Chapter 805: Leadership Fishing, Miserably Hooked

That old saying is well said: when you're under the eaves, you have to bow your head; if you really can't bow, all you can do is stretch your neck out to meet the blade.

Although Chen Lao Ban looks like a simpleton, his mind is still relatively normal.

At least he knows that meeting the blade means a dead end.

Thus, after listening to Su Qingyu's advice and following him, he came to the air-conditioned rest room. As soon as he pushed the door, he saw Yuan Ben Zhong sitting inside with his legs crossed, smoking, full of official authority.

Chen Lao Ban was frightened and hesitated to move forward.

Su Qingyu immediately gave him a push: "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and go in." Then he closed the door.

At this moment, Chen Lao Ban truly resembled a grandson, frozen on the spot, daring not to move a muscle, every cell in his body exuding a tense, uneasy feeling.

But this did not appease Yuan Ben Zhong; Yuan Ben Zhong didn't even give him a proper look.

Breaking the deadlock still had to rely on the intermediary Su Qingyu.

Su Qingyu deliberately criticized Chen Lao Ban: "Lao Chen, you're foolish! Kneeling in front of so many people, where do you put Bureau Chief's face? If this gets out, how embarrassing would it be?"

"I... I'm sorry, I just panicked and didn't think much."

Chen Lao Ban hung his head, simply not daring to meet Yuan Ben Zhong's gaze.

"Your kneeling, with so many fishing folks watching, has a bad influence—can it be settled with just an apology?" Su Qingyu admonished.

Chen Lao Ban grew more nervous as he listened: "Then... then what do you suggest we do?"

Su Qingyu glanced at Yuan Ben Zhong's face ahead and saw that Bureau Chief remained calm, his expression neither sad nor happy, obviously waiting for Chen Lao Ban's attitude.

Su Qingyu promptly advised Chen Lao Ban: "At the very least, your attitude needs to be more sincere. See, the cigarettes on the table are gone—go buy a pack first."

"Okay."

Chen Lao Ban turned and walked away.

Su Qingyu worried that Chen Lao Ban wouldn't understand, so he hurried out and whispered: "The cigarettes aren't the point; the point is to have some local specialty that can suppress his anger—be quick about it."

"I understand."

Chen Lao Ban turned to leave again.

Su Qingyu grabbed him again: "What's the rush? I haven't finished yet. Bureau Chief came today just to catch that eighty-pound big blue fish. Think of a way to make him catch it."

"This..."

Chen Lao Ban showed a difficult expression: "Boss Su, that big fish is truly hard to catch. Several people have come before and none managed to catch it."

"Use your brain." Su Qingyu patted his shoulder: "Fishing, fishing, the point is to get the fish hooked. As for how to hook it, there are many methods. As long as the fish is caught, everything can be discussed."

"Then... I'll go think of a way."

"Go."

Seeing Chen Lao Ban off, Su Qingyu turned and returned to the air-conditioned rest room.

Yuan Ben Zhong was still sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, his expression as calm as ever, showing no obvious joy or anger.

Su Qingyu poured him a cup of tea: "Bureau Chief, calm down. Lao Chen is just like that—uneducated, but honest. Let him properly apologize to you later."

"Boss Su, you've worked hard today as well—please have a seat."

Yuan Ben Zhong truly knows how to put on airs; figures below Division Level don't even enter his sight, including merchants like Su Qingyu who depend on the Zhao Group.

The two chatted for about ten minutes.

Chen Lao Ban finally returned, holding a black plastic bag that was bulging.

Chen Lao Ban placed the plastic bag on the tea table.

And he bowed deeply to Yuan Ben Zhong: "Bureau Chief, earlier I didn't handle things well—don't hold it against me. This little local specialty, please take it home to try."

Yuan Ben Zhong glanced at the plastic bag and didn't move.

Su Qingyu smiled, opened the bag and took a look: inside were two packs of Soft Zhonghua cigarettes and two exquisitely crafted tea canisters.

He picked up one tea canister, weighed it, and it was obviously not filled with tea leaves.

"Lao Chen meant well."

Su Qingyu placed the bag at Yuan Ben Zhong's feet.

Only then did Yuan Ben Zhong open his mouth, his tone also easing considerably: "Lao Chen, today's matter isn't something I wanted to make difficult for you. Regarding the fishing spot, you indeed handled it improperly. My rod, costing over eight thousand, was brought back from Japan by a friend. To have it snagged and broken just like that—I feel sorry too."

"Yes, yes, it's my fault."

Chen Lao Ban nodded repeatedly in apology: "Bureau Chief, how about this—I'll give you another rod, and you can try fishing again. If I fail to catch that eighty-pound big blue fish this time, I'll accept the penalty."

Yuan Ben Zhong didn't respond, just lifted his tea cup and took a sip.

Seeing the atmosphere had eased, Chen Lao Ban seized the moment to urge: "Bureau Chief, how about we go fish again? I've thought it over—maybe it's really the bait's problem. I had someone prepare a special bait just for big blue fish. With your skill, that eighty-pound whopper certainly won't get away."

Yuan Ben Zhong seemed somewhat disheartened: "Forget it, I'm not in the mood."

"Don't, Bureau Chief..."

Su Qingyu urged: "Since we've come all this way, we can't return empty-handed. Besides, your technique would have caught a fish this morning if it weren't for the rod problem. Now that we've changed the bait, it will definitely work!"

Seeing Su Qingyu say firmly that it would definitely work, Yuan Ben Zhong's heart stirred a bit.

Upon hearing it, he knew there must be some trick involved. Su Qingyu is a steady businessman; if he weren't absolutely certain, he wouldn't make such a promise.

Yuan Ben Zhong pondered to this point.

He then put on a reluctant expression: "Alright, let's try again. But Lao Chen, I'll say this up front: if I still can't catch anything this time, I'll really have someone come inspect your fishing spot."

"Bureau Chief, rest assured—if there's no eighty-pound big blue fish in the water, I'll accept the penalty!" Chen Lao Ban assured, thumping his chest.

Yuan Ben Zhong smiled with a relieved expression: "Hahaha, that's what you said—don't regret it later."

The three of them returned to the pondside again.

Chen Lao Ban personally gave Yuan Ben Zhong a new rod, attached the new bait, and directed two workers to scatter groundbait at specific spots.

Yuan Ben Zhong sat by the pond and cast his line into the water.

After waiting ten-odd minutes, there was no reaction on the water's surface. Yuan Ben Zhong looked left and right, but saw no sign of Chen Lao Ban.

He then asked Su Qingyu: "Where did Old Chen go off to die again?"

Go get to work.

Su Qingyu pretended to look left and right, but in fact his mind was as clear as a mirror; Lao Chen was in the equipment room changing into a diving suit, carrying an oxygen tank.

Bishui Tan Diaochang, the deepest part of the water is over nine meters.

It's really not easy to fish.

In order for the Bureau Chief to catch a big blue fish, Lao Chen also racked his brains. After thinking hard for Along time with no solution, he could only secretly bring a big fish into the water himself to help the Bureau Chief hook it.

With a plop.

Lao Chen dove into the water from an unnoticed corner, dragging a net bag in his hand that held an eighty-six-jin big blue fish.

On the other side, Yuan Ben Zhong continued to stare intently at the float on the water; a fish bit the hook midway, but each time he tried to lift the rod the timing was off, and he didn't get a proper bite.

After fishing for half an hour, still nothing—still the 'air force'.

Just as Yuan Ben Zhong was about to give up, the float on the water suddenly plunged down—directly a 'black float'.

"Here it comes!"

Yuan Ben Zhong excitedly lifted the rod; the rod instantly bent into a full arc, the fishing line made a 'woo-woo' sound, and the reel spun out line wildly.

"Big catch! Definitely a big catch!"

Su Qingyu cheered from the side, his acting was damn awesome.

Yuan Ben Zhong gripped the rod with both hands, excitement showing on his face: 'Damn, this fish is strong! I'll tire it out for a bit—you get ready with the net.'