Chapter 21: Promise Me One Thing

The sea is merciless.

Chu Xuan knew all too well that if she didn’t leave soon, she’d be in danger.

She cherished her life.

Without hesitation, she moved toward the spot where she’d left her bucket. When she returned to shore with it, she realized someone was trapped out in the water.

It looked like the area where that big sea bass had been spotted.

So, she wasn’t the only one eyeing that fish.

Luckily, she hadn’t been greedy—otherwise, she’d be the one stuck out there now.

“Help! Help!”

The moment the person in the water cried out, Chu Xuan immediately recognized Chu Zhi’s voice.

Thinking of how he’d harmed her in her previous life, she almost wished the sea would just take him.

Chu Zhi could swim, but now that he was calling for help, he must have realized he couldn’t make it back and was scared.

In her last life, Chu Zhi had also gotten trapped by the tide because he was too greedy. He’d shouted for help while swimming back to shore and managed to save himself—but that wasn’t today.

Chu Xuan pretended not to hear, picked up her bucket, and left.

She didn’t have any seafood worth selling at the dock today, so she went straight home.

When she got back, Chu Feng took the bucket from her and checked it under the yard light. “Sis, was your luck bad today, or did you already sell the good stuff? All you brought back are some clams and two filefish?”

Chu Xuan hadn’t checked carefully before, so she quickly shone her flashlight inside. “That’s odd! There should be two mackerel in here too.”

“Did someone steal them?”

“It was probably Chu Zhi. Little brother, I’m going out for a bit.”

She knew she wouldn’t get the mackerel back—Chu Zhi’s bucket had already been swept away by the tide—but she couldn’t let this slide.

Chu Xuan grabbed a burlap sack and went out again, hiding along the path Chu Zhi would have to take home.

Before long, she heard Chu Zhi grumbling, “Damn it, everyone says that bitch Chu Xuan is lucky at the shore. I tried to ride her luck today and almost drowned! Didn’t catch the sea bass, lost the two mackerel I had, and even lost my bucket. What a shitty day—mmph…”

He was suddenly bagged.

Chu Xuan gave him a good beating.

Chu Zhi begged for mercy, “Spare me! Please, have mercy!”

Chu Xuan deliberately disguised her voice to sound like a man. “Stay away from Pan Xiaoli from our village! If I see you near her again, I’ll beat you every time!”

Pan Xiaoli was the girl Chu Zhi had a crush on—not a good person, either.

By the time Chu Zhi scrambled out of the sack, Chu Xuan was already home.

Feeling guilty, Chu Zhi didn’t dare make a fuss. After all, he’d once tried to steal a kiss from Pan Xiaoli and figured this was revenge from one of her admirers.

The next morning, Chu Zhi couldn’t get out of bed and had a high fever. Feng Chunhua wanted to go confront Chu Xuan, but she was too busy taking care of her son.

Chu Xuan borrowed a bicycle and went to town to buy pork belly, planning to stir-fry clams for lunch and make braised pork with eggplant and potatoes.

In town, she saw someone selling grilled fish jerky.

It was made from filefish.

This had been one of Chu Xuan’s favorite snacks at her in-laws’ in her previous life.

She bought twenty cents’ worth and tried it. The jerky was a bit tough and hard to chew—not as good as Qin Mahua’s recipe.

In her past life, Chu Xuan had loved this snack so much she’d learned how to make it from Qin Mahua.

At that moment, inspiration struck—maybe she could start a small grilled fish jerky business.

She could make different flavors: salty-sweet, spicy, sweet and spicy.

Once the new house was built and the yard was organized, she could get the business going.

With something to look forward to, her mood soared.

Confidence radiated from her face as she strode down the street.

Coincidentally, Mu Chenze, just back from the county, spotted her.

It was the first time Mu Chenze had seen someone so overweight walk down the street with such confidence—and somehow, it didn’t look out of place at all.

Chu Xuan didn’t see him, so he didn’t go over to say hello.

By 9:30 a.m., she was home with the meat and vegetables.

Gao Meijuan and Wang Shasha happened to drop by.

Chu Feng and Wang Shasha went to wash the vegetables, while Gao Meijuan pulled Chu Xuan into the bedroom.

“Xuan, I asked Shasha’s grandma about it. Back then, before Feng Chunhua gave birth, she had a difficult labor and went to the county hospital. Hua Daling’s mother-in-law went with her. Her mother-in-law passed away a few years ago, but I think Hua Daling must know something.”

Chu Xuan muttered quietly, “She definitely knows. She just won’t say. Grandma Gao, thank you. Now I have a better idea of what’s going on. There’s no rush—we’ll take it slow.”

Gao Meijuan looked at Chu Xuan with approval and patted her shoulder in agreement.

That night, Chu Xuan went to the shore again.

This time, she was much more relaxed.

If she found something good, great. If not, no need to worry.

After all, she had another way to make money now.

In about half a month, she could put her plan into action.

She even discussed it with Lin Lou, asking him to build two grills in the yard once the house was done.

As soon as she reached the beach, she ran into Mu Chenze.

Chu Xuan greeted him, “What a coincidence! Out for a walk after dinner?”

Mu Chenze put on a serious face. “That’s right. Strolling on the beach every day, I actually found a great spot for gathering seafood. Interested in checking it out?”

Rather than just giving her money, it was better to teach her how to fish.

With this spot, Chu Xuan’s family would have an easier life.

Chu Xuan didn’t hesitate. “I’m interested! Take me there!”

In her past life, Mu Chenze had mentioned a great spot for gathering seafood, but she’d been too lazy and selfish to want to do the hard work, so she refused to listen. In the end, he told her sister-in-law, Fu Qing.

Mu Chenze walked a few steps ahead, then stopped. “I can take you, but you have to keep it a secret. You can’t bring anyone else.”

Chu Xuan replied solemnly, “No problem! I promise to keep it secret.”

This time, she was determined to seize the opportunity.

There was a mountain by the sea, shaped like a “凸”, with part of it jutting into the water.

Half an hour later, Mu Chenze led Chu Xuan along a mountain path to a damp stretch of beach, just as the tide had gone out.

On the sand were clams, sea snails, crabs, and more.

Chu Xuan was about to start collecting them when Mu Chenze stopped her.

“Let’s check up ahead first.”

“Okay.”

Chu Xuan quickly followed.

Walking along the receding tide for over ten minutes, they found a dozen or so tide pools of various sizes, each filled with different kinds of fish.

Chu Xuan was stunned—this was like a gift from the heavens!

Mu Chenze waved a hand in front of her face. “What are you standing there for? Where’s your net? Hurry up and catch some fish!”

Chu Xuan snapped out of it, grinning from ear to ear. “Right! Let’s catch fish! From now on, I’ll split half of whatever I make from selling seafood here with you.”

Mu Chenze was about to refuse, but knowing she wasn’t the type to take advantage, he changed his mind. “Thirty percent is enough. I won’t have time to come here often. If you don’t agree, I’ll find someone else.”

Chu Xuan laughed. “Deal! Absolutely! You’re helping me make more money—I should be thanking you! I’ll treat you to a meal at my place sometime.”

Mu Chenze asked, “When’s ‘sometime’?”

“When the new house is finished!”

“Alright!”

They chatted and caught fish, and in half an hour, they’d filled two buckets.

Each carrying a bucket, they walked along the mountain path toward the dock.

As they walked, Mu Chenze said, “Chu Xuan, you have to promise me one thing, or I’ll regret bringing you here.”

Chu Xuan was in high spirits and completely rational. “As long as it’s not marrying you, I’ll agree to anything else.”

(Dear readers, I’m in the middle of a competition—please vote for me! Thank you! Updates every day at 12:10 a.m. sharp.)"