Chapter 451 - 13: Snake Swallows Sheep
Chen Zhou exhibited many behaviors that the indigenous people could not comprehend, with fishing being the most prominent one.
For the indigenous people, who often struggled for survival, it was hard to understand why anyone would choose the most complex and least efficient way to obtain food, especially when this food could easily be caught by diving into the water.
Regarding this, Chen Zhou couldn't explain to them.
In modern times, fishing has long since disconnected from the concept of yield. Anglers enjoy the process and the joy of catching big fish.
Especially those who fish for massive groupers off the coast, they are not doing it for the meat but for the thrill of battling these giants.
If one wanted to gain higher yields, there are many simpler methods than fishing for modern people.
From the most unscrupulous electrofishing and fish bombing to using nets, or something even more straightforward like farming, all are faster than fishing.
And the spiritual needs arising in modern people, due to not having to worry about basic needs, might take a very long time for the indigenous people to understand.
...
The island has a unique beauty during the rainy season.
Walking down from the mountains and weaving through the primeval forest, one can see blooming flowers everywhere, with crystal-clear drops hanging on the petals.
The rising mist drifts around the treetops like elusive serpents and dissipates with the slightest stir of wind or touch of rain, leaving countless holes blown through.
Yet in an instant, it returns to its original state, still hanging high up.
Lai Fu's short fur got wet from the rain, turning its originally pale golden coat into a light brown.
Perhaps the weather was too muggy; as it followed Chen Zhou, it always had its mouth open, tongue lolling, the tip adorned with water drops, uncertain if from the sky's rain or its own saliva.
Chen Zhou wore a wide-brim straw hat, held a long leather case in one hand, carried a hiking pack on his back, and treaded on the soggy ground, occasionally pushing away Lai Fu's wet head.
The indigenous people frequently traveled between the mountain and the base, transporting supplies, and had long since cleared this path thoroughly.
Now, with the rain fallen, many short grasses sprouted on the once flattened dirt road, and the less solid soil had been eroded by rain-made streams, leaving small puddles on the ground.
Chen Zhou recalled how tough the path was when he first arrived on the island, searching for a suitable location to build a shelter.
Everywhere vines, dense thickets, roots sprawled across the path, and weeds that made it nearly impossible to see what lay ahead.
Back then, Lai Fu was lively, always running ahead during their ventures, only to turn back after disappearing from sight, seemingly grumbling at Chen Zhou for being slow.
Now the path was wide and easy to walk, but Lai Fu no longer ran around wantonly.
Chen Zhou knew that as Lai Fu grew older, it had become more composed.
It still loved him, but it had learned to wait, understood how to let people do what they should.
For any pet owner, a pet becoming sensible is a good thing.
But somehow, Chen Zhou still missed the old Lai Fu, who used to frolic on the slopes, bravely leaping into the water to tussle with frogs.
"If the Space-Time Administration Bureau could send you a wife, that would be great."
Chen Zhou softly spoke to Lai Fu.
Then he thought it was perhaps a bit too early to discuss Lai Fu's progeny, as Lai Fu was in its prime, and teased again.
"Did you, rascal, find a little female dog before boarding the ship?
Or are you still a little virgin dog?"
Awuuu~
Lai Fu couldn't understand Chen Zhou's words and thought its owner was calling out, hurriedly retracting its tongue with a whine, raising its head, and once again nudging its head into Chen Zhou's palm.
This time, Chen Zhou didn't push it away but vigorously rubbed its head and added.
"No worries, even if the Space-Time Administration Bureau doesn't send you a wife, I'll find you a young and pretty partner..."
...
The rain fell lightly; upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the rain mingled with the sea's mist, making one feel like walking among the clouds.
Fine rain fell along the riverbank, mist shrouded distant trees, rendering the scenery ambiguous.
Upon reaching the small lake, just a glance revealed unusually large ripples constantly forming on the surface—
This was the fish in the water coming to the surface to breathe.
On rainy days, the lake's oxygen levels drop, so fish tend to be much more active than usual.
On the one hand, many planktons gather near the surface during rain, attracting fish that feed on them; on the other hand, they need to breathe some air to compensate for the underwater oxygen deficiency.
Based on Chen Zhou's years of fishing experience, it's generally easier to get a good catch during light rain or shortly after it stops.
If fishing before rain, especially before a heavy downpour, the chances of getting nothing are the highest.
...
By the large rocks at the lakeside, Chen Zhou set up a rain umbrella and took out the bait that Saturday had prepared for him from his backpack.
As his private "chief logistics officer," Saturday had become increasingly adept at handling his personal affairs.
Whether it's washing dirty clothes, preparing meals, running errands for Chen Zhou, passing messages, or boiling barley, digging worms, and catching insects to make fish bait, these tasks never needed special instructions.
A person with initiative knows how to find things to do, and that's what satisfies Chen Zhou about Saturday.
Of course, these tasks weren't all done by Saturday alone. Except for more personal tasks like laundry and cooking, boiling barley and digging worms could be delegated to the indigenous people.
During the rainy season, the workload for the indigenous people decreased significantly, freeing up some time to help the "teacher," as learning matters still relied on this teacher.