Chapter 1565

The day before, she'd boasted she wouldn't tire from walking ten kilometers, but by the next day she was groaning and asking for a pin to pop her blisters.

When Ye Yaodong returned in the evening, he saw her holding her foot and poking it with a brooch.

"Yesterday you were talking big, today you're eating your words."

"That mall was huge—multiple floors, and there were several more malls across the street. Oh my god, I'm exhausted."

"Did you finish shopping? If you're done, rest here tomorrow—don't follow me."

"No, I've popped the blisters, I'll be fine tomorrow. Where are you going tomorrow?"

"The shipyard."

"Ah! I'm coming with you!" Ye Ye Huimei raised her voice.

Ye Yaodong glanced at the brooch she was waving in her hand and felt it could stab him at any moment.

He warned her, "Put that thing away. If you poke yourself, fine—but don't stab me."

"Saying that—you've got thick skin, what's one poke?" She swiftly pinned it to her chest. "Looks good, right? Just bought it today."

"By the time you mail it back, you'll be wearing short sleeves—why bother with a brooch?"

"That's exaggerated! It's only early spring—we're still wearing thick cotton coats. Shipping it back won't take long. Worst case, I'll take off the coat—the sweater underneath can still hold the brooch. It'll look good on spring and summer clothes too."

"I don't understand women's stuff. If you're coming with me tomorrow, get up early."

"I will. I also bought a brooch to give to Third Sister-in-law."

Ye Yaodong thought for a moment. "Then I'll find time to buy something too—you can take it back with you for Third Sister-in-law."

"Then I wish you'd come shopping with me today."

"I don't have time to spare. I'll just wander around when I have free time. Have you eaten yet?"

"I ate outside before coming back—there was nothing to eat at home."

"Alright, let's all rest now."

He too needed to rest in his room, wash his feet, then come down later to watch the News Broadcast.

Today, he spent most of the day at the machinery factory and ordered two more large machines.

In the afternoon, he also visited other shipyards to check the progress on the two ocean-going vessels, paid another installment of the contract—this was already agreed upon: after the deposit, additional payments were required during production.

This trip had completely spent all the money he brought, which eased his mind considerably—he'd felt pressure carrying so much cash around openly.

That's why he chose the machinery factory as his first stop: with so much cash, he had to spend it to feel safe.

When negotiating orders, he specifically had Chen Baoxing and the bodyguards step outside—never let your guard down. Seeing and not seeing make a difference; better to be cautious.

Now that all the money was spent, he could relax over the next few days and roam around freely.

As for the million-yuan vessel at Jiangnan Shipyard, he deliberately planned to visit it the next day, so he'd have ample time to discuss progress and design.

This ship couldn't be compared to the other two—or to any ship he currently owned.

If he weren't so busy and didn't live outside the city, he'd come daily to oversee it.

The next day, as he arrived near Jiangnan Shipyard with his group, he saw workers arriving one after another, and the air buzzed with the clinking of bicycles.

Early in the morning, the docks were alive with bustling, vibrant energy.

Ye Yaodong greeted the guard, offered him a cigarette, and was led inside—he'd been here several times, and they all knew him.

A young, accomplished boss like him left a strong impression wherever he went.

When Director Zhang heard the news, he hurried over. He'd been smiling broadly, but when he saw Ye Ye Huimei standing beside him, his gaze grew ambiguous—though his smile didn't falter.

"Long time no see, Comrade Ye Yaodong. I thought you'd come after the New Year, but you didn't show up until March."

"Too busy—couldn't get away until now. I finally had time to come take a look. This is my sister—my real sister. She heard I was coming to Shanghai and insisted on tagging along to see the sights. The others are just attendants."

Director Zhang looked slightly awkward, but his smile remained unchanged. "Oh, I see. Let me show you your ship—if all goes well, delivery will be by year-end."

Ye Ye Huimei asked curiously, "Why is it always year-end? Third Brother, your ships are always delivered at year-end."

Ye Yaodong gave a casual explanation: "There's no rush—no special urgency. We build them normally and deliver when they're done."

"But during the New Year, everything shuts down. Everyone wants their goods delivered before the holiday so they can show them off to family and friends."

"Fishing boats are especially meaningful—you must sail a new boat home for the New Year. So usually, there are only two delivery windows: before and after the holiday, and most aim for before."

Ye Ye Huimei thought he was just making it up.

Director Zhang smiled. "Not always—it depends on the dock's previous delivery schedule. Usually, deliveries happen in the first half of the year, mid-year, or year-end. The New Year is special, so we do try to finish before it."

Ye Yaodong changed the subject: "How's your real estate brokerage business lately?"

"So-so—just renting out apartments. But you made out well—you bought a lot of houses and land before the news about Pudong's development came out."

"The properties we bought aren't even in the planned development zone. No one knows yet how far the development will reach or where exactly it'll go."

"Right. All we can do is hope the state offers good compensation when it takes the land."

"Is there compensation? Has anyone received it yet?"

"Not yet. No one's heard anything. No compensation plan has been discussed yet—but planning has already begun. The houses you built before the New Year—you built them just in time. No one rented them before the holiday, but as soon as the year started, they were all rented out. You caught the wave again."

Ye Yaodong smiled. "Lucky. I originally planned to build warehouses, but then I thought—Pudong's riverside has many factories, and there's almost no rental housing nearby. Workers have to take boats from Puxi to get to work, so I thought I'd try building a row of dormitories."

"Even if I lose money, it won't be much. Renting slowly will eventually work. Housing is tight everywhere—some families have cramped living spaces and need to rent."

In the previous generation, having seven or eight children was normal; ten or more wasn't rare. Four or five was considered few.

When you marry, you split the household—so you need a house, right? Building a house costs money. How could ordinary rural families afford to build so many homes?

"With Pudong's huge population, even my dozens of rooms can be rented out gradually."

Director Zhang nodded. "You're smart and strategic—you thought ahead. In less than a month after the New Year, you rented them all out and collected a huge amount of rent."

"That's thanks to your brokerage—you brought me tenants. That's why I could rent them so easily."

"That was your suggestion—to put ads in newspapers and hand out flyers. Now everyone knows about your housing referral center. Are you planning to build more houses? I see your land is still empty."

"I'm still planning."

He definitely would build—land compensation and residential compensation had different prices. He had to build the houses first, so he could get more compensation later.

Now that it's built ahead of schedule, rent can be collected early; renting it out for two years would recoup the capital, and if rented for four or five years, even the cost of the land could be recovered.

Yesterday, Chen Baoguo had already handed over the rent to him; after finishing matters here in Magic City, he would have to ask his brother to build houses too and rent them out for income.

Some examples already exist; just follow and copy.

Originally, he had planned to visit Director Zhang's Housing Introduction Center after touring the shipyard, but now chatting while walking here is enough.

Ye Ye Huimei's heart was pounding as she listened; the development they were talking about... Ah Guang had bought land too...

By the time they toured the fishing boats later, she was already somewhat distracted; even though the frames of the fishing boats were so large and shocking, her mind was not fully on them.

By the time they exited the shipyard, she could no longer wait and asked.

"Third Brother, where exactly are you talking about developing?"

"Over there."

Ye Yaodong pointed out the direction at the door, "Shall we go take a look? It seems to be fenced off already, so we can only see it from afar."

"Will that development reach the land we bought? Where did you get that news?"

"From newspapers and TV broadcasts; as soon as I came to Zhou City earlier, I gathered all the newspapers from after the New Year, so one must read more newspapers and watch more News Broadcasts."

"Oh my, then where did we buy the land? You've already built houses on your land and rented them out; where is that location? Take me to see it, please?"

"Fine, as long as you don't mind your legs getting tired."

"I won't, let's go."

As they walked, Ye Yaodong explained to her the allocation when they several bought the land.

He also mentioned that his houses were all rented out within just a month or so of completion.

He gave her a few tips on what should be said, and in the meantime toured the several plots of land he bought so she could plan things in her own mind after seeing them.

Two or three mu were farmland, unsuitable for building; the others, although in slightly remote locations, were at least houses, and development would eventually reach them.

And with a bicycle, being a bit remote didn't matter; one could always ride there, and finding a house to rent nowadays wasn't easy.

There were also housing rental centers; entrusting them meant that as soon as someone inquired, it could be rented out, which was much faster than relying solely on word-of-mouth and introductions from relatives and friends before.

After touring with him, Ye Ye Huimei saw the row of houses he built; clothes hung everywhere at the doors, and temporary stoves were set up, showing they were indeed all rented out.

She felt a bit tempted too; Third Brother had said that if compensation were given later, the price for inhabited houses versus wasteland would definitely differ.

Building now would also generate rent; over twenty yuan a month, which was quite a lot.

The forty rooms Ye Yaodong built could generate nearly a thousand yuan in rent per month; over a year, that would be twelve or thirteen thousand, and prices would surely rise the following year.

Renting it out for two years would recoup the investment; everything rented out afterwards would be pure profit.

By the time they returned to the Western-style house, she ignored her sore feet; her mind was already active.

Ye Yaodong noticed, "Want to learn from me too?"

She nodded, "Learning from you is surely never wrong; Third Brother, you are now the first person in our village; trusting you is certainly correct; I'll go discuss it with Ah Guang."

"It just so happens he doesn't have to go to sea or not; anyway, he only needs to go to sea occasionally; if we really want to learn from you and build a few houses to rent out, he can come over himself to supervise, so there's no need to hire others."

"We'll discuss it."

"Let's tour again tomorrow; we'll be back the day after tomorrow."

"Fine."

This time he did not break his word; calling home during dinner, Ye Father was obviously happy; finally, there was a return ahead of schedule instead of being delayed.

Before leaving, he went to check the shops he had bought earlier, then left with peace of mind.

The shops had tenants before he took over; only the landlord had changed, everything else remained the same, so he spared himself trouble; as long as he collected rent on time, that was fine.

"Third Brother, what do you think if we also build a Western-style house on our own land?"

"Are you talking about the hometown or here?"

"Of course the hometown; what's the point here? Didn't you say this place will be developed and land requisitioned in the future?"

"So you plan to renovate the new house you built last year?"

"I want to; the Western-style house here is so beautiful; the huge panes of glass look truly grand, with great lighting; even in deep winter, a large patch of sunlight can be enjoyed inside the house."

"Then build it; if you have money, make trouble; anyway, it's only ten thousand or so yuan; you can afford it; once built, you won't need to touch it for the next few decades; just renovate and repair it every few years."

"That still requires discussing with Ah Guang when we return; why don't you build? You're so rich; why not build the house bigger? That house is already five or six years old; it could be renovated too."

Ye Yaodong spread his hands, "I want to too; I mentioned it to your sister-in-law last year; she said I'm not home, just her raising the children at home, and the house is big enough."

Ye Ye Huimei smiled, "Then sister-in-law wants to share hardships and joys with you; she doesn't want to enjoy happiness alone; she wants to wait until you're home, then build together and enjoy happiness."

Hearing this, Ye Yaodong felt deeply gratified; "Actually, there isn't extra land to build bigger; at that time, our father paid for the house; the three brothers were built side-by-side connected together, with no space reserved."

Even his small vegetable patch was just a small area he fenced off to the side where no one lived back then.

When building the house initially, he didn't know he would have such great success and earn so much money; at that time, he had no grand ambitions; he just wanted a warm kang with his wife and children.

If he had known he could earn so much money back then, he would definitely have asked his father to separate the three brothers, giving each one a plot of land.

Back then, getting the house built by the beachside had already taken a huge amount of effort and words.

"That's true... then we can only wait a few years until Chenghu is older and getting married, then apply to the village for another plot of land."

"We'll talk about it then; anyway, we're not home now; when we return, I'll plan properly with your sister-in-law."

"Then our whole family isn't in the hometown now, so there's no rush to build."

?? Updating one chapter first; another chapter at two or three o'clock.

? (End of this chapter)