CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: THE FLAVOR OF THE NEW YEAR

The couple had initially planned to take the money and head back to Nanyu first, but at this point Lin Yi and the two children were asleep, so to avoid waking them, the two decided to head directly to South Port.

They were not pressed for time, and the iron boat moved slowly in the late evening.

Lin Qin took the opportunity to nap a bit under the plastic tarpaulin.

Around two or three in the port, it was bustling, with all the fishing boats out; the earliest would return around five, with the later ones coming back around six or seven.

Arriving early, they casually chatted with the elderly folks by the port to learn about the situation in South Port.

Then they cast lines nearby and spent two hours fishing, and Lin Qin managed to catch over a dozen saltwater fish weighing more than three pounds each.

All the elders praised Lin Qin for her good luck; some even came over and asked if she was selling, apparently locals, probably preparing ingredients for tonight’s New Year’s Eve dinner and staking a spot here early.

As long as the price was right, Lin Qin was willing to sell; thus, while fishing and selling simultaneously, they made scattered but significant earnings of tens of yuan.

She stopped only when the fishing boats returned to the port.

Chen Wenjun rushed at full speed to the first fishing boat docking, loudly asking, "What’ve you got?"

The father and son on the boat glanced at Chen Wenjun and replied in dialect, "Got a sack of black tiger prawns and one of assorted fish. Want them?"

Chen Wenjun wasn’t particularly interested in the assorted fish; the black tiger prawns were sizeable, and he fancied them.

After trading with the first fishing boat, he loaded the items onto the iron boat and immediately went searching for small yellow croakers, pomfret, and squid, unexpectedly acquiring a basket of eels and ribbonfish, collecting two large baskets of clams and one of mussels.

He stopped only when the boat was filled to capacity.

Delivered the goods back at top speed.

With previous experience, Lin Yi waited early at the house entrance this time, and upon seeing the iron boat approaching, he promptly got the cart and weights ready to join Chen Wenjun in setting out.

The New Year’s Eve market is the busiest time of the year.

Fives onwards, the place teemed with people, reaching the peak around seven and eight.

When Chen Wenjun and Lin Qin arrived, before they could unload, a crowd had already gathered to snatch up their goods. The duo could only sell and unload simultaneously.

In less than an hour, the three big baskets of goods were almost gone, and Lin Qin hastily went for more supplies.

The couple was busy until the sky turned dark, and by noon around twelve, everything was sold out yet more inquiries came.

Exhausted, the couple gathered their things, leaving the market as swiftly as possible.

Lin Yi, stationed on the iron boat, widened his eyes upon seeing the couple’s bedraggled state, "What have you two been up to? How did you end up like this?"

Lin Qin waved her hand, casually pulling the scrunchie from her head to tidy her hair, "Don’t mention it; we were almost carried away—people buying things like they’re snatching them. This time we brought in quite a lot, just dropped one or two cents; turns out no one minded the price. It’s really different during New Year’s."

Chen Wenjun managed a bitter smile, "I’m reeking of sea odor, smell can’t be tolerated."

Heart aching, Lin Yi said, "Let’s not talk now, head home, boil several pots of hot water for a good wash, fortunately, I’ve just saved some stuff, else there wouldn’t be much for our New Year’s Eve dinner tonight."

Only then did the exhausted couple realize, both thumbs up to Lin Yi.

Three of them returned to Nanyu.

Lin Yi went to the kitchen first to boil hot water.

Lin Qin and Chen Wenjun went to the second floor to tally up accounts.

Yesterday they set out with a capital of five hundred, and now they had over sixteen hundred in their bag after deducting diesel costs; additionally, Lin Qin bought four pounds of pork belly, four pounds of ribs, two pig bones, and fifty pounds of lard at the market.

Calculating this way, being a middleman indeed makes money!

This amount completely revived the couple’s spirits.

Lin Qin locked the money in the room’s cabinet, took clean clothes, and went downstairs with Chen Wenjun for a bath.

After bathing, they began preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.

The first step was to render the lard from those slabs of fat.

Lin Yi planted onions, ginger, and garlic on their land, and when needed, he pulled some fresh from the field to use.

As the lard was nearly done rendering, a rich aroma wafted from the kitchen, distracting the two children from their play, trailing Lin Qin closely, eagerly eyeing the lard bits in the pot.

Lin Qin chuckled, "You two wait outside for a bit, I’ll fetch the bits for you to munch on later, how about I make pork fat rice for supper?"

Fifty pounds of lard could make a huge pot, enough to last until next summer, indulging a bit during the holidays wouldn’t hurt.

The two kids jumped and cheered loudly, running off to tell Lin Yi the good news.

In no time, Lin Yi entered the kitchen, whispering, "How much did we earn this time?"

Lin Qin raised a finger.

Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction, muttering, "Make a bit more pork fat rice tonight, or just whip up some egg-fried rice, and also prepare braised pork, corn ribs stew, clam stir-fry, steam a small yellow croaker; we sell the seafood, yet I haven’t tasted much myself!"

Lin Qin considered, calling Chen Wenjun over, "Maybe just buy a portion of oysters omelet and shrimp cakes from Guoxing Restaurant, add them to dinner."

Even though orders over at Zheng Guoxing’s are booming, they’re acquainted, ordering just two dishes, Zheng Guoxing would definitely offer them a favor.

Chen Wenjun agreed, casually asking, "Anything else missing, tell me now, I’ll bike to get it this afternoon."

Yaya’s little head popped out from behind Chen Wenjun, "Dad, can we have candy?"

"What candy! Aren’t there cookies at home?" Lin Yi reflexively felt protective over money.

Chen Wenjun quickly said, "During New Year, buying some candy is necessary, just in time for the second day we can host guests."

The so-called guests refer to Lin Qin’s elder sister Lin Ying’s family.

Lin Yi fell silent immediately.

The two children, emboldened, followed Chen Wenjun outside, wanting to go shopping in the city too.

Ultimately both were taken away by Chen Wenjun.

Lin Qin stayed busy until past five in the afternoon before the New Year’s Eve dinner was fully prepared.

By then, Chen Wenjun returned with the two children.

The two little ones held a pinwheel and a balloon each, clutching candied hawthorn.

Chen Wenjun’s bicycle carried bags aplenty, jingling and clanging.

Lin Qin hurried over to help, "What’ve you bought? Did you empty the grocery?"

Chen Wenjun laughed heartily, "If I had the means, it wouldn’t be impossible! As intended, bought a portion of oysters omelet, a portion of shrimp cakes, Guoxing gave twelve, and separately packed away a steamed eel, smells fantastic."

"Why’d you take it? We already cooked small yellow croaker!" Lin Qin chided gently.

Unfazed, Chen Wenjun explained, "Guoxing said the seafood we provided is exceptionally good, guests today were very satisfied, he profited greatly, reciprocating by gifting us a dish, tried refusing but he barely had time to chit-chat, and hurriedly shooed me away."

Lin Qin both amused and resigned, hurriedly took the goods to the kitchen.