Patting his little head, Zuo Ling counted out 2,000 yuan and gave it to the little boy.

Do you have any more stones like this at home? Or, where else have you seen stones like this?

A woman shouted, "The pockmarked man's family has one like this, bigger than this one, but not as pretty."

Another person said, "Old Ma's mother is sick, so Ma took her to town to see a doctor."

Someone who had a good relationship with Ma Zi stomped their foot:

"Oh dear, you've come at the worst time. That young lady is leaving today."

Immediately, a villager asked Zuo Ling:

“Girl, could you stay a couple more days? Ma Zi’s family also has a similar house. They’re really struggling financially. When they go to town for medical treatment, they have to borrow money from everyone.”

"Yes, young lady, why don't you stay a couple more days?"

“Girl, come stay at my house. My house isn’t great, but it’s better than the ancestral hall.”

"Yes, you can come to my house too."

The villagers' enthusiasm soared.

The old village chief interjected, "Stop arguing, come stay at my house."

Just as they were waiting for the pillow to be delivered, Zuo Ling said, "I really have something to do, I have to leave today..."

Before he could finish speaking, the villagers' faces clearly showed their disappointment.

"I'll come again tomorrow night or the day after."

The villagers were immediately overjoyed and said one after another, "That's good, that's good."

"When Ma Zi comes back, tell him right away, don't miss it."

“You live close to Ma Zi. When Ma Zi comes back, tell him.”

"..."

Perhaps only in the countryside and villages can one experience the long-lost neighborly affection.

Zuo Ling was touched by the villagers' simple emotions.

Take out several energy crystals, one of each color: green, orange, yellow, blue, red, and purple.

Show it to the villagers:

"Everyone go back and look for these kinds of stones; these are the more valuable ones."

With a reference point, the villagers passed it around to each other, trying to recall where they had seen something similar before.

"You seem to have one of these at home."

"Is the one your eldest son is wearing around his neck like this?"

"Is this what your eldest daughter wears on her head when she gets married?"

"..."

Everyone started talking at once.

Zuo Ling thought she had fallen into a pile of energy crystals.

Some villagers jogged home, shouting as they ran:

"Girl, wait for me! Wait for me! I think I have a piece of land at home."

Another person was also running, calling out to their child as they ran:

"Little boy, little boy, hurry to your sister's house..."

"..."

It was bustling, like a wedding banquet.

The village chief's wife stepped forward, her face beaming with enthusiasm:

"Girl, you'll have to wait a while. Why don't you come to my house and get something to eat first?"

The person who hadn't even seen the stone was unhappy and shouted:

"They haven't shown my family the stones yet."

The old village chief glared:

"They haven't left yet, what's the rush? That girl got up this morning and didn't even have time to drink a sip of water before she started looking at stones for everyone. Doesn't she need a break?"

Zuo Ling silently added, "He didn't wash his face or brush his teeth."

She really didn't want to go to the village chief's house; there were so many delicious foods waiting for her to enjoy, but she couldn't resist his hospitality.

Put away the stones you bought and the energy crystals you used as props.

The little boy put the two stones into his backpack with the help of the villagers, and then followed the village chief's wife to their home.

Brushing teeth, washing face, and combing hair—after all that, the meal is served.

Millet porridge, scallion pancakes, a few eggs, two dishes of homemade pickled vegetables, a dish of egg sauce, and a few crisp green and red radishes.

Farmhouse food has its own unique flavor, and Zuo Ling praised it highly.

The village chief's wife was embarrassed by the praise:

"Girl, you're so good with words. We don't have anything good to eat, so please forgive our neglect."

"It smells delicious. The food in the city is more refined, but you can't taste the grains. It's not as good as what you have here."

Zuo Ling was telling the truth.

The food in the city is not as fragrant as meat, grain, vegetables, or fruit.

They're either raised with hormones or chemical fertilizers; nothing smells as good as those raised with farmyard manure.

Thinking of making her own fertilizer... Zuo Ling slurped up a mouthful of millet porridge.

Once the space is suitable for growing vegetables and grains, homemade fertilizer will come in handy.

The village chief's wife was overjoyed by his flattery and kept praising Zuo Ling for her sweet talk.