Chapter 173

Lao Wang looked at Jiang Weiyang and gave a slight smile, "That's not a bad idea, though the investment is a bit high; we need to hype it first."

This old guy sees things clearly; this whole scheme focuses on hype, and back then their ads were everywhere nationwide.

Jiang Weiyang shook his head, "The idea is good, but it's a bit unrealistic."

Ye Cheng neither agreed nor disagreed; I've told you already, if your vision isn't up to it, there's nothing I can do.

"President Jiang could try blended teas, like aged tangerine peel white tea, green mandarin pu'er, etc.; these teas would be more profitable than traditional tea and have a broader audience."

Jiang Weiyang shook his head again, "These teas exist, but they're niche; how could they become popular?"

Zhao Zhiming, standing aside, looked curiously at Ye Cheng, "How do you seem to know everything, kid?"

"Born with it." Ye Cheng joked.

I've said all this, but Jiang Weiyang refuses to listen; there's nothing I can do—his thinking is rather conservative.

"Wow!!!" Another familiar shout came from behind.

Xiao Rou caught another fish, though this one was a bit bigger, over three jin; the girl had to strain a bit to pull it up.

Xiao Hu had wanted to help her, but she refused; she lightly bit her white teeth, her exerted hands flushed red between the white, her high ponytail swaying left and right, the youthful aura made Ye Cheng stare again.

Ye Cheng has always liked healthy-looking beauties; he doesn't care for the bone-thin type, prefers a bit of flesh, the kind that looks natural and flavorful.

"When did Xiao Rou get so good?" Jiang Weiyang smiled, looking at Lao Wang.

Lao Wang wore a fatherly smile, "That's right, my daughter—also born with it."

Xiao Rou's fish wasn't big; after a little tug it came up, Xiao Hu helped her lift it into the net in midair—another white pomfret, suggesting there's a school of fish below.

After landing a three-jin fish, Xiao Rou couldn't help but stroll around showing it off.

"I've caught two fish—can I have my rod back? I need to fish to make a living," Ye Cheng said; time is money, and today I haven't snagged anything big yet.

"Oh, why be so stingy? Let me fish a bit longer." Hearing Ye Cheng want to take back his rod, Xiao Rou hurried away, saying slyly and cutely, "I'm hooked now; your rod feels good in my hand, let me fish a while longer—worst case, I'll give you whatever I catch."

Ye Cheng glanced at Lao Wang, signaling that it was time for him to discipline his daughter.

But he forgot Lao Wang is a doting father; Lao Wang waved his hand, "My daughter, fish as long as you want—we don't charge him for boarding the boat, so it's even."

"Exactly, we haven't taken your boat fare yet, just stay put." The girl could now happily monopolize Ye Cheng's fishing rod.

Ye Cheng gave a helpless wry smile and told Xiao Hu, "Xiao Hu, today it's either meat or soup—it's all up to you."

Xiao Hu rolled his eyes and said flatly, "I think soup is fine too."

That guy is probably still holding a grudge over me trying to kill his level‑3 skeleton mage.

Ye Cheng sat and watched Cui Shuran fish.

This guy may not be as talented as Ye Cheng, the child of fortune, but his technique is solid, and his hook‑up rate is high.

Ye Cheng could only see a bit of the technique; unlike Ye Cheng, who relies on luck bonuses to catch fish, this guy relies on skill.

For example, the simplest drag of the line, then a light shake—Ye Cheng guessed he was making the bait mimic a small fish's movement, but Ye Cheng isn't very good at it now; he can only roughly observe, and actually doing it would still be a bit difficult.

Over here, drinking tea, Ye Cheng had been at it for nearly an hour, having gone to the bathroom three times; Xiao Rou had caught a total of four fish, none of them big.

Only when it was time for lunch did Lao Wang remind her, and she reluctantly returned the rod to Ye Cheng.

Although there is a kitchen, they never intended to use it; everything was pre‑packed dishes.

The middle‑aged and elderly group shifted their stools, switched from tea to alcohol, while Ye Cheng hastily took a couple of bites and went out to fish.

The time wasted by Xiao Rou must be made up.

Looking at the puny fish in the water tank, Ye Cheng felt anxious, wondering if today would be the worst haul since the system started.

Cui Shuran was still sitting at the table eating leisurely, then she explained fishing techniques to Xiao Rou, who became very interested and felt she'd instantly become an expert.

He cast the rod; the hook fell into the sea, the bobbing waves made the float rise and fall, and Ye Cheng's heart tightened as he silently prayed, "Bring a big one, bring a big one."

To increase his catch rate, Ye Cheng imitated Cui Shuran, gently tugging and shaking the line and bait; though he wasn't sure how effective it was, he assumed it worked.

Fortunately, whether it was the prayer, enough Luck Value, or Cui Shuran's superior hooking technique, a fish bit within two minutes.

Ye Cheng pulled the rod at an angle to set the hook—he got a bite.

It felt heavy and strong in hand—must be a big fish.

Indeed, his Luck Value upon catching it was high.

He held the rod steady; having eaten and being full of energy, the stalemate became much more stable.

Xiao Hu came out holding a lunchbox, scooping rice as he said, "Brother, it's not another monster like last time, is it? If it's that big, you might as well give up."

Ye Cheng shook his head, "No, it's much smaller—probably twenty to thirty jin."

"Oh, for such a small case you handle it yourself; I'm going in to eat—President Wang brought some great dishes."

Having said that, the heartless guy really went inside to eat.

Today's meal was prepared by Lao Wang, indeed lavish—marinated Small Blue Dragon, stir‑fried clams, braised dishes, cold platters, everything you could want; Xiao Hu had the biggest appetite, while the others were just eating their usual favorites, not in a hurry.

Ye Cheng held the rod, occasionally loosening then pulling, slowly reeling in the line; this fish had probably just eaten and was full of energy.

Ye Cheng and the fish deadlocked for nearly ten minutes before it finally gave way, after which Ye Cheng began to slowly reel in the line.

"Brother, have a piece of Small Blue Dragon; they're not eating it." Xiao Hu picked up a piece of lobster meat and fed it to Ye Cheng.

He glanced at Ye Cheng's catch, "Hmm, keep it up, bro—I'm counting on you!"

Having said that, he went back inside.

That guy, unbelievable—damn it.

However, the marinated Small Blue Dragon is indeed good—delicious—and Ye Cheng enjoyed chewing it while pulling the rod, which was quite pleasant.

He lifted the rod and reeled in; the fish was slowly drawn upward.

Its silvery white, elongated body marked it as a large hairtail, over a meter long—quite big for a hairtail.

Ye Cheng pulled it to the surface; it had hardly any strength left.

"Xiao Hu, come bring in the catch."

Ye Cheng called out; Xiao Hu set down his bowl and chopsticks, rushed out, and extended the fishing net to scoop up the big hairtail.