Lin Xiaoxiao looked at Dong Hongmei in surprise. Usually dressed in grays and dark blues, today she still wore the same faded ash-gray short-sleeve, but with a vibrant green scarf tied around her neck, crossed over her chest.

Evening in July was still hot, yet Dong Hongmei was wearing a scarf.

She entered the yard with a cheerful smile. "Xiao Zhou, you're back from work! Since you were away, the logistics department issued a basket of eggs to each household. I collected yours and kept them for you—I forgot to bring them over yesterday."

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Zhou Huai'an. She could accept neighborly help, but gifts—especially something as precious as eggs—made her uneasy. She didn't want to cause trouble for him.

Zhou Huai'an stood up and took the basket. "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Dong Hongmei waved her hand. "No trouble at all! It's the least I could do. I was worried the eggs might spoil, so I've been using yours and replacing them with fresh ones from my own hens. They're all still good."

After Zhou Huai'an carried the basket inside, Dong Hongmei glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. She tugged at the end of her scarf and asked quietly, "What do you think? My Lao Li just came back from the city and brought it for me. Said he bought it specially."

It dawned on Lin Xiaoxiao—Dong Hongmei was here to show off. But something about it reminded her of Luo Caixia's scarf. They were the same bright emerald green.

Seeing how pleased Dong Hongmei was, Lin Xiaoxiao forced a compliment. "It looks lovely. The color really suits you—makes you look younger."

Dong Hongmei beamed but pretended to brush it off. "Oh, at my age, what does 'younger' even matter? Lao Li just wastes his money."

Lin Xiaoxiao continued warmly, "I mean it. It really is pretty. You should dress up more often—I bet you'd outshine any city girl."

Dong Hongmei laughed. "Now you're really exaggerating! I'm forty years old. No matter how I dress, I'm still just a tired housewife. I can't compare to those fresh-faced city girls. Thank goodness my Lao Li has a strong character, or his head would've been turned long ago."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a pang of sadness. Weren't women supposed to have good intuition? How could Dong Hongmei be so trusting? She truly hoped she was wrong—she couldn't bear to think how Dong Hongmei would feel if she ever learned the truth.

After seeing off a happy Dong Hongmei, Lin Xiaoxiao sighed and went back inside. She wrapped her arms around Zhou Huai'an from behind as he chopped vegetables. "Zhou Huai'an... if I get old someday, will you go find some young girl?"

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "What nonsense are you talking?"

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed again. "It's just... you can't really count on men, can you? Did you see how happy Sister Hongmei was over that scarf? But I have a feeling Li Guohao is seeing someone else."

She hesitated. "Do you think she should know?"

Her own belief was that a cheating man should be exposed early so the woman could leave him and live her own life freely.

Zhou Huai'an paused, clearly surprised. It was hard to believe Li Guohao—a fellow army veteran—would do such a thing. Weren't they all tested and trustworthy comrades?

But he also knew Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't one to gossip without reason. If she suspected something, there was probably cause. After a moment, he said, "Don't say anything to her yet. We have no proof. And even if it's true, she likely wouldn't divorce him."

Lin Xiaoxiao blurted, "Why not?"

Then it hit her. Divorce was rare in these times. No matter the reason, a divorced woman was often looked down upon. Besides, Dong Hongmei had no job—how would she survive?

The idea that "women hold up half the sky" wasn't reality here. In small communities like this, women were often unpaid maids—cooking, cleaning, and raising children around the clock.Lin Xiaoxiao felt frustrated. "So Li Guohao just gets away with it?"

Enjoying the best of both worlds, with no consequences.

Zhou Huai'an had noticed before that Lin Xiaoxiao's thinking didn't quite fit this era. She dared to say bold things and act in unconventional ways.

Not wanting to continue the topic, he asked, "What would you like for dinner? I'll cook."

Lin Xiaoxiao mumbled, "It doesn't matter what I want to eat—you always end up eating me.

You're the real hunter here."

Zhou Huai'an was used to her unusual remarks. He patted her head. "Tomorrow I'll take you to get registered. Then I'll take you somewhere."

Her curiosity was instantly piqued. "Alright."...Early the next morning, Lin Xiaoxiao left with Zhou Huai'an. As luck would have it, they ran into Li Guohao at the gate, carrying a black briefcase and wearing his unit's uniform. He looked as kind and earnest as ever.

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't help but look twice. The previous times she'd seen him, he'd been unshaven and unkempt. Today, however, he was clean-shaven. His usually messy hair was neatly combed, and his leather shoes were polished to a shine.

Li Guohao smiled warmly. "You're out early. Where are you and Xiao Lin off to?"

Zhou Huai'an replied evenly, "We're heading to the medical station first."

Li Guohao nodded repeatedly. "Right, right—I heard about that. Director Chen asked me about Xiao Lin just yesterday. I told him the truth—that she's clever and capable, just back from training in the city. Everyone at the hospital says she's very skilled."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled politely but didn't feel like accepting his false praise. She'd never liked Li Guohao—he put on a humble face but was sly underneath.

Zhou Huai'an, whether out of honesty or something else, nodded and said, "She may have only trained for three months, but she learned a lot from her grandfather before that. She's more skilled than many doctors at the hospital."

It almost sounded like he was saying, We don't need your recommendation.

Lin Xiaoxiao wondered if Zhou Huai'an meant it that way. He was usually so quiet and direct—not the type for subtle jabs. Maybe he was just being sincere.

Li Guohao laughed. "Of course, of course! Old Cheng's granddaughter was bound to be talented."

Since they were going the same way, they walked together toward the medical station. During the short ten-minute walk, Li Guohao talked a lot about work. Zhou Huai'an listened quietly without offering any opinions.

At the entrance to the medical station, Li Guohao finally parted ways, waving to Zhou Huai'an.

"Let's sit down and chat properly another time."

Lin Xiaoxiao disliked Li Guohao even more now. She glared at his retreating back before following Zhou Huai'an inside.

The medical station consisted of a few single-story buildings—two served as inpatient wards, with a small canteen and staff dormitory at the back.

What completely shocked Lin Xiaoxiao was seeing Luo Caixia there!