Lin Xiaoxiao frowned. Why does this stranger look so shocked to see me?

She was certain she'd never met him—and neither had the original owner of this body.

Before she could speak, Lü Zhigang blurted out to Zhou Huian, excitement overriding his manners, "That's her! The one I told you about—the sharpshooter who knocks down ducks with a slingshot!"

Lin Xiaoxiao's protest died on her lips. She'd planned to claim she'd bought the duck—not have some stranger expose her secret to Zhou Huian.

Under Zhou Huian's skeptical gaze, she forced a weak smile. "Just luck."

Xiao Yan's eyes swept over Lin Xiaoxiao's blood-smeared face, mud-spattered clothes, and soil-caked pants and shoes. She feigned concern, "Sis, where were you? You're covered in filth!"

Lü Zhigang finally snapped back to reality. He glanced uncertainly at Zhou Huian. "Lin Xiaoxiao?"

Zhou Huian gave a resigned nod, sharing Lü's disbelief. Could this pampered city girl truly hunt with a slingshot?

Lü stared, struggling to reconcile the fierce, agile huntress before him with the infamous "unreasonable Lin Xiaoxiao" of camp gossip.

"Heh—Sister-in-law!" he called out, voice still tinged with awe. "Didn't expect such skill! Hitting a duck clean at that range? Commander Cheng teach you that?"

Lin Xiaoxiao's smile tightened.

Lü Zhigang gushed. "Your reflexes—honestly, you'd outshoot half the men in our unit!"

Please stop talking, Lin Xiaoxiao screamed internally. You've already said too much!

Zhou Huian shot Lü an irritated look. "Don't you have duties? Handle them. Skip visiting me for a while."

Lü blinked. "Huh?"

"You're too loud," Zhou Huian muttered.

A giggle escaped Lin Xiaoxiao at Lü's crestfallen expression.

Xiao Yan stood stiffly, excluded from the exchange. "I'll... head out first, Sister-in-law, Brother Zhou," she forced out.

Lü shot Zhou Huian a mock-salute. "Right, wouldn't want to intrude. Dr. Xiao—walk you out?"

Lin Xiaoxiao watched them disappear around the corridor corner, then turned to leave.

Slap-slap-slap!

Frantic footsteps echoed. Two women rounded the bend, laden with bulging sacks, voices sharp with urgency:

"Xiao Li! You sure about the ward?!""Positive! Left side, end of the hall!"

Lin Xiaoxiao frowned at their thick dialect, already reaching for the ward door.

"Ma! Look—Second Sister-in-Law! Second Sister-in-Law!"

The younger woman—Zhou Xiaoli—yanked her bag strap higher and charged at Lin Xiaoxiao.

Now Lin Xiaoxiao saw them clearly:

Wang Fenglan (Mother): Leathery skin, gaunt face, eyes sharp with calculation.

Zhou Xiaoli (Sister): Early twenties, sun-darkened, round-faced. Her thick brows and broad nose might've suggested honesty, but her posture radiated brash defiance.

Before Lin Xiaoxiao could react, Zhou Xiaoli shoved her arm. "Hey! Cat got your tongue? Can't see me and Ma standing here?"

So. Zhou Huian's family.

Memories flooded back—their single meeting at the wedding: the original Lin Xiaoxiao sneering at Wang Fenglan's "peasant manners"; Wang Fenglan cursing her "city-bred delicacy." They'd nearly brawled before guests pulled them apart, Wang Fenglan screeching for her son to "Teach that shrew a lesson!"

Lin Xiaoxiao brushed her sleeve where Zhou Xiaoli had touched it and stepped back. "He's inside. Lower your voices. This is a hospital."

Wang Fenglan rolled her eyes. "Country folk talk loud. City folk got too much time to judge."She shoved past Lin Xiaoxiao into the ward, wailing: "Aiya, my son! What happened? How bad's the damage?"

Zhou Xiaoli trailed behind, sniffling theatrically: "Second Brother, you alright?"

Lin Xiaoxiao stared. She watched their tearless performance before turning away—better to tend the duck soup simmering in the cafeteria. With Zhou Huian's blood family here, she'd only be in the way.

Yet something nagged at her. Zhou Huian's mother and sister had the weathered look of country women, all sharp angles and sun-leathered skin. He, though dark and stern, carved a striking figure—like rough-hewn timber polished smooth. They share no features, she realized.

Inside the ward:Wang Fenglan dabbed dry eyes. "How'd you get hurt? If me and Xiaoli hadn't come, you'd have hidden this from us!" (They'd learned of his injury only last night at his worksite, billeted in a guesthouse before a unit driver brought them this morning.)

Zhou Huian massaged his pounding temples. "It's a scratch. Why'd you drag Xiaoli here?"

His mother yanked the girl forward. "You're big-shot now, eh? Find your sister a city husband!"

"Where did her boyfriend go??" Zhou Huian countered.

"Damn that bastard!" Wang Fenglan cursed. "That educated youth only courted her 'cause your brother ran the village! Now he's back in the city? Ghosts us cold! Find Xiaoli someone better—make that ingrate choke on regret!"

"Marriage isn't revenge," Zhou Huian said flatly.

Wang Fenglan bristled. "Why can't it? Introduce her to someone.You're her brother!"

Zhou Huian locked his jaw. He knew the script: unmet demands meant days of her wailing in hospital corridors, shaming him as "the ungrateful son."

Seeing that Zhou Huian remained silent, Wang Fenglan felt even angrier: "Huian, you only have this one sister. You've been away from home for so many years, and your sister has been doing all the housework. What's more, you haven't sent any money home for several months."

At that moment, Lin Xiaoxiao paused outside the door, the duck soup pot warming her palms.