After Reincarnating as the Dragon King, I Made a Fortune with Seafood – CH13

Chapter 13: Rice-Field Eels

After Lu Ao went squid fishing with Lin Qiyan once, the two of them could be considered familiar.

At noon the next day, Lin Qiyan happily rode his motorcycle over to Lu Ao’s house and asked, “Lu Ao, do you want to come with us tonight to shine lights for rice-field eels?”

Rice-field eels came out to move around at night. Once someone shone a flashlight on them, they could be seen clearly. After spotting them, all one had to do was catch them.

Lu Ao looked at Lin Qiyan.

He stood at Lu Ao’s doorway covered in sweat, his eyes sparkling. “Come on. The eels are really fat right now. If we catch some, I’ll make garlic-flavored eel for everyone. If you’re not used to being on camera, I won’t film your face.”

Lu Ao asked, “Who’s going?”

“Originally, just me. If you’re coming, I’ll call Lin Gongshang too.”

Lu Ao considered it briefly and agreed.

Lin Qiyan was very happy. “Then it’s settled. Tonight at eight, we’ll meet at Lin Gongshang’s house. It might rain this afternoon. Even if it doesn’t, the night will be cool, so the harvest should be pretty good.”

Lu Ao nodded.

Lin Qiyan reminded him, “Remember to bring a bucket and iron tongs. Rice-field eels are too slippery. If you grab them directly with your hands, you might not be able to hold them.”

Lu Ao agreed.

Lin Qiyan then rode off on his motorcycle in a rush.

At eight that evening, after dinner, Lu Ao arrived at Lin Gongshang’s house on time.

When Lin Gongshang heard the sound, he rushed out holding a flashlight. “I was just waiting for you guys.”

“Lin Qiyan isn’t here?”

“He should be here soon. Come on, let’s go find him.”

They had just walked out of the courtyard when they saw Lin Qiyan walking over with a bucket.

Lin Gongshang shouted, “You’re the one who invited us to catch eels, but you’re the last one here.”

“I had something just now and got delayed a little.” Lin Qiyan glanced at his phone. It was not yet eight, so he did not say much. He only set up his phone and smiled. “Then I’ll start filming.”

Neither Lu Ao nor Lin Gongshang had any issue with that.

Linwu Village was a large village, and there were many people who had stayed in the village.

Compared with Luwu Village, which became cold and quiet as soon as night fell, Linwu Village was much better. As they walked along the main road of the village, they could hear the sound of people watching television from houses on both sides.

They were going to shine lights for eels in the rice fields.

It was already late May, and early rice had been planted for quite some time.

The rice in the paddies was tall and the fields were full of water. It was the perfect time to catch rice-field eels.

Rice-field eels liked to move around at night, but they were not sensitive to human voices or light. To catch them, one only needed to shine a light. Once spotted, they were practically as good as caught.

The three walked along the ridge between the fields. Lin Gongshang walked in front, Lin Qiyan in the middle, and Lu Ao at the back. Their footsteps made the fine grass rustle, and their flashlights cast patches of light across the rice paddies.

Soon, Lin Gongshang spotted something and called softly to the two behind him, “There!”

Lin Qiyan quickly aimed the camera at the rice paddy.

Under the bright beam of the flashlight, there really was a large rice-field eel hiding in the water, its back dark yellow and evenly covered with black spots.

It was an old eel!

The three of them perked up.

Lin Gongshang held his breath, raised the iron tongs, and pressed down fiercely.

His eyes were sharp and his hands quick. With that move, he clamped the eel.

Even after being caught, the thick old eel refused to give up. Its round body twisted desperately under the iron tongs like a rope, but no matter what, it could not break free.

This eel was quite fat, about two fingers thick, and felt heavy when lifted.

Lin Gongshang displayed it from every angle with a grin. “First one caught.”

Lin Qiyan urged him, “Come on, come on. Let’s go find the next one.”

Lin Gongshang stuffed the eel into the bucket he was carrying and continued along the field ridge with great excitement.

This season really was suitable for catching rice-field eels. After walking another five minutes, they discovered three or four more, and each of them gained something.

Lu Ao followed at the back. He had fewer chances to spot eels than the other two, but his success rate was the highest. As long as he saw one, the eel could not escape his grasp.

After catching like this for half an hour, Lu Ao narrowed his eyes and looked into the thick night, then suggested, “Let’s split up and catch them. It’ll be more efficient.”

Lin Gongshang was right in the middle of enjoying himself. “That works. The three of us can split into three routes: left, right, and middle.”

Lin Qiyan’s main purpose today was to film a video. Hearing this, he immediately said, “Then I’ll go with Lu Ao? I’m still missing some material.”

Lin Gongshang was a little gloomy. “Then we might as well not split up. It’s boring for me alone.”

Both of them looked at Lu Ao. Lu Ao helplessly nodded. “Together, then.”

Lin Qiyan carried his bucket and slipped behind him, laughing. “Then let’s switch positions. You walk in front!”

Lu Ao did not stand on ceremony with him and walked to the front.

Seeing that he was inexperienced, Lin Gongshang quickly reminded him, “Lu Ao, watch where you step. Don’t step on a snake.”

The weather had warmed up, and snakes had also come out to move around. If one accidentally got bitten, it was no joke.

Lu Ao was not afraid of snakes. He had not been afraid before, and now he was even less afraid. He only nodded slightly and walked ahead.

He could roughly sense where the rice-field eels were. All he needed to do was shine the flashlight over.

Ever since he started walking in front, the three of them became much more efficient at catching eels.

When Lu Ao caught eels, he was fast, accurate, and ruthless. Often, before Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan had even seen where the eel was, his iron tongs had already clamped it.

Before long, the bucket Lu Ao had brought was already nearly half full.

Aside from rice-field eels, he had actually also caught six or seven loaches, weighing more than half a jin altogether.

“Hey, there’s another one over there.” Seeing Lu Ao walk past, Lin Gongshang hurriedly lowered his voice to remind him.

Lu Ao lifted his eyelids and glanced at it. “Too small. Not catching it.”

“This is still small?” Lin Gongshang reluctantly moved his gaze away from that eel. “It’s already as long as a pair of chopsticks.”

“We’ll come back next year.”

Lin Qiyan listened to them from behind, serving as a quiet cameraman.

Lu Ao circled around the rice paddies outside Linwu Village. Not only did he catch half a bucket for himself, he also helped Lin Gongshang catch half a bucket.

Seeing that it was already past ten, Lu Ao took the three buckets and divided the rice-field eels evenly. “That’s enough for today. We should head back.”

After filming the shot of dividing the eels, Lin Qiyan hurriedly lifted his bucket and tried to pour some back for Lu Ao. “I don’t need this much. It’s just me and my grandma at home. You take more back to eat. You caught them in the first place.”

Lin Gongshang also wanted to pour some back for him. “There are five or six jin of eels here. My family doesn’t need this much either. Two jin is enough.”

Hearing this, Lu Ao did not stand on ceremony with them. The three divided the eels again, then carried their buckets back to Linwu Village.

Lu Ao’s tricycle was parked at the entrance of Lin Gongshang’s house.

When Lin Qiyan carried his bucket and said goodbye, he reminded him, “It’s best to keep these eels at home for two days. The muddy smell will be lighter then.”

Lin Gongshang urged him, “Got it, got it. You two hurry back. Watch your step.”

Lu Ao nodded.

Lin Qiyan waved. “Thanks to you guys today. When we’re free, let’s go out for a late-night snack together. I’ll treat you to drinks.”

Lu Ao cut in, “Come to my place. I’ll treat you to this meal along with the drinks I owed from last time.”

Lin Gongshang did not stand on ceremony. “Sure. When we’re free, we’ll go to your place for a meal.”

The three chatted briefly, then each went home.

Lu Ao’s house was farther away, and it took him more than five minutes to drive back.

The tricycle’s headlights were very bright. Before he even reached his doorway, Lu Ao once again saw a white figure standing in front of his courtyard gate, seeming to be boredly studying his courtyard.

It was Song Zhou.

Song Zhou turned his head and saw him as well. From far away, he raised the thing in his hand, his eyes curving in a smile.

Lu Ao drove over and stopped in front of Song Zhou. “Good evening.”

Song Zhou greeted him gently, “Good evening. Sorry, something delayed me during the day, so I could only come find you this late.”

Lu Ao opened the door, invited him inside to sit, and asked, “Is something the matter?”

“I came to bring you something.” Song Zhou handed him the thing in his hand.

Lu Ao subconsciously accepted it. It was an ink-green cracked-glaze bottle, with a large belly, a small mouth, and a long, slender neck. It felt cool and heavy in his hand.

Lu Ao was surprised and looked at him with eyes full of confusion.

Song Zhou said, “A bottle of spirit wine I found in the past. It’s good for the body.”

Lu Ao did not understand. After thinking for a moment, he asked, “Is this from the Extraordinary Personnel Supervision Agency, or—?”

“My personal gesture.” Song Zhou smiled, revealing neat white teeth. “If you rely only on eating, it’ll be easy to wear down your body’s foundation.”

Once he said that, Lu Ao understood. After hesitating briefly, he handed the wine bottle back. “Thank you. But I haven’t done anything to deserve it. It wouldn’t be right for me to accept something this valuable from you.”

Song Zhou, however, did not stand on ceremony with him. “Take it. You don’t want to leave hidden problems in your body and end up with constant illness and pain later, do you?”

Hearing this, Lu Ao’s hand paused halfway, then he took it back and thanked him again. “Thank you.”

“No need.” Song Zhou smiled. “I’ll head back first.”

After saying that, he was about to leave.

“Cough, wait—” Lu Ao called out to him and stood in the night as he asked, “I’m going to have a late-night snack. Mr. Song, would you like to eat some together?”

The meal Lu Ao had eaten after seven had already almost digested. There were vegetables and meat at home, so he needed to eat another meal. Only after eating his fill would he be able to sleep.

Song Zhou had not expected him to invite him and did not refuse. He turned back and smiled as he asked, “What are we eating?”

“Pan-fried fish, stir-fried snails, braised meat.” Lu Ao knew exactly what was in his fridge and quickly asked, “Mr. Song, do you have any dietary restrictions?”

Song Zhou shook his head. “None.”

“Then come in. The late-night snack will be ready soon.”

Lu Ao parked the vehicle in the courtyard and first invited Song Zhou to watch TV while he went to the kitchen to make the late-night snack.

Song Zhou shook his head. “I’ll help you.”

“No need. It’ll be quick.”

Song Zhou smiled. “Then I’ll keep you company and talk with you. That’s better than sitting there alone like a fool.”

Dressed entirely in white, Song Zhou followed him and lowered his head to enter the kitchen. Lu Ao took vegetables and meat from the fridge and did not feel uncomfortable with it.

It was only the second time the two had met, but there was not much awkwardness between them.

Lu Ao cut the braised meat and sent it into the microwave to heat. Song Zhou took the braised meat from his hand from behind and smiled. “I’ll do it.”

Only then did Lu Ao remember that he had the ability to instantly turn things cold or hot.

Song Zhou did not mind using great talent for a small task at all. He helped heat the braised meat, roast eggplant, chill the beer, and also helped move the small dining table from Lu Ao’s house outside. The two ate their late-night snack in the courtyard.

The fish and snails at Lu Ao’s house had all been personally gathered by him and were at their freshest.

Even Song Zhou ate quite happily.

Lu Ao had not expected him to be so down-to-earth and was a little surprised for a moment.

Seeing him staring, Song Zhou smiled again. “Why are you looking at me?”

Lu Ao shook his head. “Drink.”

“I haven’t had late-night snacks and beer in a long time. Today, it’s thanks to your hospitality.”

“If you like it, come again next time.”

“All right. I’ll remember that.” Song Zhou raised his beer can and lightly clinked it against his. “I offended you quite a bit the past two days. Please forgive me.”

“It’s fine.”

The two swept the whole table of food clean. Lu Ao leaned lazily back in his chair, not really wanting to move.

Song Zhou, on the other hand, was still fine. Even after eating so much food, he remained as calm and unruffled as when he had arrived.

Lu Ao could not help being curious. “Mr. Song, are you human?”

Song Zhou shook his head. “No.”

Seeing him deny it so quickly, Lu Ao found it hard to keep asking, afraid it would be rude.

Song Zhou looked at him leisurely. “Aren’t you going to guess what my original form is?”

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