Not long ago, Ding Wen actively greeted Zhang Yang, chatting aimlessly. It wasn't without purpose; he noticed Zhang Yang was preparing scattered floating bait and had a cunning plan to mislead him.
This floating fishing method greatly impacts performance in target fish competitions, especially when there's a ten thousand yuan prize. Ding Wen approached Zhang Yang with the aim of tricking him, but Zhang Yang didn't fall for it.
"What's on your mind, Ding? Want a smoke?" Just then, a companion's voice called out from beside him.
Ding Wen accepted a cigarette from his friend and lit it, not saying a word, lost in thought.
"Hey, why the serious face? What's up?" His companion noticed Ding Wen seemed off and continued to probe.
"I'll talk about it later! Just noticed some small details earlier!" Ding Wen replied vaguely, not even revealing the truth to his familiar friend.
Meanwhile, the floating fishing tutorial on Zhang Yang's end was wrapping up.
Zhang Yang explained the main technical points and considerations of the floating fishing method to Meng Fan. Though Meng lacked basic foundational training, he had grasped the technique's basics, at least understanding what floating fishing was about.
The three of them spent from around two in the afternoon until half-past five in the evening at the competition fishing site before leisurely packing up their gear and leaving.
After the trial fishing ended, the trio didn't part ways. Under Zhang Yang's invitation, they returned to the shop together.
"Why insist on calling both of us back when it's almost dark? Whatever it is, can't it wait till tomorrow?"
Old Zhao pushed open the shop door and entered, speaking in a tone that showed his familiarity with Zhang Yang.
"Yeah, Brother Yang, what's going on?" Meng Fan echoed.
Zhang Yang pursed his lips: "It was inconvenient to talk at the fishing site earlier, but I've got three matters here.
The first is about the target fish pond. Today's practice shows floating fishing is applicable.
Ding Wen was misleading me, that bastard!
The second is regarding mixed fish pond number two, which I think is our breakthrough point. The yellow noodle is effective; the carp was biting well today!
Since it's not busy at the shop this evening, let's upgrade our competition bait! The shop is crowded during the day.
The third is a secret; you'll find out later!"
After Zhang Yang's brief explanation, Old Zhao and Meng Fan nodded in understanding, catching onto Zhang Yang's intent.
During the day, Zhang Yang's shop is crowded, but the evening is quiet, a good time to discuss things.
After a few casual remarks, Zhang Yang confidently took several packs of bait from the shelves and started mixing them right in front of the two.
He's already quite skilled with the small crucian carp formula bait from Wuhan Tianyuan, quickly mixing without using a measuring cup. He poured pack after pack of fish bait into the basin, preparing it in no time.
After finishing the small crucian carp bait preparation, next was the mixed bait.
Zhang Yang added some coarse-grained snail carp ingredients to the pure yellow noodle mix. After adjusting, he packed them separately.
"For the competition bait the day after tomorrow, one pack per person, consider it my sponsorship!" Zhang Yang handed the bait to Old Zhao and Meng Fan after preparing it.
"What's the secret? What's the third matter?" Old Zhao was curious about Zhang Yang's explanation and eager to know the truth.
Just then, there was a horn sound from outside.
Zhang Yang grinned: "The third matter has arrived!" He quickly got up and walked towards the door.
Outside, he chatted briefly with Yu Dong, who had just gotten off work and purposely swung by. Then, he returned to the shop carrying several bottles of small additives.
"Our lab's latest research result! One bottle per person for the mixed bait the day after tomorrow!" Zhang Yang grinned as he placed the bottles on the counter.
"Wow, new additive? Developed by Yu Dong?"
Zhao Bingguang, knowing Yu Dong, was immediately ecstatic upon hearing Zhang Yang's confirmation.
"Yes, the evening call was from Yu Dong! This stuff is called barley potato paste, mainly for mixed carp fishing! It's currently only produced in small batches in the lab; these bottles are precious!"
"How much and how to use it? Did Yu Dong tell you?"
"Three to five milliliters per pound of bait; this stuff is lab-concentrated, not pure fragrance blended! You can add more; it won't overburden the fish!"
Zhang Yang casually unscrewed the lid and sniffed the aroma.
The scent was rich with barley, sweet and mellow potato fragrance, and a very smooth complex aroma. Paired with the secret black sugar paste, it's perfect for both black pits and mixed fish competitions.
One must admit, Yu Dong's research was thorough; Zhang Yang merely provided a direction, and in less than a month, Yu Dong developed the first prototype of the additive. The sample exceeded Zhang Yang's expectations.
As the saying goes, 'two flowers bloom, one on each side,' while Zhang Yang and his team were preparing for the competition, Ding Wen and his friends also arrived at First-class Fresh Beef House, diagonally opposite to Ma Yu Hua's shop.
For ordinary wild fishing enthusiasts, competitions might not be so appealing or necessary, but for Ma Yu Hua's core clients, it's indeed considered a significant event.
With just one day left before the start of the event, Ma Yu Hua gathered seven or eight key clients for a meal, using this opportunity to hold a meeting.
In the private room, Ma Yu Hua sat in the seat directly facing the entrance among a group of seven or eight people, all well-known anglers in the local competitive circle. Five of them were Ma Yu Hua's top students.