Dong Hongmei warmly linked her arm through Lin Xiaoxiao's. "I heard you were back, so I rushed to get some rice and cured meat. We need to build Zhou Huai'an back up!"

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed. "You really didn't have to; we have everything at home."

Dong Hongmei breezed right past her refusal. "Zhou Huai'an might be quiet and not say much, but he's kind, thoughtful, and clever. My Lao Li always says if he were on a battlefield, he'd be a natural strategist."

Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't sure why she was saying all this, so she just listened quietly.

"Have you heard? The unit is doing level adjustments next month, and Zhou Huai'an is on the list. If he gets it, he might even go to the provincial capital for training. His generation suffered from a lack of education—imagine how far he could go with more learning."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "More training would definitely be good." She knew from seeing him read foreign books that he loved to learn; he'd just been born at the wrong time.

Encouraged, Dong Hongmei went on. "An opportunity like this—who wouldn't want it? Plenty are pulling strings to climb up, and you can bet some are just waiting to find fault. Zhou Huai'an has military honors and an excellent work record."

She paused and gave Lin Xiaoxiao a meaningful look. "But no matter how perfect someone is, there's always someone looking for a flaw, right?"

Suddenly, Lin Xiaoxiao understood. "Are you saying... family matters could affect the review?"

"Of course!" Dong Hongmei exclaimed. "At the very least, they might say if you can't manage your own family, how can you serve the people wholeheartedly? At worst, it's a 'problem with personal conduct.' How could it not matter? There was a man here who got divorced, and the next year he was transferred out of town."

Lin Xiaoxiao had a feeling Dong Hongmei knew about their thoughts of divorce and was here to mediate.

But Zhou Huai'an would never share that himself.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao stay quiet but not upset, Dong Hongmei continued, "Xiao Zhou has had a tough time. He's a good man with real potential."

Actually, it was Zhong Zhiguo who had asked her to talk to Lin Xiaoxiao—he'd mentioned Zhou Hua'an was considering divorce.

He must have agreed only because Lin Xiaoxiao had pushed so hard.

Lin Xiaoxiao still didn't respond. She knew right from wrong; she just didn't want to discuss her and Zhou Huai'an's relationship with Dong Hongmei.

In her heart, Zhou Hua'an was already "one of her own," while Dong Hongmei was still an outsider.

Even without a word from Lin Xiaoxiao, Dong Hongmei felt she was listening and not resisting—a good sign she might be open to making things work.

Arm in arm, basket in hand, she cheerfully said, "Come on, I'll walk back with you."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't refuse. Dong Hongmei was lively and loved to chat—her presence instantly made the house feel warmer.

She also knew Lü Zhigang and greeted him warmly, even joking about setting him up with someone.

Lü Zhigang waved his hands in mock panic. "Elder sister, have mercy! I'm perfectly fine on my own—no attachments, no complications!"

Dong Hongmei shook her head. "That won't do! You're only a year younger than Xiao Zhou, almost thirty. If you wait any longer, all the good ones will be taken!"

"But you're from the capital—you probably wouldn't be interested in local girls anyway. I'm sure you'll find a sophisticated city woman. I've heard girls from big cities even smell like perfume!"

Lin Xiaoxiao stared, surprised by her boldness. Did women her age really say things like that?

Lü Zhigang laughed. "Elder sister, I think you're spreading rumors now!"

Dong Hongmei roared with laughter. "Still, I don't think any city girl could be prettier than Xiao Zhou's wife here."

It took Lin Xiaoxiao a second to realize "Xiao Zhou's wife" meant her. She didn't know how to respond.

Dong Hongmei kept chatting happily with Lü Zhigang, occasionally exchanging a few words with Zhou Huai'an, who was resting on the narrow bed. She stayed until evening with no intention of leaving.

When dinnertime approached, she announced, "We'll eat here tonight. I'll call my husband over. I'll cook."

Lü Zhigang immediately agreed. "Great idea! Bring your table and stools too, elder sister!"

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't refuse. She watched as Dong Hongmei spontaneously organized a dinner gathering.

She could only help with washing vegetables as Dong Hongmei deftly rolled up her sleeves and kneaded dough, all while offering advice and care—a true warm-hearted older sister.

Dong Hongmei also shared marital tips: "We women should handle the home—cooking, cleaning, looking after the children. Men have it hard outside. Don't be fooled that they come home every day now; sometimes they go to the testing bases out in the desert where nothing grows. They're gone for ten or fifteen days and come back with cracked lips and peeling skin."

Lin Xiaoxiao knew—this generation of researchers and security personnel worked in tough conditions with harsh environments.

Not wanting to lecture, Dong Hongmei changed the subject. "I heard the compound is starting a kindergarten. Would you like to work there? I can mention it to my Lao Li."

Lin Xiaoxiao had no interest in managing children. "No, thank you. I'd rather study something on my own."

Dong Hongmei didn't press her. "That's good too. You're young—you'll learn quickly."

While they talked, Dong Hongmei finished rolling the noodles. Lü Zhigang came in with a bottle of liquor and Dong Hongmei's husband, Li Guohao.

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Li Guohao—a tall, lean man with a dark red face and a hearty demeanor.

He nodded to Lin Xiaoxiao, then boomed to Zhou Huai'an, "You did good, kid! Another third-class merit! If you hadn't noticed in time and gotten the villagers evacuated, who knows how many families would've been finished!"

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "I was just doing my job."

Li Guohao laughed. "Still, you're outstanding, and lucky too. A merit at a time like this? That promotion spot is definitely yours."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt uneasy. Should a leader say something like that so openly? Wouldn't it only make people envy Zhou Hua'an more?

The small house filled with delicious aromas as Dong Hongmei stewed cabbage with pork and glass noodles, scrambled eggs with wood ear mushrooms, and fried a savory minced meat topping with radish and potato for the noodles.

Three simple dishes and a bowl of noodles gave Lin Xiaoxiao a feeling of New Year's celebration.As Li Guohao and Lü Zhigang drank and chatted, Li suddenly mentioned, "The day you got hurt, there was a phone call from Beijing asking about you."