Zhou Huaian didn’t refuse—he rarely refused Lin Xiaoxiao anything. He gave a brief nod. “Alright. We can go this afternoon.”

Lin Xiaoxiao decided she would just go and see Lin Zihao’s condition first, then decide whether to tell Zhou Xiaoling. Even if romance was off the table, he was still her cousin. It was only right to be concerned.

It suddenly occurred to her that she hadn’t yet told Zhou Huaian about the familial connection between Zhou Xiaoling and Lin Zihao. She quickly explained Zhou Xiaoling’s background.

Zhou Huaian was surprised; he’d had no idea the two were related.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. “You know how Xiaoling felt about him. This situation is so awkward for her. Who could have imagined the man she liked would turn out to be her brother?”

Zhou Huaian humored her line of thought. “There wasn’t any real involvement between them. Xiaoling hasn’t lost anything.”

“It’s not about that,” Lin Xiaoxiao countered with another sigh. “You can’t just take back feelings you’ve already given. I’ll see how he is first, then decide whether to tell Xiaoling.”

After finally getting all three children to sleep, and after Lin Xiaoxiao had stolen a few lingering moments with a compliant Zhou Huaian, the two got ready and left for the hospital.

Lin Zihao was still unconscious. The doctors had finalized their diagnosis: he needed cranial surgery to remove the shrapnel. The immense difficulty lay in the fragment’s location—dangerously close to a major artery and critical nerves. The slightest error could have severe consequences. He might not survive the operation, or he could wake up with profound mental impairment.

In the doctor’s office, Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huaian listened as the surgeon explained, pointing out the shrapnel’s position on the X-ray. Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart clenched. This was far more complex than a standard tumor removal. The metal fragment had lodged itself deep upon impact, part of it wedged into a blood vessel. It was a miracle he was alive at all.

After leaving the office, they went to the ward and looked through the window at Lin Zihao lying in the bed. He looked utterly lifeless, seemingly sustained only by the machines around him.

After a long moment, Zhou Huaian turned to the accompanying doctor. “If you operate, what are his chances?”

The doctor didn’t mince words. “Thirty percent. It’s extremely difficult. We must remove the shrapnel without causing massive hemorrhage or damaging the surrounding nerves.” Even with skilled surgeons, their equipment was a limiting factor.

Seeing the situation, Lin Xiaoxiao felt the odds were slim. Yet, looking at the pitiful figure on the bed, her heart ached for him.

Outside the hospital, Lin Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and tugged Zhou Huaian’s sleeve. “The surgery… it’s very risky.”

The operation was scheduled for that evening. Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to be there, even to observe in the operating room and offer help if needed, but she lacked the qualifications. A sense of helpless frustration gnawed at her, mixed with fear for Lin Zihao’s life.

Zhou Huaian merely frowned. “He’ll be fine.”

Lin Xiaoxiao knew what Lin Zihao meant to Zhou Huaian—a mentor, a friend, family. He was the one who had recognized Zhou Huaian’s worth, helped him through his most difficult times, and guided his growth. If anything happened to Lin Zihao, Zhou Huaian would be the one who took it hardest.

When Zhou Xiaoling returned home, Lin Xiaoxiao pulled her upstairs to her bedroom and briefly explained Lin Zihao’s condition.

Zhou Xiaoling, who had been sitting, immediately stood up. She paced a few steps, sat back down, and stared at Lin Xiaoxiao. “Is it true? Lin Zihao… is he… that badly injured?” Her voice was unsteady, her breathing uneven.

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. “It’s true. But I believe the doctors will save him.”

Zhou Xiaoling grew visibly restless, her face flushing red, but she couldn’t find the words. Finally, her eyes reddened, and she grasped Lin Xiaoxiao’s hand. “Sis, I feel… awful. I don’t know how to describe what I’m feeling. I kept telling myself he’s my cousin, that I shouldn’t have these messy feelings anymore… but right now, it still hurts.”

Lin Xiaoxiao patted her hand. “That’s normal. We’d feel upset hearing this even if he were a stranger.”

Zhou Xiaoling rubbed her eyes hard. “As long as he lives… even if he’s left impaired… that’s enough.”

After dinner, Zhou Huaian left for the hospital to be there for the surgery. Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling remained in the living room, minds heavy with worry, mechanically watching the children.

Zhou Liyun found their silence strange. Usually so lively and chatty, the two sisters-in-law were unusually quiet tonight, sitting on opposite ends of the sofa without interacting, as if they’d had a fight.

After washing and slicing some apples to feed the children, she asked Zhou Xiaoling, “Xiaoling, what’s wrong? You seem distracted.”

Zhou Xiaoling quickly shook her head. “It’s nothing. My training class is ending soon, and I’ll have to start my proper job. I’m just a bit unhappy that I won’t have so much free time anymore.”

Zhou Liyun believed her. “You scared me! I thought you and your sister-in-law had argued. Look at the two of you, sitting there with such long faces since dinner. I really thought you’d fought.”

Zhou Xiaoling looked at her aunt in surprise. “Auntie, your imagination is too vivid! How could I fight with my sister-in-law? We’re just… contemplating life.” Worried the older generation might get the wrong idea, she started playing with the children, making them giggle uncontrollably.

When it was time for bed, Zhou Huaian still hadn’t returned.

With their father away, Qianqian and Xuanxuan went to sleep with Zhou Liyun and Li Yunlan, while Lin Xiaoxiao took An’an to their room. The little girl fussed unhappily at bedtime, calling for her father repeatedly before finally settling in her mother’s arms.

Lin Xiaoxiao, however, couldn’t sleep. Her mind raced, and her ears strained for any sound from outside.

She didn’t know what time it was when she finally drifted into a fitful doze, only to be roused by the sensation of someone entering the room. A presence, chilled from the outside air, sat down on the edge of the bed.

Lin Xiaoxiao jolted fully awake. Opening her eyes, she saw Zhou Huaian sitting there, his clothes carrying the strong scent of disinfectant.

Before she could sit up, he leaned over, enveloping her tightly in his arms. He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his skin cold from the night air, making her heart clench with dread. She didn’t dare ask, afraid of what she might hear.

He held her, perfectly still. Time seemed to stop. In the silence, she could hear the loud ticking of the tin alarm clock on the bedside table and the beating of their own hearts.

Holding her breath, Lin Xiaoxiao hesitated for a moment before wrapping her arms around him. Then she felt it clearly—a warmth, then a drop of liquid, falling against her neck.

A low, hoarse voice, thick with emotion, spoke into the silence. “Xiaoxiao… it hurts.”