After contributing all the ideas in his head, Ye Yaodong felt much more at ease.
As for the uproar caused by the Bronze Ding, what happened next depended on their negotiations. Getting it settled sooner would be good, sparing everyone the fuss and letting the villagers settle down too.
He put on the sun hat he was holding and slipped both hands into his pockets. Unbothered by the curious looks the villagers cast his way, he deliberately kept to the shade of the trees as he walked. July was almost here, and the scorching sun grew fiercer by the day. If he stood out in it for a few days without protection, even his own mother would not recognize him.
It was already mealtime. Along the way, cooking smoke curled up from the chimneys of every household in the village. As he passed some of the houses, delicious smells drifted out through their windows.
The savory aroma of crabs frying in some homes, in particular, made his stomach rumble.
Luckily, those people had found their conscience today and had not stayed out at sea all day, so he could come home and enjoy a meal in peace.
A Qing was surprised to see him return. "I thought you wouldn't have time to come home for lunch again. I only saved a little food and took the rest outside for the workers. I'll make another dried shrimp omelet, or there won't be enough."
"If I don't come home, where am I supposed to eat? It's not like I'm out at sea. Don't bother making anything else. I'll just have whatever's there."
"Frying a couple of eggs is no trouble, and the boys like them too. Dad said you went to the Village Committee with those people. I thought you'd be busy