Amid the lush greenery and shimmering water, the vast stream flowed like a mirror, its water quality exceptionally clear.
Just by observing the surroundings, Xia Wan knew that the fish caught here would be premium specimens.
“Sit down first,” Ji Heng said, placing a small stool on the ground.
Xia Wan remained standing. “What about you?”
“I’ll go get the fishing gear. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come with you to get them.”
“No need, I can manage alone.”
Ji Heng selected a fishing rod suitable for a beginner like Xia Wan—lightweight and easy to handle.
“There’s a small hook at the end of the line. Just attach the bait there,” Ji Heng explained while demonstrating with his own fishing rod. He reminded her, “Be careful with your hands. Don’t get scratched by the hook.”
“Mm,” Xia Wan acknowledged, completing the first step as instructed. “Done. What’s next?”
Ji Heng smiled. “Casting the rod. Since it’s windy now, I’ll teach you the side cast method.”
“Pinch the sinker with your left hand, hold the rod handle with your right, point the rod tip horizontally to the front left, then swing the rod upward naturally with your right arm and press down while releasing the sinker with your left hand. Use the rod tip to guide the line, making the hook, bait, and sinker skim as close to the water surface as possible before landing in the fishing spot ahead.” After explaining, Ji Heng cast his rod effortlessly.
“Let me try,” Xia Wan said, thinking his demonstration made it look simple.
She mimicked his movements and cast the rod, but the result was less than ideal—the cast fell too short.
“How did that happen? I used a lot of force to throw it,” Xia Wan muttered, feeling a bit disheartened.
Ji Heng set his own rod aside and stood up, moving behind Xia Wan. “It’s normal for your first cast. Let me teach you.”
He positioned himself slightly behind her, half-encircling her, placing his right hand below hers on the rod handle and enveloping her left hand that held the sinker.
Everything felt so natural.
The scorching warmth enveloping Xia Wan instantly made her blood rush, sending tremors straight to her heart.
Caught off guard, she had no time to react.
His faint, refreshing scent wrapped around her from behind.
His low, magnetic voice echoed in her ears, like someone gently brushing a soft feather against her earlobe—tingling and ticklish.
It was somewhat tormenting, yet she didn’t feel repelled.
Only when Ji Heng spoke again did Xia Wan snap out of her thoughts.
“I’ll count to three. When I reach three, cast it out.”
No one knew that Ji Heng was feigning composure as he explained.
Xia Wan steadied her breathing and replied, “Mm.”
“One, two, three, cast.” Ji Heng guided her left hand, forcefully throwing the sinker out.
“Success!” Xia Wan exclaimed happily, turning to look at Ji Heng, though she knew it had little to do with her own skill.
Ji Heng’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Mm, very impressive.”
This scene was clearly witnessed by the four people fishing not far away.
To an unknowing observer, they might have been mistaken for a couple on a date.
If they hadn’t been spaced a short distance apart, the four would surely have launched into a heated discussion.
Xia Wan sat on the small stool. “Now I just wait here for the fish to bite, right?”
“Mm, you don’t need to hold the rod. Just set it aside. The float will move if a fish bites.”Xia Wan looked at the fishing rod in Ji Heng’s hand. “Your fishing rod is different from mine. Yours looks so advanced.”
Ji Heng replied, “You’re a beginner. You wouldn’t know how to use one like mine.”
Xia Wan muttered under her breath, “Who do you think you’re looking down on?”
But Ji Heng, sitting to her right, heard her clearly and asked with a smile, “Then why don’t we swap? You can use mine.”
Xia Wan wisely shook her head. “No, thanks. My rod is just fine.”
She was well aware of her own skill level. She could barely cast the line properly, so putting a high-end rod in her hands would be a waste—like casting pearls before swine.
Xia Wan asked cautiously, “Have you ever taught anyone else how to fish?”
Without hesitation, Ji Heng answered, “Never.”
Not only had he never taught anyone to fish, but aside from Chen Yubai and a few others, as well as his father, he had never gone fishing with anyone else.
He wasn’t the type to teach just anyone.
A charming smile unconsciously spread across Xia Wan’s lovely face. Ji Heng’s answer made her very happy.
Ji Heng’s thin lips parted slightly. “Are you getting bored?”
When he received Su Yi’s call, his first instinct was to ask if Xia Wan wanted to come along. But he had forgotten to ask whether she even liked fishing. If she didn’t, sitting here might feel like an eternity to her.
Xia Wan’s sweet, soft voice chimed in, “Not at all. I think fishing can be a great way to relieve stress.”
It calms the mind, letting the river breeze brush past while watching the sunset glow over the lake in the evening, with the shimmering light of the setting sun dancing on the water—it’s so peaceful and relaxing.
Waiting for a fish to bite, gazing at the water and letting your mind wander, is a truly delightful moment.
Ji Heng nodded. “Yes, fishing is an emotional release, a way to unwind.”
Even if no fish bite, you still enjoy the process.
“When did you all start fishing?” Xia Wan asked curiously.
If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would hardly have believed that these big bosses would gather together just to fish.
Ji Heng pondered for a moment. “I can’t remember. We have quite a few leisure activities.”
Xia Wan remarked, “I can tell. You all really know how to enjoy life.”
Ji Heng’s lips curved into a smile, his tone relaxed. “Isn’t making money all about enjoying life? What about you?”
“Me?” Xia Wan paused for a few seconds. “It’s pretty similar, I guess. When I have free time, I go out with friends and try all sorts of leisure activities I’ve never done before.”
“But in the last couple of years, it hasn’t been as easy to go out as it used to be.”
Ji Heng could tell she enjoyed trying new things. “Then why do you still want to enter the entertainment industry?”
“Because I love singing, and I want my songs to be heard by more people.” She added, “There are gains and losses in everything, and I don’t feel like my current identity has caused me too much trouble.”
Even after becoming a star, she has always stayed true to herself.
“Then why did you choose to start an entertainment company?” Xia Wan asked in return.
Ji Heng replied, “To make money.”
“…” That was truly straightforward. “What I mean is, you could make money by starting other types of companies too.”
Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “How do you know I don’t have other businesses?”
Xia Wan was left speechless. She had overstepped—the person beside her was a true heavyweight.
“Why hasn’t a fish bitten yet?” Xia Wan rested her chin in her hand, staring at her motionless fishing rod and the empty fish bucket.
Ji Heng had already caught two fish, and she couldn’t help feeling a little envious.”I should’ve swapped fishing rods with you earlier,” Xia Wan muttered under her breath, lowering her head.
It must be the fishing rod’s fault.
Ji Heng curled his lips slightly, “Want the fish in my bucket?”
Xia Wan glanced sideways, “No way, I didn’t catch them myself.”
Ji Heng continued suggesting, “Then let’s switch spots, you sit here.”
Xia Wan immediately agreed, “Deal.” She firmly believed it was due to the fishing rod and location.
But.
Within three minutes of Ji Heng sitting in Xia Wan’s spot, a fish took the bait.
Xia Wan stood nearby utterly astonished – could the fish actually recognize people?
She had clearly seen that Ji Heng hadn’t even touched the fishing rod while sitting there before the fish bit.
Yet she had sat for so long without even seeing a ripple.
Xia Wan sat on the small stool, concentrating intently on the water ahead. She was determined to catch a fish today, otherwise she wouldn’t leave.
Finally.
After Xia Wan sat motionless for over ten minutes, the fishing float showed movement, sinking downward.
Turning her head excitedly, she whispered, “Ji Heng, there’s a fish.” Lowering her voice to avoid scaring it away, “Help me reel it in, I don’t know how.”
She couldn’t figure out how to use Ji Heng’s fishing rod, unsure where to begin.
Without a word, Ji Heng walked to Xia Wan’s side and effortlessly pulled the fish up, placing it in the bucket.
“Does this count as me catching it?” Xia Wan asked, tilting her head upward. Though she hadn’t lifted a finger throughout the process, she felt it was her catch.
Ji Heng played along, “Yes, if you hadn’t spotted it, the fish would’ve gotten away.”
Hearing what she wanted to hear, Xia Wan broke into a radiant smile, “Teach me how to reel with this fishing rod. I want to pull up the next fish myself.”
Xia Wan was gradually getting hooked – fishing turned out to be so fun and enjoyable. She regretted not discovering this pleasure sooner.