316: Fisherman

This Anglers Nickname refused to leave no matter what; if he left now, wouldn't his thigh have swollen for nothing?

"Alright then! I'm heading back anyway. I've got things to do tonight!"

The other Anglers finished packing his gear and left without looking back. Nickname took out a new fishing rod and rigged it up, this time using a Safety Rope just in case.

Yang Qi watched the guy's actions, somewhat dumbfounded. Judging by his posture, he didn't plan on going back tonight.

Yang Qi, Bai Xue, and the other two had attached Safety Ropes from the start because he had already seen big fish weighing dozens of catties underwater.

Although they were still some distance from their baited spot, what if a big fish was lured over by the bait?

Yang Qi was sick of catching Sleeper Goby. He stood up, walked over to Nickname, handed him a cigarette, and said:

"Brother, are you a local? Planning to fish all night?"

"Yeah, I live nearby. I'm going to wait it out tonight."

The man glanced at the cigarette, took it, and replied.

"That big fish earlier, it's a shame it got away!"

As soon as the man heard Yang Qi mention the big fish, his voice rose a few notches.

"Based on the feel, that fish was at least forty or fifty catties. Otherwise, it wouldn't have snapped my rod."

"Brother, you need to upgrade your gear. You should get a reliable rod, or it'll be a real pity if another fish gets away like that!"

Yang Qi saw the fishing rod in Nickname's hand; it was unbalanced and crudely made. It was clearly a cheap product; of course it would snap when hitting a big fish.

Nickname deeply agreed with Yang Qi's words. If the rod had been a bit sturdier today, that fish would have been landed.

It had nothing to do with his skill; it was all the equipment's fault!

Otherwise, his record would have been broken, jumping from two catties to twenty—a tenfold increase in one go.

It might have been even bigger, perhaps larger than the one the villagers caught before. Thirty catties? Or maybe forty! Otherwise, it wouldn't have snapped his rod.

That fish was definitely over forty catties!

Thinking of this, Nickname slapped his thigh again. This time he hit the wrong spot—right where it was already swollen. It hurt so much he jumped up instantly.

Hearing his sudden scream, Yang Qi flinched.

"What happened?"

"Uh... nothing, just a mosquito. Sigh! What a waste of that big fish, it was at least forty catties!"

Finally, he sighed again and said:

"These rods of mine were all bought on Pinduoduo for forty or fifty yuan each. I can't help it; my secret stash of money isn't enough!"

"My wife doesn't support my fishing and cut off my allowance. I saved up for months to buy this gear, and I usually keep it at a friend's house."

"But no matter how hard the conditions are, it won't break my heart for fishing."

This local Anglers was very talkative.

"I'm just a Huolala driver. I usually set aside one day a week to fish. But my family doesn't support my only hobby!"

"It's all because of this goddamn poverty! Poor people aren't allowed to have hobbies or dreams!"

Yang Qi didn't say anything, quietly listening to the man vent his frustrations.

"Brother, is that RV yours?"

"Yeah."

Yang Qi nodded.

"I really envy the life of you rich people! Tsk tsk, driving a dodge ram out for wild fishing—are you here to experience life?"

These words left Yang Qi unable to respond.

"Want to try one of my cigarettes?"

The man pulled a pack of Ziyun from his pocket and handed one to Yang Qi.

Yang Qi smiled, took the cigarette, and lit it. It was a familiar taste.

This was the brand he had smoked for several years. It wasn't his favorite; it was simply because he couldn't afford anything better.

After getting engaged to Bai Xue, she was the one who bought his cigarettes, mostly Slim Huazi.

She said that since he couldn't quit, he might as well smoke something better; good cigarettes are slightly less harmful than bad ones.

Yang Qi didn't know where she heard that logic, nor did he know if it was true.

"I used to smoke these too."

The man looked at him with an expression that said, "I'm not well-educated, don't lie to me."

As they were chatting, the float suddenly dipped deep. Nickname quickly grabbed the rod and struck hard to hook the fish. The rod shook violently, and the sound of the line cutting through the water was piercing.

"It's here, it's here!"

Nickname shouted excitedly, clinging to the rod and trying to pull it upright, but his strength alone wasn't enough.

Yang Qi, standing nearby, immediately stepped in to help hold the rod. Unexpectedly, the big fish lunged, and the tip of the rod was instantly pulled below the surface.

As Yang Qi pulled hard, the rod actually made a creaking sound, as if it might snap at any moment.

This made him afraid to use his full strength, so Yang Qi warned:

"Brother, let go, let go! You have the Safety Rope!"

"Oh, oh, right, right, right!"

Both let go at the same time, and the rod was dragged into the water with a swish.

Nickname held the Safety Rope in one hand, maintaining the tension on the rod.

Yang Qi also became nervous, helping to watch the underwater movement. Nickname gritted his teeth, using all his strength to hold his ground against the fish, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

At that moment, Yang Qi saw a faint, massive shadow underwater, seemingly even larger than the one that had escaped before.

Nickname's hand was rubbed red by the Safety Rope, but he didn't dare relax for a second.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze. Both held their breath, watching this contest between man and fish.

After more than half an hour, the fish's strength seemed exhausted, and its swimming speed slowed down.

Nickname took the opportunity to pull the Safety Rope back bit by bit. On the distant surface, the fish finally revealed its true form—it was a massive Black Carp. Its tail was like a palm-leaf fan, and it weighed at least fifty catties.

Nickname's voice trembled with excitement:

"I... I hooked it!"

He slowly retracted the Safety Rope until his hand finally gripped the rod again, trying to pull the fish toward the shore.

"Brother, don't rush. Take it slow. I'll go get the Landing Net."

After saying that, Yang Qi walked toward his own fishing spot.

Before he could even reach his spot, he suddenly heard a crisp sound from behind.

*Snap!*

He turned his head and saw the man called Nickname holding two pieces of a broken rod, still in a striking posture, completely stunned.

A broken section of the rod on the water followed the diving fish, gradually disappearing inch by inch.

Ripples spread across the water, seemingly mocking the Anglers on the shore.

"Goddammit, the rod snapped again!"

Yang Qi was truly speechless.

Looking at the slightly trembling back of Brother Nickname, there was an indescribable sense of desolation.

Was he trembling from anger or exhaustion?

Yang Qi didn't dare ask. It wasn't that he was afraid of getting hit; he just didn't want to rub salt in the wound!

The man seemed to have been suddenly drained of all energy. He slumped back onto his fishing box, staring blankly at the lake with hollow eyes.