With Zhou Huai'an's return date finally set, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a renewed energy for everything. She even started paying more attention to her skincare, wanting to look her best when he came home.

But for a fleeting moment, a wave of self-doubt about her figure washed over her. The books she'd read claimed that other time-travelers had babies with no lasting impact on their bodies, bouncing back to their original shape effortlessly. So why was her experience so different?

Zhang Wanqing noticed Xiaoxiao spacing out through the entire class, her hand occasionally resting on her lower abdomen. After class, Wanqing leaned in and whispered, "Are you okay? Stomach trouble?"

Xiaoxiao quickly shook her head. "No, just thinking about something."

She couldn't very well tell an unmarried girl that her husband was coming home, and her thoughts were straying towards... those matters.

Wanqing didn't press further. Instead, she slid her textbook over. "I don't really understand this part. Can you explain it later? Oh, and I already talked to the department head about switching to forensic medicine."

Xiaoxiao was surprised. "You really decided? Have you talked to Zhou Xiaocheng about it?"

Wanqing looked puzzled. "Why would I discuss it with him? It's my decision."

She was used to making her own choices, never feeling the need to consult anyone.

Xiaoxiao tapped Wanqing gently on the forehead. "You silly goose. It's a perfect excuse! A reason to go see him. Start with this topic, and who knows where the conversation might lead."

Wanqing thought about it. That made some sense. But being straightforward by nature, she wasn't sure how to approach it. "But my mind's already made up. I'm going to do it whether he agrees or not. What if he says he doesn't support it? Wouldn't that make my asking seem insincere?"

Xiaoxiao was both amused and exasperated by her friend's literal thinking. "The point isn't really about changing your major! It's about finding a reason to talk to him and create more opportunities to meet."

Wanqing pondered this for a good while, seeming to have a small epiphany before nodding. "Alright then. I'll go find him after school."

Xiaoxiao gave her an encouraging fist pump. "Go for it!"

True to her nature, once Wanqing decided on something, she followed through—even if her courage was wavering.

After school, seeing it was still early and knowing Zhou Xiaocheng was unlikely to be off work on time, she went to wait near his unit's entrance. Too shy to approach the guardhouse, she simply crouched on the sidewalk across the street.

To pass the time, she started counting pedestrians, then shifted to counting bicycle brands—were there more "Flying Pigeons" or "Forever" bikes? A few "Phoenix" bicycles rolled past occasionally. Immersed in her counting, time seemed to fly, and she barely noticed the fading light around her.

When Zhou Xiaocheng finally left work after overtime, the gatekeeper mentioned, "That girl across the street has been waiting for someone since five o'clock."

Xiaocheng looked over and saw Zhang Wanqing crouched on the opposite sidewalk, hugging her knees and staring at the ground. Dressed in a camel-colored cotton coat with a matching scarf, she looked like a little mushroom.

Surprised, he walked over. "Zhang Wanqing?"

Wanqing sprang up instinctively, forgetting her legs had gone numb from crouching so long. A sharp, prickling pain shot through her feet as she stumbled forward, lurching straight toward Zhou Xiaocheng.

He quickly reached out and steadied her by the arms. "Legs asleep from crouching?" he said with a light laugh. "Here, move around slowly."

Wanqing's face flushed crimson. Thank goodness for the dim light! Otherwise, she'd want to vanish into the ground.

Xiaocheng didn't seem to notice her embarrassment. He held her arm as they walked a short distance until she could stand firmly on her own. "Feeling better now? Why didn't you just come inside and ask for me?"

Wanqing pouted slightly. "I was afraid of disturbing you. It's not really important anyway."

Xiaocheng looked at her, her neck tucked in, her small face mostly hidden by the scarf, leaving only her eyes visible. Under the streetlight, they sparkled, exceptionally clear and bright.

Suddenly, for the first time all day, he felt hungry. "Have you eaten? Let's get dinner."

Wanqing realized that every time she met Zhou Xiaocheng, it ended with a meal, and he always paid. She hurriedly said, "Let me treat you today! I still have plenty of food coupons left this month."

There was no way Zhou Xiaocheng would let a young student pay. "Save those, you'll need them later. Come on, what would you like to eat?"

Wanqing, determined to pay this time, knew it couldn't be some simple noodle stand or pancake shop. After a moment's thought, she suggested, "Let's go to Donglaishun."

Although the restaurant was still officially called the "Nationalities Restaurant," a state-run establishment, it served the traditional copper-pot mutton hot pot, and old Beijing residents still fondly referred to it as Donglaishun.

Xiaocheng had no objections; in fact, he felt a flicker of anticipation. He hadn't had a proper meal in days.

As they reached the restaurant entrance, they ran straight into Lin Wenbin and Liangzi coming out. Wenbin was carrying four or five stacked lunchboxes in a net bag.

Seeing Zhou Xiaocheng with Zhang Wanqing, Wenbin looked genuinely surprised, letting out a few exaggerated "Well, well, well!" sounds. "If I'd known you were coming here to eat, I wouldn't have bothered packing all this to go. I was worried you'd have nothing to eat when you got home."

His gaze then shifted to Zhang Wanqing, his lips curling into a smirk, his eyes holding an unreadable glint.

Zhou Xiaocheng frowned slightly and stepped forward, subtly blocking Wenbin's view. "If you're finished, you can head back first."

Wenbin wasn't having it. "I haven't even eaten properly! I was thinking you'd be lonely with nothing to eat at home, so I got this to take back and share with you. Since you're both here, why not join us?"

Xiaocheng refused without hesitation. "No need. We have a case to discuss. You two go ahead."

Wenbin would believe that when pigs flew! Discussing a case? With a medical student? Even if it was about her parents' case, was it appropriate for an officer to have a private dinner with someone involved?

He clicked his tongue twice. "Fine, fine, we'll go then. We'll have that meal together another time."

Liangzi, intimidated by Zhou Xiaocheng's police uniform, had kept quiet. But as Xiaocheng and Wanqing were about to enter the restaurant, he suddenly called out, "Brother Lin, when are we going to find that little blonde hooligan?"

Wanqing's back stiffened instantly. She didn't know if Lin Xiaoxiao had spoken to Wenbin yet. Would he stop her right here?

Zhou Xiaocheng, aware of her fear, was faintly amused to see the girl actually scared for once. He glanced back at Liangzi, then said to Wanqing, "Let's go."

Lin Wenbin watched them enter the restaurant, then turned and smacked Liangzi lightly on the head. "What girl? Looking for what girl? Listen, from now on, I'm your problem. Show some respect when you see her."

Liangzi was stunned. "Brother, what are you talking about?"

Thinking of Lin Xiaoxiao's inevitable long lecture, Wenbin snorted coldly. "I said what I said. Now, let's go home and eat."

Still, Liangzi persisted, "Brother, tell me! How is it that I have to respect her? Is she related to you?"

Wenbin gave him a disdainful look. "Let's just say she's like a little sister to me now. Consider this matter closed. Don't bring it up again. If she causes any more trouble at the ghost market, don't lay a hand on her. Just come tell me."

Liangzi couldn't help muttering under his breath, "And I thought that Miss Zhu was the one you were wrapped around..."