Lin Xiaoxiao was screaming like a gopher inside—Aahhh! This man's smile is going to be the death of me!—yet on the surface, she remained perfectly calm.

She fetched cotton swabs and iodine. "Luckily it's not too deep," she said, gently dabbing the wound.

Deliberately leaning closer, she could clearly see her own reflection in his eyes—and the tips of his ears turning red again.

Third Grandma watched happily from the side, her heart full. Changsuo had married a good woman—spirited and caring.

After tending to Zhou Huai'an's wound, Lin Xiaoxiao cheerfully went to wash her hands at the well.

Xiao Zhu followed her timidly, squatting down with his hands on his knees to watch her.

Whenever she glanced at him, he shyly lowered his head.

Zhou Huai'an watched Lin Xiaoxiao and Xiao Zhu by the well and remembered her suggestion that the boy should see a doctor.

He turned to Third Grandpa. "I'm staying a couple more days. Let's take Xiao Zhu to the county hospital to have his throat checked."

Third Grandma hesitated. "They say noble children speak late. Maybe he's just one of those who starts talking later?"

Zhou Huai'an trusted Lin Xiaoxiao's instinct. "It's better to be sure. We shouldn't risk regret later.

Don't worry about the cost."

Third Grandpa refused anxiously. "No, Changsuo. You're married now—you'll need money for your own life. You can't go spending carelessly."

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "It's fine. Health comes first."

Lin Xiaoxiao returned just as they were discussing Xiao Zhu's check-up. She wondered: since they'd already broken ties with Zhou Mancang's family, why were they staying?

And what were they waiting for with Lü Zhigang on the way?

There was only one kang in Third Grandpa's house, where the old couple slept with Xiao Zhu.

With Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huai'an also staying, Third Grandpa insisted that Lin Xiaoxiao sleep with Third Grandma and Xiao Zhu, while he and Zhou Huai'an would make do in the shed at the edge of the field.

The room was humble, but Third Grandma kept it tidy. The quilts were patched, and the kang mat had been washed so many times its original color was gone.

The only decent piece of furniture was a red camphorwood chest beside the kang.

Third Grandma straightened the bedding. "I'm sorry the conditions are so poor."

Lin Xiaoxiao hurriedly shook her head. "Not at all. You keep everything very clean."

Third Grandma smiled, her wrinkles softening. "Your Third Grandpa and I are old. We can only manage light work, so we're lucky to have enough to eat. We just worry... with our health failing, we might not live to see Xiao Zhu grow up."

Lin Xiaoxiao stayed silent, not knowing how to respond. She could barely take care of herself—adopting a child was out of the question. Even if she could, she'd have to think hard about it.

Raising a child wasn't like keeping a pet; it demanded full commitment.

She didn't think she could do it.

Third Grandma was just feeling sentimental—heartbroken that her great-grandson had no parents.

After helping make the bed, Lin Xiaoxiao went outside. Zhou Huai'an and Third Grandpa were still in the yard, weaving something by the dim light of an oil lamp.

Xiao Zhu sat quietly on a small stool watching.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao, Third Grandpa smiled. "Changsuo and I are making a net. We might try catching fish tonight—the ice on the river has melted."

Lin Xiaoxiao crouched beside Zhou Huai'an, watching the thin cords fly through his skilled fingers. It seemed nothing was beyond this man.

The atmosphere was peaceful and warm.

Then the village bell suddenly rang—making everyone jump.

Zhou Huai'an and Third Grandpa stood up at once.

Third Grandpa looked uneasy. "What's happened?"

That bell was used back during the war to warn of invaders. These days, it only rang to mark the start and end of work shifts.

It rarely sounded—and never at night.

Soon, footsteps echoed along the road as people rushed toward the bell.

Zhou Huai'an and Third Grandpa headed out too. Curious, Lin Xiaoxiao followed closely behind.

The iron bell hung from an old tree, above a stone platform about half the height of a person.

Someone was lying flat on it.

Before Lin Xiaoxiao could see clearly, Zhou Huai'an turned and covered her eyes. She heard people murmuring:"Isn't that Chang'an?""My God... who did this? They cut off his..."

After hearing enough, Lin Xiaoxiao understood why Zhou Huai'an had shielded her eyes. She blinked deliberately, her long las brushing against his palm.

By the time he lowered his hand, someone had covered Zhou Chang'an with a sheet. He was still unconscious.

Wang Fenglan and Chen Qiaolan pushed through the crowd, wailing: "Heaven, how can we go on living!""What monster did this? Lao San..."

Zhou Changyuan arrived with a dark expression and called for help carrying Zhou Chang'an to the tractor to take him to the hospital.

Lin Xiaoxiao was stunned. Someone had not only castrated Zhou Chang'an but left him at the village entrance for everyone to see.

Who could have done it?

The crowd buzzed with theories:"Who did Zhou Chang'an offend this time?""Who knows? He argued with Zhang Laizi just days ago during the canal digging.""Didn't he also fight with Er Gou after the New Year?"

Zhou Chang'an had always been unpopular and had made plenty of enemies. Nearly anyone could be a suspect.

Zhou Huai'an didn't offer help. Only when Zhou Changyuan drove off on the tractor did he turn to Lin Xiaoxiao."Let's go pack. We're leaving for the county tonight."

Lin Xiaoxiao whispered, "Was it you?"

Zhou Huai'an gave her a deep look and started walking back. She hurried after him. "Why are we leaving?"It felt almost like fleeing the scene.

Zhou Huai'an didn't answer, his brow furrowed. He knew one thing for sure: if Zhou Chang'an had been hurt in a fight after an argument, that would be one thing.But this—mutilating him and displaying him in public—was different.

It reminded him of the misdiagnosis at the hospital. This wasn't random. It felt targeted.And he had a feeling it was connected to him.

He just didn't know who was behind it.

Seeing Zhou Huai'an's grim expression, Lin Xiaoxiao sensed the seriousness and quickly followed him home.

Zhou Huai'an didn't have time to explain to Third Grandpa. "We're going to the county town now."

Still in shock, Third Grandpa worriedly asked, "What's going on? Did Chang'an make a powerful enemy?"

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "Not sure. We'll report it to the police in town."

Third Grandpa nodded. "Alright. After all, Chang'an is your brother. You should check on him."

Not long after Lin Xiaoxiao and ZhouHuai'an left the village, they came across Zhou Changyuan repairing his tractor on the road.

On the trailer, Wang Fenglan and Chen Qiaolan had cried themselves hoarse.