Lin Xiaoxiao was puzzled, but Zhou Zhennan patiently explained: "If we take action against Hu Ling because of this, she will undoubtedly retaliate by exposing Zhou Xiaohong as an accomplice. We discussed this before—your grandfather, Huaian, and I—in the study."

If Zhou Xiaohong were convicted of a criminal offense, it would impact most of the Zhou family. After all, the Zhous are involved in politics, with many members holding positions in important government departments.

The most directly affected would be Zhou Huaian and Zhou Xiaocheng.

Zhou Huaian, of course, refused to let it go. Hu Ling had tried to take the lives of his wife and child—how could he simply drop the matter? Since Hu Ling was bent on revenge, she wouldn't give up easily. The next time she made a move, he would crush her completely.

Zhou Zhennan sighed regretfully. "This incident at the hospital didn't involve Hu Ling, so she slipped through this time. But Huaian came up with an idea. In March, there will be a conference in Beijing. Security will be tighter than usual across the city, and penalties for any offenses during that period will be much more severe."

He didn't go into specifics but added: "Huaian also said we shouldn't just eliminate Hu Ling—we must also deal with her two children to prevent any future revenge."

Lin Xiaoxiao was taken aback. She hadn't thought that far ahead, and it surprised her that Zhou Huaian could be so ruthless.

She still felt a twinge of compassion, especially toward the children. "But the children are so young," she couldn't help asking. "How can we... eliminate the threat permanently?"

Zhou Zhennan didn't elaborate. Some matters were better kept from Xiaoxiao. "Don't worry, their lives won't be harmed. Now, you were saying about Xiaoling's reaction—is that really what happened?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, that's what Xiaoling said. Right now, I'm not worried about her—I'm afraid Mother might be upset if she hears bad news."

Zhou Zhennan was silent for a moment. "Xiaoling's mother was our family's benefactor. Her father was a pilot, a hero. Their daughter won't turn out bad."

After a moment, Lin Xiaoxiao raised another question. "Is Xiaoling related to the Lin family in Shanghai?"

Zhou Zhennan shook his head. "Probably not. Jingdong is from the Northeast."

Relieved, Lin Xiaoxiao said, "That's good. I was afraid it might turn out that Xiaoling is Lin Zihao's cousin—that would have been awkward."

Before leaving the study, she reminded Zhou Zhennan: "We still need to keep an eye on Hu Ling. We can't let her jump out and bite us."

Zhou Zhennan nodded. "Don't worry. She won't get another chance."

The one thing he hadn't anticipated was that Hu Ling already knew about Zhou Xiaoling's background. He suspected Zhou Xiaohong had leaked it again. He sighed inwardly, weary of having such a daughter.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaoling took Li Yunlan to Xidan, where they bought several tin toys and a blinking rubber doll. The two returned home cheerfully.

At the entrance of the compound, they encountered Cheng Mingyue and Lin Dalong, hesitating nervously outside the gate.

As soon as Li Yunlan saw Cheng Mingyue, her smile vanished. "That's your sister-in-law's mother. What is she doing here?"

Zhou Xiaoling had no sympathy for Cheng Mingyue either—what kind of mother reports her own daughter? With a stern face, she walked over just as coldly as Li Yunlan.

Cheng Mingyue was desperate. All the money she had was less than three hundred yuan. She'd even sold her watch, but got only fifty for it. She was still far from having enough to cover the thousand yuan debt.

That morning, the debt collectors had come again. Now they demanded twelve hundred—two hundred in interest after just one day. Flashing the IOU signed by Lin Dalong, they were bold and aggressive.

Their visit had upset Wang Da, who politely but firmly told Cheng Mingyue to either pay up quickly or move out. He didn't want his family's reputation ruined because of them.

With no other options, Cheng Mingyue thought of Lin Xiaoxiao. If she didn't repay the debt soon, the amount might rise to fourteen hundred the next day.

So she gathered her courage and came, though she knew Lin Xiaoxiao was unlikely to help. She had been hesitating for a long time at the gate, unsure whether to go in.

When she saw Li Yunlan, she forced an awkward smile. "Dear in-law..."

Li Yunlan snorted. "Still 'in-law'? The New Year celebrations are over. Why are you here?"

Cheng Mingyue smiled uncomfortably. "There's been a misunderstanding between Xiaoxiao and me. I was afraid she was still angry, so I haven't visited."

Zhou Xiaoling laughed coldly. "What a 'misunderstanding'! A mother reporting her own daughter for cheating on the college entrance exams—how righteous of you."

If she weren't here to borrow money, Cheng Mingyue would have turned around and left. Instead, she forced another smile. "It really is a misunderstanding. I need to discuss something with Xiaoxiao. May we come in?"

Zhou Xiaoling refused outright. "No. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Lin Dalong, his face still bruised, glared defiantly at Zhou Xiaoling. "We're here to see my sister. What's it to you?"

Zhou Xiaoling crossed her arms and looked at him disdainfully. "You've got some nerve. How about I show you what it's got to do with me? Either leave now, or I'll have you thrown out."

Cheng Mingyue frowned. How could a daughter of the Zhou family be so crude? "I need to borrow some money from Xiaoxiao. Dalong is her brother—she can't just abandon him when he's in trouble."

Zhou Xiaoling clicked her tongue. "Well, she can and she will. Now get going, or I'll call security."

Cheng Mingyue and Lin Dalong had no choice but to leave, more anxious than ever. If Lin Xiaoxiao wouldn't help, where else could they borrow money?

Frustrated and angry, Cheng Mingyue began scolding Lin Dalong again. "Look at the mess you've gotten us into! How are we going to come up with the money? Should I sell you or myself?"

Lin Dalong stayed silent, but he was worried too. If they didn't pay, those people would really kill him.

Back inside, Zhou Xiaoling first showed Lin Xiaoxiao the toys they'd bought: a wind-up tin bear that danced and a rubber doll that blinked when moved.

"Look, doesn't this doll look like An'an? So pretty. Our An'an is going to be a little beauty."

Lin Xiaoxiao curiously wound up the bear and watched it dance. "It must have been expensive."

Zhou Xiaoling shrugged. "I've got money. I haven't spent my salary yet." Then she added, "Oh, by the way, we saw your mother at the gate earlier."

Li Yunlan, who was changing the baby's diaper, wished she could stop Zhou Xiaoling from bringing it up. She felt that such matters shouldn't bother Lin Xiaoxiao.

After all, that was still Lin Xiaoxiao's mother. Knowing what she had done must be painful for her.But Zhou Xiaoling spoke too quickly—even mentioning that Cheng Mingyue had come to borrow money.

Lin Xiaoxiao was momentarily stunned. Hearing about her "mother" made her realize she hadn't dreamed about her parents in a long time—not since her brother arrived. She wondered how they were doing.

Sometimes she thought about them at night, but daily busyness made her forget during the day.Now she felt an unexpected sadness. Had she lost her ability to foresee things in dreams?