Goldfield
Chapter 6: Collecting Seafood

"why did he faint? What did the doctor say?" Old Yu had seen his second daughter-in-law taking care of her younger granddaughter without rest.

"Grandmother didn't let us call the doctor. She said my mom's gonna be okay after she goes to bed!" Yu Xiaocao found the perfect opportunity to complain.

"Omong empty! When we finish eating, ask Doctor You to come and check on the second daughter-in-law. Don't let a small illness turn into bessr's disease." Old Yu frowned as he forced himself to finish the bean paste soup and wipe his mouth.

Madam Zhang reluctantly muttered, "Said to have to spend money if we seek a doctor! Our third son must immediately participate in the district examination. He had to go to the town of the prefecture for the exam! If spending all of our money on the Yu Hai family and not being able to raise enough money for the travel expenses, then he would definitely hate you.."

Old Yu frowned and slammed his chopsticks onto the table and said, "getting out is not that poor! Every year, Yuhai earned over a dozen taels just from hunting, let alone his income from fishing every day! Our third son has studied for many years, He has not even passed the district level examination. I think he should stop learning. He was supposed to save up to buy a few acres of land to farm."

With the state of the Yu family, if they did not finance their third son's studies for more than a decade, they could live more comfortably. Even if they freely ate white rice and wheat flour every day, they still had more than enough food. But the pay for private teachers and the cost of living in the city was enough to weaken the family finances of middle-class farmers.

"What's? Old man! the clairvoyant said that someone in our family was destined to become a government official! I still count on our third son to give me the title of 'Mistress Noble'! Even if I have to give up everything, I will still finance the study!" Although Madam Zhang was a little afraid of her husband she decided to fight to the end for the sake of her son's future and her own glory.

Old Yu glared at his wife, but did not continue the topic. He threw the bowl in his hand and spoke in a muffled voice, "I'll clear three acres of our farmland! By the way, Xiaolcao, cook a bowl of noodles for your mother and add two fried eggs in it. He must have been exhausted for a few days,"

"Good! Thank you grandpa!" Yu Xiaocao hurriedly replied with a loud voice while smiling brightly on his face.

"Xiaolians! Xiaolian, you brash! Why do you stay in the room? Can't you see that it's raining? Quickly grab the clothes that are being sunk!" Every day, Yu Xiaocao was awakened by her grandmother's harsh nagging.

Lady Liu, who was usually bullied by her mother-in-law, wanted to get out of the kamaar. However, Yu Hai stopped him, "You should rest again! I'll go see him!"

Today it is not suitable for sailing because it is too windy. Thus, Yu Hai could be unemployed at home on this rare occasion.

After changing his clothes, he entered again and spoke to his son, "Today is the second day of June and the sea is now receding. I just came out to check. Cloudy and wind blowing to the southwest. More marine goods can be found when the sea water recedes quickly. So, this is the best weather to go stacking food by the sea! Le's go! I'll take you guys in for oysters, crabs and shrimps. If we're lucky, we might find abalone!"

"Gathering sea food on the ocean floor! Dad, I've never collected food at sea before! I want to go too. Take me."

In his previous life, Lin Xiaowan's hometown was located in the inner area. He had only seen the ocean once in the twenty-nine years he was still alive. It was all thanks to one time he visited his little sister, who was studying at the university by the sea.

He had moved in this fishing village for about five or six days, yet Lady Liu kept him at home to recover from his injuries. He never left the house let alone went to the sea. When Yu Xiaocao heard that there was an opportunity to go collect seafood, he decided that he would come along even if he had to be angry. Well, isn't he still a kid now? Thus, he had the chance to become a brat.

Xiaocao refused to comply. He'll be moldy just because he lives at home. Moreover, today was a rare opportunity for him. His father, a reliable fisherman, would accompany them, so they would definitely catch a lot of seafood. How could he miss this perfect opportunity?

"Mother! Grandpa You already said that my injuries are fine and I am also much healthier now. My health is very good now and I also have a great appetite! Grandpa You said that moving a lot is better for my health. Please let me go with them!" As he spoke, Yu Xiaocao looked at his father, who was accustomed to pampering his children endlessly with a pleading gaze.

Yu Hai could never refuse his youngest daughter, so he immediately gave up, "Muyun, I'll take care of Xiaocao, so don't worry! Rest at home comfortably and wait for us to return. We will call some abalone to make porridge for you, to nourish your body!

As he spoke, he gestured to his youngest daughter with his eyes, telling her to leave the room immediately. So, Yu Xiaocao heartily pushed the door open and left.

On the night, Yu Hang had already prepared all the equipment needed to gather seafood by the sea with buckets and shovels in their hands, Xiaolian and Shitou happily waiting for their father to come out. In the hearts of children, there is nothing their fathers cannot do. They had anticipated a fruitful outcome even before they left.

In June, Dongshan Village is hot and humid. Xiaocao, who was wearing only one thin piece of clothing, was holding a small bamboo basket as he tried to follow his father's footsteps.

The tall and stocky Yu Hai, seemingly over 1.8 meters tall, eight-year-old Yu Xiaocao had chronic pain for a long period of time, so he was shorter by half the head than Yu Xiaolian, who was only five minutes older than him. He's done his best to go forward with his short legs, but he's still left behind.

Yu Hai continued to watch his children and noticed the situation of his youngest daughter, He chuckled and raised her with one hand and carried her on his shoulder.

Yu Xiaocao was initially a bit nervous and embarrassed. Mentally he was almost the same as Yu Hai, but he was still treated like a child. Even five-year-old Shitou, did not receive this kind of treatment. So, Xiaocao could not help but turn her red face.

As the eldest brother, Yu Hang quietly observed his weak youngest sister. When he noticed that his face was groaning, he handed him a straw hat woven with bamboo pieces. He spoke with a tone of concern, "Bungsu Sister, although today is overcast, but you are rarely exposed to the sun. Thus, you are very easily burned by sunlight. Look at your face's already flushed."

The lowest water phase is a rare opportunity for Dongshan villagers to increase their income. Experienced old fishermen are used to the time of ups and downs. Currently, the lowest tide period occurs around noon. The mudflats are already full of men and women of all ages who come to collect seafood.

The Yu Hai family arrived late, so all the good places had already been taken. Shitou was disappointed and muttered, "If the eldest Aunt doesn't take long to prepare food, we can get a good place."

Yu Hai stroked his son's little head and said with a smile, "Don't get discouraged! I know a good place. I can guarantee no one else will be there."

The good place mentioned by Yu Hai was the coral reef area beside the cliff. The location of this coral reef is rather dangerous. Usually covered by sea water and hit by high waves at high tide. The only thing that comes out completely is the full tidal wave. In addition, this place is far from the village and people will not think to come here.

The coral reefs of this region seem dangerous, but are actually difficult to reach. It is difficult to pass through cliffs on the way to the coral reefs. However, this was a simple matter for Yu Hai. He helped the children through the difficult roads one by one and through the cliffs. Their eyes sparkled when they finally reached the goal.