Chapter 37 Moral Blackmail

Without a doubt, as the refugees left, the security in Osmanthus Village improved significantly.

At least there wouldn't be any thefts at night.

This gradually restored the village to its former tranquility.

However, many villagers didn't let down their guard.

Because refugees from the north keep coming, who knows if there will be more arriving.

If the chaos doesn't end, it's likely the security won't be good.

But for Jiang Fan and Su Weiwei, life went on as usual.

They didn't worry too much about the chaos outside.

Three days later, at 11:45 AM.

Jiang Fan, steering the Upturned Boat, appeared at the location where the Ninth-Grade Opportunity was revealed. He cast his fishing net onto the lake, quietly waiting for time to pass.

Boom~~

In an instant, the lake surface started to churn, with numerous fish seemingly rushing towards the distance, full of vitality.

Among them was a Treasure Fish with blue scales, its body radiating azure brilliance.

Appearing extraordinarily magical.

Witnessing this scene, Jiang Fan didn't hesitate and immediately tightened his fishing net.

In just a moment's effort, numerous fish entered the net, including the Treasure Fish.

Thud!

In the next second, Jiang Fan lightly waved, effortlessly pulling the net out of the water because, for a Strong Sinews Realm Martial Artist, this was child's play.

Instantly, a multitude of fish crashed heavily onto the deck, splashing water everywhere.

They kept jumping lively.

"This is the Blue-Scaled Treasure Fish, its value is no less than the Red-Scaled Treasure Fish."

"And it's at least fifteen pounds, this is a real fortune."

Jiang Fan's eyes lit up instantly, filled with excitement.

If he sold this Treasure Fish, it would be worth at least over a hundred taels of silver.

For a fisherman's family, it's truly a chance to change their fate.

Of course, he wouldn't sell this Treasure Fish.

Such a good item is naturally kept for himself to eat.

After all, Treasure Fish not only benefits him but also greatly benefits his wife Su Weiwei.

It can improve Su Weiwei's physique, enhance her strength.

Can't say if it can make her a Martial Artist, but at least it can ensure she won't get sick.

Honestly, for a poor family, this is quite remarkable.

Not getting sick is the greatest blessing for a family.

"Didn't expect to catch so many fish."

"But if sold at the Fish Cage, it would definitely be severely exploited."

"So it's better to keep them for ourselves, making dried fish would preserve them for a long time."

Jiang Fan decided not to sell these fish to the Fish Cage.

Rather than letting those bloodsuckers take advantage, it's better to consume them himself.

After all, since reaching the Strong Sinews Realm, his appetite has drastically increased.

So these fish completely meet his daily needs.

More importantly, he acquired a Space Ring, allowing him to store these fish inside it.

That way, the Dragon King Gang won't know how many fish he actually caught.

For a fisherman, it's impossible to have a harvest every day.

Often there's nothing at all.

Hence, the Dragon King Gang won't suspect anything.

An hour passed.

After storing all the fish in the Space Ring, Jiang Fan returned home.

Only upon reaching the doorstep, he saw Su Weiwei chatting with a middle-aged woman in coarse clothing, Su Weiwei's face full of distress.

Jiang Fan also recognized the middle-aged woman as Aunt Liu.

She was a villager from Osmanthus Village.

Considered a neighbor, but they weren't very familiar. He wondered why she suddenly visited.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Jiang Fan approached, asking.

"Husband."

Seeing Jiang Fan return, Su Weiwei seemed to find a lifeline, immediately coming forward: "Aunt Liu came to us to borrow grain."

Borrow grain?!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan frowned.

Honestly, in these times, borrowing grain and money is the same, typically a case of meat buns hitting a dog, gone with no return.

If lent out, recovering it is almost impossible.

Even if returned, there wouldn't be any benefit, no interest involved.

It would only be reclaiming the original amount lent.

"Xiaojiang, you finally returned."

"I believe you know how chaotic things have been lately, with grain prices surging."

"My good-for-nothing, working hard, but caught barely any fish."

"There are five or six mouths at home that need feeding."

"I'm desperate, so I came to you for help."

Seeing Jiang Fan appear, Aunt Liu immediately started to wail, playing the sympathy card.

She spoke of how difficult things were for her family.

Hoping Jiang Fan would offer some grain on account of them being fellow villagers.

But Jiang Fan also knew that if he helped now, more villagers might come to borrow grain successively.

Then everyone would say that his family has surplus grain, perhaps treating him as an easy mark.

More importantly, his family's grain is barely enough to last.

If lent to them, there'd be little left for themselves.

And the likelihood of repayment was slim.

"Aunt Liu, I understand your family's situation."

"But honestly, my family also has no surplus grain."

"We can barely meet daily sustenance."

"Even if I want to lend it to you, it's just impossible."

Jiang Fan said helplessly.

"Xiaojiang, don't deceive Aunt Liu anymore."

"Who in the village doesn't know your family cooks three times daily."

"No other family here is as well-off as yours."

"Can't you even spare a little grain for Aunt Liu?"

"Have you forgotten the years of friendship between our families?"

Aunt Liu said angrily.

Without a doubt, she has begun morally blackmailing.

If he doesn't lend grain, his reputation might sour by the next day.

He might even bear the stigma of being ungrateful.

But inside, Jiang Fan sneered, for there had been no favor.

When he was sick and couldn't fish, Su Weiwei had also tried borrowing grain from neighbors.

Sadly, no one was willing to lend, Aunt Liu included.

In critical moments, no villager was reliable.

Now they claimed he was ungrateful.

However, Jiang Fan knew directly falling out wouldn't benefit him and might harm his reputation: "If Aunt Liu doesn't believe, feel free to visit my home; we really don't have much grain left, merely living off the reserves."

He boldly invited her to examine his home.

If she saw his destitute condition, she might be too embarrassed to ask for grain.

What?!

Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu hesitated, not expecting him to make such a decision. Could his family really be out of grain, with not a single grain of rice left?

The problem is, these days, his family seems to be cooking daily, how could they be out of grain?