Chapter 1626: Arrangements

Ye Yaodong gave them a tour of the fishing boat, then locked the hold, retracted the gangway, and prepared to return.

Ye's father asked as they walked, "This boat of yours is so big; it will need quite a few hands, so arrangements must be made in advance."

"Yes, I have a plan. Once we return, I'll have Old You get the workers' list, and then I'll make proper assignments."

"Just get everything arranged when you come back after the New Year; it's close to the holiday anyway."

"Mm."

He had calculated that, referencing the Yuan Yang Hao, the deck, engine room, captain, and others would require about twenty-four or twenty-five people.

There were also those managing production, processing, and packaging; he estimated another twenty or thirty, since they worked three shifts.

All together, there would be around fifty people; it was better to have a few extra than to lack hands when needed.

If there was an excess of hands later, the fresh-fish collection boats could take them back; if there were not enough, last-minute adjustments would be troublesome.

"Just in time, before the holiday break, quickly call A-Yuan and have him apply to transfer another batch of veterans over."

Ye Yaodong thought for a moment, "I plan to recruit a batch of locals when we return home; we can't rely solely on veterans, so let's split it half and half."

"However, recruiting a few more veterans won't hurt; it benefits the factory. Once hired, they can work as laborers inside the factory."

"You're right; we can't trust outsiders completely."

The two spoke quietly in the local dialect while sitting in the tractor's cab; the engine was loud and the ride bumpy, so there was no fear of being overheard.

"Now that you've secured this large fishing boat, what about the other two boats arranged at the Donghai Shipyard?"

"I went to check. They said within a week. I can't just wait idly, so I'll return first. Once they finish construction and testing, they'll call to notify me, and I'll go over then."

"That's good. If all the boats are secured before the New Year, we can rest easy. During the holiday, we can prepare the staff in advance, and once the new year starts, they can begin work immediately."

"Mm, I have a plan."

Upon arriving at the factory, Ye Yaodong immediately called Lin Lin Xiuqing to share the good news that the fishing boat had sailed back to Zhoushan City today.

Lin Lin Xiuqing was also somewhat excited. "It's a pity I wasn't on board; I couldn't see the scene of your boat returning today. Such a large ship must have drawn a huge crowd."

"It was fine. Besides our own people, there were some outsiders, but not a dense crowd. It was mid-morning when we docked, and the area where we moored is a deep-water zone reserved exclusively for large ships. Compared to other small and medium fishing boats, there are naturally fewer people there."

"Still, it's a pity you couldn't see it right away."

"When I sail back in a few days, you'll be able to see it. Why don't you come up with me after the New Year?"

Ye Yaodong explained the plan he had formulated; after all, leaving his mother at home to watch over that small workshop was more than enough.

Lin Lin Xiuqing felt especially tempted upon hearing this. If possible, she certainly didn't want the couple to be separated, meeting only a few times a year. Except for the New Year, their total time together at home didn't even add up to a month.

"Let me think about it first. Besides the workshop, there's also the fish sauce processing factory in the city. Although I'm not stationed there, I go over every month to check the accounts."

"Didn't you arrange for a manager a while back? Hand the work over to them. After all, finance and sales staff will coordinate with them; everything is divided by responsibility, so nothing can go wrong. They supervise each other; as long as the accounts match, it's fine."

"Still, I can't just do nothing..."

"The key is, you don't really manage anything anyway. You only check the accounts periodically and collect the money on the books."

That made a lot of sense.

"Let me think about it and see."

"If you come to Zhoushan City with me, I'll be right under your nose. Then you can manage me. If you tell me to go east, I absolutely won't go west; if you tell me to go west, I certainly won't go east."

Lin Lin Xiuqing laughed, twirling the telephone cord around her finger. "Stop joking. I need to think about how to arrange things behind me if I leave."

"Leave it to my mother, and hand the city operations over to your father."

"Alright, let's talk about it when you return. It's not convenient to discuss this over the phone right now."

"Mm."

"What's the plan for this year's holiday? Has the factory announced it yet?"

Ye Yaodong said, "How could I possibly handle such a headache-inducing matter? I only need to set the holiday dates; the rest, let them plan and execute. Once the plan is ready, they'll report it to me. If I have no issues, I'll sign it, and the announcement can be posted."

"Alright, you're the big boss now; I indeed need to stay by your side and keep a closer eye on things."

"However, being vigilant is fine, but don't become suspicious of everything."

"I didn't say anything."

"Just giving you a heads-up; socializing is inevitable when I go out..."

"I know. Why bring this up suddenly?"

"The conversation led there; just mentioning it."

Ye Yaodong feared she would latch onto this issue and regret it later, so he quickly changed the subject.

"By the way, you can mention it at the workshop recently that I originally planned to close the village workshop and bring you away."

"Originally, this small workshop in the village didn't earn much money. Now, for me, keeping it open would only consume your energy and cause us to be separated, so I wanted to close it."

"However, later, considering the issue of unemployment among the village women, I thought about keeping it open and even bringing back another machine to increase efficiency."

"Anyway, that's roughly the gist. Organize the wording yourself. When it gets out, it will look like I made another great contribution to our village by not closing the workshop, allowing the village women to have extra livelihood."

"Because of this, we, the couple, have maintained our separation."

"The village women must feel fortunate that it wasn't closed and be grateful. We can't just do good deeds without seeking recognition."

Lin Lin Xiuqing shook her head upon hearing this. "Are you trying to win a good reputation again?"

"Yes. It's just a few words. Let them know we are now their breadwinners; they'll be more grateful, and your words will carry more weight in the village."

"Understood. I'll mention it tomorrow."

"Mm, nothing else. I'll hang up first. Once I sail the two boats from the Donghai Shipyard back, I'll tell you."

"Good..."

"No, Dad, can you tell Mom to give back the piggy bank? It's been a whole semester, and she still hasn't returned it to us."

Ye Chenghu heard them nearly finishing the call and finally dared to interject.

If he didn't speak now, his mother would hang up. It was rare that when his father called back, they were all at home and could listen through the phone; now was a chance to speak.

Lin Lin Xiuqing already held her empty fist high, gesturing in front of him.

"Dad, can you talk to Mom for me? I asked Grandma to tell her last time, but it did no good. You speak, and Mom will definitely listen. Please tell her for me."

"What piggy bank? What money do children need to spend? Just save the money for when you get a wife."

"I don't need to get a wife. It's not like Chenghe and the others, who are dying of anxiety."

"Then being a bachelor needs even less money. One person eats full, the whole family isn't hungry. The money in the piggy bank is just right to keep for your old age."

Ye Chenghu felt like crying but had no tears; he felt that if he said any more, he would earn another beating.

Lin Lin Xiuqing said, "Final exams are coming soon. If you do well, I'll return the piggy bank to you. If you do poorly, I'll keep holding onto it and see how you perform next semester."

Ye Ye Chengyang instantly rejoiced. "Really? Don't lie."

"Mm."

"Then Big Brother has no hope." Ye Ye Xiaoxi reminded from the side, "Mom, Big Brother owes me six yuan, and Brother owes me four point two. Remember to make him pay me back what he owes first. He said he'd pay double. If he can't get his piggy bank back, just deduct his New Year's money and give it to me!"

"It went up again?"

"He begged me to lend him money again two days ago."

Lin Lin Xiuqing said with no good temper, "What a waste."

"Shameless, actually coveting my New Year's money. Who said I have no hope? It's just final exams. I've made huge progress now; I'll definitely do well."

"Then don't forget my twelve yuan."

Ye Chenghu looked at Lin Lin Xiuqing hopefully. "Mom, look how cunning she is. I borrowed six from her and she wants twelve back. You just watch like that and don't scold her?"

"Wasn't that your choice? If you want to borrow six from me and pay back twelve, I'd be willing too."

"Dad..."

"It's not that she's cunning; it's that you two are fools. Why borrow from her? Why not borrow from the two older sisters next door?"

"The money the sisters earn has to go to the two aunts."

"They must have some private pocket money."

"Stop talking; I regret it."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi was full of pride. "Regret it or not, you still have to pay. Dad, when are you coming back? I miss you. Once Brother pays me back, I'll buy you cigarettes and wine!"

"Hahaha, then your brother has no choice but to pay!"

PS: My brain is a bit mushy from writing; I'm so sleepy, going to sleep. Is today's update amount okay? I've updated a total this month, which means I've made up for all the missing parts; the extra six thousand words are still making up for last month.