Chapter 56

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 56

But even though the price would go down, the fishermen were still happy because they earned a great profit around this time, and everyone in the port seemed to be chatting excitedly about how much they could make.

"That's great, I'll sell them for 572 pesos then."

Joseph shrugged as his helper weighed the salmon. It came to 251 kilograms, and Joseph was a bit surprised when he calculated the price: 143,572 pesos. Fortunately, Joseph had many clients who wanted to buy salmon. Some were even restaurant owners, and he could sell the salmon for a higher price depending on the size and freshness of the fish.

After adding the price of the crabs, Karlos comfortably earned 145,269 pesos, which made him grin for obvious reasons. He didn’t sell the prawns since he wanted to cook them for the twins.

He then looked for buyers for the lobsters and found one, a local eatery owner famous for serving fresh seafood dishes. After a swift negotiation, they agreed on a price of 610 pesos per kilogram, which was higher than Karlos expected, making him even happier.

The 22 lobsters weighed 34 kilograms, and Karlos earned around 20,600 pesos, putting him in an even better position for the day and giving him a deep sense of satisfaction.

With that, his total earnings for the day reached around 165,000 pesos, an amount that could cover all household expenses and still leave a huge buffer for savings.

As much as he wanted to stay and join the fishermen in their enthusiasm over the start of salmon season, he didn’t want to walk around with money in his hand, exposing himself to potential thieves or envious eyes.

So, he left the fish port. No one asked him about the lobsters since most fishermen were focused on the salmon and the profits they could earn.

When he returned home, Maya was stunned by the money Karlos brought back. Her eyes widened and her hands trembled slightly as she tried to comprehend the total. Karlos explained that he had caught lobsters and salmon that day, which earned him the most, and she nodded, impressed as always by his hard work and luck combined.

Maya knew that once the salmon season started, fishermen could earn at least triple their usual profit and maybe even quadruple on the best days if they were lucky enough.

That day, Maya cooked prawn stew with tamarind. The soup had a refreshing, sweet sour taste, and when paired with steamed rice, it made a meal that delighted the twins, who squealed happily as they devoured every bite. They also ate a lot of prawn meat, though the couple still had to feed them because they didn’t know how to use a spoon. Every attempt ended with more food on the floor than in their mouths. At one point, Maya gave Arabella a spoon, but she only made a mess, dropping it so many times that Maya chuckled at her clumsy enthusiasm.

The twins were being treated like royalty, eating delicacies almost daily now.

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The next day, Karlos decided to take three more traps to the small island, anticipating that the lobsters there would continue to multiply or at least remain abundant.

When he reached the mangroves, he confirmed that the seven traps were untouched and breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the thief hadn’t struck again. Still, his catch was not satisfying, so he decided to bring three traps to the island and leave the remaining four to maintain his territory, just in case he caught all the lobsters around the island.

Even though catching crabs was less profitable compared to expensive fish, it remained a steady source of income, a dependable safety net. Karlos didn’t want to stop trapping. He knew the limits of his boat and that trapping crabs was the safest way to earn money, even if it meant early mornings. Venturing farther out to sea was dangerous for his small boat, with stronger waves and unpredictable currents.

Unless he upgraded and bought a bigger boat with a better engine, Karlos would probably continue trapping crabs.

Anyway, the crabs and prawns he caught were almost the same as yesterday’s, so he focused more on lobsters and salmon, which brought him higher profits. Karlos knew he had to rely on them to make real money.

He reached the island again and this time caught 17 lobsters, their antennae twitching as if protesting their capture. He also found a spot to set the three new traps, carefully securing them so they wouldn’t drift away with the tide. Tomorrow, he would check them in the hopes of catching something worthwhile and large enough to sell at a good price.

After that, he went to his usual fishing spot. His job as a fisherman was monotonous, but Karlos never found it boring because each day brought its own surprises, challenges, and small victories. As someone who loved fishing, this was his dream job. It amazed him that he could earn money by doing what he loved while also providing for his family.

This time, he caught more King Salmon than yesterday, each one glinting silver under the sunlight as it thrashed in his boat. He went to the fish port and sold his catch for 173,000 pesos. The other fishermen were also having a great time catching salmon, and discussions filled the port about the best fishing spots and techniques. Many boat owners even hired more helpers to maximize efficiency during the season, preparing for peak days of abundance.

They knew that once more salmon traveled through their region, they would need extra manpower to handle the workload, from hauling nets to bleeding and weighing the fish for clients.

As for Karlos, he was already earning a good amount and didn’t want to be greedy. He understood that nature had its limits, and pushing too far could be risky.

'Is it possible to earn 1 million pesos within the remaining two months of the year?' he thought, imagining the possibilities as his mind raced with plans for savings and home improvements.

Probably yes. If he could fish every day, Karlos might earn 1 million pesos, no, he could probably earn 2 million pesos during salmon season.

Karlos happily returned home, imagining that scenario: earning 2 million pesos and finally building a better life for his family.

That day, the family ate tiger prawns again, this time sautéed with soy sauce and other spices. The aroma filled the kubo, making even the twins delighted. They loved it so much they practically fought for the first pieces despite their small hands, until Maya intervened to divide the portions fairly.

After dinner, Karlos told Maya his plan if they earned 2 million pesos within two months. She listened with a smile, imagining the life they could have. He said he wanted to build a proper house for her and the twins, one with solid walls, a real kitchen, and proper bathrooms that wouldn’t leak. Maya chuckled, but she also dreamed about how wonderful it would be to finally have a real home.

They wouldn’t have to get wet while cooking in the rain or worry about leaks during storms. They wouldn’t need to feel exposed while bathing, but instead enjoy true privacy. With a house of concrete walls, they could have the kitchen and bathroom inside, finally gaining the security and comfort they longed for.

Later, Maya turned on the television to watch the telenovela she followed religiously, though her thoughts wandered. The channel was still airing the news, and the weather reporter said a typhoon was coming from the Pacifico Ocean. It looked like a serious storm.

"It's on the opposite side of the country. We’re going to be fine," Karlos said, trying to reassure her and himself, though he still felt a little uneasy.

The typhoon was expected to make landfall on the eastern part of the South Major Island, which meant they were safe, after all, they lived on the western side. For reference, the South Major Island was a huge landmass, around 120,000 square kilometers.

Three days later, Karlos stood on the shore, watching as massive waves crashed violently and the wind howled. The gusts were strong, and the sky was filled with rolling dark clouds, warning of the storm’s power.

"The typhoon landed on the east and traveled to the Timog-Kanluran province..." Karlos muttered, his heart sinking as he realized the challenge ahead.

He knew he couldn’t fish today, not with waves that could easily capsize his small boat. He also feared that the traps he set on the island might be blown away by the waves or swept out to sea.

"... Fuck," he cursed quietly, knowing he would have to wait out the storm and hope for the best, silently praying that his traps survived.