Chapter 30: Don't Recognize
That night, Lu Qing finally managed a full, peaceful sleep.
The next morning, after finishing breakfast, he took Xiao Yan down to the riverbank to go fishing.
This time, the number of people fishing by the river had dropped significantly—no longer the crowded scene of seven or eight people jostling for a single spot.
After all, it was peak farming season. With fields still needing tending, no one had time to waste on leisure fishing.
Fishing was just a pastime—occasionally a welcome change of diet, but nothing compared to the harvest. That was the lifeblood of a farmer.
This time, Lu Qing didn’t head to the odd fish spot.
Odd fish were fine to catch once in a while. But if he kept hauling them up every few days, even the dullest fool would suspect something was off.
And even if he did catch one now, where would he sell it? He couldn’t keep asking Chen Laodaifu to help him dispose of them.
As for eating them? He wasn’t about to.
Since learning the true value of odd fish, Lu Qing had decided to treat them as a key income source.
So he planned to wait—until he had more time, or better self-defense capabilities—before returning to that spot.
Instead, he chose another fishing spot he’d discovered on his first visit: a white-glowing fishing point.
After tidying up the area, Lu Qing began casting.
This time, the fishing was calm and uneventful.
Within an hour, he’d caught half a bucket of fish.
They varied in size—some small, some large. The biggest was a grass carp weighing two or three jin, while the smallest were still the familiar little white fish.
With half a bucket secured, Lu Qing packed up.
That should be more than enough to feed the Nighttime Spirit Fox for several nights.
Back home, after Xiao Yan fell asleep, Lu Qing once again heard the familiar scratching at the door.
This time, he wasn’t flustered.
From the kitchen, he pulled out the fish he’d prepared in advance, calmly opened the front door.
Outside stood the black creature, still in the middle of the courtyard.
But this time, its demeanor was far calmer.
Though its eyes still held a cautious glint, it wasn’t bristling with fear like the night before.
“Been waiting for you,” Lu Qing said with a gentle smile, keeping his breath steady and his presence calm.
He then brought out a wooden basin filled with fish, slowly stepping into the yard.
The creature flinched and took a few steps back, letting out a low warning growl.
Lu Qing stopped immediately. “No harm intended. I’m not a threat.”
He placed the basin gently on the ground, then slowly retreated into the house.
Only when he was safely inside did the creature relax. It sniffed the air, then—whoosh—dashed straight to the basin.
In an instant, it snatched the largest fish and vanished into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.
Lu Qing didn’t move. He waited quietly.
Sure enough, after a short while, the creature reappeared, snatched another fish, and darted off again.
It was cautious—really cautious.
Lu Qing chuckled. He wasn’t interested in watching a wild animal eat.
There were still plenty of small fish left. The little beast would be running back and forth for quite a while. He had no intention of waiting around.
He closed the door, returned to his room, and let out a deep breath.
Now, the matter was settled—perfectly.
Yes, he had to part with some fish. But for someone who loved fishing, that was a small price.
After all, he always caught more than he could eat.
Having the Nighttime Spirit Fox help him consume the surplus wasn’t such a bad thing.
It was like the old days—when farm families had leftover scraps and bones, and kept a cat or dog to clean them up.
With that peaceful mindset, Lu Qing slept soundly again that night.
The next morning, he went out to the courtyard and found the wooden basin completely empty.
More than two jin of fish—gone. The little creature had a hearty appetite.
After washing the basin and putting it away, Lu Qing started preparing breakfast.
After eating with Xiao Yan, he set off toward Chen Laodaifu’s.
He carried over a pound of freshly cleaned small fish—just the kind the old doctor had mentioned liking.
Last time, the old man had said he enjoyed them. And since Lu Qing had caught plenty yesterday, it seemed like a good opportunity to bring some.
Walking up the mountain path, a hint of anticipation tugged at his face.
The old doctor had gone into town yesterday, and had promised to help sell the Red Moon Carp.
He’d said the fish were rare—valuable beyond price—so selling them wouldn’t be an issue.
But until he saw the silver coins, Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.
Reaching the small hillside cottage, he found Chen Laodaifu just finishing his morning exercises.
“Chen Ye Ye!” Xiao Yan dashed forward.
“Xiao Yan! Missed your grandpa, did you?” The old doctor scooped her up in a warm embrace.
“Missed!” Xiao Yan beamed.
“Hahaha!”
“Chen Ye Ye,” Lu Qing greeted warmly.
“Hmm. Looks like you’re in good spirits today. No more trouble from that beast, I hope?”
In the old doctor’s mind, his powdered charm had always been effective—no matter the creature, the scent was enough to send them fleeing.
He’d given Lu Qing a generous bundle. Even a tiger or leopard wouldn’t dare approach.
So how could a mere unknown beast be any different?
But Lu Qing hesitated, a faint awkwardness crossing his face.
“Chen Ye Ye… the powder didn’t seem to work. It came to my house two nights in a row.”
“Oh?” Chen Laodaifu raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
“I don’t know why. It didn’t seem to fear the scent at all.”
Lu Qing was honest.
“Then how did you get it to leave?” The old man studied him carefully.
He was certain—he hadn’t seen signs of sleeplessness or stress.
“Didn’t use anything special. I realized it was just after the fish. So I left it some. It ate, then left.”
“Likes fish?” The old man mused. “What did it look like? Did you get a good look?”
“It’s a black creature, about two feet long. Completely black, but with white paws and a white patch around its neck. Chen Ye Ye, do you know what kind of beast this is?”
“A two-foot black creature?” Chen Laodaifu paused, then shook his head. “Never seen anything like that in all my travels across the land.”
“Even you don’t know?” Lu Qing was surprised.
“Now, now,” the old doctor chuckled. “The world is vast—endless and full of wonders. I’ve wandered for decades, but even so, the places I’ve seen are just a tiny corner of this great earth. Not knowing every creature? That’s perfectly normal.”
“Chen Ye Ye’s right,” Lu Qing nodded.
He’d hoped to learn more about the Nighttime Spirit Fox from the old man. But that dream had faded.
“Still,” Chen Laodaifu added, “from what you’ve said, this little creature seems quite intelligent. If it’s not attacking, just seeking food, then no need to drive it away.”
He’d seen strange beings before—creatures that defied logic, that lived beyond ordinary understanding.
From Lu Qing’s description, this one might be one of them.
“Exactly my thought,” Lu Qing said with a smile. “We’ve got plenty of fish. Sharing a few won’t hurt.”
Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t have dared try to chase it off.
That thing was far too strong.
Xiao Yan, who had listened quietly the whole time, finally piped up.
“Brother,” her eyes lit up, “next time you feed the little beast, can I watch?”
“Hmm… that might be tricky,” Lu Qing said. “It always comes when you’re asleep.”
“Why?” She pouted. “Does it not like Xiao Yan?”
“I don’t know,” Lu Qing shrugged. “Maybe it’s shy. Once it gets used to us, it might come out in the open.”
“Then hurry up and be friends with it, brother! I really want to see what it looks like!”
“I’ll try my best,” Lu Qing said, smiling.
What else could he say?
“By the way, Chen Ye Ye,” he added, handing over the fish, “I caught these yesterday. You said you liked small fish. I hope this is enough.”
Chen Laodaifu glanced at them, pleased. “Put them in the kitchen. Oh, and I’ve already bought the things you asked for—left them inside.”
(End of Chapter)
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