Chapter 22.1: Career Change

The area outside Ye Fan’s home is neither a park nor a famous tourist spot, so why were these people taking a stroll there? Ye Fan was speechless yet amused, but she had to put on a look of absolute belief — she simply couldn’t bear to expose the struggles of those living in hardship.

Today, Dabao had to go to school, and if he was late because he ate breakfast too slowly, there would definitely be a fuss. Ye Fan needed to buy groceries and cook, so she really couldn’t bother with the others. It seemed like they were only convinced Ye Fan hadn’t run away once they saw smoke rising from her chimney. After that, they slowly dispersed and headed home in small groups.

After breakfast, Geng Zhiyé took Dabao to school, while Ye Fan slung a bag over her shoulder and carried Erbao to the food factory.

The ten team leaders had already been waiting for quite some time. Ye Fan handed Erbao over to Su Yuncheng. “Want to go play with Uncle?”

Erbao shook her head and, as soon as she was put down, dashed straight into the market.

Most of the workers in this market were fishermen from the island. Ye Fan often sold goods for them and their families, so they treated Erbao kindly — giving her a small fish or a tiny seashell every now and then. To Erbao, these people were playmates, and being with them felt much more fun than sticking with her mom.

Su Yuncheng said, “Accountant Ye, I’ll watch Erbao. You go ahead and take care of your work.”

Ye Fan called the team leaders inside and told Su Yuanhang to stand guard outside the door, just in case someone tried to eavesdrop.

The team leader from the family district jokingly said, “Why does this feel like we’re doing something shady?”

The other nine team leaders all glared at him — why blurt out the awkward truth like that?

The team leader stammered, “I-I mean… isn’t it true?”

Ye Fan took out the money and account book. “The goods were collected by Su Yuanhang from various team offices, bought from some of the fishermen. How do you all think we should split the money?”

The team leader from Lianhua Team, who had helped Su Yuanhang with the work, had overheard a bit of Ye Fan and Su Yuanhang’s conversation before. Though they hadn’t discussed the exact details, he had a rough idea of how to avoid causing trouble. “Whatever price we paid the fishermen, give them that amount. As for the profit — after deducting the cost — we split it evenly among all the teams.”

Ye Fan nodded. “That’s the only way. If we don’t set aside the fishermen’s share, those who sold their goods to us might march straight to the Revolutionary Committee to file a complaint. And if the other commune members — I mean the fishermen who didn’t sell anything to us — don’t get a cut, they might cause trouble too.”

One of the team leaders couldn’t help but ask, “If we split it like this, there won’t be much left for each person.”

Ye Fan replied, “Getting money without doing anything — whether it’s a hundred or just a penny, they won’t think it’s too little. The only thing they fear is getting nothing at all. But that doesn’t mean we should overfish. It’s not that I’m worried you’ll fish the coastal waters dry.” She paused, noticing that everyone was listening intently. “The thing is, for those who’ve done business before or have some knowledge, it’s obvious how this works. We can take advantage of loopholes to make money — but so can others.”

The Lianhua Team leader couldn’t help but comment, “But we’re doing things out in the open.”

Ye Fan responded, “The Revolutionary Committee doesn’t just belong to Hengshan Island — it belongs to the entire city’s people.”

In an instant, the ten team leaders understood. The higher-ups could make things easier for Hengshan Island, but they could just as easily turn a blind eye to others.

Ye Fan continued, “When you go back, explain this clearly to the commune members. From now on, whenever we need something and in what quantities, I’ll prepare a list for everyone. The ten of you can discuss it amongst yourselves — for example, this team has bamboo growing in the mountains, so dig up spring bamboo shoots in spring and winter bamboo shoots in winter. Another team grows yellow peaches to sell to the canning factory, while others grow oranges, and so on. Everyone should play to their strengths. Those without mountains or access to the sea shouldn’t worry either — just focus on growing crops. No matter how much we earn, the money will be divided just like it is today.”

The ten team leaders instinctively nodded.

Ye Fan said, “If there are no objections, we’ll proceed like this. I’ve already deducted all costs and the portion that needs to be handed over. This time, the Shanxi Team near my home was the most proactive — more than twenty families sold us seafood — so let’s start with them.”

She handed two stacks of money to the Shanxi Team leader — one thicker, one thinner. Pointing to the thicker stack, she said, “This is for the fishermen. The thinner one is for the team office. You can gather input from all the commune members — whether you want to distribute the money today or wait until Su Yuanhang returns on the fifteenth of August.”

The Shanxi Team leader couldn’t help but ask, “We get to decide ourselves?”

Ye Fan nodded. “Just remind them — this matter must not spread beyond the island.”

The Lianhua Team leader assured her, “Don’t worry. People here rarely leave the island.”

Ye Fan added, “What about the educated youth?”

Everyone suddenly realized what she meant. They quickly promised to relay the message — not every educated youth was a model citizen, and not every intellectual sent here was willing to accept their fate without resentment.

The Shanxi Team leader sighed, “You really think everything through. If it were up to us, this would’ve just been a one-off deal.”

Ye Fan replied, “Go on back. Your team’s members were already blocking my front door before I even got up this morning.”

The team leader had heard about this and chuckled as he stuffed the money into his pocket. Stepping outside, he waved to his team members, and a crowd of dozens headed straight for the team office.

Once there, the team leader explained the stakes, and everyone swore that no matter who asked, they’d act clueless.

He first distributed the money owed to the fishermen who had sold goods to the food factory.

The last fisherman to receive his share immediately asked, “Team leader, when the rest is split among the whole village, will we still get a cut?”

The team leader nodded. “Everyone will. Do you want to split it today or later?”

Seeing money practically fall from the sky for the first time in years, the crowd answered in unison — “Today!”

The team leader pulled out a list of commune members he had compiled over the past few days. “How much does each person get — just a few cents?”

One fisherman quickly chimed in, saying his family had eight people — enough to buy a pound of pork for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The team leader grinned. “If no one thinks it’s too little, then let’s split it!”

Just as the words left his mouth, someone entered from outside. “Team leader, what about mine?”

The team leader, caught off guard, replied instinctively, “It hasn’t been split yet.”

The newcomer pointed at himself. “No, not that — I mean the money I earned working for the food factory.”

The team leader was speechless. “You think Accountant Ye would run off with the money? The funds for each team haven’t even been divided yet. And the money the team collected for renting the boats — that hasn’t been handed out either.”

A commune member waiting for their share asked, “So the money we’re splitting now doesn’t include the boat rental fees?”

The team leader replied, “The boats belong to the collective. The rental fees go to the team office — we’re saving it for future boat repairs, fuel, or emergencies.”

A more educated commune member couldn’t help but ask, “If you add it all up, we made quite a lot, didn’t we?”

The team leader nodded. “A lot. Accountant Ye’s bag is so stuffed — I wouldn’t dare pack that much even if it were just newspapers.”

Growing impatient, one member urged, “Team leader, hurry up. My family still owes money to the school.”

Once the Shanxi Team finished distributing their shares, the Lianhua Team leader also arrived at the team office.

After sending off the last team leader, Ye Fan called Su Yuanhang inside. “Divide up everyone’s wages, along with the boat and truck rental fees.”

Su Yuanhang blinked in surprise. “Weren’t the boats free?”

Ye Fan said, “The delivery trip was free, but after going back and forth so many times over the past few days without paying a cent, do you think anyone’s going to wait at the dock for you next time?”

Su Yuanhang recalled how it was nearly dark when he arrived at the dock yesterday, and there was still a fishing boat waiting. Once he boarded, he realized people had been lingering at the dock for days just to accommodate them. Shame washed over him. “I’ll hand out the money right away.”

Ye Fan added, “None for you.”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “I know. Our wages come from higher up.”

Ye Fan instructed, “Once you distribute the money, tell them to come back this afternoon to pack the goods. We still have wrapping paper, right?”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “We’re running low on cartons.”

Ye Fan said, “Use wooden crates then. We’ll probably come back with an empty truck this time, so we can bring some crates back.”

As Su Yuanhang grabbed the money and headed out, he paused at the door and turned back. “The directors from Haidian and Xicheng each want twenty boxes of canned goods.”

Ye Fan asked, “Twenty boxes each?”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “The second day we arrived in the capital, we had lunch at the supply and marketing cooperative. The director paid for two cans of fruit—one apple, one hawthorn—not great. That’s what the director said himself.”

Ye Fan recalled the canned yellow peaches. “What about the yellow peach cans?”

Su Yuanhang replied, “They had those too—eighty cents a bottle. If we ship our cans over with our truck, we can cut the price by twenty cents.”

Ye Fan said, “Tell the director to sell them for seventy cents. Otherwise, if we have to rent a truck next year and the costs go up, raising the price again will make it harder to sell. Hold on—you didn’t mention the truck rental fee to the director, did you?”

Su Yuanhang had forgotten.

Ye Fan sighed. “Don’t bring it up. Have you figured out how much we’ll charge them per can?”

Su Yuanhang asked, “The canned goods? Factory price plus transport costs?”

Ye Fan shook her head helplessly. “Are you working for free? Add in your travel expenses to the capital and back. If the director says it’s too expensive, we can take off the return fare. Wait—please tell me you didn’t mention the retail price per can to the director, did you?”

Su Yuanhang said, “I didn’t expect them to ask for canned goods the first time, so I forgot the factory price and told them it’s about five to six mao per bottle on our side.”

Ye Fan replied, “Then give it to him at five mao five per bottle. After deducting the shipping fee, he can sell it for seven mao and still make a one mao profit.”

Five mao five could buy a pound of lean pork. Su Yuanhang thought it was a bit expensive, but so far, following Ye Fan’s advice had never gone wrong. “I’ll head to the canning factory in a bit. If I’m back late, should I ask Yuncheng and Brother Duofu to help you with the deliveries?”

Ye Fan couldn’t tell good seafood from bad, so she needed a local’s help. Su Yuncheng was young and strong, perfect for moving things to the warehouse, while Su Duofu used to own a large fishing boat and knew all about seafood. Using the two of them made sense.

Ye Fan nodded, locked the door, and went to find Erbao to head home.

The worker watching the stall greeted her with a smile. “Accountant Ye, off work?”

Ye Fan replied, “The money’s all been distributed.”

The worker asked, “I heard there’s more coming in a couple of days?”

Ye Fan said, “There’s another batch coming tomorrow. If it’s any later, no one will want it after the Mid-Autumn Festival.” She glanced around. “Where’s my Erbao?”

The worker called inside, “Erbao, your mom’s here.”

“Mom! I’m here!”

Ye Fan heard the voice but didn’t see the person, so she had to follow the sound. Erbao, completely fearless, was squatting by a basin filled with sea snails, playing with them. Watching the snails poke their heads out and then retreat again made Ye Fan’s skin crawl. “Erbao, aren’t you scared?”

Erbao picked up a snail and held it out. “No. Mom, here, play with it.”

Ye Fan didn’t dare take it. “They’re for eating, not playing. Are you hungry?”

The worker selling the snails said Erbao was thirsty, so Su Yuncheng had gone to the director’s office to get her some water. Ye Fan glanced towards the office just as Su Yuncheng came out holding an enamel mug. She tugged her daughter’s hand. “You’re already bossing people around at such a young age.”

Su Yuncheng quickly explained, “No, Erbao wanted to go herself, but I told her to wait here.”

Erbao nodded. “Mom, wipe!”

Ye Fan pulled out Erbao’s handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

Erbao stomped her foot angrily. “It’s dirty now!”

Ye Fan said, “If it gets dirty, we’ll wash it. Why carry a handkerchief if you won’t use it? Drink by yourself!”

Pouting, Erbao puffed up her cheeks and grabbed the enamel mug. “Fine, I’ll drink by myself.”

Ye Fan asked Su Yuncheng how he was getting home. He said he’d walk. He was used to taking the mountain path — it would take him at most half an hour to get back.

Ye Fan said, “Come over with Su Yuanhang this afternoon. We’re shipping out tomorrow.”

Su Yuncheng stammered in shock, “T-Tomorrow—”

Ye Fan smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll have enough to fill a truck before it gets dark.”

Su Yuncheng wanted to say, Why does everything sound so easy when you say it? But since Ye Fan was the accountant and had genuinely helped them, he didn’t dare question her in front of everyone. “Does Yuanhang know?”

Ye Fan nodded, then carried Erbao home.

After lunch, Su Yuncheng went to Su Yuanhang’s house to collect his wages from the past few days—only to realize that Su Yuanhang had no idea they were shipping out tomorrow.

Su Yuanhang didn’t even have time to drink water. Grabbing the thermos his wife handed him, he hopped on his bike, taking Su Yuncheng along, and pedaled furiously toward the food factory — racing against time.

When they reached the factory gate, the brothers were so shocked they nearly fell off the bike — the entrance to the market was completely blocked by piles of dried seafood.

As soon as the fishermen spotted Su Yuanhang, they shouted, “He’s here! He’s here!”

Su Yuncheng was so startled he could barely move. “W-Why are there so many people?”

Su Duofu whispered, “They’re all here to sell their goods.”

Su Yuanhang was surprised. “Your family still has more?”

Su Duofu nodded — they had saved some for the upcoming festival. This time, he was accompanying his uncle.

Su Duofu’s uncle had been cautious after hearing Su Yuanhang’s father’s advice. On the day Su Yuanhang went to the brigade headquarters to collect goods, his uncle decided to wait and see. But when he later heard that Su Duofu and Su Yuncheng earned more than ten yuan in wages and seafood sales combined, he regretted it deeply.

Su Duofu glanced over at his uncle.

Su Yuanhang muttered under his breath, “That old geezer! Didn’t he say he wasn’t going to sell to me?”

Worried his uncle might hear, Su Duofu urged, “Let’s go inside. Yuncheng and I will help you weigh the goods.”

Su Yuanhang noticed that all the temporary workers collaborating with the food factory had shown up too, so he told them to wait on the side to help with the packing.

As the saying goes: once a stranger, twice a friend.

Su Yuanhang, Su Duofu, and Su Yuncheng already had a good sense of how much could fit into a train car. When the load seemed about right, they called for a stop.

But the fishermen, who had been waiting most of the day, were unhappy.

Ye Fan arrived late. Seeing the crowd inside, she didn’t go in but happened to catch the fishermen’s grumbling.

Ye Fan said, “There’s only one train car. If it doesn’t fit, do you expect Su Duofu and Su Yuncheng to carry your goods to the capital on their backs?”

The fishermen, caught off guard, looked annoyed. “But we only just found out—”

Ye Fan shook her head. “No way you just found out. Su Yuanhang came to my house last night when it was already dark. By this morning, everyone knew he was back. You got your money before noon — how could you only hear about this now? Didn’t the brigade leader mention this when he handed out the money?”

Su Duofu’s uncle’s house was eight miles from the food factory. If he could arrive before Su Yuanhang, there was no way anyone could claim they had just found out.

Ye Fan said, “You might as well admit you’ve been waiting here for half the day.”

The fishermen immediately responded, “Yeah, we’ve been waiting for half the day!”

Ye Fan replied, “Others didn’t even stop for lunch — they came straight here.”

One fisherman opened his mouth to argue, “That’s not fair. What if next time they come even earlier—”

Ye Fan cut him off, “There won’t be a next time. Next time, we’ll collect at the brigade headquarters. Who we buy from and who we don’t will be up to the brigade leader. If the brigade leader only favors his own people, well, no one will vote for him in next year’s election.

“Also, we’re not just buying seafood. We need good oranges and dried bamboo shoots too. Instead of standing around here, why not go check if this year’s oranges are sweet?” Seeing the crowd’s mood lighten a little, she added, “There are no oranges up north — we’ll buy as many as you can harvest.”

A fisherman who knew a lot about tending fruit trees asked, “Will you pay the same price as now?”

Ye Fan asked, “Are the orange groves privately owned?”

The orange groves, like the land, belonged to the collective. Everyone earned work points to exchange for oranges and grain. Realizing this, the crowd’s excitement faded again.

Ye Fan said, “Oranges are expensive in the north during winter. Even if you split them collectively, you might earn more than selling seafood.”

The fishermen suddenly remembered — a box of kelp didn’t weigh half as much as a box of oranges. Maybe Ye Fan wasn’t lying after all.

Seeing some people’s expressions lighten, Ye Fan added, “Go home. Blocking the entrance like this makes it impossible to get any work done. If we can’t ship the goods tomorrow, you’ll end up with no money.”

The crowd finally remembered that even if their goods weren’t sold, the brigade would still distribute money in a few days — not much, but enough to buy notebooks and pencils for their children.

Through the office window, Su Yuanhang watched the crowd gradually disperse and let out a sigh of relief. “Good thing Accountant Ye was outside. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Su Duofu said, “You’re the factory manager. You should’ve gone out just now. You can’t rely on Accountant Ye for everything. What if she gets transferred with Commander Geng in a couple of years?”

Su Yuanhang stood up and replied, “I just need more time.”

Su Duofu asked, “Are you and Yuncheng going to the capital tomorrow with the shipment?”

Su Yuanhang looked a bit embarrassed. “No rush — I’ll go when we sell the oranges.”

Su Duofu rolled his eyes at him, then went outside to tell Ye Fan that he knew how to sort and pack the goods, suggesting she go home and rest.

Ye Fan shook her head. “Erbao is still in the market. I’ll head home once she’s tired of playing. How much is left to pack?”

Su Duofu pointed to the pile of seafood at the entrance. “We should finish by around seven. Won’t delay dinner.”

Ye Fan glanced at the pile, estimating they could be done by a little after six, so she felt at ease and went inside to find Erbao.

This time, Erbao wasn’t playing with sea snails — she was poking at an octopus with a pair of chopsticks.

Ye Fan wondered where the chopsticks came from, but before she could ask, a seafood vendor explained that he had given them to Erbao. Ye Fan couldn’t help but tell him not to spoil the child.

The vendor waved it off, saying the octopus wasn’t worth much — even if it died from playing, it didn’t matter.

Something suddenly came to Ye Fan’s mind, and she quickly went to find Su Duofu.

Su Duofu was still at the market entrance. Seeing how hurried she was, he asked, “Accountant Ye, isn’t Erbao inside?”

Ye Fan shook her head. “No, that’s not it. There are people on the island who can do it — dried squid that you eat straight after roasting, right? And eel, along with other fish — buy a few pounds of each and have the director try selling them. Are there any food processing factories off the island that make these dried fish products? Get a few bottles from them and place them at the seafood shop in the supply and marketing cooperative as a trial. In the future, we can load a truck together with the canned food factory and another business — split the shipping costs evenly, so we won’t have to wait until we can fill an entire truck to make a delivery.”

Su Duofu imagined being able to go to the capital twice a month even after the Mid-Autumn Festival. Even if he made five yuan each trip, that would be ten yuan a month — all without delaying his fishing trips or farm work to earn work points. Without hesitation, he went to Su Yuanhang to get money to buy the ready-to-eat dried fish.

Erbao, thinking her mother was upset with her for playing too much and didn’t want her anymore, came running over. “Mama!”

Ye Fan picked her up. “Your brother should be getting out of school soon.”