CH 6

Su Han sat down next to old He.

Old Ding looked at them from the side, ‘It’s that simple to get a fishing rod from old He? Don’t talk about buying it, just ask about renting?’ Thinking of this, he felt regretful, if he knew, he would’ve rented it himself.

“Young lady, fishing is not such a simple thing.” Old He lectured from the side, he also talked about his own fishing experience, “I’m telling you; these fish are very cunning! They…”

Less than a minute of casting the fishing rod, the water rippled. Su Han hurriedly retracted the fishing line, and saw a large grass carp hanging on the hook.

Su Han unhooked the grass carp and threw it into the iron bucket beside her. Turning her head, with an expression that looked particularly innocent, she asked “Sorry, what did you say? I didn’t hear it clearly just now.”

Old He, “…I didn’t say anything, you continue.”

It was very strange, Old He had been fishing at this place for three days, don’t talk about catching a big grass carp, he didn’t even see a shadow of fish. But after Su Han sat there, she caught one fish after another and caught four fish in just half an hour.

Old He was in a mixed mood. ‘If he says he’s happy, of course he is. He can bring home at least two fish today. But he was also upset. Just how did this person do it? Obviously, it’s the same fishing rod, the same location!’

*****

After watching Su Han fish for a long time, old He couldn’t bear it anymore and spoke out, “Uh… can we change positions?”

It’s good to get half of the fish the girl caught, but, it’s even better, if he can catch those himself.

“Okay.” Su Han willingly changed her position.

Then old He sadly discovered that there were countless fish in his original position, and the speed of those fish biting the bait was even faster than before!

Su Han asked, “Do you want to change the fishing rod?”

Old He: “…”

‘He wants to change, but he’s too embarrassed to say yes.’

Thinking of his granddaughter that was going hungry at home, he sighed and simply shoved the other fishing rod into Su Han’s hand, “You fish, I won’t interrupt you anymore…”

After speaking, he really didn’t bother to continue sitting, he simply walked to the side and started dividing the fish.

Su Han took a glance and found that old He actually has a kind heart. The plump fish remained in her bucket and the thinner ones were taken away.

*****

The breeze was gentle, Su Han placed two fishing rods in front of her, occasionally swinging the rods back and forth, feeling very pleasant.

Others sitting near her also caught some fish occasionally but they no longer noisily announce it – the guy who had caught almost ten fish sat beside them with a calm expression, there was nothing exciting about catching one fish.

Just after 4:30 pm, the residents heard that someone caught a lot of fish in the park and, rushed over to buy them after hearing the news.

“I want a grass carp; can I exchange it with 4 packs of instant noodles?”

“I need a crucian carp to cook some fish soup, how about exchanging it with three catties of rice?”

“I also want a crucian carp, I’ll use two catties of tofu to exchange, how is it?”

Su Han glanced at her iron bucket and found 5 fish in it, so she asked old He to help her exchange her portion with instant noodles.

Old He secretly whispered to her, “Ignore these people. Let me tell you, you’ll be able to get more stuff if you exchange these fish at the black market!”

Su Han also lowered her voice, “Do you think you can go back home safely holding five or six fishes?”

Old He stopped talking. He had heard from his friend that someone caught a fish after so much effort the other day but was robbed on the way home. Fortunately, he was not harmed. If he accidentally fell or got injured, he wouldn’t be able to work for at least a week.

It’s a difficult world to live in nowadays. Which family would not starve to death if the one providing for them had to lie in bed for a week? Recalling this, he also decided to exchange his fish.

*****

He overlooked the situation just now. Since he always went back home with an empty bucket every day, he never had to think about these happy burdens before.

Su Han continued to fish next to him, and old He continued to converse with people at the side like a social flower –

“No way, two catties of tofu’s not enough, you add more.”

“Three catties of rice is too little; I’ll exchange it with four catties. What? You don’t have four catties of rice at home? Stop saying fart! How can you be poor if you are willing to eat crucian carp!”

“You have shower gel? Great, I’ll exchange, here take two fishes with you!”

Old He doesn’t really like to socialize with people. But when he thought of getting some more food to take home for his granddaughter, he felt that he couldn’t stop talking! His body is filled with endless energy!

As for Su Han’s five fishes, he helped her exchange them to 12 packs of instant noodles and 4 bars of soap.

Su Han was surprised to find that many families are still doing pretty well. But if this trend of hyperinflation continues, it is hard to say what will happen in the future.

Old He was smiling from ear to ear; he obtained a lot of food and necessities today.

Su Han gave him a look, then she raised her voice and said, “Today was a lucky day, we caught 11 fish. Why don’t you cook some fish soup for everyone to have a taste?”

Old He wanted to reply that no one cooked him soup when he didn’t catch any fish, but he suddenly froze and had a look of understanding. He immediately fixed his tone and said “Yes, yes, this is something I should do.”

In the next second, he showed a look of distress, “But I have no pot or firewood, it can’t be cooked, so…”

Everyone listening to their conversation immediately started giving suggestions, “There are homeless people who lived in the park, we can borrow a pot from them.”

“Not only a pot, you also need to borrow a stove!”

“Also get some vegetables and seasonings too.”

When this group of foolish people heard that they’ll have free fish soup to drink, they were no longer willing to fish anymore. They simply got busy borrowing various things.

When the fish soup finished boiling, its fragrance floated ten meters away!

*****

The group of people couldn’t help themselves. They walked over to the stove, exclaiming loudly, “It smells so good, let me have a sip!”

A bunch of people circled the pot tasting the fish soup. After a while, a kind person finally remembered about the owner and turned to say, “Old He, why don’t you guys have a taste too?”

This person looked back, but was surprised – Old He and the girl with the backpack had already left at some point.

Old Ding said with a sneer, “Do you think everyone’s a fool like you? If they didn’t leave secretly, can they still leave here safely afterward?”

Everyone was silent.

*****

On the other side, Su Han carried her backpack and a fishing rod. Next to her, old He struggled to hold several things. Both of them finally got away from the crowd.

Su Han helped him carry the iron bucket, “Why didn’t you bring a backpack with you?”

Old He’s expression was particularly innocent, “Before… I never had a reason to bring a backpack…”. He felt it was a waste of energy to carry a backpack since he never caught any fish.

Su Han didn’t say anything.

“What’s your name? Where do you live? Are you coming to the park tomorrow?” Old He asked all these questions in one breath and watched her eagerly.

“My name is Su Han and I don’t have a place to stay for the time being.” Su Han replied with a sigh.

Old He suggested enthusiastically, “How about staying at my house for a night? Tomorrow we can work together again?”

‘Although the other party was the one that caught the all fish and he is only responsible for talking to others, …that also counts as working together to fish probably…’

Su Han was moved, but she still asked politely, “Will it be convenient?”

“Very convenient, there are vacant rooms at my house. You don’t need to be polite at all.” Old He sounded very eager, “Besides, I haven’t thanked you yet. Thanks to you, I could exchange a lot of things today.”

As for “Inviting a wolf into the house” (bring disaster upon oneself) or whatever, old He was not worried at all. Because it’s obvious this girl is someone with many talents. He had a feeling; she is much wealthier than him. If anything, Su Han should be the one to feel wary.

“Then sorry for the trouble.” Su Han accepted the offer, ‘If there’s a safe place to stay, at least I wouldn’t have to worry so much when sleeping at night.’ The old man hopes to continue fishing with her tomorrow, it wouldn’t make sense for him to harm her.

Because Su Han had reminded him in advance, old He especially took the remote path. They didn’t meet anyone on the way home.

*****

“Old lady, come out and help, I’ve brought a guest.” As soon as he entered the door, old He opened his mouth and bellowed.

Old lady Jiang doubted her hearing. ‘Are we in a position to entertain guests? Has the old man gone mad?!’

When she hurried out to take a look, old lady Jiang was shocked. “Rice, tofu, fish, shower gel… old man, did you go rob a supermarket?”

Obviously, she knew how “skilled” her old man was at fishing.

“What kind of nonsense are you saying? Come here and help me put away the goods.” Old He smiled awkwardly.

“Why is this tofu all crumbled?” Old lady Jiang couldn’t help but felt distressed.

Old He rolled his eyes, “It’s already fortunate enough to bring it back, why would you care if it’s crumbled or not.”

The two kept squabbling, but their hands didn’t stop, they soon finished putting everything away.

“Eh, why are you still standing there? Come sit down.” Old He beckoned Su Han.

Su Han thanked him and sat down on a chair. When she looked up, she found a 6 or 7-year-old girl poking her head out from behind the bedroom door.

Old He called his granddaughter over cheerfully.”Nan Nan, come here, we are eating fish today.”

‘Fish?’ The little girl’s eyes lit up, and her mouth was instantly filled with saliva.

“Old man, come and help out.” Old lady Jiang called old He over.

Old He quickly walked into the kitchen.

Although the old lady deliberately lowered her voice, Su Han has good hearing and could still hear their conversation clearly.

Old lady Jiang said, “I went to the vegetable market today and picked up some rotten vegetables. This thing can’t be eaten by the guest. But without the vegetables, what kind of dish can I cook?”

Old He said, “Stew the soup with tofu and cook some rice.”

“Cook rice?” Old lady Jiang hesitated, “If we simmered this rice into porridge, it’s enough for us to drink for several days…”

“If it weren’t for that girl, where would you have rice to make porridge?” Old He was a little displeased.

“That makes sense.” Old lady Jiang released a sigh.

Then there was no more voice coming from the kitchen. Su Han just pretended not to hear the old couple’s talk. She turned her head to tease the little girl, “Where are your mom and dad?”

“They went to work somewhere.” The little girl spoke softly.

“Do you like to drink milk?” Su Han asked while flipping through her backpack. “Here.”

“Like, but I can’t take it.” The little girl desperately wanted the bottle of milk but she refused to take it.

“It’s okay, I’m giving it to you.”

Su Han wanted to put it in her hand, but the little girl ran back inside the bedroom in a hurry, and resolutely shouted, “Grandpa said, you can’t take other people’s things casually.”

Su Han, ‘Since this family can teach such a young child to be upright and honest, they couldn’t possibly be bad people.’

*****

Soon, dinner was ready.

“Come sit down for dinner.” Old lady Jiang said with a smile.

Old He urged Su Han earnestly, “Don’t be so polite, help yourself to some fish.”

Su Han smiled, she served herself less than half a bowl of rice, poured some fish soup on the rice, took two pieces of tofu, and then said, “You guys eat, you don’t need to worry about me. I ate a big bowl of noodle at noon, I’m still full from it.”

The old couple exchanged a look understanding.

*****

“I’m afraid it’s not convenient to go to the park tomorrow. Do you know any other fishing spots?” Su Han asked in the middle of dinner.

“Yes, I do, I’ll take you there tomorrow.” The old man patted his chest and promised, “I know a deserted fishing spot, people rarely go there to fish and no one usually passes by.”

“Alright then.” Su Han smiled with satisfaction.

After today’s event, old He completely understood the importance of concealing one’s wealth.