If they weren’t truly dirt poor, no one would bother catching these; only children would occasionally grab some, boil them in water, and even then most would complain they tasted muddy.
Tang Zhuojun felt as if she had discovered a new continent. Rolling up her sleeves, she waded in and began catching crayfish by the river.
A few children shifted from watching Lie Feng to watching her— probably because they had never seen an adult catching these things.
Tang Zhuojun’s eyes darted, and she said, “Help me catch crayfish. Ten for one copper coin— how about it?”
The children could hardly believe what they were hearing.
On this riverbank, they could easily catch dozens of crayfish without much effort— that meant several copper coins!
To them, that was a small fortune.
After receiving Tang Zhuojun’s confirmation, the children grew wildly excited and all ran off to catch crayfish.
Tang Zhuojun emptied one basket and even pulled some grass to weave a crude lid, then waited for the children to bring crayfish in exchange for money.
By the time Linlin had finished brushing the horse and they were ready to head home, she had spent twenty-three copper coins and collected two hundred thirty crayfish—returning home with a full load.
As soon as they got back, Linlin couldn’t wait to show off Lie Feng to Granny He and Xiuer. The two women were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out, and then they were sincerely delighted.
But when Xiuer heard that Tang Zhuojun had actually paid money for crayfish, she exclaimed in distress.
“This is something people won’t even take for free, and you’re willing to spend money on it! Honestly, five copper coins’ worth of candy to share with those children would’ve been enough!” Xiuer muttered.
Tang Zhuojun laughed. “Less chatter. Later you’ll be the one eating the most. Come help wash them.”
It was quite an arduous task.
That evening, Tang Boxin returned home first. By then, the entire courtyard was filled with the rich, tantalizing aroma of spicy crayfish.
But the first thing he saw was Lie Feng leisurely gnawing on tree bark in the yard.
“Father, Father!” Linlin’s eyes sparkled like stars. “Come see the big horse! Auntie bought me a big horse! His name is Lie Feng!”
Tang Boxin was astonished. After listening to Tang Zhujun explain everything, he laughed as well. “How did you even come up with such a wicked trick? If Ruan Anruo finds out later, won’t she be furious?”
“I’d love that!” Tang Zhuojun said. “She delivered herself to be slaughtered— if I didn’t raise the knife, she’d really think I was afraid of her!”
Linlin still refused to come inside, lingering in the yard with Lie Feng and even asking Xiuer for a carrot to feed the horse.
From inside the house, Tang Zhuojun shouted through the straw curtain, “Linlin, if I see you and Lie Feng taking turns biting that carrot— one bite for you, one bite for him— I’ll have your father give you a beating!”
Hearing this, Tang Boxin couldn’t help the smile spreading across his lips.