Qi'ao Island

Chapter 1: Qiao Island Qi'ao Island is shaped like a sea turtle returning to land from the sea. Its head is connected to the land and its tail extends to the estuary of the river. It is surrounded by dense mangroves. Fishermen on the island take boats to the interior via simple piers to trade. The central part of the island is flat and above sea level. It is the location of the fishing village and is home to about a hundred households. The fishermen's houses have coastal characteristics, with exterior walls made of stones and colorful roofs with raised roofs on both sides. There are many temples built in the village to worship Mazu and other sea gods. Fishermen often burn incense here to worship. The village streets are narrow and paved with rough strips of stone slabs, which are uneven but non-slip. The Zong clan ancestral hall is the activity center of the village, where the clan leader convenes clan members to discuss matters. Most of the fishermen on the island are surnamed Zheng. It is said that they are descendants of Zheng Chenggong. There are also a few residents with other surnames. Most of their ancestors came here to escape the war or wait for the opportunity to go to sea. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has a low-lying outlet to the sea. There is a large fish pond in front of it. There is a breakwater between the fish pond and the mangrove. Fishermen adjust the water level of the fish pond through the sluice. Mangroves are important marine plants along the coast. They can purify seawater and protect coastal soil and water. Their fruits can also be processed into oil. Chapter 2: The mystery of life experience Song Xiaobao made an agreement with Zheng Jie, the grandson of the patriarch, and Zheng Sanmei, the daughter of the tribe, to go to sea, hoping to catch big fish and sell them at a good price. Xiaobao is full of doubts about her life experience. Whenever she asks about her mother, she is always evasive. Xiaobao's mother is a local, surnamed Zheng, and a distant cousin of the clan leader, but her status in the village seems to be lower and she acts cautiously. Xiaobao's father's identity remains a mystery.