Cao Mang had a good sleep. It had been several nights since he had slept. He first heard the sound of the ocean tide, then he thought of that boat. He knew long ago that Old Uncle Seven and his two sons had pushed the boat out to sea, and that is what had made him lose sleep at night.

When he couldn't sleep he often thought of Old Ge's words. He hadn't really made them out that day because since his stroke the old captain's speech had become garbled and unclear, and on top of that he coughed constantly. But he had clearly seen that face flushed beet-red and covered with moles that trembled as he coughed. The old captain was obviously angry, he didn't understand why, nor did he dare to ask. If there was anyone left on the sea coast who Cao Mang feared, it had to be Old Captain Ge. He also feared his father, but his father couldn't control him anymore.

When Old Ge had retired and come back, the village leader had recommended that Cao Mang should take him into his home to live together. Although Cao Mang feared him, he looked upon him as someone who was like a father. He had gone to invite him, but the old captain wouldn't leave his house for anything. He shouted garbled threats, pounded the ground with his black pepper wood walking stick and waved his hands wildly. Seeing his firm refusal, Cao Mang returned to his own sturdy, spacious big house.

Old Ge's temperament was just too strange. None of the villagers dared get close to him and he never had anything to do with them. He grew a few vegetables by himself and when he had nothing else to do he lay on his bed and read. People said-, He never took a wife his entire life, and he lived on the ocean, it's just natural that he's odd. Because of the special relationship between him and Cao De, Cao Mang always went to see the old captain as a matter of courtesy. This just made people look at Cao Mang strangely. They all seemed to feel that any youngster who dared to have odd. Mang strangely. They all seemed to feel that any youngster who dared to have dealings with that kind of old man must be a little strange himself. In fact, Cao Mang and the old man seldom had any emotional interaction. He didn't like to talk himself, and the old captain also refused to utter a word. Even when the old captain sometimes did say a very few words, the couldn't be understood. On holidays he might send him a chicken or some apples, but the old man would only use his walking stick to point to the window ledge for him to put them there.

It could be said that at that moment Cao Mang had arrived at a fork in the road of his life. In recent years the village had become very lively as everyone was boldly going into business. But he still hadn't decided what he should do. Should he go aboard the boat? It was altogether too heavy a matter for him. He needed to mull over the words of the old captain, and even more he needed to form his own opinion. He was nineteen.

In the morning he aimlessly left his house and walked out onto the street. It was still early and people were all just standing around. He deliberately lowered his head and watched his own legs and feet. After walking for awhile he raised his head once again and let the sun shine down on that roughhewn face. obstinacy about him, this was something everyone could see.

Suddenly someone shouted out and everyone looked off in one direction. Cao Mang could see that there was someone walking towards them with the morning sun at his back. He couldn't see clearly, but when he looked more closely, he could make out that it was Old Uncle Seven. He was carrying a long, thin, very springy bamboo pole over his shoulder. On the end of the pole were tied two plump sea perch. Old Uncle Seven had deliberately placed the thick end of the pole over his shoulder so that the fish pulled the tip into a comical bow.

Cao Mang was stupefied as he watched that pair of beautiful perch. He knew that Old Uncle Seven must have just caught them. People on both sides of the street looked enviously at him and at his fish. But he just held his pole tightly and walked onwards.

Old Uncle Seven hadn't actually seen Cao Mang. But Cao Mang was drawn in and followed along behind him.

He made several turns and then stood in front of a small house. Cao Mang was struck dumb; could it be the old captain's house? He stared as Uncle Seven took the fish off the pole, held them high in his hands, then pushed open the door and went in.

This was the only time when Old Captain Ge was not lying down reading. Rather, he seemed to have had some kind of premonition, for he was sitting on a large reed stool in the middle of the little courtyard. Behind him was an impressive iron-bark elm tree. When he saw Old Uncle Seven coming bearing fish, he gleefully stroked is black pepper wood walking stick.

"Old Captain! I've put out to sea ... these two fish are just a small token of respect!" Old Uncle Seven was half squatting, looking very serious.

The old captain smiled and nodded his head, then he had Old Uncle Seven place the fish beside him.

Uncle Seven said; "in past I couldn't buy a boat, but now it's possible. What Dot to fear? I am determined to take this boat out to sea..."

Old Ge opened his yellow eyes wide and moved about with great effort, looking very agitated. He said over and over: "Ah, huh. You!..." As he spoke he started to cough hard, turning his face a deep purplish red and making all his wrinkles and scars shake.

Cao Mang had been standing in the doorway the whole time, but now he couldn't help stepping in.