Let's go back to 2008, starting with a recreational fishing park.

After Old John drove away in his Ford pickup truck, Wang Guifen and Jiang Jianguo came over together.

"Xiaxia, what was that foreigner doing here? I heard from Xiaobo that he was here for a competition?"

Seeing Wang Guifen's curious expression, Jiang Xia nodded, then said with a hint of helplessness:

"Mom, if you're so curious, why didn't you come over and take a good look when they were here?"

"Oh dear!" Wang Guifen waved her hand. "How could an old woman like me from the countryside communicate with foreigners? They wouldn't understand my dialect anyway."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia laughed and joked, "If we can't communicate with foreigners, can't we at least get a closer look? They're not monsters!"

These words made the group of people chatting together burst into laughter.

Actually, Jiang Xia had always lived in Shanghai in his previous life, so foreigners weren't really that unusual to him.

But my parents have lived most of their lives, and let alone foreigners, my mother, Wang Guifen, has never even been to the city.

Jiang Jianguo, the old man, was the captain of the village's construction team and had been to several surrounding cities, but he had never seen a foreigner before.

Jiang Xiaobo and Yang Xiaoyue, the young couple, plus Su Qing, are all local young people who spend their free time strolling around the county town.

Actually, from what I remember, there were quite a few foreigners working in Linjiang in later generations.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Xia returned to his office.

He has a lot to do during the competition in Linjiang.

Sitting in his office, he overheard several people outside discussing in surprise:

"That foreigner really is just like the ones on TV, blond and blue-eyed!"

"Yes, ma'am, don't let his age fool you, he still wears cologne!"

"Really? Do foreigners even wear cologne?"

“…………”

As they discussed it, they all felt, without prior agreement, that the fishing spot beneath their feet seemed to be gradually becoming something special.

……

To Jiang Xia's surprise, the next morning, members of the Shandong Provincial Fishing Association arrived at his fishing spot.

The other party was driving a GL8 minivan. Jiang Xia was having breakfast at the time and didn't know at first that the other party was from the fishing association.

Only after the person introduced themselves did Jiang Xia politely invite them into his office.

This time, three people from the Provincial Fishing Association came; they were all staff members who had come to Jiangxia in the early stages to help prepare for the competition.

The leader was a woman in her thirties named Ma Yuzhen, who was the secretary-general of the provincial fishing association and was mainly responsible for coordinating some competitions.

Besides her, the other young couple were Ma Yuzhen's assistants.

Ma Yuzhen was very approachable. Sitting in her office, she praised, "Boss Jiang, this place is truly beautiful, with stunning scenery. You have such great foresight to open a fishing park here!"

Jiang Xia laughed and said, "Secretary-General Ma, this is just a remote mountain village. It only benefits from its pristine environment. It still can't compare to the professional fishponds in big cities."

Ma Xiuzhen shook her head: "I think Boss Jiang's reservoir is much better than many of the so-called professional fish ponds in big cities."

"Our fishing isn't like sports like football or basketball; it's mainly about leisure. Boss Jiang, your place is so beautiful; many people who live in big cities all year round would probably fall in love with it at first sight."

"Haha, Secretary-General Ma, please don't flatter me. I'll get embarrassed if you keep praising me. I'm truly honored that your provincial fishing association could come and help me this time!" Jiang Xia said modestly.

When Ma Yuzhen heard Jiang Xia say that, she joked:

"You know what, I really didn't expect Boss Jiang to be so young. You're probably only in your early twenties. It's normal to blush at that age!"

"Oh dear, Secretary Ma, Sister Ma, please stop teasing me. I'm young, and if you keep teasing me, I'll really blush later!"

Fortunately, Jiang Xia's mental age far exceeds his physical age; otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to respond to Ma Yuzhen's words.

These words immediately made Ma Yuzhen laugh: "Haha, then I won't joke with Boss Jiang anymore. I wonder if you have some free time now, shall we go and take a look at the competition venue?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia immediately stood up and said, "I'm sure I'll be free then. Please come with me."

After saying that, he led Ma Yuzhen and the others toward the fishing spot.

……

Today is a weekday, so there aren't as many tourists as on Saturdays and Sundays. Plus, it's early morning, and the fishing area isn't crowded yet. There are only a few early-arriving tourists in the fishing area, which makes it convenient for Jiangxia to take a group of people for a tour.

Upon arriving at the fishing area, Jiang Xia and Ma Yuzhen walked side by side ahead. He introduced the area:

"Secretary-General Ma, the total area of ​​the water at my fishing spot is seventeen acres. Currently, I have set up 200 fishing spots, each equipped with a professional life ring. In addition, since it is not yet autumn, each fishing spot is also equipped with a sun umbrella for tourists to escape the heat."

"These 200 fishing spots are the specific locations where our contestants will be in this competition."

As Jiang Xia explained, Ma Yuzhen nodded from time to time.

The female assistant following behind her was holding a notebook and taking notes diligently.

Every now and then, she would quietly ask Su Qing, who was accompanying her on the tour, some questions.

The young male assistant, meanwhile, was taking photos with a camera from time to time.

After Jiang Xia finished his general introduction, Ma Yuzhen couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder Boss Jiang had the courage to organize this competition. Your fishing spot is indeed very well-managed."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia said shyly, "Secretary-General Ma, you're praising me again!"

This time, Ma Yuzhen waved her hand and said seriously, "I'm not just praising you for no reason. You've done a lot of things really well, especially putting a lifebuoy at each fishing spot. I think that's very professional."

At this point, Ma Xiuzhen said somewhat angrily:

"In Shandong Province, there are actually quite a few fishponds specifically for recreational fishing now, but this is the first one where every fishing spot has a lifebuoy. I work for the association and have been to quite a few fishing spots, but some places don't even have a single lifebuoy, let alone provide them all. Aren't those owners worried about what happens if someone who can't swim falls in!"

Hearing this, Jiang Xia was quite pleased. He really hadn't expected his fishing spot to be so excellent in the eyes of professionals.

But upon closer reflection, it is indeed understandable.

In this era, many fishing spots are probably still in their infancy. Apart from some professional fishing grounds in big cities, many fishing grounds may indeed not be as good as one's own.

After all, I was reborn, and my perspective and knowledge are still there. Many things I did unintentionally may have already surpassed those of many people.