The visit from the fisheries patrol had completely killed Chu Mingcheng's appetite for dinner.

"Need us to help with anything?" Liu Jianjun asked.

Chu Mingcheng shook his head. "No need. It was just a nuisance. Let's eat."

Li Bin suggested, "A'Cheng, why don't you get a freediving and spearfishing license? With proper certification, you can dive and fish without any worries."

"I was already planning on it. I've even ordered a boat. I was just heading to Xiamen to get things started, so I hadn't gotten around to it yet."

"You're going to Xiamen?" Liu Jianjun looked surprised, then understanding dawned on his face. "That makes sense. The fishing resources around here are poor. With your skills, you'll have much better prospects there."

"If you're planning to get your freediving certification, I can introduce you to someone."

"He's a former comrade-in-arms of mine. He's also a big fan of freediving and now works as an instructor at a club in Qiongzhou."

"Most places in the country can only issue a one-star certification, but his place can issue a two-star. You only need a two-star to get a spearfishing license."

Hearing that Liu Jianjun had a connection who could help him get a two-star freediving certification, Chu Mingcheng's interest was immediately piqued. He knew he could get a two-star in Qiongzhou but had initially planned to get a one-star in Xiamen first since he wasn't planning on developing his career there long-term. After all, with both a driver's license and a freediving certificate to obtain, his schedule was tight.

But with Liu Jianjun's recommendation, he might not have to go through the slow learning process. With his diving ability, he could probably take the test directly and get his two-star certification and spearfishing license in very little time.

No one would take the long road when a shortcut was available. Chu Mingcheng immediately asked Liu Jianjun to make the connection so he could get his two-star certificate quickly. The good news lifted his spirits, and the atmosphere at dinner returned to its earlier cheerfulness.

The next day, Chu Mingcheng received a notification from the hospital that his physical exam report was ready.

His original plan had been to get his driver's license at home first, then head to Xiamen to fish and get his freediving certification simultaneously. After all, renting a place in Xiamen would significantly increase his living expenses. If he couldn't go out to sea, he might as well make some money at home first. Although He Zheng had stood him up for the large yellow croaker trip, he was familiar with the area and knew other good spots.

But now, with Liu Jianjun's help, his original plan was disrupted.

Yesterday, Liu Jianjun had contacted his former comrade and explained the situation. His friend had said that for someone like Chu Mingcheng, who regularly dove in the sea, getting a two-star certification would be simple. Plus, he could get his spearfishing license there as well. The whole process might not even take a week.

Since he could get the licenses so quickly, he would go for it first. Once he had his spearfishing license, there would be no need to come back. He could get his driver's license directly in Xiamen and make money spearfishing in the meantime.

Chu Mingcheng booked a flight to Qiongzhou online. It wasn't a holiday, so there was no need to rush for tickets. He scheduled it for the day after tomorrow, then went to the hospital to pick up his physical exam report and stopped by Chen Yang's shop.

It was ten-thirty, but the shop was still closed. Annoyed, he pulled out his phone.

"What time is it? Why aren't you open yet?"

Chen Yang was a bit confused. He thought Chu Mingcheng had something important to discuss, but instead, he was being questioned about not being open.

"What's up?"

"I'm at your shop. Just came from getting my physical."

"Oh, I'm on my way. Be there in a minute."

"Alright, I'll wait at the door."

Since Chen Yang was driving, Chu Mingcheng didn't rush him. Five or six minutes after he hung up, Chen Yang arrived.

Zhang Wei got out of the passenger seat first and gave Chu Mingcheng a hearty slap on the back. "A'Cheng, stay for lunch."

"Your treat?"

"My treat. Whatever you want."

"How about a whole roasted lamb or a few tomahawk steaks?"

"Damn, you have no soul!"

Chen Yang walked over with a grin. "Alright, Wei's treating for lunch, so I'll treat for dinner. I'll get you the 'Sea, Land, and Air' special."

"Sea, Land, and Air?" Chu Mingcheng was curious. What was that?

Chen Yang just gave him a mysterious smile. "You'll know when the time comes."

In the end, with a big shot treating for dinner, Zhang Wei's wallet was spared. They settled for three bowls of wonton noodle soup to tide them over.

"By the way, I have something to tell you guys. The day after tomorrow, I'm going to Qiongzhou to learn freediving and spearfishing and get my licenses. After that, I'm heading straight to Xiamen. Come visit me there when you have time."

Chen Yang was stunned. "So soon?"

Zhang Wei nodded. "Didn't you say you were going to get your driver's license here first?"

Chu Mingcheng explained, "Plans changed. I met a freediving instructor. I'm going to Qiongzhou to get certified through him—it'll be faster. Once I have the license, I can start spearfishing legally, so there's no need to come back."

Chen Yang clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright, since you've decided, go for it. When we come to visit, make sure you get us some rare catches."

“A’Cheng, I’m waiting for you to strike it rich. When you do, you’d better take me with you.” Compared to being stuck in the shop all day, Zhang Wei envied Chu Mingcheng’s line of work. But Chen Yang had always treated him well, and the thought of leaving tugged at his conscience. His words hung in the air, half-joking, half-earnest, leaving it unclear where his true intentions lay.

"Damn it, if you leave too, what am I going to do?" Chen Yang said with a laugh.

Zhang Wei shot back without hesitation, "Why don't you get a girlfriend, you idiot? Why are you always clinging to me?"

"..." Chen Yang suddenly found he had no comeback for that.

After resting at the shop for a while and agreeing to a farewell dinner at Yanmen Island the day after tomorrow, Chu Mingcheng left. He planned to dive under the bridge pier to check out the fish situation and hopefully score a couple of nice catches. He'd take one home for his parents tomorrow to let them know about his plans. The other he'd save for the dinner with Chen Yang and Zhang Wei. Since he was leaving, a couple of extravagant meals were no big deal.

Back on Yanmen Island, he put his gear in the trunk and went to Zhao Jun's house first. He knew Zhao Jun would be heading out to pull his nets in the afternoon, so he could catch a ride to the bridge pier. Coming back wouldn't be a problem either.

As luck would have it, just as he arrived, Zhao Jun was coming out of his house.

"Brother Zhao Jun!"

"Hey, A'Cheng, what brings you here?"

"I was planning to go spearfishing under the bridge pier and was hoping to catch a ride with you."

“No problem. But you know how to dive?” Zhao Jun’s brows lifted, mildly surprised. This brother of his seemed to have a knack for picking up all sorts of skills.

"Of course. I speared a bunch of fish yesterday and sold them for a good price at the pier."

Hearing this, Zhao Jun immediately remembered the gossip he'd heard from the other fishermen when he returned last night. "So you were the one who sold several thousand yuan worth of fish yesterday!"

"Yep, that was me," Chu Mingcheng admitted with a nod. "Let's head to the pier first."

"Alright."

Zhao Jun had a lot of fish to ice down that he couldn't sell right away, so he drove his minivan over. The back was filled with plastic crates and buckets for his catch.

The two of them went to the pier, loaded Chu Mingcheng's gear onto the boat, and set off.

His goal today was also to lure out that wiry man from yesterday.

You're envious? Then keep being envious.