After the fishing competition where everyone showed off their skills...
Everyone stared at the riverbank, watching the fish flopping one after another, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief.
Lu Chen had only planned to catch a few fish for grilling, but before he realized it, the fish had piled up into a small mountain.
He picked out a few fat ones and stored them in the fridge, kept a few more for grilling, but as for the rest... he had no idea what to do with them.
"I have no doubt," Miko chuckled, covering her mouth, "if this competition went on any longer, the fish population in Mount Gao would be wiped out."
"Uh... really?" Lu Chen scratched his head awkwardly.
He quietly walked to the river, lifted the net, and released the smaller fish Venti had caught back into the water.
Protect the ecosystem! Everyone's responsibility!
Yup (totally)!
As for the bigger ones, it would be a waste not to eat them. Lu Chen exchanged a glance with Venti, then looked downstream at the old fishermen.
The two of them carried armfuls of big fish and trudged over to hand them out.
The old men's eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
These guys came to fish?
Feels more like they came to open a fish farm!
While shocked, the old men were also grateful—seems like they wouldn't be going home empty-handed today.
Lu Chen casually glanced at their nets.
Two hours, not a single catch...
Classic.
Back at the campsite, Qiqi had already helped Ei set up the grill, with glowing red charcoal flickering underneath.
As for the outcome of the fishing contest...
There wasn't one. The moment Ei swung that blade, the contest had to be called off.
Lu Chen and Venti couldn't stop laughing, but neither seemed the least bit upset. Since they all agreed to have a barbecue together, there were no losers today.
The camp bustled with activity—some brought over utensils, others handled drinks, while Lu Chen mixed sauces on the side.
Once he finished prepping the fish, he had to cut them into chunks due to their size—yet even a single piece was massive.
Everyone was busy handling the food. Laughter and chatter filled the riverside as smoke from the grill curled into the air—the charm of a good old-fashioned BBQ.
With everyone pitching in, the meat was quickly prepped. Lu Chen and Venti each took a side of the grill, grilling and brushing sauces with practiced ease.
"You're good at grilling too?" Lu Chen glanced at Venti.
"I'm good at everything!" Venti replied without an ounce of humility.
"Sure you are..."
While they grilled, Ei wandered over curiously. Lu Chen noticed the skewers in her hand.
"You too? ...Want to try?" he asked, suddenly a bit nervous.
"Um..." Ei hesitated, clearly remembering her issues with cooking.
Then she looked at Qiqi, standing obediently nearby, and handed the skewers to her. "Qiqi, want to give it a shot?"
"Qiqi... doesn't know how..."
Not only did she not know how—Lu Chen saw that she couldn't even reach the edge of the grill.
"Then do you want to learn?" Lu Chen smiled at her.
Qiqi lifted her big eyes, rested her finger on her chin, thought for a bit, then nodded.
"Qiqi wants to learn... Everyone's busy. Qiqi wants to help too..."
Her expression made Lu Chen chuckle. He gave her a gentle pat on the head and brought over a small stool, setting it behind the grill.
Now Qiqi could join them in grilling.
Once he lifted her up, the glowing coals reflected off her little face, making her look especially lively.
As the scent of grilled meat spread through the camp, Lu Chen's stomach growled embarrassingly. After a whole afternoon of running around, it was finally time to eat.
He grabbed two pieces of grilled fish and handed one to Ei.
She sniffed it and smiled brightly.
"Smells amazing—just like you, Chen."
"Then dig in!" Lu Chen took her hand, and the two of them sat down under the canopy.
Seeing Ei take a small bite and smile in satisfaction, Lu Chen couldn't help but smile along with her.
Everyone sat around in small groups, sharing food. The scent of grilled meat lingered in the air, even attracting a few wild animals nearby.
Lu Chen shot a warning glance at a little wild dog.
The pup, undeterred, hid cautiously in the trees.
After finishing their fish, Lu Chen went back to grab a few more skewers—some with meat, some with vegetables.
"Chen..." Ei's tone was hesitant.
"What's wrong?"
Her violet eyes were fixed in one direction, so Lu Chen followed her gaze.
Yae Miko sat alone on a stool near the riverbank, staring at the glimmering water.
She held a tofu skewer but hadn't taken a bite—just quietly gazing at the river.
Compared to the cheerful crowd, Miko looked a little isolated.
"That girl..." Lu Chen sighed.
He turned to Ei. Her expression showed the same concern.
"Chen, go bring her something to eat."
Lu Chen looked at Ei earnestly.
"I don't know what happened between you two, but..." she said softly.
Those violet crystal eyes—clear and calm—reflected Lu Chen's figure.
Whenever they looked at each other, her eyes held only his reflection. That gaze softened something in Lu Chen's heart.
And along with that softness came a quiet weight of responsibility.
Ei looked at him.
"But still..."
"She's Miko..."
Lu Chen squeezed her hand. "I'm not capable of making everyone happy. That's too much."
Ei smiled—more radiant than the blooming fields around the seaside villa—so radiant it blurred the line between dream and reality, softening Lu Chen even more.
"Maybe you can't make everyone happy... but your smile can make someone forget their sadness, if only for a moment. Because you're Lu Chen..."
"Because... I'm Lu Chen..." He repeated her words, turning them over in his mind, and looked at Ei, hesitant.
"Which one lasts longer—sorrow or joy?"
Ei's gaze passed over Lu Chen and Miko, then beyond, toward the lush fields and the endless blue sky.
"I don't know..."
"But I do know this—cherishing the fleeting beauty of each moment is the only way to honor this second chance we've been given."
"I see..." Lu Chen nodded.
Gripping the food in his hand, he took a deep breath and stood up.
He walked over to Miko.
Whether it was the scent of food or the soft footsteps, Miko's ears twitched.
But she didn't turn around—just kept watching the river.
Unconsciously, she raised the tofu to her lips.
"That tofu's cold. What's the appeal?"
Lu Chen's teasing voice came from beside her. Miko turned to see him holding out a steaming skewer of grilled fish.
"Here. Try my cooking!"
"I don't like fish." Miko turned away.
"Oh, come on! Back then, you loved it when I made fish."
Lu Chen gave her a mock glare, pressing the fish toward her mouth.
"I am the Guuji. I don't accept charity."
"That's the biggest nonsense I've heard today!" Lu Chen burst out laughing. "Have you forgotten how we used to feed you every day? Sometimes, just for a bit of fried tofu, you'd roll around and act all cute. I'd pat your head and give you a piece. And sometimes..."
"Ahhh—stop it!" Miko covered her ears. "Old man, don't say another word!"
Seeing her do the classic "I can't hear you" routine, Lu Chen laughed even harder.
"I'm just helping you remember childhood—it was such a wonderful time. Like the time when you—"
"Lu—Chen—!"
Miko glared at him, furious. Lu Chen laughed with abandon and started spilling more of her childhood secrets like a rapid-fire confession.
"Fine! I'll eat, okay? Happy now?" Miko, unusually, showed a hint of pleading.
She glanced at the fish so close to her lips, then took a bite.
Lu Chen handed her all the skewers he held.
Miko ate with a sulky look on her face, glaring at Lu Chen in warning between bites.
Lu Chen just shook his head and smiled.
That was just how the two of them were—bickering and noisy. If one day Miko actually acted polite to him, he'd probably think something was wrong...