Zhou Xiaoling spotted Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao approaching. She quickly stood up, still holding her bowl, her mouth full of popcorn, and hurried toward them with a smile.

When they got closer, Lin Xiaoxiao looked surprised. "Why are you here so early?"

Zhou Xiaoling wiped her mouth, swallowed, and beamed. "I have two days off. I hitched a ride before dawn, so I got here early. You weren't home, so I wandered around and ran into a popcorn vendor. I borrowed a bowl from your landlord."

She thrust the bowl of popcorn toward Lin Xiaoxiao and grinned at Zhou Huai'an. "Big brother, I didn't have anywhere else to go on my day off, so I thought I'd stay here for the night and do some shopping in the city. You'll let me stay, right?"

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed, taking the bowl. "You should've asked me. I would've said yes right away."

Zhou Xiaoling happily linked arms with her. "You're the best, sis."

Once inside, she started chattering away. "My mom and sister left. I wanted to see them off, but I couldn't get time off. I really wanted to give my sister a piece of my mind."

After Zhou Huai'an closed the door, she lowered her voice mysteriously. "Big brother, I heard at work that Zhang Zhongyi killed himself. Did you know?"

Zhou Huai'an paused. "No."

Lin Zihao had visited just yesterday and hadn't mentioned it either.

Zhou Xiaoling perked up, thrilled to share a piece of gossip. "He hung himself the night before last. They say his tongue was hanging out this long." She gestured with her hands.

Lin Xiaoxiao looked shocked. "Why would he do that? He already named Zhou Xiaoming as the mastermind. It's not like he'd get the death penalty."

Zhou Xiaoling was eager to explain. "It's not that simple. Sabotaging a military road isn't an ordinary crime—it goes to a military court. Whether he lives or dies isn't the point. What matters is his family. This will affect generations. And don't forget his backers—the Hu family."

She went on to detail the Hu family's connections, then sighed with relief. "Good thing Zhou Xiaoming isn't really one of us, or we'd be implicated. Even so, we'll be investigated since he's still technically part of our family."

She then proceeded to curse Zhou Xiaoming's ancestors with dramatic flair.

Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't realized the repercussions would be so far-reaching. "What does this mean? Will it affect your futures?"

Zhou Xiaoling waved a hand. "Probably not, but it'll definitely speed up everyone finding out that Zhou Huai'an is my real big brother. I bet Grandpa will come soon."

She frowned. "Grandpa has a bad temper. If he says anything nasty, just ignore him."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "He hasn't even arrived yet, and you're already bad-mouthing him. If he finds out, you'll be the first one he scolds."

Zhou Xiaoling laughed and urged Lin Xiaoxiao to eat more popcorn. "Try it, it's really good!"

As Lin Xiaoxiao sat listening to Zhou Xiaoling talk about the Zhou and Hu families, Zhou Huai'an brought over two cups of water, worried his sister would talk herself hoarse.

Zhou Xiaoling grinned at him. "Don't worry, big brother. Grandpa and Dad will definitely look into what really happened when Second Brother died. Dad might seem easygoing and always smiling, but he's actually pretty sharp. A real wolf in sheep's clothing."

Lin Xiaoxiao chuckled. Was that any way to describe your own father?

Zhou Huai'an thought Zhou Xiaoling was talking too much. "What do you want for lunch? I'll go buy groceries."

Zhou Xiaoling shot up. "I'll go! Let me and sis go. My treat."

Zhou Huai'an glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao. "No, she's still sick."

Zhou Xiaoling looked Lin Xiaoxiao over. She didn't look sick. "Then I'll go myself. I'll buy a fish."

Not wanting to let her go alone, Lin Xiaoxiao stood. "Let's go together. We can talk on the way.

Your brother just walked a lot—he should rest."

Zhou Xiaoling sneakily smiled as they left, linking arms with Lin Xiaoxiao. "You and my brother are really good together. I've heard so many rumors at work—people here love to make up stories."

Lin Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow. "What kind of rumors?"

Zhou Xiaoling knew better than to repeat the negative stuff. "Nothing important. I can see you two are happy, that's what matters. I heard there's Yellow River carp in season now. Let's go see."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. Zhou Xiaoling was smart—she didn't believe everything she heard, nor did she spread gossip. Then she thought of Lin Zihao. "Did you know Lin Zihao is divorced?"

Zhou Xiaoling paused, her expression flickering. "He's divorced?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Your brother said so. It must be true. Did you know him before?"

Zhou Xiaoling stayed quiet for a moment before whispering, "Why did he get divorced?"

"I don't know. Your brother isn't as nosy as we are," Lin Xiaoxiao said. "I'll try to find out later. But I heard Lin Zihao is being transferred to the front."

Zhou Xiaoling wasn't surprised. "They reassign troops every year. With how tense things are at the border, of course they'll send more people."

Lin Xiaoxiao studied her. "Won't you miss him? Who knows when he'll be back."

Zhou Xiaoling remained calm. "This is my thing, not his. Come on, let's go before the fish are all gone."

As long as they weren't talking about Lin Zihao, Zhou Xiaoling was back to her chatty self.

At the market entrance, two young men in yellowish-green jackets were hassling an old woman selling shoe inserts, demanding a one-yuan daily stall fee.

The woman was pale with fear—she hardly made one yuan a day. She clutched her bundle, trembling as she pleaded.

Zhou Xiaoling rolled up her sleeves, ready to jump in.

Lin Xiaoxiao held her back. She wasn't sure they could take on two ruffians.

Zhou Xiaoling fumed. "Look at those two mutts! They used to be part of the gang causing trouble, and now they're still bullying people. I'm going to teach them a lesson. How dare they pick on an old lady selling shoe inserts!"

Lin Xiaoxiao tugged at her. "Aren't you afraid they'll fight back?"

Zhou Xiaoling glared. "Afraid? If I'm afraid of scum like that, I'm not my father's daughter!"

Then her expression froze as she stared past Lin Xiaoxiao.

Lin Xiaoxiao turned around and immediately understood why.

Lin Zihao was standing not far away, holding a large carp.