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Lu Ao did not stand on ceremony with him and walked ahead.

Seeing that he lacked experience, Lin Gongshang hurriedly reminded him, "Lu Ao, watch where you step. Don't let yourself get bitten by a snake."

The weather had warmed up, and snakes had come out to move about as well. Getting bitten by one by accident was no laughing matter.

Lu Ao was not afraid of snakes. He had not feared them before, and now he feared them even less. He merely nodded and headed forward.

He could roughly sense where the eels were, so all he had to do was shine his flashlight directly at them.

After he took the lead, the three of them became much more efficient at catching eels.

Lu Ao caught eels quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly. Often, before Lin Gongshang and Lin Qiyan had even spotted where an eel was, his iron tongs had already clamped onto it.

Before long, the bucket Lu Ao had brought was nearly half full.

Besides eels, he had somehow caught six or seven loaches as well, weighing over half a pound.

"Hey, there's another one over there." Seeing Lu Ao about to walk past, Lin Gongshang hurriedly reminded him in a lowered voice.

Lu Ao lifted his eyes for a glance and said, "Too small. Not catching it."

"That's still small?" Lin Gongshang reluctantly tore his gaze away from the eel. "It's as long as a pair of chopsticks."

"Come back next year."

Lin Qiyan listened to them talk from behind, acting as a quiet cameraman.

Lu Ao made a circuit around the rice paddies outside Lin Family Village. Not only had he filled half his own bucket, he had also caught half a bucket for Lin Gongshang.

Seeing that it was already past ten, Lu Ao took the three buckets and divided the eels evenly. "That's enough for today. Time to head back."

After filming the eel-dividing scene, Lin Qiyan hurriedly lifted his bucket to pour some back for Lu Ao. "You don't need to give us so many. It's just my grandma and me at home. Take more back to eat. You caught them in the first place."

Lin Gongshang also wanted to pour some back for him. "There are five or six pounds of eels here. My family can't use that many either. Keeping two pounds is enough."

Hearing that, Lu Ao did not stand on ceremony. The three of them divided up the eels again and carried their buckets back to Lin Family Village.

Lu Ao's tricycle was parked outside Lin Gongshang's house.

As Lin Qiyan carried his bucket away and said goodbye, he reminded them, "You'd better keep these eels at home for two days. They'll have less of that muddy smell afterward."

Lin Gongshang urged him, "I know, I know. You two should get home early too. Watch your step."

Lu Ao nodded.

Lin Qiyan waved. "Thanks to you two today. Let's go out for a late-night meal sometime when we're free. Drinks are on me."

Lu Ao cut him off. "Come to my place. I can treat you to drinks along with the ones from last time."

Lin Gongshang did not hold back. "Sure. We'll come over for a meal at your place whenever we're free."

After chatting briefly, the three went their separate ways.

Lu Ao lived farther away, and it took him a little over five minutes to drive home.

The tricycle's headlights were bright. Before he even reached his front door, Lu Ao saw a white figure standing before the courtyard gate again, seemingly idly looking over his yard.

It was Song Zhou.

Song Zhou turned around and saw him too. From a distance, he raised the item in his hand, his eyes curving into crescents.

Lu Ao drove over and braked the tricycle in front of Song Zhou. "Good evening."

Song Zhou greeted him gently. "Good evening. Sorry, something held me up during the day, so I only came to see you this late at night."

Lu Ao opened the gate and invited him inside to sit, then asked, "Is something the matter?"

"I came to bring you something." Song Zhou handed him the item in his hand.

Lu Ao accepted it instinctively. It was a dark green crackle-glazed bottle, broad-bellied with a narrow mouth and a long slender neck. It felt cool and heavy in his hand.

Lu Ao looked at him in surprise, his gaze full of confusion.

Song Zhou said, "It's a bottle of spiritual wine I found some time ago. It's good for the body."

Lu Ao did not understand. After thinking briefly, he asked, "Is this from the Anomalous Personnel Affairs Regulatory Agency, or—?"

"It's from me personally." Song Zhou smiled, revealing neat white teeth. "Relying on food alone can easily wear down your body's foundation."

With that, Lu Ao understood. After hesitating for a moment, he handed the bottle back. "Thank you. But, well, I can't accept something this valuable without having done anything to earn it."

Song Zhou, however, did not bother with formalities. "Take it. You don't want to leave hidden problems in your body and suffer from illness after illness later, do you?"

At that, Lu Ao's outstretched hand paused halfway, then withdrew. He thanked him again. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Song Zhou smiled. "I'll be heading back now."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Uh, wait—" Lu Ao stopped him and asked from the darkness, "I'm about to have a late-night meal. Would Mr. Song like to join me?"

The meal Lu Ao had eaten after seven had mostly digested already. There were vegetables and meat at home, and he needed another meal. Only after eating his fill could he sleep.

Song Zhou had not expected him to invite him. He did not refuse, instead turning back with a smile. "What are we having?"

"Pan-fried fish, stir-fried snails, braised meat." Lu Ao knew exactly what was in his refrigerator and quickly asked, "Does Mr. Song have any dietary restrictions?"

Song Zhou shook his head. "No."

"Then come in first. The late-night meal will be ready soon."

Lu Ao parked the tricycle in the yard, first inviting Song Zhou to watch television while he went to the kitchen to make their meal.

Song Zhou shook his head. "I'll help you."

"No need. It'll be quick."

Song Zhou smiled. "Then I'll keep you company and chat. It's better than sitting there alone like an idiot."

Dressed in white, Song Zhou followed him into the kitchen with his head lowered. Lu Ao took vegetables and meat from the refrigerator and did not find it strange at all.

It was only their second meeting, yet neither of them felt particularly awkward around the other.

Lu Ao sliced up the braised meat and sent it into the microwave to heat. Song Zhou took the braised meat from his hands from behind and smiled. "I'll do it."

Only then did Lu Ao remember that Song Zhou could make things turn cold or hot in an instant.

Song Zhou did not mind using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. He helped heat the braised meat, roast the eggplant, chill the beer, and carry out the small dining table from Lu Ao's home. The two of them ate their late-night meal in the yard.

The fish and snails at Lu Ao's home had both been gathered by his own hands, so they were exceptionally fresh.