Chapter 1300

Ye Yaodong raised his wrist to check the time and said with a smile, "Sorry to keep everyone waiting, I'm not late, am I?"

"We were just waiting for you. Thinking that you would definitely come, we waited a while. It just so happens that everyone can chat more and get to know each other; it's hard to get together usually."

Jin Laixi smiled and beckoned him to sit in the seat beside him, then stood up to speak to everyone.

What he talked about was, of course, related to the Chamber of Commerce, and the biggest thing recently was the land purchase.

And when they held a meeting a week ago, Jin Laixi had already reported the progress to everyone.

Some people who hadn't come before had also come for the most part last week. Even if there were still people who were here for the first time today, they had long heard about the Chamber of Commerce's big move and knew that everyone had to shell out 100 yuan to contribute to the Chamber of Commerce's land purchase.

This money was not a lot, but it wasn't a little either. Many people held a wait-and-see attitude; anyway, they didn't have to pay immediately.

The weather had been bad recently, and today was a rare moment of leisure, so they came to join in the fun, see what others were thinking, and then make plans.

Jin Laixi reported the progress to everyone as usual today, and then focused on the matter of buying land and building the Chamber of Commerce.

The government had already approved it, and the price of the land had been negotiated. What he had his eye on was a small piece of vacant land near the Coast Guard Bureau, about 500 square meters.

Originally, they wanted 5,000 yuan for it, but after some grinding, bargaining, and saying some nice things about supporting government construction and the like, they settled on a price of 3,500.

It just so happened that if everyone contributed 100 yuan, they could barely manage to secure it through crowdfunding.

After Jin Laixi finished speaking, he took out the land certificate and payment slip issued by the government and passed them around for everyone to see, proving that what he said was true.

After everyone finished passing them around, some people realized what was going on.

"Then if all this money is used to buy land, what about the Chamber of Commerce? We can't each bring a stool and just talk on an empty lot, right? 3,000-plus yuan, that should be enough to buy a house..."

"It definitely should be enough, I also thought we would buy a ready-made house directly."

"I thought buying a piece of land would cost a few hundred yuan. In our village, it costs at most 500 yuan to get a piece of land approved to build a house. With a few thousand yuan, that's enough to build a building..."

"That's right, we all thought we would buy a ready-made one directly. If that's only enough to buy land, what about the Chamber of Commerce? Don't tell me we have to shell out more money?"

"Have to pay more? 100 yuan is already quite a bit. The workers I have only earn a few dozen yuan a month..."

"Yeah, we just joined and already have to pay over 100..."

Everyone was talking at once, and in an instant, it was as noisy as a vegetable market, with everyone holding opposing opinions.

Originally, they were embarrassed to oppose it because someone had taken the lead in agreeing. Thinking about it, paying 100 yuan was barely acceptable; after all, many had indeed met some people and gained more connections after joining the Chamber of Commerce, and had benefited.

Jin Laixi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then said loudly, "Everyone, don't be agitated. The money for buying the land will come from the funds raised by everyone. This will not change, and we won't ask everyone to shell out more money."

"As for buying land directly instead of buying a house, it's because we couldn't find a suitable house."

"Everyone knows that this is a port, and there is a particularly large number of migrant workers. Not to mention that some families of a dozen people live in one room, even if they have an extra room or two, they rent them out to outsiders."

"With stable rent to collect every month, who would sell their house? Everyone agrees, right?"

"So I could only buy land. I felt a special sense of security the moment I saw the land near the Coast Guard Bureau. And since we've already bought it, it's definitely ours. Our Chamber of Commerce is developing, and the number of people will definitely increase by then."

Actually, it was Ye Yaodong who told him to try to buy a larger piece, as it would be the collective asset of the Chamber of Commerce in the future.

Their Chamber of Commerce had many members, and the surplus land could be utilized to build buildings and rent them out to everyone. The Chamber of Commerce could collect a sum of rent, which could be utilized in the future to develop the Chamber of Commerce.

He felt that what Ye Yaodong said made a lot of sense, which was why he thought about buying a larger piece. It was just that because he bought a larger piece, there were no funds to build the house, which was why he had gone to Ye Yaodong to find a strategy a few days ago.

As it turned out, the trip wasn't in vain; with money, the difficulty was solved directly.

"As for the money to build the Chamber of Commerce that everyone is worried about, this doesn't need everyone to pay either. Hehe, I was worried before too, and didn't dare to decide."

"Later, I went to chat with our Comrade Ye Yaodong. He is worthy of being our Chamber of Commerce's Vice President, and worthy of being the Vice President of the Fisheries Association; his perspective is truly grand."

"I told him about it, and he said that we couldn't let the member comrades pay more money; that's unreasonable. Everyone has already supported the development of the Chamber of Commerce very much, and we can't make things difficult for everyone anymore."

"He is particularly generous, and he is also sincerely wanting to do something for our Chamber of Commerce, wanting to make our Chamber of Commerce better and better."

"He said that for the money to build the Chamber of Commerce, he would personally contribute another 2,000 to support the development of our Chamber of Commerce, and also set an example for everyone. After all, he is the Vice President, and he must take on responsibility during difficult times."

After Jin Laixi finished speaking, he looked at Ye Yaodong.

Ye Yaodong understood at a glance that it was his turn to pay and speak.

He immediately took out the money he had prepared in advance from his pocket and held it in his hand for everyone to see.

"Comrade Jin Laixi mentioned this to me two days ago. I feel that many of you here are here because of me, and I can't let everyone down. If money needs to be spent, it must be spent; if effort needs to be put in, it must be put in."

"However, there's nothing I can put effort into. Hehe, Jin Laixi and the other comrades are too capable, handling everything perfectly, so I can only contribute money."

"This is also what I should do as Vice President, and I should set an example."

"The 2,100 yuan is all here. I also have to pay the 100 yuan land fee that everyone raised separately. Collective money, collective assets."

"The money is all here. Let our Chamber of Commerce's finance department count it and keep the accounts, and everyone can be a witness."

"As for if there isn't enough money for construction by then, Comrade Jin Laixi also said that he and the other initiators will take on a share, and the remaining money will be split among them. We will never let everyone pay another cent."

After Ye Yaodong finished speaking, he handed the money to the finance department to count and sat down again.

Everyone looked at him with new respect, whispering to each other as they watched him, and there were no other opposing voices.

When it came down to it, it was a matter of money. Ye Yaodong had paid to solve it, so those people naturally had nothing to say.

After he sat down, Jin Laixi took the lead in applauding.

Others followed suit and applauded; everyone was very satisfied with this way of handling things.

Jin Laixi smiled and said to everyone again, "Comrade Ye Yaodong is so generous and magnanimous, we other initiators cannot fall behind. Anyway, we definitely won't let everyone contribute more funds."

"After the Chamber of Commerce is built, everyone can benefit collectively, and have a greater sense of belonging. It will definitely develop better and better in the future..."

He also spoke beautifully, making everyone satisfied, and later asked if anyone had any other objections.

Basically, there were no objections.

Originally, when they first arrived, some people were dissatisfied and unwilling to pay this money. Seeing that Ye Yaodong had taken out 2,100, and that Jin Laixi and the other initiators would have to split the subsequent construction costs, all their dissatisfaction vanished, and they felt relieved.

After the meeting ended, those who brought money took the initiative to go to the finance department to pay it.

And those who didn't bring money said they would pay tomorrow, or bring it to pay at the next meeting.

Anyway, with the 2,100 given by Ye Yaodong, and others being able to pay the majority today, the money for buying the land was enough.

Everyone was paying money, chatting, and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively, with everyone wearing smiles.

After Ye Yaodong finished playing his role, he also started chatting with Jin Laixi and the others.

He took the opportunity to tell them that he planned to go back after New Year's Day if the weather was good. He might not have time to notify everyone one by one, so he was telling them in advance now.

If he could manage to notify them, he would definitely come over to say so.

Jin Laixi was surprised, "Going back so early? It's just after New Year's Day, isn't that too early? Not waiting until the end of the year? The New Year isn't until the end of January."

"Sigh, the weather has been bad recently. This month, we only went out to sea for six or seven days in total. There was also sleet, and I don't know how long it will last; it looks like there will be heavy snow."

"We are also worried that if it's close to the end of the year and there isn't a single day of good weather, won't we have to stay here for the New Year? That won't do. I'd rather go back early; it doesn't matter if we earn a little less."

"Whether you have money or not, you go home for the New Year. You Wenzhou people are closer; if you have a tractor, you can drive it back directly, unlike us who are so far away."

"For us from outside the province, the wind resistance is also high now. It's not like summer; it's estimated that it will take a day and a night to sail back."

Everyone had nothing to say after hearing this; those from outside the province were indeed further away, so they had to plan early.

Unlike them, who were just separated by two cities, they could go back by tractor even if the weather wasn't good. They went back and forth several times throughout the year, so they were used to it.

Ye Yaodong added, "I've also been out for more than half a year, and I'm tired. Being outside is not like being at home; you have to keep one eye open even when sleeping, and your spirit is always on edge."

"Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. This month has 31 days, so it's only 10 days until New Year's Day. If I leave, you guys keep an eye on things here. If anything happens, call me again; anyway, I've left my number with the Chamber of Commerce."

Jin Laixi asked, "Then when are you coming next year? What day?"

"What day? We'll see. I don't even know what day I'm going back yet."

What "what day"? He only planned to come again in the second half of the year. He had to manage things at home in the first half of the year; how could he be outside all year round?

However, he definitely wouldn't make that so clear now.

"Alright, in the blink of an eye, it's almost the New Year. It's fast. I heard that everywhere here is being planned, and I don't know what it will be planned into next year..."

Ye Yaodong chatted with them for a while until 5 o'clock, and as people left one after another, he also got up.

It got dark early now, and it was already somewhat dim at 5 o'clock. There weren't many people to be seen halfway, and everyone was rushing home in a hurry.

Suddenly, large snowflakes fell one after another. He even reached out to catch a few, and they melted directly upon touching his gloves.

He thought to himself that he hadn't even taken the snow scenes he wanted to take, and he didn't know if there would be heavy snow before he left, allowing him to build a snowman and take a couple of photos.

He hadn't bought color film yet. These past few days, he had been running back and forth to the shipyard with Aguang and hadn't done anything. Seeing that he wasn't going back immediately, he would look into it these next few days.

By the time he returned home, his hat and shoulders were already covered in white snow. He collected all the snow from the top, and could barely manage to mold it into a small ball.

Ye's father was sitting in front of the stove roasting by the fire. Seeing him return, he asked, "Is it snowing again?"

"Yes, it just started halfway back. The snow at night seems like it will be a bit heavier."

"The promised sleet was probably a lie; it turned into snow at night. It's really cold, frozen to the bone. It's a good thing I bought a pair of cotton shoes two days ago."

"Have you all eaten?"

"Everyone has eaten, only you are left. We left you some food, it's warming in the pot."

"Help me serve it. I want to get some hot water; I'll eat while soaking my feet later. After walking a circle and coming back, my toes are frozen numb."

"In this weather, we really have to go back early. Our home is better; it's not this cold. It's several degrees below zero today..."

Ye's father muttered, "I went to look outside the pier in the afternoon. There were fewer people, but there were still quite a few large boats going out to sea, and some fresh-catch boats came back with quite a lot of goods..."

Ye Yaodong didn't say anything, just listened to his father talk.

He sat at the table with a basin under his feet, rolled up his pant legs, took off his socks, and stretched them in. In an instant, his whole body felt comfortable, and he didn't feel cold anymore.

"Comfortable..."

"I have to soak my feet later too; it seems like I have frostbite."

The next day, when Ye Yaodong woke up naturally, he only realized from the movement outside that it was a vast expanse of white. It turned out that it had snowed all night, and a thick layer had already accumulated on the ground. Everyone was outside looking at the snow and building snowmen.

Don't look at them as adults, some of whom were middle-aged or elderly, but they were all country bumpkins; where had they ever seen such heavy snow?

When he got dressed and went out, he saw that there were already several large snowmen at the entrance. The snow at the doorway had been cleared by them and used to build the snowmen.

"Damn! The promised sleet turned directly into heavy snow!"

Ye's father said happily, "It's still snowing. If it snows for another whole day, I guess it will be another thick layer at night."

"Woke up late, the snow was all cleared by you guys. Didn't see much, can only see it on the roof and the plants."

"Didn't you say you'd take a photo for us when it snows heavily? It's just right now; the snowmen are all built."

"I haven't bought color film yet, only black and white. Let's take black and white ones first. After breakfast, I'll go look for color film so I can take clearer ones."

"Let's take them first. Everyone was so excited when they got up this morning and saw the snow; they're all waiting there."

Ye Yaodong also happily hurried into the house to get the camera, and by the way, took a small carrot from the stove to use as the snowman's nose.

He even put his own hat, scarf, and toad-eye sunglasses on the snowman.

Ye's father and the others found it strange no matter how they looked at it.

"Don't say, you fixed it up like this, it's actually quite good-looking, much better than those two white piles just now."

"The eldest's brain is still the most useful, knowing to dress up the snowman."

"It really looks much better."

Ye Yaodong fiddled with the camera and adjusted it, "Is everyone here? If you are, stand properly. Stand around the snowman, and a few more squat in front..."

He was directing there, and some people nearby also curiously gathered around, feeling a bit envious as they watched them take photos.

Some even asked Ye Yaodong if he could take one for them too.

Ye Yaodong thought that they had lived here for several months and were all familiar with each other, so he nodded and agreed.

But he also said in advance that after they finished taking a few group photos, he could only help take a few if there was extra film, but it was estimated that he couldn't take many, as the film was limited.

Everyone nodded without exception.

As soon as Ye Yaodong got up, he didn't even eat, but busied himself taking photos for everyone. Fortunately, the remaining film wasn't even half used.

He thought about buying color film, also thinking that the film here was almost used up, so he had to buy it in advance to bridge the gap.

Fortunately, it only took an hour, and he finished taking them. It just so happened that after eating, he would take the film to be developed and buy new ones by the way.

When he came back at noon, he had two more rolls of color film in his hand, and he immediately called for people to take photos again. This time, everyone's enthusiasm was even higher because it was color film and could produce color photos.

The snowman built in the morning hadn't melted yet. Because it kept snowing, the ground was covered in snow again. Standing in the snow, it felt even more like an icy world.

After Ye Yaodong finished taking the group photos, he took a personal photo for each of them as a benefit.

At the same time, he also let others take a few more photos for him.

It just so happened that at this lunch time, the nearby neighbors were all eating at home. Except for coming out to buy groceries and sweep snow in the morning, no one came out to walk around at this time, and everyone stayed in the room roasting by the fire.

"Haven't seen what color photos look like yet. Can they be developed before we go back?" Ye's father asked curiously.

Ye Yaodong fiddled with the camera, "No problem. When I sent the film over this morning, it was agreed that it could be picked up in 7 days. This roll is also finished. After I eat, I'll take them to be developed together."

"Father, go call the eldest and second brother over. I'll take two photos for them to take back too."

"Alright, it's rare to have such heavy snow. Since we are still here this year, we must take two photos as a souvenir."

Ye Yaodong held the camera, pushed aside the workers beside him, and took a photo of the house they rented, leaving a souvenir at least; he could take it out to look at when he was old.

The view was a vast expanse of white, with snow on the roofs and the ground. Back home, one could only see a thick layer of frost on the roofs in the early morning.

Now he could only wait until the environment was more stable in a few years before he could bring his wife and children over to play and see the snow.

Ye Yaopeng and Ye Yaohua both trotted over, panting.

"Dongzi, Father said you bought color film."

"Yes, you guys hurry over and take two photos, and have them developed as a souvenir later."

Ye Yaopeng said with a smile, "Wait a moment, let someone take one for the four of us father and sons."

Ye's father was also panting behind, "Right, the four of us must take one."

"It just so happens that today is the Winter Solstice, which is also a big day. You guys stand still, I'll take one for you. It can just be developed and taken back for the family to see before we go home."

"When are we going back?"

Yesterday noon, it was only Ye's father, Ye Yaodong, and Aguang discussing it in the room.

The workers in their family also knew last night that after New Year's Day, they would go back early if the weather was good, but the others didn't know yet.

Ye Yaodong was thinking about waiting until after today's Winter Solstice to tell the others tomorrow. Since his two brothers asked, he just mentioned it casually.

Both of them also wanted to go home. Having grown up for more than 30 years, they had never been away from home for so long. Hearing this, they nodded repeatedly and were exceptionally in favor.

"You guys go back later and tell the workers too. Tell everyone that if they haven't gone out to sea recently, they should continue to buy the local specialties they need to buy in advance. Who knows when we'll say we're going back and just leave."

"Okay."