Smack!
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
A fish shot out of the lake, half its body slapping onto the freezing ice before flopping about in a chaotic waltz.
Then another fish flew out.
And another.
In the blink of an eye, fish rained down around Ron in utter disarray.
Ron's lips twitched. He brushed aside a fish that had nearly smacked him in the face and stared speechlessly at the fish that had only just returned to Mother Lake's embrace.
If you've thrown them all up here, what the hell am I supposed to fish for?
He put away his fishing rod, took out a Heartvine, and gathered all the fish on the ice into a basket.
Splash—
Soren's muscular body leapt out of the icy water. Bracing his hands on the ice, he vaulted up onto the surface.
Battle aura coursed through him, and the water on his body quickly evaporated.
After dressing again, he strolled over to the fish basket with a grin. "Twenty-three fish in total. No need to count."
"Heh. Indeed, no need." Ron forced a smile. "I only bought twenty-three to begin with."
"Anyway, I got the fish out. Where's my tea?" Soren reclined in his chair again, crossing his legs smugly.
"Wait a moment." Ron lifted the basket, took out one fish, and dumped the rest back into the lake.
"Hey! I worked hard to catch those!"
"Mm. Thanks."
"…I didn't ask for your thanks."
Ron took out his small stove and hotpot, boiled some lake water, cleaned the fish, and tossed it in.
Then he added the pine needles.
Before long, a pot of fragrant fish soup was ready.
Soren stared at the pot placed before him, momentarily stunned. "Where's my tea? Twenty-three cups."
"Right there." Ron pointed at the soup.
Soren looked at the fish soup and the tea leaves floating beneath the surface, falling into thought before breaking into laughter. "Using fish to brew tea? Now that's new."
"Well, now you've seen it." Ron reclined again, cast his line, and said lazily, "If you're done, drink up and leave. Don't disturb my fishing."
Soren didn't mind the scalding heat. He lifted the pot and drank straight from it.
Gulp, gulp—
After a large mouthful, warmth spread through his entire body, as if he were soaking in a hot spring.
"Haa…" Soren sighed comfortably and glanced at Ron. "If this were a few months ago, you wouldn't dare talk to me like this."
"You were a coward back then. Who knew you'd change so much after coming back?"
"Did some ancient wraith or legendary remnant soul possess you?"
Ron's eyelid twitched at that. He casually replied with the same line Emperor André III had once told him: "People change."
Soren didn't notice the subtle shift in Ron's expression. Taking another sip, he smacked his lips. "Seems like you've run into some trouble lately?"
"You here as a lobbyist, too?"
"As if!" Soren burst out laughing. "Go ask around—who would dare use Soren André as a lobbyist? If I don't talk them into bankruptcy, I lose."
"Then why are you here? Don't tell me you're already worn out at your age—struggling at night?" Ron teased. "Youth isn't an excuse to overindulge. You should exercise some restraint."
"I spit on that!" Soren feigned anger. "Who says I'm not capable? Those girls were calling me daddy in bed last night. I'm still full of energy this morning!"
"Must've been hard for them. Acting takes effort."
"Heh." Soren sneered. "What would a fledgling, as you know? You look like you've never even touched a woman—just talk big."
Ron's face darkened. So what if he was a fledgling? It was a symbol of purity, thank you very much.
Too lazy to argue, he waved him off. "Got a point, or not? If not, finish up and scram."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm getting to it." Soren took another sip and belched. "I've taken a liking to a girl recently. Planning to invite her out hunting. Interested?"
"You look pretty free lately, fishing here all day."
"My usual buddies either got promoted or inherited their family businesses—they've all turned boring. I'm short a wingman."
Ron looked at him in disdain. "If you're asking a girl out, why bring someone else? I'm not into group activities."
"…That's not what I meant!" Soren spat.
"She's well brought up. From what I can tell, still innocent."
"How could she agree to a one-on-one outing on the first invitation?"
"Luckily, one of her friends used to have a thing with me. I can invite a group out. But I'll need a talent like you to create opportunities!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "No. Find someone else."
"Really? Two men, a group of young ladies, horseback riding, hunting—if sparks fly, maybe a little forest romance? Not tempted?"
"No."
"This time, I'm only targeting her. The others are yours. I'll even set it up for you."
"No."
"There's a girl in her circle named Betty. You coming?"
"No… hm?"
"Your seventh wife," Soren said with a teasing brow raise. "Since you're here, won't you meet her?"
Ron studied him from head to toe and sighed.
"Well? Going or not?"
"There's a reason I said no."
"Let's hear it."
"I'm too handsome. What if the girl you like ends up liking me instead? I'm doing this for your own good."
Soren's teeth itched. "Chasing women takes more than a pretty face."
"Alright, alright." Ron adjusted his grip on the rod. "Time and place."
Soren grinned victoriously. "Tomorrow afternoon. Royal Forest. I'll pick you up here."
"Fine." Ron shrugged indifferently.
At this stage, whether he fished or hunted made little difference.
What he didn't know was whether Soren's invitation was truly his own idea—or if someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
After days of fishing, a change of pace sounded nice.
Just then, the fishing rod in Ron's hand jerked violently. The taut line bent the rod into a crescent under strong resistance.
Ron held steady, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Soren leaned toward the water. "Got one?"
"Yes," Ron replied calmly.
"The fish has taken the bait."