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How could one fish compare to half a crate?

Gu Bai had reaped a windfall of fish, enjoying the fruits of someone else's labor and getting more than half a crate just by opening his mouth.

A few hours later, Mocha got his wish and ate his first fish.

Chu Zeshen's luck that day had been impeccable. They had enough for an all-fish feast that evening, with plenty to spare.

On the return trip, they took in the sunset along the way, heading toward the dock in its fading glow.

Their group could not finish so many fish.

Chu Zeshen picked out several large ones and had the dock staff seal up the rest and ship them home.

Gu Bai smiled. "Mocha will be thrilled when we get home."

Chu Zeshen unfastened Mocha's life jacket. "You love fish so much. Are you a fur seal, Mocha?"

Mocha did not know what a fur seal was, but when he heard Chu Zeshen call his name, his tail wagged even harder.

Song Xiuling had tagged along on Xie Wen's yacht for this sea-fishing trip. One good turn deserved another, so they had to treat them to the next meal.

"Wen, I know a good place for tonight's all-fish feast. Would you do me the honor?"

There was no need for so much formality among young people. They were all out to have fun, and this time, Xie Wen did not ask Chu Zeshen and the others for their opinions.

They had not decided where to have dinner anyway. Since Song Xiuling wanted to return the favor, there was no reason to refuse.

"Sure. We'll provide the ingredients, and you provide the venue."

Standing beside Chu Zeshen, Lu Shengfan watched Xie Wen's retreating back and said, "What grand declaration is someone who only caught one fish making now?"

Chu Zeshen found it amusing. "Let him have his moment. It was his first fish in nearly thirty years, after all."

Gu Bai glanced at Xie Wen without saying anything.

With Song Xiuling leading the way, the group got into their cars and followed his.

Gu Bai and Chu Zeshen still rode in the same car as Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan.

As soon as he got in, Gu Bai slumped back against the seat to rest without a care. Sea fishing was not just a test of patience, but physical work too.

Xie Wen had just turned to speak when he came face-to-face with a masked figure in black in the back seat.

Gu Bai had not taken off his face covering yet. Wearing that thing at night was a little frightening; he looked like a bank robber.

"Could you take that thing off your face? The sun's already set. It's no use now."

Gu Bai was so lazy at that moment that he did not even want to lift his hand. "Don't you know there are UV rays at night too?"

It was the first time Xie Wen had heard of anyone wearing a face covering at night to block UV rays. Gu Bai looked exhausted. Could he simply be too lazy to take it off himself?

"Gu Bai, don't tell me you just don't want to move. You don't even have the strength to take off your face covering?"

Gu Bai admitted it without batting an eye. "I'm frail. I have no strength left."

Xie Wen: ...

He really was utterly shameless about it. Who would believe that someone over six feet tall was frail?

He turned to Chu Zeshen. "Aren't you going to do something about how lazy he is?"

Chu Zeshen did do something. He reached up and removed the face covering from Gu Bai's face.

Gu Bai stuck to his frail persona to the very end, saying a very polite but feeble "thank you."

This whole sequence left Xie Wen dumbfounded. His mouth hung open as he gave several dry laughs, his gaze flicking between the two of them before he turned back around, out of sight, out of mind.

Lu Shengfan shook his head with a chuckle and faced forward too.

For a moment, the car fell quiet.

Chu Zeshen tilted his head and asked softly, "Tired?"

Gu Bai held Mocha's leash. "A little."

After that, Chu Zeshen did not disturb Gu Bai's rest, and the car fell silent again.

The evening glow colored the horizon. Chu Zeshen looked out the window, rubbing the face covering in his hand with his fingertips. The warmth from brushing against the tip of Gu Bai's ear seemed to linger, burning against his fingertips.

The place Song Xiuling had chosen was a fairly well-known restaurant on the island, because the owner's son was one of the people who had joined them that day.

When they reached the restaurant, a server took the crate of fish to the kitchen to be prepared.

Gu Bai did not know whether the restaurant allowed pets, so he stood at the entrance with Mocha on his leash.

Seeing this, Chu Zeshen asked, "What's wrong?"

Gu Bai voiced his concern. "I don't know whether Mocha can go inside."

He had forgotten to ask earlier. A restaurant was not a hotel; pets were usually not allowed.

The restaurant owner's son spoke up. "Other pets aren't allowed, but Mocha is. He's so clever. I trust he won't cause any trouble."

Song Xiuling said, "We'll be eating in a private room, so we won't disturb anyone."

From what had just been said, Gu Bai knew the restaurant did not normally allow pets and was only making an exception for his sake. It went against the rules, and he did not want to abuse his status.

Gu Bai understood. This was a place where people ate, after all.

"What are you standing here for? Let's talk inside," Chu Hanjin said. "They said you can bring your pet in, so just bring him."

Chu Zeshen was waiting for Gu Bai, while Xie Wen and Lu Shengfan were with Chu Zeshen. Song Xiuling appeared to be watching Xie Wen, but he had actually been paying attention to Gu Bai all along. As for Song Xiuling's friends, that went without saying; they all knew how to read the room.

Gu Ruilin's gaze swept over everyone's faces, and he gave an even more intrigued chuckle. "Little brother, everyone's waiting for you."

Gu Bai led Mocha over to the van. The driver had already parked it.

"Uncle Ming, could you look after Mocha for me?"

He Ming was the driver responsible for their outings, supplied by a well-known housekeeping company. They had signed a formal contract.

Gu Bai trusted this driver fairly well.

He Ming got out and walked over with a smile. "No problem. I'll be waiting here for you to finish dinner anyway. Now I'll have some company. I know where the pet bag is, so don't worry."

Gu Bai bent down and stroked Mocha's head. "Be good and wait here. I'll come get you in a little while."

Mocha tilted his head in confusion.

Gu Bai handed the leash to He Ming, then followed Chu Zeshen into the restaurant.

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