Chapter 259: Many hands make light work, spreading the clam seedlings

Ye Guowei spoke sincerely and genuinely; plus he already had a good reputation in the village, so the crowd didn't make things difficult, they just laughed it off and moved on.

Here they settled the balance with Boss Hu; Boss Hu unloaded all the seedlings and left.

The remaining seedlings, as much as a small hill, need to be spread quickly, or they'll dry out and die.

5000 catties, and they need to spread at a rate of 100 catties per mu; the two of them definitely can't do it.

Finally they called Xiao Hu's family over, also called Qian Shen's family and Zhang Guafu over; the two from the Chen Family also came to help; one group handled the heavy distribution, another group went to spread the clam seedlings, and then things slowly got underway.

But even so, it was still a bit slow; by 5 p. m. they had only done half; a few women went back to prepare dinner, because working without eating is definitely not possible.

"Brother, I estimate we'll have to work until evening." Ye Cheng wiped sweat from his forehead, damn, it's been a long time since he did such hardcore work.

Ye Guowei nodded, "In a bit we'll fetch those few lights from home; tonight we'll spread them all, and later we'll give those uncles and aunts a red envelope."

The two were speaking when they saw several people walk out of the village heading toward the seaside.

"Guowei, A Cheng, if there's something you should've called us!" From afar, the person shouted.

Ye Cheng looked and saw it was Duan Chunsheng, who brought his wife and son Duan Yong along.

Behind them also came Chen Jinshui, who said, "Lao Er, you're despising Uncle's clumsy legs, not calling me anymore; I can still scatter stuff."

Seeing so many people come at once, Ye Cheng felt a bit embarrassed, stepped forward and handed out cigarettes one by one.

Duan Yong also took it over, and respectfully called out "Cheng Ge".

"Uncles and aunts, brothers, I won't say more; later we'll go to my older brother's place for drinks, nobody is allowed to leave." Ye Cheng shouted loudly.

"Right, nobody is allowed to leave." Ye Guowei also said loudly, not expecting his younger brother's social circle to be getting better and better, with people voluntarily coming to help.

With all these extra hands helping, the work went much faster, and by 8 p. m. they had finished spreading everything.

Ye Guowei stood at the seaside, looking at the expanse of clams like sesame seeds, his heart filled with endless thoughts, his eye sockets gradually moistening.

"Guowei Ge, why are you crying?" Xiao Hu walked over and teased.

"Brother, what's up, you still planning to write a poem?" Ye Cheng casually picked up a small clam; the little creature had already adapted here, opening its shell and frantically eating.

Ye Guowei quickly wiped his tears, "What poem? You brother is just a rough guy; just seeing such a large farm makes him a bit excited."

"The excitement will pass after a couple more drinks; let's go, everyone's still waiting." Ye Cheng pointed behind him.

Jiang Yunxiang and the others had already set up the banquet in the courtyard; they even kept thirty catties of today's lobster unsold, directly placing it on the table; the liquor was also sent by Li Quezi.

Li Quezi originally wanted to leave after delivering the goods, but Ye Cheng pulled him to sit down together; this guy is a sharp person, and Ye Cheng still wants to use him for village committee matters later.

Over a dozen people sat down; although it was a bit cramped, the lively atmosphere wasn't bad.

After pouring the wine, Ye Guowei excitedly stood up, "I'm not good with words; in short, thanks everyone for helping today, I'll drink first."

After saying that, Ye Guowei directly downed a cup of one liang of baijiu.

"Brother, I think Guowei Ge is just craving alcohol." Xiao Hu said quietly.

Ye Cheng nodded, "Usually at home my sister-in-law keeps me strict; this time it's rare."

After they started drinking, it became lively; a group began toasting, while Ye Cheng took a cup of wine to find Duan Chunsheng.

"Uncle Duan, why didn't you go out to sea today?"

"I did go out, today's catch was average and I came back early." Duan Chunsheng said while pulling out an envelope from his pocket, "Lao Er, this is the 10,000 yuan I lent you last time, plus interest, I put it all inside, count it."

Ye Cheng didn't expect Duan Chunsheng to come repay this time, "Uncle Duan, if you need to use it, keep using it; I'm not short on money."

"Not short on money? You've contracted such a large tidal flat and still need to buy a boat—how could you not be short on money? Rest assured, my earnings have been fine lately, I have enough."

Since Duan Chunsheng said that, Ye Cheng accepted it; recently he indeed doesn't have much cash on hand.

"Uncle Duan, I just bought a fishing boat; when the time comes, teach me, pass on some experience."

Ye Cheng indeed lacks fishing experience; Duan Chunsheng has always been out at sea, he's experienced.

Upon hearing Ye Cheng really bought a fishing boat, Duan Chunsheng's eyes lit up, "Really? That's great; next time I'll take you out to sea, we'll go together, two boats will keep each other company; then I'll teach you—I don't dare speak of the far sea, but I know quite a bit about the near sea."

"Alright, I want to go out to sea tomorrow; then I'll hang out with Uncle Duan."

"Saying that, we're all from the same village, you've helped me before, saying this would be being distant."

Li Quezi picked up a lobster and ate it; upon eating, his eyes lit up, he pointed at the small lobsters.

"Lao Er, is this the spicy small lobster you made? It's really delicious; I didn't expect these little crawfish to be so tasty."

Ye Cheng smiled, "If it's tasty, eat more; this stuff sells in the city for ten yuan per cattie."

"What, ten yuan per cattie, really?" Li Quezi exclaimed.

"Of course it's true, and people are scrambling for it." Zhang Guafu said proudly, "Every time we go to the city, a crowd waits; we'll definitely sell out within an hour, don't believe me, ask Qian Shen."

Qian Shen also goes to the city to sell lobster, "It sells well; we ourselves are reluctant to eat it, this pile is worth several hundred yuan."

Upon hearing that these little crawfish are worth several hundred yuan, a group of people also tried them out of curiosity, and couldn't stop eating.

"It's truly delicious, ten yuan is indeed not cheap, city folk really have money." Duan Shen sighed, "My son Duan Yong working in the city for a month can't earn a few hundred yuan."

Duan Yong speechlessly glanced at his mother; saying he's useless in front of so many people, he can't save face.

"Duan Yong isn't bad either; he's willing to work, he'll definitely improve later." Ye Cheng quickly said a few kind words.

After three rounds of drinks, the group drank until ten o'clock, then all dispersed.

Several aunts were clearing bowls and chopsticks there; Li Quezi said goodbye and intended to leave; Ye Cheng quickly stood up, "Come on, I'll see you home."

"What's there to escort? No need, it's all within the village, I still know the way." Li Quezi said with a slurred tongue.

"Let's go, enough talk." Ye Cheng pulled him and went out.

A cold wind blew, Li Quezi sobered up a bit, his mind also cleared somewhat; he looked at Ye Cheng.

"Lao Er, you wouldn't be looking for me for something, would you?"