Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't expected Zhou Huai'an to be picked up by someone. Her first thought was Lin Zihao, but that didn't make sense—if it had been him, the landlord wouldn't have mentioned them treating Zhou Huai'an with such respect.

The landlord was still gossiping: "You two seem really happy together. Even with his bad leg, your husband still helps cook and does the laundry. Now look at my man—he wouldn't lift a finger even if the soy sauce bottle tipped over."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously. "Yeah, he's really good to me. Marriage is about caring for each other, right? Otherwise, what's the point? Just to become a free live-in maid? I'd rather stay single."

The landlord fell silent, feeling the sting. Wasn't that exactly what her life was like—a unpaid nanny and cook, always tiptoeing around her husband's moods?

Realizing she might have unintentionally offended the landlord, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly shut up and focused on washing the vegetables.

When she was almost done, the landlord finally spoke again, her tone wistful: "I suppose you're right. But isn't it a woman's lot to have children and serve her husband?"

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know how to respond. She simply rewashed the greens, waiting for the landlord to leave first before heading back inside....The people who had picked up Zhou Huai'an were part of the team escorting Zhou Xiaoming back to Beijing.

Before his transfer, Zhou Xiaoming had made one request: to see Zhou Huai'an face to face.

Everyone knew what awaited Zhou Xiaoming in Beijing, so they granted his final wish.

After weeks in detention, Zhou Xiaoming was gaunt and hollow-eyed. He knew he wouldn't leave Beijing alive. Regret and bitterness churned inside him.

When Zhou Huai'an entered on his crutch, Zhou Xiaoming froze for a second—it was like seeing Zhou Xiaocheng again.

But Zhou Xiaocheng had had fairer skin and a gentle, refined warmth in his eyes.

The man before him was darker-skinned, cold and isolated—nothing like the simple, honest man he'd heard about.

Zhou Xiaoming laughed mockingly at himself. He'd asked around about Zhou Huai'an. Everyone said he was quiet, humble, and hardworking—a man from the countryside without cunning, who'd earned every step through sheer effort.

But looking at him now, Zhou Xiaoming saw no trace of simplicity. This was a wolf—a lone wolf—waiting for his moment.

Zhou Huai'an watched Zhou Xiaoming calmly. This was the first time they had formally met.

Zhou Xiaoming gave another self-mocking laugh. "Zhou Huai'an, you win this time. I underestimated you. I never thought you'd survive."

Zhou Huai'an remained silent, his gaze steady.

Bitter resentment filled Zhou Xiaoming. "I lost. But why did you have to show up? Wouldn't it have been better if you'd just stayed in Zhou Village your whole life?"

"I never wanted to kill Zhou Xiaocheng. But he discovered you. You look so alike—he became suspicious. And the Zhou family... they're all equally cold-hearted. He actually thought if you were the real one and I was the imposter, things should 'return to their rightful place.'"

The more he thought about it, the more resentful he became. "The Zhou family could have helped me. But to prove their own 'nobility,' they stood by and watched me get assigned to some dead-end unit."

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "So that's why you killed Zhou Xiaocheng?"

Zhou Xiaoming's expression turned sinister. "You'll never find out."

Zhou Huai'an wasn't angered. "I'll learn when the time comes. As for you... take care on your journey to Beijing. You haven't much time left to see this world."

Zhou Xiaoming fell silent. How could he not fear death? Everything he'd done was to secure a better life.

He knew what awaited him in Beijing. He'd wanted to leave Zhou Huai'an with one last thorn.Instead, the thorn had pierced his own heart.

Zhou Huai'an continued calmly, "I will uncover the secrets you won't tell. But you... you will never have another chance to keep them."

"Your actions have destroyed your wife and children too. Was it worth it?"

Zhou Xiaoming broke down. His children were his weak spot. Because of his selfishness, their lives were also ruined.

His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor, muttering over and over, "It's your fault... all of you... Zhou Huai'an, you shouldn't have come back..."

Zhou Huai'an turned and left. If there was more to Zhou Xiaocheng's death, he would find out.

As for Zhou Xiaoming, he would receive the punishment he deserved....That same day, in Zhou Village, several police officers arrived at Wang Fenglan's home. They were there to investigate the child abduction case from years before.

Wang Fenglan was terrified, her legs trembling. All she could say was, "I didn't mean any harm! I gave them a son too! How is that a crime?"

An officer sternly replied, "You knowingly took a child that wasn't yours. That is abduction. Furthermore, our recent investigation shows evidence of abuse. You and your husband will need to come with us for questioning."

Wang Fenglan collapsed, unable to get up, wailing, "I didn't know! I didn't mean to! Please, have mercy!"Zhou Mancang was also shaking, too scared to stand steady. Many families in the village had adopted children—why were they the only ones in trouble?Ignoring their cries, the officers escorted them to a waiting vehicle.A crowd had gathered at the village entrance to watch. Everyone now knew that Zhou Huai'an was actually the son of an official from the city—switched at birth and abused for years by Wang Fenglan.

People whispered among themselves:"Serves them right. Changsuo can finally live well, without that family sucking him dry.""I always said he didn't look like them. Stealing a child—they deserve the worst."

Third Grandpa stood in the crowd, holding Xiaozhu's hand, sighing repeatedly. Yet he was happy for Zhou Huai'an—finally, he could live a good life, free from that family's exploitation.Zhou Xiaoling was the one who brought the news of Wang Fenglan's arrest to Lin Xiaoxiao.

She was thrilled. "If I'd been there, I would've beaten that old woman until her teeth fell out! How dare she!"

Lin Xiaoxiao knew it had to be Zhou Zhennan's doing. It felt like justice. "She got what she deserved. She's no different from a human trafficker. They should execute her."

Zhou Xiaoling shared her anger. "Absolutely! They should execute her! Thinking about how she abused my brother... I wish I could throw her to the wolves myself!"

Zhou Huai'an sat on the bed, listening to Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling talking in the next room. He couldn't help but smile. His heart felt warm.

He could tell that both Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling genuinely cared about him.

But thinking of Lin Xiaoxiao, a slight anxiety stirred within him. Would she one day suddenly disappear?

Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling were cleaning chives while venting about Wang Fenglan, eventually feeling a sense of satisfaction. They happily began making dumplings together.

Zhou Xiaoling suddenly asked, "Sis, have you seen Lin Zihao lately?"

Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't seen him recently either. Had he already been transferred to the front?