Luo Anran understood the underlying message in Lin Xiaoxiao’s words—fish could be replaced, and so could people. There was no use clinging to old affections.

Swallowing her tears, she forced herself to appear composed, though her heart ached. She nodded at Li Yunlan. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you, Auntie. I’ll be going now.”

With that, she picked up the fish she had brought, covered her mouth, and hurried out as if fleeing from a pain too heavy to bear.

Lin Xiaoxiao had once felt deep sympathy for Luo Anran. After all, the woman had waited years for her childhood sweetheart, only to end up marrying someone she didn’t love—and then the sweetheart returned alive. Who wouldn’t be devastated?

But Luo Anran’s behavior after her divorce disappointed Lin Xiaoxiao. If she was brave enough to pursue Zhou Xiaocheng, she ought to face the consequences. If he rejected her, she should accept it, pick herself up, and focus on her career.

If she could truly let go and interact with him as calmly as a neighbor, there might still be a chance for reconciliation.

Instead, Luo Anran resorted to petty schemes—even going so far as to seek out Zhang Wanqing. That disgusted Lin Xiaoxiao.

No matter how pitiable Luo Anran was, Lin Xiaoxiao had always sided with those close to her rather than with abstract principles. This time, she stood with Zhang Wanqing.

Li Yunlan watched Luo Anran run off in tears and sighed. “What a tragedy. If only our second son would marry, then she could finally move on.”

…

Just outside, Luo Anran, still crying, ran into Zhou Xiaocheng, who was walking home carrying two fresh grass carp, each weighing about four or five pounds, as if newly cleaned.

Luo Anran froze, her eyes fixed on the fish in his hands. Lin Xiaoxiao’s words echoed bitterly in her mind.

Zhou Xiaocheng glanced at the ribbonfish Luo Anran was holding, then in the direction she had come from—clearly, she had just visited his home. He frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh. “Why do this to yourself?”

Luo Anran trembled, unable to hold back her tears. “Zhou Xiaocheng, why didn’t you come back if you were alive? You could’ve written to me! Do you have any idea what those three years were like for me? I waited for you—three years! And then I married someone else, and you decide to return! Was it intentional?”

“If you didn’t love me, you should’ve told me sooner. I wouldn’t have wasted three years waiting. Why… Why did you come back now, when my life is in ruins? You get to stand there so high and mighty, but what about me? My whole life is destroyed!”

“Zhou Xiaocheng, do you even have a heart? Or did you never really care about me at all? Say something!”

Her voice grew shrill as her emotions spiraled out of control.

Zhou Xiaocheng’s expression remained calm, almost detached. “You shouldn’t be like this. Deep down, you understand how things are.”

Luo Anran sobbed. “I don’t understand! We had an understanding—everything was settled. Why did it all change? Why do I have to bear all this alone? If you had given me just a hint, my life wouldn’t have turned out like this!”

“Now my family looks down on me—they mock me, sometimes even hit me. At work, everyone treats me like a criminal just because I’m divorced. They whisper behind my back, some even say I’m loose. Do you know what each day feels like for me?”

“All I did was get divorced! But they act like I’ve committed some unforgivable sin. The married women look at me like I’m dirt, afraid I’ll steal their husbands. The men leer at me like I’m easy. Every day is dark—there’s no light left.”

In her despair, Zhou Xiaocheng had become her only hope—the last flicker of light in her life.

She was determined to hold onto that light, no matter what it took. Because only by marrying him could she silence the voices around her.

Zhou Xiaocheng watched her cry, his eyes unmoved. When her sobs finally subsided, he spoke calmly, “I never change my mind. No matter what you do, you can call me heartless or say I never cared. But it’s over. Xiaoran, don’t make me think less of you.”

Without another glance, he stepped around her and walked away.

Stunned by his coldness, Luo Anran lost all reason. She lifted the ribbonfish in her hand and hurled it at his retreating figure. “Zhou Xiaocheng, you bastard!”

But her strength failed her—the fish fell heavily onto the snowy ground, far short of its target.

Zhou Xiaocheng didn’t look back.

Luo Anran sank to her knees, weeping.

…

Zhou Xiaocheng entered the house carrying the two fish, startling Li Yunlan. Given the timing, he must have run into Luo Anran outside. But her son showed no emotion—instead, he smiled warmly at Zhou Huaian and Lin Xiaoxiao. Relieved, she relaxed.

Lin Xiaoxiao stared at the two grass carp in his hands. What a coincidence—just after she’d insinuated that Luo Anran’s ribbonfish could be replaced, here he was with fresh alternatives.

Noticing her gaze, Zhou Xiaocheng handed the fish to the housemaid and explained, “We were working a case by the reservoir today. On my way back, they were breaking the ice on the fish ponds, so I bought two.”

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded enthusiastically. “They look incredibly fresh! I was just thinking about having fish and planning to buy some this Sunday.”

The children—An’an, Qianqian, and Xuanxuan—were thrilled at the sight of the fish, clapping their hands excitedly as the maid carried them to the kitchen.

Li Yunlan smiled. “Perfect. We’ll stew one for dinner, and use the other to make fish balls for the little ones.”

Lin Xiaoxiao carried An’an to the kitchen to watch the preparation, discussing whether to braise the fish or dry-cook it.

Zhou Xiaocheng picked up Qianqian and sat down to chat with Zhou Huaian. He asked about Lin Zihao’s surgery.

Zhou Huaian shook his head. “It doesn’t look good. There’s a high chance of long-term effects.”

“What a shame,” Zhou Xiaocheng said regretfully. “Was it an accident, or intentional?”

Zhou Huaian replied with certainty, “It really was an accident. I should’ve been more careful.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” Zhou Xiaocheng reassured him. “Some things are beyond our control.”

He went on to discuss a case he was handling, hoping to distract his brother from his worries.

Li Yunlan peeked out from the kitchen, watching the two brothers talk earnestly while holding the children. She smiled to herself. “This is how brothers should be. Why did I never see it before?”

Lin Xiaoxiao also glanced over. The scene was harmonious—Zhou Xiaocheng with his stern demeanor, Zhou Huaian gentle and refined, each holding a child. A picture of quiet understanding.