Ye Yaodong hurriedly made his way to Ah Guang's house, and from quite a distance away, he could already smell the delicious aroma of steamed crabs wafting through the air.
As soon as he stepped through the threshold, everyone greeted him with excitement.
"You finally made it! If you had been any later, you would have been stuck washing dishes!"
"Come, come, take a seat! We specially saved you that nine-section shrimp..."
"Arriving so late, you need to drink three cups as punishment!"
"Pah! There's only this much wine left; don’t let him swindle you out of it!"
The lively atmosphere burst with laughter, and after finishing the last of the wine brought by the chubby guy, the guests gradually dispersed.
With a slightly tipsy demeanor, Ye Yaodong returned home.
Today, the door was not locked as usual.
He turned the lock behind him, then went to his room.
Bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, he spotted his two children sprawled out in their slumber, while his wife laid with her back turned to him.
He couldn’t tell if she was asleep or not.
Stripping down to his shorts, he climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around his wife, pressing against her back.
However, she promptly slapped his hand away from her waist.
"Go lay on your side! Aren’t you afraid it’s too cramped? It’s a hot night, and you're all sticky with the smell of alcohol, disgusting!" Lin Xiuqing whispered grumpily.
With an unwavering determination, Ye Yaodong turned her around, shutting her mouth with a kiss.
“Must you be so nagging? We only just...”
“Yesterday was yesterday, today is today. Could you cooperate a little, my dear wife?”
"Then you better come with me to the beach tomorrow!"
Ye Yaodong was taken aback; she was bold enough to bargain with him at this moment! When did she get so clever? Was she counting on him being too eager to agree to her terms?
Men were hardly easy to sway in bed.
Besides, he had already intended to head over to the lonely island tomorrow anyway, using this chance to overcome his own fears.
“Alright, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it. Let’s switch places…”
“First, go take a shower!”
Ye Yaodong’s expression fell.
Women sure knew how to make things complicated!
Lin Xiuqing continued softly, “You reek of alcohol, and your hands smell like seafood! It’s overpowering!”
“Enough with the fuss! I washed up this afternoon…”
“But you’ve been drinking; the smell is far too strong!”
Damn it, he cursed under his breath, feeling the heat rising in him.
Suddenly, an idea struck him: “I’ll go wash up, but let’s go do it on the floor. This bed creaks annoyingly.”
“The floor?”
“Just trust me; do as I say, okay?”
Lin Xiuqing blushed, hesitating.
Why would they go do it on the floor when there was perfectly good bed?
“What about going to the beach tomorrow? If you want a cow to run, shouldn’t you first feed it? Give me a reward, and I’ll agree to anything.”
Seeing her wavering, he pressed on, “I caught a striped tigerfish today, alongside a nest of snow frogs. My luck has been splendid lately! The past two days have brought you quite the fortune, haven't they? This could cover a week or two of netting. Tomorrow's the first day with high tide—who knows, I might catch something even bigger…”
“Alright! Go take your shower, and I’ll comply with you after!”
With a delighted heart, Ye Yaodong leaped up, eager to get to the back door for a shower.
Damn it, after all these years, let’s see how he can regain his vigor!
But then, after washing and collapsing onto the bed, he found himself utterly exhausted, while his wife was the one up and dressed to fetch water to clean up.
Truly, he was serving her, and now she was asking him to make money too!
“Come over here and let’s sleep together!”
“Are you still not tired after all that?”
Ye Yaodong: “…”
“Who do you think this is all for? It’s to make you happy…”
“Enough with the nonsense!” Lin Xiuqing glared at him with a mix of annoyance and love.
“Ah… it’s just me rambling… Come here, I want to tell you something.” Once he got her to lie beside him, he continued, “I’m not going to the dock with you tomorrow…”
“Wait, don’t glare yet! Hear me out. Ah Guang is borrowing a boat tomorrow; if he manages to get one, we’ll head over to the lonely island. No one goes to those smaller islands, the reefs there must be better than at the dock.”
“Who’s he borrowing from? Will anyone actually lend him a boat?”
“From his little uncle. We’ll see; if not, then it’s no big deal.”
“Fine. Just be careful if you go to that lonely island.”
“Right, just don’t think I’m going back on my word!”
He knew it was best to inform her of his plans early, otherwise, she might think he was just fooling around if he didn’t show up, and then she wouldn’t give him a good face later.
Seeing him have a bit of ambition, Lin Xiuqing was glad to chat a little longer.
"The boat repairs are finished at home, and the recent haul has been decent. Shouldn’t you go out to sea like your brothers, taking turns with dad?"
Here it comes! Another person asking him about going out to sea! Everyone wanted him to venture into the ocean.
Ye Yaodong felt a headache coming on, but he couldn't avoid it; he had no choice as there was a boat at home.
Unless he continued to let his wife support him, as he had done in his past life.
“I’ve never been out to sea and don’t know if I’d get seasick. If we can borrow that boat tomorrow, I’ll go for a spin first.”
“Oh.”
“Let’s sleep.”
A man from the seaside should not fear drifting on the waves; he had to conquer this challenge.
If the boat couldn’t be borrowed, he’d just invite a couple of friends to swim out to the dock during high tide to give it a try.
After all, he had nearly drowned before; he shouldn’t be afraid of it anymore.
If it came to it, at least his friends could save him!
The next morning, Lin Xiuqing got up, and at the sound, Ye Yaodong also woke, skipping his usual lazy morning.
Seeing him rise earlier each day, the family had mixed feelings about it; they were curious but did not make a fuss, for he had indeed been a bit more diligent lately.
After breakfast, everyone went about their chores, and Ye Yaodong prepared to head out when the old lady secretly pulled him aside at the door.
He looked at her curiously as she quietly fished a boiled egg from her pocket, whispering to him. “Take this. Eat it outside without letting your mother catch you.”
Surprised, he glanced back, feeling a bit guilty, and lowered his voice, “No wonder my mom said there was one fewer egg for breakfast today. You took it!”
Seeing he hadn’t reached for it, the old lady directly shoved it into his pocket, her smile revealing her toothless gums, lined with many wrinkles.
“You’ve been going to the sea every day; you must be worn out. I boiled you some porridge this morning and secretly cooked this egg for you. Don’t let your mother know; otherwise, she’ll scold you again.”
He tried to retrieve the egg, but the old lady pressed his hand down, stopping him.
He felt helpless.
When he was younger, she often pulled such stunts, but it had become rare as he grew up.
To have her secretly give him an egg today left him uncertain whether to feel touched or grateful.
(End of chapter)