Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 9

"I'm not lying. I just caught these fish an hour ago, and they're fresh straight out of the water. How about it, boss? Interested in buying? I can give you a discount if you take both right now."

Karlos actually had a list of regular buyers, and his brother-in-law, Joseph, was one of them. He usually contacted Joseph when he had a decent haul. But most of the time, Karlos sold crabs, not fish, because that was what he could consistently catch with his equipment.

His small boat couldn't venture far into the sea, so he usually went to the mangroves south of town. The shallow, calm waters there were perfect for catching crustaceans. The area was rich with crabs thanks to the brackish water, which made an ideal breeding ground.

Because of that, selling fish was more of a bonus than a goal. And with only two fish today, there was no reason to chase down bulk buyers. Most of them weren't even present in the fish port right now anyway. Joseph, for instance, was probably out driving his delivery truck to the inner cities with seafood and other goods.

The old man who had been eyeing the fish squinted at them like he was evaluating a work of art.

"Let's see. They look fresh. The eyes are still clear, and the gills are red. But since these are only two, and I prefer buying in bulk… How much did you say they were again?"

"The Giant Trevally is 40 pesos per kilo, and it weighs about 7 kilograms."

"So, 280 pesos," the old man muttered, then pointed at the Spanish Mackerel with clear interest. He knew they could grow this big, but it was rare to find one caught from the shore, especially one around 40 inches long.

His real focus was the Spanish Mackerel. It had a premium taste, and he was already thinking of giving it to a wealthy friend to earn a favor or maybe just to brag a little.

"This Spanish Mackerel weighs 13 kilograms, and it's 60 pesos per kilogram since it's a high-value catch."

"So that's 780 pesos. Hmm… that's expensive. How about this, I'll pay you 800 pesos for both."

"900 pesos, boss. I've got a family to feed, and this is the freshest catch you'll get today."

"Come on, I've heard that excuse so many times I'm numb to it. We all have families. 850 pesos. Final offer. And you carry them to my pickup truck."

"Deal. But pay me in cash first, I won't lift a single fin until then."

Karlos didn't mind the price. He had expected some haggling anyway. He knew he couldn't sell these fish at their true value because most buyers here preferred to buy in bulk. He could maybe get a better price in the inner cities, but travel expenses and the risk of the fish losing its freshness weren't worth it.

The old man handed him the money without another word.

Karlos licked his thumb and counted the bills one by one to be sure. The amount was correct. He nodded and happily followed the man to his Toyuta pickup truck.

Unlike Joseph's truck, which was built for bulk transport, the old man's vehicle was smaller but had just enough room for a few fish and some ice. Still, owning a truck was a sign of wealth, Karlos didn't even have a motorcycle.

"Thanks, boss!"

He waved goodbye and walked down the street with light steps, a sense of accomplishment in his stride and money clutched in his calloused hand.

He passed by the grocery store and decided to take this opportunity to buy milk formula for the twins, who had been drinking more each week. He also grabbed some baby food, pureed mush made of fruits based what the label said. He didn't know exactly what was in it, but the kids loved it and he had seen commercials about it, so he kept buying it.

When Karlos got home, Maya was humming a lullaby while the twins napped beside her on the bed. Arabella was on her right and Iñigo on her left, both breathing softly in perfect rhythm.

Maya gently patted their tummies to soothe them.

Karlos grinned and placed the plastic bag on the bamboo floor with a quiet thump.

Maya sat up and stretched lightly.

"You sold the fish?"

"Yeah, got 850 pesos. Straight deal. I bought milk formula and food for the twins, so we won't have to worry for a couple of days."

"That's great. Let's go eat. Just give me a minute."

"It's fine. I'll take care of it. Just watch the kids and make sure they stay asleep."

Karlos went outside to grab the plates and dishes they had left to dry, while Maya tucked the twins in with a thin blanket.

Just like the night before, dinner was rice and seafood. In their town, seafood was cheap and abundant. On the other hand, chicken and pork were expensive, raising livestock took more time, money, and resources.

The couple often admitted they were getting tired of eating seafood daily. Their taste buds longed for variety, but they had no choice. Right now, their priority was saving money and focusing on the twins' needs.

"Tomorrow, I'll fix the boat. Then I'll head out to the mangroves and catch some crabs. We won't be so tight on money after that."

Karlos spoke his thoughts out loud, and Maya nodded while chewing slowly. That had been the plan all along, but she kept glancing at her husband as if she had something else on her mind.

After dinner, they washed the dishes under the dim yellow light and retired for the night. They placed the twins into their crib and adjusted the mosquito net.

The couple turned off the lights and radio... and got freaky under the sheets, as usual. It had become their nightly routine, spicy, intimate, and arguably their only real hobby.

Karlos and Maya practiced safe sex using condoms. They didn't want another child anytime soon. Arabella and Iñigo were already enough to handle. Honestly, they didn't plan to have another baby for at least five more years, not until their finances stabilized and the twins grew older.

"Why do you keep drinking the milk? Are you a kid? That's meant for the twins," Maya grumbled, shooting a glare at Karlos as he wiped her back with playful smugness.

"I can't help it. Everything about you tastes sweet like honey. Besides, if you didn't want me sucking your tits, why didn't you stop me? Bet you liked it too."

"Don't try to blame me."

Maya clicked her tongue and grabbed the towel from him, wiping her front with a huff of annoyance.

"Heh, you didn't answer my question though— Okay, okay, I'm just joking. Don't glare at me like that. Babe, you know how much I love you. And I always mean it."

"Hmph—!"

Maya threw the towel at him, and he started drying himself while chuckling softly. Maya glanced at her husband's body and silently admitted that she had chosen the right partner in both love and life. She swallowed hard and quickly averted her gaze.

After the horizontal monster smash left them both satisfied, the couple lay in bed. Maya wrapped her leg around Karlos like a warm blanket, seeking comfort.

"Babe… are you really serious about being a fisherman?" she whispered in the dark, barely audible.