Chapter Ten: No, I Am a Fish

Thinking about this, Fang Yuan began to slow down, pondering how he should answer if asked about the origin of the fish. "How should I explain my actions?" At such a critical moment, Fang Yuan would never forget the importance of his partner, Bug—it had been the mastermind behind all this, after all.

But no matter how fervently Fang Yuan summoned it, Bug remained silent, acting as though it were a lifeless insect. Damn bug, pulling this on me at the crucial moment—just wait and see how I deal with you later.

Yet, to be fair, Fang Yuan was a living person, not an insect. Why would the police, who were already so close, need to use an aerial telescope? No, a high-altitude telescope—the kind used on helicopters to observe distant objects.

When Fang Yuan returned, the two officers visibly relaxed, but their faces grew increasingly stern as he approached, presumably preparing themselves to deliver a thorough admonishment. Fang Yuan initially walked with his neck above water, strolling through the sea, but eventually his upper body emerged entirely from the surface.

The officer holding the binoculars glanced at what Fang Yuan carried, then couldn’t resist raising the device to his nose for a closer look.

Had Fang Yuan not been so short on cash, he would have been tempted to toss the fish back into the sea. Damn it, but he couldn’t afford to care right now—he hadn’t stolen or robbed it. No matter what questions they asked, he’d simply say he caught it himself, sent the boat back mid-way, and decided to ride the giant fish back. Why not? Was there a problem with that?

With this thought, Fang Yuan’s confidence surged; he strode boldly toward the two officers. His original plan was to cast them a disdainful glance and walk right past them with his prized fish, not once looking back. Yet, upon reaching them, he was still overawed by the imposing aura they emanated.

“Sir, may I ask where this fish came from?” One of the officers, unable to contain his curiosity, inquired upon seeing the fish in Fang Yuan’s hand. At this moment, he hadn’t yet realized Fang Yuan was holding a bluefin tuna.

“Oh, you mean this fish? I caught it myself out in the sea. Isn’t it fresh?” Fang Yuan replied playfully.

“Sir, there have been recent reports of sharks in this area. Earlier, a gentleman ignored our warnings and hasn’t returned yet. Did you happen to see him?” The officer holding the binoculars asked.

His words made Fang Yuan secretly delighted—the man hadn’t recognized him, assuming he was just another holidaymaker returning from the sea. That suited Fang Yuan just fine, sparing him much trouble. He wondered how the officer’s eyesight was trained; when he’d been out at sea, he’d seen this very man shouting from the helicopter above, binoculars in hand.

If Fang Yuan remembered correctly, the officer had been holding the same binoculars then. He wondered what brand they were; they seemed so rare.

“Oh, after I left the boat, I swam all the way here and didn’t see anyone else. Could he have been eaten by a shark? You said yourself there were sharks nearby,” Fang Yuan said, feigning mystery as he leaned closer to the officer, whose hand gripped the binoculars tightly, conveniently covering the logo.

“Sir, please don’t speak so lightly. We believe that gentleman will be safe; fortune favors the virtuous,” the binocular-wielding officer replied, expressing clear displeasure with Fang Yuan’s attitude.

A moment ago Fang Yuan had found the officer disagreeable, but hearing his words now, he felt a newfound goodwill. The officer was worried about him, quietly praying for his safety—such rare kindness, truly touching. Let me cry for a moment…

“Do you patrol this area every day?” Fang Yuan asked. If so, once he had money, he vowed to treat this officer to something delicious, buy him nice things—a whole heap of them. Surely, he would be delighted.

“Wow, you’re back! Who would have thought you’d return with such a bounty? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get back, or the fish will die and its meat won’t be fresh!” Fang Yuan was waiting for a reply when a familiar voice rang out.

He hadn’t been in this place for more than a few hours, but the owner of the clothes he wore was the only one whose voice he recognized and disliked.

The two officers turned at the sound, and when they saw who it was, their faces instantly blossomed into radiant smiles. Only the persistent officer’s smile looked more like a grimace than joy.

This officer seemed unsuited to expressing happiness; though he wished to show it, the impression he gave was… indescribable.

“Good day, officers. This is my friend—he went fishing earlier and returned late. Is there something you needed from him?” The girl approached, her eyes immediately drawn to the large fish in Fang Yuan’s hand.

For some reason, when Fang Yuan met her gaze, he felt as if he’d boarded a pirate ship. Was it just his imagination? Yes, certainly, absolutely…

“So he’s Miss Pei’s friend. Never mind—we won’t disturb you any further. Goodbye.” With that, the other officer led the persistent one away, and Fang Yuan noticed the latter nodding at him, as if to say he was on duty here every day.

Good, that makes things easier.

“Come on, what are you waiting for? I thought you’d run off alone, but you went fishing—and brought back a magnificent bluefin tuna!” The girl looked as if she’d struck gold; she had only lent a hand, a trivial favor, and now Fang Yuan had gone to sea to fish for her. It was, she thought, the greatest windfall she’d ever had—she was very pleased.

“This fish isn’t for you; I’m keeping it to sell myself,” Fang Yuan explained, hiding the fish behind his back, though the gesture was futile.