By November, the cold had tightened its grip. In the mountains, winter arrived early and fiercely,

the landscape buried under heavy snow. Roads to the city were blocked more often than not.

While waiting for Zhou Huai'an after class, Lin Xiaoxiao overheard others talking about the snowstorm the previous night. Once again, the mountain roads were closed—no one could get to the city or the county town.

Anxiety tugged at her. What if it snowed like this during the college entrance exams next month? How would they get to the test sites?

This year, all the examination centers for Longbei were located in the city itself; no test sites had been set up in the county towns.

When Zhou Huai'an arrived to pick her up, he found Lin Xiaoxiao waiting obediently outside the makeshift classroom. Dressed in a brown suede coat and a red scarf, her cheeks were flushed from the cold, making her look especially vibrant.

Thanks to Li Yunlan's devoted care, she had gained some weight, and her belly was noticeably rounder.

Zhou Huai'an's gaze softened as it rested on her. He walked over quickly. "You shouldn't wait out here in the cold."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled, her eyes curving. "This way I get to see you one second earlier."

Even now, her straightforward affection could make him blush. Glancing around at the others still in the classroom, he adjusted her scarf to cover her nose and mouth— worried the cold air might upset her stomach. "Let's go home."

They walked back together, their boots crunching on the fresh snow. Everything was blindingly white, and not a soul was in sight. Most people stayed indoors during the deep winter, only occasionally venturing out with a cart. Lin Xiaoxiao still found even that much movement unusual.

She couldn't help voicing her worry. "What if there's a snowstorm during the exams and I can't get to the city?"

Zhou Huai'an didn't hesitate. "We'll go a week early. I'll take time off and go with you."

She had considered going early herself but worried about adjusting. It moved her that this quiet man had already thought it through. "Okay. I doubt any other husband will be there with his wife." She'd certainly never seen it, especially in later years.

He walked slowly to match her pace, his hand often hovering near her arm, afraid she might slip.

Lin Xiaoxiao found his cautiousness both sweet and amusing. She pulled off her glove and slipped her hand into his, tucking them together into the pocket of his army coat. "There, isn't this better? We're husband and wife—we've done much more intimate things. Why be shy about holding hands?" She added playfully, "And need I remind you how this belly got so big?"

The corner of his mouth twitched, but he still seemed uneasy. When someone approached, he tried to pull his hand away.

Lin Xiaoxiao held it firmly in place and whispered, "If you dare let go, I won't talk to you when we get home. And you can sleep alone."

So Zhou Huai'an walked stiffly, letting her keep his hand in her grasp all the way home. Even when they entered the residential compound, she didn't release him— determined to break his old-fashioned shyness.

It was noon, and many residents were outside shoveling snow. They looked up, surprised to see Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao walking arm-in-arm, but greeted them warmly with smiles.

Who would have thought? In the spring, this couple had been on the verge of divorce, their lives in disarray. Now, as winter set in, they were closer than ever—expecting a child and even walking hand-in-hand. It was a side of Zhou Huai'an few had seen.

Li Yunlan had already prepared lunch. She and Zhou Zhennan were clearing snow near their door and chatting with Li Yu next door.

Zhou Zhennan, thoughtful as always, had shoveled a clean path all the way to the outhouse, making sure there wasn't a single patch of ice. He didn't want Lin Xiaoxiao slipping if she needed to go at night.

Li Yunlan had grown fond of Li Yu and Shanzi, often sharing food with them. Now, she praised Lin Xiaoxiao to Li Yu: "Our Xiaoxiao has finally put on some weight—she looks so healthy now. They say pregnant women have bad tempers, but she's always smiling. I'm lucky to have a daughter-in-law like her."

Li Yu admired Lin Xiaoxiao too. "Auntie, Xiaoxiao is wonderful, and so are you. I've never seen a mother-in-law as kind as you."

Li Yunlan waved a hand. "It's nothing special. I have two daughters of my own. You have to treat others the way you'd want your own children treated. I hope they find good mothers-in-law one day—ones who won't make life hard for them. When I think like that, how can I not treat Xiaoxiao well?"

Li Yu nodded. "You and Xiaoxiao are both good people. Your whole family seems so happy together."

Ever curious, Li Yunlan asked, "Has Shanzi's mother been by?"

"No," Li Yu shook her head. "Brother Wang hasn't mentioned her. I don't think she's coming back."

Li Yunlan sniffed. "Some people don't deserve to be mothers. Having a child and then abandoning it—better not to have one at all. How can someone be like that?"

Li Yu stayed quiet, not wanting to judge. Wang Wenju was a decent man—responsible, caring for his sick mother until she could walk again, even if not steadily. But then the old lady insisted on returning to the countryside, and he'd taken her back. Now, at least, he could focus on his work.

After sharing the latest gossip, Li Yunlan spotted Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao approaching arm-in-arm and beamed. "Look, our Xiaoxiao is back!"

As they drew near, she fired off questions: "How was class today? Did the baby move? Any discomfort? Did you finish the biscuits I packed?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "Everything's fine. The baby's being very well-behaved."

She was almost five months along but still hadn't felt any movement. Her belly, however, had grown to the size of a typical six-month pregnancy. Li Yunlan was convinced she was carrying twins and took extra-special care of her.

"Looks like we've got two lazy ones," Li Yunlan said cheerfully. "If they're this quiet after they're born, they'll be easy to raise."

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed. "Let's hope so. If they're girls, they might be calm. If they're boys, they might turn the house upside down."

"You never know," Li Yunlan countered. "Xiaoling was a little girl, but she was wilder than any boy her age."

She led Lin Xiaoxiao inside. The house was filled with the rich aroma of chicken soup, simmered with red dates that lent a subtle sweetness.

After Lin Xiaoxiao took off her coat in the inner room, Li Yunlan said, "Lunch is wontons in chicken broth. If you want anything else, just tell me."

Lin Xiaoxiao opened her mouth to reply, but then that strange, sharp pain stabbed through her chest again—like a knife twisting deep. The air left her lungs. She grabbed the doorframe, fighting to stay upright...