Lin Xiaoxiao never expected to see her brother the moment she stepped off the train. But with so many people around, she couldn't run over to greet him or show any particular warmth. Instead, she feigned surprise and said to Zhou Huai'an, "Professor Lin... What is he doing here?"

Lin Wenbin walked over excitedly. After politely greeting Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan, he turned to Lin Xiaoxiao. "I can't believe it. You're actually my uncle's daughter. You probably didn't know this, but your father had an older brother who went abroad years ago and never returned. Later, my parents... passed away unexpectedly."

Lin Xiaoxiao stared at him in shock. What kind of story was he making up? How did he come up with this?

Even in the original host's memories, there was no mention of her father having a brother.

Zhou Zhennan also found it hard to believe—the coincidence was simply too great. Still, the surname Lin wasn't all that common, so he asked cautiously, "Is that really true?"

Lin Wenbin nodded earnestly and handed Zhou Zhennan a file folder. "Sir, I was just as surprised. After returning to China, I visited an old friend of my father's. He told me the whole story and even gave me this photograph. I checked the address—it matches exactly where Xiaoxiao was born. My father's friend also remembered that my uncle had a daughter. After my uncle's death, they lost touch, so he didn't know what became of her. All the details align."

Lin Xiaoxiao could only stare in disbelief. Not even a professional screenwriter could make up something this elaborate. What if someone looked into it and found out it was all a lie? How would they explain that?

The thought made her nervous. She had always thought her brother was the reliable one—now it seemed he was anything but.

Zhou Zhennan took the folder and examined its contents: several yellowed letters, apparently correspondence between Lin Wenbin's father and his friend, asking him to look after his younger brother back home. The brother's full name and address were included.

There was also a photograph of three young men—presumably Lin Wenbin's father and his brothers.

Zhou Zhennan had never met Xiaoxiao's father, so he couldn't verify the story. But the letters seemed genuine enough—who would go to the trouble of forging such things?

He returned the materials to Lin Wenbin with a sigh. "It really is a small world. Who would have thought we'd end up being family after all these turns? Come, let's go home and talk properly."

Lin Wenbin didn't refuse. In fact, he seemed genuinely moved. "Yes, I still can't believe it. I thought I was completely alone in this world. I never imagined I had a blood relative—a cousin.

After all these years abroad, I'd almost forgotten what family felt like. Ever since I heard, I've been coming to the station every day, hoping to find you. And today, I finally did."

Lin Xiaoxiao watched her brother perform, impressed by his ability to improvise complete with props.

Li Yunlan, soft-hearted and easily moved by stories of family separation, felt especially sorry for Lin Wenbin now that she knew he was an orphan. Her eyes reddened. "It's alright. You're Xiaoxiao's brother, so that makes you family. Let's go home now. You're always welcome."

Lin Wenbin's eyes were also slightly red. He looked genuinely touched. "Thank you. You're both so kind."

Realizing she ought to say something, Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated, then looked at Lin Wenbin. "Is this really true? You're really my cousin?"

Lin Wenbin nodded. "Yes. Was your father's name Lin Yutang?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. That was indeed her biological father's name. It seemed her brother had done his homework. And since the original host's father was no longer alive, there was no one around to confirm or deny the story.

Feeling a little more at ease, she smiled at Lin Wenbin. "I can't believe I have a brother now. Let's go home."

Li Yunlan quickly agreed. "Yes, yes, we can talk more at home," she said, motioning for Lin Wenbin to get in the car.

Zhou Huai'an stayed close to Lin Xiaoxiao without saying a word. He deeply suspected Lin Wenbin's story. How could he suddenly be Xiaoxiao's brother?

Something didn't add up, yet Lin Wenbin's performance had been flawless.

They got into the car and drove off happily. Lin Xiaoxiao was overjoyed—she hadn't expected to reconnect with her brother so easily. But she couldn't show it too openly, so she kept looking out the window, making small talk. "So this is Beijing! The roads are so wide."

"There are so many buildings... And over there—is that the Forbidden City? It looks magnificent."

She chattered excitedly the whole way. Li Yunlan patiently pointed out various historical sites.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Lin Wenbin could hardly listen. Was his sister really this impressed? This place wasn't even as developed as the rural areas forty years into the future. Yet she acted like she'd just arrived in a metropolitan wonderland.

He still hadn't adjusted to life here himself. Everything was inconvenient—shopping, entertainment, communication. There was no modern technology, no convenient transportation. The food and clothing were extremely basic.

As someone with high standards, he couldn't understand how his sister had not only adapted but seemed genuinely happy—even getting married and having a baby here. The thought gave him a headache.

Zhou Bingwen, anticipating their luggage, had sent two cars. That worked out perfectly: Lin Xiaoxiao, Li Yunlan, and Lin Wenbin took one car, while Zhou Zhennan and Zhou Huai'an took the other.

Zhou Zhennan remained cautious about Lin Wenbin's sudden appearance and foreign background. He said quietly to Zhou Huai'an, "I don't see anything obviously wrong with Lin Wenbin for now, but tell Xiaoxiao to be careful. Even if he really is her cousin, we still need to be cautious. His overseas background is... sensitive."

Zhou Huai'an nodded. "I understand. Did those documents seem authentic to you?"

"They looked genuine," Zhou Zhennan admitted. "And it's not the kind of thing you can easily fake. We can check later whether Xiaoxiao's father really had a brother. That will confirm whether he's lying."

After a moment of silence, Zhou Huai'an said, "It really is quite a coincidence."

"It certainly is," Zhou Zhennan agreed. "Xiaoxiao doesn't have many relatives. She seems happy about it, so let's not discuss our doubts in front of her. Just remind her not to share everything with Lin Wenbin."

Zhou Huai'an didn't respond. He had noticed how happy Lin Xiaoxiao was to see Lin Wenbin—a joy she couldn't completely hide. It shone in her eyes and softened her expression.

She was truly glad to see him. And maybe she had known who he was all along. Perhaps they really did share some close bond.

Zhou Huai'an's head began to ache from all the unanswered questions. But in the end, what mattered was that Lin Xiaoxiao was happy.