376: Ice fishing

Zheng Jin's eyes lit up upon hearing what Zhang Li said, her face full of approval as she nodded repeatedly, "Eating at home is great! Let's go to the market together later to buy groceries; cooking at home is more lively."

"Eating at home is great! Let's go to the market together later to buy groceries; cooking at home is more lively."

Hearing this, Bai Xue also turned her head with great interest and asked Zhang Li in a sweet voice:

"Auntie, I saw on the internet a long time ago that the way people buy groceries in the Northeast is different from the South. I wonder if it's true? I want to go see for myself!"

Zhang Li smiled slightly and explained patiently:

"The scenes shown in those short videos are mostly rural markets, and they are more or less exaggerated. Although we are in the city, there are still some differences compared to your southern vegetable markets."

She paused for a moment and added, "Take buying potatoes, for example; here, you can't just buy one like you do there. And don't even expect someone to peel them for you!"

"And as for buying fish, unless they're particularly large, they're basically sold whole. If you want them gutted, deboned, or sliced, you have to do it yourself; the market won't do it for you!"

In the daily activity of grocery shopping, there are clear differences in habits between the North and the South.

Generally speaking, in northern vegetable markets, most vegetables are sold by weight, while some are sold in bundles or bags.

Merchants pre-package various vegetables, and the portion of each serving is quite large. For example, if you want to buy potatoes, you're likely to get a whole bag instead of picking one or half of one.

This way of selling is very suitable for those who like to purchase ingredients in bulk; after all, buying more makes the price relatively more affordable.

Therefore, many northerners choose to buy several days' or even a week's worth of food at once.

Especially in winter, people often stock up on vegetables that are easy to preserve and can be stored for a long time, such as Chinese cabbage and potatoes, just in case they need to cook and enjoy them at any time.

At dawn the next day, the morning mist still carried the chill of the Harbin outskirts, creeping into people's collars.

Wang Xudong drove the Jeep over the snow-covered country road. The truck bed was piled with bulging ice fishing equipment. Inside the cabin, Yang Qis Father, Yang Qi, and Bai Xue were squeezed together. Their breath condensed on the windows, blurring into a hazy white.

Yang Qi had long since lost his patience, peering out the window into the distance and muttering incessantly:

"Uncle, is the river frozen solid? I heard ice fishing requires finding thick ice; we don't want it to collapse when we step on it!"

Wang Xudong held the steering wheel with a smile in his eyes, reaching out a hand to pat his arm:

"Don't worry, people come to this stretch of the river for ice fishing every year. The ice is several feet thick; even a truck could drive on it without an issue."

Bai Xue was wrapped in a thick Military overcoat, her scarf wound up to her chin, leaving only a pair of bright eyes visible. Clutching a Hand warmer, she added softly:

"I heard that ice fishing in winter is the ultimate test of patience. The fish all sink into the deep water, and since the water temperature is too low, they bite very slowly."

Yang Qis Father, who had a steady temperament, chimed in, "The slowness is what makes it interesting. Catching fish in this icy world is an experience I'm really looking forward to."

The car stopped on the slope of the riverbank. As they pushed the doors open and stepped out, the cold wind instantly whipped up snow flurries, making their noses turn red.

Looking up, the wide river was a vast expanse of white, like a giant piece of icy jade spread across the world. Numerous figures were already scattered near and far—all early-bird Anglers.

Some guarded an ice hole alone, huddled in a small tent wrapped in a Military overcoat, with only their heads sticking out to watch the float.

Others were in groups of three or five, laughing and talking while hacking at the ice. The "clanging" of Ice picks hitting the surface, mixed with occasional cheers, carried far across the empty snowy field.

Some had already caught fish and tossed them onto the ice beside them. The silver-flashing bodies were already frozen stiff and covered in frost, a delightful sight.

"Boy, there sure are a lot of people here."

Yang Qis Father picked up a set of equipment, his eyes showing a hint of interest.

Wang Xudong directed the division of labor:

"Brother Yang, you help me set up the tent. Qi'er, go get the Ice picks and Ice drills. Bai Xue, help organize the line sets and floats. Let's find a sunny spot near those veteran Anglers so we can ask for some advice."

The group set to work. The equipment was moved out of the truck bed one by one: folding tents, lightweight Ice drills, carbon fishing rods, insulated fish boxes, and several bags of specially made fishy-smelling bait—everything was there.

Yang Qi, possessing plenty of strength, carried the Ice drill to a flat patch of ice, stood firm, and pressed down, the spiral teeth of the drill biting into the surface.

Since it was his first time drilling an ice fishing hole, his technique was a bit clumsy. He struggled a few times at the start, but in less than ten minutes, he was able to operate it skillfully.

As his arms turned, ice chips showered down. Before long, he had carved out two fist-sized ice holes. After clearing out the crushed ice inside, the water surface shimmered with a faint light, exuding a bone-chilling cold.

They drilled a total of four ice holes: one each for Yang Qi and Bai Xue, and two for Wang Xudong and Yang Qis Father.

Wang Xudong and Yang Qis Father were quick and nimble, unfolding small windproof and warm tents over the ice holes. They laid foam inside the tents, leaving only the ice holes exposed.

After setting up the folding stools and placing a thermos in the corner, they pulled the windproof curtains shut. The interior was instantly shielded from the cold wind outside, adding a touch of warmth.

In one of the tents, Bai Xue sat by the ice hole, carefully straightening the tied string hooks. She baited them with a mixture of Bloodworms and cornmeal, gently lowered them into the ice hole, adjusted the position of the float, and looked up at Yang Qi with a smile:

"All set. Now we just wait for the fish to bite."

On the way there, Wang Xudong had already explained how to ice fish. Although it differed from regular fishing, Yang Qi, Bai Xue, and Yang Qis Father were all professional Anglers.

Once you master one thing, you master them all; as long as it's fishing, the fundamental principles remain the same.

Inside the tent, the two took turns guarding the ice hole. At first, the water surface was quiet, and the float didn't move an inch.

Bai Xue grew a bit restless and reached out to fiddle with the float from time to time, but Yang Qi stopped her:

"What's the rush? Fish are less active in winter; you have to wait for them to slowly find the food. If you keep meddling, you'll scare them away."

Bai Xue stuck out her tongue and sat back obediently on her stool. Yang Qi, on the other hand, remained composed, keeping his eyes fixed on the float while chatting with her about the fun things they had done in the past few days.

After an unknown amount of time, the ice hole Bai Xue was guarding suddenly showed movement. The float bobbed down slightly and then plunged abruptly.

"It's here! A catch!"

Bai Xue let out a low cry and flicked her wrist. The short ice fishing rod bent into a beautiful arc, and the fishing line pulled taut, transmitting a clear tugging sensation.

"It feels like there's some pull!"

Yang Qi stepped forward quickly and cautioned:

"Take it slow. Go with its strength and try not to let the line scrape against the edge of the ice hole, or it might snap."