Chapter 32: Fishing

Chapter 32: Fishing

Ever since reaching an agreement with Manager Luan to help out in the kitchen at Fengzeyuan every evening, He Yuzhu had found himself with more free time, which he used to spend with his sister, Yushui.

For several days in a row, Yuzhu took Yushui and little Hu out to explore every corner of the old city of Beiping. Without the daily benefit of the spiritual spring water to revitalize their bodies, the two children would have been exhausted, as their fatigue would usually vanish after a good night's sleep.

Early one morning, after Yuzhu and Yushui finished breakfast, Yushui asked, "Brother, where are we going to play today?"

"I've been taking you out for days now; haven't you had enough?" Yuzhu asked with a smile.

"No, I love it when you spend the day with me. I could never have enough," Yushui replied.

"You've truly caught the play bug. Do you still remember the characters your teacher taught you? You'll be starting school in the second half of the year," Yuzhu reminded her.

"I remember. I haven't forgotten," Yushui insisted.

"Alright, let me test you. If you answer well, I'll take you fishing today. How about that?" Yuzhu proposed.

"Okay!" Yushui answered obediently.

Yuzhu tested her, and Yushui answered every question correctly.

"You're a smart girl, Yushui. Go get ready; we're going fishing!" Yuzhu said.

"Hurray!" Yushui jumped for joy.

The siblings packed their gear, grabbed their fishing rods and a bucket, and headed to their master’s house to pick up little Hu before setting off for Shichahai.

Upon arriving at Shichahai, Yuzhu found a quiet, secluded spot under a tree and set their things down. He unfolded a small table and stools he had specially commissioned, placing their water bottles and snacks on the table.

"Come, let me teach you how to fish," Yuzhu said.

"Yes, please!" Yushui and little Hu cheered.

Yuzhu took them to a nearby grassy area to dig for earthworms. He then produced the small fishing rods he had fashioned from bamboo stalks and fishing line—simple tools perfect for the children to pass the time catching small fry along the bank. He baited the hooks, handed the rods to them, and said, "There, now you can start."

Yushui and little Hu sat side by side on the bank, fishing with great concentration. Yuzhu then set up his own rod, baited the hook, and cast it into the water.

Every few moments, the children would pull their lines up to check for a catch.

"You're going to scare the fish away if you keep doing that. You need to be patient," Yuzhu advised.

After a while, having caught nothing, the children lost interest and ran off to play nearby.

"Stay right here and don't wander off. If you need anything, call me," Yuzhu instructed.

"We will, Brother," Yushui promised.

With the children playing within his sight and under the watchful eye of his spiritual perception—where nothing could escape his notice—Yuzhu felt at ease. He sat by the bank, catching a gentle breeze and fishing in peace. It was a picture of perfect tranquility.

"Zhuzi, you're out fishing too?"

The peaceful atmosphere was broken by a familiar voice. Yuzhu turned to see Yan Fugui standing there.

"Oh, Teacher Yan! Are you out fishing as well?" Yuzhu asked.

"I’ve been here since early morning. I got tired of sitting, so I took a walk and thought it looked like you, so I came over to check. It really is you!" Yan Fugui said. "How many have you caught?"

"I just got here, I haven't caught anything yet. How about you, Teacher Yan?"

"Oh, not many, just three small ones," Yan Fugui said, looking rather smug.

"Judging by that look on your face, they must be decent-sized," Yuzhu remarked.

"They're not too bad, four or five pounds each," Yan Fugui boasted.

"That’s quite a haul!" Yuzhu replied.

After chatting for a while, Yan Fugui returned to his spot, saying he wanted to take advantage of his good luck.

Once Yan Fugui left, Yuzhu finally got a bite. Seeing the water ripple, he lifted his rod. Yushui and little Hu, seeing their brother had caught something, rushed over.

"Come on, Brother! Don't let it get away!" they cheered.

Yuzhu pulled steadily, and a palm-sized, vibrant red fish emerged from the water.

"It's a red fish!" the children exclaimed.

Yuzhu unhooked the fish and placed it in the bucket. The children squatted down, staring in awe.

"Brother, what kind of fish is this? Why is it red?" Yushui asked.

"It's a red koi. Pretty, isn't it?" Yuzhu said.

"It’s beautiful!" they replied in unison.

"Drink some water, and then you can keep playing," Yuzhu told them.

The children obeyed, took a sip of water, and returned to watching the fish. Yuzhu returned to his spot and continued fishing. He caught three more carp, each weighing three or four pounds. Checking the time, he realized it was nearly noon and time to head back. He quietly swapped his catch for a larger six-to-seven-pound grass carp from his secret storage space, tucking the carp away for later.

"Yushui, little Hu, stop playing. Time to go home for lunch," Yuzhu called out.

"Coming!" they replied.

As they packed up, Yan Fugui wandered over with his bucket. "Zhuzi, leaving already? How many did you catch?"

"Not as many as you, Teacher Yan, just two," Yuzhu said modestly.

"I’m just lucky today; I caught six," Yan Fugui said proudly.

"Looks like you’ve hit the jackpot, Teacher Yan. How about treating us to a meal to celebrate?" Yuzhu teased.

"Well... I have things to attend to today. Let me treat you another time," Yan Fugui said quickly, fearing that if he lingered, Yuzhu might actually make him pay for a meal. He hurried off, bucket in hand.

Yuzhu chuckled and took the children back to their master’s house. As soon as they entered, they ran to the mistress of the house.

"Mistress! My brother caught a red fish! It was so beautiful!" Yushui boasted.

"Really? I've never seen a red fish before," she said, playing along.

"Mistress, I caught a big fish. I'll make poached fish for lunch. We haven't had it in a long time," Yuzhu said.

"That sounds lovely. Go ahead," she replied.

They spent the afternoon enjoying a delicious meal of poached fish together.