At six o'clock the next morning, after Zhang Yang had breakfast, he packed the bait in a backpack and went to the riverside again.
Yesterday, Old Zhao also had a good catch and planned to come again today. The guys in the group who ordered the rice for making wine and didn't come to play need Old Zhao to bring it back to the city.
When Zhang Yang arrived at the spot where fish were abundant yesterday, he was instantly frustrated!
Good grief, the small bend area was filled with nearly twenty people, clearly drawn by yesterday's successful fishing.
Zhang Yang found Old Zhao, counted the rice for making wine, greeted him, and prepared to leave.
"The weather's nice, why are you leaving so early? Not fishing?" Old Zhao asked, a bit surprised.
"I have some things in the morning, if I'm done early, I'll come by, you guys enjoy!"
"Alright, you go ahead! If the fishing is good, I'll help you share the catch report!"
"Thanks in advance! I'm off, you guys have fun!"
...
Leaving the Wen River, Zhang Yang rode quickly back home.
After going back and forth and chatting while checking the bait, about an hour had passed. Zhang Yang glanced at his watch: it was scheduled for eight o'clock to go to the factory for an interview, so there was plenty of time.
He greeted his mother, and Zhang Yang rode his bike towards town. He had worked at the textile factory for several years in a past life and knew the place well.
At 7:45, fifteen minutes early, Zhang Yang arrived at the office of the workshop director responsible for recruitment.
It was here that, in two lifetimes, Zhang Yang once again met Li Cunyi, the maintenance master who taught him how to fish in his past life.
Old Li was a comrade of Zhang Yang's uncle and treated Zhang Yang quite well from the first meeting.
An apprentice for a job, nothing much to talk about.
The workshop director briefly explained a few things in the office, and Old Li took Zhang Yang to the workshop.
There happened to be a machine that needed repairs, and unlike some unscrupulous masters who exploit apprentices, Old Li was ready to teach Zhang Yang this "inexpensive" apprentice on the first day.
Li Cunyi had no intention of hiding anything, but Zhang Yang only planned to go through the motions.
Initially, Zhang Yang's excuse for coming was the noise causing headaches, but unexpectedly, after less than an hour in the workshop, his head started to buzz.
Just like some people get car sick, many people can't adapt to high-noise environments like textile workshops.
In his past life, Zhang Yang hadn't felt any issues when he first arrived, but this time was different. After just over half an hour of following his master as an assistant, he was pale, with an uncomfortable forehead.
Originally planning to last until the end of the day, Zhang Yang barely lasted an hour in the workshop before he suddenly vomited.
Once he started, he couldn't stop and vomited out all his breakfast.
Now, the original excuse became a reality, even Li Cunyi called Zhang Yang's uncle, saying the noise was too much for him, and the maintenance job couldn't continue!
Based on this reality, Zhang Yang's job interview failed today.
Zhang Yang greeted the workshop director, then said goodbye to Li Cunyi, and rode his bike back home early.
A few minutes later, Zhang Guofu, who got the news, also returned early.
"Yangyang, what's going on? Why are you throwing up during such an important interview? You're not catching a cold, are you?" His mother was particularly concerned about her son and asked him many questions as soon as Zhang Yang entered the house.
Zhang Yang shook his head: "The noise in the workshop was too loud, the looms kept banging the shuttle boards, and after less than half an hour, I felt discomfort in my head. I tried to tough it out for over an hour but couldn't hold it in and vomited!"
"It's a good technical job that others are desperate for, how come you still couldn't handle it! Can you stick it out a bit longer? You should get used to it in a few days!"
Zhang Guofu still cherished this job opportunity for his son, making a last-ditch effort.
Zhang Yang shook his head: "Uncle Li said this is like motion sickness, it's related to bodily functions, and hard to adapt to!
There was a little girl learning to operate looms who had this problem and couldn't adapt even after more than a week of constant vomiting!"
"Look at Yangyang's complexion, it's not quite right! Since he can't do it, we'll have to find another way!" His mother added, feeling sorry for her son.
This time Zhang Yang didn't remain silent, instead speaking out the drafted plan he had thought of on his way back: "Dad, Mom! Failing at being a maintenance worker might not be a bad thing. I have an idea, and I hope you can support me!"
"What idea do you have, kid?" Zhang Guofu didn't take it seriously.
Zhang Yang turned and left the north room, carrying the medicinal liquor jug he had filled earlier from the side room to his parents.
"Why are you bringing this junk here? Your mom told me about it last night, spending money on wine to ruin our corn bran for fishing! I just didn't bother to say anything, but did you think I didn't know?" Zhang Guofu said, frowning.
Zhang Yang nodded: "I am doing this, but not as a casual plaything you might think! I plan to make money by selling medicinal liquor rice!"
"How much money can you make with this junk? Even if you work as a laborer with me, you get fifty a day, much more than however much rice you can sell! It's unreliable!"
The old man was dismissive of Zhang Yang's idea.
Hearing about fifty a day as a laborer, Zhang Yang grinned, reaching into his pants pocket to pull out the recent earnings from selling fish and liquor rice.
The stack of cash was thick, both small and large bills, totaling over a thousand when including rice sold this morning.
"This money is from the recent nights selling fish and baiting rice. The cost for rice materials is over two per pound, selling at fifteen! Yesterday and today, I've sold fifty pounds, and it's still in demand!" Zhang Yang explained confidently.
"Are people stupid? Why would they pay fifteen a pound for your wine-soaked corn bran?"
Seeing the money on the table slightly shook Zhang Guofu's doubts, but he still seriously questioned, considering it impossible.
Faced with his father's skepticism, Zhang Yang remained calm, explaining patiently: "Look, the Wen River's water level has been high the past two years, with plenty of fish, right? Many people fish by the river, yes?
We regular farmers might not have the leisure for fishing, but outsiders aren't short of money, are they? Go see the bend by the Southeast Embankment on the south side of the village; cars line up there from outsiders coming to fish!
The baiting rice I sell isn't for people but for fish!
Their store-bought rice can't catch much carp, but mine can. Do you think they'll buy it?
Once they recognize my liquor rice, I'll naturally make the money!"
"How can there be so many idle people doing nothing but fishing every day, with cars lined up? I'll go see for myself!"
Despite Zhang Yang's explanation, Zhang Guofu couldn't accept it, so he extinguished his cigarette, stood up, and rode his motorcycle to the bend Zhang Yang mentioned.
After ten minutes or so, Zhang Guofu returned, his expression changed.