Zhang Yang was just about to tell Xiao Yi to return to the car to grab some sausages and bottled water to fill their stomachs, when he saw a silver-gray Jetta approaching from afar and stopping atop the East Bank dam, which was over ten meters high.

The flat-headed guy who was next to Zhang Yang's fishing spot on the South Bank strolled over, greeting them as he walked: "Hey handsome, haven't had lunch yet? My friend brought us food, let's eat something hot together!

Anyone else hasn't eaten? Don't be shy, let's all eat together! We've prepared quite a lot of food and even a stewed goose!"

Compared to commercial fishing pits, wild fishing brings a much more genuine rapport among strangers. With a single call, the flat-headed guy had seven or eight people standing up from their fishing spots.

Zhang Yang didn't hesitate either, upon hearing the invitation he hooked his line, put down his rod, and got up from his fishing spot.

Since the guy had specifically called him first and then invited others, it was quite courteous. Zhang Yang had given him a fishing spot earlier, so he had contributed beforehand.

Besides, with his stomach growling, having some hot food and stewed goose was certainly better than nibbling on cold sausages at room temperature.

Using both hands and feet, he climbed almost straight up the dam. Ye Wencheng and his friends had already started setting up a table.

Two folding tables were placed side by side, and they began taking out stools from the trunk, setting out the dishes they'd brought on the tables.

I must say, this lunch was quite sumptuous, with a large pot of spicy stewed goose, plus steaming pork knuckles, ribs, stuffed tripe, peanuts, fried chicken legs, and more, filling up the two small tables.

"I've got some liquor in the car, want to have a drink? I'll go get it!"

One of the guys named Xiao Hui called out, turning around to grab some chicken feet and two bottles of Hengshui Laobaigan from another nearby car.

"This liquor is strong, it'll warm us up!"

The liquor was brought back, poured into disposable paper cups, half full for each person, and they all sat around together.

"It's fate for us brothers to meet while out fishing. I'm Ye Wencheng! I'm glad to meet everyone! I'll take the first sip!"

Ye Wencheng introduced himself succinctly and without hesitation, took a sip from his cup.

Next, the others followed suit, introducing themselves one by one, and these originally complete strangers became acquainted.

When it was Zhang Yang's turn, he didn't hold back either, briefly introduced himself, and took a sip of the liquor.

The fifty-plus degree liquor went down, warming from the throat to the heart, very fitting for this early spring day with outdoor temperatures not exceeding ten degrees.

"Xiao Zhang, earlier there were too many people around so I didn't ask, but now with just us here, I want to ask, how did you know the East Bank and South Bank would have fish today?" Ye Wencheng asked Zhang Yang with a puzzled look.

Zhang Yang grinned: "Just a guess! The past couple of days were decent, with no change in temperature or pressure today, how could there suddenly be no bites!

I suspected someone was messing around, so I tried a new fishing spot with an eight-meter rod, and indeed, the fish were biting! After two hours of frequent casting, they started biting quickly!"

"Casting frequently with an eight-meter rod?" At this, a guy across from Zhang Yang raised his head in disbelief and looked at him.

Zhang Yang grinned again: "It's nothing big, just practice! There are quite a few who can do it."

After hearing Zhang Yang's humble words, Ye Wencheng gave Zhang Yang a thoughtful look.

While the others might not be as skilled as Zhang Yang, as regular wild fishing enthusiasts, they understood the difficulty of frequent casting with an eight-meter rod.

Zhang Yang's tone didn't feel like he was showing off, which made him quite interesting!

"Hey! What did you say your name was? Zhang Yang? Why does that sound familiar?"

At this moment, another guy next to Zhang Yang seemed to realize something and instinctively reached for his phone as if to confirm.

Within seconds, the angler exclaimed: "Wow, it really is you! Zhang Yang from the 'Black Pit Jianghu' video! No wonder it sounded familiar! You're fishing at the reservoir too?"

Post-2020, commercial fishing enthusiasts and wild fishing fans might be completely different groups.

But in 2014, fishing media content was dearly sparse, and many fishing lovers, even if they didn't play in pits, had some exposure to content frequently shared in group chats, leaving an impression.

Seeing that a fan recognized him, Zhang Yang smiled and nodded: "It's indeed me!"

"You look even younger than in the videos! Is the person beside you Xiao Yi? I've heard that name quite a few times in the clips!"

"I feel like I've seen friends share the links to 'Black Pit Jianghu' videos!"

Having recognized Zhang Yang in person, the table's chatting atmosphere grew even more congenial. After all, there wasn't yet a concept of fishing influencers, so meeting someone from a video in person made exchanges more open.

Ye Wencheng let everyone chatter for a while longer, continuing to ask, "That rascal Tiger Lin! Knowing I came fishing and he deliberately caused trouble! Watch me call him here and demand our money back!"

Tiger Lin seemed to be the reservoir owner's nickname, and Ye Wencheng muttered as he took out his phone, ready to call.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang advised: "Let's drop it! Why bother with such details while hanging out? We have no proof anyway! Besides, a couple hundred is no big deal!"

"It's not about the money! You guys don't worry, I know what I'm doing!" Slightly buzzed from the liquor, Ye Wencheng seemed more exuberant than before eating, took out his phone, dialed a number, and wandered to the side to make his call.

Not long after, the reservoir owner whom Zhang Yang had seen earlier in the morning rode up on a motorized tricycle.

"Oh dear, I'm really sorry, even President Ye is here, I didn't know you'd come fishing! Let's not talk about it, blame me, blame me, it's all on me!"

Tiger Lin apologized humbly the moment his tricycle stopped, lacking any authoritative demeanor one might expect from a reservoir owner.

Noting the immediate submission from the reservoir owner upon meeting, the confrontation seemed to end, and Ye Wencheng asked with a sidelong glance, "We've got quite a few guys here, and none of us managed to fish well! What do you propose to do about today's situation?"

"Refund! Full refund!" Tiger Lin decisively responded.

"Just a refund?" Though Ye Wencheng had cooled down, he still held firm with his words.

At this point, Zhang Yang tugged at Ye Wencheng's clothes, and the latter looked at him with slight curiosity.

Zhang Yang chuckled as he spoke: "No need to refund the fishing fee! I noticed quite a few free-ranging chickens in your courtyard, what about giving each of us a rooster to take home? These things are hard to buy even with money!"

"Listen to the suggestion from my brother Zhang Yang! I won't concern myself with others, but for the seven of us who ate and drank together, a rooster each, would that be an issue? Don't accuse me of extortion!" Ye Wencheng casually tossed some peanuts into his mouth.

"Alright! No problem! I'll catch them now, and when you're packing up to leave, one for each!" Tiger Lin hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"That's settled then! We're eating now, won't chat more with you!"

"Okay!"

Tiger Lin rushed over and soon rode his tricycle away, disappearing from everyone's sight.

"President Ye, friends say Tiger Lin isn't easy to deal with usually, why was he so accommodating with you?" one young guy curiously inquired.

Ye Wencheng raised his cup, took a sip, then slowly said: "I always knew this kid wasn't straightforward, surprised me he'd cross me today!

Do you think it's giving me face? I've got leverage on him!

His brother runs a fleet that delivers sand and stone to my construction sites and undertakes quite a few secondary structural work! With just a few words, I could cut off his earnings completely!"

Wow, no wonder Ye Wencheng was so confident, turns out he's a boss in the construction industry!