Chapter 202 - 182: Sigh, My Daqing

Chapter 202: Chapter 182: Sigh, My Daqing

"First, let’s get the raffle ready."

Chen Yuan placed the document pouch on the driver’s seat, then got ready to bring out the raffle equipment.

Wang Tao led him over to the vending machine area on a trike. An awning had been installed there. After all, the construction wasn’t finished yet, so the vending machine had to be kept outside. It would definitely break if it got caught in a thunderstorm without an awning.

"Is Boss Chen adding some new equipment?"

A nearby angler watched curiously as Chen Yuan and Wang Tao carried out the raffle machine.

"It’s for a raffle, to draw a lucky angler~"

Chen Yuan said with a chuckle.

"Whoa, is it time for a raffle?"

The angler was instantly excited and called out to everyone at the pond.

When the surrounding anglers heard the news, they all ran over. They didn’t even bother with umbrellas. The rain wasn’t heavy at the moment, so they rushed over to witness the first lucky winner.

"Boss Chen, how does this thing draw a lucky angler?"

Watching Wang Tao tinker with the raffle machine, an angler asked curiously.

"Have you ever seen a lottery drawing?"

Chen Yuan asked with a smile.

"Of course I have."

"Then you’re all set. The raffle machine works on the same principle. There are 112 balls inside, corresponding to your fishing spot numbers. After I start the machine, the first ball that comes out will determine the lucky angler by their spot number. Their first catch of the day is free."

Chen Yuan explained the rules of the raffle.

It was simple and easy to understand. All the anglers got it.

Once the raffle machine was set up, Chen Yuan stood next to the button. Many of the anglers around him had already taken out their phones and started recording.

"Come on, let’s witness the first lucky angler of the Monster Fish Pond."

With a SLAP, Chen Yuan pressed the button.

The raffle machine began to turn slowly. The 112 balls inside started to tumble, their speed increasing until the numbers on them became a dizzying, illegible blur.

Everyone stared at the exit chute.

"PLUNK~"

A few seconds later, a ball rolled out and landed at the end of the track. The number was facing down, so no one could see what it was.

Chen Yuan turned off the machine, picked up the ball, glanced at the number, and then faced the crowd of anglers.

"Congratulations to the angler at spot number 24! You are the first lucky angler of the Monster Fish Pond. Your first catch of the day is yours to keep, free of charge."

"That’s me, that’s me! I’m number 24! Haha, I’m the lucky angler~"

An angler on the edge of the crowd jumped up and down, waving his hands in excitement.

"I just caught a ten-plus-pounder and couldn’t bring myself to release it. I was hoping to be the lucky one, but I also felt my first catch was too small. Looks like I was overthinking it~"

"Me too. No need to be anxious anymore. Let’s just focus on fishing~"

"Hey buddy, have you caught a fish yet?"

The other anglers sighed, their faces full of envy.

Someone else asked the guy at spot 24 if he had caught anything yet.

If he hadn’t, there was still something to look forward to.

"Haha, I haven’t caught anything yet! I’m looking forward to hitting the jackpot~"

The angler was incredibly excited. He quickly ran back to his spot, eagerly awaiting his prize-winning first catch. ’If I can land a giant Daqing,’ he thought, ’I’ll definitely treat Boss Chen to a night at a private club with some models.’

The other anglers gradually dispersed. There was nothing to be done about not being the lucky one. Besides, given Boss Chen’s integrity, he would never rig a raffle.

There was no need for it, anyway.

They could only hope for next time~

"Uncle Heng, Uncle Kai, take these~"

Chen Yuan took two fish grips from Wang Tao and gave them to the two brothers, Chen Yiheng and Chen Yikai.

"What’s this?"

Chen Yiheng asked, puzzled, as he held the fish grip.

"A fish grip. It has a built-in scale. You can use it to weigh anything under sixty-six pounds. It’s easy to use—just clamp it onto the fish’s mouth and lift."

Chen Yuan showed the two of them how to use it.

"Whoa, scales are so high-tech these days? This little gadget can weigh a fish?"

The two brothers, Chen Yiheng and Chen Yikai, were quite surprised. They played with it curiously, a hint of doubt on their faces. ’Can this little thing really weigh up to sixty-six pounds?’

"After weighing a fish, make sure to record the fishing spot number and the quantity. Before the quantity, write down the size category. The categories don’t need to be too detailed; there are only four."

"Under 44 pounds, 44 to 66 pounds, 66 to 110 pounds, and then giant Daqing. If you get one over 66 pounds, record the time as well. You don’t need to record the time after the tenth one."

"Actually, you can eyeball it during the weighing process. For example, if it’s clearly under 44 pounds, you don’t need to weigh it. Same for those over 66 but under 110 pounds, no need to trouble yourselves."

Chen Yuan took out a cigarette for each of them and explained how to record the data. This was the most important part, as it was for the fish buyback later.

"Got it. We saw the new rules for the Old Pond."

Chen Yiheng and Chen Yikai nodded at the same time.

They were both in the fishing ground’s group chat, so they were definitely familiar with the rules. They had already prepared to take notes and had recorded the fish caught earlier.

"Alright, take turns going to my house to install the carport."

After giving these instructions, Chen Yuan told them to get started on the carport. He then took the document pouch with the membership cards and opened it to take a look.

The membership cards were beautifully designed.

They had a solid gold-colored base. One side featured the Chen Yuan Fishing Ground’s logo and name, while the other had the member ID number, which was the member’s phone number, ensuring no duplicates.

Because of this, the reservation mini-program could identify member bookings, while non-members didn’t have the privilege of booking member-exclusive spots in advance.

’These cards aren’t solid gold, are they?’

Chen Yuan weighed a card in his hand. It glittered as if it were pure gold.

The sunlight was still faint. If the sun were out in full force, the glare would probably be blinding.

But overall, they had a nice, premium feel.

"Immortal, here’s your membership card~"

Chen Yuan handed out the cards based on the corresponding phone numbers. He gave them directly to those he knew, while those he didn’t had to state their number. Anyone whose number didn’t match was definitely a non-member who had borrowed a card.

After settling things at the Old Pond, Chen Yuan rode the trike to the Small Pond to check and distribute the rest of the membership cards. Then he went home to put the remaining ones away before seeing to the carport installation.

"Looks like it’s going to rain again."

"Doesn’t matter. We have a carport now, so we’re not afraid of a downpour."

Chen Nan and the others were watching the installation.

It had stopped raining for the moment, but the sky was still overcast and gloomy with dark clouds. It was obvious more rain was coming, and the storm warning was in effect for several days.

"Once it’s installed, you guys can go home and rest."

Chen Yuan came over and handed them cigarettes.

It was already past nine o’clock, so there probably wouldn’t be any more customers. Besides, Chen Nan and his crew had just ferried several groups of customers, and now both ponds were nearly full.

A few remaining spots were still being snagged by latecomers.

Who would believe the place could be fully booked on a stormy day like this? It just went to show how crazy these anglers were.

After the carport was installed, Chen Nan and the others headed back on the trike. Chen Yuan waited for the last-minute anglers to arrive and gave them a ride to the Old Pond.

"Haha, finally got you~"

Just as he arrived at the Old Pond, a triumphant shout echoed across the water. Following the sound, he saw it came from spot number 24.

WHOOSH~

The angler excitedly yanked his rod back with great force. The tip of the rod instantly bent into an arc. Undisturbed by the sound of rain, the beautiful hum of the line cutting through the air was exhilarating.

"This is no Little Kalami! This one’s at least 44-plus pounds!"

The force transmitted through the fishing rod instantly thrilled the angler.

Anyone who dared to come out in a storm was definitely a seasoned angler. He could tell from the pull that this was no small fish. And since this catch was free, a 44-plus-pound Daqing was worth at least a few hundred bucks.

He’d actually make a profit from this one fish. How could he not be excited?

"WHIRRR~"

The sound from the line grew more intense. The angler, holding the rod with one hand high and one low, took a diagonal step and leaned back with all his might. The sight made Chen Yuan’s face darken with exasperation.

’He’s copying the logo again.’

But even so, the tip of the rod kept dipping, almost touching the water’s surface. The angler had no choice but to change his strategy, shaking the rod rapidly to play the fish.

"Holy shit, that one looks big."

"Definitely more than 44-plus pounds."

"Hope the man lands a giant Daqing and makes Boss Chen weep~"

The surrounding anglers grew excited watching the struggle. Some even gathered around, curious to see how big the fish was.

They all knew spot 24 was the lucky winner and his first catch was free, so everyone wanted to see what prize he’d reeled in.

"Haha, I wouldn’t dare to dream of a giant Daqing, and this definitely isn’t one. But I estimate it’s around fifty-five to sixty-six pounds. Hopefully, it breaks sixty-six!"

Sixty-six pounds was a major threshold. The market price was around six thousand yuan. A single fish that size wouldn’t just cover his costs—it would be a massive profit.

"WHIRRR~"

The whirring of the line was sometimes dense, sometimes urgent, like a passionate melody that got the blood pumping. The lucky angler alternated between squatting and standing, sometimes even jogging along the edge of the pond.

The surrounding anglers were captivated. Even Chen Yuan couldn’t help but move closer, feeling his own blood stir with excitement as he watched.

It wasn’t that he’d never seen someone play a fish—he was almost tired of watching it at the Small Pond. Even a hundred-plus-pound giant Daqing was just so-so for him. But the Old Pond was spacious, and playing a fish on such a large body of water was a different spectacle altogether.

It was damn exciting~

"Haha, Boss Chen came to watch the battle."

"Boss Chen must be super nervous right now. Are you hoping the line snaps and the fish gets away?"

"Too bad Boss Chen’s custom fishing gear is too damn good. The line will never snap. It wouldn’t even snap on a hundred-plus-pound giant Daqing. The hooks are set deep, too. Once a fish is on, it’s almost impossible for it to escape."

"It doesn’t matter if the fish gets away. His first catch is free anyway. What if this Little Kalami escapes and he hooks a giant Daqing next? The loss would be even worse for Boss Chen~"

Seeing Chen Yuan, the surrounding anglers bantered with him playfully.

"Aren’t you guys going to fish?"

Chen Yuan paid them no mind, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he looked at this lovable group of his personal Gods of Wealth.

’They rushed here through a storm, and now that the rain has stopped for a bit, they’re not seizing the chance to fish? Instead, they’re just crowding around to watch someone else play a fish. What’s the deal? Did they brave the elements just to pay money to watch other people fish?’

"No wonder everyone says Boss Chen is a straight-up guy. We’re all gathered here watching the show, which only benefits you, yet you’re reminding your customers to get back to fishing. It’s like you’re afraid no one’s going to clean you out."

"Holy shit, a black float! Whose spot is that~"

An angler saw a float on the water nearby get yanked straight down.

"Fuck, a sneak attack~"

From the group of laughing and joking anglers, one suddenly bolted out. He scrambled back to his spot in a couple of strides and quickly grabbed his rod, yanking it upward.

With a WHOOSH, the line sang through the air.

The angler was instantly overjoyed.

Thank god the fish didn’t get away.

"SWISH~"

But his joy lasted less than two seconds. With another SWISH, the bent rod snapped straight back up. The angler stumbled backward several steps.

"Ah, my Daqing~"

The angler stood stunned for a moment, then stomped his feet repeatedly in regret, his face a mask of disappointment.

From the pull in those two seconds, he felt it was at least a forty-four-pounder. He didn’t even get to enjoy the thrill of the catch, and just like that, a couple hundred bucks were gone.

His heart was bleeding~

"Haha, that’s what you get for watching someone else play their fish. Lost your own Daqing, didn’t you~"

The surrounding anglers roared with laughter.