Though her heart was heavy, Lin Xiaoxiao threw herself into preparing food for Zhou Huai'an's journey. She knew most travelers had to bring their own provisions—there was little for sale on the trains, and few could afford the dining car.

The next day, she took time off and went to town to buy a chicken, which she stewed. She also boiled twenty tea eggs and made soft, sweet flatbreads with powdered milk. That evening, she made dumplings stuffed with pure pork.

After dinner, she insisted on packing his bag herself, chattering all the while. "Keep your eyes to yourself in Beijing, you hear? Remember you have a wife at home. I've heard the girls there are all very pretty."

Zhou Huai'an sighed and pulled her close. "I'm just going for work. I'll be back soon. Don't overthink things while I'm gone."

If anyone had reason to worry, it was him. He was afraid the Lin Xiaoxiao he'd come back to in a month might be different somehow.

Lin Xiaoxiao secretly slipped a hundred yuan into his bag, not wanting him to be too frugal on the road.

Knowing they wouldn't see each other for a month, she let him have his way that night—though she was careful to protect her stomach.

When she woke, Zhou Huai'an was already gone, having left with his unit's vehicle.

She lay in bed for a while, feeling glum, before finally getting up to wash and find something simple for breakfast before work.

To her surprise, the hundred yuan she'd hidden was lying neatly on the small dining table.

She stared at it for a long moment, then laughed softly. "You fool."

She knew Zhou Huai'an probably didn't even have fifty yuan to his name. He was the type to mend his socks when they had holes, yet he never hesitated to spend on her.

The thought filled her with a warm, aching fondness.

On the first day without him, Lin Xiaoxiao felt listless. She drifted through her shift and returned home to a house that felt too empty. Not in the mood to cook, she settled for studying and working through practice problems.

Her period was still late, and she was now almost certain she was pregnant.

She rested a hand on her stomach. If she was pregnant, she needed to eat properly. Closing her book, she decided to boil some noodles with a poached egg.

While lighting the stove outside, she was surprised to see Dong Hongmei approaching with a basket. Lin Xiaoxiao quickly fetched a stool for her.

Dong Hongmei didn't beat around the bush. "I'm leaving with the children. I've brought you some eggs—they'll be difficult to carry on the road. I also have three laying hens. Would you like to buy them? I'll give you a good price."

Lin Xiaoxiao was taken aback. "Where will you go?"

Dong Hongmei smiled bitterly. "Back to the countryside. Here, the children are ashamed to show their faces at school, and I can't bear to go out. We'll be freer there, even if we have nothing."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know what to say. "It's a good plan. A fresh start."

Since Dong Hongmei wasn't divorcing, leaving was indeed better. As for Li Guohao—he had little left to boast about now. He was as ashamed at work as he was at home.

In the end, Lin Xiaoxiao bought the three hens. At least she wouldn't have to buy eggs anymore.

Dong Hongmei only asked for three yuan. "I knew you wouldn't take them for free, but I still feel bad taking your money."

Lin Xiaoxiao handed her five yuan. "You're right, I wouldn't have. Three for the hens, and two for snacks for the children on the road."

Dong Hongmei refused at first, but Lin Xiaoxiao insisted. "Take it. It's for the kids."

Suddenly, Dong Hongmei began to cry. "I'm so ashamed. We've become a laughingstock."

Lin Xiaoxiao patted her hand. "Don't say that. None of this is your fault. And you've taught me so much since I arrived."

Dong Hongmei wiped her eyes. "When I married him, his family had two mud-brick rooms about to collapse. They didn't even have decent clothes to wear outside—they shared a single pair of pants. I thought he had ambition. All those years he was away, I took care of his parents, found ways to earn money. We even built two new rooms. Life was finally getting better, and then he did this... What kind of man is he?"

The story made Lin Xiaoxiao angry. There were—and would be—so many men like him. A little money or power went straight to their heads.

After her tears, Dong Hongmei seemed lighter. "Your Zhou Huai'an treats you so well. I heard when you were sick, he cared for you day and night without eating or sleeping. When I was nearly dying at home, Li Guohao didn't even glance my way."

The comparison was painful.

Dong Hongmei left only after Lin Xiaoxiao had finished cooking her noodles.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't bother with side dishes. She simply seasoned the noodles with soy sauce, salt, a bit of lard, and some scallions. It tasted surprisingly good.

She'd made a large bowl and somehow finished every last bite.

Even she was surprised. Her appetite had been good since arriving here, but this was the first time she'd eaten so much at once—especially since she usually didn't even like noodles that much. She'd accidentally made too many.

She rested a hand on her stomach. If a little bean was taking root inside her, it was nothing short of miraculous. She only wished there were more nutritional options available. Would the child lack anything after birth?

She decided then to drink milk powder and eat eggs daily, focusing on a balanced diet to nurture a healthy, chubby baby.

Once sure of her pregnancy, Lin Xiaoxiao noticed her cravings change almost immediately. The next morning, she woke up wanting sour and spicy noodles. She fried some scallions, added two tomatoes until they formed a rich red broth, then boiled the noodles and tossed in some spinach.

She finished it off with chili oil and a dash of vinegar.

She devoured the entire large bowl, the tangy heat settling comfortably in her stomach and lifting her mood.

She couldn't help smiling down at her belly. Was she growing a little noodle-lover in there?

Before noon, she was hungry again. While wondering what to make, Zhou Xiaoling showed up excitedly. "Sis, come to town with me for dumplings! I'll take you on my bike."

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at her, amused. "What's the occasion?"

Zhou Xiaoling grinned mischievously. "I'll tell you when we get there. It's good news, I promise!"