Seven people, two flashlights, they decided to split into two teams.
The cicadas were easy to catch at night.
When the flashlight shone on the tree trunks, they could be seen everywhere, though they were usually quite low, close to the ground.
Perhaps it was only a short while after dark; they had just crawled out of the soil along the tree trunks.
The seven of them crouched down to catch them, and it couldn’t be easier.
Before long, they moved to another spot.
“Damn, just killed another pesky mosquito!”
“Ugh, if I’d known, I’d have worn long sleeves and pants!”
Listening to their complaints, Ye Yaodong and A Guang were grateful that they hadn’t taken a shower yet and were still in their work clothes.
After a while, when their legs grew numb from squatting and they were being bitten by mosquitoes, they finally decided to give up.
“I can’t take it anymore; there are too many mosquitoes. Let’s go. We’ve caught enough for the drinks.”
“Let’s move! I’m almost covered in welts!”
“Next time we need to be better prepared.”
“I’ve already showered and changed into a tank top. I can’t believe I came out with you all, I must be too well-fed!”
Ye Yaodong lifted the bag and felt, “Should be about 4-5 pounds. When we get back, we can each take a little home. A Guang, you take more; save some for tomorrow’s drinks. We can also catch some river goods to save a trip to the dock for seafood. Eating river catch is pretty good too.”
“Sounds good. I’ve eaten so many clams lately that I feel like throwing up. I’ve dug too many and can only eat them every day! I even have to dry them out to eat! I’ll definitely limit my digging next time.”
“Let’s get down the mountain and talk later.”
They were all busy catching and scratching, getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Ye Yaodong only felt a bit of itching on his neck.
“Let’s try pulling up the fish trap from the river and see if there’s anything inside. After that, let’s head back. We don’t have anything to carry, I’ll come collect it again tomorrow morning. You all don’t need to fuss.”
“Seems like East Son has matured quite a bit after working these past few days?” The Rat had been busy and hadn’t seen Ye Yaodong for a while.
Now that they were together, he felt Ye Yaodong seemed quite different, looking much more mature than before, unlike his previous carefree self.
“Everyone grows up eventually. Working… sigh… really does train a person. Have you noticed how I’ve gotten several shades darker?”
“True enough. I only realized how tough my dad and mom have it after I spent a few days lugging stuff at the pier.”
Ye Yaodong patted his shoulder, “As long as you want to work hard and earn money, it’s never too late. Life has just gone through a third.”
“What if I die young?”
“Damn, stop cursing yourself! Are you tired of living? I want to live until I’m 80…”
“Did you hear something?”
“Isn’t it just us talking?”
“Damn it, stop scaring me at this hour. My hairs are standing up. Let’s hurry!”
“Scaredy-cat! It’s not even eight o’clock yet. Just wait until midnight, you’ll panic then.”
Ye Yaodong couldn’t help but admire these guys' way of thinking; they hadn’t even said anything serious and had already spiraled off-topic, coming up with all sorts of ideas.
The group chattered and hurried down the mountain, heading towards the riverbank.
“It’s been years since I’ve done something like this, and I feel like I can’t stand the mosquito bites anymore. I used to feel ecstatic when I was bitten all over.”
“That just means you’re getting old!”
“What a pity, the pomelos around here aren’t ripe yet. Otherwise, we could steal a few.”
“Come back in two months!”
“Do you think this is your backyard?”
“Like you’ve never stolen before!”
…
In the summer fields, the evening breeze carried a fresh, earthy scent.
The croaking of frogs filled the air, a stark contrast to the noise of the city.
On the little road, there was only their laughter and playful banter.
They reached the riverbank and untied the rope bound to a big stone.
They slowly began to pull up the trap.
With both flashlights shining on the trap, they watched as several small crayfish crawled along the mesh.
Ye Yaodong felt delighted—he knew the river would have some crayfish.
When he pulled the entire net up, the fish pouch below was already filled with many small crayfish, loaches, and little fish.
Everyone was quite happy, not expecting to find so much after just a short while.
“We didn’t bring anything to hold them, so I’ll throw them back in. If we leave them overnight, there will definitely be more tomorrow. They won’t die after just one night.”
He had originally brought the burlap sack for the cicadas, and bringing it back now would be fine since he’d cook them tomorrow.
A Guang also pulled up another trap and, full of excitement, said, “I’ll get up early tomorrow and come with you to collect. There are quite a few crayfish, and they’re pretty decent-sized.”
“If you can wake up, then come. I’ve been getting up early every day lately.”
“Alright, let’s head back.”
After putting the trap back in the river, the group made their way back, some still excited about the harvest.
At least they weren’t returning empty-handed.
A Guang’s home was close to the village entrance, so they all headed straight there.
After all, his parents weren’t home, and it made sense to divide things among themselves for the trip back.
Ye Yaodong waited until they were all done before filling A Guang’s bag, then shook the remaining little bit at the bottom, thinking it was just enough.
“Pour a little more into his bag. Just leave enough for tomorrow’s drinks. I don’t have many people at home, and my two little sisters won’t eat this. Your family is bigger.”
“Alright, my family does have a lot of people!” A Guang didn’t hesitate.
After he arrived home in the dark, the house was quiet.
He carefully locked the door, tied up the burlap sack, and tossed it beside the woodpile by the earthen stove.
His mother would naturally take care of it when she saw it in the morning.
Being careful not to wake his wife and kids, he didn’t go inside to get clothes.
Instead, he went straight to the backyard, stripped down to just his shorts, and took a quick bath before coming back inside, towel in hand.
Lin Xiuqing wasn’t asleep; hearing the sound of the front door being locked, she sat up.
After waiting a while, the bedroom door finally opened.
“Didn’t you say you were going to set the trap by the river? Why are you home so late?”
“I also went to catch some cicadas and brought some back. I’ll have mom fry them up tomorrow.”
“Will the trap still be there after a night in the river?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll go collect it first thing tomorrow morning. Are you worried about that and couldn’t sleep?”
“No, I just got the two kids to sleep a little while ago and was about to sleep myself.”
After changing into clean shorts, Ye Yaodong walked to the bed, leaning on it, pressing his forehead against hers. “Is it because I wasn’t back that you couldn’t sleep?”
“Ridiculous. It’s actually better when you aren’t here; the bed has more space, and I won’t get squeezed.” She moved a bit back, preparing to lie down, but he snuck a kiss.
“Heartless! If I hadn’t returned, you would have been crying!”
Lin Xiuqing rolled her eyes at him and turned to lie down.
Ye Yaodong was in a good mood.
Working hard during the day was exhausting, and spending some time enjoying with friends at night, then teasing his wife when he returned, made him feel relaxed.
Thank you all for contributing your subscriptions.
During lunchtime today, it took just over an hour to break a thousand subscriptions.
Now, just past midnight, it’s already at over 2800. When I wake up tomorrow morning, it’ll surely be a high-quality piece; I’m so happy, love you all!
I’m trying my best to write; my typing speed is slow, and there’s nothing I can do about that.
I spent all my savings over the National Day holiday, and now I'm working hard to save more drafts, trying to write a bit more every day.
If one day I can’t update, you all are going to come through the internet to beat me, right?
Sustainable development is important.
What if I suddenly die? No one will be here to update…
(The End of This Chapter)