A Fisher Never Goes Home Empty-Handed

A week later.

On the eastern side of what was basically a patch of wasteland—but which Luo Mu shamelessly called a farm—a modest creek flowed slowly by.

Shadows of fish of all sizes swam through the crystal-clear water. Looking closely, one could occasionally spot a few red fish silhouettes.

"Why is it you guys again? I'm not running an all-you-can-eat buffet. Please, stop eating."

A voice full of fury yet tinged with sorrow rang out. Holding a fishing rod, Luo Mu stared despairingly into a pair of dead fish eyes.

Whether it was the system's gleefully mocking text or Serperior beside him, impatiently swishing its tail and looking at him with disdainful snake eyes—

Both seemed to be saying that Luo Mu, who had prepared a huge basin of bait and declared that he would never go home empty-handed, only to fail to catch a single fish, feed all the Magikarp in the creek, and then try to beg them to leave, had something wrong with his head.

Dangling from Luo Mu's hand with a completely resigned expression, as if it knew Luo Mu could do nothing to it, the Magikarp calmly swayed its tail and waited for him to toss it back into the water.

In truth, Luo Mu's fishing skills were not bad. Before transmigrating, he often went fishing alone at some river during holidays. Though he did not catch anything every time, he usually came back with at least a little something.

He had come fishing today because of a sudden whim that morning. He had inexplicably craved grilled fish, so he decisively prepared a basin of bait that only attracted ordinary fish and came to this newly discovered creek.

The bait contained nothing Pokémon liked. In a Pokémon's eyes, it was basically no different from pig feed.

But no matter how carefully Luo Mu calculated, he had not accounted for these shameless Magikarp. Not only were they willing to eat the bait, they had also used their special traits as extraordinary creatures to drive away the ordinary fish.

They were simply shameless beyond belief!

Seeing her useless Trainer's face turn bright red with anger, Serperior sighed inwardly.

Although Serperior still wore a disdainful expression, she nevertheless released a small amount of pressure toward the Magikarp on Luo Mu's line and across the water's surface.

Serperior controlled the pressure well. It only enveloped the Magikarp lingering in the nearby stream and did not frighten the schools of ordinary fish.

The Magikarp that had been confronting Luo Mu immediately showed visible panic in its vacant dead fish eyes. It let go of the bait in its mouth and used the fastest Splash of its life to leap into the creek, fleeing in an instant.

"Thank you, kind Lady Serperior!" Luo Mu looked at Serperior with gratitude. He immediately tossed aside his fishing rod and planned to give her a grateful hug from her beloved Trainer.

However, before Luo Mu could hug her, Serperior, her face full of disgust, used two emerald-green vines to tie him up like a bundle and hoist him into the air. He dangled there, swaying back and forth, looking a little ridiculous.

Serperior complained unhappily, "Garo!" (How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Queen!)

Unfortunately, Luo Mu could not understand her language, though he could roughly tell how Serperior was feeling. She was undoubtedly in her "tsun" state right now. As long as he yielded and said some nice things, Serperior would be happy.

Having long since figured out Serperior's personality, Luo Mu smoothly began flattering her. Before long, his string of lavish compliments had Serperior raising her head proudly, and she mercifully allowed Luo Mu to hug her body, which was warm rather than cold like that of an ordinary snake Pokémon.

Luo Mu carefully savored the warmth of Serperior's serpentine body and revealed a triumphant smile where she could not see it.

Hah, a mere Tsundere Snake is taken down in minutes. Don't underestimate this older shut-in who's watched countless anime, kora!

After their little scuffle, Luo Mu stared at the scraps around the edge of the basin and estimated that there was enough left for one more cast.

This time, he absolutely would not go home empty-handed!

Although he could have Serperior blast the fish out of the water, that would be meaningless. What Luo Mu enjoyed was the process of catching fish.

A determined expression appeared on Luo Mu's face as he immediately prepared to roll up his sleeves and get to work.

"All my people, all my people~"

Suddenly, the phone in the pocket of his floral shorts began playing its ringtone.

Luo Mu froze, his shoulders drooping like a deflated balloon. He took out his phone, glanced at the caller, and answered. "Hello? Is there another problem?"

A hearty middle-aged man's voice came from the other end. "Ah, no problem at all. We'll definitely start work on time. It's just that a few of my employees have something they'd like to ask for your permission about, Mr. Luo."

"Permission?" Luo Mu tilted his head, not understanding what the construction crew foreman on the other end meant.

"Haven't they still failed to catch that child trafficking ring lately? I heard children have been disappearing in the nearby town. Since school is on break, they're worried the children might get into trouble staying home alone, so they want to bring them to the construction site and keep an eye on them."

Before Luo Mu could speak, the construction foreman hurriedly reassured him, seemingly afraid that Luo Mu might have concerns or be unhappy. "They promise they won't let the children run around. They'll keep them by their sides at all times, and I'll personally watch over them at the site as well. Could you make an exception for us?"

That was all?

Luo Mu could not help but laugh. Vast areas of the farm were currently abandoned. He would not care even if those kids held a dance party there; all he cared about was the final result.

Setting aside his thoughts, Luo Mu smiled. "No problem. Just make sure you keep an eye on the children and don't let them get lost."

Having received Luo Mu's permission, the foreman on the other end was delighted. He thanked him repeatedly, promised to keep a close watch on the children, and said he would even give Luo Mu a discount once the project was completed.

After hanging up, Luo Mu shook his head and sighed inwardly. I can't believe there are bosses in this world who care so much about their subordinates. Why had I never met one before?

"Garo!"

Serperior lightly tapped Luo Mu's palm with a vine, urging him to hurry up and finish this cast so they could leave. She had not even sunbathed today.

"Alright, alright, I'm fishing now." Luo Mu skillfully baited the hook, then flicked it and the line toward the distance with a flourish.

Unfortunately, there was no longer enough bait to chum the water. It was all those Magikarp's fault!

Luo Mu swore that if those Magikarp came to ambush him again next time, he would definitely call Luxray over to electrocute them!

After sitting there for several minutes, Luo Mu's bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the water's surface, as if he could fish a catch out with his gaze alone.

Perhaps because of the Magikarp's earlier disturbance, the fish in this area had no appetite. They were not even willing to come freeload off Luo Mu's bait.

Just as Luo Mu thought he was about to return in utter defeat, the float on the water suddenly sank. There was clearly a catch!

Luo Mu's drowsy mind instantly cleared, and his eyes burst with dazzling light. He immediately prepared to test his strength against the fish swimming below!

Serperior casually turned her gaze toward the water. Even she had not expected Luo Mu to actually catch a fish.

However, the instant Serperior clearly saw what had been hooked, her snake eyes narrowed!