Chapter 1668: Comforting the old father

Ye Fu endured the heartache, "Tell me again, tell me the process in detail."

"Are you sure you want to hear it again? It might be even more heartbreaking!"

"Tell me! They didn't make it in time, so they definitely didn't explain it as clearly as you did. Tell me again." Ye Fu clutched his chest, his face full of distress, but he still wanted to hear it.

"Then take it easy. Do you have any Angong Niuhuang Wan?" Ye Yaodong thought about asking around, just in case his father couldn't handle it and ended up getting so angry he died.

"Stop talking nonsense and tell me in detail."

"Fine, if you want to hear the details, I'll tell you from beginning to end again."

Ye Yaodong first briefly explained the unloading arrangements made by the captain and the others, and then clearly told his father the story once more.

"... That five-starred red flag fluttering in the wind was planted on the reef island. From now on, every passing fishing boat will be able to see it..."

Ye Fu was so excited listening to it that his dark face turned red to his ears and neck. "That's how it should be! Defeat the devils! The territory is ours!"

"We also took photos. We'll go get them together when we get the notification to receive the award. I'll show them to you then."

After the excitement passed, Ye Fu sighed heavily, "Sigh..."

After sighing, he slapped his thigh in frustration, "Why didn't you be a bit more forceful at the time and drive me out to sea?"

"Then are you going tomorrow?"

Ye Fu frowned again, "It's all over, why go? Going tomorrow is just doing hard labor again. How could I be so lucky to catch it again? Not going."

"This kind of opportunity can't be created; you can only wait for it. If you don't go to sea, how can you wait for it? You want to bring honor to your ancestors, but you don't want to suffer."

Ye Yaodong rolled his eyes and ignored his father, walking toward the unloading area.

Ye Fu continued to sigh, following closely behind him, "Then should I go out to sea with the boat tomorrow?"

"I didn't force you to go!"

"I'm volunteering. I want to go myself, okay?"

Ye Yaodong chuckled, "Sure, but you should go a few days later. I plan to go to Shanghai tomorrow. Once I'm back, you can follow the fishing boat out to sea."

"What are you going to Shanghai for again?"

"To urge them about my boat. Just making phone calls isn't enough. It's been a few months, so I have to go in person to put pressure on them."

While he was at it, he also wanted to see how the development of some areas in Pudong was coming along. The Wenzhou lighter factory was bought out for 6 million. He couldn't just keep this money in his hands. Before coming over, he had already pondered it; nowadays, nothing is better than buying property.

The shipyard couldn't build his boat, and he had already bought several plots of land, and the factory was expanding, so he might as well just go buy a building.

Speaking of economic development, the surrounding areas naturally couldn't compare to Shanghai. People move to higher places, and water flows to lower places. Among Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, Shanghai was the closest to him. Out of the principle of proximity, he naturally headed straight for Shanghai.

Taking advantage of the fact that it's just being developed and the price isn't high, buying it and leaving it there means he can collect rent later.

Anyway, he had the land. Regardless of whether it's developed or requisitioned later, he would be able to use it. He could use it to build warehouses or factories, or he could rent it out.

There is too much cash circulating in his hands right now. He should buy quickly while housing prices are low, otherwise, 20 years later, 6 million would only be enough to buy one commercial apartment in Shanghai.

But now, adding a little money might be enough to buy a whole building. The gap is too big. He absolutely cannot keep so much cash in his hands; it must be rolled over.

Thinking this way, he wished he could go to Shanghai right now, spend a few million or ten million to buy a building and leave it there.

Ye Fu didn't know that he had sold his shares and exchanged them for 6 million, and he didn't intend to tell him.

It was his money to begin with, and his decision, so there was no need to tell his father. He could make up his own mind, and even Lin Xiuqing didn't need to be told too much.

Lin Xiuqing had always stayed in the village. Although she could handle things on her own now, her vision was limited. She didn't know about future development. He himself had experienced it once, which is why he knew the general direction and dared to throw money into it like this.

If he were still the original him, he naturally wouldn't be willing to spend money like this. He would definitely think that keeping money in his hands was the safest, and then he could live the rest of his life peacefully and comfortably.

However, if he were still the original him, he would definitely still be guarding a few small boats in the small fishing village, living a peaceful life. He wouldn't have so much money in his hands, and he would be content with having more than enough to survive but less than the wealthy. He wouldn't have the current sense of urgency about money depreciating.

Seeing that what he said made sense, Ye Fu didn't say anything more.

Ye Yaodong returned to the unloading area to direct the unloading. They had only unloaded half when he saw a familiar fishing boat also docking at this unloading area to unload.

A middle-aged man who got off the boat looked at him with curiosity, while the workers were discussing the events at sea while unloading.

Although two days had passed, everyone was still tirelessly exchanging stories. After all, the people on the Dongyu were indeed a step late, and the people on the other two boats wanted to catch them and talk about it; they were truly too proud and too boastful.

"Could this comrade be Captain Ye?"

Ye Yaodong also looked at him curiously, then nodded, "It's me."

The other party was surprised and delighted, "Hello, hello, my name is Chen Guoping. I knew you were very young just by hearing your voice on the channel. I didn't expect you to be really this young."

"Did you also miss it, didn't make it in time?"

If he had made it in time to open the channel, he would definitely recognize him and wouldn't just say his voice was young.

Chen Guoping said regretfully, "Yes, I was also a step late and didn't make it. I was out at sea collecting goods, and when I had unloaded half, I hurriedly organized and rushed over, but I didn't expect to be late after all."

When the workers on the Dongyu heard that they were also a step late, they instantly felt much more balanced.

Ye Yaodong offered a few words of simple comfort.

"Captain Ye, we have a Zhoushan Fisheries Association locally. I don't know if you are interested in joining. It's full of boat bosses, and the fishing boats all dock in the surrounding ports."

Ye Yaodong thought for a moment and nodded. If you have many debts, you don't worry; if you have many lice, you don't itch. It doesn't matter if you join more associations.

Anyway, he was going to develop in this area. Joining an organization would make things easier to talk about later if anything happened. When he was doing better, he could also improve his social status and deal with the government better.

"Okay, then please help me introduce it."

Chen Guoping happily agreed, "With a captain with your strength joining, the local Fisheries Association will definitely get better and better."

"You're too kind..."

The other party enthusiastically kept chatting with him, and he also responded with a smile. It wasn't until all the goods were unloaded that he left his contact information and then left first.

On the way, Ye Fu muttered, "Why are there so many fisheries associations? They are everywhere?"

"Isn't this very normal? Relying on the sea to eat from the sea, individual strength is weak. Sometimes you need a collective organization. With more people, the voice is louder, and if anything happens, you can collectively come forward to negotiate with the government."

"Then you are going to Shanghai tomorrow, what if they come to the door?"

"Don't I have you guys? At most, fill out an application form. Why would I need to run around in person? At most, go and make up the numbers when there is a meeting. It's just like the current Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce; don't I only go to show my face when there is a meeting?"

"Oh."

"Now that the reef island has been taken over by the Navy, can Lin Guangyuan know the progress? He was also training at sea with the Navy before, right?"

Ye Fu's mind was a bit jumpy. Ye Yaodong was stunned for a moment before he realized that he wanted to know the follow-up.

"Things in the military are definitely confidential, so don't think about it. What's more, he went to the north to study and is not in Zhoushan now. They said he has to study for two or three years before coming back, and then he will be promoted."

"Promoted? That awesome?"

"Yeah, I heard he has been awarded the title of Outstanding Soldier for several consecutive years. Last year, he led a squad himself and became a squad leader, and this year he was recommended to study. After a few years, he should be a platoon leader, right?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, this kid can be considered to have made it. In a few years, he will be a cadre."

Ye Yaodong said somewhat proudly, "Because he has a good uncle-in-law to back him up! Without me constantly solving the placement of retired soldiers in the military, could he be so smooth? The retired soldiers we have received already make up a battalion. It seems a Marine battalion only has about 300 people, right?"

"Hehe, then aren't you a potential battalion commander? A bigger official than Lin Guangyuan's promotion?" Ye Fu instantly became a bit proud, changing from his previous decadence.

"Shh, keep it down. We can't talk nonsense about this. There are retired soldiers in the car behind."

"This kid is glorious, but his parents must be worried to death. He is 23 and still not married. Ye Chenghai is two years younger than him and got married this year."

"There's no comparison. The paths taken are different. There's no need to force a comparison. He's not married now, which means his fate hasn't arrived yet. Later, when he has achieved success in his career, he will definitely be able to find someone better."

Speaking of Ye Chenghai, he hadn't been in touch for a while, and he didn't know how the boat accessories were going. When he went back, he would contact him when he was free. By the way, he could reveal a little bit about the national restructuring to him. After all, his father-in-law was a factory director, and this major event was closely related to them.

He also pondered it himself. One processing factory here was already too busy to handle, plus the fishing boat business, and the fish sauce factory in the city back home. There were too many troublesome things, and one person's energy was limited. He couldn't cross industries to do other things.

Plus, if the national restructuring were to be carried out, each unit would be privatized, and there would definitely be many troublesome things, as well as personnel relationships in the units. There would definitely be a lot of messes.

He definitely wouldn't be able to get his hands on large state-owned units, and he couldn't cross industries to stare at those small state-owned units. Then he might as well make his own factory better and expand the scale.

At least this was something he built up with his own hands, not something he took over halfway. The people under him were all pulled up by him, and they all obeyed him.

So he might as well reveal this news to Ye Chenghai so that he and his father-in-law could respond early.

"I originally hoped that he would be able to come home after finishing his military service. Now it seems that the family has to rely on the younger ones."

Ye Fu's concept of the eldest grandson was still very important in his heart.

Ye Yaodong said, "Aren't the younger brothers also quite good? Lin Guangming and Lin Guangwen are also diligent and willing to work."

"Take advantage of the fact that they each drive a car now, arrange two more people to follow them and learn to drive big trucks. In case their family calls them back to help, you won't have anyone to drive for you."

"There are. They haven't reached the point of bringing apprentices yet. Newcomers can only follow along and learn a little. After they learn, they can go take the test. It seems there are already specialized testing centers now."

"Hey, I also heard that there are places in big cities that specialize in teaching how to drive small cars. Once you learn, they will issue a driver's license. When are you going to take the test?"

"It seems I have to go to Shanghai to take it? And I have to have time. Otherwise, why don't you go take it first?"

Ye Fu widened his eyes and pointed at himself, "What? Me go take it? I'm at this age, and you want me to go take it? Are you joking?"

"What age? What are you afraid of at 60? It's not stipulated that you can't take it at 60, right?"

Ye Fu still didn't believe it, "They definitely won't teach me, right? At this age, who still learns to drive? If you want to learn, let the younger ones learn. How many more years can I drive after learning? It's a waste to learn."

"As long as your hands and feet have no problems, your vision is normal, your mind is clear, and you are not senile, you can drive until you are 80. Isn't there still 10 or 20 years?"

"Can it really work?"

"It definitely can."

Ye Fu was a bit tempted, "Will they not accept me?"

"You're not going to learn for free; you're paying money. Why wouldn't they teach you? Does teaching an old man versus teaching a young person affect them collecting tuition?"

"I'm just afraid they have age regulations."

"Don't be afraid, there shouldn't be any. Why don't you sign up and try? I'm going to Shanghai tomorrow, so I'll ask for you while I'm at it."

Ye Fu grinned, finally having something to make him happy, "Then ask when you go, and then tell me."

"Yeah."

"Wait, what am I learning this for? After I learn it, I have nowhere to drive. Where can I drive to? I don't have a car, and you didn't buy a car."

"Got it, you are urging me to buy a car. Then there must be someone who can drive it before I can buy it, right? Otherwise, who do I buy it for to drive? How do I drive it away from the store?"

Ye Fu's eyes were full of stars, "Are you really going to buy a car?"

"Buy! If I don't enjoy it now, when will I enjoy it?"

"Hey, good. If you want to buy it, then I have to go learn it. After I learn it, I'll drive it for you first. Someone has to learn it before we can buy a car. You don't have time, so I'll go learn it for you first."

Ye Fu was high-spirited and a bit excited. This is a small car, a small car that only rich people can afford and drive. There are quite a lot of them on the streets of Shanghai, but there aren't many here.

If he could drive a small car, driving on the road, driving back to the village... his mouth was going to smile crookedly...

Didn't expect that at his age, at this age, he could still drive a small car?

That's a small car!

Didn't even dare to think about it!

It was only when he went to Shanghai before that Dongzi hailed a taxi and he had the honor of sitting in one. Didn't expect that it would be his turn to drive?

Seeing his father immersed in the excitement of learning to drive a small car, Ye Yaodong didn't disturb him, letting his father savor it first.

He had always planned to buy one, but the road conditions were too poor, and he always felt it wasn't practical, so he thought about waiting.

Anyway, he had all kinds of cars, from bicycles to big trucks. Whether he had a small car or not wasn't a big deal to him, and it wouldn't be inconvenient. He didn't have that obsession, and small cars weren't that good right now.

However, seeing Hong Wenle driving a small car in and out of the village during the New Year, he really felt it was a bit glorious, so he had the idea of buying one again.

Buy early and enjoy early. At worst, buy a better one later.

Not to mention anything else, having a small car would make running around in Shanghai much more convenient. In big cities with good road conditions, you really have to buy one.

"Hey Dongzi, how long does it take to learn to drive? I still have to go to sea..."

Ye Yaodong was speechless, "I haven't seen you so active in running to the sea usually; you always make excuses. Now that learning to drive a small car can't move you, can't stop you from going to sea to make contributions?"

Ye Fu's old face turned red, "Isn't it because I thought they were both equally important?"

"Wait until I go ask and see how to sign up for driving lessons, and then you can see the situation and go to Shanghai to learn. Practice every day. If you are fast, you can get your driver's license in one or two months; if you are slow, it will take three or four months. If you have something to do in the middle, you can come back. At most, it will extend the time to get the driver's license."

"Then you look first, ask first."

"Oh, by the way, how many characters do you know? You have to be literate to take the driver's license test."

"Ah!!" Ye Fu panicked a bit, "Isn't it enough to know how to drive? Do I still have to be literate? What does literacy have to do with driving? I don't know many characters..."

"Then forget it, then don't learn."

"I'll start learning characters when I go back. I'll learn 10 characters a day. Learning 300 characters a month should be fine, right? After I finish learning to drive, I'll be able to know 1000 characters!"

"Are you sure? Even the literacy class didn't learn that many characters."

"I'll just take a newspaper and learn characters when I go back. Just recognizing them is fine, right? Don't need to write them, right?"

"Just recognizing them is fine."

Ye Fu breathed a sigh of relief, then patted his chest and guaranteed, "I will definitely learn characters well."

Ye Yaodong smiled, "Okay, the Five-Good Civilized Family that Mom is looking forward to should be realized this year."

Ye Fu said angrily, "Messing around."

"Looks like I can drive a small car home this year?"

"Really? After I get my driver's license, you'll buy a car?"

"Buy. I'll buy it after you get your driver's license. Whenever you get it, I'll buy it. I'll buy it for you to drive, letting you drive back to the village gloriously."

Ye Fu nodded repeatedly after hearing this, "Good, good, good, I will try hard to learn to drive."

Saying this, his mouth split open with a smile.

"After going to Shanghai to learn to drive, you can also live in Shanghai for a few months, just live in that western-style house, a big house for you to live in."

"Good, good, good."

"You'll be comfortable, no need to work anymore."

"Have I done less work for you?"

"Heh, do you still regret not going to sea now?" Ye Yaodong also felt it was a pity that his father didn't make it.

Seeing the old man so heartbroken and depressed before, he also wanted to comfort him and make him happy.

"That regret is still very regrettable. Such a glorious thing, no matter what, it's defending the country. It must be reported in the newspaper. Your father, I, didn't make it to either of the two opportunities to become famous in this life. Good things don't have my share, but bad things all have me. If there was no hope from the beginning, I wouldn't think about it. This is all just a little bit off."

"I can't satisfy you with this, but letting you drive a small car gloriously is still possible."

Ye Fu happily agreed, still quite gratified. His son is also filial.

Ye Yaodong continued, "When we go back for the New Year, the western-style house will also be built, and you will also live in a western-style house and drive a small car."

Ye Fu nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, this life is already worth it, earned it."

Ps: Supplement, there is more at night. Just went to eat, delayed some time, otherwise it could have been sent out before 7 o'clock. Let everyone wait for a long time. Now the word count is a bit short, thinking of sending it out first, otherwise I will be scolded again.