Chapter 1729

The factory was orderly, with no major situations; during the New Year period, they just needed to manage production.

Ye Yaodong just took a look at the output during the New Year period and sorted out the orders that needed to be shipped after the 15th, and basically, there was nothing else to do.

Many orders from before the New Year needed to be shipped one after another after the 15th; they had been working overtime during this period, and now there was quite a lot of inventory, enough for shipping.

There were corresponding people responsible for storage and shipping, so he didn't need to worry too much.

After Ye Yaodong finished his work at the factory, he took both families and his father, plus the two nephews arranged for the office, to Shanghai early the next morning; he was counting on his father to drive, so he had to bring him along.

With only one car, after arriving in Shanghai, they hailed another taxi, went to the Western-style house to settle down first, and then gave the enrollment fee to Ye Chenghu, letting him go to school to enroll by himself, while he still had to arrange for others to go to school.

At the same time, he also let his father take Lin Xiuqing directly to the driving school to sign up for the driver's license; his father had already passed the test anyway, so he knew how to handle it.

Doing several things at the same time could be faster, otherwise, he was very busy and couldn't do everything personally.

Ye Chengyang and Ye Xiaoxi also undoubtedly had to go to Pudong to study; paying a transfer fee of 3,000 yuan each was enough to get in; Pei Yu was the same; it didn't matter where the twins went to kindergarten.

However, this way, it wasn't convenient for them to live in the Western-style house here, so they could only go to live in the row of rented houses built in Pudong.

Ye Yaodong pondered tearing down the small farmhouse courtyard he had bought before and rebuilding it; it would take at most a year, and by then, he would have another Western-style house.

Originally, when he bought it, it was a farmhouse courtyard, which was a homestead, right on the roadside in the village; in the past few years, many around it had been torn down and rebuilt, and many 3-story buildings had been built.

It was nothing to tear it down and rebuild it here.

For this year, he would temporarily let them live in the rented house, which just happened to be convenient for Lin Xiuqing to collect rent.

And Chen Baoguo and Wang Jiale, who took turns staying here, could also have one go back, and the remaining one could also directly choose to go to the office to work.

The few rented houses Ah Guang built weren't far from here, just two or three small villages away, and riding a bicycle for ten or twenty minutes was enough.

On the way back after finishing his business, Ye Yaodong also thought about the next arrangements; building a small Western-style house was also a simple matter for him now, and he could live in it for decades to come.

And this area of Pudong would also develop better and better; in the future, he would have a Western-style house in Puxi and a Western-style house in Pudong.

After returning and telling Lin Xiuqing, she also agreed very much, saying in a low voice: "It just so happens that we have too much money to spend now; building the house bigger and living more comfortably is also good; and the two children are still young and have to study here for many years."

A child who can be taught.

Finally knowing how to enjoy, Ye Yaodong was very gratified.

"Then in these two days, let Chen Baoguo find renovation workers and arrange it; let them run around and be busy with the renovation matters; you just need to go take a look occasionally and then record the renovation accounts."

"Mm, can those two children enroll tomorrow?"

"Right, school has already started tomorrow, but it doesn't matter if they are transfer students; it's fine to go enroll tomorrow; it's not far from your son's school, 10 minutes by bike."

"That's good."

"Has Ye Chenghu come back after enrolling? Have you also signed up at the driving school?"

"I came back a long time ago, and I've also signed up."

"That's good; take them to enroll tomorrow morning; bring their schoolbags, and let them go to school directly after enrolling; we'll be liberated too."

"Should we go deposit the sack of money after they finish enrolling?"

"No need to deposit it yet; we still have to go to the shipyard to accept the ships; three ships need to be accepted; first see how much the final payment is, count the quantity, and if there's any left over, go deposit it then."

Lin Xiuqing thought that the whole sack was full of 10-yuan bills, and her scalp felt a bit numb.

"They're all 'Big Unities'..."

"Uh... there's no other way; let's call others to help count together."

Ye Yaodong thought that he would have to take that sack of 'Big Unities' to the shipyard to settle the account, and he felt a bit awkward.

When buying the car before, he took out a sack of 10-yuan bills, and people were surprised.

Being able to afford a car worth hundreds of thousands, yet taking 10-yuan denominations to settle the account... those who didn't know would think he had smashed the pots and sold the iron, and exhausted his family's wealth, just to scrape together enough money to buy a car.

"Alright then."

Several children knew they were going to enroll the next day and study in Shanghai, and they were all a bit excited, jumping and bouncing all night.

The next day they went by car; there were a few too many people, so they hailed another taxi.

First, send Ye Chenghu to the school gate, and then go enroll.

When sending him to the school gate, Ye Chenghu was allowed to show off again; his classmates immediately walked toward him, hooking shoulders and backs, and took the opportunity to look at the car curiously a few times.

"Young Master, riding the family car on the first day of school?"

"Finally not being low-key and riding a bicycle?"

"Get lost... my younger brother and sister are going to other schools to enroll, so they dropped me off on the way; I'll still ride my bicycle tomorrow."

"Too hard..."

Ye Fu smiled and rolled up the window, and then under Ye Yaodong's guidance, went to the elementary and middle school nearby to enroll the other three little ones and sent them off to school.

After getting the enrollment matters done, Ye Yaodong let Master Ye, the exclusive driver, send them to the shipyard.

Pioneer No. 2 was a complete replica of Pioneer No. 1; the two ships were exactly the same, at most there was a slight deviation in length and size after completion, but it wasn't much, one was 71.8 meters, the other was 71.1 meters.

And the two ocean-going ships No. 8 and No. 9 were also replicas of the previous ones; the serial numbers had already reached 9, and the acceptance process was more or less the same, basically there wouldn't be any problems, and there were still two ships that hadn't been delivered yet.

After accepting these three ships one after another, and placing another order for Pioneer No. 3, the afternoon had passed.

Ye Yaodong and Lin Xiuqing thought about going back early to count money; the job of picking up the children was left to Ye Fu alone; there was no need for so many adults to go pick them up, and one car wouldn't even be able to fit them.

Ye Fu drove to three schools alone, elementary, middle, and high school, picking up 4 children, which was just enough to fit in one car.

And he had just gotten the hang of the car, and it was a Mercedes, so he was enjoying it, and went happily.

Ye Huimei had been holding it in all afternoon, and on the way back, she finally couldn't help but say: "Third brother, how many ships do you actually have? Too impressive, just delivered and you placed another order; the shipyard is enough just building your ships, no need to take other people's work; you've really become a ship king."

Ah Guang said: "Wasn't Dongzi already rumored to be the ship king a long time ago?"

This question was just answered to his father a while ago, Ye Yaodong shrugged, "Dozens, the shipyard won't take too many orders from me at once, I can only re-order when delivering."

"Too impressive."

"I know I'm impressive, no need to keep blowing smoke; go home and hurry up and help me count money; I still have to go pay the final payment and deposit tomorrow."

"Okay, I like counting money the most, haha."

Ye Yaodong looked at Lin Xiuqing, "Go to the post office tomorrow and pull a telephone line to the rented house; that way it'll be convenient to contact by phone."

Lin Xiuqing nodded, "Okay, it is necessary to pull a telephone line, it's more convenient; after the small courtyard is rebuilt next year, we'll move the telephone line over."

"Mm."

The 4 of them chatted while riding in the car, and after arriving home, the children hadn't come back from school yet, so they went to the room to count money first.

Ah Guang and Ye Huimei looked at the sack dragged out from under the bed by the couple, and couldn't help but show expectation, but when the money in the sack was poured onto the floor, both of them were dumbfounded.

"Why are they all 10-yuan bills?"

"There's a stack of 5-yuan bills here too?"

"Not just that, there are 5-yuan bills here too..."

The couple looked at Ye Yaodong and his wife in surprise.

"Hehe, your sister-in-law saved them at home in the past few years, so they are all 5-yuan and 10-yuan bills."

Ah Guang was speechless, "Can't you go to the bank to exchange them?"

"There's over a million here, how to exchange? How many trips would it take to exchange them all into 100-yuan bills? I exchanged one or two hundred thousand one after another before, and after the New Year, I went to pick up the car and traded it, so all that's left are 10-yuan bills, and a small portion of 5-yuan bills."

Ye Huimei held her forehead, "No wonder you called us over to count money together; with such a large amount, and all 5-yuan and 10-yuan bills, isn't it necessary to have more people counting together."

"Hurry up, count for a while first; after the children come back, we still have to go out to eat."

Ye Yaodong started counting first, and the others followed.

Lin Xiuqing said on the side: "Basically, I counted them all and bundled them with rubber bands; I only take out a stack separately when I need to spend; you just need to pick and count casually."

Ye Huimei breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as we pick and count, it's much more convenient, otherwise, this million-plus, counting one by one, 5-yuan and 10-yuan bills, who knows when it would end."

"Count enough for 100,000 and put them in a pile; this way it'll be clearer when paying tomorrow." Ye Yaodong instructed.

Everyone didn't stop, just nodded to show they understood.

As long as they spot-checked and counted, the speed was fast, and before the children came back, they had already allocated the money.

Ye Yaodong checked the amount that needed to be paid tomorrow, and took another sack to pack the rest, just waiting to deposit it after delivering the goods tomorrow.

After all this was done, he asked, "When will your ship be in hand?"

"I went to the shipyard to ask yesterday; it's all ready; I'll pick a day to sail it back; I've already asked our mother to pick a day. After this trip from Shanghai, I can open the port and just wait to go out to sea; for this trip, I also asked my father to call the workers to bring them up in advance."

Ye Yaodong nodded, "Your ship is in hand, theirs should be about the same."

"Right, about the same time."

"It just so happens that we'll go out to sea together; I'll follow out to sea for a few days."

"Good thing, we're all waiting to follow your team, and we'll have to be under your leadership."

"I didn't have time to call today; wait until tomorrow to call my mother to ask what day is good. Your children's enrollment matters here are also done; if there's nothing to do tomorrow, you can go back early; prepare for the day of sailing. I won't be that early; I still have other things to do later, and some office matters."

"That's what I wanted to say; thinking that my wife and children are settled, I'll go back first to arrange the workers; the ship workers going out to sea also need to be re-arranged. You stay here for a few more days if you haven't finished your business, and look after things on the side."

Ah Guang left by ship early the next morning; Ye Huimei temporarily lived in the Western-style house, waiting for Lin Xiuqing to move to Pudong, and then moved together.

Ye Yaodong handled the ship matters and went to work at the office with Ah Qing; some office supplies also needed to be purchased.

Ye Fu naturally acted as their exclusive driver, running back and forth, and also acted as a handyman and porter on the side; the couple pointed where to hit, and he followed behind, willing to work hard, and was happy all day long.

This son had prospects, and as a father, he was happy to follow behind and do odd jobs; he would do whatever he was told.

Besides, being a driver now was also a technical job, glorious and infinite.

The couple not only connected the telephone to the rented house in Pudong, but also took the opportunity to pull a telephone line to the office here, and also took the opportunity to print business cards for the office here for Lin Xiuqing, so it would be convenient for guests to visit in the future.

When he arranged for the workers to come over to sail the ship, he also took the opportunity to let the factory adjust the samples, and adjusted a few pieces of goods to be placed here; only then did this office look like an office.

Also because he was handling affairs in Shanghai, he didn't know how many more days it would be delayed, and didn't know when he would go back; when he called his mother to pick a day, he also took the opportunity to call the factory to directly arrange for the fishing boats to go out to sea, just following the fleet arranged before the New Year, without any changes.

The ship crew needed for sailing here had already been decided; when the time came, he would let people come over to sail the ships back together.

Being busy in Shanghai for a while, 10 days passed; he was busy every day, and finally, before the fishing boats sailed back, he got everything done; the rest just needed to be handed over to Lin Xiuqing.

Lin Xiuqing also started the days of taking bodyguards and employees to the office to punch in for work; currently, there were no clients that needed to be received; they just cleaned up every day when they went over, and then walked around the surroundings to get familiar.

By the way, she also took half a day every day to learn to drive, waiting for the driver's license to be passed, so she could drive to and from work by herself, which could save some trouble.

She was originally a very ordinary rural woman, but now she was actually going to take the driver's license test and was going to drive a small car; she was still a bit excited, and had some happy tossing and turning at night.

"Ah Dong, I went to learn theory today; after I pass the theory test, I can take the car test; when the driver's license is passed, I can drive you around, haha."

"Then you work hard; I'm waiting for you to take me around."

"Haha, when will you find time to come over and take one too?"

"Need to; wait until I finish the busy period of the fishing boats; I'm sailing the ships back tomorrow; when the time comes, I also have to follow to the sea for a period of time; it's really hard to say when I'll have time."

"Then anyway, I'll learn it first; as long as I know how to drive."

"Mm."

"You're going back tomorrow, then we'll move to Pudong tomorrow; it'll save the children from coming back and forth from so far away; I don't know how to drive now, so it's not easy to pick them up."

"Mm, after moving to Pudong, it'll be handed over to the bodyguards to pick them up and drop them off at school."

He had someone introduce the bodyguards, saying they were retired female soldiers from the Army here; their skills weren't that great, but they could still beat up two hooligans who knew nothing; he arranged for two.

The next morning, he told the three children that he was sailing away and would come to see them in a while; all three of them were reluctant to part.

"Dad, when are you coming over next time?"

"Dad, don't wait until summer vacation to come over."

"Dad, I'll miss you, you have to miss me too."

"Alright, I'll come over as soon as I have time; originally, your dad also runs back and forth; hurry up and let your grandfather drive you to school, otherwise you'll be late."

Ye Chenghu asked: "Then is my grandfather going back with you too?"

He pondered that if his grandfather went back with his father, he would have to ride a bicycle to school and start a hard life, without the glory of riding a small car to middle school every day now.

"He'll be a day or two late; he has to stay to help your mother move things, move to Pudong; after moving, he'll leave."

"Alright."

"Hurry up and go to school."

They looked back every three steps as they headed to the entrance.

After finishing breakfast, Ye Yaodong also took the workers to the shipyard; Lin Xiuqing also followed temporarily.

After his ship started and left the shore, she went back to pack her luggage, waiting for Ye Fu to come back, and then move house.

Pioneer No. 2 was in hand, so he didn't have to be so nervous about receiving goods later, but if he wanted to be more relaxed, he still had to have another ship; now he would just make do for a while, but compared to before, when he was rushing back and forth in a hurry every day, he was much better off.

He arranged for people to sail his three ships back together; after docking at the wharf, he didn't urgently let the other two ships sail out to sea to fish immediately.

Instead, he went back to the factory first, and through the fresh-keeping ship, understood the situation of the other ships at sea first, and then made arrangements.

As soon as he arrived at the factory, Ah Guang, Ah Zheng, and Xiao Xiao came over.

"Damn, finally waited for you to come back; I've waited until spring is almost here." Ah Zheng said with a giggle.

"What spring; just came up and you're already restless?" Ye Yaodong teased him.

"How could that be? I'm just using a metaphor."

Xiao Xiao said: "You finally came back; seeing Ah Guang come back, I thought you would come back in two days; didn't expect to wait for a whole week."

"Too busy; there were many fragmented things above; I could only come back after everything was busy."

"Then when are we going out to sea; our ships are all ready, just waiting for you to lead the way."

"Wait for the fresh-keeping ship to come back; I'll understand the situation first, make arrangements, and notify you when we set off; it should be in these two days."

"No problem, we're all prepared, just waiting for your notification."

Hundreds of thousands spent, they were now like the eldest brother and second brother Ye at the beginning, rubbing their hands and waiting to have a big fight.

That's why they rushed over to ask the first time they knew he was back.

The fresh-keeping ships in the near sea basically came back every day; the Pioneer ship in the deep sea and another 40-meter fresh-keeping ship basically took about three or four days, and one would come back in turns.

Now there was a ship out, and a cycle was seven or eight days; two ships were spaced out, and one could come back in three or four days in the middle.

He just needed to wait two more days for the fresh-keeping ship to come back, and then sail the three ships, plus his friends' three ships, and everyone would go together with the fresh-keeping ship.

This was the most secure way.

Ye Yaodong also suggested: "Then take advantage of not going out to sea yet, let's gather together at night, go to Fatty's place; it's been ten days since we came up, and we haven't gathered yet. If we go out to sea in two days, we might not necessarily land for a few months."

"Sure, we have no problem; anyway, we're idle."

"Right, wives and children aren't here, so it's relaxed; we can go out and gather."

Ye Yaodong asked curiously: "Are your near-sea ships arranged?"

"Arranged, handed over to my father."

"The old man can still work now; when he can't work, I'll sell the ship and just focus on big ships."

"Dongzi, I seemed to have heard rumors a while ago, saying that maybe in a while, fishing boats from other places won't be allowed to fish in the fishing grounds here; I don't know if it's true?" Xiao Xiao asked with some worry.

Ye Yaodong frowned, "Is it that fast?"

"Do you know any news?"

"I know a little bit; in the past two years, because fishing boats often fight, for the convenience of management, aren't they all required to mark which province the ship body is from? Also need to register the ship name and number, otherwise they aren't allowed to dock? Maybe the annual catch has decreased now, and coupled with the fact that fishing boats from other places often have conflicts with local fishing boats, maybe it won't be long before fishing boats from other provinces won't be allowed to fish in the fishing grounds here."

The three of them were instantly worried when they heard this; they were fishing boats from other places.

"Then what should we do? We are also from other places; won't we be disallowed from fishing here?"

"Then it's over; won't everyone have to go home to fish again?"

"Where did you hear the news? How come we don't know?"

Ye Yaodong was also a bit hesitant; he wasn't sure which year it started to be implemented; he only knew that in the end, near-sea cross-province fishing wasn't allowed, and if caught by the fishery administration, it would be ship seizure and fines.

Deep sea wasn't affected, and docking was just to sell goods or replenish supplies.

If near-sea really wasn't allowed, then his Dongsheng ship would have to consider putting it at home.

When the time came, arrange for two fresh-keeping ships to dock, and then arrange the goods to the processing plant in the town or city; anyway, now he had to arrange for a ship to send goods there.

And his father could also go home to retire at the same time; when the time came, the fresh-keeping ship would be handed over to his father to manage.

Just running back and forth in their town was also convenient for his father to retire, and he could also help him look after the ship on the side.

This matter didn't have that much impact on him; it was just changing the arrangements.

"I'm not sure when it will be implemented, but I know it will definitely be arranged like this; after all, the fishing grounds here aren't inexhaustible, and now there are more and more ships, and local ships and foreign ships often have conflicts because of grabbing territory, and accidents emerge one after another."

"Then what about the dozens of ships in our village? They are all near-sea."

Ah Guang was worried; his family also had seven or eight near-sea ships; if that was the case, could those ships only go back?

"There's a process for policies to come out; fish first; it shouldn't be implemented that fast."

Isn't it only 1992 now?

It wouldn't be until 1995 that there would be a fishing ban policy.

He estimated that it would be pushed together at that time; taking advantage of the fishing ban period, fishing wasn't allowed, and by the way, foreign fishing boats would be driven away, and fishing boats from all provinces would go back to their own homes.

It was very difficult to force them away now; the fishing ban period was different; fishing was prohibited, and fishing boats couldn't just stop here.

If they really rested, the fishing boats could only go back to their hometowns; if they were in their own hometowns, they could still fish secretly; this way, the policy of prohibiting cross-province fishing could also be pushed logically and implemented better.

"It won't be that fast, but it will be pushed; then it will be over." Xiao Xiao said.

"It won't be over; if foreign fishing boats aren't allowed to fish in the fishing grounds here, then go back to your hometown to fish; at most earn a little less. Isn't it more convenient to go back to your hometown? Let your fathers go home to retire and look after the ships on the side."

Ye Yaodong mentioned his thoughts and plans to them, and they were instantly a bit more at ease.

"Wait; earn for two more years first; things will naturally straighten out when they reach the bridge; wait until the policy comes out; worrying now is worrying in vain; it's not like if you worry, the policy won't be implemented."

Xiao Xiao: "Sigh, I thought it was just people spreading rumors blindly."

Ah Guang: "I was still thinking if the ship couldn't fish here, should I sell it directly; like you said, just put it at home and trawl, that's also fine; just let my father do it; if he doesn't want to do it, then sell it; anyway, there won't be any loss; I've earned enough in these few years."

"That's the right way to think; organize it; go to Fatty's place to eat at night; gather well; if nothing unexpected happens, you'll have to stay at sea for almost half a year this time!"

The three of them had their eyes popped out, and said in unison, "Half a year!"

Ye Yaodong looked at the three of them with a bad smile, "That's right, it's half a year; prepare yourself mentally to stay at sea for half a year."

This wave should be gathered, otherwise, it's very likely they won't be able to land for half a year, won't be able to drink, and can only drift at sea bitterly.

Even going to the guillotine requires eating a full meal; letting them stay at sea for half a year is about the same as going to the guillotine; they have to be happy for a few days anyway.

Ye Huimei going to Shanghai is also right; anyway, she won't see anyone for half a year here, it's the same everywhere.

Ah Zheng couldn't help but say: "Isn't your ship one or two months? It was only before the New Year that the time was relatively long, but it came back in three months..."

"That's because it was summer, and we encountered typhoon days, so we came back from time to time; without special circumstances, you have to stay at sea and fish. If you can't bear the profit of thousands of dollars a day, then feel free to sail back and rest for a few days."

Ah Guang couldn't help but swear, "Damn! Half a year?"

Ah Zheng had a bitter face, "Then have to be a monk for half a year?"

"Being a monk isn't quite right, just abstaining from sex, not abstaining from meat."

"What's the difference?"

"Then take advantage of the few days before going to sea to have a good time."

Ah Guang said: "Then I'll go to Shanghai tomorrow, and come back before setting off; is it too late?"

Ye Yaodong glared at him fiercely, "Then don't go, just accompany your wife and children."

"Going for half a year is too scary; there's no transition at all; you at least had a transition last year, coming back to rest from time to time when encountering typhoon days."

"Earning money is important."

"Alright, then it's settled; go to Fatty's place to eat at 5:30 at night; take advantage of not going out to sea yet, and have a good time for a few days."

"Mm."

He still had urgent matters to be busy with; just sailed back, and the factory was waiting for him to report on big and small things, so he wouldn't accompany them to chat, and let the three of them do as they pleased.

The three of them walked and chatted about the two pieces of news they just got.

One was that fishing boats from other places might not be allowed to fish in the fishing grounds here in two years, and the other was that they were about to drift at sea for half a year.

Both pieces of news were heavy for them, catching them off guard, enough for them to digest for a long time.

Ye Yaodong had just been busy for a while when the landline rang again; the guard called and said Lin Ji was here.

"Let him come to my office."

"Okay, boss."

Coming early is not as good as coming coincidentally; just came back, and the person came over to drive.

As soon as Lin Ji came over, he said: "I thought you were out at sea or not here, thinking whether I would make a wasted trip and couldn't drive."

"You really came coincidentally; I just came back from Shanghai; I stayed in Shanghai for 10 days, and only arrived at the factory at noon today. However, you won't make a wasted trip even if you come; I handed your car keys to the finance department, and also told the guard; when you come, just go directly to the finance department to pick them up."

"Handling affairs in Shanghai?"

"Going to accept ships, and also arranging for children to go to school."

"All three children are studying in Shanghai?"

"Right, the educational resources there are better, and I also set up an office there, handed it to my wife to manage, and by the way, she can look after the children nearby."

Lin Ji gave him a thumbs up, "I feel like you are one step ahead in everything you do, even the future retreat for your wife and children is arranged well."

"How is it that exaggerated; it's just taking one step and seeing one step; I only think about more after earning money."

How could he have such deep foresight; it was really taking one step and seeing one step; he could only think about more after earning money.

Everything was also for convenience.

Within the scope of conditions, try to arrange a little more, and arrange it a little better.

"No, you thought very comprehensively; indeed, the educational resources in Shanghai are better, and it's better for the children. In our countryside, the teaching quality can't keep up; let alone taking the university entrance exam, there aren't many taking the high school entrance exam."

"Mm, the environment influences people; I just hope they can increase their knowledge a little more. Let's go, take you to get the car keys; did you just arrive here?"

"Arrived the day before yesterday; just arranged all the goods yesterday; only then did I have time to come over today to see if I could drive the car back."

"You came just right today; I might not be here in two days; I'm going out to sea."

"Going out to sea in two days? Then eat together at night?"

"I've already made an appointment with friends; then let's eat together at night? They have to stay at sea for half a year, and plan to have a good time; anyway, they are all from our village, and you know them and are familiar with them."

"Sure, no problem."

"Then at 5:30 at night, you know Fatty's restaurant."

"Know it; we also book his place when arranging for clients to eat; very familiar."

"Damn, Fatty made a fortune; earning our money is enough."

"Hehehe..."

Ye Yaodong gave him the car keys, and he didn't stay long; everyone was very busy, so they greeted each other and left first.

Thinking that he just came back from Shanghai, he called home again after returning to his office, otherwise, he might go out to sea in a few days.

Take advantage of having time now, and call home more.

The old lady was overjoyed as soon as she received his call.

"Dongzi, finally heard it; should call home more."

The phone was picked up after only two rings; so fast, one look and she knew she was sitting by the table.

"Are you not leaving the phone?"

"That's not it; I was just winding wool for your mother; it's raining outside again, and I didn't go out, so I picked it up fast."

"Is it raining at home? Then it means the weather is warming up soon."

"Right, but even if the weather warms up, you can't take off your cotton-padded jackets; you have to cover up a bit."

"Know it; it's still cold at night."