Ye Yaodong rubbed his aching head and sat up.
Lin Xiuqing came forward, her heart aching a little for him, and rubbed his temples. "You knew you were going out to sea tonight, yet you still drank so much."
Ye Yaodong wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his head against her, nuzzling her. "It's fine. I'll drink some more tea in a bit to clear my head."
"Feeling better? If you are, get up and eat. Let Dad steer when you go out later, and lie down on the boat for another nap."
"Mm."
He held her a little longer and took a deep breath against her chest before finally letting go and getting up to dress.
If he didn't get up now, he would be late.
Father Ye had already been waiting at the pier for some time, with the fishing net his mother had woven. Seeing him arrive so late, he nagged him a little and told him to get up earlier next time.
He nodded distractedly and first helped his father carry the net aboard, then hurried off to buy diesel and ice. Only after everything was ready did they leave shore.
The sea wind blew hard, clearing his head considerably. Stars dotted the night sky. Tomorrow should be another fine day.
Decades later, the stars in the sky weren't as bright as they were now, even out in the countryside.
Ye Yaodong didn't let Father Ye steer; he did it himself. He wanted to find his own fishing spot. His experience over the past few months had given him great faith in his instincts and sense of direction.
Father Ye felt quite reassured, too. His third son was pretty dependable when he took things seriously.
Although his dawdling had made them set out rather