Ye Yaodong and Father Ye turned to look when they heard this. Bloodstains covered the boat. A young man was anxiously bringing the fishing boat alongside, while a middle-aged man, presumably his father, leaned against the gunwale, covered in blood. His shoulder was visibly injured, and an enormous sailfish lay in the middle of the boat.
Father and son both widened their eyes, beginning to piece it together. Had he been injured catching the sailfish?
Father Ye went over to the gunwale and called out in concern, "How are you doing? Where are you hurt?"
They were from the neighboring village, and everyone made their living at sea, so they all knew one another. Having seen them, he ought to ask how they were doing.
"Uncle, the sailfish pierced my dad's shoulder. Could you find someone to go to our house and let our family know?"
"Huh?" Who was he supposed to send?
He turned to Mother Ye. "Are there any people from East Bridge Village still on shore? Go up and ask whether anyone knows their family. Get someone who lives nearby to pass on the news."
Mother Ye found the sight of all that blood frightening too. They were all neighbors, and passing along a message was no trouble, so she hurried ashore.
The people on shore had already seen them and were discussing it. Mother Ye went up and simply asked whether anyone knew their family. Someone immediately volunteered that they were neighbors and had already sent someone back to tell them.
Ye Yaodong was no longer in a hurry to unload his catch. He stayed aboard and started chatting with the young man opposite him, whose name was Lin Jinyang.
"So that boat we ran into out at sea was yours. What a coincidence."
"Yeah, this