Chapter 1741: Gave Birth

After dawn, Ye Yaodong coordinated the docking sequence with the other fishing boats, then went to rest first, leaving the work to the captain.

He had now gotten used to the day-night reversal; fortunately, he was still young, but in another five years he would be forty. Damn, time was passing quite fast.

Once he grew older, he would also need to start taking care of his health, enjoy life properly, and live to be a hundred.

Now it seemed retirement at forty was within reach.

Ye Chenghu would be twenty in another five years, then get married around that time, and he could become a grandfather and hold his grandson.

Just thinking about it, the future life was delightful~

In less than the next two days, he collected the catch from all the fishing boats, then sailed the fresh-fish collection boat back.

When they set sail again, he himself jumped onto Dongyu No. 1.

After taking the Pioneer No. 2 out to collect cargo a few times, a month had passed; next, it was time to let them make the round trip on their own.

Originally, most of the people on the fishing boats were veterans transferred from near-shore vessels; after running a few trips with them, there was nothing to worry about going forward, so he just drifted at sea to oversee things.

It was not until a round trip of the fresh-fish collection boat, bringing news from shore, that Ye Chenghe's wife had given birth, a boy, that their calm sea fishing saw some disturbance.

"What? She gave birth? When did she give birth? Boy or girl?" Ye Ye Yaopeng was overjoyed, his voice full of happiness in the walkie-talkie.

Ye Yaodong chuckled, "Didn't I just say it? A boy. Where did you hear it?"

"Ah, hahaha~ I only heard 'she gave birth,' I was so shocked I didn't catch the rest, haha, a boy is good, a boy is good, I have a grandson."

Ye Ye Yaohua was extremely envious, "Congratulations, you're about to upgrade to grandfather. Your family is the one that delivers; the first one born already had a little brother."

"Hahaha~" Ye Ye Yaopeng was extremely happy, "That rascal usually looks useless, but this time he's finally useful; he gave me a grandson right away."

"Becoming a grandfather at only forty, I'm so envious it's killing me."

"Ah Peng is so lucky, already holding a grandson."

"Congratulations, congratulations~"

Everyone in the channel laughed and congratulated him.

Ye Ye Yaopeng laughed so hard his mouth wouldn't close, "When was he born? Has it been a few days? It takes two days just to sail out."

"They said she gave birth on February 22nd. They called immediately after the baby was born. Your father told us that once we were out, we must inform you right away. We just finished unloading, rested one night, came out the next day, and now that we can contact you, we're telling you."

"Good, good, good. Today is the 26th of the lunar month, only four days have passed. When the baby is a month old, it will be roughly the 22nd of the third lunar month; we'll have to go back early then."

Ye Ye Yaopeng was overjoyed at this moment, pacing back and forth in the cockpit with the walkie-talkie, hands and feet in disarray, wishing he could return to his hometown immediately to hold his grandson and see what the baby looked like.

"We do need to go back early, the eldest grandson."

"We must properly set up a few tables to celebrate."

"Right, right, we'll invite everyone to a celebratory drink then."

"We still have to drag the nets; you just bring more red eggs then, and distribute red eggs for everyone to eat."

Ye Ye Yaopeng nodded repeatedly, "I'll go home early next month; I'll sail this boat back then. Everyone on the boat will go back with me, rest for a few days, have a celebratory drink, and then come back."

"That would be great, haha, both a rest and celebratory drinks."

"Haha, it's rare to have such a big family joy; it's only right~"

"Your second son has already given birth; when will the eldest give birth?"

Everyone asked all at once. Ye Ye Yaopeng, enjoying a rare moment of glory, smiled and replied, "The eldest will be about four or five months later; they say she'll give birth in July or August. We'll see the situation then; if she gives birth, I'll have to go to the provincial capital to visit."

"Looking at it, you're the lucky one. Your two sons married one after another, and now they're taking turns having children; suddenly your family will have two grandsons. How lively that will be."

"Haha, in this regard Ah Dong can't compare to you. You're already a grandfather, while his three are still in school."

Ye Yaodong smiled and agreed, "That's true. In terms of adding new members to the family, my eldest brother is stronger; this year the family will suddenly have two more children. My father's mouth will be crooked from smiling."

"You brothers are all amazing. Zzzz, prosperity in people, wealth, and luck."

"My useless ones, I don't know when I'll get to hold a grandson. It really makes me angry." Ye Ye Yaohua was extremely envious, yet also frustrated like a blacksmith unable to turn iron into steel.

They were all brothers, and none were more than a few years apart; those two brothers knew to marry early, while his own foolish son only knew how to loaf around every day, stubbornly refusing to find anyone.

If Ye Ye Chengjiang were not nearby at this moment, he would have taken a shoe sole to him and scolded him severely.

"Children and grandchildren have their own fate. Not wanting to marry a wife now just means he hasn't opened his mind yet; in a couple of years he'll know the benefits of having a wife."

"Right, by then he'll be crying and shouting for you to introduce Misses to him."

Ye Yaodong said, "Actually, it's not that he doesn't want to marry; he just hasn't found anyone he likes. You find one for him yourself."

"That's true. Young people go out and explore; their horizons naturally widen, and they certainly won't look favorably on rural Misses."

"Introduce a city Miss to him; he might just fall for her."

"Where am I supposed to find a city Miss for him? We're at sea every day, and his mother stays in the village; how would she know any city Misses?"

"Haha, the Misses we know are all foot-washing girls."

"What nonsense are you talking? They're looking for a daughter-in-law; why are you bringing up foot-washing girls?"

Ye Ye Yaohua changed the subject, "Then, Big Brother, if the fresh-fish collection boat goes back tomorrow, you should go back with it and make a phone call home?"

"Yes, yes, I'll go back with the fresh-fish collection boat tomorrow. I'll leave the fishing boats for them to watch; you all help keep an eye on them too."

"Go back in peace; with so many boats out at sea, there won't be much of a problem."

"Hehehe, wait until next month; I'll bring a basket of red eggs up for everyone to share in the joy. Do you know how many jin the baby weighed? Did they say?"

"Six jin six, I think? You'll know when you go back tomorrow and ask."

"Six jin six is good; six six means smooth sailing. This child is blessed; already quite heavy at birth, haha."

……

Everyone kept discussing endlessly; a large group of men started talking about childbirth, then about when their own sons were born, or when their own grandsons were born…

Ye Yaodong knew that in his previous life, Ye Chenghe's first child was also born around this time; it was a son. Two years later another was added, also a son, and the whole family was overjoyed.

It was just that when it came time to marry, the whole family was worried sick; they needed both a house and a car. When he died, his children were still bachelors.

This life, it probably wouldn't happen.

And Ye Ye Chenghai's first was also a son, the second a daughter, but this life his wife had changed, and the timing was off; he didn't know what would be born, which made him somewhat curious.

Ye Ye Yaopeng had been in high spirits all day; when the fresh-fish collection boat arrived to take his vessel's cargo, he climbed aboard as well, preparing to return with the collection boat later.

A great-grandson is so cherished; even if he can't be seen right now, one must call immediately upon hearing the news to ask a few questions.

Ye Yaodong also climbed onto the fresh-fish collection boat early; having spent over a month at sea this trip, he planned to return and rest for two days, or perhaps take the opportunity to visit his wife and children in Magic Capital and check on the boat.

Everyone on the boat saw Ye Ye Yaopeng and offered congratulations.

Ye Yaodong also smiled and congratulated him.

"Next month, I'll return on your boat to attend the full-moon banquet."

"Good. At that time, only my boat needs to return; Father, Ah Hua, and other relatives returning can all ride my boat, while the other boats continue to sail as usual."

"Mm, there are still four or five boats' worth of cargo left to collect; once that's done, we can head back."

"I wonder what the child looks like, who he resembles." Ye Ye Yaopeng grinned, happier than if he were the father himself.

"Call first to ask a few questions when you return; wait until the full moon is near to go see. The child won't run away. Or, next month, simply buy a camera to take back and have them take many photos of the child."

"Ah, right. Once we dock, I'll go look and buy a camera to take back together."

Ye Ye Yaopeng helped back and forth on his boat; even during the return trip, he didn't idle, looking around to assist, and even went into the fishmeal processing hold, but couldn't stay for a minute before rushing out.

"Dongzi, it's so stinky; how can the workers stand it in there?"

"They change shifts every four hours; everyone wears masks with dried osmanthus flowers sewn inside, which is more bearable than you running in like that. In a while, I'll go to Magic Capital to see if there's anything that can purify the air and odor."

"It does need purifying; the smell is too strong, and breathing it in for long is surely bad for the body."

"Mm."

"You've been at sea for over a month this trip; will you stay ashore for several more days?"

"Depends on the situation; I might go to Magic Capital."

"Then you must go see; your wife and children are there."

"Mm."

The two brothers chatted while working; once the fish hold was full, regardless of whether all the cargo had been collected, they immediately set course for return.

Anyway, the next fresh-fish collection boat would arrive to collect cargo in less than two days; any uncollected goods would be left for the next trip.

At the factory, Ye Father had been overjoyed for many days; holding a great-grandson at over sixty years old, who wouldn't praise his good fortune?

These past two days, he had been in high spirits due to the happy event, his face glowing with red radiance every day; he had to call back daily to ask Ye Mother about the great-grandson's condition, which had thoroughly annoyed Ye Mother.

When Ye Mother received another call from the factory, she immediately shouted without further ado.

"Will you ever finish? Calling day and night. They've only just returned from the hospital a few days ago; the house is in a whirlwind of activity. And you, calling day and night. Do I have so much idle time to sit there and answer your calls?"

Ye Ye Yaopeng happily said, "Mother, it's me, not Father. How is the child?"

"Oh, it's you? I thought it was Father."

Ye Mother's voice instantly softened; she happily said, "The child is well, changing every day. When first born, he was all wrinkled and red; by the second day, he was already fair and tender. These past two days, he's grown day by day; don't even ask how cute he is."

"He cries loudly when it's time to nurse, so urgent; he eats with a smacking sound. He's so small, yet his farts are loud too, gaga..."

Ye Mother was so happy talking herself that she started laughing.

Ye Ye Yaopeng also grinned, "If he eats well, he'll grow fast! You must prepare plenty of good things for his mother to eat; only by eating well will she have enough milk to nurse."

"Yes, every day there are various fish soups and chicken soups. I've raised over a dozen chickens, planning to feed them all to her. When spring comes, we'll hatch more chicks then, or buy some from someone else, to feed to Ah Hai's wife."

"Ah, good, good. I'll return in half a month, just in time for the child's full-moon banquet."

"Mm..."

Ye Father's voice came from the other end of the phone, "Was the child well-behaved today? Did he cry?"

Ye Mother's voice changed immediately, "Which newborn child doesn't cry? You're asking nonsense. If you want to see the child so badly, come back and see him yourself. Asking this and that day and night; where would I find the idle time? You might as well pluck out your eyeballs and paste them on my forehead to act as a thousand-mile eye."

"Oh, I can't see the child, so I can only ask a few more questions."

"Come back and see him yourself!"

"Then I'll return tomorrow."

After Ye Father finished speaking, he turned to look at Ye Yaodong. "I'm returning tomorrow; anyway, there's nothing for me to do here. Next month, for the full-moon banquet, you'll have to return anyway; at that time, I'll come up with you all."

"Alright, then you go back."

Ye Father felt completely satisfied.

Ye Ye Yaopeng continued talking on the phone, all inquiries about the grandson.

Ye Mother also happily spoke about how vigorously the child kicked his legs, and even mentioned how many times the child pooped, and how cute his face looked straining every time he pooped.

The mother and son were both engaged; one spoke with gusto, the other listened with great interest.

Even repeated words only have energy when spoken by different people; speaking continuously to Ye Father, after a while, Ye Mother naturally felt it was dull.

After speaking for a while, she called Ye Ye Dasao over to take the phone, letting the couple chat themselves, while she went to check on the child again.

With the phone occupied, Ye Yaodong had no chance to call; he would either have to call from the finance office or another office. He found it troublesome, so he decided to take a shower first, then return to make the call afterward.

As soon as Lin Lin Xiuqing received his call, she immediately told him that Ye Chenghe's son had been born.

"I already knew while at sea. Big Brother was so excited he immediately followed the fresh-fish collection boat back. I figured I might as well return together, and tomorrow go to Magic Capital to find you."

"Great. Just in time, your son and daughter have been mentioning that you haven't called in so long. Come tomorrow and give them a surprise."

"How is the driving license exam going?"

"The theory exam is already finished; now I'm getting into the car, practicing every afternoon."

"I'm just waiting for you to drive me for a spin."

She chuckled, "Then you'll have to wait another two months."

"I'm going to sleep now; we'll talk again when I go to Magic Capital tomorrow."

"Good, then you hurry up and sleep."

After Lin Lin Xiuqing hung up the phone, she didn't tell the children at home that their father was coming tomorrow, planning to give them a surprise.

When Ye Yaodong went there the next day, he asked about the school dismissal time in advance and specifically went to the school gate to pick them up.

Elementary school ends earlier than middle school, and middle school ends earlier than high school, so he went first to pick up Ye Ye Xiaoxi.

He arrived early and waited by the school gate; as soon as the bell rang, a flood of children in red scarves poured out—some big, some small, walking in small groups.

He stood up and stretched his neck to look toward the gate.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi came out later; she and Pei Yu had to wait for each other.

When she finally emerged and saw the man waving at her, her eyes shone brighter than the stars in the sky, and she screamed excitedly.

"Dad! Dad!"

She shouted louder and louder, sprinting toward him, "Dad!"

Ye Yaodong smiled and caught his treasure as she leapt onto him.

"Oh my, how have you gotten so thin?"

"Hah! I'm only a few jin heavier than my sister now, but I'm a full head taller than her!"

"You've definitely grown taller; with fewer clothes on, you look slimmer too."

"It's not just fewer clothes—you've actually lost weight! You just said I was thin!"

"Yes, yes, you've lost weight."

Pei Yu also ran up, happily calling, "Uncle!"

"Uncle, why are you here today?"

"I made time on purpose to come see you. You've grown taller too. Come on, let's go pick up Ye Ye Erge, then go pick up Daoge."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi clung to his neck, giggling, "Carry me!"

"You're too old to be carried—get down and walk yourself."

She giggled and slid off him, then circled around him, bouncing and jumping, walking backward, chattering nonstop: "Dad, this and that… Dad, how's school…?"

Words poured out endlessly, sharing every detail of her day.

Ye Yaodong smiled as he listened, pulling her back just in time when she nearly fell.

"Walk properly—don't keep jumping around. Your sister doesn't walk like that."

"That's because I'm happy to see you!"

He held one hand in each of theirs, listening to her chatter, his arms swaying with her bounces and hops.

"Is your new school fun? Are you adjusting? Are any classmates bullying you?"

"It's okay, but the village is more fun. At the old school, everyone listened to me! Here, everyone talks in this weird language I don't understand. Mom told me not to bother with them—just focus on my studies. They all call me 'Hu Jian Mei,' so I call them 'Shanghai Kids!'"

"Are they bullying you?"

"No way! I told them I have bodyguards and four big wolf dogs! They're terrified of our dogs—no one dares bully me."

"If anyone bullies you, tell me right away. Don't be stupid and take it silently. If they hit you, hit back. Don't stay quiet and let them beat you. As long as you didn't start it or strike first, I've got your back."

She nodded happily, "I know! If I'm not happy here, I can just switch schools—I can always go back to the village school. Anyway, no one's bullying me now; they're too scared. They just call me 'Hu Jian Mei!'"

"The other day after school, there was a snake slithering down the school hallway. Everyone screamed in terror, but we ran over to look—and my sister reached out and grabbed it! Everyone was stunned!"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi laughed at the memory, bursting into giggles mid-sentence.

"They all stared at her in shock, and she even waved the snake in front of them, whispering, 'Old Snake is cute!' Hahaha…"

"It was hilarious—they all backed away, eyes bulging, and she asked if they wanted her to put it in their schoolbags! Hahaha…"

"Then the teacher came, so we took the snake outside and put it in the grass by the gate. A whole crowd followed us."

Pei Yu added shyly, "When I threw the snake into the field, I saw a little toad—it opened its mouth and swallowed the toad whole. Someone turned pale, and even the teacher was terrified."

"All cowards."

Ye Yaodong listened, speechless, to their stories. These two were never this lively when apart.

They caused chaos wherever they went—he didn't know whose fault it was.

"It must be after Jingzhe, so all the snakes are coming out of their holes."

"I know Jingzhe—it's one of the solar terms. Why do snakes come out after Jingzhe?"

"When Jingzhe arrives, it means the earth is reviving, spring warms up, flowers bloom, and snakes wake from hibernation—they need to find food, so they come out."

"That makes sense. Everyone says they sometimes see snakes on their way home."

Ye Yaodong turned to Pei Yu. "Are you getting used to school here?"

She nodded with a smile. "Yes. I go to school with my brother and sister every day, and I'm even in the same school as my sister. As soon as class ends, I go find her to play."

"Good. I'm glad you're adjusting."

"Dad! My birthday's coming soon! You have to buy me a birthday cake and a present!"

"Huh? Your birthday again? Is today April Fools' Day?"

"No! Yesterday was April Fools' Day, the day after tomorrow is Qingming Festival, and after Qingming is my birthday."

"Right, right—perfect. I'll stay a few days to celebrate with you. The weekend after tomorrow, school's off—we'll go to the mall and you can pick any toy you like."

Ye Yaodong had forgotten himself—he hadn't realized it was her birthday again.

No one in the family celebrated birthdays. At most, on the day itself, Lin Xiuqing would cook a bowl of longevity noodles with two poached eggs. Sometimes even the birthday person forgot—only Lin Xiuqing remembered.

Only two years ago, when the old lady had her birthday, they bought a cake—and once, for Ye Ye Xiaoxi's birthday. Since then, she'd remembered her own birthday with unusual firmness, always looking forward to the cake.

This time, it was lucky—he'd arrived just in time for her birthday.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi nodded like a little chicken pecking grain, overjoyed, and started bouncing again.

"Awesome! I thought you were at sea and couldn't call me, and you'd forgotten my birthday—but you showed up today! I'm so happy! Dad, I love you the most!"

"Mm. In two days, I'll take you to pick your own cake—you can choose whatever design you want."

"Yes! Yes! Perfect! I'm so happy! Dad, I love you so much—you're the best!"

"Walk properly."

"Hehehe, Dad, I'm sleeping with you tonight! It's your reward!"

Ye Yaodong couldn't help but laugh. "No need for that. Don't you know how badly you sleep? Sleeping by yourself is already a reward for me."

"Fine then, the reward is that you get to sleep with my mother."

"Do I even need you to reward me for that?"

"Of course! Mother always sleeps with me!"

"Then in a couple of days when we go to the mall, I'll reward you with a few workbooks as a birthday gift."

She wailed, "No way! I don't want that birthday gift, I want to pick it myself! You said so! You reward Brother, don't reward me!"

Pei Yu laughed heartily on the side. "I'll tell Cousin later that you told Uncle to reward them with homework."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi ran over and covered her mouth. "You can't! If you say that, I'll have my dad reward you!"

The two girls started laughing and roughhousing halfway down the road.

PS: There's still one extra chapter for monthly tickets, it might not be that early.