Without thinking much, Third Granny pushed Xiao Zhu toward Lin Xiaoxiao. "Go, let your Second Auntie have a look at you."

Xiao Zhu timidly approached Lin Xiaoxiao and stood perfectly still, not daring to move a muscle.

Lin Xiaoxiao took his small hand in hers and said with a smile, "Xiao Zhu is such a handsome boy. Don't be afraid. Open your mouth wide and let me have a look at your teeth, alright?"

Xiao Zhu obediently opened his mouth wide.

Smiling, Lin Xiaoxiao patted his head gently. "What a good boy. Now, try to curl your tongue up like this, just like I'm doing."

Xiao Zhu followed her instructions cooperatively every step of the way.

Zhou Huai'an watched quietly. He had never seen Lin Xiaoxiao display such a gentle side before, and he was even more surprised that she knew how to check such things.

After examining Xiao Zhu's tongue, Lin Xiaoxiao gently felt around his neck near the throat area.

She smiled and ruffled his hair again. "You're very good and cooperative."

Zhou Huai'an didn't miss the fleeting trace of seriousness that passed over Lin Xiaoxiao's face, but since Third Granny was present, he decided not to ask about it immediately.

While they were chatting, Third Grandpa returned home carrying his farming tools. When he saw Zhou Huai'an, he slapped his thigh in frustration. "I knew you'd probably come within the last couple of days! I went out early to try to catch a rabbit, but didn't manage to get anything."

Zhou Huai'an stood up. "Please, don't trouble yourself, Third Grandpa. I brought some meat with me."

Lin Xiaoxiao observed Third Grandpa. He was a thin, small-framed old man with a deeply wrinkled face and a goatee, giving off an impression of stubbornness and honesty.

Third Granny chimed in from the side, "Keep your voice down. Don't startle Changsuo's wife."5Only then did Third Grandpa seem to notice Lin Xiaoxiao. He repeatedly said "Good, good," and urged her, "Please, sit down. Make yourself comfortable."

After sitting back down, Lin Xiaoxiao learned through the conversation that the old couple's only son and daughter-in-law had been tragically killed some years ago. Their grandson, who had been two years younger than Zhou Huai'an, also passed away three years ago in an accident.

Now, only Xiao Zhu remained, relying on them for survival.

It seemed that misfortune never comes alone—that saying held true here.

When Third Granny went to prepare the meal, Lin Xiaoxiao followed her to help. Watching the elderly woman's trembling hands as she tried to cut the meat, Lin Xiaoxiao grew concerned she might cut herself. "Third Granny, please, let me do that."

Third Granny didn't protest and handed the kitchen knife to Lin Xiaoxiao. "I've gotten old, and my hands and legs don't work so well anymore. For the past couple of years, my hands always seem to shake for some reason."

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at Third Granny's hands. "Haven't you been to the hospital to get it checked?"

Third Granny shook her head. "What for? When you're old, you always have this or that ailment. It's not necessary."

Lin Xiaoxiao knew the elderly woman was trying to save money. She made a mental note to discuss it with Zhou Huai'an later; it would be best for Third Granny to get a proper medical check-up.

In the courtyard, Zhou Huai'an was chatting with Third Grandpa.

Third Grandpa puffed on his dry tobacco pipe and looked at Zhou Huai'an. "On my way back, I overheard something. I heard you came back this time because you want to divide the family property?"

Zhou Huai'an nodded. "Yes."

Third Grandpa fell silent. He was well aware of Wang Fenglan's greedy and selfish nature. The Zhou family had enjoyed a relatively comfortable life all these years largely thanks to the money Zhou Huai'an regularly sent home. But when it came to dividing the property... "Changsuo, you should think it over carefully. You wouldn't want them causing trouble at your workplace and affecting your job, would you?"

The old man was genuinely concerned for Zhou Huai'an's well-being. It had taken great effort for him to leave this impoverished mountain village behind; he shouldn't let these people ruin his future prospects.

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "Don't worry, Third Grandpa. They wouldn't dare."

Seeing Zhou Huai'an's confident tone, Third Grandpa remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Since you've made your decision, I'll definitely support you."

Lin Xiaoxiao trimmed off some of the fat from the meat and stewed the remainder with potatoes. She then finely chopped the fatty pieces, mixed them with cornmeal and chopped scallions, and pan-fried them into flatbreads.

The oil jar in the house was nearly empty, and there was no wheat flour to be seen—clear signs that their daily life was usually quite frugal.

Third Granny watched with evident satisfaction. When she went out to fetch water, she secretly praised Lin Xiaoxiao to Zhou Huai'an: "You found a good wife. She's not pampered or afraid of hard work."

After lunch, Lin Xiaoxiao also noticed Zhou Huai'an discreetly placing a stack of money under the plate—it looked to be several dozen yuan. She found herself wondering about it; it seemed Zhou Huai'an had brought a considerable amount of money with him this time. Perhaps he had some savings after all.

After the meal, they said their goodbyes. On the way back, Zhou Huai'an spoke to Lin Xiaoxiao with sincere gratitude. "Thank you for today."

However, Lin Xiaoxiao felt that Zhou Huai'an had his own reasons for bringing her along on this visit, though she hadn't quite figured them out yet. What was more pressing now was Xiao Zhu's condition. "I didn't do much; there's no need to thank me. Besides, Xiao Zhu's situation isn't good. His hearing is perfectly fine, yet he can't speak. He really must go to a major hospital in the city for a proper examination."

She had felt a small lump around Xiao Zhu's throat area earlier. Further examination was necessary to determine if it was a tumor.

Zhou Huai'an frowned. "Is the situation very serious?"

He now had great trust in Lin Xiaoxiao's medical skills—far beyond what her casual mention of "learning a bit from my grandfather" would suggest.

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't jump to conclusions. "It's best to get him checked properly. And Third Granny should also go to the hospital for an examination."

Zhou Huai'an was silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. I understand."

As they walked back, they encountered quite a few villagers. It was midday, and people, with nothing urgent to do after lunch, had gathered in sunny spots to chat and boast.

When they saw Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao,

they greeted them warmly—Though they secretly called Zhou Huian a faithless man behind his back.in person they were still very friendly. After all, Zhou Huai'an was a highly capable man from the village, the first to leave and secure an official position.

After Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao walked away, the small groups continued to watch their retreating figures and whisper among themselves:

"Huai'an's wife is certainly prettier than Caixia."

"What's the use of being pretty? Look at her delicate skin and tender flesh. Her body looks like a strong wind could blow her over. She definitely can't be as capable as Caixia."

"What nonsense are you all talking? She's a registered city dweller3 after all, with a grain ration supplied by the state."

"That's true... But with her small hips, she'll be poor at childbearing. She'll surely not bear sons in the future."

They soon began envying Lin Xiaoxiao's city household registration status3—not having to do manual labor and receiving monthly grain rations.

When Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huai'an arrived home, the Zhou family had also finished lunch. Two children, with runny noses, were sitting in the yard (gnawing on chicken pieces). Chen Qiaolan was washing the family's clothes by the well. When she saw Zhou Huai'an, she called out "Second Brother" and then quickly lowered her head to continue washing.

Lin Xiaoxiao noticed that Chen Qiaolan's face was bruised and swollen—it seemed she had been beaten by Zhou Chang'an. That scoundrel clearly was no good.

No one else was around; they were probably all hiding inside their rooms.

Lin Xiaoxiao remembered that she had left her travel bag in the room. Feeling a little worried, she hurried inside—what if Wang Fenglan had taken the opportunity to go through her things while she was away?

Entering the room, she saw her travel bag resting intact on the three-drawer desk. She unzipped it and found the clothes neatly folded, with the malted milk powder and milk powder still underneath. Only then did she feel relieved.

Zhou Huai'an, who had followed behind her, seeing her cautious demeanor, couldn't help but say, "They wouldn't dare."

If the family division hadn't been brought up, Wang Fenglan would likely have already rummaged through their things. But now that the subject had been raised, and since they didn't truly want to divide the family, they wouldn't cause more trouble at this critical juncture.

A little embarrassed at having her thoughts seen through, Lin Xiaoxiao finished zipping up the bag and turned to look at Zhou Huai'an. "Are we staying home this afternoon?"

What she really wanted to ask was: Since we're arguing about dividing the family, can we still have dinner together tonight? And when we see each other, can we still talk properly?