Chapter 33: Passing the Angling Cup Qualifiers

Shen Zhiling also hurriedly spoke up, "That’s right, Uncle Liu, are you drunk? How could you let a good-for-nothing like Jiang Fan be with Ruyan?"

Liu Zhoucheng waved his hand dismissively. "Do I look drunk to you?"

"Since the rice is already cooked, what complaints could I possibly have?"

"In this modern society, marriage is a matter of freedom. Ruyan has made her own choice. As parents, all we can offer is advice; as for the final decision, that is entirely up to her!"

With that, Liu Zhoucheng looked at Liu Ruyan and continued, "Daughter, this little punk, aside from being poor, doesn't have a bad heart. He has no money, but our family has plenty. If he wants to live off a woman, let him eat his fill. Just don't do anything outrageous, and I'll be at ease."

"I understand, Dad. Jiang Fan wouldn't do that," Liu Ruyan said, ecstatic.

"Look at you, all lovey-dovey. Go on now, take two million with you to spend. Come back to me if you run out."

Liu Ruyan nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Yes, yes, yes! Daddy, I love you! Mwah!"

"Ugh, stop being so mushy. Get lost!" Liu Zhoucheng grumbled, though he was secretly overjoyed.

It had been so long since he last heard his daughter tell him she loved him. As a father, hearing those words now filled him with immense pride.

Yet, Shen Zhiling still couldn't wrap her head around it. "Uncle Liu, aren't you ruining Ruyan's life? How could a useless freeloader like Jiang Fan ever be worthy of the Liu family?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhoucheng looked thoughtful. "Zhiling, back when I was with Ruyan's mother, her family said the exact same things about me."

"But look at what happened later? I achieved fame and fortune, yet Ruyan's mother is already gone. I cannot let them follow in my footsteps. It doesn't matter if he has no job or ambition. One should learn to enjoy life, spend time with the person they love, and live out a simple, ordinary life."

"..."

Hearing this, Shen Zhiling was rendered speechless. Ruyan's mother's passing had always been a deep wound for Liu Zhoucheng, and she didn't want to rub salt into it.

"Old man, I don't want the money," Jiang Fan suddenly interjected.

Liu Zhoucheng looked at him with some surprise. "Oh? Why is that?"

The drunken haze on Jiang Fan’s face had noticeably faded. "I will earn my own money, and I will take good care of Ruyan. As for the Liu family’s wealth, I won't touch a single cent."

"You could say this is the last bit of integrity this 'little punk' has."

Liu Zhoucheng chuckled. "Heh, compared to the you from a moment ago, you’ve earned a bit of my respect."

"Still, take the money. It’s not for you; I just want my daughter and my future grandchildren to live comfortably. After all, they are part of the Liu family."

"I can provide for them myself," Jiang Fan insisted. Having said that, he took Liu Ruyan’s hand and walked out of the private room.

Liu Ruyan looked bewildered. "Honey, you... weren't you drunk?"

Jiang Fan grinned. "I was, but being drunk doesn't mean I’m crazy."

He paused for a long moment before continuing, "Wife, don't worry. You are the daughter of the Liu family. Whatever life you’ve lived before, I will ensure you continue to live it, and that kind of life isn't far off."

Liu Ruyan nodded. "Honey, I believe in you!"

...

The next day.

Waking up early, Jiang Fan didn't feel a headache at all; in fact, he felt incredibly refreshed.

Moutai really is something—you wake up the next day without any hangover. No wonder the high-ranking officials love it!

Thinking this, Jiang Fan got up, washed, and had breakfast. He casually opened Douyin and discovered his follower count had reached over five thousand!

The video of him catching the 132-pound giant catfish had surpassed half a million likes, and even the video of the 130-pound black carp he posted yesterday had garnered seventy or eighty thousand likes...

But that wasn't the most important part. What mattered was that he received a system notification stating he had passed the "Douyin Fishing Cup" auditions and entered the main tournament!

"...I actually made it into the main tournament? Is it really that simple?"

Jiang Fan quickly opened the "Sanshang Fan Group" and found the chat was buzzing!

*Young Master Zhou:* Hahahaha! I posted the video of Brother Fan walking that 358-pound black carp yesterday, and the next day I got an invitation to the main tournament! Brother Fan is truly my lucky charm!

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* Heh, I got in too!

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* ??? Damn! Why didn't I receive any news? Why?! Tell me?!

*Young Master Zhou:* Maybe the system detected you're into shady stuff?

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* Bullshit! I’ve definitely been sabotaged by the powers that be! Whose cake did I step on?

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* Did that heavy rain ruin my Fishing Cup dream?

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* Waaah, I’m not convinced! I’m reporting the organizers for bribery! How can someone with my skills not be qualified to participate?

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* (Picks nose emoji) We caught 50-pound and 20-pound fish; you only caught an 18-pound one, so you really aren't qualified for the competition.

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* What’s the difference between your 20-pounder and my 18-pounder?

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* I’m not convinced! Besides, I posted Brother Fan’s 358-pound fish video, and it got over 100,000 likes in one night. By rights, the organizers should have invited me!

*Young Master Zhou:* Maybe they haven't gotten to you in the auditions yet. Don't lose heart; you can be our cheerleader when the time comes.

*Jiang Fan added "Great Emperor Heqiang" to the group.*

*Young Master Zhou:* Huh? Who’s this?

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* Holy crap! The Sanshang Fan Group??? Brother Fan, your base of operations is way too explosive!

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* Please check the group rules. Newcomers send a red packet. I won't say who, but be self-aware!

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* That's right, send a red packet, no less than 100 yuan, or I'll tell the group owner to kick you out!

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* [Red Packet (100 yuan uncollected)]

(Yellow-Haired Handsome collected Great Emperor Heqiang’s red packet)

(Ma Xiaodongdong collected Great Emperor Heqiang’s red packet)

(Young Master Zhou collected Great Emperor Heqiang’s red packet)

(Jiang Fan collected Great Emperor Heqiang’s red packet)

Jiang Fan: Thanks, boss. May you make a fortune!

*Young Master Zhou:* It's Brother Fan! Brother Fan is here!

*Young Master Zhou:* Brother Fan, those two fish sold for 100,000 yuan yesterday. I’m sending it to you on WeChat now.

Jiang Fan: That much?

*Young Master Zhou:* Yeah, that boss has money to burn, so he paid a premium!

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* That boss wasn't you, was it?

*Young Master Zhou:* Haha, how could it be!

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* Brother Fan, we all got into the main tournament. Did you?

Jiang Fan: I did.

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* No bragging, I got in too! (Smug emoji)

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* Why am I the only one who didn't get in?

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* Oh? Your 500-pound fish didn't qualify?

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* ...

*Young Master Zhou:* Should I give Trump a call and ask? Maybe he has a way to fix it? @Ma Xiaodongdong

*Ma Xiaodongdong:* Go to hell! I want to be alone!

*Yellow-Haired Handsome:* Brother Fan, are we going fishing today?

Jiang Fan: I drank too much last night, I’ll see how I feel.

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* Heh, I bet he was squeezed dry by his wife, right? I’m a man who’s been through it; I understand, I understand everything.

Jiang Fan: I’m kicking you out in a minute!

*Great Emperor Heqiang:* (Zip mouth emoji) (Zip mouth emoji)

...

Jiang Fan took the video of the 358-pound black carp that Zhou Hong and the others helped edit and posted it to Douyin.

Just as he was about to send Liu Ruyan to catch the bus for work, an imported Dodge Ram pulled up outside his house.

A man stepped out, followed by the booming voice of Liu Zhoucheng.

"Little punk! Is it safe to park my four-wheeled ghost fire outside your house?"