Suijun starts with the principle of rewarding diligence.

Lotus Leaf smiled sweetly: "The rowing day is an annual grand event, so of course I had to come and watch. But you... you don't seem very interested. Is it because you don't have a girl you like?"

He does not mean that.

Jiang Lian was just looking down on them, but it turns out they didn't take them seriously at all.

But considering Buqu's abilities and wealth, these women really didn't meet his standards.

Wang Xiaoya's expression darkened, she pursed her lips, but didn't say a word.

Bu Qu casually replied, "Busy, busy catching fish."

Having said that, he shifted his gaze from He Ye to the lakeside, pondering: 'He Ye is a maidservant in the Zhong household; logically, she wouldn't look down on this kind of matchmaking event for fishermen. Is she here for me?'

As he pondered, Chen Qing was surrounded by several fishermen as he walked over.

He originally didn't want to come.

He made that bet with great conviction, and many people witnessed it. To approach Wang Xiaoya in front of Bu Qu was simply humiliating.

Hearing He Ye speak on his behalf about the precious fish, Chen Qing became restless. If they were allowed to develop their relationship freely, there was no guarantee that Xiao Ya wouldn't fall for someone else.

After all, Chen Qing only has an advantage in terms of financial resources. In terms of age, he is quite old; in terms of feelings, how can he compare to his childhood friend?

Moreover, the financial advantage is gone now.

Seeing this heartless man finally shamelessly show up, Wang Xiaoya breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking to herself, "It's just catching two treasure fish, right? Aqing will do."

She took the initiative to stand next to Chen Qing, her tone slightly coquettish: "Why are you so late? The rowing races are about to start."

Chen Qing smiled, but with Bu Qu right in front of him, his gaze couldn't help but dart away. He explained in a low voice, "She came to find me herself..."

"Drink! Too!"

Without saying a word, Bu Qu spat directly in his face.

Wang Xiaoya's expression suddenly changed, and she scolded Bu Qu, "Bu Qu, what are you doing?"

Bu Qu didn't look at her, but sneered at Chen Qing: "Shameless."

"You..." Wang Xiaoya's face flushed red with anger.

You spat on someone yourself, yet you dare to call them shameless?

"Buqu, don't think you can be so arrogant just because you caught two treasure fish! We're all fishermen, can't you show some respect?"

In her anger, Wang Xiaoya failed to notice that no one else spoke up for Chen Qing, as if he deserved his fate, adopting a spectator-like attitude.

Some people are in the know, while others are completely unaware of the situation.

Wang Xiaoya took a cloth from her coat pocket and wiped Chen Qing's face, feeling angry at his lack of ambition.

"You've been spitting in someone's face, how come you don't get angry at all?"

"It's alright, it's alright."

Chen Qing hesitated to step forward because he was worried about this.

I never expected that even though I gritted my teeth and went up, I would still get this bite.

On second thought, the bet was supposed to go like this: whoever lost would have to leave Xiao Ya's side; if they broke the bet, they would get spat in the face.

Now that he has indeed broken the contract and been spat on, he can finally stand confidently next to the little girl.

Chen Qingming felt like he'd gotten away with it even though he'd been spat on.

What does it matter if I lose face as long as I can win the heart of the beauty?

He looked at Bu Qu: "We're even."

Bu Qu sneered, "I've never seen anyone as shameless as you. Everyone spits at you when they see you."

Chen Qingqian chuckled twice and asked Wang Xiaoya, "Does what we agreed on before still stand?"

Seeing that Chen Qing lacked any manly spirit, Wang Xiaoya felt a pang of regret.

But now, in front of Bu Qu, she couldn't directly refuse Chen Qing, so she said defiantly, "Of course, whoever wins the rowing competition, I'll marry!"

She spoke very loudly, and the once bustling Pingtang Bay suddenly fell silent.

There were plenty of fishermen who were attracted to the little girl, but they just didn't have a reason to strike up a conversation.

Now that Xiaoya has spoken out publicly, it's like giving them a chance to compete fairly.

Many people are interested.

Bu Qu frowned: "Little girl, don't talk nonsense in public. How can such an important matter be treated so lightly?"

"Come on, you're not my father." Wang Xiaoya sneered. "If you can win the championship, I'll listen to you; if you can't, then don't bother me."

She still couldn't believe that Bu Qu had become so capable in the blink of an eye.

It was just two treasure fish that were caught; anyone could have a chance if they were lucky.

Lotus Leaf watched the two with great interest, thinking to herself that this boat race was quite interesting and worth the trip.

Bu Qu sighed softly: "This girl..."

He felt a pang of sympathy for Wang Erlang. It hadn't been easy for him to raise Xiaoya to this age.

"Wow, this year's rowing competition is so lively!"

Xu Kezhou, accompanied by several of his men, approached the crowd and said, "I am deeply grateful for your patronage, and have no way to repay you. Today, on this festive day, I have prepared a small gift as a token of my appreciation!"

As he spoke, he looked up and gazed at the lake.

Following his gaze, everyone saw a brand-new awning boat slowly rowing towards Pingtang Bay and mooring on the lakeside.

Buqu glanced at the boatman, who happened to be someone he knew.

Mei Mu, a fishing tyrant with thieving eyebrows.

Ever since he inquired about Yan Song's whereabouts last time, he has never come looking for him again.

Mei Mu felt Bu Qu's gaze, met it for a moment, and then immediately looked away.

He had doubts about Buqu's strength and planned to wait and see.

Xu Kezhou smiled at everyone and announced loudly, "Whoever wins the boat race will take this awning boat home!"

These words caused an uproar in Pingtang Bay.

A fisherman has to save up for a year without eating or drinking to make a single awning boat!

Anyone would be tempted by a chance to get something for free.

"This year's rowing competition is so exciting. I originally just wanted to try my luck here and see if I could find a suitable girl."

"Yes, not only did Miss Wang publicly announce her marriage proposal, but even Steward Xu came to join in the fun."

"A small covered boat! This is not like Steward Xu's usual style."

"I originally just came here to join in the fun, but now I have no choice but to go all out!"

The fishermen started discussing it amongst themselves.

Some well-informed people whispered:

"I think Steward Xu prepared this awning boat for Chen Qing. He's always liked Chen Qing and knows Chen Qing has feelings for Miss Wang. He wants to use the day of the boat races to entertain him!"

"That's for sure. Otherwise, given Master Xu's stingy nature, how could he possibly be willing to offer a small boat as a prize?"

"I think Chen Qing will most likely be the champion of this rowing competition."

"That's not necessarily true," someone countered. "Chen Qing is indeed a skilled fisherman, but when it comes to rowing, I'm no less adept than him. Miss Wang and Manager Xu have both openly declared that if I become the champion, both the boat and the girl are mine!"

"Dream on!"

Despite saying this, their eyes were filled with fervor.

A generous reward will surely attract brave men; this is probably the case.

Bu Qu smiled slightly. As far as he could remember, there had never been such a good thing at the previous boat races.

He glanced at Xu Kezhou, thinking to himself, 'Is he planning to use this boat to win over the fishermen and sideline me?'

Feeling Bu Qu's gaze, Xu Kezhou smiled and said, "A-Qu, you're not short of money, so don't get involved."

"Why can't I get one?" Bu Qu asked with a smile.

Xu Kezhou smiled and said, "This is the prize I prepared, and I will naturally set the rules."

The implication is that since you bypassed the fish market and sold the precious fish directly to the Zhong family, you shouldn't try to get any of the benefits from my side.

Buqu looked at the black-hulled boat on the lake. The boat was dark and the canopy was fine. It was the same boat he had seen when he went to the dock last time.

Seeing this, Xu Kezhou smiled slightly: "If you also want this awning boat, why not make a bet with me?"

"Want to gamble again?"

Bu Qu asked with a smile, "How does the betting work?"

"If you can win the boat race, this awning boat is yours. If not," he changed his tone sharply, "then I'll take this little sampan away, and you'll have to pay me five taels of silver in compensation."

Xu Kezhou sneered and glanced sideways at Bu Qu: "Dare to bet?"