Having already delayed the fishing operation for many days, everyone prepared to set out on the fishing boat early the next morning. After Hai Long told everyone the coordinates of the crab area, he did not go out to sea with them. He was really too tired during this period, having to work hard every night to lure the crabs out while avoiding being surrounded by the crab swarm or attacked by other fish. It was both mentally and physically exhausting. After seeing everyone off, Hai Long lay down on the rocks by the seaside, ready for a good nap.
However, not long after lying down, Hai Long heard a familiar sound. That silver-bell-like laughter was so pleasant, making Hai Long's soul feel so comfortable. Wasn't that Hu Jing's voice? How could it be her?
Hai Long immediately sat up, turned around, and saw four girls walking from a distance, with Hu Jing in the middle. Hai Long excitedly greeted them.
Seeing that Hu Jing had also noticed him, Hai Long happily jumped off the rock and quickly came to Hu Jing's side, chuckling and said, "What a coincidence, why are you all here?"
Hu Jing rolled her eyes and said, "Big brother, you always say that. Can't you change it?" Although a week had passed, it seemed she was still upset about her rejection.
Hai Long laughed and said, "Who made us meet again?"
Today, Hu Jing was traveling with the other three sisters from her dorm. Hu Jing was the third oldest. The others teased, "Oh, you're the one who always runs into Hu Jing, right? Tell us what's going on today. Could it be that you're following us sisters?"
Hai Long laughed and said, "Not at all, I was just going to ask you the same thing. Did you follow me to the seaside today?"
Hu Jing replied, "No, we're here to catch small crabs. I heard there will be a lot of small crabs when the tide comes. Is that true?"
Hai Long answered, "The small crabs will be on this beach when the tide goes out. You'll see them soon. Come play with us first. How about I treat you to some big crabs?"
Hu Jing was still hesitant, but the youngest sister, hearing about the crabs, immediately asked, "What kind of crabs? Did you buy them?"
Hai Long chuckled and said to the youngest sister, "How about I treat you to some big crabs from the Devil Sea? Do you have time tonight?"
Hearing that Hai Long was treating them to big crabs from the Devil Sea, Hu Jing was also very excited. As a foodie, steamed big crabs were very tempting, but they were so expensive, costing 80 yuan per pound. Since someone was treating them, even though she had just refused his invitation yesterday, she decided to go along with it for the sake of the crabs.
However, before Hu Jing could agree, the other three sisters simultaneously said, "No problem, we have all the time in the world." Hu Jing, defeated by the three foodies, could only laugh helplessly and secretly feel relieved that the three of them hadn't held back, otherwise she would have been embarrassed.
Hai Long had the four girls sit on the beach and wait for him, then jumped into the sea, swam to a hidden reef, and made sure Hu Jing and the others couldn't see him. He then controlled the Dragon King to dive into the Devil Sea, electrocuted a group of crabs, and caught thirteen large ones with a fishing net. After making sure the environment around his body was safe, Hai Long controlled the Dragon King back to the corner of the abandoned shipyard and returned his soul to his body.
When Hai Long returned to the shore, he saw the four beautiful girls sitting on a rock, waiting for him. They looked like four cute little foxes waiting for a delicious meal. Hai Long waved the crabs in his hand, and the four girls immediately jumped off the rock and ran to his side, pointing and commenting on the crabs weighing over three pounds. Hai Long told them to keep an eye on the crabs, then went to the village to borrow a large pot and some wood. He had the four girls find some large rocks to place on the beach, fetched some seawater, and set up the pot to cook the crabs.
The four girls each had a small plate and a pair of chopsticks, drooling as they waited for the crabs to be cooked. Especially Hu Jing, her snow-white face and pink sports shirt made her look so bright and charming. When Hai Long said the crabs were ready, the four girls, who had been so ladylike just a moment ago, instantly entered battle mode, ignoring the high temperature of the steam, each grabbing a crab from the pot. Steamed crabs were a delicacy. Watching the four girls eat, Hai Long almost couldn't hold back his laughter. The oldest sister was struggling with the crab's large claws, the second sister was trying hard to break open the crab's shell, and Hu Jing was gnawing on the crab's legs, her teeth making a crunching sound. After each of the four girls finished one crab, they noticed that Hai Long hadn't eaten any, and Hu Jing couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you eating?"
Hai Long chuckled and said, "I don't like them. You eat."
The oldest sister was surprised and said, "How can that be? These crabs are so delicious, how can you not like them?"
Hai Long said helplessly, "I eat them every day, so I'm tired of them." The four girls were speechless; Hai Long was openly showing off his wealth. They glanced at Hai Long with disdain and continued to eat the crabs. There were thirteen crabs in total, and since Hai Long wasn't eating, each of them could have three crabs.
A three-pound crab had at least a pound of meat. After eating two crabs, the girls couldn't eat any more. They were reluctant to leave the crabs but their stomachs were already full. Seeing their expressions, Hai Long said, "I'll catch some more live crabs for you later. Take them home tonight and cook them yourselves tomorrow." The four girls were very happy to hear this.
As the saying goes, "A man who eats from your mouth and takes from your hand is bound to be grateful." The four girls had both eaten and taken from Hai Long, so they felt a bit embarrassed. In the end, they decided to push Hu Jing forward to take the blame. After all, Hai Long had treated them to food and crabs, all for Hu Jing's sake. Besides, since Hai Long was a polite and gentle classmate, it wouldn't be bad for Hu Jing to be his girlfriend. So the three of them naturally sold Hu Jing out.
After eating, it was getting dark. The evening gathering was at six, and it was almost time. As they chatted, an elderly couple approached Hai Long and said, "Young man, are you selling these crabs? I heard that someone has been selling crabs from the Devil Sea here recently. It's you, right? The old man wants to buy some crabs to nourish his wife."
The elderly couple was quite old, but it was clear that they were very cultured, with elegant manners and speech. Seeing how old they were, Hai Long smiled and said, "Why buy? Just sit down and eat. I sold all the crabs I had earlier, and these are for guests. Everyone here is a guest, so I'll treat you. If there's not enough, I'll go catch more."
The elderly couple had only intended to buy some crabs, but they were moved by Hai Long's hospitality. They laughed and sat down. The old man said, "Oh, it's rare to see such a hospitable young man these days. But it's very good. I used to be like that when I was young, and that's how I won my wife's heart, ha ha."
The old lady, feeling a bit embarrassed to talk about their past relationship in front of the young people, patted the old man and said, "That was so long ago. Isn't it embarrassing to mention it in front of the children?"
The old man laughed, and Hai Long and the others joined in. Seeing that his wife didn't like the topic, he changed it and said, "What are you young people talking about? Tell me, and see if I can keep up with the times."
Hai Long pointed to Hu Jing and said, "We are students at the same school. We didn't know each other before, but I keep running into this girl. I feel like we have a special connection, so I went to catch crabs and treat them to a meal."
Hearing Hai Long's words, the old man laughed heartily, and the old lady looked at Hai Long and Hu Jing in surprise. Hai Long asked curiously, "Old man, is there something strange?"
The old man laughed and said, "Wife, can I tell them this story?" Hearing her husband's words, the old lady smiled and nodded. Seeing that his wife agreed, the old man said, "Why don't I tell you a story while we have some free time?"
Hai Long and the others nodded. The old man recalled, "It was 1963. Back then, I was a 20-year-old young man, a student at East Sea University. I often ran into a girl, both on and off campus. She and I were in the same elective class, and our classrooms were next to each other. Isn't that a coincidence? The girl was so beautiful that I felt a bit inferior. I didn't dare to talk to her, but every time we met, she would smile at me. I believed that she also had a good impression of me. Later, during the holiday, I returned to my small fishing village and went fishing with my father. During those few days, I ran into her again. Isn't that a coincidence? Encouraged by my father, I mustered the courage to invite her to dinner. To my surprise, she smiled and agreed. I was overjoyed and jumped into the sea to catch the freshest fish and the biggest crabs. I used all my efforts to treat her. That meal was unforgettable. After that, I mustered the courage to pursue the girl, and she eventually became my wife. We've been together for over forty years."
The four girls listened with rapt attention and applauded at the end. What a romantic love story! As Hu Jing was clapping her eyes closed, she suddenly felt like many people were looking at her. She looked up and saw that her sisters, the elderly couple, and Hai Long were all staring at her. Hu Jing had a bad feeling and asked nervously, "Why are you all looking at me? What's wrong with me?"
The oldest sister asked mysteriously, "Third sister, don't you think the heroine in the old man's story is very similar to someone among us?"
Hu Jing asked stupidly, "Who? Who is she similar to?"
The oldest sister covered her head and retreated, and the second sister continued, "Don't you think you and Hai Long are a bit like the old man and his wife?"
Hu Jing shook her head, and the second sister retreated. The youngest sister took over and asked, "You and Hai Long first met outside the school, right?" Hu Jing nodded. The youngest sister continued, "And you met again that evening?" Hu Jing nodded. The youngest sister continued, "The next day, you both found out you were in the same elective class?" Hu Jing nodded. The youngest sister continued, "Today, you both met again in the fishing village, and he treated you to a delicious meal, just like the old man did."
Hu Jing was embarrassed and said in surprise, "Ah, it seems so." Everyone was stunned. This girl was so clueless. Realizing this, Hu Jing saw that Hai Long was smiling at her, and her heart felt like a little deer jumping around. She lowered her head shyly and said, "What are you all doing? Are you bullying me?"
The old man and his wife, who had eaten two crabs, stood up and said, "We won't disturb your gathering. I'm full, and I'll be going. If we have the chance in the future, I'll treat you to a meal." He looked at Hai Long and said, "Young man, don't take relationships lightly. They are precious." Then he left.
Hai Long was inwardly laughing, as the old man's words made him feel that Hu Jing's heart had been moved, and her attitude towards him had changed. Her shy and blushing appearance made Hai Long's heart feel drunk.
Seeing the sun set, Hu Jing and the others were ready to leave. Before leaving, Hai Long went into the sea again and caught over ten crabs, which he gave to Hu Jing and the others. Hu Jing, who was a bit nervous because of the old man's words, was pushed forward by her sisters, while the three of them ran far away with the crabs.
Seeing Hai Long looking at her, Hu Jing's face turned red, and she said softly, "Why are you looking at me?"
Hai Long was also a bit embarrassed and didn't know how to respond. Seeing Hai Long's expression, Hu Jing laughed and said, "Thank you for treating us to a big meal today. I'll treat you when we get back to school. Don't refuse me next time, okay?" Hai Long, looking at Hu Jing's beautiful face, her snow-white smile, her pink shirt, and her perfect figure, felt like he was in a painting under the sunset. He was so captivated that he could only nod mechanically.
The next morning, it was Monday, and the counselor would come for a routine check. Hai Long had no choice but to go to school. Over the past month, although Hai Long slept in class every day, he had become quite familiar with a few people around him. He arrived early at the classroom, where there were already many students chatting in groups. Hai Long greeted his friends and returned to his seat, which was in the last row by the window. The last three rows of the classroom were usually occupied by students who didn't like to study, as university classrooms were not fixed. Those who sat in the front were usually studious, while those who sat in the back were not. The students around Hai Long shared the same interests: reading novels, playing games, and chatting. The student in front, Xiao Chong, was boasting about his weekend World of Warcraft raid, where they had defeated a certain boss and obtained a rare purple item. The surrounding students were excited. Hai Long quickly joined the discussion. Even when the class started, the group was still chatting.
The flowers and plants on campus swayed in the breeze, and the light rain washed away the dust on the roads. English teacher Li Xiaolu loved this kind of weather. Walking in the light rain without an umbrella, letting the rain fall on her clothes, face, and hair, she felt refreshed. Unfortunately, the class bell interrupted this pleasant moment. She came to the classroom with a heavy heart, thinking about how few students usually came to her class. Apart from a few girls, only a few studious boys attended, and the total was less than ten. She had never seen the others.
As she approached the classroom door, she could hear the buzzing inside. When she opened the door, she saw that the classroom was full, with over fifty students. She was surprised and was about to apologize for being late when she saw the counselor's face at the back door. She suddenly realized it was Monday, and the counselor was there to check attendance, which was why everyone was present.
Due to the counselor's presence, the classroom instantly became quiet. Li Xiaolu began her English lesson, and the students listened attentively. The counselor, Wang Xinmin, who was standing at the back door, felt very satisfied, thinking, "Who says my students don't like to study? Look at these students, so focused. They will be the pillars of society in the future." With a sense of satisfaction, the counselor walked back to his office.
Zhang Hai, sitting by the back door, heard the teacher leave and looked at his desk mate, who was also looking at him. The two of them enthusiastically continued their pre-class discussion, as if the sun had risen, and the classroom was filled with buzzing, drowning out Li Xiaolu's lecture. The sudden change left Li Xiaolu at a loss, thinking, "Why did they suddenly start chatting? Do I have no authority as a teacher?" She hit the podium with the eraser, but no one paid attention. Looking at the students in the first row who were still listening attentively, she felt frustrated but didn't want to let them down. She decided to talk to the counselor after class and continued her lecture.
Hai Long, sitting in the corner, saw the counselor leave and patted his desk mate, saying, "I haven't slept well the past two days. I'll take a nap. Wake me up when school is over." His desk mate nodded and joined the World of Warcraft discussion group. Hai Long laid his head on the desk, sent his soul to the Dragon King's body, and continued to explore the crab area in the sea. As he was daydreaming about making money in the future, he suddenly felt his body being tapped. He controlled the Dragon King to leave the Devil Sea and hide in the seabed mud, then instantly returned his soul to his body. He looked up at his desk mate, Wang Hongtao, and asked, "What's up?"
Wang Hongtao made a shushing gesture and pointed to the podium. Hai Long looked up and saw that English teacher Li Xiaolu was furious, loudly questioning Zhang Hai, who was sitting near the back door, about why he wasn't paying attention to the class. She then said a lot in English, which Hai Long guessed wasn't very nice, and then stormed out of the classroom.
Hai Long said to his desk mate, "I'll sleep a bit more. Wake me up if the counselor comes."