Zhou Zhennan took Li Yunlan to Lin Xiaoxiao's place and explained to the latter, "Your mother hasn't been in the best mood lately. Please be patient with her—you and Huai'an both."

One look at Li Yunlan told Lin Xiaoxiao that she was indeed emotionally fragile. She took her mother's hand and said, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll take good care of Mom. With all the rain lately, you might as well stay here until the weather clears."

Zhou Zhennan shook his head helplessly. How could he possibly relax? Just seeing Hu Yaozong and Zhou Xiaohong every day was enough to make his heart feel heavy.

After looking around the room, Li Yunlan suddenly perked up. She cheerfully asked Lin Xiaoxiao, "What time does Huai'an get off work? Let's make dumplings for dinner—I remember he loves them."

Lin Xiaoxiao humored her: "It's not just dumplings—Huai'an loves everything you cook."

Pleased, Li Yunlan replied, "Really? Then I'll put more effort into cooking. Actually, I've decided—I'm not going back to Beijing. I'll stay here and cook for you both."

She turned to Zhou Zhennan with a serious expression. "I can't go back. I can't bear to see the Hu family, and I certainly can't watch Zhou Xiaohong marry Hu Yaozong. I'm afraid I might cause a scene at the wedding."

Lin Xiaoxiao thought that was a real possibility. In Li Yunlan's current state, anything she did under emotional stress would be understandable.

Zhou Zhennan nodded in agreement. "Alright, if you don't want to go back, then don't. I'll come back to keep you company after the wedding."

In better spirits now, Li Yunlan noticed the half-knitted sweater on the small bed. "Is this for Huai'an?" she asked.

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, but I'm not very good at knitting, so it doesn't look great."

Li Yunlan offered a kind, if not entirely honest, compliment: "It looks fine to me."

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhennan noticed the physics and chemistry books on the small desk. Surprised, he asked, "Is Huai'an reading these?"

Lin Xiaoxiao seized the opportunity. She gathered the books and explained, "Actually, they're mine. I heard college entrance exams might be reinstated. I'm not sure if I'm eligible, but I'd like to try."

Zhou Zhennan was even more surprised. He'd heard that Lin Xiaoxiao used to be unruly and arrogant. Now she wanted to go to college? He studied her for a moment. "Even if the exams are reinstated, you'll have to earn your place. There's no cheating your way in."

Understanding his concern—that she might ask him for special favors—Lin Xiaoxiao responded confidently, "Of course. I'm studying hard now, and Huai'an helps me with what I don't understand. I'm very motivated. I'm just worried I won't get the chance."

She sighed. "But even if I can't take the exam, I'll keep learning and improving. I want to keep up with Zhou Huai'an."

Even she thought her words sounded a little hollow.

Li Yunlan, however, thought it was no big deal. "If you really want to take the exam, your father can get you a spot. That's well within his means."

Zhou Zhennan also felt Lin Xiaoxiao sounded like she was making empty promises, but since his wife had spoken up, he couldn't outright refuse. He smiled and nodded. "She's right. But in the end, it still depends on your own effort."

Trying hard to keep her excitement under control, Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Don't worry, Dad. I'll work hard. But if it's too much trouble, I'll manage on my own."

Zhou Zhennan nodded approvingly. "It's fine. Securing a spot isn't against my principles. But remember, there's no official news about the exams yet. It's all still rumors."

He'd heard those rumors in Beijing himself—he just hadn't expected them to have reached such a remote place.

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Knowledge is always valuable. I'm sure it'll be useful someday."

She was certain the exams would be reinstated within the year.

Zhou Zhennan was already impressed. She was young but driven—clearly, rumors couldn't be trusted.

After Zhou Zhennan left, Lin Xiaoxiao and Li Yunlan worked on knitting together. Watching Li Yunlan's skilled hands, Lin Xiaoxiao felt embarrassed. "Mom, you're so good at this. Your stitches are so even."

Hers, by contrast, were loose in some places and tight in others—the result was hardly presentable.

Li Yunlan laughed. "You're too kind. I'm actually not that good. I used to be too busy with work to learn these things properly."

Lin Xiaoxiao continued praising her. "But you were amazing back then, Mom—a real heroine. Is it true you knew how to shoot?"

Li Yunlan nodded. "Yes, and I was pretty good at it, too. But Xiaohong takes after me less—Xiaoling is more like me."

Mentioning Zhou Xiaohong soured her mood again. "That child was so well-behaved when she was little. What happened to her? If she were marrying someone less well-off but hardworking, I wouldn't say a word. But Hu Yaozong? I can't stand him."

"That boy would be the first to turn traitor if a war broke out."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know how to respond. Anything she said might only make Li Yunlan more upset.

In the afternoon, Lin Xiaoxiao took Li Yunlan to work with her. She wore Zhou Huai'an's raincoat and gave Li Yunlan the umbrella. They trudged through the mud on their way to and from work.

When Zhou Huai'an came home and saw Li Yunlan there, he wasn't particularly surprised. He went straight to making dinner.

Li Yunlan felt sorry for her son. "Let me cook. You've been working all day—you should rest and talk with Xiaoxiao."

Lin Xiaoxiao said casually, "It's alright, Mom. Huai'an always makes dinner."

Li Yunlan was taken aback. Though she felt bad for her son, she didn't want to criticize Lin Xiaoxiao. After a pause, she said, "You're both busy with work. I'll handle the cooking. It's good that Huai'an helps normally—a man should work harder anyway."

Only after speaking did Lin Xiaoxiao realize her comment might cause tension between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. But before she could correct herself, Li Yunlan responded with understanding.

Touched, Lin Xiaoxiao hugged her. "I'll take good care of Zhou Huai'an too."