The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Ye Feng’s ”Strategy

When Ye Feng saw Yang Zhigang agree so readily, his opinion of the man rose even higher.

’No wonder Han Xiaorui often praised her former father-in-law. A man of his character was truly respectable.’

”Welcome, Uncle Yang,” Ye Feng said with a smile. Everything was going smoothly.

When they got home, Yang Zhigang put his things down and was about to leave, but Ye Feng stopped him.

”Uncle Yang, are you busy?” Ye Feng asked. He wanted to make the toys for Pingping and An’an with Yang Zhigang.

Yang Zhigang paused. ”No, I’m free. Do you need something?”

Ye Feng smiled. ”I promised Pingping and An’an I’d make them some toys. I wanted to make a couple of iron hoops, but I’m not sure I can get them right. How about we make them together, Uncle Yang?”

A warmth spread through Yang Zhigang’s heart, and he immediately broke into a smile. ”Making iron hoops? I’m good at that. We should have the right materials at home.”

In the past, whenever Yang Zhigang came over, he mostly stayed at the doorway and rarely came inside.

Even when he did enter, he would leave quickly, never lingering for long.

He was afraid of giving the gossips something to talk about and causing trouble for Han Xiaorui.

But now, with Ye Feng in the house, there was another man around.

Yang Zhigang felt that it was nice to be able to spend more time with his granddaughters here. At least no one would gossip anymore.

Soon, Yang Zhigang had gathered the tools and materials, and he started making the iron hoops with Ye Feng.

Pingping and An’an watched from the side, their big eyes fixed on them, observing every detail.

Their eyes were bright, and they looked incredibly sharp.

Their concentration had improved.

Yang Zhigang didn’t understand the specifics, but he knew from common sense that as long as a child’s eyes had a spark in them, they wouldn’t grow up to be a fool.

At that thought, Yang Zhigang worked on the iron hoops with even more enthusiasm.

Ye Feng would periodically call out, ”Pingping, bring Daddy the pliers.”

”An’an, hand Grandpa the gloves.”

”Pingping, get Daddy the rag.”

...

When there were new tools that Pingping and An’an didn’t recognize, Ye Feng would patiently tell them what they were, interacting with them.

Every time they got it right, Ye Feng would shower them with praise.

Yang Zhigang knew that Ye Feng was teaching the children, helping them become even sharper.

So, he started to follow his lead.

As they made the iron hoops, Pingping and An’an also got involved.

Once the small iron hoops were finished, Ye Feng bent down and taught them how to play, guiding their hands.

Considering how young the girls were, he had made the hoops a little smaller and thicker to make them more stable.

Having learned how to roll the hoops, Pingping and An’an were overjoyed. They played in the yard, rolling them around, and their clear, bright laughter carried far into the distance.

The toy looked simple, but it helped children practice running and improved their hand-eye coordination, significantly boosting their concentration.

And concentration was what Pingping and An’an lacked the most right now.

Ye Feng made another small one and a large one. ”Pingping, An’an, how about we give these two to Sister Minmin and Junjun?”

Sweat beaded on Pingping’s and An’an’s foreheads. They looked at the newly made hoops, then at their own, and finally nodded. ”Okay.”

Holding the large and small hoops, Ye Feng took Pingping and An’an outside.

Watching Pingping and An’an playing with their hoops up ahead, Yang Zhigang’s eyes grew warm.

’He’s moved me again today!’

At the same time, Yang Zhigang cursed inwardly at how unfair fate was for giving him a bastard son like Yang Jianming.

Everything Yang Jianming had failed to do, Ye Feng was now doing with the children—and he was doing even more, and doing it better.

Along the way, many people saw Yang Zhigang and Ye Feng walking openly down the roads of Jinshan Bay, with Pingping and An’an rolling their hoops ahead of them.

The two men chatted and laughed while keeping a close eye on the girls playing in front, just in case they ran into any danger.

The villagers stared at Ye Feng and Yang Zhigang as if they were watching some strange spectacle.

They had expected the two to be awkward around each other, but they were chatting and laughing cheerfully, with no barrier between them.

The villagers couldn’t help but admire Yang Zhigang. The man was impressive.

Not only did he get along well with his former daughter-in-law, but now he was also getting along well with her new partner.

No wonder Yang Zhigang was so successful in business; he was as magnanimous as a prime minister, with a heart big enough to sail a ship in.

Anyone else in his shoes wouldn’t have been so broad-minded.

After all, Han Xiaorui was one of the most capable figures in Jinshan Bay. The partner she found had apparently once worked a government job and was now the heir to a major tycoon.

As long as one didn’t mind the strange circumstances, it was all good news for Yang Zhigang. He was winning either way.

When Cai Wenjun saw the small iron hoop, his eyes were practically glued to it.

Boys, perhaps, have a greater fondness and a natural talent for iron hoops.

Cai Wenjun learned after just a few tries and began rolling his hoop while chasing after Pingping and An’an.

The village roads were relatively flat.

The JINGLE JANGLE of the small iron hoops and the children’s laughter carried far into the distance.

Anyone who heard the laughter would turn to look, then break into a grin.

Isn’t working hard to earn money all for the hope of seeing your children play happily and grow up healthy?

Yang Minmin was doing her homework, but she heard the sounds before Pingping and An’an even reached the door.

She threw down her pen and rushed to open it.

Yang Shunshun, who was lying in a rocking chair, heard the noise too. His eyes darted around, searching for the source of the sound.

Wu Cuicui was washing clothes. Seeing Pingping, An’an, and Cai Wenjun all sweaty, she quickly grabbed a towel to wipe them down.

Once inside, she brought out some soda.

One bottle for each of them. GULP GULP GULP, they drank it all down.

”Second Grandpa, is this for me?” Yang Minmin asked, holding the larger iron hoop, her eyes shining with excitement.

She had absolutely no desire to do her homework, and now her little sisters had come to play with her.

’I’ll play for a while and then come back to my homework,’ she decided.

Ye Feng followed behind, watching Yang Minmin roll hoops with Pingping, An’an, and Cai Wenjun.

When Yang Jianguo got off work, he was slightly taken aback to see his Second Uncle and Ye Feng chatting away happily.

That evening, Ye Feng invited Yang Zhigang, Yang Jianguo, and Wu Cuicui to come over for dinner.

Even though it was a bit awkward at first, the barrier between them disappeared after the meal.

When all was said and done, their fundamental goal was the same: they all wanted what was best for Pingping and An’an. All other trivial matters could be compromised on.

Being petty would only lead to internal conflict.

Hurting others at your own expense was something only a fool would do.

A true win-win situation was one where everyone benefited.

Thanks to Ye Feng’s initiative, Yang Zhigang and Yang Jianguo were able to resolve their reservations and completely accept him.

While Han Xiaorui was away, Ye Feng often took Pingping and An’an over to Yang Zhigang’s and Yang Jianguo’s homes to ”leech” a meal.

He understood that after getting married, it would be equivalent to him ”marrying into” Jinshan Bay.

If he didn’t become a part of Yang Zhigang’s and Yang Jianguo’s lives, things would be awkward in Jinshan Bay, where he’d be seeing them all the time.

Now they had all become friends, often drinking tea and alcohol together, and there was no awkwardness left.

Since even Yang Zhigang and Yang Jianguo had accepted Ye Feng, the gossips of Jinshan Bay no longer had any opportunity to make snide remarks.

「Three days later」

When Han Xiaorui returned, her trip a great success, she went home in the afternoon to wash up before heading to the preschool to pick up the kids. There, she found Ye Feng and Yang Zhigang chatting at the gate!

A suspicious look appeared in Han Xiaorui’s eyes. ”I was only gone for three days, and you two... you’ve gotten this close already?”

Ye Feng chuckled, a sly look in his eyes. ”Of course. I’m just infiltrating the local populace ahead of time to prepare for settling down in Jinshan Bay after we get married.”

Han Xiaorui was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled. ”Well done, Comrade Ye Feng. You’ve worked hard.”

”All in a day’s work for my future wife,” Ye Feng said with a grin. ”We’re about to have our first barbecue of the autumn. Are you interested?”