Chinese New Year

Yecheng's hometown boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters. The scenery is quite pleasing, with numerous ponds and reservoirs and abundant fishery resources.

If one intends to initiate a large-scale farmhouse project, the geographical conditions appear to be quite suitable.

The primary concern lies in determining who will take responsibility.

Ye Cheng couldn't remain in his hometown.

This necessitates finding a trustworthy individual.

That seems to be a fitting choice.

He isn't merely an honest person; rather, he possesses a bold disposition and a flexible mindset. Communication with others poses no issue for him.

However, a potential drawback exists. Ye He lacks experience in significant endeavors, potentially hindering his ability to undertake this project.

As a result, Ye Cheng opts not to divulge details of this project to his elder brother for the time being. He plans to have him begin by raising lobsters initially. If his elder brother struggles even with lobster farming, then embarking on the farmhouse project becomes unnecessary.

"Brother, since you're interested in lobster farming, why don't we collaborate on it?" Ye Cheng proposed.

"Um? Collaborate?" Ye He, slightly taken aback and with a flushed face from drinking, burped and questioned, "How do you suggest we collaborate?"

"I'll provide the funding, and you'll contribute the effort, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty," Ye Cheng explained with a smile.

"But what if you end up losing money solely from your investment?" He shook his head. "How about you lend me some money, and I'll bear the losses alone?"

He understood Ye Cheng's intention to assist him.

"Brother, how large of a lobster farm do you envision?" Ye Cheng inquired.

"After thorough research, I've concluded that an initial capital of 200,000 yuan should suffice. Moreover, I've identified a promising location." Ye He replied, taking a sip of wine, still lucid despite being intoxicated.

"And what about sales?" Ye Cheng pressed further.

"Sales shouldn't be an issue. In recent years, lobsters have gained popularity, especially during the summer. Many restaurants and food stalls serve them," Ye He expressed enthusiastically.

Considering his elder brother's remarks, Ye Cheng acknowledged the escalating crayfish market in the following years and the staggering annual consumption of crayfish.

"Let's proceed this way, brother. I'll invest $500,000 for you to venture into crayfish farming. As previously mentioned, we'll each hold 50% of the shares, and you'll manage operations," Ye Cheng proposed.

Ye He widened his eyes, staring at Ye Cheng incredulously. "Half a million? Brother, are you sure? That's no small sum. You can't make unilateral decisions. You need to discuss it with our younger siblings first. You shouldn't invest haphazardly just to aid your elder brother. It could lead to complications in the future."

Though aware of his younger brother and Lin Yuanyuan's sensible nature, Ye He felt uneasy about such a significant investment.

"If the investment fails, how will I face our younger siblings?" he pondered.

Moreover, business partnerships often give rise to complications. With his mother-in-law present, complications could arise. To avoid jeopardizing their fraternal bond, he'd rather forego this endeavor.

"Brother, you needn't worry about Lin Yuanyuan," Ye Cheng reassured. "It ultimately depends on whether you're willing to embark on lobster farming."

Ye He fell silent, grappling with his inner turmoil.

With a significant sum of 500,000 yuan readily available upon his consent, he could initiate lobster farming. Yet the prospect of failure loomed large.

"Brother, why not start small and test the waters first?" Yes, he suggested.

"Brother, if you're going to do it, do it properly from the start. Treat it as a career and give it your all. I believe in you," Ye Cheng encouraged, understanding his elder brother's predicament.

"Brother, since you've put it that way, I'll accept your generosity," Ye He declared, draining his cup of rice wine and finally making a decision.

Ye Cheng smiled faintly, finishing the last of his wine and feeling slightly dizzy.

The rice wine was taking its toll.

Outside, their parents and daughters-in-law were preparing to slaughter chickens and ducks for the New Year's Eve reunion dinner.

Ye Cheng staggered to the door and settled into a chair.

"Drink in moderation, or you'll end up flushed," Lin Yuanyuan remarked, glancing up at Ye Cheng.

"Understood," Ye Cheng nodded, standing up and heading indoors, "I should lie down for a bit."

With that, he entered the house, making his way directly to his parents' bedroom, where he laid down on the bed.

Upon awakening, Ye Cheng discovered that darkness had enveloped the sky.

Outside his room, lively chatter filled the air as his elder brother, Ye He, conversed with their cousin, Ye Wenqiang.

Ye Cheng greeted his cousin and took a seat beside him.

"Chengzi, I heard you bought a house in the same neighborhood as Xiaofeng," Ye Wenqiang remarked.

Observing the car parked outside, which likely cost six to seven hundred thousand yuan, he added, "You seem to be making money quite swiftly. Purchasing a house and a car without a word; real estate prices in Pengcheng aren't low."

"Yes, it's just a coincidence," Ye Cheng replied with a smile.

"Chengzi, your wealth is accumulating rapidly. Buying property and a car without any fuss. Property prices in Pengcheng aren't cheap," Ye Wenqiang remarked.

"The housing market in Zhonghai is probably even more exorbitant," Ye Cheng quipped.

Having bought a house in Zhonghai himself, Ye Wenqiang concurred, albeit with a loan. Property prices in Zhonghai surpassed those in Pengcheng.

"Let's drop the topic. Brother Cai is also here. How about us brothers spending a pleasant evening together?" Ye Wenqiang suggested.

Ye Cheng remained silent, allowing Ye He to consider the proposal.

Before he could respond, his sister-in-law Xu Yi, emerging from the kitchen, interjected, "Brother Qiang, don't get too engrossed in card games. My husband doesn't have deep pockets. You can play, but keep the stakes below fifty cents per round."

Ye Wenqiang felt a tad embarrassed.

Ye Cheng smiled and chimed in, "Indeed, my sister-in-law is right. Let's keep the stakes low. Our card games are primarily about bonding during the New Year festivities."

"Since our siblings and Chengzi have spoken, it should be fine," Ye Wenqiang concurred, albeit reluctantly, acknowledging Xu Yi and Ye Cheng's positions.

After Ye Wenqiang departed, the family proceeded to pay respects to their ancestors and gods.

Following more than half an hour of rituals involving burning incense and paper money, as well as setting off firecrackers, the family gathered around two adjacent tables for dinner.

Aware of the impending card games later that evening, neither Ye Cheng nor Ye He imbibed any further.

"Quick, turn on the TV. The Spring Festival Gala is about to start," Ye Cheng's mother urged midway through the meal.

Ye Cheng rose, fetched the remote control, and switched on the television.

Indeed, the Spring Festival Gala had just begun.

The family enjoyed their meal while watching the gala.

At nine o'clock, cousins Qiang Ge and Cai Ge joined them downstairs.

The four of them convened around the table, ready for a game of cards.

Lin Yuanyuan sat beside Ye Cheng, observing him play.

Though she hailed from Shashi, where card games were also popular, the rules differed slightly.

As the game progressed, Ye Cheng's countenance darkened.

His luck seemed abysmal, resulting in losses exceeding a thousand yuan.

Despite the relatively small sum, losing at poker left him feeling disgruntled.

Eventually, Ye Cheng relinquished his seat to Lin Yuanyuan.

Her fortune fared much better than his.

On the contrary, Ye He, their elder brother, seemed exceptionally lucky that day, nearly wiping out everyone else... His wife, seated beside him, rejoiced at his success.

Ye Cheng surmised that his sister-in-law might regret limiting the stakes to fifty cents.

Approaching eleven o'clock, the children began to yawn.

Their parents distributed red envelopes, customary gifts of lucky money, to their three granddaughters.

Xu Yi, Ye He's wife, also bestowed red envelopes on their three children.

"I'm going to bed, taking Qinqin with me. Don't stay up too late," Lin Yuanyuan announced after observing for a while.

"Brothers and sisters, we agreed to stay up all night tonight," Ye Qiang insisted, enthusiastic about the card games.

"Let's call it quits around three o'clock. We have to pay our respects tomorrow morning," Ye Cheng suggested with a smile.

"Three o'clock it is. I need to visit my in-laws' home for New Year greetings tomorrow morning," Brother Cai agreed.

Given that his wife hails from a neighboring town, their in-laws' residence wasn't too far away.

His custom involved visiting his wife's parents for lunch immediately after exchanging New Year greetings with uncles, aunts, and neighbors on New Year's Day.

The night grew quiet.

Firecrackers dwindled in number.

With the final round concluded, the card games came to an end.

"Xiaohe, you've been incredibly lucky today. No one could match your streak," Brother Qiang remarked after settling the scores.

He hadn't incurred the most substantial losses that day, having won three rounds.

Ye Cheng, Brother Cai, and Brother Qiang all faced losses.

Of the trio, Ye Cheng bore the heaviest losses, exceeding three thousand yuan.

Combined, Brother Cai and Brother Qiang's losses seemed to surpass two thousand yuan.

"Brother, I'm turning in," Ye Cheng announced with a yawn, heading upstairs directly.

His sister-in-law remained awake, continuing to play cards with Ye He.

Witnessing her husband's success brought her great joy.

Ye Cheng surmised that she might regret setting the stakes at fifty cents.

Returning to their room, she retrieved several red envelopes from Lin Yuanyuan and her parents.

Among them, Lin Yuanyuan's red envelopes were particularly thick... Upon inspection, she discovered crisp stacks of hundred-yuan bills inside.

Without counting, it was evident that each envelope contained ten thousand yuan.

Two red envelopes equated to twenty thousand yuan.

"Why did Lin Yuanyuan give us so much New Year money?" Ye, he questioned, surprised.

"Yeah, I hadn't anticipated this either. Should we return it?" Xu Yi mused.

She'd only given Qinqin a red envelope containing three hundred yuan. Now, seeing Lin Yuanyuan gift two envelopes worth ten thousand yuan each, she felt she'd been too frugal.

Such occurrences were common during the Chinese New Year festivities.

"Accept it. Since she's given us so much, it's a gesture towards Yanzi and Lingling as well," Ye He reasoned, deciding to keep the generous gift.

Subsequently, Ye He shared with his wife the news of his brother's 500,000 yuan investment for him to establish a crayfish farm.

Xu Yi's expression mirrored shock. "Is this for real?"

"Absolutely. It's not a casual remark," Ye He affirmed.

"He must truly want to assist you, brother," Xu Yi nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," Ye He concurred.

"In that case, let's pursue crayfish farming. Initially, I was hesitant, but since your brother is extending a helping hand, I won't object. However, ensure you manage it prudently and don't squander all your money," Xu Yi advised.

"Honey, don't worry. I'm confident about this." He was reassured, elated by his wife's support.

Upon receiving her consent, he felt a surge of happiness.

He'd worried Xu Yi might insist on him opening a decoration materials store instead.

...