Xingtie: My silly online friend is actually a raccoon!

Lu Ze circled the lake and finally chose a spot under a crooked willow tree.

The tree trunk leans towards the lake, and the dense willow branches hang down, casting a large patch of shade that covers the entire fishing spot in dappled shadows.

The lake surface dips slightly inward here, forming a calm backwater. A few fallen leaves float on the surface, and occasionally a fish leaps out of the water, creating a small ripple.

It's an ideal fishing spot.

He unfolded the folding stool and placed it securely, then laid a moisture-proof mat next to it for Xilin.

After everything was ready, he squatted by the water and began adjusting the float and baiting the hook.

The bait used was dried earthworms and commercial bait found in the toolbox. I crushed them, mixed them together, and kneaded them into a ball. When I hung it on the hook, it was a small, compact bait ball.

"Does the older brother know how to fish?"

Xilin sat cross-legged on the moisture-proof mat, her phone screen displaying the loading screen of a game. But instead of clicking start, she tilted her head and watched Lu Ze bustling around with curiosity.

These actions seemed both unfamiliar and novel to her.

"I know a little."

Lu Ze recalled a world he had visited once, a world themed around fishing. In that world, you could catch anything by simply casting your hook into the water—cultivation manuals, divine weapons, ancient elixirs, and even some things that were completely beyond the realm of reason, such as someone's happy memories.

He spent less than two months in that world and mastered the art of fishing.

Unfortunately, Lu Ze didn't have a storage bag at the time, so he couldn't bring back most of the items he caught.

Thinking of this, Lu Ze flicked his wrist, and the fishing line drew a smooth arc in the air, with the hook and bait falling precisely into the expected spot.

"Wow!"

Seeing that clean and stylish swing, Xilin's face showed a hint of eagerness to try it herself.

The float stood upright on the water's surface, gently swaying with the ripples.

Lu Ze set up the fishing rod on the makeshift stand, adjusted the angle, and then leaned back in his chair: "The rest is up to luck."

"What's so fun about this?" Sirin tilted her head.

Although Lu Ze's swing was impressive, the subsequent boring wait left her feeling confused.

Her long, deep purple hair slipped down her shoulders as she stared at the motionless buoy on the lake, her face full of confusion.

"Are we just going to wait like this?"

"You don't understand." Lu Ze gazed at the lake, his eyes becoming somewhat distant.

"Waiting itself is a pleasure. You never know what you'll catch next—it could be a small fish, a big fish, or even nothing at all. But that feeling of the unknown is very addictive."

Xilin gave an "Oh" that sounded like she understood but didn't quite.

This is just like gacha games!

She instantly lost interest in fishing and lowered her head to start playing her game.

Seeing her like this, Lu Ze knew that children weren't interested in these grand principles.

His father had said something similar to him back then, and he had the same reaction as Xilin, finding the toy car in his hand more interesting than staring at the float.

But as time has passed, I've reached an age where I can understand my father's feelings.

He leaned back in his chair, the willow branches swaying gently overhead, the buoys on the lake bobbing up and down with the breeze.

This quiet moment was the first I'd experienced in the two days since returning from the fairy boat.

Lu Ze took out his phone, preparing to chat with Xing while waiting for the fish to bite.

Xing is currently on vacation at the Two-Phase Paradise and should encounter some interesting things. It's a good opportunity to listen to her tell stories and pass the time.