Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Clownfish Nemo and blue knife snapper Dory were the protagonists of Finding Nemo. By popularity, Nemo was more popular than Dory, but when their market price was concerned, the clownfish was far less expensive than the blue knife snapper.
Welder Zhao’s granddaughter was still small and she had no concept of money. She didn’t care which of the two were more expensive. She only knew that Nemo was also very cute, although she preferred Dory.
“Do you have Nemo?” she asked with a childish voice. Her eyes circled around Zhang Zian’s hands.
“Yes, but it’s not with me now. So if you agree, I will find someone to send it to you, or your grandfather can pick it up at my place.”
There are a lot of clownfish in Zhang Zian’s store, which were all brought back from the seaside. He was confident that there was one among them that looked exactly like Nemo.
The little girl looked up at her grandfather, and then at Grandpa Wu. She lowered her head; it was clear that she was unwilling to make the exchange.
Zhang Zian easily saw through her thoughts, so he added, “Then… What if I use Nemo and Marlin to change for your Dory. How about that?”
“Really?” Her eyes immediately widened and her face was filled with joy that could not be concealed. Although it was true that she preferred Dory, the temptation of both Nemo and Marlin were too big. Even though she was young, she was aware that two were greater than one.
“Yes,” Zhang Zian promised. Zian thought to himself, This little girl is already so smart at such a young age. Hopefully she does not inherit her grandfather’s character when she grows up…
She seemed to be afraid that Zhang Zian would go back on his words, so she immediately stuck out her pinky finger and said, “Then, let’s exchange it! No going back! No lies! Pinky promise!”
Zhang Zian laughed, and also extended his pinky finger to seal the promise with her.
Welder Zhao’s heart ached because he had bought the royal blue tang to please his granddaughter; however, since the two clownfish were also able to achieve the same effect, he could only comfort himself that it was a mission accomplished.
Electrician Wu finally got a load off his chest, but he wasn’t completely relieved. He pointed at the remaining fish in the fish tank and asked, “Store Manager Zhang, for the remaining fish, could you take a look to see if there are any more that are dangerous? If there are more dangerous fish, you can just take them all. You don’t have to feel reserved!”
Not only Electrician Wu, but Zhang Zian was also concerned about Welder Zhao’s ability to choose fish. There were more than a thousand ornamental fish species in the world, but he always seemed to run into the ones that were the most dangerous.
Zhang Zian bent down and looked over the remaining ornamental fishes. Some of the fish had been diverted to other small tanks, so Zian was now able to observe them more clearly.
He pointed to one of the smaller fish and asked, “Do you know what fish this is?”
Electrician Wu was instinctively nervous. He noticed that the fish was bright in color and a thought appeared, Is it true that all animals with bright colors are very dangerous?
Welder Zhao shook his head. “I just found this fish to be interesting, and it looked similar to the Japanese square watermelon on television. I bought it since the price wasn’t expensive. I really don’t know what kind of fish it is.”
It was just like he said: The fish had a very interesting shape. It was square and boxy like it was cast from a factory mold. It almost looked like a cube, which was completely different from other fish that had a streamlined shape.
Its overall appearance was bright yellow with many black spots. The black spots were also pretty dense. It was to the extent where those with Trypophobia would even have been disgusted by it.
Its yellow eyes were large––disproportionately large––and they were located at the two corners on the top of the square. Its small mouth was protruding forwards, and it had thick lips that were as sexy as European and American celebrities. It was as if it was saying, “Don’t talk––kiss me!”
In addition, its pectoral and dorsal fins were nearly transparent.
It was dark when Welder Zhao went to buy the fish. He bought the fish because he found it very interesting, and to make his grandson and granddaughter happy.
Electrician Wu glared at Welder Zhao, then he carefully asked, “Store Manager Zhang, just say it straight––is this fish poisonous, or does it have spines?”
His straightforwardness was abrupt. Zhang Zian didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, but he explained, “This is a papaya fish. The golden yellow papaya fish is also known as the yellow boxfish, and it is you said… This fish is indeed poisonous.”
Electrician Wu erupted. He really wanted to give Welder Zhao a few slaps across his face. In just one d*mn tank of fish, there were two fish that were poisonous!
“However, don’t worry too much. Although this fish is poisonous, as long as you don’t eat it, its poison will only affect the other fish. It is not poisonous to humans,” Zhang Zian said.
Welder Zhao continued to act tough. “I noticed that the fish was bright and scary when I bought it, so I had guessed that it was poisonous… I had plans to raise it alone…”
Seeing that the two of them were about to quarrel again, Zhang Zian quickly interrupted, “The scientific name of this fish is ostracion cubicus, and it’s known as the yellow boxfish in foreign countries. Chinese fisherman call it a papaya fish… In fact, I just don’t see where it resembles a papaya. Instead, the name yellow boxfish seems more fitting. Although it’s small in size, when it gets scared, it secretes strong neurotoxins that could poison the whole tank. The most tragic thing is that even though it released the toxins in order to defend itself, it usually loses its own life due to its own poison because it can’t immunize itself… If you don’t wish to restart your entire tank, it’s best not to mix this fish with other fish and corals.”
When Welder Zhao heard what Zian said, he quickly picked up the fishnet and went to scoop out the papaya fish to prevent it from releasing its poison and killing all the other fish. He was quickly stopped by Zhang Zian.
“Master Zhao, don’t take it out now. Wait for the other fish to be scooped out, then leave it alone. What if it gets scared while you are scooping it out?” Zhang Zian asked him.
Welder Zhao hit his own head. “That’s right! I forgot all about it in a panic! Aye! After all, I’m old now!”
Electrician Wu then asked, “Are the other fish not dangerous?”
Zhang Zian looked again and nodded. “Don’t worry, the other fish are safe. There isn’t any danger.”
“That’s good then.” Electrician Wu finally rested assured.
Electrician Wu was scolding him from the side while Welder Zhao was arguing with him as he scooped the fish out. The two old men took turns saying a sentence each, and although they seemed to be quarreling, both of them didn’t take it to heart.
Zhang Zian looked at the time. “Master Wu, Master Zhao, you guys can continue. I have things to do so I need to head out.”
Electrician Wu handed over the small fish tank that contained the blue knife snapper to Zhang Zian. He said, embarrassed, “Thank you, Store Manager Zhang. I’m sorry to have troubled you…”
“It’s nothing. It was on the way.” Zhang Zian called Vladimir, who was looking around in the house. “Vladimir, let’s go.”
After Zhang Zian and the blue cat left, Electrician Wu couldn’t help but laugh. “This Store Manager Zhang is really interesting. He actually gave the cat a foreign name…”
“Wu, didn’t you learn the Russian language in high school? What does that name mean?” asked Welder Zhao.
Electrician Wu said with emotion, “It has already been so many years… Let me think. Vladimir, in Russian, means ‘to dominate the world.’”
