Chapter 392: Chapter 237: Invitation from the City Fishing Association_2
"Uh, that’s fine, I’ll sneak back home later!" Lin Nianwei hesitated for a moment but still agreed to her friend’s persuasion.
"That’s more like it! There’s an old saying: a woman doll herself up for her admirers! If we have the assets, why not make good use of them?
If I had your conditions, I would have had President Zhang wrapped around my finger a long time ago! Unlike you, dating for so long and still living alone!"
"Oh, you’re so annoying! If you keep talking nonsense, I’m going to get angry!" Lin Nianwei pretended to be angry, her cheeks blushing bright red.
...
At 4:30 PM, the award ceremony for the competition kicked off on time.
For this kind of Category Four competition award ceremony, even though it’s slightly more formal than a commercial event, it’s pretty much the same routine: speeches by the leaders, winners go onto the stage for awards and photos, and finally, the top few share some thoughts on winning.
Zhang Yang had long been accustomed to this routine without any excitement, but in contrast, Liu Zi and Meng Fan were very excited since it was their first time ranking in an official national competition.
By the end of the award ceremony, Zhang Yang, as the champion, received 8,000 yuan in cash, 200 points for the event, 30 participation points, and a new CAA points card, totaling 230 points in one competition.
Meng Fan, who placed fourth, got a prize of 1,000 yuan, 40 points, and 30 participation points, far less than the champion’s earnings, but still, he was thrilled to see real money for the first time.
Liu Zi received sixth place, with a prize of just 300 yuan, plus a sponsored brand fishing gear prize and an award certificate, her face bright red with excitement.
As the award ceremony ended, Zhang Yang and the two brothers were about to sneak away when they were stopped by Chen Xueqiang and Ding Wen.
"Master Zhang, where are we going to celebrate tonight? You won the championship; shouldn’t there be a celebration? Oh, by the way, some leaders and referees from the fishing association are here too, want to join us?"
Ding Wen, with a cigarette in his mouth and a colorful baseball cap tilted on his head, asked with a smile.
"Damn, what’s meant to come will eventually catch up! Can’t dodge it after all!" Zhang Yang made a show of slapping his forehead, putting on an exaggerated expression of being heartbroken.
"Haha, you clown, just kidding! It was Old Zou who asked me to find you!" Ding Wen explained.
Ding Wen was referring to Zou Zhaokun, known as Old Zou, a senior figure in the W City Fishing Association, who had held the position of chairman since the association’s establishment, steadily surpassing Vice Chairman Ma Yuhua.
Needless to say, Zhang Yang and his two buddies, who just made a name for themselves with their training in competitive fishing, had caught Zou Zhaokun’s attention.
This was an opportunity to meet Zhang Yang through his championship win!
Ding Wen and Chen Xueqiang were acting as intermediaries to pass messages and introduce people.
In the past, Zhang Yang might have found an excuse to refuse, but now that Liu Zi and Meng Fan planned to pursue competitive fishing, they had to deal with making connections in the circle, so Zhang Yang couldn’t refuse this dinner invitation.
"Alright! This is a good thing! Let’s celebrate and get together! Tonight, let’s go to the First-class Lobster House! We can team up to eat some shellfish! It’s my treat!" Zhang Yang readily agreed.
"Damn, the standard is high; are you planning to blow all the prize money? Shall I tell Old Zou and the others?"
"Yes, and invite the referees, Old Zhang and Old Li, too!"
"Got it! President Zhang, you’re so generous! I’ll head over there now, talk later on the phone!"
"Ok!"
After Ding Wen left, Liu Zi stared at their retreating figures, puzzled.
"Brother Yang, we won the championship; it’s not because of them. Why do we have to treat them? Isn’t this extortion?" Liu Zi said indignantly.
Zhang Yang and Meng Fan exchanged a glance, both smiling in silent understanding.
"What do they say on TV? Where there are people, there are cliques, and even though the competitive circle isn’t big, it’s still a circle!
If you want to mingle in this circle, building good relationships with these big shots is essential!
They are interested in us, which is already giving us face! Unlike those half-baked guys, inviting these people over, even if they invite them, they wouldn’t be interested!
Making friends in this circle is beneficial for you and Xiao Fan in competitions; at the very least, securing a spot isn’t an issue! There are more opportunities too!"
"Oh, oh! I get it! So they’re interested in our skills and willing to include us in their activities!" Liu Zi nodded repeatedly.
Zhang Yang nodded and advised, "You can think of it that way. Dinner is just an excuse; it’s because there’s mutual value, which leads to interactions!
When we sit down for dinner tonight, eat more and talk less. Those guys are all seasoned veterans, so don’t show any weaknesses!"
"Got it!"
...
When the award ceremony was over, the participating anglers gradually drove away, and Zhang Yang and the other two also blended into the crowd, leaving the competition site.
After being sunburned all day and drenched in sweat, with the evening still planned ahead, Zhang Yang went back, took a shower, changed into something more presentable, and then drove to the company.
Since they called over the operations department too, today’s team-building dinner had a few more girls than usual, and together with Wang Yan and Han Qiang, around a dozen people in total.
At six in the evening, everyone split into several cars and headed to the First-class Lobster House grandly!
Because Ding Wen and the others were coming too, the initially planned large table turned into two tables, with core company employees at one table and Ding Wen, Old Zou, plus a few referees at another. Zhang Yang focused mainly on entertaining Zou Zhaokun and his group.
Around 6:30, Ding Wen and Old Zou arrived back-to-back at the booked lobster house, with Zhang Yang and Meng Fan meeting them in the lobby and taking them directly to a private room on the third floor.
This was a standard social dinner, with everyone sitting according to their ranks at different spots. The highest-ranking person, the chair of the fishing association, Zou Zhaokun, naturally took the seat of honor, and the other referee big shots also took their places.
Zou Zhaokun was a man in his fifties, looking sharp and spirited, with shallow wrinkles on his face but white hair. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and smiled affably at everyone, appearing amiable.
However, those who knew him well knew that this old man was no simple character. Back in the day, he was a factory director at a state-owned tractor plant, and when the factory’s performance declined, he took the initiative to resign and retire early.
After retiring, he didn’t stay idle. Due to his fondness for fishing, he utilized the bureaucratic system skills and quickly gained influence in the local fishing community. When the local fishing association was being established, he easily became the chairman, recognized by all, contributing his energy and efforts in a new field.
Once everyone had arrived and the food and drinks were served, the waiter closed the door, and the main event began.
According to local dinner customs, the main topics wouldn’t be discussed right away but would start with some toasting, and after a few rounds of drinks and tasting the dishes, the real conversation would commence.
Aside from Zhang Yang and his two buddies, everyone else were veterans at dinner parties, so there was no awkwardness from beginning to end. Everyone chatted and laughed about trivial matters in the circle, maintaining a good vibe.
After Zou, the host at the main seat, finished his Lucky Fortune toast, Old Zou started the conversation.
"Zhang Yang, I’ve heard about you from friends for a long time; you run a fishing gear store, set up a factory, and start a company, developing quite well. I didn’t expect you to be so young; how old are you this year?"
"Hehe, just muddling around! I’m 24!"
"Taking the two brothers to competitions, are you planning to pursue national competitions to get a ranking?" Old Zou asked again.
Zhang Yang shook his head, "I’m just playing around! Meng Fan and Liu Zi might try competing. I’m just accompanying them, but it’s hard to keep up with the time and energy for matches all over the place!"
"Haha, your way of accompanying them seems disingenuous; you’ve just easily taken the championship with your skills. It’d be a shame not to compete! I’m really impressed with you!" The referee, Old Li, sitting nearby, chimed in.
"Hehe, mainly luck!" Zhang Yang grinned, not continuing the topic.
"Now, some positions in the fishing association are up for renewal; have you considered taking a position in the association?
Your main job is running a fishing gear company, which is professionally aligned! If you’re interested, we can discuss it later!" Zou Zhaokun straightforwardly laid out his intentions after some initial conversations.
Hearing that they wanted to develop him into the fishing association, Zhang Yang felt a jolt inside!