Chapter 769: Chapter 440: The Early Bird Gets the Worm (2)

Yesterday was the first day of the competition, with so many people there, everyone was afraid of problems occurring, so the security personnel at the site were quite tense. By the second day of the competition, the scale had greatly reduced, so the security personnel on duty relaxed a bit.

Zhang Yang walked towards the competition area, observing the positions of the staff in uniform here and there. Whether it was because he arrived quite early, the spot where yesterday’s fixed-position staff stood was empty at the moment; they hadn’t arrived yet.

Since there was no one around, Zhang Yang naturally didn’t hold back. He didn’t enter the field early but rather strolled around half the perimeter of the competition site’s number one mixed-breeding pond outlined by the ribbons.

From the west bank, he walked straight to the southwestern corner, then directly headed to the southeastern corner, preemptively surveying the visible general situation of the mixed-breeding pond with the naked eye.

Without this closer look, it wasn’t clear, but after walking around, Zhang Yang indeed discovered quite a few problems.

The oxygen machine wasn’t on, so near the shore, many fish were gasping at the surface, striving to breathe by gulping air.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yang’s heart sank, his expectations for today’s fish conditions in the competition dropped another notch. If the competition started under these circumstances, let alone make a flying kick, even the flying copy wouldn’t be used. He’d diligently use small hooks and fine lines; landing a fish would be considered a catch.

"Hey there, angler! What are you doing? The competition hasn’t started yet; you’re not allowed to enter early!"

Just as Zhang Yang was pondering over the fish conditions internally, he heard a robust shout from afar.

Following the voice, Zhang Yang saw a young man in uniform, holding a bun in one hand, gesturing toward him as he ate.

Such acts aren’t severe violations, so Zhang Yang didn’t bolt away but quietly waited for the staff member to jog over.

"What’s your name? What were you just doing?" The slightly tense security guard asked.

Raising his head, Zhang Yang showed a harmless smile: "Hello, comrade! My name is Zhang Yang. I got a stomach ache last night and was looking everywhere for a restroom! Just relieved myself and was heading back when I saw you calling out to me! Is there a problem?"

Although Zhang Yang’s words were fibs, they were difficult to dismantle. There was indeed a nearby restroom at the southeastern corner of the angling site. In a pinch, relieving oneself isn’t a significant matter.

"The competition hasn’t started yet, you’re not allowed to roam around! This toilet here can only be used during the competition. Before it starts, there’s another one over there!"

While the guard knew Zhang Yang was likely lying, he chose not to expose him, instead pointing to a slightly more distant location at the north side of the parking lot where another restroom was located.

"Alright, thanks for the reminder! Want a cigarette? Let’s share one!" Zhang Yang gratefully thanked him, stealthily taking out a pack of Hua Zi from his pocket and directly offering a cigarette to the guard.

The competition start time was still far away; guards are human too. Seeing someone offering a cigarette, especially Hua Zi, the guard hesitated only briefly before accepting.

Zhang Yang quickly provided a lighter, igniting it for the guard. Amidst mutual smoke inhalation, what was merely a stranger acquaintance quickly grew closer.

"Brother, what we do here is our job. The leaders have their requirements, please bear with us!" Guard spoke with a significantly improved attitude, cigarette in mouth.

Zhang Yang grinned: "No worries, I understand! By the way, big brother, just now when I was heading back, I glanced over at the mixed-breeding pond!

After the competition ended yesterday, our site didn’t turn on the oxygen machine. I saw quite a few fish gasping!"

"Gasping fish? That can’t be! I’m leaving you now to check it out!" Upon hearing about the gasping fish, the guard instantly lost interest in chatting, his appearance turning tense.

Leaving Zhang Yang behind, the guard briskly walked to observe by the mixed-breeding pond for a while, then promptly radioed using a walkie-talkie.

Within three minutes, the oxygen machine roared to life. Meanwhile, two other staff in uniforms arrived, carrying a large red plastic bucket, scooping and pouring water into the pond as they walked.

Witnessing this, Zhang Yang was aware of what was happening, choosing not to linger but strolling back to where the team members gathered.

"Leader! How did it go?" Meng Fan asked with concern.

Not hiding anything, Zhang Yang slightly gestured with his chin to the staff pouring oxygen enhancers, stating: "The fish were gasping; maybe it was due to staff oversight or weather! I reminded the guard who then had his colleague switch on the oxygen machine and poured some oxygen-enhancing agents!"

"Oh my, so that means the fish conditions during the mixed-breeding this morning might be even more challenging!" Han Mocheng murmured with a furrowed brow.

Zhang Yang nodded: "Indeed! There will surely be an impact. Even if the competition starts and the fish settle down, their bites will definitely be affected! Since few people have arrived yet, only a small number know about this; we came early, taking a slight intelligence advantage!

As I reminded everyone during breakfast, fine-tune the tackle setup, adjust the bait condition, and if the carp and catfish bite poorly, don’t hesitate to switch to crucian carp bait! This morning’s competition looks interesting!"

"Haha, the early bird catches the worm! Waking up half an hour early was worth it!" Xiaobao becomes energized.

Zhang Yang waved his hand: "Alright, let’s not get complacent and re-check the detailed preparations for the tackle, bobbers, etc., plus prepare the softer rods! 32 into 16, making it into the top 16 means almost securing a spot, so let’s do our best everyone!"

Under Zhang Yang’s reminder, the team members again checked all pre-competition preparations, confirming everything was correct, then patiently waited.

Half an hour quickly passed, more and more competing anglers arrived at the fishing site, along with various staff wearing badges arriving one after another, making the competition site lively again.

At 7:10 a.m., the loudspeaker called for all anglers to begin drawing lots for the second day of the 32 into 16 positions.

Zhang Yang pulled out his phone to log into the drawing page, idly tapping on it.

Zone A, spot 03.

"Oh my, A03, spot 3 by the entrance! Kinda tricky!" Upon seeing the position, Zhang Yang irritably shook his head. Initially poor fish conditions and now an unfavorable draw made things tough.

Casually drawing, Zhang Yang got position A03, Zone A, spot 3, located on the north bank close to the entrance, not an ideal fishing spot overall.

Upon hearing this, Meng Fan shook his head, reminding: "Today’s competition uses red seat numbers, not the blue fishing spots from yesterday! A03 is on the north bank near the oxygen machine side; the spot’s not bad!"

"Oh, I mixed it up!"

With this reminder, Zhang Yang realized that in the mixed-breeding pond accommodating 168 people, only 32 anglers were set for today, using different numbers from yesterday’s set.

"I’m in Zone A, A06!" Xiaobao held up his phone, showing Zhang Yang energetically.

Meng Fan was in Zone C, Han Mocheng in Zone D. Overall, the drawing luck wasn’t bad, certainly better than Zhang Yang’s initial assumption of a poor spot 3 by the entrance.

With the drawing over, everyone began preparing to enter the field. Because they used soft rods, they had to go through the process of having the staff check the rods before entry.

Zhang Yang took out a 4H and a 6h hardness 15-foot rod from his bag, having them usually inspected by the staff, then quickly entered with gear, heading to his spot 03.

Luckily, Meng Fan was right. A03 is located to the right of the oxygen machine on the west side; although not directly facing the oxygen machine, it isn’t too bad, somewhat benefiting from the proximity.

Since entering the field, Zhang Yang focused on the fish in the pond. Gasping fish were gone, and everything now seemed normal, with no more fish floating on the surface.

Seeing this, Zhang Yang internally felt relieved, glad for arriving early enough to comprehend the fish conditions. Late arrivals were still oblivious; it was as if he had a small cheat code. Now, there’s something to play with.