Chapter 1745: Returning to the Village

Ye Ye Xiaoxi thought constantly about her birthday, checking the wall calendar every time she entered or left the house, and asking twice to confirm.

On the day of her birthday, she became even more impatient; as soon as she got home from school, she shouted, "Mother, I want to celebrate my birthday!"

"Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, it's already prepared for you."

In the small room stood a small round table, on which a cake had already been placed, along with several fruits and small snacks, all bought the day before last over the weekend, and personally selected by Ye Ye Xiaoxi herself.

She let out a "Wah!" and threw herself onto the table, extremely excited, "So much, so abundant!"

Pei Yu and the twins, following right behind her, copied the action, each taking a spot and throwing themselves onto the table, crying "Wah, wah!"

"Wah~ Birthday cake~"

"Wah~ So many delicious things~"

"Wah~ Happy birthday, big sister~"

"Hahaha, I want to celebrate my birthday, I want to make a big wish!"

Lin Lin Xiuqing smiled and opened the cake, attending to them first; their impatient manner meant they certainly couldn't wait until after dinner when it got dark.

"Mother, light the candles, close the door, I'm going to make a wish!"

Ye Ye Huimei walked at the very back and casually closed the door.

After the candles were lit, Ye Ye Xiaoxi clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and said, "First wish: Never have homework again!"

Everyone laughed heartily.

"Second wish: Bless me so I can get into university when I grow up!"

"Hahaha, you don't even want to do your homework, yet you want to get into university?" Ye Chenghu teased her with a laugh.

"Don't laugh!"

Ye Ye Chengyang propped his chin on his hand and said, "Once you say it out loud, it won't work; those two wishes of yours definitely won't come true!"

"Nonsense, then I won't say my third wish out loud."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi closed her eyes, ignoring them, and only opened them after finishing to say excitedly, "I've finished making my wish!"

"What did you wish for?"

"I won't tell you!"

She puffed out her lips, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles.

Ten candles were blown out by half in one "Whoosh," leaving the other half unextinguished.

"It's over, the candles won't go out; your wish must be very hard to realize, at most a 50% chance."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi glared at Ye Chenghu, continued blowing, and three more failed to go out.

"It's over, even less likely to happen; you couldn't blow them out twice, so the chance is only 20% now."

"Stop making noise!"

Ye Ye Chengyang joined in teasing, "What wish did you make that's so hard? The candles have to be blown out several times."

She puffed out her cheeks again, blew once more, and finally managed to extinguish them, only for one to reignite from the ashes.

"Hahaha, it's over, completely impossible now; let me help you blow them out!"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi stood on the stool and slapped her palm directly onto his pouting, greasy mouth, "Shut up! You won't get any cake!"

Lin Lin Xiuqing grabbed the back collar of Ye Chenghu's shirt, "Only your mouth is so sharp; you're so big and still teasing her."

"They're out, Mother, cut the cake quickly, don't give any to big brother! Second brother can only eat a tiny piece!"

"Hehe, can't I say a few words to you?"

Ye Ye Chengyang: "So vindictive, I only said one sentence!"

"Hmph, say another word and you won't get to eat!"

Ye Chenghu rolled his eyes; after everyone had been served their cake, he cut an extra-large piece for himself, hurriedly carried it back to his room, while Ye Ye Xiaoxi's shouting voice rang out behind him.

The next day, after dropping them off at school, Ye Yaodong returned directly to Zhoushan City; he handled everything that needed doing within two days, and the following days were purely for companionship.

He was supposed to have left the day before, but he received a call from the factory saying that last month, while "helping" an international friend at sea, the friend's expression of gratitude had finally yielded results.

After dragging on for nearly two months, there was finally a result; perhaps because the reward coming from one's own country differs from demanding compensation for losses from the other party, it took a bit more time.

However, the result had finally come down, so everyone hadn't waited in vain or worked in vain.

He asked Manager Qi to arrange for the fresh-fish collection boat to notify the fishing boats at sea, as there was no need for him to return immediately.

As soon as Ye Yaodong returned to the factory, he asked Manager Qi for the specific details.

"They called, telling you to go claim it as soon as possible; just go to the government building. When the fresh-fish collection boat set sail yesterday, I had them notify them on the side, so they should be back in a few days."

"That gives them a perfect opportunity to dock and rest; they won't have to stay out for half a year."

"Staying out at sea for half a year in one go is indeed long enough; coming back this trip to claim the award and resting a bit is good."

"I'll wait for them to return before going to claim the award together."

After speaking, Ye Yaodong calculated the time again, "Today is the second day of the lunar month?"

"I think so?"

"Then by the time their boats gradually return, it will probably be a week later; by then, my big brother's boat won't need to go out anymore, so we can prepare to head home early, and I'll return with them."

There is still half a month left, so returning a week early to visit is only natural; it allows staying home a few more days and enjoying the company a bit longer.

It will be just right to claim the award and set off for the return journey immediately after.

"Ah, you just go ahead and get busy."

"Did my father set sail on the fresh-fish collection boat on the very day I went to Shanghai?"

"Yes."

"Okay, noted; you go ahead and get busy."

Ye Yaodong also needed to make a phone call to the family to inform them in advance; it had been a week since his last call home.

His father has probably been back for a few days and is so happy he doesn't want to leave.

He dialed home and waited patiently, but the phone rang several times without anyone answering; he was puzzled—this was rare.

Usually, every time he called back, it was picked up immediately or after just a few rings; this time, it rang through to automatic disconnect, and no one answered at all?

Never in history!

Unbeknownst to him, everyone was sitting in the next room chatting; when the phone rang, they all pushed each other to answer, until the old grandmother finally shuffled back slowly—her legs were too slow, and she missed it.

Only when he called a second time did the old grandmother, leaning on her cane, slowly pick up.

"Hehe, Dongzi, I knew it was you calling."

"Why wasn't anyone answering? Are you all over there watching the kids?"

"Exactly! That kid is so soft and fair, changing every day—so precious! Since your father came back, he's been sitting by the door all day, waiting for the baby to wake up so he can hold him."

"Alright."

"Your mother's heating water to bathe the baby while the temperature's high; your father's holding him, and they're passing him back and forth—so only I came to answer. Dongzi, when are you planning to come back?"

"About another week, then we'll stay for a full week."

"Good, good! Come back early so you can stay longer. When your father suddenly came home, I wondered why you didn't come with him—he said you were busy with business in Magu and just happened to see the kids. Are the kids getting used to Magu? Are they being bullied at school?"

"It's fine. Magu has plenty of outsiders and outsider kids; just keep an eye on them. They seem happy every day—no real problems."

"That's good—I was afraid the kids wouldn't adapt and get excluded."

"Nope, not at all. We even arrange bodyguards to pick them up and drop them off every day—who else's kid has that kind of treatment?"

"Of course. Will the kids come back with you in a few days?"

"Yes. Except Ye Chenghu—he's in high school, hard to take a long leave without falling behind. The others are coming back."

"Good, good!" The old grandmother was overjoyed—her grandchildren were all coming home again, and the house would be lively once more.

Ye Yaodong listened to the old grandmother talk about the kids for a while longer before hanging up.

Ye Ye Yaopeng and the others returned from the fresh-fish boats almost simultaneously; the day after the letter-carrying fresh-fish boat returned, the fishing boats began trickling back.

Actually, they didn't want to return empty-handed—they wanted to fish one or two more days so the boats could bring back more cargo, at least enough to cover fuel costs.

The moment they returned, everyone immediately asked about the reward; Ye Ye Yaopeng, beaming, asked about his grandson.

Ye Yaodong told him to just call home—he had no idea what was going on with his grandson.

His elder brother had truly hit two strokes of good fortune this time.

He got his honor and came home to hold his grandson.

Ye Ye Yaopeng was radiant—only forty, he felt he'd reached life's peak.

He now had a multi-hundred-thousand-yuan boat, the honor he could brag about for life, and now a grandson to hold.

At forty, he finally felt he'd truly lived!

At dinner that night, Ye Ye Yaopeng got so happy he drank more than he should.

"I'm so happy… so happy—I finally feel life has flavor, and there's real hope ahead."

"After decades, only these past two years have I felt I could stand tall, speak loudly—no matter how hard it was, it was worth it."

"Now I've been honored again, the debts are finally cleared, and I've got a grandson—this year is truly a good year…"

"A few years ago, even a thousand yuan took years to save—and then it was gone. I couldn't sleep for days, heartbroken. Now I can earn a thousand yuan easily…"

"Back then, when Li Laoer and Dongzi teamed up to buy a boat, each month they split dozens or even hundreds of yuan—I felt like my insides were being clawed. I listened to Ye Dasao say it was bad luck, that we had no money, that we couldn't be sure of profit, that our household couldn't bear the risk…"

"Later I regretted it bitterly—I shouldn't have listened to Ye Dasao. What does a woman know? One or two sweet words from someone and she thinks it makes sense—she spends money without blinking, but when real profit appears, she gets nervous…"

"Thank goodness, I didn't fall too far behind—I caught up."

"Wu… all these years weren't wasted—I've built up a household, we've grown our family, the bitterness's over, sweetness's come…"

Ye Ye Yaopeng kept rambling about these past years; when he spoke of hardship, he cried and laughed.

Ye Yaodong and the others could only comfort and reassure him…

It truly was bitterness turning to sweetness; now, steadily saving more for retirement posed no real problem—they had boats, shops, and land, already far ahead of 80% of people.

"Big brother, you're already a life winner—why are you crying? I'm the one who should cry—my brat says he won't come back with us, he wants to stay here so he doesn't get surrounded by aunts and uncles nagging him!"

"As long as he doesn't come back, he's free and easy—he's adamant about not returning to suffer, to get tormented—I'm about to die of anger."

"Now you're comfortable, holding grandsons one after another—your life's complete."

Ye Ye Yaopeng, hearing this, happily clinked glasses with his younger brother.

Ye Yaodong could only watch helplessly as the two, drunk and weeping with laughter, until they'd had enough—he called someone to carry them back to the dorm.

The next day, when everyone went to collect their awards, Ye Ye Yaopeng showed up a little embarrassed.

When they received their awards and payments in the grand hall, everyone was thrilled—30,000 yuan compensation per boat, nearly a month's pure profit.

Of course, this didn't include Ye Yaodong—he owned his own fresh-fish boat, so he didn't have to give up half to the fresh-fish boat.

Though it fell short of everyone's hoped-for 50,000 yuan, everyone was satisfied.

30,000 yuan per boat—he had twelve boats himself, and his fresh-fish boat got 300,000 yuan compensation—one boat equaling ten fishing boats. Though less than his original outrageous demand, he was satisfied—it was a scam he'd pulled off anyway.

Haggling, bargaining, arguing—getting this much compensation was already cause for celebration.

Originally, only one fresh-fish boat was eligible, but he falsely reported a second—one that had caught up with them en route!

We should've scammed the little days hard.

Everyone beamed as they collected their awards and certificates, then took a group photo.

This time, Ye Yaodong directly deposited nearly one million yuan; he pulled out 100,000 yuan to split evenly among the ordinary crew.

He had many fishing boats—over 300 crew members alone—so each got roughly one and a half months' wages.

For everyone, it was decent—a free bonus.

For captains, first mates, second mates, engineers, and boatswains, he gave extra bonuses ranging from 500 to 1,000 yuan—equivalent to nearly two to three months' wages.

He paid out another 20,000 to 30,000 yuan total—about 15%—and felt he was a good boss.

At least the factory workers, upon hearing this, were extremely envious—their wages were lower than those of sailors, and now the sailors' bonuses exceeded their salaries.

Ye Yaodong had a copy made of his newly received certificate of honor, framed it, and continued to hang it on the wall.

Meanwhile, after Lin Lin Xiuqing received news that their fishing boat had docked and returned, the next day she had the children take leave from school, and she and Ye Ye Huimei dragged the children over by boat.

Once they finished collecting it, arrangements would also need to be made for their return.

Ye Yaodong had already arranged everything long ago; whether he was at the factory or not mattered little, as everyone performed their own duties, and things wouldn't fall into chaos without him; he had even handed his seal over to the finance department to manage.

When Lin Lin Xiuqing heard he had received over nine hundred thousand, she was stunned; could it really be like this?

However, she didn't understand this matter; anyway, whatever amount was brought back was whatever amount was brought back, all of it was free money; although they had plenty of cash on hand now, several hundred thousand was still a lot.

"Then shall we go home tomorrow?"

"Yes, Big Brother has already set sail to arrange refueling; tomorrow morning, everyone will board Big Brother's boat. It will be a bit crowded, so just make do; at that time, the bunks will be for you and the children to lie on, while the adults can just lie down in any corner; endure it for two days and it will be over."

"Hmm, they are all used to riding boats; enduring two days will be fine."

"Let them sleep early and rest early tonight; tomorrow we must get up early."

"I know; did you call home and say so?"

"Yes, I called and arranged it; we depart tomorrow morning; barring any unexpected issues, we should arrive home around the 17th, stay for five days, attend the full moon banquet on the 22nd of the lunar month, stay two more days, and then come back up."

"That's about right; the children took ten days of leave."

While they arranged for their fishing boat to return home, the other fishing boats also needed to be arranged to set sail the next day; most were departing at roughly the same time, just heading in different directions.

His few friends were extremely envious, itching to follow him back, but reason prevailed, so they still had to set sail.

However, a couple of words still needed to be said over the walkie-talkie.

First was the gossipy Ah Zheng: "Dongzi, if your grandson's full moon were here, we could just follow you back to drink the celebratory wine."

"Why don't you say I should have another one, wait for the full moon, and give you all a chance to go home and drink?"

"Then have another one! Many people have one place, one home, one project, one her. You are so rich now; you should have one wife at home, one wife in Zhoushan City, and one wife in Shanghai!"

"Damn, you really know how to think."

"Of course! One wife per place, two kids per wife; you could have four more! That way, we can drink celebratory wine four more times."

"You can do it! Anyway, the mountains are high and the Emperor is far; your wife isn't around to check on you. My wife is different; she's around from time to time, and I'm not that thirsty."

"You said it! Then I'll do as you say; if my wife finds out, I'll say you told me, that you made me do it!"

"Damn it, get lost; what the hell does that have to do with me."

Ye Yaodong immediately cut him off, refusing to listen; he was just spouting nonsense without any substance.

Ye Ye Yaopeng, who was in the cockpit with him at the same time, cleared his throat and said, "Dongzi, you cannot have the dangerous thoughts of your friend; if they want to do it themselves, let them, but you cannot encourage them; if a couple ends up in conflict later, you'll be caught in the middle with no good standing."

"He was joking."

"That still spreads easily; if his wife finds out you encouraged him to look for someone outside, and she comes knocking on the door later, it will hurt feelings."

"You are overthinking it."

"You are very rich now, but your wife and children are all by your side; if you find another one like Old Pei and others, causing the whole village to know, that would not be good; there is no wall that doesn't let wind through."

Ye Yaodong emphasized again, "You are overthinking it; don't imagine things; just steer your boat."

"Oh, okay."

Seeing that Ye Ye Yaopeng had no desire to speak, he shut up and steered the boat, but still couldn't resist.

"Dongzi, you go out drinking and socializing every day; have you found any lovers?"

"Big Brother, you are overthinking it."

"Ahem, I'm just asking out of curiosity; I heard you don't return until several o'clock in the early morning."

"I am doing it to make money; steer your boat; don't imagine things; if anything bad gets out, then you are the source."

"Ah! I didn't say anything; I know nothing."

Ye Yaodong glanced at him with a bad temper and did not reply further.

He was not a young, reckless boy who couldn't tighten his belt; he was a man of a certain age; he would naturally exercise restraint where needed, and he knew what he wanted.

After staying in the cockpit for a while, with the fishing boat leaving the port and sailing on the sea, he took a telescope, looked around from a distance, and then returned to the deck.

After Ye Ye Xiaoxi and the others boarded the boat, they started playing with cards; the rocking of the fishing boat did not affect their fun.

With companions, two days were not hard to endure; moreover, there was anticipation; they hadn't seen their village friends in a long time.

At home, everyone was also counting the time, hoping for their return.

Since receiving the call that the fishing boat had docked and arranging for a tractor to pick them up in town, the family had already started preparing the snacks for their return.

As soon as they got off the vehicle, they could immediately fill their stomachs.

As soon as the children jumped off the vehicle, they started shouting for the eldest nephew.

"I want to see the eldest nephew first..."

"Me too, I want to see my eldest nephew..."

"My eldest nephew..."

"Shh, no shouting..."

"You all keep the noise down; the little nephew is sleeping."

"No shouting; go eat first; wait until the child wakes up before you look; right now he is still sleeping."

"If you shout again, I'll beat you!"

Ye Ye Chengjiang complained, "With a great-grandson, the grandsons don't matter anymore!"

Ye Father glared at him, "If you nag again, I'll hit you first!"

"I just said I shouldn't have come back; I haven't even been surrounded and attacked yet, and I'm already being warned! Indeed, the older ones aren't as close as the younger ones, and grandsons aren't as close as great-grandsons! I've reached the point where I'm annoying and everyone wants to beat me."

Ye Father turned his head to go find a broom.

Ye Ye Yaohua also scolded: "It's good that you know you're annoying! You talk too much; of course the great-grandson is closer to you than you are; if you have the ability, have one yourself, then you won't be here making snide remarks."

"How am I supposed to have one? I'm not a woman; if you can have one, have one yourself."

Ye Ye Chengjiang finished speaking, turned around, and left to go next door to eat noodles.

Ye Yaodong said, "Every beating you took, every scolding you received, was not undeserved."

"Sigh, I didn't even want to come back, but if I don't return, Ye Chenghe will definitely be angry!"

Ye Ye Yaohua angrily cursed at Ye Ye Ersao, "How did you give birth to such a coffin-born brat? You only know how to anger me. How old are you? You're in your twenties, yet you act like a child of a few years. How were you raised?"

"How was I supposed to raise him? Isn't he your son too? Why don't you teach him? You're so capable, so teach him! A son isn't just mine."

"What a good son you've raised!"

"Could I have raised him without you? You speak as if he isn't your son!"

As soon as they returned, the couple started arguing.

Ye Mother scolded, "Keep your voices down, both of you. If you want to argue, go home and do it."

The two finally shut their mouths.

The instigator sat down with no conscience and ate his own food.

"Brother, didn't you say you wouldn't come back? Why did you come back again?" Ye Ye Xiuxiu asked.

"My conscience awakened. After all, he is my first great-nephew. Everyone is back to celebrate the full-month banquet; how could I not come back alone? I still had to come back to take a look. Look at how much I sacrificed!"

"Oh, come on. As soon as you come back, Mother gets a headache. As soon as you come back, there's an argument!"

"Then it's best if I don't come back; at least then they can unite against me and scold me together."

"Right, right, that's correct."

Ye Ye Chengjiang tapped her head, "You need to stand on my side!"

Ye Yaodong asked, "What is the child's name?"

"It's Ye Huaize. The fortune-teller said his fate lacks water, so Chenghe looked through the dictionary for several days to choose it."

Ye Ye Chengjiang nodded. "Poor him. All the ink he'll ever use in this life is embodied in this name."

Ye Ye Tingting secretly laughed. "It's so hard to get you to praise someone; no wonder you can't find a partner."

"Bullshit. Laozi doesn't want one; it's not that I can't find one! Your brother has plenty of people who like him."

"Then you still don't have a partner."

"Do you know how to speak? Are the skins of one or two of you itching?"