Chapter 39: Before the Start of the Angling Cup

Page 1 of 3

The day before the fishing tournament.

Jiang Fan and Liu Ruyan sat in Shen Zhiling’s Audi A6, heading toward Sanya City.

Shen Zhiling griped, "A grown man without even a car of his own—what a complete joke!"

Jiang Fan replied, "It’s not that I don’t have a car; I bought one, but it hasn't been delivered yet."

Shen Zhiling laughed, "Haha, you’re killing me! You don’t even blink when you lie! As if a fisherman like you could afford a car."

"If it weren't for Ruyan’s sake, I wouldn’t even give you a ride!"

"And participating in some crummy fishing tournament—there isn't a single decent person among those fishermen!"

Jiang Fan retorted, "Do fishermen eat your rice or dig up your ancestors' graves? Why do you hate us so much?"

Liu Ruyan intervened, "Now, now, Zhiling, you can’t talk about Jiang Fan like that. He recently started a Douyin account called 'Xia Shuaibi,' and he already has fifty thousand followers as of today!"

Shen Zhiling countered, "But Ruyan, have you thought about it? He only has fifty thousand followers, but you—my dear best friend—if you went on Douyin and did some provocative content, with your looks, you’d have at least five million followers starting out!"

Liu Ruyan replied, "So what? I don’t do that kind of stuff. It’s scandalous and indecent!"

...

Zhou Hong, Huang Mao, Ma Dongdong, and He Qiang were in another car.

He Qiang sat in the passenger seat, looking around. "Oh my, Zhou Hong, are you really just a 'little young master'? You’re driving a Land Rover Defender at your age!"

Zhou Hong replied, "To me, money is just a cold, meaningless number."

"Anyway, doesn't the 'Great Emperor He Qiang' have a car? Why are you squeezing into ours?"

He Qiang answered, "I do, but I hurt my leg, so I can't drive."

Huang Mao coughed. "Ahem, Great Emperor He Qiang, it’s still two hours to Sanya City. Why don’t you teach us some of your skills?"

Ma Dongdong chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, teach us the 'Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Casts'."

He Qiang waved his hand with a smile. "The Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Casts is my secret, signature technique. I don’t use it unless absolutely necessary, let alone teach it to you lot."

"Besides, even if I did teach you, you three lack the natural talent to learn it."

Huang Mao said, "Look at that, bragging again!"

Ma Dongdong added, "Exactly, he only knows how to brag every day!"

Zhou Hong muttered, "Pah!"

He Qiang sighed, "Alas... three blockheads, not worth plotting with."

"It’s a pity Brother Fan isn't in this car. He is the only one in this world who truly understands me!"

...

Sanya City. Fenglu Grand Hotel.

Jiang Fan, Liu Ruyan, and Shen Zhiling stayed on the eighth floor. He Qiang and the others were on the sixth.

In the "San-Shang" fan group chat:

Little Young Master Zhou: Brother Fan, when are you giving us the bait? @Jiang Fan

Huang Mao the Handsome: +1

Ma Xiaodongdong: +1

Great Emperor He Qiang: +1

Jiang Fan: I’ll give it to you when we head out tomorrow. Going to sleep now.

Great Emperor He Qiang: Oh, I’m envious, so envious. Having a wife and a best friend along—this old man is so jealous!

Page 2 of 3

Jiang Fan: [Image: Kitchen Knife]

Great Emperor He Qiang: Ahem, the other three in the group, I’m heading out for a massage/spa, anyone interested in joining?

Ma Xiaodongdong: Are you treating us?

Huang Mao the Handsome: +1

Little Young Master Zhou: +1

Great Emperor He Qiang: Damn it! You guys were begging me to teach you the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Casts in the car, and now you’re asking me to pay for your expenses? You lot really know how to bleed this old man dry!

...

In Jiang Fan and Liu Ruyan’s room.

"Wife, I have the tournament tomorrow, what are you doing?"

"Giving you a reward. Just as there needs to be a bite when fishing, we need a connection too, right?"

"..."

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang, followed by Shen Zhiling’s voice.

Jiang Fan’s temper flared instantly; he felt like killing someone.

This damned Shen Zhiling, she didn't come early or late, but chose exactly this moment. He had been ready to enjoy some private time with his wife, but now he had to hold it all back!

Liu Ruyan had no choice but to open the door. "Zhiling, what’s wrong?"

Shen Zhiling replied, "I’m scared to sleep alone, Ruyan. I’m staying with you guys!"

Jiang Fan grumbled, "We are a married couple in one room. You have to squeeze in? Are you trying to be a third wheel?"

Shen Zhiling said, "But, but I’m scared!"

Liu Ruyan said, "You’re going to disturb Jiang Fan’s performance in the tournament tomorrow."

Shen Zhiling replied, "Ruyan, just for one night, please? Or how about you come stay with me instead?"

Liu Ruyan answered, "I have my husband to keep me company, why would I go stay with you?"

Shen Zhiling declared, "Then I’m not leaving. I’m sleeping right here!"

"This..." Liu Ruyan looked at Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan looked depressed. "My luck is terrible! My wife and I are taking the bed, you’re sleeping on the floor! Hey! I said the floor, not the sofa. Did you hear me?"

...

The next day.

The five of them drove to the Bailu Fishing Grounds.

Jiang Fan took out ten packs of "Wild Field Blue Crucian - Crooked Mouth Dragon King War God Edition" bait and gave two packs to each of the four.

He Qiang looked puzzled. "Brother Fan, considering our bond of life and death, why don’t they have to pay, but I have to shell out forty bucks?"

Jiang Fan replied, "Then will you carry my gear when we go fishing from now on?"

He Qiang answered, "Uh... I think I’ll just pay the forty bucks."

At this moment, the Bailu Fishing Grounds were packed with people, inside and out. The atmosphere was heated, with all kinds of flashy advertisements and people of every description present.

Naturally, this was a fishing tournament.

The main attraction was the fishermen from all over the country.

For many of these anglers, winning the title was one goal, and taking home the million-yuan prize was another.

But what most of the masters truly wanted was the spot to head to the Amazon to hunt for "giant beasts"! Yes, the winner of this tournament would earn that spot.

And heading to the Amazon to find giant monsters was the dream of countless anglers!

Page 3 of 3

This was the reason so many masters had come for this event.

As soon as Jiang Fan and his group arrived outside the venue, they saw a giant screen displaying the million-yuan prize and the champion’s reward of a trip to the Amazon rainforest.

However, Jiang Fan wasn't too focused on the Amazon trip; he was instead drawn to the fisherman rankings.

1st Place: Liu Gang, Points: 19,000;
Largest giant monster caught this year: 305 lbs!

2nd Place: Deng Zhiqiang, Points: 18,900;
Largest giant monster caught this year: 320 lbs!

3rd Place: He Qiang, Points: 18,000;
Largest giant monster caught this year: 150 lbs!

...

8,000th Place: Jiang Fan, Points: 0;
Largest giant monster caught this year: 358 lbs (No official certification)

...

Jiang Fan frowned. "I’m actually ranked 8,000th?"

He Qiang chuckled, "Don't worry, Brother Fan. You get one point for every pound caught. Your ranking will climb sooner or later."

One point per pound? If he cleaned out the pond, how many points would that be?

Just as he was thinking this, a pot-bellied middle-aged man walked up, followed by several anglers from his club.

This was a domestic fishing club called "Wind and Rain," and the boss was Song Rentou, the middle-aged man.

"Hahaha, Great Emperor He, so you really did come!"

Song Rentou laughed loudly as he approached.

He Qiang smiled back, "Mr. Song, it’s a pleasure."

"Come, come, Mr. Song, let me introduce you to some fishing experts."

"This young man, whose handsomeness is evident both inside and out, is named Jiang Fan. I have personally witnessed his best performance: a 358-pound giant black carp."

"And also..."

Zhou Hong: "..."

Huang Mao: "..."

Ma Dongdong: "..."

Song Rentou glanced at Jiang Fan and laughed, "Not important, not important. What’s important is you, Great Emperor He. Are you interested in joining our Wind and Rain Club?"

He Qiang replied, "I don't like being tied down, but Jiang Fan is incredibly skilled. He’s a fishing genius who just broke through..."

Song Rentou waved his hand. "Not important, not important!"

"Come, come, Great Emperor He, let’s go sit over there and chat."

With that, He Qiang was dragged away by Song Rentou to talk.

"Mr. Song, Brother Fan is really amazing. You don't believe me?"

Song Rentou looked disdainful and waved his hand. "Not important, not important..."