Chapter 1607: Benefits

After two days of sailing, everyone on the ship cheered as they reached shore.

Ye Yaodong had to unload and deliver goods, so he wouldn't finish soon—he wouldn't get home until at least half a day had passed, and by then the sun would have set.

So he had Ye's mother take Ye Ye Xiaoxi ahead on the bus.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi had been unhappy on the boat; she'd already regretted leaving and wanted to stay longer, not return.

But now that she was back in her hometown, she couldn't stop being joyful, and once they entered the village, she bounced and jumped with excitement.

She ran from the village entrance, her small backpack on her back, braving the blazing sun as she raced to her usual hangouts to find her friends.

"I'm back, I'm back… Xiao Hong, Qing Qing, Yue Yue, I'm back…"

Ye's mother followed behind, carrying luggage. "Go home first, let's go home—the sun outside is too strong… your mother's waiting for you at home…"

Hearing this, Ye Ye Xiaoxi waved again to her friends and sprinted toward home.

Her friends naturally ran after her—she was the star of their kid gang.

"Jiu, why were you gone so long? We missed you…"

"Did you see Xiao Yu? Why didn't she come back?"

"Xiao Jiu, did you go to Shanghai again? Is Shanghai fun? Is it hot?"

"Did you bring back lots of toys again? Can we see them?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi was surrounded by a crowd of children heading home, and more kids kept joining along the way.

It wasn't just her—Ye's mother followed behind, and because of the children's loud excitement, she also drew the attention of many women and elders sitting at their doorsteps, cooling off and weaving nets.

Ye's mother walked slower and slower.

People came forward voluntarily to carry her bags and parcels, smiling and flattering her as if she were a hero returning from battle.

Ye's mother beamed with joy; though the sun was scorching, her heart felt light and full, her voice strong and energetic, showing not a trace of travel fatigue.

"We'll talk more when we get home—it was so hot up there, and the department store was packed so tight you couldn't move, people everywhere like grains of rice…"

"I've been there before, I've lost count how many times—every time I go, the crowds never get smaller…"

"I'll tell you all about it when we get home—I even saw a 32-inch color TV and an air conditioner. Do you know what an air conditioner is?"

"When you turn it on, it's as cold as a refrigerator—so comfortable…"

Ye's mother kept walking and talking all the way home, her mouth parched, yet she never stopped.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi had already raced ahead with her friends to the house.

The old woman saw her and excitedly called out, "My sweetie, my sweetie…"

"My darling, since you were gone, the house felt so empty. Come here, let Nainai see—have you grown taller?"

"Oh my, you've lost weight! Your face has shrunk a whole circle, but you've grown taller and gotten paler—did you avoid the sun?"

"Your skin is so soft and fair—so cute. Come home and eat more, you've gotten too thin."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi was thrilled. "Really? I really lost weight? Did I get prettier?"

"Yes, yes, yes—you got prettier!"

She preened, tiptoeing to grab a mirror, admiring her own beauty.

The other children joined in, saying she'd grown paler and thinner, making her laugh so hard she couldn't close her mouth. She quickly pulled out the leftover candies from her pockets and handed them out.

Because of the high temperature, the candies in her pocket had slightly melted, sticking to the wrappers—she didn't like eating them.

But the other kids didn't mind—the candy stuck to the wrappers was still candy, sweet and delightful, and they were overjoyed.

The whole room buzzed with chattering children; the old woman watched happily and gave them all handfuls of beans to eat.

Since the children had gone on holiday, the house had been too quiet—she hadn't had this much noise in a long time.

Several of her great-grandchildren now had jobs and were earning money; her two great-granddaughters, after finishing exams and getting holiday, had gone to work at the town's fish canning factory for wages.

Only one great-granddaughter hadn't reached the age yet and stayed home—but she wasn't idle either; she helped out at Lin Lin Xiuqing's workshop as a summer intern.

Everyone was busy, except for this old woman, who had nothing to do.

Lin Lin Xiuqing, busy at the workshop, heard the child had returned and immediately ran back.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi rushed into her arms the moment she saw her. "Mama, I missed you so much! Mama, I bought you lipstick—it's so beautiful, I'll put it on you later."

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled and hugged her. "Just you?"

"Dad has to deliver goods—he said he won't be back until after sunset. He told me to come home with Nainai on the bus."

"I know your dad has to deliver goods. What about Nainai?"

"She's probably behind, talking with some aunts."

As she spoke, Ye Ye Xiaoxi was already rummaging through her backpack, pulling out a black tube of lipstick, twisting the base until the bright red tip appeared.

But there were clear smudge marks on it—she proudly held it up to Lin Lin Xiuqing.

"Mama, look! I bought this specially for you—it's so beautiful. You'll look even prettier than movie stars when you wear it."

Lin Lin Xiuqing laughed and pinched her nose, then took it.

"Did you use this already?"

"Hehehe…"

"So vain!"

"It looked so good—I put it on my sister too, we both looked gorgeous."

The girls around them stared enviously at the lipstick.

"Xiao Jiu, you already wore lipstick? Did it look good?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi tilted her chin up smugly. "Of course it looked good—it was red like the movie stars on TV."

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled and tucked the lipstick into her pocket.

"Mama, do you like it? I bought it especially for you—I showed Dad, and he said I picked well."

"I like it."

"Then can you apply it for Dad tonight?"

"Huh?" Lin Lin Xiuqing suddenly couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry, "You're negotiating perks for your dad?"

"If you charm Dad to death, he'll love you more and never leave you."

Lin Lin Xiuqing was speechless. "Where did you hear this nonsense?"

"The saleswoman said it. I think it makes sense."

"Little brat, big mind. One trip out and you've learned everything."

"Mom, I bought this for you too!" She rummaged again in her backpack and pulled out a pair of long black nylon stockings.

"What's this?"

"It's stockings! I saw lots of pretty aunts buying them—they said these were the trendiest, and they were even in magazines—so I bought them for you."

Lin Lin Xiuqing laughed helplessly. "Alright."

"Then wear them for Dad tonight too—he'll praise me for buying them well, and reward me with ten yuan!"

"Who wears this at night? Put it away for now."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi kept rummaging in her backpack and pulled out a handful of nylon short socks.

"These are for Grandma—because I saw Grandma bought some too."

The old woman laughed so hard her gums showed, overjoyed. "There's one for me too?"

"Of course! I love Grandma the most—Grandma spoils me the most. Of course I'd bring you a gift when I go out."

"Good, good, good."

"Dad gave me money, and I spent it all on gifts for you—I don't have any left to buy toys I like."

"Grandma has money. Grandma will use all her money to buy you toys."

The old woman immediately turned and rushed into the house to fetch her few saved coffin coins.

These were the few yuan her children and grandchildren had given her over the years during holidays, and she'd saved another few dozen.

She pulled out five yuan at once and gave it to Ye Ye Xiaoxi, who jumped and danced with delight, then poured even more honeyed words onto the old woman.

Ye's mother, lingering outside until now, finally entered the room. She'd heard the commotion from outside and said at once: "Always showing off. She's already been reimbursed many times over for everything she bought."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi sneaked off with the money into the house and stashed it in her savings jar.

Ye's mother continued outside: "... When they went to Shanghai, Dongzi gave her money. After she bought things, she showed off again and tricked Dongzi into giving her more."

"She didn't spend a single cent—she actually made dozens in profit. Now she's sweet-talking you again. Your coffin money won't last long."

Ye's mother sighed in frustration, feeling she'd returned too late.

The old woman chuckled warmly. "It's fine, it's fine. The child has good intentions—it's right to reward her. She's so well-behaved, remembers us when she goes out, brings us gifts. She deserves it."

"If you don't have to spend your own money, of course she'll be sweet."

The woman who followed in laughed teasingly: "This child is clever, hahaha..."

"Sweet-talker, good at flattery—she'll be formidable someday."

"She's so well-behaved. Even when she goes out, she remembers to bring gifts for you. She's very sensible."

Inside the room, it was lively and noisy—adults and children all chattering away, adults in one circle, children in another.

Ye's mother and Ye Ye Xiaoxi showed no fatigue, energized by the crowd surrounding them.

Only when Lin Lin Xiuqing brought out the snacks she'd cooked did everyone quiet down, gradually filing out to let them eat first.

The children, equally perceptive, went outside to play.

After eating, the grandmother and granddaughter only then felt exhaustion wash over them—talking to so many people had been draining.

While they ate, Lin Lin Xiuqing had already prepared Ye's mother's bed.

She'd also warmed water for Ye Ye Xiaoxi, ready to give her a quick bath as soon as she finished eating, then put her to bed.

During the bath, she was already so sleepy her eyelids kept drooping, her head nodding.

After the bath, she slipped on a long dress as pajamas and was already asleep in Lin Lin Xiuqing's arms.

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled gently, stroking her still-damp hair, softly wiping it.

"So easy to sleep—even her hair isn't dry yet, and she's already asleep. Just a moment ago she was full of energy, chattering with all the kids, and now she's out cold."

The old woman watched with tender affection. "Sleeping with wet hair isn't good. Dry it a bit more, and turn the fan on for her."

"Mm."

"Will Dongzi be back only in the evening?"

"Probably. He has to deliver the goods, collect payment, and arrange everything before he can return."

"Cook extra for dinner. I'll kill a chicken and start stewing it now—it'll be ready by nightfall."

The old woman turned immediately to get to work, brimming with energy.

After putting the child to bed and covering her with the quilt, Lin Lin Xiuqing went out to sort through the things they'd brought back.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi wasn't telling the truth—she hadn't spent all her money on gifts. Her own belongings filled nearly half a burlap sack, large and small, all things the family didn't have.

She thought if she laid out all the toys and stationery belonging to the three children in the house, they could open a small toy shop.

And the house still had many unused items: several pairs of ice skates too small now, slightly damaged toys, shoes too short for the feet, basketballs and soccer balls worn lumpy from play.

When she had time, she planned to sort them out and give them to relatives and friends.

But before giving them away, she'd have to warn them first—otherwise, if they disappeared, some would surely get angry.

Ye Yaodong returned on his tractor just as the sun set, arriving home right on time for dinner.

As soon as the vehicle stopped at the workshop gate, wives, children, and relatives rushed over, surrounding them all, then happily headed home together.

Ye Yaodong was immediately surrounded by Lin Lin Xiuqing and the old woman, who asked after his health.

"Let's go home. I'm exhausted and hot."

"Why are you so much darker? Your whole body's sunburned."

Ye Yaodong, bare-chested, used his removed clothes to wipe his face, then draped them over his shoulders.

"It's too hot; in midsummer, how could one not get tanned out there?"

In previous years he still cared, still had the novelty, doing sun protection work; these past few years he's been too lazy to bother.

He also felt his base was quite good; as long as it wasn't excessive or prolonged, once tanned, after some time without sun, naturally he'd turn white again.

He wasn't very dark now, equivalent to a normal person's skin tone; before he was too white; now with just a casual tan, by winter he'd naturally be a fair-faced young man again.

Lin Lin Xiuqing took the clothes he'd draped over his shoulders. "It all smells of sweat; go home and shower first. The meals are ready; eat after you shower."

"Eat first, then wash; otherwise, in such hot weather, after eating you'll be sweaty again."

"Alright."

"My mother and the daughter and the others will be back this afternoon, right?"

"They're back; just woke up. I guess they probably won't sleep tonight either."

"Mm."

As soon as Ye Yaodong reached the doorway, he saw a pile of children in the courtyard, and a pile of dogs squatting and listening as Ye Ye Xiaoxi chattered away, bragging and lecturing.

"... You must learn to speak Mandarin well; out there everyone speaks Mandarin, you know?"

"Otherwise, people outside won't understand what we say; they'll just look at us sideways, then curse 'stinky outsiders,' 'stinky beggars'..."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi even acted out the expression of a dog looking down on people.

Come to think of it, it was quite on point; Ye Yaodong, just stepping in, burst out laughing.

"What are you doing? Opening a training class? Even the dogs have come to support you?"

"Woof, woof, woof..."

The family dogs, seeing him, immediately stood up, wagged their tails, then rushed forward, circling around his feet.

"Dad, why are you only back now? Time to eat; I've been waiting for you to eat. My stomach is so hungry. There's chicken soup tonight; I smelled it ages ago."

"Then wash your hands and eat."

Ye Yaodong, walking and kicking dogs blocking his path, found only those two big wolf dogs taller than his knees; he couldn't kick them away, and they still followed him into the house.

Inside, Ye's mother had already started serving rice. "It's more comfortable at home; relaxed, free, and cool. A golden nest or silver nest isn't as good as one's own doghouse."

"Then don't go in the future."

"How can that be? If it's something that should be done, it must be done; otherwise, you'd let your father enjoy himself out there all by himself."

"Didn't you say it's suffering out there? That you're not used to staying there? Sighing every day? Now that you're back, you say my father is enjoying himself out there alone?"

"Originally, yes; I felt staying there all the time was too boring. I saw your father staying quite comfortably, quite used to it, with no sign of not wanting to stay. So for me, staying there long-term is suffering; for him, it's carefree and free."

"Even better then; if you like staying at home, stay at home; he stays up there. Perfect, no more quarreling. Anyway, the money he earns gets sent back to you. You're happy too; no need to look at his old face, and you can spend his money!"

Hearing this, Ye's mother for a moment seemed unable to refute; she stood stunned, feeling the words actually made sense?

To take his money, yet not have to serve him, not have to look at his old face, and not have to quarrel—living alone like that, how incredibly free!

"What you say is also true."

"Originally, after the New Year, when the pigs are all sold, I'll tear down the old house and build a beautiful Western-style house for you to retire in, so you can live comfortably; let my father stay in that small room up there, earning money for you to spend."

Ye's mother hesitated for a moment. "That won't do; that would be too ungrateful. Your father is still your father; he's helped you so much. He must come back to retire properly. Where else is as comfortable as at home?"

"Just now you said he's enjoying himself out there alone, and that only you can't stay out there; you're suffering."

"That... that was just talk. For retirement, of course your father must come back to retire; we must properly honor him. Our home is here; we certainly can't be out there. Out there there's no companion, no one to talk to; how boring. At home there are always some old men and old women to chat with, to play cards."

"See, you're all sharp tongue and soft heart; you must belittle and insult with a couple of words no matter what."

Ye's mother rolled her eyes. "We've spent most of our lives together; how could I not want him well?"

"Then that settles it; don't be so nasty with your mouth; coax him with a couple of nice words, and my father will surely be obedient."

"You're so much trouble; eat your meal."

After finishing the meal, while showering, Ye Yaodong mentioned to Lin Lin Xiuqing that after the New Year they would tear down and rebuild the old house for his father and mother.

Although he had brought this up once last year, he hadn't specified exactly when to build.

A while ago, when he spoke to his father about it, he directly confirmed it would be this year; now that it's decided, he must tell A-Qing as well.

After all, not long after the New Year they would leave; the matter of building the house must be entrusted to her and his mother to oversee.

Lin Lin Xiuqing had no objection to this; she had been mentally prepared long ago; they weren't short of this money.

After the old house is rebuilt, they can move in and live there for a while; then they'll tidy up the house here, and see when to build; it must be done in turns.

After showering, Ye Yaodong picked up the clothes on the table to change, only then noticing the black stockings and lipstick placed nearby; instantly he remembered—these were bought by his precious daughter!

He hadn't spoiled her in vain; she even knew to create benefits for him!

Delighted, he picked up the black stockings, gave them a shake, and touched them; they were incredibly smooth.

In this life he hadn't experienced it yet...

In his previous life he'd only watched short videos; where was the experience?

His daughter was truly clever!

After finishing sorting his dirty clothes and putting them in the washing machine, Lin Lin Xiuqing returned to the room and saw him holding the stockings; she smiled and said,

"Your daughter is small but mischievous; even when going out she knew to bring me lipstick, and these stockings, saying they're the trendiest in the city now; I don't know how to wear them."

"You don't know how to wear them? I do. Tonight I'll teach you."

"Wear what? In midsummer, wearing such long stockings? Are you crazy? I can't even wear socks; wearing slippers, why would I need socks?"

"You just don't get it. Wait, I'll teach you how to wear them; I'll help you put them on."

Lin Lin Xiuqing didn't grasp his meaning; she smiled, took them, and held them up against her body.

"It looks incongruous; how can one face people? How can one go out wearing this? What is it? So thin; I guess even a slight snag would tear it."

"No need to go out; just wear it inside the house for me to see. If it tears, no problem; we'll buy new ones."

"Crazy; that sounds strange."

She had no interest in the stockings, so she set them aside and picked up the lipstick.

"This child is quite clever; she even knew to buy me lipstick. I reckon she wanted it for herself, bought it to show off a bit, and then claimed she was giving it to me to make a show of it."

"Maybe. Anyway, look at her and Pei Yu painting and smearing themselves every other day, looking like clowns."

"So vain at such a young age; what will she be like when she grows up?"

"It's normal for girls to care about beauty. This child has had good taste since she was little; she's clever."

Ye Yaodong held the stockings, rubbing them, and looked out the window at the still-bright sky, thinking to himself, It's the middle of summer, but isn't it getting dark too late?

He had already eaten a meal and taken a bath, yet the sky still hadn't darkened?

Lin Lin Xiuqing opened the drawer, put the lipstick inside, and thought that she was too embarrassed to walk out wearing it.

In the countryside, everyone was very simple; asking her to paint and smear, to apply rouge and powder, made her feel awkward herself.

In their area, if someone saw a woman dressed flamboyantly with makeup on, they would point and gossip, calling her an improper woman.

After putting away the lipstick, she took the stockings from his hand, intending to put them in the cabinet to be buried at the bottom of the trunk.

"Buying useless things like this wastes money; they can only be buried at the bottom of the trunk. Next time, don't let her spend money recklessly, and don't give her money recklessly. Otherwise, she'll develop bad habits; seeing what others buy, she'll want to buy it all back."

"Put away what?" Ye Yaodong took the stockings out of the cabinet again. "I think she bought them very well; she has great taste, understands trends especially well, and has excellent observation skills!"

Lin Lin Xiuqing rolled her eyes. "You can even praise this into a flower."

Ye Yaodong grinned wickedly, wrapped his arms around her waist, and leaned close to her ear. "Tonight, I'll let you know the use of these stockings."

Her ears immediately turned red; she instantly understood his meaning, yet she didn't quite understand how this could be related to stockings, but she was too embarrassed to ask.

"Stop fooling around. The sky hasn't even darkened yet. Your mother is living here now, and she's still outside talking at this hour."

"It doesn't matter. Who hasn't been young? If you don't go out tonight, nothing will happen."

Lin Lin Xiuqing patted him, stopping him from fooling around; he had just leaned in and was already restlessly running his hands up and down.

"The workshop hasn't finished work yet; how can I just hide in the room and not go out?"

"Tell them to finish work early tonight."

"I'll try my best."

"Otherwise, go out now and just tell my mother to watch over it. Anyway, she's had enough sleep this afternoon and is full of energy tonight; she probably won't be able to sleep. It's the perfect time to go to the workshop and brag to those women."

"Let me see..."

"No need to look. What's there to see? You just go out and take a walk; she will naturally say she'll watch over the workshop tonight."

"I have to hang out the clothes from the washing machine, right? Otherwise, I'd have to ask someone else to hang the clothes. If I don't even step out of the room, how impatient would that look?"

Ye Yaodong mercifully let go, holding the stockings and waving them in front of her, making faces and winking at her.

"Fine, go ahead. Come back early; I'll wait for you."

"Go to sleep."

She turned and left, very puzzled in her heart, wondering what on earth the black stockings were for.

(End of this chapter)