Chapter 1766: Satisfaction

Ye Yaodong had been busy with the exhibition matters on his end; there wasn't much time left, just over half a month. He didn't plan to go to sea, and besides, it was only about three months away from the New Year.

He had to push for performance results through the exhibition by the end of the year.

He wouldn't suffer needlessly; how cold would it be on the sea in the dead of winter? Dirty, smelly, and exhausting.

Now, those ships were quite stable; the crew on board each had their duties, and there were corresponding persons in charge on shore. He didn't need to do everything personally; as long as he asked a question, various data sheets would be delivered to his hands. No need to suffer needlessly.

He could be considered to have successfully made it ashore.

There was just one unstable factor: he didn't know how the fishing moratorium policy would be next year. If deep-sea fishing were still allowed, he wouldn't need to go to the high seas; otherwise, he would have to board a ship and go to the high seas to take a look.

However, next year's matters would be figured out next year. Who knew how this policy would turn out? It was still in the early stage of changes, and it could change every year.

Ye Yaodong closely monitored production and selected samples, working busily until National Day. He went to Shanghai a few days earlier than the workers.

Fortunately, the children had a holiday for National Day, so he could accompany them for a few days; otherwise, he would be busy again immediately after.

Moreover, Ye Chenghu had been holding a grudge because Ye Ye Chengyang and Ye Ye Xiaoxi had both gone to Jinjiang Amusement Park during the summer vacation, and also to the zoo, while he hadn't gone anywhere. They had clearly promised to take him before school started, but in the end, they went home to attend a banquet.

He had almost forgotten about it, but when he heard classmates discussing where they had played during the summer vacation after school started, he remembered this matter.

During this period, he called every now and then, constantly saying that the promise made to him had not been kept.

Lin Lin Xiuqing originally thought about driving them there on the weekend, but Ye Yaodong felt that since there were only a few days left until National Day, he would take them all together during the National Day holiday.

At this time, there wasn't yet an exaggerated holiday peak; although National Day would have more people than a weekend, it wouldn't reach the point of people squeezing each other. It was lively with the crowds during the holiday.

The three siblings knew that Ye Yaodong would come during National Day and then take them to Jinjiang Amusement Park to play, and they had been looking forward to it for a long time.

Ye Ye Chengyang and Ye Ye Xiaoxi kept chattering nonstop about how fun several places were and what there was to do there, making Ye Chenghu so impatient he scratched his ears and rubbed his head, wanting to go immediately.

Even seeing Ye Yaodong made him much more excited than usual.

"Dad! You finally came!"

"Dad, we finished all our homework last night, just waiting for you."

Ye Yaodong smiled at them, "Rare indeed. The sun is rising from the west; you are actually so diligent. You finished your homework right after the holiday started, without dragging it out until the last day."

Ye Chenghu asked impatiently, "What time do we leave tomorrow?"

"Let's leave at 8 o'clock. We should arrive by 8:30. Perfect, there should be fewer people earlier."

"Great."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi leaned her head over, right next to Ye Chenghu, "Big Brother, do you want to bring your girlfriend along?"

Ye Chenghu's face instantly turned the color of pig liver. "What nonsense are you talking? Where would I get a girlfriend?"

He glanced guiltily at his father and mother.

"I saw you secretly writing love letters."

"Nonsense, I was writing an essay!"

Ye Ye Chengyang grinned wickedly, "Big Brother, don't let your eyes wander. I'll believe you."

"Get lost. Don't bother me. I want to get into university and buy a new car!"

"Big Brother, relying on a university student can also get you a new car!"

"I think you want to find a girlfriend? Look at how restless you are. You must have started dating early in middle school, just like Brother Chenghe."

"There really are people like that in my class, but I don't have one. If Dad says that to me too, then I will definitely reserve one in high school, and then we will both get into university together, so Dad can reward us with two small cars!"

"Two small cars?" Ye Chenghu looked at Ye Yaodong.

Ye Yaodong looked at him, gave him a look, and let him figure it out himself.

Then he went back to talking to Lin Lin Xiuqing on his own, ignoring him.

Ye Chenghu couldn't understand; was it really a reward of two small cars?

Ye Ye Chengyang, acting like a good brother, bumped his shoulder. "Definitely possible. Just nag him a bit then; Dad is easier to talk to than Mom."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi stuck her head even closer; the three heads were pressed together, whispering in consultation.

"Big Brother, what is the name of the sister you like? After school, point her out to me? I can help you deliver the love letter; I love doing this kind of thing the most."

"Stop making noise."

"Isn't it awkward to deliver the love letter yourself? What if there are female classmates around her? Would you be embarrassed? If your sister steps in, it's different; I will definitely succeed for you!"

Ye Ye Chengyang also joined in urging, "Big Brother, don't worry; we definitely won't tell Mom and Dad!"

"I don't believe you. You love snitching the most when we fight."

"That's fighting; fighting is fighting. Right now, we aren't fighting. After you graduate, if you can really get a small car from Dad, then after I graduate, I can definitely get one too, right!"

That made sense!

Ye Ye Xiaoxi said, "Then can I do it too? When I get to high school, I'll find our class monitor, and then I can ask Dad for two small cars?"

The two brothers exchanged a glance; it felt doubtful.

Maybe her class monitor's legs would be broken by her father; wanting a small car? A wheelchair would be more like it.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. I think you need to find someone who can take a beating."

"That's right!" Ye Ye Xiaoxi waved her little fist. "He can't be knocked down by just one random punch."

Ye Ye Chengyang changed the subject and asked, "So, Big Brother, have you sent the love letter yet?"

Ye Chenghu hesitated for a moment, feeling that the three of them were indeed on the same side, then said quietly, "Not yet. I can't write it. I flipped through so many books and even newspapers, but it feels like there's nowhere to copy from."

"You're silly. Let's go to the bookstore. There are many extracurricular books in bookstores, and reading them is free. We'll take paper and pens to copy."

Ye Chenghu's eyes lit up. "Then after we finish playing in a couple of days, let's go to the bookstore. I heard there's a book called 'Border Town' we can read."

"I'm going too, I'm going too."

"You're everywhere, you little brat."

"If you don't let me follow, I'll snitch on you."

Ye Chenghu made a fist gesture at her.

"Do you still want me to deliver your love letter for you? Do you still want me to praise you in front of your sister?"

Ye Chenghu glared at her, then tacitly agreed.

"Hey, big brother, which girl in your class are you going to write a love letter to? What's her name?" Ye Ye Xiaoxi's eyes were brimming with gossip.

"I'll tell you later."

"Still trying to hide it from me? It must be your seatmate, the study committee member!"

Ye Ye Chengyang shook his head. "Probably not. Big brother's seatmate is short and chubby, with a fly-speck on her face."

"Then it's the class monitor, or vice class monitor?"

"Help me figure out how to write the love letter first, then I'll tell you! I'm going to play ball."

"I'm coming too."

The two of them ran off, leaving only Ye Ye Xiaoxi alone. Bored, she scooted over to Lin Lin Xiuqing, hugged her arm, and leaned against her.

Lin Lin Xiuqing, finding the heat annoying, said, "They've all run off outside, why are you still here?"

Ye Ye Xiaoxi's eyes rolled as she thought about sounding things out for her brother in advance, and paving the way for herself too!

"Dad, if big brother finds a girlfriend and they both get into college together, would you reward him with two little cars?"

"Did your big brother send you to fish for information?"

"No, it's me who wants to ask. I'm curious."

"If he has that ability, of course. But he'd only get one when he gets into college, and another one when he gets engaged."

Lin Lin Xiuqing swatted him and said reproachfully, "The children are still young, and here you are telling her about this. If Chenghu overhears and it affects his studies, what then?"

"Affect what? Wouldn't that just give him more motivation? And it adds to his bargaining chips too! A little car worth a hundred-something thousand, even several hundred thousand — which working-class worker can just buy one on a whim? Once he knows, he'll study his heart out."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi's eyes sparkled. "Then when I get to high school, I'll reserve myself a boyfriend with good grades in advance too."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to tell big brother this great news…"

She scurried off in a flash.

Ye Yaodong's brow furrowed so hard it could pinch a fly to death. He felt as though he'd picked up a rock only to smash his own foot.

Lin Lin Xiuqing gloated, "See?"

"Is it too late for me to take it back now?"

"I told you not to say it, but you insisted. Now look what happened. If your daughter follows your example, you'll have a real headache."

"It's fine, she's still in elementary school. I'll keep a close eye on her when the time comes." Ye Yaodong consoled himself.

The next day, Lin Lin Xiuqing drove her big three-pointed-star Benz, carrying a family of five, and set off for Jinjiang Paradise.

The three in the back seat had their eyes glued to the window, chattering away.

Ye Ye Xiaoxi, in a voice she thought was very quiet, said to Ye Chenghu, "Big brother, after you come here today, you can bring the girl you like next time. Jinjiang Paradise is so much fun. If you bring her to play once, she'll definitely fall for you."

"Shh…"

"I'm being very quiet. Mom and Dad definitely can't hear."

Ye Yaodong, Lin Lin Xiuqing: "…"

"And there's the zoo. We're going to the zoo tomorrow. You can take turns bringing girl classmates, or why not bring a few at once? Surely at least one of them will like you, right?"

"But you can't be as stingy with her as you are with me. You won't even let me touch the new basketball you just bought, and when the shuttlecock lands on the roof you grumble forever. You despise me that much — if you're like that, definitely no one will like you…"

Ye Chenghu clamped his hand over her mouth. "Shut up. If you don't talk, no one will think you're a mute."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi nodded, and only then did he let go.

She added, "Too bad Ajiang isn't here. Ajiang is really generous…"

Lin Lin Xiuqing, hearing this, was reminded of the social gathering. "Mid-Autumn Festival is on the 10th, right? Next Saturday?"

"Right. The factory has already set the social gathering — next Saturday. The exhibition will be wrapping up just in time, and after the gathering we can also hold a celebration banquet."

"That's great. The whole factory has been busy with the exhibition lately. Everyone's worked hard."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi, her attention diverted, quickly flung herself at the front seat. "Mom, I want to go to the factory to see the fun! Next week?"

"Fine. We'll all go to your dad's factory for Mid-Autumn Festival then, the whole family together."

"Awesome!"

Lin Lin Xiuqing warned her, "Don't keep scooting over to your big brother whispering, coming up with some bad ideas. Mind yourself. If any of your grades drop, you're all getting a beating from me."

All three immediately behaved, sitting up straight, not daring to act up, not daring to lean against the window again, and not daring to climb over the front seat.

They didn't liven up again until they got out of the car.

"Big brother… this is it…"

"So many people today…"

"Hurry up and get in line to buy tickets and play."

Ye Yaodong was purely here to be a tool today, but with Lin Lin Xiuqing along, at least the two tools had each other for company.

"The kids are bigger now, much more comfortable. No more carrying one, holding one's hand, and having one sitting on my shoulder."

Lin Lin Xiuqing laughed and said, "Right, but the key is we still have to squeeze through crowds with them, which is exhausting. Now that they're bigger, we can just let them squeeze through on their own, and we follow behind watching."

"When they're a bit bigger it'll be even more comfortable. We won't even need to take them out — just give them money and let them go play on their own."

"In a few more years, once your daughter's in middle school too, it should be about right. The older ones leading the younger ones."

"In a few more years, I'll practically be retired."

"Heh, dream on. Your son's not married, your daughter's not married off — and you want to retire? Your father's already carrying a great-grandchild and still hasn't retired."

"Don't discourage me. My dream is to retire at forty…"

The couple followed behind the children, chatting as they strolled, a rare moment of leisure.