Lin Xiaoxiao could tell at a glance from the man's appearance that he was likely Zhou Huaian's biological father—the resemblance was striking.

However, Zhou Zhennan carried the weight of time and experience, exuding the authority of someone in a position of power.

After hurriedly saying goodbye to Li Guiling and An Xiuyu, she rushed over to Li Yunlan. "Hello?"

Li Yunlan seemed momentarily confused, as if she couldn't quite place who Lin Xiaoxiao was, and frowned in thought.

Knowing that Li Yunlan struggled with her mental health and had probably forgotten her—likely only retaining memories of the most important people—Lin Xiaoxiao quickly explained, "Hello, I'm Lin Xiaoxiao, Zhou Huaian's wife."

Hearing Zhou Huaian's name seemed to flip a switch in Li Yunlan's mind. She immediately remembered Lin Xiaoxiao, grabbed her hand, and said excitedly, "Xiaoxiao! You're Xiaoxiao! Let's go find Huaian, together!"

Zhou Zhennan studied Lin Xiaoxiao briefly. Based on his ability to read people, her eyes were clear and honest—not at all the calculating type Zhou Xiaohong had described.

He greeted her gently, "Hello, I'm Zhou Zhennan. I apologize for our sudden visit. Are you also heading to Hongqi Town by bus?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly. "Yes, exactly! I have a couple days off and was going back to see him. Let's take the bus together."

Li Yunlan pulled Lin Xiaoxiao onto the bus and insisted she sit with her, clutching her hand tightly. She whispered mysteriously, "I brought lots of delicious food. You and Huaian can share it later. There's even chocolate!"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled gratefully. "That's so thoughtful of you. Huaian will be very touched."

But Li Yunlan's expression clouded. "No, he won't. He must blame me for not taking better care of him back then, for losing him. I can't sleep at night thinking about how much he suffered as a child."

She then began talking about Zhou Xiaocheng, her words becoming increasingly disjointed. "If Huaian had been with us, he could've grown up like Xiaocheng. He wouldn't have had to endure so much hardship. Maybe Xiaocheng wouldn't have..."

Zhou Zhennan, sitting across the aisle in the same row, gave Lin Xiaoxiao an apologetic look. "Her thoughts sometimes become confused. Please don't mind her."

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly waved her hand. "Not at all, how could I? I actually find her sincerity very endearing."

Li Yunlan paused after hearing this, then turned to Lin Xiaoxiao with a puzzled expression. "Why are you calling me 'aunt'? You should call me Mom. By the way, where was your wedding? When you come to Beijing, we'll hold another ceremony for you and Huaian."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt too awkward to call Li Yunlan "Mom"—especially since Zhou Huaian himself hadn't yet acknowledged her. She simply smiled without responding.

Li Yunlan, however, was entirely serious. She turned to Zhou Zhennan. "We must hold a wedding. We never got to have one for Xiaocheng and Xiao Ran. We have to do it for Xiaoxiao and Huaian."

Zhou Zhennan humored her gently. "Yes, we'll hold a wedding. We'll plan it properly when the time comes. Why don't you rest now? It's still a long journey."

But Li Yunlan refused to rest. She continued holding Lin Xiaoxiao's hand, asking about her family and background, until she eventually tired herself out and fell asleep against the seat.

Zhou Zhennan stood up, carefully draped a jacket over Li Yunlan, and then sat back down to speak softly with Lin Xiaoxiao. "Ever since Xiaocheng died three years ago, her mental state hasn't been right. Recently, her condition worsened. She has a tumor in her brain—it's already pressing on her nerves. Her memory will continue to decline."

Lin Xiaoxiao was startled. So it wasn't just a psychological issue. "Can't it be operated on?"

Zhou Zhennan shook his head. "Neurosurgery in China isn't advanced enough yet. The risks are too high."

He was too afraid of losing Li Yunlan on the operating table to consider surgery.

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a surge of emotion. Just before her accident, she had been participating in a global neurosurgery conference. She had been one of the youngest leading experts in China, successfully removing even complex gliomas from the brainstem.

She could do it!

She also knew all too well what Li Yunlan's future held: increasing confusion, memory loss, and eventually, dementia.

Her heart ached. It was just too tragic.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's frown, Zhou Zhennan worried she might misunderstand. "I'm telling you this not so you'll tell Huaian and gain his sympathy. I just want you to be prepared. Please don't be annoyed if she talks too much."

"As for Huaian... whether he acknowledges us or not doesn't matter. We're his parents, but we've done nothing for him. It wouldn't be fair to demand that he accept us."

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly. What thoughtful, self-aware parents. The contrast with Wang Fenglan's family was like night and day.

Genetics really were important.

They arrived in town around noon. Lin Xiaoxiao carried her bag and supported Li Yunlan. "It's about a twenty-minute walk to the residential compound. Do you think you can manage, or should I try to find a donkey cart?"

Li Yunlan refused. "No need, I can manage."

The thought of soon seeing Zhou Huaian filled her with energy.

Zhou Zhennan looked around at the bleak surroundings. Though it was spring, the area near the mountains was still cold. People were working in the fields, and many were busy digging for wild vegetables.

It was a world away from Beijing. Though he had known hardship himself, seeing the conditions his son had lived in left him with a heavy heart.

When they reached the compound, it was lunchtime, and the paths were quiet with few people around.

Li Yunlan's heart sank as she saw the low, simple houses made of packed earth. "You live here?"

Lin Xiaoxiao, however, felt at home. "It might not look like much, but it's quite comfortable. Everyone knows each other, and the community is very close."

No sooner had she spoken than a neighbor woman stepped out, saw her, glared, turned around, and slammed her door shut.

Lin Xiaoxiao: "..."

Could the irony be any more immediate?

The door was locked. Zhou Huaian wasn't home, and Lin Xiaoxiao had completely forgotten about the key. She tugged fruitlessly at the padlock, frustrated.

She had no idea where Zhou Huaian's unit was located or how to find him. Where could she take them now?

Just as she was wondering how to accommodate Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan, Zhou Xiaoling came rushing over excitedly. From a distance, she called out in surprise, "Mom! Dad! Sister-in-law!"

She ran over and hugged Li Yunlan. "Mom, what are you doing here? Were you worried about me?"

Li Yunlan gently pushed her aside, looking past her. "Where's your big brother?"

Unfazed by the dismissal, Zhou Xiaoling grinned. "You came at a bad time. Big Brother is on a mission—he's in the mountains."

Lin Xiaoxiao's heart sank. What terrible timing. She comes back, and Zhou Huaian isn't even here?

Li Yunlan was also disappointed. "When will he be back?"

Zhou Xiaoling shook her head. "I'm not sure. They were delivering some data to a lab in the mountains. They should be back soon."

As soon as the words left her mouth, a deafening roar echoed through the air—followed by the ground shaking beneath their feet...