After lunch.

Huang Tao went to the storage room and took out the fishing gear that his father had bought on a whim, but had used only once or twice before it was left to gather dust.

Upon seeing him cleaning the dust off the fishing gear, Song Cailian couldn’t help but ask in confusion, "Son, what are you doing with your dad’s fishing gear?"

Before Huang Tao could answer, Xuanxuan revealed the secret, "Grandma, I’m going fishing in the river with Dad."

Fishing, huh...

Seeing that the weather was nice, Song Cailian didn’t say much more.

She just reminded them, "Be safe and keep an eye on Xuanxuan, don’t let her catch a cold."

"Got it, got it..."

Huang Tao laughed, "Just wait and have fish for dinner."

With that, Huang Tao slung the fishing gear over his shoulder, put on the backpack, and took Xuanxuan along, heading towards the river.

Wangcai trailed behind them, wagging his tail cheerfully.

Indeed.

It wanted to join in on the adventure, so it sneaked along.

But then...

After only a few steps, its presence was exposed.

"Daddy!"

Xuanxuan suddenly stopped, tugging on Huang Tao’s hand.

"Hmm?"

Huang Tao paused, "What is it, Xuanxuan?"

Xuanxuan used her other small hand to point behind her, "Wangcai."

Huang Tao turned around and burst into laughter.

He didn’t expect Wangcai to sneak along, only to be discovered by Xuanxuan.

"Woof woof~" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Wangcai, undeterred by being found out, enthusiastically jumped half a meter high, wagging its little tail energetically at Huang Tao.

It was as if it was pleading to be taken along.

While Huang Tao was caught between laughter and tears, Xuanxuan gently shook his hand and looked up at him with a beaming smile, her dimples appearing on her cheeks, "Daddy, can we bring Wangcai fishing with us?"

How could Huang Tao refuse his beloved daughter’s request?

He could only agree!

He nodded in agreement, "Alright, let’s bring Wangcai along!"

"Yay!"

Upon hearing this, Xuanxuan’s beautiful eyes shone brighter than the stars in the sky.

She reached out and petted Wangcai’s furry head.

If Wangcai were smarter and could understand human language, it would surely shed two streams of wide, noodle-like tears from being moved.

Little master was so kind to it!

Xuanxuan gave it a sweet smile and waved her hand, "Wangcai, let’s go..."

Thrilled by this rare opportunity to go out, Wangcai leaped and bounded with joy.

As they continued down the road, the bright and warm sunshine fell over Huang Tao and Xuanxuan, who held hands, feeling cozy and pleasant.

Huang Tao squinted slightly, looking at Wangcai running ahead, and couldn’t help but sing, "Walking on the country road, the old cattle at dusk accompanies me..."

Xuanxuan knew the song, it was "Walking on the Country Road," yet she wasn’t quite familiar with the earlier lyrics, though she listened intently with her sparkling eyes.

Walking on the country road, green fields to the left, towering trees on the riverbank to the right, and the gentle breeze of winter rustled the leaves to fall, while Huang Tao continued to sing loudly, "Under the blue sky, a patch of sunset on my chest, colorful clouds are the dress of the evening glow."

"Carrying a hoe on the shoulder, the cowherd song is echoing..."

Xuanxuan was waiting for this line!

Her eyes lit up, and she joined her dad in singing excitedly.

"Whoa whoa whoa they sing, there’s also a faintly playing short flute..."

She was most familiar with this line and sang it the best.

The tender child’s voice echoed on the country road.

The father and daughter sang together as they reached their destination.

Huang Tao picked a shady spot by the river, took a picnic mat out of the backpack, and laid it out on the grass by the bank, then set out the thermos and a small bag of snacks on the mat.

He planned to spend the afternoon enjoying this cozy time with Xuanxuan, so he had prepared especially well before heading out.

As for fishing!

It was just part of the plan!

"Woof woof~"

Wangcai immediately wagged its tail happily and tried to claim the best central spot.

Huang Tao swiftly grabbed the scruff of its neck, lifted it up, and tossed the slightly mischievous creature to the edge of the picnic mat.

Xuanxuan giggled, reaching out to hold Wangcai in her arms.

With Mimi and the Peppa Pig toys absent, Wangcai had promptly become her best friend.

Huang Tao chuckled, took out a folding stool, fastened the fishing line and hook, adjusted the bobber, baited the hook, then cast the line with a strong swing...

Plop~

Huang Tao cast the hook about three or four meters away from the bank.

Xuanxuan sat beside him, her eyes fixed on the bobber on the water, and asked, "Daddy, can we really catch fish like this?"

Huang Tao chuckled, "Not necessarily, it depends on luck! If we’re lucky, we’ll catch some."

For him, catching fish wasn’t really that important.

The important thing was for Xuanxuan to experience the joy of childhood.

The simple, carefree joy!

Huang Tao held the fishing rod with calm patience, waiting for the first fish to be enticed by the bait and take the hook.

But the white bobber floating on the water remained still.

Actually, fishing requires a lot of patience as a leisure activity.

Although the technique of fishing is important, and the equipment is indispensable, even experienced anglers sometimes come back empty-handed.