Ever since finding that octopus, Gu Wancheng's luck seemed to have found an outlet and came pouring out.
Before long, he had picked up so many moon snails that his hands were tired.
Gu Wancheng squatted on the ground, digging at a little mound, and unearthed a hairy clam.
Watching its red flesh abruptly retract, Gu Wancheng smiled as he put it in the bucket.
He was having a great time digging up little mounds. Every time he found a moon snail, he gave it a firm squeeze. It was so satisfying.
He had completely overlooked his dear son beside him. Whenever Chaochao took a fancy to something he put in the bucket, he took it out and put it in his own little bucket. Just like that, Chaochao's bucket was nearly half full.
Gu Wancheng wiped his face, his bright, peach-blossom eyes brimming with smiles, and turned to look at his bucket.
His pupils instantly shook. Where were his moon snails?!
Why were there so few left? Hadn't he dug up loads? And where were his hairy clams?
[Hahaha, he finally noticed!]
[Chengcheng: did the moon snails grow legs and run away? Confused head-scratching.jpg]
[Oh no, the moon snails really do know magic!]
[You finally tore yourself away long enough to look back. Is digging up moon snails really that fun? Facepalming with a wry smile.jpg]
[It's super fun.]
His gaze suddenly settled on Chaochao's little bucket. He could tell at a glance that those were definitely his finds. Even the hairy clam he had just dug up was in there.
Mystery solved. They didn't know magic after all.
Looking at a certain little kid pretending to play in the sand, Gu Wancheng said, "Chaochao."
Chaochao looked up. "What is it?"
"Nothing." As long as you're happy. Just watch out, or you won't be able to carry it back.
Looking at the scant few moon snails in his bucket, Gu Wancheng decided to find some more while his luck was still good.
This time, he dug into a little mound and found nothing, but his sharp eyes spotted a breathing hole. He was absolutely certain there was something underneath.
He drove his shovel in hard. With a crack, it struck something. Gu Wancheng's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly dug it out.
It was a plump, white moon clam, a little bigger than his palm.
"Chaochao, stop playing in the sand. Come look."
Hearing him, Chaochao immediately dropped the sand in his hands, brushed them clean, and ran over.
"Look at what?"
Seeing the moon clam in Gu Wancheng's hand, he exclaimed, "Wow! What a chubby clam!"
"This is a moon clam." Gu Wancheng handed it over.
Chaochao reached out and carefully took it, the moon clam filling both his hands.
Gu Wancheng chuckled softly. Everything really did look especially big in a child's hands.
"Why are you being so careful?" He reached out and poked Chaochao's forehead.
"Hmph, it's so chubby and cute. Why is it called a moon clam?"
"Maybe because it looks like the moon. A chubby moon."
[What a cute way to put it.]
Chaochao looked at it delightedly and asked, "Wow! Can I keep it?"
Gu Wancheng pretended to hesitate, then agreed after a moment. "You'll have to take good care of it."
Chaochao immediately nodded. "Uh-huh!"
With permission granted, Chaochao carefully placed the moon clam in his bucket and even gave it a reassuring pat.
"Let's go find your friends."
"Okay!"
Chaochao held his little bucket and looked at Gu Wancheng, waiting for him to go first.
Gu Wancheng looked around, made his decision, and continued forward.
After walking for a while, he saw people up ahead and narrowed his eyes for a closer look. They seemed to be Jian Yue, Chu Yi'an, and the others.
"Look, your friends are up ahead."
"Then let's hurry." He couldn't wait to show off his Pangpang to them.
Pangpang was Chaochao's little pet moon clam.
"All right, all right."
"Hello, everyone up ahead!" Gu Wancheng called out to the group, who were engrossed in what they were doing.
They all turned in unison to see Gu Wancheng approaching with Chaochao.
Jian Yue said, "Doing great!"
Chu Yi'an nodded. He was thin-skinned and too embarrassed to shout, so he waited until Gu Wancheng came closer to greet him.
Tongtong and Zuozuo waved furiously. "Chaochao!"
Chaochao ran toward his friends. "Zuozuo! Tongtong!"
"Daddy found me a little pet."
Tongtong and Zuozuo asked curiously, "What kind of pet?"
"Is it a kitty?" Zuozuo peered curiously at the bucket Chaochao was carrying.
"Silly, there aren't any kitties here," Tongtong said at once.
Zuozuo retorted indignantly, "Then what do you think it is?"
Tongtong thought for a moment and clapped her hands. "I think it's a crab. Am I right, Chaochao?"
Chaochao shook his head. "It's not a kitty or a crab. It's a moon clam."
"A moon clam?"
Zuozuo and Tongtong looked at each other. That confirmed it: neither of them knew what it was.
They watched Chaochao lift a plump, white shellfish out of his bucket. "Look, his name is Pangpang."
"Is this a moon clam? He's so chubby!"
[Moon clam: enough. I said enough. I get it, I'm fat.]
"Uh-huh, Daddy found him for me."
"Your daddy is so nice."
Tongtong and Zuozuo gazed at the proud Chaochao with envy all over their faces.
"Daddy's the best!"
"I want one too."
Zuozuo's eyes darted around, and he called out to Jian Yue.
Jian Yue walked over. "What is it?"
Zuozuo pointed at the moon clam in Chaochao's hands. "I want a moon clam too."
"Brother, I want one too." Tongtong tugged at Chu Yi'an, and he bent down, bringing his ear close to her.
Jian Yue: "..."
Chu Yi'an: "..."
Want, want, want. How about a moon snail instead?
Jian Yue refused mercilessly. "Go find one yourself."
Zuozuo puffed out his cheeks. "Help me find one."
Jian Yue said bluntly, "I can't find one."
Zuozuo planted both hands on his hips and pouted. Hmph, useless big brother. I hate you.
Chu Yi'an and Tongtong looked at each other. In the end, Tongtong lowered her head dejectedly, and Chu Yi'an gritted his teeth. "I'll try to find one for you."
Tongtong instantly beamed and said sweetly, "Thank you, Brother."
Hearing that Tongtong's brother would help her find one, Zuozuo grew even angrier and secretly glared at his own brother.
[Hahaha, Brother Jian is about to be killed by Zuozuo's glare.]
[That's what Brother Jian gets for turning our Zuozuo down.]
Jian Yue said, "Fine, I can help you look, but it's not my fault if I can't find one."
Zuozuo whipped his head toward him, his eyes sparkling. "Uh-huh!"
Chu Yi'an looked at Gu Wancheng and asked humbly, "Brother Gu, where did you find the moon clam?"
"Uh, how should I put it? I accidentally dug it up while digging for moon snails."
Dug it up!
Didn't that mean it was purely down to luck?
Jian Yue regretted it instantly, but he had already given his word. If it depended on luck, he could be searching for quite a while.
Chu Yi'an: "..." All right.
He looked at Tongtong. She was squatting beside Chaochao, the three little kids gathered around a single moon clam. He really had no idea what was so interesting about a moon clam that had withdrawn into its shell and wasn't moving.
There was no guessing what went on in children's minds.
Gu Wancheng reassured them, "It's fine. Let's all look together. Maybe we'll find one soon."
Jian Yue thought that sounded fine. With three people searching, it should be much easier. Besides, he had figured it out: Chu Yi'an's luck was extraordinary. He was practically the chosen one.
Trusting in Chu Yi'an's luck, Jian Yue gave him an expectant look.
Chu Yi'an, receiving that inexplicable look: ?
Thinking that Chaochao's moon clam had been dug up while searching for moon snails, Chu Yi'an specifically sought out little mounds that looked as though they might contain moon snails.
He dug a few holes and found a few moon snails.
Jian Yue: Seriously...
Chu Yi'an remained unruffled and continued searching for other little mounds.
A while later, Chu Yi'an said calmly, "Found one."
"Let me see."
Jian Yue sprang to his feet, only to feel dizzy at once. He swayed, and Chu Yi'an's pupils contracted as he reached out to steady him by the waist.
Once Jian Yue was steady, he discreetly withdrew his hand. Turning his head, he happened to meet Gu Wancheng's eyes.
Chu Yi'an: "..." Silence is golden.
Holding the moon clam in his hand, Gu Wancheng suddenly didn't really feel like going over.
"I was squatting for too long." Jian Yue looked utterly defeated. He had nearly ruined his image.
He looked at Chu Yi'an. Luckily, he had steadied him. "Thanks."
Chu Yi'an silently shook his head and placed the moon clam he was holding into Jian Yue's hand.
"What about you?" Jian Yue wasn't sure whether he should take this moon clam.
"Brother Gu has another one."
Gu Wancheng nodded, his tone light. "Right, I just found one."
"Then we're good." Jian Yue held the moon clam without worry.