Chapter 24: The Fishing Enthusiast

Knock-knock-knock~

The sound of knocking on the door rang out, and Qi Hui, without looking up, said: "Come in."

The door pushed open, revealing Director Jiang and a burly middle-aged man in a police uniform.

"Yo, Captain Li," Qi Hui called out in surprise, "You're here so fast?"

The newcomer was Captain Li of the Criminal Investigation Team, the one who had negotiated with Qi Hui and the other two last time.

"Uh... what's this?" Captain Li, seeing the bandage on Qi Hui's forehead, couldn't help but pause in surprise.

Jiang Wei gave an awkward smile: "Haha... a little accident happened during filming."

He hadn't been injured while performing a heroic act and subduing a fugitive; instead, he got hurt safely within his own film crew.

And the police saw it, which made him quite embarrassed.

"Bumps and bruises are normal," Qi Hui said, not minding it at all.

Captain Li nodded, no longer probing deeper into the matter, and immediately presented a bulging envelope and a silk banner.

On the red silk banner were several large yellow characters: 【Heroic Act, Bravely Fighting Criminals】

In the corner, there was also a line of small text: 【Presented by the XX Branch to Mr. Qi Hui, Ling Xiaosu, and Zhang Ruoyun】

The silk banner was made in three copies; Ling Xiaosu and Zhang Ruoyun had one each as well.

Qi Hui held the banner, took a photo with Captain Li, and casually posted it on Weibo.

This was a chance to show one's face; how could one not share it?

As for the envelope, it contained ten thousand RMB.

It sounds like not much, but nowadays, when the domineering CEOs in idol dramas show off, they do it in tens of thousands; ten thousand is already a lot.

"Director, here," Qi Hui handed the money over.

This is bribery... Captain Li's gaze was dim; I'm still here, and I haven't even taken off my police uniform yet!

Jiang Wei was startled, instinctively jumping back two steps: "What do you want me to do with this?!"

"Don't be nervous," Qi Hui smiled, "Tomorrow is Sunday, right? It's a holiday, so I'm treating the whole crew to a meal; please help organize it."

"This money isn't solely my achievement; our film crew deserves a share too; let's all share the joy together."

He didn't lack money now; it was better to spend this ten thousand than to keep it.

Hearing this, Jiang Wei sighed in relief, and Captain Li slowly withdrew his gaze.

"You kid, don't hold your breath like that next time when speaking," Jiang Wei said grumpily, then looked at the envelope, thought for a moment, and accepted it.

He understood Qi Hui's meaning; quite a few people in the film crew, openly or secretly, were jealous of him.

Many felt that catching a wanted criminal was nothing; I could do it too.

Sharing this bonus might not eliminate everyone's jealousy, but it could change many people's views.

"Hehe..." Qi Hui smiled; hoarding all the benefits alone was not good behavior; he had already learned that back at the construction site.

Although he was now mixing it up on a film set, some things were the same.

In the evening, filming ended, and the extras lined up to collect their boxed meals, only to find today's meals smelled much better than before.

Opening them, they couldn't help but widen their eyes: two meat dishes and one vegetable, stir-fried lamb with scallions, cold tossed beef, and the only vegetable dish was tomato scrambled eggs.

"What's going on here?"

"Having watermelon at noon was one thing, but eating this well at night too?"

"Getting benefits today."

Up high, the unit director held a megaphone and shouted: "Today, the bonus for Teacher Qi Hui's heroic act has arrived; he has specially added a meal for our crew. Everyone, eat and drink well; when you leave later, remember to collect a cup of pearl milk tea."

"Holy crap?"

"Thank you, Teacher Qi; may a good person live a safe life."

"May a good person have children early, one hundred and eight in the first birth."

"May a good person have boundless merit; in the next life, be reborn in America!"

Pearl milk tea had spread over from Taiwan; it was so trendy and fashionable!

Qi Hui, hearing the cheers, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye; was this praising him or cursing him?

"Alright, comrades," Director Jiang Wei clapped his hands, looking at the main cast and numerous behind-the-scenes staff, and said:

"I've reserved a spot at a farmhouse restaurant; let's go there."

"Don't dislike that I chose a farmhouse restaurant; with over thirty of us, a regular restaurant couldn't fit us, and driving there is quite far."

Yao Chen muttered a couple of times but said no more.

Feng Enhe smiled and said, "A farmhouse restaurant is great; I wouldn't even like a big fancy restaurant."

Saying this, he hoisted a large black bag onto his back, looking just like the coffin bag from Escape from Tarkov.

It looked extraordinary, and in fact, it was extraordinary.

Abroad, such bags are basically used to carry rifles, submachine guns, and their corresponding accessories.

But domestically, only fishing enthusiasts use such bags.

"Old Feng is right; I don't like big fancy restaurants either," Wu Gang said with a smile.

Teacher Zu Feng nodded with a smile: "Same here."

"Alright, let's set off then," Jiang Wei laughed heartily, gave the signal, and the large group drove out with a whoosh.

Soon, they arrived at a riverside manor.

Inside, there were many facilities: billiards, movie projection, a large TV, and a row of computers and a row of arcade machines.

It didn't look like a farmhouse restaurant; it looked more like a party hall.

"Tomorrow is a holiday; today, play whatever you want; dinner will be served in a while, and there's plenty of alcohol and drinks," the director shouted.

"Alas!"

"Thank you, Director!"

"The Director is generous!"

Jiang Wei shouted: "Don't thank me, thank Qi Hui!"

"I'm so poor I wish I could split my funds in half to make them last; how could I afford to treat everyone?"

"Thank you, Teacher Qi!"

"Teacher Qi is indeed a hero, sharing joy with the people!"

"Teacher Qi, I love you!"

A crowd readily followed suit, shouting with joy.

Qi Hui shouted: "Everyone, eat well, drink well, and have fun; stay safe, and don't go near the water if you've been drinking."

Saying this, he himself headed toward the water's edge.

By the river, Teacher Feng Enhe opened his bag, took out a fishing rod, line, and hook, and prepared to start fishing.

Wu Gang and Teacher Zu Feng were nearby as well, looking eager to try.

"Boss, are there many fish in this lake?" Zu Feng asked.

"There used to be many; now I'm not sure," the boss sighed slightly and answered truthfully: "There are quite a few people coming to fish."

For some reason, there have been more and more fishing enthusiasts lately.

"Little Qi is here?" Feng Enhe called out: "Come fish with us quickly; young people shouldn't play too many computer games."

Saying this, he handed a fishing rod to Qi Hui.

Qi Hui: "..."

When you were stealing vegetables before, you didn't say that.

Taking the rod, Qi Hui skillfully attached the hook and line, and casually baited it.

"Eh?" Feng Enhe exclaimed in surprise: "Little Qi, have you fished before?"

He was too skilled, like a seasoned 'air force'... ahem, a seasoned angler.

"Fished once or twice..." Qi Hui coughed lightly; of course he hadn't fished before and was a complete novice.

But didn't the system grant him a fishing skill?

Zu Feng sighed with emotion: "Fishing is good; it cultivates the spirit and brings one closer to nature."

After being married for many years, he found that besides fishing, he had nothing else he liked.

Wu Gang, equally emotional, said: "Teacher Zu is right."

Reaching middle age, with family trifles and work going poorly.

Supporting parents, raising children; all the pressure rests on one person alone.

Only fishing is when a man can find himself again.

Splash, splash!

Patches of water splashed up, instantly interrupting the two men's reflections.

"What are you still staring at?" Feng Enhe shouted: "Scatter the bait! Without scattering bait, you'll catch nothing."

Saying this, he threw down several more large clumps of bait.

"Teacher Feng, there's no need to scatter so much," Zu Feng hurriedly stopped him.

Feng Enhe sneered: "If you don't scatter more, you'll soon discover you'll catch nothing."

"Cultivate the spirit? Get closer to nature? It's already good if your blood pressure doesn't rise!"

Zu Feng: "..."

Wu Gang: "..."

"Teacher Feng is right!" Qi Hui kept throwing bait: "Heavy bait is needed to catch big fish!"

"Hmm, Little Qi has great talent for fishing," Feng Enhe said, greatly comforted in his old heart; my path is not lonely!