Xin Xiaolu entered the relaxing summer vacation earlier than in previous years. In the city where she had lived for several years, summer was a bustling downtown area with busy crowds and rarely any shaded streets, hot days that required hiding in air-conditioned rooms.
But the beach is different. Whether it's the sun or the sea, summer has a particularly special flavor here.
There aren't many people here, and everyone's pace is slow and leisurely, unlike the hustle and bustle of big cities. Early in the morning, they get dressed and get out of bed before sunrise, Grandpa has already watered all the flowers and plants in the garden, then takes them to stroll around the small vegetable market.
The morning market is probably one of the two most lively moments here in a day. Fresh vegetables are placed on the stalls, and many white and red large basins are placed on the ground, which are crowded with fresh fish and various seafood. Living in a coastal city, seafood is always cheaper and fresher than inland areas.
Xin walked along the road, and suddenly a fish jumped out of a large basin beside her, landing right at her feet, its mouth opening and closing. It was as if she had stumbled upon a porcelain collision scene.
The middle-aged fish seller recognized his grandfather and smiled as he said, "Mr. Du, is that your grandson back? He's grown so big after all these years!"
He spoke Mandarin with a hint of Shaqi accent, which sounded a bit strange. Xin Xiaolu learned from Xin Yanlai that her grandfather was a high school math teacher before he retired.
After chatting with the fish seller for a while, Grandpa asked him to pack up the fish that had jumped onto Xin Xiaolu's feet and take it away. Xin Xiaolu watched as Xin Yan came over carrying the fish, thinking to herself that these fish sellers were really well-trained, knowing how to sell themselves, jumping out on their own initiative to recommend themselves, this fish was really impressive.
Xin Yan came to hear her say that, holding the fish and laughing all the way. The aunties selling vegetables praised the child for being handsome and a good young man, making the newly adult academic superstar brother blush. After leaving the vegetable market, Grandpa also bought two small dishes at a braised meat shop outside.
He's an old man who doesn't like to talk, but this time he took the initiative to praise the braised chicken feet and intestines at this shop to the two younger generations: "The duck palms and duck intestines are good, the sauce is homemade, fragrant."
The shop owner handed them the braised duck intestines, grinning: "Of course, our duck is the best, Teacher Du often comes to buy... Ah, are you a junior of Teacher Du?"
"Grandpa: 'Grandsons and granddaughters, come over for summer vacation.'"
He took the two kids to several stores they often visited, and "coincidentally" introduced his grandnephew and granddaughter to people he knew. He didn't take the initiative to speak, but waited for others to ask him about chatting with like-minded people about "Female Leads and Male Seconds", "Popular Web Novels" or discussing favorite books with more book lovers.
