"Xiao Xiao, you've got a real knack for fishing, kid."
A fish this big had even Uncle Zhang flustered.
"Attaboy! It's been ages since I caught one this big myself."
Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement and crowded around the huge fish to admire it. Uncle Zhang only "shooed" them away after they'd had a good look.
Naturally, Uncle Zhang took care of the huge fish.
Xiao Xiao had inspired the others. They all declared that they were going to catch fish just as big—or even bigger.
After all the excitement, the fishing boat returned to its quiet state, with only the sound of waves surging clearly audible.
"Sea Child."
Xiao Xiao found a spot where he had his back to everyone else.
He sat on the gunwale, holding nothing but his fishing rod, yet his body remained perfectly steady.
The white horse caught Sea Child as the little creature jumped down from the gunwale, then Sea Child urged it toward the water near where Xiao Xiao was sitting.
At the sound of Xiao Xiao calling, Sea Child looked up. Its pure white, almond-shaped eyes had no pupils, making it impossible to tell where it was looking.
But Xiao Xiao could somehow sense how focused the little monster was.
"Sea Child."
He called again, softly. "Thank you for the fish."
Thinking of that enormous fish, Xiao Xiao couldn't help smiling. His voice held a note of amazement. "A fish that big..."
"It was quite a gift."
"Thank you."
"Tongtong~"
Feeling a little embarrassed, Sea Child reached out and grabbed the white horse's mane at the back of its neck, tugging at it haphazardly.
White Horse: ...
It glared at Xiao Xiao with displeasure.
Xiao Xiao returned a friendly smile.
White Horse: