CHAPTER 443: 443 SEASIDE

Shi Jing nodded as if he understood. Jiang Xinyu did not explain further, as he was still young. Saying too much wouldn’t make sense to him.

"Mom, the conch we had yesterday was so delicious."

"Mom, I thought it was delicious too."

"You can eat it, but not too often. Actually, they all have parasites. I gave you the sugar to expel the worms."

Both children showed fear, and Jiang Xinyu laughed heartily. "It’s not that you can’t eat them at all; just don’t eat too much or too often. Besides, you should never eat raw food; it must be cooked at high temperatures."

The trio wandered on the beach, each holding their shoes. The seawater occasionally washing over their feet felt very pleasant.

"Mom, look, the sun is coming out."

"Yes, isn’t it beautiful?"

"Beautiful, bright red."

Feifei stretched out her hand as if supporting the sunrise. Jiang Xinyu thought how nice it would be to have a camera, unable to capture such a beautiful moment.

As they watched the sun rise over the horizon bit by bit, the trio faced towards the sun, smiles on their faces.

After another ten minutes, "Let’s go back. I need to deliver today’s things to a friend. You can stay here and play with Master Shang."

The trio returned to the village; several people were already working in the yard. Watching their swift actions, Jiang Xinyu sincerely felt skill is honed with practice.

"Xiao Jiang, take the kids to the village chief’s house for a meal."

"Master Shang, let’s go together."

"I’ve eaten already; you three go. Once you return, I’ll take the children to play by the sea."

After breakfast, the trio followed by several children, each carrying a basket.

"Mom, we want to go to the sea again."

"Go ahead, but be sure to listen to Master Shang."

Jiang Xinyu watched the women working in the yard, listening to their chatting.

By 8:30, all the shrimp meat was shucked, and the shellfish meat sorted.

Three large basins of three types were loaded onto the car, and Jiang Xinyu drove away.

She drove to deserted places to collect and still went to other villages, collecting some shrimp meat. Only then did she return to the village.

Still collecting dry goods at home, none of this was stored in the safe space but taken back to share with friends.

She collected over ten pounds of shrimp paste. Jiang Xinyu wasn’t particularly fond of it but found the children liked it when added to stewed cabbage tofu.

Seeing so many shrimp heads thrown away seemed a shame. Frying them with oil to make shrimp roe must be especially tasty.

At eleven, Shang Zhenkun returned with the children.

They still let the clams sit in clean water. "Mom, let’s invite siblings to eat when we’re back."

"Alright, let them enjoy the fruits of your labor."

The two children were very eager. These were what they gathered and could show off to their friends.

The village chief’s lunch was quite good, with cornmeal pancakes soaked in fish soup, very tasty.

They even specially cooked conch for the two children. Shi Jing and the other one practiced self-restraint, each eating only three before stopping.

In the afternoon, Jiang Xinyu took the children for a nap, having risen too early in the morning.

At five in the afternoon, the fishing boat docked with a successful catch. Jiang Xinyu bought all the fish and shrimp.

The village chief also gave buckets and basins. Jiang Xinyu felt embarrassed and handed over ten yuan. After loading the car, the family of four drove away.

"Mom, when will we come again?"

"Not this year. This car is government-owned, and borrowing it repeatedly isn’t good. If your dad drives us here, we’ll come back."

"Great, I’ve written to Dad."

The two children kept chatting with various questions along the way. Some Jiang Xinyu couldn’t answer, so Shang Zhenkun explained to them.

By the time they got home, it was seven o’clock. The car drove directly into the yard, unloading everything.

Jiang Xinyu prepared big shrimp and two fresh fish for each Wang Ailing and She Xiaoyun, and Shang Zhenkun rode off to deliver them.

"Master Shang, go to the restaurant and ask Director Ding to come over after work. Tell my sister’s family to come for dinner tomorrow night."

Shang Zhenkun nodded and rode off.

After separating out a portion, Jiang Xinyu rode her bike to Lv Beiguang’s house.

"Xinyu?"

"Hehe, I went to the seaside, brought some good food for Guodong and them, but you need to help me deliver it to Secretary Hao, or it’ll stink by tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I’ll go back with you. Guodong and Jing Chu can handle it."

"Dad, Aunt Jiang, rest assured; I’ll cook the big shrimp right away. The fish is ready for salting."

Jiang Xinyu smiled at Lv Jingchu, "Yes, the temperature at night isn’t so high now. But if you two can stew the fish, it’s still better to cook it and keep it."

"Sure, we’ll do that now." They had long been eager to eat it.

Lv Beiguang and Jiang Xinyu returned together, and he took the remaining shares on his bike and left.

At home, there wasn’t much fresh produce left. The three started cleaning the car, needing to clean it thoroughly to avoid feeling guilty.

Shang Zhenkun also returned to help the trio.

The car door needed to stay open tonight. Even though it didn’t get dirty, Jiang Xinyu still felt uneasy.

After the four finished cleaning, Jiang Xinyu was cooking in the kitchen when Ding Shihong arrived.

"Sis."

"Brother Ding, here are the big shrimp and fish for you, plus some clams, shrimp skins, and a jar of shrimp paste."

"Sis, that’s quite a haul."

"Not bad. I bought everything from the boats."

"Alright, I’ll send chili and garlic over tomorrow."

"Okay. Tomorrow is perfect; someone’s coming to work for me."

After sending Ding Shihong off, the family each had a bowl of noodles and rested.

Early the next day, seafood porridge and pancakes were made for the kids. They could still eat with their grandpa during lunch.

Driving to the textile factory, she ran into Song Qingqing. "Vice Factory Director Jiang, thank you so much; those big shrimp were delicious."

"Glad you liked it."

"What are you carrying?"

"I brought two bags of shrimp skins for the canteen. Adding some to the stuffing will taste great."

"Let me help you deliver them."

The two each carried a bag to the canteen manager.

During the morning meeting, she didn’t spot Yao Shimin, suggesting Jingyi hadn’t gone home?

Qiao Jingyi indeed hadn’t gone home; the two were still sleeping, having stayed up too late last night.

Saturday morning, Qiao Jingyi arrived in town; the two went to the supply and marketing cooperative to gather essentials, including pots and pans, and She Xiaoyun helped them get bedding. They were busy until noon, only then taking a lunch break at the restaurant.

With only one set of bedding, the two lay down together.