Chapter 776: Chapter 444: Encountering an Old Acquaintance Again

Just as Zhang Yang and the others were casually chatting while loading their gear into the car, preparing to find a place to eat, on the other end, Liu Xiaotao was also meeting with his big brother Huang Zheng outside the tournament venue.

"What? You damn finished the match, then voluntarily forfeited without weighing the catch?"

Upon hearing Liu Xiaotao’s actions, Huang Zheng’s voice instantly rose a notch, his eyes opened wide, full of disbelief.

Liu Xiaotao seemed a bit regretful, hanging his head and answering softly, "Yeah! I got carried away, packed up the gear and left, didn’t wait for the weigh-in!"

"You made it to the top thirty-two, and then you pull a forfeiture stunt? What were you thinking?

Damn it, is it the usual company reimbursement for part of the competition expenses, that got you a bit cocky?"

Huang Zheng was not at all lenient with his little minion, pointing at him and scolding.

"I..."

"What do you mean ’I’? What’s gotten into you? If the fish condition is poor, you fumble the catch, then you just forfeit? Haven’t improved much in skills, but you’ve certainly grown a temper!" Huang Zheng continued to criticize.

"I drew lots with Zhang Yang! Got pua-ed by him!" Liu Xiaotao scratched his head, weakly defending himself.

"Drew with Zhang Yang? What’s the deal? Tell me in detail!!" On hearing Zhang Yang’s name, Huang Zheng’s tone noticeably softened a bit, continuing to inquire.

"It’s like this..."

Liu Xiaotao started from when he saw Zhang Yang at the venue, recounting everything he saw, and what Zhang Yang said and did, roughly narrating it all to Huang Zheng.

After listening to Liu Xiaotao’s ordeal, the serious expression on Huang Zheng’s face noticeably relaxed a bit.

"I was in a fit of anger and couldn’t take it anymore, so I did something stupid!

After stepping out and having a smoke, I kind of regretted it. When you and Junzi didn’t show up, I calmed myself down and thought about it, realizing it was Zhang Yang playing tricks!

He played dirty but laid low, and I fell for it without noticing!!" Liu Xiaotao expressed his sentiments.

When evaluating the last match from the victim’s perspective, Liu Xiaotao’s assessment of Zhang Yang wasn’t really exaggerated. Zhang Yang indeed conveyed some misleading remarks and played some tricks on Liu Xiaotao.

If the opponent was Huang Zheng, he probably would have seen through these little tricks, not falling for them.

However, Liu Xiaotao was young, with somewhat lacking competition experience, and slower mental response, so he was at a disadvantage and defensively forfeited the top thirty-two position due to young brazenness, which was understandable.

"From what you said, it’s not entirely your fault for being whimsical in the competition!

The master always reminds us, in competitions, to stay calm regarding any opponent’s talks, but you’re still too green!

However, from your described situation, Zhang Yang’s level is indeed not low, quite scheming!

Alright, I got it, when Master asks about it later, just tell him the truth, you probably won’t be punished!"

"Alright! Boss, do well in the following matches, if you encounter Zhang Yang, avenge me!"

Huang Zheng took a heavy drag of the cigarette, inhaling it into his lungs, and after a few seconds slowly exhaled a smoke dragon: "Adding new grudges to old hatreds, if I get the chance, I’ll settle it with him together!"

...

The afternoon competition officially began at two o’clock. Before eleven in the morning when the morning match ended, there was relatively ample time to rest in between.

Zhang Yang and the others drove the minivan back to their lodging hotel, had a simple takeaway to fill their stomachs, and then each went back to their rooms to rest.

There’s much talk when there’s something to say, otherwise not much to discuss, Zhang Yang, full and satisfied, returned to his room, set the alarm clock, and fell asleep.

After an hour’s nap, upon waking up again, Zhang Yang felt refreshed and extremely energetic.

However, the good mood didn’t last long, as soon as he washed his face and came out of the bathroom, he heard a loud crash from outside.

Thunder!

Damn!

Naturally, Zhang Yang flinched, frowned, and walked over to the window.

Outside, dark clouds were pressing low, the sky was somewhat dark, with distant low thunder rumbling from time to time.

The morning’s weather was already not great, and after lunch, it started thundering, it seemed a thunderstorm was looming!

Zhang Yang hurriedly opened his phone’s real-time weather forecast app for a glance, pressure at 988kpa, and between one thirty to two thirty in the afternoon, there was an 85% chance of thunderstorms.

This was troubling, rain during a match not only affects the fish condition during actual battle, it also directly affects the angler’s performance, thunderstorms are not good weather for competitions.

With forty minutes left until the competition starts, Zhang Yang composed himself, called in other teammates, and leisurely went downstairs.

"Boss, with bad weather, is there anything in the afternoon’s PK match that requires extra attention?" Meng Fan asked, sitting in the front passenger seat, glancing at the weather outside with a somewhat heavy heart.

Zhang Yang said while driving: "Low pressure might affect the fish’s willingness to bite! Rain or no rain, it’s essentially the same influence and response strategy as the morning match!

However, looking at the current situation, the thunder level is high, the competition risk isn’t too great, and it should proceed as scheduled!

Oh right, when the pressure is low, the target fish might be higher in the water layer, so when you’re actually fishing, pay a little attention, if you notice bites at higher levels, adapt quickly!"

Han Mocheng chewed a cigarette and similarly glanced outside through the car window, grumbling with emotion, "Damn! Finally got into the top sixteen, freaking weather isn’t cooperating with thunder and rain.