Chapter 1021: Sent back

Ye Yaodong waved his hand while walking and looking back. Only after he reached a corner where he was shielded from view did he tuck both hands into his pockets and shrink his head into his collar.

He walked along the edge of the road with his back hunched. It was quite empty here, with few people coming and going. Feeling the watch in his pocket, he took the opportunity to take it out and check the time.

Although he hadn't sat inside for long, he had still stayed for over ten minutes. Adding the time it took to walk over, it was already nearly 11 o'clock. He quickened his pace; his father must be getting anxious.

Ye Fu stood at the entrance of the alley, not daring to walk too far. He kept standing on tiptoe and stretching his neck to look out, and every little while, he would turn back to check on the motorcycle.

He kept repeating the same actions until Ye Yaodong appeared in his line of sight, hunched over, and only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

Once Ye Yaodong got closer, he complained, "Why did it take so long? You were gone for a whole hour. What kind of talk takes that long? You didn't know how to hurry up. I've been waiting here for ages; my neck has grown long from waiting."

"Doesn't it take time to walk back and forth? How could I just stand up and leave the moment I sat down? I had to exchange a few pleasantries and be polite, didn't I?"

"So what did they say? Is there any inside story? Did they report it up? Are they investigating? Why didn't anyone go out to sea to salvage it? How could it be our gain? Is this stolen goods? Can we handle it ourselves? Will we be discovered?"

"You threw out a whole string of questions like firecrackers; which one do you want me to answer? You don't even know how to ask them one by one, just dumping them all on me at once."

After grumbling a bit, Ye Yaodong said, "They only said that the water here is very deep and involves a lot. It has to be kept confidential for now. They don't know the situation either; it has already been handed over to the higher-ups. Also, I tentatively asked, what if other boats salvage more of these boxes and sell them directly? Would there be a problem?"

"They only said that it's currently in a confidential stage, and those who haven't come into contact with it won't know. That's all; they didn't say anything else."

Ye Fu pondered for a moment. "That means the goods haven't reached the hands of anyone in the know, so it doesn't matter?"

"That's roughly what it means."

"If you ask like that, won't it make people suspect we still have some?"

He had thought about this question before.

"The incident has already been handed over, and they didn't even think about going to salvage it themselves. If they can let us have it, then having that one box of goods as evidence should be enough, right?"

"Forget it. Director Chen guessed we still have some, but there's nothing he can do about it. We salvaged this from the sea, it's not illegal income. Besides, having a little selfishness is human nature. Who has such high awareness?"

"We are just small-time fishermen. Director Chen already reported what needed to be reported. Whether a few more boxes of goods appear later doesn't have much to do with him."

Ye Fu felt what he said made some sense.

"Have those people who were arrested been released?"

"No, they are still being detained. They also reminded us to contact a new fresh-fish collection boat; we don't need to wait for the original one. I don't know how they are going to handle it. I guess it's up to the city; he doesn't know very clearly here in the county."

"Oh, anyway, those people have nothing to do with us. It's just a pity, they were too unlucky. They hit a cargo ship and dragged the whole boat's crew down with them. This time they are really going to lose everything."

"Working the sea is like this. Several families put all their assets into one boat. A slight carelessness and they lose everything. But if you really ask them to do something else, they can't do it."

Ye Yaodong also sighed in his heart. Nothing is easy to do; heaven has unpredictable storms, and money isn't that easy to earn.

"Let's go. Aren't you still going to the shipyard?"

"Let's go find something to eat first. People are iron, rice is steel; if you don't eat a meal, you'll be hungry. It's noon now, let's go eat, then go to the shipyard. Otherwise, who knows how long the talk will take."

"That's fine."

Ye Fu turned his head to look at the motorcycle, this big lump, and frowned again. "If I had known, I would have ridden a bicycle. Riding such a big lump in the city isn't fast, and with people coming and going, it also consumes gas. I'm also worried there's no place to park it. If I park it on the side of the road, I'm worried someone will drive it away or damage it. I'm even more worried about driving it around the county, letting people see it and causing trouble for the leaders."

"It should be fine. This is the leader's territory..."

"Forget it. It's such a tiny place, better not be too flashy. I'll go buy a few meat buns, we'll just make do with a meal. Why be so delicate and go to a restaurant? You wait here, I'll go buy..."

After Ye Fu finished speaking, he turned and left directly. Ye Yaodong called out to him, but he didn't look back, so he had to wait on the spot.

Make do with a meal, then make do with a meal. Save some time, finish the business early, and he could go home early.

The father and son ate meat buns with water on the spot. After filling their stomachs, they rode the motorcycle along the small road to the shipyard.

By the time they finished the detailed discussion at the shipyard and came out, the sun was already slanting to the west, and the draft paper in his hand had an extra sheet, with more drawings and fuller writing.

Factory Manager Wu was also all smiles, enthusiastically seeing them to the door, and even seeing them to the motorcycle. Watching them leave, he was extremely polite, making the father and son feel exceptionally warm inside, feeling valued.

However, after getting on the motorcycle, it wasn't very convenient for the two to talk privately, so they could only shut their mouths and wait until they got home to talk.

But both father and son were weighing and comparing in their hearts.

It wasn't until they got home that Ye Fu got off the bike and said impatiently.

"This price is a bit cheaper. The city wants it, but here, after a slight modification and optimization this afternoon, it's only 35,000. It's just that the delivery time still can't compare to the city."

"After all, the factory is small, not comparable to the city. Let's go in and talk."

The courtyard was still locked. It was only past four o'clock, and probably everyone was busy at the workshop. Lin Xiuqing hadn't come back to cook yet either. He parked the motorcycle on the side of the road and took out the key to open the door first.

The dogs inside heard the sound of the motorcycle and had long been lying on the door barking loudly.

As soon as the courtyard gate opened, two dogs stood on their hind legs and clawed at Ye Yaodong's clothes, barking directly at him.

"Alright, alright, I'll let you out to play. Get away, don't pull my clothes. If your claws scratch my clothes, see if I don't stew you for dog meat."

The two dogs hurriedly put down their front paws and retreated, then immediately darted outside, running very fast.

There were two more barking at the window inside the house. Ye Yaodong also opened the door to let them out.

One by one, the dogs didn't even look back and just bolted away.

It was a grievance for them; they were probably locked up since finishing their lunch.

The little Black in the room was also slapping the door panel, barking wildly. The others had all run away, leaving only it behind; he shouldn't forget it.

"Stop barking, stop barking, I know you're still there... I'm coming to open the door right away..."

"Woof woof woof woof... woooo... woof woof..."

After letting all the dogs out, Ye Yaodong went to the back door to use the toilet before coming back; he was about to burst.

"Lazy people have a lot of shit and pee; I've been waiting for you for ages."

"Eating, drinking, shitting, and peeing are the major events of life."

"What do you think? Today's plan isn't much different from yesterday's, only a little change, which is basically a disguised discount for us. Do you want to order in the county or in the city?"

"Let me think. One is half a year late and 3,000 cheaper, the other is half a year early and 3,000 more expensive. This money is not a small amount."

In his heart, he was still more inclined towards the shipyard in the county. After all, his boats all came from this shipyard. Once bitten, twice shy; everyone was an old acquaintance. The county was also close to home, and it was convenient to go over and take a look occasionally; just ride a bicycle.

Ye Fu nodded. "Yes, a difference of 3,000 is not small. Besides, it's only a difference of half a year. The boat you three brothers are partnering on will also be ready by the middle of next year, so it's not considered pushed back; both boats are proceeding at the same time."

"As for his words, he didn't say it absolutely, always emphasizing that if it can be advanced, it will definitely be advanced. I'll think about it first, ponder it, and see."

If the boat arrives earlier, of course, he can earn money earlier. This half-year difference is certainly not something 3,000 can compare to.

It's just that finding a big boat to connect with isn't that easy. He definitely has to start from Ah Guang's aunt; he doesn't know anyone else. And that boat isn't just his aunt's family's; several relatives are partners, so it's not that easy to talk about.

Uncle Zheng's boat is quite broken and has never run very far. It doesn't return on the same day, but it does dock on the same day. After docking, it continues to go out. It doesn't run as far to the East Sea as they do.

Thinking about it, he also feels a headache. It's still more convenient to have his own boat to connect, and he can arrange it directly.

"Just choose the county. It's familiar and close. Being able to be 3,000 cheaper is also a lot. If it arrives too early, you still have to worry about the two boats not earning much money. It's not like every trip is full of good goods in the hold. It's also quite good to have it arrive at the same time as the boat you three brothers are partnering on. Double happiness, two boats arriving home together."

"I'll think about it, anyway, there's no rush for this moment."

"Then you decide for yourself, I'll go check the workshop."

Ye Fu believes he can weigh it well. Anyway, they have already talked very carefully, and the comparison between the two families is right in front of them. It depends on how he chooses.

After his father went out, Ye Yaodong also tapped his fingers on the table, took out the three orders he got these two days, placed them together, and looked at them carefully to compare.

Lin Xiuqing was busy in the workshop. Seeing Ye Fu appear, she knew Ye Yaodong was back. She hurriedly put down the work at hand, checked the time, and hurried home; it was time to cook.

Returning home, sure enough, he was sitting at the table, looking at the papers on the table.

"What did you and Dad go to the county to do today? You didn't say this morning, and you didn't say yesterday either."

"Went to the shipyard..."

He beckoned her over and told her about the quotes from the two shipyards, and also talked about the pros and cons.

"38,000!!!" Lin Xiuqing's eyes widened, and her voice couldn't help but rise.

"Don't get excited, don't get excited, listen to me, let me tell you properly."

He knew that as soon as he told her the construction cost, her eyes would pop out.

Ye Yaodong told her again about how the fresh-fish collection boat earns at least 40% to half the profit, and so on.

"It's not expensive at all. After delivery next year, we will have three boats and can recoup the cost very quickly. This is just an early investment..."

She understood his analysis, but her heart ached. When she heard that the county only wanted 35,000, she decisively told him to choose the county directly. Where is the difference of half a year?

"Save a little where you can. This money is also a lot. We still have seven boats' money that hasn't been paid, and those will also need about 20,000. Here it needs another 35,000, all of which have to be paid next year. Calculating it, from this year to next year, we have to pay 50,000 or 60,000 at once. If possible, it's better to let him push the delivery date back a bit, to ease it..."

Ye Yaodong's mouth couldn't help but twitch. He was thinking about letting the delivery date be earlier, but she was thinking about letting the delivery date be later.

"It's too much, having to pay so much out in a year or two... Why don't you put it aside first?"

"Don't argue, you already agreed well before, order one first."

"But I didn't know it was so expensive..."

"A 34-meter boat, where is this price expensive? It's not expensive at all. It will recoup the cost, wife, look at my eyes!" Ye Yaodong took her hand and stretched his head in front of her.

Lin Xiuqing even fiercely poked his forehead with her index finger, pushing his head further away. "Look at your ghost, you decide for yourself."

"Alright, then I'll decide for myself."

Just after saying this, walking two steps out, she couldn't help but stop her steps and said, "If you really have to choose, then choose the county's. Paying 3,000 less is also less. We are not in a hurry, there are so many boats at home. Actually, if you don't order, it's nothing, can't you still earn money? So many, where can you be busy enough?"

"Didn't we agree? Just rent out the others. Let the little brothers in the workshop handle the collection, give you the order, and you collect the money. They don't handle the money, this is also very reassuring. You just need to go calculate the accounts when the time comes, it's also fine. I'll just watch the big boat at home."

She said helplessly again, "Then you decide for yourself."

"Hmm."

Ye Yaodong collected the three orders on the table, folded them well, and took them back to the room first.

In his heart, he was now inclined to just book it in the county and be done with it, to save trouble. In the county, he is now an honored guest, but at the shipyard in the city, he has no say.

It's also convenient to go over and take a look, urge, or chat and drink tea when there's nothing to do.

Go again tomorrow or the day after, and settle it. Today is already late.

He went into the room and came out immediately.

"Are all the children in the workshop?"

"Hmm, all in the workshop. Saying that you calculate their wages by the hour, one dime an hour, they are all exceptionally active. As soon as they come back, they throw down their schoolbags and go. After the eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law heard they had wages, they didn't urge them to do homework either."

"Hehe, anyway, they don't like doing homework, they all embrace Buddha's feet at the last minute, the difference isn't big. If they don't do homework, they will definitely get the teaching whip when they go to school the next day, it's the same, they have to embrace Buddha's feet at the last minute."

"I'm just afraid you'll spoil them; they've all started looking at everything through the lens of money."

"That's not necessarily true. This is also equivalent to teaching them early to get rich through hard work. Only with labor can there be gain, one point of effort, one point of harvest. It's not given to them for nothing, earning money by their own labor, the joy of that harvest will make people happy to the point of flying."

"You've said everything, then what else can I say?"

After Lin Xiuqing poured the washed rice into the pot, she began to sit in front of the stove, took a bundle of straw to ignite the fire, the firelight reflecting her face even redder.

Originally, working in the workshop all day today, her face was already red.

"What are you looking at? If you're idle, come over and help me light the fire."

"Hehe, I think your hair is long and good-looking, and it's grown a lot longer."

Lin Xiuqing also smiled and touched the long ponytail on the back of her head. "It's too long and too obstructive. You always press on my hair when you sleep, it's annoying to death."

"It's good-looking, that's enough."

"It hasn't been cut for two and a half years. Let's keep it for now. When it grows a bit longer, I'll cut it off and sell it for money. It's a bit of a pity to cut it off now."

It is quite a pity; the experience of short hair is not as good as long hair.

"Why are you still standing there? Otherwise, go to the courtyard and cut me a handful of chives, stir-fry with eggs tonight."

"Oh."

Ye Yaodong listened and followed suit, going to the courtyard to find chives. Looking at the small vegetable plot in the courtyard, nearly half of it was green, and no matter how much they ate, they couldn't finish it. The other half hadn't been sown yet, and it had to be sown in these two days.

Thinking about it, there was a lot of work in these two days, probably having to rest for a day or two more. The nylon canopy that his father built hadn't been finished yet; wait until tomorrow to call him to do it.

"Ah, forgot the quilt?"

He returned to the room. "Did Dad go to the boat this morning to move the bedding down?"

"No."

"Oh, I'll tell him later."

Saying this, he intended to walk out. Anyway, there was someone watching at home, and cooking didn't need his help. He went to the workshop to see if the children were active in working?

The goods piled up like a small mountain brought back yesterday had already decreased a lot after a day, but at a glance, the whole corner of the wall was still piled with baskets.

It couldn't be finished at all. It couldn't be finished even if they worked for another day tomorrow. It was estimated that they would have to work for another day the day after tomorrow.

Those children were washing what needed to be washed, drying what needed to be dried, with clear division of labor. It was also because they were young that they were assigned simple work and not allowed to touch knives.

After seeing him come, one by one they called Third Uncle exceptionally loudly.

"No slacking off, slacking off will deduct wages."

"Don't worry, Third Uncle, we didn't slack off, even holding back our pee."

"That's not necessarily true, as long as it's not lazy people having a lot of shit and pee. The timing must also be accurate. If you take advantage of me, there won't be such a good opportunity to earn private money next time."

One by one, they hurriedly nodded to show their loyalty.

"Don't worry, Third Uncle, we definitely won't report falsely."

"Yes, whoever reports falsely, we'll beat him to death."

"Third Uncle, when you calculate the wages, can you not give it to my mother, but give it directly to me?" Ye Chenghe said in a low voice.

"What? Want to save money to buy things for your little girlfriend, or want to save money for the bride price in advance?"

Ye Chenghe's face turned red all of a sudden.

"That's not it, giving the money to my mother is like a meat bun hitting a dog..."

"Shhh shhh shhh... you idiot, speak quieter..."

Ye Yaodong crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you think I give you the money and you can keep it?"

"Then give a little less? We'll save it with you first?"

"What time do you come back, what time do you go to sleep? Won't your mother know? Won't she calculate how long you worked today? Wanting to play tricks under her nose?"

Instantly, there was a wail, and the enthusiasm on everyone's faces was hit.

"Forget it, I'm not doing it anymore, anyway, what I do is for my mother."

"I'm not doing it anymore either, might as well go out and play."

Ye Chenghai even thought of when he picked up squid last year, all the wages he got fell into his mother's pocket, not giving him a cent, and making him work so hard, almost grieving him to death.

His face also turned more gray, and he immediately went on strike.

"A bunch of idiots, calculating money wasn't told to your mothers in the first place, you were complacent and shouted it out, who to blame? Now you can't stop even if you want to. If you dare not to do it, your mothers' whips can beat you to death, actually daring to let them earn less money?"

One by one, they immediately had a mournful face, lifeless. This was too different from their expectations!

"Work honestly for me, otherwise, if I deduct your wages, you will still have to be beaten."

The spirit was gone instantly! Not only was there no money to take, but there was also the risk of being beaten.

"Get your spirits up for me! When the time comes, I can let the old lady help you ask for some."

Several people looked at each other, this was also okay.

"Alright."

"I'll teach you a way. When you go back for dinner tonight, negotiate terms with your mother first. If you don't divide half for us, we won't do it. Hmm... although you will probably get a beating, at least there is a high probability of winning it, and you can take it openly, without having to sneak around."

He couldn't spoil them either, paying out of his own pocket every day to coax them. How much work is done, how much remuneration is obtained, this must be handled impartially, lest they be spoiled, thinking he has to be their backing, and if not, he has to make up for it.

Matters between themselves and their own mothers must be fought for by themselves.

One by one, they couldn't help but touch their butts first. This isn't probably getting a beating, it's definitely getting a beating.

As long as they dare to say it, their butts will definitely bloom tonight.

"Can this work?"

"Of course it can work. Think about it, three children in your family, each working 4 hours a day, that's 1.2 yuan, almost equivalent to an adult's wage. And Sunday rest for a whole day is not just that, earning forty or fifty yuan more in a month for nothing, can your mother be willing not to want it? The three of you together can match what she earns alone. After the beating, she will definitely have to coax you to work."

Ye Chenghe was immediately happy. "That's okay, after the beating, having money is also okay, even if you take off your pants and beat me."

"Then go tell your mother tonight that you want to divide the wages."

"Why don't you say it?"

"You say it first, and then I'll help say it together, so when mother beats you, it can be lighter, and I can help you divert her attention."

Ye Chenghe thought it made sense, couldn't just be himself getting beaten. "Leave it to me!"

Ye Yaodong looked at Ye Chenghai fooling Ye Chenghe in a daze. This is also okay?

How straight are Ye Chenghe's brain nerves?

This silly boy, can't even turn a corner, a bit worried for him, he will be eaten to death by his wife in the future.

Ye Chenghai was extremely happy. "Good brother, after mother agrees, when we get the money, we will divide it equally. I definitely won't take advantage of you just because I'm older than you."

Ye Chenghe nodded happily. "I'll go tell mother when I go back for dinner later."

Ye Chengjiang was also stunned? Why doesn't he have such a good brother?

Ye Yaodong couldn't help but laugh to death, hurriedly turned his back and walked to the side, walked to the side of sorting, and helped do some work by the way.

Originally, the sorting here was done by Ah Qing, the eldest sister-in-law, and the second sister-in-law. The three of them had all gone home to cook at this time, and the stools were all empty there, only the old lady was still sitting there working.

This work is not easy, having to bend over all the time, the three of them sorted for a day and there was still more than half left.

It was mainly because there were few people sorting, but sorting for a day tomorrow would be about the same.

"What are you laughing at? So happy?" The old lady looked at him with a smile.

"Nothing."

"Just got back?"

"Hmm, just got back. Where is Xiao Jiu? Didn't see her when I came over."

"Went to play at Xiao Yu's place. Didn't watch her for a while here, and she went to play with water. Sending her there to have a companion is also more reassuring, saving having to watch her."

"Oh, that's also true. If you are busy during the day, you can send both of them over. Anyway, Xiao Yu still has two aunts, let them watch during the day, and pick them up at night."

"It was like this a few days ago..."

After Ye Yaodong sat with the old lady and chatted for a while, he couldn't sit still either, like a child, his butt was like being smeared with oil, and he stood up again, not wanting to do it, didn't have the patience to sit for a long time.

He prepared to go to Lin Jishang's house to take a look, see if he was at home, and ask his wife about it.

Arrange that batch of goods early, and he could be reassured early, saving it from being piled up in the courtyard all the time, and then secretly pick out the caviar at night and move it home.

Lin Jishang has already been washed white a bit, and it's nothing to come and go openly. Anyway, everyone is spreading that Lin Jishang is following him.

However, it was just as he expected, this guy wasn't at home. His wife said he went out after weighing 5,000 jin of goods for him a few days ago, and hasn't come back yet, nor did he call, and didn't know when he would be back.

Said that as long as he goes out, it's basically equivalent to losing contact, unless he comes back by himself.

Ye Yaodong could only temporarily return home, and the goods in the courtyard could only be piled up first, wait until he comes back to talk about it.

Waiting until after dinner and it was dark, he prepared to go pick out those goods in the courtyard, but unexpectedly saw Ah Guang pushing a cart of boxes over, standing at his door calling him.

"You really came for real?"

"Did you think I was telling you fake? It was too late when I came back with you yesterday, and I cleaned up and had a heart-to-heart talk with my father, chatted for a long time, it was quite late. During the day today, I felt it was too eye-catching, so I didn't send it over, thinking it would be better to send it over when it's dark."

"Didn't your father scold you for being stupid?"

"My father is a bit shrewd, but not that greedy. After talking to him, he also understood."

"Understanding is understanding, afraid that he will be unhappy in his heart. After all, it's already in hand, and returning it, leaving a knot, that wouldn't be good..."

"It won't, he thinks what I said makes a lot of sense."

"I'm not short of this..."

"Don't be polite, I know it would be uglier to accept it directly, but who is who between us, don't push it, come out and move it together."

"Cough cough, then alright, since you said so, and even sent it over, then move it in. I won't push it back and forth, I'll give you a red envelope to take back later, it looks better on the surface."

"Hmm, alright." ===== CHAPTER 1022 =====