Although the evidence against Hu Shiliang and Hu Yaozong was solid, Zhou Huai'an and Lin Zihao were determined to capture not only the two men but also those pulling the strings behind them.

Zhou Huai'an's appearance was sure to unnerve Hu Shiliang, who would likely contact his collaborators—perhaps even attempt to use Zhou Huai'an as a replacement for Zhou Xiaocheng.

After all, the previous deal had fallen through. Hu Shiliang had gained nothing but threats from his partners.

Now, Zhou Huai'an was the bait to lure out a bigger fish.

He hadn't dared tell Lin Xiaoxiao any of this, afraid she would worry. The thought of her made him unusually distracted. Was she doing well back home? Was anyone giving her trouble? Would the other families in the compound try to start something while he was away?

It was the first time Lin Zihao had seen Zhou Huai'an lost in thought during a mission briefing. Smiling slightly, he closed the file. "The women's department store isn't far from here. Want to take a look?"

Zhou Huai'an nodded without hesitation. "Let's go."

He might still have some free time these next couple of days. If he could find a gift for Lin Xiaoxiao now, he wouldn't have to worry about it later when things got busy.

They walked to the department store across from Xidan. The merchandise here was noticeably higher-end than anything in Longbei City.

After browsing for a while, Zhou Huai'an stopped at the watch counter. His eyes landed on a delicate Meihua ladies' watch with a silver band and luminous hands. It looked delicate and elegant—perfect for Lin Xiaoxiao.

The salesclerk eyed the two men in army-style gear. They carried themselves with authority but didn't look like they could afford much. Her attitude turned dismissive, and she leaned against the counter without a word.

Zhou Huai'an studied the display a moment longer before pointing. "Comrade, let me see that watch, please."

The clerk glanced up indifferently. "It's 180 with a ration ticket, 220 without. Are you sure you want to see it? It's expensive. If you damage it, who's going to pay?"

Before Zhou Huai'an could respond, Lin Zihao laughed coldly. "How are we supposed to know if we want it without seeing it? What's your name? I'd like to note this in the feedback book."

The clerk immediately fell silent. A complaint could ruin her chances at being named Model Worker. Reluctantly, she took out the watch and handed it to Zhou Huai'an.

He turned it over in his hands, imagining how it would look on Lin Xiaoxiao's slim, porcelain wrist. It would suit her perfectly.

He glanced at Lin Zihao, tone matter-of-fact. "You pay. You can keep the mission bonus."

Lin Zihao raised an eyebrow. "So that's why you brought me? To foot the bill? Fine, it's on me."

He paid the clerk 220 yuan without a ticket.

Zhou Huai'an continued examining the watch closely, as if searching for flaws. As they finalized the purchase, two young women nearby had been watching them.

One, with a round face, nudged the slimmer girl beside her—Luo Anran. "Xiao Ran, I thought you wanted to look at pens? Let's go."

But Luo Anran kept staring at Zhou Huai'an, unable to believe her eyes. Was that Zhou Xiaocheng?

Liu Lian followed her gaze and gasped, voice trembling. "Zhou Xiaocheng? Oh my god, Zhou Xiaocheng... Is that really him? Or a ghost?"

Luo Anran smiled bitterly. "That's not him."

Even though they looked identical, everything from his presence to his posture was different.

Liu Lian couldn't tell. The man buying the watch looked exactly like Zhou Xiaocheng. "How can it not be? Look how similar they are! Let's go say hello!"

Luo Anran shook her head. "No. Let's just go."

Liu Lian had no choice but to follow, though she couldn't resist looking back. Who would have thought Zhou Xiaocheng's twin brother would be just as striking?

Her heart ached for Luo Anran. Since Zhou Xiaocheng's death, she'd been like a ghost herself—withdrawn, thinner, rarely smiling. She used to be so lively.

"Xiao Ran," Liu Lian said softly, "you should try to forget him. This is too painful."

Luo Anran didn't answer. For three years, her family and friends had urged her to move on, to meet someone new. They said there were plenty of good men out there.

But she knew better. She had already met the best man she would ever know. How could there be anyone else?

No one could ever compare to Zhou Xiaocheng—gentle as jade, steady as a soft breeze, who had cherished her completely....Meanwhile, Lin Xiaoxiao had been secretly practicing her singing. With the performance on the 13th approaching, she refused to be outdone by Xiao Yan. She wouldn't survive the smug comments otherwise.

When Zhou Xiaoling found out Lin Xiaoxiao would be performing on the same stage as Xiao Yan, she was stunned. "You're performing together? Doesn't she have a thing for my brother? Even after he's married?"

Lin Xiaoxiao shrugged. "The clinic didn't have anyone else. We're the only ones available."

Zhou Xiaoling had heard plenty of gossip at her own unit. "I heard Xiao Yan pursued him pretty hard—always bringing him food, making him shoes. But he never accepted any of it. And she still didn't give up after you got married."

Lin Xiaoxiao was well aware of the history. Whether Xiao Yan had truly moved on or not, she hadn't done anything outright lately—though her coldness toward Lin Xiaoxiao was still obvious.

Zhou Xiaoling tsked. "She's clever, I'll give her that. I also heard her family background isn't great. Returning to the city won't be easy for her. If she wants a better life, she needs connections. She'd never settle for a farmer, so she set her sights on my brother. Still, she's got skills—how else could she stand out among the educated youths and land a job at the clinic?"

Lin Xiaoxiao spooned into a half-watermelon, smiling. "I thought your unit was all serious business. I didn't expect you to gossip like this."

Zhou Xiaoling grinned. "We're serious when we work. But we chat about everything else when we're off. Can't talk about work all the time—it'd be too depressing."

Then she circled back to the performance. "Have you decided what to wear? You should wear my red dress. I've only worn it a couple times. It's still new."

Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't sure. "No one mentioned a dress code. Probably just our own clothes?"

"Still," Xiaoling insisted, "you can't be too casual. Wear the red dress. Let everyone know you're my sister-in-law—Zhou Huai'an's wife."