The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 304: Chapter 304: Seashell Crafts

Han Xiaorui was surprised that Zhang Guangnan had agreed as well. Everything went very smoothly.

”Great! Once all the paperwork is sorted out, we’ll sign the contract,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. ”If anyone else is interested, they’re also welcome to invest with us.”

Zhang Guangnan smiled. ”I’ll do my best to spread the word for you, but I can’t guarantee any results.”

Han Xiaorui wasn’t bothered. ”Just do your best. No pressure.”

With the hotel and seafood restaurant investments secured, even if no one else invested in the remaining projects, the money she had would be almost enough to cover them.

’Besides, it’s not a one-time investment. I can take it slow.’

After leaving the details to Yang Zhigang and Village Chief Liu, Han Xiaorui went out to sea again.

’Making more money is what really matters.’

Out on the open sea, Sister Tang took two elephants made of seashells from her pocket and handed them to Han Xiaorui. She gave one to Liang Xiaoyu and Sister Yun as well.

Han Xiaorui examined it closely, growing more fond of it the longer she looked. ”Sister Tang, who made this? It’s so exquisite!”

Sister Tang smiled. ”My mother-in-law loves collecting all sorts of seashells. She saw an elephant in my daughter’s book, thought it was interesting, and made a few. The kids love them.”

Han Xiaorui couldn’t put it down. ”Sister Tang, I had no idea your mother-in-law was so skilled. This is wonderful. Soon, we’re going to be developing the coastal economy in Jinshan Bay. These could be sold to tourists as a local specialty.”

Sister Tang was incredulous. ”Will people really buy them?”

”Of course they will. When people visit the seaside, they’ll want to take a souvenir home. These are made from things from the ocean, which makes them meaningful. That’s why both processed seafood and handicrafts can represent the unique character of our area.”

At that, Wu Mengyue’s eyes lit up. ”Xiao Rui, my partner’s a carver. He carves wood at a factory, but now that everyone uses modern-style furniture, his skills are becoming obsolete and he’s close to losing his job. In his free time, he carves seashells, and they look amazing. That would count as a handicraft, right?”

(Ultra-rare Qing Dynasty antique: a gilt-painted shell carving ornament for export from the Thirteen Factories of Canton.)

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Of course it does. When you get a chance, have your partner carve a few for me to take a look at. If they’re good, he can carve all sorts of shells for us to sell in the shop. We should be able to make money. Everyone, start thinking about what other local specialties we might have.”

”Once development gets underway, as my employees, you’ll have priority to purchase a storefront—limited to one per person. Start saving your money now, and don’t spend it recklessly. With a shop like that, even if you can no longer fish, you’ll have an income for your retirement.”

At the mention of retirement, everyone’s spirits lifted.

Liang Xiaoyu blinked. ”Xiao Rui, could my family open a snack shop? My mother-in-law makes delicious pastries.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”You could, but she’ll have to take on an apprentice and let others do the work. My godmother is getting older; she won’t be able to handle that much work.”

Liang Xiaoyu chuckled. ”Don’t you worry, I wouldn’t dream of overworking my mother-in-law.”

Liu Huamei said excitedly, ”When the time comes, I could open a home-style seafood restaurant! I’d focus on affordable, hearty meals. It should definitely make money.”

Everyone chattered excitedly, dreaming of how to make their fortunes, their hearts full of hope for the future.

They worked with renewed vigor.

Their luck was great today. They started strong, pulling in a full net of Yellowlip Fish.

”Let’s hope for a net of Big Yellow Fish next,” Chen Yishui said with a smile. Yellowlip Fish were good, but not as good as Big Yellow Fish.

The Big Yellow Fish was every fisherman’s dream catch.

As if in answer to their prayers, the second net was, unbelievably, full of Big Yellow Fish.

But now that they had the Big Yellow Fish, they found something new to complain about. ”Ah, it’s a shame we didn’t catch these in the middle of the night. Their color is a beautiful golden yellow then. Since we caught them now, most of the yellow will fade soon, and they won’t fetch as high a price as the ones caught at night.”

”Yeah, from now on, when we pray to Mazu, let’s pray to catch them at midnight. Mazu dotes on us; she’ll surely grant our wish.”

”Yes, exactly!”

Han Xiaorui listened to their discussion, exasperated. ”You all are certainly greedy.”

”It’s not greed, it’s being hopeful,” Chen Yishui said with a laugh as she helped everyone sort the Big Yellow Fish and move them to the hold.

The others felt the same, thinking Han Xiaorui was being a little too laid-back about it.

Their luck on this trip was exceptionally good.

The third net brought in Redfish, another one of Han Xiaorui’s favorites. It was a popular fish at seafood restaurants, especially for sashimi, which was exceptionally delicious when made with it.

Red grouper, green grouper, golden pomfret, small yellow croaker, hairtail, plus lobsters, bamboo shrimp...

The quality was superb. After three days and two nights at sea, they arrived at the docks at seven in the evening on the third day.

Han Xiaorui hadn’t even called this time, but as soon as they reached the dock, she saw Zhang Guangnan walking over. ”Hey, Boss Zhang, how did you know we’d be back today?”

Zhang Guangnan smiled. ”I came by to buy some fish and just stuck around. I had a hunch you’d be back today, and I was right. I’ve already called for the refrigerated truck.”

”Perfect. We’ve got good fish this time,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile, glad she was saved the trouble of calling.

If Han Xiaorui called them ”good fish,” they had to be exceptional. Zhang Guangnan asked with a grin, ”Big Yellow Fish?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Yep. Several thousand pounds of them.”

At that, Zhang Guangnan’s eyes lit up. ”Now *that* is good fish.”

”Okay, I’ll leave you to handle the transfer with Sister Shui. I’m heading home,” Han Xiaorui said, delegating the task so she could get home, wash up, and relax.

Zhang Guangnan nodded. ”You’ve earned a rest.”

As he watched Han Xiaorui leave, Zhang Guangnan felt a pang of wistfulness.

’Why couldn’t he be as lucky as Ye Feng and have a partner like Han Xiaorui?’

When she got home, Pingping and An’an came running up to her. Han Xiaorui pulled the two seashell elephants from her pocket. ”Pingping, An’an, what are these?”

”Elephants!” they shouted. They had flashcards at home of an animal with a long nose called an elephant.

”And what are they made of?” Han Xiaorui asked, encouraging her daughters to talk.

”Seashells!”

”And how many colors are on them? Can you count for Mommy?”

”There’s... there are three! White, yellow, and brown!”

Hearing her daughters answer correctly, Han Xiaorui was satisfied. They had made so much progress. ”They’re for you. Mommy’s going to take a bath, and then I’ll come play with you.”

”Okay!”

Han Xiaorui first took a quick shower to wash off the fishy smell of the sea, then filled the tub for a long soak.

Lying in the bathtub, she felt her entire body relax.

She listened to the radio, catching up on the news, national policies, and some music.

It was so comfortable that Han Xiaorui nearly dozed off.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. Wu Jiao knocked on the door. ”Sister Xiao Rui, are you done in there? Uncle Yang is here. He says he needs to talk to you about something.”

Han Xiaorui was puzzled. ’I just got home,’ she thought. ’What could be so important?’

She quickly got out of the tub, dried herself off, and put on a light, padded jacket.

The nights were already getting quite cold.

She didn’t rush out. Instead, she took the time to dry her hair before leaving the bathroom.

”Uncle Yang, you came in such a hurry. Is something wrong?”