The newly opened pigeon shop is exceptionally busy, with almost no parking spots available when we drive into the courtyard. Fortunately, Old Zhao had reserved a table in advance. After asking about the location at the front desk, he led a few people upstairs once the dishes were ordered.
When parking, Meng Fan lagged a few steps behind. After getting out of the car, he extracted a bottle of liquor from the trunk, packaged in a gray corrugated cardboard box with no printed lettering.
Upon entering, he naturally sat at the secondary host position by the door, in charge of pouring tea and water.
"What's this? Why'd you bring liquor?" Old Zhao glanced at this kind of internal supply liquor, feigning ignorance as he asked.
"It's liquor someone gifted to my boss, who gave me a box, so I brought a bottle just to taste! I rarely drink and don't quite understand this stuff!" Meng Fan said humbly.
"Yesterday you said you were chauffeuring for a leader over at the City Hall? I remember the regulations for driver shifts there weren't so loose, were they? Can they really let you go fishing in broad daylight?
Besides, isn't car number 003 Jiang Shunfu's?" After sitting down, Old Zhao chatted up due to the special supply liquor.
Meng Fan chuckled and replied, "It's the leader's car. I'm not quite the same as those drivers in the car team, pretty free most of the time! The leaders don't really mind!
As long as I keep my phone accessible and can return within an hour! Activities nearby don't cause any delay!"
"That's great, earning a salary and fishing, what a sweet job!"
...
The atmosphere during this meal was quite lively, starting from a bottle of internal supply liquor, the conversation shifted to a driver's job and quickly moved to yesterday's fishing situation, then to the fishing this morning.
Taking the opportunity, Meng Fan asked a pile of questions about black pond fishing.
When it was Zhang Yang's turn to contribute, he didn't hold back, responding in-depth to many novice fishing questions. Their relationship quickly strengthened thanks to their shared love of fishing.
The dishes started serving at twelve, and the meal lasted until almost two.
The bottle of liquor was finished, half a pound each for Old Zhao and Zhang Yang—a pleasant buzz without being drunk.
After eating and drinking, they went downstairs to settle the bill, only to find out it had been paid in advance. It turns out Meng Fan took advantage of a bathroom break to settle it.
A comment about being reimbursable by the unit left Zhang Yang, who insisted on hosting, somewhat unaccustomed. Ultimately, the benefit to the unit passed by quietly.
After a series of interactions, Zhang Yang gave Meng Fan a very high evaluation as well, noting his humble speech, rule-abiding actions, consideration of others' feelings, and mature interpersonal skills.
What surprised Zhang Yang even more was that this young guy's nearly obsessive enthusiasm for fishing was paired with high comprehension in the sport.
The many seemingly unrelated questions asked during the meal were connected in such a way that by the end of Zhang Yang's explanations, Meng Fan had learned to infer, seeing through the surface to the essence beneath.
As Old Zhao put it, this guy is a character!
Ever since this meal together, for nearly a week after, Meng Fan frequently stopped by Zhang Yang's shop every few days when free.
When short on equipment, he came to resupply; when his stolen donkey plan ran into problems, he returned to consult Zhang Yang; when passing by after wrapping up fishing in the afternoon, he would stop by to say hello and sit for a while.
Although there were no significant improvements in the stolen donkey's catch, from the questions he asked, Zhang Yang vaguely knew this guy's understanding of fishing was improving at a rapid pace.
...
Meanwhile, getting used to dealing with Zhang Yang, some of Lang Junfeng's behaviors increasingly disgusted Meng Fan.
When his classmate Xiao Li invited him again to hang out at Old Lang's store, Meng Fan decisively refused and instead brought them to Zhang Yang's store.
Spending money, drinking tea, and chatting about fishing, only came twice when Xiao Li realized the owner's differences and became a loyal customer of Zhang Yang's shop.
Days passed quickly, and before long, more than ten days went by.
At this time, another good news spread among the fishing group, the Meng Village Fishing Ground was completely prepared and ready to officially open on the weekend!
Having been keeping an eye on this news, Zhang Yang confirmed it and immediately organized his shop's clients to collectively attend the opening event at Meng Village Fishing Ground.
Why was Zhang Yang so excited about the new fishing ground opening?
Simple, Meng Village is right next to Zhang Family Village, very close by. Furthermore, the owner of Meng Village Fishing Ground was someone Zhang Yang knew in the previous life, a rare such reputable and trustworthy man among black pond owners.
The relationship between a fishing gear store and a black pond owner is akin to lip and teeth; they're in the same circle, relying on each other's support to make a living!
Zhang Yang wanted to sponsor some products or arrange a competition to expand the influence of the black pond but didn't want to invest in the unreliable scheming trap owner like Diao Changhe.
Hearing the fishing ground in memory opening, Zhang Yang was extra joyous.
With a new base, where the rules are transparent, there's no need to endure the Oil House Fishing Ground's explicit and implicit struggles anymore.
No one wins when engaging in under-the-table tactics, but Zhang Yang fears no one in a fair match.
Soon, the opening day of the Meng Village Fishing Ground arrived.
Early in the morning, around five past dawn, Zhang Yang and six or seven others gathered early at the shop, then headed together to Meng Village Fishing Ground.
Today's opening fishing conditions were also quite tempting, with 36 spots and a 1000-pound fish release, costing 120.
Half a ton of fish was a big move for a black pond at that time. With no price increase, the high fish release drew many anglers who love black pond fishing to register upon hearing the opening announcement.
Early in the morning, Zhang Yang and the group parked their cars, unloading their equipment at the front, while Lang Junfeng and his friends arrived just behind them.
Since being arranged to be collectively snuffed out by Zhang Yang previously, Old Lang never returned to the Oil House Fishing Ground for fishing.
Originally quite pleased to see Meng Fan and Xiao Li, once regarded as easy prey, quietly merge into Zhang Yang's circle. Instantly, he felt uncomfortable.
Zhang Yang caught sight of Old Lang and greeted him with a grin.
"Yo, Brother Lang came too! Long time no see!"
"Yes, indeed. It's been a while; Brother Zhang Yang's team has grown stronger in these days!" Lang Junfeng replied with a fake smile.
"Haha, just trying to make a living! Can't compare with Brother Lang! How many people you brought today?"
"Six! The recent fish catches have been poor; haven't played much! Heard there's a thousand-pound release here at the opening, came to play more!"
"Oh, hehe, quite good! We'll prepare first then, chat later if there's time!"
"Okay!"
After a brief exchange, the two groups found separate spots to prepare, with the fishing ground's main gate open but a small door with wire net temporarily preventing entry.
While everyone was gathering their gear, an announcement burst through a loudspeaker: "Before fishing begins, no one is allowed to enter early to occupy fishing spots!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang instinctively glanced over.
A crew-cut, square-faced man, in camouflage pants, with an undershirt, calling through the megaphone, none other than Meng Village Fishing Ground's owner, Meng Xiangqiu.