1 Returning after hunting whales (1/2)

Chapter 1: Returning after hunting whales

Translated by: Chua

Edited by: I, Vick Ronda and Elkassar

In the dark of night, a storm is raging.

The violent waves from the sea crashed repeatedly onto the reef, threatening to destroy and devastate the land with each wave. A floating orange colored balloon is being tossed about violently by the winds, signifying that a hurricane is at hand. Even the sturdy pole, which the balloon is tied to, is rattling so heavily, that it seems as though it would break at any second.

Although the terrible weather is not common in this remote port of Si Qiao, it happens 3-5 times a year. That was why the residents were not alarmed, locking themselves up in their huts with a lighted lantern, while enjoying a meal of salted fish and sorghum wine, and using basins to collect any water leaking from the roof. Everytime this happens, the blankets will also become moist , and by just touching them, moistness could be felt.

Under this atmosphere, a campfire was burning within a tattered shack on the west of Si Qiao town. Within the shack was a mess of discarded rubber tires – the poor people can make this into a cheap and effective rubber boat – and a group of 10 excited dark skinned fishermen gathered around the fire. They were all approximately 20-30 years old youths, and sitting amongst them a youth with deep wrinkles, his beard had already turned grey and his handsome features concealed a hidden sorrow underneath. One look was enough to tell that this was a person who had submitted to his fate.

“Aiya, Aiya, today’s happenings, Sanzi’s move has its merits, but Sheyan’s move is definitely the best!”

The one speaking with rude hand gestures and spitting uncontrolled saliva, was a youth with a facial scar called Gao Qiang. However, it seemed that he has gained the approval of the surrounding men, as they nodded their heads while gazing with admiration at the youth.

Another young man with a pair of thick eyebrows, strong bulging muscles with a sturdy physique, although he had an occasional arrogant look on his face, his gaze remained stable. He was sitting on a worn wooden bench, holding onto a broken bowl. The bowl contained scalding hot water, which required him to blow on it before drinking. Sheyan humbly smiled upon hearing his name, without making any sound, as he nodded his head in gratitude and continued drinking his water.

“Sheyan‘s move is naturally undisputable, but I stabbed it nine times man, a full nine times!” Another big nosed youth, looking in his prime, spoke up loudly as he stood up waving his hands frantically.

“Dammit, that bastard actually dragged on for 30 meters, another 10 meters and we would all be eating out in the hurricane instead.”

In the corner, a dark and thin youth interrupted him with a laugh:

“Bro Dasi , this time’s fragrant cream yield is definitely no less than 20 kg! Even if we can’t extract it all, we can still get at least 10 kg – this itself is a fortune already, didn’t you always want to refurbish your Fu Yuan(boat)? With this catch you can refurbish at least 10 times and still have some leftover cash to spend.

Dasi was that young man from before, hearing that, he could only give out an honest laugh, brimming with happiness. From birth, he has been raised by the sea, the seawater can be said to be a part of him already. In this lifetime, his boat could be considered his home. Because he adopted 2 orphans earlier on, he did not have time to find a wife and soon after he decided he didn’t need one. He used his entire life savings to buy this old boat even after criticism from others, after buying he immediately refurbished the boat, and that is why up till now he had still not repaid all his debts.

If one’s prosperity were to be measured by one’s kindness and honesty, then Dasi would have been extremely wealthy by now. However, no matter how hard Dasi labored, he could not escape his miserable life of poverty. No matter how cruel the heavens can be, eventually there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. When Fu Yuan sailed the previous day, they actually encountered a lone fat headed beast.