Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 1043 - 1023. I am talented

Chapter 1043: 1023. I am talented

Fishing in the middle of winter is really not much of a pleasant experience.

Especially by the pond, where the temperature is even lower. It’s almost evening now, and delicate, glimmering frost has already formed on the dry grass by the water’s edge.

By the time the night wind blows, it wouldn’t be surprising if a thin layer of ice forms by morning.

But this group of people here—young folks aside with their inherent stamina—even the elderly are full of spirit. Not only can they walk up a mountain while munching on an icy cold raw radish, but they can also sit steadily on little stools by the pond now without a hitch.

The thing is, eating too much radish inevitably stirs up some rumbling in the stomach. Before long, someone let out the first loud fart.

Ah, getting old... the digestive system just isn’t what it used to be.

Still, aside from the one surnamed Wang, everyone else here had consumed radishes, so no one said a word. Instead, they seized the moment to ask:

"Are there a lot of fish in this pond of yours?"

"Plenty!" Zhang Yanping pointed with a finger. "See? Even the water surface is still bubbling!"

The newly paved asphalt road on both sides had solar-powered streetlights. Though it was nearly dark now, the streetlights had just turned on, and the brightness was sufficient. Everyone could clearly see the rippling water surface.

"Whoa!" Lao Zhu, eyes glinting with interest, exclaimed, "Looks like there’s quite a few fish here... Where’s the bait? Did the worms arrive?"

"Right here." Zhang Yanping opened a small box from his pocket and, under the light, counted the worms one by one. "One, two... This one’s yours. Brother Xiaodu, take it carefully!"

"This one’s Grandpa Wang’s. Brother Xiaoli, hold yours tight..."

"And this one’s Grandpa Li’s..."

As Zhang meticulously and reluctantly distributed the worms, Lao Wang couldn’t help but focus attentively. Yet, in the end, he remained speechless.

Seriously? Ten people fishing, two worms each—would that really cause bankruptcy? Was there a need to be this stingy?

Ah, no wonder Xiaojun often fails to bring anything back. A village officer like her could never compete with this kind of shameless, miserly cunning!

Little did they know, Zhang Yanping was heartbroken on the inside too—two worms per person? He’d bet the fishermen would toil away pulling out grass all day for just two. Plus, two worms could yield two fish, and near the end of the year, selling those fish at 60 bucks a pound would be effortless!

Oh, Secretary Xiaozu, Secretary Xiaozu... how deeply the Song Family has sacrificed for your sake!

After handing out the worms, Zhang noticed the group of fishermen. Among them, it was the freshly minted novice Brother Xiaoli who seemed the most serious.

Not only was he observing everyone’s worm-hooking techniques, but he was also staring fixedly at the float and hook, looking a bit nervous.

Isn’t hooking bait as easy as pie?

Lao Wang had long prepared his equipment. Now sitting on his little stool, he said to Xiaoli with an air of restraint, "You! Don’t think fishing is that simple. This is a deeply nuanced skill, one worth digging into."

"For example, some people don’t know a thing at first. But with enough teaching and learning, they eventually become cultured individuals."

"Then there are others who, no matter what, just can’t figure it out. They can’t catch a single fish. That’s fate, not a lack of skill."

This sudden unsolicited monologue left Brother Xiaoli spinning in circles.

Holding his fishing rod, he nervously fixed his gaze on a spot, wondering if he’d turn out to be one of those who "just can’t get it." At the same time, he nervously cast his hook out.

"Hey!"

Lao Wang grew anxious.

"I haven’t even finished teaching you! The bushes and weeds around here—aren’t you afraid you’ll get snagged?"

But as he was speaking, Xiaoli’s float had already settled steadily on the water’s surface.

What’s the next step Zhang Yanping taught again?

Xiaoli started thinking.

Lao Wang rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, just fish based on your gut. Worst case, we won’t go hungry."

Grumbling, he also quickly lowered his own hook into the water.

The next second, Xiaoli’s float began bobbing up and down, as if something beneath was really tugging on the line. Lao Wang perked up. Suddenly, his eyes widened in disbelief:

"So quick? That’s not normal!"

Then, shooting Xiaoli a jealous glance, he muttered, "But you’re a novice. Novices and fishing are like playing cards—there’s always some beginner’s luck. Can’t rule it out."

"Oh, Lao Wang," someone teased nearby. "A lifetime of unshakable belief, and now, ironically, your faith is wavering over fishing in your old age!"

Lao Wang grunted. "Your fishing skills are so shoddy I don’t even bother mentioning it. And now you want to laugh at me?"

Among everyone present, Lao Wang had studied the art of fishing for the longest time. When he said this, no one felt it was out of place.

Meanwhile, Xiaoli had started to panic. He turned to Zhang Yanping and anxiously asked, "The float’s moving. Does that mean I should reel in now?"

"Reel it in! Reel it in!" Zhang Yanping waved his hands hurriedly. "I told you, once your hook’s in the water, it won’t take long for fish to come nibbling. Hurry up already!"

Just as the words left his mouth, a loud splash resounded. A sizable fish was hoisted into the air, splattering icy water droplets all over several faces nearby without mercy.

But by now, no one cared about the water.

Under the lights, the fine scales of the grass carp shimmered with a cold fluorescence, while its strong, muscular tail thrashed vigorously in mid-air. If its mouth hadn’t been tightly hooked, it would’ve likely struggled free and plunged back into the water by now.

Everyone stood astonished. Crowding around, they hurried to help Xiaoli unhook the fish. Once they tossed it into the bucket, they all looked at Xiaoli with shocked expressions:

"Who would’ve thought... You’re a natural!"

Xiaoli had never received such lavish praise before.

At that moment, he could only grin sheepishly and say, "Yeah, I didn’t think I’d have such a knack for fishing either. Barely cast the line, and there it was..."

Excited, he pulled out his phone to snap several photos of the fish. He had initially planned to post them on social media to show off but held back, remembering he was technically still on the clock.

Then, grabbing another worm with enthusiasm, he said, "Let me try again. Maybe the first one was just a fluke?"

Unnoticed by everyone else, Lao Wang snorted quietly. He thought to himself, You’ve already got a grin from ear to ear, and you’re still calling it a fluke? Innocent my foot—you’re as sly as they come!

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his own abandoned fishing rod quivering slightly. Before he could shift his gaze fully, his float also started bobbing.

Excited, he exclaimed, "I’ve got one too!"

Trying to show off while also fearing he might scare the fish away, his voice came out oddly suppressed.

Lao Wang was clearly more experienced than Xiaoli. Although his float was moving, he patiently waited for the right moment. Then, seizing the exact instant, he gave his rod a sharp yank and lifted it.

Whoa!

The transparent line gleamed faintly under the light, quickly pulling Lao Wang’s prize up into the air.

But when he finally saw what he’d reeled in, he fell silent.

Before he could say a word, Xiaoli made another joyful exclamation right next to him.

"Looks like I got another one!"

Everyone crowded around again.

And wouldn’t you know it, the fish Xiaoli reeled in ended up lying right next to the loach Lao Wang had caught—one large, one small. One black, one white.

"Pfft—"

"Hahahahaha..."