Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes fell on the tall, stout man trailing beside Xiao Yan—his dull, foolish expression left no doubt that this was the man she was being forced to marry. She just hadn't expected to run into them so soon.

Next to Xiao Yan stood a middle-aged woman with a thin, sharp face and shrewd eyes—clearly the mother-in-law.

In a family like that, Xiao Yan wouldn't stand a chance.

Xiao Yan had not expected to run into Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling either. Not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing her humiliation, she turned to leave immediately. The moment Hanniù saw his "wife" turning away, he stumbled after her, chanting, "Wife buy cloth! Sleep sleep!"

Yuelian barely glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao and the others—she didn't even register their faces—and simply followed her son and future daughter-in-law with an impatient grumble. "I thought we were going to buy fabric? Where are you going now? Xiao Yan, remember—the bride price is only fifty yuan. Don't think about splurging..."

Muttering under her breath, she hurried after them.

Zhou Xiaoling stared after them, wide-eyed. "Oh my god. So that's Xiao Yan's man? They actually look... well-matched. Too bad I forgot to wish them a happy marriage and a house full of kids."

But Lin Xiaoxiao had noticed how tense Li Yu had become. "Li Yu, are you okay?" she asked gently.

Li Yu shook her head quickly. "It's nothing. Shanzi and I should go."

Hearing they were leaving, Shanzi whined, "No go home! Buy candy! Auntie buy candy!"

Li Yu tried to soothe him. "We'll come back tomorrow, okay? Let's go home now."

But Shanzi began to cry. "No! No go home! Buy now!"

They were already in town; there was no way he'd agree to leave without what he came for.

Lin Xiaoxiao watched Li Yu carefully. Her reaction had started the moment they saw Xiao Yan's group. Did she know that man... or his mother?

"Do you know those people?" she ventured.

Li Yu bit her lower lip and stayed silent—a clear confirmation.

Lin Xiaoxiao was puzzled. Li Yu was supposed to be a famine refugee from the north. What connection could she have with that family? Unless they had hurt her somehow...

Under Lin Xiaoxiao's perceptive gaze, Li Yu finally relented. "On my way here... I was tricked and sold to that... that fool... as a wife. On the wedding night, I knocked him out and ran."

She hung her head, ashamed of the memory. Even though he hadn't touched her, the shame remained.

Both Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling were stunned. Zhou Xiaoling's sense of justice flared up. "Don't be afraid. If they bother you, I'll handle it. What they did is human trafficking—it's illegal!"

Li Yu seemed taken aback by her fierceness. "Thank you... but it's okay. They have a new daughter-in-law now. They won't come looking for me."

But one thing still puzzled Lin Xiaoxiao. "Their village is only seven or eight kilometers from here. Why didn't you run farther after you escaped? Weren't you afraid they'd find you?"

Zhou Xiaoling nodded in agreement.

Li Yu hesitated. "I came here to find someone. I still haven't found them... I was afraid if I left, I'd never have another chance."

She looked sincerely at Lin Xiaoxiao as she spoke.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't really care whether Li Yu was lying—it wasn't her business. She was just curious. Seeing how earnest Li Yu seemed, she quickly waved a hand. "It's fine, I was just wondering. But you can relax now—they have a new daughter-in-law. They probably won't come after you."

Li Yu thanked her repeatedly. "I was afraid you'd think I had ulterior motives. I don't. I'm very grateful to Brother Wang for taking me in. I'll take good care of Shanzi."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt almost bad for making her uncomfortable. "It's really okay. What did you need to buy? We'll go with you, then we'll get something to eat."

Li Yu didn't refuse. Having Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling with her made her feel safer. Though she didn't know them well, she admired their bold and straightforward personalities.

It was the kind of character she wished she had.

After accompanying Li Yu and Shanzi to buy candy and watching them head home, Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling finally went to eat.

The only state-run restaurant in town served boiled mutton. By the time they arrived, all five tables were full, so they shared one with a smaller group.

As she sat down, Lin Xiaoxiao noticed Xiao Yan and her group were also there—at a table in the back, also sharing. Xiao Yan sat rigidly, her face tight.

Zhou Xiaoling's eyes lit up when she saw them. She patted Lin Xiaoxiao's shoulder. "Sis, wait here. I'm just going to wash my hands."

But instead of heading to the restroom, she wound her way through the crowd toward Xiao Yan's table.

Xiao Yan stiffened the moment she saw Zhou Xiaoling approaching. She already disliked Lin Xiaoxiao, but Zhou Xiaoling downright terrified her. Zhou didn't play by any rules.

Zhou Xiaoling smiled sweetly. "Well, if it isn't Dr. Xiao! I thought I saw you earlier. Here for dinner? Are these your relatives?"

Xiao Yan didn't want to engage. She couldn't beat Zhou Xiaoling in a fight, and she couldn't outargue her either. But with Yuelian watching, she had to respond. "Yes."

Yuelian's eyes gleamed as she looked Zhou Xiaoling over. "Oh, you know Xiao Yan? and I'm her future mother-in-law. The wedding's next Saturday—you should come!"

Xiao Yan had agreed to marry her fool of a son, but she wore a sour expression every day. If it weren't for the college exam spot, she would've already snapped.

Yuelian wasn't about to let her save face. If Xiao Yan wanted to keep it quiet, she'd make sure everyone knew.

Zhou Xiaoling played along perfectly, feigning surprise. "Dr. Xiao is getting married! He looks like quite a catch. You'll be living the good life—congratulations!"

Xiao Yan's composure was fraying, but she couldn't afford to lose her temper. She stayed silent.

Yuelian, however, was delighted. "You said it! Our family is well-off in the village. She'll want for nothing."

Zhou Xiaoling offered a few more mocking congratulations before returning to her table, pleased with herself.

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head as Zhou Xiaoling sat down. "Why bother?"

Zhou Xiaoling shrugged. "I just like seeing her miserable. After what she tried to do to my nephew? She deserves every bit of this."

In Beijing, Zhou Huai'an stretched his sore arm and rose from his hospital bed. He fixed his gaze on Lin Zihao. "Get me a train ticket for tomorrow. I'm going home."