A Guang pushed the cart to Ye Yaodong's door as he wished.
By this time, Ye’s mother and the others had already gone to the farmland to work, and only a group of kids were playing around outside.
"Go call your sister out to help! There's quite a bit of stuff; splitting it between us will take forever!"
"Auntie went to the house to help, only Ah Tai is at home!"
"Ah Tai, Ah Tai~"
A Guang frowned.
What does he need Ah Tai for?
Ye Yaodong shouted back at the noisy Ye Cheng, "Don't call for your Ah Tai! You all go grab some more baskets and come with a basin to help sort out the little fish and loaches."
"Got it, Third Uncle."
When they were seriously told to get vinegar and soy sauce, they were reluctant, but when asked to do such chores, this group of kids was more eager than anyone else.
They scrambled into the house to fetch basins and baskets.
A Guang frowned as he watched the elderly lady, whose legs weren’t so nimble, slowly come out.
He sighed in his heart; this was tough for him!
The elderly lady came out just in time to see Ye Yaodong empty two traps of fish and shrimp into the cart.
With a smile, she said, "Dongzi, what have you brought back this time?"
"Just some fish and shrimp from the river. We can sort them ourselves. It's too hot outside, so you should go sit inside."
"I'm fine, I'll help sort them."
"Third Uncle, we brought it, what should we pack it in?"
"Pack the small fish and shrimp; you all sort them by type."
Ye Yaodong demonstrated by tossing different fish and shrimp into each basket.
The group of children happily started to pick, and even the neighbor's kids ran over to join in the fun.
Worried about the small crayfish pinching them, since the kids had small hands that were tender, a pinch would be quite painful.
He and A Guang focused on catching the crayfish that scuttled around.
Before long, they filled two barrels to the brim, estimating they had about twenty to thirty pounds.
Ye Yaodong picked out the catch he wanted to keep first and set it aside in the back, letting A Guang push the rest back.
Everyone was used to going to his place, and as soon as they woke up, they would certainly visit, returning the cart as well.
After dawdling for so long, he also needed to go work on the house; otherwise, his mother would start nagging him about being lazy.
However, unexpectedly, just a short while after he left, A Guang actually came back again!
"Why do I feel like it's not me who is building the house, but you who is doing it? You're even more active than I am!"
"We're brothers; it's my duty to help."
A Guang smiled and rolled up his sleeves, but his eyes scanned the surroundings and found nothing.
Disappointed even more!
All he could do was wait for mealtime; if he wasn’t afraid of being suspected of sneaking a free meal, he wouldn’t have come over so early.
He wasn’t a stranger to the sun or hard work.
Ye Yaodong found it very puzzling that A Guang was acting so strangely in these days, questioning, "Are you really short on money and too embarrassed to say it? So, you keep finding ways to come over and work, hoping I’ll have a change of heart and pay you more?"
"Get lost, I’m worth several hundred; why would I be thinking about your few coins? You’re questioning your good brother!"
"You're really not up to anything, are you?"
"I...what could I be up to?" A Guang’s tone faltered slightly.
"Is it really just to help?" Ye Yaodong was doubtful.
It was no wonder A Guang’s intentions were hard to guess; after all, in his past life, he hadn’t worked at the house either.
His relatives had a lot of grievances against him and didn’t look upon him favorably.
Even his friends were afraid to come over, fearing they would be kicked out.
Things that never happened in his previous life, how could he guess A Guang was trying to achieve something?
"Shooting the messenger here! I'm working for you, and you suspect I have ulterior motives? What do you think I’m after? Nothing but a few coins left in his pocket with his wife watching over it; and you always want a piece of my cigarettes."
A Guang spoke with more conviction, realizing he couldn’t let his composure slip.
Ye Yaodong felt a bit awkward with what A Guang said, just at that moment, his mother came over carrying a load of stones and cheerfully announced, "A Guang is here! It's so hot, sit down and have a bowl of mung bean soup!"
Recently, Ye’s mother had begun to view A Guang more favorably, thinking he was quite a diligent young man, feeling like he had been misunderstood in the past.
A Guang also smiled and replied, "Auntie, you've worked hard! Let me sort later; you take a break."
Ye’s mother emptying out the stones placed the pole and shovel aside and first served A Guang a bowl of mung bean soup.
With a warm smile, she said, "Here, have a bit of mung bean soup."
Then she looked at her son standing aside, "Dongzi, why are you just standing there? Get to work! You’re late; don’t you know how many things are delayed right now?"
"Mom, why do I feel like A Guang is your own son?"
The two had entirely different attitudes!
"Don’t talk nonsense! You can only scold your own family! Now, get busy already!"
Ye Yaodong pouted, put on gloves, and picked up the pole and shovel that his mother just put down, intending to take over her job of lifting stones.
While A Guang was eating, he chatted with Ye’s mother.
Just then, he saw Ye Huimei, all wrapped up and pushing a wheelbarrow over, and his eyes lit up.
He quickly finished the bowl of mung bean soup and stepped forward to help.
"I'm coming! You go rest for a bit.”
“Ah, oh, thank you! Guangzi is here again.”
“Yeah, I’m here to help. A fine young lady like you shouldn’t be out in the sun; getting tanned isn’t good. With so many workers, isn’t it better for you to stay home and cook?”
“I can’t cook all day; I have to come out and help when I’m not cooking. A while back, there were only too many clams, so my mom let me stay at home to open oysters and sun those things.”
…
The two chatted away, and A Guang naturally followed her up the hill to shovel yellow earth.
Ye’s mother noticed them but didn’t think much of it, taking a short break before continuing to work.
Others came over to A Guang’s house later or earlier, and upon seeing the baskets filled with sorted goods, they were pleasantly surprised.
They hadn’t expected to gather so much in just one night, and there were even two turtles among them, causing some to regret not getting up earlier to cast their nets.
By evening, without anyone saying anything, they all gathered over to A Guang’s side, some killed fish, some killed turtles, others cleaned the small crayfish, and others took charge of cooking!
When A Guang returned earlier from work, the house was already filled with various delicious smells.
Everyone teased him, "Have you become addicted to working? How about coming to my place to plant rice tomorrow?"
"Or you can come to my place to plough the fields!"
"I also have work..."
"Get lost~" A Guang, exhausted and slumped on the stool, didn’t even want to lift his eyelids. “Just divide up these earth goods among yourselves. Since it’s mealtime, take them back for extra servings.”
"Hey, what’s up with you? You’ve been going to Dongzi’s place every day to work, so we couldn’t go. It’s not very brotherly of you."
"Maybe I’m sick! I’m off to shower."
"Damn..."
"Are you interested in Dongzi’s sister or something, being so eager..."
"Hahaha, maybe! Getting ahead to please the future mother-in-law..."
A Guang’s steps toward the back yard came to a halt for a moment, and then he pretended to be nonchalant and said, "Nonsense! If Dongzi hears it, he might beat me up!"
Damn it, of all luck, they were saying things that nearly hit the nail on the head!
"Haha, what’s the problem? Dongzi’s sister seems to be quite grown up too..."
"I hadn’t noticed; when Dongzi comes, let’s ask how old his sister is..."
A Guang furrowed his brows and glared at them, "Don’t talk nonsense! Don’t spread baseless rumors; otherwise, the village will be filled with gossip."
Seeing his rare serious expression, the others quieted down, "We were just joking around. No more talk, no more talk..."
A Guang hurried a few steps away.
It was likely they were just entertaining themselves.
If he didn’t join in, they would surely forget about him soon.
What he didn’t expect was that just as he left, everyone else started exchanging knowing glances.
Having grown up wearing the same pants, who didn’t know who?
There’s clearly something up with A Guang!
As soon as Ye Yaodong arrived, he saw everyone’s meaningful expressions and felt a bit confused.
"Did you all take the wrong medicine today?"
"No, haha~ It’s all cooked, just waiting for you!"
"Yeah, just waiting for you! If you don’t come soon, don’t say anything about turtle soup; the washing-up water will be all gone. Only orange juice at 37°C left..."
"Damn..."
(End of Chapter)