As the golden hues of the setting sun reflected on the water, Yu rolled up his sleeves again. "Alright, this time for sure! I'm going to catch one!"
Mao smirked, crossing her arms. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Lui chuckled. "I bet you'll fall in before you catch anything."
Yu shot him a glare. "Oh yeah? Watch and learn, loser!"
Zian sighed, shaking his head but still watching with quiet amusement.
Yu crouched down, eyes locked on a small fish swimming near the surface. He slowly dipped his hands into the water, moving them ever so slightly, waiting for the right moment. The fish swam closer, and just as Yu was about to close his hands around it—
*SPLASH!*
Yu lost his balance and fell straight into the lake.
A moment of silence. Then—
Mao, Lui, and Zian burst into laughter.
Yu resurfaced, sputtering. "Not funny!"
Mao wiped a tear from her eye. "It was hilarious!"
Zian knelt by the edge, offering a hand. "Come on, let's get you out."
Yu grabbed his hand, but instead of pulling himself up, he grinned mischievously and yanked Zian into the water with him.
*SPLASH!*
Now it was Mao and Lui's turn to laugh even harder as Zian surfaced, glaring at Yu. "Really, Yu?"
Yu smirked. "What? Now we're even!"
Zian sighed, pushing his wet hair back. "You're impossible."
Mao leaned forward, grinning. "Should we join them too, Lui?"
Lui took a step back. "No way! I'm not getting wet!"
Yu smirked. "Then you better run!"
Before Lui could react, Yu splashed water at him, making him jump back in shock. Mao took the opportunity to push Lui forward, making him stumble right into the lake.
*SPLASH!*
Mao laughed so hard she almost fell in herself. "This is the best day ever!"
Lui emerged, coughing. "You guys are the worst!"
Yu grinned. "No, we're the best!"
Mao smirked. "Well, now that you're all wet…" Without warning, she leaped into the water, creating another big splash.
Now, all four of them were drenched, standing waist-deep in the lake, looking at each other before breaking into laughter.
Zian shook his head. "If Master finds out about this, we're all in trouble."
Yu waved a hand dismissively. "We'll dry off before he even notices!"
Lui groaned. "Yeah, except I have to go home like this. My parents are going to kill me."
Mao grinned. "Then run fast before they see you!"
As the sun dipped lower, the group finally climbed out of the water, shaking off the excess droplets.
Yu stretched. "Alright, let's go dry off before anyone finds out."
Zian sighed. "Somehow, I doubt we'll be that lucky."
Mao smirked. "Then we just have to come up with a good excuse!"
Yu grinned. "Exactly! Let's make it the best one yet!"
With that, the four of them, soaked but grinning, ran off together—