"What are you talking about! Acting all distant with me, old Luo? If you regard me highly, don't compete with me over this! You arrange the time, I'll call you back later! Got to go now, I have some business to handle!"
Luo Dapeng pretended to be angry, decisively settling the matter in a muddled fashion, then hung up the phone.
"What's up?" Zhou Chu looked up at Zhang Yang, curiously asked.
Zhang Yang shrugged: "Luo Dapeng is organizing a celebration banquet. We're having dinner together tonight!
Let's eat, the competition is over, everyone just be steady, just don't drink too much!"
"This old Luo truly is thoughtful, providing intel and meticulously hosting us!" Han Qiang echoed.
"It's not as simple as you think. In my view, old Luo is just a social person willing to invest even if he has motives!
If he's truly so hospitable, he would have plenty of time to interact! Why wait until all three matches are over, when results are about to come out, to make the intel call?
Organizing a celebration banquet just like that is rather forward, we've only met once, is the relationship at that point?" Wang Yan saw through this clearly.
Zhang Yang grinned: "Alright, judge actions not intentions, if he's good to us, then let's go along!
He made a valid point. To mingle in this circle, interacting with people and making friends isn't a bad thing!
You see, as soon as results are out, others quickly get the news, while we have to wait for the postings, isn't this reality!"
"True enough!"
...
Everyone chatted casually with this topic, within ten minutes, the competition results ranking was posted.
The loudspeaker broadcasted the alert for the posting of the ranking list, upon hearing this commotion, those who hadn't left crowded toward the temporary office.
"Let's go, the results are posted, let's check 'em out!" Zhang Yang shouted, joining the throng heading over.
Approaching the mobile prefab, they saw several staff members brushing paste onto the blank walls, sticking the ranking sheet.
Due to the crowd size, A4 papers were lined in two full rows. People noisily gathered around.
Zhang Yang and the group elbowed their way forward and soon reached beneath the ranking list.
At the top of the first sheet, sure enough, Zhang Yang's name was listed in the first row, first column.
Details of four match weights, rank points, total score, total weight, individual weight notes, all were complete; the last of the rankings column had a 1 written.
With a keen glance, one could see Zhang Yang's performance led not only within his group but even among the fifty names on the first page; he held absolute dominance with total weight, group ranking, individual weight first, almost sweeping all measured angler dimensions!
Following him were Xu Xiao in second, Wang Guotong in third, Zhou Chu in fourth, Liu Wenjun in fifth…
Zhang Yang and his companions patiently searched downwards a bit, soon finding Han Qiang and Wang Yan's ranks. Wang Yan was 9th, Han Qiang 14th, they both remarkably made it into the top 15.
After spotting their rankings, they began to step back and give space; Zhang Yang didn't rush to leave, instead kept searching downward.
Finally, at the 37th position, he found Luo Dapeng's name, then vacated the spot.
"Impressive, Master! Silently snagged fourth? A total score of eight points!"
Emerging from the crowd, Wang Yan pulled out a pack to offer cigarettes to his companions, joking with Zhou Chu while handing them out.
Zhou Chu, who managed to secure fourth place, was surprised too; with such a large contest, accumulating minor points was normal, but eight points for fourth was a remarkable score.
Zhou Chu smiled contentedly, took a puff from the lit cigarette: "Lucky, I predicted I'd be outside the top ten, didn't expect others didn't fish as well as I imagined!
If you two weren't affected by tummy troubles, maybe you could have ranked even higher!"
Zhang Yang remarked softly: "Four of us in the top fifteen is already awesome!
This is not a small-scale commercial Marukyu Cup tournament! Seems like top twenty all have certificates and bonuses! Fourth prize includes five grand!"
Wang Yan responded: "Still, our leader's impressive, champion prize is a hundred grand! After tax, eighty grand! Our effort in this contest is worth chasing!"
After some more casual chat, Zhang Yang felt a tap on his shoulder, turned to see Luo Dapeng with several unfamiliar faces arriving.
Unavoidably, more greetings ensued.
Shortly after the results were out, the makeshift podium announced the assembly for the closing ceremony and award presentation. Zhang Yang's group mingled with the crowd, heading towards the small plaza clearing.
With most gathered, the closing ceremony began.
Relevant officials took the stage for speeches, essentially scripted words, the crowd quietly chatted below, somewhat indifferent to the "leaders'" address.
But when they stepped down, and the host appeared, Wang Yan couldn't help nudging Zhang Yang.
"Look, isn't that the pretty girl from yesterday?"
Zhang Yang glanced up, indeed it was the long-legged girl from yesterday; now dressed in a formal little gown, she looked even prettier.
Wearing formal attire and holding the mic as host, Lin Nianwei's demeanor was elegant, speech tempo moderate, her charisma and stage presence comparable to a professional emcee.
Momentarily, Zhang Yang felt a mistaken identity vibe, yesterday during the contest, this wasn't her demeanor!
Post-speeches, another few officials spoke; after those more official staff stepped down, the main attraction, the award ceremony, commenced.
According to the event arrangement, the competition rewarded the top fifty, the first twenty with cash, the latter thirty with various brand-sponsored fishing gear products.
Awarding proceeded from the bottom; those called went up to receive, then posed for photos before the next batch went up!
Further ranked recipients barely had any ceremony, ten grouped, hustled up together, once the etiquette host preliminarily verified, awards began; after a few rounds nothing but the top five remained.
"Next, let's welcome our fifth-place angler, Liu Wenjun, Teacher Liu, to the stage!"
Lin Nianwei gestured with a slight sideways motion, while Third-Level Competitive Fishing Master Liu Wenjun confidently appeared onstage.
"Mentioning Liu Wenjun, Teacher Liu, his reputation in the angling circle is well-known.
I just glanced at the records, Teacher Liu has already achieved the national Third-Level Competitive Fishing Master certification; today taking fifth in this grand competition, what words do you wish to share at this moment?"
Su Nianwei handed the mic to Liu Wenjun, who made a small bow to accept it: "To participate in such a great competition, I am indeed honored!
The two-day schedule and fish conditions exceeded expectations, finishing four matches was thrilling!
I thank our government and Chinese Fishing Association for organizing, and all the staff for their selfless dedication! Thanks, everyone!"
Undoubtedly, a seasoned angler holding Third-Level Competitive Fishing Master, his speech was tight with no missteps, truly familiar with major events.
Hearing this left Zhang Yang feeling a bit frustrated; dang, buddy said everything I was going to; what will I say on stage later!
While inwardly muttering, Zhang Yang noticed Zhou Chu beside him seemed a bit tense, face pale, taut with pursed lips.
"What's up, Brother Zhou, are you nervous?" Zhang Yang gently tugged at his sun-shirt, asking quietly.
"Who wouldn't be! Dang, with several hundred people below, I've fished for so long, this is my first time receiving results!" Zhou Chu replied in hushed tones.
"No need to be that anxious! Just thank the government, the committee, everyone when you're up there!
No stealing, no robbing! Fourth place, honorable mention; by standing on that platform, it shows you excelled compared to everyone who didn't rank!"
Strangely enough, Zhang Yang's comment about being stronger than others seemed to carry a peculiar magic, greatly easing Zhou Chu's apprehension.
As Zhou Chu's name was called, our Brother Zhou took confident strides from the crowd to the stage.
A newcomer on stage, the pretty host didn't overly challenge him, merely inquired about his origin, fishing years and basic info, then awarded the prize.
Later, both third and second place followed similar patterns; even for runner-up Xu Xiao, a second-level master, the host casually ended with minor exchanges.
Quickly the preceding awards concluded, Lin Nianwei glanced at her cue card, loudly announcing: "Now, let's invite our river fishing tournament champion angler, Zhang Yang, to the stage!"