872 Stranded for Death (1/2)
There was no harvest that day. There were some rare marine creatures, but they were all too small and too young. Zhang Zian threw them back into the sea after picking them up and looking at them. He continued the search with his head down.
”Uncle! Uncle!”
Loud, flapping footsteps came behind him. It was the specific sound of when shoes flapped against the sand.
Zhang Zian didn't look back. Who could possibly be the uncle? It was surely not him.
”Uncle! Uncle!”
The footsteps came even closer. A shadow suddenly stepped out from one side, and stopped in front of Zhang Zian.
”Uncle, you… Do you have hearing problems?”
An outgoing boy put his hands on his knees and panted heavily, either from the workout or the sea breeze. His cheeks were as red as fire.
Zhang Zian was speechless. ”Why did you call me uncle?”
The little boy blinked in confusion. ”You are younger than my dad. What else should I call you? Older uncle?”
Zhang Zian lamented that the world was spiraling downward. Kids today were so rude.
He glanced around and didn't see anyone, then he bent down and said seriously, ”You should call me brother, of course. I'm not that much older than you. Should you call me older brother?”
The little boy stared at his face and looked carefully. He didn't seem only a few years older than him.
”…Okay then. Brother, you seem to be free. Can you come over with me? My dad needs help over there.” The boy stopped dealing with the uncle and brother issue. While he spoke he pointed in the distance, looking very anxious.
Zhang Zian thought, Do I look free?
He looked where the boy pointed, then at the sky above. It was sunny without a cloud, except the kite was now gone.
”Were you just flying the kite?” he asked.
”Yes! Un… Brother, come with me now!” The boy didn't hesitate. He grabbed Zhang Zian's arms and left.
”Wait a minute. What is it exactly?” Zhang Zian was dragged against his will.
The boy pointed with his fingers. ”There's a whale on the beach over there!”
”What?”
Zhang Zian was astonished. ”A whale?”
”Yes! I think it's dying. I saw it when I was flying the kite with my dad. We wanted to push it back into the sea, but we can't…” the little boy said.
”Wait!” Zhang Zian braked with his feet. He didn't really resist, otherwise, how could a little boy drag him away?
The boy felt as if he was pulling a pillar. He suddenly tripped and almost fell.