Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know either. "Should I ask your brother later?"

Zhou Xiaoling suddenly turned shy. "No, it's fine. As long as he's doing okay, that's enough."

Lin Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue. "You're really suffering with this crush. Do you want me to sound out Lin Zihao for you?"

Zhou Xiaoling waved her hands in a panic. "No, no! Please don't ask him, sis!"

Lin Xiaoxiao found it strange. "You're usually so bold and straightforward. Why so hesitant when it comes to love? If you like him, just ask! What if he likes you back?"

Zhou Xiaoling looked horrified. "Sis, you really mustn't ask! He wouldn't be interested in someone like me. Ah, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's just finish making dumplings—I'm starving."

Lin Xiaoxiao realized that Lin Zihao was like a switch on Zhou Xiaoling. Without him mentioned, she was bubbly and energetic; bring him up, and she instantly turned into a timid little quail.

Since Zhou Xiaoling rarely visited, Lin Xiaoxiao made dumplings with chive and egg filling. The flour had been brought by Zhou Xiaoling herself—a whole twenty-pound bag.

She'd carried it all the way from the grain station, explaining to Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huai'an that she ate at the unit canteen and never used up her monthly food ration coupons. They'd just go to waste with her, so she might as well give them to the couple.

During the meal, Zhou Huai'an spoke up unexpectedly. "Lin Zihao took on another assignment, so he hasn't left yet. He's still in the city."

Lin Xiaoxiao immediately shot Zhou Xiaoling a teasing look.

Zhou Xiaoling, who had just taken a bite of hot dumpling, swallowed it in excitement. She felt it burn all the way down to her stomach. Patting her chest, her face flushed, she said, "Brother, I didn't mean it like that..."

Zhou Huai'an placed a few cooler dumplings into Lin Xiaoxiao's bowl. "If you really want to know something, I can ask him for you."

Mostly, he noticed that Lin Xiaoxiao seemed pretty curious herself.

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! Go ask him why he got divorced and what his relationship with his ex-wife was like."

Zhou Xiaoling, her face still red, kept stuffing dumplings into her mouth. She wanted to know too, but didn't want to hypocritically say "no." What if her brother took her seriously and didn't ask for her?

After lunch, Zhou Xiaoling, full of energy, dragged Lin Xiaoxiao to the department store to look around and buy some fabric for making summer dresses.

She encouraged Lin Xiaoxiao, "Sis, you have a great figure. You should make a couple of dresses too."

Lin Xiaoxiao was tempted. Zhou Huai'an had given her fabric before, but she'd never actually gone out to buy any herself. She happily went with Zhou Xiaoling to the department store.

Passing by a photo studio, Zhou Xiaoling suggested, "Sis, have you and my brother taken photos together? Since you're in the city, you should get some pictures taken!"

Lin Xiaoxiao thought that was a wonderful idea. Although photos were small and black-and-white at that time, having a few would still be meaningful keepsakes.

Zhou Xiaoling egged her on: "You're so pretty—you'll photograph really well."

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "You're pretty too! You look like a movie star."

Zhou Xiaoling giggled without a hint of modesty. "Everyone says I look like my dad, but I don't see it. Maybe I take after my aunt?"

Lin Xiaoxiao also thought Zhou Xiaoling didn't look much like Zhou Zhennan or Li Yunlan, but all the Zhou children were good-looking.

As they chatted and shopped, Zhou Xiaoling bought a piece of soft green fabric and another in bright red, following Lin Xiaoxiao's advice.

Holding the red cloth up to her chest, Zhou Xiaoling asked, "Isn't this too red? Even brides don't wear something this bright."

Lin Xiaoxiao already had an idea what style of dress would suit Zhou Xiaoling. "This color is perfect. With the right design, it'll look great on you."

Zhou Xiaoling had a healthy wheat-colored complexion and bright, lively features. Red would make her look especially vibrant.

At Lin Xiaoxiao's insistence, Zhou Xiaoling obediently bought both fabrics. She then watched as Lin Xiaoxiao picked out a small piece of red satin and asked curiously, "What are you going to do with such a small piece?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled mysteriously. "It's for your brother to see. Don't ask, kid."

Zhou Xiaoling didn't press further. She then saw Lin Xiaoxiao choose a light-colored floral print fabric and rushed to pay for it.

Lin Xiaoxiao tried to stop her but couldn't, laughing helplessly. "You can't keep doing this. I have money."

Zhou Xiaoling held Lin Xiaoxiao's hands still. "That's your money. This is my treat. Since I joined the military, my parents never managed my money. Second Brother and my parents still slip me some sometimes, and Grandpa gives me money too. I've been saving all along with my salary."

She patted her bag proudly. "I definitely have more money than you."

Lin Xiaoxiao teased, "I had no idea you were a little heiress! Fine, you can pay this time. I'll treat you next time."

Zhou Xiaoling happily linked arms with Lin Xiaoxiao as they headed downstairs.

The department store had two floors with staircases on both sides.

As they descended, Lin Xiaoxiao glanced unconsciously toward the other staircase—and saw the green scarf again. This time, it was following a man with a very familiar figure down the stairs.

It was just a glimpse, but Lin Xiaoxiao recognized Luo Caixia from the green scarf. As for the familiar-looking man, she couldn't quite place him.

Curious, she pulled Zhou Xiaoling along to catch up, hoping to see who the man was.

But by the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, the figure was gone. They searched the first floor but found no trace—it was as if he'd vanished into thin air.

Puzzled, Lin Xiaoxiao scanned the area for that eye-catching green scarf.

Zhou Xiaoling, who had been dragged along without understanding why, asked curiously, "What are you looking for? Did you see someone you know?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "I thought I saw an acquaintance. It's weird—they disappeared in a blink."

She wondered if the man with Luo Caixia was the one behind her.

She'd heard from Zhou Huai'an that Zhou Xiaoming had been taken to the capital. Since Luo Caixia was still in Longbei, clearly her backer wasn't Zhou Xiaoming but someone else.

So was Luo Caixia staying in Longbei for some lover, showing up now and then just to annoy her?

Giving up on figuring it out, she pulled Zhou Xiaoling toward home. On the way, they surprisingly ran into a man selling ice pops from a wooden box attached to his bicycle.

Zhou Xiaoling happily bought two, handing one to Lin Xiaoxiao.

It was Lin Xiaoxiao's first time trying ice pops from this era. She unwrapped it—the pop had already begun to melt slightly. She took a bite: icy, refreshing, and full of strong fruit flavor. It was genuinely delicious.

Zhou Xiaoling found it awkward to walk and eat, so she simply squatted by the roadside, enjoying her ice pop while watching the passersby.

Lin Xiaoxiao found it quite amusing. The way Zhou Xiaoling squatted was bold and unguarded—not very ladylike, more like a little street ruffian.

She squatted down beside her. "Where did you learn to do this? Doesn't your mom scold you?"

If her own mother from her world saw this, she'd definitely lecture her about improper posture.