Qin Zhonghui had met Li Tao while selling breakfast. Li Tao was a fruit vendor.
Li Tao laughed at him. "All talk, are we? Let's hope you don't end up catching a single one."
"Not a chance! Fishing rods, fishing nets—I've brought everything!"
The two men chatted as they started setting their nets in suitable locations. Then, they grabbed their fishing rods and looked for good places to fish.
Qin Jiao was also given a homemade fishing rod. She picked a spot, set down a small folding stool, and sat. Xiao Shi followed, carrying a small pail and staying by her sister's side.
She crouched by the riverbank and peered into the water, exclaiming in delight, "Sis, are those tadpoles?"
Qin Jiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It's the wrong time of year for tadpoles. Those are just little black carp."
"Are these little black carp good to eat?"
"They're too small, unless you catch a whole bunch. Then you can salt them, coat them in flour, and deep-fry them."
