Avril's words made Li Yuan slightly uneasy.
Don't underestimate the instability of a bamboo raft; it can't bear much weight, but at least it won't sink, unlike a boat!
However, Li Yuan quickly calmed down.
Even though wooden boats have this flaw, the evolution direction of vessels hasn't changed. They continue to develop towards being larger, multifunctional, and high-tech. Although Li Yuan isn't a maritime expert, he understands this basic concept.
Moreover, the System provided a solution—rubber hulls and fish-skin hulls!
Forget about the rubber hull for now. Li Yuan has a lifebuoy, but he's still short on materials. Plus, it's very useful for sea navigation. If Rookie and Avril fall into the sea, he can rescue them, so he absolutely can't dismantle it.
That leaves the fish-skin hull as an option.
[Fish-Skin Hull (Membrane): 1/500 (Fish Skin) can reduce water resistance and decrease seawater corrosion (can be reused after upgrading the vessel).]
Li Yuan checked the information and suddenly exclaimed, "Damn, now it needs 500 fish skins? It used to be 100! Oh, right, since I've grown bigger, naturally I need more fish skins."
Seeing this astronomical number, Li Yuan fell into deep thought.
Even if he includes Avril, catching 500 fish with Rookie and her would take an unknown amount of time. Although he has plenty of time, Avril's warning gave him a sense of urgency.
This option, abandon!
"We'll have to make a fishing net first..." Li Yuan looked at the clothes on the boat, feeling a bit reluctant. He originally planned to use them for sails, but the System wouldn't let him.
"Never mind, solving the immediate problem is key!"
After figuring out these issues, Li Yuan didn't hesitate any longer, "System, make a fishing net first! Don't make the mesh too large; if something big gets caught, I might not be able to handle it... just big enough to catch blackhead fish."
The clothes on the boat seemed to unravel as if a thread was pulled, quickly disassembling. The cotton and hemp threads swiftly wove themselves, twisting into stronger ropes, and finally forming a fishing net.
"This, this..." Avril was so startled that she kept retreating, tightly holding onto Rookie, who happily licked her face.
No matter the breed, dogs always seem to seize the opportunity to take advantage!
"Captain, is that you?"
"It's me." Li Yuan couldn't explain too much, so he admitted it directly, "Avril, see if this net is usable."
The fishing net fell in front of Avril. Gathering her courage, she picked it up and examined it.
The net was about five meters long, with mesh sides approximately three centimeters, forming a diamond shape.
"Captain, your craftsmanship is excellent; it's very sturdy! This net is usable, but it's too small. The nets we used for fishing before were several kilometers long. With such a small net, unless you encounter a school of fish, you won't catch much."
"I'd love a few kilometers too, but there's not enough material," Li Yuan said. "How about this, I'll make two more, and together they'll be over ten meters."
Since the net was usable, Li Yuan didn't hold back. He turned the remaining clothes into fishing nets, leaving just enough material to make seven cotton and hemp ropes.
Throughout the process, Avril watched with wide eyes, incredulous.
"Don't just stand there, check if we can fish now."
Avril checked the nets in a daze. The quality was undeniable; there were three nets in total, with a combined length of 15 meters.
"Captain, we can, but we still need buoys..." Avril looked around and quickly focused on the plastic bottles. "We don't have much material here, but we can tie these plastic bottles to the net with rope to prevent it from sinking. Also, we can tie one end of the net to the boat so we won't lose it."
Li Yuan was surprised by Avril's suggestion. This girl actually came up with a good idea.
The System is rigid, but Avril is flexible! As an experienced fisherwoman, her suggestion should work, and the plastic bottles and ropes can be reused, so there's no waste!
With a feasible plan, Li Yuan couldn't help but get excited.
"Alright, let's do it your way. Now, our goal is to catch 500 fish!"
Li Yuan immediately followed Avril's plan and had the System complete the simple fishing net.
Next was choosing a spot to cast the net, which was Li Yuan's specialty. Observing the fish under the boat was something he did to pass the time every day.
"There's a school of fish ahead, Avril, row the boat, I'll steer."
"Yes, Captain!"
This novel is available on "pawread dot com".
The small boat moved to the surface above the fish school. After Avril cast the net, it sank to a certain depth and was stabilized by the buoyancy of the plastic bottles.
After tying one end of the net to the boat, all they had to do was wait.
"Wow, there are so many fish, Captain, you're amazing. Rookie, come and see." Avril leaned over the boat, watching the fish swim beneath the clear water, their net nearby, just waiting for the fish to swim in.
After playing for a while, Avril turned to the Captain, "Captain, we can retrieve the net in an hour or two. Can I take a nap? I'm a bit tired."
"Yeah, you haven't slept for days, take a rest."
***
Two days later.
Under the azure sky, with distant white clouds, on the calm sea, a narrow wooden boat stood a woman. With a swing of her arm, she skillfully cast the net, splashing water and creating a shimmering effect under the blazing sun.
After casting the net, the woman removed her outer clothing and exchanged a smile with the white Labrador beside her before they both jumped into the sea.
Before long, Avril and Rookie brought two fish back.
"Wow, Rookie, you're amazing too!" Avril helped Rookie toss the fish into the ship's belly, pressing Rookie's head against her chest and ruffling its fur.
"Let's go again, let's see who's faster this time!"
None of this escaped Li Yuan's eyes. "Rookie, that rascal..."
"Damn, right in front of me, taking off clothes again, damn it, I'm living worse than a Labrador! Why don't they include me..."
Li Yuan didn't have the chance to catch fish, but with the net's yield and Avril and Rookie's help, they'd caught over 300 fish during this time!
In the Azure Epoch, without human pollution, even the fish schools had increased.
At this rate, reaching 500 fish was within sight.
Additionally, with an extra crew member, Li Yuan increased the food reserves. He made over a dozen pieces of dried blackhead fish and stored thirty or forty fish bone nails as spares.
The seawater purification device performed better than Li Yuan expected. Avril frequently checked the device, replenishing seawater to keep it running constantly. For now, this little shack could provide enough drinking water for two people.
"Yeah, a fishing boat, a woman, and a dog, life is quite comfortable," Li Yuan leisurely floated on the sea. "No, I should kick Rookie out..."
***
Two more days passed, and they reached the goal of 500 fish. Li Yuan eagerly had the System create the fish-skin hull.
Once Li Yuan's lower body was wrapped in a layer of processed fish skin, he felt utterly refreshed.
"Awesome! I feel so smooth down there! Avril, Rookie, come feel it, isn't it super smooth down there?"
"Captain, you're... so naughty!" Avril blushed, shyly looking towards the bow.
Li Yuan almost spat out his saliva, even though he had none.
No matter, the hull was finally done, and now they could head to the next destination.
"Avril, Rookie, stop playing, the ship's body is secure now, we can't get complacent, we're heading to the deserted island!"
"Yes, Captain!" After these days of rest and adjustment, Avril was more energetic and less despondent.
Rookie sat upright, barking energetically, "Woof woof!"
"Alright, let's set off!" Li Yuan commanded with full vigor.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan