Fishing and Hunting 82, Starting with Three Sisters Who Overprotect Their Brothers

Chapter 125 New Appetizers

Each fish ball is crystal clear, floating among green vegetable leaves, and its fresh aroma wafts straight into your nose.

The farmers, who had just been allocated land and hadn't yet earned any money, had never seen such exquisite food. After working all afternoon, they were starving.

At this moment, everyone's eyes widened, and they pushed forward as if their lives depended on it.

"What is this? It smells so good."

"Give me a bowl quickly."

"Our brigade is done for, let's just eat meat!"

Amid the noise, bowls of fish ball soup were distributed to everyone, and soon the construction site quieted down, with only the sound of slurping food remaining.

Battalion Commander Wang Tieshan glanced at his wife, and after receiving an approving look, cleared his throat: "How's the food tonight?"

"good!"

"What kind of fish is this? I've never eaten one that's so fresh and bright."

"The meat was brought by the fishing and hunting group," Wang Tieshan said, ignoring the question. "Why would they give us something they could earn to support us?"

"It's about working together to combat the drought, and it's about being worried that everyone's efforts won't be enough to keep up with the nutrition."

"What should we do?"

The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into a roar like a tsunami.

"Go for it, go all out!"

"Drought resistance and food security."

"Captain, just say what you want to say!"

Wang Tieshan raised his hand to calm the excited crowd: "This is what I'm thinking: the fishing and hunting team consists of people from impoverished families. Farming is hard for them, and since we ate their food, shouldn't we show some appreciation?"

"No doubt about it."

"Exactly, with such good food, I can't sleep without doing something."

"I'll take over Chunhua's land."

"No, Chunhua is mine."

"Keep showing off, aren't you afraid Old Mrs. Wang will dig up your ancestral graves?"

The two bachelors were talking excitedly, but someone deliberately poured cold water on their enthusiasm, which immediately drew laughter from everyone. And just like that, the matter of helping the poor households protect their land was settled.

Wang Tieshan approached Zhang Wenshan with a bowl of fish ball soup in his hand: "This matter cannot be mentioned to outsiders."

"I know," Zhang Wenshan nodded. "Is the situation serious?"

"It's difficult." Wang Tieshan looked at the dark irrigation ditch and the crops in the distance. "This year will probably be a severe drought."

Zhang Wenshan lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "Will anyone die?"

"It's not that bad, but we'll have to tighten our belts," Wang Tieshan sighed. "It's a pity that the well can't be repaired."

"A well?" Zhang Wenshan was taken aback.

Do you still have these things in the village?

"It's normal that you don't remember something from 1966," Wang Tieshan sighed. "Back then, the old Party Secretary overruled everyone's objections and squeezed out money from his own pocket to hire someone to do it."

"The first year was fine, but the second year was not so good."

"The mechanic came and checked. The diesel engine is fine, the belt-driven water pump is fine, the well hasn't collapsed, and the water level is sufficient."

"It just doesn't work. The water flow is inconsistent, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, and intermittent. I can't figure out what's wrong with it."

Zhang Wenshan raised an eyebrow: "Is the well still there?"

"Yes, in the first few years the old Party Secretary didn't give up and carefully maintained it—but later he completely gave up and just left it there."

Zhang Wenshan thought for a moment and said, "Maybe it can be fixed now."

"It's been abandoned for several years, and even the good stuff has gone bad." Wang Tieshan had no hope.

"Give it a try!" Zhang Wenshan, knowing his concerns, added, "Our repair skills are much better than before. Maybe we can find the problem. If we can fix it, it will also ease the old secretary's mind and make drought relief much easier."

"Hey, let me discuss it with the old Party Secretary."

Silent all night.

The next morning, Zhang Wenshan got up and found his front door quiet and no one causing trouble, which made him feel a little uneasy.

Logically, Li Dong should have come looking for trouble regardless of whether he made money or lost money.

He shook his head, washed his face, and prepared to leave.

Due to the drought, the snail craze in the village came to an abrupt end, and everyone devoted themselves to drought relief.

The fishing and hunting team, on the contrary, caught quite a lot of snails, shrimp, and crabs.

Zhang Wenshan packed the marinated willow fish and the minced meat freshly taken from the well water, and the group set off in a grand procession.

Halfway there, Lang Qiuping waited for him as usual, this time empty-handed.

"It seems the drought is having a faster impact than expected."

Zhang Wenshan knew the reason without needing a system prompt.

When it hasn't rained for a long time, wild animals will also seek out water sources and change their living habits.

Soon, the group arrived at the back door of the state-run restaurant.

Wu Xia had been eagerly waiting, and when she saw them appear, her eyes immediately fell on the two basins in Zhang Wenshan's hands.

"This is the new gadget you were talking about. Let me see it."

"Shall we unload the cargo first?"

"Let your sister handle it. I specifically asked Lao Xie to come and wait."

Zhang Wenshan turned his head and saw Old Xie yawning at the warehouse entrance, looking at him with a resentful expression.

"Don't worry about me, hurry up." Wu Xia impatiently pulled Zhang Wenshan into the kitchen, where Hong Yuan was sitting on a stool yawning.

Seeing Zhang Wenshan enter, he stood up, frowned, and asked, "Fish?"

"You're an expert, your nose is really sharp," Zhang Wenshan said, taking the opportunity to flatter him.

"Hey, basics are key." Hong Yuan grinned smugly, then quickly changed the subject, "But fish aren't easy to sell, so how about as a snack with drinks?"

Fish is usually ordered as a treat or for banquets.

Few people would be willing to drink alone.

"You'll see when you see it."

Zhang Wenshan didn't keep anyone in suspense and placed the basin he was holding directly on the stove.

"Pickled vegetables?" Wu Xia frowned instinctively as she looked at what was inside. "Willow root?"

She looked at Zhang Wenshan with suspicion.

What does this mean, bro?

Everyone knows that willow roots have many thorns, making them troublesome to eat. Not only do they prick your throat and cause discomfort, but you might also end up in the hospital.

Is it because they've become too familiar with each other, or because they think they can do whatever they want just because they have the reputation of the fishing and hunting group helping those in need?

Hongyuan, however, is different.

He rushed over in three strides, peered over the edge of the basin, his eyes widened in shock, and then he slapped his forehead hard:

6

Oh dear! How could I not have thought of that!

"Honey, what's wrong?" Wu Xia was startled and quickly grabbed him.

"Wife, this is a brilliant idea!" Hongyuan exclaimed excitedly, almost incoherently. "Soaking it in salt and vinegar will soften the fish bones! My master taught me that!"

Wu Xia was completely confused: "What do you mean?"

"You'll know once you try it." Hongyuan scooped a fish out of the basin and stuffed it into his wife's mouth without saying a word.

"Hey, you—hmm?"

Wu Xia subconsciously took two bites, her expression changing repeatedly.

She instinctively spat out the thorn she ate, but soon realized that the thorn in her mouth wasn't prickly and seemed to be easy to chew and swallow.

It's sweet and sour, and quite refreshing.

"How's my wife?"

"Not bad," Wu Xia said, frowning. "Will this sell well?"

Although she could eat it, she still felt that not everyone would like it.

"Keep soaking it, it'll get even softer," Zhang Wenshan explained with a smile. "Besides, willow roots are everywhere in the river, and they're cheap here."

In the 1980s, cheapness was the biggest selling point.

"It really is." Wu Xia looked enlightened, then asked, "And what good stuff is in this basin?"