It's Hard Being the Bad Guy

Chapter 26

When they reached the lake, Wen Ai sat down and began to take off his shoes.

"Don't take them off," Zuo Yiqing walked over, pulling the boot halfway off that Wen Ai had started to remove, "There are stones in the lake that could cut your feet easily. Wear these when you go in."

Wen Ai tucked his pant legs into the boots. "Okay."

The water quality of this small lake was good, with many fish swimming among the shallow rocks. Most of them were less than ten centimeters long, with yellow stripes on their backs and flat heads.

"Look over there," Zuo Yiqing pointed to the fish in the water for Wen Ai, "Those are Yellow Perch. They're small, but they taste good. I'll fry them for you when we get back."

"Great!" Wen Ai rolled up his sleeves excitedly, revealing his fair arms. "I'll catch some more, we can fry them all."

Zuo Yiqing smiled. "Let's focus on catching one first."

Wen Ai took the fishing net and waded into the water, walking about ten steps until the clear water reached his knees.

Bending down, Wen Ai began to catch fish. He targeted the closest one, swiftly using the net to scoop it up. However, when he looked into the net, all the water flowed out through the holes, leaving nothing at the bottom.

Wen Ai wasn't discouraged. He continued to search for targets, but catching fish was a skill that required experience. Despite his persistent efforts, he only managed to catch water each time, with the fish slipping away smoothly.

After trying once, twice, thrice... Wen Ai finally couldn't bear it anymore. He fiercely slapped the water with the fishing net, stood up, and shouted towards Zuo Yiqing on the shore, "Why are you just standing there watching! Come down and help me catch some fish!"

Zuo Yiqing leaned against a big tree, teasingly saying, "Realizing it's hard now? Weren't you just saying you wanted to catch a lot earlier?"

"I don't care," Wen Ai splashed water towards Zuo Yiqing's direction, "Hurry down!"

"I can help you even without coming down."

Zuo Yiqing slowly walked to the shore, picked up a stone, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying straight towards Wen Ai.

Before Wen Ai could react, the stone grazed his shin and splashed into the water, hitting a Yellow Perch squarely on the head. After the splashing water settled, the unlucky Yellow Perch floated belly-up to the surface.

Wen Ai stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a word.

His dumbfounded expression pleased Zuo Yiqing on the shore. He raised his hand and threw several more stones in succession. With splashes of water, more fish were disturbed, floating up one by one, glistening under Wen Ai's gaze.

Wading over to Wen Ai, Zuo Yiqing grinned, "Am I amazing or what?"

Wen Ai pointed at the belly of one of the fish with his toe, unwilling to admit defeat, "What's so amazing about it? You've killed them all. We'll be eating dead fish later."

Zuo Yiqing bent down to pick up the fish floating on the water's surface, "We won't eat the dead ones. Do you want to eat them alive?"

Wen Ai retorted, "I meant the fish might not be fresh if they're dead for too long."

Zuo Yiqing lifted the heavy wooden bucket in his hand, "It's fine. It won't take long to walk back."

Wen Ai held the fishing net and stepped aside, "Who said anything about going back? I want to catch more."