Beachcombing: The beach is full of amazing seafood, but my wife won't let me get out of bed!

Wu Lei and Linghua were both startled.

They went out late at night because they didn't want to attract attention.

The two furtive figures were also startled.

Who is it?

A familiar voice came through, tinged with wariness.

Upon hearing the sound, Wu Lei quickly lowered the flashlight.

"Uncle Chen? Yongqiang?"

The two people opposite lowered their hands and, by the moonlight, were able to see clearly what was happening in their direction.

When they saw that each of them was carrying a basket filled with white things, the four of them looked at each other in bewilderment.

The air suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.

Wu Lei glanced at the basket in Chen Yongqiang's hand, then looked down at the basket in his own hand.

Chen Yongqiang's eyes widened in surprise.

"Brother Lei, sister-in-law, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?" he asked in a low voice.

Wu Lei coughed twice, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Look, today Ah Sui helped me make some money, and your sister-in-law insists on killing two old hens, saying it's to nourish Ah Sui's body."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yongqiang burst out laughing.

He also lifted the basket in his hand.

"What a coincidence! That's exactly what my dad just said. He insisted that I slaughter the two old hens in the house, saying that Ah Sui had worked hard today and I should thank them properly."

Uncle Chen tapped his pipe beside him, his old face turning red.

"Lei, look at this mess. I figured no one would see me in the middle of the night, so I'd just sneak over, drop it off, and leave. I never expected you..."

Linghua, standing nearby, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

"Uncle, we've thought of the same thing."

Uncle Chen nodded repeatedly, his face full of emotion.

"Yes. People in the village used to think that Ah Sui was a good-for-nothing, but look at him now, who in our village can compare?"

"I'm relieved that my Yongqiang can work for him, but I'm just worried..."

Chen Yongqiang chimed in from the side.

"Father, I've told you before that Sui-ge isn't that kind of person, but you just won't believe me..."

"Shut up!" Uncle Chen glared at his son. "Who am I doing this for? Isn't it all for your future?"

Chen Yongqiang was so embarrassed by what he was being said that he felt ashamed to look at Wu Lei and his wife.

He felt from the bottom of his heart that this was wrong, and that it had a petty, selfish quality.

Linghua quickly reassured Uncle Chen, explaining her concerns with a smile.

The group felt a little awkward, but also somewhat relieved.

The initially somewhat reserved atmosphere relaxed, and it seemed as if the two families had become closer.

When the Wu family heard the knocking, Chen Yang was excitedly telling everyone how he had presented the sperm whale as a gift.

When the door opened, Wu Sui was somewhat surprised.

After a long day, why aren't you resting at home? What are you up to?

"Brother Lei, Uncle Chen?" Wu Sui raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two baskets.

"Are you... having a whole chicken feast at my house?"

Wu Lei scratched the back of his head with an innocent expression.

"Ah Sui, you gave me so much profit today, your sister-in-law feels bad about it, so she insisted on killing two of her own chickens to bring to you."

Uncle Chen quickly chimed in.

"Ah Sui, that's what your uncle thinks too. Yongqiang will need you to take care of him in the future. Keep these two chickens to make soup."

Seeing the two families all smiles, and then looking at the four chickens, Wu Sui was both amused and exasperated.

He had just finished eating in the middle of the night, and now four more chickens were delivered.

"Uncle, Brother Lei, Sister-in-law, you're too kind."

Wu Sui opened the door and turned to the side.

"Come inside and talk, there are too many mosquitoes outside."

After some polite refusals, the group carried their baskets into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Chen Xue and Wang Feng were washing their dirty clothes.

Seeing so many people rushing in, all carrying chickens, Chen Xue quickly dried her hands and stood up.

"Uncle, Brother Lei, Sister-in-law, what brings you all here?"

Linghua walked over quickly and grabbed Chen Xue's hand.

"Xiaoxue, your sister-in-law used to be a gossip and said some unpleasant things, please don't take it to heart."

"Ah Sui has been a great help to our family today. My sister-in-law has come here specifically to apologize and thank you."

Chen Xue was taken aback by Linghua's sudden enthusiasm, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying?"

Wu Sui stood to the side, took a puff of his cigarette, and watched this scene with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including nostalgia or reflection).

This is the countryside.

When you're poor, anyone can kick you while you're down.

But once you've established yourself and are making money with everyone, all sorts of social niceties will come your way.

"Uncle Chen, Brother Lei, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't accept all of this chicken."

He pointed to the two baskets.

"Alright, each family can keep one, and you can take the rest back with you."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Chen waved his hands repeatedly.

"No, that won't do. There's no reason to take back what's been given away. We don't have anything to offer, just our own chickens. You can keep them for yourselves."

Linghua echoed her sentiment.

"That's right, Ah Sui, you have to accept this chicken, otherwise I won't be able to find your house again."

Seeing the two families' firm stance, Wu Sui couldn't refuse and could only shake his head helplessly.

"Fine, then I'll shamelessly accept it."

"Xiaoxue, take the chicken to the kitchen and put it away."

Chen Xue responded and stepped forward to take the basket.

When Wu Lei and Chen Yongqiang saw that Wu Sui had accepted the gifts, they finally felt relieved.

"Ah Sui, we'll head back now. See you at the dock tomorrow morning," Wu Lei said.

"We're heading back too. You all should get some rest." Uncle Chen turned around as well.

"Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Get some rest."

Wu Sui saw the group off to the door and watched them walk away before turning around and closing the courtyard gate.

Back in the yard, Chen Xue had already put the chickens away and sat down to wash clothes again.

"What's wrong with these two companies? Coming over so late at night, delivering two chickens and leaving."

Wang Feng shook the water off her hands, frowning as she looked somewhat confused.

Wu Gang also looked puzzled and looked at Wu Sui.

"Because I can help them make money." Wu Sui smiled and shook his head.

"I was originally going to tell them not to talk about the ship's income, but now it seems I don't need to."

Wang Feng stopped what she was doing, turned to look at Wu Sui, and was even more confused.

"Second brother, what does that mean?"

"Right now, only Lei Ge and Yong Qiang are outsiders on the ship. Da Zhu and Xiao Yang are like family here, so they definitely won't show off."

"I was worried they would tell everyone how much we sold for, but now it seems they'd rather the rest of the village didn't know."

After hearing his explanation, the others understood the reasoning behind it.

Wang Feng cried out in distress and stomped her feet in frustration.

"No wonder several people asked me today if we needed more people on the ship; they're all just envious of how much money we're making!"

Wu Sui nodded.

This was exactly what he expected.

He now has two ships at sea, and an even larger ship will be completed soon.

The commotion was so loud that the villagers were naturally envious.

Although the town's dock is not like the village's other side, there are always a few villagers who will hear the news.

Wealth is tempting, especially such a large sum of money.

Making a fortune quietly is the right thing to do. It seems I need to discuss the acquisition station with Lin Tao as soon as possible.