Of course, it’s not the kind of tank-raised stream grouper one might raise at home, the restaurant’s kitchen still has stream grouper meant for dining.
Li Xiaopeng ordered a pot directly and asked the restaurant to use the Tansha countryside method to cook it, first by pan-frying, then stewing over low heat, and finally pouring on layers of spicy sauce, now that’s really delicious.
As the dishes arrived one by one, the six people began to wolf down their food, clinking glasses and passing drinks around.
Each dish was so delicious it could make your tongue fall off, especially that local spicy stream grouper, which was truly exceptional.
After a few drinks, everyone started to open up and chat more freely.
As they talked, Lin Yang and the other two were surprised to find that the three ladies were not just interested in fishing, they were actually quite knowledgeable.
Even the fiery petite beauty, while drinking, began to exchange fishing experiences with Lin Yang.
"Master Lin, I noticed how effortlessly you handled the forty-pound catfish this morning; how did you do it? Last year I caught one almost as big, and it took a good half hour to barely get it ashore!"
"You’ve also caught a thirty or forty-pound catfish?" Lin Yang looked a bit surprised.
A thirty or forty-pound catfish is not something everyone can catch. Most hobbyists wouldn’t even encounter such a big fish, and if they did, most would likely lose it due to too light a tackle or lack of experience, never even seeing the fish.
But this petite beauty in front of him had managed to land such a fish in an hour, which was no small feat.
Lin Yang immediately knew he had underestimated them; these three beauties were not just ordinary fans, they were skilled anglers.
Knowing this, the dinner and conversation flowed even more naturally and smoothly.
Initially, he had treated the three ladies as fans and thus maintained a certain distance, but now he regarded them as equals. Everyone was an angler, and their skill level was commendable.
"Actually, the basic principle of landing a big fish is not to hurry. Just take it slowly because ensuring that the line or rod doesn’t break and getting the fish to shore is the primary goal. As for why I can land them so quickly, it’s probably because I have a bit more strength..."
Lin Yang spoke sincerely about his experiences and techniques in landing fish, and it all came from the heart.
His skill in landing fish was now at the level of a top master, but when it comes to big fish, beyond those basic points, the most important thing is stability, and speed is not crucial at all.
Because big fish are rare and to be treasured, even if it takes a whole day to land one, it’s worth it.
The group continued to talk a lot about fishing, and Li Xiaopeng couldn’t help but realize that his own knowledge of fishing was even lesser than the three ladies’.
All three ladies were skilled anglers, able to talk expertly on any fishing topic. As a result, Lin Yang had a lively chat with them throughout the meal, while Li Xiaopeng could only interject occasionally on topics he was familiar with.
This made Li Xiaopeng sigh to himself: These days, being good at fishing even gives you an edge in picking up girls.
The key was that Lin Yang, with his current status, didn’t need to actively pursue girls at all; many excellent girls came to him on their own initiative.
The meal lasted several hours without them realizing it. The dishes were nearly all eaten, especially the pot of stream grouper, which didn’t leave a single piece behind.
It was clear that people who fish love to eat fish the most, particularly those prepared with local flavors and techniques.
Regarding the drinks, the six of them only drank a little more than one bottle; they didn’t drink much. When it came time to pay, Li Xiaopeng also returned the four unopened bottles of drink, as they weren’t convenient to take with them.
By the time the six people left the restaurant, although it was already almost ten at night, the place was still bustling with life, and the crowds on the street gave off an atmosphere of vibrancy and joy.
Since everyone had drunk a little, Lin Yang called for two designated drivers for the ride back.
As they left, the three lovely ladies waved goodbye to Lin Yang and his friends. Though they were strangers, all of them loved fishing; being able to share a meal and talk about fishing was a very pleasant experience.
After returning to the hotel, Lin Yang and his companions all went to rest, as they needed to set off for Dongting Lake early the next day.
...
The next morning.
After having breakfast, the three of them packed up their things and drove straight out of Tansha City, heading for North Dongting Lake.
The trip from Tansha City to Dongting Lake was about two hundred kilometers, which would take under three hours by car.
They set off around eight in the morning and arrived at Dongting Lake just before noon.
During the trip, Lin Yang had been in contact with the fisheries research team at Dongting Lake, because without knowing the exact location, they needed to first reach a rendezvous point.
This location was inside the Dongting Lake Fisheries Research Center.
When they arrived, they saw several staff members already waiting for them at the entrance.
"Let’s go, get out of the car, someone’s here to pick us up," Lin Yang said as he got out of the car first, waving toward the distance and making his way over.
It was only when he got closer that he realized they had come in a Land Cruiser and a diesel pickup truck. The team members were all dressed in outdoor gear, emanating a professional research vibe.
"Hello, you must be Teacher Lin Yang? My name is Han Li. Next to me are my juniors, Zhao Gang and Wu Yue, members of the research team. I’ve spoken to you on the phone before," said the tall short-haired girl leading the trio who had come to pick them up, looking neat and efficient.
Lin Yang shook hands with them as a formality: "Hello, this is my assistant Chen Yue and my friend Li Xiaopeng. We have brought a few extra people; I hope you don’t mind."
"Of course not, our research team is waiting for you at the Dongting Lake scenic area," she replied.
"Then let’s set off right away!"