C17 Jiang Is Still the Spicy One

After dinner, Zhou Hongqu carefully placed the bottle of homemade liquor back into the cabinet, treating it like a treasure. He only indulged in a few sips during the New Year; otherwise, he rarely had the chance to enjoy it.

"Dad, once I start earning money, I'll buy you a bottle of premium whiskey to try," Zhou Ruonan said with a smile, noticing her father's actions. Zhou Hongqu blushed slightly, feeling pleased that his daughter was all grown up and making such promises.

Meanwhile, Wang Chunhua pulled Zhou Dawei aside, cautiously glancing outside before asking, "Dawei, you've never lied to me since you were little. Tell me honestly, what were you and your sister up to this morning?"

Zhou Dawei frowned, a bit exasperated, and replied, "Just like we said at the table, Mom! Why are you so suspicious?"

Wang Chunhua found it hard to believe they could have made nearly twenty dollars so easily in just one morning.

Later in the afternoon, it was Zhou Ruonan and Zhou Dawei who prepared everything, but it was Zhou Hongqu who set the traps. After all, experience counts, and Zhou Hongqu was much more skilled than Zhou Dawei, knowing places to set traps that Dawei had no idea about. While he was subtly supporting Zhou Ruonan, Zhou Hongqu preferred not to make a big deal out of it.

"Hey, Zhou, where are you off to?" someone called out as Zhou Hongqu finished setting the traps and was heading back.

Zhou Ruonan recognized the man; it was Mr. Qian, who had brought them back that morning.

Zhou Hongqu, with a peculiar expression, waved his hand and said, "Catching some crayfish for the kids tonight. Qian Wang, where are you headed?"

Qian Wang glanced at the woven bag in Zhou Hongqu's hand and remarked, "I saw your daughter carrying a bag just like that when I came back today."

Zhou Hongqu paused, shook the bag, and replied, "It's just an ordinary bag."

Without saying more to Qian Wang, he turned to leave. The two had grown up in the same village and had been close, but a disagreement over some land issues years ago had cooled their relationship.

He hadn't walked far when Qian Wang called out again, "Old Zhou!"

Zhou Hongqu turned, frowning at Qian Wang, sensing he might know something.

As dinner approached, Zhou Hongqu returned with Qian Wang by his side, the two engaged in conversation the whole way.

Zhou Hongqu approached Zhou Ruonan and said, "Tomorrow, I'm heading to the county with Mr. Qian."

Zhou Ruonan looked surprised and said, "Well, if you two know the big secret, then everyone will soon enough. Fine, I'll go with you tomorrow."

Zhou Hongqu quickly shook his head and said, "No need, Mr. Qian and I can handle it."

Ruonan waved her hand and said, "Dad, don't worry. Your daughter isn't a kid anymore. Let me handle this." Without waiting for a response, she turned and went inside.

The next day, a little after four in the morning, Qian Wang and Zhou Hongqu went out to check the traps. They were cautious, so they got up even earlier than Ruonan and her group.

"Dad, it's just after five. Isn't it too early?" Zhou Hongqu, sitting on the tractor, said seriously, "Silly child, if someone sees us, it could be hard to explain."

Since Zhou Hongqu put it that way, Ruonan didn't argue. A little caution couldn't hurt.

Looking at the woven bags filled to the brim at her feet, Ruonan couldn't help but admire the wisdom that comes with age. Two full bags—one packed with crayfish, and the other with a few carp and quite a few snakeheads. People in the city love snakeheads these days; they're boneless and delicious.