Chapter 1 Departure

The day to set off arrived in the blink of an eye.

By 6:00 AM, Jia Wenjun had already prepared all the equipment needed for fishing.

Inside the tackle box were a compression suit, polarized sunglasses, a lure fishing rod shipped directly from Japan, and various lure baits.

These days, she had been busy studying for her certification, and so many things had happened in the neighborhood, plus there was a new dog in the house. Jia Wenjun hadn't touched her fishing gear in a while. As a seasoned angler, she had almost forgotten she had so much equipment.

Actually, she had wondered whether or not to bring the tackle box. She didn't like to show off. In the past, she would arrange to go fishing by the sea with her friends during the holidays. No matter how much she caught, she never boasted about it on social media, sharing all the fish with her fishing buddies and only keeping one for herself to eat. So, no one in the entire office knew that she was a good angler.

The reason she decided to bring the tackle box this time was that a sea fishing opportunity was rare, and she had been itching to fish for too long. Secondly, Gong Dalong wanted her to be responsible for the fishing competition on the boat. Although she wasn't participating, she was worried that the owners wouldn't catch enough fish, and there wouldn't be enough ingredients for dinner. Gong Dalong had already assured headquarters that the event would be rich and colorful, but he was unwilling to spend some of the funds allocated by headquarters to buy some seafood in advance. If there weren't enough ingredients, she would probably be blamed again.

After thinking it over, she simply decided to bring her own tackle box. With a skill in hand, at least she wouldn't have to worry about food. If there really weren't enough ingredients, she could secretly catch some more herself.

The port of departure was very close to the neighborhood. Seeing that it was almost time, Wenjun carried her tackle box and led the Golden Retriever to Anna's yacht. Several owners had already arrived at the dock ahead of time.

"Good morning, everyone," Wenjun said with a professional smile, greeting everyone.

"Oh, Little Jia looks very handsome today."

The middle-aged man speaking, with a fat head and big ears, was wearing a gaudy fishing suit and waving his arms frantically at Wenjun. Beside him was a 1-meter-long fishing rod bag. As soon as he saw Wenjun, he immediately picked up his bag and strode towards her, his movements so large that he shook off the sunglasses on his face, revealing a round, dark-skinned face.

"Oh, your box isn't small, come on, let me carry it for you."

"No need, Boss Lu, my box isn't heavy, I can manage it myself." Wenjun carried her box, subtly avoiding the other's hand.

After Wenjun was dumped by a渣男(zhanan, scumbag), the big-mouthed Lili made it known throughout the neighborhood. Boss Lu, who was also a single bachelor, often delivered water to the property management office. She didn't know if someone was deliberately instigating, but after several attempts, Lu Maowang actually regarded Wenjun as a pursuit target, often sending her various foods.

Even though Jia Wenjun had explicitly told him that she didn't like him, he still continued to send things.

He would put the fruits that Wenjun didn't accept in the property management office for everyone to eat. People are soft-hearted when they eat someone's food, and everyone who ate Boss Lu's things spoke up for him. If Wenjun were to righteously retort at this time, it would seem too uptight, after all, everyone was teasing her in a joking tone. But if she didn't get angry, it would seem insignificant, and people would become more and more inappropriate, making Wenjun very depressed.

In a place like the property management office, where you need to rely on personal connections to get things done, tearing your face with anyone is like planting a bomb for yourself. So Jia Wenjun decided not to listen, not to participate, and not to pay attention. What they said and did had nothing to do with her. As long as she passed the exam, she would leave this place.

Seeing Wenjun refuse, Boss Lu not only didn't back down but became more and more courageous: "We're all so familiar, why are you being so polite with me? I'll help you carry it."

He reached out and grabbed Wenjun's tackle box. Wenjun knew she couldn't snatch it back from him, so she could only give up.

Seeing her comply, Boss Lu's eyes stared straight at her face. His bloodshot eyes and uncontrollably twitching facial muscles made Wenjun extremely uncomfortable.

"Boss Lu, your eyes… seem a little tired. Didn't you rest well last night?" Jia Wenjun was embarrassed to say that his bulging eyes were wrong and abnormal, so she could only euphemistically remind him not to stare at her.

"Hey, Boss Lu, the doctor said you need to take good care of your face, don't scare Miss Jia," said Sun Jiaojiao, the landlady of Jiaojiao Restaurant downstairs in the neighborhood.

She had a head of fiery red, tightly permed, short, explosive hair, which from a distance looked like a pile of 火鸡面 (huo ji mian, spicy Korean ramen) on her head. She wore heavy makeup and an excessive amount of perfume, but if you smelled closely, you could still detect the smell of cooking oil that she couldn't hide.

Sun Jiaojiao, being naturally outgoing, came over and took Wenjun's arm, saying, "Don't be afraid, Miss Jia. The doctor said his face is just from drinking too much, facial paralysis. He'll slowly recover if he drinks less."

"He really needs to pay attention to his health then," Jia Wenjun said casually.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll drink less in the future," Lu Maowang flattered Wenjun. After saying that, he lowered his voice and said, "But don't worry, I'm in good shape."

Jia Wenjun's face darkened, and the professional fake smile on her face was almost unsustainable. What was all this about? She shouldn't have said that.

Sun Jiaojiao laughed at Lu Maowang, "Didn't realize you're so obedient. With the way you can't walk when you see alcohol, no one will believe you can drink less."

"Miss Jia is here, can you save me some face?" Lu Maowang turned to Jia Wenjun and said, "I'll try, I'll try to drink less."

The way he said that, what did it have to do with her whether he drank less or not.

"It's your own body, you should take care of it yourself." Jia Wenjun took out her phone to check messages, ignoring him.

"Miss Jia is organizing things, she's busy, don't cause trouble," Sun Jiaojiao said, stopping Lu Maowang from getting closer.

"How am I causing trouble? I'm going to help."

"Help with what? Your face is scary enough."

Hearing her say that, Lu Maowang finally calmed down.

Although Sun Jiaojiao wasn't good at cooking, she was bold and outspoken. No matter who it was, she could strike up a conversation with anyone and establish some kind of relationship. Relying on this lively personality, her mediocre restaurant had managed to survive for so many years without being squeezed out by other restaurants.

Lu's water station was right next to Jiaojiao Restaurant, and he went to Jiaojiao Restaurant for a few drinks almost every night. Their relationship was better than most people's here.

Of course, their good relationship wasn't just because Lu Maowang often patronized the restaurant. More importantly, Sun Jiaojiao tolerated his temper.

Restaurants are inherently noisy and lively. Plus, Lu Maowang's voice became loud when he drank too much, especially during the late-night beer and skewers in the summer. The property management office would receive calls from residents living nearby complaining about the restaurant's noise every now and then.

When the property management went to persuade her, Sun Jiaojiao didn't take them seriously at all. She had a sharp tongue and spoke quickly, scolding ten people by herself. Even the urban management couldn't do anything about her, let alone the property management.

Although these things made her and the property management seem tense, it didn't affect her supplying work meals to the property management at all. As long as she gave Gong Dalong enough gifts, this business would be hers.

Everyone for themselves, and the devil take the hindmost. Sun Jiaojiao and Lu Maowang had the same philosophy of life. That's why Boss Lu liked to eat at Jiaojiao Restaurant. There was no other reason, just for the pleasure of it.

Over time, Lu Maowang listened to what Sun Jiaojiao said. He felt they were the same kind of people. She wouldn't look down on him, but would only tell him the plain truth.

Lu Maowang's eyes darted around, "Is it really that scary?"

"Your eyeballs are almost falling out, what do you think? Old Lu, it's not me saying this, what did the doctor tell you? Did you forget? Put on your sunglasses to protect your eyes, don't go blind and shut down your water station."

Sun Jiaojiao scolded him in a spoiled tone. Lu Maowang wasn't angry, and didn't pay attention to her either, still looking at Jia Wenjun without restraint.

Just when Wenjun almost couldn't bear it anymore, she suddenly heard a man behind her say, "I propose that those of us who arrived early take a group photo first."

Hearing about the group photo, everyone automatically adjusted their positions. Boss Lu could only move his eyes away from Wenjun and look at the camera. Wenjun gratefully looked at Bai Ma Shan, the neighbor who suggested taking the photo.

Bai Ma Shan held his phone up high, taking a flurry of photos of everyone and the yacht.

"Don't move, hey, just keep that pose. A few more pictures." Bai Ma Shan pointed his phone at Boss Lu.

Lu Maowang intentionally moved closer to Jia Wenjun, who was next to him, but Wenjun stood on the other side of Sun Jiaojiao, trying to stay away from him.

But she couldn't resist Lu Maowang's persistent approach, and he even asked Bai Ma Shan to take a separate photo of them. Wenjun could only brace herself and take a group photo of the three of them.