Lin Xiaoxiao didn't dare play any games in front of Zhou Zhennan. She knew someone like him—sharp and perceptive—would see right through her if she tried.

She nodded honestly. "You could say we've met. Once when we were returning to Zhoujia Village, I saw him in the county town. At first, I thought it was Zhou Chang'an. Then, another time when I was kidnapped and Zhou Huaian rescued me, he appeared on a rooftop nearby. Lü Zhigang went after him but couldn't catch up."

As for her suspicion that Zhou Xiaoming had tried to kill Zhou Huaian—that was something Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't say aloud.

She believed Zhou Zhennan would draw his own conclusions.

Zhou Xiaoling was shocked. "You mean Zhou Xiaoming—my other brother—was in Zhoujia County? So he already knew about our brother back then? And I hadn't even arrived in Longbei yet!"

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at her, impressed. The girl was clever and quick—she'd pinpointed the crucial question right away.

Zhou Zhennan didn't respond. Instead, he went to support Li Yunlan. "Let's sit and rest for a while. Huaian's surgery will take some time."

Lost in her own thoughts, Li Yunlan hadn't been paying attention to Lin Xiaoxiao's words. Even after sitting down, she kept murmuring to herself, "Xiaocheng and Huaian... good boys... They'll be fine."

Zhou Zhennan held her hand, comforting her in a soft voice.

Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't expected much reaction from Zhou Zhennan anyway. A man that deep wouldn't show his emotions easily—no one could guess what he was thinking.

But Zhou Xiaoling's curiosity was piqued. She pulled Lin Xiaoxiao farther down the hallway, linking arms with her without hesitation. "Tell me everything—why was my brother Zhou Xiaoming in that county town?"

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. "I'm not sure. I saw him while washing my hands outside a restaurant."

Zhou Xiaoling looked puzzled. "But you'd never met him before. How did you know it was him?"

Once again, Lin Xiaoxiao was struck by how sharp this Zhou sister was. "Like I said, he looked like Zhou Chang'an—but Chang'an was in the hospital at the time."

She went on to explain how Zhou Chang'an had been injured and couldn't leave the hospital, and also recounted her kidnapping: "Later, your mother also went to Zhoujia Village and met their family. The three brothers actually look quite alike."

Zhou Xiaoling felt a complicated mix of emotions—disappointment, sadness, and a simmering anger she couldn't quite release.

She believed her family had always treated Zhou Xiaoming well. It was Zhou Xiaoming's biological mother who had maliciously switched the children, making her own brother suffer outside while they raised the son of someone who'd wronged them.

Wasn't it only natural that they now wanted to acknowledge their real brother?

As for Zhou Xiaoming, their years of affection weren't false. Zhou Xiaoling felt she would still call him "brother," but she wouldn't feel as close to him anymore.

Still, if Zhou Xiaoming was ever in trouble, she would help.

But now... What if he had known the truth all along? Why else would he have been there?

And why show up at the scene of Lin Xiaoxiao's kidnapping? She believed Lü Zhigang wouldn't lie.

Watching Zhou Xiaoling's changing expressions—so different from Zhou xiaohong's indifference—Lin Xiaoxiao seized the moment to mention nearly being burned to death, and how someone had broken in and almost smothered her.

They'd later caught a suspect, but DNA tests didn't match. That suspect eventually died in police custody.

Zhou Xiaoling's heart jumped. "You said the person who hurt you had scratches on his neck?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, about from here... to here." She gestured along her neck. If it was Zhou Xiaoming, the scar might still be there.

Several details suddenly clicked in Zhou Xiaoling's mind: When she'd last seen Zhou Xiaoming, he was wearing a high-necked shirt and kept tugging at the collar.

He'd never worn high necks before. Her sister-in-law often complained how he insisted on wearing low-cut shirts even in winter.

Was it because he had a scar to hide? Was he adjusting his collar out of habit and guilt?

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. If it was true... how terrifying would that be?

She remembered him gently patting her head with that warm smile of his, and felt a chill.

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed at Zhou Xiaoling's expression. "It's a shame that suspect died. Otherwise, we might have learned who was really behind all these shady tricks."

Just as Zhou Xiaoling was about to speak, the operating room doors opened. Zhou Huaian was wheeled out.

Aside from a broken leg, he was fine. He was already awake.

Li Yunlan rushed over, leaning down to ask repeatedly, "Does it hurt? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Zhou Zhennan looked at the face so similar to Xiaocheng's. Although everyone said they looked alike, seeing it in person felt like a dream. Blood ties stirred something deep in him, and his eyes grew warm.

The weather was already mild, and the hospital room didn't need a stove. The hospital had arranged a private room for Zhou Huaian.

Zhou Huaian glanced around, his eyes finally settling on Lin Xiaoxiao. "How is Wang Meng?"

Lin Xiaoxiao finally squeezed closer to the bed. "His injuries are more serious. He's been transferred to a city hospital."

Zhou Huaian nodded. Li Yunlan didn't mind that her son hadn't responded to her yet and chattered on, "Huaian, don't be upset. Your father and I just came to see you. We won't disturb your rest. I can cook for you—what do you like to eat?"

She spoke incessantly, afraid he would reject her.

Zhou Xiaoling chimed in, "Yeah, big brother, Mom and Dad just arrived today. Mom's cooking is really good!"

Now Lin Xiaoxiao understood where Zhou Xiaoling got her talkativeness—it was inherited from Li Yunlan. But it wasn't annoying.

Zhou Huaian closed his eyes briefly as if headacheed. Zhou Zhennan quickly pulled Li Yunlan and Zhou Xiaoling aside. "Huaian just woke up. I'm sure he has things to discuss with Anning. Let's go out and buy some things. Wenqing, you should rest too."

Li Yunlan nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, you two talk. I won't disturb you."

After Zhou Zhennan led Li Yunlan and Zhou Xiaoling away, the room finally quieted down.

Lin Xiaoxiao pulled a chair to the bedside and sat down, clicking her tongue. "How many times have you been to the hospital in such a short time? Are you a regular here? This hospital must rely on you for business."

As she spoke, she took Zhou Huaian's wrist and felt his pulse. "Perfect timing—I've been learning how to read pulses. Let me check you."

Zhou Huaian let her move his hand as she pleased. After a moment of serious pulse-taking, she announced:

"You've been poisoned."