How I Ended Up in a Self-Imposed Lockdown Mess (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Planned)
Let me set the scene: Chengdu’s COVID wave hit like a ton of bricks. Positive cases popped up everywhere, and everyone was on edge. On the night of the 19th, a buddy slipped me an inside scoop—Longquanyi District was gonna lock down at midnight. I panicked! The thought of being cooped up at home with nothing to do made my skin crawl. So, at 11 PM, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my keys, and booked it to my rental in Qingbaijiang. My only goal? To keep my freedom.
Oh, how wrong I was. Turns out, Qingbaijiang locked down too—at the same time! I left a cozy home with food, drinks, and my wife’s company… just to end up alone in a rental eating instant noodles every single meal. I swear, I was basically jumping off a cliff with my eyes wide open. My buddy’s info was half-baked, and now I’m stuck here like a fool. The perfect idiom for this? Self-inflicted trap! When luck’s against you, even drinking water chokes you.
This is my “evening news update”: I’m fully trapped. The main road to my office is blocked with barriers—no way through. So, I guess I’m stuck at home. Instant noodles, instant rice, repeat. I’m so sick of them now; I might never touch them again. Just looking at a packet makes me gag.
Going out requires a pass, and let me tell you—freedom has never felt so precious. I’d take a walk around the block over this any day.
Finally, a “Free” Day: Time to Indulge in My Favorite Hobby
When the “wind release day” (the day we could go out briefly) finally came? I bolted. My first stop? A fishing spot. I needed to get my fix—if I didn’t hold a fishing rod soon, I swear I’d go crazy.
Scoping the Fishing Spot & Prepping My Gear
First, I checked out the other anglers who got there early. Their catches looked pretty good—small but steady. That gave me hope. I found a quiet corner, sprinkled some rice wine bait to make a nest, and settled in. The spot was gorgeous, by the way—clear water, green trees, and zero crowds. Exactly what I needed to unwind.
The Fish Were Hungry—And So Was I for a Win
Man, those crucian carp were starving! My first fish bit within minutes. It was a small one, but it felt like a trophy. The water was crystal clear, the scenery was postcard-perfect, and I even snapped a photo of myself by the water—call it my “old man and the sea” moment (minus the giant fish, but still).
These wild crucian carp (they’re pond-raised but let loose to grow naturally) had the prettiest skin—silver with a hint of gold. The bite was nonstop; every few minutes, I had another fish on the line. I started wondering: Could I fill my bucket today?
Then, something unexpected happened—I caught a goldfish! Bright orange, scales glinting in the sun. I’ve fished a lot, but this was a first. It was so pretty, I almost didn’t want to let it go (but I did… eventually).
Double the Fun: My Colleague’s “Double Catch” Win
My colleague showed up later, and guess what? He got a double hook-up—two fish at once! He was so excited, he made me take a photo right away. We were both using rice as bait, and let me tell you—those fish fell for it every time. Who knew plain old rice could be such a killer bait?
From Fishing to Feasting: Turning Catches Into a Lockdown Feast
As we fished, a few colleagues texted—they wanted to have a drink that night and asked if I could bring enough fish for a couple of dishes. Fishing? That’s child’s play for me. I told them no problem.
By the time I stopped, I had 70-80 fish. That was more than enough. I packed them up and headed home to clean them—couldn’t be late for the party. I even gave some to a colleague who wasn’t joining the drink; he said it’d help him “explain” his day to his wife (guys, we’ve all been there).
I went back to the spot for a little more, and bam—another 20-30 fish. The bite was still going strong. When I got home, I put the goldfish in my tank… and realized it was way too big. It squeezed the tiny goldfish that was already there. Oops.
The Feast: Good Food, Good Drinks, and a Break From Noodles
One of my colleagues is a self-proclaimed “chef,” and he took over the kitchen. Let me tell you—watching him cook was a show. The smell of fried fish and garlic filled the air, and after days of instant noodles? I was salivating.
When the table was set—fried fish, braised fish, and a few side dishes—I couldn’t wait. We poured the wine, clinked glasses, and dug in. It was the best meal I’d had in weeks. No more noodles, no more boredom—just good company and fresh fish.
Wrapping Up: Lockdown Silver Linings (Yes, They Exist)
Looking back, that lockdown was a mess. I made a dumb decision to run to Qingbaijiang, ate way too many instant noodles, and felt trapped for days. But that fishing trip? It turned everything around. It gave me a chance to unwind, do something I love, and share a great meal with friends.
If you’re ever stuck in a lockdown, find your “quiet spot to indulge.” It doesn’t have to be fishing—maybe it’s reading, painting, or even baking. Just something that makes you forget the chaos for a little while. And hey, if you end up catching a goldfish? That’s just a bonus.
