Chapter 1679: Want to

Sea cucumbers taste good, but they're not easy to prepare.

First, cut open the sea cucumber, find the slit at one end, and use scissors to make a small incision along the slit—don't cut too long.

Then press down from the opening with your hand to squeeze out all the internal organs and blood.

Afterward, trim both ends: the slit end by about five millimeters—this part has tiny spines and is its feeding mouth.

Also cut off the sealed end to ensure all impurities are completely removed.

Then sprinkle salt and white vinegar on it and rub vigorously until the mucus and impurities come out; you must rub and rinse it at least three or four times until the water runs clear, the sea cucumber looks transparent, and no mucus remains when touched.

Eating them is also troublesome—you must blanch them in hot water first, then quickly remove them and plunge into cold water as soon as they change color, so they stay crisp and refreshing.

Luckily, they only had to catch them; the cleaning was left to the workshop auntie, but they still spent the whole afternoon getting everything dried out.

Ye Yaodong spent the whole afternoon slaughtering chickens, preparing Offerings, going up the mountain to worship, then returning to stew the Dragon and Phoenix soup.

Another pot of clear broth was placed on a small clay pot over the coal stove for slow simmering, with some ginseng added for children's nourishment.

After the two girls returned from the seaside, smelling the aromas from home, they didn't go anywhere else—just squatted by the door, and told every little friend they met that they were going to eat snake meat.

When they finally ate the snake meat, they specifically carried it out to the door, where a small table and a few stools had been set up on the vacant lot next door—they could borrow them.

The weather was hot, so everyone naturally ate meals by the door.

"I'm eating snake meat—old snake meat at that…"

"This snake was caught this morning—no, my sister caught it—it's incredibly delicious…"

"This snake was caught by my sister—she's so amazing…"

"My sister caught two snakes and cooked two big pots—they're so delicious…"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi had become a total sister-bragging maniac; whenever anyone came over to peek at what they were eating, she had to explain to them exactly what she was eating.

Pei Yu was slightly embarrassed by all the boasting and whispered, "Sister…"

"Everyone's praising you."

Lin Lin Xiuqing watched them whispering to each other, "Eat faster—you're the slowest eater and the noisiest talker."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi grumbled, "If I didn't talk so much, would I eat this slowly?"

"You've got a point now?"

She fell silent and focused on battling the snake bones in her mouth.

This old snake wasn't big—only about a catty—old snakes have little meat anyway, mostly bones; even children had to eat carefully and with great effort.

The children nearby watched their family eating, drooling—chicken soup, snake heads, stir-fried sea cucumber with leeks, braised pork—it was so fragrant they couldn't stay inside.

At that moment, Ma, Old Pei's second wife, came over carrying a child and a basket of bananas.

Her face was full of smiles, "Oh my, having dinner? I smelled the aroma long ago—your dinner looks wonderful, with fish, meat, and chicken soup."

Everyone glanced at her, then went back to eating.

Ye's mother pursed her lips and immediately lowered her eyelids again.

She carried on talking to herself, "Hehe, Xiao Yu's back? This morning I thought I saw things—she was right at the door, why didn't she come in? Luckily, the neighbors told me, so I hurried over with this basket of bananas for you."

Pei Yu glanced at her and murmured thanks, then lowered her head and kept eating.

She didn't feel awkward and continued, "You're back, but why didn't your parents return? They didn't even call to say anything—when are you going back up? School starts soon—it'll be September 1st in a few days."

Pei Yu whispered, "I'm staying home to study next semester—I won't be going up."

"Not going up?" she raised her voice, "Why not? Your whole family's up there—why are you coming back?"

Ye's mother couldn't stand her shouting at her granddaughter, glared, "What's this? Are you going to yell? Does it matter to you whether she goes up or not? She doesn't live with you, doesn't eat your food."

"Her whole family's up there—why did she come back?"

"She can stay wherever she wants—what do you have to say about her parents' decision? If you have an issue, call them yourself—don't hound the child."

"Can't I ask? I'm her grandmother too."

"Grandmother my ass—her real grandmother's been dead a long time."

Ma's temples throbbed, but remembering she needed something from them, she held back her urge to retort.

"Mother-in-law, that's not fair—stepmother is still a mother, step-grandmother is still a grandmother."

"No, she's past the age of nursing—she doesn't need a mother or a grandmother."

Ye Yaodong barely held back a laugh.

Ma's temples pulsed, but remembering she needed their help, she suppressed her anger and turned to speak to Ye Yaodong instead.

She forced a polite, fake smile, "Adong, how many days are you staying this trip? When are you leaving for the city?"

"Not sure. Why?"

"I thought you'd let me know when you leave—I'd like to go up with you."

Ye Yaodong nearly dropped his meat in surprise, "You're going up to Zhou City?"

"Yes—Old Pei hasn't come home all year, and Ah Feng's almost forgotten what his father and brother look like—I need to take the child up to meet them."

The little demon inside Ye Yaodong was cheering, but his face stayed calm, "Have you told Old Pei or Ah Guang? If they agree, I'll take you up with me."

"Where do I even find them? Every time I call, they say they're not there, or they're out at sea—it takes a month or more just to get back to shore. They never call home, so how do I reach them? I don't know how busy they are—they only call once a month, just to send money for living expenses."

Ma muttered, venting her complaints.

Women nearby who had been listening now gathered around, joining in the chatter.

"Could Old Pei have changed his heart?"

"Second marriages are hard to predict…"

"But they have a son?"

"Who doesn't want sons? They've got several grandkids already—otherwise why would they call only once a month?"

"That's not fair—my husband only calls every two months, says he's always out at sea, and calls the moment he docks—maybe Old Pei and his son are the same?"

"Not really—it seems only Ah Guang stays out at sea; his father only goes occasionally to relieve him or lend a hand."

"Hard to say, but many people are taking their wives up this year anyway, so it's better to follow along. Otherwise, you might not see each other once all year, and this child will probably forget what his father looks like."

At that moment, Pei Feng chimed in loudly, "I remember my father; my father is very old."

"Hahaha..."

The women nearby laughed.

"That's true; your father is indeed a bit older than other fathers."

Ma Shen slapped the back of his head and glared at him. "Shut up. What business is it of yours to interrupt when adults are speaking?"

Ye Yaodong glanced at the child, who was clearly a size smaller than the twins, and said, "You should call Lao Pei to communicate first. If, after communicating, he agrees that you need to come up with me, then I'll take you; otherwise, I can't take you."

"Why can't you take me? It's just a side thing. A son wants to find his father; how can you deny him?"

"Then you go find him yourself."

"If I could go on my own, I wouldn't have run here to ask."

Ye's mother said irritably, "Lao Pei didn't say he'd let you go up. If Dongzi takes you up, won't he be caught between a rock and a hard place?"

"I'm Lao Pei's wife. What's wrong with me going to find him? How does that make him caught between a rock and a hard place?"

"Nothing is wrong, but you must first ask Lao Pei if he wants you to go up. Ask first, then speak; otherwise, I can't take you."

"I'm just taking your boat up as a side thing... it's just a side thing..."

Ye's mother retorted, "Can't you understand human speech? Ask your old man first if he'll let you go up. You haven't been back for a whole year; you only call when sending money."

"Hehe... my old guy calls back once a week."

"He calls back every day just to scold me, as if phone calls cost nothing. It's useless to talk to him."

Hearing this, Ma Shen felt her heart pierced and her chest heaved as she wanted to scold someone. "What do you mean?"

"What do I mean? Literally what I said. It's clear your old man doesn't want you to go up."

"You're talking nonsense; I just can't reach him."

Seeing her outwardly fierce but inwardly weak, Ye's mother let out two "hehe" sounds and said nothing.

But those two "hehe" sounds were very grating to hear.

Lin Lin Xiuqing, afraid she would cause a scene, said, "You should call and ask first. We can't just send someone to him for no reason; what if good intentions lead to bad results?"

The people around also urged, "Yes, you should call first. If your man hasn't agreed, how can others feel comfortable taking you? There's responsibility involved."

"Yes, there is responsibility. After all, the boat ride takes two days; how can you just take anyone on board? Family consent is definitely required."

"You should call and ask first. If he agrees to let you go up, then A-Dong will definitely take you; the two families are in-laws after all."

"We went along to join the fun a few years ago. To be honest, that Magic City is truly lively; one trip there is worth a lifetime."

"Forget the Magic City; just the bustling scene at the dock is something I've never seen in my life."

A few family members had gone up once during the winter two years ago; the memory remains vivid to this day, and they often bring it up repeatedly. Now they mentioned it again.

The topic was thus diverted.

Ma Shen, unwilling to give up, took her child and left first.

After finishing the meal, Ye Yaodong called his father and told him about this matter.

"... Tell Lao Pei a bit later; I'm leaving the night after tomorrow."

"If she comes up, won't it be like an old house catching fire? Lao Pei definitely won't let her come up. That old good-for-nothing, at his age, found someone not much older than his son, bought a house, and set up a new family... If the one he found later finds out, what then? At his age, isn't he afraid he can't handle it..."

Ye's father muttered a long string of complaints, and it was unclear whether it was envy or disdain.

"Leave him alone. Anyway, if it's an old house catching fire, that's the price of enjoying life."

"He definitely won't let her come up; no need to even talk about it."

"Still, he needs to know. Otherwise, if she can't take my boat, she might go to the town dock to inquire about scheduled boats, take her child, and go looking for him herself. What then?"

"Unlikely, right? That's a long way; would she have the guts to take a child there alone?"

"Who knows? She might just take a boat up, find a place to make a call after disembarking, ask for the dormitory area address, and go straight there; it's very convenient."

After all, the canteen in the dormitory area has a fixed telephone; making and receiving calls is very convenient. The workers from the village live there and basically make calls home from there.

If she starts looking, it won't be difficult at all.

If she hardens her heart, she might just go straight up and find him.

"Then we still need to let Lao Pei know. He has to solve his own romantic debts himself. At his age, he's still looking here and there..."

"Mm."

"So you've confirmed you're departing the night after tomorrow, right?"

"Mm. My mother is nearby; do you want to speak to her?"

"No, what's there to say?"

"Won't you ask her about the house?"

"Just ask you, then."

"I just got back, and I don't know the details as well as she does. Ask her whatever you want to know."

"Alright then..."

Ye Yaodong shouted toward the door, "Mother, my father is on the phone; he wants you to answer."

Ye's mother was bragging to someone at the door. Hearing this, she looked disdainful. "Calling every day to make me answer. It's like having a fake door; they look for me every day..."

"That's good. It shows an old married couple still cares about each other..."

Ye Yaodong handed the phone to his old mother, and just then, Lin Lin Xiuqing finished clearing the dishes.

Her eyes sparkled as she gossiped, "What does 'an old house catching fire' mean? Why won't Lao Pei let Ma Shen come up?"

"You ask me; who should I ask?"

Ye Yaodong had only stated Ma Shen's request when he called; he didn't say anything else. It was all his father talking on the other end of the line; his wife wouldn't have heard it anyway.

"Did Lao Pei find someone new up there? That's why he won't let Ma Shen come up?"

How can you guess so well?

"I don't know!"

"How could you not know? It must be true. Otherwise, who wouldn't call home for a month or so if they hadn't gone to sea? They only call when sending money. Does he not want his youngest son anymore? Even if he despises Aunt Ma, the son is still his own."

Lin Lin Xiuqing grew more and more confident as she spoke. "If he could find an Aunt Ma, finding another wouldn't be strange. Besides, for a second-marriage couple, how deep can their feelings really be?"

"Logically, since Ah Guang is at sea, he should just stay ashore collecting rent from his few boats. Coming back occasionally should be simple. Yet he went out at the start of the year and won't return until the end."

"If he had decisively refused to let Aunt Ma come up now, there would definitely be a problem; he wouldn't even see his youngest son. Am I right?"

Ye Yaodong gave her a thumbs-up. "Your analysis is well-reasoned and backed by evidence. Luckily, I've been taking you up every few days and even letting you come with me daily, so you haven't had the chance to analyze me."

Lin Lin Xiuqing let out a light snort and rolled her eyes at him. "Who do you think you're fooling? Aunt Ma must have noticed Old Pei's strange behavior, which is why she's so eager to come up and protect her position."

"Enjoying life and seeing the world is one thing, but she probably gets only a fixed monthly allowance and isn't satisfied with that anymore."

"She might also fear that Old Pei will just continue like this, leaving her and the child at home, only returning once for the New Year, then just sending a little monthly allowance and ignoring them completely."

"Then what's the point of her with an old man? She even bore him a son, all for those few dozen yuan a month?"

Ye Yaodong praised her enthusiastically. "Brilliant! My wife is so smart, your analysis is spot-on! You might be right. Old Pei clearly has many shady schemes. Let me go up in a couple of days, I'll probe the situation and tell you."

Since she had guessed everything correctly, he had to show some appreciation, otherwise she might turn around and accuse him of deliberately hiding the truth.

Let others suffer, not me. Besides, it's an open secret anyway.

Lin Lin Xiuqing nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it. Don't worry, if you tell me, I absolutely won't tell anyone else. I know what to say and what not to say. If his wife found out, it would be a disaster."

"Good."

The two walked out to enjoy the cool air. Several children at home were peeling the plantains Aunt Ma had sent, eating them and saying only how delicious they were.

Who knows how many stomachs they have? They just finished a meal and are already eating bananas again. There are also several frozen jelly desserts on the table.

"You just finished eating and don't even rest for a while, yet you're stuffing your mouths again. You said you were full and stuffed just before, and now you can eat again."

"It's delicious, Mother. Everyone says stepmothers are bad, but Little Yu's step-grandmother even sent us bananas. That's pretty good."

"Good what? Little Yu's father planted many plantain trees when he was young. These sent ones were all grown by her father; she's just eating what belongs to her."

"Oh, that little uncle of his is so silly. He met us this morning and even called Little Yu 'older sister.' It was Little Yu who corrected him, saying he was the uncle, and he still kept following us around."

"The children are young and don't understand. After you finish these, you are not allowed to eat any more."

Lin Lin Xiuqing carried the basket of plantains back inside to put away, stopping them from eating more.

However, she also pondered to herself, thinking that when she returned to her maiden home tomorrow, she should bring back some food. She would take some pickled or dried goods to Shanghai; some things cannot be bought with money and can only be made at home.

But her son is going to school in Shanghai and will live in a Western-style house in the second half of the year. She doesn't know if he'll get used to the food outside, so bringing some from home is definitely the right choice.

Thinking of this, she started rummaging through boxes and cupboards at home again, packing everything she could for her eldest son to take, as everything was prioritized for him now.

Being away from home is not the same as being at home.

After this packing, by the time they were ready to depart, she had packed two full large sacks just for Ye Chenghu. It was purely because she thought of something every day and added it, packing for two days, and the more she packed, the more there was.

And when they finished dinner and were about to head to the town to take the boat, Aunt Ma came running over hurriedly, holding her child.

"Wait, take me with you. Old Pei has already agreed."

Ye Yaodong was puzzled. "No way? He didn't even call to tell me?"

"He told me, saying I just need to inform you."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"I don't believe it. Wait a moment, I'll call my father."

He wasn't that easily fooled; he wouldn't believe someone just because they opened their mouth.

Ye Yaodong told the others to board the tractor first; he would make a call and be right back.

They had just moved their luggage up when the person arrived.

Finding other workers might be difficult, as most are at sea, and even those who return won't be back until nightfall. But finding his father is easy; one phone call and he's always there.

It was also dinnertime now, so calling his father only required sending someone to the cafeteria to shout for him, and he would answer the phone within a few minutes.

Ye Yaodong verified the matter with his father.

Ye Father firmly insisted it was impossible. "When I spoke to Old Pei the day before yesterday, Old Pei said not to let her come up. He said to wait until the 30th, when he sends the money, then he'll call."

"He also said that normally he sends money at the beginning of the month, but this time he's sending it at the end of the month and calling her. That old fellow..."

Ye Father muttered a few curses quietly.

"Got it, hanging up. I need to prepare to leave. She blocked my vehicle just now, claiming Old Pei had already agreed, so I called you to verify. Since this isn't true, I won't deal with her."

"Hey, you hurry up and leave, don't waste time."

"Mm."

"Let him solve his family's problems himself."

"Okay."

When Ye Yaodong came out of the house, he saw Aunt Ma looking anxious and uneasy.

"Old Pei told you not to come up yet. He said to wait until he finishes his work and calls you at the end of the month."

After saying this, he climbed onto the tractor.

Aunt Ma clung on, unwilling to give up, and said urgently, "Just take me with you. It's just two more people."

While speaking, she tried to put the son in her arms into the tractor's cargo bed.

Ye Mother quickly stopped her, snatching the child away and grabbing Aunt Ma firmly with one hand.

"Do you have no shame? Your old man won't let you go, yet you still insist on pestering us."

"Let go of me..."

"Dongzi, you go ahead."

Pei Feng was jostled by their pulling and tugging, stumbled, fell to the ground, and burst into loud wailing.

Pei Yu peeled a candy and stuffed it into his mouth; he immediately stopped wailing, then trotted happily behind Pei Yu and Ye Ye Xiaoxi.

Ye's mother was still dragging out Aunt Ma to scold, "Shameless! You're sticking to our family now? Go somewhere cool and stay there!"

"It's truly bad luck for eight lifetimes to be tied to someone like you. If you can't hold a man's heart yourself, don't stick to us. If you have the ability, go do it yourself, and stop lying..."

"You shameless liar, I won't take you..."

Seeing his mother was there, Ye Yaodong drove the tractor away directly.

This time, he brought his wife and eldest son, along with two sisters-in-law and the old lady, trying to drive a bit slower.

They were whispering in the back cargo bed too; now there was gossip to talk about, so the journey wouldn't be boring.

After they had gossiped about Aunt Ma behind her back, Ye Ye Dasao curiously asked Ye Chenghu, "Chenghu, you've been up there for two months; did you see Old Pei?"

Ye Chenghu was listening with great interest; why was he being asked?

He shook his head, "No, I was up there helping my father, going out to sea every day; even my father only appears once every ten days or half a month."

Actually, it wasn't that exaggerated; at most, they might see each other once every three to five days; he was exaggerating.

"Then have you heard anything about Old Pei? Did Old Pei find another one up there?" Ye Ye Ersao asked sneakily too.

He shook his head like a wave, "I don't know that; I haven't heard anything; I've been staying on the sea."

Even if he knew, he couldn't speak; those old fishermen said matters there couldn't be brought home to talk about!

Lin Lin Xiuqing defended Ye Chenghu, "He is still a child; why ask him about this? Let's just chat among ourselves."

"Hehe..."

"Don't know if we'll be able to see your eldest brother up there..."

"We can only try our luck; if we don't meet him, we'll just treat it as a trip; it's not a loss."

Ye Chenghu spoke the plain truth, "Of course it's not a loss; you don't have to pay for the round-trip fare."

PS: Sorry, I'm not full-time; occasionally, situations are unavoidable. I'm thinking of updating as much as possible without taking leave.

Otherwise, just submitting a leave request to say "taking a day off" would be more convenient, saving everyone's resentment over delayed updates; my intention to update is good... *big cry*... Never mind, next time I'll just take leave directly if something comes up.

And no chapter is missing; although it dragged from early morning until evening, er, it's still the same day...

I only took one day off this month; that's still considered diligent. Once I get through this week, I won't be busy next week. (120 characters, free)