Zhou Xiaocheng looked steadily at Zhang Wanqing. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? Your grandfather said you were a very smart young woman. A smart person should know how to make their enemy suffer the most without getting hurt themselves."

Zhang Wanqing stared back defiantly. "Of course I know! But everyone says my father was the murderer! Who am I supposed to believe?"

Xiaocheng's expression remained calm, but his voice was earnest and firm. "You can believe me."

Zhang Wanqing studied him in silence, her eyes full of doubt. "Why would you help me? Is it just because my grandfather asked you to? Or is it because you think I'm pretty and want something from me?"

Rarely angered, Xiaocheng now frowned with clear irritation. "Zhang Wanqing! Others might underestimate you, but you must not underestimate yourself. Don't ever say things like that again. You should go." With that, he turned and walked away.

Zhang Wanqing's heart stung as if pierced by a needle—a dull, swelling pain.

She watched his retreating figure until he disappeared from sight, then turned and entered her courtyard. Inside, neighbors were washing clothes and vegetables under the afternoon sun.

When Xiaocheng arrived home, Li Yunlan immediately pressed him with curiosity. "What's the story with that Wanqing girl?"

After a moment's thought, Xiaocheng briefly explained Zhang Wanqing's background. He knew his family was kind-hearted—once they learned the truth, they would do everything they could to make the wounded girl feel welcome.

Though Zhou Xiaoling and Lin Xiaoxiao already knew, hearing it again filled them with sadness.

Li Yunlan's eyes welled up with tears. "What that child must have gone through all these years... No wonder she seems so guarded. What a cruel fate."

Zhou Liyun, equally heartbroken, wiped her own eyes. "Those monsters will get what's coming to them someday. That poor, poor girl."

The thought of a six-year-old witnessing her mother's suicide was too much for Li Yunlan.

"Xiaocheng—no, Xiaoxiao, you're close with Wanqing, right? Spend more time with her. Invite her over often. She could even stay here if she wants!"

All she wanted was to give Zhang Wanqing all the love she could.

Xiaocheng massaged his temples. "Mom, it's fine to care, but don't overwhelm her. She's proud and deeply defensive. She won't accept pity."

Li Yunlan saw his point. "Don't worry, we won't be too much. We'll just invite her over regularly."

Xiaocheng said nothing more. He couldn't invite Zhang Wanqing over every day—it wouldn't be proper. But knowing that Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhang Wanqing were classmates put him at ease. With Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling around, he was sure Zhang Wanqing would become a frequent visitor.

News that Zhou Xiaocheng had brought a girl home soon spread through the compound.

After all, no recent gossip had been quite as thrilling as that surrounding Xiaocheng and Luo Anran—once considered the golden couple of the compound.

Those who'd seen the girl couldn't stop talking about how beautiful she was, often adding, "I'd say she's even prettier than Xiao Ran. Who knew Xiaocheng had such a knack for finding stunning girls?"

It wasn't long before these words reached Luo Anran and Geng Aiguo.

During dinner, while Geng's father was away, Geng Aiguo remarked with a sneer, "Looks like

Zhou Xiaocheng has all the luck. His girls keep getting prettier. Maybe now you can finally let him go."

Luo Anran said nothing, pushing greens around her bowl. She couldn't help but feel upset. How had Xiaocheng found someone new so quickly?

An uneasy thought crept in: had he always liked this other girl? Is that why he hadn't cared when she married someone else?

The more she thought about it, the more it hurt. Tears threatened to spill.

Geng Aiguo grew angrier when she didn't respond. "What, you're sad now? Seeing Zhou Xiaocheng move on bothers you, doesn't it?"

Geng's mother was annoyed. Being the talk of the compound was humiliating. She slammed her chopsticks down and glared at Luo Anran. "Enough, both of you! Instead of all this nonsense, why not focus on having a baby? You've been married over half a year, Anran. Why is there still no news? If there's a problem, go see a doctor!"

Luo Anran forced back her tears and continued eating in silence.

Geng Aiguo was anxious too. He felt that only a child would truly bind Luo Anran to him. Yet after all this time, there was still no sign of one.

Seeing both of them silent, Geng's mother went on, "You're off this Sunday—go to the hospital together. Don't be embarrassed. If Anran really can't have children, we'll have to consider other options."

Luo Anran knew what she meant: if she couldn't conceive, she should make way for someone else.

But Geng Aiguo disagreed. "These things take time. Just leave it be."

His mother slapped the table. "Leave it? I'm tired of being the laughingstock of this compound!

Who else has been married this long with no child? Zhou Shixun's wife—isn't she younger than Anran? How did she have three? Let me be blunt—this family won't keep a hen that doesn't lay eggs."

Luo Anran found the words unbearably harsh. She put down her bowl and chopsticks and retreated to her room.

Geng's mother fumed. "Look at her! What kind of attitude is that? Walking around with a long face every day—who does she think she is?"

Geng Aiguo scowled, thinking of his two missing front teeth—another reason to resent Zhou Xiaoling. Tired of his mother's complaints, he tossed his chopsticks down and went out looking for distraction.

Meanwhile, after learning that Xiaocheng intended to clear Zhang Wanqing's parents' names, Lin Xiaoxiao became deeply invested. She often asked him about any progress.

But too much time had passed. There was no physical evidence and no reliable witnesses—reopening the case would be extremely difficult.

"What about the actual murderer?" Lin Xiaoxiao asked. "Where is he now?"

Xiaocheng hesitated. "He's doing quite well for himself. He has powerful connections."

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. "So it's going to be tough... If he finds out you're trying to reopen the case, would he come after Wanqing?"

Xiaocheng shook his head. "No one knows except the bureau chief. Our family would never say anything. I'm more worried that Zhang Wanqing might try to take revenge herself." He paused.

"Do you know why she decided to study medicine?"