching and wanton, she had once come from a wealthy household and naturally knew propriety and shame.

If anyone else had looked at her so rudely, Widow Yu would have long since cursed him as a lecher.

But Fang Yue was different. After all, he had saved the lives of her and her daughter.

Still, she could not help thinking, Brother Yue has grown up.

"Ahem. Madam Yu, my sister asked me to bring you this fish and meat."

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness in the air, Fang Yue hurriedly handed over the fish and meat.

"We can eat fish! Anu can eat fish today! We won't have to go hungry today!"

Anu's cheerful voice rang out.

"Anu, hurry inside and wait."

Widow Yu sent her daughter into the house.

The next moment, she took the fish and meat. With a slight heft, she estimated it weighed two or three jin.

They had given her so much fish and meat again today!

For some reason, Widow Yu felt her nose sting.

She looked at Fang Yue with blazing, heated eyes. Recalling where his gaze had fallen just now, she grabbed his hand and pressed it against herself.

"Try it."

"Widow Yu, what are you doing? Let go!"

Fang Yue said so, but his hand was very honest—it did not let go at all.

There was no need to mention this life; he had not yet touched a woman.

But even in his previous life, though he had been an old hand in the pleasure quarters, he had never encountered anything like this.

It was truly unbelievable.

The feel beneath his hand was far more astonishing than what his eyes had seen.

Fortunately, this place was remote, and most farmers were out working in the fields, leaving few people active in the village.

Still, he had to be careful not to be seen. If someone saw them and wagged their tongues, he might end up being drowned in a pig cage.

"I have things to do. I'll be going first, Sister-in-law Yu."

Fang Yue did not even look at Widow Yu, whose neck had turned scarlet. As though he had eaten his fill and wiped his mouth clean, he simply turned and left.

"I never expected him to be such a little lecher."

Watching Fang Yue's departing back, Widow Yu could not help spitting lightly. Yet she did not look angry in the slightest; instead, she was filled with helpless, resentful longing.

Clouds rolled and unfurled, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

Summer had arrived in full, and the weather gradually grew hot.

Fang Yue's days remained as they had always been: herding cattle and fishing every day.

Whenever he caught too many fish, he would send some to his relatives, Widow Yu, and Fang Ergou's family.

Gradually, word spread through the village that Fang Yue had quite a knack for fishing.

This drew quite a few villagers to learn from him. Yet no matter how they studied, they found that their catches were nowhere near Fang Yue's. The difference was considerable.

Clearly, Fang Yue had real skill. There was more to fishing than met the eye.

Seeing this, many people gave up.

Fishing could provide meat, but it took up time.

Fish could not be sold for money, could not be used to pay taxes, and could not be preserved.

This method of fishing was still inferior to farming.

One day.

After herding the cattle, Fang Yue was just about to head home when Fang Ergou came looking for him.

This time, he at least did not pounce on him.

These past few days, Fang Ergou had watched so many people in the village learn fishing from Fang Yue, and his heart had begun to stir as well.

"Brother Zhi, could you teach me how to fish?"

Fang Ergou scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and spoke in a muffled voice.

After all, fishing was also a skill, a means of making a living.

What ordinary person would teach their livelihood to someone else?

"I-I can teach you archery."

Perhaps feeling particularly embarrassed, Fang Ergou hurriedly added.

After all, archery was the only thing he knew.

How could a Hunter not know how to shoot?

"What are you saying, Er Gou? If you want to learn, I'll teach you. There's no need to trade anything for it."

Fang Yue was secretly delighted. Archery was also an excellent skill.

The more skills one had, the better. If he learned it well, perhaps he could even go into the mountains to hunt in the future.

For him, exchanging skills was a splendid thing.

At once, Fang Yue began explaining from the making of a fishing rod.

For instance, what kind of bamboo pole to use, how long it should be, and how to treat it to make it tougher and less likely to break.

He also explained how to make fishing line from tree bark, as well as bait and groundbait.

He slowly explained all sorts of knowledge, teaching him hands-on as well.

Though Fang Ergou usually seemed a little simple-minded, he was not stupid. His nature was merely pure.

And with such a pure nature, free of so many stray thoughts, he actually learned things very quickly.

"When you go back today, find the materials according to what I told you and make a fishing rod first."

"When you come tomorrow, I'll teach you how to fish."

After finishing the theoretical instruction, Fang Yue headed home with Fang Ergou.

As for archery, he did not mention it at all.

With Fang Ergou's nature, he certainly would not go back on his word.

Besides, Fang Yue did not yet have enough strength. He probably could not even draw a bow.

There was plenty of time ahead. There was no need to rush over these few days.