Chapter 19 Catching Loaches

Chapter 19: Catching Loaches

By the time the three-wheeled carts arrived, Pan Jing and the other staff were already waiting, as was Tang Zhixiao, who had been absent all morning.

The moment Xixi spotted his uncle, he leaped from the cart and rushed to hug Tang Zhixiao around the waist.

Tang Zhixiao gently but firmly detached him, remarking with a hint of disdain, "Alphas and Omegas are different—let's not be so intimate."

Wen Yuchen’s long legs were the first to descend from the tricycle, followed by him carefully lifting the mini toddler down.

Seeing everyone assembled, Pan Jing consulted his program card and, with a familiar murmur, recited yesterday’s sponsorship advertisement once more.

After the ad, the director struck a dramatic, almost theatrical pose, and declared mysteriously, "Music!"

A nostalgic melody filled the air, soon joined by the fresh, tender voice of a young girl:

"The pond is full, the rain has stopped,

The muddy fields are teeming with loaches.

Every day I wait for you, wait for you to catch loaches.

Big brother, how about it? Let’s go catch loaches.

The calf’s older brother takes him to catch loaches.

Big brother, how about it? Let’s go catch loaches."

The music paused, and Pan Jing, smiling, asked, "Well, little darlings, wasn’t that a lovely nursery rhyme?"

The children enthusiastically shouted, "It was great!"

Zheng Zheng, pointing at Pan Jing, chimed in, "Uncle, play it again, we want to hear more."

Despite Wen Yuchen having embarrassed him the day before, it didn't diminish Pan Jing's affection for Zheng Zheng. He adopted a sweet, high-pitched voice and asked Zheng Zheng, "My little treasure still wants to hear it?"

Pan Jing’s face crinkled into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Then, when you’re doing tasks with your big brothers and sisters later, Uncle will play it for you again, okay?"

Zheng Zheng conceded, "Okay then."

Pan Jing announced, "I’m sure all you grown-ups are familiar with this song, 'Catching Loaches.' That’s right—our task this morning is to catch—loaches—!"

Surveying the vast, muddy expanse, Meng Feihang couldn’t help but interject, "Director Pan, we’re not near a river. Where are we supposed to catch loaches?"

Pan Jing smirked triumphantly. "Hmph, you’re just uninformed. First, loaches play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in rice paddies. They consume pests and weeds, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers. Their activity also loosens the soil, enhancing its fertility and promoting rice growth. Furthermore, loach excrement acts as a natural fertilizer, further boosting rice production."

So that’s how it is, everyone nodded in understanding. They weren’t entirely unaware that fish could be raised in rice paddies, but loaches? Well, when you think of fish, you usually imagine them swimming freely.

Xingxing shouted, "Uncle Director, are there loaches in the mud?"

Pan Jing gave him a thumbs-up. "Smart!"

"Wow—" A chorus of gasps erupted as the children’s mouths gaped open.

Pan Jing handed the microphone to Zhao Hong. "It’s April now, and we’ll soon be planting the next batch of rice seedlings. There are still some loaches and even some eels left in these fields that the villagers haven’t caught yet."

"So, our task is to catch loaches. The family team that catches the most loaches by noon will be treated to a luxurious meal, along with a special prize from our program team."

"I want to catch loaches too!"

"First place will definitely be mine!"

"Nonsense, it’s mine!"

Upon hearing about catching loaches, the children burst into excited chatter, their entire bodies buzzing with anticipation.

In contrast to the children’s excitement, the adults seemed somewhat hesitant.

Accustomed to cleanliness and having grown up in comfort, the idea of stepping into a muddy field was a bit hard for them to accept.

This was precisely the effect Pan Jing desired. That’s why he had chosen Yuanhe Village as the first destination in his plan. If they couldn’t handle this, how would they manage the rest of the show? There were still several episodes to go!

Just then, the village chief’s son pushed over a small handcart laden with rain boots and waterproof waders.

Pan Jing looked gleefully at the guests’ somewhat dismayed expressions and said cheekily, "Our program team is very thoughtful. We’ve prepared buckets, small shovels, rain boots, and waterproof waders for everyone. The activity starts at 9:30. Everyone, get ready—we’ll begin soon."

Wen Yuchen, having grown up in a village (though his hometown grew maize, not rice), had no aversion to working in the fields and quickly slipped into the outfit.

The rubber waterproof waders looked a bit bulky, but they couldn’t conceal Wen Yuchen’s long legs.

In contrast, the child was the opposite. Dressed in the same outfit, Zheng Zheng looked more like a little black coal ball, and his already short legs seemed even shorter.

[I’m so jealous, I’ve said it till I’m tired. How do Wen Yuchen’s legs still look long even in those clothes?]

[He’s 186 cm (about 6'1") tall to begin with, and his proportions are great—long legs and a high waistline. Of course, his legs look long.]

[Help, why did Wen Yuchen bring a little coal ball to the show?]

[Hahaha, don’t say that about our Zheng Zheng.]

[Zheng Zheng: Aunty, that’s a bit too much.]

[Hahaha, this little coal ball can barely lift his feet.]

[You’re all so mean. If you keep this up, the little coal ball will cry on his dad’s long legs.]

[You’re not letting him off either.]

Looking at his round, sturdy son, Wen Yuchen couldn’t help but chuckle. He lifted the little one up by his armpits, holding him suspended in the air.

Zheng Zheng loved being held by his dad and giggled happily, showing his little white teeth and wiggling his short, chubby legs.

On screen, Wen Yuchen smiled tenderly as he held the chubby toddler.

Off screen, viewers were expressionlessly taking screenshots, making Yuan Hui, who was watching nearby, twitch his eye.

At 9:30, Wen Yuchen, with Zheng Zheng in tow, entered the field, carrying a small bucket and shovel.

Gu Jinghe followed closely behind with Xingxing. Since his family had twins, the task would end at 11:30, with each child taking an hour. Jinjin didn’t like the muddy field, and Gu Jinghe had to use all his coaxing power to get him to agree to participate—but only as the second to go.

Xiao Moli was the most well-behaved. After quickly putting on her clothes and shoes, she helped her mom carry the small bucket.

Only Xixi, the proud little young master, refused to wear the ugly outfit and was throwing another tantrum.

He didn’t want to wear it, and neither did Tang Zhixiao. But as an adult and a celebrity, Tang Zhixiao felt obligated to comply with the rules.

Carrying a bucket and shovel, Tang Zhixiao looked coldly at Xixi and said, "Tang Luoxi, I’m giving you a count of three to put it on."

Xixi was equally stubborn, huffing angrily and shouting, "No! I just don't want to wear it!"

Although Tang Zhixiao might demand that others indulge him, he had no intention of indulging Tang Luoxi. He snorted coldly and said, "Suit yourself!"

With that, he went straight into the field, completely ignoring Xixi, who was still fuming.

[Ah... this...]

[Not to be rude, but Tang Luoxi is really a difficult child.]

[Yeah, among all the kids, he’s the only one constantly causing trouble.]

[Sigh, kids will be kids, but his personality is just too much.]

[After the way Tang Zhixiao questioned Wen Yuchen yesterday, I thought he’d be more indulgent with Xixi.]

[Tang Zhixiao just left like that? I thought he’d try to coax Xixi a bit more.]

[Well, this kid needs to be left alone for a while. His temper is way too big.]

Xixi, who had never been treated like this before, grew even angrier.

Just then, Xiao Shiliu, who had struggled into her waterproof pants and rain boots, held her mother’s hand and walked past haughtily, taunting, "Hmph, if you don’t even dare to wear the clothes, how can you compete to be Zheng Zheng’s boss? You’re no match for me!"

Xixi: (making an angry face)

He was already angry, and now someone was provoking him.

He shouted, "Who says I don’t dare? Hmph, I am Zheng Zheng’s boss!!"

After saying that, he swiftly put on the waterproof pants and rain boots, boasting triumphantly, "I’m wearing them, so I’m Zheng Zheng’s boss."

"I never agreed to let you be the boss," Xiao Shiliu stuck out her tongue teasingly, "Nyah nyah!"

The bickering between the two children escalated into a heated argument.

Wen Yuchen and the other adults, who were busy digging in the mud, couldn’t understand it at all: "Why are you two so obsessed with being Zheng Zheng’s boss?"

Zheng Zheng: Baa, Zheng Zheng has no idea!

The soil in the paddy field was thick and, due to the heavy rain two days prior, wet and muddy. Stepping into it made it nearly impossible to move.

Wen Yuchen struggled even to lift his legs, let alone his little one.

His little one stood behind him, stuck in the mud, holding a small bucket in one hand and a small shovel in the other, motionless, blinking his big eyes and waiting for his dad to dig for loaches.

At this moment, his cat-like agility came in handy.

A small hole bubbled twice, and Wen Yuchen was sure there was a loach or eel inside. He immediately dug in, plunging both arms into the mud.

He dug around the hole, pulling his arms out and plunging them back in, stirring the mud until his hands finally touched something slippery.

The moment he felt the slippery creature, Wen Yuchen swiftly grabbed it, using his other hand to help.

It was slippery, but Wen Yuchen’s strong hands were more than capable.

With a grunt, he pulled hard and yanked out a large eel, as thick as a baby’s arm and about 40-50 centimeters long, weighing roughly a pound.

"Wow, not bad!" Wen Yuchen’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help but grin, turning to his son and saying, "Zheng Zheng, look what Dad caught for you!"

Zheng Zheng’s eyes widened even more than his dad’s at the sight of the large eel, his mouth hanging open: "Wow~~ big fishy!"

His exclamation caught everyone else’s attention.

Meng Feihang exclaimed in surprise, "Whoa, such a big eel! How did you catch it?"

Xiao Shiliu said, "Mom, I want to catch one that big too."

Meng Feihang pretended not to hear.

Xiao Moli stared intently at the large eel and said to her mom, "Mom."

Su Yuecheng smiled, avoiding her daughter’s hopeful gaze, and said helplessly, "Sweetie, your mom isn’t cut out for this."

Xiao Moli sighed and said seriously, "It’s okay. I’ll catch one for you."

"Xiao Moli, my precious darling." Su Yuecheng was so touched she nearly shed tears. If her hands weren’t covered in mud, she would’ve smothered her daughter with kisses.

Xingxing looked at the small loach wriggling in his bucket and complained to his dad, "Daddy, the loach you caught is so small. I want one as big as Uncle Wen’s."

Gu Jinghe retorted without hesitation, "If you’re not happy with what I caught, go dig for one yourself."

Xingxing pouted and shouted to his similarly unfortunate little friend, "Xiao Shiliu, my dad is so useless. He won’t catch a big loach for me."

Xiao Shiliu also sighed loudly and agreed, "Tell me about it! My mom is the same, sigh!"

Meng Feihang: . . . . . .

Gu Jinghe: . . . . . .

Then, Gu Jinghe nudged his son’s bottom with his knee. Caught off guard, Xingxing stumbled face-first into the mud, turning into a little mud monkey.

"Hahaha!" Xiao Shiliu and Meng Feihang laughed heartily.

The eel was too big to fit into the small bucket.

"Whoa, this is really something," the village chief exclaimed in amazement as he brought Wen Yuchen a large plastic bucket.

Meng Feihang couldn’t help but ask, "Wen Yuchen, how did you catch it? It’s huge!"

Wen Yuchen pointed to the bubbling hole in the ground and explained to everyone, "See this little bubbling hole?"

Meng Feihang and the others nodded.

"Then..." Wen Yuchen plunged both arms into the mud, stirred it around, and firmly grasped a fairly large loach. "Just like this—as soon as you feel it, grab it tight. It’s slippery, so don’t let it get away."

The loach was placed in Zheng Zheng’s small bucket. Zheng Zheng’s eyes sparkled with admiration as he looked at his dad: "Dad, you’re amazing!"

Wen Yuchen grinned proudly and tossed his head at his son: "Of course, I’m your dad."

Lu Chenghe, who had just finished his daily meeting, watched the young man on the screen smiling triumphantly. His gloomy mood lifted, replaced by a gentle smile.

Back then, Wen Yuchen was even more youthful—a lively, cheerful teenager who took him loach-catching, smeared mud all over him, and then sat by the riverbank laughing heartily.

After successively catching an eel and a loach, Wen Yuchen was covered in mud, especially his arms.

Others frowned at the sight. Wen Yuchen chuckled, "If you don't get your hands dirty, how can you catch anything? It's just mud—just wash it off later."

Everyone thought it made sense and let out resigned sighs.

Tang Zhixiao, who remained spotlessly clean, frowned and said, "How can mud not be dirty? Isn't there a cleaner way?"

Honestly, you—with that icy, pretty-boy vibe—why do you have to be such a chatterbox and so damn petty?

Wen Yuchen clenched his jaw, wanting to snap back at him.

True to his impulsive nature, Wen Yuchen replied, "Nah. You can just stand here all morning and let your nephew do the catching. That’s the clean way. Once he’s done, you can just hose him down."

Tang Zhixiao seemed oblivious to the sarcasm and nodded thoughtfully, "You make a good point."

With that, he went off to boss little Xixi around.

Wen Yuchen: . . . . . .

Unbelievable. His wiring’s clearly faulty.

Wen Yuchen rolled his eyes and went back to catching loaches for his darling son.

The father-son duo worked together—one digging with his hands, the other squatting and haphazardly digging with a small spade.

Lu Chenghe rested his chin on his hand, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched the screen.

A knock came at the door—it was Yuan Hui.

"What is it?" Lu Chenghe asked.

Yuan Hui replied, "President Lu, the hospital called. Chairman Lu is fading fast."

Lu Chenghe’s smile didn’t fade, his eyes eerily still. "Understood. Prepare the car—we’re going to the hospital."

"Right away, President Lu."

Lu Chenghe picked up a photo frame on his desk and pulled out a palm-sized picture from behind it. The man in the photo was strikingly elegant, with a gentle smile.

Lu Chenghe stared intently at the picture for a few seconds, then gave a cold laugh. "Dad, the old man’s time is up. Come on, your son will take you to see the finale."

With that, he carefully tucked the photo into his suit pocket and strode out of the office.