Early the next morning, the noise in the courtyard woke Kong Xiuyao up. Someone was chatting with Mrs. Kong in the courtyard, making her laugh.
Kong Xiuyao rubbed his eyes and pulled open the curtains to take a look. Mrs. Kong and Qiu Lingruo were standing in the courtyard, and the two of them happened to block the person's face. Kong Xiuyao only saw a burlap bag beside the person's feet, which seemed to contain living creatures that were still surging.
"Mom, who's here?" Kong Xiuyao asked hoarsely.
The air in the village was much drier than on the mountain, and Kong Xiuyao was still not used to it.
When Qiu Lingruo saw that his throat was uncomfortable, she immediately turned around and went to the house to pour him a glass of water.
Without waiting for Mrs. Kong to speak, the person walked away and teased, "It's been so long since we last met. Xiuyao, you brat, your wife has already brought you here. Auntie is so lucky!"
"Aiyoyo, Little Shen, you flatter me. Hahahaha." Kong's mother couldn't stop smiling as she asked someone to come in and sit.
Only then did Kong Xiuyao see the person's appearance clearly. He was tall, had a high nose bridge, and dark skin. When he grinned, he revealed a row of white teeth. His big eyes were as bright as a night cat's, as if they could shine. However, he looked very awkward wearing long clothes and pants in the summer.
"You're Shen Feishang?" Kong Xiuyao asked uncertainly.
Shen Feishang was his childhood friend and best friend. The good ones wore the same pants when they were young, and they were in the same primary and junior high schools. Although Shen Feishang was two years older than Kong Xiuyao, the admission age was not that strict back then, and the two of them were in the same class.
Kong Xiuyao grew up slowly when he was young and was as thin and small as a chick. There was a little tyrant in the class who often snatched his homework and stationery. It was Shen Feishang who stood up for him and beat him until he cried out and bowed to apologize.
The two of them were the only children in the family and did not have any brothers, but their relationship was as good as biological brothers. Shen Feishang called himself the eldest brother and had always protected Kong Xiuyao.
It was not until they graduated from junior high school and Kong Xiuyao went to the city to study high school that Shen Feishang returned home to help raise chickens. The two of them gradually lost contact.
Now that they suddenly met, Kong Xiuyao said in surprise, "Old Shen, long time no see! You're getting stronger. Wait for me to wash my face."
"Tsk." Shen Feishang laughed. "After so many years as brothers, you're still so particular."
After a simple wash, Kong Xiuyao walked to the living room. The three of them surrounded the table and chatted. Shen Feishang was full of praise for Qiu Lingruo. He gave several thumbs up in a row and said all the good things about Kong Xiuyao.
Qiu Lingruo's face was as red as a cherry. She pursed her lips and nodded with a smile. She enjoyed being treated as Kong Xiuyao's girlfriend.
"Sister-in-law, I won't lie to you. This brother of mine has a good character! It's good that his results have been young. He's the only intellectual in our village. You'll definitely be guaranteed to follow him!"
"I know. Xiuyao is indeed very good. Brother, don't worry."
He didn't look at it for a few minutes. The two of them had already reached an understanding and became familiar with each other.
"Yo, speak of the devil. Xiuyao, come and sit." Kong Xiuyao's mother gave up her seat and happily went to the kitchen to pour tea.
Ever since her son returned, the corners of her mouth had not dropped. She walked lightly.
Shen Feishang smiled and said, "Auntie is so happy now. In the past, when I came to visit her, I could sigh four or five times. Now, I can't even walk properly."
When Kong Xiuyao was away for ten years, Shen Feishang would come to the Kong family to help with some farm work when he had nothing to do. If there was anything good at home, he would send it to the Kong family to take care of his parents in place of Kong Xiuyao.
There was really nothing to be picky about being brothers.
"Hey, how did you know I was back?" Kong Xiuyao asked.
Logically speaking, he should have gone to see Shen Feishang. However, before his thoughts could form, Shen Feishang had already arrived.
"I happened to see you when you came back on the three-wheeled motorcycle yesterday, but I had something on at home at that time, so I didn't come to look for you. Coincidentally, this morning…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Shen Feishang pulled over the linen bag he had brought and untied the cloth around the mouth. He pinched the mouth of the bag and showed it to Kong Xiuyao. "You've returned to the village. I brought you some food."
Kong Xiuyao stuck his head out and saw three lively guinea fowl.
This chicken was extremely nutritious. It had the reputation of being a chicken with nine pigeons on top. It had the texture of a pheasant and was still rare in the country. It was raised very rarely, and many people thought that they had to go to the mountains to fight.
"Old Shen, you're good! Your farming is doing well!" Kong Xiuyao said in surprise.
In an era where agriculture was the most important, people with farming awareness could already be considered to be ahead of their time. Moreover, the breed of the guinea fowl was very popular among the public. It was only a matter of time before they became rich.
Hearing Kong Xiuyao praise him, Shen Feishang was not as happy as he had imagined. He only scratched his nose awkwardly and said unnaturally, "It's not that powerful… By the way, it's not easy for you to come back. I'll take you to the city to have some meat. Sister-in-law will go too!"
Then, he shouted towards the kitchen, "Auntie, clean up with Uncle. We'll go to the city for a good meal!"
"Your uncle went out fishing early in the morning!" Kong's mother's voice sounded. "The three of you can go. Young people talk, we won't get involved."
Shen Feishang was already very familiar with Kong's parents, so he didn't force them. He smiled and said, "Alright! What do you want to eat? I'll bring it back for you."
"You guys should eat more."
Kong Xiuyao happened to want to go to the city to buy two sets of clothes, so he did not refuse. Seeing that he was still wearing rough clothes, Shen Feishang went home and brought him a set of his own clothes.
The three of them packed up and set off.
Public transportation in this world was not that popular yet. One could only take a free ride into the city, and one had to pass through several villages along the way. One could imagine how crowded it was.
The three of them finally stood up. Qiu Lingruo leaned against Kong Xiuyao and whispered with a sad face, "Master, I'm sorry. I didn't think it through and caused you to squeeze in a car with others. I'll get someone to send a car over immediately!"
"Let's wait a little longer. Otherwise, it'll easily scare my parents."
Kong Xiuyao's parents thought that Kong Xiuyao had gone home because he had been wronged outside. Before they could explain everything, there was suddenly a car in the house. Kong Xiuyao's parents would definitely feel uneasy and might think that Kong Xiuyao was living off a woman.
Men relied on women to enjoy life. This was a humiliation to them and was absolutely not allowed.
Moreover, the village was currently in a sensitive period of demolition. They were keeping a close eye on other people's wealth. It would not be good if they attracted jealousy.
Kong Xiuyao still decided to take things step by step.
The three of them swayed on the village road all the way to the city. Qiu Lingruo had never suffered like this before. When she got out of the car, her face was pale, and she held back her vomit.
After Shen Feishang got out of the car, his expression did not look right either. He gritted his teeth, and the veins on his neck bulged as if a few earthworms had been buried.
"Old Shen, are you alright? You look terrible!" Kong Xiuyao said worriedly.
"It's fine, it's fine." Shen Feishang waved his hand and revealed a very forced smile. He pointed at the hotel in front. "We're almost there. Let's go."