Chapter 1351: Returning Home

With Acai taking over half a boatload of cargo, Ye Yaodong saved a lot of trouble. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that calling Acai over to the city was a very wise decision.

Besides the 100,000 jin of squid and the other moonfish, he had also kept two tuna separately.

One was for his godfather, and he planned to give the other directly to Hong Wenle. After all, he couldn't go empty-handed, and Hong Wenle was also someone who knew his stuff.

As for the other moonfish, he would see if he wanted it. If not, it would be easy to sell, as it was a rare item.

After all the cargo was weighed, only a receipt was issued, which couldn't compare to the fresh-catch boats that paid cash on the spot.

But Ye Yaodong wasn't worried about him running away. If his vision was that short-sighted, then that was all he would ever amount to.

Furthermore, his base was still in the village; the monk might run, but the temple wouldn't.

After half the cargo was released, Ye Yaodong left two people on the boat to watch it, while he took the others and sat on a tractor to the factory.

Having stayed up all night, it wasn't just him who was exhausted; everyone's spirits were actually stretched thin. He planned to take everyone to rest well at the city factory and get some sleep first.

He hadn't been home for over half a month. After waking up, he would first understand the situation in the city and then take the opportunity to visit his godfather.

It wasn't just to ask about the dryer; since he was back, he definitely had to pay a visit and show his face.

After simply having his aunt make some food for everyone at the factory, everyone went to wash up and then borrowed beds to sleep first.

Ye Yaodong also simply rinsed off, changed out of his wet clothes, and then returned to his room to lie down peacefully.

It was almost noon by now. He was too tired to call home, and it was still raining outside. Before closing his eyes, he thought he would deal with it after waking up.

For over half a month on the boat, he hadn't eaten or slept well, and his nerves had been stretched thin. The moment he relaxed, he fell into a deep sleep instantly.

This sleep was exceptionally sweet, and he slept straight from noon until he woke up naturally the next morning.

It had rained for a whole day, but it had stopped during the night. Pushing open the window, he was met with the fresh scent of grass and the smell of soil. Raindrops were still dripping from the eaves.

Well-rested, he felt refreshed, and most of the fatigue on his body had dissipated. Now he just wanted to eat something good, and he would immediately recover his vitality.

Ye Yaodong twisted his neck and shoulders, closed the window, and after getting dressed, he didn't eat breakfast at the factory but headed straight for his brother-in-law's shop.

The factory only had porridge with pickled vegetables. He wanted to go to his brother-in-law's place to eat meat buns with thick soup, and take the opportunity to say hello and see how things were going.

Lin Xiang Hui and his wife were also very happy to see him, but business was good early in the morning, and they didn't have time to talk to him, only telling him to help himself to whatever he wanted to eat.

After Ye Yaodong finished eating, he asked a few questions. Seeing they were very busy, he patted his butt and left, heading first to find his father-in-law.

It was just dawn, so it was appropriate to find his father-in-law.

By the time it was almost 8:00, he stopped talking to his father-in-law, drove the factory tractor to the harbor to move fish, and then went to visit his godfather.

Today happened to be Sunday, a day off from work; it was a rare coincidence.

In the past, every time he came, it was a workday, and he was always in a rush, sitting for a while, dropping off things, and leaving. Or he could only go after work hours, staying until dark when both he and the other party were busy.

He didn't just bring a tuna; he also had the workers move two baskets of squid onto the tractor for his godfather to give to his neighbors.

Director Chen wasn't surprised to see him come suddenly; he often pulled surprise attacks anyway.

"What did you bring this time? Oh my, the two of us old folks can't eat much. You should take it to sell for money; no need to bring so much over..."

Ye Yaodong had just handed him a basket of dried squid, with squid silk wrapped in cloth on top.

"I went to the deep sea this trip and stayed at sea for over half a month. I just returned yesterday. This is what I dried on the boat. It's very fragrant. Later, you can buy some pork ribs to make soup."

"Hehe, how much can two people eat? You took your new boat to the deep sea, right?"

"Yes, the time before the New Year was too short, and I didn't think about going. I just wanted to rest well. I only went after the Lantern Festival. Yesterday, there was thunder and lightning at sea, so I came back."

"There was no thunder here yesterday, just rain for two or three days."

Ye Yaodong was surprised. "No thunder? I was even pondering that since there was thunder before the Awakening of Insects, the weather wouldn't be very good until the Qingming Festival."

Hearing this, he felt slightly relieved. He didn't know if the land was different from the sea, and if the saying about the Awakening of Insects solar term was still accurate.

"Then maybe it only thundered at sea."

"Hmm, it's good that there was some weather to dry things a few days ago. This bag is squid silk, all dried from deep-sea large red squid. It's delicious and especially chewy. You can chew on it when you're free. It's just that the space on the boat is small, so there's a limited amount dried, not much..."

"It's enough, it's enough. We can't eat much, and it's good that it's dry, so it can be stored..."

Ye Yaodong smiled and said, "There's fresh stuff in the back of the tractor."

"Why bring so much..."

The two stood under the family building talking. Today happened to be a day off, and it wasn't raining anymore. There were quite a few cadres coming and going early in the morning, some buying vegetables, some strolling. Everyone greeted them when they saw them.

"Oh my, Old Chen, your godson is here again..."

"This godson of yours visits more frequently than your own son, hahaha..."

"What did you bring this time? Every time it's either a sack or baskets being carried over. What good stuff did you bring today?"

"This child is very thoughtful. Oh my, what fish is that in the back, so big..."

"What fish?" Director Chen stood to the side, not looking into the tractor bed, and didn't know there was big cargo in it.

Ye Yaodong first walked to the tractor bed, let down the iron plate surrounding the back, then leaned forward, pulled the basket to the edge, and moved it down.

"Squid? Such a big one, how many jin is this one?"

"And what fish is that? Tsk tsk tsk, such a big one, bigger than me..."

"Tuna, just caught, bled, can be eaten as sashimi."

Seeing that everyone was curious about this fish, he dragged it down first, and then went to lift the other basket of squid.

"My god, such a big one..."

"How long will it take to eat this fish? I heard tuna is very expensive. Is this one or two hundred jin?"

"Old Chen, this godson of yours is capable. Carrying such a big fish to show filial piety to you..."

"Good heavens, this young comrade is too sincere. Old Chen, you're lucky..."

Director Chen was glowing, feeling very proud. He smiled and said, "I tell him every day not to bring things over. How much can we two old folks eat? He insists on not coming empty-handed every time, bringing more each time. How can we finish so much stuff?"

"You're still lucky. I can't even count on my own son..."

"Haha, we can't finish so much stuff. Everyone take a little back later to have a taste."

"How can we be so embarrassed? We eat this young comrade's stuff every day. The fish sauce you took last time, we've been eating it for several months and still have some. That dried fish is also very good with rice..."

Ye Yaodong smiled and said, "I have nothing else, but I have plenty of these things. Everyone don't be polite. If my godfather and the others can't finish it, everyone share a little to have a taste. If it's not enough, I have plenty more on the boat. I can have someone send a few more baskets over later."

"How can we be so embarrassed..."

"Old Chen and his wife send this and that to the neighbors every day, and they all say it's what you brought..."

"Young comrade, your business must be quite large, right?"

"What business? I'm worried to death now. A boat caught hundreds of thousands of jin of cargo. Just this red squid, I kept 100,000 jin back, and I want to dry squid and squid silk to sell for more money. Now that it looks like there's no weather, I'm pondering whether to try a few dryers, or just take it to sell while it's fresh. I don't know if it'll sell well, with so much cargo."

"That's simple. Isn't Director Yu in charge of industry and commerce? She has approved many processing plants. Let her ask and make a connection. See what cargo you have. If a factory needs it, just pull it to the factory, and it'll be solved in one go."

"The machine is also easy to handle. Let someone ask whose son is in some machinery factory in the province, and see if there is..."

"Otherwise, just send it directly to the military. Let someone ask. These 100,000 jin of fresh stuff should be easy to solve..."

Ye Yaodong listened to these aunts and uncles giving him ideas one after another, his face full of smiles. This was the effect he wanted.

These people giving ideas probably hadn't eaten less of his stuff, which also showed they were close to his godfather.

"Thank you, thank you for helping me with ideas. Hehe, I'll ponder it first and ask my godfather what to do?"

Director Chen also smiled and grabbed squid for them. "I'll take what you said seriously. Come, come, don't be polite. With so much, how can we two finish it? Since Dongzi said he has plenty, everyone share a little..."

"This tuna is so big, whether it's sashimi, fried, or boiled in soup, it's good stuff. I'll go get a knife later and let Dongzi help kill it and share a few jin of meat for everyone to have a taste and see how this deep-sea fish is..."

"Such a big fish, we don't know how to kill it, don't know how to handle it, still have to let Dongzi do it. Don't leave, you guys."

Ye Yaodong also echoed, "Okay, put a piece of nylon bag underneath, I'll slice the fish meat. It's been a while since it was moved from the boat, so it's thawed a bit."

"How can we be so embarrassed... Hehe..."

"Don't be polite, we're all neighbors. A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. I'll go get a knife first..."

Ye Yaodong originally only thought about coming to deliver some cargo and take the opportunity to ask his godfather for an idea.

As for these things, he would leave them to the two old folks to handle, let them send them to whoever they wanted, or keep them to dry themselves.

He hadn't expected that since it wasn't a workday today, quite a few people were coming and going. They greeted them actively when they met, and stayed out of curiosity. As a result, more and more people gathered around.

Now it had become his personal show.

A fish-killing show.

Ye Yaodong took a kitchen knife and skillfully sliced the fish meat from the back first, then cut out the part with thorns on the belly.

Then he started cutting it into sections, had someone fetch a basin of clean water, washed it, and started slicing the fish meat.

The onlookers also all tasted it, eating a piece of fresh raw fish.

It wasn't completely thawed, but it was soft after being sliced, and it still had an icy chill, the taste in the mouth being no different from iced.

Those who ate it also nodded repeatedly, and some even wanted to spend money to buy it.

Ye Yaodong was only responsible for killing, and the rest was handled by his godfather and godmother.

By the time he finished, it was lunchtime, and the people around also dispersed satisfied.

The red squid and tuna were also divided up by the neighbors, but they still kept a portion for themselves.

When Ye Yaodong sat down to eat, he said, "I didn't know there would be so many people today since it wasn't a workday. I'll bring two more baskets over when I go back this afternoon."

"It's enough, it's enough, no need, we can't finish it. It just so happens that everyone is here, so we divided it for them, and took the opportunity to let them solve your problem. We are only two people, how can we finish so much stuff? It's just right to divide it now. The stuff you bring every time is basically divided."

He knew this. Every time he brought so much stuff over, it was to let his godfather divide it and gain a good reputation.

Otherwise, could they have greeted them so enthusiastically just now and given him ideas one after another? Those who eat others' food are soft-mouthed, and those who take others' things are short-handed.

"I originally just wanted to take the opportunity to ask for an idea, but I didn't expect everyone to have such broad paths."

"Hehe, this is a family building, and all the residents are cadres. This isn't a difficult matter, and it's definitely not illegal or criminal."

Jin Yuzhi also said, "We'll keep an eye on it for you. When work starts tomorrow, I'll ask about the processing plants they mentioned. Then you can go and make contact. You won't have to worry about selling cargo in the future, just pull it directly to each processing plant according to demand."

"Hey, good, that saves me a lot of trouble. I have more boats now, and more cargo. Just relying on selling slowly in the wholesale market is too slow. I still need some paths, and pulling it directly to the processing plant is also good. Actually, it's best to have my own."

Ye Yaodong took the opportunity to mention the cooperation he had agreed upon with Hong Wenle, and also said that when he went back this afternoon or tomorrow, he would discuss the progress.

He couldn't say it would solve the problem of selling cargo, as there were too many varieties, but at least it could solve a few types of cargo.

Director Chen immediately said, "That's easy to say. Once you get the May Fourth Youth Award and the Progressive Youth Award, even if you haven't joined the Party yet, everything you do will go smoothly."

"I think so too. It's best to join the Party sooner."

"There's no way for that. It has to be done step by step, according to the procedure."

"Hmm, hmm, then I'll trouble godfather and godmother to help keep an eye on it, and also the dryer matter. If that can be solved, it would be even better, once and for all. I'll set up a drying factory at home myself."

In the future, not only can I dry squid, but I can also dry fish.

"We'll ask around these two days. Then are you going to keep that cargo for now?"

"Looking at the sky this afternoon, it's bright, so it should be clearing up. I'll take it back and dry it first. I can't let all the hard work go to waste. It just so happens that you can also ask the neighbors here about the factories that collect cargo and the dryers, and do it at the same time. If there's really no way, then take it to the market to sell."

"Fine, everyone gave ideas just now, so it shouldn't be a big problem."

"That would be best, and it can be once and for all in the future."

"Right, exactly, that's how it is..."

They chatted while eating at the dinner table.

After the meal, they drank tea for a while, and Ye Yaodong didn't leave until mid-afternoon.

The purpose of this trip was considered more than half achieved. The next step was to wait a few days before coming back to hear the news.

Since returning to the factory yesterday and eating something before falling asleep, he went to find his father-in-law early in the morning, and hadn't asked about the factory matters.

By the time he finished his work in the afternoon and finished reconciling the accounts with his father-in-law, it was already dark. He took the opportunity to stay in the city for another night and didn't take the boat back until the next day.

He docked at the town harbor, and it was noon when he arrived. He had people wait on the boat first, while he went to find Hong Wenle.

Calling him out, he led him to the seaside, chatting about other things as they walked.

"What good stuff? Calling me out with you so hurriedly, what did you catch? I went to your house to find you a few days ago."

"Good stuff. When I caught it, I thought of you immediately. Has your loan been approved?"

"Yes, it's approved. I've already got 200,000 in hand. I've already looked at the site, and I've already dealt with those officials. As an overseas Chinese who returned to build my hometown, they are still easy to talk to. I'm just waiting for you to come back and finalize this matter. We also need to sign a contract to make it more formal."

Ye Yaodong gave him a thumbs up. "Awesome."

"What's this? It's a simple matter. Inviting those people over for a meal settled it. But it's easy to talk now. Once there are benefits in the future, it's hard to say—eating, taking, carding, and demanding."

"We'll talk about the future later. I mentioned it to my godfather and the others in the city yesterday. He thinks it's quite good for me to set up my own processing plant and build a production chain to avoid the difficulty of handling cargo later."

"Definitely. You have such a big boat, and so many boats at home, with so much cargo, you definitely have to find someone to receive it."

"He's also helping me ask around first..."

The two chatted as they walked.

When they reached the boat, Ye Yaodong had people lift out the tuna first. Hong Wenle wasn't too surprised, only thinking the fish was good.

"This one is for you."

"What? For me? Really? Although this isn't bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna is also valuable. This one must be 170 or 180 jin, right?"

"You invited guests to dinner and settled the land matter, so I have to show something. This one was originally kept specifically for you. The harvest this time is not small."

Hong Wenle beamed. "Fine, then I'll accept it. This fish is good, and it's bled. When you go out to sea again, I'll go with you. If it's caught with a fishing rod, it'll be even more exciting."

Ye Yaodong shook his head. "It's very dangerous. I'm not going out for just two or three days. We even encountered a sailfish. If we were using a fishing rod and happened to hook a sailfish, that would be terrible. It might cost a life."

"You even encountered a sailfish? Did you catch it?"

"Accidentally picked up one..."

"Picked up? Is it that easy to pick up? Where?"

"Sold it when docking in the city."

"Damn, you didn't keep it for me, you just sold it. Didn't you say you'd keep good cargo for me..."

"I have, I have kept the best for you. What's that fish worth? I kept the best for you."

"The best? There's still the best? What is it? Could it really be bluefin tuna?" He was curious.

Ye Yaodong waved at the others, and someone immediately went to lift out the moonfish.

"Holy crap, what fish is this? It looks quite good, and so big? Is it delicious? Usually, fish this big don't taste good..."

Hong Wenle squatted down and poked the hard, frozen fish.

"Absolutely delicious. This is a moonfish. In Japan, it can sell for a sky-high price. I caught it a few days ago and kept it frozen; otherwise, if you touched it right after catching it, it would be warm. I thought of you, so I specifically kept it back for you. The meat of this fish is tender, and I heard it's very delicious. It can be called the steak of the sea."

"Really?" He was somewhat skeptical.

"You sold me a super big squid before, called giant squid, right? I couldn't even bite it. And that oarfish, it just looked majestic, so big, but it didn't taste good either."

"They all say that seafood from the sea is eaten for its size, but it's really not true that all big ones taste good. I'm very skeptical about this fish!"

Ye Yaodong gave a dry laugh. The two big guys he sold him before were indeed not delicious, and their reputation for not being delicious was also famous.

"This one is different. I guarantee this one is delicious. I'll bet my head on it."

"If it's not delicious, I'll cut your head off and use it as a stool."

"No problem!"

"How much for this one?"

"Whatever, you decide."

"Whatever I decide, how can I decide? You have to give a number."

He thought for a while and said, "Then wait a bit. You take it first. If it's not delicious, you don't have to pay. If you're satisfied, see how much my friend gives later, and you can pay 80% of that amount."

"Your friend? Is he buying too?"

"I caught two. When docking, I sold one to him. The price hasn't been given yet. The price of this fish is hard to set. Let's see how much it sells for, and give him a commission."

"Fine, then have the workers on your boat help me lift these two fish to the restaurant."

"Okay."

He had plenty of manpower on his boat.

These two fish, one 170 or 180 jin and the other nearly 200 jin, made many people turn their heads in curiosity as they were lifted and paraded through the streets.

Some followed and asked what kind of fish it was, asking a bunch of questions.

The workers all held their heads high, very proud, answering every question.

They showed off the popular science knowledge he had given them before to the masses, causing people to gasp and curiously reach out to touch it a few times.

Everyone was very exaggerated, even saying this fish must be worth thousands, attracting even more people.

A large crowd followed behind them all the way to the restaurant.

Hong Wenle smiled and said, "You guys helped me promote it."

"It's also because everyone is curious. We've lifted it over for you, so we'll leave it for you to handle. We have to go back first."

"Stay for a meal, it's already lunchtime."

"Eat at home. Having been out for so long, everyone is anxious to go back now and has no heart to eat outside. Next time."

"Fine, then you shouldn't be going out to sea these few days, right? I'll see the situation and come find you to chat in a day or two."

"Okay."

Ye Yaodong waved at him, said goodbye, and took the people away first.

"Dong-ge, aren't you afraid that he'll eat the fish and renege on the money? After all, we can't twist our arms against the thighs..."

The worker on the side scolded, "Blind your dog eyes. Who is the arm, who is the thigh? Dong-ge is not much worse than others."

"Exactly, maybe he's not as rich as Dong-ge, not as capable as Dong-ge. Dong-ge even dares to owe the bank 200,000."

"Yeah, since he dares to give it directly to him, he definitely isn't afraid of him reneging. You really don't understand."

"He even gave away such a big tuna, how could Dong-ge be afraid of him reneging."

"Last time Dong-ge set up twenty-something tables at his door, I saw him go to eat. He definitely isn't that kind of person."

Ye Yaodong said, "Use your brains more in the future. Let's go home."

"Finally can go home."

"Oh my, is the sun out?"

Everyone looked up at the sky together. After the rain stopped yesterday morning, it had been cloudy, but they hadn't expected the sky to brighten in the afternoon, with sunlight piercing through the clouds.

"It's good that the sun is out. It's a good thing."

Ye Yaodong's steps were light. It would be best if it stayed sunny for a few consecutive days, allowing him to finish off that boatload of squid first.

There were still a bunch of things at home, and he had to tell Aqing to tidy up the fish sauce workshop.

Thinking about it, there was still a lot to be busy with. The stuff from the fish sauce workshop definitely had to be transported to the city.

Then, over the next few days, he would slowly make the connections his godfather mentioned, and once they were made, it would save trouble.

When he went out to sea next time, the cargo he brought back would have a destination, and he wouldn't have to worry too much about dumping it all on Acai.

So he had to get all these things done while at home recently before he could go out to sea again with peace of mind.

He instructed everyone, "After going back, rest for one day today, and report to the workshop tomorrow. There's still work to do."

"Okay, on call."

"Then Dong-ge, do we have to report to the workshop to work even if we don't go out to sea next?"

Ye Yaodong nodded. "Hmm, about that. You are all paid by the month. Now that you're back, rest for one day and you still have to work tomorrow."

"Understood."

It made no sense for him to be busy to death while the workers rested at home.

The big barrels and vats in the workshop needed some strong labor, not to mention the full boat of cargo that had to be unloaded. There would be no shortage of lifting and moving work in the future.

After going back, he also had to tell his father and Aqing that the workers had to go to the workshop to work even if they didn't go out to sea.

Even if there was nothing to do, they could watch over there and arrange shifts with everyone. The wages couldn't be given for nothing.

"Are we going to start drying squid silk tomorrow?"

Ye Yaodong nodded. "Yes, since the sky is glowing red now, it should be clearing up. Start drying what needs to be dried tomorrow, to avoid any bad weather in the future... phew..."

"Hehe, then we'll go to work early tomorrow morning."

"No need to be too early, 8:30."

"Okay."

"I was worried to death a few days ago, with thunder, lightning, and rain. I thought there would be no good weather in the future. Fortunately, it rained for two days and the sun came out again."

"The weather at sea is inherently unstable..."

"Like a baby's face, changing as soon as it says so..."

After everyone returned to the boat, they each took their places to prepare to leave the port.

Returning immediately, Ye Yaodong also accelerated, his heart flying home.

The family didn't know he was coming back today. It was the old lady who had been sitting at the door looking at the distant sea surface, and she was the first to discover it with her sharp eyes.

"Ah, Aqing, Aqing, Dongzi is back. You hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry to the harbor..."

"Back? Which time is this? He's back again today?"

"This time he should really be back..." ===== CHAPTER 1352 =====