Editor: Atlas Studios
Legend has it that Fu Xi’s daughter, Mi Fei, enchanted by the scenery of the Luo River, descended to Luo City. She taught the locals to weave nets for fishing and shared hunting, animal husbandry, and farming techniques learned from her father.
Later, she accidentally drowned in the Luo River and transformed into God Luo, continuing to protect this land.
This is a story every Luo City native hears growing up. By the riverbank, there stands a six-meter-tall statue of God Luo. During festivals, people nearby place offerings of fruits and pastries at its base.
After getting off the bus, Qin Guanglin walked for a while and arrived at the foot of God Luo. Holding an umbrella, he looked up at the statue, one he had sketched during his school days. Its graceful and ethereal demeanor was difficult to capture, but he managed a reasonable likeness and even won a small school award. It was displayed in the exhibition panel for over two months.
On sunny days, the statue, illuminated by the sun, appeared more beautiful with its golden glow. Qin Guanglin compared the scenes and felt the rainy day lacked something, so he decided not to sketch it and left.
The rain didn’t deter fishing enthusiasts from sitting by the riverbank, chatting leisurely under large umbrellas, comparing bait, boasting about the biggest fish they caught, and gossiping about who went home empty-handed yesterday.
Among a group of middle-aged men, a young guy stood out. While others held umbrellas, he wore a raincoat and bamboo hat, confidently watching his float.
It was his buddy, Xiao Yu.
"Hey," Qin Guanglin walked over to Xiao Yu and kicked the bucket on the ground, "If I’m not mistaken, it’s work hours now, isn’t it?"
Xiao Yu snapped out of his zone, looked up in surprise, "Lin?! What brings you here?"
"Inspecting your work," Qin Guanglin chuckled, "Buddy, you’re not doing well, haven’t caught a single fish."
The red bucket was completely empty.
"Oh, just doing some good deeds," Xiao Yu sulked, "Finally got a day off, braved the rain to feed the fish. I’m such a saint." He paused, "You’re out looking for inspiration?"
It was obvious to Xiao Yu; if Qin Guanglin was out in this weather, he was likely searching for artistic material.
"What else would I be doing? I’m no ’Fishing Man,’" Qin Guanglin scanned around, the river had no boats, just raindrops creating ripples, leaving him a bit disappointed.
After thinking for a moment, he suggested to Xiao Yu, pointing to the river, "Why not find a little rowboat to fish from the middle? You’re bound to catch a big one."
Xiao Yu laughed, "Should I also change into a reed coat?"
"Even better!"
"And bring a jug of wine?"
"Sounds interesting!"
"A song and a drink, a lone man fishing in autumn’s river?" Xiao Yu eyed him sidelong, "If you want to paint, rent a model, don’t make me the victim."
"You’re wasting time here anyway," Qin Guanglin shrugged, "You’d probably end up drinking the river water when you leave."
If you can’t catch fish, get shrimp. If you can’t find shrimp, gather wild vegetables. If those aren’t around, drink some river water before heading home. That’s the ’Fishing Man’ creed.
"You don’t understand, it’s about enjoying the process," Xiao Yu lifted his fishing rod, the bait was gone again.
"Alright, enjoy at your leisure," Qin Guanglin said indifferently. Sitting idly on a rainy day was considered enjoyment; he couldn’t comprehend such amusement. "I’m going somewhere else."
"Don’t go, I’m bored on my own."
Xiao Yu hesitated, didn’t bait the hook again, but started packing up, "No more fishing, where should we hang out?"
A whole day off shouldn’t be spent just feeding fish. These fish were getting trickier, he’d return with a sea pole next time.
Qin Guanglin couldn’t find the fishing boat scene he wanted nor felt like wandering aimlessly, "Where can we play in the rain?"
"Billiards? Internet cafe?" Xiao Yu casually suggested a couple of activities; when guys hang out, there’s not much to do.
"Let’s put your equipment back home first," Qin Guanglin picked up the bucket to help, "Check with the group to see who’s free and call them to join us."
"You’re right, I’ll see who’s got nothing to do," Xiao Yu said, taking out his phone and shouting in the group chat.
No matter how mindless the activity, as long as many people joined, it would become interesting—even just playing cards could pass the day away.
They walked towards Xiao Yu’s house, which was nearby, no need for transportation; just a half-hour walk. His dad had instilled the fishing hobby in him when he was little.
"How’s work been lately?"
"Just gaining experience, how good can a small company be?" Xiao Yu shook his head, "Big companies require two to three years of experience, so I have to bide my time in this small one before switching to a big company for better pay."
Qin Guanglin gave him a thumbs up, "Advancing through job-hopping, not bad."
"That’s how it is, the deeper the seniority, the more valuable." Xu Yu suddenly grinned mischievously, "How did those tricks I taught you work out? Hooked anyone?"
"Uh..."
Qin Guanglin couldn’t admit to any embarrassing flirtation failures, so he vaguely replied, "Very effective, really effective."
"Hmph." Xiao Yu saw right through him, pretending to be profound, "Young man, not capturing someone isn’t shameful, just move on to another."
"Well... I did catch someone."
One of Xiao Yu’s ’secrets’ was that if you’re in a relationship, it shouldn’t be secretive—if you don’t want to go public, something’s off; either you’re a backup or it’s just a fling.
Qin Guanglin wasn’t the type to broadcast having a girlfriend everywhere, but since it came up, he figured he should be honest.
"Ah, easier to move on... What?!" Xiao Yu, realizing slowly, turned his head to Qin Guanglin, "You caught someone?"
"Yeah, I’m not single anymore," Qin Guanglin nodded.
Xiao Yu eyed him, disdain clear, "Hmph, useless, I saw through you from the start."
"..."
What nonsense did you see through?!
Qin Guanglin didn’t bother explaining.
"Still trying to fool me?" Xiao Yu grinned slyly, assuming he’d confirmed his guess, "Buy me dinner and I’ll teach you a few more moves."
"Dinner’s doable, but skip the rest," Qin Guanglin suddenly found Xiao Yu unreliable.
And this was only his second time dating, as it was for Xiao Yu—neither of them had endless experience. Experience helps, but both had similar levels, essentially.
"Forget it if you don’t want to learn." Xiao Yu glanced at the group chat on his phone, fuming, "Sun Wen, that traitor!"
"Hmm? What’s up?"
"Forget bros once he got a girl," Xiao Yu typed a message, then showed his phone to Qin Guanglin, "See this? It’s the typical scene for someone not single."
In the chat, Sun Wen mentioned spending the day with his girlfriend and attached a selfie of the two. Xiao Yu responded with six characters, "Public display of affection leads to quick doom."
"He’s not always with her, how’s this typical?" Qin Guanglin thought Xiao Yu was dreaming. Typical? Was he constantly hanging out with her?
"Not working today, you’d obviously spend it with a girlfriend," Xiao Yu looked at him like it was the most natural thing.
Ashamedly, he eyed Qin Guanglin, "If I had a girlfriend, would I be fishing? If you had a girlfriend, would you be wandering about?"
"Huh?" Qin Guanglin was confused, "What’s special about today?"
"Check your social feed; it’s all about showing off love."
Xiao Yu pocketed his phone, his gaze sharp, seemingly seeing through all lies.
"Today is May 20th, the dog-abuse day. If you had a girlfriend, how could you be wandering alone?"