PFC Chapter 267 Have you forgotten what I do?
Chapter 267 Have you forgotten what I do?
Seeing Li Xiangyang's certainty, Wang Ergou and Li Daqiang exchanged a glance, then grinned. Without another word, they grabbed their fishing nets and headed towards the direction where they had seen the mink.
Seeing this, Li Xiangyang quickly stopped the two: "What's the rush? You can't catch a fishing net."
"What should we do then?" the two asked in unison.
Li Xiangyang looked around, his gaze settling on a recessed section of the riverbank: "Minks like to dig burrows and build nests along the riverbank. Let's look for their burrows along the river first, then set a trap."
"That's a great idea!" Wang Ergou's eyes lit up. "As expected of you! Your insight and composure are beyond words, I'm impressed!"
The three men put down their fishing nets and began to search carefully along the riverbank.
Before long, Li Xiangyang discovered several holes on a riverbank hidden by grass.
“Look, these are the mink burrows,” Li Xiangyang said to the two men, pointing to the entrances. “Judging from the marks around the burrows, there were at least three or four minks here.”
"Shall we set a trap now?" Li Da asked impatiently.
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "They're too alert right now. Let's go back and prepare our tools, and come back early tomorrow morning."
Wang Ergou was somewhat unwilling: "Are we just going back like this?"
"Haste makes waste," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry, after that commotion, no one will dare come near us anytime soon. We'll bring traps and bait tomorrow; we're guaranteed a good catch."
The three packed up their fishing nets and their meager catch and headed towards the village.
Although today's harvest was not great, the discovery of mink tracks excited Wang Ergou and Li Daqiang, who discussed how to catch mink tomorrow along the way.
"By the way, Xiangyang, how do you know so much about mink?" Li Daqiang suddenly asked as they reached the village entrance.
Li Xiangyang smiled slightly: "I read it in a book, but I've forgotten which one."
Wang Ergou clicked his tongue in amazement: "No wonder you know everything! It seems that knowledge truly does change one's destiny!"
The three chatted and laughed as they went home.
This was truly an unexpected bonus; if we could catch a few minks, it would definitely be a substantial income.
When Li Xiaoyun got home, she had just finished get off work and was hanging clothes out to dry in the yard.
Seeing Li Xiangyang return, she greeted him with a smile: "How was it? How was the harvest?"
Li Xiangyang handed her the small fish and shrimp from the net: "Not many, but I found something good."
"What good stuff?" Li Xiaoyun asked curiously.
“The mink, scientifically known as the American mink, was mistaken for a water monkey by the river just now. By tonight, everyone in the surrounding villages will know. If you kill it, your husband will have done a service to the people…” Li Xiangyang said with a smile.
"Although I've never seen a mink before, please be careful not to hurt yourself," Li Xiaoyun said with concern.
Li Xiangyang smiled and patted her head: "Don't worry, this little thing is no problem for me."
After the meal, Li Xiangyang rummaged through the woodshed and found several iron clamps. He checked the springs and clamping force of each one, and then found some wire to make a simple rope fixing device.
Li Xiaoyun gently wiped the clip, her slender fingers moving meticulously across the metal to ensure no trace was left. "I've heard that minks have an exceptionally keen sense of smell."
Li Xiangyang looked up at his wife, his eyes full of approval: "You even know about this?"
Li Xiaoyun smiled faintly: "Besides teaching, I also read some miscellaneous books. The children here love to ask about things from the mountains and rivers, so I need to know more to answer them." She glanced at the sun outside the window, "I have to hurry to school."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Go ahead. If school lets out early this afternoon, try to spend some time talking to your older sister. After all, she just got divorced..."
"Okay, I'll come over after school."
After seeing his wife off, Li Xiangyang continued to organize his hunting tools when there was a knock at the door.
He opened the door and saw that it was his eldest sister, Li Guihua, who had brought her niece, Xiaolan.
“Xiangyang,” Li Guihua stood in the yard, a hint of hesitation on her face, “I wanted to ask you if there are any odd jobs I can do in the village? I want to earn some more money.”
Li Xiangyang quickly ushered his sister and niece into the house: "Sister, you just got back, let's settle in first. What's the rush?"
Li Guihua sighed, "I don't want to be idle like this. Besides, Xiaolan will need money for school in the future, and daily expenses are considerable."
Looking at his sister's haggard face, Li Xiangyang felt a pang of heartache: "Sister, don't worry, I've thought it through. I'm going to the river to catch mink tomorrow. Mink pelts are valuable. After I catch and sell them, I'll give you some money as start-up capital. You can make insoles, do embroidery, or something, and go to the city to look for business opportunities. By the way, have you eaten?"
Li Xiangyang was about to go and cook for the mother and daughter.
"We've already eaten, don't bother anymore." Li Guihua's eyes welled up with tears. "Then you go ahead with your work, we'll be going now."
After seeing his sister and niece off, Li Xiangyang sat in the yard and listened to the radio for a while.
In the evening, Li Xiaoyun returned.
"How did the students do today?" Li Xiangyang asked as he helped her carry her schoolbag.
Li Xiaoyun sighed, "There are a few naughty kids who always daydream in class. But most of the children are quite attentive. Oh, by the way, I just went to my older sister's. I wanted to invite her and her daughter over for dinner, but she was too shy, so I didn't insist."
"Sigh, let's take it slow. My older sister is still a bit sensitive."
Li Xiangyang sighed, and the two began preparing dinner.
As the sun sets, a simple yet fragrant dinner is soon prepared.
Steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, and a bowl of shepherd's purse wontons specially made by Li Xiaoyun.
"Eat something hot, you'll need energy to catch minks tomorrow." Li Xiaoyun served Li Xiangyang a bowl of wontons.
"Hmm, the wontons smell so good today!" Li Xiangyang took a bite and his face lit up with delight.
Li Xiaoyun smiled and said, "I added some wild garlic. An old lady in the village taught me to do that; she said it enhances the flavor."
The two ate and chatted, their conversation ranging from their plans to catch mink the next day to the funny things that happened to the children at school, and then to the latest gossip in the village. Before they knew it, they had finished their dinner.
After dinner, the two sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool air.
The summer night breeze carries the faint scent of grass, the chirping of crickets rises and falls, and occasionally a dog barks in the distance.
In the courtyard, Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun sat side by side, gazing up at the starry sky.
"Wife, do you think I'll be lucky enough to catch a few more minks this time?" Li Xiangyang asked softly, his gaze still fixed on the stars in the sky.
Li Xiaoyun smiled slightly: "What, feeling sorry for your older sister? Want to give her more capital?"
“Yes,” Li Xiangyang sighed, “Seeing her like that makes my heart ache. Xiaolan is a sensible child, but she’s suffered too much since she was little, so she’s introverted. And since her older sister is divorced, I’m really worried she’ll be bullied when she starts school…”
Li Xiaoyun leaned against him and chuckled softly, "Silly boy, have you forgotten what I do? Anyone who dares to bully her, I'll teach them a lesson!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyang burst into laughter: "My wife is quite protective of her own!"
Li Xiaoyun rolled her eyes at him: "Of course!"