"Ptooey~"
"ACHOO~"
"Zhi, are you sure you weren't trying to jump in the river?"
Beside a bonfire, Fang Ergou, shirtless, huddled closer to the warm glow of the flames.
Worry was written all over his dark, tanned face.
"I was fishing!"
"I really was just fishing!"
Fang Yue spread his hands helplessly.
He had just tired out the large fish and was about to reel it in.
Just as the fish broke the surface of the water,
a familiar shout rang out, and now Fang Ergou was here, warming himself by the fire.
It was, of course, his clansman, who had once again thought he was preparing to jump into the river and rushed to stop him.
He had charged in so fast that he ended up tripping and falling into the river himself—again.
Of course, the big fish got away because of it.
At first, Fang Yue felt it was a real shame. After all, the fish must have weighed over ten pounds.
He'd spent all this time fishing for it, only to have it escape. It was a pity.
But saving a life was more important, obviously.
He just hadn't expected that when he hauled Fang Ergou out, he'd find the man clutching that very same large fish in his arms.
So now, that large fish had been cut up, and a portion of it was simmering in the pot before them.
Flames licked at the pot, and the fresh aroma of fish soup filled the air.
"Less talk, more soup. Drink up."
Beside him, Fang Hu watched his foolish son with a dark expression, feeling utterly helpless. 'This boy is just so single-minded.'
His son was simple and honest by nature—perhaps a little too simple and honest.
This kind of disposition, a so-called child-like heart, was extremely beneficial on the path of the Martial Dao.
But in daily life, it made one worry.
In fact, it was precisely because of his son's nature that Fang Hu had been content to stay in Da Liushu Village for all these years.
"Dad, I know, I know."
Fang Ergou took a big gulp of fish soup, then looked at Fang Yue. "Zhi, this fish soup you made is delicious! It's way better than my dad's cooking."
Seeing that Fang Ergou wasn't taking his words to heart at all, his mind completely focused on eating and drinking,
Fang Hu felt helpless and could only sigh and say,
"You need to learn from Zhi from now on. If you had even a tenth of his composure, I could finally rest easy. If you don't change and stay like this, you're bound to suffer for it someday."
"Mr. Fang Hu, Ergou was just trying to help me. Besides, he has a simple and pure heart. Good people are naturally blessed. You don't need to worry so much."
Fang Yue picked up the conversation. "And with you around, Mr. Fang Hu, Ergou will definitely be fine."
Hearing Fang Yue's words, Fang Hu just shook his head with a wry smile and said no more.
But a faint idea was beginning to form in his mind.
~~~~~~
About an hour later,
Fang Ergou's clothes had dried, and he had drunk plenty of fish soup, chasing the chill from his body.
Having followed Fang Hu to hunt for years, Fang Ergou never lacked for meat and had a strong physique.
Otherwise, if it were anyone else,
they could have easily caught a cold from falling into the river like that, even in the middle of summer.
And in this era, for an ordinary family, someone catching a cold was nothing short of a disaster.
"Zhi, thank you for the fish today."
Fang Hu pulled Fang Ergou along and thanked Fang Yue earnestly.
Then he looked at Fang Ergou and said, "Give the pheasant you hunted to Zhi."
"I couldn't possibly, I couldn't."
Fang Yue naturally refused again and again, but he was no match for Fang Ergou, who forcefully shoved the pheasant into his arms.
Seeing this, Fang Yue felt quite embarrassed.
But he also gave two of the fish he had caught to Fang Ergou.
Fang Hu, who had already walked a few steps away, saw this and smiled faintly.
~~~~~~
"Sister, look what this is!"
Back home, Fang Yue immediately took out the pheasant and presented it to Fang Lan like a prized treasure.
"Oh, is this a pheasant?"
"Zhi, where did you get this?"
Fang Lan stopped what she was doing and gasped, her eyes sparkling.
Although her little brother had been bringing home a fish or two every day lately, which had greatly improved their family's life,
having some meat to eat had improved everyone's health considerably.
fish, after all, wasn't very fatty.
But the pheasant before her was a good size, looking to be at least three or four pounds.
Its feathers were glossy, so it was sure to be rich and oily.
A pheasant like this clearly wasn't farm-raised; it had to be a wild one from the mountains.
At this thought, Fang Lan's expression changed. She assumed her daring little brother had gone into the mountains.
She immediately put one hand on her hip and pinched Fang Yue's ear with the other.
"Zhi, you didn't go into the mountains, did you! How could you go into the mountains? You're too reckless!"
"There are ferocious beasts in there! What would we do if something happened to you?!"
Her authority as an older sister was on full display—nagging, stern, and severe, yet filled with a deep love for her younger brother.
"Sis, let go! Sis, let go!"
"Let me make my case—no, I mean, listen to me! Mr. Fang Hu gave me the pheasant. I didn't go into the mountains."
HISS! Fang Yue sucked in a sharp breath. He never thought his sister would launch a sneak attack on him.
He quickly tilted his head back to ease the pain and explained where the pheasant came from.
"Mr. Fang Hu gave it to you?"
Fang Lan was a little skeptical but let go of his ear.
Mr. Fang Hu lived not far from them, so it would be easy enough to verify his story. That meant her little brother was likely telling the truth.
"Really! It's the absolute truth, cross my heart," Fang Yue hurriedly promised.
"Hmph. I'll believe you this time. Fine. Next time something like this happens, make sure you explain it clearly from the start. And don't you ever go up the mountain. It's too dangerous."
Fang Lan added a few more worried instructions before putting the pheasant into a cage in the courtyard.
The pheasant was still alive, so there was no rush to eat it.
If they raised it for a few days, it might even lay a few eggs.
"Today, the Liu Family has something going on, so Mother won't be back for lunch."
Fang Lan said, then went to get the fish to prepare the meal. When she lifted the lid of the basket, she found a huge fish inside, from which some meat had already been carved.
Even though a good amount had been taken, the remaining fish still looked to be close to ten pounds.
"This is the big fish you caught? Weren't you afraid it would pull you into the water?"
"Don't be so reckless in the future."
Fang Lan was both amazed and worried.
She clearly knew how much strength a fish that big would have in the water.
After glaring at her little brother, Fang Lan went to cook.
Watching this, Fang Yue couldn't help but touch his nose.
'Well, this sister of mine can be pretty fierce sometimes.'
'Her quiet demeanor these past few days had me fooled.'
'But this is good, too.'
「An hour later.」
Fang Lan came out of the kitchen. "Zhi, come help. Take some of this leftover fish to Third Uncle and Seventh Uncle."
"Oh, and take a little to Widow Yu next door, too."