Chapter 105 - 106: An Angler’s ’Packing Up

Chapter 105: Chapter 106: An Angler’s ’Packing Up

Chen Yuan knew the anglers were looking forward to the construction on the small hill. After all, they often discussed it in the group chat, and Chen Yuan would occasionally pop in to brag that it was going to be a hotel and clubhouse.

This just made them all the more curious and excited.

He hadn’t expected the anglers’ reaction to be so intense, though. They started hyping it up to others, even betting their fishing fees that the reveal would blow everyone away.

The hype was out of control now. Whether he could live up to it or would fall flat on his face all depended on tomorrow.

But for Chen Yuan, this was a good thing. The buzz had been created and was starting to spread. As long as he didn’t drop the ball tomorrow, it would be a massive, shocking publicity wave.

’Will it be a disappointment?’

’I spent over a hundred thousand points, equivalent to six or seven hundred thousand in cash. If this thing dares to be a disappointment, I’ll make sure Wang Tao is scrapped for parts.’

’If this goes smoothly, this wave of publicity is guaranteed to make Chen Yuan Fishing Ground even more famous. The customer base will definitely skyrocket, and I won’t have to worry about the customers from Old Pond anymore.’

Chen Yuan was in high spirits.

As for Old Pond...

Chen Yuan didn’t believe Zhou Jianming could really keep his cool. If things went south, he’d just go all out to take over Old Pond. And if that failed, the current policies on digging new ponds weren’t very strict anyway.

He had options; Zhou Jianming had none.

"Boss Chen, make sure to post lots of videos and photos of the unveiling tomorrow!"

Before he knew it, closing time was approaching. An angler next to him spoke with a cheerful smile while washing out his bait basin.

"As long as it’s not ugly, I’ll definitely promote it. Major amenities are a big advantage, after all."

Chen Yuan put his phone away, ready to pack up.

"Boss Chen really has vision!"

"Time to pack it in, time to pack it in!"

"My float’s moving! Might get a last-cast fish!"

The anglers joked around as they packed up their gear. A few still clutched their rods, eyes glued to their floats. With a sudden SWOOSH, one of them yanked his rod up, only to come up empty.

"Damn, not a clean bite. The fish is probably still in the chum spot. I’m casting one more time!" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

The angler glanced at the time. Two minutes left. He quickly baited his hook and cast out his line one more time, full of hope.

Chen Yuan found it amusing but didn’t rush him.

As someone who had fished before, he knew this was what anglers meant by "packing up." They’d never put away the rod itself until every other piece of equipment was packed and ready, especially on that final cast.

They always held out hope for one last fish while they were busy tidying up.

At least at a fishing ground, it was manageable. If they were out fishing in the wild and you announced you were packing up, only to see your float get pulled under without a successful hook, you’d be casting out another "hopeful line" nine times out of ten.

At that point, it’s not a question of packing up anymore, but a question of how much longer you’ll be fishing.

"SWOOSH!"

The angler came up empty again.

"Sigh, I set the hook too early. A real shame, that was a float-sinker. It might’ve been a big one."

The angler was full of regret. Seeing that it was exactly midnight, he didn’t feel right casting again. He quickly packed up his rod and other gear, getting ready to leave.

He muttered, "You’re lucky you live in a fishing ground. If this were a reservoir, I’d have stayed here all night to get you."

The angler grumbled to himself as he packed.

"If you want to cast a couple more times, go ahead. I’m not that strict with the rules here,"

Chen Yuan said with a smile as he walked over.

"No, no, that’s alright. I didn’t clear it with the higher-ups for a late night. It’ll be hard to explain if I get back too late."

The angler put his rod away and started to lift his keepnet.

Chen Yuan stepped forward to help.

"You didn’t get permission for a late night, and you still dare to bring fish home?"

A nearby angler asked curiously.

"Hehe, there’s a frog and fish pot restaurant downstairs from my apartment. I’m pretty friendly with the owner. Every time I sneak out to fish, I sell him my catch for a bit cheaper. It helps me save up for fishing fees, and when I’m lucky, I can even make a little pocket money."

The angler chuckled slyly.

"Holy shit!"

The surrounding anglers were stunned. Then, the eyes of many lit up, as if they had just discovered a new way to make some pocket money.

Chen Yuan found it both funny and a little poignant.

’This is what it’s like for men from Sichuan and Chongqing. It’s not easy being a family man.’

After all the customers had left, Wang Tao arrived right on time.

"Can you finish the work tonight?"

Chen Yuan asked while lighting a cigarette.

"Absolutely. Once you’re done with the morning rush and let everyone in tomorrow, you can take down the barriers and tarps."

"I’ll come to inspect it tomorrow."

Chen Yuan nodded and headed back, ready for bed.

"Boss, keep earning those points. The fishing chairs and other facilities for the pond have been delayed for a while now,"

Wang Tao reminded him.

Chen Yuan ignored him. ’You think I don’t want to get the facilities ready as soon as possible? You built a toilet that cost over a hundred thousand points, what am I supposed to do?’

’Let’s see if you’re panicking at the end of the month when there are no points left to pay your salary.’

He tiptoed upstairs, accessed his special space, took a shower, and then immediately crashed into bed. He slept soundly until his alarm—or perhaps his ambition—woke him at six in the morning.

"Mom, did Dad go to the fishpond?"

After washing up and heading downstairs, Chen Yuan didn’t see his father in the main hall or the courtyard, so he headed for the kitchen.

"Yes, he went first thing in the morning and still isn’t back."

Tang Ying added more wood to the fire, then stood up to cook some flatbread.

"He probably wanted to get a look at the new building, but I doubt he can see anything yet."

Chen Yuan sat down in front of the stove’s firebox, watching the flames.

’Wang Tao said they would only take down the barriers after the customers arrived. The project probably isn’t completely finished yet, they’re still doing the final touches. Dad won’t be able to see a thing.’

And just as he thought...

Chen Jun returned with a cigarette dangling from his lips and stalked into the kitchen, looking thoroughly annoyed.

"That son of a bitch Wang Tao! They’ve already opened up a gap in the barrier, but he still won’t let me in for a look. He’s acting like it’s his own private bathroom."

"We’ve already waited this long. There’s no rush now. Just let them finish their work."

Chen Yuan smiled and casually used the fire tongs to push the smoldering logs deeper into the firebox.

"We’ll see how he plans on stopping me once they take the barriers down later," Chen Jun grumbled. He bent down, tossed his cigarette butt into the firebox, then opened a cupboard to grab a bowl. The firewood had nearly burned out, and the flatbread in the pan was ready.

"That’s called being professional. Back when you worked on construction sites, you couldn’t just let anyone wander in, either."

Chen Yuan stood up to help.

"You think I don’t know that?"

Chen Jun shot Chen Yuan a sidelong glance and grunted twice, only to earn a swat from Tang Ying and a fierce glare.

’What is this old fool arguing with his son for?’

’Besides, our son wasn’t wrong.’

Chen Yuan just smiled. He knew why his father liked to bicker with him sometimes. He’d figured it out. It was like the transition between an old and a new alpha wolf; the old alpha was a little reluctant to step down.

Chen Jun still wanted to be the one supporting this family.

It was a sign of him refusing to admit he was getting old.

"Did anyone else come to apply for the job today?"

Chen Jun asked after breakfast, handing Chen Yuan a cigarette.

"Uncle Bin is handling that. He’ll let me know if anyone shows up."

Chen Yuan wasn’t sure himself. Chen Wenbin was the one handling the hiring of villagers, and since it involved revealing their plans for the larger pond, only Chen Wenbin was suitable for the task.

"If someone comes to help out, maybe I’ll have time to go see how that toilet turned out later,"

Chen Jun was still fixated on the "toilet."

After all, judging by its footprint, its height, and the fact they had to carve into the mountainside, it wasn’t hard to tell this was no simple toilet. If it were just an ordinary outhouse made of a few stacked walls, who would be this curious?

"You’ll get to see it. Wang Tao said they can take down the barriers and tarps after the customers arrive. You can look your fill before we get busy with other things."

Chen Yuan’s smile was bright; he was in a great mood.

’If his own father was this excited, the anglers must be too. Once those barriers and tarps came down, it would definitely blow everyone away. This wave of publicity was in the bag.’

A couple of minutes later, his uncle and aunt arrived as well.

Chen Yuan familiarly offered him a cigarette.

"No, thanks. We’re a bit late today, customers should be arriving soon."

Chen Guo waved his hand.

The words had barely left his mouth when a car horn sounded. A line of vehicles was turning in. Some headed toward the back, others drove to the front, and a few parked directly outside Chen Yuan’s house.

Another car continued straight on, looking like it was heading directly to Chen Dequan’s place.

Most of the customers from the fishing ground’s group chat had been here before and were familiar with the parking situation. They just found their own spots, and if there wasn’t enough room, Boss Chen would arrange something.

It was convenient.

"Boss Chen, I brought two fishing buddies over to have a look today. Would it be a problem if the three of us squeeze into one spot for a bit?"

As Chen Yuan was busy, an angler came over and offered him a cigarette.

"Of course, no problem at all!"

Chen Yuan remembered this customer. He’d mentioned in the group chat last night that he was going to bring a couple of "sheltered" friends to see the class of Chen Yuan Fishing Ground. He didn’t expect him to actually do it.

Besides, anglers willing to come along even without a guaranteed spot were definitely hardcore, dedicated fishermen. Once a customer like that was won over, their loyalty would be extremely high.

"See? What’d I tell you? Boss Chen is a class act!"

The angler laughed heartily at his two friends, feeling extremely proud.

Soon, dozens of anglers had reached their spots all around the pond. But today, not a single one was in a hurry to start chumming or casting. Even Chen Jun and the others weren’t rushing back to their duties.

All eyes were fixed on the small hill.

The sense of anticipation was palpable.