Chapter 1363: Harvest

"Is there anywhere else you fell, where does it hurt?" Lin Xiuqing touched her up and down.

Ye Xiaoxi shook her head while crying, opening her big mouth and howling, pointing to her mouth, "It hurts here."

"The front tooth fell out, doesn't it hurt? See if you're still naughty?"

"Not naughty anymore, it hurts..."

Ye Yaodong wanted to find a tissue, but could only touch his pocket, take out a handkerchief to wipe the blood on her mouth, put the camera aside, and pick her up.

"Go rinse your mouth first, rinse it and it won't hurt, by the way, look at your tooth."

She kept shedding tears, cried and rinsed her mouth several times, until no blood flowed out.

Lin Xiuqing pried open her mouth, looking at the gap up and down, "Nothing else knocked, just missing a front tooth."

"Alright, now there's a gap, become a toothless old man."

"Wa woo woo..."

"Won't grow out for three years." Ye Yaodong mocked her.

Lin Xiuqing also kicked her while she was down, "See if you still dare to wear adult shoes in the future. You even stole my shoes a few days ago, you didn't know fear until you fell once."

Ye Yaodong even deliberately held her and took a mirror to show her, "Don't just cry, open your eyes and see how ugly you are now, toothless old man."

She opened her eyes with tears, looked in the mirror, cried even louder, and hit him angrily.

"Ouch ouch... you still hit me, so bad, not holding you anymore."

Ye Xiaoxi was put on the ground and still wanted to chase and hit him while crying, "It's all your fault, it's all your fault, hate you, you're the ugly one... you're the ugliest..."

"Who just said they wanted to marry me?"

"Don't want to, only dogs want to marry you, hate you."

"Aqing, your daughter is scolding you as a dog."

Lin Xiuqing glared at him, "Stop teasing her, missing a tooth is already sad enough."

"This is about to become the ugliest child in the whole village..."

"Ah ah ah, woo woo woo, not at all, my tooth..."

Lin Xiuqing hit him again, "Hurry up and go out."

"Early in the morning, where do you want me to go? I'm going to the county to receive the award in the afternoon."

"I see you tossing around there for half a day, and thought you planned to go out now."

"Isn't this thinking of preparing in advance?"

Everything is about going out, so naturally, dress up in advance, prepare all the equipment, and just go out when the time comes.

"Then go to the workshop to help work, or go to the town to see how the progress of the factory over there is."

Ye Yaodong looked at his well-dressed self. If he rode a motorcycle to the town, he would be covered in dust from head to toe later, all in vain.

"Forget it, I'll wipe the leather shoes first, and go to the workshop to help after wiping."

Lin Xiuqing took the child to the side to coax, "Don't cry, if it falls, it falls, it will grow out in a few years. Now go throw the tooth under the bed."

Ye Xiaoxi wiped her tears and followed her into the room, "Why throw it under the bed, can I play with it..."

"No, upper teeth that fall out must be thrown under the bed, lower teeth that fall out must be thrown on the roof, so that the teeth that grow out later can be neat."

She followed behind, half-understanding, full of curiosity, and at the same time stopped crying.

Ye Yaodong sat there wiping leather shoes, and didn't forget to add: "When throwing the tooth, you must stand straight, straight, otherwise the teeth that grow out later will be crooked, not good-looking, and will become buck-toothed, mouth can't close."

She was so scared she hurriedly covered her mouth.

When it was time to throw the tooth, she really stood straight.

After Lin Xiuqing threw the tooth, she curiously lay on the ground and looked under the bed.

"It's really gone."

"Alright, it's okay, don't lie on the ground, it's filthy, go out and play."

"Don't want to."

She wrinkled her face, pouted her mouth, sat on the bed aggrievedly again, missing a front tooth, she didn't want to go out.

Dad even said she was ugly.

In an instant, tears slid down again, the more she thought about it, the sadder she became, and she opened her big mouth and howled again.

"Why are you crying again?"

Lin Xiuqing didn't care about her, walked out, "Sad, it already stopped just now, probably the more she thought about it, the sadder she became, and cried again."

Ye Yaodong laughed, stretched his head to look at the position of the bedroom door.

"Don't care about her, she can't hold it in, she'll naturally run out to play later."

"Mm."

Ye Xiaoxi cried for a long time, seeing no one coming to coax her, she stopped.

Then she ran out to see, there was no one at home, only dogs, and she was sad again.

Holding the dog and muttering a bunch of grievances, dragging the dog's head, with tears, she went to turn on the TV, planning to watch TV at home.

Ye Yaodong waited until he finished lunch and digested for a while before bringing his camera, riding his motorcycle to the county to receive the award.

Chen Shuji told him the address, he just had to ask people along the way and he could find it.

When he went, he had to verify his identity, then they gave him the commendation book for the advanced youth award, as well as the prize, and inquired about his daily work.

Ye Yaodong told everything he knew, told stories well, and then waited for others to arrive before going to take photos together.

However, after they finished taking photos, he took his own camera and asked them to take it again, and said that his was color, so he had to take it again.

If it weren't for that leader photo background, as well as the banner and words on the wall, it would be the same if he took it home to take it himself.

After everything was done, he was invited to participate in the advanced deeds report meeting on May Fourth Youth Day, and then he shook hands with everyone enthusiastically and said goodbye, riding his motorcycle back.

"Dad... my dad returned gloriously..."

"My dad returned after receiving the award..."

"Dad, what did you receive?"

"Why are there basins and towels again..."

"Dad, can't you try to receive something else? You've received so many basins and towels, as well as thermos bottles."

"What do you want me to receive? Receive a small car back to let you be glorious, is that okay?"

Ye Yaodong stopped the car at the door and prepared to push it in, but was surrounded by a group of children.

Ye Chenghu, this big loudspeaker, really knows how to save face for himself.

"Really?" He looked forward to it.

"If you were sold, you wouldn't be worth this money."

After he finished speaking, he pushed the motorcycle in directly, ignoring their giggling, but still saw Ye Xiaoxi's face with a missing tooth, and she was still laughing quite happily.

She didn't dare to go out all morning, stayed at home watching TV and watching the house, unexpectedly she was willing to go out to play in the afternoon.

He put the rewards he received aside casually, and locked the important commendation book in the drawer, putting it together with the commendations he had received before. There were already 3 books.

Looking at it, he really felt quite glorious and proud. Ye Yaodong grinned, locked the drawer, and went out.

In the workshop, Aqing was talking to Chen Shuji at this time, and he arrived just in time.

"Adong, you're back, Chen Shuji is looking for you." Lin Xiuqing waved at him.

Chen Shuji also said: "I thought you should be back very soon, didn't expect you to be back at mealtime."

"Talked a bit long."

"Everyone went to sea to see this morning, and discussed it at noon, saying that vegetables will be harvested tomorrow. I came here to notify you in advance to arrange it."

"Alright, got it, you just harvest, it will take several days from harvesting to drying. If there are no big problems, the price should be the same as last year."

"Alright, hehe, this isn't because too much was planted this year, a bit worried, so I asked you two more questions."

Last year, Ye Yaodong was very diligent in running to the village committee to ask questions whenever he was at home, and would give some suggestions and discuss with workers.

This year, he didn't, and didn't even ask much, and his figure was rarely seen, so this time it was Chen Shuji's turn to have no bottom in his heart. Whenever he had time, he wanted to crowd over to his side.

Even if there was nothing, he thought about crowding over to remind him, especially since goods were about to be harvested recently, he could see him every day, after all, this was related to the livelihood of the whole village.

Ye Yaodong chatted with him for a while, and then sent him away.

Lin Xiuqing stepped forward and asked: "Chen Shuji has been coming to our house too diligently recently."

"Isn't this about to harvest vegetables."

"Just said harvest tomorrow."

"Mm, I'll call tomorrow to ask, see how much it's collected for this year."

By the way, also notify the layman in advance, let him prepare, see if there are any arrangements to come over recently.

Last year, he promised to leave more goods for him this year, so that he wouldn't run out of goods in one or two trips. Last year, the quantity was too small.

When he comes, ask him about the route he takes by the way.

"Drying still takes several days, was your award receiving in the city smooth?"

"Smooth, asked me to go to the report meeting on May Fourth Youth Day."

"Oh, Mom came over in the afternoon and said that our whole county is going to evaluate the Five-Good Civilized Family, and she reported our family."

Ye Yaodong was stunned, "Five-Good Civilized Family? Can this still be our turn? Which five goods?"

"Good economy, good family style, good education, good harmony, good civilization."

"Did our family occupy all of them?"

She said with a smile: "Mom said, our family's economy alone can't be compared by anyone, and our family doesn't have any messy things like quarreling, let alone the broken things of village people beating their wives every three days. Also, our family, except for Dad, has broken away from illiteracy. Anyway, the two of them separated, living by themselves, not dragging us down, saying we definitely meet the requirements."

"That's true, when my dad was picking manure two days ago, village people met him and praised him for being filial."

You know, ordinary people stay far away when they meet someone picking manure, but his dad can make people endure the stench of shit and praise him twice, it's really extraordinary.

This also shows good family style.

Actually, when his dad was picking manure, he was seen by someone. When people asked him why he was picking manure, he felt ashamed, so he said it was ordered by the old mother at home. He, the son, has to serve her until she's old. If she tells him to do something, he naturally has to do it.

This won a few more good reputations.

The old lady walked over with a cane, heard it and was still proud, "He was unwilling to do it when told, look, everyone sees it, and he has a good reputation all of a sudden."

"Then since Mom said it can be reported, then report it. It's an honor anyway."

He is now the god of wealth in the village. After having money, many things will naturally be sent to his door.

"Mm, anyway, we don't need to do anything."

The old lady said with a smile: "Dongzi is back, I'll go cook for you."

"I'll go, there's nothing to do anyway."

Ye Yaodong also felt there was nothing to do, so he strolled around.

He was exceptionally spirited today, many young girls and young wives kept peeking at him in the morning, and now it's the same, with a bunch of gazes following him wherever he goes.

He straightened his waist and was proud.

After about 10 days of drying and roasting, the squid strips drying outside today were basically collected, and now only a part hadn't been torn into small strips.

Recently, the tractor pulls a cart to the city every day, fearing it won't be enough to sell.

He inquired about those young girls, how much was left unfinished. They blushed and said that only what was collected today was unfinished, and it should be fine tomorrow.

Ye Yaodong didn't have much contact with them, and after asking, he went to check the inventory inside, and then went home to wait for dinner.

"Am I still the most beautiful?"

"Mm mm, you are the most beautiful in the whole village."

"Right, even if your teeth fall out later, you are still the most beautiful in the whole village."

A few children gathered around her and giggled to curry favor.

"You're the one whose teeth fall out, your teeth will fall out tomorrow! Not sharing with you."

Ye Xiaoxi stomped her feet in anger and ran, but didn't look at the road, directly hitting Ye Yaodong's leg.

Just as he squatted down, wanting to hold her, she hummed again, stomped her feet, and ran into the house again.

"What's wrong?"

A few boys and girls were still complaining to each other, "It's all your fault, can't say teeth fell out..."

"But she really had teeth fall out..."

"It's all your fault..."

Ye Yaodong laughed, following behind her and walking home.

As soon as he entered the door, he took down the mirror hanging on the wall, squatted down and placed it in front of Ye Xiaoxi.

"Magic mirror, magic mirror, who is the most beautiful girl in the whole village."

Ye Xiaoxi looked at the mirror, pouting, still humming in her mouth.

Ye Yaodong changed his voice, "It's Ye Xiaoxi, she is the most beautiful and cute girl in the whole village."

"Hahaha..."

She was happy and immediately turned from cloudy to sunny, laughing loudly, and turned to hug Ye Yaodong's neck, instantly becoming close to her dad again.

Lin Xiuqing sat in front of the stove, also laughing along.

"Only you know how to coax children, you kept saying she was ugly in the morning, damaging her until she kept crying, and now you come to coax her to laugh."

Ye Yaodong continued: "Magic mirror, magic mirror, who is the most beautiful woman in the whole village."

He changed his voice and said deeply: "It's Lin Xiuqing!"

The smile on Lin Xiuqing's face couldn't stop.

"Dad, why call it magic mirror."

"Because it can talk, and what it says is the truth. Didn't it answer you just now? You are the most beautiful girl in the whole village."

"Hahaha, you're lying, obviously you said it."

"No, it just borrowed my mouth to tell you."

Ye Xiaoxi happily took the mirror, shaking her head and looking, and also made a bunch of funny faces, giggling and laughing by herself.

Lin Xiuqing looked at Ye Yaodong with a smile, "Where did you learn it."

"Learned it from a storybook."

"What storybook, Dad, I want that storybook."

"Alright, I'll look for it next time I go to the city."

He turned his head to look at Lin Xiuqing again, "Forgot to ask Chen Shuji just now, when will they pull the telephone line for us."

"Don't know, didn't say, if there's news, they will definitely let us go to the post office to get the application form and pay."

"Ask again tomorrow, tomorrow they will definitely crowd over to my side again."

"Anyway, not in a hurry."

"Who said not in a hurry, a week has passed, I'm anxious to death, just thinking about making a call. If there's a phone at home, I can call anytime, anywhere."

"Who are you calling? At this time, the village committee is probably about to close and get off work."

Ye Yaodong said: "Call to ask about the price situation of kelp from Zhou Laoban, ask him how much he wants this year, leave it for him in advance, the rest must be left for the layman."

"Also have to call to ask when the layman will come over. Last year he told me how much he wanted, I have to allocate it well now, by the way, see how much the troops want, calculate it and it's not enough to divide at all, have to leave some in the shop to sell."

"It's just that I don't have time, otherwise I could go be a second-hand dealer, collect some kelp everywhere. This thing is very seasonal, only available in these two months a year, hoard a bit more, it's fine to sell slowly."

"I'm also thinking about taking his car up to see when the layman returns to Zhou City, handle that piece of garbage land I bought before, and build it in advance. When we go up with a big group in the second half of the year, we'll have a place to live, and the extra rooms can be rented to people in the village, everyone huddles together."

Lin Xiuqing frowned, "So far, how long does it take to take a car? What about coming back? How to return?"

"See, I'll plan it later."

"Too tossing..."

"See, I'll plan it later."

"Then you call Zhou Laoban's side tomorrow first, ask about the price of kelp, and also determine the quantity."

"Mm."

The next day, as soon as he got up and opened the door, he smelled a rich kelp flavor permeating the air.

"Kelp collected?"

"Heard it was collected at night, and they were busy drying it there after 5 o'clock in the morning."

He walked to the door and looked. On the beach not far away, where squid was drying a few days ago, it had now become kelp, in patches.

Men and women were shuttling through the kelp clusters, drying them happily, and children were also drilling wherever it was lively.

"Bumper harvest again this year?"

"Hehe, bumper harvest, bumper harvest, this year will definitely sell for a good price, not in vain for everyone to follow and do it for half a year with fear."

"Do a bit more next year."

"Definitely, such an easy job, and can earn money, definitely have to do a bit more next year. Can you handle it?"

"Yes, the more the better, too little, I'm still worried it's not enough to sell."

"Still have to be Adong, who else has this ability..."

"Our village depends on you..."

Ye Yaodong walked around again and again with his rice bowl, listening to everyone greeting and flattering.

After eating, he immediately went to the village committee to make a call, but the village committee was empty, with no one, only the old man guarding the door.

One could think that those village cadres had all gone to the pier. Vegetables were harvested this morning, probably got up in the middle of the night to go to the pier or the sea.

He first called Zhou Laoban's side, determined that it was one cent more than last year, and set a quantity of 20 tons, only then did he go to call the layman.

He called the processing plant directly.

However, the person who answered the phone said the layman had driven the big car out, and didn't know when he would return.

He had no choice but to leave a message and hang up first.

There was no way to contact him, so he could only wait for the layman to come find him. He estimated that he would have an idea in his heart.

Last year was also about this time at the end of the month, met when kelp was taken to the city. Last year in the second half of the year in Zhou City, he said early to let him leave goods this year, so he should remember.

It doesn't matter if he doesn't want it, anyway he doesn't worry about selling, at most it takes a long time to sell. It's just that if he doesn't come, his hope will fall through, and he still thought about following to Zhou City.

Now he can only wait until the end of the month to see.

Ye Yaodong settled the phone bill and planned to go tell Chen Shuji about the price, when he heard the phone ring again, he hurriedly returned to answer.

More than half of the calls in the whole village were made by him and answered by him.

Sure enough, it was looking for him, it was his father-in-law who called.

Said it had been approved in the city, and the telephone line could be pulled. Specially called to inform him, the telephone money would be paid from the turnover first, let someone do the accounts.

After Ye Yaodong hung up the phone, he inquired about Chen Shuji's whereabouts from the old man guarding the door for the first time. Sure enough, they were all at the pier, so he rode his bicycle and headed straight for the pier.

The dirt road by the beach was muddy at this time, all soaked by the seawater dripping from the kelp, and there were small pieces of kelp falling on the road.

Just riding this short section of road to the pier, his bicycle and his trouser legs were already too dirty to look at, all mud splashed up.

Chen Shuji and other cadres were all standing on the pier, some on the boat, all rolling up their sleeves and helping to move, moving from the boat to the shore, and then pulling to dry with a flatbed cart trip by trip.

He parked his bicycle and searched for a while before finding someone.

"Chen Shu, why are you also doing it yourself."

"Too many, everyone gives a hand, harvest early, sunlight is very precious to us, we have to race against time. If these are not dried in time, they are also very easy to spoil."

"Tell you a good news, the price this year is one cent more than last year."

Chen Shuji's eyes burst with joyful light, "Really? Can it be one cent more this year? Too good, bumper harvest, this extra cent is not little."

"Yes, I came to find you the first time I finished the call. Everyone didn't work in vain this year."

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll tell everyone immediately, let everyone be happy in advance, and then they can share more money. I feel full of strength now, hahaha." ===== CHAPTER 1364 =====

The dirt road by the beach was a muddy mess at this moment, soaked through by the seawater dripping from the kelp, and there were even small scraps of kelp scattered along the path.

In just that short stretch of riding to the pier, his bicycle and his pant legs were already a sight to behold, covered in splattered mud.

Chen Shuji and other cadres were all standing on the pier; some were on the boats, all with their sleeves rolled up, busy helping to unload, moving the cargo from the boats to the shore, and then using flatbed carts to haul it away, trip by trip, for drying.

He parked his bicycle and searched for a while before he found the person he was looking for.

"Uncle Chen, why are you all getting your hands dirty too?"

"There's too much of it. Everyone is lending a hand to get it collected sooner. Sunlight is very precious to us, so we have to race against time. If these aren't dried in time, they spoil very easily."

"I have some good news for you: this year's price is one cent higher than last year's."

A gleam of joy erupted in Chen Shuji's eyes. "Really? We can get another cent this year? That's wonderful! It's a bumper harvest, and that extra cent adds up to quite a lot."

"That's right. I came straight to find you the moment I finished the phone call. Everyone's hard work this year didn't go to waste."

"Good, good, good! I'll tell everyone in a moment so they can be happy in advance. Knowing they'll get a bit more money, I feel full of energy right now, hahaha!"