Li Hao Chen's imperial ribbon fish not only topped the length leaderboard but also ranked fourth in weight at 528 pounds.
The individual catch leaderboard also saw a slight shift, with "Little Days" displacing Zhang Lei for seventh place, and eighth place, previously held by Zhang Yuan, was taken by "Flower Ginseng."
The China team, propelled by Li Hao Chen's dual success in length and weight, surged from 18th to 9th place. Upon seeing this ranking, Liu Qing He was moved to tears. Although it was temporary, it was the best result achieved in recent competitions.
"Old Liu, don't get too excited. Perhaps the results on the final day will be even more surprising," Zhang Yuan said, looking at Li Hao Chen and patting Liu Qing He's shoulder. He understood his current emotions perfectly, as he was the only one on the team who had experienced two previous competitions.
"Tomorrow is a rest day in the middle of the competition. Everyone rest well. You've all worked hard."
"Finally, I can sleep like a log, hahahaha..."
"Yes, I'm getting old. I haven't recovered from staying up all night yesterday. I'm going back to catch up on sleep."
Li Hao Chen wasn't too tired; he hadn't fished much the previous day. After eating, seeing that it was still early, he grabbed his phone and other belongings and headed towards the dock.
"Drip, drip..."
As soon as he arrived at the Starry Number, a light rain began to fall from the sky. Wiping the raindrops from his hair, he felt a bit dejected. "This darn weather, it was fine just now, why did it suddenly start raining?"
After drying his hair, he looked at the Starry Number, which he hadn't seriously attended to for days, and felt a surge of emotion.
"Rumble..."
"Is the rain that heavy? It looks like I'll have to spend the night on the ship." Thunder rumbled outside the ship, accompanied by flashes of lightning. The light rain had escalated into a downpour, making loud pattering sounds as it struck the ship.
Lying on the bed, Li Hao Chen was just thinking of calling Murong Yan Ran when she sent a video call, which delighted him. "I was just thinking of calling you, and you sent a video call. It's like we're telepathically connected, hehe!"
"Really?"
"More real than pearls, hehe!"
Murong Yan Ran smiled, deeply believing Li Hao Chen's words.
"I have some good news for you,嘻嘻!"
"You're smiling so happily, did you win the lottery?"
Murong Yan Ran shook her head. "Guess again."
"Could it be... you've arrived in Sanya?"
"Of course... not! It's the Mu family. They've been arrested, and the incident involves many people, so it's been sealed off. However, Uncle Ling mentioned a few things, and they are completely finished."
"Uh... so dramatic? Ah, what a pity. I can't get revenge for the blow I landed on that scoundrel's elbow last time." Li Hao Chen was quite happy about the Mu family's downfall, as it meant less of a threat to Murong Yan Ran's hotel, but it was a bit of a pity not to get revenge.
They hadn't seen each other for days, and their conversation seemed endless. As they talked, it was already past midnight. If it weren't for the low battery on his phone, they probably could have chatted all night.
After hanging up the video call, he plugged in his phone to charge and got into bed to sleep.
In the early morning, Li Hao Chen was awakened by a deafening thunderclap. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and went outside. The torrential rain continued, the sea was rough, and the visibility was obscured by the mist generated by the rapidly falling raindrops.
"Gulp..."
"I can't go anywhere. I'll have to fend for myself."
Li Hao Chen cooked some rice and cut some cured meat and sausages he had brought from home. As soon as he plugged in the electric rice cooker, his phone rang. "Hao Chen, I just went to your room to call you. You weren't there?"
"Director Liu, I came to my boat last night to take a look, and then it started raining heavily, so I stayed on the boat overnight. Is something wrong?"
"Oh, I see. We just received notification from the meteorological bureau that a tropical cyclone is forming in the South China Sea and is gradually intensifying, with a high probability of developing into a Category 2 hurricane. The Asian Fishing Association Council has notified that the competition is suspended and will resume after the storm passes."
"Okay, understood."
After ending the call, the aroma of food could be smelled. After breakfast, the wind and waves seemed to have calmed down considerably. He walked out onto the deck and saw that the rain had stopped, but the increasingly thick clouds in the sky made him feel uneasy.
Li Hao Chen quickly packed up and left the Starry Number. He didn't dare to stay on the boat during a typhoon. Although there was a breakwater outside the dock, life was precious, and it was safer on shore.
Back in the hotel lobby, while waiting for the elevator, a server pushing a food cart approached him. "Hello, may I ask if you are Mr. Li Hao Chen?"
Li Hao Chen was taken aback and turned to look at the server with a hint of confusion. "Yes, is there something I can help you with?"
"It's like this, sir. There are two guests at table one in the restaurant who say they know you and asked me to bring you over to sit with them. I wonder if Mr. Li..." The server seemed a little nervous, eagerly awaiting Li Hao Chen's reply.
"Two people? I don't seem to know anyone here. Could it be that Yan Ran and Mom are giving me another surprise?" The more Li Hao Chen thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Filled with joy, he immediately said, "Okay, please lead the way, thank you!"
Upon hearing his reply, the server's face lit up with joy, and he led Li Hao Chen towards the restaurant.
However, upon arriving at the restaurant, Li Hao Chen's face fell. There were no signs of the two beautiful women he had been anticipating; instead, he saw two greasy middle-aged men.
"Mr. Li is truly a man of distinguished appearance. Please have a seat!"
Li Hao Chen looked at the two strangers and, out of politeness, sat down. The other man took out a few red-stamped papers and handed them to the server who had led the way. The server, having received the money, left with a happy heart.
"What would Mr. Li like to drink?"
"No, thank you. I don't think I know you. May I ask why you are looking for me?"
The man in the lead smiled and handed Li Hao Chen his business card with both hands. Li Hao Chen took it and read, "Takahashi Katsuhito? From the Land of the Rising Sun? Why are you looking for me?"
Just as he was wondering, Takahashi Katsuhito spoke, "Mr. Li, I'll get straight to the point. As long as you agree to give up the competition and join our nationality, this check for twenty million Chinese yuan will be yours. Additionally, we have countless beautiful women for you to choose from, how about it?"
In Takahashi Katsuhito's eyes, it was easy to win over Li Hao Chen with the allure of money and women.
Li Hao Chen did not take the check and put on a lecherous grin, saying, "Really, I can choose any beautiful woman? I've been longing for Princess Jia Jia for a long time. It wouldn't be a wasted life to be a驸马 (imperial son-in-law) even once, hahahaha!"
Takahashi Katsuhito's mouth twitched, and he inwardly disdained Li Hao Chen, "Mr. Li... is quite humorous, hehe!"
"You actually guessed it right. My friends all call me the humorous little prince. Not only am I humorous, but my singing voice is also top-notch. Listen to this." m..oΓg
Li Hao Chen acted as if no one else was present and sang with all his heart. Although his singing was a bit jarring, it made people's spirits soar.
"...The five-star red flag, you are my pride; The five-star red flag, I am proud of you; I cheer for you, I bless you; Your name is more important than my life..."
After the song, Li Hao Chen smiled proudly, stood up, and looked directly at Takahashi Katsuhito, "Mr. Takahashi, this is my answer. I will never betray my country in my life, and even in death, I will remain a soul of China! Hahahahaha..."