Yu Chengci and the others stopped eating and looked at the group of boys approaching them.

These boys were of similar age to Yu Chengci and had eyes that still sparkled with innocence, not yet touched by the hardships of life.

“Zhang Jingwu, what are you up to?” Yu Chengci stood up and faced the newcomers.

Zhang Mingcheng also stood beside Yu Chengci.

Erbao saw this and asked the others, “Who are they?”

One of the companions explained, “They’re from the old compound. The leader is Zhang Jingwen. His dad is also in the police department, working in the same department as Chengci’s grandfather, but his dad didn’t get the deputy director position.”

Erbao didn’t fully understand, but Yibao and Sanbao did.

They realized that there was a competitive relationship between Yu Chengci’s grandfather and Zhang Jingwen’s father.

Judging by Yu Chengci’s reaction, it wasn’t a friendly competition.

Yibao and Sanbao exchanged glances, thinking that Zhang Jingwu was likely an adversary.

Given the competitive relationship between their fathers and the fact that Zhang Jingwu was in the same compound, it was unlikely he would consider them friends.

Even being treated as strangers seemed unlikely.

They sighed inwardly, finding the capital complex and preferring the simplicity of their old compound.

Zhang Jingwu smiled and said, “We haven’t had a fishing competition in a while, so we thought we’d have one now. Last time, you lost and had to bark like dogs. Are you scared this time?”

Mentioning the previous loss made Yu Chengci and his friends frown.

If they hadn’t lost so badly last time, they wouldn’t be so eager to learn fishing now.

“One word, yes or no? Yu, are you afraid?” Zhang Jingwu laughed boastfully.

Yu Chengci clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his anger.

Just as he was about to confront Zhang Jingwu, Zhang Mingcheng stopped him and said firmly, “Yes.”

With Zhang Mingcheng’s words, Yu Chengci’s group looked at him.

Zhang Mingcheng continued, “Yes, but these three are not part of the competition. They’re new to the compound, and our parents asked us to show them around. They’re not involved in this match.” He pointed to the three siblings.

They couldn’t drag them into this, even if they had just eaten their food.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jingwu looked at the three siblings with renewed interest.

His gaze shifted from being critical to one of serious consideration.

Kids from the compound had more experience.

Seeing the siblings’ attire and demeanor, Zhang Jingwu recognized that they were likely well-trained.

His grandfather was a veteran, and he had seen many soldiers in the old compound.

Although the three siblings didn’t have the imposing presence of those veterans, they showed signs of it.

Considering Zhang Mingcheng’s words about them being new to the compound, it was clear they had moved in because their father had been promoted.

People who moved to the compound were at least battalion commanders or higher.

Given their status, Zhang Jingwu wouldn’t look down on them, but he also wouldn’t hold them in high regard.

He respected soldiers like his grandfather but didn’t extend that respect to peers.

He didn’t underestimate the three siblings because he saw potential threat in them.

“Since they’re new, we can skip the competition today,” Zhang Jingwu said.

Although he didn’t underestimate the three brothers, his main target was Yu Chengci.

The Yu family was affiliated with the Ling family, who were their political rivals.

In the middle school, his older brother Zhang Jingwen compared himself with Ling Jiawen and Yu Chengyuan.

In elementary school, the Ling family had members, and the Yu family had someone, so comparisons were inevitable.

The three brothers stayed silent, understanding that Zhang Mingcheng was trying to look out for them.

Er Bao and San Bao always waited for their older brother’s lead in major matters.

“Let’s wait until we’ve finished eating before starting the competition,” someone suggested.

Yu Chengci had almost forgotten about this but was reminded by his friends.

He immediately recalled the need to eat first: “Yes, yes, let’s eat before starting. If you don’t give us time to eat, it’s like hoping we’ll starve and lose our strength.”

Zhang Jingwu: “……” He hadn’t said anything yet, but now Yu Chengci was already trying to pin the blame on him. “I won fair and square last time, and I can do it again. You can eat as much as you want. How much time do you need? I’ll give it to you.”

The others watched as Yu Chengci and Zhang Mingcheng decided how much time they needed to eat.

Yu Chengci thought about how he lost to Zhang Jingwu last time and realized he might not win at fishing again.

Since they weren’t confident about fishing, they might as well take their time eating and enjoy themselves.

So Yu Chengci said, “We’ll need an hour.”

What?

Zhang Jingwu’s eyes almost popped out. With just these snacks—sugar-coated twists, a bunch of purple grapes, cut-up sweet cane, and slices of sweet pears—he couldn’t help but swallow.

Although they were from wealthy families and never lacked for clothes or food, due to limited resources and ration tickets in those years, such treats weren’t common.

No wonder Yu Chengci wanted to eat first.

If it were him, he’d want to eat before competing too.

Suddenly, Zhang Jingwu’s eyes lit up with an idea: “Yu Chengci, last time the loser had to bark like a dog. This time, let’s try something different. How about it?”

Yu Chengci, with his easygoing nature, knew that Zhang Jingwu was cunning and good at scheming, so he replied, “You first tell us what the new challenge is.”

Zhang Mingcheng felt uneasy.

Zhang Jingwu wasn’t a nice person, and suggesting a new challenge at this time meant he was confident they’d lose.

The new challenge would probably be unfavorable for them.

The rest of the group watched Zhang Jingwu cautiously, preparing for a potential challenge.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jingwu’s team appeared relaxed.

Since they had beaten Yu Chengci’s team last time, and given the number of people was still in their favor, they felt confident.

Their fishing team was the same as before, and Yu Chengci’s team hadn’t changed, so they felt no pressure.

Seeing their serious expressions, Zhang Jingwu sneered, “Look at you all acting so serious. It’s just a change of tactics. Don’t worry, this time you won’t have to bark like dogs. Let’s just bet on the food you’ve got.”

Yibao, Erbao, and Sanbao were speechless.

Yu Chengci and Zhang Mingcheng also didn’t know how to respond.

The kids from Zhang Jingwu’s side were equally stunned.

Zhang Jingwu’s boastful challenge made them feel a bit embarrassed.

However, seeing the tempting food, they thought it might be worth it.

When Zhang Jingwu noticed their silence, he asked, “So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to take the bet or not? Don’t tell me you’re scared; that would be beneath you.”

Yu Chengci’s group remained silent.

Zhang Mingcheng spoke first, “We can’t agree to that. The food isn’t ours to gamble with. It was brought by Lin Haizhi’s mother for everyone to share.”

Zhang Jingwu asked, “Lin Haizhi?”

Yu Chengci pointed to the three siblings. “They’re the ones who brought the food for us. We can’t use it as a wager.”

Zhang Jingwu frowned.

He realized that since the three siblings weren’t part of the competition, their food shouldn’t be used as a bet.

But he countered, “But they gave the food to you, so it’s yours, isn’t it? You can still use it for the bet.”

Yu Chengci replied, “They didn’t give it to us; they just brought it for everyone to share.”

“Such a hassle,” Zhang Jingwu said, turning to the three siblings. “So, what do you say? Can we use the food for the bet?”

The three siblings shook their heads in unison.

Zhang Jingwu taunted, “Are you scared? If you are, you can just join the competition yourself.”

Erbao, fuming, said, “This food was made by our mother for us and our friends to enjoy together. It’s not for betting.” If it were a familiar friend, like He Jiaxing, they’d be willing to bet food among themselves.

But now, it felt different, and Zhang Jingwu’s words angered Erbao.

“So what if it’s for eating? Why can’t it be used for a bet?” Zhang Jingwu thought the idea was ridiculous.

Food was food, after all.

Erbao countered, “Would you use your mother’s food as a bet?”

Zhang Jingwu dismissed it, saying, “My mom’s food isn’t good. We have a housekeeper who cooks, and I wouldn’t bet with my mom’s cooking because it’s just not that good.” He would never use it for such purposes.

Erbao retorted, “How do you know my mother’s food isn’t good?” He took pride in his mother’s cooking, believing it was the best in the compound and even in the capital.

Zhang Jingwu replied, “How would I know if your mom’s food is good? But these sweet potatoes and grapes are naturally good. Where are you from, anyway? Only people from the countryside call their mothers ‘Mom.’ We city folks call our mothers ‘Mother.’”