Si Ma Roumei’s guards... where did Wangwang come from, not even opening his eyes wide, our Lady’s capability, with such a boastful tone, might not be as good, just wait for our Lady to trounce you!
The other classmates... Pan Zhongdan, you are too lively today, I hope you stay this lively in the future, don’t get trounced into oblivion.
Pan Zhongdan, unaware of his classmates’ stares, approached the little girl’s fish bucket and saw a fish weighing over ten pounds inside.
Si Ma Roumei turned her head to size up the man who was defiantly challenging her and felt he looked unfamiliar; she had come here many times and definitely had not seen this man before.
Then, turning her head, she saw Zhong Xingwang and few other somewhat familiar men, understanding that this must be a newbie.
"Tsk, this young lady doesn’t need anyone’s help to fish, are you a clueless newbie here for the first time?"
Pan Zhongdan... the little girl’s arrogant tone and haughty expression. Even though he didn’t know what "250" meant, he could tell it wasn’t something good.
"Such confidence, young lady, how about a match with me?" Pan Zhongdan, on an impulse, uttered the words he would later regret.
Zhong Xingwang... like the little girl said, a "250", Pan Zhongdan was not yet familiar with his new fishing rod and was daring to challenge an experienced fisher.
The classmates... Is Pan Zhongdan feverish today? We wouldn’t dare challenge this little girl, just wait and watch the drama.
"Of course, I am confident. If you want to compete with this young lady, that’s fine, but there has to be a stake. If I win, you must frog-jump from here to the dining hall."
Si Ma Roumei revealed a cunning smile. From this fishing spot to the dining hall was estimated to be ten zhang away; although not very far, it was enough for all the people at the fishpond to have a good laugh.
It didn’t seem too cruel, as she would do the same if she lost. The bet was very fair, the stronger one wins.
"And if you lose? Little lady, you’re so cute, I can’t bear to see you frog jumping, why not treat me to a fish meal instead?"
Pan Zhongdan’s words carried a tone of pity, which might make common folk think he was getting a great bargain asking someone else to buy him a meal, as a dinner isn’t cheap.
"Want me to treat you to a meal? We’ll see if you’re strong enough, stop wasting your breath. Have you seen that it’s getting dark again? Are you hoping to use the cover of night so people can’t see you frog-jumping?"
As Si Ma Roumei spoke, her guards let out a round of artificial scoffs.
"Brother, just give up!" Zhong Xingwang patted his classmate on the arm.
Pan Zhongdan shook off his hand, with a look that you must be joking:
"Humph, don’t blame me for not being chivalrous! Wait to buy me dinner."
Pan Zhongdan stopped wasting words and had the companions he brought help prepare the bait; determined not to lose, he asked the master for instruction and started having Zhong Xingwang help with the fishing hook.
Once the fishing rods were all set and he understood how they worked, he baited the hook and cast the line into the pond.
While Si Ma Roumei was arguing earlier, she had already caught another big fish by the time Pan Zhongdan was still learning.
She had one of her guards take these two big fish back to the county so her parents could enjoy fresh fish, spending money to partake in good food.
Since she came here often, winning many competitions, she didn’t have to spend money on food, lodging, or fun.
She would not take advantage of others; she could completely rely on her own hands to earn her keep, making sure her parents had fresh fruits, vegetables, and food.
Her father, tasked with being an official in the county, was an upright official whose salary was just enough to support the family’s food and drink. Her two brothers had to go study in the Capital, and she also had to go to the academy.
Luckily, the family had a bit of support, and the expenses for her outings were all earned through her own efforts.
As the spectators followed suit in fishing, they too had to earn their keep, considering that a girl should not lose too miserably.
Pan Zhongdan, from the corner of his eye, saw the young girl he had bet with; during their rod preparation time, she had caught another fish weighing over ten pounds.
At this moment, he was somewhat nervous and regretful, regretting his harsh words to a girl who indeed had a real talent for fishing.
At this point, he still didn’t think he would lose to this girl. Although he was a bit nervous, the words he had spoken were like water that had been spilled and couldn’t be taken back; he could only use his skills to win back his honor.
Pan Zhongdan cast his fishing line into the pond, his eyes full of tension, staring intently at the movements of his fishing rod.
Si Ma Roumei at that moment also cast her fishing rod into the pond again, aiming to win more beautifully, flinging it even further.
As both sides competed, the spectating crowd also cast their fishing rods into the pond, their eyes not fixed on their rods; they had assistants watch the rods for them, their primary interest in watching the match.
The spectators were also eagerly awaiting someone’s frog-jumping.
Pan Zhongdan...,"???"