When Zhou Xiaoling heard that her eldest brother had returned, she couldn't focus on work anymore. After quickly informing her colleagues, she rushed straight to the hospital.

The reason for her panic was the news that her brother was there for surgery—with Lin Xiaoxiao as the surgeon. Just the thought of it made her legs feel weak.

She arrived in such a hurry that she was still trembling when she saw Lin Xiaoxiao stepping out of the operating room.

Noticing Zhou Xiaoling on the verge of tears, Lin Xiaoxiao removed her mask and reassured her, "It's alright, really. They're just external wounds—I've already taken care of them. Besides, with me here, you know he's in good hands."

Zhou Xiaoling let out a sigh of relief. "You have no idea how people were talking. They made it sound like he was critically injured—like he'd come back with his last breath just to see you."

Lin Xiaoxiao fell silent for a moment.

She went on to explain Zhou Huai'an's condition clearly: "His wounds hadn't been properly cared for. During the journey, his bandages weren't changed regularly, and there was probably some bacterial exposure. But now that he's back, he'll be fine."

Zhou Xiaoling slumped onto a bench nearby. "God, that scared me to death. I was running so fast I fell several times on the way here."

As she brushed the dirt off her knees, she grumbled, "I'm going to have a word with whoever started those rumors. Where did they even hear that? At this rate, they'll have my brother dead and buried with their gossip."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't help but laugh. "And you believed them? But it's okay—your brother is fine. He'll wake up soon from the anesthesia."

Zhong Zhiguo, Wang Wenju, and a few others also arrived after hearing the news. They checked with Lin Xiaoxiao about Zhou Huai'an's condition and decided to wait until he woke up.

Soon, the hallway was crowded with people.

After some thought, Lin Xiaoxiao suggested that Zhong Zhiguo and the others stay while she and Zhou Xiaoling went back to prepare some food.

Zhong Zhiguo stopped them. "The hospital cafeteria provides patient meals. You can request something specific if what they have isn't suitable. It's a long way back—no need to trouble yourselves."

Lin Xiaoxiao considered it and agreed. Since Zhou Huai'an needed protein to recover—like chicken, beef, and solid foods rather than just broth—she asked Zhou Xiaoling to buy a chicken from a nearby village.

She planned to cook it in the hospital kitchen. Besides, with Zhong Zhiguo and the others around, Zhou Huai'an would likely need to discuss work matters. It might be better to give them some space.

So she and Zhou Xiaoling stayed by the stove in the kitchen, chatting. Eventually, Lin Xiaoxiao brought up the topic of Zhou Xiaohong.

Zhou Xiaoling jumped up in anger. "That bastard Hu Yaozong! How dare he treat my sister like that!"

But since Hu Yaozong was already imprisoned—with little chance of release—there wasn't much she could do. Frustrated, she turned her anger toward Zhou Xiaohong: "Why didn't she tell us?

We would've helped her! If we'd known earlier, we could've dealt with Hu Yaozong ourselves. Why did she wait until now?"

She grew more upset as she spoke. "There must be something wrong with our family genes when it comes to her. How could she be so foolish? It's unbelievable."

Lin Xiaoxiao also felt that Zhou Xiaohong lacked sense. "Some people only learn the hard way. Right now, no one can get through to her."

Back in the ward, after Zhou Huai'an woke up, Zhong Zhiguo briefly discussed work matters with him and mentioned that Lin Xiaoxiao had successfully registered for the college entrance exam.

Then, almost as if confessing, Wang Wenju explained how Lin Xiaoxiao had saved his mother but was later reported. He also brought up the conflicts between Xiao Yan and Lin Xiaoxiao, including how Xiao Yan had allegedly almost caused Lin Xiaoxiao to miscarry.

The story about the miscarriage had spread, though the details were unclear. Rumor had it that Xiao Yan had hit Lin Xiaoxiao, nearly causing a miscarriage, and Zhou Xiaoling had retaliated by hitting Xiao Yan.

The incident caused quite a stir, but in the end, Zhou Xiaoling wasn't punished—everyone understood she was protecting Lin Xiaoxiao.

Zhou Huai'an listened quietly, his hands clenching tighter and tighter, veins bulging. He had been away for just over two months, and in that time, so many people had mistreated Lin Xiaoxiao.

According to Wang Wenju, she had been targeted again and again through no fault of her own.

"Captain, I failed you," Wang Wenju said shamefully. "I didn't handle my family situation well, and because of that, your wife was wronged."

Zhou Huai'an asked coldly, "Where is Xiao Yan now?"

Wang Wenju knew—he'd heard that in order to take the college exam, Xiao Yan had married the village chief's mentally disabled son. He relayed what he knew.

Zhou Huai'an turned to Zhong Zhiguo. "No matter what, she must not be allowed to take the exam or leave Xiaowa Village. You can make that happen, right?"

Zhong Zhiguo hesitated. He had the means, but it felt like abusing his power for personal revenge.

Zhou Huai'an looked at him sharply. "You always told me my wife was doing fine. But look what happened—even our unborn child was in danger. Is that what you call 'fine'? If anything had happened to Xiaoxiao or the baby, what kind of man would I be?"

Zhong Zhiguo opened his mouth but found no words. He finally nodded. "Don't worry. However she tries, Xiao Yan will not take the exam. She will never get approval to return to the city. Unless policies change dramatically, she will spend the rest of her life in Xiaowa Village."

Even he was shocked by how malicious Xiao Yan had been—and how far she'd gone.

When Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling returned with a pot of chicken and some flatbread, Zhou Huai'an was alone in the ward. He sat on the bed, his expression calm but stern, with a lingering trace of anger.

Lin Xiaoxiao assumed it was related to work. Men weren't as gossipy as women, and with Zhong Zhiguo there, they probably hadn't discussed personal matters.

She placed the pot on the bedside table and said gently, "What's wrong? Wash your hands and eat. We'll stay here tonight and go home tomorrow."

The room had two beds, so they could each have one. The next morning, she'd change his bandages, and after that, he could rest at home. She could take care of his wound care there too.

Zhou Huai'an nodded silently. Zhou Xiaoling brought water so he could wash his hands. Then he sat down and began to eat.

Lin Xiaoxiao gave him both chicken drumsticks. "The edges of your wound are slightly macerated, so eat more protein and drink less fluid. That'll help you heal faster. And tomorrow morning, skip the millet porridge—have milk powder instead."

Zhou Huai'an nodded again. "Okay."

Lin Xiaoxiao found his quietness unusual. Maybe work was really bothering him. She nibbled on a chicken foot and chatted with Zhou Xiaoling. "Come over for lunch tomorrow—I'll make dumplings."

Zhou Xiaoling agreed cheerfully. "Sure! I'll bring the meat—I still have meat coupons."

The two women chatted happily as they ate.

Zhou Huai'an ate in silence, watching them. His heart felt heavy. All he could think about was the hardships Lin Xiaoxiao had faced while he was away—and how helpless he had been.