Chapter 1445: Resolution

Although it was raining, it did not dampen the crowd's enthusiasm one bit.

Once the rumbling of gongs and drums started, not only were the children excitedly shrieking, even the adults all stood up from their seats and walked to the windows to join in watching the excitement.

Most of them were seeing such a lively scene for the first time, and even the adults excitedly began to chatter.

"Sigh, there are really so many people…"

"Indeed, right? Who knew the town actually had this many people, even more than market day."

"Can't squeeze through at all…"

"So it really is this lively. The past two years I didn't come out to watch. Everyone said you can't squeeze in, you see nothing, only see people."

"Watching from upstairs is more convenient—no need to squeeze with people below, and no need to get rained on…"

"Ah… there's a dragon dance… the dragon dance is coming…"

"And a lantern-carrying procession too…"

The private box was filled with the chattering voices of adults and children, and it wasn't just theirs—heads were poking out from the neighboring boxes too.

Any nearby building had a pile of heads leaning out of its windows; many people had found a good vantage point ahead of time and were waiting.

"I saw it in the newspaper the past two years. Finally seeing it this year, it really is lively. The town government did a good job organizing it."

"It shows our town's economy is good, the government still has funds to hold these events, and it also shows our country is getting better and better."

Director Chen looked approvingly at Ye Yaodong, "You're right, this also reflects that our country is becoming more prosperous and the people are growing stronger."

"It's raining today, so it should end earlier, but we're not in a hurry. We'll eat slowly later…"

"No need, it's about time. It's not good to linger outside too long on a rainy day, and there are several children here. Once it gets dark, the kids need to head home early."

Ye Yaodong glanced at the three little ones. Ye Ye Xiaoxi had been frightened once before, so they really did need to head back early.

"The parade has passed, but there are still quite a lot of people below. Let's rest a while and wait until there are fewer before going back."

Director Chen nodded, "When are you setting off on your long trip?"

"The seventeenth. My mother said the tenth."

Ye Yaodong also said to his father, "I wasn't home the past few days and didn't notify the workers of the departure time in advance. I have to give them a heads-up first thing tomorrow morning."

"Got it. I'll get up early tomorrow and notify them one by one."

Lin Lin Xiuqing also said, "I've already prepared the food and rations and the luggage. It's just the things on the boat that you'll have to sort out yourselves. Everything's already been packed up."

"That's fine then. Tomorrow, call the workers in to work, move everything that needs moving onto the boat ahead of time, and we can leave first thing the day after tomorrow."

Director Chen asked curiously, "When will you be back from this trip?"

"I'm guessing about two months or so. I'll have to come back once—April or May is when we harvest the kelp. Our village's Party Secretary said that last year they didn't have time to finish tallying the harvest and didn't submit it to the newspaper for me. This year they have to submit it for me no matter what, but the prerequisite is that the kelp harvest has to be good."

"Seems I've heard you mention that."

"Right, to give me a model of getting rich, to set an example of a hardworking, down-to-earth fisherman."

"That's not bad."

"Yes, so I have to come back to receive the award. Now I need to pray more to the gods and Buddhas, to bless us with a good harvest this year. Secretary Chen wants to make achievements, develop our village into a model wealthy village, and then he can climb the ladder too."

Director Chen nodded, "Right. Once the whole village's income reaches a certain amount, your per capita income has probably long met the target. You're already a wealthy village."

Ye Fu said proudly, "Dongzi alone has pulled up the average by how much?"

"Keep it low-key." Ye Yaodong smiled and reminded his father.

"What I mean is, sixty or seventy percent of the whole village relies on you for wages, relies on you to pull up the average. In the entire county, no village has a higher penetration rate of small home appliances than ours."

Ye Mu also said, "Someone in our village already bought a color TV a few days ago."

Ye Yaodong asked curiously, "Who? So generous, went straight for a color TV."

"Your friend A-Zheng."

"Damn, he's honored."

"A-Guang also said he wants to buy one. He just moved into his new house last year, didn't buy a TV for his home, and he's just missing a TV. He might as well go buy a color TV too."

"Then let A-Guang show off too."

Ye Yaodong turned his head and saw Ye Mu looking at him expectantly, and his brainwaves instantly connected.

"Buy one for you too?"

Ye Mu's old face broke into a smile, "Sure, just put it at my place. Otherwise, if it's at yours, all the neighbors would have to crowd into your house to watch TV—how inconvenient? Your house is full of goods, people coming and going is so troublesome. Just put it at my place, and when the time comes we can carry it out and put it at the door for everyone to watch."

"Are you buying this TV to watch yourself, or to benefit the whole neighborhood?" Ye Fu habitually rained on her parade.

"Of course it's for myself, but it doesn't stop me from sharing it for everyone to watch. What's wrong with that? They're all neighbors, watching TV together is so lively."

"Then tomorrow, after I send Godfather to the city, I'll carry a color TV back with Father." Ye Yaodong made the final call, to save the two elders from starting another debate.

Ye Mu nodded like a pestle pounding garlic, "Good, good, good."

Ye Fu beamed, "Just like that we're buying a color TV? Your house is still using a black-and-white one. How about we swap? Put the color one at your place, and the black-and-white at mine?"

"No need. When the time comes, just each carry one home."

The three little ones listened with sparkling eyes, huddled in a corner whispering excitedly that their home was going to have a color TV too.

Director Chen said with a smile, "A-Dong's fortune is substantial now, he won't miss this little bit."

"Small money I don't miss, but big money I still do. Otherwise I wouldn't have to leave home and run around everywhere to earn money."

"This is already far better than most people."

Lin Lin Xiuqing listened to him make the final call and didn't say anything about carrying two color TVs back tomorrow.

With so many kids at home, who wouldn't like watching TV? They even like having the TV on while eating.

Once the weather warms up a bit, only the TV can keep them home, instead of running around crazily outside getting sunburned.

Everyone chatted idly in the private box, watching the crowd moving below. They waited until the crowd had thinned out a bit and there weren't so many people before heading down.

A light drizzle was still falling below. The small vendors had long packed up their stalls; only the onlookers' enthusiasm remained undimmed, still chasing after the lantern procession.

Ye Yaodong had to hail several rickshaws to fit everyone, then headed toward the dock.

Watching the spectacle is fine, but the weather is bad; if it rains, it becomes much more troublesome, especially since he has a whole family to drag along, with the old and the young, making it a huge hassle.

Just this once, he made up his mind not to come next year; experiencing the novelty once was enough.

The old lady probably doesn't want to come again either; for someone her age, going out on a trip is too much of a ordeal. If she hasn't seen it, seeing it once is enough; there's not much need to watch it a second time.

As for the children, they've seen all kinds of spectacles and can remember them well; having memories is enough. The rest can wait until later to take them to see again; after all, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

A large group dragging their families along kept busy until past 10 PM before getting home; by the time everything was done and everyone was settled to rest, it was nearly 12 AM when Lin Lin Xiuqing lay down.

"Are you asleep?"

"Not yet, waiting for you. I'm exhausted. The invoices, contracts, and filing registration forms are all locked in the drawer, and the remaining money is also locked in the drawer together. Take a look at where to store them and organize them yourself tomorrow."

"Okay, how much did it cost?"

Ye Yaodong wanted to reach out and hug his wife, but a fleshy lump was stuck in the middle; he had to climb up first to shift the fleshy lump inward, then spoke while doing so.

"Around 180,000. Half the car payment was made, with the other half due upon delivery. The two plots of land were a bit expensive, but they are definitely worth it. I took Brother Brother Ahai along; have him keep an eye on things whenever he has time, whether he's busy or not."

"Hmm, Brother Brother Ahai really didn't need to run so far; there are plenty of money-making jobs right here at home."

"Big Brother and Ye Ye Dasao just hope he will have a promising future and not rely on going out to sea as fishermen like them. Let them be; anyway, their family has a boat, can make money, and can handle the risks. He is only eighteen or nineteen."

"He can get married now; he's not a child anymore."

"Nonsense. He just grew up; why rush to get married before he's even had fun? It's not like he can't find a wife. At this age, it's best to go out and see the world; there's no need to rush around everywhere just to make a living for three meals a day, or be locked onto the sea."

Lin Lin Xiuqing listened and felt there was some truth to it, so she didn't argue back.

With their family's wealth, he could marry any wife he wanted, and nowadays, one doesn't need an introduction letter to go out.

"Then staying in the provincial capital for a while is fine; at least it will broaden his horizons."

"Hmm, tomorrow I'll have Dad arrange to sort out the things on the boat. I'll take a few workers to the city; I'll get everything done in one day tomorrow and set off the morning after."

Lin Lin Xiuqing sighed lightly, "It feels like it went by so fast in an instant. You haven't even stayed home for a few days and you're leaving again. You say you're coming back for the New Year, but you haven't stayed home continuously; you still run around everywhere, staying a few days here, a few days there."

"Isn't it because there are so many things to do? I also have to spend money by order."

"Are you sure you'll be back from this trip in April or May?"

"More or less. With two or three months, it's enough time for my Dad to hand over the work to someone else and then help me deliver goods together. Last year, he rested for a while and delivered goods with me; actually, he's familiar with it, so a little guidance won't be difficult."

"That's good. Then we won't have to hand it over to someone else; how can we feel safe handing such a large sum of money to someone else's hands? Fortunately, Dad and you can take turns, and two people can take turns going home to rest or handle matters."

"How much money is left at home?"

"Before the New Year, I summarized the miscellaneous amounts, and then you brought a large sum to the city. There's probably about 1.01 million left. Some small amounts can't be calculated precisely, so we can only calculate based on the account books and estimate a rough figure."

"There are too many big and small sums; one person can't count them all anymore."

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled, "Yes."

Ye Yaodong patted her shoulder a few times, "You need to put in more effort at home. If you can hire people to do things, just hire them."

"Work can be hired out, but all the matters in the city, the factory, and the workshops still need to be arranged by me. Hired people aren't as clear about things as I am; many things must be done personally."

"It's fine; everything is quite stable now. At most, I just run back and forth everywhere to keep an eye on things. You are already the boss; I'm just working for you."

"Don't talk nonsense. Didn't you fight for everything, and I'm just guarding it for you? Go to sleep early. You've been rushing around outside for almost a week; you probably haven't eaten or slept well."

"Hmm."

He had been drowsy long ago; physical fatigue outside was secondary, but his mind was tense, and only after returning home did the string loosen.

Holding his wife, he also felt exceptionally at ease.

Early the next morning, as soon as there was a slight sound outside, he got up immediately; with guests at home, he couldn't sleep in.

But as soon as he stepped out the door, he felt his eyes were deceiving him.

When did Ye Chenghu become so diligent? Doing homework so early in the morning?

No, this must be cramming at the last minute. Today is the sixteenth; school registration should be happening.

At this moment, Ye Ye Chengyang leaned over and chanted, "On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, Mom and Dad took me to a big hotel to eat..."

Ye Chenghu immediately flopped down, tightly covering his homework notebook, his ears turning bright red.

"What are you doing? Go away!"

"Let me see your essay, Brother..."

"No, get lost!"

"Let me see."

"Go die over there."

"What's all the noise? It's early morning, be quiet; others are still sleeping."

Ye Ye Chengyang immediately dared not act rashly and said in a low voice, "I'm going next door to watch Brother and Sister do their homework..."

As soon as Ye Ye Chengyang left, Ye Chenghu sighed with relief and picked up his pen to continue writing, but a large shadow fell over the desk again.

"... The hotel is so big, so beautiful, we were on the upper floor, there were so many people on the road..."

"Dad!" Ye Chenghu was filled with shame and anger, tightly covering his homework notebook again.

"Let me see, please. You can't show it to Yangyang, but let your Dad see it, please."

"No, go away!"

"Let me see, don't be so stingy; let your Dad learn how to write a short essay too."

Ye Chenghu immediately closed his homework notebook, grabbed his paper and pen, and ran out holding them, "I won't write here anymore. It's annoying."

Lin Lin Xiuqing was ladling porridge by the stove, smiling, "Why are you teasing him? Just let him finish writing it properly."

"I'm just curious; I wanted to see what his short essay was about."

"What else could it be? It must be the diary entry from watching the lantern show last night. All other homework is finished; only this short essay is left. He specifically saved it to write after watching the Lantern Festival show."

"He's quite self-disciplined now."

"Homework is related to his lucky money, so he must finish writing it before the New Year. His attitude towards homework has become much more correct now; practicing calligraphy has also become a good habit."

"Hmm, then when I go to the city today, I'll buy him a few more books for practicing calligraphy."

"That'll probably make him wail again."

As they spoke, Ye's father and mother arrived; Ye's father, upon hearing he had to stay home to arrange the fishing boats and couldn't go to the city, felt a pang of regret.

"This is all so rushed…"

"Then since you can't go, I can—I'll go with Dongzi, and he can show me around the city?" Ye's mother beamed, then looked down at her clothes and shoes, deciding they were fine to wear outside.

Today there were guests at home, so she'd specially put on new clothes and her little leather shoes to look presentable—she could leave anytime without issue.

"Fine. Then Mom, you come with me; Dad, you stay home and organize the workers."

Ye's mother was overjoyed. "Finally it's my turn! You're always going here and there."

"You want to run around? You think you won't get chances?"

"Who knows? A few years ago you needed an introduction letter just to travel; now you don't, but there's still so much to do—can I even leave?"

"Then go prepare. Pack what you need. When they finish eating, we'll head out."

"Alright."

Ye Yaodong asked Lin Lin Xiuqing, "Are you coming?"

"I'm not going. You go—it's fine. Why should I? I've been there plenty of times. When you're not home, I have to go to the city every few days—it's exhausting. I don't want to go."

"Alright."

By the time the group finished eating and headed toward the dock, the workers were already moving goods back and forth, busy at work.

"Dong-ge…"

"Boss…"

Some of the older workers who used to call him "A-Dong" felt too awkward to say it now—they felt it no longer carried the right meaning.

Director Chen stopped and watched the workers loading cargo. "You've got a lot of workers here?"

"Half here? The workshop probably has another half sorting things."

"Seventy or eighty?"

"About that. After all, you've got many boats—each big one needs over ten men."

He pointed toward the sea. "Most of those are yours?"

"About half, maybe more. Two huge boats are docked at the harbor in town—we'll go straight there tomorrow and set sail."

Director Chen patted his shoulder. "Young man, you're impressive. In just a few years you've risen so high—your village will surely rely on you."

Ye's mother didn't humble herself. "Exactly! Most of this village now depends on Dongzi. We owe it all to you—thank you for pulling him up a few years ago."

"Nonsense. It was nothing. Didn't change him at all. Gold shines wherever it's placed—he did it all himself. I had nothing to do with it. I didn't help him. He'd have made it without me."

He pointed again at the boats on the sea. "Look at these ships—what do any of them have to do with me? None of it's connected to me. It's all his own effort."

"But your connection still made things much easier for him."

"In the end, he's grounded, building steadily—unlike most young people who chase shortcuts and unrealistic dreams."

Ye's mother felt especially proud as she spoke to Director Chen—it proved she'd raised a good son, taught him well.

"No wonder you're a leader, haha…"

Ye Yaodong went to arrange the fishing boats and gave his father instructions on what to do, then invited everyone aboard.

Today was the last day—he'd send them off, then go to Zhou City to buy the TV, and hurry back.

It was indeed rushed—things piled one after another. He'd only truly rested during those few rainy days around the New Year; the rest of the time he'd been rushing about handling affairs.

Just now he'd told his father to make sure all the boats went to town for fuel and to finish preparations—he'd likely return after dark.

The Lantern Festival had just passed, and many fishing boats were heading out to sea; fueling would mean long lines. If they waited until tomorrow, they wouldn't know when they'd get served—delaying departure.

Ye Yaodong truly felt he needed not just an accountant—he now needed a personal assistant.

He could just give an order, and the assistant would arrange things—no more having to think of tasks himself, then tell his father, then have his father do them.

This assistant only needed to stay by his side—no other duties, just listen and carry out his instructions.

After a day of rushing about, as he returned, he decided that once in Zhou City, he'd find a literate worker from among the crew.

But just as he had workers carry the TV to the workshop entrance, Pei Dongqing stopped him.

"Dong-ge, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Ye Yaodong hesitated, then told the workers to carry one TV to his house and the other to his father's.

Since she came openly to speak with him, he had no reason to refuse—she was his friend's sister, had worked in his workshop for two or three years, an elder.

Though it was dark, they stood in the light by the door—openly, so no one would gossip.

Pei Dongqing saw his cautious glances, lowered her eyes, stepped back, keeping distance. "No one will think anything. They'll just assume I have something to tell you."

Ye Yaodong gave a forced laugh. "Heh… what's up? What do you want?"

"I heard you need someone who can keep accounts and use the abacus—someone to take to Zhou City to handle your books?" She looked up.

Ye Yaodong was startled, his mouth opening slightly. "I've already found someone."

"Strangers aren't as reliable as family. If you hire someone else to keep accounts, can you trust them? I can ask my father and brother to let me go…"

"Stop, stop, stop—my dear lady, you're twenty-four or twenty-five already. Just find someone to marry already. Stop chasing money—you'll never earn enough. If you really go tell your brother, I'll get beaten senseless. I'd be more wronged than Dou E."

As he spoke, Ye Yaodong clasped his hands together in a plea, stepping back.

Now he was actually a little afraid of this girl.

He'd been away and thought she'd given up.

Though someone as outstanding as him was rare in the surrounding villages, if you widened the scope, there were others.

Though it was normal for someone to like him—he was wealthy, famous, and good-looking; not liking him would be strange—but he didn't want to invite trouble.

Chen Wei's example was still right there.

And she's still Guang's sister—for heaven's sake!

He just wanted to keep his distance.

"I just want to help you. I won't make things hard for you, I won't ask for anything…"

"Don't, please. I'd rather spend a little money and hire someone else. Can we avoid the awkwardness? Just saying that already makes things hard for me. Listen to your father, your brother and sister-in-law, and find a good man to marry."

Ye Yaodong had just finished speaking when he saw Lin Lin Xiuqing walking over from a distance. As if he had spotted a savior, he waved her over.

Lin Lin Xiuqing jogged over with a smile. "What's going on?"

He pointed at Pei Dongqing and said: "This little girl here asked me if, in all my travels north and south, I've met any other fine young men. She says she can't fancy anyone in the whole circle of villages around ours."

Pei Dongqing's face flushed red. She lowered her head sheepishly. "Then… then I'll go ask my brother."

"Next time I'll ask Hong Hong Wenle, see if he has any unmarried friends. Someone from town would be alright, wouldn't it?"

She nodded with her head lowered, then ran off.

Ye Yaodong also let out a sigh of relief, then asked Lin Lin Xiuqing, "Why did you come out?"

"The color TV was just delivered to the house. The workers said Dongqing was looking for you to talk about something. I thought something was up, so I figured I'd come out and have a look."

"Sigh, she wants to get married. At her age, if she doesn't marry soon, people in the village will really start gossiping. Figuring I know a lot of people, she plucked up her courage and asked me."

"She really does need to get married soon. Village girls her age already have two kids. But there really aren't any good families around here that would be a match. They all say marry a girl up and marry a wife down — she'd definitely have to aim higher."

"Mm, keep an eye out for me. See if Hong Hong Wenle has any unmarried friends, ones with slightly better conditions, who'd be a good fit."

Lin Lin Xiuqing nodded. "Sure. After you leave, I'll keep an eye out."

Ye Yaodong let out a breath of relief and, with his arm around her shoulder, headed home.

That was a close call — he nearly got done in.

?? Stop scolding, stop scolding, it'll be finished in another two months

? (End of chapter)