She was fired after she refused to be the CEO's dog licker.

The car left the underground parking lot and headed straight to the community where I live.

After getting away from Zhou Hanzhi, I breathed a sigh of relief and felt that the atmosphere in the car was clearly much more relaxed.

Zhang Tingyuan, who had just been pinched by Mrs. Zhang Si, now spoke aggrievedly: "Mom, why did you pinch me?"

"I'm not going to pinch you, but you told everyone what color your pants are today!" Yuan Tianye, who was driving, rolled his eyes at him first, "Everyone knows that I don't like Zhou Hanzhi, but you still want to say hello to him and take the initiative to tell him that we want to have dinner together. Are you afraid that he won't bother me?"

"Why would I want him to pester Sister Meng? I was just showing off to him that we can eat the food that Sister made herself, but he can't!" Zhang Tingyuan blushed and tried his best to defend himself, then exhaled roughly, "I didn't expect this guy to be so shameless, actually asking for a free meal..."

"His mother, Mrs. Zhou, is so shameless. She treats my sister as a laborer and a playmate every day. How good do you think he, as a son, can be?" Yuan Tianye became even angrier and his tone became excited.

"I didn't expect that... Besides, weren't you the first to mention Zhou Hanzhi?" Zhang Tingyuan's voice became even quieter, and he felt more aggrieved. "If you hadn't told us that Zhou Hanzhi was there, I wouldn't have greeted him."

Indeed, it was Yuan Tianye who saw Zhou Hanzhi first and mentioned it. Only then did Zhang Tingyuan notice that Zhou Hanzhi was also there and took the initiative to greet Zhou Hanzhi.

But how could Yuan Tianye admit that it was his fault? He immediately raised his voice: "I just saw him and reminded my sister to be careful, don't let that guy see you and pester you, but I didn't ask you to take the initiative to say hello. Fortunately, Aunt Zhang reacted quickly and pinched you in time, otherwise Zhou Hanzhi would definitely blame my sister tonight!"

"Xiaoyuan is indeed quick-witted and naive. He can easily expose himself and be taken advantage of by others." Mrs. Zhang Si patted Zhang Tingyuan on the head and scolded him.

This was a serious matter, and Zhang Tingyuan felt even more wronged.

I would rather see these two naughty boys fighting each other than seeing either of them sad and aggrieved.

"Our Xiaoyuan is simple and kind, and he is not on guard against others, so this is the case. But Xiaoyuan is so smart, he will definitely handle it better next time he encounters such a thing. Besides, this matter has passed, it's okay, Xiaoyuan, don't be sad." I quickly patted Zhang Tingyuan's shoulder to comfort him.

Zhang Tingyuan's mood finally improved a little, and he turned his head to look at me: "Sister Meng, I really didn't mean it."

"Of course I know, I believe Xiaoyuan." I nodded and looked into his eyes seriously.

Zhang Tingyuan's uneasy and aggrieved almond-shaped eyes finally became happy again, and I could rest assured.

On the other side, Mrs. Zhang Si kept looking at me and Zhang Tingyuan with a smile, her eyes were gentle and happy.

Yuan Tianye was still mumbling: "Xiaoyuan, please be more careful..."

I quickly changed the subject: "I just crushed the eggs I bought, but there is a small vegetable shop at the entrance of our community. I will go down and buy some more when I pass by later."

However, when our car arrived at the snack shop, it was already closed.

It looks like I won't need eggs tonight.

But we bought a lot of ingredients, so even if eggs are missing, we can still pair it with other dishes.

We went upstairs together, I opened the door and brought a few people in.

It was the first time for Madam Zhang Si and Zhang Tingyuan to come to my house. Zhang Tingyuan had long since gotten over his previous sadness and grievances, and curiously inspected my house: "Sister Meng, this is my first time here. Although your house is small, it has everything you need and is quite fun. This..."

"Hey, you have no manners, do you? That's my sister's bedroom, can you just walk in?" Yuan Tianye grabbed his shoulders and dragged him to the kitchen, "My sister is the chef today, and the two of us are just helpers. Come on, you pick the vegetables, and I'll wash them!"

"Isn't this a piece of cake for me? Let's have a competition to see who can do it faster and better!" Zhang Tingyuan is still a child after all, and he still wants to compete with Yuan Tianye.

The two naughty monkeys quickly squeezed into the kitchen and started busying themselves, and the bustle immediately shifted from the living room to the kitchen.

The living room fell silent. I brought a glass of water to Madam Zhang Si, who had been silent since she entered the room. I smiled and said, "Madam, please drink some water. Please sit for a while. I will cook quickly."

"Xuxu." Madam Zhang Si reached out and held my hand and the cup together. Her voice was low, with sadness and guilt in her eyes. "I'm sorry for wronging you over the years."

I was stunned for a moment, not understanding what was wrong with her: "Madam, why did you suddenly say that?"

"I only knew that you lived in a small apartment before, and I could guess that the area was small, but I didn't expect it to be so small. I also didn't expect that the environment and conditions here are so bad. Xuxu, I, I feel sorry for you..." Mrs. Zhang Si's eyes turned red as she spoke.

I was even more confused.

For Mrs. Zhang Si, my apartment is indeed too small and the environment is too bad.

But actually, for me, this place is really good. Just as Zhang Tingyuan said, it is small but has everything.

But what confuses me is why Mrs. Zhang Si’s eyes turned red because the environment I live in is not that good?

I know she likes me and feels sorry for me, but her behavior still makes me feel abnormal.

I could only try to comfort her: "It's okay, ma'am. I'm not destined to be rich. I was born in the countryside, so I have thick skin and flesh. Living in a place like this is good enough. It's much better than when I was a kid. When I was young, I followed my grandmother to pick up trash from street to street. I lived in a leaky brick house and a makeshift shed next to the garbage station. My life is good now..."

"When you were a kid, you followed your grandma to pick up trash?" Mrs. Zhang Si became even more emotional. I don't know why, but tears welled up in her eyes. She suddenly reached out and hugged me in her arms, "Xu Xu, you've suffered..."

I was even more surprised. Mrs. Zhang Si's behavior was so abnormal.

But I didn’t have the mind to think about why she reacted so abnormally, because I was attracted by the warm and sweet scent she exuded.

The feeling of her holding me is so warm, comfortable and safe. I can always find a long-lost sense of stability in her.

It was like the feeling my grandma gave me, and also like... the feeling I had that night in my dream, sitting in that luxuriously decorated car, being hugged by that woman whose face I couldn't see.

I couldn't help but close my eyes and fall into greed.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted my immersion.