Li Yunlan noticed Lin Xiaoxiao's curiosity and waved a hand. "Go on out and take a look if you want. Probably some married couple fighting, or maybe a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law clash. Though it's pretty shameful to make such a public scene."

Too intrigued to resist, Lin Xiaoxiao hurried outside and found a small crowd already gathered on the street, everyone looking in the same direction.

She spotted Zhou Lingling and slipped in beside her, following her gaze toward a noisy scuffle, though it was hard to make out exactly what was happening.

Zhou Lingling whispered, "Geng Aiguo and Luo Anran had a fight. Luo Anran went back to her parents' place, and now her brother's here making trouble for Geng."

Lin Xiaoxiao immediately lost interest and tugged Zhou Lingling's sleeve. "Let's go back inside. Nothing to see here."

She used to feel sorry for Luo Anran—unable to be with the one she loved. But now, the whole thing felt contrived. Did she have to make such a scene just because Zhou Xiaocheng was back? She seriously doubted Luo Anran didn't know her brother was coming here to pick a fight.

Zhou Lingling also felt uneasy staying out there. Who knew if this might somehow drag Zhou Xiaocheng into the mess?

What's more, it annoyed her. Her brother had only been back for three days. If Luo Anran and Geng Aiguo chose now to have a blow-up, what would everyone think?

Anyone could guess it had something to do with Zhou Xiaocheng's return. People would wonder if old feelings were resurfacing.

And who would end up getting blamed? Zhou Xiaocheng, of course.

Once that sank in, Zhou Lingling grew angry. Back inside the courtyard, she couldn't hold it in. "I can't believe this. What is she thinking? This is going to make things impossible for my brother. People will assume he did something wrong!"

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got—though she was also relieved. "Thank goodness he's not home right now. He'd be furious if he saw this."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know what Luo Anran was thinking, but one thing was clear: this would cast a shadow over Zhou Xiaocheng. Everyone in the compound knew they had once been close.Zhou Lingling went on, "Why did she have to marry someone here, in the same compound? It's going to be so awkward from now on."

Lin Xiaoxiao patted her arm. "Alright, don't let it upset you. We'll let your brother handle it. The last thing we should do is make it worse."

When they told Li Yunlan what was happening outside, she frowned. "What a mess. And Aiguo has such a narrow mind—Xiao Ran is in for a hard time."

Zhou Lingling, ever loyal to family over fairness, snapped, "Well, she shouldn't have made such a scene! She's married now. What's done is done. Is she going to divorce him and marry my brother? That would ruin Er-ge's reputation forever!"

Li Yunlan swatted her. "Watch your mouth, girl! You can't just say things like that."

Lin Xiaoxiao stayed quiet, though she couldn't help wondering: if Luo Anran really did get divorced, would she come looking for Zhou Xiaocheng? Lin didn't exactly expect anyone to stay "pure" in heart and body, but still—marrying within the same compound, twice over? That would definitely raise eyebrows.

Lin Wenbin hadn't expected to run into Zhou Xiaocheng at the ghost market.

The sun had just set, its afterglow lingering faintly as shadows deepened around the crumbling buildings. The market wasn't busy yet—just a few early vendors setting up stalls here and there.

Zhou Xiaocheng seemed equally surprised to see him. He'd heard Lin Wenbin was a renowned brain specialist who'd returned from abroad. After some accident caused memory loss, he'd taken a job as a teacher. But what was a teacher doing in a place like this?

Lin Wenbin greeted him first. "Here for the market? I've heard you can find some interesting things here."

Actually, he was helping Liangzi track down a little cheat—that sly young girl who'd been hustling people lately. She hadn't shown her face for days, and Liangzi was so angry his face was swollen from a toothache.

Zhou Xiaocheng shook his head. "I'm looking for someone. Might be a bit early though."

Lin Wenbin nodded. "Definitely early. Come on, let's grab a bite across the street. I saw a noodle place. I haven't had dinner yet."

Zhou Xiaocheng didn't object. They each ordered a bowl of zhajiangmian.

Once seated, Lin Wenbin tried to pry a little. "Who are you looking for? A stall owner? I've been here a few times—know the place pretty well."

"An old craftsman," Zhou Xiaocheng replied. "Does carvings."

Lin Wenbin thought for a moment. He hadn't noticed any old carving masters at the ghost market. "You mean like rosewood engraving? Haven't seen a stall like that."

"He might not have come out recently," Zhou Xiaocheng said mildly. "I'll look around after we eat."

When the noodles arrived, Zhou Xiaocheng focused on mixing his. Not very hungry himself, and getting nowhere with conversation, Lin Wenbin stirred his own noodles absently while scanning the area.

Just then, the door curtain of the noodle shop was pushed aside—someone stepped in, then turned abruptly and left.

All Lin Wenbin caught was a slender figure moving quickly away. He couldn't even tell if it was a man or a woman. As he started to get up, Zhou Xiaocheng spoke suddenly: "Want some garlic?"

Lin Wenbin paused. It would seem awkward to rush out now. "No, thanks."

He had a feeling Zhou Xiaocheng had done that on purpose. But how could Zhou Xiaocheng know who he was waiting for? Besides, hadn't he just returned to the city? How well could he know the ghost market?

Still suspicious, Lin Wenbin sat back down and ate slowly.

By the time they finished, the market had begun filling up.

Lin Wenbin followed Zhou Xiaocheng through lane after lane. It felt aimless, and yet somehow intentional—as if he really was searching for someone.

It only made Lin Wenbin more curious.

They wandered until after midnight, but found nothing. Eventually, they both headed home empty-handed.

Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't seen her brother the past couple of days, but every morning, Zhou Xiaocheng brought back an assortment of popular local breakfasts.

Soup dumplings from Fuchengmen, beef buns from Niujie, fried dough rings and stewed liver from Tianqiao, along with douzhi, youtiao, shaomai—all famous specialty items.

Eventually, Lin Xiaoxiao grew curious. Outside, she asked Zhou Lingling, "Is your brother really that into food?"

Zhou Lingling was just as puzzled. "Not at all. He's never been picky—eats whatever's there. I don't know what's up with him lately. It's like he's trying to bring us every famous breakfast in the city."

Everything about it felt a little strange.