Considering the number of people coming, Han Qiwu decided to keep a low profile and ride a small electric scooter over.
It wouldn’t be good if the crowd spooked the little horse.
Before leaving, Han Qiwu didn’t forget to wave his hand and disguise the house as usual.
As soon as Han Qiwu arrived at the village entrance, he saw two SUVs roaring in.
Once the cars stopped, a bean sprout-like person, about 1.8 ters tall and weighing just 100 pounds, eagerly jumped out and ran to Han Qiwu’s side, "Finally here. It was quite a long way. Hey, did you offend Mr. Tang or sothing? Why did he assign you so far away? Everyone else seems to be around Progress Town, aren’t you the only one here?"
"The experintal fields in Progress Town are too small. I’ve got over ten acres here, including the lands the mayor doesn’t manage," Han Qiwu smiled and said, "Don’t make up stories about Mr. Tang with here."
"Got it, got it. Let introduce my senior, Guo Fugui, and those are his buddies over there," Ding Xuebo sidestepped, revealing Guo Fugui behind him.
Just like his na implies, Guo Fugui looked wealthy, about thirty-sothing, always smiling, and upon seeing Han Qiwu, he proactively extended his hand and said: "Xiao Han, I’ve heard Ding Xuebo ntion you nurous tis. This ti it’s a bother to you. I’ll host a al back in the city as my treat."
"No need to be formal. I’ll call you senior just like Ding Xuebo does. Shall we set off now?" Han Qiwu shook hands.
Han Qiwu had heard Ding Xuebo ntion Guo Fugui before; he was his master’s godson, known for being honest and straightforward.
"Sure, work first then play," Ding Xuebo nodded, retrieved a laptop from the backpack, typed a few keys, and displayed the location of the alligator gar.
"It’s moved to the east side of the town. Are you riding your scooter or hopping in our car?" Ding Xuebo asked.
Han Qiwu leaned over to look at the location and said: "I know the spot. You follow my lead in my car. There’s quite a crowd in town, so drive carefully."
Two SUVs then followed Han Qiwu straight to the lower section of Water Buffalo River, the area where Han Qiwu used to collect mint.
Upon arrival, Han Qiwu walked to the riverbank, observed carefully for a mont, and soon found a string of pale green alligator gar eggs resembling green grapes among the aquatic plants.
If these eggs were in the native habitat of the alligator gar, they wouldn’t pose much threat, as there they have natural predators and most eggs won’t hatch. However, if they hatch here, they’ll devastate the local ecosystem.
Ding Xuebo and Guo Fugui ca over and saw this scene too.
"These little things lay eggs quite fast. Normally, they should start breeding between May and August. Perhaps this particular gar faced so sort of stimulation and started earlier in April," Ding Xuebo said helplessly.
Standing by the bank, Guo Fugui observed the situation and expressed concern, "The current here is a bit strong, and with the recent rain, the water level has risen. It’s a bit challenging to net them here. It’s best to find a way to drive it to a shorter, safer position to avoid scaring it off again."
Examining the hydrological map of Water Buffalo River, Ding Xuebo shook his head and said, "Going further down leads to Yellow Earth Village, where the current is even faster. It’s best to do it here."
Han Qiwu glanced at the hydrological map and concurred.
"Yeah, unless we can lure the alligator gar upstream, netting has to be done here," Guo Fugui said with so resignation while signaling the n to change clothes.
"How about I try to fish for it?" Han Qiwu, feeling a bit eager, suggested. He took the mouse and pinpointed the location of the alligator gar, noting it was about six ters from the riverbank.
Guo Fugui smiled wryly and said, "Xiao Han, we’ve tried getting expert anglers before. But the alligator gar’s teeth are too sharp. Even steel wire lines get bitten through, and even if hooked, it’s incredibly tough to reel it ashore. Let’s stick to netting."
Ding Xuebo patted Han Qiwu’s shoulder and said, "Forget it Old Han, we’re both amateurs. What are we fishing for? Last ti at my aunt’s fishing spot, we didn’t catch a single fish and ended up eating five grilled ones."
"Ahem, you should see with new eyes after three days apart. You’re changing anyway, so let give it a shot. If I catch it, it’ll save us so hassle," Han Qiwu didn’t want to let go of this fishing opportunity and continued.
"Alright, give it a go. The alligator gar really likes at. Do you have any worms or anything?" Guo Fugui suggested.
"I prepared so bait earlier, let’s give it a try," Han Qiwu said with a smile. He walked over to the electric scooter, took out Jin Yang, and started preparing.
"Wow, that’s a nice fishing rod. Seems you’ve been fishing here quite a bit," Ding Xuebo teased as he approached.
"Get lost, I’m just studying the hydrological conditions," Han Qiwu pushed him aside, stood without sitting, and took out two cup-sized Duny’s fish baits, then, with a flick of his wrist, he hit the target.
"Plop plop."
The Duny fish bait was large enough that the other small fish in the Water Buffalo River couldn’t even consu it.
Seeing Han Qiwu’s baiting technique, Guo Fugui’s eyes lit up.
Ding’s friend has so skills, indeed.
Upon hearing the splash, two guys from the group rushed over to complain: "Brother Guo, maybe we shouldn’t let this guy try. If he scares the fish away, we’ll have to chase them down again. Perhaps if we go down and scoop, we’ll get it right away."
"If it runs, we’ll chase it. Who knows, he might just catch it," Guo Fugui said with a laugh.
Ding Xuebo turned around and snapped back: "Wait and see, don’t you see my buddy is fishing?"
Standing by the riverside, Han Qiwu paid no attention to them. He focused entirely on the Duny fish bait as it slowly descended.
When the bait dropped to a depth of three ters, a black shadow suddenly lunged upward, swallowing both Duny fish baits in one gulp.
Got it.
Han Qiwu did not hesitate. He took a step back and shouted: "You guys step back a bit."
Once everyone backed away, he gripped Jin Yang with both hands and gave a forceful cast. The hook drew a beautiful arc in the air before landing precisely at the alligator gar’s position, slowly sinking.
When a pro makes a move, you know it imdiately.
Guo Fugui clapped Ding Xuebo on the shoulder and said, "Ding, your buddy’s technique is anything but amateurish. Do you have so kind of misunderstanding with the word ’amateur’?"
Ding Xuebo too was puzzled, "This isn’t like him."
"Let’s see if he can reel it in once hooked. I notice his line doesn’t seem to be steel wire," Guo Fugui comnted helplessly.
At that mont, Han Qiwu quietly awaited the fishing ga to trigger.
Five seconds later, lured by the taste of the Duny fish bait, the alligator gar couldn’t resist and surged up again, swallowing the bait with the hook whole.
It’s hooked!
The fishing ga begins.
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