Ryan was very convincing, and it didn't take long for Max to agree to let Gwen and Ben go fishing. However, he made a point.
"You two must stay beside Ryan at all times. Don't run around; otherwise, you won't be joining us the next time we go out." Max was utterly serious; he wasn't joking.
"Grandpa, don't worry!" Ben vowed, patting his chest and answering decisively.
"Aside from that idiot, who likes to run around?" Gwen clasped her hands on her shoulders and complained from the side.
"You nerd..." Ben glared at her, and she retorted, "Dummy."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Ryan quickly changed the subject. "What time is it? It's time to go fishing, right?"
"Time?" Gwen looked at the time displayed on the laptop. "It's eight o'clock in the morning. Grandpa, what time are we going to start fishing?"
"Eight twenty. Let's pack up and go to the dock." Max said, packing the fishing gear. Because of the morning's events, Ben and the others were more attentive, and they rushed to help Grandpa organize the tools, everyone except Ryan, of course.
At twenty past eight, the four of them walked out of the old RV with their tools and backpacks and came to the dock again. This time, the dock was not empty. Instead, there was an older man in his fifties with gray hair, wearing a red hat and in good spirits. He stood at the edge of the dock looking out into the distance. A boat was moored on the lake.
"Are you ?" Max asked directly. "We're the guests who made an appointment to go fishing today."
"Oh? You are Mr. Tennyson Max." turned around with a lazy expression on his face and answered, "You and your grandchildren can get on the boat."
"Wait a minute. There's something I need to tell you." Max's expression suddenly became solemn, and he grabbed 's shoulder.
"What's the matter?" looked at Max's serious demeanor and perked up a little. He asked with wide eyes, "What's the matter?"
"Under this lake, there is a sea monster!" Max emphasized each word. "I hope you won't go out fishing. Just let me and my grandchildren go fishing."
"Do you also believe in the legend of the sea monster in this lake?" 's eyes lit up as if he had found a kindred spirit, and his voice became enthusiastic. "Like you, I firmly believe that there are sea monsters in this lake, but there's no evidence!"
"I'm not kidding. My grandson was here, and he ran into a sea monster while swimming this morning. He came back and told me." The more Max spoke, the weaker his tone became. Even though he thought the story sounded ridiculous!
" was taken aback for a moment and then burst out laughing. "Hahaha, Max, you must be joking. Do you want to make this into a movie? Add some Hollywood special effects!"
"It's true! I saw the sea monster with my own eyes. Its teeth were huge! Its body was like a dinosaur's!" Ben walked up to and gestured wildly with both hands.
"All right, all right, I understand, little boy. Let's get on the boat first." replied perfunctorily. He sat directly in the driver's seat on the boat and beckoned to Max and the others.
Ben suddenly looked unhappy. Gwen shook her head helplessly. "I guess he didn't hear a word."
"Ryan, please pay more attention when the time comes." Max sighed and looked at Ryan earnestly.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. Let's get on the boat first." Ryan readily agreed. He jumped on first and sat on one of the chairs along the wall. The others boarded one by one.
Max and chatted along the way. Meanwhile, Ryan, Ben, and Gwen observed the surrounding lake. He had to admit, it was beautiful here. In the early morning, it was foggy, and the mist covered the surface of the lake, sparkling like a fairyland. But beneath this calm exterior, dark waves were surging.
After about ten minutes, the boat reached the center of the lake. The water was very calm. Ryan couldn't see any signs of the sea monster.
"It must be hurt from my attack and won't dare come out for a while," he muttered to himself. Even so, his hand remained on the Omnitrix. The Omnitrix was fully charged at this time and could transform at any moment.
"Okay, we're now at the center of the lake, so it's time to fish." The moving boat gradually slowed down and stopped on the lake. turned to greet Max, Ryan, and the others.
"Then let's go fishing." Max turned his back to and gave the others a knowing look. He motioned for them to stay still and handed fishing rods to Ryan, Ben, and Gwen one by one.
"How should this be used? I've never fished before." Gwen held a fishing rod, looking very curious.
"It's actually very simple." Ryan held the fishing rod, faced forward, pulled the line, and flicked it lightly. The hook, already baited, fell into the water. The sound of the falling water seemed to break the silent calm.
Through the mist, a huge silhouette loomed in the distance.