Chapter 132: Hard to Explain, Impossible to Describe

October 8, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

After sitting down, Feng Shuai gently supported his bandaged left hand with his uninjured right.

""That's right. They only beat me up, but didn't take my money. I even tried to give it to them, but they refused. They told me to keep it for hospital bills.""

Chu Xuan was puzzled. ""What else did they say?""

""They told me to get out of Lin County and go sell grilled fish elsewhere.""

""What are you planning to do?""

""I'm not leaving. I've already reported it to the security team. Not only am I going to keep selling grilled fish in Lin County, but I'm also going to help the authorities catch those thugs!""

Chu Xuan hadn't expected Feng Shuai to be so stubborn.

""Do you remember what those people looked like?""

""No, it was nighttime, pitch dark. Judging by their accents, they were definitely locals from Lin County.""

Chu Xuan lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear. ""Aren't you worried some of the security team might be in on it?""

""What do you mean?""

Feng Shuai also lowered his voice—after all, there were still a few people in the yard cleaning fish and tidying up. He didn't want too many people to know.

They whispered to each other.

""Don't forget, your dad got into trouble right here in Lin County.""

That successfully reminded Feng Shuai.

His hand trembled a little. ""So what should I do?""

""My advice is, don't go back to Lin County. Go home and rest for a while. In October, I can help you find a job selling grilled fish—basic salary plus commission. You probably won't make any less than you do now.""

Chu Xuan had indeed hated Feng Shuai before, but ever since Feng Ti passed away, Feng Shuai had turned over a new leaf. Plus, he also hated Feng Chunhua, so Chu Xuan was more than willing to lend him a hand.

The enemy of my enemy is a resource to be used.

Feng Shuai wiped away a tear after hearing this. ""Thank you for your kindness, but I still want to stay in Lin County. As long as they don't kill me, I'll keep waiting...""

He didn't finish the sentence: waiting for Qin Xuehong to wake up.

Chu Xuan could guess. ""Is it really worth it?""

""It is! My father's death is the greatest pain of my life. Getting beaten up is nothing. Besides, I can make money in Lin County. I love money.""

Now Chu Xuan finally believed Feng Shuai was truly a filial son.

""What if next time they not only beat you but rob you too? Then you won't even have money for medical bills. As long as you live, there's hope. There are definitely people watching over Qin Xuehong—her family isn't to be messed with, they've got connections. But you, you're unarmed and have no background. It's easy for you to become a scapegoat.""

Feng Shuai gave a bitter smile. ""My dad was a scapegoat. Fine! I'll listen to you. Today will be the last time I pick up a batch of grilled fish to sell in Lin County. Once it's sold, I'll end my lease, pack up, and go home to rest. Uncle Qi's cart is waiting outside.""

They kept their voices low the whole time, so the others, who were farther away, didn't hear a thing.

Feng Shuai pulled some money from his pocket and let Chu Xuan count out 320 yuan.

Chu Xuan told Widow Niu to help move the goods, then started counting the money.

The payment was settled.

A few minutes later, Chu Xuan watched Feng Shuai leave on the cart.

This way, there was no need for Mu Chenze to help sell grilled fish tonight.

She didn't need to say anything—Qin Mahua would pass on the message when she got home.

A little after 8 p.m., Mu Chenze already knew he wouldn't need to go to Chu Xuan's house to pick up grilled fish that night.

He felt a strange emptiness, as if something was missing.

He casually found an excuse to go out for a walk, leaving his cart behind and wandering aimlessly.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at Chu Xuan's door.

The courtyard gate was tightly shut.

Normally, at this hour, Chu Xuan would be standing in the yard waiting.

He stood for a while under the tree outside the gate.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, the door opened.

Chu Xuan was used to opening the door at this time to wait for someone, but she hadn't expected to see Mu Chenze standing there.

Their eyes met.

Mu Chenze forced down his unease and quickly explained, ""Just passing by on a walk.""

Chu Xuan responded with a simple ""Oh.""

Mu Chenze waved. ""I'll keep walking, then.""

""Alright.""

Chu Xuan watched his figure disappear into the night before looking away.

She stood under the tree for a while, enjoying the night breeze, before going back inside and closing the door to rest.

That night, Mu Chenze's gloomy mood suddenly lifted, though he couldn't quite say why...

The next morning, Chu Xuan set off with her basket to go foraging by the sea at her secret spot.

Even though the seafood she found lately only sold for thirty or forty yuan, she didn't mind. For a forager, that was already a high income.

When she arrived, she saw that the tide had receded from the tidal pool and hurried over.

But she was a bit disappointed.

There were only five or six fist-sized sea snails, a few pounds of noodlefish, and some small miscellaneous fish.

She quickly gathered them up.

The beach was covered with clams, and today Chu Xuan didn't mind at all.

As she picked, she came across a crab in the middle of molting, about half the size of her fist.

A crab molts more than a dozen times in its life. When it sheds its shell, it also sheds its gills, stomach sac, and internal organs. At this moment, the shell is very soft, and only hardens after coming into contact with water.

Chu Xuan mused to herself: every molt is a new beginning for a crab, isn't it?

Soft-shell crabs are edible, but she didn't catch it.

She kept picking clams.

After about ten minutes, she spotted a flock of sea ducks.

Chu Xuan crept up and easily caught one, tying it up.

She went after another.

The ducks were much more alert now and flew far away.

After some effort, she managed to catch another one, tied it up, and noticed the tide was coming in.

She didn't linger.

But this time, instead of going straight home, she took a cart to town.

She gave one sea duck to Uncle Long and Auntie Liu—Uncle Long usually ate with Auntie Liu anyway.

The other duck was for Auntie Li, since last time she had given Chu Xuan a jar of honey and Chu Xuan wanted to return the favor.

The sea snails, clams, and noodlefish were given to Uncle Long as snacks to go with his drinks.

When she got to Uncle Long's shop, only Xiao Huan was there. Chu Xuan dropped off the food and didn't stay.

Ten minutes later, she arrived at Auntie Li's house.

The courtyard gate was ajar, so Chu Xuan knocked.

""Auntie Li, are you home?""

Auntie Li recognized Chu Xuan's voice and called out warmly, ""Come in, have a seat in the main room. I'm in the outhouse, wait a minute.""

Chu Xuan replied, but didn't go inside. She set down her basket and waited in the yard.

She was wearing her foraging clothes today and smelled a bit fishy.

Soon, Auntie Li came out of the outhouse, quickly washed her hands in a basin, and shook them dry.

""Xiao Xuan, come inside! I'll make you some honey water.""

Chu Xuan quickly waved her off. ""I have things to do today, so I won't come in. Auntie, I caught a sea duck for you to help you build up your strength.""

As she spoke, she took the tied-up duck from her basket and set it on the ground.

Auntie Li immediately reached for her pocket. ""I was just thinking of buying a duck! Let me pay you for it.""

Chu Xuan firmly refused. ""I still haven't paid you for the honey you gave me last time! If you insist on paying me, I won't dare come by anymore.""

Auntie Li hoped Chu Xuan would visit more often, so she didn't insist. ""Alright, I'll accept it, but you have to stay for lunch today.""

""I can't today, I have things to do at home. Next time, I promise I'll stay for a meal. Auntie, you go ahead, I have to go.""

Chu Xuan turned to leave.

Auntie Li called after her, ""Wait! I have something important to tell you!""

Chu Xuan stopped at the gate and turned back. ""What is it?""

Auntie Li pointed in the direction of Feng Chunhua's house. ""That family over there—the Fengs—do you have some kind of grudge with them?"""