Back To the Small Fishing Village In 1982

Chapter 18 Catch the Chicken

The women weaving nets around couldn't help but shake their heads. These boys are idle all day long, like children who never grow up, only interested in playing. And now they want to kill the chickens at home?

They are truly prodigal sons. If it were in their own homes, it would be best to give them a good beating. However, over the years, they have caused so much trouble that people have become accustomed to their antics.

Well, as long as they don't bring trouble to other people's homes, that's the only barely redeeming quality they have.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Ye Yaodong touched his nose and couldn't help but feel guilty as he looked at his wife’s angry expression.

Little Xiao said with a mischievous smile, "Yaodong cares about his wife? No worries, just make it up to her and coax her well when you come back tonight.”

"Yeah, just make it up to her when you come back in the evening. Now, let's hurry up. We still have to kill the chicken, and it's already past 2 o'clock. We need some time to stew it, or else we'll starve."

Being pulled by the two of them, Ye Yaodong thought that it was too late to turn back now. He decided to make it up to his wife in the evening and maybe join them digging by the sea tomorrow. He wanted to show his best side and try to win back her heart.

After making up his mind, he let go of his worries and happily went along with them.

Baisha Village, where they lived, was neither too big nor too small. The house of Ah Zheng was relatively close to Dongqiao Village, with the back door opening up to the fields.

Although he confidently spoke about catching the chicken, deep down he felt a bit guilty. He was afraid that his mother would see them if they tried to catch the chicken near the front door where she was weaving the nets. So he deliberately took them on a detour, planning to go through the fields behind the house and then climb over the fence.

Who knew his mother was sitting at the back door weaving nets today!

And with just a glance, she spotted the three of them by the roadside...

"What are you guys doing?"

Ah Zheng awkwardly smiled, poked his hand forward, "Mom, I want to discuss something with you, can you listen...?"

"No!"

Three people: "..."

Before he could even say a word, he was immediately blocked and sent back!

As soon as Ah Zheng's mother lifted her eyelids, she scratched her head with a shuttle needle, relieved the itch, and then continued weaving the net. She said, "Whenever you guys gather together, nothing good comes out of it. Don't even bother discussing it with me, because even if you ask, I won't agree!"

"Mom, didn't my dad keep saying that his hands and feet are feeling weak..."

"Why, you want to buy a blue crab for your dad?"

People in coastal areas often choose to eat blue crabs as a supplement when they feel weak or lack strength in their limbs.

"It's not that..."

Yaodong stood aside and found it a bit amusing. Just moments ago, when they were at his house, Ah Zheng was speaking confidently, but now he seemed timid when facing his own mother. It had been many years since Yaodong had seen Ah Zheng like this.

Ah Zheng thought to himself that whether he speaks up or stays silent, he will face criticism anyway. So, he decided to be straightforward and said, "This morning, Ah Guang caught a cobra, and I thought of killing a chicken to bring it over for a stew. Then, I'll pack a bowl and bring it back for you and Dad to have as a supplement. Dad has been complaining about his lack of strength lately, right?"

His mother raised an eyebrow, initially prepared to scold him, but when she heard the second half of his statement, she held back her words. She acknowledged that he still had some filial piety left in him, thinking about his father's well-being.

Seeing that his mother didn't immediately scold him and sensing an opportunity, Ah Zheng continued, "Mother, you see, this chicken was hatched from the eggs I bought with my own money. I've been the one mostly taking care of it. If you give me one, it seems like you wouldn't be losing much, right?"

"Do you think I'm stupid? You've been eating my food, wearing the clothes I make, and living under my roof. How dare you claim that the chicken is yours?"

"Hehe, if it's yours, it's yours, then you wouldn't mind if I catch it, right?" 

Ah Zheng's mother glared, about to scold him, but he was already excitedly calling out to Ye Yaodong and Little Xiao to catch the chicken.

Not objecting, not scolding, isn't that equivalent to agreeing?

"Roll, roll, roll, go catch it, but only catch a rooster.” After having four daughters, he's the only son she has. How can she not cherish him?

"Which one to catch?"

"That one! That big and fat rooster! Little Xiao, go ahead!" Ye Yaodong pointed to the corner where a majestic and brightly-feathered rooster was strutting leisurely, instructing them to go after it first.

The ground was covered in chicken droppings, and he didn't feel like stepping on them.

After a short burst of crowing from the rooster, "Damn it, we missed it!"

"Over there, over there... Yaodong..."

"I'm coming...I'm coming..."

The three of them ran around the courtyard, with chickens flying everywhere. After a chaotic chase, they still couldn't catch the chicken.

"Damn it, how can it fly so well? You guys go that way, I'll go this way. Let's surround it!"

Ye Yaodong hurriedly stopped them, "Wait, wait, hold on. Ah Zheng, go grab a handful of rice bran. We'll stand in the corners, and it'll be easier to catch them when they're eating."

 "Okay~"

Ah Zheng's mother felt a pang of anxiety watching them. These troublesome kids! Luckily, she acted quickly and moved the fishing net indoors, or it would have been a complete mess.

They scattered some rice bran, but the chickens remained vigilant, hesitating and lingering around, not daring to come closer.

After a while, when it felt that there was no danger, the chickens cautiously approached and pecked at the rice bran.

"Go, Yaodong, it’s your turn."

He took his turn, and Ye Yaodong approached cautiously, aiming at his target, and pounced directly.

"Caught it!"

His face beamed with joy as he firmly grasped the wings. "Bring some twine over here. I'll tie it up so it won't fly away again."

"Here, let's tie it up while we walk. Take it to Ah Guang's house to slaughter."

The big rooster was full of energy and kept struggling even after being tied up. It stretched its neck and let out loud crowing sounds.

After tying up the chicken, Ye Yaodong handed it over to them to carry. He looked at the chicken droppings on his shoe tips and sides, so he casually grabbed a handful of straw to wipe them off. He then stomped his feet on the ground a few times, cleaning the soles of his shoes before happily following them to Ah Guang's house.

Ah Guang's mother passed away, and his father joined a large ship for a months-long journey, so there was no one to take care of things at home. Since there were no girls willing to marry into their family, Ah Guang hadn't gotten married yet. In their daily gatherings, they often chose to gather at Ah Guang's house, where there were only him and his two sisters.

Everyone gathered at his house to play cards, waiting for the three of them to arrive and start the fire.

"Damn, Ah Guang, don't you know your own name? How dare you join the card game in the afternoon?"

"Hahaha, Pei Guang, lose it all!" Ye Yaodong also thought about the bad luck that Ah Guang's name brought him, slapping his thigh and laughing heartily. It had been quite a few years since he last saw Ah Guang.

In the previous life, his father saved enough money to buy a boat and moved the whole family to Zhoushan to engage in the dried shrimp business, rarely coming back.

Ah Guang disdainfully looked at them and said, "Can't I have a rare day without losing?"

"Who lost? Who won? The one who won the most can go to the pier and buy a few bowls of seafood. And Ah Zheng brought the chicken from home. We'll cook a lavish Dragon and Phoenix Soup tonight!"

Ah Guang waved the bills in his hand, feeling proud and said, "I won against three opponents, a first-time achievement! I'll go to the pier and see what they have now. You guys go ahead and prepare the chicken!"

They usually play cards and place small bets as a form of entertainment. Since they are friends, the money won is often used to buy food and drinks, allowing everyone to enjoy a feast together while boasting and having a good time.

Although they may not have achieved much in life, their bond is strong, and everyone gets along well. Ye Yaodong is particularly excited and volunteers himself, saying, "You guys play your game, I'll take care of the chicken. Let me handle it."

"Sure, it's yours. I'll play cards for a while. Let me know when it's ready, and I'll do the cooking!" Little Xiao happily hands over the chicken to Ye Yaodong and joins the others at the table.

(end of this chapter)

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1. 裴光 (péi guāng) = hanging down; a surname | ray; bright = Ah Guang’s name

赔光光 (péi guāng guāng) = compensate; lose money in business | bare = Lose all