Back to the small fishing village in 1982

Chapter 1916: Year-old wine

Chapter 1916: Year-old wine

"The most important thing in high school is to study, then get into a good university. Once you get to university, things will be much easier. You should all learn from Yangyang."

Ye Yaodong looked at his second son with great satisfaction. He was more outstanding than his eldest son, and he was not blinded by beauty. He had goals and worked hard for them. He was not easily distracted and had a clear understanding of himself. He knew exactly what he should do.

Ye Xiaoxi is relatively innocent and lively, without any extraneous thoughts, perhaps because she is still young.

"I know, you guys say that all the time."

Lin Xiuqing chimed in, "You're always busy eating, drinking, and having fun. Even if I nag you a lot, you won't take it seriously."

"Where do I not try to read carefully? If I can read, I can read. If I can't read, there's no point in you reading after me."

"It's to make you pay more attention."

Ye Xiaoxi didn't argue with her mother, but instead patted Ye Chengyang on the shoulder, "Second brother, you have to set a good example for the college entrance exam next year!"

Ye Chengyang glanced at her sideways but didn't say anything.

The sea breeze at night was cold and harsh, making people shrink their necks, but everyone was having a great time.

"The streets are still bustling during the Lunar New Year, with all sorts of things for sale."

"It's been so long since I've gone out at night. It's so lively, and there's so much food to eat."

"Let's go out again tomorrow. There's a market during the day, it'll definitely be more lively and crowded."

"You've only just started eating, and you haven't stopped eating since you came out. You're eating this and that all the time," Lin Xiuqing said with a smile, scolding them.

Ye Xiaoxi chuckled and held up two fingers, "I have two stomachs! One for meals, and one for snacks!"

Ye Chengyang teased her, "You can barely squeeze into Xiaoyu's clothes. After this winter, they'll burst."

"You're talking nonsense, spouting rubbish, that's why you're bursting."

"Would you dare step on the scale back at the factory?"

With her cheeks puffed out, she felt the sugar figurine in her hand was no longer appealing. "You're so annoying! I only weigh 90-something pounds. I just have baby fat on my face."

"Xiaoyu only weighs a little over 70 kilograms."

“She’s a year younger than me, only a little over 1.5 meters tall, and 5 centimeters shorter than me. Isn’t it normal for her to be thin? We’re both still growing.”

Lin Xiuqing patted Ye Chengyang on the shoulder and said, "Don't talk about your sister. She's not fat at all. She's still growing and getting taller."

"Humph."

Pei Yu's face was red from the cold, but she still smiled and said, "Let's go back, it's so cold."

Ye Xiaoxi also pulled her scarf up a bit and shrank behind Ye Chengyang, saying, "You can shield me from the wind."

"Go back and get some rest. If you're going out tomorrow, go out during the day. Don't go alone. Ask your second brother or your eldest brother to come with you. It's almost the end of the year, and things are very chaotic."

"We're going to visit some of my nephews and nieces at the family compound tomorrow."

"Whatever you say."

They strolled around, bought several kilograms of melon seeds and peanuts, as well as loose biscuits, rice sticks, New Year's candy and other snacks. They also carried two bags of oranges and apples, and each of them held a sugar figurine before heading back.

Back in the dormitory, Lin Xiuqing brought them a thermos and let them take turns washing their faces and scalding their feet before getting into bed.

I didn't see Ye Chenghu when I first arrived at the factory, but he showed up the next day, bringing breakfast and taking turns knocking on the door.

"Aren't you getting up? How can you expect to be employees in the future? Your wages will be completely deducted."

Ye Xiaoxi scratched her messy hair and said sleepily, "Who wants to be a wage earner? You can be one yourself. It's freezing cold, and you came knocking on the door so early in the morning."

"I brought you breakfast, and you still treat me like this."

Ye Xiaoxi snatched the breakfast and slammed the door shut again.

Ye Chenghu looked at the closed dormitory door and muttered, "That heartless brat."

After saying that, he went to knock on Ye Chengyang's door next door.

He perked up, "So early, brother. I didn't see you yesterday, and I didn't see your luggage in the room. When I came over yesterday, the room was empty, and I thought I had gone to the wrong place. Which room do you sleep in? Don't you usually sleep in this room?"

Ye Chenghu coughed lightly. "I'm going to sleep in another room. Let's have breakfast. I'm going to work. This is breakfast for Mom and Dad. Give it to them later."

Ye Chengyang took the breakfast and watched his departing figure thoughtfully.

Everyone lay in bed until late morning before getting up to eat their cold breakfast. It was a rare treat not to have to get up early, and everyone wanted to stay in their warm beds.

Ye Xiaoxi stood in the corridor, stretching lazily with a steamed bun in her mouth.

Ah! Holidays are great! Wonderful winter break!

"That awful older brother of mine! He came knocking on the door first thing this morning. If he hadn't come, I could have slept in a little longer. Now that he's woken me up, I can't fall back asleep. That wretched working class guy!"

Pei Yu patted her, "Stop reading. Your uncle and aunt aren't in the house, and neither is your cousin. We're the only ones who've been hanging around until now."

"Let's go downstairs and take a look. They're either in the office or the workshop. Let's go check out that stage they've set up."

The two locked the door and walked hand in hand toward the cafeteria.

Ye Chengyang was surrounded by a group of young female workers asking him all sorts of questions, and he was so embarrassed that his ears turned red. When he saw them, he immediately slipped away and walked over to them.

"Are you going to the family compound? I'll go with you to see your little nephew and niece."

Ye Xiaoxi chuckled and laughed at him, while Pei Yu covered her mouth and chuckled secretly.

"Second brother, you've received plenty of love letters from female classmates, so how come you're all blushing when surrounded by these women?"

Ye Chengyang said in a low voice, "The female classmates are all so reserved and shy. They blush after saying just a few words. Unlike them, when so many of them surrounded us and asked so many questions, I couldn't handle it. Luckily, you guys came."

"What did you ask?"

"It's nothing, just too many questions. They kept asking me random things, and I was the only man among all the women. It was so embarrassing."

"Many workers are looking this way at you, they envy you so much."

"Annoying."

Lin Guangming, Lin Guangwen, and Ye Chengjiang all have children who can walk unsteadily, and some can even run. Ye Chengjiang's child is being held in Lin Huixin's arms.

When Ye Xiaoxi and her two companions arrived at the family compound, they saw several women following behind the children, watching them play. They found it particularly fascinating.

After spending half a day in the family compound and even getting a free meal, they returned to the factory and began their performance practice.

It was at this moment that Ye Xiaoxi and Pei Yucai suddenly realized that Ye Chengyang lived alone, and Ye Chenghu was not in the house.

Ye Xiaoxi looked puzzled. "Where's Big Brother's bed? Don't you share a room with him?"

Pei Yu asked, puzzled, "Haven't you always lived in this room? Is this your bed? Then where does my older cousin sleep?"

"How would I know where he sleeps? He can sleep wherever he wants. It's better if he doesn't sleep in this room. I have my own room."

The two sisters exchanged a glance and felt they had found the answer.

Do you know where he sleeps?

Ye Xiaoxi said, her words contradicting her true feelings: "How would I know where he sleeps? I didn't arrive before you, so who cares where he sleeps? He probably got the key to an empty room from the logistics department."

After saying that, she pulled Pei Yu back into the house, using the excuse of practicing the erhu, but in reality, the two sisters wanted to secretly tease their older brother.

"Wow, did big brother actually succeed in climbing into the other man's bed?"

Pei Yu nodded in agreement, "I feel the same way. Big Brother must have gone to live with Sister Xiaoya."

"Wow, Xiaoya is going to be my sister-in-law, I'll have to change how I address her from now on."

"No wonder my brother said he wanted to bring Sister Xiaoya home for the New Year."

"Hehe, if she really becomes my sister-in-law, I wonder which room they live in. I'll ask my brother when I see them later."

"Don't ask anymore. It's embarrassing to ask. It's enough that you know."

Ye Xiaoxi nodded, agreeing that it made sense, and that it was enough to understand.

"That's true."

"My cousin's hard times have finally come to an end. After several unsuccessful attempts to sneak into our bed at night, he has now managed to climb into our bed without our knowledge."

"Not necessarily. We didn't ask. It's also possible that he was just being a sycophant and only chose a room closer to Sister Xiaoya, wanting to be near her."

"That's possible, but it seems a bit pathetic."

"I'll ask her secretly after dinner."

We didn't eat dinner together last night because Ye Chenghu didn't know what time they would arrive and didn't wait for them. We'll definitely eat together tonight.

Zheng Shuya was very familiar with their family and had dinner together comfortably.

Lin Xiuqing asked her with concern, "Is Xiaoya coming home with us for Chinese New Year this year? Have you told your parents?"

As soon as Zheng Shuya's name was called, she instinctively sat up straight, straightened her back, and gripped her chopsticks tightly.

“I told you, my parents don’t agree, so I won’t go back with you. When you’re about to leave for your hometown, I’ll go back to Shanghai too.”

"You disagree?"

"They think it's a bit far, and we haven't... haven't... settled down yet. They told me to wait until we're settled before coming to your house for the New Year, otherwise it won't look good for others," Zheng Shuya said shyly and awkwardly.

Ye Yaodong looked at Ye Chenghu and asked, "After the New Year, your mother and I will visit their home?"

Ye Chenghu scratched his head. "So fast? Should we let Xiaoya ask her parents first?"

"It's no big deal to visit first. Just treat it as a visit to relatives, get acquainted, have a meal together, and get to know each other's parents beforehand. After you two graduate, you can settle down. Visiting now is to pave the way for things to go smoothly, so you can escort them back home openly and honestly, instead of doing it secretly."

“I’m perfectly aboveboard now. Their family knows me, they’ve met me before, and I’ve even been to their house for tea.”

"Then a formal visit is still needed."

Ye Chenghu looked at Zheng Shuya, "Then go back and ask your parents? Tell them what my dad just said? Tell them we're going to visit relatives, get to know each other, have a meal together?"

Ye Yaodong also looked at her and said, "Let's not talk about anything else, just have some tea, get to know your parents, and we can talk about other things after graduation."

Zheng Shuya nodded shyly, "Okay, I'll go back and talk to them, see what they say, and then call Chenghu back."

"Row."

Ye Xiaoxi and Pei Yu had been exchanging glances and winks to each other, thinking they were about to start calling her "sister-in-law."

After dinner, Ye Xiaoxi quietly followed behind Ye Chenghu and then asked in a low voice, "Big brother, where are you sleeping tonight?"

"Sleep on the bed? Where else can you sleep? Do you sleep on the ground? You little brat, you're so gossipy. Use that time to practice your erhu. Otherwise, you'll end up playing so badly that I won't even give you an encouragement prize."

"Do you think it's your place to refuse?"

“Of course it’s my turn. I’m the host tomorrow, and I can participate in the event from beginning to end. I still have a vote, and I won’t vote for you tomorrow.”

"Pshaw, only a dog would care about your vote."

She tilted her head, turned away haughtily, and pulled Pei Yu away.

But not long after, Ye Chenghu carried the bed back to Ye Chengyang's room.

Ye Chengyang clicked his tongue, "She got kicked out and now she has to share a room with me."

"You talkative brat, you've made me so angry and embarrassed. Now I have nowhere to sleep tonight, so I have to come back and share a room with you."

"Will I be able to get used to life here? Will I be able to sleep? Will the bed still be warm?"

"Stop talking so much and go to sleep."

Ye Chenghu gave a warning, pulled back the covers, lay down, and went straight to sleep.

On the day of the year-end celebration, the factory started to get lively early in the morning.

This afternoon, we had a half-day off to celebrate the anniversary. Ye Chenghu got up early as usual, but he didn't have anything else to do, so he went to the stage to lend a hand.

Several workers were unloading audio equipment and lighting fixtures from the truck, and he joined in, helping with the moving and lifting.

The workers, seeing him running around and gesturing wildly, laughed and joked, "Little Ye, are you trying to become the general manager?"

Ye Chenghu wasn't embarrassed at all, and chuckled, "I'll run errands for you. Just let me know if you need anything!"

The masters saw that he was enthusiastic and approachable, so they actually started to give him orders.

One minute he'd ask him to move a stool, the next he'd ask him to hand him a wrench. Ye Chenghu worked up a sweat, but he was all smiles, even more enthusiastic than when he was at work.

Ye Chengyang came over later and joined in to help, even teasing him a bit, "Couldn't sleep, got up early to work? You've got a lot of energy."

"If you're free, go and set up those tables, chairs, and benches."

"Row."

Ye Chengyang led several workers to carry the table.

By 2 p.m., the open space in front of the cafeteria was filled with round tables, each covered with red plastic.

Several large pots, stoves, and steamers were already set up in the open space in the corner. The chefs were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground as they slaughtered chickens and fish. Steam was rising from the steamers, and the aroma filled the entire factory.

The dishes have been prepared in advance, stacked several layers high, covering several tables. Some have already been cooked and are just waiting to be heated up so that they can be served faster.

The sound system on the stage has been tested and adjusted, the lighting rigs are set up high, and the red curtain is swaying gently in the wind.

Several craftsmen were still doing the final checks. Ye Chenghu stood below the stage, craning his neck to stare, and he was so tired that he kept twisting his neck.

"It feels even more tiring than going to work."

Ye Xiaoxi came over with an orange cut into several pieces in her hand, and shared some with him, as well as with Zheng Shuya who was standing next to her.

"It's still not done after all this time? The sun is almost setting."

"Almost there, just a final tweak."

"They've all turned on the stove over there, and a lot of dishes are ready. It smells amazing, especially the braised beef."

"The chef will cook for you while you eat, and once you're full, you don't need to come to the table; he can just help you wash the dishes."

"I only ate a few slices of beef, but the chefs insisted that I try it to see if it was good, and they even gave me an orange. Forget it, you don't need to eat it."

Ye Xiaoxi snatched the orange from his mouth, refusing to let him eat it, and turned to leave.

"Hey...you..."

Ye Chenghu picked at the orange crumbs between his teeth. "You brat, you turn your back on me just because of one wrong word."

Zheng Shuya, watching from the side, laughed and said, "Who told you to say such unpleasant things? You even told her not to go to the table to wash the dishes. You're just asking for trouble. I'll dig the fart out of her mouth."

"Are you kidding me? I can smell the beef too. Can you go get me a couple of slices to try?"

"My hands are dirty, you go yourself."

"Never mind, save your room for later."

(End of this chapter)