Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Showing solicitude when there is nothing wrong
As the three Yue brothers had agreed before, after the release of the fish fry, both Yue Jiandong and Yue Jianxi visited the fish pond less frequently.
Yue Jiannan took on the responsibility of feeding the fish fry by himself.
True to trust placed in him, he appeared at the fish pond on time every day, pouring the prepared fish food with a clatter.
Even the fish in the pond recognized him, swimming over whenever they saw Yue Jiannan.
At a glance, it was a dense mass, very spectacular.
Seeing his enthusiasm, Yue Jiandong advised with a smile, “Only feed them twice a day, overfeeding can easily kill them.”
Yue Jiannan’s eyes sparkled, “Brother, don’t worry. I even went to the city earlier and bought some books on fish farming. Now I’m clear on these things.”
Zhang Ying remarked in surprise, “The youngest is starting to read books now?”
Previously, Lin Chunju had forced Yue Jiannan to attend school, but he really could not continue after junior high and dropped out.
Yue Jiannan blushed, “Now that the nation is promoting science, I should also farm fish scientifically.”
Lin Chunju rarely encouraged him with a few words, “Good, keep it up.”
“Don’t worry, I assure you there won’t be any issues.”
With that, Yue Jiannan crouched down to look at Yue Qingqing on the small pushcart.
“Do you want to come and see the fish with me?”
Yue Qingqing nodded eagerly, reaching out her hand pleadingly for Yue Jiannan to hold her, her appearance very obsequious.
The Yue family members all laughed, this little one only showed this expression when it came to eating and going out.
Yue Jiannan placed the “Complete Guide to Fish Farming”, “Three Hundred Tips for Fish Ponds”, and “Must-Tell Stories with Village Girl Xiao Fang” in the underlayer of the small pushcart, pushing Yue Qingqing out the door.
The spring breeze was gentle, having shed the bone-chilling cold of winter, and felt very warm against the cheeks.
Just like the hands of the Xiao Fang in the storybooks.
After feeding the fish, Yue Jiannan held the books and read with relish.
Yue Qingqing had her eyes closed, sensing the spiritual energy in the air.
The two did not disturb each other, it was as if time stood still at a tranquil moment.
A discordant voice then arose at this moment.
“Hey, isn’t that Jiannan?”
Yue Jiannan looked up to see Zhang Jinhe approaching from afar and immediately showed an undisguised disgust.
“What do you want? My family doesn’t have money, and I’m even more broke.”
Zhang Jinhe didn’t mind, and just sat down next to Yue Jiannan with a laugh.
Yue Jiannan frowned and moved a bit to the side.
“Don’t be nervous, I’m not here to borrow money, I’m here to apologize.”
“Apologize?” Yue Jiannan eyed him suspiciously.
Zhang Jinhe pulled a hard box out of his pocket, plucking a thin, long object from it.
“Smoke? This is only available in the city.”
Yue Jiannan was somewhat tempted; he often saw peers in the village gathering together in clouds of smoke.
But the cigarettes those people held between their fingers were all local tobacco, far less imposing than the one before him.
Seeing Yue Jiannan’s expression, Zhang Jinhe smiled and pushed the cigarette closer to him again.
“Nevermind, I can’t.”
Yue Jiannan pushed it back anyway.
Mother was right, unsolicited offers of help are from scoundrels or thieves.
Zhang Jinhe didn’t mind, lit the cigarette with a matchbox, and soon the smoke spiraled upward.
“Actually, I did warn my mother before. Although we didn’t come from the same belly, we still share half the bloodline, why go to such extremes?”
Yue Jiannan responded, “Who says no, look at the days my sister-in-law lived in your house, even the doctor said her body was too frail to bear children due to the sins your family committed.”
“Alas, I was just a kid then, didn’t understand anything, but now I do, and I very much regret it.”
Yue Jiannan’s expression softened a bit, “Seems you’re somewhat sensible after all, but you should apologize in person to my sister-in-law, I won’t convey it.”
Zhang Jinhe smiled, “I’m just too embarrassed to face her, hey, what book are you reading?”
After some conversation, Yue Jiannan’s animosity towards him had lessened somewhat, so he raised the novel cover to show him.
“Oh, looks pretty interesting, let me borrow it to read.”
Zhang Jinhe grabbed the book page, catching Yue Jiannan off guard.
There was a ripping sound, and the book split down the middle.
“What are you doing!”
Zhang Jinhe said nothing, grabbed half the book, and ran.
Yue Jiannan immediately got upset, unsure of what Jinhe was up to, and took off after him.
By the desolate fish pond, soon only Yue Qingqing was left sitting alone in the small pushcart.