As the fire grew strong, Jiang Li threw all the coconut shells into the trash bin, then poured the coconut water into a clay pot. She added slices of ginger and red dates in order, then dropped in freshly minced meatballs, and finally added two fresh prawns.
While the soup simmered, she began preparing the remaining ingredients.
The seafood allotted by Team Leader Ding: she counted them—besides the mackerel tied with a red rope, there were spiral shell snails, red prawns, abalones, and four large crabs.
The mackerel was fairly heavy, nearly two jin (about a kilo). It was delicious, but fish like this were troublesome to prepare. After thinking for a moment, she looked at Jiang Jiayun, who had just finished their conversation and was now silently feeding the fire.
“Can you… clean fish?”
“Yes.”
Jiang Jiayun pushed the firewood into the stove, stood up, took the mackerel, and quietly went outside with a knife.
When he returned, the fish had already been cleaned thoroughly.
The iron wok was heated until it turned slightly white. Jiang Li gently tilted her wrist, letting golden oil slide down the sides of the pan, instantly forming tiny sizzling droplets. She carefully slid the split mackerel into the pan.
In an instant, a sharp “sizzle” erupted as hot oil wrapped around the fish.
As it fried, the rich aroma of fish oil and sweetness of the fish meat blended with scallion and garlic fragrance. The tenderness of the mackerel and the richness of the oil burst out completely.
The smell drifted through the small window, attracting seagulls that gathered outside. They crowded the windowsill, tilting their round eyes.
“Shoo, shoo.” Jiang Jiayun stood up and drove the seagulls away, then closed the window. Looking at the golden fish in the pan, he couldn’t help swallowing.
It smelled too good.
He had never smelled food this fragrant before. No wonder even seagulls were attracted.
When the meal was ready, Jiang Li peeked out through the window.
Little Xiaoman sat at the edge of the deck holding a homemade fishing rod, sitting cross-legged.
While fishing, she secretly wiped her drool and tapped the rod with her chubby hand.
“Be good, fishies,” she muttered. “Bite the hook so Xiaoman can eat her fill.”
Jiang Li couldn’t help laughing and waved. “Xiaoman, it’s time to eat!”
The moment Xiaoman heard “eat,” her ears seemed to perk up. She quickly dropped the fishing rod and ran inside.
“Sis-sis, time to eat-eat!”
“Yes—but before eating, we have to wash our hands.”
Jiang Li led her into the kitchen, took out a red basin painted with golden flowers, and poured water from the tank.
She placed the basin on the stove and let Xiaoman stand on a small stool.
Xiaoman tilted her head. “Why do we have to wash hands before eating?”
Jiang Li explained, “Because when we play outside, our hands get dirty, and they carry invisible germs. If they enter our stomach through food, your tummy might hurt—or you might get sick.”
Xiaoman shivered. “If I get sick… do I have to get a butt injection?”
Remembering the painful injections from the past, she trembled and quickly washed her hands.
“I don’t want injections! It hurts!”
“Good girl.” Jiang Li dried her hands and praised her.
Xiaoman proudly showed her clean hands to Jiang Jiayun. “Brother, look! My hands are so clean!”
“Yes, Xiaoman’s hands are the cleanest.”
Jiang Jiayun lifted her onto a chair and tied an old towel around her neck before placing her bowl in front of her.
Xiaoman happily nodded. “I’ll eat a lot and grow very tall!”
Jiang Li opened the clay pot lid, releasing a rich aroma.
The meatballs simmered in coconut water were tender and sweet; the broth was milky white. The crabs had been split and stir-fried with chili, garlic, and ginger—just looking at it made one’s appetite soar.
She served Xiaoman a half crab and half a bowl of soup. “Don’t eat too much, just half.”
“I’ll listen to sis!” Xiaoman said eagerly, holding her bowl.
Jiang Jiayun was already eating in earnest, devouring fried fish and spicy crab. The flavors were completely different from the island’s usual simple cooking—rich, spicy, and delicious.
So delicious he almost swallowed his tongue.
He had originally planned to eat less, but without realizing it, he finished two bowls.
Embarrassed, he stood up. “I… I’ll wash the dishes.”
“Wait.” Jiang Li stopped him. “Let me check your pulse first.”
Jiang Jiayun knew she could do medicine. He sat down obediently, explaining, “I don’t usually eat this much.”
Jiang Li checked his pulse, then nodded. “You’re fine. Eat like this for now. You can increase it later as you grow.”
He looked surprised. “You don’t think I’m eating too much? Wasteful?”
For him, eating two bowls of rice was unimaginable luxury.
Jiang Li smiled gently. “Xiaoman is small and eats little. I don’t have much appetite either. There’s no one else at home—who are we saving food for? You’re growing. Eat as much as you need.”
She had enough ration coupons and money from the capital and wouldn’t let him go hungry.
However, she was also thinking about other things: the damp boat house wasn’t suitable long-term for children, and Jiang Jiayun’s education must not be delayed.
“In two days, I want you to go back to school.”
Jiang Jiayun froze. He hadn’t expected that.
“But… school costs money. And Xiaoman…”
Jiang Li laughed. “Do you think I’m your stepmother? I’ll take care of Xiaoman. If we’re busy, we’ll farm together. If not, I’ll find a job. With income, we don’t need to rely on farming.”
After dinner, Jiang Li packed half the fried mackerel into a basket and headed out with them to the supply and marketing cooperative.
On the way, they passed Aunt Guixiang and a group of women mending fishing nets.
A gossiping woman asked, “Guixiang, is it true the Jiang family daughter from the capital came back?”
Guixiang replied, “Yes, I brought her home myself.”
The women discussed how strange it was that someone from the capital would return to such a poor island.
But Guixiang defended Jiang Li fiercely, saying she acted out of conscience and kindness toward the children.
Just then, a rich aroma drifted over.
“What is that smell? Meat?”
Everyone followed the scent, unable to resist swallowing.
When Jiang Li appeared with the fried mackerel, the women were stunned.
So fragrant.
Guixiang insisted on refusing the fish, but Jiang Li and the children insisted she accept it.
Eventually, she gave in, deeply moved.
As the group dispersed, the women outside couldn’t stop staring in envy and embarrassment.
Afterward, Jiang Li and Guixiang discussed rebuilding the Jiang family house, which would cost around 800 yuan or more.
Guixiang warned her to be careful and not tell others, since some people on the island were untrustworthy and might cause trouble.
Jiang Li agreed, grateful for her sincerity.
Finally, they headed toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
The streets were bustling, like a rural market.
Before entering, Jiang Li knelt slightly and said to Xiaoman, “Today, you can buy anything you want. Don’t be shy.”
“Buy… buy things?” Xiaoman tilted her head, confused.
Jiang Li smiled. “It means shopping.”
Xiaoman cheered when she understood.
Inside the store, their presence immediately drew attention. The Jiang siblings stood out strikingly, like actors from a performance troupe.
People inside quietly stared at Jiang Li’s beauty and elegant clothes, even comparing her to film stars.
Meanwhile, two women from a cultural troupe also noticed her. One of them couldn’t help feeling overshadowed by Jiang Li’s appearance and temperament.
The store remained unusually quiet as everyone kept stealing glances at her.