North of Lin Yuan City, on the Quicksand River.
The sun had just risen above the horizon, its light making the river's surface shimmer.
The river was wide, its murky water flowing slowly into the distance.
This great river, which flowed through the northern part of the city, was the source of livelihood for hundreds of fishing families in Lin Yuan City.
Autumn had arrived, and a hint of chill was in the air.
At this moment, a small sampan was drifting on the river's surface.
A tan, middle-aged man in coarse clothes stood at the bow, observing the riverbed below.
He seemed to have spotted something. With a powerful swing of his sturdy arm, he cast a patched fishing net, which slowly sank into the water.
On the deck, a tall, thin young man was tidying another soaking-wet net.
In a bamboo fish basket to one side lay a few small, assorted fish and some small river shrimp.
