Chapter 17: Discussing Selling The Pearl
The whole family looked happily at the Flame Pearl in Yun Jiao’s hand; the bead was so beautiful.
Granny Yun admonished everyone, “Jiao Jiao’s Flame Pearl matter must absolutely not be spoken of. Otherwise, our family will be targeted, and who knows when a thief might show up at our door.”
“This bead is Jiao Jiao’s, and no one should covet it. In the future, if you have the ability to find conch shells and get pearls or something similar, that will be your own. Whether you sell it for money or keep it, I won’t interfere,” said the old woman.
Old Master Yun nodded from the side, and no one else had any objections.
“Jiao Jiao, shall Granny keep this bead for you? When you grow up, we’ll make a beautiful necklace to wear around your neck.”
To be honest, Granny Yun dared not let Yun Jiao hold this Flame Pearl, because she was very afraid that with Jiao Jiao’s tendency to bite anything she saw, she would stuff the pearl into her mouth.
Such a large pearl, if it really got stuck in her mouth and blocked her throat, what a disaster that would be.
Yun Jiao also really liked the beautiful bead in her hand.
Merfolk naturally liked shiny, beautiful things. In her previous life, she loved going to the sea to find beautiful pearls, gemstones, and shells to decorate her nest.
However, now, she handed the Flame Pearl in her hand over: “Grandpa, exchange it for a large house. Jiao Jiao wants a beautiful room.”
That’s right, she planned to exchange this pearl for money, and then build a house. She wanted a small nest of her own.
The current house was too small, and the roof leaked when it rained.
Beautiful pearls and gems could be found later.
The family members could all see that Yun Jiao really liked this Flame Pearl, so Granny Yun patted her head.
“This Flame Pearl is so beautiful; encountering it once is great luck. Our Jiao Jiao should keep it herself. Building a house is an adult’s matter; children shouldn’t worry about it. Don’t worry, you’ll be given a room then.”
Yun Jiao insisted, her voice childish, “Sell it for money. Jiao Jiao will find beautiful pearls later.”
Her tender, childish voice produced a rather dominant effect.
After thinking about it, Old Master Yun didn’t hesitate.
“Then Grandpa will accept it. Once it’s sold for money, we’ll immediately build a big house for our Jiao Jiao!”
Yun Jiao’s eyes curved into a smile, and then she stared at the snail meat.
“Eat.”
“Hahaha… Jiao Jiao, you really are a little foodie.”
The whole family laughed happily.
The snail meat was stir-fried, and Yun Jiao happily ate a lot of it. After the meal, her little belly was so full it was round.
Yun Xiaowu immediately took her out for a stroll to aid digestion.
They strolled from home to the village entrance. After eating, many elders were there with their naughty children playing.
As soon as they appeared, the eyes of the elders at the village entrance stared straight at them.
Yun Jiao was used to it.
She didn’t know what special hobbies these people had. It wasn’t just her; others who passed by would also be stared at. Visitors from outside would be pulled over and asked about everything, as if they wanted to know the other person’s entire ancestry.
“Xiaowu, Jiao Jiao, come over here. Come to Granny Wang’s side.”
Yun Xiaowu carried two small stools and walked over, first choosing a spot for his sister to sit, then plopping down beside her.
His sister didn’t like to play wildly with children her own age; instead, she enjoyed sitting under the large locust tree at the village entrance listening to the idle chatter of the village elders and women.
Occasionally, after returning home, she would blurt out a few words, all learned from here.
“Xiaowu, did you find the Razor Clam King again today?”
Yun Xiaowu nodded.
“Where did you find it?”
Yun Xiaowu told them the location: “It was a little bit in front of where we usually learn to swim. But you won’t be able to dig there now; that area has been almost completely dug up. When we came back, many people were digging there.”
One Granny slapped her thigh: “Why didn’t I go tide pooling with you all today?”
“Your family’s luck just keeps getting better and better.”
“I heard your family is going to buy a boat?”
That’s how it was in the village; there were no secrets at all.
Yun Xiaowu nodded: “Yes, Grandpa said we’re buying a wooden boat.”
His eyes were fixed on a group of children playing house not far away, and he was practically itching to join them.
“Granny Wang, please keep an eye on Jiao Jiao for me. I’m going to play now.”
“Go ahead, go ahead. Jiao Jiao is well-behaved; she doesn’t need us watching her.”
After Yun Xiaowu left, some people with clever minds asked Yun Jiao how much money their family had made selling seafood.
Yun Jiao: “Don’t know.”
Whatever she was asked, she said she didn’t know.
She didn’t care about those things in the first place, so she genuinely didn’t know.
“Why are you asking a child that?”
Saying that, they changed the topic and started talking about other things.
Whose sea transport was good, what fish they caught when they went out to sea yesterday.
Whose chicken went missing, whose corn was stolen – they knew it all clearly.
Yun Jiao sat upright on the small stool, listening to them talk. She had been like this since she learned to walk.
Her ability to quickly learn the language of the humans in this world was greatly thanks to these gossiping Grannies and women.
After listening enough, Yun Jiao picked up her own small stool and went to find Yun Xiaowu.
“Fifth Brother, let’s go home.”
At this moment, Yun Xiaowu dropped the toy pistol he had made from mud, which didn’t look much like one, and got up to wash his hands.
“Comrades, continue your battle! We’ll defeat the enemy agents. I’ll take my sister home first.”
After saying that, he held Yun Jiao’s fair and clean little hand in one hand and scooped up the stool with the other, heading home.
In the evening, Yun Linhai, Yun Linhe, and Yun Chendong returned home and told them about the pearl. These three were also astonished.
Hearing that they were going to sell the pearl, Yun Chenxi suggested, “What if we sell it too cheaply in our town? Why don’t we go to the city to sell it?”
Everyone thought about it and agreed. In town, they might still run into acquaintances, and if word got out that they sold a pearl, their family wouldn’t have peace.
Yun Xiaowu and the others immediately clamored, “We’re going to the city! Will we have to take a public bus? I want to go, I want to go!”
“Go to hell!”
Uncle Yun said, “We’re going on important business. If we bring you few mischievous monkeys, how can we have any peace? If you run off and get lost, where will we find you?”
These boys in the family were practically escape artists. It was fine in the village; everyone knew the children and could find their way home.
The city was so big, with so many people. If they truly got lost, they might not be found, and they might even be targeted by traffickers.
The brothers were unconvinced. To go to the city, they immediately lay on the ground, rolling and making a scene.
Old Master Yun got a headache from the noise: “After we’ve saved enough money to build the house, I’ll send these smelly brats to school too.”
Yun Xiaowu wiped his nose: “Fine, we’ll go. There are so many people at school, it’ll be fun too. Sister and I will go together.”
“Why bring Jiao Jiao? If Jiao Jiao needs to study, she can do it in a couple more years.”
In those days, there were no kindergartens. Children generally started primary school at six or seven years old, when they could recognize the way home, and their elders didn’t worry as much.
Going to the city was impossible, and throwing a tantrum wouldn’t work.
In the end, the few who were throwing tantrums were disciplined by their parents with shoes and sticks before they quieted down.
Due to family matters today, the update is delayed until now. Better late than never!
