Chapter Seventy-Four: Crawfish

“How can you talk like that…”

“Oh? You don’t want to listen when spoken to nicely? Fine, brother, give her a beating.”

Of course, Lin Wenyen would never really hit a girl, but he still raised his fist in a show of bravado. Startled, Lin Shuimei turned and ran, only to trip over a stone and fall flat on her face.

She scrambled up in embarrassment, didn’t dare linger, and dashed off as fast as she could.

Lin Sangqian let out a cold laugh. Raising her head, she caught Lin Wenyen looking at her, his gaze somewhat complicated.

“Brother?” Lin Sangqian asked in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“You really are different from how you used to be,” Lin Wenyen said.

“Ah?” Lin Sangqian’s heart skipped a beat. “I—I was just a child before. I didn’t know anything…”

Lin Wenyen sighed, then suddenly smiled and reached out to gently pat her head.

“You’re much better now. Your big brother is proud of you. No matter what, I don’t ever want to see you bullied again.”

Warmth blossomed in Lin Sangqian’s heart, and she said, “Big brother, I won’t ever let anyone bully me again. Besides, I have you and our second and third brothers to protect me.”

“Yes, your brothers will always protect you.”

“Big brother, let’s go home.”

“All right.”

Lin Wenyen walked ahead, and as Lin Sangqian watched his back, she sighed silently in her heart.

Perhaps he had already guessed something. That was why, when it came to the changes in her and their parents, he never asked too many questions…

But whatever the case, they were, after all, a family.

Lin Shuimei, flustered and out of breath, slipped in through the back door of Wanhua Restaurant.

“How did it go?” Qian San asked the moment he saw her.

“I—I couldn’t do it,” Lin Shuimei panted. “Lin Sangqian completely ignored me, and she even tried to get Lin Wenyen to beat me up!”

Qian San rolled his eyes and ground his teeth. “Useless thing!”

“How can you say that about me? There was nothing I could do!” Lin Shuimei protested, feeling wronged. “With the way things are between me and Lin Sangqian, there’s no way I can get her to come out alone!”

“If you can’t do it, then figure out a way! Otherwise, what use are you to us?”

Lin Shuimei fell silent, only muttering after a while, “Where’s the manager? I want to see him.”

Since she couldn’t win over the manager at Fuman Restaurant, maybe the one at Wanhua would do…

But Qian San could see through her thoughts in an instant.

He scoffed, “The manager’s busy. He doesn’t have time for you. And you’d better give up on those little schemes. Do you really think someone like him would be interested in you? He has plenty of beauties at home!”

Caught out, Lin Shuimei’s face went from pale to red and back again.

“You’d be better off with me…” Qian San said, reaching out to touch her face. Lin Shuimei shrieked and quickly backed away.

“What, am I not good enough for you?” Qian San said irritably. “Whatever, let’s not talk about this. Just figure out a way to trick Lin Sangqian into coming here. If you don’t, you’ll regret it!”

With that, Qian San went back to work, leaving Lin Shuimei standing there, biting her lip in indignation.

That Lin Sangqian—she was infuriating!

…

As soon as Lin Sangqian got home, she recorded today’s earnings in her account book.

Ever since moving to town, she’d kept a small ledger, noting down every day’s income and expenses.

After putting away her money and the account book, she stepped out of her room and noticed the courtyard gate was open. Zhao Lan’er stood at the entrance, talking to someone outside, frowning, clearly impatient.

“We really don’t want it. No one dares to eat that stuff,” Zhao Lan’er insisted.

“Miss, please, just take it. I have no other choice!” the man pleaded.

“Everyone works hard for their money. We can’t just spend it recklessly!”

“This is really edible! Just cook it and it’ll be fine!”

“You do seem to be struggling. How about I just give you some money and you move on, all right?”

“Miss, you have to believe me…”

“What’s going on?” Lin Sangqian approached a few steps and asked.

Aunt Niu replied, “Someone’s here trying to sell something, but we don’t even know what it is. Miss Zhao told him to leave, but he won’t go—he’s sticking around and won’t give up.”

“Let me see,” Lin Sangqian said, walking to the gate. Outside stood a middle-aged man, carrying two large baskets, his face clouded with worry.

“Sangqian, he insists on selling us these things, but I find them a bit frightening. Who would dare buy them?” Zhao Lan’er said, troubled.

“Uncle, what exactly are you selling?” Lin Sangqian asked.

The man lifted the cloth covering his baskets. Zhao Lan’er, seeing what was inside, looked even more unsettled and edged away.

But Lin Sangqian froze, then grew excited.

“Where—where did you get these?” she asked eagerly.

“I caught them in a little river just outside town,” the man replied dully.

“I’ll take them. I’ll take them all! Name your price!” Lin Sangqian said, her voice trembling with excitement.

The baskets were filled with crayfish!

And some of them were even still alive!

She remembered that such creatures didn’t exist in ancient times. Who would have thought she’d find them here?

“Really?” The man was so excited he nearly jumped. “They’re not expensive! For both baskets—could you give me twenty coins?”

Lin Sangqian was stunned.

Twenty coins for two whole baskets of crayfish?

To be honest, she felt a little embarrassed.

In the end, she gave him thirty coins. The man accepted with delight, bowing repeatedly in thanks.

“These are easy to catch, actually. There’s plenty more in the river. I caught these last night and this morning. Miss, if you want, I can bring you more in the future!”

“Great! Then…bring me another batch at the end of the month. I’ll pay you ten coins per pound,” Lin Sangqian said. “And if possible, try to bring them in alive. As soon as you catch them, bring them straight here—even if it’s the middle of the night, I don’t mind.”

“All right!” the man agreed eagerly, leaving with the money and a beaming smile.

He had gone door to door on Laifu Lane, begging every household, but none would buy. Who would have thought this young lady would buy everything at once? She was truly a good person! Now he could afford to get some medicine for his son.

Lin Wenyen came out and helped Lin Sangqian carry the two big baskets of crayfish into the courtyard.

Zhao Lan’er, still frightened, wouldn’t go near them and asked in confusion, “Sangqian, why did you buy these? Are they really edible?”

“Of course! These are crayfish,” Lin Sangqian replied with a smile. “They’re delicious.”

“Crayfish? Is that a kind of shrimp?” Lin Wenyen asked. “I’ve never heard of it before.”

“You mean, none of you have ever eaten these?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“No,” said Zhao Lan’er, shaking her head. “No one’s ever tried them.”

Joy sparked in Lin Sangqian’s heart.

No one here had ever eaten crayfish.

It seemed the heavens had granted her another business opportunity.

“Tonight, I’ll cook them for everyone to try!”

With that, Lin Sangqian happily helped Lin Wenyen lug the crayfish into the kitchen. Everyone cheered at the prospect of another delicious dinner and worked even harder at their chores.

Once inside the kitchen, Lin Sangqian began by checking the condition of the crayfish.