Chapter Two: An Explosion?

“Luck +0.1”
“Luck +0.1”
...

With the system’s continuous notifications, Du Yu, brimming with energy, quickly caught over fifty razor clams, the smallest at least 10 centimeters long!

In the future, one would sell for fifty yuan.

But in 2002, a bowl of noodles cost only two yuan.

The money from selling these clams was far from enough to clear the family’s debts.

Soon, Du Yu’s luck score surpassed 20 points!

Looking at the Luck Shop, Du Yu bit back the pain and bought a shovel from the store.

At that moment, his luck points reset to zero.

However,
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools.

The beach had only a layer of sand, but the king clam’s burrows usually reached the muddy layer below. With the lucky shovel, his clam-catching speed improved significantly.

Before long, Du Yu stood up, satisfied as he glanced at the bucket.

Just this bucket of king clams should fetch a hundred or two hundred yuan.

Dragging his tired body and the full bucket, Du Yu headed home.

By the fishing village stood several Wuling Hongguang vans, with a few bald men nearby.

These men were the buyers coming to collect the catch.

This era was chaotic, a mix of good and bad.

Having lived through it, Du Yu was no longer surprised.

“Hey, little brother, are you selling the clams in your bucket?”

One of the bald men approached, eyeing the clams in Du Yu’s bucket and asked quickly.

“Sure, what’s your offer?”

Du Yu smiled.

“Five yuan a jin, I’ll take them all.”

The bald man said as he reached for Du Yu’s bucket.

But Du Yu sidestepped his hand.

What a joke—five yuan a jin? He might as well throw them back into the sea.

“That’s too low. Raise your offer.”

Du Yu had good goods that would sell well; he wasn’t desperate to sell to these guys.

“Raise? Little brother, just the fuel to come and pick these up costs a lot.”

“This price...”

“Fine, then I’ll take them home and eat them myself,” Du Yu sneered.

“Wait.”

The bald man looked again at the clams in Du Yu’s bucket, estimating their worth. The smallest were at least 10 centimeters long, and could definitely be sold individually in the city.

At this time, seafood imports from Southeast Asia were still low, and king clams were not abundant locally.

Moreover, local clams tasted far better than those from elsewhere; they could fetch a good price easily.

“Little brother, just so you know, we work for Zhao San.”

“Zhao San.”

Du Yu recalled from the original owner’s memories that this man had lent money to his mother when he was in school.

This person had strong connections in the city, influential in both the legitimate and underworld circles.

His subordinates monopolized the local seafood market.

Even so, Du Yu didn’t give in.

“Name your price.”

The bald man didn’t expect this kid to be so stubborn; the usual tactics wouldn’t work this time.

“Two yuan per clam. There are 52 in this bucket. Take it or leave it.”

Du Yu’s gaze was calm.

“Two yuan each?”

It was dusk, and many fishing boats were returning to the village, with villagers carrying their catches this way.

Although Du Yu’s clams were not many, their quality was excellent.

The buyer didn’t argue further. Considering all fees, selling them in the city could double the price.

He immediately handed over the money.

Du Yu received a crisp hundred-yuan bill and a ten-yuan note.

The buyer didn’t ask for change.

Du Yu happily carried the empty bucket home, certain this money would surprise his mother tonight.

Du Family’s old house.

Li Chunhong stood anxiously in the yard. A middle-aged man, furious, stood nearby with a young woman wearing makeup.

Du Yu’s eldest brother and sister-in-law were also in the yard.

“Sister-in-law, look what’s going on here.”

“When Du Yu was in high school, you borrowed money from my family, and I didn’t refuse, right?”

“Little Qin was young and immature, she liked him. But now Du Yu didn’t get into university; the money should be repaid.”

“No family is wealthy. You need to find a way. Little Qin is about to enter the city, and my family is short on funds.”

Village chief Zhao Zhendong stood with his daughter Zhao Qinqin, both angry.

This morning, their ducks had been stolen, and his daughter told him that last night Du Yu got drunk and harassed her.

That’s why they came to the Du family. Du Yu wasn’t home, only Li Chunhong, who had just finished shelling clams.

“Du Eldest, and your wife, please try to persuade Du Yu. At his age, if he can’t study, he should find a way to make a living.”

The village chief was deeply disappointed.

He had watched Du Yu grow from a naked toddler, hoping he would work hard and become the village’s first university student. Instead, he had fallen so low.

He also regretted not keeping a closer eye on his daughter. Fortunately, she had come to her senses and would be sent to the city soon. Better for them not to meet.

“Mom, I’m home!”

Du Yu entered briskly, causing everyone in the yard to exchange glances.

“Son, you’re back.”

Li Chunhong wiped her eyes. Since the eldest son married and moved out, he rarely came home; today, he returned twice in one day.

“Second son, you’re just in time. Sister-in-law and Mom want to talk to you about something.”

Sister-in-law pulled away from Du Yu’s eldest brother, fuming.

“Because you were studying, your brother and I often lent money to help you. We don’t intend to ask for it back, but the family debts can’t all fall on your brother.”

“Big brother’s...”

Li Chunhong nervously rubbed her calloused hands, her weathered face showing shame.

“Mom, second son is here too. I’m not blaming you. Today, we’re splitting the family.”

“Mom...”

Eldest brother Du Cheng just opened his mouth, but his wife’s sharp glare stopped him.

“Fine, split the family. Don’t worry, the debts won’t fall on big brother and sister-in-law.”

At that moment, Du Yu stepped into the yard and spoke.

“The debts are mine from studying. Count them under my name. I’ll pay them back.”

Du Yu understood what his sister-in-law was scheming. The borrowed money wasn’t only for his studies; a large part went to his elder brother’s wedding.

Now, his sister-in-law wanted to avoid being burdened and brought up the split.

“Xiao Yu!”

His brother looked at him with a mix of shame and surprise. After all, this younger brother only knew how to study.

“Fine, we won’t take anything from the house. You and Mom can handle the debts, okay?”

His sister-in-law looked at Du Yu, secretly pleased but wore a face of reluctance.

In truth, the house was old and dilapidated with little value; her generosity was just for show.

“Okay.”

Du Yu said, then turned without a glance at Zhao Qinqin and told the village chief, “Uncle Zhao, don’t worry. I will definitely reach out to Qin Qin from now on. I’ll repay the money I owe you next month.”

He then took paper and pen, writing an IOU signed with his name on the spot.

Seeing Du Yu’s solemn promise and the signed note, the village chief had no choice but to accept.

He took his daughter Zhao Qinqin and was about to leave. Zhao Qinqin looked at Du Yu, who seemed different than usual, and felt a strange emotion rising in her heart.