“Chapter 54: We’re All Orphans”

"Chapter 54: We're All Orphans"

"I've heard that shells can be used as feed. These four sacks could make quite a bit of feed," said the second eldest.

The fourth eldest added, "Feed is worth pennies. Jewelry is where the money is. With the thickness and beauty of these clamshells, making necklaces or buttons would be no issue..."

The sixth eldest chimed in, "Jewelry definitely fetches a higher price. Even though it's just clamshells, get a renowned jewelry designer to work on it, hype it up a bit, and the price will soar."

"You don’t even need a jewelry designer to hype it up. Remember, it’s as big as a double bed. Aside from us, who has seen such a large clamshell? Just its size alone can make it famous," mentioned the seventh eldest.

The youngest lamented, "It’s a pity we didn’t take some photos before smashing it..."

The men's chatter gave Leng Xiyue plenty of entrepreneurial ideas.

She quickly suggested, "No need for regrets. This clam is very rare. Even in pieces, it’s valuable. I plan to purchase all these shells. Name your price!"

"Buy them?"

The men looked at each other, unsure of how much to ask for.

"They’re just broken shells. We can’t ask you for money," Hai Ge said before turning to his brothers, solemnly adding, "Xiaoyue is a girl, all alone without the skill to fish. These shells are of little use to us. Since Xiaoyue wants them, let's give them to her. We have the skills to fish; we don’t need this little bit of money."

"How can I not pay? I can't just take them for free. Please, name a price!" Leng Xiyue insisted on paying.

"If we say no charge, then no charge. Just take them," Hai Ge firmly refused payment.

"I won’t take them if it’s free!" Leng Xiyue was adamant, "The clam was caught by you, and the shells were hammered by Hai Ge. Even if I want to start a business, I can’t just take things for free. Please, give me a price so I can have some peace of mind."

"How about... just a nominal fee, as a gesture?" suggested the second eldest, looking at Hai Ge.

"What price? No price!" Hai Ge was equally adamant, "They’re just waste to us. We never planned on keeping them. Xiaoyue, if you want them, just take them. If not, we’ll just dump them in the river!"

“……”

Leng Xiyue realized that Hai Ge was even more stubborn than she was. As the leader here, his word was law. If Hai Ge said no payment, then nobody would accept money.

"Then consider it as your investment," Leng Xiyue finally came up with a good idea. "I'll use these clamshells to start a business, and when it makes money, we'll divide the profits equally among us. How does that sound?"

The men didn't speak but all turned their eyes to Hai Ge.

After thinking it over, Hai Ge said sincerely, "Xiaoyue, you really don't have to go through all this trouble. We're all orphans here. If you don't mind, you could live with us."

"You're all orphans?" Leng Xiyue was incredulous.

"Yes, all nine of us were unloved children. We've been wandering by the river since we could remember, living off fishing. Since we're illiterate, we don't have names. They call me Hai Ge because I once took them to see the sea."

Hai Ge continued, "The past is not worth mentioning. Our lives are much better now. Through hard work, we bought our own fishing boat and finally have a stable home.

Xiaoyue, since you're also an orphan, why not live with us on the fishing boat? Don't worry, we won't make you do any hard or tiring work. We'll take care of you like brothers."

"Uh... I..."

Leng Xiyue wanted to say she couldn't stay because she had six daughters to take care of, but she stopped herself.

What if Hai Ge suggested bringing her six daughters to live together? What would she do then?

"I... I have a job. I must go back to work immediately!"

Leng Xiyue decided to leave quickly.

But as she tried to stand, her foot throbbed with unbearable pain.

Not just her foot, her head, chest, and entire body hurt, especially her abdomen, which felt as if it were being sliced by knives.

"Thud!" Leng Xiyue fainted.