Li Yu continued to feign sleep, observing the boy through slitted eyes. His curiosity was piqued, but he wasn't about to make the first move. After all, why should he? He wasn't here to play babysitter.
He looked about fourteen—thin and wiry, with tattered clothes that hung awkwardly on his frame.
The boy took a cautious step forward, his gaze darting to the spear lying discarded on the ground. For a moment, his small fingers twitched, as though considering whether to grab it. But his eyes flicked back to Li Yu, lying seemingly unconscious on the riverbank, and he froze.
Li Yu let out a quiet, exaggerated sigh, finally opening his eyes. His gaze met the boy's, startling him into stumbling back a step.
"You planning to steal my spear, kid?" Li Yu drawled, his voice lazy and unbothered as he propped himself up on one elbow."I-I wasn't going to steal it… I just thought maybe… I could borrow it. Just for a moment." His voice was soft, almost inaudible, but there was a hint of desperation in his tone.
Li Yu raised an eyebrow, then glanced at the battered spear lying on the ground. "Borrow it, huh?" He stretched lazily, his silver hair catching the sunlight. "And what exactly are you planning to do with it? Don't tell me you're gonna challenge those fish to a duel."
Li Hao flushed, looking down at his feet. "I… I just thought maybe I could catch something. For my family."
For a moment, Li Yu said nothing, letting the boy squirm under his gaze. Then he waved a hand dismissively. "Sure, go ahead. Take it."
Li Hao's head shot up, surprise flickering in his eyes. "R-Really?"
"Yeah, why not?" Li Yu said with a shrug. "But there's a catch."
Li Hao froze, clutching the vegetables tighter. "A catch?"
Li Yu smirked, leaning back on his elbows. "If you manage to catch a fish, I get a share. Just a little bit."
Li Hao blinked, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "That's… fair."
"Of course, it's fair," Li Yu said, waving a hand. "I'm practically giving you a chance at greatness. Now, go on, show me what you've got, kid."
Li Hao nodded earnestly, setting his bundle of vegetables down on a dry patch of grass. He picked up the spear with both hands, its weight unfamiliar but manageable. He stepped toward the river, his movements careful and deliberate, as if the very act of trying was already a triumph.
Li Yu watched with half-hearted curiosity as Li Hao stepped into the river, clutching the makeshift spear tightly. The boy's movements were clumsy at first, but he seemed determined, his eyes focused on the water with an intensity that belied his frail appearance.
"Alright, kid, let's see if you can even catch one," Li Yu muttered, leaning back against the grass with his hands behind his head.
To his surprise, within minutes, Li Hao's spear darted into the water—and came back with a wriggling fish skewered on its tip.
"Huh, beginner's luck," Li Yu said, raising an eyebrow.
But it didn't stop there. Li Hao kept going, his strikes quick and precise. One fish turned into two, then three, then five. Before long, a small pile of fish lay on the riverbank, glistening in the sunlight.
Li Yu sat up, his silver eyes narrowing as he watched the boy pull yet another fish out of the water. "You've got to be kidding me."
The system's voice chimed in, cheerful as always. "Host, it appears you've encountered a rare talent. Perhaps this boy is your lucky star!"
"Lucky star?" Li Yu scoffed, crossing his arms. "He's just getting lucky with fish, that's all. No way someone that scrawny is naturally this good."
"Host, your skepticism is unwarranted. With skills like this, he could very well be the foundation of your sect's future success."
Li Yu snorted. "Foundation of the sect? He's catching fish, not slaying dragons. Don't get ahead of yourself, System."
Li Hao, oblivious to their exchange, finally emerged from the water, his arms full of fish. His clothes were soaked, but his face was lit with a quiet sense of accomplishment. "I caught these," he said simply, laying the fish down in front of Li Yu.
Li Yu stared at the pile, then at Li Hao, his disbelief plain. "Alright, kid, what's your secret? Did you bribe the fish?"
Li Hao blinked, confused. "I… just focused."
Li Yu sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, a deal's a deal. But don't think you're keeping all of these. I get my share."
Li Hao nodded, kneeling down to start dividing the fish. As he worked, the system chimed in again. "Host, if you continue to deny the obvious, you might miss out on a promising disciple. It's clear he has potential beyond fishing."
"Yeah, yeah," Li Yu muttered, picking up one of the fish. "We'll see about that. For now, I'm just here for the food."
Despite his casual words, he couldn't help but glance at Li Hao again, a spark of interest flickering in his usually lazy gaze.