The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 456: Chapter 456: Good Deeds Bring Good Rewards

Yang Zhigang was taken aback. ”You want me to be the legal representative? But I’m putting in less money and you’re putting in more. That’s not right.”

Han Xiaorui chuckled. ”You were going to be the one managing it anyway. I have to take care of the kids and manage so many other things. The sea fishing operations—you’re in charge of all that. If you’re the legal representative, you’re the one responsible.”

”Being the legal representative is a right, but it’s also a responsibility. Anyway, profits are distributed according to shares, so I’m not losing out. I trust you to handle this, Uncle Yang.”

Yang Zhigang nodded. ”Alright. I can put up 300,000, which is enough to buy two used boats. How much can you contribute?”

Han Xiaorui asked, ”How many boats are available? They have to be at least seventy percent new. No junkers. We must have experienced mechanics inspect them thoroughly. This is about the crew’s safety. It’s no joke.”

Yang Zhigang nodded. ”Don’t worry about safety. I’ve hired a few experienced mechanics and safety officers who can guarantee the fishing boats’ security.”

”Right now, there are six boats that meet our standards. My money is only enough for two. Can you cover the rest?”

Han Xiaorui replied, ”I can!”

Yang Zhigang thought for a moment and said, ”In that case, I’ll have four boats, and you’ll have eight. Let’s not split hairs over it. I’ll take a thirty percent stake, and you take seventy. How does that sound?”

Han Xiaorui shook her head. ”No, Uncle Yang, I don’t agree with that split. First off, your four boats make up 33% of the fleet. On top of that, you’re the one managing everything while I don’t have the time. You’re working much harder than I am. So, I think you should get at least 40%, which is a four-tenths share.”

”A ratio like that is fair to both of us. After all, you’re the one dealing with the day-to-day management of the boats and crew, as well as the seafood merchants, buyers, and everything else. It’s hard work. That effort shouldn’t go unrewarded; it should be converted into shares.”

Yang Zhigang was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and laughed. ”Ah, Xiao Rui, you’re just too generous. You gave away ten percent of the profits with a single word.”

Han Xiaorui smiled. ”Uncle Yang, you know me. I value money, but I value people more. You’re not just Pingping and An’an’s grandfather; you’re also an elder I deeply respect.”

”Relax. Think long-term. Let’s build up this seafood harvesting business properly. Not only can we give many of Jinshan Bay’s fishermen jobs and a good life, but we can also make the Jinshan Bay seafood wholesale market live up to its name.”

”This is the foundation for securing Jinshan Bay’s economy; everything else is just icing on the cake. I’m giving these shares to you, not some stranger.”

Hearing this, Yang Zhigang felt a surge of warmth and motivation. ”Xiao Rui, since you’ve put it that way, I won’t be modest. I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry about a thing.”

When the boat crews heard they were buying even more boats, they were all very surprised.

But on second thought, it made sense.

Other people couldn’t catch anything, but their Jinshan Bay fishing boats could.

Others came back with small catches, but they returned with holds full to bursting.

That’s just how they rolled!

Their Mazu Temple in Jinshan Bay was the most effective.

Because of this, everyone in Jinshan Bay, adults and children alike, became even more respectful toward Mazu.

While the men worked on the boats, their daughters or the elders of the family would take the children to the Mazu Temple to make offerings to the goddess.

When Village Chief Liu proposed renovating the Mazu Temple, not a single person in the village objected. Those with money contributed money, and those with strength contributed labor.

Because the Jinshan Bay fishing boats had such bountiful harvests, even people from other villages came to make offerings.

The offerings were tallied by the Mazu Temple’s Temple Priest, and anyone who wanted some could come and take them.

Of course, some were also proactively given to the village’s lonely elderly and children. Even Wenchang and Wencheng received a share; they weren’t treated differently just because they were orphans.

Secretary Song collected some of the offering pastries from the temple and brought two bags to Wenchang. ”Wenchang, these are offerings from the Mazu Temple. Eating them can bring good luck and will bless you and your brother so you can grow up healthy. Here’s one bag for you and one for your brother.”

Wenchang took them. ”Thank you, Secretary Song. And thank you to the villagers for taking care of my brother and me.”

Secretary Song smiled. ”No need to thank me. Don’t dwell on what happened in the past. We know you’re a child who grew up here in Jinshan Bay, so it’s only right that we look after you. As long as you two grow up to be good men and don’t go down the wrong path, that will be the village’s greatest comfort.”

”Are you having any trouble at school? I went there yesterday and spoke to your principal. I told him to make sure the other students don’t bring up the past. The principal said he would talk to the students. If some naughty kids still say things, don’t take it to heart. Just ignore them, it’s all hot air.”

Wenchang shook his head. ”Secretary Song, they’re right. I am the son of a murderer.”

Secretary Song retorted, ”Nonsense. You are not a murderer’s child. That man, Wen Tao, was indeed a murderer. Your mother was such a good girl back then, and he deceived her. After he took off and abandoned her, your mother had you and your brother with someone else.”

”Of course, your mother also lied to Wen Tao, telling him you were his children, and she tricked him out of his money. Your mother has passed away, and Wen Tao has been executed. The grudge between them is over. Out of respect for the dead, we won’t discuss it further. No matter what other people say, you know in your hearts that you are not the children of a murderer.”

Looking at the nine-year-old Wenchang standing before him, already 1.4 meters tall, he was certain the boy would grow up to be a tall, strong young man.

If he wasn’t guided properly, he could end up on a path of crime, hurting others and himself.

Wenchang was already in the third grade and was old enough to understand.

He wiped his tears. ”But my grandpa and grandma... they died so horribly. They helped my mom raise us, and then they were murdered before they could enjoy their lives. My brother and I can never repay their kindness.”

”Grandpa Song, since that man wasn’t our real father, and he killed my mom, my grandma, and my grandpa, there’s no reason for us to have the surname Wen. From now on, I want to be called Zhao Chang, and my brother will be Zhao Cheng.”

Secretary Song was taken aback, then felt a sense of relief. At least these two boys had their heads on straight and knew who had been good to them.

That was enough!

”Zhao Chang, Zhao Cheng... those are fine names. I’ll take care of this. In the next couple of days, I’ll find Officer Li and get your surnames changed. The New Year is coming up, a time for visiting graves. I’ll take you to burn paper offerings for your grandma, grandpa, and your mother, and tell them the good news. Your grandma and grandpa will surely be very happy.”

Wenchang froze. ”Secretary Song, can we really change it?”

”Of course you can. It’s not a difficult thing to do.” Secretary Song agreed. If the boys could psychologically escape the shadow of being a murderer’s sons, then other people’s gossip wouldn’t hurt them as much as one might think.

After Officer Li understood the situation, he also confirmed Wenchang and Wencheng’s wishes and received a guarantee from the village committee. He then processed the name change for them to Zhao Chang and Zhao Cheng.

Secretary Song, seeing things through to the end, took them to burn the paper offerings.

The two boys wiped away their tears as they spoke to their grandma and grandpa, telling them they had changed their surname.

In contrast, their feelings for their mother, Zhao Fenfen, were not as deep, as they hadn’t seen her very much.

After this, Zhao Chang and Zhao Cheng’s entire demeanor changed. They became much more cheerful, lively, and bright.

The grudges and passions of the previous generation were settled. The people of Jinshan Bay had treated these two children with kindness, and were now beginning to see the kind rewards.