Chapter 25: Plans to Buy a Ship

Lin Yu’s eyes lit up instantly.

Possessing a boat meant the possibility of truly heading out to sea to fish, rather than relying on beachcombing—scavenging for shells or catching tiny fish and shrimp along the shore—to barely scrape by. Beachcombing was, after all, a matter of pure luck; the meager returns were hardly a long-term solution, and life at home remained a constant struggle.

But with a boat, everything would change.

As long as his luck wasn't abysmal, each trip out would yield a decent catch. Selling that at the market would provide a stable income, allowing their lives to finally find some footing.

However, three to five hundred yuan was no small sum.

For an ordinary family, working from dawn until well after dusk, barely keeping fed for the year was already a monumental task. Every cent earned had to be meticulously accounted for—spent on grain, clothing, and the endless list of daily necessities.

Lin Yu didn't believe he could scrape together that much money in a short time, but at least there was now a direction.

He smiled faintly. "Grandpa Village Chief, I certainly can't come up with that much money right away, but I will work hard to buy your boat as soon as I can. Hehe, you have to save it for me—don't sell it to anyone else."

Hearing this, Luo Quan laughed. "If that boat could have been sold, it would have been gone long ago. Those who can afford it look down on our boat, and those who can't simply can't pay for it."

He tapped the ash from his pipe and continued, "If you are truly set on buying it, you can take it and use it now. You can pay me later when you have some extra cash. Look at my situation: my son is bedridden, and I’m getting old. The boat is just sitting there wasting away; no one else is going to use it to fish. But I must warn you: it’s been idle for a long time, exposed to the sun, wind, and salt water, so the hull is quite damaged. If you want to take it back out to sea, repairs are essential. While the repair costs won't be as much as buying the boat, it’s still no small amount—roughly over a hundred yuan, I’d wager. You need to think this through carefully so you don't get stuck once you hit those hurdles."

Lin Yu was stunned for a moment, then overwhelmed with joy.

Buying the boat required hundreds, which he couldn't manage quickly, but if he only needed a hundred or so to repair it, he was very confident he could pull that off. Once he had a boat, with his skills, how could he fail to catch fish?

By then, even if he had to meet certain quotas, he was confident he could provide a good life for his family.

"Grandpa Village Chief, are you serious?" Lin Yu asked, his face full of excitement.

Luo Quan chuckled, took a few puffs of his pipe, and smiled. "Do I look like I’m teasing you?"

Luo Quan’s gaze became distant and profound, his voice tinged with a faint sense of melancholy and nostalgia. "Lin Yu, this boat is special. Back when I was young and strong, it accompanied me as I braved these vast seas. Every plank, every rivet carries countless memories and drops of sweat. It holds extraordinary significance to me, like an old friend who has fought by my side for years, never leaving my side."

He sighed softly, his eyes showing a touch of reluctance and helplessness. "But now, time waits for no one. I truly can’t bear to watch it slowly rot away until it finally disappears into the sea. I hope you will cherish it, treat it like your most precious treasure, and let it continue to serve its purpose."

Lin Yu knew deep down that for Luo Quan, this boat was more than just a fishing tool; it was a testament to the better part of his life spent battling the ocean, a loyal companion from his youth that held countless memories.

For a fisherman, a boat is the lifeblood of the entire family. The fact that Luo Quan was willing to sell such a cherished and valuable vessel to him at a discount was a kindness worth remembering.

Lin Yu looked up and said with firm resolve, "Grandpa Village Chief, I will keep your kindness in my heart. Rest assured, I will take great care of the boat."

"Good. With that promise, I can rest easy," Luo Quan said with a nod.

At that moment, his mother, Wang Yufen, called out from inside the house, "Dinner is ready!"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces lit up with anticipation, and they surged into the house like a tide. Luo Quan patted Lin Yu on the shoulder with a smile and followed them inside.

As soon as they stepped inside, the fragrance of steaming hot white flour buns wafted toward them.

The villagers’ eyes brightened at the sight of these long-lost white flour buns, and they couldn't help but salivate. Some were so impatient that they grabbed one before the buns were even set on the table, devouring them right there.

White flour buns were a rare luxury; usually, everyone ate coarse grains, only having these on festivals or special occasions. Now that they were available, who wouldn't want an extra one?

Seeing this, Wang Yufen quickly said, "Don't rush, everyone. I steamed plenty, and there are more in the pot. There’s enough for everyone."

Luo Quan sat in the seat of honor and laughed. "Yufen, you’ve raised a good son—smart and capable. With him around, your family won't go hungry. Just now, I was telling the boy that I’d sell him our family's boat at a fair price. With his skills, he’s bound to be an expert at fishing."

Wang Yufen was stunned for a moment, then replied with a smile, "Third Uncle, what skills does he have? He just has a bit of luck! Besides, that boat costs a fortune; we can't afford it."

Luo Quan laughed. "Hehe, money doesn't matter. Let him use it first. If the boy can catch fish out there, he can pay me when he has the money later. To me, he’s just like his father. His dad was the best fisherman in our village—like father, like son!"

Wang Yufen immediately countered, "His father died young and didn't teach him any fishing techniques. He doesn't know anything at all. If you ask me, he’s not cut out for it. Come spring, I’ll find a way for him to go out and learn a trade so he can make a living, and avoid ending up like his father."

Once she said this, Luo Quan fell silent.

He could tell that Wang Yufen didn't want Lin Yu to go out to sea.

In truth, he understood.

After all, fishing at sea carried inherent dangers. If one didn't understand the characteristics and shifts of the marine environment, accidents were easy to come by. The seemingly calm surface could hide treacherous waves, and sudden, violent weather or unpredictable whirlpools could claim a life in an instant.

Wang Yufen's words made Luo Quan hesitate.

If something happened to Lin Yu at sea, he would bear an inescapable responsibility.

Helpless, he sighed and said to Lin Yu, "Your mother doesn't approve. It seems this matter needs more thought. You need to be sure about this!"

Lin Yu smiled and said, "Grandpa Village Chief, don't listen to my mother. She’s just worried about my safety. I want that boat. Who says I’m not cut out for it? I feel like I was born for the sea."

Hearing this, the villagers burst into laughter.

Wang Yufen pursed her lips, wanting to say more but holding back. After all, the villagers were here to help repair the house and were enjoying a meal; it wasn't the time to argue.

After the meal, everyone got back to work.

Another hour of labor later, the house repairs were finally complete.

The mother and her two children stood before the house, filled with joy and expectation, carefully inspecting the mud-brick structure that now carried a sense of rebirth and hope.

Above the roof, the straw was layered thick and neat, as if meticulously combed. Every blade of straw shimmered with a faint golden hue in the sunlight, woven together like a thick, soft, golden blanket, tightly covering the top of the house.

The gaps and holes that had been eroded by wind and rain were cleverly patched, the straw layered tight, leaving no trace of the former dilapidation.

The changes to the doors and windows were the most striking.

The brand-new wooden door exuded a faint, fresh scent of timber. Its grain was clear and natural, the surface polished smooth and firm to the touch; its heavy texture gave one a sense of security. The hinges had been carefully adjusted, allowing it to open and close silently, emitting only a faint, gentle "creak" when the breeze brushed against it.

The adjacent windows were fitted with brand-new frames, their lines simple and fluid, seamlessly integrated into the walls. Though there was no paper covering them, the neatly arranged panes acted like natural picture frames, capturing the blue sky, white clouds, green trees, and red flowers outside, bringing the beauty of the four seasons into the room and allowing the interior space to feel closer to nature.

Lin Yao stood in the open space before the house, her small face flushed with excitement. Her bright, expressive eyes were fixed on the repaired house, as if she couldn't get enough of it. Her small mouth opened slightly, revealing a row of white baby teeth. "It's so beautiful, Mommy! This is our new home!"