Lin Xiaoxiao was beginning to realize she was turning into a gossip—and it was mostly because she had too much time on her hands!

Her classes were easier than she'd expected, and she didn't dare let her thoughts wander to Zhou Huaian—each time she did, her heart ached. So, she ended up spending her extra time noticing everyone else's business.

What really stood out to her was how earnest most of her classmates were. Their thirst for knowledge and the way they seized every spare moment to study filled her with respect.Everyone, that is, except Meng Xiaona.

Meng kept looking at her with puzzled, curious eyes, and wouldn't stop asking her questions.

The truth was, Meng Xiaona had always felt superior to others. A city girl from an intellectual family, she'd never really suffered, even during the hardest years. As the youngest in her household, she'd never been sent to the countryside, and her family had never pressured her to marry.

She carried that sense of privilege with her without even realizing it. Lin Xiaoxiao was the only one who made her uneasy. Was it possible Lin came from a better background?

And then there was that strange feeling that she'd seen Lin somewhere before...

So, Meng couldn't help trying to get closer.

After class, as Lin was packing her bag to leave, Meng hurried over. "Lin, are you heading home?

The teacher suggested we form study groups. Want to be in one with me?"

Since students had different educational backgrounds, the teacher encouraged them to help each other academically and personally—so no one would fall behind.

Lin had zero interest. She didn't have the energy or time to help slower students. She didn't want to stand out either—just graduate quietly. So she replied bluntly, "I don't have time. My children are young; I need to get home to them."

Meng stared at her, shocked, as if examining her with X-ray vision. "Really? I never would've guessed you had kids! Okay then, I won't keep you."

She couldn't very well stop someone from going home to their children. But now she was even more curious about Lin's family.

Zhou Lingling was waiting at the school gate, as usual. They rode home together.

Just inside the compound, they ran into Luo Anran—apparently also back from work, pushing her bicycle with a basket of groceries hanging from the handlebars.

Before, Zhou Lingling might have said hello. But since Zhou Xiaocheng's return, and especially after Luo Anran's very public argument with Geng Aiguo a few days ago—which had set the whole compound buzzing with gossip—Lingling wanted nothing to do with her.

She deliberately sped up, pedaling past Luo Anran without a word.

Lin, who didn't know Luo well anyway, cycled slowly past.

To her surprise, Luo Anran stopped right in front of their house, basket in hand, and followed them inside.

Lin was leaning over the courtyard crib looking at her three babies when Luo entered. She looked up, startled.

Li Yunlan was fanning away gnats with a piece of gauze. She too seemed surprised but remained polite. "Anran, just off work?"

Zhou Lingling, who'd been drinking from a dipper of cool water by the door, shot to her feet when she saw Luo.

Luo Anran smiled and held out the basket to Li Yunlan. "My unit has a vegetable patch. The cilantro looked nice, so I picked some. There's also some fennel."

Zhou Lingling thrust the dipper at Lin Xiaoxiao, rushed over, and started guiding—almost pushing—Luo back toward the gate. "We don't need these," she said loudly. "And anyway, I'm the one who likes cilantro, not my brother."

Strong and determined, she escorted Luo out and shut the gate firmly behind her.

Li Yunlan sighed and shook her head, clearly not approving of Luo Anran's visit.

Zhou Lingling scowled and whispered to Lin, "My brother loves fennel. What was she thinking? If Geng Aiguo finds out, he'll take it out on her. Seems like she doesn't even want this marriage anymore."

Lin was also surprised by Luo's boldness. Most people, no matter how unhappy, would still respect certain boundaries after marriage.

Zhou Lingling went on, irritated, "And why fennel? So my brother can eat fennel dumplings and think of her?"

Li Yunlan patted her hand. "That's enough. We can understand if she's struggling—it's not like their feelings for each other just disappeared."

But Zhou Lingling wasn't having it. "She's married now! Our family has a reputation to protect. What if people think Second Brother is chasing after her?"

"Young ladies shouldn't talk like that," Li Yunlan chided gently. "Now go wash your hands.

Dinner should be ready. Xiaoxiao, you too."

That evening, when Zhou Xiaocheng finally returned, Zhou Lingling couldn't hold back. She told him about Luo Anran bringing fennel. "I never saw this side of her before. I thought she was so nice. Why is she playing these games now?"

She fixed her brother with a stern look. "Don't you do anything foolish. She's married. If you get too close, people will say you're having an affair."

Zhou Xiaocheng listened without any change in expression. He smiled slightly and tapped his sister lightly on the head. "Stop overthinking things and eat your dinner."

Zhou Lingling shifted away. "I'm serious. You know what they say—it's not the thief you worry about, it's the one always dreaming about stealing."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't help laughing at Zhou Lingling's unique way of putting things.

Even Zhou Zhennan looked resigned. "Xiaoling, behave yourself and eat."

Then he turned to Zhou Xiaocheng. "Handle this carefully. Don't give people a reason to gossip."

Zhou Xiaocheng nodded. "I understand, Dad. Don't worry."

Lin Xiaoxiao studied him. Something about this man tugged at her heart. The woman he loved was married—and he had to see her every day, knowing how she was living.

Yet he remained calm and detached on the surface, as if it didn't affect him at all.

But that couldn't be true. Zhou Xiaocheng didn't seem like the type to take relationships lightly.

He must have really loved Luo Anran.

He was probably hurting more than anyone knew.

After a silence, Zhou Zhennan spoke again. "You've been going out every night. Who are you looking for?"