Very soon, the first eleven people finished drawing lots, and it was Zhang Yang's turn.
Zhang Yang, much like last time, was muttering as if he were doing a religious dance: "Big edge, big edge, boundless powers! Last time it was number one, what a thrill, give me another number one this time! Mami Mami Hong!"
With thumb and forefinger pinching the card pile, Zhang Yang once again spotted a card with a slightly unusual color.
Number 12!
He didn't get the big edge, but he drew number 12, a mid-waist position, which is still a top-notch fishing spot.
"Damn, drew a number 12, didn't get the big edge, but it'll do!" Zhang Yang pretended to be a bit disappointed, shaking his head as if unsatisfied with the spot!
"Oh man, can you believe this? Didn't get the big edge but got a mid-waist position?"
"Such damn good luck! Zhang Yang, not only is your fishing skill amazing, but you're also some kind of shaman?"
"Number 12 mid-waist isn't bad either. Yet again the whole pond will be watching your performance!"
Zhang Yang scratched his head: "Hehe, it's just luck, there are still some good spots left, everyone keep it up!"
With some banter, under Zhang Yang's deliberate guidance, no one noticed anything unusual.
But although Zhang Yang seemed casual, in his mind he was also paying attention to the subsequent drawing of lots.
Liu Mazi was certainly manipulating the card pile with a purpose, most likely to arrange for his cronies to occupy good spots and decrease the actual fish output of the fishing ground.
Zhang Yang had roughly remembered the appearance of those who drew good lots last time, and if there were overlaps this time, he could identify the "cronies" arranged by Liu Mazi.
This way, if he or his fishing buddies came later to fish, they could have some psychological preparation when fishing close by.
Under Zhang Yang's silent observation, he indeed noticed a clue, possibly due to the full registration today, the expected scenario of three or four cronies didn't happen, with only one person meeting Zhang Yang's filtering criteria in the draw results.
That guy who drew number 25 big edge last time got a good spot again this time.
But this time he was a bit unlucky, drawing number 13 right next to Zhang Yang!
After the drawing ended, the entry began soon, and Zhang Yang leisurely walked with his fishing box towards the mid-waist fishing spot on the south bank.
However, when Zhang Yang sat at number 12, the number 13 next door wasn't the fishing buddy who drew lots, but an old acquaintance of Zhang Yang's.
Old Ma Fishing Tackle Shop, Ma Yuhua!
Last time, the two had been next to each other during the pit friendship match, Ma Yuhua spoke inappropriately, and an angry Zhang Yang gave him a thorough beating with cold sarcasm and impressive fishing gains, leaving Ma Yuhua to slink away without weighing his fish at the end.
This time, despite knowing better, he swapped spots with someone else and came to sit next to Zhang Yang again!
"Yo! Master Ma, what a coincidence to be next to each other again!" Zhang Yang greeted with a grin.
"Hmph! I heard from Xiao Bo that you stole the show here last time with flying fish and acrobatics! I have some time today, so I'm here to see for myself!"
Ma Yuhua snorted coldly, maintaining a distant tone and a cold, unapproachable demeanor.
"I'm just an amateur, doing some self-study in private, can't compare to you professionals! Not worthy of such praise, that's overly flattering!" Zhang Yang, though black-hearted and ruthless, remained composed in his speech.
The lower the stance, the more satisfying the face-slap, Zhang Yang not only wanted to win but planned to win beautifully, loving to do things like shrimp-and-pork-heart.
"It's good to have such self-awareness! Just as it happens, I'm quite good at fishing for big bream too! Today I'll see firsthand how capable you really are!"
With that said, Ma Yuhua took out the pre-prepared bait from his fishing box.
As he started mixing the bait and feed in a basin, Zhang Yang caught a whiff of the scent, and his heart tightened.
Thousand Mile Fragrance!