As usual, Wei Donglai sold his catch in town. Of the three earth dragons, he kept one and sold the other two for 11.6 yuan.
On his way back from town, Wei Donglai made a special trip to buy two jin of meat, a roast duck, and some candy.
After returning home, he went to the shore to haul up his fish traps.
Of the four traps, there was nothing much worth keeping apart from a dogfish shark.
Compared with his first haul, the traps were pitifully meager this time. It seemed good luck didn't come every day.
After taking everything home, Wei Donglai gathered some candy and packed up about a jin of mudskippers and some of today's catch.
Then he went next door.
Xu Qingqing was sitting in the courtyard, weaving a fishing net.
When she saw Wei Donglai, she immediately stood up and tugged awkwardly at the hem of her clothes.
"Sister Qing, I brought you some things."
As he spoke, Wei Donglai held out what he had brought.
Xu Qingqing didn't take them.
"This is too much. I can't accept it."
"It's not for you. It's for Yiming and Momo to eat."
"But... but..."
"No buts. It's nothing valuable."
With that, Wei Donglai carried the things straight into the house.
Little Momo was playing inside. When she heard his voice, she immediately ran over, delight showing on her little face.
Wei Donglai beckoned to her. "Momo, come have some candy."
The little girl obediently walked over to him. Wei Donglai quickly took out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.
The little girl narrowed her eyes, savoring the taste of happiness that belonged to her.
Wei Donglai patted the little girl's head and asked a question.
"Sister Qing, where's Yiming?"
Xu Qingqing came out of her daze. "He's almost completely recovered, so he went to school today."
Seeing this, Wei Donglai placed the rest of the candy in the little girl's arms.
"Momo, keep the candy safe, and share some with your brother when he gets back, all right?"
The little girl nodded obediently, then handed the candy to her older sister, Xu Qingqing.
"Donglai, I can't accept this candy..."
Xu Qingqing was just about to return it when a fierce glare from Wei Donglai stopped her.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do, her face full of helplessness.
Over the past few days, Wei Donglai had brought over a good dish or two from time to time, saying he was there to mooch a meal, but she knew in her heart that he was improving their meals.
Yiming's quick recovery had everything to do with what he'd been eating these past few days.
She wanted to refuse his kindness, but seeing the satisfied looks on her younger brother and sister's faces every day, and with Wei Donglai always claiming he had come to mooch a meal, she found it hard to bring herself to say it.
The debt of gratitude kept growing, and she didn't know when she could ever repay it, or how.
After delivering the things, Wei Donglai didn't stay long. He chatted briefly with her, then said goodbye.
He then took the remaining things and went over to his mother's place.
"Mom, your son's here to show his filial piety again!"
Li Yue'e was chatting with her two daughters-in-law in the courtyard. She was just saying that Wei Donglai hadn't come by in a few days when she heard his familiar shout.
Seeing Wei Donglai's hands full, Li Yue'e immediately scolded him. "Meat and duck again! Does your money blow in on the wind? Don't you know how to save a little?"
"Mom, I knew you'd say that, but your son really has had quite a bit blown his way lately."
Listening to the mother and son, his two sisters-in-law couldn't help covering their mouths and laughing.
It looked like there would be another show to watch today.
Seeing Wei Donglai's smug look, Li Yue'e knew he'd made quite a bit again lately.
"Go on, tell me. Let me see what kind of wind blew that grin crooked on your face."
"I'll tell you later. I'm eating here tonight, and there's something I want to discuss with you all."
Seeing that Wei Donglai was still playing mysterious, Li Yue'e couldn't be bothered to ask further. "If you're eating here tonight, you can go down to the dock and meet your dad. They should be back about now."
"All right, I'll head to the dock first."
Wei Donglai had been at the dock for less than ten minutes when he saw their fishing boat return to port and pull in.
Seeing the smile on his father's face, Wei Donglai knew the catch had been decent today.
"What brings you here today?"
"I brought some good food, and I'm eating at home tonight."
His second brother, Wei Fangchun, immediately teased him. "Well, looks like you've been doing pretty well lately."
"Not all that well, but decent enough."
"Go on, tell us. Just what have you gotten?"
"I'll tell you at dinner later!"
Seeing him keep them in suspense, Wei Guoqing pointed at the catch on the boat. "If you've got nothing to do, hurry up and help haul these things onto the dock. Once we've sold the fish, we can get home earlier."
At that, Wei Donglai stopped chatting and began helping sort the catch.
They went to Li Laosan's stall again.
They weighed the fish and settled the bill.
In the end, the catch sold for nearly 50 yuan.
The moment Wei Guoqing got the money, he could no longer suppress the smile on his face.
As soon as they got home, a mischievous little fellow came charging at him.
"Third Uncle!"
Sure enough, it was Wei Hai again.
"Third Uncle, you haven't come over in ages. I've missed you so much."
Wei Donglai saw right through him. "You're probably missing the treats I bring, aren't you?"
Wei Hai had a honeyed tongue just then. He hugged Wei Donglai's leg tightly and rubbed against him.
"Third Uncle, I really did miss you. Of course, if you could buy me a popsicle, I'd miss you even more."
"Then it's still the popsicle you miss."
"No, I miss you."
"Then I won't buy a popsicle?"
Wei Hai's little lips immediately puckered, and he stopped cuddling up to Wei Donglai.
Sure enough, here was a true heir to realism.
Seeing his youngest grandson's aggrieved expression, Wei Guoqing immediately put on a stern face. "Why do you keep teasing him?"
As he spoke, he pulled two mao from his pocket and beckoned to Wei Hai. "Come on, Grandpa will give you money to buy a popsicle."
Wei Hai's pout instantly spread into a grin. "Grandpa, you're the best after all."
Wei Donglai was momentarily speechless. He had no idea who the boy had learned to flatter people from.
"Dad, look how stingy you are. How many can he buy with two mao? I want one too."
Wei Guoqing glared at him. "Are you three years old? Acting spoiled with your old man? If you want one, go buy it yourself."
"Fine, I'll buy it myself."
With that, Wei Donglai pulled out five mao and called to Wei Ning. "Xiao Ning, go buy some ice cream for Third Uncle."
Wei Ning walked over to take the money. Seeing this, Wei Hai began to feel jealous.
He pressed himself against Wei Donglai's leg again, as affectionate as could be.
"Third Uncle, you're the best."
Wei Donglai deliberately teased him. "Didn't you just say Grandpa was your favorite?"
"I like you best in first place, and Grandpa best in second place."
"Hahahaha..."
Wei Donglai couldn't help bursting into laughter, while Wei Guoqing, standing beside him, felt a stab in the heart.
What a good grandson he was, ranking even his favorites in first and second place.