The watermelon had been chilled in well water.

The moment the knife tip touched the watermelon’s skin, it split open completely.

It wasn’t spoiled—it was perfectly ripe!

With thin rind and few seeds, the flesh was both crisp and grainy. Taking a bite, juice dripped down the chin while a large mouthful of flesh was hastily swallowed, followed by a deep sigh:

“Sweet!”

Some devoured the watermelon like wolves, while others savored it slowly. Regardless of eating style, the sweetness permeated the air.

Zhou Cheng’s subordinates crouched in the shade, and ten people gathered in a circle, sharing a watermelon weighing over 10 jin. On such a hot day, having a taste of this was no worse than eating meat—they were different kinds of gustatory pleasures. Those who got to eat were the lucky ones; those who didn’t could only watch from afar, unable to control their salivating.

“Why don’t we have any?”

“Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend bought it…”

“We got lamb last time too!”

“Why should they buy for you every time… Besides, don’t you know?”

Several heads huddled together—what don’t we know?

Those well-informed shared the story of how Xia Xiaolan’s gift of lamb led to Zhou Cheng being anonymously reported, describing it so vividly as if they had personally witnessed Fang Shizhong making the report.

Now everyone was dejected.

Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend might not bring things for everyone every time, but originally there was a chance. Now they were forcibly excluded, and everyone despised Fang Shizhong. He had drunk the lamb soup last time too—eating lamb bought by others, then turning around to report it. How shameless!

Now nobody gets to eat anything!

Zhou Cheng’s subordinates were also discussing:

“What do you think our Sister-in-law’s family does? They’re so generous.”

“Last time it was lamb, this time watermelon, wonder what’s next… Ouch, why’d you hit my head?”

“Shut up! Should your Sister-in-law keep providing for you? Bringing so much every time, even a ten-thousand-yuan household couldn’t afford it!”

They did quiet down. The watermelon was sweet, but they couldn’t bankrupt Sister-in-law’s family. After finishing the watermelon, they should probably relay the group’s sentiment to Leader Zhou, telling Sister-in-law not to spend so much next time.

They knew Xia Xiaolan had exceptional grades—a provincial top scorer, a Huaqing University student. Everyone discussed these things privately.

Some said Xia Xiaolan was from a rural area in another province.

Of course, hardly anyone believed this news.

Many of them were actually from rural areas themselves, and they knew exactly what rural life was like.

Their profession was honorable—saving grain for their families, with the unit providing clothes and pants, plus monthly allowances.

If recruitment wasn’t possible, as long as one could pass the physical examination, it was best for able-bodied men to serve and protect the country!

In recent years, after implementing the household responsibility system, rural life has improved somewhat, but no rural family, regardless of location, could be as wealthy as Xia Xiaolan’s. Anyone claiming she was from a rural background, these people would be the first to disbelieve. Sister-in-law’s looks seemed painted by an artist—ordinary people couldn’t be that beautiful, with such fair and delicate skin. Village girls doing farm work daily couldn’t maintain such an appearance.

Moreover, Sister-in-law’s family had visited today.

Liu Fen and Li Fengmei looked completely different from when they first arrived in the city. Liu Fen was actually quite attractive—Xia Xiaolan had inherited the best features of the Liu family.

Mother and daughter shared similar features. Liu Fen’s sun-tanned skin had lightened several shades through various skincare and sun protection efforts. While she couldn’t be called fair-skinned yet, she had achieved a normal complexion. Chinese people were all of yellow descent, with truly fair people being a minority—most people, even if fair-skinned, had a yellowish tint.

With a bit of face cream, all traces of yellowness disappeared.

With attention to dress and appearance, who would dare call Liu Fen a rural woman?

Li Fengmei was even more transformed. Originally slightly plump, after serving as a store manager for several months, increased social interactions had made her more confident in all situations.

Even Liu Zitao was neat and clean, politely greeting everyone who spoke to him. He even saluted the leaders, and with a few sweet words, the leader agreed to let Zhou Cheng take him to the shooting range!

Watching Xia Xiaolan chatting with the other two in the shade, Liu Zitao reported to his brother-in-law:

“Brother-in-law, Chen Qing is also going to study in Beijing. Will he keep visiting Sister Xiaolan?”

Zhou Cheng gave him a look—the kid was quite useful.

“Come, tell me more details.”

As for Chen Qing, Zhou Cheng hadn’t been too concerned initially. However, Shao Guangrong, after picking him up at the station, privately mentioned that the young man had ambition and wildness!

Although just a village chief’s grandson, who knew when he might make something of himself? He hadn’t given up on Xiaolan, why else would he follow her to Beijing and deliberately study economics? A rural boy, what did he know about “economics”?

Studying economics was an attempt to get closer to Xiaolan.

He wanted to have common topics with Xiaolan.

Zhou Cheng dared not underestimate this. Besides primitive attraction between men and women, didn’t shared interests matter too?

Like his feelings for Xiaolan—love at first sight was based on appearance. The more he learned about her, the more he liked her, admiring her self-reliance and confidence.

If Chen Qing deliberately studied Xiaolan’s field of interest, he could engage her in conversation.

While Shao Guangrong didn’t see the situation as too serious, even elementary school student Taotao felt the need to report to his brother-in-law. Zhou Cheng became interested—when should he meet this young man?

Discussions about the watermelon reached Gao Fei and Fang Shizhong’s ears. The praise for Zhou Cheng and Xiaolan naturally translated to unfavorable words about them.

Gao Fei and Fang Shizhong had become like villains in a sample play. Some tactless person had called Fang Shizhong ‘Traitor Fang’—if this reputation spread, how would the leaders above view it? Gao Fei didn’t dare make a scene in front of the leaders, as that would be admitting to the reputation!

She went after the source of her troubles instead.

Fang Shizhong couldn’t hold her back as Gao Fei charged straight onto the training ground.

She didn’t direct her anger at Xia Xiaolan, instead sneering at Liu Fen: “People from other provinces have no manners. Getting into Huaqing University and thinking you’re above everyone? After four years of university, your daughter might not even become a Beijing resident. Don’t know where these nouveaux riches came from, showing off your capabilities, flaunting your money? What do you think you are—”

Liu Fen was stunned.

She didn’t even know Gao Fei.

She had no idea how she had offended the other party!

No, maybe she hadn’t offended her at all—some people were just mean, like the Xia family members from before.

Xia Xiaolan pulled Liu Fen and Li Fengmei behind her. “Please step aside, you two.”

Fang Shizhong approached leisurely from behind, confident that women’s quarrels wouldn’t warrant leadership intervention even if reported.

Xia Xiaolan sneered, “Gao Fei, you call others worthless, but what are you worth? No matter what you do, Zhou Cheng won’t like you.”

Gao Fei’s face turned red. Fang Shizhong flew into a rage—wasn’t Xia Xiaolan implying Gao Fei was making him a cuckold? Fang Shizhong raised his hand, but Zhou Cheng had already run over quickly.

Smack!

The two men’s arms collided in mid-air. Gao Fei screamed and rushed forward to break up the fight. Fang Shizhong jumped up to hit Zhou Cheng, who tried to grab his hand. Fang Shizhong forcefully knocked Zhou Cheng’s hand aside, causing Zhou Cheng to lose control of his strength, and in the chaos, he struck Gao Fei’s face.

How strong was a man’s hand? He had aimed for Fang Shizhong, but unexpectedly, a casual slap sent Gao Fei falling to the ground.

Fang Shizhong was stunned, then immediately pointed at Zhou Cheng and cursed: “You bastard, you hit my wife? You’d hit a woman?”

Zhou Cheng was momentarily stunned himself, then frowned, “I generally don’t hit women, but I don’t regret hitting a mad dog. Besides, you know better than anyone what this is about!”