Liu Feng would definitely choose the sixty thousand over the thirty thousand.

Here, a classic problem in game theory comes into play. In the current situation, without any external interference, Liu Feng would almost certainly choose the sixty thousand option, as it's the optimal solution with no risk and maximum return for him. Wang Defa's suggestion is clearly a bit unconventional.

Seeing Liu Feng's hesitation, Wang Defa continued, "I'm not hiding anything from you. If it were any other team involved in this matter, it wouldn't matter who takes it, and I definitely wouldn't say a word. But since it's the team from the Famous Fishing Tackle Company, I must get involved! This touches upon the reputation of my sponsorship for this competition!

How about this: I understand your concerns, so I'll promise that if following my decision leads to you getting second place, I'll make up the difference of thirty thousand, and the previously agreed advertising fee will still be paid as planned!"

With such assurance, Liu Feng's last concern was dispelled. With Wang Defa backing him, Liu Feng was now invincible.

"Alright! Since you put it that way, I'll go with what you say! But since it's our first collaboration, you need to give the extra money to Xiao Bin for safekeeping first!"

"No problem!"

...

After a brief conversation, Liu Feng sided completely with Wang Defa. Soon, the money was transferred, and Liu Feng received a call from Brother Ma.

In the call, Brother Ma communicated the gist of the situation, expecting the plan to be rock-solid, but after Liu Feng listened, he surprisingly rejected it.

"I'm really sorry, Boss Ma, but I can't accept your plan!

Competitions aren't child's play; rules and regulations must be adhered to. It doesn't matter if the opponent is male or female; if there's a violation, it's a violation. It's clearly written in the rules that landing is invalid!

There's video evidence! So, I can't accept this compromise plan!

Either the result is invalid, and I take first place, or the result is valid, and I'm second. There's no third compromise for this situation. I'm a bit stubborn and can't accept such under-the-table agreements!"

"You..."

Hearing Liu Feng's righteous refusal, Brother Ma was instantly dumbfounded.

After so much calculation, convincing Zhang Yang, and pulling favors, Zhang Yang had finally softened his stance, but Liu Feng ended up rejecting it.

"I'm really sorry for offending you, but I'm addressing the issue, not the person. I hope you understand. You should reconsider with the judging panel. That's all for now; I need to get back to the competition!"

With that, Liu Feng hung up the call. His heart was racing from the excitement, and he was somewhat parched from the thrill.

With Liu Feng, one of the parties involved, rejecting it, all of Brother Ma's previous efforts were rendered meaningless. He had no choice but to reluctantly call Zhang Yang again.

When Zhang Yang heard from Brother Ma that things hadn't worked out with Liu Feng, his temper flared up as well.

"If they're not up for it, then there's nothing more I can say. We'll let the organizing committee and the judges handle it. There's surveillance at the fishing ground—Brother Ma, make sure the evidence is preserved. If need be, arbitration or court can be considered. I'll get back to the competition and won't chat further!"

Hanging up, Zhang Yang was infuriated as well. Damn it, isn't this crossing a line?

Offering a concession to the other side, only to be rejected, leaves nothing more to be said!

The constant round of communications slightly affected Zhang Yang's fishing pace, causing a slight dip. He looked at his watch—the competition was one hour and fifteen minutes away from ending at two o'clock.

Damn, what if I'm lucky enough to catch another big fish and crush their champion dreams? Even if YOYO's result doesn't count, it would pin them down in second place perpetually.

With a bit of emotion, Zhang Yang kneaded two balls of bait about the size of dates and cast them out once more.

Annoyed, his casting was slightly skewed, not landing in the 'basin' area off to the right but habitually in the old spot directly in front of him.

Zhang Yang was pondering how to explain things to YOYO without upsetting the little girl when suddenly, the bobber he had just set up slightly rose.

Huh? A rising bobber? What the hell?

He saw the original three-eye bobber move up to five-eye, drawing a blank for just a split second. Normally, this kind of rise shouldn't happen when fishing for big fish. Could small fish have entered the spot, causing a disturbance?

Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment before quickly realizing that he'd cast to a point directly in front. It's shallower there, probably because of an uneven bottom.

No, there was clearly a little trembling action in the previous rise.

There's fish! The spot that lay empty all morning now has fish!

Realizing the spot had fish, Zhang Yang didn't immediately pull up the rod. Instead, he patiently observed for a few seconds. After confirming there wasn't a fish on the hook, he smoothly raised the rod.

The spot that had been empty all morning had only been baited with a few handfuls of aged corn around ten o'clock. Nothing else had been added directly in front.

In this situation, if fish have entered the spot, it's unlikely they are new; they're most likely old fish.

Zhang Yang, with his keen awareness of fish behavior, took a glance at the line after lifting the rod. Discovering white spots on the hook shank indicated damage, he decisively took out small scissors and snipped the line.

While replacing the line, Zhang Yang hesitated for a fraction of a second.

With slightly over an hour left in the competition, if a big fish hits, can a 2.5 line withstand it?

Clearly, there was a chance, but it's also normal for the hook to be cut and a fish to escape.

Realizing this, Zhang Yang gritted his teeth and swapped in a 3.0 line set.

The 4+3 line setup offers a higher tolerance level compared to the 2.5 line. With the current double-hook laying low rig, this will do!

With nimble fingers, Zhang Yang threaded the line through the swivel, quickly looping it twice, and tied it with a standard technique. He replaced the bait and cast it to the same spot where he'd noticed the previous bobber activity.

After changing the bait, the bobber remained motionless for the next two to three minutes, suggesting the fish in the water might have left.

Since the fish were biting slowly, the location wouldn't make much difference. Zhang Yang patiently waited instead of immediately retrieving the rod for a bait change.

Five minutes later, a subtle downward movement on the bobber quickly restored its position.

Noticing the bobber's movement, Zhang Yang tightened his nerves, squinting as he carefully watched its changes.

Something's off; there are still fish active in the spot. Could the changes in the bobber be caused by experienced old fish circling the area?

Realizing this, Zhang Yang decisively lifted the rod. After rebaiting, he dipped the hook in his bait additive spiced with medicinal wine.

This level of adaptability highlighted Zhang Yang's expertise. The thick sediment layers, combined with naturally fermenting leftover bait, produced a wine aroma underwater at Jinghai Garden. Old, savvy fish would go for decaying scraps with a wine scent to ensure their survival.

This adjustment paid off immediately. After Zhang Yang cast the rig into the water, the bobber flipped and descended smoothly. Within three seconds, there was a sudden strike, yanking the bobber's black mark out of sight!

It's like dream fulfillment—receiving a pillow when sleepy! Zhang Yang restrained his excitement, gently lifted his wrist holding the rod.

With a quick stroke, he set the hook, declaring, "Got you!"

As if snagging the bottom, immense weight transferred through the setup to the rod, bringing Zhang Yang a surge of joy.

Damn, I've caught a big one!!!