Chapter 2: Lao Er also came to gather seafood—what a rare guest!

Ye Cheng wore a speechless expression. Well, this original host really had such an idea.

Seeing Ye Cheng ignore him and head straight back inside, Wang Xiaohu followed up, saying, "Brother, let's go out and play?"

"What's the point of playing? All you ever do is play. I'm telling you, from now on I want to do something proper."

"If you're willing to do some proper work with me, follow me; if you still want to be like before, then go on your own."

He, Ye Cheng, was reborn not to do this kind of petty stealing.

Wang Xiaohu froze for a moment, never expecting Ye Cheng to start talking about doing proper work.

"Is the sun rising in the west?"

"Brother, we used to have fun playing—why do we have to do something proper now?"

"Can you play forever? Besides, your parents are getting older and their health isn't great—do you plan to let them worry about you for the rest of their lives?"

"Xiao Hu, people always have to grow up."

Wang Xiaohu's family conditions are also poor; his parents, at this age, still work, and they're miserable too.

Wang Xiaohu scratched his head, these words sound like something a teacher would say.

Brother Cheng changes his attitude so quickly—before, whenever going out to play was mentioned, he was always the first to rush out, full of bad ideas; now he speaks so righteously, it's a bit hard to get used to.

"Brother, I'll follow you; whatever you do, I'll do the same."

Hearing Wang Xiaohu willing to work with him, Ye Cheng felt much reassured; after all these years together, he also wants his little brother to walk the right path.

Every successful big shot may lack women behind him, but he must have brothers.

"But, Brother Cheng, what proper work can we do? I doubt anyone in the village would dare hire us."

Given their reputation in the village, it's quite possible that, as Xiao Hu said, no one would dare employ them.

"Why bother working for others? We have hands and feet; we'll do it ourselves. Once we have money, we'll hire villagers to work for us." Ye Cheng said domineeringly.

Hearing Ye Cheng's bold words, Wang Xiaohu's young heart instantly fired up: "Brother Cheng, when the time comes, let's hire my parents first so they can earn some money."

This kid, although a rascal, is still somewhat filial.

"Let's go, come with me to gather seafood." Ye Cheng picked up the exchanged sea‑gathering shovel, found a small basin, and was about to set off.

"Gather seafood? Are you planning to get some side dishes?" Xiao Hu asked, bewildered. Just a moment ago he said he wanted to do proper work, and now he's going to gather seafood—Brother Cheng really is changeable.

"Not for side dishes, gathering seafood to make money." Ye Cheng said full of confidence.

"Brother, don't joke—how much money can gathering seafood actually make?"

"That's you; if you follow me, you'll definitely make money. Are you going or not, with all this nonsense?"

"Fine, let's go—worst case we waste a trip." Xiao Hu muttered, obviously not very interested in making money by gathering seafood.

The two had just gotten ready to leave when a dark, sturdy man hurried in—none other than Ye Cheng's elder brother, Ye Guowei.

"A Cheng, I heard Madam Zhang came over to scold you?" Ye Guowei looked at his brother with concern, sweat pouring down his forehead.

Ye Cheng looked at this brother, a bit at a loss.

This is the original host's elder brother; although he inherited the memories and the familial affection, to Ye Cheng he still feels a bit strange.

"Brother, it's fine, just a misunderstanding—I've explained it clearly. You're coming back from the dock, right?"

"Yeah, the villagers told me a bit; I was afraid you'd get into a fight, so I asked the boss for leave and came back. As long as everything's okay."

Hearing Ye Guowei's concern, Ye Cheng also felt touched—blood is blood.

"Brother, I'm fine, don't worry—hurry back to work, don't let it delay you."

"Alright, I'll head back first—don't go picking fights with people." Ye Guowei reminded him, then turned and hurried off.

Reaching the doorway, Ye Guowei suddenly paused, hesitated a moment, then pulled out two ten‑dollar bills from his pocket, all crumpled.

"Here, take this money for now."

From Ye Guowei's earlier hesitation, Ye Cheng knew his elder brother had hardly any money left.

There's nothing to be done—he makes just over a thousand a month, his sister‑in‑law stays home looking after the kids, the whole family depends on him, plus there are some debts left from before their parents passed.

Add to that his own good‑for‑nothing younger brother, and Ye Guowei's life is truly not easy.

Even so, Ye Guowei never let him repay a cent of his debt, still supporting him, secretly slipping him money when he could.

Every time he came to see his brother before, he'd give him money; this time, as he was about to leave, he realized it had been a while since he last gave any, guessing his brother was about to run out of food—otherwise he wouldn't have gone to Madam Zhang's.

"Brother, take it back—I won't be asking for your money anymore." Ye Cheng shook his head firmly.

"Ah, you don't want my money?" Ye Guowei's face didn't show relief but a flash of panic.

"A Cheng, you mustn't do anything illegal."

Ye Cheng's face darkened with lines—does he really have to break the law to make money? What kind of impression must this brother have of the original host?

"That's not what I mean, Brother—I plan to make money by gathering seafood, and later help you share the family's debts." Ye Cheng pointed to the sea‑gathering shovel in his hand.

"Yeah, Elder Brother Guowei, Brother Cheng said he'd take me along to gather seafood, make money, and support the family." Xiao Hu quickly added, afraid Ye Guowei wouldn't believe him.

Ye Guowei's outstretched hand paused a moment, then he took back the twenty dollars: "Alright, gathering seafood is fine too—it counts as an honest trade. Be careful; if you run out of money for food, come find me."

Having said that, Ye Guowei hurried off.

It's clear he has little confidence in this younger brother of his.

Baiyun Village lies by the sea—step out and you're on the beach, not far away.

When the two arrived, there were already seven or eight women gathering seafood on the beach.

It's just like inland rural villages—women like to gather by the river to wash clothes; doing chores is one reason, mainly to chat about family matters.

The seaside women, when idle, come to gather seafood; if luck is good they can snag something big to sell and supplement the household, if luck is bad they just pick up ordinary seafood to add a dish at dinner.

"Well, look, Lao Er has come to gather seafood too—what a rare guest!" Zhao Shen raised her head and teased.

"The sun is rising in the west, huh."

"What, you're out of money for food, planning to catch some snails to eat?"

"Hahaha."

Everyone burst into loud laughter.

Everyone knows what kind of person Ye Cheng is; he has often caused trouble for each family's chickens and ducks, so expecting them to respect Ye Cheng is impossible.

Wang Xiaohu's face darkened hearing this, and he shouted at them, "If you keep cursing, watch out for your windows."

Good, Wang family brat, last time it was really you who Smash, just wait till I tell your dad to break your legs.

"You..." Xiao Hu still wanted to scold, but Ye Cheng stopped him.