The voice was very familiar. Ye Feng quickly got up and ran to the window to look down.

He saw a young man with a simple and honest face standing downstairs, carrying large and small bags, looking up and making eye contact with Ye Feng.

Seeing Ye Feng poke his head out of the window, the young man grinned and said, "Fengzi, hurry up and open the door!"

The young man downstairs was Tu Yongheng, who also lived in this alley.

He was the same age as Ye Feng and had grown up with him as a playmate, known for being honest and straightforward.

Whether it was elementary school or middle school, they were always in the same class, but they gradually drifted apart after being placed in different classes in high school.

After they both went to college, they occasionally kept in touch, but only had the chance to meet during the holidays when they returned home.

After graduation, Ye Feng ambitiously managed the Yunfeng Group.

Tu Yongheng graduated from a mediocre teachers' college and then taught at a middle school in the provincial capital, becoming a respected teacher.

He remembered that when they were kids, many parents in the alley didn't allow their children to play with Ye Feng.

The reason was simple: after Ye Feng's mother, Chen Mei, settled here, she never remarried.

There was a local superstition that children shouldn't play with the children of widows, as it would bring bad luck.

In truth, the reason was that some women feared their husbands would use the opportunity to visit the widow's home.

Tu Yongheng was different. He was adopted by his grandfather and had no parents, so he lacked such restrictions.

He became a companion in Ye Feng's lonely childhood.

After several years without seeing each other, Tu Yongheng had matured a lot and was no longer the tender-faced boy he once was.

Ye Feng grinned. Meeting an old friend in his hometown was a rare and precious thing, and the gloom caused by Liu Yingying was swept away. He shouted, "Alright!"

He turned around and ran downstairs.

"I just got back and heard you returned!" Tu Yongheng said with a smile, carrying his bags inside without any hesitation.

The bags were filled with New Year's goods, like rice cakes, cured meat, and many snacks and fruits.

Ye Feng was a bit speechless and said, "Ah Heng, you didn't have to bring so much stuff."

"I don't need these things."

Tu Yongheng looked around the room, which was a bit empty, with nothing but a few old pieces of furniture.

When Ye Feng was home, everything was managed by Chen Mei, making it seem complete despite its small size. Now, compared to the current bare room, it was a world of difference.

It wasn't that Ye Feng lacked the money to buy things; he was just too lazy to do it himself.

He felt that as long as the house met his basic needs, it was enough.

However, in Tu Yongheng's eyes, it was a different story.

He thought Ye Feng had just been released from prison and lacked the means.

He placed the items on the table in the living room and said, "These are things I brought back from the provincial capital. I brought some for you."

Ye Feng initially wanted him to take them back, but he reconsidered.

Despite Tu Yongheng's honest nature, he was quite stubborn.

If you didn't accept what he offered, he would argue with you for half a day, like a nagging wife.

"Come on, let's chat upstairs!"

Ye Feng didn't waste time on these details and invited Tu Yongheng to the second floor.

He made tea and handed him a cigarette.

Tu Yongheng took a sip of tea but didn't accept the cigarette.

After years of not seeing each other, Tu Yongheng hadn't changed much. Besides becoming more mature, his personality and appearance remained the same.

Their relationship hadn't diminished despite the years apart, and Tu Yongheng hadn't distanced himself because of Ye Feng's imprisonment.

Ye Feng had seen too much of the fickleness of human relationships, and this made him particularly grateful.

During their chat, Ye Feng learned that Tu Yongheng was married.

His wife was a local from the provincial capital and a teacher at the same school.

A stable life, quite nice!

"Why didn't you bring your wife and child over to visit?" Ye Feng asked with a smile.

Tu Yongheng hesitated, explaining that they had just returned and his wife didn't like going out.

It was clear he wasn't experienced in lying!

Ye Feng, who understood human nature well, wasn't fooled by Tu Yongheng's clumsy lie.

He probably had his own difficulties, and his wife might have been influenced by gossiping neighbors.

They might have advised her not to associate with Ye Feng, given their respectable teaching profession.

Since Ye Feng had just been released from prison, it was understandable that his wife didn't want to come over.

After all, since Ye Feng's return, few neighbors had come to greet him.

At that moment, Tu Yongheng's phone rang.

"Yeah!"

"I'm coming back!"

"Don't be angry."

"Okay!"

From Tu Yongheng's responses, Ye Feng guessed it was probably his wife on the other end.

She likely knew he was at Ye Feng's house and was urging him to return!

After hanging up, Tu Yongheng looked a bit embarrassed and said, "Fengzi, I have to go back!"

Ye Feng nodded and smiled, "Alright, you go ahead. We'll chat more when you have time!"

As Tu Yongheng was about to leave, he seemed to remember something.

He suddenly pulled out a bulging red envelope from his pocket.

He stuffed it into Ye Feng's hand and earnestly said, "Fengzi, you just got out. Take this money for now, and if you have any difficulties, let me know. I'll try to help."

Tu Yongheng said sincerely.

Ye Feng was taken aback, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

He pushed the money back and sincerely said, "Ah Heng, I really don't need it now. Please take it back!"

Having grown up playing together, Tu Yongheng understood Ye Feng well.

He had a strong sense of pride and wouldn't easily ask for help, no matter how tough things got.

He believed Ye Feng's refusal was due to his pride, so he firmly stuffed the red envelope into Ye Feng's pocket and said seriously, "Fengzi, if you still consider me a brother, take this money."

With that, he quickly headed downstairs, not giving Ye Feng a chance to refuse.

Ye Feng looked at the brand-new, bulging red envelope and smiled wryly, feeling like a farmer receiving disaster relief from a wealthy landlord.

However, no matter what, Tu Yongheng's actions filled Ye Feng's heart with warmth. This friendship was priceless.

Ye Feng didn't know.

Since getting married, the honest and straightforward Tu Yongheng had become completely henpecked.

The financial power in the household had shifted, and his monthly allowance was less than three hundred yuan.

Although he didn't have much money, and life was tight, his job didn't require much socializing or other expenses, so he didn't find life difficult.

The money he gave Ye Feng was saved from his three hundred yuan allowance and earned from occasional tutoring.

After Tu Yongheng left, Ye Feng opened the red envelope, revealing a small stack of hundred-yuan bills.

He weighed it in his hand, estimating it to be around ten thousand yuan.

Ye Feng counted it with interest, finding it to be exactly ten thousand three hundred yuan.

.......

Why was there an extra three hundred?

Could it be that this guy gave him all the money he had?

Ye Feng was taken aback.

"Forget it, I'll send him some things in the next few days and return the money."

Ye Feng smiled wryly.

He would remember this friendship in his heart.