Chapter 1498

After waking up from their afternoon nap, everyone was fully rested and began wandering around; only the children had slept a little longer.

Ye Yaodong also stayed in bed with the children until someone came to inform him that the fresh-catch boat had returned. Only then did he get up to give a brief instruction, telling his father to arrange for the processing and delivery, before lying back down.

But at this moment, Ye Xiaoxi also sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Daddy..."

"Do you want to sleep a little longer?"

"No, I want to go see the big house."

"Let's take you to buy something to eat first."

"Okay."

Ye Yaodong grabbed her clothes and pants to dress her. Seeing her hair standing on end from the static electricity of her sweater, he hurriedly and clumsily tried to press it down.

She also reached out with her small hands to fiddle with the hair stuck to her cheeks.

After dressing her, Ye Yaodong looked at her for a moment. "Can you tie your own hair?"

She shook her head. Her eyes were still dazed from just waking up, her cheeks were rosy, and she was uncharacteristically quiet, not making a fuss as she sat silently by the bed, even letting out a yawn.

Ye Yaodong and Ye Fu, two grown men, never combed hair and didn't have a comb, so he clumsily grabbed all the hair on her head into a bunch.

But once he had it in a bunch, he remembered he didn't have a hair tie, so he had to let go to rummage for the rubber bands used to bundle money.

Then he continued to grab her hair, but every time he gathered it into a clump, a strand would slip out somewhere, or the top of her head wouldn't be smooth.

With just those few strands, he struggled for a long time before finally gathering it into a ponytail and tying it with a rubber band.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, Daddy, it hurts..."

"It hurts?" Ye Yaodong hurriedly and clumsily untied her hair and started tying it again.

This time, it took a great deal of effort to tie it into a loose, sloppy ponytail.

He looked at it uncertainly, and not wanting to untie it to redo it, he handed her a mirror to look at.

"Is this okay? Just like this?"

She looked in the mirror, checking left and right, and nodded reluctantly. "Fine."

"How about you get a short haircut?"

"No."

"A short haircut is easier; you don't have to tie it, and it's warm in the winter."

"No."

"Why not? You were clamoring to shave it all off before."

Ye Xiaoxi glared at him. "I don't want to be bald; it's so ugly."

"You've grown up and know about aesthetics now? You know you want to be pretty?"

"Hmph, the hair you tied is so ugly; it doesn't look as good as when Mommy ties it."

"It's good enough that I can tie your hair at all. Let's just leave it like this for now; make do with it. I'll buy you some nice hair ties and clips when we go out later."

Her eyes lit up. "Are we going out to go shopping?"

Ye Yaodong took her hand. "Let's go, let's go down and see the others first."

The others were long gone; they had just slept for an hour or so at noon and were already so excited that they had gone out to wander around.

Even Aguang's family of five wasn't there, and Ye Mu wasn't there either. After asking the others, he was told they had all gone out together.

Ye Xiaoxi's face fell, her cheeks puffed up in anger.

"Stinky sister, bad sister, didn't wait for me, didn't call me; I won't play with her anymore."

"It's better not to be with them. Daddy will ride the bicycle and take you shopping; they can only walk."

"Mm-hmm."

As soon as they got out on the street, she became happy again.

She sat on the front bar of Ye Yaodong's 28-inch bicycle, her whole body almost wrapped in his arms, her two hands gripping the handlebars in front, her eyes looking all around, filled with so much curiosity she couldn't take it all in.

It was already past 3 o'clock. Ye Yaodong planned to take her shopping before the supply and marketing cooperative closed, to buy her some snacks and candies, as well as little things for girls to tie their hair.

As soon as Ye Xiaoxi walked into the supply and marketing cooperative, she began darting around like a fish entering water. Ye Yaodong had to hold her hand, otherwise, she would have disappeared in a moment.

"I told you, don't leave my sight, or you'll be kidnapped by traffickers, and you'll never see us again in your life. Behave yourself, or I'll lock you at home and never take you out anywhere."

"Daddy, I didn't run around; I looked back at you."

"As long as you're out the door, you must hold my hand tightly."

"Got it."

She behaved a little better, but not completely. She kept rushing to the front, one hand tugging Ye Yaodong, shouting that she wanted to come here, go there, buy this, and buy that.

After wandering through the entire supply and marketing cooperative, the small cross-body bag she was wearing and the large cross-body bag Ye Yaodong was wearing were both full, and only then did she come out, still wanting more.

"Daddy, it's not dark yet, why are they getting off work?"

"Because it's almost dinner time, and they have to go home to cook."

"I'm hungry."

"I'll take you out to eat something delicious."

"I want to come here again tomorrow!"

"What's so good about shopping here? Just buy what you need. Tomorrow I'll take you around everywhere, and then the day after tomorrow I'll take you to the Magic City. The streets in the Magic City are the ones worth shopping in; there are so many things it'll dazzle your eyes. You can pick out gifts for your mother and two brothers then to take back to them."

"Okay, okay, I'll pick them!" Ye Xiaoxi was extremely happy, jumping and hopping, and the snacks in her small cross-body bag spilled out, so she hurriedly squatted down to pick them back up.

Ye Yaodong took her to eat, walked around a bit, and on the way back, they ran into the others. Their group was walking together in a grand procession.

Ye Xiaoxi was already shouting for her sister and cousin.

Clearly, she should have called them cousin and cousin, but she had been used to calling them sister since she was little, so she still called them sister, making it seem like the three of them weren't from the same family.

When they came out earlier, she was still shouting that she hated her sister and wouldn't play with her anymore, but now she was so happy to see them, wanting to share the spoils she had bought right away.

Ye Yaodong carried her down, and he himself pushed the bicycle, walking beside everyone, chatting as they walked.

He also talked about the plans for tomorrow. This tiny place was only so crowded because it was a port, so there were actually no places to play right now; it hadn't been developed yet.

But for everyone, going to a new place was also a novel experience.

It didn't have to be about playing; walking on the streets of another province, even the air they breathed was different, which was enough to make people excited for no reason.

The weather at this time wasn't particularly cold; it was just a bit windy at the pier, and it would be a bit colder on the sea, but it was fine in the streets. There was still sun during the day, which was much more comfortable than summer.

"Dongzi, didn't you buy another piece of land? Take us to see your other piece of land tomorrow. Is it bigger than this one?"

Ye Mu brought this up as soon as she came up; she just wanted to see the empire he had built, so she could brag about it when she went back.

"Yes, the other piece of land is a bit bigger. We'll develop it later. We only just finished organizing this piece of land this year and built so many houses."

Ye Mu was all smiles. "Take your time; you can't become a big fatty in one bite."

"I also bought two storefronts in the newly developed International Aquatic Products City. The aquatic products city isn't finished yet, but I'll take you over to look around tomorrow."

"There are storefronts too?"

"Yes, you need connections to buy these; it was a friend I knew before who helped out."

"The one who buys kelp?"

"Yes."

The entertainment city for ordinary people wasn't finished yet, otherwise, he could have taken everyone there to play.

But it was better not to take them there, otherwise, his mother might let her imagination run wild, thinking they came here to squander money every day.

As he was talking there, the others also echoed and praised him.

The wives' group whispered to their own husbands that Ye Yaodong was too amazing; he had only been here for two or three years, and he had bought land, built so many houses, and bought storefronts.

Azheng's somewhat proud voice came over. "That's right, if Dongzi wasn't amazing, could we follow behind him? Even Fatty followed him here. It's because we listen to him that we have today and can earn money."

Fatty also echoed. "That's right. You guys all have boats now; you can have money in your pockets without even going out to sea. How cool is that."

"When you feel like you're carrying a heavy burden, there must be a dog thing enjoying life on your back!" Ye Yaodong teased. "You guys are that dog thing. Do you know your fathers are carrying the burden for you?"

Aguang took over the conversation. "You're also that dog thing! You left all the goods for your father to arrange, while you're here enjoying yourself, wandering around everywhere."

Everyone laughed.

Hearing Xiao Xiao said, "Dongzi is the most ruthless one, right? Ye Laosan is always muttering that he has to work for him until he dies."

Ye Mu said with a smile, "He can't stay idle either. If he doesn't take advantage of his youth to help out more, he won't be able to work when he's old. Working a little more keeps his bones from rusting. Otherwise, drinking and playing cards at home all day just makes people angry."

"Exactly. If my father were under my mother's nose all day, she might be even more annoyed. Coming out to help me work more, just giving money without having to see people, and not having to serve him like a master, my mother doesn't know how happy she is."

Ye Mu smiled and patted Ye Yaodong's back. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Everything I said is the truth."

"What time does your father have to come back at night?"

"It has to be the middle of the night. If it's early, 12 o'clock; if it's slow, 1 or 2 o'clock is possible."

"That late?"

"It's not considered late. Now that there's the tractor from Ajiang and Chenghe, they don't usually take jobs at night, unless my goods are back, and their tractor just happens to be able to take my jobs."

Following his goods, there are many cars and many people, and it's safe.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be allowed to drive out to take jobs at night usually.

And his volume is not small. As long as the goods are back, it's a big order, which is much better than them taking scattered jobs here and there during the day.

On his side, they directly contract a boatload of goods, running trip after trip. Running a few trips means money for a few trips.

Now, for the two brothers, 1/3 of their monthly earnings comes from his transport money.

And his large truck was only ordered at the beginning of the year, and the people arranged to learn it are Aqing's two nephews, who won't be able to drive it back to work until next year.

However, this matter is all handled by Aqing; he didn't manage this matter, but next time he goes back, he also has to go to the provincial capital to see the progress of the large Liberation truck.

Ye Mu's mind turned. "Then aren't these two earning more than your father? They actually said they didn't earn as much as your father this afternoon."

"Then I don't know! Go ask them yourself."

"At night, your tractor has to deliver your own goods, so how can it be driven out by your father to earn money? And these two boys taking your goods should have earned quite a bit! They must be about the same."

Ye Yaodong shut his mouth.

Let his mother go argue with his father!

This old woman is also shrewd enough; she can peel the cocoon and extract useful information just by chatting casually.

His father is destined not to escape his mother's Five Finger Mountain.

The other wives also hurriedly asked how much money a tractor could earn a day. Ye Yaodong kept his mouth shut, letting them brag.

This money isn't that easy to earn; if just anyone could earn it, it wouldn't be chaotic here.

Where there are people, there is right and wrong. Who wouldn't fight for a job that can earn money, but one must also be able to do it for a long time.

Ye Yaodong was also pondering whether to put up a sign at his door; it's a gathering place for hundreds of people after all!

"Are we going to live in your Western-style house in the Magic City the day after tomorrow? Do we need to bring bedding?" Aguang asked.

"No, you just need to help me move things. I've already ordered everything; furniture and appliances will be there by then. It's just missing the manual labor. If there are too many people and not enough beds, just squeeze in; the place is big anyway."

"That's fine, that saves us from going out to stay in a guest house, with so many people."

Ye Mu asked excitedly, "Dongzi, is it the same as the big house shown on TV?"

"More or less, you'll know when you see it anyway."

"Hey, good. You haven't said how much you bought it for. Does that house cost over ten thousand?"

Ye Yaodong rolled his eyes in his heart and said sarcastically, "You're beautiful, they'd sell it to you for ten thousand."

Ye Mu patted him. "Isn't it because you look good?"

"If I look good, the old lady wouldn't be able to bite it either."

"Speak properly."

"Land in the Magic City is worth its weight in gold. Don't ponder how much it costs. You can't afford it anyway. Just enjoy the blessings I have for you."

"If you don't tell me how much it's worth, how can I tell others?"

"What do you want to tell others? Do you have to explain exactly how much money you have to others?"

"That's different. Family assets are family assets, and the house bought is the house bought. What can't be said about how much the house costs for everyone to know? They didn't ask how much family assets you have. We spent so much money to buy a house, shouldn't we tell others to make them envious?"

"Are the 90 rooms now not enough for you to brag about! Are the words in your mouth becoming more and more valuable?"

"That's for sure!" Ye Mu looked proud.

"If I say it, it'll scare you to death!"

"How will it scare me to death? What's wrong, can you buy our whole village?"

"That's not it, you underestimate our village."

"Heh, then you still want to scare me to death?"

That 100,000 yuan can't buy Bai Sha Village, but his current net worth can match it.

"Instead of pondering how much my Western-style house is worth, you might as well ponder how much money your father has saved in his pocket?"

"I'll ask him when he comes back. Every time I call to ask how much he earned, he says he doesn't know. I'll count it carefully for him tonight."

Ye Yaodong nodded.

It's better to harm his father; don't come to harm him.

Ye Fu came back in the middle of the night and went straight upstairs, only to find his bed empty.

He had gone out early in the morning to collect goods, and after coming back, Ye Yaodong was supposed to take over the delivery job, but it fell on him again.

So he had no idea that his bed had been packed up by Ye Yaodong and moved to his mother's room.

"Daddy, Mommy's room is on the 2nd floor, 208. Go sleep there tonight; she's waiting for you." Ye Yaodong knew his father was back when he heard the movement and said in a low voice.

"I'm exhausted. Why did you move my bed there? Wouldn't it be fine to just let her sleep in hers and me in mine?"

"She doesn't have a bed, so of course you have to give yours to her."

"Fine, are the children asleep?"

"Yes, go quickly, don't make noise here. Your washbasin, towel, and toothbrush have also been taken over."

"Ah? Why take them so thoroughly?"

"Afraid it's troublesome for you to run back and forth, and it's too noisy."

Ye Fu had no choice but to mutter that he had too many things to do, pack up his clothes, and hurriedly go out to close the door.

?? Add another one

? (End of chapter)