Chapter 8: Fishing at Shichahai

Chapter 8: Fishing at Shichahai

Days passed quietly, one after another. After working for several days, He Yuzhu finally welcomed his day off.

That day, his second senior brother informed him that tomorrow would be his rest day.

Since He Daqing had left, ever since He Yuzhu arrived at Fengzeyuan, he hadn’t taken a break and hadn’t properly spent time with Yushui.

Tomorrow was his day off; he decided to do nothing but spend the whole day playing with Yushui.

After work that evening, He Yuzhu took his master home and picked up Yushui. Since he was off tomorrow, he returned the bicycle to his master's wife.

“Zhuzi, you keep riding it. Master’s wife isn’t using it,” she said, worried that He Yuzhu had to walk a long way home and hoping he’d continue riding.

“No, thank you. Tomorrow I’ll check the pawnshop. I want to buy a secondhand bicycle,” He Yuzhu replied.

“Are you sure you have enough money? If not, I can lend you some,” she offered, concerned.

“Master’s wife, I have enough. My father left me some money before he passed,” He Yuzhu said.

“Alright, if you need anything, just tell me.”

“Okay, Master’s wife. I’ll speak up if I do.”

He Yuzhu held Yushui’s hand as they walked home. Along the way, Yushui chatted about what she had played with Xiao Hu today.

After a while, Yushui grew tired and coquettishly said, “Brother, I can’t walk anymore. Carry me.”

“Hop on!” He Yuzhu squatted down.

Yushui immediately jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Brother, you’re so nice.”

“Yushui, tomorrow is my day off. I’ll take you fishing, alright?”

“Okay!” Yushui replied happily.

“Then tomorrow, I’ll take you to fish at Shichahai.”

The siblings walked home chatting, and before long, Yushui fell silent on his back.

He glanced back and saw Yushui had fallen asleep, resting her head on his shoulder.

Upon returning to the courtyard home, they found Third Uncle Yan Bugui watering flowers.

“Third Uncle, busy?” He Yuzhu greeted.

“Zhuzi, you’re back. Why no bike today?” Third Uncle asked.

“I’m off tomorrow, no need to hurry. Yushui fell asleep, so I’m heading back first,” He Yuzhu replied.

At home, He Yuzhu carefully laid Yushui on the bed, took off her shoes and clothes, and covered her with a quilt before going to the kitchen to boil water and heat dinner.

The next day.

Before He Yuzhu was fully awake, Yushui was already up.

“Brother, get up, get up!” she shouted, shaking him.

“Yushui, why are you up so early? Why not sleep more?” He Yuzhu groaned, roused from sleep.

“Brother, didn’t you say you’d take me fishing? Hurry and get up!” Yushui said excitedly.

Seeing her joy, He Yuzhu could only get up.

After washing up, He Yuzhu said, “Today, I’ll treat you to breakfast.”

He took Yushui to a breakfast stall and ordered five large meat buns.

After eating, they returned home. He Yuzhu went to the storage room, retrieved a fishing rod from his space, grabbed a bucket, and set out with Yushui for Shichahai.

At Shichahai, many were fishing by the water. He spotted Third Uncle Yan Bugui and greeted him. Then, with Yushui, he found a shaded, secluded spot by the shore. They placed the bucket and stools down, filled half a bucket with water, then baited the hook with corn kernels from his space and cast the line into the water.

He Yuzhu concentrated, mentally scanning the waters before him, but luck was not on his side—nothing valuable appeared.

Yushui sat nearby, watching the bobber intently. After a while, seeing no movement, she asked, “Brother, why aren’t the fish biting?”

“Yushui, fishing requires patience.”

Still a child, she couldn’t sit still and got up to play under a tree.

“Yushui, don’t wander too far,” He Yuzhu cautioned.

“Okay, I’ll just play here,” she replied.

After some time, the bobber suddenly dipped—there was a bite. He Yuzhu quickly grabbed the rod and began reeling.

Yushui ran over.

“Brother, you caught a fish! Pull it up and let me see!”

He tested the rod; the fish didn’t seem very large, so he lifted it out—a grass carp weighing just over two pounds. He placed it in the bucket.

Yushui circled the bucket, poking the fish with her finger.

He Yuzhu continued fishing, catching a fish roughly every ten minutes. Before long, the bucket was full.

Seeing how many fish her brother caught, Yushui was very happy.

Noticing the time, He Yuzhu said, “Last catch, then we’ll go home. I’ll cook fish for you.”

He cast the line again just as Third Uncle Yan Bugui approached.

“Zhuzi, how’s it going? Caught anything?”

“Caught plenty. They’re all in the bucket.”

“Wow, Zhuzi, you’re good—caught so many in one morning,” Yan Bugui said, eyeing the full bucket.

Just as He Yuzhu prepared to reply, the fishing rod suddenly tugged fiercely. He almost lost his grip but held on tightly, standing up to fight the fish.

Yan Bugui quickly moved to help, clearing stools and buckets to make space.

“Zhuzi, be careful. Don’t let it get away.”

Other fishermen gathered, curious.

After a long struggle, He Yuzhu brought the fish to shore. Yan Bugui helped lift it up, revealing a grass carp over one meter long—an extraordinary catch.

“Young man, are you selling that fish?” asked an old man in coarse cloth clothes, holding a fishing rod and an empty bucket.

“Yes, are you selling all your fish?” others nearby began asking.

“Everyone, please—one at a time,” He Yuzhu kept order.

“Young man, I came first. Name your price,” the old man pressed.

“Sir, why don’t you make an offer? I don’t know how much such a big fish is worth,” He Yuzhu said.

“Alright, I’ll give you a bit of a bargain—15 yuan. How about that?” the old man proposed.

Fifteen yuan for one fish was nearly a month’s wages for He Yuzhu. Others wouldn’t pay that much.

“Deal. How will you carry it? This fish is heavy,” He Yuzhu asked.

“No problem, I have people with me,” the old man said, then called out, “Xiao Zhang, come help load my fish onto the truck.”

A young man in military uniform approached, apparently the old man’s bodyguard.

Xiao Zhang took the fish and placed it on a nearby jeep.

After the old man left, others resumed asking to buy He Yuzhu’s fish.

After a busy morning, all but two fish—each over three pounds—were sold.

Fishing all morning, He Yuzhu earned twenty-one yuan, more than his usual wage.

He returned to the courtyard home with Yushui and Third Uncle Yan Bugui. Upon entering, he handed one fish to Third Uncle.

“Thanks for your help today, Third Uncle. I might not have managed that big fish alone.”

“Oh, I just helped lift it. No big deal,” Third Uncle said, taking the fish.

After parting with Third Uncle, He Yuzhu carried the fish home with Yushui, only to be seen by Jia Zhangshi.

“Two unwanted brats—can’t even bring me a fish,” she muttered.

He Yuzhu and his sister went straight inside, closing the door behind them without responding.