Lin Xiaoxiao found An Xiuyu's horrified expression strange. "Sister Xiuyu, what's wrong?"

An Xiuyu swallowed nervously, eyes fixed on Lin Xiaoxiao. "Is this your husband?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, do you know him?"

An Xiuyu quickly shook her head. "No, no, I don't. I should head back to the dorm. Don't let me keep you."

Clutching her child and her belongings, she hurried away. Lin Xiaoxiao noticed her visibly relax, patting her chest as if relieved. Puzzled, she glanced at Zhou Huai'an, then back at An Xiuyu's retreating figure. "Why did she look like she'd seen a ghost? You're not that scary."

After settling Zhou Huai'an back in his hospital room, she checked the time. "I'm going to talk to Sister Xiuyu, then grab food from the cafeteria. If your parents come, tell them not to bring anything. I'll take them out to eat later."

She couldn't let it go—she had to know what was wrong.

When she reached the dorm, An Xiuyu was breastfeeding her child, seemingly lost in thought. She jumped slightly when Lin Xiaoxiao entered. "You're back?"

Lin Xiaoxiao pulled up a chair and sat across from her. "Have you met my husband before? Did something happen? You seemed really frightened."

An Xiuyu pressed a hand to her chest, still visibly uneasy. "Your husband looks exactly like... well, that ghost I told you about—the one we found in our village."

It took Lin Xiaoxiao a moment to recall. "The one you said suddenly sat up? The body that was too water-damaged to recognize?"

An Xiuyu nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's the one. Your husband looks just like him."

Lin Xiaoxiao frowned. "But you said the body was swollen and unrecognizable. How can you be sure they look alike? Bodies change after being in water for a long time."

An Xiuyu shook her head. "No, I swear it's like looking at the same person. I'm not lying—I'll swear under the light if I have to. May I die miserable if I'm not telling the truth."

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly held her hand. "There's no need for that. I believe you. They really look that similar?"

"Exactly alike," An Xiuyu insisted.

Something felt off to Lin Xiaoxiao. The story didn't quite add up, but An Xiuyu seemed sincere—enough to swear an oath. She decided not to push further.

She stood and picked up her lunchbox from the windowsill. "Feed your little one. I'm going to get food."

An Xiuyu nodded, breathing a sigh of relief only after Lin Xiaoxiao had left. For a moment, she'd truly thought Lin Xiaoxiao's husband was that dead man from her village.......Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't convinced. The logic just didn't hold. But if An Xiuyu was telling the truth, the man who looked identical to Zhou Huai'an could only be Zhou Xiaocheng.

But Zhou Xiaocheng had died at the front lines. This place was far from there—the geography didn't match.

So many questions swirled in her mind. She felt like she'd stumbled into a mystery with no answers.

On her way out of the cafeteria, she ran into the mailroom attendant. "Xiao Lin, you're always asking for mail—a registered letter came for you this morning, from the provincial capital."

Lin Xiaoxiao forgot everything else in her excitement. "Really? I'll come get it now!"

She left her lunchbox on a counter at the entrance and hurried to the mailroom. The letter was from an editorial office in the city. She tore it open eagerly.

Inside was a stack of English manuscripts and a note from the editor. The letter praised her excellent English skills and expressed surprise that such talent could be found in a place like Longbei. They asked her to translate the documents into Chinese and offered a fee of fifteen yuan upon approval.

Flipping through the pages, she realized it was quite a lot of work—but fifteen yuan was generous. This would be her first earned income in this world.

Thrilled, she carefully tucked the letter back into the envelope, slipped it into her pocket, and patted it gently.

In high spirits, she carried the lunchbox back to the ward. She was so happy she temporarily forgot about An Xiuyu's story. Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan were both in the room.

Li Yunlan was sitting tearfully by the bed, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Lin Xiaoxiao was surprised—what had happened in such a short time?

She glanced questioningly at Zhou Huai'an, who shook his head slightly. He didn't know what Lu Yuanda had told his parents, but Li Yunlan had been crying since she arrived.

Lin Xiaoxiao set the lunchbox on the bedside table and gently held Li Yunlan's arm. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Li Yunlan wiped her tears. "That doctor said Huai'an has been injured so many times... that when things were at their worst, there was no one to take care of him. He was critically ill multiple times, but no family was ever with him..."

Lin Xiaoxiao softened her voice. "That's all in the past now. Even if his family had been notified back then, they might not have made it in time. What matters is he's alright now. We have to look forward, not back. We should be happy."

Zhou Zhennan nodded in agreement. "Xiaoxiao is right. Huai'an is safe now. We're lucky to have found him in this lifetime. Let's not dwell on regrets."

"But my heart aches," Li Yunlan cried. "All these years, he's had to endure everything alone."

Lin Xiaoxiao patted her shoulder. "It's okay. He has me now, and both of you. He won't be alone anymore. Let me take you both to eat."

Hearing this, Li Yunlan finally dried her tears. She agreed—from now on, they would make sure Zhou Huai'an felt loved.

Lin Xiaoxiao handed the lunchbox to Zhou Huai'an. "It's guagai noodles from the cafeteria. Eat up. We'll bring you something else after we've eaten."

Zhou Huai'an wasn't picky. "Don't worry about me. After you eat, get a room at the guesthouse and rest properly."

Zhou Zhennan lingered behind as the women prepared to leave. He turned to Zhou Huai'an.

"Would you have time to talk tonight?"

Zhou Huai'an nodded slowly. "Yes."

A relieved smile spread across Zhou Zhennan's face. "You've done very well for yourself—even better than I imagined."

Lin Xiaoxiao took Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan to a state-run canteen nearby. The small city didn't have many bustling areas or specialty snacks.

Besides, Li Yunlan was too preoccupied with thoughts of Zhou Huai'an to enjoy much else.They ordered three jin of pork and cabbage dumplings and waited.

Zhou Zhennan made conversation. "I heard from Dr. Lu that you're studying medicine. Do you plan to become a doctor?"

Lin Xiaoxiao answered honestly, "Yes."

Zhou Zhennan paused thoughtfully. "What if I could help you train at the best hospital in Beijing? You could become a doctor in the capital."

Without hesitation, Lin Xiaoxiao declined. "That won't be necessary. Wherever Zhou Huai'an is, that's where I'll be. And I believe I can excel anywhere."

Zhou Zhennan smiled warmly. "Cheng Lao's granddaughter is truly something special."