Zhu Fang wasn’t so easy to deal with. He caused a commotion at home for most of the day, and Ding Aizhen couldn’t stop him.

Only when Zhu Fang’s father returned from work could the couple finally contain him. Zhu Fang crouched on the sofa, red-necked and breathing heavily. Ding Aizhen, exhausted from dealing with her son, complained tearfully to her husband:

“What more can I do with him? Look at our family’s situation – he’s so bewitched by some country girl that he doesn’t even care about his mother!”

Zhu Fang’s father wasn’t swayed by his wife’s perspective and asked Zhu Fang to explain everything from the beginning. Starting from meeting Xia Xiaolan, all the way to Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei showing off their wealth at the restaurant. After listening, Zhu Fang’s father quickly made his assessment:

“With things like this, how can there be any relationship? Your son and that girl won’t work out, but you shouldn’t cause trouble for her either. You’re picky about the girl’s background, but her side can be picky about our circumstances too.”

While Ding Aizhen looked down on Xia Xiaolan’s background, Zhu Fang’s father somewhat admired her.

A country girl could simply rely on her youth and beauty to find someone to marry – that was the shortcut to changing her fate. Yet Xia Xiaolan chose to struggle on her own. What did humble origins matter? Their family could arrange work for her. She managed to bring eels from the countryside to sell in the city, starting from nothing, first making connections with the Municipal Guest House’s purchasing department, then quickly establishing relationships with other restaurants. This wasn’t just about looks – it showed capability.

Zhu Fang’s abilities were mediocre – why else would he only be arranged as a purchaser? Having a capable daughter-in-law wouldn’t be bad.

What Zhu Fang’s father admired most was Xia Xiaolan’s decisiveness. When Ding Aizhen showed her contempt, Xia Xiaolan immediately cut off the eel supply business and switched to selling clothes… More importantly, there was Xia Xiaolan’s new boyfriend.

Zhu’s father knew there were many powerful people in the world – what was his position as a minor leader compared to the higher-ups?

With the other party’s superior attitude, Zhu’s father couldn’t gauge their background and wouldn’t risk causing trouble for Xia Xiaolan.

Though he admired her, it was true that Xia Xiaolan had caused discord between Zhu Fang and his mother Ding Aizhen. People have different levels of closeness, and Zhu’s father had his grievances with Xia Xiaolan. He was craftier than Ding Aizhen in knowing how to be patient – he wouldn’t act rashly without understanding the situation with Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend.

Seeing Zhu Fang still being stubborn – useless as he might be, he was still their son – Zhu’s father darkened his face:

“If you can’t even endure this much, how do you expect to get better work in the future? You talk about not going to work so casually – if you moved out for two months, your savings wouldn’t last! Without family support, what good job could you find on your own? The purchasing job is easy, the hours are flexible, and though the monthly salary is only 70 yuan, think about what you eat at your restaurant compared to regular unit cafeterias?”

Zhu Fang didn’t have to pay living expenses at home, his salary was all pocket money.

Ding Aizhen often gave him extra money too, so Zhu Fang had never really experienced being short of money. Leather jackets cost hundreds in the department store, leather shoes cost dozens per pair – he’d buy them whenever he wanted.

Though inwardly unconvinced, he knew his father spoke the truth.

“If Mom dares to cause trouble for her again, I have my work unit. If people come to make trouble at the restaurant, I’ll quit my job and won’t come home – I’ll go beg on the streets!”

Ding Aizhen could curse Xia Xiaolan, but could she risk her son’s anger?

Though she hated Xia Xiaolan to death, she was temporarily constrained by Zhu Fang’s threats. Even at bedtime, her jaw was still clenched tight:

“Old Zhu, I can’t swallow this anger!”

Zhu’s father turned over in the darkness, “Be patient a while longer, let’s see how things develop.”

How foolish – if they wanted to do something, they should wait for things to cool down, wait until Zhu Fang wasn’t so infatuated with that girl before making their move.

If the men who came to the restaurant looking for Zhu Fang weren’t really capable, what was the rush in dealing with a country girl? They could act anytime – how could someone with no connections jump higher than the Zhu family?

Xia Xiaolan knew nothing of the Zhu family’s turmoil, but seeing that Ding Aizhen seemed petty, she needed to be wary of retaliation.

Xia Xiaolan bought two jin of meat and two packages of sugar to take to Hu Yongcai’s home, thanking the couple for helping find housing. She was extremely satisfied with her current rental – centrally located in Shangdu, convenient to all directions, with spacious rooms, and a large courtyard, perfect for parking her bicycle.

Though Grandmother Yu was peculiar, she wouldn’t actively cause trouble. After collecting the monthly rent of 20 yuan, as long as Xia Xiaolan didn’t bring anyone home overnight, Grandmother Yu never interfered in the mother and daughter’s affairs.

Xia Xiaolan occasionally brought food, but Grandmother Yu wouldn’t accept it. She maintained strict boundaries between landlord and tenant, showing no interest in becoming close with Xia Xiaolan and her daughter. Xia Xiaolan’s missing family bonds were filled by Liu Fen, Liu Yong, and Li Fengmei – she didn’t care whether Grandmother Yu liked her or not.

The rental was good, so she wanted to thank the Hu Yongcai couple.

She also hoped to gather some information.

Hu Yongcai knew Zhu Fang and would surely understand the Zhu family’s situation.

The Hu and Yu families lived not far apart, one in an apartment building, and the other in a courtyard house. Seeing Xia Xiaolan arrive with gifts, Hu Yongcai’s wife couldn’t stop smiling – were the gifts precious? Of course, they were! But she also cherished Xia Xiaolan herself – generous in character and straightforward in actions, who wouldn’t want to associate with her?

What did it matter that she came from the countryside? She could afford 20 yuan monthly rent at Yu’s place – people without money wouldn’t dare spend like that.

“You’re always welcome here, sister – don’t be so formal next time!”

In her previous life, Xia Xiaolan had climbed up from being a bottom-level salesperson, and some habits were ingrained in her bones. When visiting, regardless of the gift’s value, bringing a “visiting gift” showed politeness. Too polite seemed strange? Excessive courtesy never offends – she and the Hu family had no prior connection, and maintaining reciprocity was how relationships developed.

Someone had invited Hu Yongcai for dinner, leaving only his wife and children at home. Speaking of children, the oldest was 15, not much younger than Xia Xiaolan, but still quite childish. Xia Xiaolan gradually steered the conversation to the Zhu family. Hu Yongcai’s wife was startled, thinking Xia Xiaolan was interested in Zhu Fang.

But that morning while shopping for vegetables, she’d heard people say the pretty new girl Xiao Xia had found an equally handsome boyfriend who drove big vehicles.

Gossip spread too quickly – Zhou Cheng hadn’t even properly visited, yet people had spotted him.

Xia Xiaolan saw no need to hide anything and honestly said she seemed to have offended Zhu Fang’s mother and feared the family’s retaliation.

“Sister-in-law, you see how this situation has developed…”

Hu Yongcai’s wife found it curious, “You never dated Zhu Fang?”

Hu Yongcai had gossiped at home about the Zhu family’s circumstances. Hearing that Xia Xiaolan had offended them, his wife worried for her:

“The Zhu family is quite well-off – his mother is an office director at her unit, and his father works in the government.”

Hu Yongcai’s wife lowered her voice.

Not only did Zhu Fang’s father work in the government, but the whole Zhu family circle worked in various units – they were absolute local powers. No wonder Zhu Fang had such high standards – they had the backing!

Concern filled Hu Yongcai’s wife’s eyes as she advised Xia Xiaolan:

“Let me tell you something from the heart, sister – who doesn’t like a handsome boyfriend? But sometimes good looks don’t put food on the table. I hear your boyfriend is from out of town – if the Zhu family wants to make things difficult for you, how can he help from so far away?”

Dating Zhu Fang would be different – a decent young man with a good job, and importantly, a well-off family.

Hu Yongcai had mentioned at home that Zhu Fang fancied Xia Xiaolan. The difference in social status wasn’t scary – no matter how much Zhu Fang’s mother opposed, what parents could really overcome their son’s wishes?

Xia Xiaolan frowned slightly – minor demons were troublesome, she hadn’t expected the Zhu family to be local powers.

“Thank you, sister-in-law. I don’t want to change boyfriends – I’ll think about how to handle this myself.”