Ah Cai looked up at him, "Well, Dong Zi, you’ve got quite an eye, huh? You can tell this fish is over a meter long, weighs over one hundred, and the price should go up!"
Ye Yao Dong also puffed up his chest, swaggering as he replied, "Oh, come on! I'm from the seaside, after all. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the town these past few years, so I know a thing or two."
"How about this, let’s be straightforward. Let's settle on two mao eight. Eight eight eight – good luck all around! We’ll both benefit, doesn’t that sound good?"
"Ah, the sound is nice, but being practical is more important. We've traded so many times; we're practically old friends. Look at my recent luck! It's definitely due to the good feng shui of our new home – a treasure of a place! We'll catch even more and better fish in the future. Wouldn’t that be better for both of us?"
"Uh-huh!" Ah Cai nodded frequently, convinced by his words.
"You're good, I'm good, everyone’s good. So, it’s agreed at three mao per jin! No turning back now!"
"Wait, what? Three mao per jin? I didn’t agree to that! Don’t lead me astray!" His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Ye Yao Dong.
This price was way off from what he had in mind!
Two mao difference… it seemed more like two dollars more.
Ah Cai thought it over and realized it wasn’t that far off, but it was still quite a jump from his original offer.
After all, he's a businessman!
"This price is unacceptable. If it’s three mao a jin, then I’m losing money…"
"Ah, why are you being so unyielding? You were all friendly before, and now you’re turning your back all of a sudden! I didn’t haggle over so many mackerel at first. I only looked into the market price a few days ago, and everyone was regretting their past choices. My friends were almost about to take all your stock! I stopped them, you know?"
"Back then, I was too young and thin-skinned, just agreeing to whatever you said. Now I’ve gained some wisdom through experience. We’re from the same hometown; you can’t keep trying to lower the price..."
Ye Yao Dong rambled on; in truth, he was just trying to push for a higher price on that bass he mentioned, thinking perhaps he could sell it for more.
After all, who wouldn’t want to earn more?
But Ah Cai was starting to feel a bit guilty.
He had indeed made quite a profit from those more than seven thousand jins of mackerel...
"Alright, alright… since we’re from the same hometown, I’m easy-going. If you want three mao, then three mao it is! I really didn’t mean to cheat you out of money. Just hoping to share in your fortune."
Uncle Ye grinned widely, surprised that after his son’s friendly chat with Ah Cai, he actually managed to raise the price.
Ye Yao Dong swore under his breath, annoyed that he'd truly lost out on those seven thousand jins of mackerel.
This merchant really knew how to get the best of people!
After the reforms, a lot of wealthy bosses did appear.
This fish was so big that only the rich and officials could afford it.
Ah Cai certainly wouldn’t care about a mere few cents; he didn’t believe this merchant wasn’t making money.
Lin Xiu Qing was also very pleased.
At the start when Ah Cai casually offered two mao two, it had now risen to three mao, an entire eight cents more! Ah Dong truly could talk up a storm!
Excited, she raised the bucket in her hand towards Ah Cai, "Here’s another bass and two big crabs!"
"Wow, wow, wow~ You really found yourself a nice haul, huh? How long has the tide been out? So much valuable catch already!"
"Come on, let’s add it up together. Give me a better price, we’re old friends… I already lost money on mackerel..."
"Okay, okay, I got it! But don’t disturb me while I’m counting!" Ah Cai's head started to hurt at the thought of Ye Yao Dong being so difficult.
He realized that with this dusky grouper, he wouldn’t make much.
"One hundred fifteen jin eight liang, three mao a jin. This fish comes to thirty-four yuan seventy-four cents!"
"So little??" Ye Yao Dong widened his eyes in disbelief!
Ah Cai was equally stunned!
"Where’s it lacking? You pick up one fish and you’ve already made what a person earns in nearly a month! Want me to have your wife do the math?"
"Uh… let me figure it out."
When it came to money, one couldn’t be careless, Lin Xiu Qing forced a smile and took the pen to calculate.
"Right, Ah Dong."
"Alright, add on that bass and those crabs as well."
Ah Cai scribbled down the numbers for a moment.
"This bass is four jin five, at one mao six. Those two crabs go for two jin six, let’s say two mao six. That’s four mao two altogether. Adding the dusky grouper, it’s a total of thirty-nine yuan ninety-four cents! Correct?"
"Yes, yes! Whatever you say goes; do I even need to doubt you!"
Hmph~ It’s fine saying all that now, but not long ago, he was questioning him! Ah Cai rolled his eyes secretly.
As he was ready to write the receipt, Ye Yao Dong spoke again, "What receipt? It’s only a few dozen yuan. You’re wealthy enough to give me cash right away! Are you planning to settle every month?"
"Doesn’t this go back to your dad’s stuff to be counted together?"
"How can that be when this fish was discovered by my wife? The money should definitely go to her."
Uncle Ye nodded in agreement, "Yes, it doesn’t count towards my goods."
"Alright then, you take the receipt tonight to my home for the money. I didn’t bring that much cash."
"Fine, just write forty yuan flat. What’s six cents here or there anyway!"
Ah Cai’s hand trembled as he wrote; this Ye Yao Dong!
He cursed under his breath but still did as the younger man suggested, writing it down as forty yuan flat!
"Here you go! Bring me more good stock next time. I truly didn’t squeeze any profit from you…"
"I know! I know!"
Ye Yao Dong joyfully took the receipt, confirming it was accurate before handing it to Lin Xiu Qing, "Keep it safe!"
"Uh-huh!" Lin Xiu Qing was also very pleased, holding it and looking at it repeatedly.
Seeing that the goods were sold off well, Uncle Ye chimed in, "I’ve collected all the clams on the ground. You two take them home first; I’ll go check if your mother is back from the beach."
"Okay, sure.”
The couple excitingly lifted their buckets.
In just a few days, they earned another bit of money, and their household was becoming more prosperous.
Life was looking up.
Ye Yao Dong was still basking in the joy of earning money.
When someone works hard by your side and you get to share in the happiness of making money – it truly was a uplifting feeling!
"Are you really going out to sea with Dad tomorrow?"
"What? Can’t bear to see me go?"
Lin Xiu Qing replied, a bit upset, "You’ve barely been at home lately. Before, you were gone from dawn to dusk. I’d be lucky to even catch a meal with you."
Ye Yao Dong took her hand firmly, grinning as he spoke, "If you miss me too much, I’ll tell Dad I’m not going!"
"What nonsense! Who just lounges around at home? Let go; it's not good being seen holding hands like this…"
"What's wrong with holding hands? I’m not holding anyone else’s; it’s just my wife’s hand!"
"Wait until we’re out on the main road and people see us…"
"So what if they see? Why should I care? I’m not your lover…"
"Ah!" Lin Xiu Qing swiftly freed herself from his grasp, pinching him hard.
Can't she enjoy some happiness for once?
Just had to bring in that lover talk, didn't he?
He was really asking for trouble!