Seeing that Xing Wanshuang and Qiao Ruohuan had left, Qiao Moyu called for Qin Qianqian and the pair headed up the mountain together.
Qin Qianqian was a new actress and was only 19-years-old. She was currently a sophomore at the Film Academy and had acted in a historical palace drama before.
Having grown up in the Imperial Capital, she had never been to a mountain such as this, so it was quite a novel experience for her at first.
In order to increase the difficulty of the entire competition, the crew members collected all of the cast's cell phones and money when they arrived at their lodgings. Thus, not only were Qiao Moyu and the rest of the actors required to collect sellable items for the upcoming market sale in two days, but they also needed to search for ingredients in the mountains to cook for their dinner tonight.
The camera had switched on their recording to livestream so that all three teams can be spotted on the live broadcast room.
Xing Wanshuang was on the first team, Qiao Ruohuan was on the second team, while Qiao Moyu was on the third.
At this moment, Qiao Moyu's livestream had over three thousand viewers. This wasn't as popular compared to the previous two teams.
However, the pair didn't mind. They simply treated this as an outing as they explored the view around them.
Qiao Moyu wasn't concerned over winning or losing at all. She checked the terrain for now to get a clear grasp of her surroundings. The main fight will be the day after tomorrow.
It should be mentioned that the mountains were clear and beautiful. As the two climbed up the hill, they could spot from a distance a small stream in a valley.
"There's probably fish over there. Let's catch some for our dinner tonight," Qiao Moyu suggested.
"I wonder who our two mystery guests will be." Qin Qianqian said. "We should prepare their food as well, right?"
"Sounds like it. Looks like we'll have to catch a few more fish as well!" said Qiao Moyu.
The two of them made their way towards the river together. Qin Qianqian ran so quickly from excitement that she failed to notice the rock in front of her. She accidentally twisted her ankle and fell down.
Behind her, Qiao Moyu hurriedly reached out a hand to catch her, but it was already too late. The fallen Qin Qianqian frowned in pain and said, "I think I hurt my ankle."
Qiao Moyu bent down to check her ankle and sure enough, a noticeable swelling soon appeared.
"What should we do?" Qin Qianqian tried to move her legs, but she realized that she couldn't walk at all. It's even harder to say if she can continue filming tomorrow. She turned towards the cameraman for help.
However, the cameraman simply shrugged his shoulders and said there was nothing he could do.
(T/N: what kind of drama crew doesn't provide first aid (⇀‸↼‶)
However, the next moment, Qiao Moyu knelt down before her and said, "Qianqian, let me carry you."
Qin Qianqian was surprised. She glanced at Qiao Moyu's thin back and said, "Qiao Moyu, there's no clinic behind the village so carrying me would take too far of a distance. I can simply hop on my own!"
"Where can you go if you only hop on one foot? The mountains here are very dark. Take a look, the two groups ahead of us have almost reached the river. We have to go there soon in order to prepare food for the night, otherwise, we'll starve." Qiao Moyu patted her own back and said, "Come on up."
Qian Qianqian glanced at the apathetic cameraman one last time. It seems that she had no other choice than to get on Qiao Moyu's back. As she climbed up, she said, "Moyu, I'm a bit heavy. You don't have to force yourself."
"It's nothing." As she spoke, Qiao Moyu held Qin Qianqian's waist with one hand and stood up steadily.
At this moment, the fans at the livestream were all shocked. "No way, is that really my big sister Moyu?"
"Holy sh*t, my goddess is definitely a goddess! Not only can she split planks with her bare hands, she can even carry a girl up the mountains!"
"That's it. I dunno why but for a moment I feel as if she looked like a good husband material. I'm a girl, but why do i wanna marry her?
"Don't ask me, I've already turned lesbian for her!"
"My boyfriend can't even carry me. I'm only 90 pounds, but he always says I'm fat! Sister Moyu, do you still want a girlfriend? I'm going to dump my boyfriend for you!"
"Doesn't it feel safe being together with big sister Moyu? Look, she's already walked more than 10 meters up the mountain with Qianqian on her back, but it seems no different to her than walking on flat ground!"
"Brother Yu, seeking marriage!"
"Brother Yu, seeking marriage!"
Afterwards, more and more people gathered at the livestream. The phrase 'seeking marriage' had already filled up the screen.
After a long while, someone commented, "Oh my god, Brother Yu has been carrying Qian Qian on his back for more than ten minutes now, right? She still hasn't stopped?! "
"That's right! Brother Yu is so handsome! A Wuli male god!"
(T/N: wuli–korean for 'handsome' and used in chinese slang)
"Wuli male god!"
After that, the screen blew up with comments once again.
On the other hand, Qiao Moyu, who was completely unaware of the enthusiastic fans, had arrived on the riverside with Qianqian on her back.
At this moment, the other two groups had long arrived; Xing Wanshuang and company had already set up their camp; Zhou Yunchuan had tied up some of the filming equipment and went fishing; on the other side, Qiao Ruohuan set up a stove while Wang Kunming was tying up a fishing hook.
Upon noticing Qiao Moyu arrive with her companion on her back, Qiao Ruohuan quickly asked in concern, "Qianqian, what's wrong? Moyu, is she alright?"
"She's fine, she just got a bit of a sprain." After speaking, she placed Qin Qianqian on a big boulder and said, "Qianqian, rest well. I'll go get something for use to eat."
Qianqian felt a bit guilty for having Qiao Moyu carry her all this way. She quickly stood up and said, "Moyu, let me help you. You've already worked so hard to carry me this far…"
"It's alright, you were very light. I couldn't feel any weight at all." After saying so, Qiao Moyu pressed her against the rock and said, "Be good and sit here while waiting for your meal."
Afterwards, she stood up and prepared to tie the fishing hook as well so she could find a place to start fishing.
The comments on the screen immediately went wild.
"Ahh, why was Brother Yu so handsome when she said 'be good and sit still' just now? Why is it soo sexy? I've been seduced by her!"
"I'm jealous of Qianqian!"
"I'm jealous of Qianqian!"
...
Qiao Moyu observed the area and found out that Xing Wanshuang was first to arrive, so naturally, her team had taken the most advantageous spot. Due to the difference in terrain, the small river's flow at Qiao Moyu's location was relatively fast. Fishes aren't able to feed in a place where the current is strong.
Generally speaking, fishes would prefer to swim in peaceful waters such as places near rock crevices. However, the only two peaceful spots had been occupied by the other opposing teams.
At this time, Wang Kungmin from Qiao Ruohuan's team had already finished tying up the fishing line and was about to toss the hook into the water.
Suddenly, Xing Wanshuang cried out in joy from the other side: "Ah! We've caught fish!"
Qiao Moyu looked sideways and noticed that Zhou Yunchuan's branch was bent downwards. Clearly, a fish had taken the bait.
He pulled up the line very quickly, revealing a palm sized fish.
"Brother Zhou is so amazing! We've already caught one the moment we started fishing. There's no need for us to worry about dinner later!" Qiao Ruohuan said with a smile. She seemed very confident of her own group.
Upon hearing this, Xing Wanshuang raised a brow in satisfaction and picked up a bag to cover Zhou Yunchuan's catch. Her gaze indistinctly swept towards Qiao Moyu's direction.
Qiao Moyu retracted her gaze and pursed her lips. Was a palm-sized catch worth boasting about?
Alas, she felt sad for them, because all they'll be able to share for dinner tonight is a palm sized fish!
After such thoughts, Qiao Moyu placed her bait and gently cast her the hook into the water.
On the other side, Xing Wanshuang noticed that Qiao Moyu didn't even use a sinker and simply tossed the hook into the water. She clearly didn't know what she was doing!
Does she think that she Jiang Taigong fishing? It seems that her group will have nothing to eat tonight.
(T/N: Jiang Tai Gong 姜太公–small official in the Shang Dynasty rumored to have a magical way of fishing where whatever type of poll, short fishing lines or hooks he used, the fishes are willing to be hooked)
At that moment, Wang Kunming beside her suddenly gasped: "Something bit the hook!"
Noticing how the fishing hook sank deeper, he tried to tug on it, but the weight soon disappeared, as if the fish simply teased him while swimming off.
Right next to him, Qiao Ruohuan asked: " Brother Wang, is it ready?"
"No," he replied in regret. "I felt a big fish tug just now, but after pulling the hook, it simply swam off!"
"That's fine, it's still early. There will be more of those in the future!" Qiao Ruohuan consoled. She took the fruits she had gathered along the way and washed them by the water's edge before passing a few over to her teammate.
Meanwhile, Qiao Moyu sat on a boulder with a calm expression. Her index finger was wrapped in a fishing line while slowly making circle-like gestures in the air.
Following her movement, the floating fishing hook also swayed.
Qin Qianqian couldn't help but ask, "Moyu shouldn't we tie some stones to it so that it can sink? Can we do that?"
"Don't worry, the fish will be willing to take my bait." Qiao Moyu glanced at the water and noticed a faint ripple.
Earlier, before wrapping the fishing line on her finger, she had already 'opened the light' on her fishing hook. Perhaps it was taking a long time, simply because there weren't many fish around.
Then, the first fish swam over!
The ripples grew closer and closer until the back scales of a black fish can be seen breaking through the water's surface.
Then, right before Qin Qianqian's shocked eyes, she saw the fish suddenly open its mouth and bite Qiao Moyu's hook!
Qiao Moyu stretched out her hand and pulled the fish out of the water in a beautiful arc. It flew right before her and she caught it with one hand.
The fish weighed about two kilograms, its tail still faintly red.
"Wow! Moyu you actually caught a fish!" As soon as Qin Qianqian exclaimed in excitement, Xing Wanshuang and Qiao Ruohuan looked to their side. They couldn��t believe their eyes.
"Qianqian, I promised not to let you starve to death, so think carefully about what dish you want to eat and I'll cook it for you tonight!" Qiao Moyu turned around and smiled at her teammate.
The comments on screen went wild once again…
"Ahhhh! My Wuli male god smiled at another woman!"
"My Wuli god said he would feed another lady!"
"Wuli is so handsome, even her fishing style is so attractive. My little girl's heart can't take it, aaaahhh!"
"I'm jealous of Qianqian!"
"I'm jealous of Qianqian!"
...
On the other side, Xing Wanshuang saw the fish that Qiao Moyu caught. Suddenly, the expression on her face wasn't so pleasant. She stared right back at the water and ordered Zhou Yunchuan: "Brother Zhou, there seems to be some fish over here. Why don't you toss your hook here?"
Sure enough, as soon as Zhou Yunchuan moved over his fishing rod
Zhou Yunchuan felt his rod sink as soon as he threw the fishing hook there. He shouted in surprise: "Something's hooked on!"
He jumped up in excitement and pulled it up! But like Wang Kunming just now, the hook was completely empty!
The next second, Qin Qianqian's voice was heard again: "Aahhhh, Moyu, you've caught another one!"
Everyone shifted their gazes over once again, and as expected, Qiao Moyu had caught another fish. This catch was slightly smaller than the previous one, but its scales were exquisite. It was obvious that this had a very special breed.
Upon seeing this, Qiao Ruohuan stood up and went to see how Qiao Moyu was going to catch the next fish.
After watching for half-a-minute, she returned to Wang Kunming's side and said: "Brother Wang, why don't we try the same thing that Moyu did and avoid using the branch or a sinker? Perhaps the fish here are quite special."
"Alright." Wang Kunming also felt that there was some reason to her words so the two of them untied the fishing line from the branch and removed the sinker.
Thus, their hooks floated on the surface of the water, motionless.
On the other side, Qin Qianqian's voice sounded again: "Moyu, you're my goddess! You've caught another fish!"
"Moyu! Goddess, how can you be so powerful!"
"Moyu, I can't express in words how much I worship you–"
Amidst Qin Qianqian's cheers, Xing Wanshuang noticed that Qiao Moyu had already caught five fish, each of them weighing about one or two kilos. Such a fine catch was very suitable for stew.
"Aiyah, there's so many fish. The two of us plus the cameraman won't be able to finish eating all of these. If we had add in the two mystery male guests, we'll have just a little left over to share with them. So then, let's fish for another one!" Qiao Moyu said thoughtfully.
As she said this, more than a dozen ripples appeared on the surface of the water. Everyone was shocked to discover that more than a dozen fish crowded around Qiao Moyu's fishing hook, as if they were each fighting over the silver hook.
Finally, a thin, long, scaleless fish that weighed about a kilogram had won the competition and managed to bite the hook.
The cameraman, who had been silent all this time, exclaimed in shock: "Oh my god, Moyu, you actually managed to catch the Silver Fish, the most unique and difficult fish to catch in all of Southern City?! I heard that a wild catch like this costs more than 300 yuan per kilogram in restaurants throughout the county!"
Xing Wanshuang's gaze couldn't darken any more. As for her partner, Zhou Yunchuan threw aside his image and shamelessly rushed over to Qiao Moyu's side of the water after seeing all the fishes crowding next to her. He then took his hook and tossed it into the water.
Unfortunately, as soon as it fell upon the water's surface, all the fish had dispersed.
Qin Qianqian, who sat on a boulder on the other side, couldn't help but giggle.
"No, there's one left!" Xin Wanshuang pointed to a spot just half-a-meter below the water: "Brother Zhou, over there! There's a big fish! God, isn��t that around 20 kilos?!"
After she spoke, the big fish swam towards the shore!
Zhou Yunchuan excitedly threw his hook over, only to realize soon that this big fish wasn't paying attention to his bait at all. Instead, it swam towards Qiao Moyu's hook, which had been blown into the water by the wind.
After noticing the fish, Qiao Moyu quickly went over and retracted the hook before the fish could have a bite.
Her gaze fell into the water as her fingers gently patted the water's surface. She whispered: "Go back. Growing this big must have taken you many years; it's not easy to do that. Be careful of what you eat in future."
Who knows if the large fish really understood her words? It used its tail to tap the water, then turned its body and quickly swam away.
The fish drew a long trail of ripples on the water's surface. Halfway down the river, it gracefully leapt into the air as if bidding farewell to Qiao Moyu before completely disappearing underneath.
At this moment, the water's surface had returned to its usual calm state. Zhou Yunchuan and Wang Kunming had no choice but to return to their original spots and continue to stand guard.
The sky darkened bit by bit, but not a single fish bit their hooks ever again.
As night fell, a flashlight shone in the distance.
The cameraman spoke: "Those must be the two mystery male guests."