Chapter 82 - 83: Night Fishing Paradise

Chapter 82: Chapter 83: Night Fishing Paradise

Chen Yuan knew his dad’s personality well.

Not only was he stubborn, but he also loved to work, as if he never got tired. If you told him to rest over a minor injury like this, he’d get angry with you.

In the end, it was because Chen Jun was the pillar of the family. Someone had to support the household. If the family couldn’t be supported, the whole family would suffer.

If it could be supported, then only one person would suffer.

’Don’t work so hard in this life...’

Chen Yuan thought, watching his father’s back and shaking his head.

In his past life, to support him as he struggled to make it in the big city and afford a cold little apartment, his parents had worked themselves to the bone, just like him. Even his older sister looked nothing like her peers.

Now that he was reborn, he definitely couldn’t let them toil like they did in his previous life.

It was his turn to support this family.

’If I make the fishing ground a success, everything else will fall into place.’

Chen Yuan went upstairs, grabbed a change of clothes, and stepped into the bathroom. A quick shower made him feel much better. After washing his clothes, he finally flopped onto his bed.

’Ah, that feels good.’

He sprawled out like a starfish, not wanting to move an inch.

He hadn’t intended to sleep, but the moment he closed his eyes, he drifted off. When he opened them again, it was already 9:30 PM. He had unknowingly dozed off for an hour.

’Working around the clock is still pretty tiring.’

Chen Yuan rubbed his head and sat up. He slipped on his sandals and padded downstairs, their soles slapping softly against the floor.

His parents were already back and busy in the kitchen. Chen Yuan walked over and saw they were cleaning vegetables, preparing for the next day.

His dad’s hand was still affecting him; his movements weren’t as nimble.

"Mom, Dad, I’m going to head over to the fishing pond to check on things. Once you’re done cleaning up, get some rest. Don’t wait up for me."

Chen Yuan called out.

"I should go to the pond instead."

Chen Jun put down the vegetables and started to get up.

"With two employees and me holding down the fort, you think we can’t handle one fishing pond?"

Chen Yuan chuckled.

If it weren’t for this whole Fish King business, he wouldn’t even bother going to the pond. Wouldn’t it be nicer to sleep until 11:30 and then just handle the closing rush? But alas, who could resist the allure of cold, hard cash?

It was all for a living.

"Alright, I’ll come over later then."

Chen Jun thought that made sense and went back to cleaning the vegetables.

"You should rest when you need to. We’re running two sessions now, and working non-stop is definitely too much. The three of us are enough for the night fishing session. Besides, if we all work around the clock, what’s the point of hiring people?"

He had fallen asleep the moment he lay down, which showed just how exhausted he was.

His parents got up even earlier than he did. If they also had to handle the end of the night fishing session, they’d only get five hours of sleep a day. Even someone made of iron couldn’t handle that.

Besides, wasn’t the whole reason for hiring Chen Dequan and his wife to handle the night session so that everyone could get more rest? There was no need for too many people to do a job that three could handle.

"Didn’t I say I’d help with closing up the night session?"

Chen Jun still felt for his son.

But the son felt for his father, too.

"I just had a nap, so I’m wide awake now. From now on, if I’m free before or after the daytime sessions change over, I’ll come back and rest for a bit. I’ll handle closing up for the night session."

Chen Yuan settled the matter.

He couldn’t predict the frequency of the Fish King’s bites on its own, so he had to be careful with the remote control. He couldn’t use it too early or too late. It was something he had to operate himself.

Moreover, if he wanted to retain customers, the gimmick couldn’t be an empty promise. If he kept them in suspense for too long, they’d lose interest. The Fish King had to make an appearance.

For all these reasons, it was most appropriate for him to handle the closing.

"Tell Uncle and Aunt not to worry about the night fishing session, and to get some rest after they’re done cleaning up."

Without giving Chen Jun a chance to argue, Chen Yuan ran out of the yard, got on the tricycle, and headed for the fishing pond. After a moment’s thought, he ran back and got his uncle’s tricycle as well.

If he didn’t take it, his uncle would definitely ride it over later. And once he arrived at the pond, he probably wouldn’t leave, insisting on staying to help with the closing.

Taking it ahead of time was a way of giving him a heads-up.

"Damn, that’s a nice bighead carp! At least six or seven pounds. You’re a pro, boss!"

As always, Chen Dequan was walking around the entire pond with a landing net, helping anyone who hooked a fish. He wore a brilliant smile, having completely blended in with the customers.

’Uncle Chen is a pretty fast learner. He hasn’t been at the fishing ground for long, but he’s already picked up quite a few things.’

Chen Yuan chuckled as he watched Chen Dequan.

Hearing a "damn" from a man in his forties sounded a little strange. It lacked the casual flair of a young person or the easy nonchalance of a famous comedian.

"Hehe, these bosses are all characters. They’re funny and interesting to talk to. I guess it just rubbed off on me~"

At first, Chen Dequan didn’t understand what he meant, but when it dawned on him, he chuckled sheepishly. Seemingly a bit embarrassed, he ducked his head and continued his patrol around the pond.

"He never showed this kind of cleverness when he was learning a trade, but he’s quick to pick up useless things."

Liu Fang shot Chen Dequan a resentful look.

He was hopelessly clumsy when learning a trade back in the day, but now he was quick to pick up catchphrases. If he’d had this spark of cleverness back then, the family wouldn’t have been in such a sorry state.

Chen Yuan just smiled and didn’t comment.

He took a small stool from the tricycle’s cargo bed, hopped up onto the small slope, sat down under a sun umbrella, and lit a cigarette, gazing at the brilliant, star-filled night sky.

This was one of the nice things about the countryside. You could enjoy the beauty of the night sky. Unlike in the city, where at night, apart from the moon hanging there, you had to be lucky to even see the stars.

SLAP.

Chen Yuan suddenly smacked his calf hard. He opened his hand to reveal a huge mosquito, so full of blood that the splatter it left behind almost looked like a blooming flower.

"Boss Chen, you should light a mosquito coil."

An angler below the slope heard the sound and looked back. He stood up, took a mosquito coil from a bag hanging on his sun umbrella, and handed it to Chen Yuan, adding a compliment.

"I figured the mosquitoes in the countryside would be nasty and numerous, especially by a lit-up fishing pond. I thought the water mosquitoes would be swarming, so I even brought extra repellent. Heh, I didn’t expect the mosquito coils Boss Chen provides to be so effective. I haven’t felt a single one so far."

"Now that you mention it, I haven’t noticed either. It seems like there really aren’t any mosquitoes. Not a single one."

"Hey, you’re right. I was wondering why tonight’s fishing session was so comfortable. Turns out it’s because there are no mosquitoes."

"Haha, this night fishing is as comfortable as just cooling off in the evening. Even if the fish aren’t biting, it’s still very pleasant."

"Isn’t that the truth? At home, it’s so hot I have to turn on the AC. Here, I can enjoy the night breeze without any mosquito troubles. This cool air just puts you in a great mood~"

"Boss Chen, where’d you get these mosquito coils? The repellent effect is top-notch~"

The surrounding anglers started chatting along this topic.

Anyone who’s been night fishing knows that mosquitoes are especially numerous at night. Even with equipment like mosquito coils and repellent, you still feel like you’re being eaten alive.

The anglers all relied on willpower to endure it. After all, with mosquitoes, it seemed like the result of being bitten once was pretty much the same as being bitten constantly—you’re just going to be itchy.

So after the first bite, they’d just give up and let it happen. ’You bite all you want, I’m going to fish.’

But Chen Yuan Fishing Ground felt different. With the double-whammy of a pond and lights attracting mosquitoes, the anglers had originally resigned themselves to their fate. But now they realized there were no mosquitoes at all.

It was amazing.

This was simply a paradise for night fishing~

"I went through almost every mosquito coil on the market, tried them one by one, and finally chose to order the most effective ones. When it comes to service at Chen Yuan Fishing Ground, if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it the best."

Chen Yuan took out a lighter, lit the mosquito coil, and placed it beside him, making sure to emphasize his own contribution.

This wasn’t an empty boast.

The mosquito coils were genuinely effective, not a sham. So why not promote his own strengths and deepen the anglers’ favorable impression?

"Holy shit, he actually tried all the mosquito coils on the market? You can’t fault Boss Chen’s service. Gotta give him a thumbs-up~"

"Don’t tell me Boss Chen tested them at the fishing ground, right? Just to give us the best service, I can’t imagine how many mosquitoes he fed."

"Boss Chen is the one who treats us like human beings. At other fishing grounds, who cares if you live or die? If you can’t stand the mosquito bites, great! Pack up and go home early, and they won’t even refund your fishing fee~"

"My fellow angler, you’ve got it wrong. Boss Chen doesn’t just treat us like people; he truly sees us anglers as kindred spirits."

All the anglers around the pond were full of praise, and many declared they would definitely become regulars at Chen Yuan Fishing Ground.

It wasn’t just happening on-site.

In the group chat, many anglers who seemed to be done with their daily tasks started popping up, teasing those who were night fishing and asking if the mosquitoes had bitten them into oblivion.

But the response was praise from all the anglers at the pond. The night breeze was cool, the mosquitoes were nowhere to be seen, and it couldn’t be more comfortable.

"For real? No mosquitoes while sitting by the water at a fishing ground?"

"Even the fishing grounds in the city have mosquitoes. You’re telling me there are none in the countryside?"

Those who hadn’t been there were skeptical.

Fewer mosquitoes, maybe. But not a single one? Who would believe that?

After all, mosquitoes are notoriously difficult to completely eliminate.

"If I’m lying, may I get skunked. If you don’t believe me, just snag a reservation someday and come try it for yourself."

"I can vouch for that. Chen Yuan Fishing Ground really has no mosquitoes~"

Those at the night session and those who had been to Chen Yuan Fishing Ground before all confirmed it, not forgetting to heap praise in the group chat, which made even the skeptics start to believe.

This was followed by anticipation.

No mosquitoes? That would make it a true paradise for night fishing.

"I’m using a different phone to make a reservation tomorrow. I have to snag a spot."

"I don’t think it’s the phone, I think it’s the signal. I’m going to find a place with full bars tomorrow."

"Whatever the problem is, Chen Yuan Fishing Ground, the night fishing paradise, I’m definitely coming~"