At that moment, the sound of a large truck rumbled from the village entrance.

"Is that a truck?"

"How come this truck came to our village?"

"Who is it here for?"

Soon, two large trucks drove up to the ten-acre field and stopped.

Then the door opened, and a young man jumped down from the driver’s seat.

He walked up to Gu Yunan.

With a gesture, he warmly embraced Gu Yunan, "Brother, I’ve come to collect the fish!"

Gu Yunan patted Zhao Feng’s shoulder, "Perfect timing, I was just about to start catching them."

"Just about to catch, that’s great, timing couldn’t be more perfect, I’ll help too." With that, Zhao Feng rolled up his pants.

It was only after Gu Yunan’s explanation that everyone realized he had already contacted someone to sell the fish to.

The man was a big businessman who was delighted to hear about Gu Yunan’s rice field fish farming.

He said straight away that if the fish in Gu Yunan’s rice fields turned out well, he’d buy them all.

It turned out that this businessman was into the fish-selling trade and ran quite a significant business.

He had heard of fish farming in rice fields.

They say fish grown this way are more plump and delicious.

Unfortunately, over the years, he hadn’t seen anyone actually do fish farming in rice fields.

So, when he heard about Gu Yunan’s rice field fish farm, how could he not be excited?

So, even though Gu Yunan was just planning his fish farming, the businessman committed to buying the fish from the ten-acre field.

In the intervening time, the businessman stayed in touch with Gu Yunan to check on the fish.

Until recently, the rice field fish farming finally succeeded.

After Gu Yunan phoned the businessman, he came down to Huaihua Village.

Not only did he come to see, but that evening, Yao Chunhua also cooked a steamed fish for him.

One taste and the businessman was instantly impressed.

He immediately decided to take all the fish from the ten acres that very week.

The deposit was paid on the spot.

Zhao Feng was a colleague of Gu Yunan’s when he worked at the grain store.

After Gu Yunan started his contracting venture, he sold his job at the grain store.

To be honest, selling off that job was much like when Gu Yunting sold his job at the steel plant; the villagers were full of regret.

After all, it was a solid job, passed down through generations, ensuring fixed wages and holiday benefits.

There might even have been housing benefits in the future.

How could they bear to sell it off just like that?

True, Gu Yunzhou’s job at the supply and sales cooperative didn’t leave much choice.

Gu Yunzhou got into college, Beijing University no less.

Of course, he had to go to university.

But Gu Yunting and Gu Yunan didn’t get into college.

Selling off such a stable job seemed unwise.

Despite how the villagers felt, nothing could change the decision of the Gu family brothers.

Shortly after Gu Yunan sold his job to start the contracting.

His colleague Zhao Feng soon sold his job too.

But instead of returning to the village for farming, he joined his uncle in trucking.

The uncle-nephew duo formed a trucking team.

Today, he brought two large trucks, as arranged with Gu Yunan, to transport the fish.

Sure enough, Zhao Feng came.

And so, the lively fish catching began in earnest.

Fish by fish, they were scooped out.

At times, a single net was full of fish.

The fish in the nets writhed vigorously.

And each one was quite plump, at least two pounds, with the larger ones weighing three to four pounds.

Not only were there plenty of fish, but upon close inspection of the field, the fish were densely packed, a delightful sight.

The villagers watched on, full of envy.

The fish were loaded onto the trucks.

The ten-acre field’s fish filled truck after truck.

It took an entire day, along with the villagers’ help, to get them all shipped away.

"Look at these rice stalks; they’re growing so well."

"Each one is sturdier than anything we used to plant."

"Indeed, and look at the grains, so full, and they smell so fragrant."

"What makes this possible?" someone wondered aloud.

Initially, people doubted that fish farming in rice fields could work.

Wouldn’t the fish damage the seedlings?

With confusion abound, they turned to Gu Yunan for answers.

Gu Yunan grinned, "My little sister told me; this is called material recycling and ecological balance..."

"You all think the fish eat the seedlings? No, the fish feed on weeds and harmful pests in the field. When pests are eaten, they can’t harm the seedlings, leading to better growth."

The villagers: That does make sense.

Gu Yunan continued, "And when fish eat, don’t they excrete? Their waste naturally becomes fertilizer for the seedlings, enhancing their growth."

"So, this fish farming in rice fields achieves symbiosis between the rice and the fish."

"You could say they help each other out."

"Thus, not only do the rice plants flourish, but the fish thrive too."

The villagers nodded with understanding, "Ah, so that’s how it works, sounds about right."

"Then, should we also give fish farming in rice fields a try?"

"That way, not only will our rice grow better, but we’ll also gain fish as a bonus."

"Second son of the Gu family, if we attempt rice field fish farming later and encounter problems, can we come to you for advice?"

Gu Yunan nodded, "Of course, but let me be clear, rice field fish farming isn’t easy; there’s a lot to keep in mind. You can ask me anything; I’ll share openly."

"However, if things don’t turn out well for you, don’t blame me!" Gu Yunan was willing to share his knowledge with the villagers since they were all neighbors.

But he understood human nature to some extent.

So, he laid down the caveat upfront.

The villagers quickly responded to Gu Yunan’s words, "No, no, we wouldn’t blame you."

"Yes, you’re already kind enough to share this with us." After all, these days, a lot is about preserving family secrets.

Who would willingly share family knowledge with others?

"If we don’t succeed, it’s because our skills aren’t up to par."

"Exactly, that’s how it is."

Hearing this reassured Gu Yunan.

Once all the fish were taken away, the businessman returned and settled the remaining payment with Gu Yunan.

Gu Yunan was overjoyed as he held that thick stack of bills.

He then handed the money over to his wife, Su Miao, for safekeeping!