Lin Xiuqing went to the Village Committee to take a phone call and came back shortly afterward.
Finding the front door shut, she ran to the window and called for someone to open it.
Ye Chenghu's voice immediately came from inside. "Move, you mangy dog. Mom's back."
"What kind of way is that to talk?"
After saying that, Ye Yaodong saw Ye Xiaoxi draw her legs back, plant both hands on the floor, and stick her bottom up as she stood, then hurry to tug at the door handle.
But she couldn't pull it open.
"Move. You're getting in the way."
Ye Chenghu pulled her aside impatiently, then opened the door to let Lin Xiuqing in.
"What's going on? All that time, and neither of you thought to open the door?"
"It was her. She was sitting by the door, blocking it."
The moment Ye Xiaoxi saw Lin Xiuqing return, she went straight over and hugged her leg.
Lin Xiuqing looked at her with distaste too. "You're filthy. Good thing I haven't had my bath yet."
"Who called?" Ye Yaodong asked curiously.
There were only four people who might call for him now: his father-in-law, Boss Zhou, someone from the military, or someone from the Border Defense Station.
Every one of them was important.
"Boss Zhou. He asked whether our squid season was coming up soon. He said he remembered there being lots of squid at the market around this time last year."
"And then?" Ye Yaodong was tempted. "He wants dried squid?"
"Yes. He asked whether we could dry some squid so he could test the waters."
"That's doable, but it'll be relatively expensive at the start of the season."
"I told him that too. I said the dried squid might be fairly expensive. He said he knew and