Zhou Huai'an was caught off guard. He turned his head, looking at Lin Xiaoxiao in surprise.

Lin Xiaoxiao deliberately glared at him with feigned anger. "What are you looking at me for? Isn't it the truth? Luckily it was daytime. If it had been at night when everyone was sound asleep, and he hadn't tried to smother me but stabbed me instead, do you think I would have had any chance of survival?"

Zhou Huai'an nodded. Lin Xiaoxiao did have a point. The killer had probably intended to make it look like she died in the fire, which was why he tried to suffocate her. He simply hadn't expected her to wake up and fight back so fiercely.

If the assailant had truly come armed with a knife, Lin Xiaoxiao wouldn't be standing before him unscathed.

Lin Xiaoxiao was a master of twisted logic. She counted off on her fingers: "See, I'm in this mess entirely because of you. Doesn't that mean you're responsible for my safety? Besides, today he just tried to smother me. What if he realizes I'm pretty and gets... other ideas? How am I supposed to live with that?"

Zhou Huai'an immediately refuted, "That won't happen."

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. "You're not the killer. How do you know what he's thinking? Or do you think I'm not good-looking enough for someone to... you know?"

Zhou Huai'an instantly fell silent. He simply didn't understand how Lin Xiaoxiao could steer any topic in this direction.

Lin Xiaoxiao reached out and linked her arm with his. "So, you need to take good care of me and keep me safe."

Zhou Huai'an, feeling uncomfortable, tried to pull his arm back, but Lin Xiaoxiao only held on tighter. His elbow was pressed against a softness that made his body stiffen unconsciously. His voice was tight when he spoke: "Let go. It doesn't look good if someone sees."

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced down the empty hallway, then back at the fossil-like Zhou Huai'an. Sure, this era was conservative, but young people in love could still be plenty passionate.

Yet Zhou Huai'an acted like a relic dug up from an archaeological site. She couldn't wait to see him stirred by genuine passion.

Thinking this, she held on even tighter. "I'm scared. I almost died just now. What's wrong with letting me hold you?"

She only let go when footsteps echoed from down the hall.

When they arrived at Little Zhu's room, the boy was already awake, sitting on the bed playing with a toy duck. If not for the bandages around his neck, he wouldn't have looked like he'd just had surgery.

Thrilled with his first toy, Little Zhu kept winding up the duck and watching it waddle across the bedsheets.

Third Grandpa watched nearby, a rare smile on his face, not taking his eyes off the child.

Lü Zhigang was sound asleep on the adjacent bed.

When Little Zhu saw Lin Xiaoxiao enter, he smiled shyly and pointed to his duck, showing it off to her.

Lin Xiaoxiao walked over with a smile and ruffled his hair. "Who bought you this duck, Little Zhu? It's so much fun!"

Little Zhu pointed at the snoring Lü Zhigang.

"That uncle is such a good man," Lin Xiaoxiao praised. "When you can talk, you must remember to thank him."

Little Zhu nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.

Third Grandpa finally seemed at ease. "Seeing Little Zhu awake puts my mind at rest. This child is blessed to have met all of you."

From overhearing Zhou Huai'an's conversations with Third Grandpa, Lin Xiaoxiao knew that Third Grandpa's son and daughter-in-law had been very kind to Zhou Huai'an when he was young. She smiled. "It's only right. Fifth Uncle and Aunt took such good care of Changsuo back then. This is the least he can do."

When she mentioned "Changsuo"—his rustic childhood name—her smile widened even further.

Zhou Huai'an knew she was laughing at his nickname. He felt helpless; he didn't understand why such an ordinary name amused her so much every time.

He went over, woke Lü Zhigang, and called him out to talk.

Still drowsy, Lü Zhigang followed Zhou Huai'an out. After hearing about the fire and the attempt on Lin Xiaoxiao's life, he was shocked. "That's insane! So it seems all the recent incidents are connected to one person."

Zhou Huai'an nodded. "At first, he might not have wanted me dead—just to ruin my future. But now, it's clear he wants me killed."

Lü Zhigang rubbed his chin, puzzled. "But if he wants you dead, why go after Sis-in-law?"

Zhou Huai'an had already considered this. "He probably thinks my success is all due to Elder Cheng's backing. If something 'accidental' happened to Lin Xiaoxiao, it would be seen as my failure to protect her. Elder Cheng would hold it against me. That would give him an opportunity to finish me off later."

Lü Zhigang found it strange. "Why go through all that trouble? Why not just kill you directly?"

Zhou Huai'an shook his head. "He wants to destroy my reputation first, then kill me."

He wouldn't even be allowed to die with his honor intact.

Lü Zhigang couldn't help but curse. "That's vicious. Who on earth have you offended?"

Zhou Huai'an was also at a loss. The enemy remained hidden, striking unpredictably, making it impossible to guess what would come next....Little Zhu, being young, healed quickly. By the next noon, he was already drinking milk formula and could walk around with Lin Xiaoxiao.

Having decided to stay at the hospital for training, Lin Xiaoxiao made a point of getting familiar with doctors and nurses across all departments.

While some still disliked her, most were warm and welcoming.

Those who seemed hostile, Lin Xiaoxiao concluded, were mostly former secret admirers of Zhou Huai'an. Some were even married yet still jealous that Lin Xiaoxiao had ended up with him.

She couldn't understand it—what was so appealing about such a blockhead?

And if they liked him so much, why hadn't they confessed? You couldn't blame anyone for unrequited feelings.

Little Zhu and Lin Xiaoxiao sat on a bench in the garden soaking up the sun. Every now and then, the boy would glance at her. Though the wound on his neck was uncomfortable, these past few days had been his happiest.

So many uncles and aunts were kind to him, buying him toys and nice clothes.

And Auntie Lin was especially good to him.

He reached out and held Lin Xiaoxiao's hand, opening his mouth as if trying to make a sound. All that came out was a rough, raspy "ah."

But that was enough to startle and delight Lin Xiaoxiao. She looked at him with happy surprise. "Little Zhu, you made a sound!"

The boy smiled happily and let out another "ah."

Lin Xiaoxiao hugged him. "This is wonderful! Don't rush, Little Zhu. Once you're fully healed, we'll start learning to speak properly."

Hearing Little Zhu make a sound filled Third Grandpa with joy as well.

Considering that Third Grandpa hadn't eaten properly these past few days, Zhou Huai'an decided they should all go to the hospital cafeteria for a decent meal.

Lin Xiaoxiao carried the milk formula, holding Little Zhu's hand as she walked beside Zhou Huai'an. Heading downstairs, she suddenly mused aloud, "Don't we look like a family of three?"

Then, as she glanced up, she saw a tall, lean man also heading toward the cafeteria. She abruptly grabbed Zhou Huai'an's hand. "That one! That's the man!"