After some preparation, Xinyan found a leftover cornbread bun made by Bai Cuilin in the cabinet, crumbled it, added some space stream water, and kneaded it into fish bait.
Ye Silai carried the fishing rod and net, Yu Xinyan held a bucket with the bait, pulled Ye Siyan along, and the three of them locked the door and headed toward the Yuquan River.
They hadn’t gone far when Sister Cheng from the Cheng Family came out.
Ye Silai politely greeted her, "Aunt Cheng."
Sister Cheng saw them and the fishing gear in their hands and asked, "Are you going to the Yuquan River?"
Ye Silai was very excited, "Yes, my uncle had Uncle Lu buy us a fishing rod and net. The doctor said my uncle needs nutrition, but our family doesn’t have any meat tickets, so my sister is taking us to try our luck at the Yuquan River."
Sister Cheng glanced at Yu Xinyan. She hadn’t expected this young woman to be so devoted, but she kindly reminded them, "Fishing isn’t that easy. You have to find a flat spot and keep the kids away from the Yuquan River."
Yu Xinyan, understanding her good intentions, smiled and nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Sister. I’ll definitely keep them away. Safety first."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Yu Xinyan took the two children and left.
Unexpectedly, their conversation had been overheard by Bai Cuilin from next door to the Cheng Family. After Yu Xinyan and the others left, she stepped out, "Bah, what wishful thinking."
Then, looking at the two children walking away, she maliciously thought: if only these two brats would fall into the water today.
Sister Cheng pretended not to hear, unwilling to engage with Bai Cuilin, and turned back into her own courtyard.
Yu Xinyan had actually seen Bai Cuilin standing in the Qiao Family courtyard, but she wasn’t going to greet someone like that voluntarily.
When they reached the Yuquan River, Yu Xinyan chose a flat spot and placed two large stones a little farther from the bank, "Silai, you sit here with your brother and wait. Don’t go near the river, as we agreed. You must keep your word."
Yu Xinyan was worried the kids might not listen. If something happened, she would not only be blamed, but face a ruinous future.
However, the kids were obedient and sat quietly on the stones, constantly talking to Yu Xinyan, "Sister, will we be able to catch fish?"
Yu Xinyan, while placing bait, replied with a smile, "Yes, since Silai and Siyan are so good and obedient, we’ll catch fish, and tonight sister will make braised fish for you. Uncle Lu sent over some rice too, so I’ll steam rice for you tonight."
Little Siyan, being a little foodie, leapt up when he heard about the delicious food, clapping his hands and shouting, "Oh, fish, fish."
Little Silai, being a bit older, had heard the older kids in the family compound say that the fish in the Yuquan River were quite clever, not so easy to catch. Last time even Uncle Cheng only caught a few fish the size of half a palm, yet all the kids in the alley were envious.
In her past life, Yu Xinyan had worked as a cleaner at a high-end private club, which had specially designated areas for the wealthy to fish for entertainment. To work there required professional training, and even the cleaners were no exception. Fortunately, she was smart and willing to put in the effort to keep her job.
She couldn’t help but think to herself: all the skills learned in the past life would be her golden finger in this life.
The coming 1980s would be an era of opportunities, a veritable golden age. She had to make good use of her foresight to strive to become the first generation to amass wealth.
Thinking of this, her heart surged with excitement and filled with motivation.