Chapter 612: Crab Catching by the River

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Riding in a carriage, they arrived at the riverside.

Everyone alighted from the carriage one by one, then walked to another carriage to get a bucket and prepare to pick up the river crabs.

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao walked at the front with small wooden buckets.

Chu Xuyuan turned around and asked Chu Qingzhi, “Fifth Sister, are there river crabs everywhere by the river?”

“Yes, but there are more nearby areas with more rocks.” River crabs like to stay in rock crevices.

“Got it.”

After looking around, the two of them changed directions and walked to the right. There was a riverbank with little aquatic grass on the other side. The shore was filled with rocks. There should be many river crabs.

The others followed them to the riverbank.

The rocks were teeming with river crabs, not just visible everywhere but often clustered together, creating a scene of abundance.

Chu Qingzhi casually picked several large river crabs and dropped them into the bucket, creating a series of satisfying clinks. “Everyone, pick the big ones, leave the small ones.”

“Okay.”

The elders sat on nearby rocks, not participating in the crab picking.

They were busy all day and had little rest, so Chu Qingzhi let them relax for the afternoon.

Since Chu Qingyue was about to be a bride and to avoid any injuries, Chu Qingzhi also didn’t let her pick crabs, sitting next to Li Qingyu and watching everyone.

Chu Xujin, carrying a wooden bucket, stayed close to Ge Lihua, acting like a guard, “Lihua, be careful. The crab claws can injure your hands.”

“I’ll be careful.” Ge Lihua, always a pampered young lady, had never done such down-to-earth work before and found it very interesting. She kept picking, her bucket already containing three to four pounds of river crabs.

It was rare for Chu Xujin to see Ge Lihua so happy. When he saw her smile, he was also very happy.

Nearby, Chu Qingning picked up a river crab, its claws waving threateningly. She took it to scare Chu Qingshuang, “Qingshuang, are you scared?”

Chu Qingshuang also picked up a river crab, hers even bigger, and scared Chu Qingning back, “Fourth Sister, are you scared?”

Chu Qingning was bolder. Previously, she had even gone to see the corpse dissected. “What’s there to be afraid of? There are at least 15 river crabs that have died in my hands. They should be afraid of me!”

Chu Qingshuang was amused. “Fourth Sister, you’re right. 1 can’t refute you.”

Chu Qingyan, Chu Xuyuan, and Chu Xuyao followed around Chu Qingzhi and chattered. Chu Qingzhi felt like she was surrounded by a group of birds.

Chu Qingyan licked her lips. “Fifth Sister, how do we eat the river crabs today?” “How do you want to eat it?”

Chu Qingyan flattered, “Anything is fine. Anyway, whatever Fifth Sister cooks is delicious.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled and said, “I’ll make you fried crab roe buns. I saw that you liked them the last time.”

“Fifth Sister, you’re the best!” Chu Qingyan cheered.

The manager of the Zhou family’s Pearl Farm walked over with a smile on his face. “Miss Qingzhi, you’re here to catch river crabs again?”

Chu Qingzhi turned around. “Manager Zhou, what’s the matter?”

The manager said, “The oysters have been saved. I specially came to thank you.”

“It’s good that they’re okay.”

The steward cupped his hands. “Thank you.” He paused and said, “Do you need me to arrange some people to help you catch the river crabs?”

“No, we want to catch them ourselves.”

“Then I won’t disturb you further. If you need anything, you can always tell me.”

“Okay.”

The manager walked away and muttered to himself, “Chu Qingzhi doesn’t look any different, just like everyone else, but how is she so capable?”

Chu Xujin moved a rock away. “Wow! Did I just find a crab nest?”

Under the rock, a group of big and small river crabs seemed startled and scurried in all directions, muddying the water.

Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua hurriedly reached out to catch them. The crabs were quick, but they were quicker…

Both of them eyed the biggest crab and reached for it at the same time. Ge Lihua was quicker, but Chu Xujin accidentally caught her hand.

An awkward atmosphere ensued.

Realizing his mistake, Chu Xujin quickly withdrew his hand, his face slightly red, stammering, “So-sorry, I wasn’t paying attention, it was an accident…”

Ge Lihua placed the crab in the bucket as if nothing had happened. Her hand was still warm from his touch. Hesitating for a moment, she gently held Chu Xujin’s hand, “I don’t mind.”

Chu Xujin looked at Ge Lihua in a daze. The words “Lihua held my hand” kept repeating in his mind.

Ge Lihua chuckled and let go of his hand, continuing to catch crabs.

Chu Xujin finally reacted and quickly grabbed Ge Lihua’s hand. He was overjoyed. “Lihua, you…”

Ge Lihua cut him off, “Catch the crabs.” She turned away, hiding a smile on her face.

“Yes, yes, yes. 1’11 listen to you.” Chu Xujin was excited and happy. He could not help but fantasize about the future.

Wu Yaqing saw their interaction and couldn’t help but think of Lu Yichen. Where did this guy go?

Wait, why was she thinking about him?

Wu Yaqing shook her head, trying to expel Lu Yichen’s image from her mind, refusing to think about him.

Chu Xuyuan’s cheer echoed, “It’s full, it’s full…”

Chu Xuyao said, “Mine is full too.”

Chu Qingzhi’s bucket was also full.

They brought the buckets to the elders.

Li Qingyu took a look. “I feel that the crabs today are bigger than yesterday.”

Chu Rong picked up the crab that had fallen out of the bucket and put it back into the bucket. “They do seem a bit bigger…”

Chu Xuyuan said, “No matter how big or small it is, it will still be our meal in the end.”

It didn’t take long for everyone to fill the bucket.

“Let’s go home.”

Everyone carried the buckets onto the carriages and returned to the city.

In the teahouse.

Ning Shuangshuang walked into the private room and looked at Jiao Qinqin in surprise. “So it was you who asked me out!”

Jiao Qinqin poured a cup of tea for Ning Shuangshuang. “Please have a seat.”

Ning Shuangshuang tried to figure out Jiao Qinqin’s intentions before sitting on the chair opposite her. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Jiao Qinqin and Ning Yuting were childhood sweethearts and she also grew up together with Ning Shuangshuang. The two of them were very close sisters, but ever since Jiao Qinqin married someone else, their relationship had become distant.

“You don’t have to put on a cold face. I didn’t have a choice back then.” Jiao Qinqin put on an aggrieved look. “What would you do if you were in my situation? Besides, I regret it now!”

Liu Wenzhao (Jiao Qinqin’s husband) had married her because of her family’s money. Now that the family had survived the crisis, he had begun to neglect her.

When Ning Shuangshuang saw that Jiao Qinqin was not doing well, she actually felt better. “You’re already married. Why are you looking for me again?”

Jiao Qinqin probed, “Do you like Chu Qingyue?”

“What do you mean?” Ning Shuangshuang became alert.

“I don’t like Chu Qingyue.” Jiao Qinqin gripped her handkerchief tightly. She hoped that Chu Qingyue would disappear immediately..

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