The Catch Is On!

Splash! Splash!

As Guagua heaved hard on the Fishing Rod, the thing hooked beneath the surface began struggling violently, trying to break free as water sprayed everywhere.

This also exposed half of the creature in the sea.

And at that very moment, Brother Yu saw it clearly.

Staring at that enormous black fish head, Brother Yu froze in place...

He had been squatting here for ages. Forget big fish—even a tiny shrimp couldn't be bothered to bite his hook.

And how long had Guagua been here?

She had barely cast her line, and she'd already landed a catch?

These fish were playing favorites, weren't they?!

Brother Yu felt as if someone had viciously stabbed him in the heart.

Splash!

While he stood there in silence, Guagua exerted herself again and hauled the huge fish straight out of the sea.

Flap! Flap!

The massive fish thrashed violently, splashing seawater all over Brother Yu's face.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Ow!"

Guagua had just picked up the fish when its tail suddenly slapped her hard across the face.

With a startled cry, the fish fell straight toward the sea, about to return to the ocean for good.

Seeing this, Brother Yu's pupils contracted.

Without hesitation, he threw aside his Fishing Rod, lunged forward, and caught the fish in his arms.

Splash!

"Ah..." Guagua lay sprawled at the shore, her face falling. "My fish..."

"But why was that splash so huge?"

Just as she was wondering about it, Brother Yu suddenly poked his head out of the water and quickly swam toward shore.

Guagua froze, then immediately realized what had happened. "Brother Yu?"

Brother Yu said nothing. He clung tightly to the fish in his arms, only letting out a long breath after placing it safely on the ground.

"A fish this big almost got away!"

Brother Yu looked at Guagua, his eyes carrying a hint of disappointment at her failure to meet expectations.

"Ah..." Guagua looked awkward at his words and said sheepishly, "It's my first time fishing too. I didn't know fish could be this strong..."

Stab!

Her first time fishing?

Brother Yu felt as though he had suffered another critical blow.

But he quickly comforted himself.

It's fine, it's fine. Newbie anglers usually get a beginner's gift pack...

I'm not jealous at all!

Flap... flap...

Looking at the lively, black-scaled fish still thrashing about, Brother Yu felt bitter inside.

"Thanks, Brother Yu. If it weren't for you, the fish would've gotten away."

Guagua did not care much about the fish itself. Seeing Brother Yu still staring fixedly at it, she smiled and spoke.

"Brother Yu, if you like it, I'll give you this fish."

"What?!" Brother Yu, still dazed, whipped around to stare at her in shock, then looked at the big fish. "Such a huge fish—you're sure you want to give it to me?"

"Mhm, mhm. I can catch more." Guagua smiled.

Though tempted, Brother Yu shook his head and refused. "...This is the first fish you've ever caught. It has great meaning. How could you give it to me? No, I appreciate the gesture, but I can't accept it."

Brother Yu had once heard a rumor: an angler's first catch was deeply meaningful. No matter what they caught, they could not give it away, or their fishing luck would worsen in the future...

He firmly believed it.

Because when he was young, his older brother had sweet-talked him out of the first fish he caught, and that had led to his current situation...

...It was all his brother's fault!

"Alright."

Guagua did not really understand, but seeing how resolute he was, she did not insist.

"Then, Brother Yu, I'll give you this as thanks instead."

After thinking for a moment, Guagua took out two Sandworm Meat Baits from her inventory and handed them to Brother Yu.

This time, he did not refuse. He thanked her and accepted the Meat Baits, looking slightly surprised. "Sandworm Meat Bait? Did these drop from those Tidal Sandworms?"

"More precisely, they dropped from the Sandworm King." As Guagua spoke, she baited her hook with a Meat Bait and looked eagerly toward the sea. "I wonder what I'll catch with this bait."

"The Sandworm King?!"

Brother Yu's eyes lit up as though he had discovered a new continent.

"Uh... yeah, but the drop rate probably isn't high." Guagua found Brother Yu's gaze a little frightening.

"I'll test what's special about this bait first."

Brother Yu quickly baited his hook, then cast it into the sea.

Seeing this, Guagua did not cast right away. Instead, she watched curiously.

[Fishing...]

Splash!

The sea churned, the Fishing Rod bent downward, and Brother Yu's spirits lifted. He instantly entered the zone and focused on reeling it in.

Before long, a big one was hooked!

[You caught: Big Tiger Spotted Fish ×1.]

Flap! Flap!

The fish's tail slapped wildly, sending water flying everywhere. Holding the fish tightly, Brother Yu felt a surge of satisfaction rise from the depths of his heart, nearly bringing him to tears.

So this was what it felt like to land a big catch...

Brother Yu was somewhat dazed.

He could no longer remember the last time he had caught a big fish.

Maybe it had been a year ago, ten years ago, or even longer...

But!

None of that mattered!

Only this very moment mattered most!

From this day onward, the shame of his past history of empty hooks would be completely washed away. And he firmly believed that he would never again go home empty-handed!

Ah, thank you, Spirit Candle. Thank you, sea. Thank you, beautiful and kind-hearted Guagua Sis...

Brother Yu raised his head to the sky.

"..." Guagua felt that something was a little off with Brother Yu, but she did not interrupt him.

"Again!"

Brother Yu came back to his senses, baited another Meat Bait, and cast into the sea again, his eyes blazing.

[Obtained: Leopard Fish ×1.]

Before long, another fish took the hook.

This completely ignited Brother Yu's fighting spirit, and his confidence soared.

"Again!"

Brother Yu quickly cast again, staring eagerly at the sea.

But this time, he had no Meat Bait left...

Time slowly passed...

Brother Yu remained full of confidence. In his view, even without Meat Bait, Common Bait would definitely catch something.

After all, he was no longer the empty-handed angler he used to be.

Guagua grew a little bored. After telling Brother Yu, she carried the Big Black Fish from earlier toward the cave, preparing to identify it.

Time flew by...

With Candlewood Island's environment restored to normal, day and night began alternating again, and the sky gradually darkened.

Brother Yu's eyes no longer shone brightly. Instead, his brows slowly furrowed.

What's going on? Why isn't anything biting?

Have these fish gotten spoiled? Are they refusing to eat Common Bait now?

Brother Yu looked suspiciously at the Fishing Rod and lifted it.

The hook was completely bare.

His face darkened.

"Brother Yu, you're still here?"

Guagua returned at this moment and looked at Brother Yu in surprise.

She glanced at the puddle beside him, then immediately understood.

During the time she had been gone, Brother Yu had not caught a single fish...

Poor Brother Yu.

"I still have some Meat Bait. Do you want any, Brother Yu?" Guagua kindly offered.

Brother Yu was immediately tempted, but after thinking about it, he refused. Why should he keep taking things from a young girl?

"...Forget it. I'll go farm some myself. I should identify these two fish while I'm at it."

Brother Yu ultimately decided to rest for the time being.

He figured that catching two big fish in a row had probably used up all his luck.

Everyone's luck for the day was limited.

Yeah, that had to be it!

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