Husband, Let Me Touch Your Abs

Chapter 3

The scorching heat was unbearable, with the glaring sun hanging high in the sky, making it hard to keep one's eyes open.

A group of men with bare torsos were digging ditches by the roadside. Most of them were villagers serving their labor duty, while a small number were displaced people who had been brought here. They started working at dawn, took a break for an hour at noon, and continued until late afternoon before resting.

This was already considered a good time. The new emperor was benevolent, providing them with three meals a day and ten coins as payment. Although the money wasn't much, it was still some income.

Old folks said that in the previous dynasty, those serving labor duty not only received no pay but also had to bring their own food. Those without food would simply starve to death, as the government didn't care about the lives of commoners.

The tools used for digging were provided by the government. These tools couldn't be damaged and had to be returned every evening, to be redistributed the next morning.

"Clang, clang, clang!" The sound of a copper gong echoed, and everyone dropped their tools and ran toward the old locust tree nearby. It was time for lunch.

"Da Chuan, why aren't you going to get food? Aren't you hungry?" The person speaking was Zhao Guang, the husband of Old Lady Zhao from across the street.

"Uncle, go ahead and eat. I'll have mine later."

"You should hurry up; if you're late, there won't be any left." Zhao Guang didn't wait and hurried toward the locust tree.

Once everyone had left, Zhao Beichuan patted the dirt off his hands, picked up his shovel, and headed toward the nearby river.

Yesterday, he noticed fish in the river while washing his face. They were quite sizable, and he knew how to swim and catch fish, having done so frequently in the past. He decided to try catching a few.

He tested the water temperature along the riverbank. The sun had warmed the water considerably. He undressed and stepped into the river over the sand and stones. There were hidden currents beneath the surface, which could easily drag in anyone with poor swimming skills.

Zhao Beichuan didn't dare venture too deep, diving near the bank and resurfacing after a while with a fish in hand.

It was a carp, known for its tender meat but numerous bones. While the wealthy might not fancy it, it was still a rare delicacy for ordinary people.

He broke a reed and skewered the fish on it, took a breath, and dove again. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he resurfaced with another, larger carp!

The big fish thrashed its tail, splashing water. Zhao Beichuan quickly skewered it onto the reed and continued fishing.

After catching seven or eight fish, Zhao Beichuan stopped, threw the fish onto the shore, and climbed out using a piece of driftwood. Still wet, he stayed by the river to dry off. Water droplets trickled down his tanned body, like tiny fish disappearing into his bulging muscles.

Once he was mostly dry, Zhao Beichuan wiped his face, put on his pants, and weighed the fish in his hand, a smile spreading across his face.

Instead of heading back to the locust tree, he went to where the officials were resting.

In the east, there was a thatched hut where five minor officials were drinking wine. Seeing Zhao Beichuan approach, they stood up and shouted, "What are you doing here?"

"I was bathing in the river and caught a few fish. I thought the gentlemen might enjoy them."

The officials' eyes lit up, and they gathered around, asking, "Where did you catch the fish?"