After returning home, Lu Ping’an first put away the three eggs, then quickly filled a basin with water to keep the fish alive. The weather was so hot—it would be a pity if they all died.
He secretly added some Spirit Spring water. The fish that had been half-dead quickly regained their vitality.
With these fish around, he, the big brother, was no longer the center of attention. The little girl crouched beside the large wooden basin, completely absorbed in watching them.
Lu Ping’an placed the biggest grass carp into a bucket and headed toward his grandparents’ house.
He figured that if they included Second Uncle’s and Third Uncle’s families, smaller fish wouldn’t be enough.
This one weighed over seven jin. If stewed, everyone could at least have a portion.
Grandfather was reclining on a lounge chair under the shade of a tree.
Several little girls were playing nearby. When they saw Lu Ping’an, they immediately stood up and called out in unison, “Big Brother!”
Grandfather was startled and quickly sat up. Seeing Lu Ping’an, he broke into a wide smile. “My precious grandson is here!”
Grandmother, who had been napping inside, was awakened and hurried out.
“Wow! What a big fish!”
The little girls gathered around, their eyes shining.
There were six girls in total—all daughters of Second Uncle and Third Uncle.
They had stayed over after lunch and were playing here.
Second Uncle’s four daughters were named after plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum: Lu Yunmei, Lu Yunlan, Lu Yunzhu, and Lu Yunjv.
Lu Yunmei was the eldest. Lu Ping’an called her Fourth Sister. She was already working in the fields to earn work points.
The other three were younger than Lu Ping’an. Though they didn’t need to earn work points yet, they still helped with household chores.
Third Uncle’s three daughters were Lu Yunxiang, Lu Yunhua, and Lu Yunjing—all younger than him.
The youngest, Lu Yunjing, was only four years old—the youngest of the entire Lu family.
The one who had just exclaimed about the big fish was Lu Yunjv, seven years old.
“You little girls, move aside! Don’t block my precious grandson!”
The moment Grandmother saw him surrounded, she immediately shooed the girls away.
Naturally, none of them dared disobey her. They stepped aside at once.
Only then did Grandfather and Grandmother notice the large fish inside the wooden bucket.
“Grandson, where did such a big fish come from?” Grandfather asked in surprise.
“Grandson, you didn’t go into the river again, did you? You mustn’t do that—the river is too dangerous!” Grandmother said anxiously.
“Grandpa, Grandma, I didn’t go into the river. Sixth Sister and I were fishing by the riverbank, far from the water!”
“I don’t know what happened today—every time I dropped the hook, a fish bit!”
“I caught quite a few. This one is the biggest, so I brought it especially for you. Stew it tonight so Second and Third Uncle’s families can share it too!”
Lu Ping’an quickly explained. There was no hiding it—Sixth Sister had gone with him.
Hearing it was caught by fishing, the old couple relaxed slightly.
“Grandson, even when fishing, you must be careful. Don’t underestimate fish—they’re strong in the water.”
“If you hook one that’s too big and can’t pull it up, just let it go. Don’t let it drag you into the river!”
Grandfather said seriously as he took the bucket.
Grandmother stepped forward, holding Lu Ping’an’s hand. “Grandson, let your grandpa handle the fish. Go lie down on the chair. Grandma will fan you.”
As she spoke, she gently led him to the lounge chair.
He couldn’t refuse, so he smiled and called out to the girls nearby, “Fourth Sister, Fifth Sister, you can come play at my house.”
“There are still lots of fish there. Want to take a look?”
He was actually worried that Sixth Sister might be bored alone at home.
His suggestion worked instantly. Several girls answered at once, “Okay, Big Brother!”
Three of them left, while the rest stayed behind to watch Grandfather clean the fish.
Lu Ping’an lay back on the chair. Grandmother brought over a stool, sat beside him, and fanned him gently.
For the first time, he felt an incomparable sense of peace.
He slowly closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
When he woke up, the sun was already setting. The courtyard echoed with the laughter of the little girls.
“You girls! I told you to keep your voices down! You’ve woken my precious grandson!”
Grandmother scolded Lu Yunzhu and the others the moment she saw him stir.
The girls immediately lowered their voices, though they didn’t seem too frightened.
“Grandma, I’ve slept enough!”
Lu Ping’an stood up and stretched, feeling more refreshed than ever.
“Grandson, come drink some warm water!”
Grandfather approached with a bowl in hand.
Lu Ping’an took it and drank it in one gulp.
“Grandson, why not stay and eat dinner here tonight?” Grandmother said kindly. “This fish is big enough for the whole family.”
“Grandpa, Grandma, no need. I have fish to handle at home too.”
“Starting tomorrow, my dad will be working in the city. I have something to discuss with him.”
He smiled as he replied.
The old couple nodded and didn’t insist. They lived close by—he could visit anytime.
They walked him to the door before returning to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
When Lu Ping’an got home, he found four younger sisters in the yard: Fourth Sister Lu Yunhua, Fifth Sister Lu Yunjv, Sixth Sister Lu Yundong, and Seventh Sister Lu Yunjing.
They were all gathered around the fish basin, likely watching the fish the entire afternoon.
Several fish were already struggling, barely opening their mouths.
Lu Ping’an immediately took those fish out and began bleeding them.
Soon, several fish were cleaned and set aside, waiting for his parents to return and cook dinner.
The other sisters eventually went home, leaving only Lu Yundong in the courtyard.
“Big Brother, can we go fishing again tomorrow? I think fishing is so much fun!”
She skipped over to him with a bright smile.
He patted her head gently and shook his head. “Not tomorrow. I have something to do. I’m planning to go to the city with Dad.”
“I’ve grown up this much and still haven’t been to the city.”
He wasn’t lying. He truly wanted to take a look.
He had one hundred yuan on him—but not a single ration coupon. Without coupons, he couldn’t buy anything.
So he planned to go into the city to purchase some coupons and then spend the remaining money.
Money only truly belonged to you once it was spent—otherwise, it was just paper.
There were many things lacking at home. It was time to replenish supplies.
Besides, after making a trip to the city, bringing certain items back would seem more reasonable—otherwise, they could only remain hidden in the Spirit Spring Space.
This was a plan he had already made the day before.