Zhou Huai'an found it equally baffling. Who could have left those herbs behind?

He had been wary at first, yet something told him the mysterious helper meant no harm—so he’d used the plants without hesitation.

What’s more, he kept hearing Xiaoxiao’s voice in his mind, urging him to remember to come home.

He hadn’t told any of this to the others. They’d never believe him; they’d only say he was homesick, conjuring comforting illusions.

His hand went to his pocket. Among the photos Xiaoxiao had sent, the one of her holding the triplets was missing. He’d tried to go back and look for it, but it was nowhere to be found.

The loss tugged at his heart.

“Team Leader Zhou,” a medic’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Lin Zihao’s condition is critical. He’s lost all feeling in his left leg… I’m afraid amputation is necessary.”

…………

Xiaoxiao was a little disappointed she hadn’t dreamed of Zhou Huai'an lately, but she took it as a good sign. If something were wrong, she was sure she would have felt it.

On a rare day off, she carried An’an outside for some air. The little girl refused to stay indoors for even a minute, constantly pointing and babbling toward the door until someone took her out.

The moment she was outside, her face would light up. She’d giggle and clap her hands at the simplest sights.

Li Jing, on her way back from the market, spotted them by the gate. “Getting some sun with An’an again?” she called out warmly.

Xiaoxiao smiled. “She loves being outside.”

Li Jing tickled An’an under the chin before turning back to Xiaoxiao. “You really didn’t have to be so formal—sending a gift even though you couldn’t make it to the wedding. Your uncle scolded me for sending the invitation. Said I wasn’t using my head.”

“It’s fine, really,” Xiaoxiao replied.

She knew Li Jing wasn’t clueless—she’d been testing whether they still valued the family connection.

Li Jing sighed. “If I hadn’t helped arrange Hongyan’s marriage after what happened, Lin Yushan would’ve blamed me anyway—said I didn’t look after his sister well enough.”

Even though Lin Hongyan was marrying into the influential Geng family, Li Jing knew better. Once married, Hongyan would be their concern. The Gengs wouldn’t spare a thought for her side of the family, and she wasn’t about to invite herself where she wasn’t wanted.

Xiaoxiao stayed quiet. It wasn’t her place to judge.

Li Jing didn’t seem to expect a response. “You have to hand it to Hongyan—she’s clever. She asked for gold jewelry, a television, and a bicycle as a betrothal gift, and insisted on moving out after marriage. The Gengs agreed. Probably too ashamed to have them live in the compound.”

Xiaoxiao was surprised. For someone so young, Hongyan certainly knew how to negotiate.

After a bit more gossip, Li Jing hurried off with her shopping basket.

Xiaoxiao filed the news away as casual drama, though privately, she didn’t wish Hongyan well. There was a darkness in that girl.

When her own children were nearly taken, Xiaoxiao had never believed Hongyan was innocent—she just couldn’t prove it.

She had a feeling that if life treated Lin Hongyan too kindly, it would only make her more bold—and more trouble.

Shaking off the thought, she turned to carry An’an back inside—just as Luo Anran rounded the corner, carrying a small bag and walking toward her.

“Sis,” Anran greeted her with a smile. “Spending time with the little one?”

Xiaoxiao nodded.

Anran stopped, as if settling in for a chat. “I had the day off today. I went to Badachu—there was a vendor selling fresh walnuts at the foot of the hill, so I bought some for your mother-in-law.”

“That’s thoughtful,” Xiaoxiao said. “But we still have some at home.”

Anran offered a shy smile. “I don’t mean anything by it. Auntie was always so good to me—like a daughter. I’ve been too embarrassed to see her lately.”

She sighed softly. “I know no one wants me around right now. You’re all worried I might… want something. To be honest, yes, I’ve always had feelings for Xiaocheng. But what does it matter? I’m not good enough for him now. I know that much.”

“I just want to live the way I choose, and not under other people’s judgment.”

For a moment, Xiaoxiao almost felt uncharitable. Still, something about the confession rubbed her the wrong way. If Anran truly felt that way, she could have just lived quietly—she didn’t need to announce it.

When Xiaoxiao didn’t respond, Anran smiled again. “I only said it so you wouldn’t misunderstand. Here—could you give these to Auntie for me? I won’t come in.”

Without waiting for an answer, she set down the bag of walnuts and walked away.

Holding An’an, Xiaoxiao couldn’t even refuse. She simply watched, perplexed, as Anran disappeared.

Zhou Liyun stepped out of the house just then, peering after Anran. “Was that Xiaoran? What was that about? I heard a little from inside—does she really mean she’s given up on Xiaocheng?”

Xiaoxiao wasn’t sure she believed it. Liyun was even more skeptical. “If she’d really given up, she wouldn’t have come. If the neighbors saw this, who knows what they’d say.”

Muttering, she picked up the cloth bag and looked inside at the green-husked walnuts. “Poor girl. Come on, let’s get back. It’s time for An’an’s egg custard.”

When Li Yunlan saw the walnuts later, she didn’t say much—only sighed softly. “We’ll have Chaoyang bring some pastries over later.”

They could guess what Luo Anran was trying to do. Even if no one approved of her being with Xiaocheng again, matters of the heart weren’t theirs to control.

They’d already warned Xiaocheng. The rest was up to fate.

The school’s cultural performance was scheduled for the morning of September 30th. After the show, students were free for the afternoon, though National Day activities would resume on the morning of October 1st.

For Xiaoxiao, it felt like a light at the end of the tunnel. She just wanted to get the performance over with and enjoy the holiday at home with her children.

Their costumes had been borrowed from a military troupe. Their number was titled “Not Red Attire but Arms.”

Changed and ready, Xiaoxiao stepped out but didn’t see Zhang Wanqing waiting. Puzzled, she adjusted her uniform and was about to go look for her—

When Dai Xueming suddenly stepped into her path.