Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Fisherman's Blissful Life

With his return to work imminent, the workshop supervisor had basically stopped assigning him heavy labor, which lifted his spirits considerably.

So, he began to joke around.

Zhang Xuemei rolled her eyes at him and said, “You should be grateful to have food on your plate, yet you still find reasons to complain.”

Gao Yuemin wasn’t angry at all. He scooped half a basin of cold water, mixed it with hot water from the thermos, tested the temperature, washed his hands, then came back to sit down, chuckling as he said, “Madam, your reprimand is absolutely right. I haven’t had a full meal for only a few days, yet I’ve been demanding so much from food and drink. My thinking has been misguided—there’s a serious case of hedonism here. But don’t worry, madam, I’ll change. I promise I will.”

Zhang Xuemei couldn’t help but laugh and handed him a steamed bun made from a mix of cornmeal and wheat flour. “You’re quite the talker today. Enough chatter—food alone can hardly shut you up.”

Gao Yuan also grabbed a bun, tore it in half, stuffed a piece of fermented tofu inside, mixed it up, and after biting and swallowing, said, “Human needs can be divided into five levels: the most basic is physiological needs, followed by safety, social, esteem, and finally self-actualization. Eating and drinking fall under physiological needs. What Dad says about eating well and drinking enough isn’t an unreasonable demand. Of course, in today’s society, just having enough to eat is already a challenge, but seeking better food can’t be called a thought error.”

Hearing this theory, Gao Yuemin paused, then asked, “Son, what exactly are you trying to say?”

Gao Yuan took another bite of his steaming bun, smiled, and said, “Nothing much to express. I just mean that if you can eat some meat, who wants to chew on husks and vegetables? By the way, Dad, Mom, since the college entrance exam is over and I’m just idling at home, I plan to go fishing by the moat tomorrow. Is that alright with you two?”

Gao Yuemin was also an avid angler, and Gao Yuan’s fishing skills were taught hand-in-hand by him.

Upon hearing this, he had no objections. “Going fishing is fine, but you must be careful. It’s deep winter, and the ice is slippery.”

Seeing Gao Yuan nod in agreement, Gao Yuemin added, “Don’t fish in the moat. If you go, head to the Back Lakes instead. The moat isn’t clean. I heard that in the old days, those who starved, fell ill, or died prematurely were thrown into it. The moat has fish, mostly catfish, and those creatures like the smell of decay—they survive by eating dead bodies. It’s filthy, and you shouldn’t eat anything you catch there. The Back Lakes are different: the water is clear, and the surface is wide. Head west and avoid the youngsters skating on the ice. Just drill a hole, and fish will bite. You’ll find all sizes of crucian carp, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a white carp or a black fish.”

Zhang Xuemei teased, “Look at you, animated and eloquent when it comes to fishing. You never showed this kind of enthusiasm at work. Why not take a day off and go fishing with your son to satisfy your craving?”

Gao Yuan and Gao Yuemin both laughed.

Gao Yuemin’s expression turned sheepish as he took a bite of steamed bun with a forkful of pickled cucumber. After swallowing, he said, “I can’t afford to take time off at such a critical moment. I’m just passing on my fishing experience to my son. I see it now—he’s going fishing to improve our lives. The more fish he catches, the more meals we can enjoy. I was thinking…”

He sighed but didn’t continue.

Gao Yuan understood his father’s thoughts. Seeing his father’s worried face, he said, “You want me to cook a few fish and send them to my eldest uncle, right?”

Gao Yuemin’s eyes lit up. “You understand my heart, son. That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

Gao Yuan’s elder sister’s expression also darkened, but her eyes sparkled after hearing his words. She had been raised by two older brothers and felt deeply affectionate toward them. Just thinking that her eldest brother was still suffering in the stockade tightened her chest.

Fortunately, her nephew was thoughtful enough to remember his uncle at such a time.

Gao Yuan’s elder sister grew a little emotional and said to him, “Your aunt has cared for you since you were little, Xiao Yuan. Thank you.”

“No need for formalities, Auntie. Brother Yuehua is not just your and my parents’ eldest brother but also my own uncle. It’s only right that I cook for him and look after him. As long as I catch fish, I’ll stew a pot tomorrow and send it to him to help him regain his strength.” Seeing the atmosphere growing heavy, Gao Yuan smiled and added.

“Second brother and sister-in-law, Xiao Yuan is a dutiful boy,” she said.

Zhang Xuemei nodded in agreement. “This brat seems to have grown up overnight. I hardly recognize him anymore. Unlike that scoundrel Gaoshan—his father was just quarantined and investigated, and he was quick to distance himself. Not a shred of conscience left.”

Speaking of her eldest nephew Gaoshan, Gao Yuan’s elder sister was visibly angry. “He’s worthless. And my snobbish sister-in-law—sigh…”

Gao Yuemin clearly didn’t want to bring up the matter. He said sternly, “Enough. Let’s not dwell on the past. Xiao Yuan, are you prepared for your fishing trip tomorrow?”

“I was just about to ask. Auntie, could you help me get some synthetic fishing line? And Dad, could you trouble your workmates to bend me a couple of fishhooks?”

“Synthetic line won’t be a problem. You’ll come with me to the factory early tomorrow morning to pick it up.”

“We have fishhooks at home. I’ll find some for you soon, so no need to trouble the workers.”

That settled it.

Gao Yuan smiled and said okay, then resumed eating a steamed bun.

“That little guy is going to eat me out of house and home,” Zhang Xuemei teased. Then, after holding back for two days, she finally asked, “By the way, how did you two do on your exams?”

Gao Yuan boasted shamelessly, “I think I’m fine. The questions weren’t hard. Admission is practically guaranteed.”

“Stop bragging,” Gao Yuan’s elder sister said, pouting, then sighed, “If I’m lucky, I’ll get into a vocational college. I don’t dare dream of a bachelor’s degree. Fortunately, I chose to accept placement when I registered; otherwise, I wouldn’t even get into a vocational school.”

“A vocational college is fine. After graduation, you’ll be a state cadre, and the government will assign you a job,” Gao Yuemin comforted her.

Zhang Xuemei added, “Your second brother’s right. As long as you can attend school and graduate smoothly, you’ll have stable work. But Ranran, you really need to start thinking about finding a partner—you’re already 27. Do you really want to be single your whole life?”

Gao Yuan nodded vigorously. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Staying single any longer, you’ll become an old maid no one wants.”

Gao Yuan’s elder sister hit him lightly and blushed. “Stop stirring things up! Why are you making such a fuss? Well, second brother, sister-in-law, I’m not in a hurry about this.”

Gao Yuemin understood the situation. His little sister’s difficulty finding a match was ultimately due to being related to the eldest brother.

No young man wanted to marry the sister of a labeled rightist.

No one wished to shoulder that invisible yet very real risk.

“I believe that with Comrade Deng’s return to power, the authorities will clear up your eldest brother’s case soon. His rehabilitation can’t be far off. Then, we’ll all work together to find a good match for our little sister,” Gao Yuemin said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Second brother, you’re teasing me again,” Gao Yuan’s elder sister said, blushing.

The whole family burst into laughter.

After dinner, Gao Yuemin fetched two fishhooks from the back room and handed them to Gao Yuan. Then he sat down beside him on the bed and told him where to dig for earthworms tomorrow.

Gao Yuan was a born fisherman, very familiar with the capital’s fishing spots.

But since his father liked to teach, he patiently listened.

His father rambled on for over an hour, satisfied, then went outside to fetch water for washing his feet before preparing to sleep.

Gao Yuan also filled a basin with cold water, mixed in some hot water, soaked his feet to ease his fatigue, and went to bed.

In this era, devoid of entertainment, most people went to bed early.

Those who could afford radios listened to them to while away the boring nights. Families without radios found their evening entertainment in having children.

Thus, it was common for families to have three or four children.

The next day, Gao Yuan slept in. When he opened his eyes, no one was home.

His father had gone to work.

His mother, who had taken care of him for two days, had returned to the countryside early.

His aunt, seeing he was sound asleep, hadn’t disturbed him but left a note instructing him to come find her at the factory after waking.

After getting up and dressing, Gao Yuan washed at the sink, but as expected, Aunt Liu didn’t appear.

After washing, he returned to the room and found the steamed buns, thin porridge, and pickled vegetables his mother had carefully prepared for him on the table. He didn’t fuss, sat down, and ate.

With his hunger sated, he grabbed a shovel and bamboo fishing rod and headed out.

First, he went to the district textile factory. Using a cigarette to bribe the gatekeeper, he smoothly met his aunt.

Taking the coil of synthetic line from her, Gao Yuan asked, “How much is this?”

Gao Yuan’s aunt pushed him playfully and said, “Let’s go. Catch lots of fish, and don’t forget to bring me some.”

Gao Yuan laughed, “No problem. Just wait to eat fish.”

He then headed straight to the Back Lakes. Following his father’s instructions, he dug up some earthworms and chose a wide spot along the northern shore to start breaking the ice.

December in the capital was bitterly cold; the wind biting like knives against his face.

It took him a long time to break through the thick ice, about 15 or 16 centimeters deep.

Sweat formed on his forehead, and his body warmed.

Just before coming, he remembered something—he needed a sinker. So he rummaged through his things and found a nut to tie onto the synthetic line as a makeshift weight.

He tied the fishhook, cleared ice shards from the shovel, placed it by the ice hole, sat down, baited the hook with earthworms, wrapped himself tightly in his army coat, and slowly cast the line into the hole.

At this time, the water was very cold, and the fish, short on oxygen, would rush toward any pocket of air that entered the hole.

Just as Gao Yuan cast the line and gripped the bamboo rod, he felt the line tighten.

He grabbed the rod with both hands and pulled sharply upward. It was heavy, confirming he’d hooked a fish.

The fish flailed wildly underwater.

Gao Yuan struggled with it, knowing he couldn’t yank it up hard. The more he pulled, the easier it would be for the hook to come loose. He had to play it out, and once the fish tired, he could lift it.

After six or seven minutes, he felt the fish’s strength wane. He pulled the rod decisively, and a white carp surfaced.

He grinned. His father was right—luck was on his side. On the first cast, he caught a carp weighing over two pounds.