The meal was sumptuous, seemingly prepared with special care, and typical of a fishing village, featured a variety of fish dishes like steamed fish, fried fish, and fish balls. However, there weren't many fresh vegetables.
Zhang Jiacong's wife, a very virtuous, honest, and quiet woman, greeted Chen Jin and then remained silent. While eating, Chen Jin asked Zhang Jiacong, "Uncle Zhang, if I want to stay in Hong Kong, how can I get a Hong Kong ID card?"
Back in 1981, the Hong Kong government had abolished the policy of granting ID cards to illegal immigrants upon entering the urban areas. Chen Jin knew about this policy from an article he read on People's Daily Online.
Now, even if he returned to the mainland, he'd be a person without an identity. Since he was in Hong Kong, he planned to stay and was confident he could make a life for himself here.
Zhang Jiacong frowned upon hearing this and after a long pause said, "I'm not very clear about these things..." Zhang Weihao interjected, "Maybe we should ask Hui Zi about it..."
Before he could finish, Zhang Jiacong glared at him, "Nonsense, those guys are no good." Zhang Weihao, undeterred, retorted, "Everyone knows we rescued someone from the sea, Hui Zi and his lot must be aware too..."
Chen Jin caught the hint and interrupted Zhang Jiacong's reprimand, "Uncle Zhang, is this Hui Zi a figure in the underworld?"
Seeing Zhang Jiacong nodding somewhat unhappily, Chen Jin continued with a smile, "Since they already know I'm here, there's nothing we can do. Besides, Weihao is right, they might have a way."
Zhang Jiacong, as the village head and a sensible person, knew it was an option. He nodded but added, "Chen Jin, don't worry too much. In a couple of days, Ah Xiong will be back from university. He's seen more of the world and might have a better solution."
Chen Jin nodded in agreement. Elders often had blind faith in their successful children, which was their pride. He then offered, "Uncle Zhang, if there's anything I can help with, just let me know. I'm strong and a good swimmer..."
Zhang Jiacong appreciated his attitude but shook his head, "You've just recovered. It's better to rest more." Chen Jin patted his chest confidently, "Don't worry, Uncle Zhang, I'm fine."
After dinner, Zhang Weihao wanted to take Chen Jin out, but Zhang Jiacong gave him a stern look, "Maybe in a couple of days." Chen Jin understood Zhang Jiacong's concern. Being an unidentified person, it was safer to stay at Zhang Jiacong's home. Going out might bring trouble, especially since he needed to become fluent in Cantonese first to make up excuses.
Chen Jin grinned, showing his white teeth, "Weihao, can you tell me more about this place?"
Zhang Weihao, true to his name, was generous and led Chen Jin to the room he had stayed in, "I was actually planning to show you around..."
Chen Jin shared Zhang Jiacong's concerns and asked, "Weihao, who is this Hui Zi?"
"I knew you'd ask that," Zhang Weihao chuckled. "Hui Zi is the local underworld boss here. He's not a bad guy, just blunt and often clashes with another group led by Zhong Ge. But don't worry, Hui Zi is an orphan and grew up eating at our house. He's quite respectful towards my dad."
Chen Jin felt relieved hearing this. Though he was now formidable, he needed an identity in this civilized society to avoid a life in the shadows. He then voiced another concern, "Weihao, the police here won't..."
Zhang Weihao gestured confidently, "Don't worry. This isn't the city. There are no annoying Brits here. The local cops are from our own community. With my dad around, they'll turn a blind eye."
Still concerned but without better options, Chen Jin conversed with Zhang Weihao, accelerating his Cantonese learning.
Before dawn, when the sky was still dark, Chen Jin heard Zhang Jiacong and Zhang Weihao getting up. Remembering that fishermen rise early, he quickly got up and joined them, brightly lit in the outer room. Seeing them about to leave, he offered, "Uncle Zhang, let me help too!"
Zhang Jiacong hesitated, but Chen Jin, covering his face with a towel, reassured him, "It's okay, Uncle Zhang. I'll just stay on the boat and help with the nets."
"Are you sure you're well?" Zhang Jiacong asked, seeing Chen Jin understanding his concerns. After Chen Jin nodded, Zhang Jiacong consented, "Alright, but be careful. The sea is no joke."
The Zhangs rode bicycles, with Zhang Weihao carrying Chen Jin. The road to the sea had dim streetlights, but the beach was pitch black. Even with Chen Jin's improved vision, he could only vaguely make out some boats. He learned it was only 3 AM when he asked Zhang Weihao.
Many fishermen were preparing to set out, all familiar with the Zhangs and greeting them warmly. Chen Jin stood by their boat, gazing at the sea, while the fishermen wisely refrained from asking questions.
After some time, the boat set off, but unlike Chen Jin's expectation, they didn't cast the nets immediately. Instead, they headed towards the deeper sea. After about an hour without stopping, Chen Jin curiously asked Zhang Weihao, "Weihao, why haven't we started fishing yet?" Zhang Jiacong, older and tired, was resting inside the boat.
Zhang Weihao, surprised at Chen Jin's energy, replied with a smile, "The fish near the shore are scarce now..."
Chen Jin remembered reading about the depletion of fish in the South China Sea and understood. Curious, he asked, "How do you determine the location and distance?"
Zhang Weihao showed him a compass, "We're used to it. We operate small boats, unlike large fishing vessels with specialized fish finders."
After about one and a half hours at sea, as dawn broke, Zhang Jiacong woke up instinctively and began casting the net. It wasn't a process of immediate retrieval but involved dragging the net for about half an hour.
Observing the hardworking and now fatigued Zhang Jiacong, Chen Jin felt a pang of sympathy. He casually chatted, and soon, the horizon glowed with a faint red, illuminating the sky and the sea with stunning colors.
Zhang Jiacong became energetic again, calling everyone to start hauling the net. It was heavy, suggesting a good catch. Chen Jin, secretly exerting his strength, quickly helped Zhang Weihao bring the net aboard.
With the sun rising higher, turning from dark red to golden, Chen Jin examined the catch in the cabin, listening to Zhang Jiacong explaining what they were – prawns, crabs, sea cats, the primary yield of fishing. Among them were several octopuses, but the highlight was a large wild sea crab, worth about a hundred Hong Kong dollars each, highly sought after by fishmongers.
There were also many sea urchins and jellyfish, which were discarded. Zhang Jiacong, noticing Chen Jin's strength, sat aside, sorting out the unwanted catch.
After several more successful nets, the cabin was full of prawns and sea cats, along with more crabs and octopuses.
When even Zhang Weihao began to tire, and the sun reached its zenith, Zhang Jiacong finally turned the boat back. He looked at the still energetic Chen Jin and remarked, "No wonder you survived so long at sea; you're really made of iron."
Chen Jin scratched his head and grinned, "I guess I'm just strong..." Zhang Weihao, recovering a bit, patted Chen Jin's arm, amazed at his strength despite his thinner arms, ""Your arm isn't even as thick as mine, why are you so strong!"