Not sure if his luck had run out, he didn't catch any fish except for two small rock cod, and even then, they were just soda cans or plastic bags.
Li Haochen’s plan to fill three buckets with fish was dashed, so he had to pack up and head home.
On the way back, he stopped by the fishing tackle shop and bought a large fish keep net, thinking he could store his catch in it if he had a bountiful haul the next day.
Upon returning home, Murong Yanran was lying on the sofa with a cushion, her face showing exhaustion. Liu Zijun was similarly sprawled on a grand chair, looking just as weary.
Seeing Li Haochen return, Murong Yanran’s raised hand dropped, and she didn’t even have the energy to call out.
“What’s wrong with you two, so exhausted?”
“I… don’t have the energy to explain. I’m hungry. Go cook something quickly.” She then resumed her position.
“Alright, I’ll show you what I can do today.”
After washing the rice and putting it in the rice cooker on the quick setting, he took the perch, gutted it, removed the gills, made a few diagonal cuts on both sides, rubbed it with salt and cooking wine, then stuffed the belly and cuts with scallions and ginger shreds. He placed a steaming dish in boiling water and waited eight minutes. Any longer would make the meat tough and unappetizing.
Once the perch was steamed, he discarded the liquid and ginger shreds, replaced them with scallion shreds, poured two spoonfuls of hot oil over them, and finally drizzled in some steamed fish soy sauce.
In another pot, he heated oil until it was hot, then stir-fried garlic and ginger slices for a few moments before adding water. Once the water boiled, he added slices of winter melon, followed by the rock cod. He covered the pot, and after five minutes, added coriander, then let it simmer for another two minutes. Done.
He also steamed a plate of garlic pork ribs, making it a perfect meal.
“Dinner’s ready!”
The two women, already famished, heard these words and, without even washing their hands, grabbed their chopsticks and devoured the meal. They had no time to savor the exquisite dishes Li Haochen had prepared, eating ravenously and finishing everything.
Li Haochen felt dejected; his efforts were wasted, and he was still hungry. He had to go back to the kitchen and heat up a flatbread to soak up the fish sauce.
After eating her fill, Liu Zijun immediately went to her room to collapse. Murong Yanran reluctantly went into the bathroom to shower and then flopped onto the sofa, her intention clear: to await Li Haochen’s service.
Li Haochen, as if telepathically connected, cleaned his hands and went over to give Murong Yanran the full treatment.
He started from her head, then moved to her neck, shoulders, arms, and waist. When he reached her perky hips, he felt tempted to touch, but hesitated. He could only glance at them, then glance again, before moving to her thighs, massaging all the way down to her toes, and repeating the process.
As he massaged, Murong Yanran drifted off to sleep with a smile.
He then gently scooped her up in a princess carry and placed her in her room, tucking her in.
Looking at the sleeping Murong Yanran, on such a beautiful night, he couldn’t resist sneaking a small kiss. The moment their lips touched, his heart pounded rapidly, and he felt a pang of guilt before quickly pulling away.
The moment Li Haochen quietly closed the door and left, Murong Yanran’s eyelids fluttered open. She touched her lips, smiled, and soon fell back into a deep sleep.
Yesterday had been too tiring, and Murong Yanran slept until late morning before slowly waking up.
“Ah, this sleep was so comfortable.”
She went downstairs and saw Li Haochen cooking something. She walked in and rested her hands on his shoulders. “What are you cooking for breakfast?”
“What time is it? Still breakfast? I’m making brunch. Go wake up Zijun for breakfast.”
“Oh…”
She took a step but turned back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I have something strange to tell you.”
“Strange?”
“Last night, I was half-asleep, and I don’t know what touched my lips. It made me restless all night. Could it have been a mouse? I was thinking maybe I should get a rabies shot.”
Li Haochen’s face flushed. “The house is very clean. It… it wouldn’t be a mouse. It must have been an accidental bump. Don’t worry.”
“Oh, really? That’s so weird. It felt like…”
Under Murong Yanran’s gaze, Li Haochen’s palms began to sweat.
“Like… like what?”
“Like this.” Saying that, Murong Yanran suddenly stood on tiptoe, kissed Li Haochen, and then quickly ran upstairs.
“…”
After breakfast, the two women went off to attend to their shops, while Li Haochen, his passion for fishing rekindled, was already eager to go.
As soon as Murong Yanran and the others left, he gathered his gear, hopped on his little Aima scooter, and headed straight for the dock. He also bought a bag of Antarctic shrimp from the nearby tackle shop. Unfortunately, his prime fishing spot from yesterday was already occupied, so he had to settle for another location.
This time, Li Haochen was well-prepared, bringing a small stool, a fishing hat, and a face mask.
After baiting the hook, he cast it sideways with a “swish~” The bait flew about twenty meters into the sea and sank.
He reeled it in at a steady pace, making a “whirring” sound.
The fishing line was taut and swayed back and forth. The rod was only slightly bent, and the force felt like a small fish.
He spun the reel handle quickly, and after about ten seconds, as expected, it was a fish, a two-finger-wide striped bream. Not bad, as nearshore striped bream aren't the same as those from the deep sea; they are fresh, sweet, and firm, and quite popular. However, there was little meat, selling for around 35, which he released into the keep net.
He didn't know if he had stumbled upon a school of striped bream, but he caught over a dozen of them in a row.
Li Haochen turned slightly to the left and cast the bait again. Mimicking the twitching technique he saw on online forums, he moved the rod quickly and slowly, reeling in the line with a steady rhythm.
Suddenly, the fishing line was yanked hard, and the tip of the rod bent into a deep arc. The force was surprisingly strong; it was definitely a big fish.
Li Haochen dared not get distracted or try to force it, fearing the rod might suddenly snap.
He would jerk the rod, reel in a couple of turns, and slowly play the fish. This fish was incredibly fierce, making the line sing and pulling left and right, trying to break free from the hook.
This fish was clearly cunning. Seeing that it couldn't break free, it used a stratagem, feigning exhaustion and giving up the struggle.
Seeing the fish stop struggling, Li Haochen thought it was exhausted and weak, and his heart leaped with joy. He waited two seconds without reeling.
An excellent opportunity! Would the fish let it pass? Suddenly, with a powerful flick of its tail, it bolted sharply to the right.
The sudden movement caught Li Haochen off guard, and he was pulled forward. Fortunately, there was a concrete bollard in front of him, and he braced his foot against it to steady himself.
“Phew~ Almost took a saltwater bath.” He glanced at the sea behind the bollard, his face full of relief.
“Damn it, you dare to play with your brother Chen? Watch me reel you in.”
In his anger, he no longer cared about playing the fish and went all out, engaging in a direct confrontation.
Li Haochen gripped the fishing rod tightly and retreated, reeling in the line as he backed away. Li Haochen’s direct confrontation only further enraged the big fish, prompting an even fiercer struggle.
For a moment, neither side gained the upper hand, and they were locked in a stalemate. Unbeknownst to Li Haochen, several other anglers had gathered behind him, each with their own intentions, but none making any move to help.