Fishing Competition

The two men plopped down on the edge of the deck.

Su Yang stared intently at his red fishing buoy bobbing in the distance on the sea's surface.

Meng Wenzhou pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Su Yang with a chuckle, "Don’t be so focused—it’s just the beginning."

"I feel like it's coming," Su Yang replied with a grin as he stood up, accepting the cigarette.

"If you hook a fish right now, I’ll take your last name!"

No sooner had Meng Wenzhou spoken than Su Yang swiftly tucked the cigarette into his mouth with his left hand, then grabbed the fishing rod with both hands and yanked hard.

"Holy shit?!"

Su Yang’s rod bent into a sharp arc.

"You—you—you—"

Before Meng Wenzhou could react, Su Yang gave another powerful tug, and a bluish-gray sea bass, roughly seven or eight pounds, burst from the water.

"Old Meng, how the hell do I reel this thing in?!" Su Yang shouted urgently.

Meng Wenzhou hurried over to help him quickly retrieve the line.

Plop!

A beautiful sea bass landed in the large white bucket beside Su Yang.

"Hahaha! This is so much fun!" Su Yang had barely cast his line a few minutes ago and already landed a sizable fish.

Delighted, he pulled out a lighter, lit his cigarette, and took a deep drag.

"Damn, that’s satisfying!"

[Ding! Detecting host’s exhilaration from catching a sea fish. Reward: 300,000.]

Meng Wenzhou shot Su Yang a resentful look. "Your luck is just too damn good."

"Heh, what did I tell you? You’re going down today!"

"Don’t get cocky—it’s just one bass. Watch me hook a yellow croaker next!"

"What’s a yellow croaker? The name sounds pretty basic," Su Yang asked while baiting his hook.

"I’m talking about a wild yellow croaker. Don’t let the name fool you—those things are expensive."

"Ever caught one before?"

Meng Wenzhou rolled his eyes. "Wild yellow croakers are super rare, especially ones over two or three pounds. I was just joking—forget about it. Let’s just stick to bass."

"Bass is fine too. Look how big this one is—a few more and we won’t need anything else for dinner," Su Yang joked.

"I think I’ve got a bite!" Meng Wenzhou stood up, eyes locked on his buoy.

Su Yang smirked. "I’ll wait till you land yours before casting again."

"Go ahead—nothing’s biting." Meng Wenzhou slumped back down in disappointment.

"Alright then." Su Yang hurled his line out again with a forceful cast.

Just then, Liu Bo and Zhang Ziming climbed onto the deck, cigarettes dangling from their lips.

"Any luck yet?"

Su Yang turned with a triumphant grin. "Come check this out."

Liu Bo and Zhang Ziming leaned in. "Whoa, already? Who caught it?" Liu Bo exclaimed.

Meng Wenzhou pointed at Su Yang. "Him. This guy’s got insane beginner’s luck—fish bit the second he dropped his line."

"No way! Yang, you’re killing it!"

"Hey, a man’s gotta have some talent."

"Come on, let’s grab our rods!" Liu Bo tugged at Zhang Ziming.

Zhang Ziming laughed. "Nah, I’ll pass. Not into fishing—you guys have fun."

"You don’t get it—that rush when you reel one in is unbeatable!"

"Maybe, but I’m more about the eating. Is this fish any good?" Zhang Ziming crouched by the bucket, inspecting the catch.

"No clue. Ask Old Meng."

Meng Wenzhou chuckled. "It’s decent. Tastes alright grilled."

"Sweet. I’ll just watch you guys, then."

As Liu Bo went back for his rod, Su Yang suddenly tensed, gripping his fishing rod.

Meng Wenzhou blinked. "Don’t tell me you’ve got another one?"

"Pretty sure I do!" Su Yang pulled hard again, though this time the resistance felt lighter than the bass.

Sure enough, a black-and-yellow fish, about three pounds, broke the surface.

Su Yang swiftly reeled it in.

Meng Wenzhou and Zhang Ziming crowded around.

"Whoa, this one’s colorful! What’s it called?"

"Looks like a tiger fish. Common catch, nothing special," Meng Wenzhou muttered, trying to console himself.

Zhang Ziming grinned. "Okay, this is kinda cool."

"Right? Sea fishing’s the best. The ocean’s teeming with fish—you never know what you’ll get. It’s like walking into a club and seeing a fresh lineup every time," Meng Wenzhou deadpanned.

Zhang Ziming burst out laughing. "Now that makes perfect sense."

Liu Bo returned with his rod and gaped at the bucket. "No freaking way—another one?!"

"Hey, not my fault the fish love me," Su Yang gloated.

Meng Wenzhou shot him another glare.

"Don’t push it!"

"What can I say? Two fish don’t lie."

"Fine. From now on, nobody talk to me—I’m locking in!"

"Good luck with that wild yellow croaker."

Liu Bo settled beside Su Yang, rigging his rod with a grin. "Yo, chubby, wanna join our fishing contest?"

"You and Meng?"

"Yep. One hour—whoever lands the most fish wins."

"I’m down. I’ve got skills too. But are we counting quantity or value?"

Su Yang pondered. "Quantity. I don’t know fish well enough to judge prices. But nothing under two pounds—those go back."

"Deal!"

......

The sea breeze whispered past as waves lapped gently against the hull. The guys fished on deck while the girls sang and laughed in the lounge.

Su Yang leaned against the railing, rod in one hand, chatting with Liu Bo as he soaked in the view.

This was the life—pure, effortless bliss.

Not long ago, he’d been just another drone in a cubicle, killing time till payday. Now here he was, lounging on a luxury yacht, rod in hand.

Life had a funny way of flipping the script. Who knew when fate might drop that long-awaited [Ding!] into someone’s head?