Lin Xiaoxiao gazed at Zhou Huai'an with sparkling eyes, her lips curved in a playful, lively smile. Zhou Huai'an was momentarily stunned, then the corners of his own mouth lifted unconsciously. The faint lines at the edges of his eyes softened, making his usually stern and reserved demeanor seem much gentler.

To Lin Xiaoxiao, he suddenly reminded her of a clear, sunny day after the snow has just melted—crisp yet tender.

She blinked, then stood up, leaning her hands on the table as she bent forward and gave him a firm kiss. "There. From now on, you only smile for me. No smiling at other women, understand?"

Zhou Huai'an answered honestly, "I don't smile at others."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, satisfied. "Good. Otherwise, I'd get jealous."

Pleased, she sat back down to continue her meal. After a few bites, she suddenly giggled. "That kiss tasted like eggs. Did you notice?"

Zhou Huai'an lowered his gaze, the smile in his eyes deepening. With Lin Xiaoxiao's laughter and teasing, every day felt much lighter.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Dong Hongmei's house was entirely different.

Dong Hongmei watched Li Guohao eat in silence, her eyes red-rimmed. She wasn't stupid—she knew Luo Caixia was no "cousin." But she wanted to pretend otherwise, because what else could she do? How else could they go on?

Still, seeing all the recent changes in her husband, she knew what was happening. She just didn't want to acknowledge it.

Now, though, she couldn't hold back any longer. "I checked with logistics. You weren't at the unit last night. Where were you?"

Li Guohao sounded impatient. "Can't you stop nagging? If I wasn't at the unit, where else would I be? And who did you ask? Bring them here!"

Dong Hongmei felt wronged. "Li Guohao, I don't want to fight. But when you fool around outside, think of the children. They have pride too."

Li Guohao flew into a rage. He slammed his bowl and chopsticks on the table. "What are you implying? Are you trying to ruin our lives? Spreading lies about me? What nonsense have you been listening to out there? I told you to stop gossiping with those women!"

For once, Dong Hongmei stood her ground. "I'm not ruining our lives? Don't you know what you've done? Then tell me—who is Luo Caixia really? Since when do you have an aunt like that?

Li Guohao, we've been married over ten years. I know all your relatives!"

"You said she was family, so I helped you keep up the act—made everyone think she's our relative. But you know the truth, don't you? It's been half a year. How many times have you touched me? Every night you come home saying you're tired. Last month, you only came to me because you were drunk."

"And this morning, when you came back, your pant legs were wet. There was even grass stuck to your underwear. What were you doing to get grass there? Rolling around in a cornfield?"

Li Guohao, embarrassed and furious that she'd inspected his laundry so closely, stood up and slapped her across the face. "You've got some nerve! Is this all you think about? Accusing your own husband? You're so obsessed with dirty thoughts—is that what you want?"

He grabbed her by the hair and hit her several more times. Dong Hongmei struggled but couldn't break free. Her face swelled instantly, but too proud to scream, she begged quietly, "Li Guohao, let go."

He kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her rolling across the floor. "You better behave," he snarled. "Or I'll beat you to death..." What followed was a stream of vile insults.

Clutching her stomach in agony, Dong Hongmei couldn't get up. It felt like her organs had been knocked out of place. Pale and trembling, she grabbed his pant leg. "Li Guohao, it hurts... I'm dying. Please, get a doctor."

He shook her off coldly and stepped back. "Stop pretending, Dong Hongmei. You want everyone to know I hit you?"

His voice turned menacing. "If you dare say a word, just see what I do to you. After a divorce, I can still marry a young virgin. But you? What would you have left?"

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving her alone in pain.

Dong Hongmei struggled on the floor for a long time before she could sit up. She felt something wet and sticky on her pants. Looking down, she saw a pool of blood on the floor—and froze in terror.

Having had three children, she knew immediately: she was having a miscarriage.

Struggling to her feet, she clutched her stomach and went to find Lin Xiaoxiao. In the whole compound, Lin Xiaoxiao was the only one with medical knowledge, and she was the closest.

Lin Xiaoxiao had just finished washing the dishes and was pulling Zhou Huai'an down for a nap when someone knocked at the door.

Annoyed at the interruption, she got dressed and answered. The moment she opened the door, Dong Hongmei stumbled in and collapsed to the floor.

Lin Xiaoxiao was startled. She knelt to support her. "Sis, what's wrong?"

Seeing the blood trickling down Dong Hongmei's leg, she understood immediately. "Zhou Huai'an! Quick, find a cart—we need to get her to the hospital!"

Dong Hongmei refused to go. She'd come carefully to avoid being seen. If people found out she'd been beaten and miscarried, how could they ever face anyone again? She grabbed Lin Xiaoxiao's arm. "Xiaoxiao, not the hospital. Please, help me."

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head, her expression firm and serious. "Sis, this isn't about helping or not. You're bleeding abnormally. You need a hospital now. Any delay could be life-threatening."

Zhou Huai'an had already pulled out a small utility cart from the yard, usually used for carrying coal or firewood. Following Lin Xiaoxiao's directions, he lifted Dong Hongmei onto it, and they hurried toward the medical station.

On the way, Lin Xiaoxiao noticed Dong Hongmei's swollen face—clearly from being struck. She frowned but didn't ask, though she was certain Li Guohao was responsible.

At the medical station, Lin Xiaoxiao ran to fetch Director Chen. He gave Dong Hongmei an injection to stop the bleeding and prescribed some medication.

Without ultrasound or proper equipment, there was no way to determine if a procedure like a D&C was needed.

After Dong Hongmei, exhausted from the injection and blood loss, fell asleep, Lin Xiaoxiao went out to speak with Zhou Huai'an. "You go ahead to work. I'll take care of her."

Her expression tightened. "It had to be Li Guohao. That bastard. Cheating outside, then coming home to beat his wife. Someone like that deserves to be castrated."

Zhou Huai'an found her language a bit crude. "We shouldn't interfere too much in other people's business."

Lin Xiaoxiao snorted coldly. "A brute like him? Everyone has the right to condemn him!"