Zhang Tianxing had a net full of small lobsters.
According to initial estimates, this net weighed at least three to four jin, with nearly thirty lobsters. This was even more exaggerated than stumbling upon a lobster nest.
Zhang Tianxing and the other two were sorting the small lobsters in the net.
"This is bad, we didn't bring any equipment," Zhang Tianxing shouted.
"Da Yong, go to my second uncle's house and get two large plastic buckets, otherwise, there's nowhere to put these small lobsters."
Zhu Da Yong responded. Zhang Tianxing's second uncle lived in Yan Village Township.
At this moment, an old man, in his seventies with a face full of wrinkles, walked towards the pond and looked at Zhang Tianxing and Gao Tianming.
"Why are you two young men here catching these small lobsters?"
"Aren't these edible? We're catching them to eat," Zhang Tianxing replied casually.
"You two children, you don't know what you're doing. These small lobsters are not safe to eat. Eating them will upset your stomachs. Someone in our village caught them before and ended up in the hospital. The doctor said the heavy metal content in small lobsters is too high and they cannot be eaten, only used as pig feed."
Gao Tianming was stunned. "Zhang Tianxing, you scoundrel! I rode my bike with you for half the day, and you come here to catch this."
"As long as you don't eat the head, it's fine. Besides, this is a delicacy. Pigs can eat it, so humans can too. Since we're here anyway, it's just for a bit of relaxation."
Zhang Tianxing then turned to the old man. "By the way, Grandpa, is there anyone here who buys small lobsters?"
"No, who would buy these? They're poisonous. Nobody buys them. This place is almost infested; they're even affecting the rice harvest," the old man said with displeasure.
"They don't taste good, and they're poisonous. They're harming the crops here; they're pests."
Zhang Tianxing ignored Gao Tianming. "Xiao Ming, stop making a fuss. What do you know? Don't mess around here."
Zhang Tianxing directly put the small lobsters from the net into a plastic bag and handed it to Gao Tianming.
"Watch it carefully, don't let the plastic bag break. The purpose of our visit today is small lobsters."
Gao Tianming wanted to say something, opened his mouth, but said nothing. Gao Tianming could see that Zhang Tianxing had made up his mind and wouldn't change it no matter what he said.
Zhu Da Yong arrived, carrying a large plastic bucket.
"Good job, Da Yong. How is my second uncle?"
"He's okay, his complexion has improved a lot."
"Good heavens, this large plastic bucket isn't cheap. In this godforsaken place, it must be worth at least five yuan. Da Yong, you and Gao Tianming, pour the small lobsters into the bucket."
Zhu Da Yong and Gao Tianming went off with great enthusiasm. These top students, who spent their days buried in textbooks, had never experienced the joy of the countryside.
Catching small lobsters this time allowed Zhu Da Yong and Gao Tianming to have their fill of fun.
Zhu Da Yong shouted to Zhang Tianxing, "Tian Xing, let us two have a go too! We've only watched you cast the net."
"Alright, here you go. Let you two have some fun. These nets of mine are all over three jin. Let's see your results."
"Hmph, it's that easy. Even a pig could do it. We definitely won't catch less than you," Gao Tianming said defiantly.
"Yeah, that's right. We've been watching for a long time. There's no skill involved; it's just startling the lobsters into the net. We understand this principle," Zhu Da Yong agreed.
"Then I'll watch the performance of the two masters. Now, let's welcome the lobster-catching masters, Gao Tianming and Zhu Da Yong. Da Yong, you should just change your name to Da Chang." Zhang Tianxing handed over the net.
"Why should I change my name? You brat, are you insulting me?!" Zhu Da Yong became furious and grabbed a clod of earth, throwing it at Zhang Tianxing.
Zhang Tianxing laughed heartily and leaped, dodging Zhu Da Yong's attack.
"Yes, yes, that's the way. Sweep back and forth a few times. In areas with lush aquatic plants, there are more small lobsters. No one is catching them now."
After three or four minutes, Zhu Da Yong became excited. "Whoa, this net is clearly heavier. This catch of small lobsters will be substantial. I can feel the weight."
Gao Tianming called out from the side, "Quickly pull up the net, it's my turn next."
Zhu Da Yong nodded. Under the performance of Gao Tianming and Zhu Da Yong, the bucket was quickly filled with small lobsters.
Zhang Tianxing shook the plastic bucket. Good heavens, it was heavy, over a hundred jin.
"Haha, how about this, you two catch here for a while, and I'll take some to my second uncle." Zhang Tianxing said.
Zhang Tianxing arrived at his second uncle's house. Zhang Tianxing's second uncle, Liang Cheng, was a bit of a chubby man with a round face and a kind disposition. However, he was currently recuperating at home, and his wife was hospitalized. This was a difficult time for him.
Seeing Zhang Tianxing arrive in the yard with a net full of small lobsters, Liang Cheng asked in confusion:
"Xiao Xing, what are you catching small lobsters for? Let me warn you, people can't eat them. Some people ate small lobsters and ended up in the hospital. Animals don't eat them much either."
"Oh, Second Uncle, I came to see you and caught some small lobsters."
"They taste a bit fishy when cooked. The smell-removing effect isn't good, and the poisoning issue hasn't been resolved. Basically, no one eats them now, and they've become a plague in the fields," Liang Cheng said weakly.
"Some people have problems if they eat small lobsters. When prepared correctly, they are a delicacy. Try it later." Zhang Tianxing casually explained the recipe for spicy small lobsters to Liang Cheng.
"One more thing, Second Uncle, do you have any barbecue equipment at your restaurant?" Zhang Tianxing asked.
Liang Cheng nodded. He had intended to earn some money these days, but unexpected family issues arose. His wife was hospitalized, and he was recuperating at home, depleting their savings.
"Second Uncle, it's like this. A few of my classmates and I plan to have a barbecue tonight and want to use your place. It might take some time, perhaps for the entire holiday," Zhang Tianxing told Liang Cheng.
"Use it as you please. It's your own place. The restaurant isn't open anyway." Liang Cheng waved his hand. Unfortunately, his hands were unsteady now, and his great chef skills were wasted. He was growing moldy staying at home.
Zhang Tianxing then left his second uncle's house, having not yet made the spicy small lobsters.
His second uncle had genuinely given him good advice, but Zhang Tianxing hadn't changed his mind.
Whether they were poisonous or not, he would find out by eating them. Facts speak louder than words.
Zhang Tianxing returned to the pond and found that Zhu Da Yong and Gao Tianming had considerable catching power; they had caught quite a few small lobsters. Zhang Tianxing took a look and then put a black fish into the plastic bucket.
"Why did you put a fish in there?"
"Putting a black fish in there will ensure the survival rate of the small lobsters."
"Zhang Tianxing, can't we just play normally? It's not shameful to tell me the truth. We're classmates, same class."
Damn, the world is really messed up. No one believes the truth anymore. Zhang Tianxing was truly speechless.
Forget it. Let's head back and see how my cooking skills are and if I can make delicious spicy small lobsters.
Back home, Zhang Tianxing got his seasonings and busied himself in the kitchen.
"Oh, right, Da Yong, invite the two school beauties over too. Let them taste my cooking and see if we can start a business."
Zhang Tianxing directly poured out five jin of small lobsters, washed them clean, and got busy in the kitchen.
Before long, the aroma filled the air.
Gao Tianming sniffed the air. It seemed Zhang Tianxing's cooking skills were not bad.
"Tian Xing, didn't the old man say these were poisonous? That they can't be eaten."
"Where did you get that idea? Look at this newspaper."
Zhang Tianxing took out a newspaper. This newspaper was hard-earned; Zhang Tianxing had gotten it from an old man at the school gate.
It contained an article about the Danish people celebrating their crayfish festival.
Zhang Tianxing said unhurriedly, "Don't worry, everyone's life is precious. I wouldn't harm anyone for profit. If it were the school beauties, maybe I'd have other motives. What motive would I have with you?"
This remark made Gao Tianming utterly ashamed and looked down upon by Zhang Tianxing again. He hadn't noticed this before, but now he realized Gao Tianming was all talk and his words were too harsh.
Soon, Wen Qing and Li Fang arrived.
As soon as they entered, they smelled the aroma of spicy small lobsters, a scent they had never encountered before.
Zhang Tianxing served a large basin of spicy small lobsters.
Then he took out some plastic gloves.
"Here, this is how you eat small lobsters. First, remove the head..."
Everyone followed suit. Wen Qing looked at the peeled lobster in her hand and then at the bright red spicy small lobsters.
Closing her eyes, she put the lobster into her mouth.
Immediately, a cry of surprise erupted from Wen Qing's lips.
"I've never eaten such delicious food before. These small lobsters are truly delicious."
"Speaking of which, why doesn't everyone eat such delicious small lobsters? I really can't understand it!"