Fishing quietly by the sunset lake

Today's schedule has only one thing—fishing. The hotel's fishing area is set by a bay behind the villa district. Unlike the lively hot spring area, this place is embraced by trees, and the water surface is as calm as a huge, unpolished emerald. The morning sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled light spots, and occasionally a white egret flies by, stirring a fleeting ripple on the water. Choosing a fishing spot, unfolding the fishing chair, and adjusting the gear is itself a form of meditation. When the bait sinks into the water and the float rises, the surrounding world seems to be muted. The city's noise and work troubles are cut off on the other side of the lake. All that remains in the ears is the rustling of wind through bamboo leaves and the occasional call of an unknown water bird nearby. Time here loses its linear scale and flows with the slight tremble of the float. All attention focuses on that bright red mark. It’s a wonderful kind of concentration—your mind can think of anything or nothing at all. The desire for gain fades; the expectation is not for a big catch but for a connection with the unknown world beneath the water. With a "whoosh," the light sound of the fishing line cutting through the air is the most beautiful music at this moment. The fishing rod instantly bends into a graceful arc, and strong, lively energy comes from the other end. Reeling in, the struggle is clearly transmitted through the line to the palm—this is the most primal, direct conversation between human and fish. In the end, a silver-scaled crucian carp is brought ashore. It struggles vigorously in my hand, its scales shining brilliantly in the sunlight. I look at it for a moment, carefully remove the hook, and release it back into the emerald lake. Watching its tail flick and disappear into the depths, a satisfaction greater than possession rises in my heart. Today, I didn’t take home a single fish or shrimp, yet I feel fully rewarded. What I take away is the lake and mountain scenery all around, the breeze on my sleeves, and a heart washed clean by the lake water, extraordinarily calm. This half-day of fishing is the most luxurious and fulfilling chapter of this vacation.