Zhou Huai'an quickly pulled back and straightened up, his ears turning red again. His voice was slightly tense as he spoke: "The location where those men appeared was too suspicious."

Lin Xiaoxiao watched the man's ears redden once more, her eyes curving like a little fox's as she smiled. Not wanting to scare him off with too much enthusiasm, she sat back properly and started a serious conversation: "Then what was their motive?"

Zhou Huai'an, usually a man of few words, found himself speaking more freely around Lin Xiaoxiao's endless questions. "First, their kidnapping of Luo Caixia was no coincidence. They knew I recognized her and that I wouldn't stand by without helping."

"They were also carrying explosives—forcing me to fire my weapon to rescue Luo Caixia. Firing without authorization, especially without approval from superiors, is a violation of regulations.

My current unit absolutely does not permit that kind of action."

Lin Xiaoxiao was puzzled: "What kind of strange rule is that? If the kidnappers had explosives, they were clearly dangerous. Why couldn't you shoot them?"

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "We're not the public security bureau. We don't have that authority."

Their goal wasn't to kill him—it was to ruin him, to destroy his future.

Thinking back, if Lü Zhigang and Zhou Huai'an hadn't cooperated so well, the situation could easily have turned dangerous. It made her wonder: "Could it be that someone is jealous of your upcoming promotion? Maybe they're trying to sabotage you behind your back?"

Zhou Huai'an looked surprised. "How did you know about that?"

Lin Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. "Sister-in-law Hongmei told me. She also said if our relationship isn't good, it could affect your promotion."

Zhou Huai'an was silent for a moment. "It doesn't matter."

Lin Xiaoxiao glared. This blockhead! Wasn't she hinting that she might postpone the divorce?

What did he mean, "it doesn't matter"? Was he saying that if she wanted a divorce, he'd agree?

But she wasn't the type to sulk in silence. If there was a problem, it was best to address it immediately—nip it in the bud before it got worse. "Zhou Huai'an, why did you marry me in the first place?"

Zhou Huai'an was honest: "Elder Cheng approached me."

Lin Xiaoxiao knew he was referring to her grandfather—Zhou Huai'an's former superior. She pouted. "Marriage is supposed to last a lifetime. And you just agreed because he told you to?"

After a pause, she added: "Wait, were you thinking that if the marriage didn't work out, you could just get divorced?"

Zhou Huai'an frowned, denying it firmly: "I never considered divorce."

Lin Xiaoxiao was satisfied. Good. This wooden-headed man had no idea about marital emotions, love, or romance. He probably thought marriage was just two people sharing a household.

And he would never be the one to suggest splitting up.

Zhou Huai'an didn't understand why Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly smiled—a sly, calculating grin.

Dropping the topic of divorce, she switched to one that made Zhou Huai'an blush even more: "Have you thought about how many children you want in the future? Boys or girls?"

She wasn't entirely sure if the one-child policy had started yet—she hadn't seen any slogans on the walls.

As expected, Zhou Huai'an's ears turned red again. He turned to look out the window, ignoring her.

Lin Xiaoxiao was utterly charmed by his innocence. She felt like a little hooligan teasing a virtuous maiden.

She was covering her mouth, chuckling to herself, when Zhou Huai'an suddenly spoke: "It's not proper for a young woman to talk like that."

Lin Xiaoxiao leaned against the car door, giggling. Such an old-fashioned man!

Just as Zhou Huai'an's ears were about to burn up, Lü Zhigang emerged from the hospital with Little Zhu and Third Grandpa.

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly opened the door and hurried over: "How did it go? What did the doctor say?"

Third Grandpa's face was full of worry and confusion, as if he hadn't quite understood the doctor's explanation.

Lü Zhigang explained: "The doctor said there's a small growth in Little Zhu's throat. They're not sure if that's what's affecting his speech."

Just as Lin Xiaoxiao had suspected: "What needs to be done? Does he require surgery?"

Lü Zhigang shook his head: "They don't have the facilities here. They recommend going to the city hospital to check if it's a tumor or something."

After all, the county hospital didn't even have a proper ultrasound machine.

Zhou Huai'an walked over as well. Seeing Third Grandpa's red-rimmed eyes, he comforted him: "It's alright. We'll take him to the city. We'll definitely find a way."

Lin Xiaoxiao cut in directly: "It can't be a tumor. It's been two or three years and Little Zhu hasn't been affected at all. It's probably just a small growth on his vocal cords. Once it's removed, he'll be fine."

Lü Zhigang agreed: "Right, it likely isn't a tumor. We'll know for sure when we get to the city hospital."

Third Grandpa was too upset to speak. It was in this very hospital that he had seen his son and daughter-in-law for the last time. And in this same hospital, he had come to collect his grandson's body.

Now, once again in this hospital, his great-grandson had been diagnosed with an illness—a "tumor," which sounded like a death sentence.

The old man felt as if the sky were falling. His back seemed to bend under the weight.

Lin Xiaoxiao went over and held his arm: "Third Grandpa, don't worry. Believe me, this is a very, very minor procedure. It's like having a mole on your finger—it doesn't hurt or itch, but it doesn't look nice, so you cut it off. It's just like that."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Third Grandpa's eyes: "Really, that simple?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, almost patting her chest in assurance: "Yes! The doctors in the city are very skilled. For them, this surgery is as simple as slicing a cucumber. I promise Little Zhu will be able to speak within five or six days after the operation."

Lü Zhigang chimed in: "We'll go to the city hospital right away."

Zhou Huai'an watched Lin Xiaoxiao's animated persuasion, feeling a warmth in his heart: "Third Grandpa, we'll stay in the county tonight. Tomorrow morning we'll go back to explain everything to Third Grandma, and then we'll head to the city."

Although worried about the cost, Third Grandpa looked at Little Zhu's young face and choked up as he spoke to Zhou Huai'an: "Changsuo, we're counting on you this time. I'll pay you back every penny—if I can't, I'll make sure Little Zhu does when he grows up."

Zhou Huai'an supported Third Grandpa's arm: "There's no need for such formality. Changdong helped me many times in the past. Taking care of Little Zhu is the least I can do."

Third Grandpa wiped the tears from his eyes, but his heart remained heavy.

They first went to a guesthouse and booked two rooms: a triple room for Zhou Huai'an, Lü Zhigang, and Third Grandpa, and a single room for Lin Xiaoxiao and Little Zhu.

Lin Xiaoxiao took Little Zhu's hand: "Will you sleep with me tonight?"

Little Zhu's eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.

He had never had a mother and didn't know what one was like, but he liked Auntie Lin—she was soft and smelled nice, just like how he imagined a mother would be.

After settling in, Zhou Huai'an took them out for a meal—this time to Li's Fermented Glutinous Rice with Milk and Eggs.

As soon as she entered, Lin Xiaoxiao could smell the rich aroma of fermented rice.

Was this where the fermented rice dish she had the other day came from? But it was so far from the hospital!

After they sat down, Lin Xiaoxiao took Little Zhu outside to wash their hands by the entrance. As she looked up, she saw Zhou Chang'an flash by across the street!