Chapter 1549: It

Ye Ye Chenghai was still dazed—he'd just made up an excuse, a reason, but really he was just shy and at a loss.

That's why he hesitated, dared not pursue actively, only thinking to wait and see how things naturally unfolded.

"Third Uncle, you're serious?"

"Of course I am. Who's joking with you?"

"But you've got so many boats…"

"If I didn't have enough boats, I wouldn't even go," Ye Yaodong patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Third Uncle will go with you, prop you up, straighten your back. Country boys aren't all the same."

Ye Ye Chenghai was deeply moved—he'd only said it offhand.

"It's too much trouble, Third Uncle. How much fuel will you burn? How many people will you inconvenience…"

"How much fuel could it possibly cost? It's pocket change. As for people—those guys aren't even working, I still have to pay them. Better to take them out for a spin and give you some face!"

"You're really going?"

Ye Yaodong glared at him. "Of course I'm going. Why wouldn't I? I'll make sure you're treated with respect—who dares look down on you? You'll walk out with a wife in hand."

Ye Ye Chenghai instantly brimmed with confidence, straightening his spine. "Then let's go! Let me show off a little, have my moment."

"That's the spirit. Don't let anyone look down on you for being from the countryside. City folks might not even have your family's means."

"Exactly."

"We're more than enough to marry a shipyard daughter—she's the one getting the better deal."

"Hehe… that's… a bit much…"

Ye Yaodong slapped his chest. "Too much? Whoever lands you as a husband is the one getting lucky. City life isn't that easy. Her family probably has a dozen siblings. Marry you, and she gets to shut the door and live just the two of you—can you imagine how sweet that is? She's getting a steal. Forget everything else—just in this area, girls lining up to be your wife could stretch all the way to town."

"True."

"See? Now you've got confidence. What's there to fear? Next time, take her out for a movie, ice skating, shopping—hold her hand, and it'll all fall into place."

"Third Uncle, you're so experienced?"

"Of course. Third Uncle was young once too. How could I not understand you kids…"

"Third Uncle's slick—he's popular with girls," Ye Ye Chengjiang said suddenly from behind them, crouching.

Ye Yaodong and Ye Ye Chenghai jumped—when had someone appeared behind them?

Ye Ye Chenghai cursed: "When the hell did you get here?"

"Huh? You two sneaked off to the side—I had to come closer and hear what you were plotting."

Ye Yaodong kicked him. "You're the one sneaking around. Listening at walls now?"

"I was just curious—wondering if Brother Ahai had a girlfriend."

Ye Ye Chenghai smirked. "I'm about to get one. Then you'll be the only one left getting pressured."

"Damn it, that's not fair! We agreed to be revolutionary comrades! If you get a girlfriend, what about me?"

"None of my business."

"I wonder if it's just your imagination? You've seen her too often, and you just feel awkward not greeting her?"

"Get lost!" Ye Ye Chenghai snapped. "Do you think I'd misread that?"

"Who knows? A hen stops, turns, clucks at you twice—you might think she's into you."

Ye Ye Chenghai raised his hand to hit him.

Ye Ye Chengjiang scrambled behind Ye Yaodong, still cheeky: "Maybe she's not just bumping into you—maybe she bumps into others too? It's such a small place—everyone sees each other every day. You're just full of yourself. Maybe she's just naturally shy…"

The more Ye Ye Chenghai heard, the angrier he got—not one word was palatable.

"Shut your damn mouth."

Ye Yaodong, used as a shield and tugged back and forth, simply grabbed Ye Ye Chengjiang from behind and shoved him right in front of Ye Ye Chenghai.

Ye Ye Chengjiang took the punch squarely and bolted. "Whoa, you're really hitting me? Are we still brothers? The truth isn't always sweet, don't get mad—there are plenty of fish in the sea…"

"Then don't run!"

"I'm just trying to snap you out of your fantasy."

"Motherfucker…"

"Honest advice hurts…"

The two ran off, chasing and punching each other.

Ye Yaodong, bored, pulled up his pants and squatted to light a cigarette.

These two brothers had married village girls in their last life—not great, not terrible, just got by.

This life, their family's condition improved. Ye Dasao and Ye Ersao would surely be pickier. The wives from their last life might not even look good enough now.

Even if the two sisters-in-law didn't care, these brothers had traveled beyond the village, broadened their horizons, gained some experience, and had money now—they might not even look at village girls anymore.

In their last life, they'd never left the village. Before marriage, they'd barely been to the county town once or twice. Matchmakers arranged things, they thought it was fine, and within a month they got married.

Ye Yaodong believed in letting things unfold naturally—everything depended on fate. If they weren't meant to be together this life, then they simply weren't fated.

Ye Chenghe, on the other hand, had good fortune—he'd married the same woman in both lives. He was content with what he had.

By the time he finished two cigarettes, Ye Ye Chenghai returned, panting, and asked for one.

Ye Yaodong patted his pocket, grumbling: "I thought once you got a job, you'd treat me. Guess I'm still stuck with my own."

Ye Ye Chenghai pulled out two cigarettes and smiled apologetically: "My cigarettes are five fen a pack—can't match yours, Third Uncle. I brought you some when I came home for New Year, but you weren't around, so I left them in my room. I'll bring them to you later."

"That's more like it."

"Third Uncle, what Ahjiang said wasn't nice, but… maybe there's some truth to it? Maybe… forget it? Let me test the waters first?"

Ye Ye Chenghai spoke haltingly, hesitant, embarrassed…

"Test the waters? What nonsense. Just go! Third Uncle will get all the boats ready, give you face—let the whole shipyard know your family doesn't own two or three boats, but thirty or forty. You're no poor country bumpkin."

"Have your dad bring his boats in for maintenance too—see how you're doing at the yard. A father should care."

"Even if you're wrong about her feelings—so what? Put on a show. Even if it's meaningless, it'll become meaningful."

"If it turns out she really has no interest in you, you can just move on to the next one. Just put on a show of confidence; by then, plenty of girls will be eager for you. Pick whichever one you like, and you'll have a partner."

Ye Ye Chenghai whispered, "The factory is mostly men. The only women are the cafeteria auntie and a few finance clerks and data entry staff..."

"Are you stupid? Doesn't every family have a few relatives? Can't you ask them to introduce someone? By then, not only will the women be eager for you, the men will be too."

"Oh..."

"It's settled then. Just make the trip, and I guarantee you'll find a good partner."

"Alright then. I'll wait until my first day of work is over, call in sick for a day, and arrive a day late. Taking our own family boat will save trouble; the return trip was such a hassle. Coming back from the provincial city, I don't even know how many transfers I made; my butt was almost sitting itself to pieces."

"Mm, heading back."

His legs were numb from squatting.

"I'll get you some cigarettes when we get back."

"Come on, let's see what you bought me."

The uncle and nephew walked home with their arms around each other's shoulders, while Ye Ye Chengjiang also ran back, following at their side.

"Third Uncle, when are you planning to go to the provincial city? I'd like to go sightseeing with your fleet too."

"Ask him when he starts work. It's just the beginning of the year; my schedule is still flexible."

"Work starts on the tenth. Let's go on the eleventh."

"That late?" Ye Yaodong was surprised; he had been thinking of the seventh or eighth.

In these days, even the beasts of burden seemed to start work quite late.

"Is that late? That's very early! Other factories don't even start work until after the Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth or sixteenth."

"That time works too. After the old matriarch's birthday, I'll handle the family matters and the city business first, get the necessary work done, and head to the provincial city on the eleventh."

Just then, the boat would be handed over to their shipyard for inspection. He would also check on the land he bought last year and take the opportunity to chat with Ye Yaohai and have a drink.

The relationship with the main branch of the family shouldn't be severed; it must be maintained. The development of this city in the future will require asking them for advice.

Handling the land is also an issue. More connections mean more paths. One cannot wait until there is a need to remember them; even when there is no need, one must keep in touch.

In an instant, Ye Yaodong had arranged the schedule perfectly.

Stay in the provincial city for two or three days, return just in time for the Lantern Festival, and then set off for Zhoushi City again to start another year of working for others.

Ye Ye Chengjiang turned and asked Ye Ye Chenghai, "Why don't you stop going to that lousy job and come with us to Zhoushi City? Everyone is in Zhoushi; if you stay alone in the provincial city, you'll have no company. Won't you be bored?"

"Not bored. I'll have a partner soon."

"..."

"Look at you. You've been following Third Uncle for a year or two, yet you've accomplished nothing. You haven't even found a partner. What have you been doing all day?"

"I'm making money. What else could I do? There aren't even any females around Third Uncle; where would I find one? Oh, there are females, but they're all in those kinds of..."

Ye Yaodong clamped a hand over his mouth, leaned close to his ear, and hissed through gritted teeth, "Shut your mouth. If you dare let a single word slip, I'll kill you immediately."

Ye Ye Chengjiang's eyes widened, and he quickly nodded.

Ye Ye Chenghai looked at the two suspiciously. "What does that mean? Is there really a woman around Third Uncle? What kind?"

Ye Yaodong kicked him. "Shut your dog mouth. Stop talking nonsense. Where would there be women? There isn't even a female mosquito around me. Keep your mouths shut."

Ye Ye Chenghai wore an expression of sudden understanding. "I get it. I understand."

"You understand nothing. Just pretend you understand for me."

Ye Ye Chengjiang added, "So you only heard half the sentence? Didn't I say the first half? There aren't any females around Third Uncle."

"But there's still a second half... Anyway, I get it. It's unspeakable."

Ye Ye Chengjiang glanced guiltily at Ye Yaodong; he truly hadn't meant to do it.

Ye Yaodong shot a warning glance at the two of them. "It wouldn't hurt to tell you, but don't go blabbing. I only went to get massages with clients a few times, which is why Ah Jiang said that if there were any women around me, they wouldn't be respectable."

"Is that so?" He was somewhat skeptical, but it did make sense when put together.

"Of course. All the men in the family are up to that."

"Oh."

"To avoid unnecessary trouble, don't talk nonsense."

Rather than letting him guess blindly, it was better to tell him directly.

"Oh, I know."

"Stop talking. We're at the door."

Ye Yaodong made a fist gesture at Ye Ye Chengjiang, and Ye Ye Chengjiang only then smiled apologetically.

"Get lost."

"Okay."

Ye Ye Chengjiang obediently scurried away immediately.

Ye Yaodong took two cartons of Red Dragon cigarettes, patted his palms in satisfaction, and headed home.

Lin Lin Xiuqing was busy at home. Seeing him return with cigarettes, she asked curiously, "Where did you get the cigarettes?"

"Ah Hai's tribute. After smoking my cigarettes for so many years, he finally got his money's worth once."

"Heh, you're still counting that."

"It's not about counting; it's about filial piety. At least the affection wasn't wasted; he remembered to bring me two packs of cigarettes for the New Year."

"There are still plenty of foreign cigarettes at home. Can you finish them all?"

"Save those for gifts. This one is for smoking. It's still a child's sincere intention."

Ye Yaodong was exceptionally satisfied with the two cartons of cigarettes in his hand.

Red Dragon is a high-end cigarette produced locally in Fujian Province. Its two-dragon pattern references the cliff carvings of Liancheng Guanzhai Mountain, and the cigarette pack uses Fuzhou softwood, giving it a premium texture.

I heard that the limited-edition box covers from 1980 were stamped with the golden characters "Celebrating Reform and Opening Up," and they could even be sold at auction houses.

In these days, there was no Seven Wolves brand yet; the Seven Wolves brand gradually rose in the late 1990s.

These days, the more expensive and well-known cigarettes are mainly Fujian, Gutian, Fujian, and Honglong.

A pack of Honglong costs 1.5 yuan; he usually smokes the mid-range Chengfeng, a whole carton of which is 15 yuan, two cartons 30 yuan—that's a month's salary for Ye Ye Chenghai.

"He doesn't earn much in a month, nowhere near Chenghe or Ajiang."

"Who knows? Maybe he'll surpass Chenghe and Ajiang someday—he'll even find a better wife than they did."

"What? Brother Ahai found a girlfriend?"

Ye Yaodong told her everything Ye Ye Chenghai had just said, already forgetting his earlier warning not to tell anyone else.

A wife isn't "someone else."

"Do you really have to go through all this trouble? You even took the boat all the way to the provincial capital…" Lin Lin Xiuqing was unconvinced.

"Consider it maintenance."

"You could do maintenance in Zhou City too."

"But then you'd still have to sail two more days. Better to go early to the provincial capital for repairs—it won't use much fuel. Don't take the new boat; use the old ones instead."

"That's just overdoing it. Do you really need to put on such a show just to find a wife?"

"What's wrong with that? For the sake of these two cartons of cigarettes, you've got to give him a proper show—secure him a good match."

Lin Lin Xiuqing fell silent, didn't argue further, and simply agreed.

"Shall I take you to the provincial capital for a few days then?"

Her expression softened slightly. "Aren't you supposed to be repairing the boat?"

"I don't have to do the repairs myself. I'll have Brother Ahai arrange for the factory's technicians, and the captain's already watching the boat. I'll take you around the provincial capital."

"We'll see."

"No more 'we'll see.' It's settled. Decide now so we can prepare in advance."

After saying this, Ye Yaodong took his two cartons of cigarettes back inside.

Wasn't that enough to win his wife over right away? What's so hard about coaxing a wife?

After putting the cigarettes away, he came out, rolled up his sleeves, and helped out, chatting with his wife, soothing her—how could she possibly stay upset?

"When are we going to rebuild the house? I hear some people are already building three-story homes."

"A Western-style house?" Lin Lin Xiuqing's first thought was this.

"You want a Western-style house?"

"Didn't you bring it up? You mentioned it last year, and now you're talking about rebuilding—so I thought of that."

"Yeah, I just want to do it right the first time—build a Western-style house outright. Build it early, enjoy it early. After all, you're all living at home; a bright, spacious house would be better."

"We don't have enough land. Our house isn't small, but it's still not enough for a Western-style house—the courtyard is only half the size, and next door is Ye Ye Erge's place."

"Keep this house, and build the Western-style house at the fish jerky workshop? There's over an acre of land there. Move the fish slaughtering to the empty land next door."

The fish sauce production has already moved to the city for fermentation; the neighboring workshop now has several large warehouses for storage and two drying machines still running, with plenty of open space used for drying fish jerky.

Moving the fish slaughtering next door isn't a problem—after all, that plot is much larger than the fish jerky workshop's.

After the New Year, I'll look into ordering two more large drying machines; then we can dry less by sun and rely more on machines. Besides, we've already upgraded the power cables here.

Ye Yaodong explained this to Aqing, then added: "The slope beside us is covered in cherry trees. Or we could hire an excavator to level it."

Lin Lin Xiuqing hesitated. "Why not ask the village to approve another plot? You could talk to them—it wouldn't be hard."

"Then we'd have to build further back, and we'd still need a bulldozer to level the ground."

And residential land is limited—one household can only get one plot. Village land is already tight; they won't approve more.

"That's fine."

"I still think the front row is better."

"Let's wait two more years. Our house is still fine, we're used to living here. When the two boys grow up and get married, we can build a bigger one then."

"Let's think about it for now."

He'd forgotten what year the embankment along the shore was built.

Once the shore embankment is built, the coastline will shift outward—then building right at our front door would be perfect.

This house would become the back entrance, effectively merging into one continuous property, so we couldn't be accused of having two residential plots—just a larger one.

I need to drop a hint at the village committee, get them to apply for funds to build the embankment and push the coastline outward.

The reason is ready-made: typhoons ravage the village every year; building an embankment would prevent property losses.

Our village is now a model aquaculture village, recognized even at the county level. If we apply for a project now, it should be approved easily—definitely sooner than in my past life.

Then I can quietly donate some money and buy the land in front of our door—it'll all flow naturally.

But the village roads aren't even paved yet—wouldn't it seem odd to build an embankment first?

I need to nudge the village committee to fix the roads first…

Ye Yaodong's mind had already spun through countless thoughts, already planning everything.

Lin Lin Xiuqing said, "Wait a few more years. Our house is still plenty big, we're used to living here. When the two boys grow up and get married, we can build a bigger one then."

"One's only thirteen, the other's only ten—add a year for the New Year…"

"Still, it's coming fast. If they marry at twenty, we'll need to build another in six or seven years. Oh right—we can only get one residential plot. Right now, even getting one from the village is hard. But when the kids marry, it'll be easier to get another plot from the village."

"We'll see."

Times are advancing, living standards are rising. Every year, the houses built in the village are better than the year before, and the floor area keeps growing.

I've heard some are even building three-story homes, while I'm still keeping a low profile in a two-story house—others worse off than me are already building three floors.

But they go straight from single-story to three-story in one leap.

"That Western-style house in Shanghai just sits there unused—it's such a waste."

Ye Yaodong said, "What's wasted? In two years, when the kids are older, we can send them to Shanghai for high school. They'll be old enough to take care of themselves then."

"Your son can even get into high school?"

Ye Yaodong was momentarily choked up. "Don't underestimate our son. Who knows, he might actually get in? If not, a private school would be fine too, right? He can't really just get by with a middle school diploma, can he?"

"Then we'll just pray the Bodhisattva blesses us."

"The way you talk—he's got a pretty proper attitude toward studying now, and he's built up the habit. He practices his calligraphy every day, and his handwriting is actually quite good now."

The husband and wife kept saying "your son" without either admitting it was theirs.

"Calligraphy is calligraphy, grades are grades. Every test he takes, he's stuck in the middle—anyway, we'll just have to wait and see."

"No matter what, Yangyang should be fine. Once Chenghu starts high school, we might as well send Yangyang to Magic Capital for middle school too. Big cities have better educational resources, and it's not like we're afraid of spending the money. That way, at home you'll only have one daughter to look after—much easier."

Lin Lin Xiuqing felt he was making it sound way too easy.

"It's not that easy to get into a school in another city."

"What's so hard about it? The two boys need to learn to be independent, need to learn to grow up. Besides, it's not like I won't care—I'd definitely go check on them every now and then."

"It's still too early to talk about that now."

"I'm planning ahead. You're the one worried about the house sitting there empty and going to waste. And to enroll in Magic Capital, we'd definitely have to ask about it in advance."

"I was just saying it casually. Stop stuffing firewood into the stove—don't keep the flame so high, or the peanuts will burn…"

Ye Yaodong quickly pulled the firewood back out and used the ash to smother the sparks. "Why didn't you say so earlier? I've been stoking the fire for ages, and only now you tell me it's too big."

"Frying meatballs just now was fine, but now that we're frying peanuts, the fire can't be too high."

"That much to fry?"

"If we don't fry some peanuts, what are you going to have with your drinks for the next few days? Leftovers or dried fish? The fishing boats haven't gone out for days, so all we can eat is dried fish and cured meat."

"Fair enough, then fry some peanuts."

"Go out and play cards. I don't need you here. If I need help, I'll just call Mother over in a bit."

That's all I needed to hear.

Ye Yaodong clapped his hands and stood up. "I'll go call Mother over to help you."

"Mm."

(End of chapter)