"Doesn't matter who comes, we've already signed up, let's just go for it! Let the catch do the talking!" Zhao Bingguang said with a cigarette dangling from his lips and a grin on his face.
Wang Yan blew a smoke ring and took a deep drag: "Yeah, whoever it is! Can a big reputation catch two more fish? I don't care about any master angler, just hope I don't draw a slot next to him. Even if I can't win, I'll make him uncomfortable with three catties of bait!"
Meng Fan nodded: "Yan is right, keep the frequency up and bombard with bait. Then let's put into practice the frog staking and the big fly lead techniques we've learned these days, who knows who'll come out on top!"
Wang Jun agreed, saying: "If you're going to be a king, be the emperor; if you're going to sleep, sleep with the empress. Whatever works!"
Zhang Yang: "Haha, that's the spirit we need! The more nervous you are, the worse you'll perform. I have faith in all of us, let's aim to sweep the top five spots!"
"Yeah, sweep them, sweep them all!"
...
Among the five of them, except for Zhao Bingguang and Zhang Yang, the other three had never participated in a competition before. Normally, anyone's first time at such an event would be slightly nerve-wracking.
But strangely enough, Zhang Yang just made a few jokes, and everyone was filled with a confidence they didn't know the source of. As long as Zhang Yang was around, today's competition would be no problem.
...
As time passed, more and more anglers gathered outside the prefab house, and before they knew it, it was 6:30.
Lang Junfeng held a registration form and, after a brief communication with Meng Xiangqiu, old Meng soon raised a megaphone and shouted.
"All anglers signed up for the friendly match, gather up!"
Upon hearing the call, Zhang Yang and the others walked out of the prefab house and mingled with the crowd.
Meng Xiangqiu continued: "Before the draw, on behalf of Meng Village Fishing Ground, I want to thank Boss Lang Junfeng of Junfeng Fishing Tackle for his strong support, and also thank all the anglers who signed up for the competition! Thank you all!
Before we start drawing lots, let Mr. Lang say a few words to everyone!"
The megaphone was handed to Lang Junfeng, and old Lang wasn't shy. He stood on stage and began to speak: "Hello everyone, I'm Lang Junfeng from Junfeng Fishing Tackle!
I'm honored to organize this black pit friendship match sponsored by Minglun Fishing Tackle Company, and I hope everyone will showcase their skills and style in today's competition!
Junfeng Fishing Tackle wishes today's competition a complete success and hopes everyone achieves good results!
Now, I'll repeat the rules of this competition, as it concerns integrity. I hope everyone will voluntarily comply!
The first point..."
Lang Junfeng was good at handling formalities, and after a brief speech, he re-emphasized the fishing rules announced during the registration. After stating a few requirements, he returned the megaphone to the owner of the fishing ground, Meng Xiangqiu.
Meng Xiangqiu: "Mr. Lang's brief speech is concluded. Now let's officially draw lots for seats! Anglers whose names are called, come and draw lots! And register it with Mr. Lang.
Today's competition is fully booked, and wherever you draw, that is where you sit. No changing positions allowed!
Next, the first one, Kong Wenfei!"
"Here!"
"Second, Ding Wen"
"Present"
...
Soon, the drawing started enthusiastically, with names being called one by one, and balls being drawn from the box, just like any typical black pit draw.
After about a dozen people, Zhang Yang and his group's names were called.
Being the sixteenth to draw lots surprised Zhang Yang a bit, considering it's a thirty-six-person competition and the first slots would typically be reserved for Lang Junfeng's clients.
According to Zhang Yang's expectations, they should be near the end, but unexpectedly they were quite forward.
Zhang Yang's name was called soon, and he strode forward, calmly reaching in to grab a ball.
25!
The 25th fishing spot was on the northern shore, located east of the aerator by two or three fishing spots, neither too bad nor too good, just an average position.
In contrast to Zhang Yang, Wang Yan had better luck.
When his name was called, he clasped his hands together and muttered something for a few seconds before grabbing a nine ball!
Mid-section of the southern shore aerator!
"Haha, number nine, aerator!" Wang Yan waved the ping-pong ball in front of the crowd with excitement.
Zhang Yang grinned: "Congratulations! Nice spot, fish well!"
The other three had relatively average spots too, Zhao Bingguang at 4th, Wang Jun at 21st, and Meng Fan at 17th on the southern shore side.
After the five finished drawing lots, Zhang Yang and his group gathered again. Zhang Yang whispered: "Now that we have our spots, let's follow the strategy I analyzed with everyone yesterday!
Meng Fan's spot is decent, and Wang Yan's is mid-section, both are good spots, let's do our best!"
"Go go go!"
...
The rest of the anglers quickly took all the ping-pong balls, and the competition officially started at 7:10, with everyone entering the field together.
No one noticed, among the last few people drawing lots, a tall and thin guy exchanged ping-pong balls with another angler, and Lang Junfeng, responsible for recording the draw numbers, secretly altered two competitors' spot numbers.
Zhang Yang, carrying his fishing box, followed behind others into the field and soon reached his 25th fishing spot.
With about 15 minutes left before the competition started, Zhang Yang calmly prepared and observed his surroundings, particularly noting if he recognized the anglers on either side of him.
To his left was a young man Zhang Yang hadn't seen before, and to his right, no one had shown up yet.
As most anglers had entered, he finally saw Ma Yuhua strolling in with a 26-liter white fishing box, heading straight to Zhang Yang's right side.
Seeing old Ma approaching, Zhang Yang felt a chill in his heart. Damn, why is he next to him!
The more you don't want to be near someone, the closer you end up after drawing lots, leaving Zhang Yang speechless.
Zhang Yang's 25th fishing spot didn't have any advantages over others.
In such a position, the ideal result for a good performance is to completely neutralize the anglers on both sides for a better chance.
Ma Yuhua's fishing experience far exceeds that of ordinary anglers, being one of the few in the fishing ground who could pose some trouble for Zhang Yang.
Surprisingly, fate placed them next to each other!
When Zhang Yang noticed old Ma, Ma Yuhua also noticed Zhang Yang at spot 25.
After setting down his fishing box and arranging his gear, Ma Yuhua turned and gave Zhang Yang a comprehensive and aggressive look.
"Are you Zhang Yang?"
Zhang Yang wasn't pleased with the tone, feeling a bit disgruntled. He hadn't bothered him before, so why use such a condescending, parent-like tone on their first encounter.
"Do we know each other?" Zhang Yang retorted with indifference, pretending not to recognize him.
"I'm Ma Yuhua, I heard you opened a fishing tackle shop, and you're quite good at fishing?" Ma Yuhua didn't answer Zhang Yang's question, continuing with his inquiry.