Willingly Take the Bait?!
Hong Ming stared at the fishing rod before him, and his heart began to race.
He'd been worrying over how to find Treasure Fish!
The appearance of the Willingly Take the Bait trait was like a beacon in the dark, a timely solution to his pressing problem.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he asked the old fish seller as casually as he could, "How much for these grass carp?"
"The small ones are ten copper coins each. The big ones are five copper coins per pound," the old fish seller replied with a chuckle.
"Give me three big ones!"
At that, the old fish seller's face broke into a wide grin. "Coming right up!"
With consummate professionalism, he picked out the three largest grass carp in front of Hong Ming, weighed them, and calculated the price.
"That'll be one hundred and three copper coins, honored customer. One silver coin will cover it."
The old fish seller generously rounded down the price for his biggest customer of the day.
Hong Ming gave a slight nod. As he took out his money, he casually asked, "Old sir, that fishing rod looks pretty good. Would you be willing to sell it to me?"
"The fishing rod?" The old fish seller's expression froze for a moment before he glanced at Hong Ming.
He was a little surprised that Hong Ming had taken a liking to the old, battered fishing rod, and a hint of suspicion stirred in his heart.
He had a feeling Hong Ming had an ulterior motive.
But he didn't dwell on it, instead wondering whether he could use this to his advantage.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when he caught sight of Hong Ming putting his money away. He immediately abandoned the idea.
With a genial smile, he said, "You're joking, sir. If you really want it, you can have it for ten copper coins!"
As he spoke, he studied Hong Ming's expression.
"Five," Hong Ming said, his expression unchanged and his tone casual. "This rod's been around for years. It might break after I use it a few times."
The old fish seller turned his attention back to haggling. In the end, they settled on seven copper coins.
With the fishing rod in his left hand and the grass carp in his right, Hong Ming walked through the streets and alleys, drawing frequent glances for some reason.
He paid them little mind and headed home, planning to give the grass carp to Hong Zheng and the others.
The backyard of the Hong Family Grocery Store.
A stifling silence hung in the air.
His eldest aunt asked in a trembling voice, "Father, you're not joking, are you? A Ming, he... he's racked up a debt of ten taels?"
She could hardly believe the earth-shattering news she'd just heard from Hong Zheng.
"It's true. Someone from the Zhong Family Cloth Shop came to tell us in person just now. We have to pay it back within half a month, or they'll report it to the authorities!" his aunt said, her face clouded with worry.
His eldest aunt immediately sensed trouble and whipped her gaze toward Hong Zheng. "Father, you're not expecting us to pay this too, are you?"
Even if her whole family gave their lives to repay a debt of ten taels of silver, they still wouldn't be able to fill that bottomless pit.
His aunt was just as worried. This was no longer a question of whether they could pay. Even if they sold everything they owned, they still couldn't repay it.
Hong Zheng said nothing, his brows knotted together. His cane tapped against the ground, making a maddening noise.
After a long while, he let out a breath, as if he'd made up his mind. "You won't have to pay all of it. We'll take care of it."
"But Father, does our family even have that much money?"
Relieved that they wouldn't have to contribute, his aunt's expression eased a little. Then she asked curiously.
Hong Zheng glanced at his younger daughter, who had remained silent beside them, and said quietly, "I arranged a marriage for Magpie. The other family is willing to offer ten taels in betrothal money. We'll use that to pay the debt."
"Father, you're going to use Magpie's marriage to pay off A Ming's debt?" His aunt jerked her head up, disbelief written all over her face.
His eldest aunt was stunned. It felt as if a boulder had crushed her throat, leaving her struggling for breath.
Hong Xique didn't say a word, but her trembling shoulders revealed the storm raging inside her.
If she had a choice, who would willingly trade away her marriage to pay off a debt?
"What other choice do we have? Are we supposed to watch A Ming go to prison?" Hong Zheng glared at her, his eyes reddening.
He didn't want to sacrifice Hong Xique to repay the debt either, but he had no other choice!
His aunt and eldest aunt fell silent. Whatever they might say now would be utterly powerless.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was so oppressive it was almost suffocating, but a voice soon broke the silence. "Grandpa, Aunt..."
Hong Ming had returned!
Hong Zheng's expression shifted. He quickly composed himself and rallied his spirits.
Looking at his daughters-in-law, he solemnly urged, "Whatever you do, don't tell A Ming about this."
No one answered.
His younger daughter lowered her head, a faint sob escaping her throat.
His aunt and eldest aunt looked troubled. They had a thousand words on their tongues, but all of them dissolved into a sigh.
They went over to Magpie and gently patted her shoulder, silently comforting her.
"Grandpa, what's wrong with everyone?"
Hong Ming walked through the shop and into the courtyard. Sensing something was off, he asked curiously.
"It's nothing." Hong Zheng shook his head again and again, afraid Hong Ming would notice something was wrong. He quickly changed the subject. "A Ming, what's with the fish?"
Hong Ming glanced at his aunt and the others, then turned back with a smile. "I brought these grass carp for you all."
"You didn't have to buy fish just because you were coming home."
Hong Zheng grumbled halfheartedly, then waved to the others.
"Don't just stand there. Come help prepare it. We're having fish for dinner tonight."
Everyone got busy. Before long, smoke curled up from the courtyard.
The warmth of the meal gathered above them, kindling a brief moment of tenderness. But when Hong Ming left, it vanished like smoke.
On his way back, Hong Ming recalled the scene at dinner and couldn't help thinking everyone had been forcing their smiles.
He assumed it had something to do with his martial arts training, so he didn't dwell on it and turned his attention to his new trait.
"Six points of fortune. At most, six more days and I'll have enough. Then I can solidify the trait and go find Treasure Fish!"
Anticipation stirred in Hong Ming's heart, and he couldn't help quickening his pace.
Before long, he reached the Military Town. He was about to head to the training grounds when he suddenly felt as if thorns were pricking his back, and his backside turned cold.
He stopped abruptly. As his gaze swept around, he caught sight of a figure walking away.
"Was that... Huang Chun?"
Hong Ming stared at the figure and recognized him. His expression turned grave.
That strange feeling just now had come from Huang Chun!
His heart tightened. Huang Chun wouldn't have shown up just to see him.
It had to be a wordless threat!
"I have to train Bright Force as soon as possible!"
Hong Ming felt an immediate sense of urgency. Huang Chun's show of appearing and then vanishing had only made him feel more threatened.
He didn't want to waste a single moment. He hurried to the training grounds, cleared his mind, and began practicing the stance.
Time flowed like water, reflecting Hong Ming's tireless figure.
In the blink of an eye, five days passed.
Every day, Hong Ming did nothing but earn money and practice martial arts, making the most of every moment.
He hadn't slacked off for even a second.
With such all-consuming effort, both his stance training and fortune had grown explosively.
[Fortune: 6 points (35%)]
[Martial Arts: Coiling Dragon Stake (Beginner 219/500)]
Looking at the number in the fortune column, Hong Ming's face lit up. "I can solidify the Willingly Take the Bait trait!"
He focused his thoughts and connected with the panel. It responded instantly:
[Spent 6 points of fortune. Successfully solidified the "Willingly Take the Bait" trait.]
Hearing the voice in his mind, Hong Ming's lips curved into a faint smile.
Everything was ready. All that remained was the final push.
Hong Ming looked out the window at the torrential rain, dense as satin, and held back the restlessness in his heart.
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