Finally having enough, Zhou Huai'an stepped forward and pulled Zhou Xiaoling away by the arm.

Zhou Xiaoling turned teary eyes toward him, sobbing, "Elder brother, it's just... it's so wonderful. Second brother is alive. I'm going to call Mom later—she'll be overjoyed. This is really the best news."

Until now, everything had been speculation. After all, he'd been gravely injured—who could say whether he had even survived? Why else would he have stayed hidden for so long? But Li Yu's account was proof.

Zhou Xiaocheng was alive. He had simply been on a mission—one that couldn't be disclosed.

Even though they couldn't see him, didn't know where he was, or when he might come home—just knowing he was somewhere in this world, safe and sound, was enough.

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "Aren't you a little old to be crying until your face is a mess? Clean yourself up. And from now on, keep some distance from your sister-in-law."

The way Zhou Xiaoling had been leaning toward Lin Xiaoxiao, nearly pressing against her stomach, made his heart pound with fear.

Zhou Xiaoling had been lost in her emotions, overwhelmed by the confirmation that her second brother was still alive. But her older brother's bluntness made her pause. She blinked, wiped her tears, and glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao before retorting hoarsely, "Elder brother, it's not like I'm a wrecking ball. I'm not going to break her."

Zhou Huai'an's expression remained stern. "Better to be careful."

Lin Xiaoxiao had also been moved by Xiaoling's tears, her own feelings tinged with melancholy. It reminded her of her own family—her parents and brother, somewhere out of reach. Were they safe? Were they well?

Just knowing they were alive, even in another world or another time, would bring her peace.

But Zhou Huai'an's sudden interjection broke the sadness, leaving her caught between amusement and exasperation. "Don't talk to Xiaoling like that. I'm not some fragile object. Besides, while you were gone, she was the one taking care of me."

Zhou Xiaoling rubbed her reddened eyes and shot Zhou Huai'an a defiant look. "See? I know how to take care of my sister-in-law better than you. I even know she likes to eat three big bowls of rice in one sitting!"

Zhou Huai'an fell silent. She was right. He should be grateful Xiaoling had been here all this time. Pressing his lips together, he turned without a word and sat back down on the small bed.

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and gently pushed Zhou Xiaoling. "Your brother's just worried about me.

Come on, let's make dumplings. We'll invite Li Yu and the little one to join us later."

Before, their connection with Li Yu had been simple—she helped Wang Wenju look after his child, and they were neighbors. But now things were different. Li Yu's family had saved Zhou Xiaocheng's life. That deserved gratitude and respect.

Zhou Xiaoling nodded and began chopping filling for the dumplings. When Zhou Huai'an moved to help wrap them, Lin Xiaoxiao stopped him. "Focus on recovering. Once you're better, you can cook for us every day. For now, I can handle this."

Zhou Huai'an had no choice but to sit back and watch as Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling worked together with practiced ease—Xiaoling rolling out the wrappers, Xiaoxiao filling and shaping them. Row after row of plump dumplings quickly took shape.

The two chatted nonstop as they worked, and their bond was unexpectedly warm and lively.

Zhou Huai'an's gaze softened as it rested on Lin Xiaoxiao. Seated there, the gentle curve of her belly was clearly visible. To him, it looked beautiful.

Suddenly, Zhou Xiaoling exclaimed and turned to her brother. "Elder brother, did you know? Sister-in-law might be having twins!"

Zhou Huai'an froze. He stood up abruptly, sat back down, his face grim—almost frighteningly serious.

Zhou Xiaoling was baffled. Had she said something wrong? "Elder brother... what is it?"

Lin Xiaoxiao also watched him curiously. Most people would jump for joy or gasp in surprise at such news. Why did Zhou Huai'an look like he was confronting a life-or-death crisis?

He stood again, walked over to Lin Xiaoxiao, and pulled her up by the arm. "You shouldn't be doing this. I'll wrap the dumplings. It's fine. You sit and rest."

Lin Xiaoxiao almost laughed, but then she noticed his hand trembling where he held her. She looked up—his expression was tight, strained. He was nervous.

She placed her hand over his. "Don't be anxious. Relax, Zhou Huai'an. There's no real difference between carrying one baby or two."

But he wasn't convinced. One baby already seemed like enough strain. Two? He'd heard stories at work—a colleague's wife who didn't survive childbirth, another who hemorrhaged...

The moment Xiaoling spoke, his mind flooded with worst-case scenarios. His legs had gone weak. He was terrified something would happen to Lin Xiaoxiao.

She smiled softly, comforting this simple, earnest man. "Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. And if you're this scared now, what will you do when I actually go into labor?"

Zhou Huai'an took a moment to steady himself, the tension slowly easing. Without a word, he returned to his seat.

Lin Xiaoxiao studied him. "How can you move around so much with such serious injuries?

Doesn't it hurt? I sometimes think you're made of iron."

He shook his head. "It doesn't hurt. You get used to it."

She sighed. "I'll let it slide this time. But if you get hurt again and don't tell me immediately, I really won't forgive you."

Even as she said it, she knew it was unrealistic. His duty, his sense of responsibility—how could he avoid getting injured?

As she pinched another dumpling shut, her eyes suddenly reddened.

Quick to understand, Zhou Xiaoling tried to comfort her. "Sister-in-law, don't worry. It's not like this happens all the time. Everything will be fine."

Lin Xiaoxiao sniffed. "In just the past six months, he's been stabbed in the stomach, broken his leg, and now this—a wounded chest and abdomen. At this rate, who can promise he'll stay in one piece?"

Zhou Xiaoling grimaced. Her brother really had been through a lot. A normal person wouldn't have made it. She scrambled for something reassuring to say. "Maybe... maybe he's just had a streak of bad luck this year. Things will get better."

Lin Xiaoxiao almost laughed. "Let's be real—it's because he takes his duty too seriously. The moment there's danger, he forgets about his own safety. That's why he gets hurt."

But that was also why she loved him. A man who only looked out for himself, who lacked a sense of greater purpose—she could never love someone like that.