Chapter 1376: Recent Period

Ye Yaodong picked up the little one and felt she seemed lighter?

"Lost weight?"

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

Lin Lin Xiuqing said with a smile, "Fake. It's just that over the past month, the thick clothes have come off, and I'm wearing short sleeves and thin pants now."

"That's true. Wear fewer clothes and you get lighter."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi pouted, gave a humph, then reached out to knead Ye Yaodong's face, squishing it into all sorts of shapes.

"Hey hey hey… what does it have to do with me? I'm not the one who said it about you. Whoever said it, go bother them."

Ye Yaodong gave her bottom a couple of pats, and only then did she let go, saying aggrievedly, "Can't beat them."

Ye Yaodong started laughing with a chuckle.

Lin Lin Xiuqing also laughed a little.

The family of three walked into the workshop. Only when they got there did Ye Yaodong put the child down and let her go play on her own. The two of them, with nothing to do, also started helping out with the work.

The squid fishing season had long passed, and the workshop had resumed its daily routine of roasting dried fish.

After he went out the next day on the fresh-fish collection boat and came back, it turned into roasted squid strips again.

As the variety of fish products in the shop increased, business got better and better. Moreover, they were among the earliest to open a shop in the city, so they had many loyal, trusting regulars.

There had been no shortage of copycat shops over the past few years, but his was still the best business, because he was willing to put in the capital—his stock was the largest and his variety the widest.

Across the way there was an entire factory building, which just inspired trust at a glance.

Ye Yaodong also had a shop at Gate No. 2. Over the past few years, the surrounding area had become incredibly lively, and by extension, shops at the other entrances had also become easier to rent out.

He was mulling over swapping his Gate No. 2 shop with the landlord next door and making up the difference with some cash.

Shops in the area were now very easy to rent. His Gate No. 2 shop was currently rented out steadily, and the rent wasn't much different—after all, the whole area had become bustling. He figured that with a bit more money, most people would be willing to swap.

Selling it—right now, no one would be willing to sell, of course. After all, it was basically a golden goose; sell it and the money stops. If you don't sell, you can keep collecting rent endlessly. People aren't stupid these days.

Once he had the idea, he discussed it with Lin Lin Xiuqing. With the two shops next to each other, they could knock through and the floor area would be a bit larger.

Lin Lin Xiuqing had no objections and told him to arrange it himself. So when he went out to collect goods, he took the chance to ask his father-in-law to help inquire.

His father-in-law had been established in the city for three or four years now and knew all the shop owners in the neighborhood.

The whole matter took only about a week. He got the man to meet up a few times to talk, made up the difference with 1,000 yuan, and it was done.

This kind of thing is better done sooner rather than later. If you push it off a few years, as the surroundings get even more prosperous, human nature might turn even greedier. Right now, relatively speaking, it's still easier.

Once it was settled, Ye Yaodong didn't immediately expand the shop. For now, the current space was still enough. He just opened a small door so that goods that couldn't fit in the shop could be stacked next door, saving him from having to haul them to the warehouse on the spur of the moment.

Inside, he also set up a small temporary rest bed for the occasional break.

By the time he finished dealing with this matter, his father had also come back on the boat.

This trip's haul was quite plentiful. He weighed out part of the goods to Ah Cai, delivered part to the various factories, and the cash in hand came to over 4,000.

His father sold the cheaper goods at sea, and after deducting the cost of fuel and ice, he had over 2,000 left in hand, while the goods at Ah Cai's side were worth roughly 5,000-plus.

This month, this boat had brought in another 10,000-plus.

From after the New Year until now, he'd gone out three times, each trip lasting about 20 to 30 days, and altogether he'd earned 40,000 yuan.

If he hadn't come back and had stayed out at sea the whole time, he might have earned more—but not necessarily, since the valuable stuff had all been kept and brought back.

Actually, the main thing was being able to come home to rest and look after the family. Being out at sea long-term isn't good for physical and mental health.

Ye Fu felt reassured seeing him come over to pick up the goods, but didn't have time to chat much. Only after getting home did he have a moment to talk and ask in detail about the arrangements in Zhou City.

"Good, as long as it's settled."

"Mm. Now I call home every two or three days to report progress. Everything's fine."

"How about that canned fish factory in your town?"

"I've been free lately, so I've been going over every day. I've already picked an auspicious date—the 2nd of the 6th month is a good day for opening and starting work. We'll go for the ribbon-cutting then, and the factory can immediately go into production."

Ye Fu heard that a ribbon-cutting was planned and sat up straight, then hurried to flip through the wall calendar.

"That's pretty fast, being able to produce so soon. Mm… end of the month… June 27th… 2nd of the 6th month…"

"Is that fast? Half a year has already gone by. The little workshop at home was set up at the same time, and it's already been making money for several months now."

"Can't compare. That's a big factory—big building, needs machines, needs workers. It's not like just throwing up a few rooms and a wall and you're good to go."

"Mm."

With so much invested, it had to make a big return when the time came.

"The date is set for the end of the month, so it looks like in a few days I'll be the one going out to sea again."

Indeed, he had originally only thought about setting the date for the ribbon-cutting at the end of the month, and only remembered that he'd need to dress a bit more formally. He truly hadn't thought about the sea trip—subconsciously, he had already taken his father's presence for granted.

The old lady chimed in, quite indifferent. "Then you should just work more. If you don't work more now, in a few years when you're old you won't be able to."

"Can't work anymore—am I supposed to feel sorry about that?"

"You're so lazy it's killing you. All day long you don't want to do this, don't want to do that. If you don't put in the work while you're young, once you're old, people will find you a nuisance."

"You say it as if I'm actually pleasing you now."

The old lady felt that made quite a bit of sense and nodded. "Well, that's true…"

Ye Fu glared at him, annoyed, then got up and went back to rest first.

Ye Yaodong took over the calendar-flipping his father had just been doing and flipped through it himself once more, confirming the date again. The 2nd was June 27th for the ribbon-cutting, no mistake. Then he'd have to put his father through it—in a few days, he'd head back out to sea again.

Lin Lin Xiuqing only thought to ask after Ye Fu had left: "The ribbon-cutting is at the end of the month, so Dad should be out at sea. You're not going to Wen City next month, right?"

"Depends on the situation. Maybe I'll go for a few days and come back. Going again this year, the cost-effectiveness isn't high anymore, but for other small boats it's still okay. I'll see if the other boats are going—if they are, I'll tag along and also stop by the lighter factory to check on it."

"We've never managed it, it's far away, we haven't gone to look at it. We've just been waiting to split the profits. Looking at it, that definitely won't last long."

"It definitely won't last long—of course it won't. Anyway, as long as we don't bring it up, there's money to split. Whether it's more or less doesn't really matter. When they really can't stand it anymore and want to propose redeeming the shares, we'll deal with it then. Either way, we're already guaranteed to profit no matter what."

"Mm. We just need to mind our own side well. When the time comes, if we can do them a favor and the price is right, we might as well just let go of it."

"I know. That was our plan from the start anyway."

Starting this year, there are too many varieties of lighters on the market, and they have begun circulating everywhere. He didn't have so much idle time, so he only kept stock to sell and didn't go out to procure new models anymore. After all, this wasn't his main business; once they were sold out, that was it.

With that kind of energy, he might as well improve his workshop and factory. This was something he had built from scratch, invested effort in from start to finish, and planned to make big and strong.

He had just finished discussing this matter with Lin Lin Xiuqing, and the next day someone actually came to find him. It was Lin Lin Jingye, his father's friend.

In recent years, Uncle Lin Jingye had run around with him and earned quite a bit of money. However, he hadn't exchanged for a bigger boat; he was still working with that small trawler, saying he couldn't bear to replace it. It hadn't been in use for many years anyway, and as long as he kept earning money, that was enough.

Uncle Lin Jingye happened to be resting due to some matters and hadn't gone out to sea for a day. Seeing him at home, he came to the door to ask a few questions, somewhat wanting to chase the jellyfish fishing season again this year.

After all, compared to trawling in the near seas, going out to catch a month or so of the fishing season would still bring huge profits.

Ye Yaodong only said he wasn't planning to chase the fishing season, but if they wanted to go, he could follow along for a trip, though he would only stay for two or three days before returning.

As for the situation everyone faced there afterwards, he certainly wouldn't be able to know about it.

"Anyway, you've been there for two or three years, so you should all be familiar with the situation."

"Then... the situation with the middlemen buying the catch..."

"Ask Ah Guang. He should be back in these two days. Ask him and see if he wants to follow you over there."

"Then I'll ask him a bit later. I'm just worried that when we go to chase the fishing season, you might set off from home..."

"You also plan to continue going up to Zhoushi this year, right?"

Lin Lin Jingye said with a face full of smiles, "Definitely. Last year, going up there earned us money, which was far better than staying at home. Even in the worst case, we earned double what we would at home. Take my boat, for instance; it's not rented, so I don't have to give a cut to anyone. Everything I earn is my own, and it's even more substantial."

"That's true."

"So I'm worried that if we go to chase the jellyfish fishing season, and you set off from home later, we might not catch up with the fleet..."

"You can ask Ah Guang about the buying arrangements over there first. If you decide to go chase the jellyfish fishing season, then go. At that time, you can call my family to confirm the time we set off from home, and prepare in advance. When we pass by the port, we'll stop there."

When they returned last year, they all rested and spent the night there. Although it was winter with strong winds back then, now it's summer, so stopping for a while shouldn't be a problem.

"That works, that's just right."

"You're really going all out, wanting to chase the jellyfish fishing season to earn a bit more, while also fearing missing the hairtail fishing season in Zhoushi."

Quite greedy.

"Hehe, isn't it just thinking that when there's a chance to earn, one should earn a bit more? In the past, going out to fish wasn't this profitable; just being able to make a living was good enough. It's only in these past few years, with you leading us running here and there, that money suddenly feels easy to earn."

"Only those who love to fight and venture will win. This is also because everyone has big guts and dares to follow you."

"Isn't that because they saw you earning money? That's why they dared to follow you. Everyone saw you getting rich right under their noses, so they trusted you even more."

"Mm, then you just wait for Ah Guang to return and see how to handle the buying business. If it's not the peak fishing season, the buying middlemen will fill their daily quota. If it exceeds that, they won't take it anymore. You can sell to anyone you like."

"We just need the middlemen; otherwise, we would go ourselves."

"Mm."

"Then let's leave it at that for now. When Ah Guang returns, I'll go to his house to ask and confirm again."

After Lin Lin Jingye came to the door to ask once, whenever anyone else later asked him whether he was going to the jellyfish fishing season, he pushed the question entirely onto Lin Lin Jingye, telling everyone to ask Uncle Lin Jingye's opinion.

Anyway, this time he wouldn't take the lead. At most, he would help them apply for fishing qualifications, visit Zeng Zhao Weimin, and tour the lighter factory before returning.

And Ah Guang returned two days later.

Within half a day, he came to his house to discuss this matter, saying that Lin Lin Jingye had come to find him, but he hadn't given a specific reply yet, saying he needed to think it over.

"Dongzi, what do you think?"

"What do I think? He should have told you too. I'll only stay for a few days before returning. I won't go to the fishing season to earn money this year. After all, all my smaller boats are rented out, and it's not cost-effective for the larger boats to go there either. The trouble of messing around isn't worth it for me; it would only be hard work with no reward."

"Although fishing isn't cost-effective, being a middleman is..."

Ye Yaodong understood; he couldn't bear to give up the middleman's commission profit.

"So you want to drive the boat and go along to earn a commission fee?"

"I do have such an idea. Otherwise, giving up this middleman work would be a pity. Last year, although the large boat fishing wasn't ideal, we still went out to sea for trawling afterwards, but the middleman business could earn quite a lot. Split between the two of us, each of us got several thousand."

"Here's the deal: if you still want to go over there to earn the commission fee, then you go ahead and mess around. I won't bother. At that time, you don't need to split the commission fee with me; I won't care. Just keep it all yourself."

"Are you sure? Actually, if you go over there, you just need to stay there. You don't have to do anything; just help weigh the goods..."

Ye Yaodong waved his hand. "I'm quite busy now. The fresh catch collection boats have to go out to sea to collect goods every two days. There are also two workshops and two factories at home. I really can't manage everything; I don't have time to drop so many things just to earn a few thousand in commission fees."

For him, taking care of those few large boats and arranging the delivery of goods to the factory was the priority. In the second half of the year, those few large boats going to Zhoushi to earn big money was the main thing.

Working as a middleman over there for two months to earn only a few thousand yuan was not as good as the earnings from the fresh catch collection boats at home making two trips.

Besides, all 17 boats in his hands were rented out. If all these boats followed Uncle Lin Jingye to chase the jellyfish fishing season, he could still get half of the share.

That was enough for him to earn. There was no need to grab every bit of money, neglecting one thing to attend to another.

And it would be better for Ah Guang to go and act as the middleman. At that time, Ah Guang would have the base receipts showing how much money several boats sold for. He could just get the base receipts from Ah Guang to settle the accounts, and no one could think of embezzling anything.

This year, a few people also wanted to buy boats at the shipyard, but there were more monks than porridge; the shipyard's production was limited. Those who needed to rent still had to continue renting, and those who needed to work still had to work for him.

Even if someone didn't work, there were others rushing to do it. He didn't worry about not having anyone to work for him and earn money.

Small trawlers going there to catch jellyfish, compared to trawling, could still earn more, after all, jellyfish were extremely expensive.

Calculating it, he had thrown off the responsibility, but the money was still being earned. That was enough.

Ah Guang gave him a thumbs up. "Awesome. You can't even look at a few thousand yuan anymore; you're giving it up just to save trouble."

"I'm not doing the work anyway, so I can't hog it. Moreover, the rent I collect from a few boats is enough. If I didn't stay there all the time, having you as the middleman going over there to arrange things would make everyone feel more at ease."

"Alright, then I'll accept it. I'll take them over there at the end of the month."

"Actually, it's cost-effective for you to drive the Fengshou Hao over there. You just need one larger boat specifically to collect everyone's goods at sea. Everyone can then stay at sea with peace of mind, without wasting time going ashore to sell goods."

"I know. I just thought of replicating your method from last year, so I couldn't bear to give it up. Even if the goods are really not many, I can have the boat captain drive out to trawl, while I only need to arrange the collection of goods on shore. I won't miss out on either side."

"Then since you've already decided, why are you still asking me?"

"Isn't it because I wanted to hear your opinion? I have to listen to what you say over here. Who knows if Uncle Lin Jingye explained everything clearly to you? I have to confirm with you face-to-face, after all, you are now the backbone of the whole village."

"Your dad is having a blast now. He doesn't have to go out to sea; you're doing everything. He just collects rent and has already started enjoying life at home." Ye Yaodong said teasingly.

"Last year, I was thinking of ordering a few more Fengshou Hao boats, and even thinking of ordering a fresh catch collection boat for myself."

Ah Guang said with a smile, "The idea back then was based on taking out loans. I was thinking of borrowing 100,000 just like you, then ordering a few more boats, making a big move, and setting up a full chain just like you. Later, I couldn't get the loan anymore. When I came back, I could only borrow 10,000. How could I dare to think so big then?"

"Besides, plans can't keep up with changes. The family has split up too. My dad doesn't want to build them up anymore, just splits them off directly, and doesn't let them touch the family's boats."

"I also advised my dad. At his age, having a few boats to collect rent from is enough. Just collecting rent earns quite a lot, enough for him to live the rest of his life worry-free and comfortably. Don't think about redeeming the boats for the workers either—there are plenty of people willing to rent, and the things that need fighting for should be left to me to do."

Ye Yaodong said: "Exactly, enjoy life when it's time to. Just raise your youngest son well. Don't overthink it."

"Mm, then I'll set the departure for the end of the month. I'll go tell Uncle Lin Jingye the confirmed plan now, and by the way have him check which boats in the village want to go along, so we can prepare in advance."

"If not many boats want to go, then you can save yourself the trouble of going over."

"Definitely. I'm the middleman, after all—of course I need more boats and more cargo to make money. Let him go ask around first."

"Then you guys figure it out yourselves. I'm not getting involved either way. When it's time to depart, at most I'll go along to help them apply for fishing permits, then stay a day or two and come back."

"Okay."

"Oh right, your fish canning factory in town—isn't it opening on the second of the end of the month?" Aguang suddenly remembered this.

"Right, the second of the sixth lunar month, the 27th of this month."

"Then I might not be able to see it when the time comes. I'll send you some fireworks in advance to congratulate you."

"That doesn't matter, it's just a small thing."

"How is that a small thing? Such a big factory—it must have cost a fortune to set up. It's no small workshop. Too bad I won't be there to see your moment of glory."

"There'll be photos. I'll definitely show you the photos when the time comes, so you know how glorious I am."

"Heh, yeah, you really are glorious now. Things are different."

Once they brought this up, they couldn't help feeling emotional—it's only been a few years, and all their friends have changed dramatically.

Fortunately, it's all changing for the better.

"Aren't you doing pretty well too? You've got a big boat now."

"Where am I even at? How can I compare with you? If there's nothing else I'll head off first, go give someone a confirmed answer."

"Okay."

After saying goodbye, Aguang got up and hurried off to find Lin Lin Jingye.

Ye Yaodong also went to talk to Ah Qing about it—the married couple now discuss everything together.

Originally, when Lin Lin Jingye came to find him a few days ago, Ah Qing already knew afterward what it was about.

The two of them had also discussed this matter.

"Aguang being willing to keep acting as middleman is even better. And you promised that when the time comes you'll stop at Wenzhou city to pick everyone up, so there should be quite a few fishing boats from the village going. The boats we've rented out can also collect more rent then, and we won't have to worry about them cheating or defaulting."

"Mm."

Not two days after they confirmed things on their end, the village was swept up again in a frenzy of discussion about the jellyfish fishing season.

Everyone said that now, all year round they count on these few fishing seasons. As long as they can make money, running around everywhere is nothing.

Then each of them also said he'd earned enough, didn't need to go this year, just staying home guarding a few big boats was enough to make money.

Some people, still uneasy, came up to confirm with him: for the second half of the year, was he going to Zhoushan city? Was it really like Lin Lin Jingye said—confirm the departure time in advance and notify everyone, and when the time comes pass through Wenzhou city dock to pick everyone up?

For everyone, going to catch jellyfish was certainly important, but the most important was still the hairtail fishing season—that was the main thing. No point picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon.

He gave them all accurate answers, to put their minds at ease.

And while the whole village was discussing preparing to depart for Wenzhou city, Ye Yaodong was also running to town every day.

That fish canning factory was now his biggest investment. All in all, including recent outlays, he'd put in 100,000 already.

This had to be taken very seriously—as long as he was home, he had to run over and check on it every day.

The factory had now hired nearly all its workers. Every time they saw him ride his motorcycle in, someone would respectfully greet him—everyone knew he was one of the bosses.

He could leave the work to others, but as long as he was home, he definitely had to come by every day.

The end of the month was only a few days away—in the blink of an eye it arrived.

Ye Yaodong got up early in the morning and put on a formal Zhongshan suit. He'd polished his leather shoes the night before until they gleamed, and even smeared face cream on his face.

"Daddy, smells so nice…"

He casually smeared some on Ye Ye Xiaoxi too, which made her so delighted she scrambled to look in the mirror.

"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest child in the whole village…"

"Shut your mouth, don't show that gap in your teeth, and you'd be the prettiest in the whole village…"

"Ahhhh, you're not allowed to say that!"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi, who had been admiring herself happily, instantly got embarrassed and angry and tried to hit him.

Ye Yaodong laughed loudly as she chased him out the door.

By the time he was pushing his motorcycle, she caught up and landed a hit square on him.

"Oh right, my camera…"

"Daddy, I'll get it for you…"

The one who'd just been hitting him instantly turned eager and hurried back inside to get his camera.

"Daddy, are you going to take my picture?"

"Take a picture of your gap-toothed smile?"

"Ah! You're so mean!"