The streamside was already bustling with the warmth of everyday life.
Everyone from Clear Wind Temple was scattered along the bank, looking utterly relaxed and carefree.
Jiyun, their First Senior Uncle, was the most easygoing of all. With his trouser legs rolled high, he stood barefoot in the stream, bent over with his backside sticking out as he felt between the rocks for fish.
He looked thoroughly intent on his task, paying no mind to the large wet patches on his robes.
On the bank, the others sat or stood in twos and threes, chatting and admiring the scenery. Their eyes occasionally drifted toward Jiyun busily working in the water, and they offered quiet jokes and pointers.
Shen Hui walked to the stream, found a dry rock to sit on, and asked with a smile:
"Caught anything yet?"
His grandmaster sat on a bluestone rock, watching his own disciple with a helpless shake of his head and a face full of disdain:
"All thumbs, stumbling and fumbling. Fish in the water are sharp as can be. It would be a miracle if he caught one."
He had barely finished speaking.
There came a splash.
Water sprayed everywhere!
Jiyun suddenly drew his arms in, clamping a plump Green-Scaled Fish over a foot long firmly in his hands. Its tail thrashed fiercely, splashing him all over.
Brimming with pride, Jiyun held up the big fish and turned toward everyone on the bank, laughing loudly:
"Who said I couldn't catch one?! Take a look!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Jiyun strode through the stream and back onto the bank, thrusting the lively, flopping fish toward the others with a triumphant expression:
"Well? Not bad, am I?"
Everyone leaned back at once. Fourth Senior Sister cried, "Oh!" and wiped the water off her face with