Chapter 70: I Am a Master Fisherman

Xiao Weiguo prepared the bags for holding fish in advance, tying them onto the back seat of his bicycle, and rode directly to the lakeside where he planned to fish. Upon arrival, he didn’t rush to catch fish right away but first checked the surroundings carefully, making sure no one was hiding nearby.

Finding the area deserted, Xiao Weiguo felt relieved and began his preparations. The commotion he made while fishing was substantial, and he worried about startling others. Moreover, his highly efficient fishing method might easily provoke envy.

Just as before, he scattered black soil into the lake. Before long, fish both large and small began frantically darting toward that corner. Xiao Weiguo feverishly scooped them up with his net, packing them bag after bag.

He wasn’t concerned about those fish dying; after all, they would be sent to the factory that very afternoon, and by tomorrow, would be on the workers’ lunch tables. Still, if he caught particularly large fish, he’d use the bow-fish technique to treat them, prolonging their life outside the water. The smaller fish he didn’t bother with.

The bow-fish technique involved tying a rope from the fish’s head to its tail, curving it into a bow shape so the fish formed a half-circle. The principle was that, in water, oxygen permeates the fish’s gills and capillaries in its cheeks; once out of water, if there’s no medium, the cheeks can’t open tightly. By treating the fish with this method, it could survive for a period outside water—sometimes up to a day. The technique had a long history, dating back to fishermen in the Ming Dynasty.

Suddenly, Xiao Weiguo spotted a massive black carp, over two meters long, rushing straight towards him. He hurriedly threw his net at it, trying to pull it towards the shore. The carp thrashed wildly, tearing holes in the net. Xiao Weiguo simply kicked off his shoes and waded into the water.

When he was about a meter from the giant carp, he focused his mind and instantly transported the fish into his spatial pocket, splashing water everywhere in the small pit he’d created. Xiao Weiguo slowly emerged from the lake, feeling quite pleased—such a large fish would never be given away freely to the factory; he preferred to keep it for himself.

The only drawback was that the water pit inside his space seemed too small now; the giant carp couldn’t even swim around properly.

Before long, he completed his daily quota of five hundred pounds. Xiao Weiguo wasn’t in any hurry to call others over.

From the pile, Xiao Weiguo picked out a grass carp and a carp, intending to roast them by the lake for his lunch. He chose a secluded corner, and with a thought, returned to his space, where he used his mind to dissect, scale, and prepare the two fish.

He considered that people from the Qin family brigade would soon arrive, and it wouldn’t look good to eat alone. So he selected another grass carp from the water pit and prepared it in the same way.

Shortly after, Xiao Weiguo reappeared at the lakeside with three cleaned fish. At present, his spatial pocket required him to physically enter before he could use his mind to operate things inside. He hoped that in the future, he could manipulate things in the space from outside.

He took out matches and lit a small bonfire he’d built on the ground. Holding two fish skewered on sticks in one hand and the third in the other, he began to roast. He sprinkled pre-mixed seasonings from his space onto the fish from time to time.

Soon, the aroma of grilled fish wafted through the air. Xiao Weiguo propped the three fish near the fire, letting them cook slowly while he tended the flames.

As he roasted fish by the lake, Qin Youbao, the secretary of the Qin family brigade, led several members to the lakeside.

"Weiguo, such refined taste! Why not eat at the brigade cafeteria? Today’s lunch is millet rice," Qin Youbao called out loudly, spotting Xiao Weiguo roasting fish.

Turning to see Qin Youbao’s group, Xiao Weiguo realized they’d come to check on the catch and to lead the workers who would transport the fish down the mountain. As for roasting the three fish, it wasn’t a serious offense—these days, people weren’t so wary; a member catching a few fish to roast himself posed no problem.

"Uncle Youbao, just craving some fish. Roasting a few for lunch. Once they’re done, everyone can have a taste—meat is far tastier than millet rice! By the way, the catch is over there in those bags. After lunch, we’ll head to the commune together," Xiao Weiguo said, pointing to the pile of full bags.

"How did you manage to catch so many in just one morning? I won’t eat; I have work to do in the brigade. Oh, this is Qin Dong, captain of our fifth team. He’ll be working closely with you on fishing these days. You two should cooperate well," Qin Youbao introduced the man beside him, who looked about thirty.

"Hello, Brother Dong. I’ll be relying on you these days," Xiao Weiguo stood up, extending his hand to shake Qin Dong’s.

"No trouble at all, Brother Weiguo. Just let us know what needs to be done," Qin Dong replied with honest candor.

"After we eat, we’ll take today’s catch to the commune’s supply and marketing warehouse—that completes the task. This will be our routine for now," Xiao Weiguo instructed.

"If you haven’t eaten yet, go fill up first, then come back to carry the fish," Xiao Weiguo added, seeing it was nearly midday.

"No need—we’ll eat right here. Once we finish, we’ll get to work," said Qin Dong, sending someone from the team down to fetch lunch for everyone.

Secretary Qin Youbao sauntered down the mountain.

Soon, the member returned carrying several aluminum lunch boxes. Xiao Weiguo saw that the fish was cooked, handed one to Qin Dong, and offered it to the group.

"Thank you, Brother Weiguo. This is today’s lunch from the big cafeteria—fragrant millet rice. You should try some too," Qin Dong said, handing over a lunch box.

Xiao Weiguo took it and, peering inside, exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Dong, what’s the occasion? The rice is so dry—wasn’t it always porridge before?"

"Autumn harvest begins tomorrow. Everyone needs to eat well for strength," Qin Dong replied, taking a bite of the grilled fish and passing it to another member.

During autumn harvest, farmers’ meals were the best of the year, second only to New Year. Xiao Weiguo remembered his previous life as a child during harvest time—the family would stock up on sausages, braised meat, beer, and preserved eggs to reward themselves before tackling the heavy farm work. Every time, his skin would darken by eight shades, a bitter experience.

Enjoying millet rice with grilled fish by the lakeside, Xiao Weiguo felt utterly content—only a soda was missing.

After eating one fish and feeling full, he gave the remaining one to Qin Dong and his team.

Qin Dong accepted it with delight. The group took turns, bite by bite, and soon only the main bone was left on the ground.