Suijun starts with the principle of rewarding diligence.

The day of the rowing races is a bit like a matchmaking event from a past life.

On this day, eligible men and women who make a living at Blackwater Lake spontaneously gather at Pingtang Bay.

Fishermen enjoy boat races and showcase their skills in making a living on Blackwater Lake.

If any of these fishermen have a woman's favorite, she will voluntarily sit on the boat and act as a ballast.

Sitting at the bow of the boat indicates that the woman is interested in him, and there is a high probability that they will become in-laws if they spend time together; sitting in the middle of the boat indicates that she is interested in him, and the man only needs to prepare a small gift to propose marriage.

The custom of rowing days first appeared in early spring, but was later changed to before the arrival of winter.

This is because the fish catch in the lake decreases every winter, making life difficult.

If we can marry our daughter off at this time, there will be one less mouth to feed in the family.

Buqu is currently busy catching treasure fish and planning his famous trip to the city. How could he have time to get involved in such matters?

Wang Erlang frowned: "What do you mean it's boring? You're sixteen years old, not a child anymore, and you're not worried at all. I have to worry about you."

Bu Qu's lips twitched.

What do you mean, "already sixteen years old"? In my past life, that age would mean still being in school. Forget about marriage; if you were caught dating, you'd be called to the teacher's office.

Although it is human nature to follow local customs when in Rome, Buqu, having been given a second chance at life, aspires to travel the world and would never follow such customs.

"Uncle Wang, I have a suggestion."

"What suggestion?"

Bu Qu grinned: "You don't have to worry about it."

Wang Erlang was taken aback, but then heard Bu Qu laugh and say, "Anyway, I'm not in a hurry, so why are you?"

"Hey, you little brat!" Wang Erlang put his hands on his hips, his tone quite displeased. "Really not in a hurry?"

"No rush."

"You have to go, even if it's not urgent."

Why?

"Bring the little girl back to me. Otherwise, she might run off with some random guy!"

Bu Qu's lips twitched: "Uncle Wang, why don't you go yourself?"

"How old am I? That's the kind of life people your age live."

"Alright."

Buqu left his fishing gear at home and went out lightly dressed.

Xiao Ya is Uncle Wang's daughter, so she can be considered his half-sister.

If he were to meet the wrong person, he would feel somewhat resentful.

Watching Bu Qu's departing figure, Wang Erlang thought to himself, "Little girl, I don't have many more opportunities left for you. You must seize them."

Although Bu Qu has made it clear that he has no interest in Xiao Ya.

But Wang Erlang was, after all, Wang Xiaoya's father. What father wouldn't want his daughter to marry into a good family?

Besides, Buqu is a promising talent he's watched grow up. How could he just stand by and watch his potential go to someone else?

Seeing him leave, Zhang Cuihua came out of the house and leaned against the door, asking, "Why do you always try to match them up? Even without Scarface Li, Aqu is just a fisherman."

At this point, she stamped her foot, her tone full of disappointment: "That little girl is such a disappointment. She's already so old, and still hasn't caught the eye of any of the gentlemen in the city. Look at He Ye, she was picked up when she was only eight or nine."

Wang Erlang shook his head: "Madam, you don't know this, but that child Aqu is very capable."

Zhang Cuihua snorted, her face full of disdain: "How much skill could he possibly have? I've watched him since he was a kitten, do you think I can't tell what kind of person he is? Don't speak up for him in front of me."

"Do you know that he caught two treasure fish in the last few days?"

"Two lucky fish! What incredible luck!"

"One treasure fish is luck, but two treasure fish can still be luck?"

Hearing Wang Erlang's calm and collected words, Zhang Cuihua's mouth dropped open: "That's at least two taels of silver! That's enough for two months' harvest!"

Wang Erlang chuckled: "What do you mean two taels? He sold two precious fish for a full ten taels!"

"Ten taels?!" Zhang Cuihua exclaimed in shock. "Why can it sell for so much? Doesn't the fish market always buy precious fish for one tael?"

"Hey, the Zhong family buys treasure fish at the fish market, five taels each. Oh, by the way, the person in charge of buying the fish is the same Lotus Leaf you just mentioned."

As he spoke, Wang Erlang sighed, "The lotus leaves have indeed grown quite large now; our little girl can't compare."

Zhang Cuihua rolled her eyes at Wang Erlang, feeling angry just thinking about it.

When the Zhong family was selecting maids, they first took a liking to the youngest maid.

The two are quite similar in appearance, and the younger girl is two years younger, which is naturally an advantage.

Knowing that Xiaoya was Zhang Cuihua's daughter, the housekeeper, fearing to offend someone, chose Heye.

The two little girls used to play in the mud together by the lake, but now their situations are worlds apart.

Zhang Cuihua also sighed, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Did the fish farm have any objections when A-Qu sold the precious fish to the Zhong family?"

The Zhong family and the fish market are definitely not to be trifled with. But can't the fish market handle a fisherman?

Zhang Cuihua had a slight understanding of the reasons behind this.

Wang Erlang laughed and said, "How could I not have any objections? Old Xu used to be all smiles every day, but now he's got a long face every day, treating A-Qu as a major threat!"

Zhang Cuihua said with some concern, "If that's the case, do you still want Xiaoya to be with him? Aren't you afraid they'll both suffer together?"

"A-Qu is capable and has nothing to fear from them."

"What are his skills?"

"Never mind what he's capable of. Just know that he's capable."

Wang Erlang smiled and looked up at Blackwater Lake: "Aqu has grown up now, and the small Blackwater Lake can no longer contain him."

Zhang Cuihua was stunned.

She had watched Buqu grow up since he was a child, so how did he become so capable?

Even the fish market can't control him; he'll end up being a city dweller, no matter what.

If Xiaoya were to marry him, wouldn't she be living a life of great happiness?

Even her aunt could benefit from this, enjoying a comfortable old age.

Thinking of this, Zhang Cuihua complained, "A-Qu is so capable, why didn't you marry Xiaoya to him sooner?"

Wang Erlang's face stiffened: "Haven't I been trying to match them up? It's just that you two don't like them."

Zhang Cuihua, one hand on her hip, pointed at Wang Erlang and berated him: "You, the head of the household, can't even decide on your daughter's marriage? Who gives us women the right to interfere?"

Wang Erlang was speechless.

......

The sun is shining brightly today, and dozens of small sampans are already moored in Pingtang Bay.

These small sampans, which are usually used for fishing, are now kept clean and tidy.

The fishermen who came to participate in the boat race were all strong young men. They moored their small sampans at the mouth of the bay and looked up at the beautiful young women on the lakeside.

Chen Qing saw Xiao Ya chatting with other women, and a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes.

According to the previous agreement, he should have confidently stepped forward to start a conversation.

Xiao Ya promised him that she would marry him if he could win the rowing competition.

However, he lost his bet with Buqu's treasure fish at the fish market, and if Buqu saw him, he would surely be spat in the face.

Chen Qing felt depressed and looked around.

Many people have already arrived at Pingtang Bay, but Buqu has yet to be seen.

"Does he have something to do today?" Chen Qing wondered, a little curious.

The bet was one thing, but Wang Xiaoya's feelings were another.

As long as she is loyal to him, he will marry her even if she spits in his face.

"Ha, I wonder what kind of incredible luck that kid had?" Chen Qing exhaled a breath of stale air, thinking to himself, "You won the bet entirely because the Dragon King gave you a handout. In the boat race, you're no match for me. I'm definitely winning this boat race!"

As he pondered, a familiar face walked up to him.

Chen Qing paused slightly, then smiled and asked, "Manager Xu, what brings you to this rowing competition?"

Xu Kezhou laughed and said, "This kind of grand event only happens once a year, how could I miss it?"

He leaned closer to Chen Qing and whispered, "Do you want to win the rowing competition?"

"certainly."

"I, Xu, will lend you a hand."