After finishing their meal, Xiangling greeted Chef Mao, then left with Hu Tao and Fang Qiu.
Chef Mao was thoroughly enjoying the opera—the storyteller's plot had just reached the most critical moment.
"Dark clouds pressed down upon the sea, the ink-black waters surged, and beneath the flagship of The Crux Fleet, a massive black shadow the size of a hill flew past…"
However, when he heard that Xiangling wanted to go out and play with Hu Tao and Fang Qiu, and asked him to help watch the shop, Chef Mao showed not a hint of displeasure. Instead, hearing they were going fishing together, his smile grew even wider.
Chef Mao laughed and patted his chest, telling them to go with peace of mind and leave the shop-tending to him.
Before they left, Chef Mao specifically exhorted them to remember to catch a fish and bring it back for him upon their return.
He said something about how although the fish bought at the stalls are alive, they are inevitably less active.
Compared to fish just hoisted from the water—lively and jumping—there is still a gap in flavor.
Fang Qiu nodded in agreement.
After all, Liyue did not possess the oxygen transport equipment found in the seafood markets of her past life; once fish are caught, it is difficult to maintain their vitality.
Fishermen go out to sea at dawn to fish, while Wanmin Restaurant is an eatery that naturally requires fish for both lunch and dinner.
The fish at noon are fine, but by the evening, the fish have already lost their vigor.
These words so angered the fishmonger sitting beside him listening to the story that he glared at Chef Mao fiercely.
Fortunately, they were well-acquainted, and Wanmin Restaurant was a regular patron of his fish stall; otherwise, a fight would have been unavoidable.
The fishmonger even took the opportunity to gift them some bait.
Bidding farewell to Chef Mao, they made their way to the harbor.
As Teyvat's largest trading port, Liyue Harbor's daily cargo throughput was immense.
The number of ships coming and going was extreme.
Furthermore, the port was complex and noisy, making it unsuitable for fishing.
It goes without saying for the professional fishermen who rowed their boats out to sea, but even recreational anglers would choose to rent a small skiff to fish in spots further away from the docks.
According to Xiangling, the probability of catching big fish is much higher in deeper waters.
As for grilling the fish, they would wait until they returned to shore.
Thus, they arrived at the port and found a boatman on a vessel docked at the outermost edge of the small boat section.
"Little brother, is this boat heading out?"
Xiangling asked.
"Where are you heading?"
The young boatman raised an eyebrow and asked.
"We want to go out fishing. How do you calculate the rental fee?"
Hu Tao asked.
"If you want to go fishing, find another boatman. My boat is exclusively for ferrying guests to the Pearl Galley."
The young boatman waved his hand and spoke.
"Pearl Galley? What is that place?"
Fang Qiu was momentarily stunned.
"It's normal that you don't know. That is a place where the wealthy masters of Liyue Harbor go for recreation; it's not somewhere ordinary commoners can come and go. Furthermore, unless you are a guest of honor, even if an ordinary person went over, they could only watch the bustle. I am a boatman hired specifically by the Pearl Galley to ferry those wealthy masters there."
The young boatman pointed to a large, uniquely styled ship docked far out in the harbor—one that looked elegant and extraordinary at a glance—and said impatiently, "That's enough. If you have no other business, don't waste my time."
Fang Qiu was puzzled at first, but when she saw the slightly shy expressions on the faces of a few nearby women upon hearing the words 'Pearl Galley,' she instantly understood what kind of place it was…
It was just like those pleasure boats amidst the red lights and green wine in the ancient times of her past life.
Besides reciting poetry and drinking happily, there were intimate knee-to-knee talks, singing and dancing all night, and romantic affairs of wind, flowers, snow, and moon.
However, this was merely Fang Qiu's conjecture; she didn't know what kind of place it actually was.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Xiangling, are you all heading out to fish?"
Hearing this voice, they all turned to look.
They saw an old man with a tall, straight posture, dressed in cloud-patterned martial attire, walking towards them.
"Eh? It's Uncle Tian! That's right, we plan to go out fishing."
Xiangling greeted the old man. Seeing that he was carrying a fishing rod and a fish bucket, she couldn't help but ask, "You're back from fishing? How was the harvest?"
"The harvest was decent. Caught four medium-sized fish, enough to take back for dinner."
The old man referred to as Uncle Tian smiled and asked, "These are your friends, right?"
"En."
Xiangling nodded and introduced Hu Tao and Fang Qiu to Uncle Tian.
When he heard Xiangling say that Fang Qiu was an author for the Liyue Publishing House, he nodded in praise.
He said that when he had free time, he would buy her books to read while fishing.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Uncle Tian pointed to a boat not far away and said, "If you want to go out to sea, I'll lend it to you."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
Xiangling's eyes lit up.
"You three are all Vision holders; surely you are stronger than a bad old man like me."
Uncle Tian smiled and said.
After a few more words of greeting, Uncle Tian waved his hand and left, carrying his bucket.
Having bid farewell to Uncle Tian, they made their way to his boat.
Uncle Tian's boat was not as luxurious as the Pearl Galley ferry from before; it was slightly old and worn. However, there was no need to be so particular for a fishing trip.
Xiangling took the lead and jumped onto the boat, ducking into the covered cabin immediately upon boarding, followed by Hu Tao.
After Hu Tao jumped onto the boat, she turned and extended her hand toward Fang Qiu.
"Fang Qiu, hold my hand and jump over."
"En."
Fang Qiu nodded slightly and reached out to grasp Hu Tao's hand.
Before Fang Qiu could even register the sensation of Hu Tao's hand, she felt her own hand being tightly gripped.
She could clearly feel that her strength was far inferior to Hu Tao's.
Even though Hu Tao's hand was smaller than hers.
How sorrowful.
Speaking of which.
Was her predecessor too poor and ate too little meat, resulting in a malnourished body?
Is it too late to make up for it now?
Fang Qiu moved with great caution. She took a gentle step, testing the boat cautiously. Seeing that the rocking was minimal, she let out a sigh of relief and shifted her center of gravity onto the boat.
However, just before she could stand firm, a wave suddenly rolled in, and the hull swayed twice.
Fang Qiu had just relaxed, and her body instantly began to wobble.
It's over…
I just fell down earlier today… am I going to fall again?
Just as Fang Qiu was preparing to adjust her posture, a force suddenly came from her hand, and she was pulled into a soft embrace.
Her cheek was pressed right against Hu Tao's cheek.
Pink, tender, and soft.
At the same time, a faint fragrance wafted over.
It was the scent of plum blossoms.
Sure enough, the scent on Hu Tao's bed was the residue from Hu Tao's body.
Moreover, at this moment, she seemed to be hugging Hu Tao.
Thinking of this, Fang Qiu's heartbeat couldn't help but accelerate slightly.
Wait!
Now is not the time to be shy!
Xiangling is still on the other side of the boat.
Fang Qiu gently pushed Hu Tao away and said, "Thank you, otherwise today's grand fishing enterprise would have gone down the drain."
"You sit down first."
Hu Tao's pretty face also flushed slightly, but she did not let go of the hand holding Fang Qiu's.
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