Chapter 485: Delivering Free-Range Chickens at the Dock

As soon as Ye Cheng and three people approached, Zhu Liwen and his two companions immediately stood up,

"Brother Cheng, we brought the chickens."

Zhu Liwen had two large chicken baskets beside him, a total of 20 chickens.

Coming over this early, Ye Cheng was actually a bit surprised,

"You arrived this early?"

"Yeah, I was afraid of delaying your business."

Looking at the bamboo pole beside the chicken baskets, Ye Cheng's expression froze,

"There's no bus this early; you didn't carry them down on a pole, did you?"

Zhu Liwen gave a simple, honest smile, "Yeah, we carried them down; just twenty chickens, not heavy."

They're good brothers who've shared a drink; Xiao Hu even felt a bit reluctant—riding a motorcycle takes 40 minutes, walking down would take two or three hours!

"Old Zhu, you guys should buy a motorcycle; walking down like this is too exhausting."

Zhu Liwen gave an awkward smile, a bit restrained, "We haven't made any money yet—what motorcycle? We'll buy one after we earn money."

Ye Cheng didn't say much more, just waved his hand, "Then come with me for a trip; we'll go deliver the chickens."

"Uncle Duan, Xiao Hu, you go aboard the boat first."

Zhu Liwen carried the chicken baskets, Zhu Lao Er followed behind, and the three of them walked onto the dock like that.

This sight left passersby dumbfounded.

These three are all prominent figures; just a few days ago they were battling at the dock—how did they end up like this?

Ye Cheng strode ahead carefree; behind him, Zhu Lao Da not only wasn't unhappy, but obediently followed, carrying two baskets of chickens, making him look like a servant.

This doesn't look like a reconciliation; it feels more like he's taken on a lackey.

Amid the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ye Cheng led Zhu Lao Da into He Lao Ban's purchasing station.

"Old He, Old He!" As soon as they entered, Ye Cheng shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Coming, who is it?"

Lao He emerged from the warehouse, saw it was Ye Cheng, and his face instantly broke into a smile—but then he looked further back.

Instantly, the whole person froze, the smile locked on his face.

"What kind of sight is this?"

Zhu Liwen actually followed behind Ye Cheng, still carrying two baskets of chickens.

Yesterday Ye Cheng said he was going to Zhu Lao Da's house to eat free-range chicken; he thought Ye Cheng was just talking nonsense.

Now seeing this, could it actually be true?

Zhu Lao Da set things down, greeted him, "Old He, Brother Cheng told me to bring you two chickens."

"Brother Cheng?"

He Lao Ban's eyes almost popped out of his head.

The previously arrogant Zhu family head actually called Ye Cheng 'Brother Cheng,' and the problem is Ye Cheng accepted it so calmly.

Ye Cheng patted the now-stiff Lao He on the shoulder, speaking with a teasing smile,

"Old He, I've brought you a gift—just this attitude of yours."

"Ah, ah, no, it's just... I'm not really used to it."

"Don't be unused to it—this time it's a gift; next time there won't be any, if you want to eat you'll have to buy." Ye Cheng teased.

Zhu Lao Er had already lifted out the two chickens—two large roosters, about seven or eight catties each, mighty and sturdy.

He Lao Ban took one look, and his eyes lit up,

"Wow, they're that big!"

Ye Cheng raised his eyebrows, "The bigger, the tastier; this free-range chicken's flavor is absolutely authentic—I guarantee you'll want more after eating."

"Fine, then I'll accept them."

He Lao Ban had just placed the chickens down when Ye Cheng pulled him aside and spoke quietly,

"Lend me 5000 yuan; I'll repay you with goods later."

Lao He glanced briefly behind him, "For them? 20 chickens for 5000 yuan—that's a bit expensive."

"It's not just the chickens; I don't have cash on me today—please lend me some first."

Lao He nodded; he's a businessman, he does have this cash, and since Ye Cheng said he'd repay with goods, that means Ye Cheng's goods will also be his to collect.

That's a good deal.

Ye Cheng took the somewhat damp 5000 yuan, walked up to Zhu Liwen, and handed it over directly,

"This is 5000 yuan—2000 for the chickens, and the remaining 3000 is for you to buy a motorcycle in town for future use."

Zhu Liwen and Zhu Lao Er stared for a moment, then didn't take it.

Ye Cheng shoved it into their hands, firmly saying,

"These 20 chickens aren't entirely yours anyway; you'll need money for them—take it, it's just a small amount."

Zhu Liwen hesitated a moment, then took it, without saying much thanks.

After finishing with Lao He, Ye Cheng took the two around to visit all the bosses, giving them a proper introduction.

Once the deliveries were done, Zhu Liwen's side headed into town to buy chicks, while Ye Cheng also boarded the boat to set off collecting goods.

Duan Chunsheng jerked his chin at the two Zhu brothers on the shore,

"Old Er, you're impressive—these two brothers really obey you."

Xiao Hu beside them gave a hehe laugh and started teasing,

"Uncle Duan, if I smash you with tens of thousands of yuan, will you submit?"

"Get lost! You make it sound like you're doing something." Ye Cheng gave Xiao Hu a light punch,

Others intend to improve things; I'm also helping out, and later when we make money I'll get a share too.

Fine, fine, fine, you're the best.

According to Duan Chunsheng's plan, we're first collecting two Flowing-spike nets today.

As we got close, Ye Cheng saw from afar a row of floats bobbing on the Sea Surface, still in the same spot, actually not moving with the waves.

Xiao Hu drove the Boat over, Duan Chunsheng found a hook and pulled the floats up; there was already a lot of seaweed on the fishing net.

The 300-meter Flowing-spike net was too slow to haul by hand, so Ye Cheng hooked it onto the winch, set it to the slowest speed, and started reeling in.

Duan Chunsheng grabbed a dip net, stood aside, waiting to help pull if a big fish showed up, since the fish are caught by the net's mesh; if a big fish struggles, it's hard to say.

Soon, several 20-centimeter fish appeared on the net, completely tangled and unable to move.

Ye Cheng pried them off; there was no way to pull them off normally, so he had to scoop them out.

Four Peelskin fish, not valuable, Ye Cheng casually tossed them into the boat's hold.

Next up came a Mud fierce fish that looked like it was wearing camouflage.

The Mud fierce fish, also called Stinkbelly fish, is usually grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, its body covered in dense white or blue spots, much like camouflage.

As soon as the Mud fierce fish surfaced, Duan Chunsheng found something to press it down, then carefully lifted it; its spines are poisonous and a sting hurts badly.

Overall, the Mud fierce fish counts as economical seafood, a dozen or so dollars per pound, in the same class as the Peelskin fish.

Halfway through hauling the Flowing-spike net, it was full of these little things; Ye Cheng was speechless.

Just then, a large splash suddenly erupted from beneath the seawater.

Duan Chunsheng's eyebrows rose with delight: 'Big catch!'

He hurriedly grabbed his own dip net, ready to work.

That splash was a bit frightening; it looked like something huge.

'Xiao Hu, you also get a dip net and see what it is.'