https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-197-Zhou-Fu-Wants-a-Starry-Moon-Surround/12935411/
Chapter 198: Hooked
Chapter 198: Hooked
As Jiang Xia's group photo was surrounded by the admiring villagers, Zhou Fu, eager to join in, noticed Zhou Bingqiang's fishing boat docking. He immediately put down the load of fish on his shoulder and rushed towards Zhou Bingqiang, grabbing his arm and holding up a stack of photos. With excitement, he waved to everyone, "Hey, look! We've got the photos! I've brought them back. Come and see the pictures we took that day. I'll give each of you a free copy, so hurry up and grab one!"
The villagers, upon hearing this, rushed to Zhou Fu's side.
Zhou Fu was delighted to see the villagers gathering around him. "Haha, my golden moment has arrived again!" he exclaimed. Grabbing Zhou Bingqiang, he said, "Bingqiang, look at these photos. The ones taken on your new boat and the ones on my large boat, aren't they great? I'll give you two copies, and I'll give everyone else two as well! Every brother in the village will get one!"
Zhou Bingqiang was speechless.
One photo per person? Was Zhou Yongfu implying that while the villagers would forever remember his proud purchase of a small boat, his family had already bought an ocean-going vessel?
The villagers swarmed around Zhou Fu:
"Here, here! Let's see the photos! Show me!"
"Are you really giving them away? Give me one!"
"Of course! Take two each! See how good the photos are!"
"These photos are so well taken, and they're in color too! Zhou Yongfu, your boat is huge!"
"I didn't know I'd look so good in photos!"
As the sun set, casting a gentle glow, the pier resonated with laughter once more. These joyful sounds were all thanks to the Zhou family, or perhaps more accurately, to Jiang Xia.
While most villagers were delighted, for Zhou Bingqiang, it was pure torture.
Zhou Fu held onto him tightly, not letting him leave, and shared the photos with him, "Bingqiang, look at this photo. Here we are standing under my new boat, looking like ants! The one taken on your new boat looks much better! Especially your solo shot, you look like a giant standing next to your boat!"
Zhou Bingqiang's face darkened.
Damn it, was Zhou Yongfu mocking his small boat, or laughing at his short and plump stature?
If there was one person who understood Zhou Bingqiang the best, it was Zhou Fu.
Zhou Bingqiang was truly provoked.
Since childhood, Zhou Fu had been recognized as the tallest and most handsome man in the village, while Zhou Bingqiang was known as the shortest and fattest.
Zhou Fu had always been praised for his looks, while Zhou Bingqiang had been ridiculed for his appearance, height, and weight.
Later, when his family's sea trade prospered, he earned more money from fishing than anyone else. They bought the village's first television set and built the first multi-story house. The villagers stopped mocking him, and their attitudes towards him changed, becoming even better than towards Zhou Yongfu.
Zhou Bingqiang finally felt he had regained his dignity. He realized that his appearance didn't matter; money brought dignity.
But now, Zhou Yongfu had more money than him! He was taller, more handsome, and richer!
Zhou Bingqiang didn't want to talk to Zhou Fu anymore; he just wanted to leave. He nodded, "Yes, your boat is big, so it makes people look small. My boat is small, it can't compare to yours. Alright, I've seen the photos. I need to buy some diesel fuel for tomorrow's fishing trip. Let's go!"
Zhou Fu wasn't about to let him go. He hadn't finished provoking him yet. "My boat may be big, but it's also a gas guzzler. I heard from Alei that filling up the tank costs several thousand, almost ten thousand. A single offshore trip consumes thousands in fuel! Are you crazy? Refueling once costs more than your new boat! These large boats are too greedy, they drink too much fuel. Ordinary people can't afford them! Your small boat is better! Luckily, you don't have the money to buy a big boat!"
Zhou Bingqiang was speechless.
What did he mean by 'Luckily, you don't have the money to buy a big boat'? Who didn't have the money to buy a big boat? Who was he looking down on?
Was he also mocking his new boat's fuel tank, saying it couldn't compare to his own boat's?
This was infuriating!
"Really? It consumes that much fuel? I was planning to order a large boat soon, but I'll make sure it's fuel-efficient!"
Zhou Fu laughed upon hearing this. "Is that so? Congratulations! Go ahead and order it! Large boats may have big appetites, but they earn more too, because there are more fish offshore! Alei earned over ten thousand on his offshore trip, making more in a day than your two fishing boats. If you have the money, go ahead and order a large boat! They do make money faster!"
Pfft! As if Zhou Bingqiang had the money to order a large boat.
Even if he orders it, he's not afraid! His family still has two large ships waiting to return! It's best if they all return together later and make him furious!
Zhou Bingqiang's heart shrank in fear.
Earning ten thousand a day, wouldn't Zhou Chenglei earn back the money for the large ship in just one trip?
Most importantly, with the large ship, Zhou Chenglei now earns ten thousand a day, so the gap between his family and theirs will only grow wider.
Earning ten thousand a month, while others earn ten thousand a day! This truly dealt a heavy blow to Zhou Bingqiang.
Seeing Zhou Bingqiang being provoked like a squid, spitting ink with every provocation, his entire face turning black, Zhou Fu decided to let him off the hook. "Oh, the sun has set. I won't say more. I'm going home for dinner! Weren't you going to buy diesel? Go ahead! I won't hold you back! If you want to order a large ship, I can accompany you. I have experience buying ships!"
Zhou Fu left with a hummed song, "Arise, unwilling to be... forward! Forward!"
Seeing Zhou Fu's triumphant expression, Zhou Bingqiang felt his heart ache with anger.
He also wanted to order a large ship, but he really had no money left!
Zhou Li approached Zhou Bingqiang after Zhou Fu left.
Zhou Bingqiang, upon seeing her, said irritably, "Don't tell me to get along with Zhou Yongfu! It won't work! It won't work in this lifetime! Can't you see his smug expression in front of me?"
Zhou Li replied, "It's up to you whether you get along with him or not. I'm not here to talk about that. I'm here to tell you a secret!"
"What secret?"
"You're so foolish, following Zhou Chenglei in contracting the sea area. Do you know that Zhou Chenglei has already ordered fish fry?"
Zhou Bingqiang's pupils constricted. "What do you mean?"
Zhou Li was also a capable person. She told Zhou Bingqiang about Zhou Chenglei's phone call and Jiang Xia's words, not leaving out a single detail.
Finally, she said, "Do you want to order some fish fry? I've noted down the phone number. Since it's after work hours and there's no one in the office, you can call and ask. If you decide to order, ask them to deliver it early, preferably a day or two before Zhou Yongfu. That way, they won't suspect that I gave you the phone number. Otherwise, they'll be cautious of me, and I won't be able to help you in the future."
Zhou Bingqiang thought about the remaining money in his pocket and felt a headache. "I don't know how much it costs to order fish fry."
He had spent all the money he earned these days on the fish cages, and now he only had a little over two thousand left.
He still wanted to save up to buy a large ship.
"I don't know the price, but how much can fish fry be worth? A few hundred yuan for a thousand fry! You rented the two sea areas for a few thousand, and you have to pay a few thousand in rent every year. You can't just waste it, right? With a few thousand fish, who knows, by the end of next year, you might earn enough to pay the rent. Anyway, you've already made so many fish cages and put them in the sea. Weren't you planning to raise fish? Why don't you call and ask first?"
Zhou Bingqiang nodded. "Alright, I'll call and ask about the price of the fish fry, then decide how many to buy for the fish cages. It's a good idea to buy some fish fry to raise, otherwise, the money spent on renting the sea will be wasted, and renting the sea without raising fish is pointless!"
"Remember to ask them to deliver early, definitely a day or two before Zhou Yongfu. And make sure to tell the boss to say that you ordered early!"
Zhou Li was afraid that Jiang Xia would find out about this. She still wanted to maintain a good relationship with Jiang Xia, hoping that Jiang Xia could help her secure her job, as she feared she might be removed after the production team reform.
...
In the evening, Jiang Xia was translating in the room. Zhou Chenglei finished showering and returned to the room, taking out a key to open the cabinet and retrieving a cloth bag for Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia took it, feeling its weight, and couldn't help but lift it. "Is this the money earned from going offshore? How much is it?"
Zhou Chenglei's eyes smiled. "You'll see."
Thank you to all the readers who voted! I'm not sure if it's the heat or what, but I've had a fever for three days and a headache for three days. Today, I finally feel a bit better, but my throat still hurts. I'll add more chapters when I have time.
(End of Chapter)
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