Chapter 1682: Joy

The old woman, full of energy, kept pestering Ye's father to tell her about Old Pei, saying that if he didn't tell her, she felt she wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Oh my goodness, this matter that the whole village is talking about, she actually stumbled right into it; no matter how she thought about it, she felt a bit excited.

She had witnessed the truth.

Ye's father ignored her, walked on by himself, and introduced the houses and where his two sons lived.

The old woman was temporarily diverted by the topic, but after caring about the two grandsons, she started chasing him to ask again.

Now the fishing boats had all gone out to sea and not returned, so there weren't many people staying behind here; besides the canteen staff, you couldn't see many people, and even the logistics workers had gone out to receive and unload the cargo.

So when Old Pei came over to call home, he brought the woman along by the way.

Who else but him had always used the canteen's phone to call back, and had gotten used to coming here to make calls?

After failing to get an answer from the old woman's repeated questioning, she angrily hit him a few times with her cane, "If you don't tell me, I'll call your wife tonight when I get back and tell her."

"I won't tell you; when you get back, you'll definitely tell her."

"If you tell me, I promise I won't say anything."

"Don't be so gossipy."

"If you don't tell me, I'll ask Dongzi when I get back."

Ye's father rolled his eyes at her.

Sure enough, when they arrived at the processing factory, the old woman couldn't wait to go find Dongzi, but seeing that he was in a meeting, she went back to the room to rest first.

Only after finishing dinner did she secretly pull Ye Yaodong aside to ask.

Ye Yaodong was surprised, "Ah? I haven't even seen the person; did you see her?"

The old woman smiled quite happily, "Didn't I see her? I didn't think much of it at first, just thought it was strange that an old man like him was walking with a young woman, but then I remembered the rumors in the workshop and guessed it. Did you know this long ago?"

"Not really; I'm busy all day long, where would I have time to listen to such messy things? I just found out too, and I haven't even seen the person. You just arrived and bumped right into it."

"Tell me what you heard. When did he find her? How old is the woman? Judging by her age, she should have children; the children must be quite big, right? Did Old Pei find another one, so that's why he only comes home for Chinese New Year? Poor thing, the youngest son at home is still so small."

Asking such a string of questions at once, how was he supposed to answer?

"Then I'll tell you, just keep it to yourself, don't spread it out, it will affect unity."

"I promise I won't say anything, I won't tell anyone." The old woman vowed solemnly.

"I only heard a bit; she's probably thirty-five or thirty-six, has three daughters. I heard she hurt her body with forced abortions a few years ago and can't have children anymore, then her husband found someone else and had a son, and she came out to work with a fellow villager. I don't know anything else, and I don't know if this woman is divorced or not."

The information he knew was all heard from Ye Ye Huimei.

The old woman was satisfied after hearing this; Dongzi was honest after all, answering whatever was asked, unlike his father, who hid things and kept them secret, obviously not a good person, and even covered it up and wouldn't tell her.

"Doing whatever they want; not divorced but coming out to mess around, she's not a good person either. It's good she can't give birth; otherwise, if she has a few more children, Ah Guang and Ye Ye Huimei will have a hard time."

"So, anyway, she can't give birth, so Ah Guang doesn't care if his father finds someone else; anyway, they don't like the one at home, so let his father do whatever he wants, as long as he's happy."

"These people are no good; at least send more money back, make more calls to the family; the children are still so small, how pitiful. If they were my sons, I'd break their legs!"

Ye Yaodong nodded in agreement, "My father is still good, honest."

"What's honest about him? He won't say anything when asked, he's quite cunning too."

"This isn't a good thing, it's not a glorious thing, what's there to talk about?"

The old woman paused, then asked in a low voice, "Then can I tell your mother?"

Ye Yaodong was speechless for a moment, "Tell my mother? Then all the women in the village will know; tomorrow Widow Ma will be holding her child and coming onto the boat."

"Oh, oh, then I'll tell Lin Lin Xiuqing?"

"..."

Seeing her face set, the old woman hurriedly coaxed him, "Okay, okay, I won't say, I won't say, I won't say anything."

"Hmm."

"Then when are we going to Shanghai? Tomorrow is the 30th."

"Do you feel okay? Did you feel unwell anywhere today?"

"I went to bed early yesterday, drank chicken soup, took a nap today, and have already recovered; I only went out for an hour this afternoon. Didn't you say it only takes a few hours to take the boat to Shanghai? Then it's fine."

"Good, then we'll set off early tomorrow morning. I had someone bring back a few green crabs; at this time of year, green crabs are the fattest, full of roe. We'll stew them tonight for you to eat and nourish yourselves."

Every year from September to December is when green crabs are the fattest; the females are full of roe, delicious to the last bite.

"Ah, okay, okay, with so many things to eat, I must take a good look on this trip."

"Hmm, we'll stay in the western-style house for a few more days then, which will let us recover; coming back shouldn't feel too tiring."

The old woman nodded happily, "I'll listen to your arrangements; whatever you say, I'll do."

"Did you take photos today?"

"Yes, your father took one for me at the factory gate, and took another for me when we went to the dormitory area; he said he'd take more for me when we get to Shanghai. Is everyone going to Shanghai tomorrow?"

"More or less; our whole family will go first."

The exhibition setup isn't due yet; those people will wait another two or three days before going.

Seeing that it was almost dark, Ye Yaodong asked the old woman to sit at the door to cool off and asked Lin Lin Xiuqing to use the clay pot to stew the green crabs first.

When they were brought back in the afternoon, they had already been scrubbed clean, then soaked in rice wine to get them drunk before stewing.

They always habitually add rice wine when stewing for nourishment; it's homemade.

When they set off the next day, everyone was very excited, except Ye Yaodong.

Ye's father was also a bit excited; on the boat, he came over and asked, "Dongzi, has the matter of signing me up for the driver's license exam been arranged?"

"Not yet."

"Ah? Why not yet?"

"I haven't even gone there yet; how could I arrange it?"

"No, your friend at the shipyard isn't..."

"I asked him to help inquire, but I still have to go there first, pay the registration fee, and also pay the money for hiring someone; only then can we say it's arranged. Anyway, this matter of yours isn't urgent; rest first after arriving, accompany the old woman to recover, and tomorrow I'll take Ye Chenghu to register first."

Ye's father nodded in agreement; learning to drive was urgent, but it wouldn't hurt to wait a day or two—he had to settle the old lady first before he could rest easy.

Ye Chenghu wanted to attend school in Magu, but he needed a local hukou; luckily, they had a villa, and he'd already had Lin Lin Xiuqing arrange the household registration transfer procedures back home—he'd go to the office in the afternoon to complete the incoming registration.

Then, only the next day could he enroll; even then, he'd still have to pay a temporary enrollment fee.

High school tuition now cost a few dozen yuan, but Ye Chenghu would have to pay five thousand—this was already pre-arranged, with connections cultivated and gifts given, not counting those extras.

To him, this money meant nothing, but to a salaried family, it might be one or two years' income.

Either way, Ye Yaodong had to get him into a decent school; after all, he was only fourteen or fifteen—he couldn't bear to leave his young son stranded at sea for long.

Occasional training during winter and summer breaks was fine, but at this age, he needed to learn useful things at school and build more social connections.

Whether useful or not, making friends at school was different from making friends on a ship or at the docks—school friendships were purer.

He was at the age for attending school and making friends, not for struggling to earn a living.

Ye's father said, "Then take care of Chenghu's enrollment first. If you're too busy, just enroll me after the exhibition ends."

"I'll see how it goes—if enrollment goes smoothly tomorrow, I'll have one more day free for you. The day after that, Manager Qi and the sales staff will arrive to set up the exhibition hall, and I'll need to go check it out—I'll be busy then."

"Mm, do as you see fit."

As for the two sisters-in-law, let them wander freely—they'd been to Magu before, and once the old lady recovered, his father could accompany them; they could all go out and explore together.

After Ye Chenghu finishes enrollment, Lin Lin Xiuqing can join them for sightseeing, or come along to the exhibition.

Everyone else, besides him, had no rush—they were relaxed, and staying a few extra days made no difference.

After speaking, Ye's father went to attend to the old lady; she was so old and still traveling—he was truly anxious and had to keep a close eye on her.

Ye Yaodong had never before seen his father show such thoughtful concern.

He'd ask if the old lady was thirsty, then if she was tired, then if the sea wind was too strong—afraid she'd get a headache, he urged her back to the cabin.

At home, he'd never been this attentive, never once hovered near the old lady.

The old lady was already annoyed by him, waving her cane to shoo him away, insisting she was perfectly fine.

Only then did Ye's father drag over a small stool and sat at a respectful distance, watching.

When Ye Yaodong walked over, his father scolded him again: "You've eaten too much and have nothing better to do than drag your ancient ancestor along…"

Ye Yaodong let him rant, let him speak—he let it flow in one ear and out the other, pretending he hadn't heard.

Ye Chenghu leaned close to Ye Yaodong and whispered, "He's got a sharp tongue but a soft heart—Grandpa's actually filial, you just never saw it at home. Now he's so anxious about Great Grandma."

Ye Yaodong shot him a sidelong glance. "Which eye do you see him being unfilial at home?"

"Is there filial piety at home?"

"Who used to carry the manure?"

"Oh, right—Dad, you got off easy; Uncle One and Uncle Two carried their own."

"Too bad you built a toilet—you'll never get another chance to carry manure for him."

Ye Chenghu's eyes widened, relieved they'd built a toilet—if not, his father might've made him carry it.

"Dad, I'll earn more money later and take care of you."

"If you get into university, that's the greatest filial piety you can show me."

"Heh…"

He dared not respond.

Ye Chenghu gave two awkward laughs, then quietly sidestepped away; as soon as his father turned to look elsewhere, he hurried farther off.

They boarded the ship in the morning and arrived in Magu by afternoon, carrying their luggage straight to the villa.

As usual, the old lady rode in a rickshaw, accompanied by Ye's father.

Ye Yaodong noticed there were many rickshaws around, so he had everyone ride them.

Taxis were hard to find near the dock; the most convenient was the bus, but buses were too crowded, too smelly, stiflingly hot, and reeked of gasoline.

Better to ride the open-air yellow rickshaw—it was breezy, comfortable, and steady.

The rickshaw had no cover; the old lady craned her neck, gazing everywhere with curiosity, afraid she'd miss anything, holding her reading glasses with one hand and squinting hard.

"My goodness, so this is what a big city looks like—exactly like on TV…"

"So there really are buildings this tall? So many cars, really…?"

"This place is huge—how many streets have we passed? Much bigger than our county town!"

"How many times have you been here? So lively—no wonder everyone who comes returns and talks about it for years without getting tired."

…

The old lady chattered nonstop along the way, peppering Ye's father with questions.

Ye's father suspected she'd used up all the words she'd planned for the entire year.

Until the rickshaw entered the JA district, where Ye's father pointed to a cluster of villas: "Dongzi's house is right here—similar to these."

The old lady's eyes sparkled. "My grandson is amazing—this house is beautiful, so nice, with a yard! Too bad these people don't grow vegetables—just grass everywhere. In our village, we'd pull it all out."

Ye's father wholeheartedly agreed. "Yes, clear the grass, plant vegetables—what a waste of space. All this grass just needs constant trimming."

"With so much grass, you could raise two sheep."

"Nonsense—pull the grass, hoe the soil, plant vegetables and raise chickens—that's better."

"Is Dongzi's yard all grass too?"

"Of course—it's a waste of space."

"Then these next two days, you'll hoe the yard and plant vegetables. Aren't you learning to drive here? That'll take at least a month—you'll be able to eat your own produce and save money. Earning money isn't easy; everywhere in this big place costs money—don't waste it."

As soon as the rickshaw stopped, the old lady leapt out impatiently.

"This house is great! So beautiful! Much bigger than our village home—a three-story villa, so grand! My luck is incredible—I get to live in a house like this…"

The old lady beamed, leaning on her cane, peering eagerly at the front door.

Ye Yaodong jingled his keys. "Come on—I'll show you inside to enjoy yourself."

"Ah, good, good. Going in to enjoy the blessings, letting me enjoy them—it was worth it, this trip was worth it..."

"This is just the beginning. Once we've rested enough, let my father and the others take you on a tricycle to properly tour Shanghai."

"I've seen enough along the way just now."

"That was only a few streets. We haven't even been to the lively places yet. We don't have to squeeze in, but we can look around the outside."

Ye Ye Dasao chimed in, "Dongzi is the most promising one in our family. If not for him, we wouldn't be living in such a fine house."

The old lady nodded happily in agreement. "Yes, yes, yes. Dongzi is the most promising in the whole family. To live to this age and see all this is worth it."

"This is just the beginning. If you live a few more years, you'll see me become even more promising."

"Ah, good, good..."

Throughout the journey, the old lady's smile never stopped.

Once inside the courtyard, she was curious about everything. Seeing the stone table and stone stools, she immediately sat down, running her hands over them, not caring at all about the thick layer of dust on top.

"This stone table and stools are great. When the weather is hot, it's convenient to bring the food out to eat. It's just that the grass all over the ground is not good..."

"Go inside and sit. There are soft sofas in the room, which are even more comfortable." Ye Fu supported the old lady as they went inside.

The old lady stood at the main entrance, looking at the furnishings inside, paused for a moment, and hesitated to step in.

Seeing them change their shoes, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Otherwise, if she were to go in like that, she couldn't bear to step on it.

"This house is about the same as in the TV shows?"

Ye Yaodong said, "There happens to be an empty room on the first floor, so the old lady won't have to climb stairs. She can just sleep on the first floor."

Ye Fu said, "It just so happens that I used to sleep on the first floor before. I'll tidy up the bedding; I'll sleep on the floor."

Ye Yaodong thought about it and felt that was a good idea. He could look after the old lady at night anyway, and with such hot weather, sleeping on the floor wasn't a problem.

Everyone takes care of their own mother. Besides, his father was very idle anyway.

Ye Chenghu gave Ye Fu a thumbs-up. "Grandpa, you are truly a great filial son."

Ye Fu rolled his eyes at him.

Lin Lin Xiuqing said with a smile, "When I get old, if you can be like your grandpa, I'll wake up laughing in my dreams."

"Hehe, don't worry, Mom. Even if I have to step on you to get out of bed in the middle of the night, I will."

"Stop joking. Everyone go choose a room and tidy up your own rooms."

After Ye Yaodong gave the order, everyone hurried to choose a room, most selecting the one they had lived in before.

He also instructed Lin Lin Xiuqing that he had to go out first to handle the household registration matters, leaving the house in her care.

He was truly so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

Ye Ye Dasao said with a smile, "Once I finish tidying my room, I'll tidy up Father's and the old lady's rooms too. You all sit and rest for a while first."

Ye Fu refused. "No need for you all to busy yourselves. I'll tidy it up myself. This place is so large; besides the rooms, there are stairs and a living room too. Everything needs to be wiped clean. There's plenty of work to do."

The old lady said, "Yes, you all go about your business. Once the rooms are tidied, help A-Qing clean the stairs and living room. My room is fine with your father helping me tidy it."

"Alright then, we'll clean from the top down."

Seeing the family harmony, and that the daughters-in-law were now much more sensible, the old lady was deeply gratified. A family should be like this.

Now, the only one in the entire house who was idle was the old lady.

But she couldn't stay idle either. After sitting on the sofa for a while, finding it soft, her bottom kept shifting; no matter how she sat, she felt uncomfortable.

She simply stood up, looked here and touched there. After touring the inside, she went outside, and even couldn't resist touching the dog kennel. She felt joy looking at everything.

"What a pity. With so many dogs at home, we should have brought two over to raise here."

Ye Chenghu happened to be on the balcony and loudly agreed, "Yes! I said we should bring two dogs up. Ye Xiaoji wouldn't let me bring them, saying they were hers. Father told me not to fight her over it. It's infuriating."

The old lady looked up and said with a smile, "You have to go to school. Your father was worried you wouldn't have time to take care of them."

"How could that be? I'll come back for lunch and dinner every day."

"Who else would want the other dogs since you didn't want them? Wait until next time two puppies are born, and I'll give them to you."

Ye Chenghu wiped back and forth with a rag, getting angrier just talking about it.