If Zhou Xiaoling was startled, Lin Xiaoxiao was even more so. "Sis, who are you talking about?"

Dong Hongmei wasn't very familiar with Lin Zihao either. "There's this young man named Lin Zihao from a brother unit. He seems a bit older than Xiaoling, and I heard he's single. I thought I could play matchmaker."

Lin Xiaoxiao instantly felt like the world was truly small—everyone seemed connected in some way.

Seeing Zhou Xiaoling frantically shaking her head and widening her eyes in warning, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly said, "Oh, that Lin Zihao... I know him too. He does seem quite a bit older than Xiaoling. We'd prefer someone closer to her age—it's easier to relate to each other that way."

Dong Hongmei didn't think age was an issue at all. "Is he that much older? They seemed well-suited to me. Besides, older men know how to treat their partners better."

Zhou Xiaoling hurriedly shook her head. "No, I don't like anyone older than me. I prefer someone my own age. Thank you anyway, sis."

Seeing how firm Zhou Xiaoling was, Dong Hongmei didn't push further and changed the subject.

Lin Xiaoxiao asked them to keep chatting while she went to the other room to fetch the mixing bowl, cutting board, and meat so they could make dumplings there.

But when she pushed open the door to the other room, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Lin Zihao was there, having arrived at some point without anyone noticing. He sat cross-legged on a stool, calmly sipping a cup of tea.

Which meant... he had likely heard every word they'd just said.

Swallowing her embarrassment, Lin Xiaoxiao greeted him, "Brother Zihao, when did you get here?"

Lin Zihao set his cup down gently. "Just now."

Lin Xiaoxiao forced a laugh, quickly gathered what she needed, and before leaving added politely, "Please stay for dinner, Brother Zihao. We're having dumplings tonight."

It was meant as a casual courtesy, but to her surprise, Lin Zihao nodded. "Alright. Thank you, sister-in-law."

Lin Xiaoxiao hurried back to the other room with the bowl, hesitated for a moment, then whispered to Zhou Xiaoling, "Lin Zihao is here. Next door."

Zhou Xiaoling was so shocked she nearly fell off her chair, her voice trembling. "Since when?!"

"I'm not sure. Judging by his tea, he's been there a while. We were too busy chatting to notice."

And of course, the walls chose that moment to be soundproof when it was least convenient.

Zhou Xiaoling froze. "I'm done for. Again."

It felt like every time she made a fool of herself, Lin Zihao was there to witness it.

Dong Hongmei, still unaware of what was going on, asked curiously, "Who's here? Lin Zihao?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled weakly. "Yeah, what a coincidence, right? Let's hurry up and make dumplings. I already invited him to stay."

Dong Hongmei also found it quite a coincidence, but since the man himself was here, it was better not to bring up the matchmaking again—especially since Zhou Xiaoling had refused.

Bringing it up now would only embarrass the girl.

She rolled up her sleeves and efficiently started kneading the dough.

As she peeled onions, Lin Xiaoxiao watched Zhou Xiaoling muttering to herself, as if giving herself a pep talk.

She whispered, "Don't overthink it. We didn't hear anyone next door—they might not have heard us either."

Zhou Xiaoling shook her head vigorously. "No, no, you don't understand. Their ears are like radar—sharper than a dog's. You really shouldn't talk behind people's backs."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't think they'd said anything bad—they'd just effectively shut down Zhou Xiaoling's crush.

Still, it was plenty awkward!

When the dumplings were ready, Lin Xiaoxiao brought several plates to the other room for the three men to eat there, while she, Dong Hongmei, and Zhou Xiaoling ate in their room—saving Zhou Xiaoling from further embarrassment.

Zhou Xiaoling poked at her dumplings absently, wishing she could turn back time and take back everything she'd said.

Dong Hongmei, unaware of Zhou Xiaoling's distress, continued gossiping with Lin Xiaoxiao about the compound: "Zhang Yimei's mother-in-law is here. She's a tough one—be careful when you get back. Don't cross her."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt like all her neighbors were formidable in their own ways. Thanks to the mess the original owner had left behind, she couldn't afford to offend any of them.

Dong Hongmei added conspiratorially, "That mother-in-law of hers has no manners—eats and makes a mess wherever she is. She's always yelling for Zhang Yimei to wait on her, and if Zhang Yimei is too slow, she'll stand in the yard and scream. She complains that Zhang Yimei only has one child and keeps pressuring her to have more."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought to herself that if they wanted more children, they'd better hurry—in a year or two, the one-child policy would be in place, and it would be too late.

For example, she and Zhou Huai'an would probably only be able to have one child. She caught herself drifting off again.

Dong Hongmei went on, "The old lady also has sticky fingers. I've been keeping an eye on your garden for you so she doesn't steal your seedlings."

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly thanked her. "I really appreciate it, sis."

She wasn't too worried, though—her things weren't that easy to take.

Finally, Dong Hongmei brought up another piece of news: "I heard the universities might be reopening?"

Lin Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean, reopening?"

Dong Hongmei wasn't entirely sure herself. "I just heard from Lao Li that soon people will be able to test into university—no recommendations needed. If you pass the exam, you can go."

Lin Xiaoxiao's heart raced. Although the policy hadn't been officially announced yet, some units were more sensitive to the changes.

She should start preparing—buy some review books and study. After all, the material now was very different from what she'd learned in her past life.

Dong Hongmei, who didn't have much education, struggled to explain: "Basically, it means my daughter could test into university straight from school. She wouldn't need a recommendation to go."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded eagerly. "That's really wonderful. Being able to go to university is great."

Dong Hongmei was also excited. "If my girl gets into university, the Li family will have its first college graduate. Our ancestors would be so proud."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a surge of excitement. If she could secure a spot, she might be able to take the entrance exam.

She just didn't know how those spots would be allocated or what the requirements would be.

After the meal, Li Guohao and Dong Hongmei left first. Zhou Huai'an and Lin Zihao remained in the other room, still talking.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling sat facing each other—one wide-eyed, the other clearly distracted.

Lin Xiaoxiao gently nudged Zhou Xiaoling. "What's wrong? This isn't like you."

Zhou Xiaoling scratched her head, looking embarrassed. "It's nothing, really. I'm just thinking. Maybe we should go out for a walk."

Seeing how uncomfortable she was, Lin Xiaoxiao took her out for a stroll. They even wandered near the cinema to soak in the lively atmosphere. As soon as they were outside, Zhou Xiaoling perked up like a wilted flower revived by the dew—full of energy again, chattering happily.

Lin Xiaoxiao found it strange. The more she saw, the less she believed Zhou Xiaoling was the type to become speechless around someone she liked.

She tugged at Zhou Xiaoling's arm and asked, "Xiaoling, why did you come to the Second Institute here in Longbei in the first place? And don't tell me it's because 'the toughest places build the strongest people'—I won't believe that."