Lin Xiaoxiao tugged at Zhou Huai'an, pressing for more details about Lin Zihao. "Can you ask him later why he got divorced?"

Zhou Huai'an rubbed his temples helplessly. How was he supposed to bring that up? "Lin Zihao is about to be transferred elsewhere. Besides, the Lin family is from Shanghai—well-established, with plenty of rules. His grandfather, Lin Hanzhong, was once a powerful figure there. Though the family went through some turmoil and isn't what it used to be, they're still influential."

When Lin Xiaoxiao heard the name Lin Hanzhong, she froze. Her fingers tightened around Zhou Huai'an's arm. "Lin Hanzhong? You mean the one who used to own all the docks, shipyards, and textile mills in Shanghai? That Lin Hanzhong?"

She was so excited her words tumbled out incoherently.

Zhou Huai'an didn't understand her reaction, but he nodded. "Yes, but he's passed away now."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly. "I know, I know."

She was stunned. Could this be the same Lin Hanzhong from her world? If so, did that mean her parents also existed here?

If her calculations were right, they would still be in school at this time.

The thought made her desire to go to Shanghai grow stronger.

In her original world, her family and the Lins had been close—old friends who visited during holidays.

But there was no Lin Zihao in that family.

Just as excitement bubbled up, it quickly faded. Right—among Lin Hanzhong's grandsons, there was no Lin Zihao.

So if this world had Lin Zihao, it couldn't have her parents.

Zhou Huai'an watched as her face shifted from excitement to disappointment, then finally went blank, the light in her eyes dimming. "What's wrong?"

Suppressing her disappointment, Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. "It's nothing. I've just heard some stories about Lin Zihao's grandfather before. Got a little emotional, that's all."

Zhou Huai'an saw right through her lie but didn't call her out. He got out of bed, fetched a cup of water, and handed it to her.

Lin Xiaoxiao had been trying hard not to think about home. There was no going back, after all. She'd been doing her best to adapt and stay positive.

But in that moment, the dam broke. Homesickness flooded out.

Her eyes stung with tears. She burrowed under the covers, hoping sleep would offer an escape.

Don't cry, be strong, she told herself. If I keep living well, maybe someday I can return home?

She repeated the words like a mantra until she finally drifted into a restless sleep.

For the first time, she dreamed of her parents and her brother—and herself.

She stood to the side, watching like an outsider, surprised to see herself still alive.

But something felt off. Her mother spoke gently to the "Lin Xiaoxiao" on the sofa, but the girl scowled, stood up abruptly, and slammed her bedroom door shut.

Her mother began to cry. Her father and brother rushed to comfort her.

"What's wrong with Xiaoxiao?" her mother sobbed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "Ever since she woke up after the accident, it's like she's a different person. She doesn't remember anything."

"As long as she's alive," her father reassured her. "The doctor said it might be a stress response from the severe accident. We need to be patient and help her through it."

"I just miss our daughter," her mother cried. "The happy, mischievous girl she used to be. Seeing her so cold and angry now breaks my heart."

Tears welled in Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes as she watched. She understood now—she and the original owner had switched places. She was in this body, while the original owner was in hers.

She tried to hug her mother, but her hands passed right through.

Helpless, she stood there crying silently with her mother. Then she drifted toward her old room, passing easily through the closed door.

The once elegantly decorated room was now a chaotic mix of psychedelic pinks, filled with random clutter.

The other "Lin Xiaoxiao" lay on the bed scrolling through her phone, giggling carelessly.

Lin Xiaoxiao reached out to shake her, but her hand went through. The feeling of powerlessness terrified her. She wanted to scream.

Zhou Huai'an had noticed Lin Xiaoxiao's strange behavior ever since she heard Lin Hanzhong's name.

He kept an ear out throughout the night. Sure enough, around midnight, she developed a fever and began murmuring deliriously.

She kept calling for her mother, begging someone to go away.

Zhou Huai'an felt her forehead—it was burning up. He turned on the light, got up, and fetched a basin of cool water. He soaked a towel and placed it on her forehead.

He stayed up all night, constantly changing the water and towel. By dawn, her fever had broken, and she was drenched in sweat. Her hair was soaked, her lips pale and chapped.

He'd never seen someone sweat so much. Grabbing his own towel, he gently wiped her face and neck.

Lin Xiaoxiao was trapped in a long dream—one where she saw her parents, her brother, and herself.

She knew it was just a dream, but she didn't want to wake up.

She faintly felt someone wiping her face with a towel. A cool sensation on her forehead brought relief. A soft voice murmured, "Xiaoxiao? Wake up. Let's get you to a doctor."

Her eyelids fluttered open. Zhou Huai'an was looking down at her, his eyes filled with concern. They were rimmed with red, dark circles underneath. She turned her head slightly. "Did I get sick?"

Her voice came out hoarse and painful.

For a moment, she forgot the dream. Rubbing her head, she tried to sit up.

Zhou Huai'an quickly supported her. "You had a fever in the middle of the night. Are you feeling better now? We should go to the hospital."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't want to go—she hated injections, especially the kind they gave for fevers. It embarrassed her. "No, it's fine. I just need some water."

She collected herself, thoughts returning to the dream. Her chest felt tight, but she tried to comfort herself: Maybe it's better this way. At least my parents think I'm still alive. They won't grieve.

She hoped the original owner would eventually soften, recognize her parents' love, and live well.Tears welled up again. She just wanted to hug her mother.

Zhou Huai'an watched Lin Xiaoxiao sitting blankly on the bed, hugging her knees, her eyes red-rimmed. He hesitated, then went out to light the stove and cook some porridge. Later, he went out again and returned with a box of wontons and a sugar pancake.

Lin Xiaoxiao was still sitting in a daze, her spirit seeming dimmed. Her listlessness worried him. Leaning on his crutch, he approached gently. "I bought wontons from Li's and a brown sugar pancake. How about you wash up and eat a little?"

He wasn't used to comforting people, but he did his best.