Even a Straight Man Has to Become a Fulang Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Catching Fish

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Ye Ning’s method, of course, was to catch the fish and shrimp himself.

 

He had bought some at the morning market, but it had cost two copper coins. Though two coins were not much, Ye Ning’s funds were tight, so saving wherever possible was wise. Moreover, the vendor selling the small fish and shrimp didn’t have the freshest stock—the fish and shrimp had likely been dead for some time, and using them for broth wouldn’t yield a fresh taste.

 

Ye Ning and Zhang Zhiyuan returned to the noodle stall and tidied it up a bit. Zhang Zhiyuan could no longer contain his curiosity and asked, “Ye Ning, what exactly is your method?”

 

A small smile curved at the corner of Ye Ning’s lips as he pointed toward the river behind the noodle stall.

 

Zhang Zhiyuan followed the gesture with his eyes. It was the river flowing through Qingtian Village. The river ran along the northern side of the village, curving around the entire gourd-shaped settlement. The northern waters were wide and swift, while toward the south, the river became shallower and calmer. Villagers usually drew water directly from it for household use.

Zhang Zhiyuan looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

 

Ye Ning smiled. “I’ll catch the fish myself.”

 

“Yourself?” Zhang Zhiyuan’s eyes widened. “You… you’re going to catch fish yourself?”

 

Zhang Zhiyuan was a scholar, and though his family was poor and he often helped with chores, he had never caught fish before. In his mind, Ye Ning was a delicate Ger with a fragile frame, someone hardly capable of fishing.

 

He did not realize that in Ye Ning’s original world, just having a bite of fish was a rare luxury—he had experience.

 

Ye Ning set down the items in his hands. “Cousin, you stay at the stall. I’ll go catch the fish and shrimp.”

 

“Wait! Wait!” Zhang Zhiyuan blocked him. “You can’t go into the water! This river is cold—if you wade in, you’ll harm your body!”

 

Ye Ning had recently been very ill, a sickness caused by falling into an icy hole. It had taken him a long time to recover some color. Zhang Zhiyuan had only recently arrived in Qingtian Village. Though he hadn’t witnessed Ye Ning’s previous frailty firsthand, he had heard of it. How could he possibly allow Ye Ning to wade into the water now?

 

Ye Ning glanced at the gently flowing river and smiled. “Cousin, look at the sun today. The river’s already as warm as it’s going to get. How could it be cold?”

 

“This…” Zhang Zhiyuan wiped a bead of sweat from his temple. Indeed, the day was hot. If one could cool off in the river, it would be quite refreshing.

 

Still, Zhang Zhiyuan persisted. “No, absolutely not. You really mustn’t.”

 

He hesitated, his clean face suddenly flushing red. He glanced at Ye Ning, then at the river, shaking his head vigorously, resolute in keeping Ye Ning out of the water.

 

Ye Ning was a Ger, and especially an unmarried one. If he waded in, his clothes would get wet. Whether he stripped them or not, it would be improper.

 

Zhang Zhiyuan bit his lip and said firmly, “Alright, then. You stay on the bank and direct me. You tell me which fish you want, and I… I’ll catch it for you.”

 

He struck a heroic pose, as if making a monumental sacrifice, dramatic and resolute, far from the simple act of fishing—almost as if he were feeding himself to the fish.

 

Ye Ning understood his cousin’s intention. Zhang Zhiyuan was honest, but a bit old-fashioned. In his mind, a male and a Ger were different things. Ye Ning, however, saw no distinction; after all, he himself was a straightforward man with no hidden thoughts.

 

Ye Ning nodded. “Then thank you, cousin.”

 

The two approached the riverbank. Zhang Zhiyuan took off his shoes, placing them neatly on a large stone. He rolled up his trousers, folded his sleeves, and tucked the hem of his shirt into a rope belt to keep it dry, before gingerly stepping into the water.

 

“Ugh… the river is rather cold,” he muttered. “Ye Ning, stay back, don’t let your clothes get wet, or you’ll catch a chill… ah!”

 

Distracted, Zhang Zhiyuan’s foot slipped on the slick river stones, almost sending him plunging headfirst into the water.

 

“Cousin, be careful.” Ye Ning couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. With Zhang Zhiyuan’s balance and physical ability, the fact that he had rushed ahead to catch fish and shrimp genuinely made Ye Ning anxious.

 

“I… it’s… nothing! I’m fine…” Zhang Zhiyuan scrambled with his hands, finally regaining his balance and avoiding a fall into the river. He waved his hands as if declaring triumph, though his heart was still hammering wildly.

 

“Fish!” Just then, Zhang Zhiyuan had kicked over a stone while slipping, and a fish hiding beneath the silt darted out from the crevice, thrashing its tail as it slid past his legs.

 

Zhang Zhiyuan’s eyes widened. Though he had eaten fish before, he had never seen one so lively. Forgetting all scholarly proprieties in his excitement, he shouted, “A fish! What a fat one! Don’t… don’t run away!”

 

Splashing sounds followed immediately, water spraying in all directions. Under the bright sunlight, each droplet sparkled, giving off a refreshing brilliance.

 

Zhang Zhiyuan fumbled for a moment, and just as Ye Ning yawned, nearly drifting off, he suddenly sprang upright from the water and shouted, “Got it! A fish! A big fat fish!”

 

Ye Ning’s eyes brightened. He usually remained impassive, rarely showing emotion, but seeing the fat fish made his dark, clear eyes light up with a rare sparkle, adding an extra touch of liveliness.

 

The fish itself was ugly, with two long whisker-like barbels dangling down. It seemed related to the catfish. Villagers usually ignored such fish: they were considered hideous, superstitious folk called them “river monsters” and never ate them, and the fish’s habit of hiding in crevices made them grow large over time.

 

This fish wasn’t suitable for broth—it would taste earthy—but for roasting, it was perfect. Its thick, meaty body and few bones made it a delight to eat even without the freshest flesh.

 

Ye Ning waved to him. “Cousin, come up.”

 

Zhang Zhiyuan held the fish tightly in both hands. As he looked up into the dazzling sunlight, he caught sight of Ye Ning’s smiling face. The fair cheeks were touched with a faint blush, and though the curve of his lips was subtle, it was utterly charming. In that moment, even the sun seemed dim in comparison, as if the entire world had lost its color, leaving only Ye Ning’s light.

 

Zhang Zhiyuan was stunned, and his grip weakened. Slap! Slap! The fat fish thrashed its tail like a palm, smacking Zhang Zhiyuan’s face five or six times.

 

“Ah!” Shocked, Zhang Zhiyuan loosened his hands. The fish twisted energetically, slippery in the water, and with a scream, Zhang Zhiyuan toppled into the river. The fish slipped away…

 

“Cousin!” Ye Ning had not expected Zhang Zhiyuan to be so clumsy. Not only did he let the prized fish escape, but he also fell headfirst into the water. Ye Ning rushed over without worrying about getting his own clothes wet and efficiently pulled Zhang Zhiyuan out of the river.

 

“Cough—cough, cough cough… ugh…” Zhang Zhiyuan sputtered, mud and water covering his face. He had never looked so disheveled in his life.

 

Ye Ning quickly asked, “Cousin, are you alright?”

 

“Cough… cough cough… I… I’m—fine…” Zhang Zhiyuan patted his chest while coughing.

 

It certainly didn’t look like he was fine.

 

As he coughed, he finally noticed that Ye Ning had also entered the water. His clothes were soaked, clinging to his slender frame and outlining his delicate form. The sunlight reflected off him, dazzling Zhang Zhiyuan and making him momentarily dazed.

 

He quickly turned away, covering his eyes. “Ye Ning, why did you get into the water? Go… go back! Get back on shore!”

 

Ye Ning sighed helplessly. “It’s better if cousin goes back to shore. I’ll catch the fish myself.”

 

“But—”

 

“No buts.” Ye Ning’s tone was firm and unquestionable. “Cousin, go back to shore.”

 

Hearing Ye Ning speak like that, Zhang Zhiyuan felt he could not defy him. He could only mutter dejectedly, “Oh… alright, I’ll head back. Be careful, alright?”

 

Behind the Jiang family estate flowed the river of Qingtian Village. The Jiang estate occupied a vast area, and there were few neighbors nearby. No one had ever ventured to the northern part of the village to fish—it had always been peaceful and quiet.

 

Today, however, was different…

 

Cheng Zhao exclaimed in surprise, “It’s that Ning Ger again?”

 

Yu Yuan, always taciturn, merely nodded with his arms crossed.

 

Cheng Zhao said, “Master, I’ll go take a look.”

 

Pushing open the door, Cheng Zhao leapt onto the courtyard wall and peered outside. He could not help but inhale sharply, then pressed both hands to his eyes in shock.

 

Jiang Changxin frowned. The two men beside him—Yu Yuan, silent and highly skilled, and Cheng Zhao, clever and smooth—should not have been so easily startled. Seeing Cheng Zhao so flustered was unusual.

 

“What’s the matter?” Jiang Changxin asked.

 

“He… he…” Cheng Zhao covered his eyes but still peeked through his fingers, his face burning red as he stammered, “Ning Ger… he… he’s… u-um…”

 

Not only did Yu Yuan not understand, but Jiang Changxin, worldly and experienced as he was in this second life, also could not comprehend.

 

Cheng Zhao fumbled and stuttered. Usually quick-witted and clever, today he seemed mute, unable to form a complete sentence.

 

Jiang Changxin had never been overly curious, but now his curiosity was piqued. He wanted to know what Ye Ning was doing.

 

He rose, his luxurious robes swaying slightly, and with a single leap, moved like a hawk or wild goose, quickly landing atop the high wall to look toward the river.

 

What he saw was…

 

Ye Ning had removed his shoes, rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, exposing pale limbs, and stood wading in the river. Though slight and thin, Ye Ning was not emaciated. Surprisingly, his calves were long and graceful. Water droplets slid down, leaving a trail of shimmering wet marks.

 

He bent over the water, scooping and searching. His movements were unhurried—sometimes pausing, sometimes moving slightly, sometimes pausing for long stretches—but his black, bright eyes never stopped scanning, like a cunning little fox circling its prey, sparkling with sly intelligence.

 

Splash!

 

Ye Ning suddenly moved. Though lacking formal martial training, he was remarkably swift and precise. He pressed his waist down and seized something from the water.

 

His slender arms twisted under the pull of the heavy catch. His fair cheeks flushed, lips pressed together, biting his lower lip. His bent posture lowered his waist further, and the line of his back and hips made hearts race, making it impossible not to glance, yet impossible not to look again.

 

“Got it.” A small curve lifted Ye Ning’s lips. In his hands was a large, fat fish.

 

Jiang Changxin leaned on the wall, slowly narrowing his eyes. This Ye Ning seemed… different from the delicate Ger he remembered from his past life.

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