Huang Pingguo found a few bamboo sticks and saw Bai Suihe using several large tree leaves to make some temporary containers, inside of which there indeed were a few earthworms rolling around.

"Suihe, did you dig these up?"

Bai Suihe stopped her digging actions, turned to look at him, her eyebrows and eyes full of smiles, "How about it? Aren’t I amazing?"

Huang Pingguo numbly nodded, how did her mother raise her this way? Shouldn’t a well-bred lady scream upon seeing such things?

"You found the fishing hooks, so quickly thread the lines and hooks. Let’s aim to have fish for dinner tonight."

Not far from them, Chen Dafu was watching his children and grandchildren busily at work. Hearing the noise from this side, he curiously took a glance and discovered Ms. Bai was lying on the ground doing something unknown. Looking back at the Gu Family’s direction, they indeed seemed a bit far off and likely wouldn’t notice him here, so he stood up and walked over.

"Are you digging up earthworms for fun?" Chen Dafu’s eyes held a strange look; could it be that Ms. Bai had a problem with her head?

Such a grown person, actually digging in the dirt and catching earthworms...

Bai Suihe, "...Mr. Chen, we are preparing for dinner tonight."

"You’re eating this tonight? Life shouldn’t be this difficult." Chen Dafu’s pupils contracted, this Ms. Bai kept a low profile, and was about as invisible as could be within the group; unexpectedly, it was for this reason. What sort of preference is this?

"You’re the one eating this," Bai Suihe conquering her fears was one thing, but she inevitably felt revolted just imagining that scene.

"Mr. Chen, that was too much. Didn’t you see me holding a bamboo stick, and threading a fish hook?" Huang Pingguo was quite annoyed with this old man; he was all over the place.

Previously, he had been walking well in the front, yet somehow, he decided to squeeze in with them. Unable to shake him off, he just brought more trouble. Sometimes, when he really gets angry, he’s tempted to knock him out with a stick, but he’s worried this old bag of bones wouldn’t survive the hit.

"Fishing?" Chen Dafu looked at the little stream and then at them; this was indeed a good idea.

Back when he had time off, he liked to go wild fishing with three or five friends in the countryside. It was a cost-effective way to socialize while also adding a dish to the family table.

His eyes fixed intently on the fish hook and line in Huang Pingguo’s hand, "Well, Kai Yuan, we’ve known each other for a while, and I have helped you out. Why don’t you help me out a bit too?"

Chen Dafu pointed at the fish hook in his hand, "Lend me one...no, two fish hooks, and I’ll return them after fishing."

He did want to ask for a few more, but it seemed like Huang Pingguo only had about five or six. He had to be considerate.

Huang Pingguo looked towards Bai Suihe, "Madam, what do you think?"

Chen Dafu couldn’t help clicking his tongue; indeed, it’s different when someone controls the finances. Look how considerate Huang Pingguo is, consulting even on small matters.

"I heard last time Mr. Chen even handed you a stick," Bai Suihe nodded thoughtfully, "I can’t tell if he wanted you to deliver doom or gave you something for self-defense, but at least you’re alive and kicking now. We owe him this favor, no need to just lend, let’s give Mr. Chen two hooks to resolve your worry."

Chen Dafu felt a bit embarrassed; what was everything being referred to Ms. Bai for by Huang Pingguo?

Of course, he helped Huang Pingguo with his own personal motives in mind, just didn’t expect them to see through it. Were they mocking him?

But none of that mattered; getting the two fish hooks was important. After that, every time he encountered water, he could showcase his skills. The Chen Family would not lack meat to eat in the future.

Huang Pingguo handed two fish hooks to Chen Dafu and also pulled out a line for him. As for the bamboo, he apologized, saying he’d have to find it himself.

He had already done enough, but Chen Dafu still took it even further, eyeing his bamboo.

Huang Pingguo didn’t give him a chance to speak, "Mr. Chen, you have many children and grandchildren in your family, I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult to get two pieces of bamboo." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Chen Dafu finally gave an awkward smile, "You misunderstand. I just wanted to ask where you cut that bamboo?"

Huang Pingguo pointed out the location, and continued focusing on what he was doing.

Chen Dafu then looked at those earthworms, while Bai Suihe went right back to her digging; she had never seen anyone who seized opportunities quite like this.

Chen Dafu also felt dull, touched his nose, and walked away.

"How does someone with his personality manage to be an official in the court?" Bai Suihe recalled, wondering how Chen Dafu, being an upright official, managed to restrain his love for petty advantages in the officialdom?

"Court salaries aren’t bad, plus the emperor likes to give rewards. If it weren’t for the large family size, their life shouldn’t be hard."

The fishing hook was soon ready, and Huang Pingguo helped to bait it with earthworms, noticing Bai Suihe casting her line with proficiency, "You’ve fished before?"

"Played sea fishing with others once," Bai Suihe thought of the world she could not return to and was reluctant to continue on this topic, "Quickly, help with the fishing, or our dinner tonight looks uncertain."

Over there, Zhuang Datou and Huang Pingguo had already built the stove and were washing rice to cook.

Her bold words were already out there, she couldn’t afford an empty-handed result. Another rod means another hope.

The couple sitting by the river fishing was too eye-catching, and some people who had free time couldn’t help but come over to see.

In their hearts, they also silently made up their minds. After all, the fish hooks and fishing lines didn’t take up much weight. Next time, they should also try to bring some along.

If by chance they caught some fish, they could supplement their family’s nutrition or save some rations.

At that moment, the Gu Family had no mind to care about any of this; their present thoughts were on how to get through today.

Rong Ruiyuan stood by the stream and saw the Gu Family seemed absent-minded, he couldn’t help shaking his head. He had already instructed Ming Peifeng to investigate the situation, but didn’t expect the Gu Family members to be so tight-lipped, they hadn’t said much even with Ming Peifeng’s guidance.

"Mr. Gu, do you need my help?" Rong Ruiyuan said this while facing the view ahead, in reality, Gu Baijiang’s face required some confrontation courage.

Even though the emperor pardoned the Gu Family, with just that face alone, he couldn’t possibly re-enter the court.

He was quite familiar with Gu Kaiping, who seemed very mediocre in every aspect; passing the exam to become a scholar was due to Gu Baijiang’s frequent support. Even if there was a lack of manpower, he was unwilling to use such a person.

Thinking about it this way, maybe bringing Gu Antong into his back house wasn’t impossible; with a disfigured grandfather and a mediocre father, even if Gu Antong was smart and ambitious, without support, she couldn’t cause much trouble.

"Today really makes the master see a joke, but I have some misunderstanding with the clan, I will find a way to resolve it today.

Sigh, it all comes down to me involving them, making them leave their homes with me, and even bearing the stigma."

Rong Ruiyuan knew this old guy was hinting at him, but so what? Wouldn’t the emperor know?

If they didn’t hand over that silver, he had ways to deal with them.