Chapter 1619: Casual Chat

Ye Yaodong had just hung up the phone when he went to the workshop, casually mentioned it to his father upon meeting him, and made Ye's father so overjoyed he could hardly find his way.

"Great, I was saying it was too early for Ye Chenghe to get married this year, and Brother Brother Ahai hasn't settled down yet; now both brothers are getting married."

"It saves trouble; just prepare double the items, finish one wedding then the other, and the home decorations won't need to be taken down, they can be used right away."

"That's true, it saves a lot of trouble, and the preparations can be bought together. I wonder what their family requires; will they make things difficult for us?"

"If they deliberately make things difficult and ruin the deal, the loss is theirs, not ours."

Ye's father disagreed, "Who says the loss is theirs? If we can't bring the daughter-in-law home, our family suffers the greater loss. A person from the provincial capital with such good conditions; in the past, how would our family have dared to dream of this?"

"But aren't you quite daring to dream now?"

Ye's father gave an awkward laugh, "Well, now your older brothers can earn big money too, right? Your two older brothers may not compare to you, but in the village, their life is still among the best."

"Let's wait until they arrive and see the family situation before saying anything."

Ye's father asked hurriedly, "How many people are coming? Just that Miss? Will they bring any friends or brothers or anyone?"

"I don't know."

"Did they say how they view Brother Brother Ahai? When did they start dating? I've never heard him mention it."

"I don't know."

"Then what do you know?"

"I just know Brother Brother Ahai is bringing his partner home for National Day."

"Why didn't you ask more clearly?"

"How clearly do you want me to ask? It's not my son, I didn't even call Ye Ye Dasao, and I'm not at home; how could I ask? I want to worry, but I have to be able to worry about it."

"Then I'll call back and ask your mother. I don't know when your older brother will return next; once he docks and comes back, I'll tell him to call home."

"Do as you like; anyway, you're free, and I have to get busy."

The older generation valued the eldest son and eldest grandson the most, and Ye's father was no exception; Ye Chenghe held a weight in his heart unlike any other grandson.

After he died of old age, Ye Chenghe would be the one to hold his memorial portrait, and at that time, he would bear more responsibilities than the other grandsons.

Ye's father had cared about Ye Chenghe from start to finish, especially since Ye Chenghe already had a partner and could earn several hundred or even a thousand yuan every month, leaving Ye Chenghe far behind by several streets.

The eldest grandson was currently in the weakest position among the grandsons; any one of them earned more than him, and Ye's father worried even more, fearing Brother Brother Ahai would fall too far behind the others.

But who else was to blame for the path Brother Brother Ahai took, other than the one he had chosen for him before?

It was also his own fault for having short-sighted vision before, thinking that having a job was the absolute best, that having a good skill would ensure food and clothing for a lifetime, better than their going to sea, allowing for a stable life without risks, and an easier future.

Who would have thought that now this job would trap Brother Brother Ahai, while the other two younger ones earned a fortune by driving, far better than him drawing a fixed salary.

Every time Ye's father thought about it, he felt some regret; if he hadn't sent Dongzi to the shipyard to learn a skill, Brother Brother Ahai would surely still be helping beside Dongzi now.

Wouldn't that earn no less than the shipyard?

It would also avoid going to sea and taking risks, as long as he stayed on land.

Looking at Chen Baoxing and those other young fellows, just by helping and assisting beside Dongzi, they already felt stronger than Brother Brother Ahai.

Every time he saw those younger ones earning money, he felt it was himself who had delayed Brother Brother Ahai.

Now it was good; finding a partner with such a strong family background, Ye's father instantly felt Ye Chenghe had made up for it, and he was happier than anyone.

It felt like after making a wrong decision, the wrong move somehow worked out, balancing things out.

After Ye's father finished his call, he ran over to find Ye Yaodong again, full of excitement.

"So there were signs back during the New Year; it's a pity I didn't go to the provincial capital with you then."

"Your Ye Ye Dasao said that Miss likes Brother Brother Ahai very much; if her family hadn't hesitated because Brother Brother Ahai is a rural person and lives so far away, she would have been brought home long ago, without needing to wait over half a year."

"My eldest grandson is truly capable; he went around the big factory, learned a skill, and even managed to chat up the leader's daughter."

Ye's father spoke with great delight and pride.

"You say if Brother Brother Ahai gets married, not having a house won't work; in the provincial capital, it's not good to live in a multi-person dorm forever; we must rent a house for him outside..."

Ye Yaodong rolled his eyes, "Wouldn't it be better to just buy a house? The father-in-law is a factory director with wide connections; ask him to inquire, see where there are quotas or houses for sale, let the eldest brother and Ye Ye Dasao pay to buy one; wouldn't that show more sincerity?"

"Isn't that just because they worry Brother Brother Ahai is a country person? If he can buy a house in the city, what worries could they possibly have?"

"This way, it doesn't matter if he has a rural household registration; anyway, the child's registration follows the mother."

Ye's father nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Yes, yes, you're right, buying one directly is better; anyway, your eldest brother and Ye Ye Dasao can afford it; I'll talk to them again later."

He would definitely contribute some himself when the time came.

After all, the two of them, being old now, had nowhere to spend money, and he always felt he owed Brother Brother Ahai.

"Brother Brother Ahai hasn't been to our place yet; it's a pity; he has no time either; otherwise, he should have come to stay for a few days."

"Working in the factory isn't very free either; it's not good; low pay, heavy work, and no freedom of time."

"Sigh, Ajiang and Ye Chenghe are better; they are right under our eyes; as long as they follow behind you and hold onto your thigh, they can earn plenty of money, and it's stable too."

"Missed the chance for Brother Brother Ahai; if I had known, I wouldn't have insisted on sending him to the shipyard as an apprentice; it would have been so much better if he had just followed you."

Ye's father spoke with a hint of regret.

Ye Yaodong comforted him, "Who can predict the future? Besides, to anyone, working in the shipyard is an absolutely top job; no wind, sun, or rain exposure, no danger, and a steady monthly salary."

"At the time, it was the best arrangement for Brother Brother Ahai; I didn't know I could earn money so well; following me could be even better than going to the shipyard."

"He has already learned for so many years now and has a skill; it's not bad; let him keep working; maybe there will be other opportunities later."

"Or, slowly becoming a master craftsman, becoming a technical backbone, that would also make him an impressive figure."

Ye's father still sighed, "That still can't compare to earning a thousand or so a month working for you; what job pays a thousand a month? Now, even 200 yuan a month is already a super high salary."

"There are plenty of jobs paying 100 yuan a month outside, and a bunch of people fighting to do them. Brother Brother Ahai's salary has increased a bit now, but it's still not as high as the workers in your factory; I feel so much regret in my heart; I don't know if your eldest brother and Ye Ye Dasao blame me."

Ye Yaodong felt fortunate in his heart that it was his father who had insisted, not him actively arranging it for Brother Brother Ahai.

Otherwise, would they blame him now?

So, never decide someone else's fate for them.

"Alright, it's done; you didn't stop him from coming to me, did you? He refused, didn't he?"

"Who knows, keeping it might bring even greater fortune. He's not a child anymore; he's in his twenties and can make his own choices. Besides, he knows exactly how much money Brother Brother Ahai and Ye Chenghe can earn."

"He must have his own reasons. You don't need to worry; everyone has their own ambitions. If he hadn't stayed there all this time, where would the wife come from?"

"For now, let him bring his bride into the house first. Then he can give you a big, fat great-grandson."

Ye's father nodded.

"I'm swamped. If you have time, go check today's processed output. Is it packaged yet? A batch of goods must be delivered tomorrow, and in a few days I have to attend some trade fair."

Originally, a small factory like his had no qualification to attend a trade fair, but the government granted their factory a quota. This should count as a privilege.

"I'll go check the packaging workshop right now."

Since the new batch of machines was installed and debugged, the factory's shipment volume surged dramatically, and the manpower arranged in advance was barely enough.

He now had to apply to Lin Guang for retired soldiers again.

After several applications, the military should have been prepared, having pre-screened and registered candidates to keep on standby.

So this time, as soon as he applied, Lin Guang delivered the list to him in less than a week, faster than ever before.

In the past, even the fastest took at least half a month; if many people were needed, it took a full month.

Including the approval process back and forth and the time for reporting for duty, it always took a month.

He had experience now; he always applied in advance. Anyway, once the people arrived, there was no shortage of work; there were plenty of hauling jobs.

Now, whether it was the catch volume on the boats or the cargo volume in the factory, everything was huge, all requiring strong laborers.

Just as he finished his work here, he heard that Ye Ye Yaohong had caused trouble again.

His father called his mother to ask about the situation of Brother Brother Ahai bringing his girlfriend home, only to hear that Ye Ye Yaohong had beaten his wife until her head was bloody. Coincidentally, his two sons had just returned from the factory on break and beat Laozi until he nearly shat himself.

The couple were both sent to the hospital, becoming the talk of the village after meals and during tea breaks.

"What kind of thing is this? Although his wife made mistakes, he can't beat her every day like this. Something bad will happen sooner or later."

Ye Yaodong raised an eyebrow. "Beats her every day?"

"Your mother just said he beats her every day. Whenever something goes wrong, he beats his wife, blaming all the suffering he endured during his years in prison on her. He tortures her to death every day; it's chaos."

"Did no one else just watch? Didn't anyone try to dissuade him?"

"What's the use of dissuading? His family cheated many people in the village out of money; who cares about them? Their reputation is rotten. Even the wife of Afan, who lives next door, scolds them to their faces every day. At most, she shouts for others to help when they start fighting, calling people over to intervene."

"Then there's no way out. Beating a wife counts at most as domestic violence; the public security bureau won't even bother to handle it."

"Public security? Who has time to deal with them? Even the village cadres are too lazy to go watch the spectacle at their house. If they hadn't beaten each other's heads open, no one would have bothered."

"Well, since they're in the hospital, it saves trouble and quiets things down. The house is peaceful now."

Ye's father sighed. "Now that he's out, he can't even live a peaceful life properly. He still causes trouble like this; the children's hearts have been scattered by his antics."

"So, he still hasn't realized his mistakes. He only blames others. He attributes his years of imprisonment to others but never properly reflects on the errors he committed."

"I thought getting a reduced sentence and being released early meant he had reformed. I didn't expect this."

"A reduced sentence is possible because the longer the sentence, the more chances for reduction. It just means he behaved well inside, not that he realized his mistakes and improved."

"If he keeps causing trouble, don't be surprised if he gets caught and thrown back in."

"Then he deserves it. The law will not spare anyone who has committed a crime."

This time, Ye's father didn't say he had reformed or that they were all family and should overlook it.

Just on the phone, he had been thoroughly scolded by Ye's mother, who kept calling him a fool.

She sarcastically repeated everything he had said recently and threw it back in his face. Now he was embarrassed, with domestic violence happening at home every day.

It was only because domestic violence wasn't a crime that their children couldn't just send him straight to prison.

Life had been so peaceful these past few years; the whole family had jobs and no worries about livelihood, and the adults' troubles didn't affect the children. But as soon as he was released, the house became unrestful.

"How is Brother Brother Ahai doing?"

After changing the subject to something Ye's father was interested in, his spirits lifted.

"Your mother said it seems to be going quite smoothly. As soon as the girl arrived, Ye Ye Dasao gave the young lady a red envelope. The family had prepared a pile of fruits and snacks for guests well in advance."

"How many people came, or was it just her alone?"

"He brought two of her brothers. They told outsiders they were Brother Brother Ahai's friends coming to visit the village for two days before returning to the provincial city."

"Then there's an eighty percent chance this is settled. Bringing brothers to the village to recognize the place and probe the family's wealth means it's serious."

Ye Yaodong still had great confidence in their village. Their village was thriving now and very united.

Anyone could easily find out their family's situation and status in the village, and the workshop was a ready-made gathering place.

The three brothers were streets ahead of city people.

"Your mother said the same. Brother Brother Ahai took them around the village for two days before they left. Your sister-in-law also told the brothers to keep an eye out for a house. If the two children get together, they will buy a house for them in the provincial city at their own expense. Everything else that should be provided will be there too; whatever happens in the city, they will have the same."

"If that cooked duck flies away, Ye Ye Dasao won't dare to show her face. She's already bragged her head off."

"It's not that serious. Relationships succeed sometimes and fail others. Brother Brother Ahai found this one himself, which is much better than those introduced by others. From the start, she knew he was from the countryside. The fact that they are dating shows she doesn't care that we are rural people. Coming to the house was probably just a formality to recognize the place and understand the family situation and the family members."

"Mm."

It was because he had rushed to the provincial city during the New Year to give him a boost, letting him shine, that he could so easily win the beauty's heart.

Otherwise, how could he so easily find a wife from the city, let alone the daughter of a leader?

For a cadre family like hers, simply mobilizing their connections would yield potential partners whose family backgrounds were far superior to Ye Ye Chenghai's.

PS: I'm so sleepy, let's stop here for now. I'm stuck on the plot; I'll make up for it tomorrow during the day.