Chapter 40: Who Are You Calling an Idiot?

“Boss, help me fetch a harpoon. The net alone might not be enough!”

Ji Ya glanced back uneasily at Lin Yu but didn’t linger, hurrying to grab the equipment he needed. Beneath that immense dorsal fin, there must be a colossal creature hiding. Lin Yu spent nearly ten minutes before he sensed its struggles had eased considerably—perhaps it had exhausted itself. Without hesitation, Lin Yu pulled with all his strength, finally hauling half the beast from the depths below. When its side scales appeared, it was clear the creature was almost spent.

As the prey neared the yacht, Lin Yu raised his harpoon and plunged it fiercely into the fish’s belly. The muscles in his arm bulged instantly, and he lifted the massive creature with ease. As the giant beast landed, it showered everyone present with water, and even the yacht dipped noticeably under its weight.

“Mr. Lin, fifty pounds!”

Hearing the staff’s announcement, Ji Ya’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Lin Yu. The live-stream comments exploded in a wave of admiration.

Lin Yu remained unusually calm, steady as an old veteran. Even though he was secretly pleased, he feigned indifference for everyone’s sake.

“Damn, no wonder Dog Yu was so composed—he was hiding his real strength!”

“Steady as an old dog! This kid turned the tables in a way that’s beyond imagination!”

“Miss Ji: Don’t call me, I’m numb.”

“Wow, silent and ruthless—this move deserves to be called the strongest!”

“Family, did none of you notice the muscle in Dog Yu’s arm when he hauled up the fish? That level of strength, who wouldn’t exclaim in awe? Brother, you’re so handsome—I’m in love!”

“He’s really strong! Come to my house, let’s explore the joys of fitness together—or maybe the depths of male-female interaction~”

“Girl upstairs, drop your contact info. I’m a fitness coach—do you love a well-built lower body?”

“Can you all stop typing so loudly? It’s getting a bit noisy!”

“...”

After boarding the speedboat, they were back on shore in less than ten minutes. Lin Yu carried the fifty-pound fish in one hand, and in the other, the two smaller fish Ji Ya had caught earlier.

Lin Jia sat in the director’s van, closely monitoring each group of contestants. When she saw a gigantic fish on the screen, she thought she was hallucinating, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. Once she confirmed its size, she nearly dropped her coffee in shock.

Lin Yu casually tossed the fish onto the sand and looked at Lin Jia as she stepped out.

“A fifty-pound fish—how many romance cards can I trade it for?”

Lin Jia saw through Lin Yu’s intent. He wanted more cards but felt awkward about asking, so he pushed the dilemma onto her. Lin Jia, a ruthless capitalist, never made a deal at a loss. She smiled, “Actually, you could just eat it yourself, Mr. Lin.”

Ji Ya chuckled, not bothering to say more, content to watch the two spar. Why not just be a spectator? Getting involved might just cause unnecessary trouble.

To be fair, romance cards were crucial to the show, otherwise Lin Jia wouldn’t have played it like this.

Lin Yu paused. “Five hundred cards—ten per pound. That’s reasonable, right? This fish could sell for over a thousand.”

Lin Jia smiled softly. “Possible, but unnecessary.”

It was the show’s first broadcast and Lin Jia’s first encounter with such a large fish. She couldn’t gauge its value, but handing out five hundred cards was definitely a loss. If romance cards were that easy to get, what was the point of the competition?

“Two hundred fifty cards. If we can’t agree, we’ll just offer free cooking.”

Lin Yu was reluctant, feigning heartbreak as he bargained with Lin Jia.

“We’re all family here—you wouldn’t cheat me, right? And two-fifty, who are you secretly insulting? Director, I say each of us takes a step—two hundred seventy?”

“After all, renting your equipment cost us money, didn’t it?”

Lin Jia pondered for a moment and finally agreed to Lin Yu’s proposal. If it weren’t for the fish’s impressive size, she wouldn’t have given in so easily.

“Two hundred fifty, and we’ll waive the rental fee.”

Lin Jia was firm but offered a compromise, which both accepted. Ji Ya’s catch earned about sixty romance cards, and both ended up with a handsome reward.

Lin Yu and Ji Ya, holding their new romance cards, happily returned to the villa to rest.

Just as they walked in, they found Si Shaozhe sprawled on the sofa, groaning loudly.

Lin Yu paused, then a smile of business opportunity appeared on his face.

“Looks like we can earn another round.”

Ji Ya: ?

Lin Yu smirked and looked at Lin Jia. “Question: if we play funeral music for him, is there a work bonus?”

Lin Jia glanced at Si Shaozhe, then at Lin Yu, guessing his intention but uncertainly nodded.

“He’s not dead, is he?”

Lin Jia pursed her lips and simply described what had happened.

“What? Lost his innocence from hoeing the ground?”

Lin Yu nearly burst out laughing. He’d heard of girls breaking their membranes riding bikes, but this was the first time for a guy, and in such a bizarre way! Lin Yu was at a loss for words, while Ji Ya shot him a warning glare not to cause trouble, dragging him upstairs so as not to disturb the seemingly sleeping Si Shaozhe.

Whether he was truly asleep or not didn’t matter, but his dramatic display would be wasted if the other guests didn’t see it!

As lunchtime approached, the guests, tired from a busy morning, trudged into the villa.

There was Si Shaozhe on the sofa, lying in a paralyzed pose with a grimace of pain, clutching a bottle of medicine—he looked as if he’d been poisoned.

Lin Yu, freshly washed and changed, met the curious glances of everyone and smiled slightly. “He’s not dead.”

“Lost his innocence from hoeing the ground.”

Lin Yun Yue stifled laughter nearby.

Everyone was famished and, although entertained, had little sympathy for Si Shaozhe. He’d always acted superior since joining the show, making himself unpopular. Since he wasn’t dead, no one paid him much attention anymore.