When Are You Coming Back?
As they walked, Su Ning couldnât resist the urge to show off. Whenever she spotted someone, she called out to them, beckoning them to come and see the fish.
âDid you catch all these fish with your third sister-in-law?â
The little girls looked on with envy.
The little boys wore expressions of disbelief.
Su Ning took the opportunity to explain, âYes, thatâs right! It happened under the big tree by the river. Maybe we got lucky and stumbled upon a hungry school of fish. As soon as we baited the hook, they eagerly took it!â
âAfter a while, we ended up catching nine fish.â
The little boys saw the fish in the wooden bucket with their own eyes, finally believing Su Ningâs account.
Curiosity took hold, and they started bombarding her with questions.
âSu Ning, what did you use as bait?â
âWas it roasted sweet potatoes or earthworms? Or something else delicious?â
âDid you use a large piece of sweet potato or a small one?â
âDid you use a whole earthworm or just half?â
Su Ning generously answered all their questions at once.
âMy third sister-in-law said that we didnât need a lot of bait. The key was to entice the fish with its scent. So, we used a small piece of earthworm as bait each time.â
The little boys exchanged glances. It didnât seem like a fancy fishing technique, but they couldnât deny the fact that they had caught so many fish.
Was it possible that there were truly hungry fish in the river?
It was better to err on the side of caution.
So, the little boys, who were eagerly yearning for some meat, abandoned their farm work and hurried home to fetch their fishing rods before rushing to the river.
Qin Zhenzhen was at a loss for words, but she couldnât deny the existence of fish in the river.
*
When they returned home, they were astounded by the abundance of fish.
Su Ning excitedly recounted the entire process.
Su Cheng gazed at his sister, his disbelief evident. âYou actually caught three fish too?â
Su Ning nodded enthusiastically. âYes! I caught three fish all by myself. Isnât that impressive?â
âBut Third Sister-in-law is the true champion. She picked the perfect spot, used just the right bait, and taught me the best techniques!â
Su Cheng still struggled to comprehend it all.
How could something so magical happen?
If only he had known, he would have gone with them to witness this extraordinary phenomenon.
Su Ning cheerfully transferred the seven fish from the bucket into the water tank.
The two large fish in the fish basket would be prepared for dinner.
âThird Sister-in-law, I was thinking of making goldfish soup and half-frying the common carp. What do you think?â
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. âSounds good.â
âIt would be even better if you could cook. Iâll assist you.â
Su Ning had developed trust in Qin Zhenzhenâs cooking skills.
However, Qin Zhenzhen surprised her by saying, âNo, cook it yourself. Iâll be going back to my parentsâ house later.â
âHuh?â Su Ning was taken aback.
Why was Qin Zhenzhen going back to her parentsâ house?
Was she planning to convince her brother to divorce their third brother?
Su Ning didnât want Qin Zhenzhen and her third brother to separate. What should she doâ¦
âWhen⦠when will you be coming back?â
Su Ning was genuinely worried that Qin Zhenzhen might not return.
Qin Zhenzhen casually replied, âWeâll see.â
Su Ning felt even more disheartened.
She really didnât want her third brother and Qin Zhenzhen to divorceâ¦
However, Qin Zhenzhen misunderstood Su Ningâs intentions and reassured her, âYou can still eat the rice I bought. Even if Iâm not at home, you can eat it. You donât need to return it.â
Realizing the misunderstanding, Su Ning stammered and explained, âThatâs not what I meant⦠I meant that Fifth Brother and I are still young and need an adult at homeâ¦â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWith adults present, we wonât be bullied.â
Just like this morning when her uncleâs family had bullied her fifth brother.
âMy second brother canât stay at home.â