"Will squid season last another ten days or half a month?"
"More or less. After a few days of peak catches, they'll start thinning out. If you go out tonight, tell Dad to keep an eye on things. He knows the ins and outs and can judge."
Ye Yaodong closed the drawer and sat down by the bed, then added, "Why is my daughter always asleep? Hardly any of the times I've seen her has she been awake."
Lin Xiuqing gave him a reproachful look. "Babies need sleep to grow fast. How much time do you spend at home all day, anyway? She's still little. Of course all she does is eat and sleep."
He felt a little disappointed. He had wanted to hold her and soothe her, but if she wasn't crying, he had no chance to do either. Honestly.
"You said you'd buy the Old Lady a phonograph. Did you get it?"
"I asked about it. He wasn't home when I went over yesterday, so I left a message. I don't know whether he'll deliver it today."
"Then go get some sleep. If it comes tonight after dark, I'll give the money to your mother first and have her pay."
"Mm. If it comes, remember to tell her not to talk about it."
Ye Yaodong had barely put down the handcart when his mother launched into a torrent of words. He stood there completely baffled, with no idea what had happened. Only toward the end did he understand.
"Then I'm off to bed."
"What a load of bull!"
Father Ye listened in bewilderment from the side, unable to get a word in. Only later did he understand. Frowning, he asked Mother Ye, "What's all this about a phonograph and a radio? Dongzi bought it? When did that happen?