Zhou Huai'an remembered when they had first rotated into the area. Many new recruits struggled—some were homesick, others were simply afraid.

To ease the tension, the unit organized simple recreational activities.

In the neighboring barracks was a young man who could play the guitar. He often played and sang for everyone.

His name, he recalled, was Zhou Xiaocheng.

After being injured three years ago, Zhou Huai'an had struggled with combat trauma. Not only could he no longer aim and shoot properly, but some memories were also locked away, too painful to recall.

Lin Xiaoxiao ran her hand over the tape recorder as she chatted with Li Yunlan. "It's really nice.

Even better than a TV. You can listen to this while doing other things."

Besides, there wasn't much worth watching on television anyway.

Seeing that Lin Xiaoxiao genuinely liked it, Li Yunlan was delighted. "I'm glad you like it. If you ever move to Beijing, I'll get you a TV then."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't respond, knowing a move to Beijing wasn't happening anytime soon.

That evening, they brought food back from the cafeteria and ate in the hospital room. Afterward, Lin Xiaoxiao went with Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan to the rented rooms, carrying their new belongings.

The landlord's husband had already set up the plank beds. In each room, he'd placed a slightly worn three-drawer desk and a small, low dining table.

The landlady looked apologetic. "This was all we could find. We even had to borrow one of the desks from a neighbor. I hope it's alright."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought it was more than enough. She paid the rent on the spot and started tidying up.

Li Yunlan, no stranger to hard work, threw herself into cleaning her son's new home with efficient energy. Neither Zhou Zhennan nor Lin Xiaoxiao could stop her.

And so, they happily set up their little home.

Meanwhile, in Beijing, the atmosphere was far from cheerful.

Zhou Xiaohong had gone to the sanatorium to see Zhou Bingwen. She told him everything that had happened recently, her voice tinged with hurt. "Grandpa, even though Big Brother isn't related to us by blood, he was raised in our family for thirty years. How can they just cut ties with him?"

Zhou Bingwen was surprised. "Is all this true?"

Zhou Xiaohong nodded. "Yes. Mom and Dad have already gone to Longbei."

Zhou Bingwen frowned. "Why wasn't I told about something this important?"

Tears welled in Zhou Xiaohong's eyes. "They were worried you'd get too upset. And... he doesn't even want to acknowledge us! Even though we share blood, he doesn't feel close to us. Why does recognizing him mean they have to break ties with Big Brother? Why can't we all just be together?"

Zhou Bingwen fell silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, he spoke again. "Tell me about this child."

Zhou Xiaohong knew he meant Zhou Huai'an. She honestly recounted everything she knew about him.

Zhou Bingwen nodded repeatedly. "Good, good. Very good. He's a Zhou through and through.

Excellent, no matter where he was raised."

His favorite grandson had been Zhou Xiaocheng. He'd been proud when Zhou Xiaocheng joined the army as he wished and performed brilliantly. Zhou Xiaocheng's death had left him depressed for a long time.

Hearing that there was another outstanding young man like Zhou Xiaocheng filled him with excitement.

Zhou Xiaohong was unsure of her grandfather's stance. "Grandpa, what about Big Brother? Do we really have to cut him off?"

Zhou Bingwen's frown deepened. "He's grown with his own family and career. What does 'cutting ties' even mean? You must understand—this situation was created by his parents. They separated our family. Why should we keep him?"

Just hearing about it made him furious enough to want to throttle Wang Fenglan.

Zhou Xiaohong couldn't believe it. Why was her family being so cold? "Big Brother didn't do anything wrong! Why are you being so cruel?

Zhou Bingwen snorted. "Things should return to their rightful order. He should go acknowledge his biological parents. Did he put you up to this? If he's unwilling to even recognize his own flesh and blood, what does that tell you?"

Zhou Xiaohong thought it was simple. "He has no bond with them, Grandpa! I really don't understand why you're all being so stubborn. Big Brother has been with my parents since he was born—isn't he just like their own son? And you're mistaken, Grandpa. Big Brother said he's willing to leave so Zhou Huai'an can come back. He's just worried about Mom's health."

"You know how fragile she's been since Second Brother died."

Zhou Bingwen looked at his emotional granddaughter. "If he's so worried about your mother's health, then answer me this: hasn't your mother's health improved significantly since she met her real son?"

Zhou Xiaohong had no rebuttal. Her mother had been much better since Zhou Huai'an appeared.

Zhou Bingwen continued, "Then what is there to worry about? You, on the other hand, should think carefully. Why was a child of the Zhou family cast aside? We've already gone above and beyond for Zhou Xiaoming."

He had never liked Zhou Xiaoming. The boy was calculating, mediocre yet overly ambitious.

When he first left the army, he wasn't even satisfied with a job at the archives.

Zhou Xiaohong was disappointed. "Grandpa, is blood really that important?

Annoyed by her stubbornness, Zhou Bingwen said, "You should think this through properly. Don't let yourself be used. Now, go home. I have a card game to get to."

Zhou Xiaohong watched her grandfather walk away, hands behind his back. She couldn't tell if he was happy or angry. He didn't seem particularly interested in Zhou Huai'an either. Was it just about bloodline?...Early the next morning, Lin Xiaoxiao and the others moved into their newly rented rooms. With curtains hung, beds made, and newspaper pasted on the walls, it already felt like a proper home.

Li Yunlan had even spread a blue cloth over the three-drawer desk and placed a jar with a few peach blossoms picked from the roadside inside.

It added a touch of spring warmth to the small room.

Lin Xiaoxiao was pleasantly surprised. "It looks really nice now!"

She helped Zhou Huai'an sit down. "The only downside is the bathroom situation. We either use the one in the courtyard or the public toilet outside, which is a bit of a walk."

Using the bathroom for minor needs was manageable, but it was difficult for him to squat for longer periods. The hospital had provided a special chair, which they didn't have here.

Lin Xiaoxiao scratched her head. Maybe she could borrow the chair from Lu Yuanda.

Zhou Huai'an refused. "It's fine. I can manage."

Lin Xiaoxiao wouldn't hear it. "You need to listen to me. I'm practically a doctor now. Your injury isn't too serious, but if you reinjure it, you'll be laid up even longer. Aren't you impatient to get better?"

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "I could even go back to work like this. I'd just stay put in the office."

Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in and glared at him playfully. "What about your wedding night? Aren't you impatient for that?"

Caught off guard, Zhou Huai'an took a step back and stumbled, falling onto the bed.

He pulled Lin Xiaoxiao down with him, and she landed on top of him.

Lin Xiaoxiao giggled. "Well, you offered yourself up."

Just then, the door opened. "Xiaoxiao, this sheet is for you too..." Li Yunlan walked in, froze, and stared at the scene on the bed.