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Chapter 213: The Box
Chapter 213: The Box
Jiang Xia reeled in the line.
Zhou Chenglei stood by, usually not getting involved, only assisting Jiang Xia by tasks like baiting the hook and removing the caught fish.
If he helped too much, it would take away the joy of fishing for her.
Of course, when a big fish was on the line, fearing that Jiang Xia might not be able to reel it in, he would lend a hand.
As the line shortened, a vague outline of a large, dark rectangular object could be seen underwater.
It wasn't until the object broke the surface that Jiang Xia realized it was a box, covered in barnacles and entangled in seaweed.
Jiang Xia turned to Zhou Chenglei, "Should we pull it up? It's a bit heavy; there must be something inside."
They weren't sure if there was any special significance to the contents.
Zhou Chenglei replied, "Let's pull it up and see what's inside. I'll do it."
Zhou Father, upon hearing this, immediately agreed, "Of course, pull it up! Who knows what treasures it might hold!"
Zhou Chengxin also took a look, "Hurry and scoop it up!"
Throughout history, countless ships have sunk in the vast ocean, so fishermen sometimes have the chance to find valuable items while out at sea.
Anything found in the sea becomes theirs, except for cultural relics, which must be handed over to the state.
Seeing that the box was rather large and heavy, Zhou Father handed Zhou Chenglei a dip net.
Zhou Chenglei used the dip net to scoop the box out of the water.
Jiang Xia went to find tools to open the box.
She returned with a pair of scissors, a hammer, and a screwdriver.
Now that the box was out of the water, it was clear that it was a woven box.
Zhou Chenglei took the scissors from Jiang Xia and cut open the box.
It didn't require much effort to pry it open, revealing two stones.
Zhou Chengxin asked, "Why are they just stones?"
Zhou Father said, "Stones are even better! Who would use a box to hold two ordinary stones? These must be special stones, maybe jade or emerald! Alei, can you tell? Hurry up and clean them to see what they are."
Zhou Father was certain that these stones, caught by his lucky son-in-law, were no ordinary stones.
He picked up a nearby rag and handed it to Zhou Chenglei to wipe the stones.
After being submerged in water for so long, the stones had lost their original appearance.
Zhou Chenglei took the stones and began to clean them.
Zhou Mother, while steering the boat, said, "Get a bucket of water, and use the loofah scoop to clean them more thoroughly."
Hearing this, Zhou Father immediately looked for a bucket to fetch water.
Zhou Chengxin went to find a loofah scoop to help with the cleaning.
Zhou Father, seeing this, quickly stopped him, "You get the water; I can't carry it."
Not knowing if the stones were valuable or not, he didn't want his eldest son to clean them and risk finding out they were ordinary.
Zhou Chengxin didn't object and took the bucket to fetch water.
Taking advantage of his son's absence, Zhou Father handed the loofah scoop to Jiang Xia, "Xiao Xia, you clean them! Give them a good scrub!"
Jiang Xia, finding this amusing, took the loofah scoop and crouched down to clean the stones.
It took the couple about fifteen minutes to clean the two stones thoroughly.
The four of them stood there, examining the stones.
Zhou Chengxin said, "They just look like ordinary stones."
Zhou Father snapped, "Shut up! Xiao Xia, you tell us what they are!"
Jiang Xia hesitated, "..."
She wasn't familiar with raw jade, so she couldn't tell if they were stones or jade.
"I don't know either."
Zhou Father urged, "Just say something, no, don't say anything ordinary, say the best! The better you say it is, the better it will be!"
If Heavenly Father gave a discount later, it wouldn't be too bad, and it wouldn't be just an ordinary stone!
Jiang Xia was at a loss for words.
To satisfy the old man's fantasy, Jiang Xia made up a story, "It looks like Imperial Green Jade!"
Zhou Father laughed, "It must be! I think so too!"
Zhou Chenglei's lips twitched, but as he wasn't an expert in this field, he suggested, "We can take it to the city later and have Zhang Rui's second brother take a look."
"Okay! You can take it there later!"
The more Zhou Father looked at the two stones, the more extraordinary they seemed to him, "Alei, you put these two pieces of jade aside."
After settling in, you and Xia Xia can set up the net! Be careful not to drop it on the ground."
Smashing his foot was a minor concern, but Zhou's father was worried that Zhou Chenglei might accidentally smash his large emerald!
Zhou Chengxin wanted to help with the move, but his father held him back, "Let your younger brother do it."
If he touched it, he might lower the value of his Imperial Green by a grade!
Zhou Chengxin said, "Then I'll set up the net."
His father pulled him closer, "No need, you go fishing! Alei is back, let him set up the net."
Does the eldest son have no self-awareness at all?
With his clumsy hands, what could he possibly catch with the net? He had been eagerly awaiting the return of his younger son and Wangcai to go out to sea together. Could he not give him some hope today?
Zhou Chenglei placed two stones in the basket and covered them with a cloth before setting up the net with Jiang Xia.
After setting up the net, Jiang Xia stopped fishing and took out her knitting needles to knit a sweater.
With so many sweaters to knit, she had to make the most of her time! Otherwise, winter would pass, and she still wouldn't have finished knitting.
Zhou Chenglei also stopped fishing and sat beside Jiang Xia, reading an English science magazine and helping with translation.
Only Zhou's father and Zhou Chengxin were left fishing.
Zhou's father had wanted to ask Jiang Xia for help, but seeing the couple sitting there, one reading and the other knitting, in a new loving pose, he decided not to disturb them.
Zhou's father couldn't help but say to his eldest son, "You and Ah Hua should learn from Alei and Xia Xia's way of getting along as a couple."
The way his younger son and Wangcai got along as a couple was always harmonious and warm, and it was a pleasure to watch.
The two of them could fish, cook, read books...
In short, they did everything in harmony!
Zhou Chengxin turned and said directly, "I can't learn from them! I don't know English, and Ah Hua can't focus on knitting sweaters."
Zhou's father: "..."
You can't teach a fool!
Enraged, Zhou's father stopped fishing and went to start the ship.
Two hours passed quickly, and it was time to haul in the net.
Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia put away their things and then went to haul in the net.
This time, without Zhou's father's reminder, Jiang Xia pulled the net first and then stepped aside.
The three of them worked together to haul in the net.
Jiang Xia noticed Zhou Chenglei's biceps bulging, jumping with each movement, indicating another bountiful catch! The three of them exerted a lot of effort to pull up a large bundle of fish.
As they untied the fishing net, a cascade of fish spilled out, covering the deck with Huang Jiaoli.
The fish were not small, each weighing around one pound.
Jiang Xia smiled, "This fish is delicious!"
Zhou's father laughed, "This is the most delicious fish! Let's take a few more home for dinner. Let's see if we caught any yellow croaker, golden drum fish, or oil spot fish. We can make a steamed mixed fish pot at home, so fresh it'll make your teeth fall out!"
This was his favorite fish!
Huang Jiaoli was known as the most delicious fish, and Zhou's father thought it tasted even better than rat grouper and black grouper. It also fetched a high price, selling for over one yuan per pound. This catch would bring in at least five hundred pounds, earning them six to seven hundred yuan!
Zhou's father happily sat down to start dividing the fish.
Zhou Chengxin started the ship and headed towards Pearl Island to check on the fish cage.
Jiang Xia, Zhou Chenglei, and Zhou's father also sat down to divide the fish, making the most of their time.
Huang Jiaoli was not a large fish, mostly weighing around one pound, but Jiang Xia also found a three-pound king Huang Jiaoli.
What great luck!
Jiang Xia decided to take it home for dinner, planning a Huang Jiaoli feast for the evening.
The ship headed towards Pearl Island at full speed, and from a distance, Zhou Chengxin spotted a fishing boat in the area rented by Zhou Bingqiang.
He said, "Dad, that's Uncle Qiang's boat."
Upon hearing this, Zhou's father immediately became energized, "Let's go over and say hello to him."
With such a bountiful catch on the first net, of course, they had to share the joy!
The earlier they shared, the longer the happiness would last.
Zhou Chengxin steered the fishing boat over, as it was on the way and wouldn't take much time to detour.
(End of Chapter)
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