Zhou Xiaohong was unaware of Li Yunlan's surgery, so she headed straight to the family compound, assuming Li Yunlan would still be living there.

She saw Lin Xiaoxiao and demanded with a stern face, "Where's my mom?"

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't even glance at her, continuing to chop minced meat with her kitchen knife.

Frustrated and humiliated by Hu Yaozong's betrayal—after he had taken advantage of her—Zhou Xiaohong had been eager to vent her grievances to Li Yunlan. Irritated by Lin Xiaoxiao's indifference, she raised her voice: "I'm talking to you! Where is my mother?"

Lin Xiaoxiao set down the knife, looked around deliberately, and said coldly, "Are you talking to me? I have a name, you know. How should I know who you're addressing?"

Zhou Xiaohong was left speechless. Meanwhile, Hu Yaozong, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but be struck by Lin Xiaoxiao's beauty. He never expected that the wife of Zhou's long-lost son would be this captivating.

Her beauty was different from that of Zhou Xiaohong or Zhou Xiaoling—it was bold and vibrant.Her features were exquisitely defined, as though painted with meticulous detail, every stroke perfectly placed.

Noticing Hu Yaozong's sleazy gaze, Lin Xiaoxiao shot him a disgusted look before turning back to Zhou Xiaohong. "Did you know your mother had surgery?"

Zhou Xiaohong was taken aback. "What surgery?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smirked. "Some daughter you are. You don't even know about your mother's surgery, yet you come in here acting entitled. Do you think we all owe you something? Listen, Zhou Xiaohong, this is my home. If you want to make trouble, I won't hesitate to throw you out."

Zhou Xiaohong ignored the insult, growing anxious. "What's wrong with my mom? How could I not know about this?"

Lin Xiaoxiao had no patience left. "Get your feet out of my courtyard. Learn some manners before you come in. The Zhou family is known for their upbringing—how did they end up with a daughter like you?"

Blushing with shame, Zhou Xiaohong knew she was in the wrong. She turned around and walked out, bag in hand.

Hu Yaozong quickly followed, but not before stealing another glance at Lin Xiaoxiao. She was like a thorny rose—spicy and intriguing. And having been married, she carried a certain allure, like dewdrops on petals, that made her irresistibly desirable.

Outside, Zhou Xiaohong hesitated, unsure whether to leave or stay. Just then, she saw Zhou Zhennan supporting Li Yunlan as they approached, with Zhou Xiaoling trailing behind carrying two large bags.

When Li Yunlan saw Zhou Xiaohong, her calm expression instantly turned angry. Spotting Hu Yaozong only made it worse. "What are you doing here? You got married without even telling me? Do I still mean anything to you?"

Tears welled in Zhou Xiaohong's eyes. She wanted to call out "Mom," but Hu Yaozong pinched her arm sharply, warning her to watch her words. She swallowed hard and said, "Mom, why didn't you tell me about the surgery? I just heard from sis-in-law—I was so worried!"

Hu Yaozong quickly put on a smile. "Auntie, I know you have doubts about me. That was in the past—I was young and foolish. I've changed now. I'll treat Xiaohong well and build a good life with her."

Li Yunlan ignored him and stared straight at Zhou Xiaohong. "You were worried about me?"

Zhou Zhennan, concerned about causing a scene that might affect Zhou Huaian, gently pulled Li Yunlan's arm. "Let's go inside and talk. Since Xiaohong is here, we should sit down and discuss this properly."

Although Lin Xiaoxiao had refused to let Zhou Xiaohong in, she couldn't very well stop Li Yunlan and Zhou Zhennan. And so, Zhou Xiaohong and Hu Yaozong followed them inside.

The room was small. Li Yunlan and Zhou Zhennan sat on the narrow bed, while Zhou Xiaohong and Hu Yaozong stood near the door. Zhou Xiaoling found a corner to listen, still holding the bags.

Lin Xiaoxiao decided it was better not to get involved—this was a family matter, after all. Besides, she had a habit of speaking her mind, and if she said what she really thought, Zhou Xiaohong would probably resent her even more. Better to stay out of it and focus on chopping filling for dumplings in the yard.

Li Yunlan didn't want to look at the couple, but she had no choice. "What's going on with you two? Are you really getting married?"

Hu Yaozong nodded eagerly. "Auntie, my family is already making preparations. We'll have a grand wedding that'll make you proud. I may not have much now, but I promise I won't let Xiaohong suffer."

Knowing Hu Yaozong was always smooth-tongued, Li Yunlan turned to her daughter. "Do you really want to marry him?"

Zhou Xiaohong wanted to cry, but no tears came. She never imagined Hu Yaozong would drug her at a provincial hotel, force himself on her, and take photos—keeping the negatives as blackmail.

He had coaxed her, saying he was just captivated by her beauty and wanted keepsakes. He promised to develop the photos once they returned to Beijing and even show them to her.

But Zhou Xiaohong knew better—it was a threat. If she didn't obey and marry him, he would likely develop those photos and spread them everywhere.

How could she face anyone after that?

So when Li Yunlan asked, Zhou Xiaohong didn't dare refuse. With red-rimmed eyes, she nodded."Mom, Yaozong and I are truly in love. I think we've misjudged him. On our way here, he took very good care of me."

Zhou Zhennan remained silent. He had said all he could, scolded and even hit her, but Zhou Xiaohong remained stubborn. He didn't want to end up estranged from his daughter, but his heart ached, and his eyes reddened as he looked at her.

Li Yunlan was equally frustrated. She never thought her daughter could be so foolish. With a wave of her hand, she relented. "If you're sure, then live your life well."

She could tell from her daughter's demeanor that she had already given herself to Hu Yaozong. It seemed there was no turning back.

Zhou Xiaoling glared fiercely at Hu Yaozong. "You scammer—what tricks did you pull? Don't think just because you're marrying my sister I won't come after you. If you mistreat her, I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs!"

Hu Yaozong flinched at being called by his old nickname but forced a stiff smile. "Xiaoling, there's no need for that. I'll be your brother-in-law now—of course I'll treat her well."

Zhou Xiaoling snorted, grabbed Zhou Xiaohong's hand, and pulled her outside to a quiet spot. "Sis, tell me the truth—do you really want to marry that jerk Hu Yaozong?"

Zhou Xiaohong's heart was heavy. She had long regretted it, but there was no way out now. "Xiaoling, don't try to change my mind. I'm doing this willingly. And Hu Yaozong isn't as bad as you think—he's actually quite decent."

Zhou Xiaoling spat in disgust. "If he can change, then pigs can fly! Sis, have you forgotten what he did before?"