"Thank you!"
"What are you thanking me for?"
"You taught us a lot, and our regularization this time is pretty much settled. That's more enticing than any bonus, hehe!"
Just as Li Haochen was about to say something, Zhu Wenxuan and the other two also walked out. Following Xu Qing's exact steps, their first instinct was to rush over to check the ice chests, then they hugged each other and jumped around with silly grins.
Why wouldn't they be happy? This was definitely a chance to bring glory to their ancestors. Returning home would mean becoming a part of the system, securing a stable job – a "iron rice bowl."
"Stop daydreaming and get back to fishing. Don't think this is a sure thing. We still have four days, and anything can happen."
"That's right, get back to work, you two. We need this official staffing placement, and we can't miss out on the bonus either. I'm counting on this bonus to raise my ducks, hahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Li Haochen's mouth twitched. This "demon girl" dared to say anything. Tang Shengtian and the other two didn't seem to react much to Xu Qing's words; they were accustomed to it. This was nothing compared to what was yet to come.
After eating, Xu Qing and the other two went out to fish with fierce determination. Li Haochen was right; they couldn't afford to be careless. It wasn't about fearing the slightest possibility but the overwhelming one. Catching a few more fish would solidify their success.
Meanwhile, Li Haochen went into the kitchen to cook. He had no choice; Xu Qing, the "demon girl," cooked food that was as peculiar as her personality. He felt it was better to do it himself.
About half an hour later, Li Haochen finished cooking and walked out. Zhu Wenxuan was already engaged in a struggle, while Xu Qing and Tang Shengtian were cheering him on from the side, as excited as if they were fishing themselves.
Zhu Wenxuan's technique now lacked the rigid, textbook style of the academy. It possessed a greater sense of fluidity. Although many of his movements borrowed from Li Haochen's actions, his ability to adapt and apply them showed excellent comprehension.
After another hour or so, although the fish hadn't been brought in yet, observing Zhu Wenxuan's increasingly mature methods, Li Haochen knew the fish wouldn't escape. He smiled and went back into the kitchen to prepare for dinner.
As expected, half an hour later, a loud burst of laughter echoed from outside the boat. Without a doubt, it must have been Zhu Wenxuan conquering the fish.
After setting out the bowls and chopsticks, Li Haochen also walked out. A long, elegantly shaped blue-striped marlin was hanging from the crane. By estimation, it was about four meters long. This was not an easy fish to catch; it was quite spirited and incredibly fast. Especially when it leaped, there was a high chance of the fishing line breaking. Zhu Wenxuan's ability to conquer it demonstrated his considerable skill.
"Hahaha, 418.5 pounds, that's great, great!" Zhu Wenxuan, amidst his excitement, didn't forget to look at Xu Qing and say with a grin, "Xu Qing, it's heavier than yours, you know what that means, hehe!"
"Hmm, not bad. A bonus, right?"
Xu Qing smiled, but her smile was a bit eerie. Zhu Wenxuan's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered her nickname, and his eyes widened in terror. He instinctively took a step back, "Uh, Xu Qing, I... I don't want the bonus anymore. I was just kidding."
"How can that be? Anyone who doesn't keep their word is a puppy, hehe!"
"No, I don't want it... Ah~"
A scream that reverberated across the open sea made Li Haochen and Tang Shengtian involuntarily shiver. Looking at Zhu Wenxuan, whose wrist was being twisted by Xu Qing and whose neck was being clamped by her legs, making him almost unable to breathe, they silently thought, "Brother, rest in peace!"
Seeing that she had had enough, Xu Qing stood up, clapped her hands, and said with a smile, "How was it? A good bonus, right? We've had skin-to-skin contact, you know. Perhaps I should take responsibility for you."
Zhu Wenxuan flinched and used his ultimate evasion technique, the staggering footwork, quickly retreating a few steps. "No, no~"
"Ah, I really pity you. Look at me, so big and so firm, and you don't want it? Could it be..." Xu Qing looked slyly at Tang Shengtian and laughed, "You're gay?"
"Pfft~"
Li Haochen couldn't help but spit out the water he had just drunk. Without time to wipe his mouth, he quickly fled the scene. Otherwise, he might get caught in the crossfire. It was better to stay away from the battlefield.
After loading the marlin into the ice chest, Zhu Wenxuan hooked his arm around Li Haochen's, and they walked inside laughing. Tang Shengtian, walking behind them, clenched his fist tightly, then quickly relaxed it. He sighed and followed them.
During dinner, Tang Shengtian ate very quickly, practically wolfing down his food. Once he finished, he quietly walked out. Li Haochen understood his feelings. They had been out for almost two days, and he was the only one who hadn't caught anything, which showed the immense pressure he was under.
Zhu Wenxuan wanted to go out, but Li Haochen stopped him. At this moment, it was best to let him have some time alone. Perhaps he would catch a fish soon.
Unfortunately, after waiting for an hour, Li Haochen and the others went out, but there was still no sign of any activity. In fact, it couldn't be blamed on them. Li Haochen and the others had also been fishing for over half an hour with no success. It was time to change fishing spots.
Li Haochen started the boat. The sky had already darkened, and the moon was slowly ascending. The moon was the same, but he was a traveler in a foreign land.
Not knowing how long Li Haochen would be sailing, they all returned to their rooms to rest, seizing every moment to ensure they were fully energized.
Before long, Tang Shengtian walked up, his brow furrowed with worry.
"Mind if I?"
"It's fine, go ahead."
*Click.* A spark lit up, and soon a wisp of cigarette smoke drifted into the cabin. Tang Shengtian took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled. The long plume of smoke seemed to convey his current mood.
Tang Shengtian finished the last bit of nicotine, leaving behind a short ash and a filter. He ground the cigarette butt against the ashtray and sighed, "Haochen, do you think I'm quite useless?"
"Quite useless."
"Uh, brother, your comfort is really stabbing my heart...?" Tang Shengtian was stunned by Li Haochen's response. Why wasn't it following the script? He was feeling down, and this answer left him unsure whether to laugh or cry.
"Aren't you? Look at you now, sighing and lamenting. The thoughts of fish aren't something we can control. It's like ancient emperors picking concubines; it all depends on their mood whether they want to favor a particular one. Moreover, we are a team. If we catch a fish, you also contributed greatly.
If, when we were catching fish, you didn't reel in your line, and then you caught a fish yourself, and neither of us gave way, wouldn't we have to cut the line in the end? So, it's not that you catching fewer fish than us means you're inferior. This is the result of unity and cooperation."
After hearing Li Haochen's words, Tang Shengtian felt much better. He thought about it; he had also made contributions, even if they weren't as significant as theirs. Of course, he was still a bit disheartened by not catching any fish.
Tang Shengtian lit another cigarette, took a few puffs, and then extinguished it. He walked over and patted Li Haochen on the shoulder, "Thanks, brother!"