Chapter 363: Chapter 222: A Master Has Arrived_2
Based on this arrangement, the result of the third round was predictable. Zhang Yang’s trio unsurprisingly filled in the pit, not securing any of the top four positions.
After accumulating prize money from the first two rounds, the third round’s prize pool reached 652.5 yuan, with the winner receiving a full 326.
The winner of this round was Xu Tao, who won decisively with an advantage of four fish, leaving Chen Xueqiang, who came in second, quite frustrated.
After three rounds of fish-catching competitions, the fund accumulated yet remained at 236 yuan. It was lunchtime, and everyone agreed to resume at 1:30 PM for a break.
Typically, Zhang Yang and his crew would just buy some food casually to get by, but having won money in the morning, and Zhang Yang wanted to have a private chat with his two brothers, so the three got in a car and went out to find a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
After finding a small private room and sitting down, Liu Zi, who had been puzzled all along, couldn’t help but ask, "Yang, why did you let me and Fan go easy in the third match? I felt the fish situation in the third match had been sorted, if we performed well, can’t say we’d be champions, but there’s still a chance to secure something."
Zhang Yang glanced at Liu Zi, "Isn’t there still the afternoon? You can’t just keep harvesting from one sheep, otherwise, you’d shear it dry like Uncle Ge, right? Do you think others are dumb?"
"Uh..." Liu Zi scratched his head embarrassedly upon hearing this.
Meng Fan chuckled, pulled out a cigarette and tossed it to Zhang Yang, asking, "What about this afternoon? I feel that among their gang, only Xu Tao, Ding Wen, and Chen Xueqiang have some skills, the others are quite average."
Zhang Yang stated confidently, "As long as people don’t leave in the afternoon, we can compete until dusk! Noon is the best opportunity for people to sneak away, since we went easy, they’ll definitely think they’re something again!
If Ding Wen and the others lose again in the afternoon, they will definitely find a chance to make demands or change the project or something! Be mentally prepared!"
"Ah? Just thirty-one games, with so little prize, really?"
"Really? You think it’s not that serious, why are you so hung up on going easy in the third round?" Zhang Yang countered.
"So what should we do?" Liu Zi caught onto Zhang Yang’s thinking.
With a tone of determination, Zhang Yang said, "The temperature is high at noon, the fish situation will definitely slow down, I estimate we can fish at most one or two rounds in the afternoon, and Ding Wen will find a chance to suggest switching to a mixed breed competition!
Going easy in the morning was just to confuse them, in the afternoon, give your full effort directly! Mixed breed allows use of dispersing shots, which is your specialty, Meng Fan, shear the wool completely!"
"Alright, let’s do it!" Meng Fan glanced at Liu Zi, both eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Thinking about winning more prizes in the afternoon, none of the three drank alcohol at lunch, they ate until full and enjoyed the AC in the room for a bit, then keeping track of the time, paid the bill and left, heading back to the practice pool.
By noon, goodness, more people were practicing rods over at Liyuan.
The trio unloaded their equipment from the car and went straight back to the southeast corner where they fished in the morning.
"Where’s Master Ding? It’s about time, let’s continue fishing in the afternoon? We have a few hundred in the prize pool to spare!" Zhang Yang grinned and rallied the crowd.
"He’ll be here soon, just took a phone call, went to pick up friends from outside!" Chen Xueqiang replied.
Sure enough, within ten minutes, Ding Wen drove back, bringing another CRV with Qing City plates into the fishing ground.
Seeing the CRV plate number, Zhang Yang felt a shiver.
It’s just a small four-type competition, why is this troublemaker here.
Soon, the car parked steadily, and a roughly thirty-year-old angler stepped out from the driver’s seat.
This man was about 175 in height, slender build, didn’t wear the usual angler’s cap, had noticeably gelled hair on his forehead, looking slick like a groom fresh from a wedding.
Seeing this man’s distinctive hairstyle, Zhang Yang realized he wasn’t mistaken, the person coming with Ding Wen was none other than Liu Xiaoyun, known in the fishing circle as "Gentle Swordsman", a national third-level competitive fishing master.
Among northern anglers, Liu Xiaoyun is absolutely considered a detail-oriented angler, skilled in all fishing techniques, especially good at handling slower fish conditions.
In one year of master competitions, Liu Xiaoyun caught a large carp over five pounds with a 0.08-micron line and won the championship, earning the nickname "Gentle Swordsman" for his exquisite fish maneuvering skills.
In a past life, Zhang Yang had some association with Liu Xiaoyun, once teamed up with him in competitions, but this person had character issues, deliberately misled Zhang Yang in one match, causing him to end up with a zero and missing the championship in the final round.
Later, Zhang Yang heard about this from other sources, since then, he stopped associating with him.
Liu Xiaoyun’s license plate ends with 9988, has been driving it for years, didn’t expect in this life, Zhang Yang would meet him again in the competitive arena.
...
"Master Liu! First time coming to our W City for a competition, why not give us a heads up, we’d pick you up at the highway exit, you’re treating brothers like outsiders!" From afar, Ding Wen spoke enthusiastically to Liu Xiaoyun.
Liu Xiaoyun glanced around the place with a smile, "Happened to pass by, just came to play, how could I let Brother Ding spend! Didn’t find this place on navigation, otherwise I’d drive right over!"
"We’re organizing a fish competition, any plans for the afternoon? Want to play together? Just in time for everyone to witness the elegance of a genuine national competitive fishing master!" Ding Wen invited.
"Oh? How big’s the competition? Any experts?" Liu Xiaoyun perked up at the mention of a fish competition.
At his level, everywhere he goes he has familiar friends, pre-competition fish contests have become less about fish conditions testing and more a means of profit, as ordinary anglers definitely lag behind masters in technique.
"What experts, not even a third-level! They’re all local enthusiasts, you’re here, definitely in control! The fish competition’s arranged by me and Chen Xueqiang, all familiar faces! Thirty-one games, one hour!"
"Oh? Can play! Win the prize, I’ll share it with you!" Liu Xiaoyun said unabashedly.
"Sure! No problem!"
After a brief exchange, Liu Xiaoyun quickly unloaded his equipment from the trunk, with Ding Wen lending a hand, swiftly carried the rod pack to the southeast corner.
"Sorry everyone, went out to fetch a friend and delayed you all! Let me introduce, this is my friend, Liu Xiaoyun, came from Qing City!"
Arriving at the southeast corner, Ding Wen solemnly introduced Liu Xiaoyun to everyone. However, slyly, he didn’t mention Liu Xiaoyun’s status as a second-level master.
While observing the water surface of the number one pond, Liu Xiaoyun maintained a friendly demeanor, mingling cheerfully with everyone, first impression still appeared quite amiable, and wasn’t recognized.
Zhang Yang stealthily pulled Meng Fan and Liu Zi aside, whispering, "This guy’s a pro, national second-level competitive fishing master! If next to him in the competition, be careful!"
"Huh? Second-level?" Meng Fan’s eyes lit up upon hearing this!
Currently, even a third-level master is someone Meng Fan reveres, now encountering a second-level master in real life, how could Meng Fan not be excited.
"Quiet, Ding Wen bringing him to the competition definitely has ulterior motives, he hasn’t mentioned the rating, let’s not spill it, just keep it in mind!" Zhang Yang continued.
"Got it, got it!" Meng Fan nodded repeatedly, but couldn’t help sneak glances at Liu Xiaoyun.
"Rules are still those from the morning, given new participant’s entry but hasn’t contributed to the prize fund, let’s allow Old Liu some leniency, first round let ten fish! Any objections?" Ding Wen asked.
No objections to a round letting ten fish, given the pooled prize funds can’t be returned, so everyone agreed.
Thus, the fifteen-person fish competition group became sixteen, normal poker draw for seats.
Zhang Yang just settled in with his fishing equipment when he caught a whiff of hair gel.
Surprise! Zhang Yang had just warned Meng Fan and Liu Zi to watch out for Liu Xiaoyun, unexpectedly, Zhang Yang himself in the first round ended up right next to Liu Xiaoyun.
Now this is challenging!