Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Fishing Contest
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Daeun, who had declared she would catch a shark, was currently extremely flustered.
"So, this is a lugworm."
Tremble-!
Her pupils were shaking wildly in real time.
It was clearly an earthworm, but one on a completely different level from your average ones in terms of form.
Daeun stared at the lugworm's creepy appearance, covered in countless legs, and asked,
"Is this what catches the fish?"
"What?"
Just judging by looks, the lugworm seemed far scarier.
If it was all about appearance, it felt like the lugworm could easily catch a fish.
"Haha, I suppose you could think that."
The notion that lugworms weren't bait but the ones doing the catching had us all—who'd been browsing the fishing gear—bursting into laughter.
At that moment, Elina, who had been watching from the side, spoke up.
"But are there other baits besides this?"
"Besides lugworms?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, plenty. Lugworms are just common, but sea fish aren't picky at all. They even bite when you use the same kind of fish as bait."
"Really?"
"Yeah, when you're fishing out on some island and run out of bait, you can just pick mussels growing wild on the rocks and fish with those—they catch like crazy."
Painter Oh seemed thrilled, explaining in exhaustive detail to everyone's questions.
It should've been a hassle, but there wasn't a hint of annoyance on his face.
Watching Painter Oh's reaction from behind, Director Go smiled faintly and said,
"You're enjoying it purely."
'She's smiling.'
Director Go rarely showed any emotion, making it hard to read her mind.
That was why she had the nickname Ice Princess.
But ever since Painter Oh came back up to Seoul—or maybe after the Daegu exhibition—her vibe had changed a bit.
In any case, I was glad to see her expressions becoming more varied.
"Why? Don't you like it?"
You know that saying—fishing is one of the hobbies women hate when their boyfriend or husband picks it up.
Given that he'd been called a fishing maniac back in his youth, it must've been pretty intense.
But.
"No, I said it because you seem to be enjoying yourself."
"Ah, so Director Go doesn't hate fishing."
"I..."
Her tone felt off somehow.
Like she was someone who enjoyed fishing herself... no way!
"You must not know, but I like fishing too."
"Yes!"
"Hmm, what was that reaction about?"
"Ah, well..."
I'd never even imagined Director Go liked fishing.
I couldn't picture it at all—someone whose every gesture exuded elegance, out there fishing.
"You really like fishing?"
"Fishing's a great sport."
Haha, there wasn't a shred of pretense in what Director Go said.
Who knew she actually enjoyed it.
Right then, Painter Oh—who'd been excitedly explaining away—asked,
"Honey, you thinking of borrowing a rod too? Want in?"
That instant.
Whoosh!
Elina and Jungeun, who had been sitting and listening to the explanation, along with Daeun, whipped around to stare at Director Go standing behind them at blinding speed.
I did the same, and it looked like everyone else was thinking along the same lines.
"Director Go fishes?"
"Well, why wouldn't I?"
"Wow! Director Go is so cool!"
"Director Go fishes? I can't even touch lugworms—they're too gross."
Director Go spoke to everyone as if it were no big deal.
"Why the shock? If you're doing it, how could I sit it out? When I borrow yours, lend me one of mine too."
"Not sure if there's a rod suited to your hands, but I'll find the best fit and borrow it."
With that, Painter Oh turned and scanned for the tackle shop owner.
"Ah! Owner! Hold on!"
He dashed straight over to the owner and started borrowing rods.
I had no idea if they even rented them out or if he was buying, but.
The rentals went off without a hitch.
In a flash, Director Go had borrowed rods for everyone. Slinging a massive fishing bag onto her back, she said,
"Alright, now that we're all set, shall we go fishing?"
The smile blooming across her face showed no signs of fading.
Pfft.
'She loves it.'
Moments like this really drove home that people should pursue what they enjoy.
That was when.
"Ah, hold on a sec."
Director Go suddenly called everyone to a halt.
"As fun as fishing is, just doing it plain is boring, right?"
"Yes?"
"Yeah, honey, what do you mean?"
Question marks popped up on all our faces at Director Go's out-of-left-field comment.
She addressed everyone with a meaningful look.
"Since we're all fishing anyway, how about we make it fun with a little fishing contest?"
"A f-fishing contest?"
Nod.
A fishing contest? The idea lit up everyone's faces in an instant.
"If it's a contest, are there prizes?"
At Jungeun's question, Director Go tugged one corner of her mouth into a smirk and said,
"Of course. The prize goes to the one who catches the biggest fish, and that prize will be..."
She pulled a thin envelope from the bag she was holding and held it out to everyone.
"I didn't bring it planning for this, but it'll do as first prize."
As she spoke, Director Go opened the envelope and showed everyone what was inside.
Once they confirmed it.
"A department store gift certificate worth one million won as first prize?!"
The bigger-than-expected sum had everyone glancing around at each other.
Rattle.
On the drive back to the hotel.
With the fishing spot right in front of the hotel, the route looped around a bit.
Still, we'd eaten and toured the tackle shop, so it felt like a fun detour.
Painter Oh, behind the wheel, asked Director Go sitting beside him.
"Honey, you'll give me the prize even if I take first?"
Truth be told, Painter Oh wasn't short on cash—he had more than enough to drop multiples of the prize amount if he felt like it.
But there's something about that contest vibe, right?
It was his beloved fishing.
And even if it was just a casual little contest, there was pride on the line.
For Painter Oh, that one million won wasn't just money—it was pride.
Director Go tilted her head slightly at the question.
"You're talking like victory's a sure thing."
Painter Oh let out an awkward chuckle.
"Haha, no, I'm not saying I'll definitely take first. But with all my years of experience, don't you think I deserve a little handicap?"
A handicap.
It was such staggering confidence that I wondered if this was really the Painter Oh I knew.
Of course, he was a man who'd walked the path of fishing for decades and even dreamed of becoming a sailor.
I could see him having that much faith.
But.
Snicker.
'She's mocking him.'
"Fishing folk ought to know a bit of humility."
Painter Oh's eyebrow twitched violently.
"What?"
"Nobody—not even the gods—knows what the day's catch will be. Get too cocky, and it'll jinx you."
Oof, Painter Oh's expression twisted oddly.
"Fishing comes down to experience. You don't get it? There are beginners here—win too overwhelmingly, and they won't find the joy in the sport..."
"If you think that way, then give the handicap."
Crack!
What to say.
Neither Painter Oh nor Director Go showed any sign of backing down.
A scorching heat blazed between them, like it might explode at the slightest touch.
Was this the pride clash of true anglers?
"Hah, I was planning to give a handicap, but no helping it now. If I win, it's all your fault. Even if you call it cruel, the boat's already sailed."
"And if you lose, how do you plan to show your face?"
"I've never even considered losing."
"You're not seriously including me in that, are you?"
"You..."
Snicker.
Oof, her expression's getting dangerous.
"Of course I am. You couldn't beat me even in your prime."
"Hoho!"
Whoa, first time I've seen Director Go laugh like that.
Jungeun looked equally stunned, staring holes into her.
At that moment, Director Go's sinister smile faded as she said,
"This'll be fun. Let's see how much your skills have grown."
"That's my line, honey."
"Ah, it's been ages since we got this fired up, but a prize only for first place feels a bit stingy."
With that, Director Go glanced back at the rest of us in the rear seats and continued,
"Rule change. If anyone here catches a bigger fish than Painter Oh or me, I'll hand over the prize, no question."
"Wait, so not just first place?"
A sudden rule change, out of nowhere.
But there was a massive scheme lurking behind this tweak.
"But! The ones handing out the prizes will be..."
"You and me. How's that?"
In other words, catch bigger than both of them, and you'd get one million from each—for a total of two million.
If everyone pulled it off, the payout would be massive, making it a terrifying condition.
...But Director Go's follow-up words drove home that people were scarier than any condition.
"What do you say? Scared? We can stick to the original rules."
It was an offer no one could refuse—not about the money, but pride on the line.
"Don't cry when you lose. Call."
"That's my line."
And so, we ended up in a contest with stakes through the roof.
A small pier not far from our hotel.
Splash!
Waves lapped gently at the spot where we all stood tense, eyes fixed on the endless horizon.
That's when Daeun, clutching her cute little rod, piped up.
"Daddy! Daeun's gonna catch a super huge fish!"
I wondered if it'd be that easy just because she wanted to, but I had no desire to jinx it before we even started.
Besides, fish don't play favorites with people.
Sure, Daeun's rod was on the short side, but that didn't mean she couldn't catch anything.
"Yeah! Daddy thinks Daeun can snag a massive one!"
"Yeah! Daeun's gonna give it her all!"
With that, Daeun shook her rod this way and that, steeling her resolve.
Meanwhile, the two of them—decked out head to toe in flashy gear anyone could see was top-tier—eyed each other.
"Anyone'd think you were heading to an international fishing tournament."
"You're one to talk. I came planning to fish from the start, but I never figured you'd pack fishing clothes."
"I tagged along with someone back in the day and got hooked hard. All my comfy clothes are fishing gear. What, should I sleep in luxury brands?"
"Hah, anyone'd think I forced you into it."
"Hmph!"
"Sheesh!"
Their banter was still going strong. But they weren't just trading barbs endlessly.
"I'll show you with my skills."
"That's my line."
They each began setting up their gear.
"Help me out here!"
"Ah, sure. First, the line."
" Painter Oh, I have no idea how to do this."
"Ah, that's like this..."
The rest of us got pointers from the two of them as we set up our borrowed rods.
Once everything was ready, we spaced out and took our positions.
Naturally, I figured I'd fish alongside Daeun, but...
"Daddy go away."
'Okay.'
Her sudden words left me wide-eyed.
"If Daddy catches Daeun's fish, no good! Daeun's gonna catch the biggest!"
Looks like Daeun was dead serious about winning.
Against every single one of us.