Back to the small fishing village in 1982

Chapter 1203 Another year

Ye Yaodong only briefly told Director Chen about the several boats he currently had, and that he had a fish sauce workshop and a dried fish workshop at home, as well as a shop in the wholesale market and a piece of vacant land that he had just purchased.

He didn't say much about other things. Director Chen knew most of what he knew, but he just didn't think much about it.

When you go to his house, you can see his fish sauce workshop and dried fish workshop, as well as a row of fishing boats parked outside the dock.

It's the New Year, and all the fishing boats are returning to the harbor. Outside the dock there is a dense row of fishing boats that are all of the same color, and most of them are of the same style. Now that is the most beautiful scenery in their village.

If you ask around, you will find out that most of them are his. This cannot be concealed. Moreover, he makes his living by the sea. It is also his ability that he can order a few more boats. He makes his living entirely by labor.

Director Chen knew that he had many boats, but he was still shocked when he actually heard him say that there were more than a dozen trawlers.

I thought it would be good to have a few rent collection lines, but I didn't expect there would be more than a dozen...

It's only been a few years. Are they still fishermen?

Which ordinary fisherman can have so many boats?

Not only was he surprised, Jin Yuzhi was also shocked. How could a fisherman have such a huge fortune?
Who is taking advantage of whom in this godparent relationship?

Ye Yaodong knew they would be surprised, and it was right for them to be surprised.

After being surprised, I realized that he was not trying to get their money, so he had to push them around. But it was impossible for him to not get anything for his own benefit. The adult world is not that pure.

But even though he has such wealth, he is still willing to recognize them as his godparents, which shows that he is sincere to a certain extent. After all, they have been in contact for three years.

Ye Yaodong's wealth is also his bargaining chip.

This was not just said to them, but also so that they could use it as a bargaining chip when they returned home to persuade their children. At least it would show that he was not a poor man trying to climb up the social ladder and spend several years trying to fool the elderly.

After saying a few words casually, he changed the subject and talked about the population composition of his family and the personalities of the people, of course, he only talked about the good side.

Director Chen also reciprocated and talked about the composition of his family population.

They had a great conversation along the way.

The Chinese New Year is approaching, and even though it is dark, we often see large trucks on the road. Many of them are trucks rushing back home to celebrate the Chinese New Year, or rushing to deliver goods before the New Year.

It was already past 7 o'clock in the evening when they arrived at the county town. After Ye Yaodong unloaded the goods for them, he said goodbye and went home.

Director Chen wanted to keep him overnight, or at least have a snack before leaving, but Ye Yaodong refused.

The other person had just arrived home and there was a lot of things to do. Nothing was tidied up or organized, and the house was not cleaned. If he stayed, it would only cause more trouble. It would be better for him to go back early. The couple could wait until tomorrow to tidy up and clean.

Ye Yaodong slowed down and drove slowly towards the village, but halfway through the road he saw a few suspicious figures in front of him. His heart tightened, thinking that the New Year was approaching and the thieves were rampant.

He stared straight ahead, slammed on the brakes, stood up quickly, and took the gun out of the iron box under the seat.

Looking at a few people in front of him holding sticks and slowly approaching with a smirk on their faces, he also checked the guns and ammunition in his hands.

After everything was done, he saw the man approaching, so he stretched out his gun and shot.
After firing a shot, he accelerated the tractor again and drove straight through the middle of the few people in front who were frozen in place and dared not move, scaring them so much that they had to retreat to both sides.

You little bastard, this kind of thing happens every year.

Not to mention the dark and windy night, they can happen blatantly even in broad daylight.

He was unlucky today as he encountered this enemy, but luckily he had a gun in his hand, which was enough to intimidate the enemy, and he could then drive away in a swagger on his tractor.

But after this incident, he was more cautious on the road afterwards, keeping the gun on his knees.

Fortunately, nothing happened in the second half and I got home safely.

Lin Xiuqing was shocked when she heard him talk about what happened on the road.

"This is too scary. Fortunately, you have a gun in your car. These people are too rampant. We can't catch them all."

"The New Year is coming soon. They have to do more work to have a good New Year, eat delicious food and drink spicy drinks. Anyway, nothing happens. It's normal to encounter it."

"Fortunately, you won't be going out from now on. I'll go make two fried eggs to calm you down."

"Ah."

Ye Yaodong told her about the possibility of becoming sworn brother to Director Chen, but the relationship had only just begun, so it was hard to say whether it would have a lasting effect or not, and she would have to wait a few days.

"Why do you want to acknowledge a godparent? Wasn't it good enough before? It would be troublesome to have another relative for no reason."

"What's the trouble? We can still interact as usual, at most a little more intimate, but it will be open and aboveboard if we tell others about it. We are godparents. From now on, everything we do will be reasonable and it will be normal for us to interact and behave intimately."

"You decide for yourself. Anyway, I think there's no need for ordinary people like us to get involved with officials. The way it is now is good enough."

"You are so naive, aren't you? You told them we were just ordinary fishermen, but who would believe you now?"

Lin Xiuqing was blocked for a moment and was speechless. It was true that their family was no longer an ordinary fisherman.

"Don't think too much. We should be honest and not do anything out of line. But if a factory in the city opens in the future, it would be safer if we have some background. Otherwise, we ordinary people may be tortured to death."

This was the experience he learned from Fang Jingfu.

No matter what time it is, it is always easier to get things done if you have someone in the court, not to mention that officials really have hundreds of ways to make trouble for others.

Lin Xiuqing didn't say anything else. She had always just wanted to be content with a small fortune and couldn't think that far ahead. Now she could only listen to him in everything.

Whatever he says, that's what it is.

After Ye Yaodong finished his meal, he took a shower before going to bed. He originally wanted to save it for New Year's Eve before taking a shower, but after running back and forth and moving things around, he was too dirty.

Lin Xiuqing also said that it would be better for him to wash a day earlier so that she would have less things to do tomorrow as she still had a lot to do on New Year's Eve.

The children at home were already asleep when he came back.

In fact, at this time, apart from their house, there were only a few lights on in the village.

Only after Ye Yaodong lay down in the warm and soft bed did he feel comfortable and relaxed.

A golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as your own doghouse.

He is now finally taking a complete break for the New Year. He said he was taking a break a few days ago, but in fact he just didn't go out to sea. He still has a lot of chores to do and he has to run around everywhere.

There is a lot to do all day long, and New Year's Eve is the only time I can really rest.

Of course, he did nothing as a matter of course and slept until noon, only to be awakened by the fragrance outside.

As soon as you wake up, you can have a hearty breakfast, and you can also have some vegetable meatballs freshly fried in a hot pot.

Others are already busy, so he just needs to pick up the ready-made food. No one dislikes him like before, and everyone now assumes that it is his right to sleep until he wakes up naturally.

The chickens and ducks had already been killed and feathered, and were placed naked on the table, waiting to be stewed at noon.

"We have been working for half the morning and you just got up. Hurry up, we are waiting for you to put up the couplets."

Lin Xiuqing wiped the oil stains off her hands before taking out the couplet and placing it on the table for him.

"Why wait for me if you can just post it directly?"

"Aren't you the head of the family? Of course you are the one who put up the couplets in our house."

"Oh."

"Use the rice paste to wipe the windows outside, and remember to hang up the lanterns. I took them down and cleaned them yesterday."

"understood."

When Ye Yaodong finished his meal and went out with the couplets, Ye Chengyang was still flatteringly moving a stool for him.

"what?"

"Dad, let me give you a footstool."

"Do you think I need your father?"

Ye Yaodong took the bowl of rice paste on the window, stuck it with a brush, smeared it on the top back of the couplet, and then stood on tiptoe to stick it on the wall.

Ye Chengyang then put down the stool and scratched his head, "Oh, Dad, you are taller than the eldest and second uncles, you don't need it."

Ye Yaodong ignored him and waited by the side with a bowl of rice milk. After pasting one side, he actively handed over another couplet, and then a banner.

Showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing.

He lowered his head and glanced at the boy sideways, saying nothing and asking nothing.

After pasting the couplets and sticking the word "Fu" upside down on the door, he called it a day with satisfaction and went out for a walk to bask in the sun, watching the neighbors play cards and gamble.

Ye Chengyang followed closely beside him, playing with the children next to him from time to time. If he took a step forward, the boy would immediately follow him.

He sat down to play cards, and he stood behind him like a bodyguard.

"What are you doing?"

Ye Chengyang said weakly: "Dad...can you give me money to buy firecrackers..."

"Ask your mother."

He stood there with his mouth shut, not moving. Ye Yaodong played two games, then looked at him like a wooden stake and got annoyed, so he quickly gave him 5 cents to send him away.

Ye Chengyang excitedly took the money and ran away.

I knew there must be a purpose for being around him so early in the morning.

On New Year's Eve, the children are the most relaxed. They don't have to worry about anything and just play.

They were also the happiest ones. They never stopped eating all day long. They would smell the fragrance of home and run back home from time to time to steal a few bites before going out to play. They never lacked snacks in their pockets and even had enough money to buy firecrackers to play with.

This kid must have gotten something bad from Lin Xiuqing this morning, so when he saw him get up, he started to hang around him.

But he was too good at taking advantage of others. After a while, he came over again and asked to buy a candy figure.

After a while, I wanted to buy candied haws again.

Then Ye Chenghu and Ye Xiaoxi were also attracted over.

The three siblings came one after another, and he was so angry that he wanted to use a whip.

Seeing that he was angry, the three of them dispersed.

It was not until lunch that he found out that Lin Xiuqing had refused their request for money in the morning and had clearly stated that they would not receive any New Year's money this year. She then asked them if they were still afraid of the beating they received a few days ago.

That's why Ye Chengyang set his sights on him, taking the opportunity to ask for as much money as possible.

"You have quite a few tricks up your sleeve?"

Ye Chengyang lowered his head even more and just ate from the bowl, pretending he didn't hear.

"Yangyang said, if we don't have the New Year's money, we can have change. Every year, my mother takes away all the New Year's money and only keeps two dimes." Ye Chenghu had no burden in betraying his brother.

"My brother said he has a lot of private money, it doesn't matter, he doesn't want it."

"You're talking nonsense! You have a lot of private money. I saw it."

"Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. Do you want to be beaten tonight or on the first day of the new year?"

The two brothers immediately shut their mouths.

Although Lin Xiuqing said that in the morning, after the New Year's Eve dinner, she still put a red envelope in the pocket of each of her three children's new clothes.

After they finished their New Year's Eve dinner, they took a shower, changed into new clothes, and were surprised when they found red envelopes in their pockets.

"Mom, didn't you say there wouldn't be any this year?"

"You don't want it, right? Then give it back to me."

"Yes, yes." Ye Chenghu shouted especially loudly, tightly held the red envelope, and ran out happily.

"Come back to me."

"What's wrong."

He stood at the door vigilantly, not coming in, for fear that his mother would change her mind.

"Don't lose it. Put it in the piggy bank."

"Hey, it won't be lost."

He ran away immediately.

Ye Chengyang also hurriedly followed behind.

Ye Xiaoxi was a little reluctant, but thinking that she had just dropped a red envelope a few days ago, she took small steps to Lin Xiuqing and handed the red envelope to her.

"Mom, please keep it for me. I will get rid of it."

"Well, you are still good."

Lin Xiuqing put the red envelope back into her pocket with a smile, then took out a two-cent coin and handed it to her.

"I'll keep the red envelope for you, and use this to buy you something to eat."

"Yeah."

She would run outside when she was happy.

"Slow down. If you get my new clothes dirty or damaged, I'll be beaten on New Year's Day."

She ran and shouted, "Got it."

Ye Yaodong smiled and said, "I just lie to children."

"Feel the pocket of your new clothes, the inside pocket."

Ye Yaodong was surprised for a moment, reached into his pocket, and took out a thick red envelope, "Me too?"

She smiled and nodded, "Didn't you give me all your money? It's New Year's Day, what are you going to do if you don't have money to play cards? You've worked hard this year, so of course I have to give you some New Year's money."

He took the red envelope in his hand and kissed it, "Good wife."

"Grandma, check your pockets too."

The old lady was also stunned, "Ah? I have one too?"

Lin Xiuqing smiled and nodded.

"I've touched my pockets? What are you doing to me?" She touched both sides of her coat pockets, but found nothing. Then she imitated Ye Yaodong and lifted up her clothes, reaching inside to feel, and she actually found one.

It wasn’t very bulging, no wonder she didn’t notice it when she just changed into new clothes.

Lin Xiuqing also explained, "I am used to making clothes for Adong, so I make a big, deep pocket on the inside."

"Just make me new clothes, why give me a red envelope? I don't have anywhere to spend the money, I eat and drink at home, why give me money?"

"I told you not to make new clothes and pants, but you insisted on making them. I don't want the red envelope anymore. I'll give it to you, here you go..."

"I should have given you the New Year's money, why do I have to ask you to give it to me?"

The old lady stuffed the red envelope into Lin Xiuqing's hand without even looking at it.

"I bought you some candy. Don't think I didn't see that you like candy, too."

Lin Xiuqing noticed that after offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God, the old lady also ate several candies.

In the past, I would never be willing to eat them and would only leave them for my children. Maybe it’s because life has become better and better in the past two years that I can bear to eat two.

Ye Yaodong also said: "Take it. You have suffered for half your life. You suffered when you were young, so of course you have to eat sweet things when you are old."

The old lady's face was full of smiles, tears glistening in her eyes, she quietly wiped them away and agreed happily.

"Well, you have to eat something sweet, which means the hard times are over."

Lin Xiuqing said to Ye's father and mother again: "I gave red envelopes to my parents in advance yesterday."

Mother Ye smiled and said, "I know."

Father Ye just turned to Ye Yaodong and said, "Remember to go to Tianhou Temple to burn incense at night, don't fall asleep."

"How is that possible? Who sleeps on New Year's Eve?"

"Ah."

The father and son went out one after another. The Spring Festival Gala had no appeal to them, so it was better to play cards.

Ye's father is very strict with me on a daily basis, so I don't have much chance to play cards. It's a rare opportunity during the Chinese New Year that I can play cards to my heart's content without anyone bothering me.

Ye Yaodong has simply watched too many Spring Festival Galas, and there is no sense of freshness at all, only a retro feel.

Of course, the job of cleaning up fell on Ye's mother and Lin Xiuqing.

They are the only two who have not put on new clothes yet. After all, there is still cleanup work to do after the New Year’s Eve dinner, and wearing new clothes will only get them dirty.

They are not like those grown men who would just pat their butts after dinner and go out to gamble, and would not go home until midnight after burning incense.

After Ye Yaodong finished his New Year's Eve dinner and went out, it was already after midnight when he came back. Lin Xiuqing got up specially and cooked him another bowl of dumplings.

After eating, he ran next door to play cards with his elder brother, second brother and Ye Chenghai.

That’s right, it was Ye Chenghai. He turned 16 after the Chinese New Year and was considered an adult, so it was normal for him to sit at the table and play cards with them.

Even though he is such an adult, he does have some private money in his hands.

Lin Xiuqing was also depressed when she saw him eat a dumpling and then go out. In the past, he would only play until 12 o'clock and burn incense before coming back.

My money has increased this year and I have more money in my pocket, but I still want to go out and play cards at this time.

It was not until 3 a.m. that he came back and lay down yawning.

Lin Xiuqing was also awakened by the noise of him lying down, so she moved inside to make room for him and muttered a few words.

Ye Yaodong was very sleepy at this point, so he closed his eyes and fell asleep, forgetting to follow his old habits.

When I woke up the next day, I remembered that I hadn't done what I should have done last night, but there was no one around me, not even Ye Xiaoxi.

He rolled over in his arms while holding the quilt, then stuffed his clothes into the quilt to warm them before putting them on.

When I went out to the main room, there was no one there. There were only leftovers from last night, some still warm porridge, and the sounds of various conversations and firecrackers outside.

He took his toothbrush and cup and went out to wash up, then looked at the dogs at home, all of whom had colorful hairpins on their heads.

Some of them even had two red rubber bands on their ears...

“Who did this…”

No one answered him. Everyone was outside or gathered at the next door talking and chatting.

When a few dogs saw him, they ran over and surrounded him with a look of grievance, then rubbed their heads against him repeatedly. There were rubber bands on their ears.

"Is the rubber band on your ear uncomfortable?"

"Woo woo..." The dogs whimpered a few times.

"But it still looks pretty and festive. Why don't you just bear with it and take it off tomorrow?"

"Wang Wang..."

"Who did this? They're pretty smart. They even knew to dress you up to celebrate the New Year."

"Wang Wang..."

The dogs barked a few more times, circled around his feet, and then lay down again, sticking to the ground with a look of despair.

Ye Yaodong touched their heads and ears with a smile, brushed his teeth, and went into the house to eat.

After dinner, I went out and caught Ye Xiaoxi and asked her if she did it.

She even shook her head with great pride, "I spent a long time trying to catch them this morning, luckily my sister came."

"I'm going to my sister's house. There's a dog there..."

"Your own dog is causing trouble, but you still don't forget to cause trouble to other people's dogs. Be careful that other children may steal your hairpins."

"No problem, I'll let the dog bite the kid."

"Where's your mother?"

"She's playing cards over there!"

"Huh? Playing cards?! She also knows how to play cards? Who taught her that?" Ye Yaodong hurried to Zhou Da's house next door.

I actually saw Lin Xiuqing sitting at the door basking in the sun, playing cards with a group of women, but they were playing the card game of Hold 7, which relied on luck rather than skill.

"Damn, you can play cards too?"

Lin Xiuqing turned to look at him with a smile, "Learn, it's very simple. If you can play cards, then of course I can play cards too."

Damn, is this a resentment?

Blame him for not making the New Year's Eve fire bun last night?

"So you play cards here and I go home to look after the house?"

"Well, let's go."

Ye Yaodong felt a little depressed when he saw her waving her hands like she was shooing away a fly. His wife had learned some bad habits and was actually being led by others to play cards.

She didn't know how to play cards at first.

Now everyone can play cards, and in the future everyone will be able to play mahjong.

I have to tell her that it’s okay to have fun during the New Year, but she can’t get too addicted.

During the Chinese New Year, the village is really full of gambling tables, card tables, mahjong tables, and dice tables. As long as it is not raining, they are all set up on the road, and no matter how cold it is, there are people gambling.

Seeing that they were playing at a very small level, Ye Yaodong thought that every point deducted meant one cent of penalty, so he let them do what they wanted. He went home and called a few people to sit at the door to play cards and watch over the house at the same time.

These days during the New Year are all about having fun. You don’t have to do anything at home. Some people go out to visit relatives, some play cards.

He doesn't have many relatives to visit. All his close relatives are in this village. His eldest aunt married and moved to the town, so she is the one who comes back to visit relatives.

As for the relatives in the provincial capital, they are not close enough, so there is no need to travel so far.

As for Aqing, she will wait until the second day of the Chinese New Year to go back to her parents' home. This is also the custom.

When I go back to Aqing's parents' home, I don't have to do anything. I just play cards, cross my legs and wait for food.

Ye Yaodong has been wondering whether Director Chen from the third grade will come?

On the evening of the 29th, he said that although he could not recognize the other party as his godparent, he would go to Director Chen's house to pay New Year's greetings on the third day of the New Year.

Should we go now?
Will he come over?

If he came here and then went to the county town, wouldn't that be a miss?
Ye Yaodong was still struggling over whether to go or not when he went to sleep at night, tossing and turning.

"What are you doing? What are you thinking about? Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

"I was wondering, should we go to the county town tomorrow morning? Or should we wait until the day after tomorrow?"

"Is that what's bothering you?"

"Yes, after all, being a godparent is a big deal. I don't know the outcome. I wonder if he will come tomorrow? If he doesn't come, wouldn't it be a waste?"

"Then you can go in the afternoon. You only said you would go on the third day of the Lunar New Year, but you didn't say whether it would be in the morning or afternoon. You can wait and see in the morning to see if they come. If not, then you can go in the afternoon. It's easy to find an excuse. Just say you don't know if anyone will come to pay New Year's greetings in the morning, and you don't want to cause trouble to them, so you go in the afternoon."

"That's right, then prepare everything in advance and go tomorrow afternoon."

"Go to bed early. It's no loss to us if we don't recognize you as our godparents. It's just icing on the cake."

"Well, you better think about it."

"That's right. The money we earn now is more than we can spend in a lifetime."

Ye Yaodong laughed, "Then you have to be more careful and don't get involved in pornography, gambling or drugs, otherwise you won't be able to afford to lose any of your wealth."

"Get lost! How could I possibly do that? You should be more careful and stay away from pornography, gambling, and drugs. If you get involved in anything, your family will be ruined."

"Uh... Huang... should he be okay?"

Lin Xiuqing pinched the soft flesh on his waist and asked, "What did you say?"

"It's New Year's Day, what are you doing? When did you develop this bad habit of pinching my waist?"

"You are talking nonsense. I don't smoke, drink or gamble. How dare you say that to me?"

"Your playing cards today is also gambling."

"That doesn't count. I just played for fun for a while. It's New Year's Day and they are short of one person, so they asked me to join them so that everyone can have some fun."

"That's good, go to sleep."

"Humph, you are the only one allowed to play cards, but I can't play for a bit?"

"No, it's okay to play for a bit, because I play for a bit too, a little gambling for fun. Some women in the village are just like the men, gambling at the table, it's really ugly."

It's not just gambling, even mahjong addiction is deadly.

He had seen many women in their previous lives who were addicted to mahjong and could play all night long, neglecting their children and families.

There are also many women who are addicted to gambling just like men.

Men and women are the same, gamblers deserve to die.

"I saw it, too. It was really ugly. Some people even moved stools to stand on it to watch and bet money. Some people were not from our village, but they came to our village specially to gamble."

"Well, go to bed."

It is good to know.

It’s good that his wife doesn’t know those things. You can’t blame him for being chauvinistic. If it’s not good, just don’t learn them.

Women should act like women, and men and women are equal, but women cannot expect men to do everything.

Ye Yaodong held Lin Xiuqing in his arms with peace of mind, letting her find a comfortable position in his arms, and then they both closed their eyes and fell asleep.

Early in the morning on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Xiuqing was still sweeping the yard when she saw several bicycles riding up to her gate.

She hadn't noticed it at first, but it was the dogs at home barking that made her look over.

"Director Chen? Ah... Happy New Year, please come in and sit down..."

Lin Xiuqing quickly threw the broom aside and went to the door to invite the person in.

"Is your dog so festive too? Hahaha, with a red headband and hairpins, it looks pretty good. The dog is also celebrating the New Year happily."

Jin Yuzhi also laughed and said, "You know what, even the dog has the atmosphere of the New Year, all red and green, it looks festive."

"The little girl at home is naughty and likes to bully the dogs. She caught the dogs and beat them up the day before yesterday morning. We saw that it was a happy occasion, so we didn't stop her."

"Then your girl must be very cute."

"No, you are so naughty..."

Director Chen smiled and praised: "I saw that little girl in his family two years ago. Her arms were as thick as lotus root nodes, and the flesh on her face was hanging down. She was so beautiful, even better than my granddaughter at home. She looked so blessed."

Could you please not wait for me to update in the middle of the night? Could you please wait until the morning to read? I feel pressured when you guys wait there, and sometimes I really can’t write.

It's normal to get stuck in writing. I just can't hold it in. I'm in the later stages of writing now. I have to think carefully about the transition of the plot to avoid a bad ending. Please don't wait for me to update in the middle of the night every day. Just read it in the morning.

He can't even take a shit in peace, and he still has to hold his phone to think about the plot and appease the readers.