After becoming neighbors in Pomegranate Lane, the two grew even closer. Drawing on his rich experience in cotton farming, Zhou offered Ablekim hands-on guidance at every stage of cotton production.

　　"Zhou taught me everything he knew," said Ablekim. "With his help, I've expanded my cotton fields from 20 mu (1.33 hectares) to over 100 mu, and the cotton yield per mu has also increased significantly."

　　The support, notably, has gone both ways. Last year, when Zhou's orchard was hit by disease, Ablekim immediately rallied fellow villagers in the lane to help prune affected branches and save the trees.

　　In their spare time, the two farmers often visit each other's homes, chatting about everything from the latest developments in agricultural technology to family matters.

　　Such neighborly ties are part of everyday life in Pomegranate Lane. "People in Pomegranate Lane live by a simple rule: when there's naan bread, we eat together, and when there's hardship, we stand together," Zhou said.

　　A tradition has also taken root among the lane's residents. During the Spring Festival, they gather for a hearty meal to celebrate China's most important traditional holiday and exchange best wishes for the year ahead.

　　Xatgul Rahman, Party chief of Daxi Village, describes Pomegranate Lane as a microcosm of the village's ethnic unity. In recent years, the village has promoted a regular pairing program to strengthen ties among residents of different ethnic groups, with 318 pairs formed so far.

　　The story of Pomegranate Lane has also attracted growing attention beyond the village and brought in more visitors. The villagers often welcome them into their homes, sharing their experiences of living and working together.

　　"We are proud to share our stories and help more people understand our hometown," Xatgul said.