The Top Fishing
Chapter 113: Auctioning the Big Lot

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Auctioning the Big Lot

Just as Lin Yang and Si Ge had not yet begun their negotiations, some commotion arose from the reservoir’s bank.

Soon, following the guidance of the onlooking crowd, two or three businesslike figures approached Lin Yang, carrying all manner of items in large and small bags, and more exaggeratedly, one person was even shouldering a set of scales.

After a brief conversation, Lin Yang learned that these people also wanted to acquire the giant pike.

But this was just the beginning, as the noise along the bank did not cease thereafter.

Groups continued to arrive, and though of different ages, all were unmistakably wealthy by their attire, and their purpose was the same: to obtain the giant pike caught by Lin Yang.

It is said that rarity is precious, and while pike may not be the tastiest among freshwater fish, its mere presence, sizeable as it is, already manifests its value.

At this moment, Lin Yang was puzzled how these people got the news so promptly; he had just reeled in the massive catch when these people rushed over.

In the end, he had underestimated the power of current networking influence.

Not to mention locally, even from any part of the country, as long as you have something rare enough, people will book a flight and come over directly.

The scene unfolding was not only startling to Lin Yang, but also to the large group of onlookers and fellow anglers, who were somewhat taken aback.

Many of them had been toiling here all morning, some even since yesterday, but so far, they had only caught some Big Plate Crucian Carps.

Looking at Lin Yang now, he had just arrived in the morning and already caught the behemoth from the reservoir; moreover, a group of wealthy individuals were scrambling to purchase it, evoking envy in the hearts of many.

However, they also knew that Lin Yang deserved it as they had witnessed the entire process of him landing the fish, aware that any of them would have been unable to haul such a massive catch ashore.

Lin Yang now understood that nowadays, wealthy people always seek out the unique; naturally, the rarer something is, the more people will vie for it.

This giant pike was a top choice for commercial use or private collection, especially with its huge size and fierce appearance, which are very eye-catching and enough to send a surge of adrenaline through anyone at a glance—reason enough for the wealthy to rush over as soon as they heard the news.

"Mr. Lin, I am the manager of Jiangdong Haosheng Hotel; here is my card," said a chubby man who had arrived after Si Ge, smiling as he handed over a business card to Lin Yang.

Before he could reach out to take it, several others pressed close.

"Mr. Lin, I am the general manager of Tianhe Building in Jiangdong...."

"I am...."

Overwhelmed by the crowd swarming him, Lin Yang felt his head spinning.

At this point, Brother Aquatic, who had been the first to express interest in buying the fish, was also in a bind; he had arrived very early in the morning.

Knowing there would be many people fishing today, he had come to see if he could find some quality items. He had his eye on the major catch as soon as Lin Yang hooked it, but since Lin Yang was in a struggle with the big catch, he did not dare to disturb until Lin Yang pulled the behemoth ashore and had time to rest; only then did he dare to come forward and express his interest.

Little did he expect that just as he had barely spoken with Lin Yang, so many competitors hoping to buy the same pike arrived one after another.

He was just a regular aquatic store owner in Jiangdong City, definitely not as powerful as the executives of these big hotels; it seemed that the fish of a lifetime might be out of his reach.

However, he was not going to give up just yet; if it came down to it, he would spend a bid more, offering a higher price.

"Alright, gentlemen, the fish is right here, and it has been reeled in entirely by hand with no damage to its skin aside from the fish hook..."

As Lin Yang spoke, the giant pike coincidentally flicked its large tail and opened and closed its gaping mouth a few times.

The crowd immediately erupted in exclamations.

"You guys can decide on the price yourselves."

No sooner had Lin Yang finished speaking, than the chubby man who was the second to arrive hurriedly broke in, "Young man, could we weigh it and measure its length first?"

Lin Yang nodded and said with a smile, "Of course, but be careful not to get bitten."

"Haha, don’t worry!"

The chubby man had brought two assistants with him, the one carrying the bags and the other shouldering the scales.

Upon Lin Yang’s agreement, one of them immediately took out a tape measure and cautiously measured the length of the pike, then they carefully placed it on the scales with a large velvet cloth under its belly for weighing.

After meticulous efforts, they quickly obtained the two pieces of data.

The other bosses craned their necks to see, evidently very interested in the giant pike’s measurements.

The two relatively accurate values were: weight 64.5kg, length 1.76m.

"Hiss!!"

Despite the visible size of the giant pike, everyone was still startled by these figures.

"My goodness, nearly a hundred and thirty pounds, almost one point eight meters long, this pike must be breaking records, right?"

"Such a large pike, truly a rarity in decades."

The crowd marveled for a while.

Soon after, an eager boss blurted out his offer, "I bid thirty thousand!"

"Haha, Boss Zhang, for someone who manages a big hotel, you sure start with a tightfisted bid."

When they heard an offer being made, another middle-aged man spoke up—it seemed the two knew each other. Then the man said, "I’ll bid forty thousand for this fish."

"Hmph."

The fatty known as Boss Zhang, upon hearing this mockery, simply grunted without retorting.

"Fifty thousand!"

"Haha, gentlemen, today I, Mr. Zhou, am determined to get this fish. Please, fellow businessmen, grant me this courtesy. Who knows, you might need a favor from Mr. Zhou someday." A middle-aged man in a suit clasped his hands together toward those around him with an air of worldly society, suggesting he was a collector likely wanting to purchase the fish for his own enjoyment.

"Fifty-eight thousand!"

The last one to arrive spoke up with an offer, sensing that if he didn’t bid now, the giant creature might just slip through his fingers.

By now, the first bidder and his acquaintance had both stopped bidding. They were businessmen after all, and they wouldn’t engage in a deal that didn’t turn a profit, so they had both exited the competition, as the price had exceeded their expectations.

Although they were no longer involved, the bidding continued on the side.

"Sixty thousand," Mr. Zhou continued to bid.

"Sixty-five thousand," the last arrival said through gritted teeth.

Mr. Zhou stopped speaking, evidently pondering whether the fish was truly worth the price. After a moment he shook his head, obviously giving up on the bidding.

Just as the last man thought he had finally secured the massive pike, Si Ge, who had arrived earliest, finally spoke up, "I bid sixty-eight thousand!"

At this price, not only was Lin Yang slightly startled, but the others cast side glances as well, clearly surprised that this unassuming middle-aged, somewhat chubby man had such boldness!

One should know that even a wild pike weighs at most seventy to eighty pounds, and if this fish were bought for eating, it would be worth at most ten thousand yuan. Obviously, its exceeding price was due to other values.

By offering sixty-eight thousand, he was clearly demonstrating true affection, truly liking this big fish.

Sure enough, the last man didn’t speak up for a good while, evidently agreeing that the fish wasn’t worth the price.

Without anyone else bidding, the fish undoubtedly went to Brother Aquatic.

After the other businessmen had left, Brother Aquatic took out his mobile phone to transfer sixty-eight thousand to Lin Yang, and smiling, he said to Si Ge, "Si Ge, I didn’t expect you really wanted to buy this fish."

Initially, Lin Yang had thought Si Ge was driven by a momentary whim to purchase the fish, and since they hadn’t discussed a price at the start, he was taken aback when Si Ge suddenly bid sixty-eight thousand.

With a wry smile, Brother Aquatic said, "Hey, I don’t have many hobbies, but I do love aquatics, especially big fish. You know I also enjoy fishing..."

Lin Yang nodded, clearly believing his words.

"Young Lin Yang, I am about to transfer the money to you. If you get your hands on some good stuff in the future, feel free to contact me."

Seeing that Si Ge was serious about transferring sixty-eight thousand, Lin Yang didn’t hesitate and quickly said, "Si Ge, there’s no need for so much. We’re old friends, and the fish isn’t worth that much. Let me give you a discount—just pay thirty-four thousand."

"Thirty-four thousand?"

Si Ge was obviously stunned by Lin Yang’s words.

"Yes, just half will do. You’re not planning to eat this fish, are you?"

"Of course not. I couldn’t bear to eat such a rare fish. I’m going to keep it in my shop!"

"That settles it then. To be honest, I can hardly bear the thought of such a big fish being eaten. If I had a place to keep it, I’d have thought about keeping it for myself."

Lin Yang was telling the truth. Now that he wasn’t in need of the thirty or fifty thousand yuan, the sight of the big fish was enough to satisfy him.

Si Ge, like him, truly appreciated aquatics. Lin Yang felt as if he had found a kindred spirit, and considering their past friendship, offering him a fifty percent discount wasn’t too much at all.

Lin Yang had made his point quite clear, and Si Ge wasn’t a man to fuss over such things. He would keep this kindness in mind.

So he nodded immediately and said, "Okay, I’ll take the fish at the price you suggested, young Lin Yang. I’ll keep it in my shop for now. If you ever want to come see it, or buy it back, just let me know!"

"Alright."

The two of them happily concluded the transaction.

Afterward, to ensure the pike’s vitality as much as possible, Brother Aquatic didn’t linger and immediately called a couple of people to lift the fish onto his water truck and rushed back to his shop.

As the big fish was taken away, the crowd of onlookers that had gathered began to disperse. However, after seeing Lin Yang selling a big fish for tens of thousands, they were all swallowing hard.

My goodness, one fish worth half a year’s work for an ordinary person.

Tsk, tsk... Such luck and skill are simply too enviable.