Chapter 54: Going To Sea Again
Buying fabric to make clothes for such a large family would take considerable time.
Now there are already small shops selling ready-made clothes.
But ready-made clothes are too expensive; buying fabric and making them oneself is more cost-effective.
Unfortunately, there was no sewing machine at home, so Shen Yunlian, Wang Mei, and Granny Yun could only sew and mend stitch by stitch by candlelight at night.
Their needlework was excellent, making clothes for the family that were sturdy and durable.
Yun Jiao would occasionally sit on the bed, propping her little chin on her hand, watching her mother sew clothes.
Shen Yunlian would also teach her.
When she became interested, she would take the needle and thread and sew with the scraps of fabric her mother had cut.
Then she made an ugly doll that looked like a mix of everything.
Yun Chenbei saw it, immediately dismantled it, and refitted it. Two days later, Yun Jiao received a colorful but very good-looking cloth cat doll.
She loved it immensely.
“Fourth Brother, how are you so amazing!”
Yun Chenbei’s lips curled up: “This isn’t difficult; you’re still young so you don’t know yet, but you’ll be fine when you grow up.”
He picked up a piece of wood and continued carving it.
Ever since his creations could be sold for money, he had devoted more energy to these carvings and other handicrafts.
“Fourth Brother, can you make this into a pretty necklace for me.”
Yun Jiao took out her pearl shaped like a fish tail.
Yun Chenbei held it and looked at it for a long time, then shook his head: “Not now; I need to study some books first. Once I have better materials, I’ll make it for you.”
“Okay, then can you hold the pearl for me? It’s easy for me to lose it here.”
She had specifically asked her mother to let Fourth Brother make a necklace for her, so it was fine to leave it with Fourth Brother now.
Yun Chenbei nodded and carefully placed the pearl into his most treasured small box.
There was still no news about Eldest Brother and Second Brother.
Although they were waiting with some anxiety, the tasks that needed to be done still had to be done.
The weather was very good today, suitable for going to sea.
Yun Linhai and Yun Linhe were thinking about the things on the island, so they prepared to go to sea before the sky had fully brightened.
The day before, Yun Jiao had clung to her father’s neck, repeatedly admonishing him to be sure to bring her along.
If they didn’t bring her, she would cry at home all day!
Due to this threat, after washing up, Yun Linhai walked into the room where his sons and daughters slept and carried out his daughter, who was sleeping soundly in the innermost, soft bundle.
Yun Jiao was still holding the colorful cat doll her Fourth Brother had given her.
“Dad?”
So small, she was groggy from sleep. After being woken up, she forced her eyes open. Seeing who was holding her, she became boneless and lay limply in his arms.
Her soft hair was fluffy and a little messy, her chubby arms like lotus roots wrapped around Yun Linhai’s neck, her chin resting on her father’s shoulder as she slept soundly.
Like a precious and soft little cat.
“Still going out to sea, sleeping so soundly.”
Yun Linhai held his daughter, not even looking at his sons who were sleeping sprawled out, and left the room.
Shen Yunlian also woke up, changed her daughter’s clothes, and simply tied her hair into a low ponytail.
“If she wants to sleep, let her sleep. Putting a small blanket on her on the boat so she can continue sleeping won’t be a problem.”
Yun Linhai nodded, took the small blanket Shen Yunlian handed him, wrapped her up, and prepared to leave.
Shen Yunlian stopped him: “Wait.”
She quickly went into the room and got a basket, a palm-leaf fan, and Yun Jiao’s small bag.
Inside the small bag were a boiled egg, some dried fish and dried shrimp, and several steamed sweet potato cakes wrapped in oil paper.
“There’s food in here. Put the basket on the boat; she can sleep inside, and if the sun gets too strong, she can hide in it for shade.”
Shen Yunlian instructed him carefully.
Yun Linhai listened intently.
It wasn’t until Yun Linhe’s shout came from outside that he said gently.
“Okay, I’ll remember it all.”
Then he packed everything into the basket, holding his daughter in one hand and the basket in the other, and walked out.
Outside, Yun Linhe was holding the giant sea turtle.
“This guy is really heavy!”
Yun Chendong came out of the room holding a fishing net.
Yun Linhe was impatient: “Let’s go, we can set out the fish traps today!”
That’s right, Yun Chendong would be going along today.
Actually, Yun Chenxi also wanted to go. Compared to helping with the new house, going out fishing was clearly more interesting.
But that small wooden boat didn’t need so many people.
In the end, it was decided that Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi would take turns going.
Three adults and one child went to the dock.
Other diligent fishermen were already at the dock, also preparing to go out fishing.
“Linhai, why did you even bring Jiao Jiao?”
Someone passing by saw Yun Linhai holding someone and teased him.
“What, can your Jiao Jiao, this little lucky star, bring you good luck?”
Yun Linhai nodded: “Of course, my Jiao Jiao is indeed a little lucky star.”
“Chen Dong is going too today?”
Yun Linhe chimed in: “Let’s try going out together. A beginner’s luck is good; maybe we’ll catch something good today.”
While speaking, they reached their boat. Everyone rowed their own boat out to sea separately.
Yun Linhai and Yun Linhe first rowed the boat to a secluded spot in the nearshore area and set out fish traps on a beach where almost no one came.
It was now 5:30, the best time to set out fish traps.
After a tide came in, by the time they returned, the fish traps should have some catch.
After setting the fish traps, they truly rowed away.
Yun Chendong made a small nest in the boat using the basket. At this time, the tiny Yun Jiao was curled up inside, sleeping soundly.
The giant sea turtle was next to the basket, as if guarding Yun Jiao.
As the sky gradually brightened and they neared the seclusive island, she woke up.
Yun Jiao opened her eyes and was completely dazed, not knowing where she was.
Upon hearing her father’s and brothers’ voices, she sat up, then her little hands grasped the edge of the basket as she quietly peeked her little head out.
A pair of clear big eyes, with a hint of bewilderment and caution, first surveyed the surroundings.
So, she was on the boat!
Her father and brothers had brought her out to sea!
Yun Jiao’s eyes lit up.
Let’s see what her father and brothers were doing?
Yun Linhai and the others were pulling the net.
This time, they didn’t head straight for the small island but cast their nets into the sea at intervals.
However, they didn’t catch any big fish, only some cheap small mixed fish and small shrimp, along with some crabs, and not many of them either.
“It seems there’s nothing here; let’s go to the island.”
Compared to this, casting the net was not as good as the harvest from the island.
Yun Chendong turned his head and met a pair of watery, big eyes.
A slight smile appeared on his lips.
“Jiao Jiao is awake.”
Saying this, he walked over and picked up the little one.
Yun Jiao leaned into hug her older brother’s neck.
Yun Chendong: “Are you hungry? Do you want some water?”
Yun Jiao nodded and mumbled softly, “Hungry.”
Yun Chendong sat cross-legged on the boat and placed the tiny person between his crossed legs, right where she could fit.
Then he took out the prepared breakfast.
A boiled egg and warm cakes.
