Chapter 71: Gains, and Another Clash

Jing Qingxin couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. “Standing by the river, how are we supposed to catch any fish? Don’t worry, the water isn’t very deep. It’ll be fine.”

Li Xiaomei grew anxious. She was never good with words and didn’t know how to persuade her. In a fluster, she said, “Sister Jing, if someone sees you like this, people will start talking. If you really want to eat fish, I’ll ask my brother to catch some for you later.”

Jing Qingxin furrowed her elegant brows, not understanding why Xiaomei was making such a fuss, though she still replied with patience, “Xiaomei, I’m just catching some fish. Why are you making it out to be such a big deal? Didn’t you say the fish and shrimp in the river aren’t communal? Besides, there’s no one around right now.”

Without wasting any more time, Jing Qingxin took a large stride and stepped into the river. She walked forward a few paces, her right hand pretending to stir the water. As her fingertips slipped beneath the surface, she discreetly released a bit of the mystical spring water from her space. This was, after all, the most enticing bait for fish in the world!

A faint smile tugged at Jing Qingxin’s lips. Very well, she didn’t believe the spiritual energy of her spring wouldn’t draw the fish. Now, she only had to wait for them to take the bait.

Li Xiaomei stood anxiously on the riverbank, glancing all around in worry. Seeing Sister Jing wade into the river, she realized she could no longer stop her. Now, all she could do was keep watch for her, keeping an eye on their surroundings in case any villagers happened by.

While Li Xiaomei’s heart pounded with concern, Jing Qingxin had already spotted her target. She gripped a sharpened branch in both hands and plunged it swiftly into the water. Her aim, after all, had been honed by her father! She and her brother had both handled firearms and practiced shooting.

As a fish swam close to her feet, Jing Qingxin struck with precision and force, raising the branch to reveal a fish weighing two or three catties. She didn’t pause to celebrate, for she sensed several large fish following close behind. She couldn’t let the opportunity slip away!

Swiftly, Jing Qingxin tossed the fish from the forked branch toward Li Xiaomei’s feet on the riverbank, then struck again with practiced speed.

Since Li Xiaomei was watching the path and keeping lookout, her back was to Jing Qingxin, so she didn’t see how the fish were being caught. Just as she fretted, suddenly something flopped at her feet. She looked down—fish!

In an instant, Li Xiaomei forgot about keeping watch. Joyfully, she crouched to pick up the fish by her feet. Though its belly had a gash, it wasn’t quite dead yet, its tail still flicking vigorously.

Just as she was about to call to Jing Qingxin, another, even larger fish flopped beside her. Li Xiaomei grew more thrilled, her heart filled with admiration. Sister Jing was truly amazing! She’d actually managed to catch fish—and such big ones at that, probably several catties each!

Li Xiaomei hurried to gather the big fish from the grass and tucked them into her bamboo basket. Sister Jing’s basket was already full of pork rinds; only her own basket was still half-empty.

“Sister Jing, you’re incredible! You really caught fish—and such big ones!”

Li Xiaomei had just put away the fish when she saw Jing Qingxin standing in the river, a large fish skewered on the branch in her hand, even bigger than the previous two. Li Xiaomei couldn’t help but cheer aloud.

Jing Qingxin felt a deep sense of accomplishment, her face alight with smiles. Sensing more fish still swimming in the water, she quickly tossed the large fish toward Li Xiaomei again and resumed her swift hunting. This chance couldn’t be missed!

In the river, Jing Qingxin was exhilarated as she fished; on the bank, Li Xiaomei was delightedly gathering the catch. Both were so absorbed in their joy that neither noticed the shadowy figures drawing near from the path.

Before long, Jing Qingxin had caught all the fish swimming near her feet—six in total. The largest weighed seven or eight catties, the smallest two or three.

She washed her feet quickly. With no towel to hand, she wiped them on her black trouser legs—after a busy day, she’d have to change clothes anyway.

Once her shoes were on, Jing Qingxin went to Li Xiaomei’s side, watching as she tucked the fish into the basket and covered them with wild greens.

Li Xiaomei picked up the basket, lowered her head a little, and said, her cheeks faintly flushed, “Though the river fish aren’t communal, people will get jealous if they see. Besides, there aren’t enough to share, so it’s better not to say anything.”

It wasn’t that Li Xiaomei was being petty, but times were hard. Except during official collections, who could afford to buy fish to eat? Now that Sister Jing had caught a few, it wouldn’t be right to boast about it—if they ran into someone shameless enough to demand one, it would be hard to refuse a fellow villager.

Jing Qingxin pondered for a moment and understood, wholly agreeing with Li Xiaomei’s reasoning. She too preferred a quiet, low-profile life, and saw nothing wrong with keeping good food for the family to enjoy in secret.

“I understand, and you’re right. Let’s hurry home, then!” Jing Qingxin replied with a smile.

Just as the two of them, baskets on their arms, stepped onto the path, they ran straight into two young women. Jing Qingxin narrowed her eyes slightly, inwardly sighing—acquaintances, no less. It seemed fate kept throwing them together.

“Well, look at you, fishing in the river! How very impressive,” Liu Fangfang sneered, her manner haughty.

She’d glimpsed someone by the river from afar, seemingly wading in the water, but it was too far to see clearly. As she got closer, she discovered it was that woman from the big city. The point of irritation wasn’t her city background—she herself was from the city too. What truly vexed her was that this woman not only outshone her in beauty, stealing all her limelight, but also dressed in clothes more stylish than any she’d ever seen—each time, a different outfit.

Three times she’d met her, and never in the same clothes. This alone filled Liu Fangfang with indignation and resentment.

Jing Qingxin and Li Xiaomei had no desire to engage with Liu Fangfang, and tried to walk past her toward home, baskets in hand. Unexpectedly, Liu Fangfang stretched out a hand to block their way.

“Don’t you know a good dog doesn’t block the path?” Jing Qingxin said with a frown. She’d already sized up Liu Fangfang at the last market gathering—just a spoiled, rude little girl, coddled by her family. Jing Qingxin had no patience for entanglements or wasting her precious time.

“You!” Liu Fangfang flushed with anger.

Beside her, Zhang Yun tugged at her sleeve, urging, “Fangfang, let’s not stir up trouble. We still have things to do.”

“How am I making trouble? They went and caught fish in the river, then tried to sneak them home. Hmph!” Liu Fangfang said indignantly, not seeing anything wrong with her actions.

Li Xiaomei stepped protectively in front of Jing Qingxin, worried she might suffer a loss, and hastily retorted, “What business is it of yours if we catch fish? The fish and shrimp in the river aren’t communal. If you’ve got the skills, go catch some yourself!”

------Author’s Note------

Thank you all for your support. Please remember to vote often!

This book is exclusively published by Xiao Xiang Book House. Please do not repost!