Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart clenched. This version of Zhou Huaian—fragile, grieving—was one she had never seen before. Had something gone wrong during Lin Zihao's surgery?

It seemed the only explanation for his profound distress. She reached up and gently patted his back. "Changsuo, it's alright. We're here with you."

Zhou Huaian simply held her, silent for a long while before he finally spoke, his voice rough. "The surgery was only half-successful. His life is saved, but... there will likely be severe after-effects."

Lin Xiaoxiao understood. 'Severe after-effects' could mean a vegetative state, or waking up only to be a shadow of his former self. She held him tighter. "He hasn't woken up yet. We won't know the full outcome until he's past the critical period."

Zhou Huaian shook his head against her shoulder. The doctors had been clear, their tone regretful. During the extraction, they had nicked a critical neural cluster. The chances of him remaining in a persistent vegetative state were high. They had told Zhou Huaian to prepare himself.

Lin Xiaoxiao knew any words of comfort now would sound hollow, meaningless. So she offered none, simply holding him in the quiet darkness.

Once he had calmed, Zhou Huaian went to wash up and change. Returning, he gave Lin Xiaoxiao a more composed account of Lin Zihao's condition. Listening, she could only sigh inwardly. All they could do now was hope for a miracle. A man of Zhou Huaian's silent, loyal nature would carry this weight for a very long time. And Zhou Xiaoling… she would be heartbroken.

Knowing Zhou Xiaoling was surely still awake, worrying, Lin Xiaoxiao decided to go to her. It was better to know the truth, however hard, than to be tormented by uncertainty. She told Zhou Huaian her plan and went to Zhou Xiaoling's room.

Sure enough, the light was on. Zhou Xiaoling sat on her bed, absently flipping through a book she wasn't reading. Hearing the soft knock, she rushed to open the door, pulling Lin Xiaoxiao inside. "Sis, I heard my brother come back. How did it go? Was the surgery successful?" She searched Lin Xiaoxiao's face, and her own hopeful expression faltered. Her hands dropped to her sides, fingers twisting nervously. She forced a smile. "He's okay, right? The medical care here is the best. He made it all the way back to Beijing; he'll be fine."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "He'll be fine. The surgery is over. Now we wait twenty-four hours for him to pass the critical stage." She chose to leave out the prognosis for now. Survival was what mattered.

Zhou Xiaoling let out a breath she seemed to have been holding. "The surgery's done? That's good. I know he'll pull through. He's tough. Fate wouldn't dare take him yet." Lin Xiaoxiao hugged her, sharing the fragile hope for a turnaround.

The next morning at breakfast, Li Yunlan immediately noticed Zhou Xiaoling's subdued mood. Zhou Huaian, as usual, was impossible to read. "Xiaoling, what's the matter? You seem preoccupied."

"Nothing, nothing at all," Zhou Xiaoling hurriedly replied, ducking her head to focus on her bowl of rice porridge, afraid her aunt would see too much.

Li Yunlan gave her a suspicious glance but let it go, thinking that young women often had their own secret worries. She'd talk when she was ready. She turned her attention to Zhou Huaian. "Now that you're back, what's the plan for your work? Will you be returning to Longbei?"

The question jolted Lin Xiaoxiao. She'd completely forgotten—his job was in Longbei! Would he have to go back? Would they be separated again? A wave of anxiety hit her. She realized she'd grown greedy; before, she would have been happy with visits during school breaks. Now, the thought of not seeing him every day was unbearable.

Zhou Huaian looked at Lin Xiaoxiao as he answered. "I'm staying in Beijing. I'll start my new assignment after the New Year."

Even Zhou Xiaoling's attention was captured, her eyes widening in surprise. "Big Brother, we'll be working together again! Are you still in the Security Department?"

Zhou Huaian gave a noncommittal "Hmm."

That was enough for Lin Xiaoxiao and Li Yunlan, who were both delighted. As long as he stayed in Beijing, the specific job didn't matter. The family would be together.

"Thank heavens," Li Yunlan exclaimed. "Our family won't be split apart anymore! This New Year, we must celebrate properly." She then said to Lin Xiaoxiao, "Speaking of which, will Duoduo and his mother be in Beijing for the holiday? We should invite them! I've been thinking about that little boy these past few days."

Zhou Liyun nodded in vigorous agreement. "Me too! It's only been a couple of days, and I already miss him." The two women launched into praises of Duoduo—how well-behaved, sensible, and handsome he was.

Zhou Huaian looked utterly lost. He turned to Lin Xiaoxiao. "Who is Duoduo?"

Before she could answer, Li Yunlan eagerly launched into the story of how Lin Xiaoxiao had found Duoduo, the instant bond he formed with the family, how he called Lin Xiaoxiao 'Mama,' and his uncanny resemblance to Lin Wenbin. "And most importantly," she added, "Duoduo's mother, Li Yuling, looks quite a bit like our Xiaoxiao!" Finishing the tale, she sighed. "Don't you think it's amazing? Such fate."

Zhou Huaian was taken aback. One or two coincidences were possible, but so many stacked together? That strained belief.

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed, a touch too quickly. "Yes, it's incredible how connected we are to Duoduo and his mother. You know, she had a daughter about my age who died in an accident, which is why she adopted Duoduo. The other day, she even mentioned wanting to adopt me as her goddaughter!"

Li Yunlan, having completely forgotten Zhou Zhennan's cautions, nodded enthusiastically. "It's a wonderful idea! Xiaoxiao doesn't have much family here. Having a godmother would be lovely." Carried away, she then divulged the whole story of Cheng Mingyue and her son Lin Dalong's misdeeds in Beijing, including the terrifying night Lin Xiaoxiao gave birth. "We came so close to losing the babies! That Cheng Mingyue was definitely up to no good—your father even saw coal dust on her face!"

Zhou Huaian's brow furrowed deeply. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his chopsticks, his jaw clenched tight as he fought to control his anger.

Lin Xiaoxiao, knowing he was picturing the danger they had been in, quickly placed her hand over his. "Look at us now. We're safe. And those who meant us harm have been punished. There's no need for anger or guilt."

Li Yunlan winced, realizing she'd gotten carried away and said too much. "She's right, Huaian. Everyone involved has been arrested. You don't need to worry."

Zhou Huaian relaxed his grip on the chopsticks slightly. "All of them? How many years did Cheng Mingyue get?" Ten years felt far too short. With good behavior, she could get out earlier. The punishment seemed far too light for what she had almost taken from him.

As Lin Xiaoxiao was about to reassure him again, Lin Wenbin hurried in. Catching her eye, he gave a subtle signal: their father had arrived in Beijing.