Chapter 43: He Yuzhu is Mesmerized

"This kid is likely using some underhanded methods!" Yan Bugui felt jealous in his heart, but he couldn't help wanting to know Li Mingyuan's secret.

Finally, Yan Bugui walked over and pretended to greet him enthusiastically: "Oh my, isn't this Chief Engineer Li? You've had a good harvest today!"

Li Mingyuan looked up and smiled faintly: "So it's Master Yan, are you here to go Fishing too?"

"Yes, I've been fishing for several years!" Yan Bugui boasted, then changed the subject,

"Chief Engineer Li, this bait of yours is not simple. Could you share the recipe?"

Li Mingyuan smiled without answering, focusing on changing his bait.

He Yuzhu couldn't stand Yan Bugui's hypocrisy and curled his lip: "Uncle Yan, you've been fishing all morning, how come there aren't many fish in your basket?"

Yan Bugui's old face flushed, but he still insisted: "Fishing is about the artistic conception, not the quantity!"

"Is that so?" Li Mingyuan suddenly spoke, his tone carrying obvious sarcasm, "Master Yan has been fishing for years, yet today you only caught two small fish. This 'artistic conception' is indeed extraordinary!"

He Yuzhu giggled out loud.

Yan Bugui was both ashamed and annoyed; he suddenly leaned close to Li Mingyuan and lowered his voice:

"Chief Engineer Li, I know you must have some special method. We are neighbors, so don't keep the good stuff to yourself..."

Li Mingyuan looked up, his eyes turning cold: "Master Yan, what do you mean by that? Are you suspecting that I used some improper methods?"

Yan Bugui was taken aback and hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, no, I didn't mean that..."

"Fishing is a technical skill that relies on experience and technique." Li Mingyuan stood up and looked down at Yan Bugui,

"Some people fish their whole lives and stay the same. It's not a problem with the bait, it's a problem with the person."

Yan Bugui's face turned from green to white, but under the gaze of the crowd, he dared not act out and could only return to his spot in a huff.

He Yuzhu looked at Li Mingyuan with admiration: "Uncle Li, you are too amazing! Those words just now left Uncle Yan speechless!"

Li Mingyuan smiled and continued to teach He Yuzhu fishing techniques: "Don't worry about him, let's continue. Remember, what is the most important thing about fishing?"

He Yuzhu thought seriously: "Is it... patience?"

"Correct, and a calm heart." Li Mingyuan nodded, "Whether it's fishing or conducting oneself, the principle is the same."

Under Li Mingyuan's guidance, He Yuzhu soon caught a few fish as well; although they were much smaller than Li Mingyuan's, it was enough to keep him excited for a good while.

In the afternoon, the Taiyang gradually slanted westward. The fish baskets of Li Mingyuan and He Yuzhu were already packed full, with over a dozen large fish.

Yan Bugui gloomily reeled in his line; there were still only two small fish in his basket, and his face was filled with frustration and unwillingness.

"Let's go, the harvest was good today, let's go back and make a fish for Yushui to taste." Li Mingyuan packed up his fishing gear and left the lakeside with a triumphant-looking He Yuzhu.

Yan Bugui watched their retreating backs, his eyes full of jealousy and resentment: "Li Mingyuan, you just wait, this time I've truly seen your real face!"

At dusk, as the sun set, the residents of the Siheyuan gathered in twos and threes to cool off and chat.

Today was destined to be an extraordinary day—the farce of the Jia Family's matchmaking had just come to an end, and the return of Li Mingyuan and He Yuzhu with baskets full of fresh fish caused another sensation.

"Look, look! So many fish!" He Yuzhu carried the fish basket in high spirits, walking in front of Li Mingyuan and showing off their spoils to everyone,

"Uncle Li and I caught them all! There are over twenty!"

He Yushui also ran over happily to welcome them.

The residents of the Siheyuan gathered around one after another, their eyes focused on the basket of plump crucian carp, and exclamations rose one after another.

"Oh my, these fish are really big! Each one is at least over two jin!"

"Chief Engineer Li is so amazing even at fishing, he is truly talented in both literature and martial arts!"

"He Yuzhu, you kid are in for a treat, you can have fresh fish soup tonight!"

Li Mingyuan smiled and nodded in greeting, but his gaze inadvertently fell on a strange figure on the edge of the crowd—it was a young woman wearing simple but clean blue cloth clothes, with delicate features and an outstanding temperament, watching the excitement here curiously.

"Who is that?" Li Mingyuan asked He Yushui beside him in a low voice.

He Yushui followed his gaze: "Oh, that's Qin Huairu, the girl who came to the Jia Family for matchmaking this morning. It looks like they've finished talking, and she's preparing to go back."

Li Mingyuan nodded and didn't say anything more.

He Yuzhu, however, noticed Qin Huairu at this moment; his eyes lit up, and his mouth opened slightly, standing there as if struck by lightning.

Qin Huairu also noticed the crowd's gaze, especially the young man carrying the fish basket and beaming with joy, and the mature-looking youth behind him.

She couldn't help but walk over, wanting to see those legendary big fish.

"These fish are really big." Qin Huairu said softly, her eyes revealing surprise, "I've never seen such big crucian carp in the village."

Li Mingyuan nodded politely: "Fish from Shichahai, the water quality is good, so they naturally grow plump and delicious."

He Yuzhu, however, stood there blankly as if his pressure points had been struck, staring fixedly at Qin Huairu.

It wasn't until she cast a puzzled look that he woke up as if from a dream, and a flush of red immediately surged onto his face.

"H-hello, my name is He Yuzhu, most of these fish were caught by me!" He Yuzhu blurted out, his voice several decibels higher than usual, causing a burst of snickering from the people around.

Li Mingyuan shook his head helplessly; it seemed this kid He Yuzhu had fallen in love with Qin Huairu at first sight.

Qin Huairu smiled politely: "Hello, my name is Qin Huairu."

"Qin Huairu..." He Yuzhu repeated foolishly, his eyes full of infatuation, "What a, what a beautiful name!"

Seeing He Yuzhu's embarrassing state, Li Mingyuan hurriedly stepped forward and pulled him: "Alright, stop standing there like a fool, we should go back, the fish are still waiting to be cleaned."

He Yuzhu woke up as if from a dream, but was still reluctant to leave: "Qin... Miss Qin, have you ever tasted fresh fish soup? I make it very well, why don't... why don't you stay, and I'll make some for you to taste?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the courtyard suddenly went quiet.

The matchmaker stood to the side, her face turning somewhat ugly—the Jia Family's marriage had only just been settled, and He Yuzhu was already rushing forward? Was he trying to snatch the bride?

Qin Huairu clearly hadn't expected He Yuzhu to be so direct, and for a moment didn't know how to respond, her pretty face slightly red, her eyes somewhat evasive.

The matchmaker saw that the situation was wrong, hurriedly stepped forward to take Qin Huairu's hand, and piled on a smile to the crowd: "It's almost mealtime, everyone should get ready."

Saying this, she pulled Qin Huairu back to the Jia Family; she shouldn't have come out to watch the excitement in the first place.

He Yuzhu looked reluctant, his eyes staring straight at Qin Huairu until her figure disappeared at the Jia Family's door before he withdrew his gaze.

Li Mingyuan looked at the kid's infatuated expression and shook his head helplessly, thinking that the scene from the TV show where He Yuzhu couldn't move his feet upon seeing Qin Huairu was now playing out vividly right before his eyes.