Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 210


In the morning, Janice stared blankly into space. She sat at the table with her food, trying to eat, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.

"Janice, are you alright? You've been staring at the wall for quite a while now. Is my cooking not to your taste?" her mother, Ronda, asked with concern.

"N-No, Ma. I'm just thinking about something."

"Is it work-related? Do you miss Maynila? Do you miss the food there? I mean, it's the capital, so I guess it's amazing." Ronda felt immensely proud that her daughter had secured a job in Maynila.

"Yeah... Mom, I saw Maya and Karlos yesterday. You didn't tell me that they have children and own a house," Janice couldn't help but ask. It had been bugging her all day.

"...Are you still interested in that guy?" Ronda frowned. "Janice, you have a great career in Maynila, while Karlos is just a lowly fisherman. Sure, he earned enough money to build a house, but being a fisherman isn't a respectable career."

Ronda had always been aware of Janice's infatuation with Karlos. Fortunately, Janice had received a job quota to teach at a prestigious school, which forced her to relocate to Maynila.

"Ma, I'm just asking about them! Why did you immediately assume I'm interested in Karlos?"

"Are you not?"

"O-Of course not!"

"Then why are you still single? You told me last time that one of the teachers at your school was trying to pursue you."

'Because he's ugly... I want my partner to be pleasing to look at,' Janice thought silently, keeping her mouth shut.

It was true that she liked Karlos primarily because of his looks, Karlos was simply that handsome. She had even been confident that she could win Karlos over, but then Maya had decided to hand over the job quota to her instead. After giving it some thought back then, Janice had believed that having a secure career was far better than remaining in their town and living with Karlos. She also knew her family was firmly against her having any relationship with him.

"Karlos is already married, he wasn't meant for you. Janice, you have a good life in Maynila. Don't ruin it over someone who isn't worth it."

"A good life?"

Janice frowned. She couldn't bring herself to call it a good life at all. Living in Maynila was far from simple. She couldn't even afford to pay rent on her own and had to share an apartment with roommates.

Despite earning 25,000 pesos a month, the cost of living in Maynila was exceptionally high. As a woman, she felt pressured to maintain her appearance, and spending money on nice dresses and purses was a necessity, especially while working at a prestigious institution. She had maintained that lifestyle for years, and she was no longer sure if it was truly worth it.

"...I understand, Ma," Janice muttered weakly.

Suddenly, she found herself questioning whether her decision back then had been the right one. Aside from the high-rise buildings and job opportunities, Maynila didn't really have much to offer.

At least Una Town had fresh, clean air, unlike Maynila, which was suffocating with smog everywhere.

"I'm going to head outside to get some fresh air," Janice said, knowing her mother would only lecture her further if she stayed inside.

"Take care. And remember, don't go anywhere near the Alejandros," Ronda reminded her. Janice merely waved her hand as she left the house.

She decided to head toward the beach, missing the feeling of walking along the sandy shore. Their house was somewhat far from the coast, so Janice walked along the paved concrete road.

A few minutes later, the concrete road came to an end, giving way to the expansive stretch of black sand.

She caught sight of kids and teenagers playing in the distance, and a faint smile touched her lips. She used to play on this very same beach when she was young.

She saw a few children flying kites in the sky, it was quite windy today, perfect weather for flying kites.

"Hm?"

Janice stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Karlos flying a kite from afar. She had sharp vision that allowed her to see clearly from a distance.

Karlos was with his twins, and the two adorable children were jumping happily as they looked up at the kite soaring through the air. The little girl asked Karlos if she could hold the string. Karlos handed it over, and Arabella squealed in delight as she felt the tug of the wind against her grip.

Iñigo wanted to try it as well, so Arabella passed the string to him. Both children were having the time of their lives simply holding the line connected to the soaring kite.

Janice watched their interactions, and a sudden ache hit her heart... She couldn't help but feel that things might have turned out entirely different if she had stayed.

After a moment's hesitation, Janice decided to approach Karlos, but a voice called out to her from behind.

"Janice, it's a good thing you're here. I didn't even have to look for you."

Janice turned around to find Maya calling her name. The woman's crimson eyes were gleaming with a dangerously sharp intensity. The gentle breeze brushed her red hair aside, making Maya look both strikingly beautiful yet utterly menacing.

"Maya... I also have something I want to talk to you about."

The two women walked away from the beach toward a small corner store nearby. Back when they were still college students, they used to relax at this exact spot and buy cans of soda together.

Maya maintained her composed smile, making it impossible for Janice to read her thoughts. Janice decided to ask Maya the one question that had bothered her for years, why she had given up her job quota.

The two women bought sodas, just as they had done in the past.

"I'm still confused about why you gave me your job quota back then. You could have built a life for yourself in Maynila."

"I never wanted to leave our town. I love this place," Maya said, taking a sip of her drink... She frowned slightly, wondering why she used to love this artificially sweet taste back when she was a student. She realized her tastes had completely changed now that she had a family. She no longer enjoyed overly sugary drinks.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 211


"Is it... Is it because of Karlos?"

Maya smiled at Janice.

"That's right."

Janice swallowed a mouthful of her drink... She had an inkling of what Maya had done.

"So you gave me the job quota so I would leave town and you could have Karlos all to yourself."

"Pfft—haha!" Maya burst out laughing.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand. I gave you the job quota because you told me you wanted to work in Maynila. You wanted to experience the capital. We were friends, and I wanted to help you."

"You did?" Janice was stupefied. They hadn't been particularly close enough for Maya to do something so generous.

"Hm," Maya nodded smoothly.

In truth, Maya was lying. What Janice said was completely accurate, Maya had perceived her as a threat back then. She had been terrified that Janice and Karlos were growing closer, so she decided to subtly push her out of town and off to Maynila.

Maya had never intended to leave Una Town in the first place, so giving up the job quota had meant very little to her.

Once she successfully convinced Janice to leave, Maya made her move with Karlos, and things progressed quickly until they became a couple and eventually married.

"Then, I... If Karlos back then had chosen... No, never mind." Janice shook her head, realizing she was merely indulging in "what ifs." It was useless to dwell on hypothetical scenarios that would never come to pass.

Maya listened in silence, though she slightly crumpled the aluminum soda can in her grip.

'Bitch, Karlos was only being nice to you back then because you saved his life. If not for your sharp vision, my husband wouldn't be alive today. Giving you my job quota was my way of settling that debt. Don't overstep your boundaries, Karlos is mine.'

Maya's scheme had worked flawlessly, eliminating the threat by handing Janice the job quota. She didn't regret a single thing, in fact, she almost felt like thanking Janice.

Karlos was handsome and naturally warm toward Janice, leading everyone back then to assume he was interested in her. Maya had absolutely hated that assumption.

The two women carried on with a shallow conversation after that. Maya could tell Janice was still battling internal conflict, and she wanted to resolve it before it escalated into a real issue.

"Janice, did you know that so many of our former classmates are jealous of you?"

"Really?"

"I'm not lying. They might hide it, but they're envious that you got the chance to work at a prestigious school in Maynila. You also earn four times the average salary of a teacher here in Una Town."

Maya assumed Janice was making 50,000 pesos a month like everyone else believed. The misunderstanding wouldn't be cleared up unless Janice spoke the truth, but Janice desperately wanted to maintain her reputation as the top student of their batch. She had achieved what the others couldn't.

"I guess you're right," Janice nodded thoughtfully.

"You should reach out to our old classmates. I'm sure you'll see the envy in their eyes."

"Envy..." Janice muttered softly.

Just yesterday, she had been bitterly jealous of Maya's life. Having a handsome husband, adorable children, and a beautiful home was everything Janice had ever dreamed of, and Maya had achieved it all.

However, she hadn't realized that other people were looking at her with the exact same envy. Janice had only realized it today.

"I see..."

She actually loved the idea. It felt gratifying to know her former classmates envied her position. It proved she hadn't made the wrong choice after all!

"I have the contact numbers for our old classmates. You can reach out to them if you want," Maya said with a subtle smile, handing a slip of paper to Janice.

'Stay away from my family. I don't care if you want to play house with our old classmates, as long as your focus is off my husband,' Maya thought coldly.

"I'll invite them over to my house tomorrow. You should come too, Maya. Please show up," Janice said as she excused herself.

"See you tomorrow," Maya waved.

As Janice's figure gradually vanished down the road, Maya's pleasant expression turned serious.

"I wonder if that's enough? I want her to leave town and never come back. I need to make sure she stays focused on returning to Maynila."

Maya confirmed that Janice still harbored lingering feelings for Karlos, though they were no longer as deep as before. Janice prioritized her own vanity over pursuing Karlos, which put Maya's mind at ease.

Once Janice was out of sight, Maya headed toward the beach. She was carrying three cans of non-carbonated orange juice for Karlos and the twins.

As she drew closer, however, Maya clicked her tongue in annoyance upon seeing Karlos chugging a bottle of beer while the twins held the kite string.

"Mama!"

Arabella spotted Maya first and came running toward her. She had missed her mother despite being apart for only an hour.

Naturally, Iñigo ran over to hug his mother as well. He let go of the kite string, letting the line slip away into the breeze. Karlos, exercising his quick reflexes, snagged the line right before the wind could sweep the kite away entirely.

"Did you miss Mama?"

"Yes!"

"I brought something for you guys."

She opened the cans and handed them to the twins. Arabella and Iñigo weren't used to drinking straight from cans, but they thoroughly enjoyed the treats anyway.

"Babe, do you want some orange juice?" Maya asked Karlos.

"I'm good with my beer," Karlos replied, raising his bottle slightly.

"Yeah, I figured as much," Maya sighed softly. It looked like she would have to drink the extra can herself.

"Babe, Janice invited me over for dinner tomorrow. She invited our old classmates too."

"Okay, go have fun tomorrow."

'I'd much rather spend that time having fun with you, but I suppose I'll play along with Janice tomorrow,' Maya thought to herself.

.........
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...

The following day, Maya and her former classmates visited Janice's home. Their batch mates were deeply impressed seeing Janice dressed in elegant, expensive clothes. Janice entertained them with stories of life in Maynila and showed off photos of her university campus.

Janice savored the subtle jealousy visible on her classmates' faces, which instantly boosted her confidence... She truly hadn't made a mistake by leaving town. She was doing far better than the rest of them.

Janice stole a glance at Maya, but Maya maintained a completely indifferent expression, leaving Janice slightly disappointed. Ah well, Janice would be returning to Maynila in four days anyway, so it didn't particularly matter.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 212


Four days later, Janice returned to Maynila. She didn't stay long and bid farewell to her loved ones.

Maya sighed in relief when she heard that Janice was gone.

To be clear, Maya was not scared of Janice. She knew that her husband was deeply in love with her and wouldn't cheat. She trusted Karlos, but she couldn't bring herself to trust other women.

So she was happy that Janice had left town. She hoped Janice would never return.

'It seems like my plan worked once again,' Maya thought while watching a telenovela. She sat next to Karlos, resting her head on his shoulder as they watched the show together.

It was a simple form of relaxation the couple enjoyed after dinner. They had eaten quite early today because the twins were eager to be fed, and afternoon had just passed with the sun setting recently.

Suddenly, Karlos received a message. His phone vibrated on the table.

The couple were feeling too lazy to lean over and grab the phone, so they ordered their little delivery boy.

"Iñigo, sweetie, can you please grab the phone and give it to me?" Maya called to her little boy, who was playing with his toy cars.

"Hm." Iñigo listened to his mother and brought the phone over to her.

"Thank you, muah." She kissed his forehead, and Iñigo happily returned to playing with his toys.

Maya curiously opened the phone and clicked her tongue when she read the message.

"Who was it?" Karlos asked.

"It's Brandon. He's inviting you out for drinks."

"I see..."

Karlos stretched his arms and groaned comfortably.

"..." Maya just glared at him. It was obvious that Karlos was planning to go outside to drink with his buddies.

"I promise I'll return before 10 p.m."

"...Alright, have fun."

At this point, Maya had accepted the fact that Karlos's alcoholic tendencies weren't going away anytime soon.

Karlos kissed her forehead before leaving the house.

"Mama, where Papa go?" Arabella asked her mother. She was confused about why Karlos was leaving the house when it was already dark outside. Her parents had taught her that it was dangerous to stay outside late because bad guys might kidnap children.

"Papa has something to take care of, he'll return later." Maya glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, it was 6:30 p.m.

"He won't get kidnapped?"

"Your Papa is already an adult, no kidnappers will take him."

Arabella learned another new lesson today. It seemed that adults were allowed to go outside even at night. Arabella hoped she would grow up quickly so that no kidnappers would ever take her.

.........
......
...

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Six men raised their bottles and drank a large mouthful.

Tonight, their drinking session had perfect attendance. They had even invited another person to drink with them, Gustavo, the new recruit.

Karlos, Andres, Brandon, Jerry, Domingo, and Gustavo laughed and conversed about various topics.

"Jerry, I haven't seen Bastos lately. Is his face still in bad shape?" Brandon still had a few words to say to Bastos, but the guy had completely vanished.

"My brother decided to pursue college. He applied to Evitac University and got accepted. It's not really a four-year degree, it's a technical vocational course," Jerry shrugged. He was actually quite happy that Bastos had decided to learn a practical skill. It seemed he had matured over the past few months. Their father had agreed and supported Bastos's studies.

"What course?" Karlos asked.

"Electrical Installation and Maintenance."

"That's a solid skill," Gustavo voiced his opinion. After partnering with Karlos and the others for the ice shop, Gustavo had gradually become close friends with the rest of the group. He was the youngest person among them.

"That's why my father proudly supported him. I hope he takes his life seriously in Evitac," Jerry grinned.

"Before I forget, congratulations on opening your own rice shop!" Andres clapped Jerry on the shoulder.

"Hahaha, that's the main reason I invited you guys today. I want to celebrate!" Jerry laughed, chugging another mouthful of beer.

He had opened a rice shop in the central plaza, and everything was under his name. He had been saving money for years just to establish his own business. His father had also supported his endeavor, even buying him a second-hand mini truck.

He had just opened the shop yesterday, but they had already sold a dozen sacks of rice. The location of his shop was on a heavily populated street.

"You guys are all doing so well now... I feel like I'm being left behind," Domingo listened to their stories and sighed softly.

Karlos had bought a mid-sized bangka and was earning a massive income every sail. Furthermore, he was a co-owner of both a shrimp farm and a thriving ice shop.

Brandon worked under Karlos, but he also earned a substantial amount per fishing run. Just like Karlos, he held shares as a co-owner in both the shrimp farm and the ice shop.

Andres was in a similar position to Brandon, and though he didn't own a share in the shrimp farm, he was a co-owner of the ice shop.

Gustavo had graduated from college just last year and chose to start an ice business instead of working on a ship, yet the profit he earned from the ice shop was triple or quadruple what he would have made onboard.

And now, Jerry had opened his own rice shop, which looked exceptionally promising.

Only Domingo felt stuck. He was still working as a factory truck driver.

"Like I mentioned last time, why don't you try delivering fish? My brother-in-law earns at least 25,000 pesos every single trip. Since you enjoy traveling and driving a truck, why not drive your own truck for transport?"

This wasn't the first time Domingo had expressed his insecurities, and no one in the circle of friends took it negatively. They genuinely wanted everyone in the group to succeed in life.

"..." Domingo gulped down his beer. Karlos had indeed spoken to him before about transporting fish, but Domingo was terrified that he might fail.

He didn't really know how to market or sell fish. He lacked industry contacts as well. On top of that, he simply didn't have the funds to purchase his own delivery truck.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 213


Domingo planned to marry his girlfriend and start his own family. He was currently living in his parents' house, but he knew that he had to move out once he got married.

He understood how troublesome it was to live with in-laws. Knowing his mother's behavior, she was a bit petty and cheap, he couldn't let his girlfriend live in their house, or else she would be enslaved by his mother...

To have his own house, he needed money first, and earning a lot of money was his top priority.

He listened to his friends and heard about how their lives had improved. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't jealous, but he was also genuinely happy that his friends were doing well.

He had also thought about starting his own business, but he wasn't sure if he could pull it off. He wasn't like Karlos and Gustavo, who had strong educational backgrounds, nor was he like Jerry, who had experience in selling rice. On top of that, Domingo was afraid of the open sea. He wasn't brave enough to travel far from the shore, unlike Brandon and Andres.

So he was stuck in a dilemma.

"If your problem is the cost of buying a truck, my father knows a dealership that sells second-hand vehicles. You can find something there," Jerry said.

"Give me the address. I'm interested in buying a car," Karlos chimed in. He wanted to practice driving a car around the shrimp farm, and using a second-hand car was a good option, at least he wouldn't have to worry too much if it broke down.

"No problem," Jerry nodded.

"So, what's your decision?" Jerry turned back to Domingo, who was fiddling with his bottle.

"I'm scared that I'll fail. My savings aren't really that substantial, and I'm terrified that if I try a different career, I might suffer," Domingo admitted honestly.

The other men listened and nodded in understanding. They knew his situation well and could deeply relate to his anxiety.

"Domingo, all of us here were scared too. Even now, I'm still scared of what the future might bring," Andres shared. He had to face his fears head-on just to improve his family's life.

Andres had faced his phobia and overcome it.

Gustavo had no idea what to expect when starting an ice shop, but he took the leap anyway.

Jerry's new rice shop might face setbacks, but he made the firm decision to do his best to make it prosper.

As for Karlos and Brandon, the dangers of the ocean were something they understood all too well, but it never stopped them from setting sail.

Everyone was scared of something, but they were men. They had families to provide for, their fears paled in comparison to the love they held for their families.

"I understand, but still..."

"How about this: why don't you try buying a tricycle and selling cheap but filling meals at the bus terminal? It doesn't require a lot of capital, and you won't suffer a massive loss if it fails. Furthermore, if the food business doesn't work out, you can always be a full-time tricycle driver instead," Karlos suggested.

Domingo listened intently. He knew Karlos had a sharp sense for business.

"Listen, people in our town rely heavily on tricycles for transportation. If you own a tricycle, you'll always have a way to earn back your investment."

"Of course, I still think selling food at the bus terminal is the better idea. As long as your meals are affordable and filling, people will buy them. Running a business is the fastest way to build wealth," Karlos added, and the others voiced their agreement.

"...I don't know how to cook, though."

"You can ask your mother for help. She knows how to make rice cakes and siomai."

Domingo rubbed his chin. His mother was indeed a skilled cook, she knew how to prepare delicious meals using budget-friendly ingredients.

"I'll give it a try... But I have a favor to ask. Can you help me sell the meals on my first day? Just to give me an idea of what to do."

"Of course. Just contact me when you need help. I'm usually free around 12 noon onwards," Karlos chuckled softly. Helping a friend was something he would never refuse.

"I'm also thinking of buying a tricycle," Andres chimed in.

"Then I'll take you to the dealership. My motorcycle and sidecar cost me 90,000 pesos."

"That's... that's not bad at all." With his current daily earnings, Andres was completely comfortable spending 90,000 pesos.

Even Domingo agreed that the price was well within his budget.

"Let me know when you're heading to the dealership. I also want to look for a motorcycle, though I don't want to attach a sidecar," Gustavo said.

"Alright, let me take you guys there tomorrow."

The men returned to their drinks, laughing and chatting happily. Domingo felt a huge weight lifted off his chest. He was deeply grateful to have friends like Karlos. Even though he couldn't make it to every single drinking session, he was always treated as an inner member of their circle.

.........
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...

Kubeta Alejandro burped loudly after chugging down a bottle of liquor.

"Hehe," he chuckled, navigating the streets with unsteady, staggering steps. Neighbors who recognized him quickly kept their distance, he was a notorious drunkard who brought nothing but trouble to their area.

The aunties scowled as he stumbled past, while the uncles shook their heads in utter disapproval. They wished Kubeta Alejandro had been the one sent off to the province instead of Karlos. Karlos was a far better person than his older brother. Karlos was respectful, hardworking, and handsome. Kubeta, on the other hand, had plain features, untidy black hair, and distinct pink eyes.

"Hiccup—! What are you all staring at!? Go mind your own damn business!" Kubeta Alejandro shouted at the neighbors who were glaring at him. The neighbors clicked their tongues and quickly averted their gazes... Kubeta had a long history of getting violent and beating people up.

[Thank you for supporting this novel. Also, I posted a smut scene in Discord...]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 214


"Heh! Fucking dumbfucks, all they do is gossip about people and do nothing. Why don't you actually work instead so your lives get better!" Kubeta roared at the onlookers. He was deeply annoyed that people stared at him with such obvious disapproval.

The neighbors were utterly speechless. He really should have been saying that to himself. Kubeta was a well-known, good-for-nothing bum in their neighborhood, constantly depending on his parents and his grandmother for survival.

Kubeta spat on the ground and swaggered away like a hooligan. He remained arrogantly confident in his ability to beat any man in a street fistfight.

As he finally neared his house, he spotted someone familiar walking down the road.

"Nannette! Are you heading off to work? How about I take you there? I can handle any punk who tries to mess with you." Kubeta approached a young woman dressed in a crisp nurse's white uniform.

Nannette frowned in disgust at Kubeta's overly eager demeanor. The moment he stepped close, she instinctively covered her nose, hit by the overpowering stench of cheap alcohol radiating off him.

"You don't have to do that. I can commute on my own," she said coldly, taking a sharp step backward. Nannette was widely considered one of the most gorgeous women in the neighborhood, drawing plenty of suitors. With striking milky-white skin, silver hair, and hazel-brown eyes, her appearance was truly remarkable.

On top of her looks, she had graduated with a nursing degree and recently landed a stable job at a prestigious hospital in Maynila. Her future seemed to be on a straight, promising path.

"Hehe, have I ever told you how gorgeous you are?" Kubeta gave a childish grin, but Nannette didn't react positively in the slightest.

'You literally almost beat up my coworker just because he gave me a ride home. We aren't even dating,' she thought bitterly.

Everything about Kubeta repulsed her.

He wasn't hideously ugly, but he certainly wasn't attractive either.

He sported a thick beer belly from his relentless drinking habits and never exercised a day in his life.

He was completely jobless, relying entirely on his aging family elders.

And above all, Kubeta was a violent bully who routinely beat people up, including his own younger brother.

Speaking of his younger brother...

Nannette's eyes brightened slightly as a sudden thought crossed her mind.

"How is Karlos doing? I haven't heard a single thing about him in years. Is he doing alright? Is he healthy?" Nannette bombarded Kubeta with questions.

Nannette and Karlos had been childhood friends. To be precise, the Alejandro children and Nannette had grown up together, remaining quite close for a long time.

Eventually, however, things changed. Both Kubeta and Ivana, the youngest sister, completely disregarded Karlos's existence, treating him more like a servant than a brother.

Nannette had never understood why their family dynamic turned so toxic. Disgusted by their behavior, she had distanced herself from Kubeta and Ivana, choosing to remain friends exclusively with Karlos.

In truth, her feelings for Karlos extended far beyond simple friendship. She had a deep crush on him. It was precisely why she had never bothered having a boyfriend, she simply couldn't get Karlos out of her head.

He wasn't just striking to look at, he was deeply capable, hardworking, and fiercely protective of those he cared about. She still vividly remembered a time when she was being harassed by local kids, and it was Karlos who stepped in to shield her.

Yet Karlos had always been dense, completely oblivious to romance. Or perhaps he simply knew romance was out of his league, given that he was weighed down by his upbringing and unproven status in life.

"That guy?" Kubeta scratched his head blankly, having already forgotten about his younger brother entirely.

While Kubeta and Ivana technically knew Karlos was their biological brother, their parents' relentless mistreatment of him had poisoned their own attitudes, leading them to treat him without an ounce of respect. To them, he was nothing more than an unpaid household helper.

"Well, the last thing I heard was that he got married and has two kids," Kubeta muttered offhandedly.

"...Yeah, I heard about the rumors," Nannette offered a bitter, tight smile. Word had reached the neighborhood last year that Karlos had married someone down in the Timog-Kanluran province. Nannette had actually locked herself in her room and cried for a whole week straight.

Ever since then, she had tried her hardest to move on, but she just couldn't shake her lingering feelings. Their shared history ran too deep, they had spent their entire childhoods side by side.

"As for his current situation? No idea. Never heard a peep about him since."

"Figures. You never treated him like a brother anyway."

"Hey, don't say that. He is my brother, just... the neglected one." Kubeta shrugged. He vaguely remembered asking his parents once why they hated Karlos so much, only to be met with terrifying, icy glares from both Delilah and Emmanuel. Kubeta had never dared to ask that question again.

"So, you don't need my escort service, then?"

"No. I told you, I can commute on my own." Nannette's expression hardened into a glare.

"Hehe, next time I'll pick you up from work in a car. I feel like my luck is finally turning around." Aside from being a chronic alcoholic, Kubeta had inherited his mother's destructive gambling addiction.

"Yeah, right. How is your grandmother doing? Is she still locked up in jail?" Nannette didn't care about old hag Bruha, the elderly woman was a toxic conservative who harbored bizarre prejudices against young women.

"...She's not doing well," Kubeta clicked his tongue, a dark look crossing his face. He deeply hated the people responsible for putting his grandmother behind bars.

"I have to go now. I'll be late," Nannette excused herself. She held zero positive impressions of the entire Alejandro family, with the sole exception of Karlos, of course.

"Take care then!" Kubeta called out. He still held a delusional crush on Nannette, genuinely believing that the moment he hit the jackpot at the casino, she would finally look his way.

Kubeta stumbled back toward his home, his steps heavy and uncoordinated.

"Ivana! You fucking bitch, open the damn gate!" he yelled, kicking the metal gate repeatedly because he was too lazy to slide it open himself.

"Why are you screaming like a lunatic!? It's the middle of the day, and you're causing a scene!" Ivana glared at him as she reluctantly opened the gate.

"Shut your trap! Did you wash my clothes yet!?"

"Yeah, I did!" Ivana grumpily snapped back, turning on her heel to stomp back inside the house. She had essentially been demoted to a full-time housemaid ever since Karlos was gone, and she resented Karlos deeply for it.

Stepping into the living room, Kubeta found Delilah and Emmanuel sitting on the couch with grim, exhausted expressions. But Kubeta was far too drunk to read the heavy atmosphere, walking right up to them to demand food.

"Ma, where's my lunch?"

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 215


"Ma, where's my food?"

That was Kubeta's first sentence upon entering the house, which instantly infuriated Emmanuel. The man in his late forties stood up in sudden anger, veins bulging on his forehead. He had been living on the absolute edge for a whole month now, especially with his mother rotting in jail for a crime she didn't deserve...

"You fucking bastard!" Emmanuel lunged forward and punched Kubeta straight in the face, catching him completely off guard and sending him sprawling to the floor.

"All you ever do is get drunk and blow money on your worthless vices! Your mother and grandmother spoiled you rotten! You don't even have a job, and you've grown up completely useless! And now you have the absolute audacity to demand food the second you walk through the door? Go find food for yourself! There's goddamned rice and hotdogs in the kitchen, cook them yourself!"

"W-What are you doing to my son!? Why would you hit him?!" Delilah shrieked hysterically, rushing over to Kubeta to check if his face was bleeding.

Ivana had also witnessed Emmanuel strike Kubeta. Knowing that her father had finally reached his absolute limit, especially right after receiving terrible news from the province, she wisely and quietly retreated to her bedroom to avoid the brewing storm.

Kubeta was completely dazed, his face stinging painfully and blood trickling from his nose. He stared up at his father in sheer disbelief, unable to process that Emmanuel had actually hit him.

"W-Why did you do that, Pa?" His drunken haze vanished instantly in the wake of the punch. If not for his underlying fear and respect for his father, Kubeta might have tried to retaliate... but he didn't dare raise a hand against Emmanuel. Emmanuel was the sole financial pillar of the household, and every single cent Kubeta spent on his useless habits came straight from his father's pockets.

"Because you're still acting like a spoiled toddler! For god's sake, you're already twenty-seven years old, yet you've accomplished absolutely nothing in life. All you do is waste days on garbage!"

"Pa, I..."

"Your grandmother is locked away in a prison cell and can't even get out..." Emmanuel sighed heavily, dropping back down onto the chair. "And today, we just got word that your uncle, your aunt, and your cousin have all been thrown in prison for illegal drug possession and distribution."

"What?!"

Kubeta was thunderstruck... He already knew his cousin was a secret drug user, in fact, that cousin was the one who had first introduced Kubeta to cocaine, but he never in his wildest dreams imagined the whole family would get busted.

On top of that, his cousin was a massive coward, so the idea of him actively distributing drugs, which carried a much harsher sentence, seemed completely unbelievable.

"Our family must be cursed by the deities..." Emmanuel trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. He knew very well the sins they had committed in the past.

"T-Then let's go help our family! You said before that we should contact Karlos and ask him for money. Maybe he's doing really well down in the Timog-Kanluran province!"

"..." Emmanuel stayed silent. His brother had actually called to tell him that Karlos had established a proper household in the Timog-Kanluran province and was living quite comfortably. His brother had even begged Emmanuel to find a way to save him and his family.

Emmanuel closed his eyes tightly... Truth be told, he had never truly supported Delilah and old hag Bruha's scheme back then, but greed had made him turn a blind eye.

Perhaps the deities really were punishing them for what they had done.

"No. No one is contacting Karlos. From now on, he is dead to us. Don't you ever dare speak his name in this house again," Emmanuel decided firmly, wanting nothing more than to stay as far away from Karlos as possible.

"But what about Grandma, Uncle, and his family?" Kubeta pressed, but Emmanuel kept his mouth shut.

"Emmanuel, don't tell me you're actually going to..." Delilah suddenly caught on, her face draining of color.

"Wife, we don't have a choice."

"No! Never! We can't! We must not disturb his life! Doing that would be devastating for Tonto!" Delilah shrieked hysterically.

"..." Emmanuel sighed again, a profound weariness weighing him down.

"Absolutely not! Absolutely not! He's completely different from us. He doesn't need to know the truth!" Delilah raged so hard that all the fat on her face shook violently.

"Ma, what are you even talking about?" Kubeta asked, utterly bewildered, but Delilah completely lost her mind and lunged straight at Emmanuel.

"Emmanuel, you bastard! If not for your Alejandro bloodline, which guaranteed I'd give birth to healthy boys, I never would have married you in the first place!"

"I know. You had the exact same motivation as my mother when she married my father," Emmanuel replied with a bitter, hollow laugh.

The Alejandro family was well-known for specific traits: jet-black hair and an overwhelming biological tendency to sire boys. Female children were an extreme rarity in their bloodline.

Because of this quirk, certain women desperate for male heirs would intentionally seek out and marry into their family.

Emmanuel, however, had grown utterly exhausted of being surrounded by aggressive men all his life, which was why he had secretly felt fortunate when Delilah gave birth to Ivana.

It was largely for that reason that he had tolerated Delilah's destructive gambling habits for all these years.

"Delilah, you have to understand. Tonto needs to know the truth sooner or later. We can't keep burying it forever," Emmanuel argued quietly.

"You..."

Delilah completely broken, bursting into a ragged sob as she threw her hands around Emmanuel's neck, trying to choke him in her despair.

Emmanuel was too exhausted to fight back. For a brief second, he even thought dying might be a blessing, at least he wouldn't have to carry this crushing guilt anymore.

He asked himself when exactly things had started going wrong. Was it the day they swapped the two babies? Or was it years ago when he had stopped his mother, Bruha, from killing Karlos when the boy was still a toddler? Emmanuel had no answers left.

"Ma, what are you doing!? You're going to kill Papa!"

"He deserves it! He's a spineless coward!"

'Indeed... I suppose I am spineless,' Emmanuel thought bitterly.

Kubeta finally stepped in, pushing Delilah away to rescue his father. Emmanuel coughed violently, sucking in greedy breaths of air.

"...Kubeta, take care of your mother. I have things I need to take care of."

"No, Emmanuel, I'm begging you. Please, you don't have to be so cruel to our son," Delilah wept openly as Kubeta helped her stay upright.

"And do what instead? Do you honestly think my mother, my brother, and his family can get out of prison on their own? We need someone with real influence and deep pockets to get them out. Only Tonto is in a position to help us now."

"But—"

"We have no other choice."

Defeated, Delilah slumped against her son, sobbing until she completely lost the will to fight back. She finally resigned herself to reality... though deep down, a part of her also secretly yearned to hold Tonto once the truth came out. She had missed her real son terribly.


[Thank you for reading this novel. If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 216


"Siomai rice! Siomai rice, everyone! It's hot and steaming, perfect for travel!"

Karlos raised his voice enthusiastically as more potential customers drifted toward their makeshift stall.

Throughout his two lifetimes, Karlos had always been industrious and possessed a natural knack for sales. Back in the day, he used to sell ice candies and cigarettes on the side of a bustling, congested road.

"Are you sure this is fresh?" one prospective customer asked, raising a brow in suspicion. He was hungry, desperate to fill his stomach after sitting on a cramped bus for hours.

"100% fresh and newly cooked. Here," Karlos waved his hand expertly to waft the aromatic steam into the air. "Can you smell it? It's completely fresh and delicious." Karlos smoothly delivered his pitch.

"Indeed... now I'm actually feeling hungry. Give me one serving. How much?"

"Twenty pesos. Very affordable, right?"

Domingo, Brandon, and Andres watched in utter astonishment as Karlos effortlessly charmed the passersby, using his silver tongue to convince people to buy their siomai rice.

After careful consideration, Domingo had decided to take a gamble on his future. He quit his job.

He purchased a brand-new motorcycle alongside Andres and Gustavo, who had also bought motorcycles for themselves. While Andres and Gustavo were still practicing how to handle their motorcycles, Domingo already knew how to ride one comfortably.

With Karlos's guidance, Domingo went to a local welding shop that specialized in custom sidecars. However, instead of a passenger sidecar, Domingo had them attach a custom food cart built right onto the chassis. He wanted a mobile station where he could store his goods and serve customers on the spot.

Karlos then helped him source all the essential equipment and supplies needed for retail, such as disposable spoons and food cups.

Domingo chose to sell siomai rice because his mother's homemade siomai was exceptionally delicious and satisfying.

Whenever Karlos had free time, he happily pitched in to help his friend.

Today marked Domingo's very first day selling at the busy town bus terminal, a massive hub where hundreds of commuters constantly traveled to different towns and cities. Brandon and Andres were right there with him to lend a hand.

To everyone's shock, they sold nearly two-thirds of their entire stock in a mere two hours.

Domingo busied himself scooping warm rice into cups, while Brandon topped each portion with four hot pieces of siomai before handing them to customers. Andres managed the cash box, collecting money and handing back exact change.

Meanwhile, Karlos had zero shame and kept hollering "Siomai rice~!" at the top of his lungs, drawing in a steady stream of buyers.

"...Sold out. I honestly can't believe it." Domingo stood completely speechless. He pried open the steaming pot to confirm that every last piece of siomai was gone. Even the massive rice cooker was scraped completely clean.

"Alright, let's count the earnings and pack up so we can get some well-deserved rest."

Karlos wiped the sweat from his forehead with a grin. For him, this kind of hustle was child's play.

The four men sat down around a foldable table to count the day's profits. With their tough, intimidating presence gathered together, not a single troublemaker dared to approach or cause any trouble.

"We sold 150 orders within three hours. That's a total of 3,000 pesos. At 20 pesos an order with a 9-peso profit margin per serving, Domingo just earned 1,350 pesos."

Domingo's jaw dropped as they tallied up the final cash amount.

"This..."

As a factory truck driver, his daily salary was 700 pesos, which was already nearly double the local minimum wage. He had been in a relatively comfortable financial spot compared to most, and plenty of people envied his regular pay.

Yet he never dreamed he could make double that amount in just a few hours of selling siomai rice. Is starting a business really this easy? He recalled Karlos telling him that starting a business was the fastest route to real wealth, and it turned out his friend hadn't been lying at all.

Even Brandon and Andres looked stunned. If they weren't already making a fortune out on the open sea, they might have considered setting up a food cart themselves.

They all glanced over at Karlos... This guy was simply too good at drawing in customers, which was the main reason their inventory had cleared out so fast.

"Hehe, once you guys stop coming to help, I'm probably going to struggle to sell this much," Domingo laughed nervously, feeling a mix of happiness and anxiety.

"Don't talk like that. We've all tasted your mother's siomai rice, and it's genuinely delicious. I'm 100% sure your business is going to thrive. Trust me." Karlos said.

"But I'm not a handsome guy like you."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Karlos asked, genuinely confused.

"Didn't you notice that most of the people who bought our food were women?"

"And? So what?" Karlos looked even more perplexed.

The other three men let out synchronized sighs. After spending all this time as Karlos's close friends, they had finally realized he was completely oblivious to his own striking appearance.

The primary reason their food sold out so quickly wasn't just the product, it was Karlos's vibrant energy and handsome face acting as a magnet for customers.

The four men wrapped up, packed their gear neatly, and secured the foldable table and large umbrella onto the food cart before Domingo started up his engine.

Each man climbed onto his respective vehicle and drove back toward the beachside neighborhood.

.........
......
...

True to Karlos's prediction, the business continued to flourish. Karlos and the others assisted Domingo for three straight days, and eventually, Domingo's father stepped in to help out full-time. The profit margins were so promising that the father-and-son duo made a great team running it together.

Before long, Domingo was comfortable managing the food stall alongside his father. Deeply grateful for the initial push Karlos and the group had provided, Domingo regularly gifted them bundles of dried fish as tokens of appreciation.

Even Domingo's mother was in high spirits. Being the chef behind the popular siomai boosted her self-esteem, and she felt her standing within the household rise now that she was an essential pillar of a thriving family business.

From then on, Domingo steadily earned 2,000 pesos every single day. For a household of three, that was a massive sum, 500 pesos alone was enough to comfortably feed a family for a whole week.

Domingo finally saw a bright, secure future in selling siomai rice. He grew deeply confident that he would soon have enough saved to build a proper home for himself and his girlfriend.

Little did Domingo know at the time, however, that his girlfriend never truly took him seriously. A heartbreaking revelation that would soon deal a devastating blow to his mental well-being.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 217


May 9, 2002.

"Happy birthday, Papa!"

"Papa, happy biwthday!"

The twins greeted Karlos cheerfully as he carried them out toward the party setup.

"Do you have a birthday gift for Papa?" he teased them, and both children giggled, leaning in to plant kisses on his cheeks. That was their favorite gift to give him.

Karlos smiled warmly and showered them right back with kisses. He loved his twins more than words could say.

Even though his previous life had been full of hardship, he never regretted living.

Because he kept going, he met Maya and married her. And now, they had these adorable twins. Karlos felt profoundly grateful to be alive.

He settled the twins into their high chairs, where they eagerly waited for the food. They stared wide-eyed at the long table loaded down with steaming pots and large trays of food.

Neighbors and friends constantly streamed in and out of their front yard, as the Alejandro family was throwing a grand birthday celebration for Karlos.

"Hey, Karlos, happy birthday!" Domingo's mother greeted him giddily while greedily scooping a generous portion of rice straight into her plastic bag. Since it was a free lunch, she was determined to make the most of it and take home "leftovers".

"Thank you, Auntie." Karlos grinned. He didn't mind at all that Domingo's mother was packing food to take home.

Karlos looked around and saw that their front yard was buzzing with activity. Batch after batch of neighbors arrived to eat, greeting him with cheerful birthday wishes.

"So, how old are you turning today?"

"I'm twenty-three."

"My, that's still quite young."

"Yeah, I suppose so." Karlos chuckled. He had married Maya when he was only nineteen, while Maya was twenty-two.

"Babe, let me watch the twins. You go take care of the guests," Maya said, stepping over with another fresh pot of rice. She paused to kiss Karlos on the cheek before he walked away.

"Happy birthday, babe."

"Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too. Now go talk to others. People keep asking me where the alcohol is, and they refuse to believe me when I say there isn't any. Do something about it, I'm exhausted from explaining that we aren't serving beer at this party." Maya set down two plates filled with different dishes to feed the twins. The children were old enough to use spoons now, which made her life a bit easier as a mother... though they still ate quite messily, meaning she would have plenty of cleaning up to do later.

Karlos made his way over to his group of friends, who were laughing loudly and debating the merits of their various motorcycles and tricycles.

"Bro, nothing beats Hunda. It's the ultimate brand, its durability and design are simply immaculate," Gustavo argued passionately, explaining why his motorcycle was superior.

"Nah, Yamahay is way better. It's got a smoother engine and much faster acceleration," Brandon countered, chiming into the debate. He briefly glanced toward a certain group of female teachers arriving before quickly looking away.

"I think Susuki takes the crown in terms of pure performance. It's affordable and packs a powerful engine," Andres offered his perspective.

"Ha! You only chose Susuki because it's the absolute cheapest brand at the dealership," Gustavo teased him mercilessly.

"And what about it? That doesn't change the fact that Susuki runs great. What about you, Domingo?"

"Me? Of course, I'm backing Susuki too. That's what I ride," Domingo grinned. He had just finished selling 200 orders of siomai rice earlier that morning and pocketed a nice 1,800 pesos for the day.

"You guys keep arguing about motorcycles, but I wouldn't even know what brand is best since I don't own one. Well, I do have a truck, though," Jerry laughed, joining the circle.

"Hey, Karlos, what about you? What's the best motorcycle brand in your opinion?"

"I ride a Hunda, so obviously Hunda is the best."

"Haha, well then, we're in agreement," Gustavo nodded in satisfaction.

The men continued chatting amiably until they finished their meals.

"So... where's the alcohol? I've been waiting all morning for a nice, refreshing cold beer."

"I've already told you for the third time, there is no beer," Karlos sighed. He wouldn't mind having a drink himself, but Maya strictly disapproved of daytime drinking during a family gathering.

"I can give you some cash to buy a few bottles of wine or liquor to take home, but you can't drink them here."

"That works for us!" They readily agreed. Free drinks to take home were already a great deal.

"Guess we'll have to find another spot to party then. Haha, sorry, Karlos, looks like you're stuck playing host. Thanks for the cash, though!" They laughed, slapping him on the back as they walked off after pocketing 300 pesos each for beer money. Brandon looked slightly hesitant to leave the party early, but he followed the others anyway. He kept glancing at someone.

"...Those bastards," Karlos muttered with a jealous twitch of his eyebrow. He wanted to kick back and drink too, but as the birthday celebrant, he was stuck managing the festivities.

"Karlos, the lumpia is completely gone! Bring another batch out from the kitchen," Maya called out to him.

"Alright, I'm on it."

Karlos went inside the house and headed straight for the kitchen, where Penelope and Joseph were hard at work. Joseph was busy scrubbing plates at the sink, while Penelope was busy loading freshly fried lumpia onto a platter.

"I heard from outside that the lumpia ran out. Here, take this out to restock," Penelope said, handing the tray over to Karlos.

"Joseph, why are you washing the dishes? Leave them in the sink, I'll wash them later," Karlos said, feeling a bit awkward seeing his brother-in-law doing manual labor at his party.

"Nah, it's totally fine. I just finished eating and I don't have anything better to do," Joseph waved his soapy hand dismissively and kept scrubbing.

"I've got a couple of bottles of wine set aside, I'll share them with you guys later," Karlos promised.

"Now that's what I like to hear! Go on back out front, leave the chores to us. We've got everything handled here. Oh, and happy birthday!"

"Thanks."

Karlos grinned and headed back out to the front yard. The moment he set the fresh platter of lumpia on the long table, eager hands reached out to grab a piece or two.

"Nice! Haha, I've been waiting for more of these," Domingo's mother beamed, licking her lips as she scooped up a generous handful of lumpia and discreetly slipped them into her plastic bag.

[Thank you for supporting this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 218


By nightfall, Karlos's birthday party had officially come to an end. All the neighbors and guests had filtered out of the front yard with full stomachs, leaving behind only a few leftover dishes that Maya planned to store in the fridge for the coming days.

Only Joseph and his family remained in the house. Venus and Gavin were still wide awake, happily playing hide-and-seek and giggling with their little cousins, including Jenny and Marlon, who were Andres's children.

"Penelope, Brother, thank you so much for everything," Maya said sincerely. Even though they had used disposable plates and utensils, large family gatherings always needed plenty of cookware and serving trays that needed scrubbing. Joseph had taken charge of the kitchen, ensuring that by the time the party wrapped up, every single dish was washed and put away.

Joseph and his family had arrived early that morning to pitch in with the cooking, and their immense help had made the day run smoothly.

"We're family, we're always going to help each other out," Penelope waved her hand dismissively with a warm smile, and Joseph nodded in agreement.

The couple was genuinely happy to see Maya living so comfortably and thriving. After watching Karlos steadily improve his livelihood over the years to provide a wonderful life for Maya and the twins, both Joseph and Penelope had completely changed their tune about him.

Karlos proved to be a devoted partner and a fantastic father. Even Venus and Gavin now looked up to him with genuine respect. Karlos was no longer viewed as a struggling outsider, he was a respected, successful man in his own right.

"Oh, before I forget, here's our birthday gift to you, Karlos."

"A gift? Nah, you really didn't have to. I'm getting too old to expect birthday presents," Karlos said, looking pleasantly surprised as Penelope handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. Attached to it was a card with handwritten words: Happy Birthday, Karlos Alejandro. From the Reyes family.

Reyes was Maya's maiden name. Maya Reyes.

"It's nothing extravagant, but I figured it's something you'd actually use. Joseph was the one who picked it out," Penelope explained.

"Babe, go ahead and open it," Maya encouraged, noticing Karlos hesitating. He rarely ever received gifts, so he wasn't quite sure how to react.

"Okay." He nodded, carefully tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal a heavy-duty, waterproof flashlight. A wide grin broke across his face.

"This is incredibly practical. Thank you so much."

As a fisherman who headed out to sea almost daily, a reliable flashlight was an absolute lifesaver.

"I knew you'd appreciate it. Having spent years on the water myself, I know how vital a good light is. That model is exceptionally bright, and I made sure to include rechargeable batteries to make it even more useful."

Karlos turned the flashlight over in his hands, admiring its rugged, durable build. He instantly fell in love with it.

"Well then, we really need to head home now. It's getting late." Joseph had a full workday tomorrow, meaning he needed to get to bed early.

"Take care, and thank you again, Brother."

"Alright kids, time to head out. Jenny and Marlon, you guys need to get back home too, your parents are probably looking for you," Joseph called out to the children. In his hand, he carried the bottle of wine Karlos had gifted him, looking forward to savoring a glass later that night.

A few minutes later, only Karlos and his immediate family remained. It had been an eventful, heartwarming day, one that Karlos knew he would cherish forever.

"Looks like the little ones are completely tired out. Let's get them into their cribs," Maya smiled softly, looking over at the twins, who had fallen fast asleep right there on the living room couch. Playing hard all day had exhausted them, and the moment night fell, they had crashed instantly.

Now that the children were fast asleep... it was time for Karlos and Maya to celebrate in their own way.

"I almost forgot, I still haven't given you my actual present... Here." Maya handed him a small stack of handmade cards with a mischievous glint in her eye. She blushed slightly, having personally written every phrase on the cards detailing various intimate acts and positions she loved... Truth be told, it wasn't really a gift for Karlos, it was just as much a gift for herself.

"These are one-time-use vouchers. Once you play a card, it's gone for good," she reminded him playfully.

Karlos curiously flipped through the stack, letting out a low chuckle. The cards were filled with cheeky, explicit prompts like sloppy toppy, 69, and several other adventurous ideas.

"So I'm officially allowed to do all of this to you?" Karlos asked, raising an eyebrow.

"M-Most definitely," Maya stammered, a flush of excitement creeping up her neck.

"Alright, let's pick this one first," Karlos selected a card and handed it back to her.

"Ohh... you're very naughty," Maya giggled as she read the word Cunnilingus written across the paper.

The couple thoroughly enjoyed their private time together... Though, as it turned out, the cards were completely used up by the third week. In reality, the vouchers were mostly just for fun, since the couple practically experimented with all kinds of intimate things nearly every single day anyway. If Karlos ever wanted to try something new, Maya was always more than willing, cards or no cards.

The novelty items were just another playful way to spice things up, though they certainly didn't dictate their already active, passionate sex life.

.........
......
...

"Sharon, I heard your boyfriend just resigned from his job. What's going on with that?"

A female worker at the local sardine factory cornered Sharon, pressing her for gossip about Domingo.

"I don't really know," Sharon brushed it off casually... Though she had heard through Domingo himself that he wanted to transition into business rather than continuing life as a truck driver. That exact revelation was the moment Sharon had started seriously contemplating breaking up with him.

Sharon had never seen much of a long-term future with Domingo. She had only agreed to date him in the first place because he was generous with his money, every time he returned from a delivery run, he brought her nice gifts.

Overall, though, Domingo was painfully ordinary. He had average looks and an average height, though his salary had been comfortably above average, which was undeniably a major plus. But the moment he threw away his steady job to chase an unproven venture, Sharon instantly lost whatever interest she had left in him.

It didn't help matters that Domingo had a notoriously difficult mother. Whenever Sharon visited his family home, the older woman would lecture both Domingo and Sharon endlessly about household expenses, constantly preaching that they needed to tighten their belts because starting a family was no small feat.

To be completely honest, Sharon had never had any real intention of building a family with Domingo anyway... She had simply been biding her time, waiting for a wealthier catch to come along. Unfortunately, she wasn't particularly gorgeous enough to easily attract rich men, being entirely average herself.

[Thank you for reading this novel.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 219



Sharon bid farewell to her coworkers and boarded a tricycle bound for the bus terminal. She remembered that Domingo was selling siomai rice there.

Domingo had been the one to pursue her, and she could tell that he genuinely loved her. Sharon had agreed to date him, realizing he was a sweet, thoughtful man who took wonderful care of her. Whenever he returned from long driving routes across various towns and cities, he always brought back regional delicacies and souvenirs for her and her family.

Her family fully supported Domingo because he was a capable, hardworking individual, and Sharon had initially shared that same opinion.

However, she was deeply furious that Domingo had chosen to resign from his stable job. Sharon had tried to stop him, but Domingo explained that he wanted to increase his income so they could build a secure future together without financial struggles.

'A secure future? When did I ever say I wanted to marry him?' Sharon scowled to herself.

'On top of that, I have no desire to be married to a man who sells siomai. Selling dumplings doesn't sound respectable or professional at all.'

Siomai, a traditional steamed meat dumpling, was a common street food and quick meal across the country. To her, it certainly didn't sound fancy or prestigious.

The tricycle pulled up outside the busy bus terminal. As always, the terminal was buzzing with foot traffic. The main hub in Una Town served as a vital transit stop connecting routes to major destinations, such as Evitac City to the east and Taas City to the north.

Long-distance buses frequently pulled into the terminal, allowing weary travelers to stretch their legs and grab a quick bite to eat while waiting for their departures.

As crowds surged back and forth, Sharon scanned the area to locate Domingo. It didn't take long to spot him.

Domingo and his father were operating their siomai rice stall in a prime, spacious spot. They had even set up a small foldable table for customers who preferred to eat on site.

Domingo enthusiastically called out, "Siomai rice!" while his father efficiently packed warm rice into disposable cups and topped each portion with four hot pieces of siomai. Three or four people were already queuing up to order, and business was clearly thriving.

Unfortunately, Sharon failed to see any positivity in the scene. A scowl deepened across her face as she watched Domingo wipe his sweaty forehead with a towel. To her, he looked entirely unrefined.

He looked like a laborer grinding through backbreaking work... and Sharon felt an instant wave of disgust. Her left eyelid twitched in irritation. Their coastal town was full of fishermen who were constantly sweaty and drenched in the salty stench of fish, and she saw that exact same unappealing image reflected in Domingo right now. To her, both were equally repulsive.

Suddenly, Domingo caught sight of her and called her name, eagerly walking over to greet her.

"Sharon! You came to visit me? I saw you standing over there from afar! I'm so happy you're here. Just give me another half hour, our inventory is almost sold out," he explained proudly. He had been earning 2,500 pesos a day, and that steady success had boosted his energy and enthusiasm through the roof.

"Here, take this chair. You can sit down and wait for me to wrap up."

"Hm," Sharon nodded coldly. She didn't bother greeting Domingo's father, and the old man didn't bother greeting her either. His father had never held a high opinion of her, and Sharon had zero interest in interacting with him anyway.

Sharon dragged the chair a considerable distance away from the food cart, not wanting any passing travelers to associate her with the street stall.

Half an hour later, Domingo finished selling the last of his stock.

"Go talk to your girlfriend, son. I'll handle packing up the stall," his father offered generously.

"Alright, thanks Pa."

Domingo's father loaded the pots and equipment onto the custom cart, neatly folded the large umbrella, and strapped it securely into place. He then collapsed the foldable table and stacked the plastic chairs, tying everything down firmly for transport.

Once he finished, Domingo walked back over, though his face had gone completely pale.

"Are you done talking with Sharon?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah... Yeah, we're done talking. It's over," Domingo muttered, a deeply pained, distant look in his eyes.

"Good, let's head home then. I'll drive the tricycle this time." His father failed to notice the sudden change in Domingo's demeanor.

"Hm," Domingo nodded weakly. His mind felt utterly numb as he tried to process the reality of their conversation.

'So we really broke up? She never actually intended to marry me in the first place... So what have I even been working so hard for?'

.........
......
...

It took two full weeks for the devastating reality of the breakup to truly sink in for Domingo.

He was so utterly heartbroken that it started affecting his daily business. He found himself completely distracted at the stall, occasionally miscounting change and handing customers the wrong amounts. His father eventually realized that something was seriously wrong and gently pressed him about what was going on, but Domingo could only manage a bitter, hollow smile. Sharon had even confessed during their final conversation that she secretly disliked his parents and viewed them as a financial burden.

"Hey, man, your dad personally came to our houses and asked us to help cheer you up. So what's really going on?"

Jerry threw his arm over Domingo's shoulder, having gathered the entire group for a drinking session.

Domingo stared down at the table, clutching a cold bottle of beer. His friends sat around him in silence, waiting for him to speak.

"Come on, why the quiet act? We can't help you through this if you don't tell us what happened," Brandon urged gently.

Domingo tipped the bottle back and chugged the entire beer in one go. Seeing that, the group knew something heavy had gone down.

"My girlfriend dumped me," he blurted out, breaking down into ragged tears.

Karlos and the rest of the group exchanged somber glances, realizing the depth of his pain. They did their best to comfort and encourage him, but they all knew that when it came to a broken heart, only time could truly heal the wound.

They sat quietly, listening to him pour out his heartache, constantly reminding him that no matter what happened, they would always have his back.

[Thank you for reading this novel. You can read more on my Patreon.]