The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Each Has Their Own Bitterness, and Will Have Their Own Sweetness

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. ”Sister Yun, if you’re having trouble, just say so. If I can help, I’ll do my best.”

Sister Yun shook her head, wiping her tears, but it was as if they couldn’t be wiped away. ”Boat Owner, I’m truly happy. Working out at sea is so comforting. The ocean lets me forget all the hardships in my life.”

”When I first married into the family, my husband died in a car accident. I was three months pregnant at the time. My father-in-law and mother-in-law knelt before me, begging me to give my husband an heir.”

”Out of affection for my late husband, I agreed. But who knew that after the child was born, they would kick me and my child out. The child has suffered a lot with me over the years. Now that I have a good job, the hard times are over and the good times are beginning.”

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui felt a knot in her stomach. Some people’s inherent wickedness really shows at times like these.

They had wanted a child to carry on their son’s bloodline, but as soon as their daughter-in-law gave birth, they kicked her out.

’What was the point of just wanting an heir if you weren’t going to treat them with kindness?’

”Sister Yun, I won’t say too much, but as long as you work for me, Han Xiaorui, I can guarantee your income will be one of the highest in all of Jinshan Bay.” Han Xiaorui couldn’t change the past, but she could shape the future.

Sister Yun nodded. ”Boat Owner, I’m truly happy. Don’t worry about me. Crying it out helps me get it all out of my system.”

Sister Lan sighed with emotion. Her husband had been lost at sea, leaving her to raise three children. Her in-laws, worried she would run off with other male sailors, didn’t want her to become a crew member.

Chen Yishui had to go to her home and tell her in-laws that the entire crew was female before they finally allowed her to come.

”Yes, we’ve all had hard lives,” she said. ”But we have people to help us now. Even though it’s tough, there’s no despair. We can live a good life.”

She had three children—the eldest was fourteen, the middle one twelve, and the youngest eight. How could she possibly remarry? Who would marry her?

Of the dozen or so people on the boat, half had less-than-ideal lives, but they were strong and supported their families.

”Only women can understand women’s suffering. I may be younger than you all, but I’ve had my fair share of hardships and pain. My two daughters have speech problems. The doctor said they could take classes, so I’m sending them. No matter how much money it costs, I’ll pay it.”

”My former mother-in-law looked down on me for having two daughters. She didn’t like them, but they’re my treasures, and I cherish them. I got divorced, and it was hard at first, but now I’m doing just fine. If I, Han Xiaorui, ever get remarried, it will be to someone better than the last one. I’m striving to live a good life so the people who laughed at me become the joke themselves.”

”I’ve learned to look on the bright side. Life is bitter by nature, so we should eat some good food. Tonight, Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, let’s cook up some nice fish. We’ll eat well, and then life won’t feel so bitter.”

Han Xiaorui was the youngest here, but ironically, she was the one who seemed to have it all figured out.

In the apocalypse, Han Xiaorui had experienced too much life and death. In her heart, aside from matters of life and death, everything else was a trivial affair.

Everyone had their own bitterness, but Han Xiaorui believed that in the future, everyone would have their own sweetness too.

A flicker of light crossed Chen Yishui’s eyes, her heart deeply moved by Han Xiaorui’s words.

She felt as if she could see the wisdom of a mother in Han Xiaorui. ”The Boat Owner is right. Life is hard, but we must have hope. Things will get better.”

Just as she said that, Liu Huamei called out in a booming voice, ”I’ve made the sweet soup! Everyone come have some to drive out the dampness. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

Han Xiaorui quickly stood up, grinning. ”Sister Mei, what kind of sweet soup is it today?”

”Three-Flower and Pearl Barley Sweet Soup. It’s the best thing for us women to drink. Floating on the sea, we’re close to the water, so it’s good to drink something warm to dispel the dampness,” Liu Huamei said with a smile. This was her specialty.

Han Xiaorui blinked, certain she’d never had this before. ”What are the three flowers?”

When it came to food, Liu Huamei was exceptionally confident. ”Hyacinth bean flowers, pagoda tree flowers, and kapok flowers, simmered with soaked pearl barley for about an hour, then seasoned with brown sugar. One bowl for each of you, come and get it!”

Everyone took a bowl, holding onto the ship’s rail with one hand as they drank.

One bowl of the hot soup made them feel as if they’d been revitalized, a sense of comfort spreading through their entire bodies.

Dinner was also a feast for the senses.

One steamed spiny lobster for each person, spicy swimming crab, and shredded pork with green peppers.

The vegetable dishes were fried seitan with edamame, plus a luffa and egg drop soup.

Liu Huamei’s cooking was truly excellent; she could take ordinary, everyday ingredients and create exceptionally delicious flavors.

With their bellies full, they topped it all off with some more Three-Flower and Pearl Barley Sweet Soup. Enjoying the sea breeze, life felt wonderful.

Worried that the women on night watch would get hungry, Liu Huamei had also made a special snack: double-stuffed glutinous rice balls.

When it was time to haul in the nets around midnight, she would also have to prepare a late-night meal for the crew.

A little after one in the morning, they pulled in another net.

This time it was hairtail. The fish died as soon as they were brought up, so they were sorted by size directly into baskets to preserve their appearance.

The thoughtful Liu Huamei insisted on an easily digestible Shaoxing chicken congee for the late-night meal.

Not only did it replenish their energy, but it was also gentle on the stomach.

The effects of eating well were significant; everyone’s stamina recovered quickly.

As previously arranged with Yang Zhigang, they began to turn around and head back.

After working together for the past two days, everyone had found their rhythm. They cooperated seamlessly, and the division of labor was meticulous.

These were the people Chen Yishui and Liang Xiaoyu had carefully selected. Each was hardworking and resilient, so not a single person slacked off or complained about being tired.

Han Xiaorui didn’t interfere much; she rested at night.

She gave the first mates the autonomy to manage things themselves.

’Making money is important, but so is my health. After all, using my superpower so much is exhausting.’

After breakfast the next day, they pulled in over a ton of black sea bream, and the fish hold was full.

They cast one more net, a different kind, and would pull it in once they reached the shallow seas.

Yang Zhigang also reported that his fish holds were full, sharing the good news with Han Xiaorui.

Their luck was good this time; they had even caught a large number of mantis shrimp.

They wouldn’t fit in the hold, so they were sorted into baskets, placed on the deck, and cooled with some ice.

They were less than two hours away from the docks at Jinshan Bay, so the shrimp wouldn’t spoil.

Returning with a full load, Han Xiaorui was in high spirits.

She had taken a lot of photos with her camera and would get them developed as souvenirs when she got back.

Yang Zhigang’s face lit up with joy as he looked at the rough counts of the various fish recorded in his notebook.

First Mate Qi Heng said with a laugh, ”Brother Gang, this is the fastest we’ve ever filled the holds. It’s only been three days, all told. I thought we’d be at sea for another week.”

Yang Zhigang nodded. ”Yeah, the money we’ll make from this trip will be the most I’ve earned since I bought the boat.”

Based on his experience, this haul would sell for over a hundred thousand yuan.

’I can pay off part of the loan, then save the rest for my child’s medical fees and the fight for custody.’

’Xiao Rui was right. You have to keep looking forward.’

’Others can be cowards, but I can’t.’

’As long as I have a clear conscience, that’s enough.’

On the docks, people were drying their nets. Some were foraging on the beach, talking and laughing. The place was quite lively.

Just then, someone sharp-eyed spotted two large boats in the distance. ”Hey, isn’t that Zhigang’s and Xiao Han’s boats? They’re back after only two days. Did something happen?”

Yang Jianguo, who was supervising the construction of an ornamental fish farm, had come over to buy a pack of cigarettes. He immediately grew tense.

’They can’t have gotten into trouble!’