Zhou Xiaoling grinned. "I'm sure he won't get hurt again. Anyway, sister-in-law, your dumplings are so perfectly shaped."

Lin Xiaoxiao chuckled. "That was a pretty clumsy change of subject."

After wrapping the dumplings, she went to invite Tian Xiu over, but Tian Xiu refused, insisting that she and Shanzi had already eaten. So Lin Xiaoxiao piled a large plate high with dumplings and had Zhou Xiaoling bring it over to them.

Knowing that Zhou Xiaocheng was alive had Zhou Xiaoling talking about him throughout the meal. Between bites, she glanced at Zhou Huai'an. "Elder brother, you and second brother really are different. But you're both amazing in your own ways. I know you'd get along well if you ever met."

Curious, Lin Xiaoxiao asked, "Did your second brother ever make any mistakes?"

Zhou Xiaoling thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not really. All our relatives used to say he was like a fairy child who descended from heaven—finished his task early and went back."

Lin Xiaoxiao was quiet for a moment before stating firmly, "I still think your elder brother is better. No one could be better than him."

Zhou Xiaoling giggled. "Yes, yes, my elder brother is the best. It's pretty clear—neither of you can see any flaws in the other."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Of course. By the way, Lin Zihao came by yesterday."

Zhou Xiaoling paused. "Why bring him up all of a sudden?"

There was a teasing note in Lin Xiaoxiao's voice. "Can't I mention him? I'm starting to think you knew Lin Zihao before. There must be some secret between you two—why else would you get so flustered and quiet around him?"

Blushing and flustered, Zhou Xiaoling protested, "Sister-in-law, that's too much! I say one thing about you, and you attack me like this?"

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "Well? Am I right? Did you know him before?"

Zhou Xiaoling stuffed another dumpling in her mouth and stayed silent, letting Lin Xiaoxiao tease.

Her silence only made Lin Xiaoxiao more certain. She'd hit a nerve. Who knew Zhou Xiaoling could keep secrets so well?

After lunch, Zhou Xiaoling left for work. Lin Xiaoxiao walked her out, deciding to take a stroll herself. With her appetite lately, she didn't dare lie down right after eating—she was afraid she'd end up weighing two hundred pounds.

After a lap around the residential compound, she returned to find Zhou Huai'an sitting on the edge of the bed, grinning widely—a simple, almost goofy smile that showed his teeth.

When he saw her come in, he quickly tried to hide it, his expression softening as he looked at her.

Suspicious, Lin Xiaoxiao walked over and pinched his cheek. "What were you smiling about just now?"

It was a silly, heartfelt grin she'd never seen before—one that came from pure joy.

Zhou Huai'an took her hand. "Thank you."

Lin Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow. "Changsuo, is your reaction time a bit slow? You found out I was pregnant yesterday, and only now you're sitting here grinning like a fool?"

Zhou Huai'an just gazed at her, his eyes filled with unspoken tenderness and deep emotion.

Without thinking, Lin Xiaoxiao wet her lips, leaned down, and kissed him gently. Her adorable, silly man.

After a four-day train ride to the provincial capital, Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan found there were no tickets to Longbei until the next day. They decided to spend the night at the Bayi Hotel near the station. With their travel permits and work IDs, the stay—even meals—was free.

Li Yunlan wasn't tired at all once they got to their room. Full of energy, she started reorganizing their luggage. "I think we didn't bring enough. Let's go out later—we need more fabric. We have to buy more for Xiaoxiao to make clothes. She won't fit into her old things now that she's pregnant."

Zhou Zhennan looked at the two large suitcases and two overstuffed travel bags. Only half a case held his and Li Yunlan's changes of clothes. The rest was all for Lin Xiaoxiao and the baby.

He sighed helplessly. "It's already plenty. If we need more, we can buy it in Longbei. They have things there too."

But Li Yunlan wouldn't hear of it. "Nonsense. Longbei won't have the selection the provincial capital has. You've been there—you know."

Zhou Zhennan gave in. After freshening up and eating, they went out shopping.

Li Yunlan wanted to buy everything. She even bought five kilograms of wool yarn without a thought for how they'd carry it all.

Arms full of packages, Zhou Zhennan kept trying to reason with her. "That's enough. We won't be able to fit any more."

Then Li Yunlan spotted a fabric stall and hurried over. She found a white cloth printed with tiny cherries—fresh and cute. "Zhennan, look at this! Isn't this perfect for Xiaoxiao? It would make such a pretty dress."

Her voice drew the attention of a mother and daughter browsing nearby.

Zhou Zhennan was pretty sure they already had at least six pieces of white floral fabric intended for dresses. They all looked the same to him. But to keep Li Yunlan happy, he nodded. "It's lovely. The cherries are very elegant."

Pleased, Li Yunlan beamed. "I thought so too. Let's get another length. Do you have any more fabric tickets? Give me two more."

Cheng Mingyue, standing nearby, watched with surprise. She wondered if the well-dressed, cheerful woman was talking about her daughter, Lin Xiaoxiao.

But how would Lin Xiaoxiao know someone like this?

Maybe the woman's daughter was also named Xiaoxiao? Then again, aside from one's own parents, who would spoil a child so generously?

Noticing she was being watched, Li Yunlan turned. She paused when she saw Cheng Mingyue's face—it looked so much like Lin Xiaoxiao's. Remembering that Lin Xiaoxiao's birth mother lived in the provincial capital, she ventured cautiously, "Is there something I can help you with?"

Cheng Mingyue smiled politely. "I overheard you say 'Xiaoxiao.' It caught my attention—my daughter is also named Xiaoxiao."

Now Li Yunlan was sure. This was Lin Xiaoxiao's mother. She'd heard that after Lin Xiaoxiao married Zhou Huai'an, her family had moved to the provincial capital and cut off contact.

The thought irritated her. What kind of parents moved away and stopped talking to their married daughter? Without her family behind her, wasn't she left vulnerable?

Her tone cooled. "What a coincidence. My daughter is also named Xiaoxiao. She's married—we're on our way to see her now. We want to bring her plenty of gifts, make sure she's respected in her husband's family. And your daughter? How old is she? Is she married?"

A awkward smile touched Cheng Mingyue's lips. "She's married too, though not well. She's out in the countryside. I only see her once a year."