"What's going on? Did you get caught?"

Qian Wenjun shook his head. "It's all sorted! I agreed to pay up! Zhang Yang agreed to cut me some slack!"

"Pay up? How much? Isn't that ridiculous! On our turf, paying him is out of the question!"

Upon hearing the sensitive word "pay up," Xiao Wei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What else could I do? Before I could use the drugged bait, I was caught. Zhang Yang even filmed the whole process of me adding the drugs with his phone!

Even if the old gang favored me, there's no way they could cover for this incident!

If I don't pay, it'll be mutually destructive. Then, my membership in the Chinese Fishing Association will surely be revoked, and I don't want to leave the competitive scene so soon!"

After finishing his narrative, Xiao Wei fell silent.

Zhang Yang filming the race was a shrewd move. With an airtight evidence chain, there was no way to maneuver anymore.

"That's how it is. I'll head out first, let's meet up later!"

Qian Wenjun left dejectedly, while his other friends stood speechless.

Relationships between people are fascinating, especially among friends who have mixed interests. The connections are never pure, and when facing sensitive issues, everyone has their own calculations, making true unity impossible.

It's like kids gang-fighting at school; if it's an easy fight, even the timidest would join in. But if it's complicated, those people are the first to run away.

Despite Xiao Wei having a good relationship with Qian Wenjun, it's built on mutual interests.

Now, with Qian Wenjun conceding and paying up, Xiao Wei had no thoughts of avenging his friend. His primary regret was losing the $5,000 gambling bonus.

…

As for Qian Wenjun, without waiting for the results and awards, he drove off in low spirits, wanting to be nowhere but his home.

As soon as he was upstairs, the doorbell rang.

"Wenjun, it's me, open the door!"

Qian Wenjun quickly opened the door to a tall, slim peer.

This buddy was Ma Weiqi, a childhood friend of Qian Wenjun. He was also involved in the fishing circles, though he no longer pursued competitive matches, and had a close rapport with Qian Wenjun.

When faced with finding 40,000 in ten minutes after the race, Qian Wenjun's first thought was his old friend Ma Weiqi.

"What's going on? Weren't you off competing today? Why borrow money, and 20,000 at that? What's the problem?" Ma Weiqi squinted at his friend.

"Don't even ask! I used tricks in the match, but got caught, and they filmed it!

Along with the wagering and the old vendetta from last time when I tricked their friend, it all summed up to 40,000! I had no choice but to pay!

I only have over 20,000, so I had to ask you. I'll repay you within a month!"

Qian Wenjun didn't hide anything from his buddy, narrating the whole situation, and once settled on the couch, he scratched his head irritably.

"Damn it! A bunch of outsiders flipping things in our city?"

Upon hearing the story, Ma Weiqi perked up, raising his voice.

"I was cornered with no alternative. If I didn't pay, my CAA membership would surely be revoked! Just treat it as a lesson learned!"

Qian Wenjun retrieved two cigarettes from an ashtray on the table and handed one to his buddy.

"A lesson? That's 40,000! What a pricey lesson! Do you know where these guys are staying? I'll get some folks to fetch the money back!" Ma Weiqi said boldly.

Ma Weiqi worked at a freight station, where he often mingled with former street toughs. Though not mixed in street life himself, he had picked up some unruly habits. Hearing his brother's misfortune, he immediately planned to rally the crew and reclaim honor.

"Fetch the money back? Wouldn't that be tough?"

If any random acquaintance said this, Qian Wenjun wouldn't pay it any mind, but when it comes to his brother Ma Weiqi, it's different.

Ma was reliable in his actions, so if he said he could retrieve it, there might be a real chance.

"Just a bunch of outsiders! Can they really flip our city upside down? You don't have any incriminating evidence left with them now, do you? Did you delete the video of you dosing?"

"It was deleted, in front of me! Now they only have the video of me voluntarily paying!"

"Great, then let's talk! Find out where they are staying, and I'll get some guys to help you retrieve the money!"

Upon hearing his brother's words, the flame in Qian Wenjun's heart was rekindled.

Indeed, he's a local in the city, and Ma knows many street friends. Although they have five or six people, they are outsiders, and no outsider can overpower the local.

Anyway, Qian Wenjun held no good impression of Zhang Yang and his crew, nor did he plan to engage with them long-term. If he could reclaim the money, it's a 40,000 sum.

Qian Wenjun wasn't short on money at home, but his mother only allowed him 10,000 monthly for pocket money, so the 40,000 was no small amount to him.

"Okay, I'll try to find out where they're staying, and you go rally some guys!" Qian Wenjun felt reassured, agreeing to the plan.

...

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang and his team had finished packing up their gear after four matches, waiting for the results to be calculated for the awards ceremony and then leave normally for a celebratory feast that evening.

Thanks to utilizing shrimp bait in the matches, Zhang Yang's team achieved excellent results.

Zhang Yang came first with an astonishing four-one-point result.

Meng Fan grabbed second with two-one-point, two-two-point, and a total of six.

Zhou Chu totaled 7.5 points, third.

Wang Yan had nine points, fifth.

Han Qiang scored ten points, sixth.

Even Liu Zi, the most recent fishing enthusiast, scored twelve, seizing seventh.

Zhang Yang's team claimed spots except for the fifth place taken by Wei Song, who also used shrimp bait. In this Sun Bay race venue, it's safe to say the top seven were dominated by Zhang Yang's shrimp bait, its overwhelming fish-catching. Effect reigned over all other baits and medicines.

With their people sweeping up the scores, the awards ceremony naturally shook the other anglers.

The awards beyond fifth place weren't as significant since they weren't monetary, so the attention wasn't as intense.

When the team, donning the globally-renowned unified logo sun-protective gear, went stage by stage to receive their awards, the anglers below burst with excitement.

Having claimed four of the top five spots at Sun Bay fishing grounds, famed for its complex fishery, this result was beyond impressive and practically a miracle!

As the champion holder, Zhang Yang was invited on stage for an acceptance speech.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Yang diligently promoted his company's brand, delivering a transparent 'advertisement'. Afterward, he gracefully descended the stage with a trophy and an oversized 8,000-dollar prize check model, wanting neither fame nor recognition.

Once the ceremony ended, Wei Song blocked the team leaving for their car.

"You bunch, weren't we supposed to chat at noon? Planning to sneak off again?" Wei Song feigned displeasure.

"Hehe, who said so! We scooped all the cash prizes; there's every reason to celebrate. How could we sneak away? Brother Song, where's tonight's party going to be?" Zhang Yang chuckled, grinning.

"First-class Fresh Beef House? Or Zhang's Lobster Restaurant? Both are excellent here in our city! My treat, let's splurge!" Wei Song generously offered.

"Then the Lobster Restaurant it is. After getting the results and some cash, let's indulge in something fancy; tonight, we eat shells!" Zhang Yang decided firmly.

"Want to grab some tea somewhere? Or hang out at my place?"

"Let's skip yours for now. Next time, we'll officially visit. How about returning to the hotel, then meeting at the restaurant come evening? Or, if you're free, join us at the hotel for a while!"

"I'm also heading home to change clothes! We've agreed, meet at the Lobster Restaurant!"

"Agreed, then it's settled!"

...

Unaware of the violent and bloody conflict looming because of the 40,000-dollar issue, the excited batch, fresh off their victories, made plans. This incident indirectly altered Zhang Yang's original development plan.

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