Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated, thinking of her condition. "How good are you really on that bike? I don't want to take a fall."

Zhou Xiaoling pouted. "You can doubt anyone else, but not me! Back in our compound, I was one of the best riders around."

Lin Xiaoxiao decided not to keep it from her. "Even if you're skilled, you need to be extra careful with me. You're not carrying one person—you're carrying two."

Xiaoling looked around, confused. "Who else?"

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "Silly girl. The other one's hiding in my belly."

It took Xiaoling three full seconds to process. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god! You're pregnant?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "Is it really that surprising?"

Xiaoling gasped. "Does that mean I'm going to be an aunt? Oh wow! My parents don't know yet, do they? I should send them a telegram!"

"Hold on," Lin Xiaoxiao said quickly. "Let's wait until I'm further along. No need to worry them yet—especially with Xiaohong's wedding coming up."

Xiaoling nodded eagerly. "You're right, you're right. We'll tell them later. But how far along are you? Your stomach still looks flat."

"Only about a month," Lin Xiaoxiao said, amused.

"How can you tell so early? Shouldn't you see a doctor to check your pulse?"

Lin Xiaoxiao pointed to herself. "I am a doctor, you know. Don't you trust my diagnosis?"

She went on to explain some basics about pregnancy and how it worked.

Xiaoling listened, blushing but curious. "Alright then. I'll be super careful with you. You're precious cargo now—if anything happened, my big brother would skin me alive when he gets back."

Lin Xiaoxiao chuckled. "He doesn't even know yet. I didn't want him to worry while he's away."

Xiaoling was so focused on her new responsibility that she almost forgot her own news. She cycled with extreme caution—avoiding every bump and pothole she'd normally fly over—treating Lin Xiaoxiao like fine porcelain.

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh at the sudden change.

In town, Xiaoling headed straight to the canteen. After locking her bike, she carefully guided Lin Xiaoxiao inside. "You're under strict protection now. I can't let anything happen to you—how would I ever face my brother?"

"It's really not that serious," Lin Xiaoxiao said, still smiling. "Just normal caution is enough."

Xiaoling sat down across from her, expression solemn. "No way. My brother's almost thirty—isn't this like having a child in his old age? We have to protect this baby."

The idea of Zhou Huai'an considering himself "old" made Lin Xiaoxiao laugh aloud.

Xiaoling ordered two pounds of dumplings and a bowl of lamb soup. "You need to eat well. A healthy mom means a healthy baby. My mom said she didn't eat enough when she was pregnant with me—I was born just over four pounds! So hard to raise. The neighbors called me 'Four-Pound Zhou' all through childhood."

Lin Xiaoxiao grinned. "Four-Pound Zhou—it has a nice ring to it."

Xiaoling rolled her eyes. "What if my nephew is born on a Monday? Are we gonna call him Monday Zhou? Or Wednesday if he comes on Wednesday?"

"Not a bad idea," Lin Xiaoxiao mused. "Nicknames can be anything."

Xiaoling giggled. "He's gonna hate me for giving him such a silly name."

When the food arrived, Xiaoling made sure Lin Xiaoxiao had plenty of chili and vinegar. "Eat up! You're eating for two now. Hey, since my brother's away, should I stay with you? In case you need help at night or get scared going to the bathroom alone?"

Lin Xiaoxiao agreed. "Sure, I'd like the company."

It wasn't until they were almost done eating that Lin Xiaoxiao remembered. "Wait, what was your good news? You never told me."

Xiaoling waved it off. "Nothing compared to my new nephew!"

Then she grinned. "Okay, so I heard Lin Zihao is being assigned here for a while."

Lin Xiaoxiao looked surprised. "Isn't he in a different department?"

"Yeah, it's a temporary transfer. He'll be working in our information division. I can't say what he'll be doing, though."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "I won't ask. But you're happy he's coming, aren't you?"

Xiaoling's eyes lit up. "Of course! Though we'll probably be super busy—you might not see me for a month! But I'll get to see him every day. Heehee!"

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. "Look at you. Why don't you make a move? Maybe something could happen."

Xiaoling waved her hands in panic. "No, no, don't say that! I wouldn't dare. It's better like this, really."

"Come on," Lin Xiaoxiao urged. "You're brave about everything else. What if he likes you too but holds back because he's been married before? He might feel insecure—like he's not good enough for you."

Xiaoling stared as if she'd heard a ghost story. "No way. Why would someone like Lin Zihao be interested in me? And even if he was, why would he feel insecure? He's amazing."

"I think your brother is more amazing," Lin Xiaoxiao said lightly. "But that's not the point. The fact is, he's been married. Not many families want their daughter marrying a divorced man—even with no kids."

After being in this world for a while, she understood how people viewed marriage.

No one sought out a divorced partner—it didn't sound good. Unlike in the future, where talented people were desirable no matter how many times they'd been married.

Xiaoling still lacked confidence. "Let's just drop it. It's not possible. Anyway—let's go shopping! My nephew's coming! We need to buy cloth and make clothes!"

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "It's only been a month! There's plenty of time."

Then a practical thought struck her: babies needed handmade clothes, quilts, blankets... and she had no idea how to make any of it. What would her child wear? What would they use?

Xiaoling pulled her up. "We'll prepare early! Then we won't be rushing later."

As they stepped out of the canteen, Xiaoling suddenly shrieked: "My bike!! It's gone!"