Chapter 16

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 16

"Let's calculate it..." Joseph pulled out a calculator from the front pocket of his worn-out vest.

The calculation went like this:

The mud crabs weighed 10.8 kilograms, and their price per kilogram was 200 pesos, a good deal for an early morning catch. Karlos earned 2,160 pesos from them.

Tiger prawns weighed 6.2 kilograms and sold at 300 pesos per kilogram due to their size. This added another 1,860 pesos.

The mullet came in at 15.4 kilograms, priced at 75 pesos per kilogram, which was the standard market rate. Karlos earned 1,155 pesos from that.

After totaling the amounts, Karlos earned 5,175 pesos in all. A satisfying profit for a single fishing session.

He had started fishing at 3 a.m. and reached the fish port by 7:30 a.m.

He worked for only 4 hours and 30 minutes and managed to earn over 5,000 pesos in less than half a day. That was quick money for a fisherman, especially compared to others in the area. No wonder some people called Karlos Blessed by the Sea.

"Nice. Let's sell all of them to you. Do you need help carrying them to the truck?" Karlos asked while stretching his arms.

He grinned and wiped his sweat-soaked face.

"It's alright. I still need to buy more fish, preferably galunggong."

Galunggong was the local name for round scad, one of the staple fish for the masses.

"Okay then," Karlos nodded in understanding.

Joseph pulled out the cash and counted it. The fish port was getting busier as more boats arrived to sell their catch, and the morning sun slowly climbed over.

Joseph handed the money to Karlos, who counted it again to be sure. Once everything was confirmed, Karlos helped pack the seafood. Storing live crabs was a bit of a hassle, so they placed them in a wide container with holes and added a bit ice to keep them alive and fresh until delivery.

As for the prawns and mullet, they were easier to store. They could be placed in containers and covered with ice to maintain freshness until they were sold.

"Andres, here."

Karlos handed Andres 20 pesos.

"But I thought you weren't going to pay me?"

"Nah, I was just joking."

"Thanks, then."

Andres grinned and went off to find more buyers who needed a porter, as the port grew livelier with more traders arriving. Karlos, meanwhile, said goodbye to Joseph after securing the money in his inner pocket.

He quickly made his way to the docking station for small boats and found his vessel loosely tied to an iron pole. He stepped onto the boat and untied the rope before starting the engine.

It didn’t take long to get back. The fish port wasn’t far from the beach, and Karlos reached it in less than ten minutes. Some people on the shore helped him push the boat onto the sand, expecting a tip. He gave them 20 pesos and let them divide it among themselves as a token of appreciation.

He carried his bag and container, including the slightly broken bamboo basket into the house first. He planned to fix the handle later when he had some spare time.

When he reached home, Maya was humming as she cooked breakfast. The twins were still sleeping soundly in their crib.

Karlos excitedly hugged Maya from behind, causing her to yelp in surprise as she almost spilled the oil.

"What are you doing? It's early in the morning, and you're acting like this!"

She scolded him, but Karlos only chuckled and tightened his arms around her waist for a second.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see you."

"...Well, I'm also happy." She averted her gaze, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

She weakly pushed him away as she returned her focus to the pan.

"You're done fishing? Just wait half an hour. The meal should be ready."

She already knew his routine. This was usually the time he returned home after fishing.

"I’ll go back to the boat to get the engine. But first, here. I earned quite a sum today."

He whispered and proudly placed a stack of money in her hand.

"You're really doing this in broad daylight? Just give it to me straight. No need to act suspicious."

Maya curiously counted the bills. Even though she acted nonchalant, she was eager to know how much he earned, especially after seeing the large denominations.

"5,135 pesos... Wow, in just a day?"

"In just a day," Karlos replied with a proud grin.

"..."

Maya chuckled and went inside to store the money in the cabinet. She was already thinking about how to budget it wisely. She couldn't admit out loud that Karlos looked more handsome when handing the money, but her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush. Yes, she was attracted to her hardworking husband.

When she stepped back out, Karlos was already gone. The only things in the open-space kitchen were the bag, the containers, and a bamboo basket she didn’t recognize.

Karlos had returned to the beach to detach the engine. He moved quickly. By the time he arrived, the engine was no longer hot, so he could carry it without a problem, even though its awkward shape made the task difficult.

He greeted his neighbors as he walked home, smiling despite the heavy weight in his arms. Detaching and reattaching the engine every day was a hassle, especially when he was tired. But he knew it was necessary. Laziness could cost him far more than the inconvenience.

If the engine got stolen because he left it on the boat, he would have no one to blame but himself. Better to endure the trouble than deal with regret.

"I should probably make a cart to make this task easier. Carrying heavy equipment like this is tough, especially when the engine is burning hot," Karlos muttered, adjusting his grip.

He reached the house and saw Maya still humming while working in the kitchen. He placed the engine gently in a corner on top of a cloth to avoid staining the floor.

Then he helped her finish setting the table and arranging the utensils.

Half an hour later, the couple shared breakfast, exchanging small smiles and bites of food.

"Ah! Ga! Gugu!"

Suddenly, Arabella woke up and glared at the couple like they had committed the worst crime, which was eating without her. The sound of utensils had stirred her awake. To her, that noise meant food.

The couple giggled as the little girl cried out impatiently, demanding to be fed.

"Give us a few minutes, and we’ll feed you."

"Ah ga!"

Arabella didn’t listen. She grabbed the bars of the crib and began shaking them. Iñigo woke up because of the noise, blinking in confusion. He looked at his twin sister as if she were crazy.

It didn’t take him long to figure out what was going on. He, too, grabbed the bars and began shaking them, matching Arabella’s intensity. The twins looked like little prisoners trying to escape their crib for breakfast.

"They’re getting naughty and troublesome as they grow. They probably inherited that trait from you," Maya said, playfully squinting at Karlos.

"Huh? Why me?"

"Don’t act like you don’t understand. You’re also a naughty guy."

"What? No, I’m not. I’m only naughty for you."

Maya scoffed and continued eating, but a small smile escaped her lips despite her best efforts.