However, Zhang Yang was still looking forward to Wang Yan's performance. With this guy's intuition, he shouldn't take too long to learn.
As it got dark, it was time for Zhang Yang to close up and go home for dinner. Old Zhao and Wang Jun called out, taking their training fishing gear and bottles of mineral water, and drove off.
Needless to say, they surely went home to practice. There's still a day left before the main fishing event the day after tomorrow, but who knows how much they'll be able to practice.
The impact of Joyful Forest catching two baskets of fish by himself was still spreading among the local fishing community. On October 2nd, Zhang Yang's store was still very busy.
New fishing enthusiasts, late to the scene, came to replenish their supplies and get familiar with the place. Some even drove over thirty kilometers just to shop at Zhang Yang's store, showing the actual influence of his exaggerated catches.
Before long, it was October 3rd, the day of the second big carp release fishing event at Joyful Forest.
Having scouted the place during the first event, Zhang Yang, who caught a bunch of fish with Liu Mazi, promised to support again, so this time, he organized a group of more than ten fishing buddies to join in.
However, upon arriving at the fishing venue, before the draw even started, Zhang Yang noticed something was slightly off with the atmosphere.
The first issue was the number of registrants. There were 48 fishing spots, and they were fully booked! Those who didn't register in advance drove there hoping to grab a spot, but Liu Mazi waved them away indicating there were no spots left. The logbook was densely filled with names.
The second issue was the presence of several groups of unfamiliar faces at the fishing venue.
Ma Yuhua brought his apprentice who had been to the last event and signed up for today's fishing. Besides that, Zhang Yang saw several cars with Fengcheng license plates when he went to the restroom.
Is the influence of this big cannon venue really that exaggerated? It only held one event, and the news has already spread to the neighboring city?
Zhang Yang couldn't help but marvel in his heart.
Meanwhile, old Wu, who came to test the waters with a few other fishing buddies, called Chen Xiaodao, who had revealed the info on the forum.
Chen Xueqiang didn't sign up today but arrived early. His purpose was simple: to learn secretly and earn the 500-dollar bet!
After receiving the call, Chen Xueqiang headed to the agreed gate location and quickly met up with old Wu.
"Chen Xiaodao?" Old Wu glanced at the ringing phone of Chen Xueqiang and called out his forum nickname.
People who mix on forums tend to have this habit; in reality, when they meet, many are not used to calling the real name, finding it more intimate to use the nickname. This is somewhat similar to offline gatherings of those who played the Legend online game in the early 2000s.
"That's me! You're the moderator 'Fishing Alone in the Cold River Snow,' right? Hello, hello!" Chen Xueqiang responded and quickly shook hands with him.
"You really came! From what you've been saying in the posts, it seems like you weren't lying! We thought you might turn off your phone and vanish on the way here!" Wu Tianming had quite a straightforward personality, saying whatever was on his mind.
"How could I do that! At least my main account, Chen Xiaodao, is an active forum participant with tens of thousands of points. If I wanted to deceive people, I'd just use a different account!
Besides, 500 bucks! That's no small sum! My wife is strict; I barely get a thousand a month for fishing expenses. You know, that's not nearly enough!" Chen Xueqiang was quite candid.
Wu Tianming laughed and took out a cigarette, offering it around, "Haha, fishing buddies are all the same!
By the way, that expert you mentioned is here today, right? Should we go say hello now, or...?
Don't worry, I, old Wu, will accept a bet. Once verified as true, I'll definitely acknowledge the bet!"
"They've arrived! But I think there's no rush to greet them! They're not into forums, and I've only met him twice to become familiar with him, no real friendship! If we head over there abruptly, it might seem inappropriate!"
"Ah, true! Then let's find a spot to wait. After the draw, once fishing starts, we'll observe! Xiao Qin, get the equipment ready. Since we're here, let's capture some footage! Let's give the brothers on the forum some facts with evidence!"
The fishing buddy referred to as Xiao Qin nodded and patted his shoulder bag, "No worries, I've got the equipment. Though the forum's video upload review is a pain, compressing everything into a blur. Completely ruins my high-def shots!"
The young guy who tagged along with Wu Tianming even brought video equipment, though it might not be super professional, it was way better than just snapping photos with a phone like regular folks.
As they were chatting, it was time for the draw again. Zhang Yang and his group gathered towards the boardroom once more.
On the way, Wang Jun put an arm around Zhang Yang's shoulder and asked softly, "Same as usual?"
Zhang Yang nodded, "This time, you draw first, don't end up clustered together. It'll look more natural that way! I'll draw last!"
Having settled the draw details, Liu Mazi soon started calling the names of those who had registered, holding their record book.
They registered relatively early this time, so Zhang Yang's group was positioned towards the front. Only after about seven or eight people did it come to Zhang Yang's turn.
"Mingyang Fishing Tackle, Zhang Yang, 12th!"
Zhang Yang: "Here! As usual, you all go first, I'll bring up the rear!"
With experience from last time, Old Zhao and Wang Jun mixed into the crowd ahead and proceeded to draw.
The strategy remained unchanged. This time, Old Zhao drew the 24th slot, a great outer position, while Wang Jun drew spot 36!
One at a far end, the other centrally placed, both were excellent spots. However, mixed among over a dozen people, these two great spots didn't attract any attention at all.