Ye Chenghu hurried home in high spirits, running faster than anyone, though he had been reluctant to leave earlier.
But he was disappointed when he got back. After eating, they had all run down to the beach. The tide happened to be out, and with no adults at home, they had promptly gone to collect octopuses.
With no one to share his news with, Ye Chenghu hurried back toward the beach, feeling dejected.
After returning to Ye Yaodong's house, Mother Ye took out the duck and half the loquats. "Shall I take the rest next door for your Eldest Brother and Second Brother to divide up? Let the other children have a taste too."
Ye Yaodong had no objection.
Neither did Lin Xiuqing. Her two children had eaten more than enough that afternoon, so she did not mind sharing what they had brought back with the other children.
"Stew the duck tonight too. It won't be as fresh tomorrow. Stew it tonight, and the children can share it and finish it off. It'll clear internal heat and toxins."
Hearing Ye Yaodong say this, Mother Ye glanced at Lin Xiuqing. Seeing that she said nothing and did not look displeased, she nodded.
"Then I'll stew it tonight. Each family can have some, and we'll finish it all."
Lin Xiuqing, meanwhile, was thinking about the boats.
That morning, once the officials had said most of what they had to say, everyone had gone to Tianhou Palace together and taken their seats at the banquet. She had not had a chance to ask A-Dong about the boat.
Now that they were back, she remembered it again.
"A-Dong."
"Hmm?"
"The official said this morning that he'd save a boat for us. He will, won't he? How much would that bottom price he mentioned be?"