Chapter 1504: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

"Wait… I've been on the ship for days, haven't bathed in days…"

"I don't mind, I don't care…" Ye Yaodong had already started nibbling her ear.

If it weren't for the thick winter clothes and the scarf around her neck, he'd have stripped her bare already.

"I mind, I care—don't rush me. I'm right here; what's a few more minutes? At least let me wash up."

"Sigh… how long will this take?" Ye Yaodong could only sigh and let her go.

Lin Lin Xiuqing gave him a look. "Is there a thermos in the room?"

"There is, but there probably isn't much left. I'll go get you two thermoses of hot water and boil you a bowl of noodles."

"From the canteen?"

"Yes."

"Fine, then I won't go down. I'll just sit and rest a bit."

Ye Yaodong grabbed the lunchbox, basin, and thermos and hurried downstairs.

"Hey, Dongzi, that fast?"

Ye Yaodong looked up. Several people leaned against the waist-high corridor railing, heads sticking out. He glared at them fiercely.

"Don't talk nonsense. My wife's been on the ship for days—she's exhausted. I'm just getting her some water and food."

"Ohhh… so that's it…"

"You guys wait!"

Ye Yaodong ran to the canteen with the basin and thermos, asking the staff to handle the task.

Filling the thermos was quick, but boiling noodles wasn't. While waiting, he slipped out the back door to take a look.

Four children's heads were pressed together; Ye Ye Xiaoxi and Pei Yu chattered away, telling them about their experiences feeding rabbits these past days.

"You can't feed them anymore—Dad said not to give them too much…"

"... And if they get dirty, you can't wash them—you'll catch a cold…"

"Don't grab them, or the grasshoppers won't grow big…"

Ye Yaodong spoke up. "Are you all hungry? Should I boil extra noodles for you?"

"Sure, Dad, I'm hungry. On the ship, there's nothing hot to eat—just biscuits and water." Ye Chenghu didn't even look up.

"Aren't you tired? How are you so energetic?"

"Not tired, Dad—I've got energy all over!"

Ye Ye Chengyang chimed in. "Yeah, not tired at all. On the ship it's boring—just staring at the sea or sleeping. Luckily I've got Transformers!"

"Stop bragging about your Transformers—it's annoying. You talk about them everywhere you go."

Ye Ye Chengyang beamed. "I will talk! My Transformers are so cool—Dad, everyone who sees them envies me, they're awesome…"

Ye Chenghu covered his ears. "Nope, nope. Wang Ba chanting sutras."

"Fine, if you like it, that's what matters."

Ye Ye Chengyang nodded vigorously. "I love it, I love it so much—I love it the most. Too bad we took leave before finals, or I'd have scored another hundred."

"Liar!" Ye Chenghu retorted.

"Pfft, how's that lying? I've scored a hundred before."

Ye Yaodong cut in. "It's fine—I believe you. In a couple days, when we get to Shanghai, I'll take you all out for a proper tour."

"Great! Great!"

Both nodded eagerly.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi joined in excitedly. "Brothers, the house is so beautiful—rooms are huge, with pink beds and big sofas, and the stairs are so wide…"

Their eyes sparkled as they listened.

Ye Chenghu asked longingly, "Dad, can't we go tomorrow?"

"You two aren't tired, but your mom is worn out. She needs two days' rest. We'll have to take another boat to Shanghai."

"Then okay—we'll play here for two days first, and go after Mom rests up."

"Dad, I want a little rabbit too…"

"You've got Transformers—be satisfied. Your brother has nothing."

Ye Ye Chengyang thought it over and nodded happily, not the least disappointed.

Ye Chenghu gritted his molars.

"Noodles are ready!"

A voice called from inside. Ye Yaodong quickly stood and went in.

He called the four kids in too. Each got a little—since he'd told them to cook extra, he filled one bowl for each and had them eat in the canteen.

For Lin Lin Xiuqing, he packed her portion in an aluminum lunchbox, placed it in the basin, which also held half a basin of clean water—this was for mixing with hot water for her bath.

He'd thought it through thoroughly: the lunchbox lid was sealed tight, so even if it cooled a bit in the water, it wouldn't matter—it'd be just right to eat when he brought it up.

Otherwise, he'd be carrying a basin of water, a thermos, and a scalding-hot lunchbox—and he only had two hands.

Lin Lin Xiuqing had taken off her coat and leaned half-reclined on the bed, nearly falling asleep, until the door opened and she sat up again.

"Already?"

"It's just noodles—how hard could it be? Eat while it's hot. The water's ready. Eat first, then bathe, then sleep well."

"You're letting me sleep first?"

"Hehe, we'll nap together after."

Lin Lin Xiuqing gave him a look and started eating.

"Aren't you eating?"

"It's neither lunch nor dinner—I can't eat now. Just eat yours."

She nodded.

Ye Yaodong also took advantage of her eating to ramble on about what had happened here, about their last visit, and all sorts of other random things—whatever came to mind, just chatting casually.

You can't explain anything clearly over the phone; face-to-face small talk is clearer.

He also told her about the renovation of the villa, leaving a sunny second-floor master bedroom for them to sleep in.

But recently, others have been sleeping in it, so when they arrive, they'll need to change the sheets and pillowcases first; they can sleep in Ye Ye Xiaoxi's room for now.

"When we left last time, everyone left together, so I didn't bother having anyone clean up."

"It's fine, I'll tidy it up slowly when I get there. I'm staying for several days anyway—this little task doesn't need to be hired out; I can do it in any spare moment."

"Alright, I'll buy a washing machine; everything can go in there—no need for you to wash."

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled, her eyes crinkling, sweetness pooling inside her.

"Is it enough to eat?"

"More than enough, I'm full. I can't eat another bite."

"Then go take a shower. I'll take the dishes down to wash."

"Okay."

Being cared for felt wonderful; Lin Lin Xiuqing felt the joy of a brief separation surpassing the honeymoon.

"Hey, Dongzi, washing dishes?"

Ye Yaodong had just gone downstairs when he heard the voice again; he looked up to see several heads slumped along the corridor and ignored them entirely.

"Rare sight! Usually it's Ajiang or Ye Chenghe—or Baoxing—washing your dishes."

"Why wash dishes? Why not spend more time with your wife?"

Ye Yaodong pretended not to hear and walked straight past.

These guys are bored out of their minds.

They should've been left out at sea—let them dry up.

I can't stand seeing them so lazily collecting their pay.

Since we hired one more person, they haven't even gone out on the boat anymore—just wait for the fishing boat to return, collect the delivery slips, and at month's end, come here to settle accounts and take their money. It's so damn easy.

These guys are making money too easily now.

When the New Year comes, I'll urge them to buy a boat.

Ye Yaodong finished washing and turned back, only to see a row of heads slumped along the second-floor corridor again.

"Dongzi, done washing? Go comfort your wife?"

"Dongzi, playing cards?"

"Dongzi, where's your son? Why haven't I seen him?"

Ye Yaodong kept ignoring them, walked straight upstairs, and reached the second-floor stairwell, where several heads turned in unison to stare at him.

"If you're bored, go wander the dock—don't stand here blocking the way."

"How are we blocking the way? We're not even going upstairs with you."

"You guys wait."

"Haha, go on, hurry up—don't waste time talking here."

Ye Yaodong hated that he didn't have a handy tool—he'd smash each of them with a hammer.

Lin Lin Xiuqing was still showering; faint water sounds still drifted from inside the room.

He stood on the corridor, lit a cigarette, stared down at the heads below, and when the smoke was nearly gone, he thought about tossing the butt at them—but then he crushed it under his foot instead.

Winter is dry; if I threw it somewhere, a spark could start a prairie fire.

But I can toss the cigarette box—it's got exactly two left.

He walked toward where their heads were poking out, stood directly above them, leaned on the railing, slipped a pebble into the box, then aimed and hurled the box at their heads.

One throw, perfect hit—each head got struck.

A Guang rubbed his head. "Damn it! You ambushed us!"

"A Zheng asked, "Aren't you off to the bridal chamber? What are you doing here?"

"You think I'm as shameless as you?"

Xiao Xiao shouted, "Then come down and play cards! If you don't come down, you're a dog!"

"Get lost."

"Adong? What are you doing?" Lin Lin Xiuqing had just finished showering, heard the commotion, and stepped out wrapped in a thick cotton robe.

"Nothing. Come on, go inside—it's cold out here. Don't stand around catching a chill. You've been on a boat for hours—rest first."

Ye Yaodong wouldn't let her look down; he pulled her into the room.

"Who were you just talking to?"

"Talking to a bunch of idiots. They were yelling downstairs to play cards. Do I look like I'm crazy? My wife finally came—I'm not going to play cards with them instead of her. They're doing it on purpose."

"The water hasn't been poured out yet…"

"Leave it. I'll pour it out later."

Ye Yaodong took off her coat and hung it on the wall, urging her to get under the covers first to avoid catching a cold.

"You're only doing this because you want to do it—now you'll do anything I ask."

"Isn't that right? If you hadn't come, I'd have gone mad—I've been holding back generation after generation of offspring."

As he spoke, he stripped off his own clothes and tossed them carelessly onto the opposite bed, then hurried into the blankets.

"So cold. It's way better with someone warming the bed."

"Aren't you got your daughter?"

"Don't mention it. Sleeping with her is terrible—she kicks the covers off all night, or sleeps on top of them, letting cold air leak in all night."

"The bed is a bit small; how do we arrange sleeping tonight? We have three children..."

Ye Yaodong adjusted the quilt and moved over. "There are two bunk beds in this room. Sleep wherever you like. Let them choose freely in a moment; one bunk each is enough for them to sleep."

"Where are they now? Why haven't they come up?"

"They are playing with rabbits over at the canteen; it's very fresh and new to them, so they won't come over. Just now, while I cooked noodles for you, I also packed a bowl for each of them. Don't worry about them; worry about me instead."

"Everything is already pressing down on me; what else is there for me to worry about?"

Sorry, I was too slow during the day, so I could only settle down to type at night. The promised make-up chapter is now posted.

(End of this chapter)