Nagano, Gu Clan Hall.
Gu Qilin sat fishing by the artificial lake, wrapped in a thick cloak.
His hair had turned completely white, and the vigorous vitality he had possessed just a few years ago now showed signs of decline.
The fishing rod bent, and a few ripples spread across the lake.
Old Master had his eyes closed, dozing.
Zhou Wei, who had been resting beside him, heard the faint sound and slowly woke from his nap.
The two had known each other for many years. They had grown up together, grown old together, and now enjoyed their retirement fishing together. Their lives were very peaceful, as tranquil as this lake, where hardly any ripples ever arose.
But... there were occasional surprises.
"Wake up."
Zhou Wei said, "You old bastard, it's time to reel in the line."
Gu Qilin sleepily opened his eyes, then leisurely stretched.
He did not reel in the fishing rod, instead letting it struggle as the splashes on the lake quickly subsided...
The sight made Zhou Wei rather uncomfortable.
He could not help but say, "You haven't caught a single fish these past few days... Since you're here to fish, why do you never reel them in?"
Gu Qilin's answer was simple.
Just one word.
"Lazy."
He raised his brows. "The fish in this artificial lake are all raised by the Gu family's descendants. If I catch one, I have to replace one... Since that's the case, why waste the effort? Once a fish bites, it counts as caught. Leave it at that."
By the end, he had lost interest.
Zhou Wei could tell.
Gu Qilin was not actually interested in fishing.
He was merely... passing the time.
"For some reason, I've been feeling restless these past few days."
He sighed and rubbed his brow. "I