Chapter 1164: Heading Home

Ye Yaodong said irritably, "Why would I lie to you? There's nothing to brag about. Although it's said that when you're away from home, you give yourself your own status, what everyone said is the truth. It's just that you underestimated me."

"You look all happy and carefree, you don't look like a boss at all. Didn't I just think you guys were bragging?"

"You look like a chatterbox too, you don't look like a boss either."

Fang Jingfu widened his eyes.

"Do you want to come home with me and take a look at my hometown?"

"Forget it. I have a pile of things on hand. I don't even have time to eat; I didn't even eat lunch."

"I didn't eat either." Ye Yaodong stretched his neck and looked at the entrance. "Still no movement?"

"How could it be that fast? I just came over and sat down."

"What are you going to do about the family that reported you?"

"Spend some money to find two people to watch their house. Once they catch them doing something illegal or criminal, they won't have a good time. If not, give them a lesson so they know who can be provoked and who shouldn't be."

"Then wouldn't it be better for your workshop to register as a company? To avoid similar things happening again and then being treated as a typical case."

"The policy doesn't allow it."

Ye Yaodong was confused and blank. As a mud-legged person, he really didn't understand these policy rules and hadn't tried to understand them. Everything he had was taken one step at a time, and it was all a makeshift setup.

I really don't understand the policy changes in this era; after all, they are different every year, and policies are being updated every year.

Everything he knows about policy changes now is learned from newspapers. He doesn't know when policies that haven't appeared yet will come out, nor does he know exactly what stage the restrictions on businessmen are at right now.

Although business is encouraged, the scale is still being restricted to avoid developing into capitalism. He really doesn't know the specific limit on the number of people for individual households. He didn't expect that a small workshop would need to seek protection.

Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Fang Jingfu knew he didn't know anything.

"I don't know much about this either, but there are scale restrictions. The number of people cannot be too high, otherwise, it's easy to be labeled as capitalist, and you'll be left to suffer the consequences."

"Oh, then we can only wait a few years and see."

"Yeah, there weren't many people when we first started, and we only added a few more people later, but not many. It's just that the order volume has increased now, and we can't keep up, plus there is extra space in the workshop here. I saw that there was a rain shed set up, and it was quite hidden, but who knew that a situation would still arise today."

"Anyway, since they can be released, it was just a false alarm, and the problem isn't big. Otherwise, all these things of yours would have been confiscated."

"Yeah, now we generally have to find people and connections, and spend some money, and it will probably be fine. Anyway, policies change day by day."

Ye Yaodong thought that once people were released, they would pack up and leave tomorrow. Whenever the current batch of goods is sold out, he will see the situation and run back over to check on the house and the goods.

"I'll leave you the phone number of our village committee. Once my father and the others are released, we'll probably pack up and head back early."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure, I was planning to go back in these two days anyway. It's been raining on and off, and the weather has been getting a bit chilly lately. Although it's still hot during the day, I don't know when it will rain again. If it rains, it won't be suitable for us to go out to sea, so we might as well go back early. Otherwise, with so many workers, every extra day I stay, my expenses will go up by several dozen yuan. Having stayed here for so long, the harvest is quite good, and I can't be too greedy."

"Alright then. The only phone number you can reach me at is the research institute's. Anyway, if you have anything, just call and leave a message. After this storm passes, I'll see the situation and file an application to see if I can install a phone here. It would be more convenient, otherwise, it's not convenient for me to take jobs."

"You really should install a phone."

"I'll apply for it later."

The two talked for a long while, but there was still no movement at the entrance. Ye Yaodong was getting restless again, standing up and pacing back and forth.

Fang Jingfu had no choice but to pat his chest and guarantee that they would definitely be released today and would certainly not spend the night inside. He also said that even if they were released, it would take an hour or two to walk back, so it wouldn't be that fast, and told him to wait patiently or go cook first.

But with the people not released yet, how could Ye Yaodong have the heart to cook and eat? His father was already on his second time being taken in; who knows how dejected he might be.

He is such a face-conscious person, and now he has been caught again along with the boatmen. A few days ago, he heard that he was the Ye Association President, and his father was almost trembling with excitement. Now he will probably be beaten back to his original form and be listless again.

Next time, he might not even want to come.

This is a sad place that makes him lose face, and all the stains of his life are here.

They sat there waiting and waiting. Just when even Fang Jingfu was almost unable to sit still and was preparing to make a call to ask, they finally heard noisy movement at the entrance.

"Are they back?"

Ye Yaodong reacted excitedly and stood up immediately. The chair behind him fell to the ground with a clatter, but he didn't care to pick it up and immediately walked to the entrance.

Fang Jingfu also went out with him. Seeing that only a few of Ye Yaodong's workers had returned, he hurriedly asked: "Where are the others? Why are only you back? Have the others been released?"

"They have all been released, and the others have all gone home."

"They all went back?" He looked up at the setting sun. The sun was about to set, so there was indeed no need to come here and then have to walk home again.

Ye Yaodong asked: "Is everyone okay? Have they all come out safely?"

Ye Fu waved his hand dejectedly, "It's fine, it's fine. We just went in and stayed for a day, and they released us again without anything happening. The workers were all released too, and they all went home."

"That's good."

Fang Jingfu looked at the public security officer standing guard at the door and said: "It's fine here. They have all been released safely, which means there's no need to keep guarding or investigating anymore. You can go back and report, no need to stay here."

The guarding officer nodded, then walked toward the back door, preparing to call the other one and go back to ask.

Ye Yaodong led the group into the house first and asked about their situation after being taken to the public security bureau.

"Did they interrogate you?"

"Yes, after we were caught, they took us one by one for interrogation. However, we spoke Mandarin, and they didn't necessarily understand it. Later, they got impatient with us, so they locked us up first and went to interrogate those workers."

"Later, we didn't know anything and kept waiting in the small room until someone came over to release us and said we could go, so we all came out together."

Ye Fu looked at Ye Yaodong with a bit of worry, "Are we completely fine now that we've been released? They won't come to catch us again, will they? Should we hurry home tonight?"

"Oh, I really can't stay in this place for even a second. One time, two times, it's either this thing or that thing. Why do they catch people without any reason? The public security in this place is too crazy. We were fine at home, but as soon as we came out, they catch people randomly here..."

"Yeah, should we hurry back? Let's leave while we're released. Who knows if they will deliberately find trouble and catch us again tomorrow?"

"Let's go back tonight, Adong?"

They all looked at him with pleading faces. Could he say no?

Ye Yaodong had originally thought that since everyone was back today, they could just take a day off tomorrow, relax their tense nerves, go shopping, buy some local specialties, and leave tomorrow night.

Since everyone is eager to grow wings and fly back, there's no need to go shopping for specialties. Anyway, they had already shopped a while ago.

He nodded, "Alright, I was planning to go back in these two days anyway. Since everyone is eager to leave immediately, let's pack up and set off tonight. Leaving early will also put your minds at ease sooner."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

No one likes staying in the public security bureau. Going in once scared their souls away, let alone some who, like Ye Fu, had been there twice.

Third time's the charm, and it's starting to get cool recently anyway, so let's hurry back. They've been out for quite a long time, and it's already the middle of the month.

"Okay, okay, let's all hurry up and pack our things, and leave tonight."

Everyone immediately took action.

Fang Jingfu had been standing by and watching, and only then did he say: "Since everything is fine, I'll go back too, and understand the resolution of the matter first. If you leave tonight, I won't be able to see you off..."

"It's fine, it's fine, no need to see us off. We always go out to sea in the middle of the night, and of course, we have to set off in the middle of the night to go back, so we can reach home before dark tomorrow. I'll leave this house for you to look after. If there's anything, just call."

"When I go back, I'll call a few more people to continue working the night shift, so the house won't be left unattended."

"Good."

"Alright, then I'll go first. Have a safe journey."

"Okay, okay."

Fang Jingfu was actually eager to go home too. Before the people came back, he could wait patiently, but once they were back, he couldn't sit still either and had to go back to understand the situation.

Ye Yaodong closed the door, blocking out the prying eyes of the neighbors. Tired for a whole day, he had no time to deal with others now.

He also had to go back to the room to pack his luggage and things, and by the way, settle the accounts. After dinner tonight, he would pay the workers' wages. It had been a month and a half since the last settlement.

Ye Fu had already packed his luggage and was sitting in the room sighing. Seeing him come in, he rambled: "Don't come again next time. This year doesn't look like a good year. How long has it been... Peaceful for fifty or sixty years, and now that I'm old... Sigh..."

"It's fine, just treat it as going in to gain some experience. Not everyone can have this experience. Since you're old, being able to experience what others can't is also a kind of experience..."

"Nonsense, who wants this kind of experience? It's easy for you to say, but this isn't a good thing. I'd rather never encounter it in my whole life."

"Don't worry, I guarantee no one will mention it when we go back. If you don't say it and I don't say it, who will know? You are still the father of Association President Ye, and we will return home in glory just the same."

Ye Fu sighed again, "At least we came out immediately and didn't spend the night inside."

Ye Yaodong packed his luggage into the suitcase and responded casually: "Yeah, anyway, nothing happened, it's equivalent to going in for a stroll."

"You are fine, of course you say it lightly."

"I explained and produced proof, that's why I was let off the hook and wasn't caught together with you. Otherwise, of course, I would be the same as you. I also said you were my father, but they didn't believe it and said I was fooling them because we don't look alike."

Ye Fu was choked up, his face looked ugly, and he glared at him with anger, "Even if we don't look alike, you are still my son. You just look more like your grandmother when she was young, and your two older brothers look like your mother."

"I know, a dragon gives birth to nine sons, and each is different. Being my biological father, of course you are the glorious father of Association President Ye. When we return to the village, you can walk with a swagger. What is this little experience now? You can still brag when you're old."

"A shameful experience, what's there to brag about."

"Coming out safely after being taken in twice, this is also awesome. Who can be like you, walking in swaggeringly and walking out swaggeringly? Even the public security can't do anything about you. Isn't that also quite awesome?"

Ye Fu's face looked better after what he said, and he felt that it sounded quite reasonable. Who can be like him, going in and out several times without a scratch?

Most people are so scared that their legs go soft when they hear they are going to be taken away. How many people can have his experience?

Ye Yaodong finished organizing his clothes, held a stack of banknotes in his hand, and shook it twice, "I'll pay the wages in a while."

"Have you calculated it?"

"Not yet. The three old ones who stayed at home to look after the house and cook are easy to calculate; just calculate by date until tomorrow. For the few who went out to sea, I have to check the dates and give them extra subsidies for going out to sea."

"How much do you plan to give for the red envelopes?"

"Give 20 yuan each. 10 people, 200 yuan, that's about right. They have worked for a month and a half. You kept asking if we should give red envelopes in the middle, so it can be considered accumulated. We didn't earn less this time anyway, even though we were caught today."

"How much money did you earn in this month and a half? Have you calculated it?"

"Over 10,000. Wages have to be paid, 3,000 yuan."

"Wages need that much?"

"Did you think it didn't cost money? Including you, there are 10 people. You kept saying we should give red envelopes; you are even more generous than me."

Ye Fu was speechless.

He didn't expect that wages would cost so much money, several thousand yuan...

Ye Yaodong used a notebook to calculate simply. In fact, they earned a little less than 20,000 yuan. They remitted 10,000 yuan back during the Mid-Autumn Festival, spent 3,000 yuan on lighters, and now have less than 5,000 on hand. They also spent a lot on food, drink, and fuel during this period.

10 people, a total of one and a half months. A basic wage is over 200 yuan. There are 5 people who went out to sea, and they get an extra subsidy of two yuan per day. The subsidy here will be about 300 yuan more, plus the red envelope of 20 yuan for each person, which will be another 200 yuan.

Giving his father a little more, indeed, the wages alone will be 2,600 or 2,700.

After paying the wages, he will only have about 2,000 yuan left in his hand. Calculating it, there really isn't much money left to take back.

Ye Fu listened to him calculating each person's wage and counted it; it really needed over 2,000.

"Otherwise, you can just give 5 or 10 yuan for the red envelope..."

"Can that be seen? Now you know how to feel the pain? When we went back two months ago, we gave 20 yuan. We didn't earn less money this time. When we are about to go back, everyone was caught again. Forget it, let's make it 20 yuan. It's just 200 yuan more. Anyway, we earned money and returned home safely. We have to wait until next year to catch fish again."

Being caught again and again, giving more money to appease them is necessary. Otherwise, no one will dare to come with him next year. After all, it's nerve-wracking. Who knows if they will have such good luck to come out if they are caught again next time?

Being a boss requires being better and more generous, so that people will continue to take risks and come out with you next year to continue helping you earn money.

Ye Yaodong pulled out ten ten-yuan bills for his father, "This is for you. Hide it well and don't let your mother find it again. I'll give my mother another 300 for your wages when we go back."

Ye Fu took it happily, "Don't give her so much. Others who went out to sea only got 250 or 260, and it didn't exceed 300 with the red envelope."

"The workers are workers, and you are my father. Can it be justified if I don't give a little more? Private money is private money, but wages should still be given a little more. Let's make it a round number and hand it to my mother."

"Okay, okay, okay... Anyway, giving it to her is just saving it up, and it will all be left for you guys to divide later..."

Ye Yaodong rolled his eyes. He says this every day. Does he care?

And leaving it for everyone to divide later, half of their current savings were given by him. They are only in their 50s and might have 30 more years to live. If he was thinking about this money, there would be no need to give it to them now. It would be better to keep it himself, so he wouldn't have to take it out for everyone to divide.

"Since things are packed, you go out and see if the meal is ready. I'm afraid they are not in the mood to cook. I haven't eaten for a whole day. You guys had food in the jail, but I didn't have food at home."

"Nonsense, what jail? Where is that called a jail? That's the public security bureau..."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes... You guys were served food at the public security bureau, but I was hungry at home. If I had known, I would have followed you, so I wouldn't have to be hungry."

Ye Fu stood up and kicked him hard. What kind of sarcastic remarks were those?

"Then don't run next time."

"I didn't run. Do you still want a next time?"

"Pah, bad luck, don't mention it again, and don't mention it when we go back."

After saying that, Ye Fu went out.

Ye Yaodong finished calculating the accounts and counted the money in his hand into portions first, so he could just give it to them one by one when he went out later, without having to count for a long time on the spot.

Seeing Ye Yaodong come out with a large handful of banknotes, everyone's originally low mood suddenly perked up and became energetic.

"Thank you all for your hard work this month and a half. Now that we are going back immediately, I won't say any other empty words. Anyway, let's settle the wages for everyone, which can be considered a reward for your hard work during this period."

"No matter how much nonsense is said, it's not as real as getting money. I have calculated everyone's wages. After you get it, you can calculate it yourself to see if it's correct. You should all have a count in your hearts of how many days you worked and how many days you went out to sea."

"I also gave everyone an extra 20 yuan red envelope, as a reward, return, and compensation for your hard work during this period. This trip to the public security bureau is not a glorious thing. After we go back, we won't mention it, and I won't mention it either. Everyone just treat it as having earned big money and returning home in glory."

"When we come back next year, there won't be so much nonsense, and everyone can earn big money safely."

"Come, come, come, money is being distributed, money is being distributed."

Ye Yaodong took the folded money in portions and distributed it to them one by one.

After getting the money, everyone's mood cleared up, and they stretched out their fingers, dipped them in saliva, and started counting.

After distributing the money, Ye Yaodong also sat down to eat first, letting them count slowly by themselves.

Ye Fu also sat down. The chopsticks he had just picked up suddenly thought of something, and he put them down, "We are going back tonight, then doesn't that mean you have no way to say goodbye to the leaders in advance?"

"I went over to say it in advance during the rainy days two days ago. It was the day I went to the association to ask for leave for a few months. By the way, I also went to the maritime police bureau to say it, otherwise, I was afraid I wouldn't have time at the last minute."

"That's good, otherwise we would just pat our butts and leave without going to inform them and say a word, which would seem too heartless."

"I said it in advance. It just so happens that everyone was caught again today. He probably knows it too, and should be able to understand our urgent desire to leave overnight."

"Yeah."

Ye Yaodong looked at everyone counting money, "After counting, sit down and eat first. After eating, we still have to tidy up our things for going out to sea. Everything that should be brought back should be brought back. We have to wait until next year to come over again."

Everyone just nodded and continued counting money, so he didn't care.

After everyone finished counting the money, someone suddenly whispered: "Adong, they are not here now, but the lighters and those things are all here. Should we take some..."

Everyone was a bit restless when they heard this, looking at each other.

"One of these can sell for seven or eight yuan... Now that an accident has just happened, and no one is here to guard it..."

Ye Yaodong frowned and also looked at the pitch-black field in the courtyard and the pile of goods in the corner.

With so many goods, everyone taking a few would be enough for their monthly wages...

"Are they coming over at night?"

"Otherwise, let's take a few each first? After we finish eating and packing, we will listen to you and see how many we should take?"

Everyone looked at him.

Ye Yaodong frowned tightly, "They will come over at night, saying they will call the night shift people over in a while. These boxes have all been counted and sealed before being piled in the corner. If there are fewer..."

"Can't we take the ones that aren't sealed? There was an accident this morning, and no one could take care of this place. Who knows how many goods were made today? There were also not enough numbers last night, and they weren't sealed."

"Yeah, even if we didn't take anything, they would definitely think we did, after all, only you stayed here today. And in these one or two hours, everyone is back, and they have no one to watch here. We didn't take it, but they probably think we took at least a little."

"Yeah, whether we took it or not, they would definitely think we did, so it's better to take some to break even. Otherwise, if we didn't take it but they still thought we did, it would be better to take it, at least we wouldn't lose."

"Adong, don't think about it. Who knows when people will come. While no one is here, if we want to take it, let's hurry up and take a few more each and hide them. Everyone takes a little less, and they definitely won't find out."

Everyone was incited to be restless, greedily looking at the pile of goods.

Everyone has a greedy side, especially when things are placed in front of them and incited by the people around them, the evil thoughts are infinitely magnified.

However, he still shook his head.

"Can't move it. They must have counted and sealed the quantity yesterday. It was also reported early this morning, and not many were made. If we move it, they will definitely know."

Just everyone taking 5 would be 50, and this number is not small. If it's not sealed, it must be the remainder. How can they not see it?

He was still thinking that if this batch sells well when taken back, he would have to come over to purchase goods again when he turns back, and perhaps he also planned to buy shares.

If he was discovered doing this kind of thing, then there would be nothing to talk about.

He is not short of this little money. The wages and red envelopes he just gave these workers are enough. There is no need to steal a few and ruin his reputation.

Although he is not a good person and is greedy for money, there is really no need to take those few, and it wasn't him taking it, but letting his subordinates take it.

This is of no benefit to him, and if exposed, it will still be counted on his head.

And he is leaving immediately, and the house is still in their hands. Just for stealing a few lighters, the house is gone. Are they sick?

The two thousand in his room were also calculated cheaply for him.

Looking at the restless crowd, he warned: "Forgot that we were just caught today? Fang Jingfu is not a fool either. Be honest. If you don't want to be caught again, don't touch those things. They have a background."

"As long as you move it, you will be discovered. People will probably come in a while. Let's eat our meal. We were just released, don't cause trouble. It's good to go back safely, and I didn't pay you less wages."

Everyone had some scruples when they heard this, and regretfully took back their eyes, not daring to have any more crooked ideas.

"Alright."

Originally, everyone didn't have crooked thoughts at the beginning and just happily received the money. It was just because they listened to the instigation of a voice that their inner greed was aroused. Otherwise, everyone didn't have this idea at the beginning.

Ye Yaodong also remembered the person who spoke first and the person who echoed. Since they haven't gone back yet, it's not good to do anything, so he will talk about it after going back.

Originally, he didn't think in this direction all day and didn't think about moving these things.

Fang Jingfu is not a fool either. He came over in the afternoon and stayed for so long, why didn't he check if his goods were missing?

He came over in the afternoon and stayed with him for so long, chatting for so long, his attitude was very good, and he kept comforting him. He must have seen that he didn't move these goods after half a day.

"Everyone will be greedy for money and lust, but think about whether it's worth it first. Some of you have been in for the second time, so be honest and behave yourself."

Everyone nodded regretfully.

"Then forget it."

PS: My brain is a bit mushy.

Fortunately, I know how to read comments and watch the feedback in the background from time to time. I will immediately correct the plots that everyone is uncomfortable with. Sorry, I will add more updates in two days as compensation.