Chen Hong went to the kitchen to wash a plate of fruit for the children. The fruit that had been saved before they went out to sea had all been eaten at home.

Xiao Hao said happily, "Thank you, Auntie. I love your fruit the most, it's so delicious. My mom is so frugal, the fruit she buys isn't good at all, she always buys the cheapest one."

Wang Xin ate without looking up, nodding in agreement, "My mother can't bear to buy good fruit either, and it's not as good as the fruit Aunt Hong buys."

Aunt Hong, you're amazing! You can even go out to sea to fish and earn money on your own. My mother doesn't earn a single penny; she's a housewife, and she's reluctant to spend money."

The child's innocent words revealed his ignorance of the hardships his parents faced. Chen Hong thought to herself that both families were of good character and had no truly awful relatives, so she should try to help them if she had the chance.

Families that frequently interact will gradually drift apart if there is a large gap between their wealth and poverty. Xiao Hao and Wang Xin are the only two good friends of my son.

This kind of bond that grows up together is the most precious. In order for her son's good friend to be able to maintain a long-term relationship, Chen Hong should also help both families.

I don't know how to do it yet. I'll wait for an opportunity. Everyone around me is wealthy, so that my life as a mother and I won't seem too different. That way, our lives will get better and better, and our relationship will become more and more harmonious.

Chen Hong invited the two children to stay for dinner and called Xiao Hao and Wang Xin's mothers to let them know. Both sets of parents readily agreed.

Chen Hong made sweet and sour pork, steamed grouper, braised beef, and the crispy sardines left over from lunch. She also made a cold mixed vegetable salad and a seafood soup. For dinner, she ate rice.

The three children ate noisily and boisterously, and I listened to them tell me about every funny little thing that happened between them and their friends at kindergarten.

Chen Hong feels very happy. Her son is growing up day by day, and witnessing his growth every day is the most important thing in Chen Hong's life now.

After the three boys finished eating, they fought over who would feed Black Tiger and Glasses. Chen Hong and Yu Yang locked the gate and led the two children and the dog into the village.

After dropping Wang Xin and Xiao Hao off at their respective homes, the mother and son, along with their dog, slowly strolled back to the villa.

Yu Yang was especially happy the whole way, chattering nonstop. It seemed he hadn't seen his mother for three days and was getting restless. He repeated everything he had said before, and even things he hadn't said before.

Chen Hong didn't remind him that this was her son expressing his affection and tenderness towards her, and let him talk as much as he wanted.

He'll feel more relaxed if he talks about it. Children are also very vulnerable; they can feel nervous and scared. Just because he can't express these feelings doesn't mean you should ignore him.

The mother and son went home and locked the gate. Black Tiger and Glasses went into their doghouses, one in the front yard and the other in the back yard.

After the New Year, Chen Hong and Yu Yang specially built two new doghouses for them, one in the front yard and one in the backyard.

They were treated quite well, living in what could be considered a villa for dogs. The materials used were the same as those used in Chen Hong's villa renovation. The leftover solid wood was used by Chen Hong to build each of them a two-story wooden house.

The roof was also covered with tar paper and corrugated steel sheets. The dog villa was so big that three or four children as big as Yu Yang could easily fit inside. Black Tiger and Eyes loved their new home.

Normally, unless Yu Yang specifically goes looking for them, they would lie in their villa, listening to the sounds outside the walls, except when patrolling the yard.

They take guarding the house seriously; at the slightest noise outside, they'll rush out.

On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, the two of them caught a weasel. When Chen Hong saw it, she was afraid that the weasel would fart, so she quickly ordered the two of them to release it.

These two clever fellows, from then on, would bark at weasels to scare them away whenever they saw them, and never caught them again.

Chen Hong looked at Black Tiger and Eyes, and discussed with Yu Yang, "Son, I'm a little uneasy sleeping at night when I go out to sea to fish alone. I'd like to bring a dog on board to help me keep watch at night. What do you think?"

"That's great, Mom. I feel relieved now that Black Tiger and Glasses are with you. They'll protect you if there are bad guys. Why don't you take them with you? They don't eat much."

"You're worried about Mom, and Mom's worried about you too. I'm also worried about leaving you at home alone. How about this, you choose one of the two dogs, and I'll choose one. Next time we'll switch back, okay?"

"Okay, I'll do whatever Mom says. Next time you go out to sea, take Black Tiger first. He's the eldest brother, so let him go first if there's anything. Next time, take Glasses. Glasses is quite clever, he'll definitely help you watch the boat."

Seeing her son's well-organized arrangements, Chen Hong was very pleased. Since going to the town's kindergarten and meeting more people and friends, Yu Yang has become more cheerful than before.

Chen Hong could tell that although her son was the youngest among her friends, Wang Xin and Xiao Hao, he still held a dominant position in their small group. Her son would bring her even more surprises!