"Hello?"
Chen Yuan picked up the call.
"Boss Chen, where’s your fishing pond? Once I get to Yu City Village, which way do I go?"
An angler, just as expected.
Past eight in the morning wasn’t actually that early — this was an unfamiliar spot, after all. You’d need time to get your bearings and check out the water, and by the time all that was done, nine o’clock wouldn’t be far off.
"Did you drive, or...?"
"Took the suburban bus. I’m standing at the fork right at the village entrance now — do I go left or right?"
"Stay put. I’ll come pick you up on the three-wheeler."
Their place wasn’t far from the village entrance, but hoofing it would still take ten-odd minutes, and anglers always hauled a ton of gear. Walking all that way would be a real hassle.
That was exactly why Chen Yuan had asked his dad to bring the three-wheeler over — made it easy to pick up customers.
"That’s great, thanks a lot, Boss Chen."
The angler on the other end was clearly caught off guard, then quickly broke into cheerful thanks. Lugging all that equipment really was a workout, so saving the effort was a genuine relief.
"Dad, let me grab the three-wheeler keys — someone’s here and I need to go pick them up."
Chen Yuan hung up and headed straight for Chen Jun, took the keys, hopped on his dad’s beloved little three-wheeler, and set off for the village entrance.
Three to five minutes later, Chen Yuan rolled up to the village entrance and eased to a stop right beside the angler.
"Boss Chen?"
The angler called out.
"Hop in."
Chen Yuan gave a nod, jumped down, and helped load the angler’s gear into the cargo bed.
"First time I’ve ever had the owner come pick me up at a fishing spot. Boss Chen, your service is something else."
They had everything loaded in no time. The angler climbed into the back, Chen Yuan gripped the handlebars, switched on the motor, swung the trike around, and headed for the pond.
"If you ever take the bus out here again, just wait at the stop and I’ll come get you," Chen Yuan said with a grin.
"Ha! That works perfectly for me."
The angler laughed, clearly pleased.
It wasn’t so much the convenience of the ride — it was the warmth behind it. With service like this, even if the fish weren’t biting, you could still walk away happy.
"Wow, that’s a nice stretch of water. Great spot too."
The three-wheeler had barely stopped when the angler was already scanning the surface, eyes bright with excitement — that familiar thrill of setting eyes on unfamiliar water, already dreaming of a massive haul.
"Pick whichever spot you like."
Chen Yuan was in a good mood himself. He hopped off and helped carry the gear over.
"I can just start fishing now?"
"Cast away the moment you arrive — no fuss, no extra charge," Chen Yuan said with a smile.
The angler laughed out loud and dug a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offering one to Chen Yuan.
"Alright then, I’m getting my line in. How do I pay the fishing fee?"
"Start fishing first. I’ll collect from everyone at once later."
Chen Yuan took the cigarette, hauled out the last of the gear, and looked up to survey the pond.
Most of the sun umbrellas were already set up — just a few more spots left to finish. Mr. Qin and his group had already hung the life jackets and life rings around the bank.
"Mr. Qin, we’re nearly there — go ahead and start fishing."
Chen Yuan called over to Mr. Qin and his group, then started making his way to the other side of the bank to finish up the last few tasks — when his phone buzzed in his pocket again.
"Boss Chen, which way do I go once I’m in the village? My GPS says I’m already here, but I have no idea which way to turn at this fork."
This one drove over.
"Turn right. I’ll come meet you."
Chen Yuan hung up, then shouted across to Chen Jun on the other bank: "Dad, put the trash can at the corner of the pond — there’s no fishing spot there so it won’t be in anyone’s way. You can even dig it in a bit so it doesn’t blow over and dump garbage into the pond when it rains."
"Got it."
Chen Jun called back from the other side.
Chen Yuan turned around, jumped on the three-wheeler, and sped off again.
He swung by the house first to stuff two packs of cigarettes into his pockets — the last of his dad’s stash. He’d have to buy a few cartons to keep on hand later.
He’d barely stepped back out when three cars came around the bend. The lead car slowed down, the driver rolled down the window and leaned his head out slightly.
"Over here."
Chen Yuan caught on immediately and waved the driver over, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Nobody had mentioned coming as a group yesterday — only Mr. Qin bringing two old friends. This was clearly a last-minute thing, dragging friends along for the ride. More customers meant more business, and that put Chen Yuan in a great mood.
The driver was a young guy. He recognized Chen Yuan’s voice and eased on the gas.
"You can park right over there," Chen Yuan said, gesturing toward where Qin Fen’s car was parked, just outside his own courtyard — plenty of room to pull in any which way.
"Sure thing."
The young man nodded, and the three cars pulled in one by one. As people started climbing out, Chen Yuan went up to meet them with a big smile, naturally holding out cigarettes as he approached.
The driver accepted one with a grateful nod and laughed as he spoke.
"Boss Chen, you really should put up a sign at the village entrance, or at least post in the group chat to turn right. I knew the location you posted in the group, but I was still scared I’d end up going the wrong way."
Chen Yuan smiled and agreed.
He made a mental note to put up a wooden sign at the village entrance when he got the chance.
But before he ever got around to it, someone else beat him to it — only pointing in the wrong direction entirely.
A young woman stepped out of the passenger seat, wearing a white dress that fell just above the knee. Her shoulder-length hair framed a gentle, striking face, and she carried herself with a quiet, understated grace.
The other two cars started emptying out as well — two guys, two girls, all well-matched.
They looked every bit like three couples.
"I’m Ye Huan. This is my little sister Ye Zhi. My two buddies both brought their girlfriends — six of us total. You’ve got enough spots, right, Boss Chen?"
Ye Huan made the introductions himself.
He’d originally booked a spot just for himself, but they’d thrown the group together at the last minute, so they all decided to come along.
"Absolutely, plenty of spots to go around."
Chen Yuan stepped forward again to offer cigarettes, beaming from ear to ear. Looking at Ye Huan, he might as well have been looking at the God of Wealth himself — Chen Yuan Fishing Ground loved customers like this.
"Hey boss, where’s the pond from here?"
The two guys accepted the cigarettes with thanks and asked for directions.
"Just over two hundred meters up ahead. My little three-wheeler can’t fit all six of you, so how about you get your gear out first and I’ll take it over, then come back for you — three trips should cover it."
It wasn’t that the cars couldn’t get there — it was that there was no room to turn around once you did. The road only went as far as the pond, and beyond that it was all farmland and narrow ridge paths.
"No need to go to all that trouble. Two hundred meters is nothing — we’ll just walk. It’ll be nice to take in the scenery along the way. Could you just bring the gear over for us, Boss Chen?" Ye Huan said.
"Works for me."
The six of them were clearly here for a good time — fishing was just a bonus.
Chen Yuan loaded the gear onto the trike and set off slowly toward the pond, barely moving faster than Ye Huan and the others, leading the way from just up ahead.
"Go ahead and start fishing whenever you’re ready — pick any spot you like. I’ll collect the fees from everyone at once later."
Chen Yuan arrived a step ahead, unloaded the gear, and Ye Huan’s group came strolling up right after.
"Sounds good, Boss Chen. You go ahead and keep busy."
Ye Huan had been about to pull out his phone to pay the fishing fee, but Chen Yuan’s phone kept ringing nonstop, and when he said he’d collect later, Ye Huan put his phone away.
"That’s right, turn right. You’re on a motorbike? Okay, take the turn and just look for where a few cars are parked — that’s the spot."
Chen Yuan kept talking into the phone while flashing Ye Huan an OK sign with his free hand. Then he swung the three-wheeler around and headed back out.
It was half past eight — the busiest stretch of the morning. Chen Yuan was struggling to keep up, so he called his dad to bring his uncle’s three-wheeler over to help shuttle customers too.
His uncle pitched in to direct parking. No choice — there were just too many cars. The space in front of Chen Yuan’s courtyard was already packed, and the overflow had to spill over to his uncle’s place next door.
The final cleanup around the pond got handed off to his mom and his aunt.
Everyone was busy.
But every face was lit up with a big, genuine smile.
A hectic morning meant a good day ahead.