The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: The Joy of Earning and Sharing Money

Chen Yishui was surprised. ”Settle up after every trip? Isn’t that a bit of a hassle? Why not do it monthly?”

Their previous boss not only paid them monthly, but he’d also hold back half a month’s wages to keep them in line.

Han Xiaorui waved her hand dismissively. ”You ladies are out here braving the sea with me, earning your keep through hard work. If I’m getting paid after every trip, then you should be too.”

”With money in hand, your heart can be at ease. You can get through any rough patch you encounter. If you all stick with me and work hard, we’ll get to a point where any problem money can solve won’t be a major problem at all.”

Chen Yishui’s face lit up. ”Then I’ll thank you on behalf of everyone.”

”No thanks needed. Just focus on doing your jobs well,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. She gave a wave and got into Zhang Fa Cai’s car.

Han Xiaorui took the passenger seat. The driver didn’t dare let his guard down and kept his eyes fixed on the road.

Boss Zhang felt a pang of regret seeing Han Xiaorui get in the front.

’Everyone wants to get a better look at a beautiful woman.’

Twenty-five minutes later, they arrived at the bank in town.

At the bank, Boss Zhang personally handled the transfer into Han Xiaorui’s passbook, completing the transaction.

”Thanks for your business, Boss Zhang.” Now that the money was in her account, Han Xiaorui’s tone became much more courteous.

Boss Zhang chuckled. ”Xiao Han, why don’t you come to my restaurant for a meal? It’s on me!”

”I can’t, my children are waiting for me at home. But thank you for the offer, Boss Zhang,” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. She waved and walked out of the bank.

Boss Zhang told his driver to take Han Xiaorui home, and she didn’t refuse the ride.

A car was faster and more convenient than the bus.

’When can I find a trustworthy driver? Now that I have money, I’d like to buy a van. It would be much more convenient for both getting around and hauling goods.’

Han Xiaorui glanced at the time. It wasn’t even noon yet. ”Driver, could you take me to the docks, please?”

”Of course, Ms. Han.” The driver agreed. Even though he was Boss Zhang’s cousin, he knew his cousin wouldn’t dare mess with Han Xiaorui, let alone a small fry like him who just drove a car.

”Thank you!” Han Xiaorui said as she got out at the docks. A group of seafood wholesalers, accompanied by Yang Zhigang, were already on her boat, picking out their desired catch.

They had recognized Zhang Fa Cai earlier and knew he was a long-time partner of Han Xiaorui’s.

Even though they felt this meant less profit for them, he was a regular customer, so they weren’t in a position to complain.

Besides, Yang Zhigang and Han Xiaorui had the only two large boats in Jinshan Bay.

While there were no high-end fish left, the quality of the remaining, more common seafood was excellent.

Even so, the rest of the miscellaneous catch sold for 77,970 yuan.

Han Xiaorui was very satisfied with that amount.

Since she was selling to several small wholesalers, the transactions were simple: cash for goods, right on the spot.

It was quite convenient.

Han Xiaorui could use this cash to cover wages, fuel, and other related expenses!

Liu Huamei made lunch using leftovers from the galley fridge and some fresh seafood.

Han Xiaorui announced to the crew, ”I was planning to pay you all tomorrow, but since the buyers all paid up today, I’ll pay you today, too.”

At the mention of getting paid, everyone’s eyes lit up with delight.

Han Xiaorui took out the sales receipts showing the prices and totals. ”The premium fish sold for 297,600 yuan, and the regular seafood sold for 77,970 yuan, bringing the total revenue to 375,570 yuan. After deducting 52,300 yuan for expenses—fuel, ice, and provisions—our net profit is 323,270 yuan.”

”Sister Shui, Sister Yue, and Sister Xiao Yu each get a one-percent commission. That’s 3,232 yuan, so we’ll round it up to 3,240. The rest of the crew will split five percent, which is 16,164 yuan. Including Sister Mei from the galley, that’s fifteen people in total, making it 1,077 yuan per person. We’ll round that up to 1,080.”

The crew knew it had been a good haul and would fetch a high price, but when it came time to actually get paid, they could hardly believe the numbers.

’Over a thousand yuan from a single trip?’

They knew Han Xiaorui was generous, but they’d never expected *this* level of generosity.

Chen Yishui swallowed nervously. ”Xiao Rui, this... this is too much, isn’t it? I’d be happy to just take the same share as everyone else.”

Wu Mengyue chimed in, ”She’s right, Xiao Rui. You don’t have to give us so much. We’re in this for the long haul.”

While counting out the cash, Han Xiaorui shook her head. ”This is what we agreed to. A big haul this time doesn’t guarantee the same for every trip, but I will never shortchange my own people. Sister-in-law Xiao Yu has fished with me before; she knows what I’m like. When I promise something, I don’t go back on my word.”

Having been with Han Xiaorui the longest, Liang Xiaoyu knew her best. Han Xiaorui was a woman of her word. ”Sister Shui, Sister Yue, just take it,” Liang Xiaoyu urged. ”Xiao Rui doesn’t shortchange her own. From now on, working hard is the best way to repay her.”

Han Xiaorui counted out 3,240 yuan and handed it to Chen Yishui. ”Go on, Sister Shui, take it and count it. Once you leave the boat, I’m not responsible if it’s short or you find a fake bill,” she joked.

Chen Yishui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Han Xiaorui’s joke. With the money right in front of her, she accepted it. ”Thank you, Captain. We promise we’ll keep working hard.”

Han Xiaorui let out a clear, hearty laugh. ”That’s more like it! Come on, take it. You’ve all earned it. Stick with me, and I’ll do my best to make sure everyone is happy and prosperous.”

With that, she handed a stack of cash to Wu Mengyue.

Wu Mengyue accepted the 3,240 yuan, her hands trembling slightly. ”Thank you, Captain.”

”You’re welcome!” Han Xiaorui said with a smile. She finished counting another bundle of cash and passed it to Liang Xiaoyu. ”Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, this is yours. Don’t worry, everyone, I’m almost done. Here, Sister-in-law Xiao Yu, come help me count...”

With Liang Xiaoyu’s help, the payouts went much faster. ”This is for Sister Yun, this for Sister Lan... Make sure to count it, don’t want anyone to be short.”

”It’s all here, right on the dot,” Chen Yishui said with a grin, her bag now stuffed with cash.

”Tuck it away safely and go eat,” Han Xiaorui said, smiling. ”Once you’ve eaten and cleaned up, you’re free to head home. Take two days off. I’ll let Sister Shui and Sister Yue know when we’re heading out again.”

”You got it, Captain. Don’t you worry,” Chen Yishui replied with a smile, vowing to check everything thoroughly before being the last one to leave.

Han Xiaorui strapped a basket of seafood to the rack on the back of her bicycle and headed home.

’My sister and Pingping An’an should be home by now.’

As she rounded the corner, Han Xiaorui saw two ”turtle cars” parked by her door.

”Mama!” Pingping hopped out of a van. Hearing the bicycle bell, he turned, saw her, and came running. ”Mama!”

An’an jumped out right after him and ran over too. ”Mama, my mama...”

Cai Wenjun ran after them. He knew that if Auntie Xiao Rui was back, his own mother must be back too.

When he saw Pingping and An’an throw themselves into Auntie Xiao Rui’s arms, Cai Wenjun couldn’t find his own mom. He kept looking around, calling out softly, ”Where’s Mama?”

Han Xiaorui hugged the two soft little human cubs in her arms. ’They’re so adorable,’ she thought, ’I want to give them the best of everything in the world.’

’By now, she had completely merged with the original Han Xiaorui, and she savored the warmth of the moment.’

But just then, Yang Jianguo rushed over, pushing Yang Minmin forward. ”Xiao Rui,” he said frantically, ”can you take care of picking up and dropping off Minmin for me?”