When Lin Xiaoxiao arrived at the hospital, Little Zhu had just woken up and was holding a bowl of milk formula. Third Grandpa watched lovingly nearby, but there was no sign of Zhou Huai'an or Lü Zhigang.

Little Zhu was thrilled to see Lin Xiaoxiao and held up his little metal bowl for her.

She walked over and ruffled his hair. "You drink it, Little Zhu. Auntie has already eaten."

Only then did the boy begin to drink happily.

Lin Xiaoxiao turned to Third Grandpa. "Third Grandpa, has Changsuo been by?"

Third Grandpa pointed to a lunchbox on the table. "He came first thing in the morning, dropped off breakfast, and then left."

Unable to guess where Zhou Huai'an might have gone, Lin Xiaoxiao played with Little Zhu for a while before taking him to the nurses' lounge to chat.

Liu Mei and the others were already quite familiar with Lin Xiaoxiao and adored Little Zhu. The moment they saw him, they competed to give him biscuits and hard-boiled eggs they had brought.

To prepare for her potential studies, Lin Xiaoxiao often chatted with Liu Mei and the others about what the short-term training course involved.

Liu Mei was straightforward: "It's simple stuff. Learn to treat basic headaches and fevers, and how to give injections."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought it couldn't be that simple. In her previous life, diagnosing a cold or fever relied on various test results. Here, they only had stethoscopes and pulse readings—it required real skill.

Liu Mei, not thinking Lin Xiaoxiao was seriously considering the course, said offhandedly, "Giving injections is even easier. Lots of people do it themselves. In my neighborhood, there was an auntie who used to give everyone shots. If someone got sick, they'd buy a couple of doses of medicine and go to her. Now that I'm a nurse, they come to me instead."

Lin Xiaoxiao was concerned. "What if something goes wrong?"

Liu Mei shrugged. "How could it? There's so much flesh on the buttocks, it's perfectly safe."

Lin Xiaoxiao could only marvel at people's fearlessness. There were plenty of nerves in that area; a mistake could be very dangerous.

Liu Mei then lowered her voice to share some insider news. "There's another training course starting in a couple of days."

Feeling it was wrong to keep things from a friend who was so open, Lin Xiaoxiao hinted, "I'll talk to Zhou Huai'an about it. I might join the course. I learned a little from my grandfather, so I know some basics already."

Liu Mei looked at her in surprise. "If you join, you'll have to live here in the city. It's over two hundred kilometers from Captain Zhou's unit. You'd hardly get to see each other."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "It's fine. We can manage a few months of difficulty. Besides, it'll help with getting a job later, right?"

Liu Mei saw her point, but still felt worried about something else. "But you know, a lot of people have their eyes on Captain Zhou. That Doctor Xiao from your place—she trained here with us.

She's always been very... attentive toward him."

Lin Xiaoxiao's interest was instantly piqued. She knew Xiao Yan had designs on Zhou Huai'an, but she didn't know the details.

Feeling close to Lin Xiaoxiao—after all, they'd bonded over shared baths and gossip—Liu Mei leaned in and whispered, "Last time Captain Zhou was injured, Doctor Xiao came to help care for him. But he refused and asked for male staff instead. Even so, she didn't leave. She'd often bring him home-cooked meals."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a pang of jealousy. Even though this happened before her time, when both were single and Xiao Yan's attentions weren't inappropriate, she couldn't help the sour bubbles rising in her heart.

"Did Zhou Huai'an eat it?" she asked.

Liu Mei nodded. "Of course! The hospital cafeteria food is terrible. Doctor Xiao somehow got her hands on flour and meat—she made him dumplings, sometimes noodle soup with meat."

Lin Xiaoxiao grew even more jealous. So that was how Xiao Yan knew Zhou Huai'an liked dumplings—she'd fed him plenty before!

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Liu Mei quickly added, "But no matter how hard Doctor Xiao tried, it was useless. There was even a singer from the song and dance troupe who wrote him a love letter confessing her feelings, and Captain Zhou ignored her too."

Lin Xiaoxiao gave Liu Mei a look. Your (comfort) really knows how to pour salt on the wound.

First a doctor, now a singer? This blockhead was quite popular!

Liu Mei went on to describe the singer—very beautiful, with an impressive family background.

Lin Xiaoxiao listened with great interest before finally taking Little Zhu back to the ward for his injection. When they returned, Zhou Huai'an and Lü Zhigang were already there, talking with Third Grandpa.

Little Zhu seemed quite fond of Lü Zhigang, running over to hug his legs and ask to be picked up.

Lin Xiaoxiao shot Zhou Huai'an an expressionless glance without a word and went to find a stool to sit on.

Zhou Huai'an was puzzled. Was she angry because he'd left without telling her that morning?

Third Grandpa continued the conversation from before Lin Xiaoxiao entered. "Changsuo, when Little Zhu is discharged, we can go back on our own. You don't need to see us home."

Zhou Huai'an couldn't possibly agree. This was Third Grandpa's first time traveling so far at his age. "It's no trouble. I'm still recovering anyway; I have plenty of time."

Third Grandpa thanked him repeatedly, feeling the debt of gratitude could never be repaid.

Lin Xiaoxiao was still curious about where Zhou Huai'an and Lü Zhigang had gone that morning, and what had happened with the body.

When Third Grandpa took Little Zhu to the restroom, she seized the chance to ask, "Where did you go so early? What about the body? Will there be an autopsy?"

Lü Zhigang frowned. "Sis-in-law, this is more serious than you think. The deceased's family was notified first thing and is now causing a scene at the gate. He was only a suspect, and now there's an alibi—neighbors can testify he was attending a banquet in the village when the fire started."

Lin Xiaoxiao was taken aback. "The person behind this is good. They've arranged everything flawlessly. Will this cause problems for you?"

Lü Zhigang shook his head. "Not really. Thankfully, we handed him over to the PSB in time.

Otherwise, they'd be protesting at the hospital entrance right now."

The situation felt utterly frustrating to Lin Xiaoxiao. What did the mastermind behind this actually want?

Zhou Huai'an, however, remained calm. "It seems this person is here in the city. He'll show himself again eventually.

Since they had no leads, they could only wait for the opponent to make another move.

After repeated failures to achieve his goal, the culprit wouldn't give up now.

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't stop thinking about that body. An autopsy could have provided clues, but the family would never consent to it now.

During lunch, Liu Mei came to find Lin Xiaoxiao, asking her to go shopping together.

With nothing else to do, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly finished her steamed bun and went out with her.

Liu Mei linked arms with Lin Xiaoxiao. "I have a blind date the day after tomorrow. I want to buy a red scarf to wear. It looks more festive."

Lin Xiaoxiao congratulated her. "That's great! You're pretty and have a good job. I'm sure he'll be wonderful too."

Liu Mei looked a little embarrassed. "Not really. He's just an office clerk."

"That's still good..."

They chatted as they walked, arriving at the department store entrance. But before Lin Xiaoxiao could finish her sentence, someone suddenly grabbed her and pulled her away...