Zhou Xiang nodded, "Well, I understand now. I will pay attention. Only those who are truly from the town can be socialized. Those who come from the village will bully newcomers."

"Your father and I have been bullied by people from the local village here."

"Mom, don't worry. I will work hard to stop them from bullying you. I will even praise you. But you are not allowed to be arrogant."

Zhou's mother rubbed her daughter's head and said, "Mom won't do that. It's your dad. When you achieve success, he will definitely become arrogant, and you will have to teach him a lesson. After all, you are his source of pride."

Zhou Xiang nodded. Indeed, his father loved to brag outside. Thinking of this, he thought of Yang Ji, whom he had just met. His father always went to her stall to buy melon seeds and peanuts. It was impossible for her not to brag in front of her father. She should know that she got the first place in the exam. Then, if she asked herself if she dropped out of school, she must have done it on purpose, right?

Forget it. Her sisters are all masters at playing tricks. It’s better for me to stay away from her family.

At night, Zhou's mother and her daughter slept on the kang. When they lay down, they felt comfortable all over and did not need to use their body temperature to warm the quilt and mattress.

"How is it? Is it comfortable to sleep in? Wait until May, when the weather gets really hot, and you can move your beds into the main room. I'll buy some materials and ask Master Ma Gua to build you a kang. As for the coal, I'll cover it. Why suffer that when you have money?"

"Yeah! It's quite comfortable. I'll be warm once I lie down. Okay, next year I'll build a kang in that room so Mom can enjoy the blessing of having a daughter sooner rather than later."

Listening to his mother's snoring, Zhou Xiang lay in bed and entered the space.

From the small pile of fruits in the space, he picked out a dozen good-quality peaches and apples, put them in a small basket, and saved them for sending to Ling Ran's house tomorrow.

On the morning of the 29th, Zhou Xiang tore off a few blank pages from his notebook, wrapped up the hind legs of the goose he had chopped off yesterday, and put them into the cloth bag he usually used to buy vegetables.

He took down half of the fish hanging on the wall, placed it on the fruit basket, and then put ten eggs wrapped in newspaper on it.

Seeing that my parents weren't paying attention, I picked up the basket and ran out. It would be difficult to explain if my parents checked the basket.

After leaving the family compound and arriving at the gate of the food station, Zhou Xiang was stopped by Yang Jim's mother.

"Think about it! Why haven't you come to my stall to buy things recently? I heard your dad say that you bought the sunflower seeds and peanuts he ate."

"I bought it on my way back from the county. I'll come to your house to buy more after my dad finishes eating."

Humph, who wants to buy something that's short of weight? Only Dad believes that Yang Ji's dad works in the same unit as him, and Yang Ji's mom won't shortchange him. My mom never buys things from her house.

After saying that, she walked away quickly. Yang Jim's mother had a habit. As long as you had something in your hand, she would definitely look through it.

Whenever I ran into her while shopping for groceries, she would turn her basket upside down so she could grab a tomato or cucumber, and she would comment, "Zhou Xiang, those tomatoes you bought are too sour."

Yang Jim's mother looked at her outstretched hand and had to put it down in disappointment. This damn girl was carrying half a basket of something and holding a cloth bag in her hand. It was a pity that she didn't find it.

When Zhou Xiang arrived at Ling Ran's house, Ling Ran was about to go out. Seeing Zhou Xiang, he immediately took down the basket behind her and said, "Zhou Xiangxiang, I was just about to go play with you! What's so heavy? Why didn't you wait for me to carry it?"

Zhou Xiang followed him into the house. Without answering him, he opened the cloth bag and took out the paper package. "Put this goose leg in a porcelain basin."

Ling Ran put down the basket and went to the kitchen to get a basin.

Ling's father and mother came out of the bedroom. Seeing that it was Zhou Xiang, Ling's mother smiled happily, "Xiang Xiang, you're here. Come and sit down. Are you here to play with Ran Ran?"

"Aunt Ling." Zhou Xiang sat down obediently. "I'm here to bring you something. Ling Ran comes to play with me every day, and I always force him to help with things. I feel bad about it."

Dong Yunrong disapproved and said, "What's wrong with him doing some work? He's a grown man with plenty of strength. Just tell him what to do. There's no need to send anything over. Just take it back, take it back."

Zhou Xiang held Dong Yunrong's hand and said, "No, if you don't accept it, then tell Ling Ran not to come to my house to play. If he goes to play, he will help if he sees any work."

Ling Quan quickly responded, "Don't push it away, accept it, accept it, think about the girl's kindness, you must accept it."

My son is pursuing that girl, how can I stop him from playing with her just because of a little food? My son is so powerful that he can break through the roof.

Ling Ran took a basin and simply threw the goose legs into it.

Dong Yunrong didn't dare to refuse anymore. Sometimes she didn't even dare to offend her son because of his bad temper.

"Ling Ran, there are eggs in the newspaper on top of the basket. They're the eggs that Li Shipeng said were delicious. Take them out and put them away. Hang up the half fish and blow it."

Then Ling Quan and Dong Yunrong looked at their son who never did anything at home, went to the kitchen to get a bowl of rice, picked up the eggs, and went back to the kitchen with half a fish.

Ling Quan and Dong Yunrong were heartbroken because their son wouldn't even help if the oil bottle fell over at home. At most, he would just tell them that the oil bottle had fallen over.

But who is this obedient young man now? He does whatever the girl asks him to do immediately without stopping. This son is raised in vain, raised for someone else's family.

The heartbroken Ling's parents were immediately healed when they saw the fruits in the basket.

Oh! Apples and peaches, such rare things can still be found in this winter?

Looking at Zhou Xiang, Ling Quan asked, "Xiang Xiang, where did you get this fruit? You gave me several last time! Your aunt Ling wrapped them in newspaper and only ate one every two or three days."

"I bought it in the city. This fruit does need to be wrapped, but it can't be kept in a place that's too hot. It's best kept in a slightly cool place, and it can't be left outside to freeze."

Ling Ran entered the room and asked, "Where did you receive it? Why didn't I see it?"

Zhou Xiang paused when he heard this.

Dong Yunrong kicked her son and said, "What are you doing? I want you to see everything."

Zhou Xiang stood up and said, "Uncle and Aunt, I'm going back now. Please leave this basket behind!"

After saying that, he picked up the cloth bag and prepared to leave, but was pulled back by Ling Ran, "Wait for me, I want to go to your house to play."

After Zhou Xiang and Ling Ran left, Dong Yunrong looked at her husband and said, "Hey! Why do I feel so bad?"

Ling Quan nodded, "Me too. This brat only wants a wife and not his parents. But just now, when I saw him being ordered around by Xiang Xiang, I felt so relieved!"

Dong Yunrong felt distressed. "I wonder if he's thinking about home and is being directed around."

"Impossible. At most, I can ask him to do some heavy work. Isn't this because he lives in our house? Think about it, it's impossible for him to take over the main job, right? I can only order Ranran to do it."