"Don't be sorry; I think she's happy to wait for you. "
Hearing Jiang Hai's words, Afra smiled. There were only a few grapes left to harvest tomorrow, so it didn't matter if Jiang Hai or anyone else was absent.
Jiang Hai paused, a little taken aback by her words, but he didn't refuse. Instead, he smiled, touched his nose, and began packing up. Five people were going out to fish, and there were always things to take along.
For instance, beer... Five of them sat outside, enjoying the sea breeze. Without something to drink, who could stand it?
Then, there were snacks—fish fillets, fish bones, and squid shreds—all prepared by Jiang Hai and his family. Whenever Mrs. Philemon and her family had time, they'd dry some and turn them into snacks.
Fishermen and ranchers could get quite bored at times, so they often sent the most to Jiang Hai.
Though Jiang Hai wasn't particularly fond of these snacks, the girls loved them. They packed a large bag of treats along with two boxes of beer before heading out. As soon as they stepped outside the villa, the four old men spotted the beer in Jiang Hai's hands and their eyes lit up. While they were all Europeans, each had their own drink preferences.
For example, people in Western Europe preferred red wine, those in Central Europe leaned toward brandy, and those in Northern Europe loved vodka.
South Americans favored fruit wine, the Caribbean enjoyed rum, and Americans, being a mix of immigrants, drank a wide variety.
But most people still loved beer, especially light beer. It was tasty, affordable, and, most importantly, didn't get them drunk. The group was heading out for night fishing—more of a whim than anything else. They had prepared food and fishing rods, but beer was something they had forgotten, which Jiang Hai kindly took care of.
Once everything was loaded into a four-wheeled vehicle, Jiang Hai and Mayor Wallis drove with their three old friends to the dock. Jiang Hai's dock had someone on duty 24/7. Of course, in the event of a typhoon, they wouldn't stay there, but on clear days, there was always someone. Jiang Hai employed five fishermen: Edward Anderson, Tommy Charles, Enol Ceci, Andrew Christian, and Maren Rupert. They took turns working.
Edward Anderson worked alone, staying at the dock two days a week, while the others alternated, spending two nights a week on duty. The main responsibility was to keep the radio on at all times, but aside from that, it was mostly a relaxing shift—watching TV, drinking, or playing on their phones.
Enol Ceci, the fisherman on duty tonight, had already prepared a boat for the group. The boat was small by most standards, but for Jiang Hai, it was the perfect size.
His "small boat" was 11 meters long and could hold up to eight people comfortably. It was the ideal choice for its size, weight, stability, and performance. After the boat arrived, Edward Anderson made a few modifications. The front featured a cabin with two seats that could lie flat for sleeping, and two rows of benches behind the cabin could either serve as fishing seats or be pulled out to form a large bed. If Jiang Hai and the others were sleepy, they could lie down here, though it would be a bit cramped. The open area at the back had a steel frame on both sides, which could be covered with rainproof cloth, making it windproof and rainproof.
Most importantly, the boat had a built-in ice compartment to store fish, keeping them fresh. Before the catch, it also served as a cooler for drinks. The boat was customized to fit Jiang Hai's needs.
The old men were impressed as they boarded the boat, curiously touching and exploring everything, while Mayor Wallis sat calmly, watching their reactions with a smile. He had once been the "bumpkin" in front of these three, but now the tables had turned, and it felt good to be the one holding his head high.
Jiang Hai didn't notice the mayor's mood, as he checked the boat, confirming that the fuel tank and auxiliary tank were full. Once everything was in order, he took the helm and steered toward the open sea.
"Wow, this boat isn't huge, but it's really impressive," one of the old men commented, patting the side of the boat, a smile spreading across his face. The others nodded in agreement.
"By the way, Jiang Hai, I don't think I've introduced these old men to you yet. Let me do that now, since we have a moment," Mayor Wallis added with a grin.
"This is God Leslie, a retired Republican. This is Greg Gary, a former economics professor at Harvard University. And this is Wilcoster Arnold, a retired Wall Street trader now working as a consultant. If you're thinking of speculating in stocks, I'd advise you to stay away!" Mayor Wallis said, prompting laughter from the group.
Jiang Hai chuckled, knowing he wasn't cut out for the stock market. Cooking was more his style. He made his money steadily, so he wouldn't risk it on such a volatile game.
Mayor Wallis continued, explaining that the four of them had been college classmates, sharing a dorm. Although they studied different subjects and went their separate ways after graduation, their close bond had remained, and they still enjoyed each other's company, despite their busy schedules later in life. Now in their old age, they reconnected and often reminisced about the past.
As the introductions were made, the old men began boasting about their younger years, sharing tales of how they were once the darlings of the ladies. The others would humorously interrupt or change the subject, and before long, they were all laughing and drinking beer while snacking.
After a few hours of sailing, Jiang Hai reached the offshore fishing grounds. His area was vast, and the three hours had mostly been spent talking. The old men hadn't drunk too much, so they were still sober. Once they arrived at the fishing spot, they quickly got to work, preparing rods, hooks, and lead blocks. Jiang Hai also switched on the fish-attracting lights. At night, fish were more active, drawn to the bright lights.
Once the fishing gear was ready, God Leslie took out a large bag containing insect repellent lights and bracelets, handing Jiang Hai a pair. While Jiang Hai preferred more familiar methods, he accepted the items, knowing they were a thoughtful gesture.
With everything in place, Jiang Hai grabbed his fishing rod, which was admittedly less professional than the others, but he was ready to give it a try. The old men couldn't help but laugh.
"Jiang, you raise fish, but I don't think you're much of a fisherman. There's an old saying in China: 'Sharpening the knife doesn't delay chopping wood.' You don't even have the right equipment. How are you going to catch any fish?" Gray Gary remarked.
"That's right," added Wilcoster Arnold. "Look at my gear. This is a flexible Kailaf fishing rod, lightweight and responsive. And this line is nearly invisible, so no matter how sharp the fish's eyes are, they won't see it."
Wilcoster's fishing gear was top-of-the-line, costing over $10,000—no small sum. Jiang Hai couldn't help but admire their willingness to spend so much on fishing gear.
"Let's give it a try," Jiang Hai replied, smiling. He hadn't intended to show off, but he didn't like being underestimated either. "Let's see who catches the most fish."
"Alright, the two people who catch the least will be responsible for grilling the fish!" one of the old men declared, a glint in his eye. The challenge was set, and the competition began.