[Brainy Fisherman]
[Achievement Attribute: 5% chance of not consuming stamina while fishing]
[Achievement Reward: Beginner's Fish Encyclopedia]
"Two achievements in one day, not bad." Han Qiwu was quite satisfied. The attribute of this achievement didn't seem like much at the moment, but in the long run, the stamina saved would add up to a substantial amount.
However, the more important part was the achievement reward: Beginner's Fish Encyclopedia. Because the fish icons in this game were overly cartoony, without the encyclopedia, he couldn't tell what fish they were, which made summarizing and recording inconvenient.
"Turns out it really is a small yellow croaker." As Han Qiwu looked at the fish on the hook, corresponding information automatically appeared in his field of view: The small yellow croaker, also known as the small yellow flower fish, is a vertebrate, belonging to the bony fish class, Sciaenidae family. Other names: Little Fresh, Big Eyes, Colorful Spots, Small Cucumber. Its body resembles a large yellow croaker, but with a longer head, smaller eyes, larger scales, shorter and broader caudal peduncle, and 5–6 rows of scales between the dorsal fin's origin and the lateral line. Golden yellow in color.
Han Qiwu had eaten plenty of pan-fried small yellow croakers before. The taste was fresh and delicious, with a plump texture. However, the small yellow croaker caught in the system came with extra attributes.
[Small Yellow Croaker (Common Quality)]
[Stamina +25]
[HP +13]
[Note: A common small yellow croaker from the sea, weighing 0.3 kg (6 liang).]
"This thing adds 25 stamina??" Han Qiwu got excited instantly. Eating just four small yellow croakers would completely replenish his stamina, and successfully catching a fish only cost 5 stamina. That's a fivefold return!
Wait a minute, all of this depended on successful fishing. In reality, Han Qiwu's fishing success rate was about as stable as a bobber in water—constantly drifting.
"It doesn't matter. As long as I figure out the behavior patterns of the fish, the title of King of the Sea will be mine sooner or later!" Han Qiwu coolly glanced backward.
A gust of swirling wind blew past.
No applauding spectators.
Completely unfazed, Han Qiwu packed up the small yellow croaker and his fishing rod. He planned to pan-fry the fish before eating it. Who knows, maybe the system could create its own recipes!
His phone was already loaded with numerous food-related apps, ready to assist!
Shennong's mood? Han Qiwu couldn't care less about whether you're happy or not!
After tidying up his stuff, the sun gradually fused with the sea's horizon.
Using the last bit of lingering sunlight, Han Qiwu ran over to the nearby beach to search for loot. His objective was to find items acknowledged by the system—those with a faint halo around them.
After walking for two minutes, Han Qiwu excitedly picked up a piece of coral from the sand.
[Red Coral (Silver Star Quality ☆)]
[Selling Price: 150 gold]
[Note: Beautiful coral, perfect as a gift.]
[Item quality levels, from low to high: Common, Silver Star, Gold Star. The more stars an item has, the higher its quality.]
Silver Star quality, just picked up on the beach?
Han Qiwu was starting to believe in good fortune. A casual stoop down and 150 gold—this was too satisfying!
Onward!
Soon, Han Qiwu found a small clam.
[Clam]
[Selling Price: 80 gold]
[Note: The best place for this is the selling box.]
230 gold now!
I, Han Qiwu, will let the whole world know that this beach has been contracted by me!
Delighted with his haul, Han Qiwu hopped on his little scooter, destination: the beef noodle shop.
...
After finishing his meal, Han Qiwu followed the map to the location marked with a [Pawnshop] icon.
The pawnshop had no signboard, only a small yellow flag with the word "Pawn" written in traditional characters.
Han Qiwu parked his scooter and was about to walk in when he heard a raspy voice from behind the wooden door.
"A brat who's never been in a fight—what decent stuff could you possibly have? Get lost!"
As soon as the voice finished, the system notification also arrived.
[Pawnshop has not yet met the conditions for opening. Please try harder, player.]
Han Qiwu: "????? Brat?"
You guys are just jealous of my youth!
Whatever, more scootering.
On the way home, he happened to pass a local clinic.
"I suppose there's no harm in checking out the clinic, right?" Han Qiwu stopped his mini scooter again. But just as he was about to get off, a nurse came out.
"Bang!!"
A loud noise interrupted Han Qiwu's moment of distraction.
He saw the nurse pull down the shutter door with one hand effortlessly, then turn around as if ready to leave.
"Wait," Han Qiwu quickly chased after her.
The nurse stopped mid-step, glaring at Han Qiwu with confusion and disdain.
"Let me be clear—there's nothing I can do about infertility or mental illness here."
Han Qiwu: "?????. What the heck?!"
[Local Clinic Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM]
Seeing the triggered system notice, Han Qiwu slowed his pace. It seemed he'd come at the wrong time; no wonder the system interaction hadn't triggered.
"Sorry about that. I'll come back at a better time." Han Qiwu said with a smile, planning to revisit some other day when the time was right.
Hu Qi shook her head with an "I understand you" expression, then turned around and rode off on her bicycle.
"What is she so persistent about? Did she really think I'm easy to push around!"
Han Qiwu suddenly felt something was off. Why did the nurse react that way??
Lady, this is literally our first meeting, isn't it?
"Hey! I'm not mentally ill or infertile."
Realizing the misunderstanding, Han Qiwu shouted towards the direction where the nurse had disappeared.
The nurse from the local clinic was practically the neighborhood's gossip queen. Whether it was a fight between spouses or a kid's bruised bottom, she knew everyone's secrets in the village.
If rumors about a new university student having infertility issues got out, matchmaking visitors would certainly not crowd his doorstep.
And when that time came, miracle doctors would surely start showing up.
"Ringing ringing"
The crisp sound of a bicycle bell echoed from afar, blending into the night and adding a chilling vibe.
...
Han Qiwu arrived home by 7:40 PM.
Entering the yard, he first checked on his nine plots of land.
The soil was still moist, no need for watering.
"Looks like the seeds for Windproof Grass only need watering once a day." Han Qiwu looked at the weeds and trees filling the yard, feeling an urge to clear them out.
But the sight of his stamina meter showing 13 points promptly squashed that idea.
"Let's make pan-fried small yellow croaker first; food comes first!" Han Qiwu was eager to taste the fish.
Taking out the small yellow croaker from storage, Han Qiwu followed an online recipe step-by-step.
Half an hour later.
The golden pan-fried small yellow croaker was successfully plated.
With great anticipation, Han Qiwu checked the attributes of the fish once more.
[Pan-Fried Small Yellow Croaker (Common Quality)]
[Stamina +25]
[HP +13]
[Note: Small yellow croaker, weighing 0.2 kg (4 liang).]