Qin Chuan packed up all his worldly possessions and headed out, brimming with excitement.
The pedestrian street was still free of the surging crowds this early in the morning, and it felt especially fresh and peaceful.
The blacksmith's apprentice yawned as he slid open the shop doors. The first wisps of steam rose from the buns at the shop next door, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of wheat.
Qin Chuan first went to a shop that specialized in fishing gear.
The Shopkeeper was an old man. When he saw Qin Chuan come in, he couldn't even be bothered to lift his eyelids.
"Boss, I'd like to buy a fishing rod." Qin Chuan got straight to the point.
"Take a look for yourself." The old man pointed to a row of fishing rods hanging on the wall.
Qin Chuan walked over and was dazzled by the selection.
Some were made of bamboo, some of unknown woods, and a few gleamed with a metallic sheen, looking like they were of a much higher grade.
"Boss, which fishing rod is the best?" Qin Chuan asked.
"See that one?" The old man jerked his chin toward the rod at the very back. It was pitch-black from end to end, with strange runes carved into it. "It's made from Black Dragon Wood. It won't rot for a thousand years, and it's incredibly resilient. Forget Seven-Colored Spirit Fish—even a century-old Iron-Armored Crocodile could be hauled in with it."
"That's the one!" Qin Chuan's eyes lit up. "How much?"
"One Gold Soul Coin," the old man quoted.
Qin Chuan's heart sank.
One Gold Soul Coin? What a rip-off!
"Boss, could you... could you make it a little cheaper?" Qin Chuan tried to bargain.
The old man finally opened his eyes and looked Qin Chuan up and down before giving a cold snort. "If you don't have the money, don't touch it. This Black Dragon Wood rod is meant for someone destined to own it."
Qin Chuan was so stumped that he couldn't say a word.
But then he thought about it. Hu Liena was a level seventy-nine Soul Saint. If he took her fishing, surely he couldn't use some broken bamboo rod?
That would be far too embarrassing.
Besides, Black Dragon Wood sounded incredibly impressive. Maybe it would increase his chances of catching a big fish.
With that thought, Qin Chuan gritted his teeth and stamped his foot. "I'll take it!"
He pulled ten Silver Soul Coins from his clothes and handed them over.
On Douluo Continent, one Gold Soul Coin equaled ten Silver Soul Coins, or one hundred Copper Soul Coins.
A hint of a smile finally appeared on the old man's face.
He pulled a matching fishing tackle box out from under the counter and handed it to Qin Chuan. "You're a straightforward kid, so I'll throw in this set of Dark Iron Fishhooks and Ice Silkworm Thread, along with a shorter fishing rod."
Qin Chuan took the box and opened it. Inside lay over a dozen fishhooks of different sizes, all gleaming coldly, along with a spool of white fishing line, fine as a strand of hair yet remarkably strong. The other fishing rod felt pretty good in his hand too.
"Thank you, boss!" Qin Chuan was overjoyed.
He felt lucky today. He'd run into a benefactor as soon as he left home.
After leaving the fishing gear shop, Qin Chuan went to the general store next door. For five Silver Soul Coins, he bought a tent large enough for two or three people, a portable grill, and all kinds of jars and bottles of seasoning.
Cumin, chili powder, five-spice powder, secret barbecue sauce... He bought everything the Shopkeeper recommended.
After he'd finished, Qin Chuan checked his wallet. He had only one lonely Silver Soul Coin left.
He couldn't help but laugh bitterly. This "date" was turning out to be an awfully expensive affair.
Still, the thought of soon getting to eat delicious Seven-Colored Spirit Fish made it all feel worthwhile.
Laden with bags and bundles, he returned to the Claw Machine Shop.
It was half an hour before nine.
He set the tent and grill by the entrance, then began inspecting his "spoils of war."
The Black Dragon Wood fishing rod felt heavy in his hands, and the runes carved into it had a strange texture beneath his fingers.
The Dark Iron Fishhooks were razor-sharp, gleaming with a chilling light.
The Ice Silkworm Thread was so fine it was almost invisible, but when he tugged at it, it proved astonishingly strong.
The more Qin Chuan looked, the more satisfied he felt. He was sure he'd return with a full haul today.
Just as he was lost in his fantasies, a clear, melodious voice came from the entrance.
"Brother Chuan, I'm here!"
Qin Chuan looked up and saw Hu Liena standing prettily in the doorway, a radiant smile on her face.
She'd changed into a more practical outfit today.
She wore a tight black leather cuirass that showed off her enviable figure to perfection. Intricate patterns embroidered in silver thread edged the armor, giving her a look that was both wild and elegant.
She wore matching leather shorts below, just long enough to cover her hips. Her long, slender legs were completely exposed, and knee-high leather boots covered her feet.
Her rose-gold hair was tied into a neat, high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and delicate features.
She looked valiant and dashing, like a rose with thorns.
"Wow, Nana, you look... really beautiful today," Qin Chuan said sincerely.
Hu Liena blushed a little at his praise. "Oh, stop. You look quite dashing yourself today."
Her gaze fell on the pile of gear beside Qin Chuan.
"Did you prepare all of this?" she asked in surprise.
"Yeah." Qin Chuan patted the Black Dragon Wood fishing rod and said proudly, "What do you think? Professional, right?"
Hu Liena stepped forward and picked up the rod to examine it. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
"Black Dragon Wood? That's a good find. Brother Chuan, you really are willing to spare no expense."
"Heh-heh. If you want to do a good job, you need the right tools." Her praise had Qin Chuan feeling a little light-headed.
"Then let's set off!" Hu Liena rolled up her sleeves and took the enormous tent onto her shoulder. "Today, I'll show you what I can do!"
"Sounds good!" Qin Chuan picked up the grill and fishing gear and followed behind Hu Liena.
Qin Chuan and Hu Liena had barely taken a few steps when four familiar figures came toward them.
In the sunlight, each of the four girls had her own unique charm.
Xiao Wu walked at the front, the hem of her pink gauze skirt swaying gently with each step and revealing slender calves wrapped in gray stockings. Her crystal high heels tapped out a crisp rhythm on the bluestone pavement.
Ning Rongrong walked beside her, her blue skirt flattering her slender figure. White stockings hugged her shapely legs, and her short boots gave her a touch of briskness.
Zhu Zhuqing still wore her tight black leather outfit, which accentuated her breathtaking curves to perfection.
Bai Chenxiang trailed behind them, her two braids resting quietly against her chest. Her legs were pressed together beneath her gray stockings, and she seemed a little ill at ease.
The four of them had agreed to visit Qin Chuan's shop together, hoping to earn [Member Experience] by cleaning. They also planned to test their luck and try to grab a doll.
They hadn't expected to find the shop closed and run into the man himself on the road instead.
"Hey, Brother Chuan, and... Vice President, what are you two doing?" Xiao Wu spoke first. Her voice was bright, but when she saw Hu Liena's daring outfit and Qin Chuan beside her, a trace of distance and reserve crept into her tone.
Qin Chuan had long since forgotten what had happened that day, so he explained naturally, "Oh, Xiao Wu. What a shame. The Claw Machine Shop is closed for the weekend, and the Crystal Ball shuts itself off. There's nothing I can do to let you play."
Xiao Wu's eyes darted around before landing on the pile of fishing gear beside them. Understanding dawned on her. "Oh, I see. So... are you two going fishing?"
"Yeah." Qin Chuan nodded matter-of-factly and patted the grill beside him. "I can't cultivate, so sitting around all day gets boring. In my free time, I can only go out and find something fun to do."
He said it plainly, but the four girls each took it differently.
Xiao Wu thought to herself that Brother Chuan really was an ordinary person. Even the way he thought was different from theirs.
Ning Rongrong thought, So he likes fishing. I should remember that. It might come in handy someday.
Zhu Zhuqing's attention was fixed on Hu Liena. She couldn't understand why the lofty Vice President would go along with an ordinary person to do something so boring.
"Vice President, are... are you going too?" Unable to hold back her curiosity, Xiao Wu finally directed the question at Hu Liena.