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

While Jiang Xia and Li Dafu chatted happily in the audience, the competitors on the field had already entered into fierce competition.

In the second half of the match, for some reason, before the other players had even started to exert their strength, player number 60, who was currently in first place, suddenly began a series of short, consecutive shots.

There were three fish in total, each weighing about 3 pounds, which immediately widened the score gap between him and the people behind him.

Seeing this, Li Dafu said indignantly, "How come this bald guy is so lucky? Could it be that you're really going to let those anglers from Jinghai take the championship?"

Jiang Xia smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Li, this contestant number 60 didn't get there by luck."

Li Dafu was stunned for a moment, then scratched the back of his head: "Not luck? Then his consecutive shots are too strange. Could there be some other trick to it?"

Jiang Xia pointed to the wind direction flag next to his fishing spot, and then to the float in the water where contestant number 60 was fishing:

"Brother Li, look at his float. It takes up half a size less lead than others. Right now, the southwest wind is blowing steadily, and there are small ripples on the water. The smaller float is more sensitive, and it can catch even the slightest bite from the fish. And look at where he casts his line. It always lands about seven meters from the shore near the grass. That's his usual spot, and the grass carp have already gathered there."

"Brother, you have sharp eyes! It really is!" Li Dafu squinted for a long time, then suddenly slapped his thigh:

"No wonder he's always a beat slower than everyone else at changing his bait; he's been camping out his usual spot!"

At this point, Li Dafu paused, then said with some doubt, "Even so, there are plenty of fish nests in your reservoir, and this bald guy's bait doesn't seem particularly special. Why didn't the other fish bite? Isn't it just luck?"

"Brother Li, the bait is secondary," Jiang Xia interrupted him with a smile, explaining:

"His rod was a soft rod, and he was good at dissipating the force when playing the fish. He caught several fish in a row without disturbing the fishing spot."

"If it were a less experienced angler, the first fish caught might have disturbed the fish in the water. This angler, number 60, has a very solid foundation in fishing."

Li Dafu pursed his lips, still somewhat unconvinced, and said, "No matter how solid your basic skills are, you can't compete with the hidden talents among the anglers in Linjiang, can you? Look at number 21, he's started catching fish too!"

Jiang Xia looked in the direction he pointed and saw contestant number 21, who was also using a net to catch fish.

However, judging from the short streak of player number 60, it's clear that player number 21 didn't show any joy at having caught a fish.

Jiang Xia smiled helplessly: "Brother Li, I also want our fishing friends in Linjiang to win the championship, but when it comes to fishing, luck and skill are both indispensable. Now we can only hope that we will have better luck on the 21st."

Actually, he knew this contestant number 21; the other person was also a customer of the fishing pond.

However, perhaps the other party is usually quite busy, so there aren't many people coming to visit at this time.

What impressed Jiang Xia most about him was that he almost always managed to recoup his fishing fee every time he came to play.

In any business, there are losses and gains. Jiang Xia wouldn't say much about someone who is skilled enough to earn back their fishing fee through their own abilities.

After all, most anglers at their fishing spot are of average skill level.

Moreover, if you prevent someone from playing here just because they are skilled, it would be self-destructive if word got out!

……

Just as Jiang Xia was pondering, the situation on the field changed again.

Old John of Britain has also started working on the linkage.

This foreign old man has attracted a lot of attention from tourists these past two days because of his appearance.

Upon seeing Old John's connecting shot, the audience began pointing and shouting:

"Look everyone, that old foreign man has made a winning streak!"

"Wow, this foreign old man is so lucky?"

"Oh no, this momentum is about to propel us into the top few places!"

Soon, after Old John took his turn, the emcee's familiar deep voice rang out again!

"Hello everyone! We are now providing a live ranking update of the players!"

"First place, number 60!"

"Second place, number 21!"

"Third place, number 86!"

"Fourth place, number 17!"

“…………”

"Number 8, 16th place!"

“…………”

In today's final, especially now, whenever there's anything that could affect the rankings, the emcee will promptly announce the results.

As Jiang Xia listened to the race announcement, he was surprised to find that Old John had made a quick turnaround and jumped straight to fourth place.

Meanwhile, Li Hao, a regular customer, moved up four places after the start of the second half, reaching 16th place.

Believe it or not, if he's lucky, Li Hao might actually make it into the top ten, even though it's unlikely he'll be in the top three.

Upon hearing the rankings, the other audience members also became excited.

Because Old John, as the most dazzling dark horse in today's competition finals, is now in fourth place, only a few points behind the previous place, contestant number 86 from Antai City!

At this moment, the eliminated contestants from Antai City, along with some tourists who had come all the way from Antai to watch the competition, couldn't sit still any longer and started shouting at contestant number 86:

"Go, No. 86!"

"Antei is our last hope. We don't expect you to come in first place, but you absolutely must stay in the top three!"

"Number 86! Stay strong! Don't let that old foreign guy overtake you!"

Old John's influence on Linjiang No. 21's ranking is still not significant, and the largest number of Linjiang spectators at the scene watched the spectacle with great interest.

They're all fishing enthusiasts, and everyone knows perfectly well that with a difference of a fraction of a point, Old John is now tied for third place with number 86.

Even if both Old John (number 17) and Number 86 catch fish at the same time, Old John might overtake Number 86 because Number 86's fish is a few ounces lighter.

After all, this competition isn't about the number of fish, but the weight of the fish.

If No. 86 wants to maintain his position in the top three, his only option right now is to try to catch a fish earlier than Old John, then stay calm and catch another fish in a short period of time if Old John doesn't catch one.

In this way, once he's two fish ahead in weight, it won't be easy for Old John to catch up unless he gets another hook shot.

Unfortunately, before the excitement over there was over, the number 60 player, who was in first place, started hitting consecutive shots again!

It's important to know that this isn't fishing for crucian carp; it's just that Jiangxia has increased the fish density at the fishing grounds to an astonishing level for the sake of the competition.

Otherwise, it's very difficult to catch carp and grass carp weighing several kilograms in a row.

Even Jiang Xia had to admit that contestant number 60 did indeed have an element of luck.

Upon seeing this, Li Dafu, who was standing nearby, lit a cigarette and closed his eyes.

Watching this match is more exciting than playing it yourself!