Was it Yang Er again?
Li Ying frowned tightly. Lu Xunguang also said in a deep voice, "A Ying, go back with Granny Sun and rest. Leave this to me."
He completely ignored his own injuries. Li Ying showed a hint of annoyance, "Are you trying to kill yourself? Didn't you say you'd guard my place? Get well soon so I can put you to use!"
She winked at Shihu. Understanding her intention, Shihu pulled Lu Xunguang back to Deji Hall without a word.
The group walked in a grand manner to the shoal. Sure enough, they saw Yang Er wearing a bamboo hat and leading several waiters from Tianxiang Tower. They were bending over and rummaging on the rocky beach. Mrs. Li wondered, "This is really something rare. You, Yang Er, only know how to indulge in idle pleasures every day. Why are you so diligent today? I didn't know you could go beachcombing!"
Yang Er looked up nonchalantly. Seeing everyone looking at him curiously, he snorted contemptuously from his nostrils.
"Beachcombing is nothing special. We all grew up listening to the sea breeze. What you said implies you're looking down on me!"
As he spoke, he triumphantly threw two sea snails into his basket and then beckoned the waiters from Tianxiang Tower behind him.
"Don't pay attention to these women. Just focus on collecting seafood!"
Granny Sun saw that they were being ruthless. They even caught baby crabs that were smaller than eggs. She couldn't bear it and advised, "Yang Er, beachcombing isn't done this way. It's too extreme..."
Mrs. Li also chimed in, "Yes. This beach has been a place for our villagers to earn extra income for many years. What's the deal with you bringing outsiders here today?"
Yang Er had already thought of an excuse. Hearing her question him, he rolled his eyes at Li Ying disdainfully.
"Outsiders? This girl is also of unknown origin, yet you stupid people treat her like your own sister. Is this shoal named after you? If Li Ying can come here to make money, why can't I bring people here?"
He put on a stubborn and unreasonable look. The fisherwomen were at a loss for words. Li Ying, however, just waved her hand indifferently.
After Tianxiang Tower failed to buy the fish catches last time, they simply found Yang Er, a half - baked guide, and were going to beachcomb for raw materials themselves.
Tao Zhi was really ridiculous. Did he think that as long as Tianxiang Tower copied her and started selling seafood stir - fries, they could drive her out of business?
Li Ying didn't want to waste her breath on this hooligan, Yang Er. Moreover, there were still many freshly picked tomatoes in her space. She was eager to go home and make some fresh food. She waved her hand indifferently, indicating that the people from Tianxiang Tower could do as they pleased, and then was about to go home.
Seeing her like this, Yang Er got even more excited. He shouted at the top of his voice, as if afraid that others couldn't hear, "Look! God is kind to me, Yang Er. We've just found the lair of the octopuses!"
As soon as he finished speaking, as if to respond to him, Mianmian, who had been lying quietly in Li Ying's arms, opened her big black eyes. Her little mouth twitched, and she cried out, "Waaa!"
The fisherwomen all cherished this cute little girl, Mianmian. Hearing her cry, they were all worried and rushed forward to check on her.
Li Ying saw that her daughter stubbornly turned her head in Yang Er's direction. Although she didn't know the reason, she vaguely guessed that the hooligan must have done something wrong.
Sure enough, after walking a few steps, they saw Yang Er holding a small octopus high in his hand and shouting triumphantly.
"Look at this octopus of ours. It's yellow and blue. How beautiful it is! Who among you has ever seen such a beautiful seafood? My beachcombing skills are no joke!"
Li Ying didn't pay much attention at first, but when she heard the words "blue," her face instantly changed.
She rushed forward in a few steps. Sure enough, the octopus in Yang Er's hand was much smaller than an ordinary one. Its body was densely covered with bright orange - and - blue stripes. It was clearly the highly feared blue - ringed octopus!
No wonder Mianmian had such a strong reaction!
Seeing the live blue - ringed octopus slowly crawling on Yang Er's hand, Li Ying was afraid that shouting would anger it. Just one bite from it, and Yang Er would die on the spot. She took a deep breath and calmly said, "Yang Er, put down that octopus quickly. It's highly poisonous and there's no antidote!"
As soon as she said this, everyone on the beach couldn't help but gasp.
"Yang Er, hurry up and throw away that deadly thing!"
Yang Er ignored them. He casually threw the blue - ringed octopus into his basket and hugged the basket tightly in his arms. He looked at Li Ying warily.
"Don't think I don't know what you're up to! This octopus of mine is beautiful. It's clearly a rare treasure! Besides, if it were really poisonous, why am I fine now? Don't try to lie and steal my treasure!"
Several waiters from Tianxiang Tower also blocked in front of Li Ying, as if afraid that she would come and snatch it. They mocked, "Miss Li is new to beachcombing in the fishing village. Her skills in distinguishing seafood are mediocre at best. How can she compare to Brother Yang, who was born and raised in this fishing village? Stop scaring people!"
They clearly refused to listen to reason. The fisherwomen had never heard of the "blue - ringed octopus" before and were all hesitating, not knowing what to do. It was Mrs. Li who softly advised, "A Ying, you can't persuade those who are determined to seek their own doom. Let them be."
Li Ying had no choice but to let them go. However, she still felt worried.
The fisherwomen, on the other hand, were assured by her that new - flavored snacks would be available in a few days. They were all in high spirits and didn't take the potential threat from Tianxiang Tower to heart at all.
Aman had gone to the town early in the morning to buy a mother goat that had just given birth. She boiled goat's milk to feed Mianmian. After the little girl was full, she was sleeping soundly in the cradle. With no more worries, Li Ying rushed to Deji Hall.
Shihu saw her from afar and immediately came up to greet her.
"Mrs. Li! You're finally here! Great news! Our shopkeeper was just about to send someone to invite you."
Lu Xunguang was wrapped tightly in layers of fine gauze, looking like a mummy. His lips were pale. Li Ying really didn't know where the good news was.
"Mrs. Li, thanks to your timely first - aid to stop the bleeding, Brother Lu's injury is not serious. As long as he takes Penfu Glue every day to replenish his blood and recuperate for a few days, he'll recover soon. Mrs. Li, don't worry."
Du Zhong saw what was on her mind. While handing her several packets of medicinal herbs, he continued with a beaming face.
"Mrs. Li, your fishing - village night market has made quite a stir. Even our boss in the capital has heard about it! He admires you very much. He sent a message by carrier pigeon this morning saying that he'll come in person soon to have a good taste! If you can gain the boss's favor, your business will surely reach new heights!"
Du Zhong couldn't hide his excitement. In recent years, the boss rarely left his hot - spring villa on the outskirts of the capital. He had handed over the management of the shops to his new wife. In the past few years, the business had been on a downward trend.
If Mrs. Li could gain the boss's appreciation, maybe they could really reverse the deficit situation!