Chapter 6: Binding Other Anglers to Earn Money

“System, can I return the recently purchased blue iron-grade lure rod?”

[Cannot!]

“...On Pinxi, they allow a seven-day no-questions-asked return policy. You’re a system—if not seven days, how about just one day?”

[If the host chooses to return a blue iron-grade lure rod, the emotional points gained will be halved.]

So returning it only grants half of the 200 emotional points? Wouldn’t selling it back be a total loss?

Wait a minute!

“System, can the ordinary-grade lure rod be returned?”

[Of course. The ordinary-grade lure rod is worth 100 emotional points; selling it back yields 50 emotional points.]

“Good, then return the ordinary-grade lure rod.”

[Ding! Congratulations, host, sale successful. You have gained 50 emotional points!]

Now I can finally afford the Wild Battle Blue Crucian Croaker Crooked Mouth Dragon King War God Edition and the artificial bait.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained one pack of “Wild Battle Blue Crucian Croaker Crooked Mouth Dragon King War God Edition.” Emotional points -20!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained two “All-Purpose War God Falling Iron Plates.” Emotional points -40!]

(Explanation: Some fish don’t bite artificial bait, but the system’s “All-Purpose War God Falling Iron Plate” artificial bait can catch any fish species.)

It was precisely because Jiang Fan knew the system’s bait had this effect that he chose to fish with a lure for that giant fish.

Otherwise, even if he bought the blue iron-grade lure rod, if that hundred-pound beast wasn’t a species attracted to artificial bait, it would have been a waste.

After completing all preparations, Jiang Fan lay on the sofa and drifted off to sleep.

In a hazy daze, he felt someone cover him with a blanket.

A fragrant, familiar scent—it was his wife Liu Ruyan’s aroma.

...

The next morning, Liu Ruyan had already left for work.

Breakfast was prepared and set on the table as usual.

Jiang Fan washed up, ate his breakfast, then rode his electric scooter toward the North Gate River.

The weather was pleasant today. When he arrived at yesterday’s fishing spot, he found many people—more than ever before.

Perhaps the good weather was ideal for fishing, but seeing the guy from yesterday and a few others laughing and chatting made him doubt that.

He guessed that after yesterday’s catch of a seven-and-a-half-pound carp, someone must have posted it on social media, attracting all the fishing friends from his circle.

“Zhou Hong, didn’t you say yesterday’s seven-and-a-half-pound carp was caught here? I don’t see any big fish today.”

“Yeah, maybe that fish was bought at the market to fool us?”

Zhou Hong, thick-skinned, cursed, “Bought? No way! I caught it myself! Right here! You two shut up and wait till the big fish bite. Then you’ll be kneeling, calling me ‘Dad’!”

A blond fishing buddy lit a cigarette, “Is there really a big fish? We’ve been here half an hour with hardly any bites. Look across the way—they’ve caught three or four already!”

Another angler said, “Maybe I should get Yuzu Leaf to chant some prayers? If this keeps up, we’ll go home empty-handed again!”

Zhou Hong also lit a cigarette, “I say there’s fish. Do you think a seven-and-a-half-pound fish just fell from the sky?”

Just then, Jiang Fan approached and waved at Zhou Hong, “Hey, brother, back again today?”

Zhou Hong grinned, “Hey, bro, you’re late. I took your spot from yesterday. Sorry about that.”

Jiang Fan smiled, “The spot isn’t important; skills are.”

With that, Jiang Fan found a place and set up his folding chair.

“Damn! Jiang Fan tricked me! No fish here either!”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from nearby.

Jiang Fan turned and saw Hu Pang, the fish buyer from the market.

So this guy really came here just to fish.

“Boss Hu, here so early?” Jiang Fan greeted him with a smile.

“Jiang Fan? Perfect timing. Fish aren’t biting well here either. I came at four a.m., and it’s already eight-thirty. Only caught five small fish!”

Hu Pang, frustrated, walked over beside Jiang Fan, puzzled about what went wrong. Could his skills have slipped?

Yesterday, seeing Jiang Fan catch so many, he wanted to enjoy the thrill, but ended up being outsmarted by fish all morning!

“Boss Hu, fishing requires patience. Maybe the fish will bite soon?”

Jiang Fan fiddled with his gear as he spoke.

Hu Pang cursed, “Patience? I’ve been fishing longer than you’ve walked the earth!”

Jiang Fan shrugged, “With all that salt you’ve eaten, aren’t you worried about a stroke?”

“...” That’s not the issue here! No fish, man!

Hu Pang’s chubby cheeks twitched, “Not to brag, but with my decades of fishing experience, this spot’s just not good.”

After saying that, Hu Pang swaggered off to pack his things.

“Not fishing anymore?” Jiang Fan glanced over and asked.

“Nope. This place isn’t even as good as the black pits near my house!” Hu Pang said.

Jiang Fan smiled, “Don’t leave yet. Keep fishing a while longer. When the fish bite, you might break your leg rushing.”

Hu Pang shook his bulky frame, refusing to believe Jiang Fan’s words.

“No fishing! No fish this morning, why would there be any at noon? Save your time—if there are fish today, I’ll eat my entire rod!”

After packing up, Hu Pang climbed into his Toyota Prado and left, kicking up dust.

Ignoring the advice of elders brings regret. Although Jiang Fan caught twenty pounds yesterday, if he manages to catch three pounds today, I, Hu Pang, will call you my ancestor!

Jiang Fan paid little attention to Hu Pang’s departure and began casting his line.

Today’s target was the hundred-pound giant from yesterday, but the prerequisite was to catch fish steadily to make money.

So he planned to fish with a hand rod first, then switch to the lure rod after using up the Wild Battle Blue Crucian Croaker Crooked Mouth Dragon King War God Edition bait.

But fishing this way lost much of the fun—it felt like going to work every day, no different from a regular job.

“System, is there a way to make money from fishing without doing much?”

[Yes! Once you activate and successfully bind an apprentice angler, all fish caught and converted to cash by the apprentice belong to the host!]

[However, there are three conditions: First, emotional points must reach 500 before activating an apprentice angler. Currently, you need 225 more points (275/500).]

[Second, after reaching 500, 100 points must be spent to officially activate.]

[Third, the apprentice angler must use system-issued bait.]

Jiang Fan grinned reading this. He hadn’t expected the system to allow binding other anglers to help earn money.

If he could activate dozens of apprentice anglers, he could earn a steady income even while lying down.

Of course, a true angler never stops fishing. Even after making big money, he would keep fishing.

This feature was more about letting him rest assured while searching for the giant catch.

With 225 emotional points left to activate an apprentice angler, Jiang Fan didn’t hesitate.

As the first fish bit, then the second, third, fourth... he caught one after another, steadily increasing his income and emotional points.

He looked at Zhou Hong and the frustrated anglers nearby as if they were his children.