Chapter 1323: It

Ye Yaodong had just arrived at the old house when he saw his father holding a water pipe, chatting away with the neighbors on either side with a beaming smile.

As he drew closer, he saw the large gold ring on the finger holding the water pipe.

He suspected his father was deliberately holding the pipe; he wasn't even smoking it, but if he didn't hold something, how could he show off his ring?

"Dongzi is here..."

"Dongzi, how much did your father pay for that gold ring? When we make some money, we'll buy one to wear too; it looks pretty good."

"It didn't cost much, a few hundred yuan; everyone can afford it. Heh, gold doesn't depreciate anyway. Buying one is just like saving money, and it looks good on your hand. Besides, since we aren't going anywhere, there's no fear of losing it. If you need money, you can just take the gold and exchange it for cash; it's no different from having ready money."

"That's right! The money sitting at home is just sitting there. Buying gold means you can wear it, and when you need to use it, you can still exchange it for cash. You don't lose anything."

"The television we just bought... maybe forget it..."

"You could buy a small one..."

As everyone whispered and discussed, Ye Yaodong had already pulled his father aside to talk about serious business.

The two sat at the doorway discussing for half an hour. He used pen and paper to write down the names, checked them off after the discussion, and then handed the list to his father, telling him to go call the people.

It wasn't much trouble; there were only 21 people in total, and selecting fourteen or fifteen was simple.

The people around them didn't disturb the father and son while they were talking, but various intermittent words of praise still reached his ears.

He had now truly and genuinely become the hope of the whole village, the model and example for all the people in the village.

By next year, after the kelp harvest, his reputation would likely rise to another level.

Fortunately, harvesting kelp didn't conflict with going to Zhoushan in the second half of the year.

After lunch, Ye Yaodong told Lin Xiuqing that he was going to town to find Hong Wenle.

Lin Xiuqing's heart tightened, "Is it to talk about the fish cannery?"

"That's right. It's been a few days, so I'll go ask and get a sense of things."

"Are you really going to do it?"

"I'll ask clearly first, check the regulations, and then come back and tell you. If it's feasible, of course I'll do it. All that money sitting in our hands won't grow; investing it in business is the only way it will slowly increase."

"Alright then."

"Money is dead, but people are alive. Anyway, we have plenty of cash on hand, so I'm not afraid to take a portion out to invest."

"Then go ask clearly first; we can't just hand over the money blindly. Wait for me this afternoon, too. We'll take the small change to the Youdian Bureau to exchange it. It's better to exchange it early; there's a lot to do during the New Year, so we should avoid the rush. If we can get things done early, we should."

"Alright, then we'll go during office hours. When we get there, you can wait at the bank and watch them count the money while I go find Hong Wenle."

"Then I'll go prepare the small change."

It was still a long time before the Youdian Bureau opened at noon, so Ye Yaodong, having nothing to do, sat back at the doorway.

After lunch, a card game started again at the doorway of his eldest and second brothers' houses. It was bustling with noise, looking just like an open-air card room.

After their meal, the children ran around everywhere, occasionally squeezing in to ask their fathers for some money.

It was easiest to get money when they were playing cards; they would give it if asked, and they wouldn't get scolded.

These children had already mastered the method of asking for money.

"Third Uncle."

Ye Yaodong's left shoulder was patted. He looked to the left, but no one was there.

"Third Uncle."

His right shoulder was patted again. He looked to the right, but no one was there.

"Third Uncle!"

It was the left shoulder's turn to be patted again.

Ye Yaodong looked to the right and happened to see Ye Chenghai raising his right hand.

Ye Chenghai quickly put his hand down, hiding it behind his back, and smiled ingratiatingly, "Hehe, Third Uncle~"

"Are you looking for a beating?"

"Third Uncle, are you free now? You look very idle..."

"I also think you look very free. Why don't you let me beat you up? Anyway, we're just sitting around."

"No way. I'm just resting for the day. I'm very busy, not as free as you."

"I'll give you a punch. I'm so busy my feet don't touch the ground, and I'm only free for a moment, yet you come over to make sarcastic remarks. If you have something to say, spit it out. What do you want?"

"Can you teach me how to ride a motorcycle? I really want to learn. I've wanted to for a long time, but you were never home, and when you were, you were busy. Finally, I see you're free."

Ye Yaodong looked him up and down. He had indeed grown quite fast in the last six months. After the New Year, he would only be 17, yet he was already taller than his father.

It was clear that he had been eating well and getting good nutrition over the last six months, and his height had shot up; he already had the height he had in his previous life. At only 17, he could still grow a bit more.

Now that he had graduated from middle school and started working in the factory, he could be considered an adult, so learning to ride a motorcycle was fine.

"You can learn, but we'll talk about it when I'm free."

"Aren't you quite free right now?"

"I have to go out in a bit, no time."

"Where are you going? You're so busy now, a big shot. You've been back for a week, and I haven't even seen you twice."

"I've only seen you once, too. You're busier than I am."

"Can't help it, I'm working. So when will you be free?"

"Probably after tomorrow? I'm not sure if something will come up, but there shouldn't be anything urgent. Or, when I finish my business and come back, if it's not dark yet, I can teach you for a while. When I'm not home in the future, you can ride the motorcycle at home for fun."

It would save it from just sitting there; it's easy for it to break if it isn't ridden for half a year.

Ye Chenghai's eyes lit up.

"Really! Once I learn, can I borrow it to ride?"

"You pay for the gas yourself. As long as you can afford it, and pay attention to safety. If something happens, I'm not responsible."

Ye Chenghai clenched his fist, extremely happy.

"No problem. I'll have an allowance after I officially start working, so I can definitely afford the gas. I'll definitely pay attention to safety."

"We'll talk once you learn. It just so happens that once you learn, you can go out to pick up girls and marry a wife sooner."

His dark face turned bright red instantly, "I don't want to!"

"Once you learn, you'll be the coolest guy in the whole village, town, and county. By then, plenty of girls will be flocking to you. Keep it up, and remember to give me a big red envelope!" Ye Yaodong laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Shouldn't you be the one giving me a red envelope?"

"Are you kidding? Borrowing my motorcycle to pick up girls, you should be the one giving me a red envelope. When you get married, the red envelope I give will be for your parents, not for you."

"Can you teach me now?"

"Can't wait to pick up girls?"

"That's not it. You're free, but I'm afraid I won't be. Since you're free now, if you come back late tonight, won't my chance be ruined, and I'll have to wait several more days?"

"What's the rush? You have to have a break during the New Year. I'll be home for the next half year, so I'll definitely teach you. You're only 17, no need to rush to learn to pick up girls."

Ye Chenghe ran over, holding a bumpy soccer ball with a bright red face. He had wanted to call his eldest brother, but when he heard the word "pick up girls," he became excited.

"Huh? Who wants to pick up girls? Damn, Third Uncle, you want to pick up girls? You're already married, and you still want to pick up girls? I'm going to tell Third Aunt that you're out acting like a hooligan."

Ye Yaodong kicked him, "Get lost, it's your eldest brother who wants to pick up girls."

"I don't want to pick up girls."

"You don't want to pick up girls? Then why are you learning to ride a motorcycle? Don't learn then. Once you learn to ride a motorcycle, pretty girls will line up from the village to the county, wanting to flock to you."

Ye Chenghe was extremely excited, "Third Aunt, Third Aunt, Third Uncle said that when he rides his motorcycle out, a whole bunch of pretty girls flock to him."

"Damn, Ye Chenghe, no one will think you're a mute if you don't talk! Don't even think about me teaching you to ride a motorcycle in this lifetime."

"Huh? Third Uncle, you want to teach me to ride a motorcycle? That's great, hahaha, Ajiang, Chenghu, Third Uncle is going to teach me to ride a motorcycle... Third Uncle is going to teach me to ride a motorcycle..."

Ye Chenghe ran into the distance holding the ball, shouting as he ran.

Ye Yaodong felt a lump in his chest and was almost angered to death.

This idiot, why does he only hear what he wants to hear?

When did he say he would teach him? Damn!

Ye Yaopeng smiled and said, "You're going to teach them all to ride a motorcycle at the same time? Why not teach me too?"

Ye Yaohua followed, "Then teach me too..."

"Where would I find the time? We'll talk when I'm free. Why is Ye Chenghe getting more and more stupid? How is he going to marry a wife in the future?"

"Third Uncle, don't worry about him, you can worry about me."

"None of my business, you're not my son."

"Dad... Dad... you can't be biased. You can't just teach Brother Chenghe, you have to teach me..." Ye Chenghu shouted as he ran.

A whole bunch of children behind him all rushed toward him at this moment, with the dogs in the lead, like they were charging into battle.

His head instantly grew large.

Ye Chenghu ran up, and without even catching his breath, said, "Dad, I'm your biological son, you can't just teach them and not me..."

"All of you get lost. How old are you? Wait until you're 16..."

"Dad, teach me, I want to drive the car too..."

Ye Yaodong looked down at the new attachments on his legs.

"You still smell like milk all over, and you want to drive a car?"

Ye Xiaoxi lifted her sleeve and sniffed, "No neinei here."

"Go, go, go, all of you go play. I'm not teaching Ye Chenghe. Those who can marry a wife don't need to learn. Only Ahai, who is almost at the age but can't marry a wife, needs to learn."

Ye Chenghe asked, "Are you only teaching Brother Ahai?"

"Wait until you're 16 and graduate from middle school, then I'll teach you too. Right now, your legs aren't even as high as the motorcycle, what are you learning?"

"Then when I graduate from middle school and turn 16, Dad, you have to teach me."

"Got it, go, go, don't get in the way, go play."

Ye Chengjiang giggled and squeezed up to him, "Third Uncle, I'll be 16 after the New Year, can I learn too?"

"Fine, learn together with Ahai."

"That's great, Third Uncle, you are my most respected Third Uncle. I'll write about you for my winter break homework!"

"What winter break homework?"

"The winter break homework assigned by the teacher, to write about the person I respect most. That's you! It has to be you, I'm definitely writing about you!"

Ye Yaohua pulled a long face and said, "Then what am I?"

Ye Chengjiang's heart tightened, "Ah! You're my dad! My biological dad! My big mountain!"

When Ye Yaohua heard him say that, his expression softened slightly.

Ye Yaodong watched from the side and laughed. There really wasn't one smart one among them!

How did they grow up so big without being beaten to death? They really are his own.

Ye Chengjiang winked at him, then pulled him aside, "Third Uncle, when will you teach me and Ahai?"

"When I'm free. I have to go out this afternoon, I'll see if it's dark when I get back. If it's not dark, I'll teach you for a while; if it is, we'll wait until tomorrow."

"That's great."

Ahai sighed, "Damn, I was the one who asked Third Uncle, but you're the one who gets the benefit. I still have to go to work, and you get to learn first."

"Hehe, you have money to earn, I don't, and I have to suffer through school, so it's fair that I learn from Third Uncle first."

"Go play, I have to go out in a bit."

"Okay."

Ye Chengjiang ran off happily in a flash.

Ye Chenghai was still standing there, "Where are you going, Third Uncle?"

"I have to go to the Youdian Bureau in town to exchange money; there's too much small change, and I have other things to do. Are you very free? If you are, come with me and keep Third Aunt company at the Youdian Bureau?"

"Sure."

"Good, I'll call you in a bit."

It just so happened that he had to go find Hong Wenle to talk about business, and Ahqing would be alone at the Youdian Bureau with no one to keep her company. Since Ahai was free anyway, calling him along to keep her company was fine; he was an adult now.

When Lin Xiuqing found out there would be one more person, she also felt it was quite good. Otherwise, after Ye Yaodong went to handle his business, he would leave her alone at the Youdian Bureau. If the money was exchanged early, she wouldn't dare to leave.

In the afternoon, the three of them set off together. Feeling the cool sensation of riding a motorcycle, Ye Chenghai looked forward even more to learning to ride one himself.

Ye Yaodong dropped Lin Xiuqing and Ye Chenghai off at the Youdian Bureau. After explaining the situation and seeing the bitter expressions of the staff who had no choice but to exchange the money, he felt relieved and rode the motorcycle to find Hong Wenle.

With such a big motorcycle parked at the entrance of the Youdian Bureau, even a blind person could see it. No matter how unwilling they were, the staff had to exchange it just because he rode a motorcycle.

In this day and age, could just anyone afford a motorcycle?

If an ordinary person took that much small change to exchange, it might not be the same. After all, official units were a cut above, and if they said they wouldn't exchange, they wouldn't; if they said they had none to exchange, they had none.

He rode away before the crowd could gather around to look at the motorcycle.

His timing was perfect; Wang Maoquan said Hong Wenle happened to be upstairs, whereas he hadn't been there for the past few days.

When Hong Wenle heard he had arrived, he immediately came out and led him to make tea.

"You came at a perfect time. If you had come a day earlier or a day later, I definitely wouldn't have been here."

"Is there any progress on the loan?"

"I ran around for many days and finally found out: only state-owned banks in the city can grant loans. There are no state-owned banks in the town or county, only the Youdian Bureau."

Ye Yaodong was delighted, "That's not bad, it can be loaned. How much can you loan?"

"The cap is 200,000. Originally, they only wanted to loan 10,000. I said, what can 10,000 do for me? It's useless. If it were only 10,000, would I even need a loan?"

"Damn, 10,000? What's the point of a loan for 10,000? Then how did they agree to loan you 200,000?"

"I'm a returnee, I have a background of studying abroad. The purpose of the loan is to respond to the country's call to build the motherland, develop the economy, provide academic credentials, and then provide household registration proof or village proof."

"It's that simple?"

"Yes, if you have asset proof of repayment ability, it will be faster."

"That's very simple then. Then getting the loan is just a matter of minutes. Apply now, and maybe it will be approved before the New Year."

"That doesn't matter. It's fine if it's approved after the New Year. If we can loan 200,000, that's enough."

"Then tell me about your plan and regulations, give me a general idea so I can understand it before deciding."

Hong Wenle said, "If I were to apply alone, I might have to spend money to buy land. This requires you to step forward. Aren't you a typical example of individual prosperity driving collective prosperity? Let the village committee step forward to provide proof, and getting a piece of land is a matter of minutes."

"It's best for the village committee to step forward and help negotiate together. The success rate is higher. Just let the government approve a piece of land to support construction, so we don't have to spend money."

"And if you have the status of a Party member, that's even better. It's a protective umbrella, the process of handling things is simpler, and there will be local policy inclination and resource inclination."

Ye Yaodong nodded, "I understand this, I know. It shouldn't be a big problem. The village committee over there will definitely support me. As for being evaluated as a typical example, that will have to wait until after the New Year."

"That's not urgent, take it slow. Things don't happen that fast, and we have to look at the site first. Let me tell you about the regulations first."

Hong Wenle told him about his thoughts, arrangements, and machine channels while brewing tea.

In the end, he also wanted to use Ye Yaodong's future Party member status, as well as his typical representative status of achieving prosperity through his own efforts and helping the collective get rid of poverty and achieve prosperity, and progressing together with the collective, so as to expand the market more easily and obtain policy resource inclination.

Moreover, he also had money and strength, and wouldn't point fingers. He looked hardworking and reliable, unlike some friends who only knew how to eat, drink, and play, and couldn't do anything right.

The two chatted from after 2 o'clock until after 4 o'clock, and only stopped when Lin Xiuqing and Ye Chenghai found them.

Lin Xiuqing and Ye Chenghai were a bit restrained when they walked upstairs, but when they saw Ye Yaodong, they both breathed a sigh of relief and put their hearts back in their stomachs.

"Adong..."

"You're here, finished exchanging the money?"

"Yes, are you done?"

"Right away," Ye Yaodong said, looking at Hong Wenle, "Let's leave it at that for now. I'll go back and consider it, and give you a reply tomorrow."

"I probably won't be here tomorrow, I'm going to the city. Let's do the day after."

"Regardless of whether I do it or not, do you intend to do it?"

"More or less. Anyway, let's handle the loan first and submit the materials. It's not a loss anyway, and there's no interest. Let's get the money in our hands first. It's free money, why not take it?"

"Alright, then I'll go first."

"I'll see you out."

Only after they left the hotel entrance did Lin Xiuqing and Ye Chenghai breathe a sigh of relief.

Lin Xiuqing said, "Their family is really rich. Such a big shop, and the floor is even tiled. It's clean and smooth, really beautiful."

Ye Chenghai also said excitedly, "It looks so high-end. No other restaurant is as big as this one. Third Uncle, you're really capable, you can even be friends with their boss. We almost didn't dare to come in just now."

"What's there not to dare? What are you afraid of? Be a bit bolder. At worst, we'll just be kicked out."

"Hehe, it would be so embarrassing to be kicked out. If you weren't inside, we definitely wouldn't have dared to come in."

"I'll bring you again in the future. You're a big man, what are you afraid of?"

"I'm not a big man yet."

"You will be soon. Get on the car, we'll talk about anything else when we get home."

"It's about to get dark..."

Ye Chenghai muttered that going out for a trip took too much time. He had originally thought about going back early so he could touch the motorcycle, but now that was all ruined.

He had to let Ye Chengjiang learn first tomorrow. It was a bargain for him; he was clearly the one who asked first, but he ended up doing the work for someone else.

So when they got home, he was still reluctant to get off the car and didn't want to go home.

The motorcycle was pushed into the courtyard, and he followed directly inside.

"Third Uncle... it's not dark yet..."

"No time. I just got back, and I still have things to discuss with Third Aunt. You can touch it and play with it yourself. I'll teach you when you're not working."

"Alright."

Lin Xiuqing wanted to know how his chat went, so she asked the old lady to help cook first, and the couple went into the room to talk, and by the way, put away the exchanged money.

Ye Yaodong knew she was anxious, so he told her as soon as they entered the room.

She clicked her tongue, "Rich people's brains really grow differently. They have as many ideas as you, and they understand more. So much money, and they say they'll loan it just like that. And their family probably doesn't know yet, right? Just as bold as you."

"Right? I also think I'm smart. The bold are stuffed to death, the timid are starved to death. What's there to be afraid of since their family is rich? Anyway, they can handle it. Our family also has money, so there's nothing to be afraid of. It's just taking out a portion."

"So, does that mean you intend to do it with him?"

"Yeah, otherwise our money keeps coming in, and we have nowhere to spend it. It's all in our hands, which feels a bit of a pity. We have to spend it, turn it into industry, and then have another channel for money to keep coming in. That's the best cycle."

"Fine, you've decided, so what can I say? Then let's try it. Anyway, the money is all earned by you. If you think it's feasible, then let's try it. I'm a woman and I don't understand these things, I'll listen to you."

Ye Yaodong was happy. He finally heard words of support. He didn't expect it to be quite simple; he just said it and she agreed, without wasting much breath.

"That's right! I definitely understand more than you. You just need to support me. Would I squander our family's money? It's definitely for our family's good."

"And according to what he just said, each of us putting out about 100,000 should be enough to set up a small factory. Let the government allocate a piece of land to support construction, so we don't have to pay for it ourselves."

"It's a good thing I haven't been wasting my time these past few years, I have a bit of a reputation, and I can get people to look up to me. It seems I still need to be more famous and improve my social status a bit more. This is quite useful."

Lin Xiuqing smiled, "What's the use? You're still fishing every day."

"It's true that I fish every day, but I can also not fish. Based on your husband's current net worth, I could retire directly. But I'm only 30, the age for hard work. Can I retire just like that? Who would think they have too much money?"

"Dad hasn't retired yet, and you want to retire."

"I really want to, but I also want to keep mixing, to see what height I can reach. This life is still long, everything is possible. A man must have some ambition. Fishing can also lead to becoming a person above others."

"Yes, yes, yes, you're already a person above others. Who doesn't look up to you when you go out? Village cadres have to suck up to you and let you lead the whole village to prosperity."

"That's really a bit of pressure. Where do I have such high consciousness? It's all for earning money for myself, and by mistake, I let the villagers earn money too."

"That's very good. After the villagers' conditions improve and they have money, their lives will be better, and the atmosphere of the whole village will be better. In previous years, everyone was borrowing money at the end of the year, but this year at the end of the year, everyone is buying small appliances."

"It shows that the people in the village are working hard themselves, they are all earning money with their lives, it's what everyone should earn."

"Hmm, you rest for a while, I'll go out and cook first. I've been busy all afternoon, and it's mealtime again."

After Lin Xiuqing put away the newly exchanged money, she went out to busy herself with the three meals of the day.

Ye Yaodong sat in the room with his legs crossed, thinking about going to the village committee tomorrow to walk around, reminding them to evaluate him as an advanced individual, and reciting his achievements to the village cadres.

For example, catching a torpedo and receiving commendation from the city; catching an unmanned underwater vehicle and receiving commendation from the country, and getting into the newspaper; advocating for kelp farming in the village, giving the villagers a direction to work hard and earn money.

And as the vice president of the Fishery Association, proposing to develop abalone and sea cucumber farming in the city, a project currently underway.

And then constantly buying fishing boats, providing employment positions for villagers, leading villagers to be positive and upward, and achieving collective progress together.

In just one year, the number of ten-thousand-yuan households in the whole village skyrocketed by thirty or forty, surpassing all surrounding villages and becoming a typical wealthy village.

Just listing them in his mind, he felt he was really too great and too glorious.

He could directly take office, let the village head or village secretary directly abdicate and give way to the virtuous, and let him take over.

After he is evaluated for the May Fourth Youth Award, cooperating with Hong Wenle will be even more certain. With official certification as his background, he won't be inferior to others, and the risk will be smaller.

Tomorrow, he will take a few packs of Marlboro to the village committee.

Damn, the promised rest is gone again, and he has to run around everywhere.

Day after day, it's a good thing he came back early and didn't go to sea. He's busy at home too.

"Oh, right!"

Ye Yaodong suddenly remembered that Xiao Xiao called him for dinner today. He and Azheng were taking turns treating guests.

He ran out quickly to tell Aqing.

"You didn't say so earlier? The rice is already cooked, and you're not eating at home again? You were drunk yesterday, and you're going out to drink tonight?"

"I'll definitely drink a little less tonight. They called yesterday, I forgot to say it, I was busy today, and only just remembered."

"Then remember to go to the Party school tomorrow night. You can't go out to drink again tomorrow. You said it yourself, how important the Party member status is, and you haven't even gone to the Party school."

"Got it, I'll definitely remember. I'll just drink tonight, I won't drink tomorrow."

By the way, he has to tell them about Hong Wenle's loan tonight.

This loan amount varies from person to person, it's not that you can loan as much as you want. After saying it, they still have to go to the state-owned bank to ask themselves.

"Then come back early."

"Got it!"

Ye Yaodong washed his hands and went out immediately.

The old lady sat at the doorway watching him rush out, and muttered, "I haven't even seen his shadow since he came back, running out day after day... and not coming back to eat..." ===== CHAPTER 1324 =====