198: You don't need to fish anymore.

When they arrived at the location, Gao Xiaofan realized he had thought a bit too simply.

Wanfo Lake had a fishing ban!

The three of them stood by the water's edge, looking utterly dejected. Normally, they would have searched beforehand for any fishing bans or local regulations before setting out.

But they had been livestreaming all day yesterday and were simply too tired. Since this seventh stop, Gao City, was so close, none of them had bothered to check.

"My fault, this is all my fault. I should have confirmed it in advance," Qiu Gu said, full of self-blame.

Gao Xiaofan patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't take everything on yourself. Don't worry. Since the fans said fishing is possible here, it's highly likely there's something we haven't figured out. Even if we can't fish here, we can just find a commercial fishing pond nearby~"

"To be honest, this month-long Fishing Tour has gone more smoothly than I ever imagined, and it's all thanks to you~"

Gao Xiaofan raised an eyebrow suggestively at Qiu Gu, his expression extremely sleazy and greasy, making the other two gag. However, his words did lift Qiu Gu's spirits, easing his self-blame.

He took out his phone and started the livestream. Not having streamed all morning, the fans were probably getting anxious.

"Brothers, we've arrived at Wanfo Lake, but a new problem has arisen: Wanfo Lake has a fishing ban! Waiting online for solutions~"

After starting the stream, Gao Xiaofan grinned, not looking particularly worried.

After watching the screen for a few minutes, Gao Xiaofan smiled and waved his hand.

"Let's go, we came to the wrong spot. The fans were talking about the Wanfo Lake Reservoir Bay, the paid one~"

Qiu Gu jogged to the driver's seat and started the car. Li Yuer sat in the back, leaning forward to check the navigation and give directions.

Interacting constantly with the fans along the way, the half-hour drive passed quickly.

The conversation with the fans during the trip also clarified things for Gao Xiaofan. The Wanfo Lake reservoir did indeed have a fishing ban, but some corners of the reservoir had been contracted by local villagers and turned into paid Fishing Grounds.

Essentially, you were still fishing in the Wanfo Lake reservoir, just under the guise of a fee.

So, did this really count as a fishing ban? Gao Xiaofan smiled. He didn't want to understand or bother with the intricacies. He was just an ordinary person; taking care of those around him and himself was enough. There was no need to meddle in other matters.

After arriving, Qiu Gu went to pay the fishing fee, while Li Yuer unloaded the gear and equipment from the car.

All the expenses for this trip were paid by Qiu Gu. Back then, besides advancing him a year's salary, Gao Xiaofan had also given him forty thousand yuan specifically for the journey's costs.

Li Yuer was a team member; she shouldn't have to pay out of her own pocket. It was already good enough that she hadn't asked Gao Xiaofan for a team salary~

Watching Li Yuer's back, Gao Xiaofan couldn't help but ponder. Logically speaking, it seemed like he really should be paying her a salary~

Perhaps because the temperature was dropping, even after settling into his fishing spot, Gao Xiaofan didn't see a single other person. According to the fans, this 'Maidou' Reservoir Bay was considered one of the better Fishing Grounds at Wanfo Lake.

Gao Xiaofan shook his head, swapped in his 'Sheathed' enhanced title, and started mixing bait while chatting with the fans in the livestream room.

"The gifts from yesterday are still being tallied. Brothers, please understand; we're not professionals in this, so we're not very efficient~"

"What do you mean 'professional hype creator'? Am I that kind of person? My profession is fishing!"

Looking at the barrage on his phone, Gao Xiaofan was practically fuming with laughter, gritting his teeth as he defended himself.

"When did I ever create hype? That's slander! I'll send you lawyer's letters~ New fans, don't be fooled by them; they're the ones ruining my reputation~"

Pouting, Gao Xiaofan joked with the fans in the livestream, but how could one mouth hold up against over a hundred thousand people? He soon raised the white flag, slipped away, and had Qiu Gu take over the interaction.

"LOL, what reputation do you even have~ Hu Bu Shi Lang said you have two terabytes of videos."

"Exactly! The night before last, I saw a video promising giveaways. I couldn't sleep all night, I was so excited. And then what? Yesterday you just gave away rods??? Who gives away rods as a giveaway!"

"Boring. I only managed to snag 12 packs of bait, two water buckets, a fish keeper net, one rod, and a Fishing Box. My luck wasn't great~"

"Hey, upstairs guy, can you stop showing off? You've posted this message hundreds of times. Watch out, or I'll find a hacker to dox you and steal everything you won~"

Watching the barrage fly by one after another, Qiu Gu couldn't help but laugh. Indeed, a Streamer attracts fans just like himself, all capable of Creating Hype. He quickly added,

"That's absolutely right, way too show-offy. But doxing is illegal; don't do that~"

Just this morning, Gao Xiaofan had talked about this in the car, warning them to avoid such behavior in the livestream room from now on. And here it was already happening.

"Whatever Brother Gu says goes~ Whoever doxes someone else, I'll dox them~"

"Good grief, you're nesting dolls now~"

"Brother Gu, Brother Gu, I love you~"

Qiu Gu smiled at the barrage. Getting the reminder out there was enough; he believed Gao Xiaofan's fans wouldn't actually do such things. He then propped the phone on a tripod and scurried off to help attach the line and adjust the float... Gao Xiaofan sat in his fishing spot, took the rod Qiu Gu handed him, and with one hand expertly pinched the leader line, giving it a gentle pull. Two plump bait balls emerged.

He swung the rod, releasing the leader line from his hand. With a nearly imperceptible sound, the bait entered the water, and the float slowly sank.

"Not bad~ Your float adjustment is getting better and better~"

"Of course~ Your casting is getting more and more stylish too~"

Li Yuer, watching the two of them engage in their insincere mutual flattery nearby, couldn't help but purse her lips.

A few minutes later, watching the movement of the float in front of him, Gao Xiaofan couldn't suppress his joy.

A slight tremor~ Fish had entered the feeding area~ yun jian value was about to be acquired!

Just then, a voice came from the side.

"You shouldn't fish anymore."

Gao Xiaofan didn't even turn his head; Qiu Gu could handle this.

"What's the matter, boss? We've already paid the fishing fee," Qiu Gu stepped forward, looking puzzled.

Listening to the voice behind him, Gao Xiaofan also understood—it was the owner of this Reservoir Bay.

"There are three of you, but you only paid for two people. You need to pay for one more, otherwise you can't fish."

The owner's unfriendly tone made Gao Xiaofan frown.

Suddenly, the float gave a strong dip. Gao Xiaofan jerked the rod upward, thinking of the impending yun jian value, and couldn't help but smile.

"I'm not fishing, boss. Just let the two of them fish; I'm just here to help~" Qiu Gu was still explaining to the owner.

"You just cast a line; I saw you..." The owner was speaking when he suddenly saw Gao Xiaofan, still playing a fish in front of him. He grabbed the rod, yanked it over, and threw it to the ground.