Lin Xiaoxiao guessed this must be Lin Zihao, the man Zhou Huai'an had mentioned.

Zhou Huai'an made the introduction. "Lin Zihao, this is Lin Xiaoxiao."

Lin Zihao nodded in greeting before resuming his conversation with Zhou Zhennan. They were discussing work matters, but his voice was indeed pleasant.

As for his looks? Lin Xiaoxiao still thought her Jiasuo was more handsome.

Zhou Zhennan understood that Zhou Huai'an and Lin Zihao had things to discuss—things he wasn't meant to hear. He stood and left with Li Yunlan to rest.

After they were gone, Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Lin Zihao by the window, then at Zhou Huai'an. "Should I go back to the dorm and come see you later?"

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "No need. There are no secrets here."

Lin Zihao looked slightly surprised but didn't comment. Clearly, Zhou Huai'an trusted this young wife of his—the one everyone else had doubted.

Zhou Huai'an got straight to the point. He explained the recent troubles he'd been facing and analyzed Zhou Xiaoming's possible motives. "I have no proof yet, and he's back in Beijing—pulling strings from behind the scenes. I need your help."

Lin Zihao didn't seem surprised. "What do you need me to do?"

"Lure Zhou Xiaoming to Longbei. If I go to Beijing, he'll only put on a better act. Here, he'll get desperate and slip up."

That was also why Zhou Huai'an had agreed to come to the city.

He preferred to plan carefully, stay patient, and strike decisively when the time was right.

Lin Zihao nodded. "Consider it done. Anything else?"

After a brief pause, Zhou Huai'an added, "Go to Sun Village. Retrieve a watch."

Once again, Lin Zihao didn't ask questions. He agreed and left just as efficiently as he'd arrived.

Lin Xiaoxiao was impressed. After he'd gone, she sat closer to Zhou Huai'an. "Who is that friend of yours? He seems really impressive. Is he someone important?"

Zhou Huai'an thought for a moment. "You could say that."

Lin Xiaoxiao grinned. "Well, of course. Your friends wouldn't be ordinary, not when you're this exceptional yourself. Have you figured out how to deal with Zhou Xiaoming? He's really cunning."

Zhou Huai'an was calm. "Don't worry. He'll lose his composure soon."

He intended to dig deeper. If Zhou Xiaoming had been involved in Zhou Xiaocheng's death three years ago, then death would be too merciful....Meanwhile, in Beijing, Zhou Xiaoming was indeed growing restless.

Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan had quietly left for Longbei without a word.

From Zhou Xiaohong, he'd also learned that Li Yunlan had gone to Zhou Village and met Wang Fenglan—and that she clearly cared deeply about Zhou Huai'an.

It infuriated him. So what if Zhou Huai'an was their biological son? They'd never spent a day with him. He had been with them for thirty years.

Now, because of Zhou Huai'an, they were ready to cut him off.

The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became. He went to wait for Zhou Xiaohong after her classes.

Zhou Xiaohong was startled to see how much older and wearier he looked. "Elder brother, what are you doing here?"

Zhou Xiaoming forced a smile. "I just wanted to see how you're doing. With Mom and Dad away, I was worried."

Zhou Xiaohong nodded. "I'm fine, brother..."

He gestured. "Let's talk somewhere else."

They found a nearby park and sat on a bench. Zhou Xiaohong's heart ached seeing him like this.

"Elder brother, when Mom and Dad return, I'll talk to them."

Zhou Xiaoming shook his head with a bitter smile. "It's alright. I understand how they feel. I just... can't let go. I'm also worried about them—Mom's health isn't good, and she might not adjust well to being away. I bought some tonics. Take them back for when they return. Just don't tell them it was me."

Zhou Xiaohong felt her parents were being unfair. "Elder brother, they really are being unreasonable this time. No matter what, I'll always be on your side."

Zhou Xiaoming smiled. "Xiaohong, thank you. But don't say too much. Mom gets emotional easily, and we have to be understanding. When you're a parent yourself, you'll see—they have their reasons."

Zhou Xiaohong couldn't accept it. "Even if I become a mother, I still won't understand. You develop feelings for a stray cat, let alone a person you've raised for thirty years. They could have welcomed Zhou Huai'an back and kept you too. Wouldn't that be better? Another person to love?"

"Besides, Zhou Huai'an is a man. He should be understanding—not so narrow-minded that he can't share, right?"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. It felt like everything was Zhou Huai'an's fault.

Zhou Xiaoming had intended to provoke her resentment. In their family, Zhou Xiaocheng and Zhou Chaoyang had always been closer—they'd grown up together.

Zhou Xiaohong was quieter and less outgoing, preferring to be alone. She was also the most stubborn—once she decided something was right, it was hard to change her mind.

He continued gently, "You shouldn't say that. Because of my biological parents, he suffered a lot in my family. If anything, I'm the one who owes him."

Zhou Xiaohong didn't understand. "What does that have to do with you? It wasn't your fault!

Don't worry, big brother. I'll go talk to Grandpa. He'll help you."

She stood up to leave.

Zhou Xiaoming didn't stop her, only rising as if to. "Don't be too impulsive. Grandpa will be very angry."

Zhou Xiaohong wasn't deterred. "Grandpa has a right to know. Why haven't they told him yet? They're afraid he'll find out!"

Zhou Xiaoming stood where he was, watching with satisfaction as Zhou Xiaohong stormed off....Lin Xiaoxiao was amazed by Lin Zihao's efficiency. Early the next morning, just as she'd brought Zhou Huai'an breakfast, Lin Zihao walked in.

He pulled a wristwatch from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Huai'an. "This one? It was standard issue back then."

Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in for a look. It was identical to the one Zhou Huai'an had given her, except this one had dulled from lack of wear, and the dial had stopped moving.

Zhou Huai'an examined it closely, then opened the clasp. After rubbing the metal for a moment, a line of tiny characters became visible—clearly engraved with the name Zhou Xiaocheng.

Lin Xiaoxiao gasped. "It really is Zhou Xiaocheng! But where is he now?"

Even Zhou Huai'an was surprised. It had been speculation until now, but seeing the name stirred something in him. He felt a sense of relief for this brother he'd never met—glad he might still be alive.

Lin Zihao spoke calmly. "I asked around the village. They did find a body by the river and confirmed it was dead. When they started digging a grave, it suddenly sat up and spoke. Scared the diggers away."

Lin Xiaoxiao had heard that part. "What happened after? They never saw him again?"