"Fifty Tian Tian Hua Niang Chickens are needed to impress me, not ten! You underestimate Paimon too much!"
"Deal!"
The moment Venti readily agreed, Paimon suddenly felt like she'd asked for too little.
"Everyone has worked hard lately. This afternoon, I'll treat everyone to fishing to relax!" Feng Yi said to Lumine and Diona, seeing that Paimon and Venti had resolved their dispute.
"Fishing, great! I haven't fished in a long time." Diona wholeheartedly agreed to fishing.
"Mhm, sounds like fun!" Lumine was also very interested.
"Wooah, Paimon wants to go too!" Paimon declared that she was the best at fishing.
"Then I'll tag along for the fun," Venti chuckled, thinking that if he could subtly guide Diona's fishing skills, it would be easier to get his special drinks in the future.
After the morning rush, Feng Yi saw off the last guest and closed shop early, hanging a 'Closed for Business' sign on the door.
The group, carrying their fishing gear, skipped lunch and headed straight for the Cider Lake.
After each person found their preferred spot, they began baiting their hooks and casting their lines.
Beside each of them, a small table was set up, laden with fruit drinks mixed by Diona.
Mondstadt's Cider Lake was exceptionally deep and clear, its surface shimmering, revealing the bottom as if it were a giant emerald. Sunlight danced on the water, creating countless dazzling specks of light.
A gentle breeze swept by, carrying a hint of moisture, giving one a sense of cleansing from their troubles. Beneath the warm sunlight, it felt like sunbathing on a beach, so comfortable that one almost forgot they were fishing. In this moment, the weariness of life and journey was completely dispelled. It was peaceful and serene. Everyone wished time could freeze at this instant.
Suddenly, Feng Yi noticed the bobber in the lake twitch. He quickly reeled in his line.
*Splash!*
Under the envious gazes of everyone, Feng Yi caught the first fish. It was a plump and delicious Blue-Finned Perch. Blue-Finned Perch were common in various waters and renowned for their succulent flesh, serving as the primary source of fish for many dishes in Teyvat. Furthermore, their flesh was softer than that of Black-Fin Perch, making them a favorite among diners who sought a delicate texture.
After a short struggle, the fish tired, and Feng Yi successfully landed it. This Blue-Finned Perch was no small catch, weighing at least ten pounds. Even if Paimon could catch one, she might not be able to land it.
"Everyone, keep it up! I'm going to prepare lunch," Feng Yi said, dropping his fishing rod and carrying the Blue-Finned Perch off to be scaled and grilled. This plump fish would be his lunch for the day. They had agreed that whatever they caught, they would eat. If they were unlucky and caught nothing, they would go hungry.
Under everyone's envious eyes, Feng Yi started a fire and began grilling. The breeze carried the aroma of the grilled fish past the others. Feng Yi could clearly hear them swallowing. However, due to their prior agreement, they didn't dare to ask for any, despite their longing.
"Hmph, I won't admit defeat when it comes to fishing! I'll definitely catch a bigger fish!" Diona declared, wiping a bit of drool from her mouth.
"Yawn~ It seems I need to get serious too..." Venti stretched, realizing he couldn't slack off any longer for the sake of his stomach. He picked up his fishing rod and baited his hook.
*Splash!*
Diona and Lumine also caught sizable Blue-Finned Perch and joined the grilling party. Now, only Paimon and Venti had no catches. Paimon realized this wouldn't do; if this continued, they would likely go hungry today. Using her ability to fly, she soared over the lake to observe where the schools of fish were most abundant. Then, she cast her line in the center of the lake.
Soon, the bobber wiggled... Paimon's heart leaped with joy.
Good news: it was a big fish!
Bad news: it was a big fish!
Paimon's quick glance revealed a large, golden-scaled perch. Judging by its size, it was much larger than the Blue-Finned Perch Feng Yi had caught. If nothing unexpected happened, it was likely the Golden Perch King of this lake!
A legend circulated among Mondstadt's anglers about a colossal Golden Perch King in Cider Lake, visible only to the fated. Catching it was said to bring good luck. One adventurer, in an attempt to verify the legend, fished by the lake for nearly three months but never even glimpsed the Golden Perch King, adding to its mystique. In Liyue Harbor's marketplaces, prayer cards and amulets bearing the likeness of a Golden Perch were once sold. In Inazuma, the shimmering sunset on the horizon was sometimes described as the Golden Perch soaring through the sky. However, setting aside legends, perch with golden scales were much rarer than Black-Fin or Blue-Fin Perch, and their flesh was even more delicious.
Back to Paimon, as she saw the size of the Golden Perch King, her excitement was accompanied by a sudden realization of a serious problem: she probably couldn't lift this fish.
"Ahhh..." A shrill cry echoed across Cider Lake as Paimon was dragged through the air by the Golden Perch King. From another perspective, Paimon looked like a kite being flown by the Golden Perch King, moving erratically, yet with absolute control. But having finally caught such a large fish, and one that looked incredibly delicious, Paimon was unwilling to let go.
"Ning (Lumine)... Heng Xi (Feng Yi)... Help me, Paimon!" Her words were slurred as she was tossed about by the fish.
With a "plop," a dizzy Paimon fell into the lake.
"Lumine, I think I just heard Paimon calling..." Feng Yi looked up but saw no sign of Paimon, wondering if he was too tired lately and experiencing auditory hallucinations.
"Now that you mention it, I think I heard something too," Lumine replied, nodding as she ate her delicious grilled fish.
"Then it wasn't just me! But where is Paimon?" Since Lumine also heard it, it wasn't a hallucination. But the problem was, where was Paimon now? She wasn't in the sky.
"Feng Yi, doesn't that thing floating on the lake look like...?" Diona suddenly pointed to a white blob on the water's surface in the center of the lake, which occasionally darted away rapidly.
...
Apologies to everyone, my computer broke down and is being repaired. I'll be gone for a few days. Mwah!