Chapter 1468: Wanting to Marry a Wife

"Every day?"

Ye Yaodong opened both eyes.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi grinned and reached up to feel the stubble on his chin, prickly and fun.

"That's right, last time you came back in the middle of the night too, and the time before that you came back at night, and during New Year you came back at night too. You come back at night every day, so come back earlier tomorrow."

"Oh, your 'every day' means often, and your 'tomorrow' means from now on."

"Yep, yep!"

Seeing her keep touching his chin, Ye Yaodong leaned his head over to rub it against her face, making her burst into giggles nonstop first thing in the morning.

"Hahaha, so itchy so itchy… no no, Daddy, so itchy…"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi laughed as she squirmed and twisted in his arms, kicking her legs everywhere.

Ye Yaodong was afraid she'd kick him somewhere vital, so he simply pinned her legs down with his own, leaving her unable to move.

"Ah~ help, help…"

Lin Lin Xiuqing watched the two of them playing happily and got up with a smile.

By the time she opened the door and went out, she could already hear Ye Ye Xiaoxi asking him for presents. Just then the two upstairs came down as well, having heard the commotion in his room.

"Presents?"

"Daddy's back?"

"Daddy…"

Both brothers' eyes lit up, each more excited than the other, each shouting louder than the last, scrambling toward the room in a rush and shoving her aside.

"What's the rush…"

"Daddy, when did you get back?"

"Daddy, did you see my letter?"

At this moment, where were any of the three of them looking at her?

Lin Lin Xiuqing shook her head.

Ye Yaodong had only just opened his eyes first thing in the morning when he was surrounded by three children shouting "Daddy" nonstop. He was instantly filled with happiness — this was what a home felt like.

But it wasn't long before he started scolding.

Ye Ye Chengyang was bragging that he'd scored 100 on his midterm, while Ye Chenghu hadn't done as well. The two brothers started arguing and then began wrestling on the bed.

Meanwhile, Ye Ye Xiaoxi, never one to shy away from a good show, was cheering them on.

It was exactly like the scene in her painting.

Art truly comes from life.

Ye Yaodong was busy first thing in the morning trying to mediate and pull them apart again, shouting himself hoarse without being able to separate the two. Even when pulled apart, they'd kick at each other and start wrestling again.

A father's authority couldn't compare to a mother's — no one listened.

It wasn't until he brought out the presents that they stopped fighting unwillingly, hollering as they rushed off to snatch up their respective gifts.

After the three little ones had each claimed their gifts, they were ecstatic. Ignoring him completely, they scattered in a flash and vanished.

One second they were fighting, the next they were already best buddies, heading off together to find their friends to play with their toys.

Quick to fight, even quicker to make up.

Ye Yaodong watched them, shaking his head, and got out of bed too.

Lin Lin Xiuqing said to him with a grin, "I'm dying laughing. First thing this morning, Ye Chenghe was at home making a fuss about wanting to marry a wife."

"What?"

He was completely dumbfounded!

He could hardly imagine it…

Lin Lin Xiuqing laughed so hard she couldn't close her mouth, mirth filling the corners of her eyes and brows.

"Ye Ye Dasao has a terrible headache. Who starts thinking about marrying a wife before even finishing junior high? I heard the commotion just now, went over and listened for a bit, and nearly died laughing."

"This kid's really getting somewhere, huh?"

Ye Yaodong was also a bit speechless.

Ye Chenghe had come back with him. The two brothers had agreed: whoever wasn't there would only get paid for the work they did. They had to work together to split the money; no work, no pay.

On the way back, he was surrounded by elders, so the kid had no one to talk to and acted very well-behaved.

Turns out he'd been holding something big in store once he got home.

He really was worried about losing his wife.

"He also said that you said it — that he could marry a wife now."

"When did I ever say that?"

"He said you said once his hair grew in he could marry a wife. Hahaha, ow, I'm going to cry laughing…"

Lin Lin Xiuqing couldn't hold it in as she spoke, laughing and wiping the corners of her eyes. "What's with you? How could you say something like that to a kid?"

Ye Yaodong also remembered — he had indeed said it…

"Holy crap… he actually had the nerve to bring it up. His skin really is thicker than a city wall. No wonder he's already in a puppy love — a virtuous girl really does fear a persistent suitor."

"Ye Ye Ersao and I just listened and laughed until our stomachs hurt. Ye Ye Dasao is at her wit's end right now. He also said he'd earned almost 300 yuan during his time up there, and that in another half month he'd have enough to marry a wife. He even took out all the money and laid it out on the table."

Ye Yaodong no longer knew what to say. "And then?"

"Then Ye Ye Dasao confiscated the money and told him to get his junior high diploma first before talking about anything else. He just got back in time for tomorrow Monday's final exam."

"The finals are tomorrow? Already? I just received my son's letter saying he got 100 on his midterm."

"Have you forgotten how long the letter took in the mail? When he wrote to you, the exam had already been over for two weeks. Now, in the blink of an eye, it's finals time, isn't it? Today's already June 19th."

"Summer break is coming up again so soon."

"Mm, hurry up and eat breakfast. I'm going to check on the goods you brought back last night and see how the unloading is going."

After Lin Lin Xiuqing finished speaking yesterday, she hurried out again.

Ye Yaodong waited until after the meal and went out before he saw Ye Chenghe squatting dejectedly at the door, holding a twig and drawing circles on the ground.

"What are you doing? Looking like you're at a funeral first thing in the morning."

"Third Uncle." He listlessly raised his head for a look and called out weakly.

"You just got back—aren't going to look for your little girlfriend?"

"It's too early, it's only 7 o'clock. I'll go at 9, sigh…"

"What are you sighing about?"

"All my money was taken by my mother, so annoying, earned it for nothing."

"What's there to be upset about? In a few days, just let your mother take the money you earned to send betrothal gifts!"

Ye Yaodong smiled as he offered him ideas, egging him on.

The wife he found himself had no real flaws; in his past life the two of them lived quite well together. Though they were poor and bickered constantly, they were still happy—just an ordinary, normal household.

There was nothing bad about it; mainly, he liked her, and they could get by.

It's just that things are moving a bit fast this life—probably because the family's conditions are better, they have money, their pockets are loose, and they're willing to court favor.

"Huh? Let my mother take it to send betrothal gifts?"

Ye Chenghe's eyes lit up; he immediately stood up and ran over to him.

"Third Uncle…"

"Shh, don't say it was my idea!"

Ye Chenghe nodded vigorously. "Then I'll tell my mother in a bit, let her pick an auspicious day to send the betrothal gifts first!"

"No, you have to go find your grandma first, tell her. If she thinks it's fine and gives the nod to let you get engaged directly, your mother's side definitely won't be a problem."

"Will my mother listen to her?"

"Do you think your grandma's mouth is sharper, or your mother's?"

"Both are sharp!"

Ye Yaodong smacked his lips, thinking that seemed true too.

"True—one gave birth to you, the other gave birth to me, it's normal our perceptions differ. But it's fine, if you want to get engaged, convince your grandma. If she agrees, she'll definitely have to fork out some money for you. Then your mother…"

"Then my mother will definitely snatch up that bargain!" Ye Chenghe got worked up. "Third Uncle, you're still the smartest, I'll go find grandma."

He dashed off in a fiery rush, taking off at once.

"One minute talking about wind, the next it's already fire…"

Ye Yaodong muttered, then felt his pocket and suddenly remembered the guarantee letter Ye Chenghe had written for him before—he still had that slip of paper.

It said that when he married Chen Xiuni later, he wouldn't need to give a red envelope!

That written pledge, with his own signature and the date, all written out properly—he still kept that slip of paper.

When he really gets married in a couple of years, he'll have to think about whether to tuck a red envelope inside the gift money and wrap it together, or frame it and give it as a separate display piece.

Ye Chenghe was fast too; in no time he ran back to find him. He was in the workshop when he heard someone outside yelling "Third Uncle."

"Are you calling back my soul yelling like that? Can't you just come in?"

"I didn't know where you were, so I just shouted outside. You heard it and came out yourself."

"What is it?"

Ye Chenghe was beside himself with joy, rubbing his hands together nonstop. "Grandma was surprised for a moment, but after thinking a bit she said it's fine! She said I have high awareness, am a good man with a sense of responsibility. She said dating without the goal of marriage is just being a hooligan, we can't be hooligans, can't let people gossip behind our backs."

"She said our family isn't an ordinary household now, we're people of standing in the village, plenty of eyes are watching us, we have to set a good example, can't do improper things."

"Grandma really knows how to talk. I absolutely can't be a hooligan of a man, I have to be responsible, have a sense of duty!"

He was talking until his saliva was about to drip down, giddy with happiness.

"She's that easy to talk to? I thought you'd have to grind away for half a day to wear her down."

"I thought so too, but grandma agreed right away. She even said she'd put out 200 yuan for the engagement, and when I get married in a couple of years, she'd put out a bit more then. She said when all her grandchildren get married, she'd help chip in for each one."

"Married in a couple of years? Just engaged first, right?"

"Right, she said I'm still young, don't be too hasty. She said Xiuni is still young too, marrying too early isn't good. She said we're only 16 now, we can get engaged first, and wait until 18 to marry—that way the wife won't run off either."

Ye Chenghe was giddy with happiness, grinning foolishly the whole time, looking very excited, wishing he could announce it to the whole world.

"That's good, marrying too early really isn't great. Marrying at 20 would be even better…"

"That won't do, that's waiting too long. 18 is just right. Aren't there plenty in the village who marry at 18 or 19?"

"Suit yourselves, it's not like I'm the one getting married."

Thinking of this, Ye Yaodong just realized—did he himself never even get a marriage certificate?

He and Lin Lin Xiuqing really did seem to have never registered a marriage certificate?

They just held a banquet and announced it to relatives and friends, and that counted as getting married.

He'd have to go get one to make up for it sometime. Though his wife couldn't run off, the formalities definitely had to be there.

Ye Chenghe was rubbing his hands together back and forth, saliva almost dripping down, looking utterly sleazy no matter how you looked at him.

"Can you rein in that dopey look? Have some ambition, will you?"

"Third Uncle, can you lend me 10 yuan? I'll pay you back when I go up and earn it? The money in my pocket I stupidly took out this morning, and it got taken by my mother."

"You know you're stupid too?"

"Wasn't I trying to prove I have money to marry a wife, that I can earn a living and support a family?"

Ye Yaodong felt his pocket and pulled out 10 yuan to give him.

"You can boldly ask your mother for some back. How can you take your girlfriend out to play and eat good things with no money in your pocket?"

"I'll wait until grandma comes, then I'll ask her for some. I can't get it back now. She'd say, 'Weren't you so capable of earning? Just earn it again.'"

"You really understand her well, quite the schemer, aren't you?"

Ye Chenghe beamed, "Of course."

"When is your grandma coming over?"

"She went home to get the almanac and said she'd pick a good day for me, then we'll buy some nice gifts and go to Chen Xiuni's house."

"Then don't go yet. Wait a bit, let your grandma talk it over with your mom. Once they agree, then you go see her—and drop a few hints first to see how her family reacts. Maybe they don't even like you?"

"How could that be? I'm so tall and so handsome!"

Ye Yaodong scanned him up and down.

Ye Chenghe straightened his back.

"You didn't notice you're tall and handsome, but your skin's awfully thick?"

"Third uncle, I'm not as tall or as handsome as you, but if I'm taller and handsomer than others, that's enough."

"That's true."

"Go do your thing—I'm heading home to wait." Ye Chenghe waved goodbye and hurried off, grinning.

"Foolish people get foolish luck."

Ye Yaodong also clasped his hands behind his back and went to find Lin Lin Xiuqing to tell her about it.

Lin Lin Xiuqing was surprised and praised Ye Chenghe for being clever—he knew he couldn't get anywhere with his mom and had to go to Ye's mother.

"What clever? It was me who gave him the advice!"

"Why are you meddling so much? Chenghe isn't even that old—why rush into marriage? Ye Dasao will handle her own son; why do you need to worry?"

"I just saw him sitting there gloomy first thing this morning, so I gave him a little advice. Besides, it's already approved by my mother—it's not like I'm forcing them together. Such a big matter, my mother will naturally discuss it with Ye Dasao; they'll weigh it properly."

"It really is too early. No wonder Ye Dasao refused. If it were Brother Brother Ahai, Ye Dasao would be 100 percent willing."

"Hmm, Brother Brother Ahai hasn't woken up yet. Has he called home these past few months? How's his job going?"

"I'm not sure, but from what Ye Dasao says, it's fine—every time she answers the phone, she's giving him endless advice. But last week, when Brother Brother Ahai called, I heard her tell him to quit his job in the provincial capital and come to Zhou City instead—it pays better."

Ye Yaodong raised an eyebrow—he knew it.

"And then?"

"No 'and then.' I don't know much—only that Ye Dasao said Brother Brother Ahai wants to stick it out a bit longer before deciding anything else."

"Hmm, then leave them be. Just focus on your own two sons."

"You know, driving a tractor up there is pretty profitable? In less than a month, they each made three hundred yuan."

"More than that—Chenghe and Ajiang teamed up to run one truck, split the earnings evenly. If one person ran it alone, he'd make even more."

Lin Lin Xiuqing was startled. "No wonder Father told Ajiang to quit his job and go up there. Chenghe can't study anyway, so he doesn't need school. A steady factory job is better suited for girls."

"When the time comes, I'll get all three girls from your older and second brothers into the factory."

"The village committee still has one financial officer slot. We can ask them who wants it—the salary won't be as high as the factory's, but let them decide among themselves."

"Right! I nearly forgot that."

"These past few years, our village has gotten better and better. Being a village official is respectable now."

"Of course, village officials are better."

He didn't need it for his own three kids—if he truly wanted the position, he'd find a way. Giving it away now didn't hurt; they were his own nephews and nieces.

"I wonder when Mother will come? I'll go home and check. If Chenghe gets engaged, it's a big deal—it's the first among the grandkids."

Lin Lin Xiuqing stopped working on her task, sniffed her slightly fishy hands, "I'll wash my hands first. Watch this for me."

"I don't want to. I'm going too."

Ye Yaodong followed right behind her.

"You've come back, but you still need to keep an eye on the city and the town—stay longer, especially in the city. When we're not around, we must stay longer when we return, so the people below stay alert."

"I know. I plan to stay half a month at home and leave by month's end."

"Set already?"

"Set when I left—I'll take Lin Ji's cargo boat again."

They got back late yesterday; Lin Lin Xiuqing worried he was tired, so she didn't ask much. They just lay in bed, exchanged a few words, and fell asleep.

This morning, Ye Ye Xiaoxi's fussing kept them from having a proper talk.

Now they learned even the departure time was already decided.

As they walked, they talked, and when they got home, they waited for Ye's mother while picking vegetables and chatting.

Lin Lin Xiuqing couldn't sit idle—she had to always have something to do.

Even when sitting and talking, she had to go to the field and pick the vegetables for lunch.

Ye's mother arrived half an hour later; she must have met Ye Ye Dasao somewhere, and they came back together.

Ye Ye Dasao carried a basket—she'd clearly gone to buy meat.

Of course—her son had just returned and handed over a large sum of money. She was delighted; she had to cook several good meals to treat him.

Lin Lin Xiuqing stood up and walked over. "Mother, Ye Dasao..."

Ye's mother waved her over. "Come, come, come inside and sit. Don't talk outside."

Ye Chenghe also grinned and sidled up.

Ye Ye Dasao shot him a furious glare—she almost slapped him. So he went to get backup?

"How old are you? Already want a wife? Wait a few more years—it's not too late!"

"Love without marriage is harassment. I'm being responsible—we must follow leadership and not act like scoundrels!"

"Now you're spouting slogans? Getting impressive..."

"Exactly!"

Ye's mother agreed. "Chenghe's right. He's young, but we can set the engagement first. Getting a daughter-in-law is a good thing—it's not like we can't afford it. He likes her, so let's set it. When they're both old enough, they can marry later."

"I'm afraid he'll like her now but lose interest in two years—that would hurt the girl."

Ye's mother looked at him. "This is a problem."

"This isn't a problem; it definitely won't happen! I swear to Heaven!"

"Swear your ghost."

"I definitely won't let that happen, Mother. Let's settle it first, or what if someone snatches her away?"

"If someone can snatch her away, it means she isn't yours."

"That won't do; then I'll end up a bachelor! At home, no one will snatch her away from me."

Ye Ye Dasao glared at him, finding him utterly annoying. This son was maturing too early, and it was also irritating.

(End of this chapter)