Chapter 302: Smells Kinda Off

Taking advantage of the cover of night, Zhou Yimin brought some seafood over to Uncle Zhang’s home.

“Yimin, when did you get back?”

Seeing Zhou Yimin arrive, the whole Zhang family was delighted—especially Zhang Yan, Zhou Yimin’s girlfriend, who hadn’t seen him in a while and had missed him dearly.

Their previous research project had been a huge success, all thanks to the ideas Zhou Yimin contributed. Although he hadn’t gone to university, his mind was sharper than many of the college students, and he knew a lot more, too. The improvements to the incandescent lamp had reached international standards.

As a result, they even received an award.

Zhang Yan got a bonus of 20 yuan, along with several items: a washbasin, enamel tea mug, thermos, towel, and more.

It was the first time Zhang Yan had ever received such a reward—and such a generous one at that. She was over the moon. Not just her, all her groupmates received similar rewards.

Now, everyone in her class spoke highly of her boyfriend, giving her a lot of face.

“I’ve been back a few days, but I’ve been busy. I only just found time to come over,” Zhou Yimin said as he set down a box of seafood. “I went to Jinmen and brought back a bunch of seafood. Thought I’d bring some over for Uncle Zhang and the family to try.”

Zhang Lu immediately came over and opened the foam box. Inside was a variety of seafood that dazzled her eyes.

Foam boxes were now available, though at the time they were mainly used for packaging computers and electronic equipment. The technology for producing them was still relatively primitive, with foam plastic often cut by hand or with simple machinery.

Everyone knew that foam plastic, because it was lightweight, insulating, sound-absorbing, shock-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, had gradually become an important packaging material.

“Brother Yimin, what kind of fish is this? It looks weird!” Zhang Lu asked, pointing at an odd-looking fish.

She had never seen a fish like that before.

Zhang Yu and Zhang Yan both stretched their necks to get a better look.

“That’s a ray,” Zhou Yimin explained. “Some people call it a ‘boss fish.’”

Its pectoral fins were especially developed, making it look like a giant eagle spreading its wings. It was called “kite fish” in ancient times; fishermen called it “fu fish,” and its common name became “boss fish.”

“Smells kinda off,” Zhang Lu blurted out.

There was indeed a bit of a smell.

By the time it got to Zhou Yimin, it was already dead and not very fresh, so the odor was inevitable. Rays contain trace amounts of urea, and the longer the fish has been dead, the stronger the ammonia smell becomes.

“You stinky girl, you’re stinkier than the fish. I think you’ve been eating too well lately,” Aunt Zhang scolded her youngest daughter, glaring. “Someone brings you food, and that’s the first thing you say? How rude!”

Zhou Yimin laughed. “Dead rays do give off an ammonia smell, kind of like urine. That’s why you have to soak a cleaned ray in fresh water for about two hours, or you can blanch it in boiling water. That helps remove the ammonia smell. After blanching, peel off the membrane on the surface, and it’ll be much better.”

“This fish is great stewed with tofu or braised. I had some in Jinmen—it was actually pretty good.”

“Yimin, why did you bring so much? You should take some back for your grandparents,” Aunt Zhang said.

Zhou Yimin replied, “Aunt Zhang, the rice cooker factory gave me a ton of it. I can’t possibly finish it all. My grandparents still have plenty, too. You all just enjoy it!”

Seeing he insisted, the Zhang family no longer stood on ceremony.

Aunt Zhang wanted to cook something for Zhou Yimin, but he said he had already eaten and not to go through the trouble—he’d come back another day for a meal.

As Zhou Yimin was leaving, Zhang Jianshe walked him out.

“Yimin… do you have more food?” Zhang Jianshe couldn’t help but ask.

His coworkers were struggling again.

Though Zhou Yimin’s people had been “delivering supplies” to the research institute, which had helped a lot, everyone had families. And right now, their families weren’t eating enough.

If it weren’t serious, Zhang Jianshe wouldn’t have asked.

After all, times were tough across the country.

“Coarse grains and seafood, is that okay?” Zhou Yimin asked.

Seeing Uncle Zhang follow him out, he knew there had to be something going on.

He understood well—these next couple of years would still be disaster years, with poor harvests.

“Okay? That’d be amazing!” Zhang Jianshe was overjoyed.

With the current situation, who had the right to be picky? Having food at all was already a blessing.

“Alright then, give me an address, and I’ll have Dapeng and Youde bring it over.”

Zhang Jianshe asked him to send it to the courtyard where Sun Guowei lived. Most of the people there were family members of their research institute coworkers, so it was relatively safe.

After seeing Zhou Yimin off, Zhang Jianshe didn’t return home but instead headed straight for Sun Guowei’s courtyard.

He needed to give Old Sun and the others a heads-up, tell them to prepare the money. Nothing comes free—no one’s food drops from the sky.

“Old Sun, Yimin’s sending supplies over in a bit. Get your money ready.”

Sun Guowei and the others lit up like kids. “Really? That’s fantastic!”

Last time, it was Old Zhou’s son who saved them from starving. This time, again, they had to rely on him—it was unexpected.

Technically, they were elders to Zhou Yimin, and now they had to rely on him. It made them a little ashamed.

“What is it this time?” asked a slightly younger man.

He was still craving the eggs from last time.

“Coarse grains, and some seafood, I think,” Zhang Jianshe said.

Sun Guowei responded, “Whatever it is, as long as it’s edible.”

Coarse grains were fine. He’d heard some places had already eaten all the bark and roots. Compared to that, living in the capital was already pretty good.

Before long, Dapeng, Youde, and Zhou Dazhong arrived.

They brought 200 jin of corn, 200 jin of potatoes, 200 jin of sorghum, and 100 jin of seafood.

Sun Guowei pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered some to the boys.

“Thanks, comrades. You’ve worked hard.”

Dapeng smiled. “What’s hard about this? Just leave it all here?”

“Yeah, here’s fine,” Sun Guowei said quickly.

The others gathered around to help unload and carry the goods into the courtyard.

“Uncle Zhang,” Li Youde said, “Yimin said he’ll bring over some eggs tomorrow.”

Zhang Jianshe nodded. “Alright. No rush.”

With this batch of food, they were already set for an emergency.

They handed over the money they had pooled together to Li Youde. “Take this back to Yimin.”

Actually, it was a bit more than needed. Li Youde could tell with just a touch, but since it was for Yimin, he didn’t say anything. He accepted the money and got ready to report back.

After Dapeng and the others left, Sun Guowei and the rest began divvying things up.

Whoever contributed more money got more. That was fair.

When Sun Guowei brought his share home, he split it in two and told his wife, “Take this part and send it to your parents tomorrow. They’re having a hard time, too. Also, give them that can of yellow peaches and 20 yuan.”

He knew his in-laws were struggling, and this was all he could do to help.

His wife’s eyes filled with tears, and she nodded.

(End of Chapter)