Zhou Huai'an gave Lin Xiaoxiao a somewhat helpless glance before turning to greet the villagers.

Lin Xiaoxiao followed closely beside him, wearing a well-behaved smile, though inwardly she was delighted.

She noticed that the older villagers affectionately called Zhou Huai'an "Changsuo," those around his age addressed him as "Huai'an," while the younger ones referred to him as "Second Brother."

To her surprise, Lin Xiaoxiao found "Changsuo" to be the most endearing of all.

It wasn't until Zhou Huai'an led her to a small courtyard that she finally asked, "Whose house is this? Shouldn't we have brought a gift?"

Zhou Huai'an smiled. "We're not eating here—we'll probably be having a meal at someone else's home. You know I haven't been back in years; I can't just show up empty-handed."

He glanced at her and added, "Don't worry. We're just stopping by for a short visit. Later, we'll have lunch at Third Grandpa's house, and then we can buy some things from the village store."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded and followed him into the courtyard. It was much smaller than the Zhou family's but tidy and well-kept.

An elderly woman sat in the yard under the sun, mending a shoe sole while wearing patched clothing.

As soon as she saw Zhou Huai'an, she set aside her work, stood up, and warmly greeted him: "Huai'an, when did you get back? I heard from others yesterday that you had returned."

One look at the woman's face told Lin Xiaoxiao that this was Luo Caixia's mother. Luo Caixia closely resembled her—she must have been a gentle and beautiful woman in her youth.

Although Zhou Huai'an hadn't introduced Lin Xiaoxiao to any neighbors along the way, he now said proactively, "Auntie, this is my wife, Lin Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao, this is Auntie Wang, Caixia's mother."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled obediently. "Hello, Auntie."

Auntie Wang was taken aback for a moment, looked carefully at Lin Xiaoxiao, then nodded with a smile. "Good, good. Please, have a seat. Let me get you some tea."

Zhou Huai'an politely declined. "There's no need—we still have to visit my Third Grandpa." He took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Auntie Wang. "Please take this money to fix the house. We wouldn't want leaks when it rains."

Auntie Wang waved her hands in refusal. "No, no, Huai'an. What is this for? You give me money every time you come back. I only helped you that one time—you really don't have to be so polite."

Zhou Huai'an insisted and left the money on the windowsill. "It's the least I can do."

Watching this, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a sense of relief. This reticent man didn't seem to have any special relationship with Luo Caixia. If the two had really been involved, how could he so openly give money, and why would Auntie Wang refuse so politely?

After all, if someone had wasted years of your daughter's youth, wouldn't there be more tension between you?

But if there was nothing between them, why did everyone in the village say they were once a couple—some even claiming Zhou Huai'an should have married Luo Caixia?

Lin Xiaoxiao's quick mind soon figured it out: it was very likely that Luo Caixia herself had spread these rumors.

Or perhaps Zhou Huai'an gave money to Auntie Wang out of gratitude, Luo Caixia took the money without explaining, and over time, people simply assumed the wrong thing.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed to herself. How could someone as gentle and lovely as Luo Caixia be so scheming? And when faced with a man of few words like Zhou Huai'an, it seemed she could easily shape the narrative.

Auntie Wang insisted anxiously, "You've always been so kind, child."

In her heart, she also felt a sense of regret. She had always liked Zhou Huai'an—she'd watched him grow up. He was a man of few words, but thoughtful, measured, and responsible.

At one point, she had even hoped he would become her son-in-law. When villagers gossiped about the possibility of him being with her daughter, she had asked Luo Caixia about it indirectly, but her daughter had only given vague answers.

So she had always assumed something would eventually happen between them—until she heard from others that Zhou Huai'an was getting married and realized there had never been anything between them. She had even felt some resentment toward him for a while.

Zhou Huai'an didn't say much more and left with Lin Xiaoxiao.

Auntie Wang followed them to the gate. "If you're not leaving too soon, why not come for dinner tomorrow night? Caixia said she's coming back tomorrow."

Zhou Huai'an didn't commit. "We'll see. We have some business to take care of tomorrow."

Auntie Wang looked disappointed. "Alright then. Take care, and remember to bring your wife along when you have time."

Afterward, Lin Xiaoxiao followed Zhou Huai'an to the village grocery store.

It was less a store and more a dimly lit stall filled with the smell of soy sauce, vinegar, and sundry goods. Still, it was well-stocked with items like crackers, candy, and meat.

Zhou Huai'an bought three pounds of pork belly and two pounds of white wine. The shop assistant, who seemed to know him, joked, "Changsuo, here with your new wife visiting family?

Don't forget the wedding sweets!"

It was only then that Lin Xiaoxiao remembered Zhou had asked her to buy candy—and she had forgotten. So he quickly bought two pounds of fruit drops and handed them to the assistant, who accepted them gladly. "Wedding candy never hurts the teeth! May you have a long and happy marriage, and soon a healthy son!"

Unsure how a new wife should react in such situations, Lin Xiaoxiao simply smiled generously and said thank you, then followed the silent Zhou Huai'an out.

At the entrance, a group of children were playing in the mud. Zhou Huai'an gave them some of the candy from his pocket before finally leaving with Lin Xiaoxiao.

By lunchtime, everyone in the village had heard that Zhou Huai'an had returned with his new wife and handed out candy at the village entrance. They also knew Lin Xiaoxiao was beautiful—like a picture come to life.

She didn't quite understand why Zhou Huai'an was going through these motions. After all, they wouldn't be staying in the village long, and they might even divorce after returning. The thought made her earlier excitement fade.

She followed Zhou Huai'an to a low, simple house made of clay bricks. The yard was piled with firewood, and in the center stood a water pump next to a small square table. Though the yard was about the same size as the Zhou family's, it was exceptionally clean and tidy.

Shortly after they entered, an old woman holding a child came out. When she saw Zhou Huai'an, she paused in surprise and exclaimed happily, "Is that Changsuo? You're back!"

Zhou Huai'an nodded, a gentle smile on his face—one Lin Xiaoxiao had never seen before. "Third Grandma, I'm back. Where's Third Grandpa?"

Third Grandma was emotional. She pulled the child along as she hurried over. "Come, sit, sit! Everyone said you brought your wife back yesterday. Your Third Grandpa was sure you'd come see us—he went up the mountain early to catch a rabbit."

As she spoke, she set the child down, wiped a stool with her sleeve, and offered it to Lin Xiaoxiao. "Wife of Changsuo, please sit. Oh, what a pretty girl—it's like gaining a daughter."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled and accepted the stool. "Thank you, Third Grandma. Please, don't trouble yourself."

Third Grandma was already bustling about readying tea. "Our village is poor and dirty—I hope you don't mind."

In her eyes, city folks were always a cut above—like the educated youth from some years back, many of whom had looked down on the villagers.

Lin Xiaoxiao replied warmly, "It's lovely here, Third Grandma. I can tell you're hardworking and tidy—the yard is very neat."

Third Grandma looked embarrassed. "What hard work? I'm just tidying up when I have nothing else to do." She brought two bowls of plain water, then fetched a sugar jar and scooped a generous spoonful of white sugar into each bowl. Two toddlers nearby clung to her legs, eyeing the sugar eagerly.

Although new to the village, Lin Xiaoxiao knew white sugar was a luxury at that time—rationed, difficult to buy no matter how much money one had.

Serving so much sugar was a sign of treating guests with great honor. Without overthinking, she took a few fruit candies from her bag and handed them to the children. "Here, little ones, want some candy?"

She had almost said "Auntie gives you candy," but decided that might sound awkward.

Third Grandma smiled and bent down, gently guiding her grandchild's hand. "Xiao Zhu, go on, Second Aunt is giving you candy. Take it quickly."

Xiao Zhu glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao, grabbed the candy, then hid shyly behind Third Grandma's legs, peeking up at her curiously.

After getting everything ready, Third Grandma sat down, holding Xiao Zhu, and urged Lin Xiaoxiao to drink the sweetened water.

She said to Zhou Huai'an, "This is Changdong's son—almost three years old. The year his mother was pregnant with him, Changdong went to work in a coal mine up north. The mine collapsed... he never came back. His mother left too, after giving birth."

Zhou Huai'an's expression shifted visibly. "Changdong is gone?"

Third Grandma sighed. "Yes, gone three years now. Left behind this poor child."

Zhou Huai'an frowned, clearly struggling to process the news. Third Grandma stroked Xiao Zhu's head. "We're raising him. He's almost three and still doesn't speak."

Xiao Zhu, focused on clumsily unwrapping his candy, seemed unaware of the adults' conversation. He happily popped the fruit drop into his mouth and grinned up at Third Grandma.

Lin Xiaoxiao's heart ached with pity. The child was indeed pitiful. Watching closely, she noticed Xiao Zhu could hear—every time a dog barked, he turned toward the sound.

Softly, she asked, "May I take a closer look at Xiao Zhu?"