Lin Xiaoxiao knew perfectly well that "anyone" specifically meant Lin Wenbin—it was clear that his identity was still under suspicion.

Then again, it was only natural to be cautious. After all, he had suddenly reappeared from abroad claiming to be her brother—something even a novel wouldn't dare write so unrealistically.

She nodded. "Don't worry, I understand completely. Back in the residential compound, I've memorized confidentiality protocols."

Zhou Huai'an sighed in relief. "Good. This matter involves a lot."

After lying down for a while, Lin Xiaoxiao called Zhou Huai'an to help her take a bath—and even asked him to come in and scrub her back.

Back then, she used to go to the public bathhouse with Zhou Xiaoling or Li Yunlan, and they would help wash her. Now that there was a private bathroom right in their room, of course she'd ask Zhou Huai'an.

Zhou Huai'an hesitated, unwilling to go in. Annoyed, Lin Xiaoxiao glared at him. "What's wrong with you? It's just the two of us here. Are you really going to leave me alone in there? What if I slip and fall? And how did we end up with a baby anyway? Weren't you there when we weren't wearing clothes? There's nowhere on my body you haven't seen—why are you so shy all of a sudden?"

She stared him down fiercely and snapped, "Get in here now, or after the baby is born, don't even think about touching me again."

Ever since they found out she was carrying twins, the two hadn't been intimate. Every time Lin Xiaoxiao teased Zhou Huai'an until he flushed bright red, the man would still restrain himself and never take things further.

Threatened into submission, Zhou Huai'an had no choice but to follow her into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Cheng Mingyue had also arrived in Beijing with her two children and found her older brother Cheng Mingzhong, who worked in the city. Coincidentally, he lived in the same compound as the Zhou family—except the Chengs lived in a modest single-story house at the back, while the Zhous resided in a small villa up front.

Lin Hongyan carried their luggage, gazing enviously at the rows of elegant villas. "Mom, what kind of people live in these houses? Isn't Uncle also an official? How come he doesn't live in one?"

Cheng Mingyue frowned. "Your uncle's rank isn't high enough. Listen, when we get to his place, behave yourself. Don't act like you've never seen the world—we're from the provincial capital, too. No embarrassing us like country bumpkins."

She then turned to Lin Dalong. "You too. Don't eat too much during meals. I don't want your aunt to complain."

Lin Hongyan pouted. "I was just curious. We're not country bumpkins. Why do you talk about us like we just crawled out of some village?"

Still uneasy, Cheng Mingyue found Cheng Mingzhong's house based on the address. Though it was a simple (píngfáng - single-level house), it had a small private courtyard with three main rooms and two side rooms.

Cheng Mingzhong's wife, Li Jing, was clearly less than thrilled to see Cheng Mingyue show up unannounced with two children. With Spring Festival approaching and space already tight, where would everyone sleep?

She offered a strained smile. "Mingyue, what brings you here so suddenly? You didn't even send a telegram—your brother could've picked you up from the station."

Cheng Mingyue smiled. "No need. I've been here before and remembered the way. The kids haven't seen their uncle in years, so I thought I'd bring them for a visit."

Li Jing politely ushered them inside. "Your timing isn't great, honestly. Your brother just stepped out, and I was about to do laundry. Make yourselves comfortable. Have you eaten? Should I make you some noodles?"

Cheng Mingyue quickly declined. "Don't trouble yourself, sis. We've already eaten—had a meal on the train."

In truth, Lin Dalong and Lin Hongyan were starving. They'd only had dry rations from home on the train since Cheng Mingyue refused to buy food onboard. When they got off, the siblings wanted to try a local baked roll, but she stopped them, insisting there'd be plenty to eat at their uncle's and that they shouldn't waste money.

Hearing they weren't hungry, Li Jing didn't insist. Instead, she went back to sorting laundry, complaining as she worked: "Look at this household—nothing but men, each messier than the last. My three boys are especially wild and dirty. Not a single day goes by peacefully. Their clothes are filthy after one wear. I'm just the unpaid maid around here."

"Your brother doesn't make enough to hire help, so I wait on him and the boys hand and foot. Honestly, I've had enough. You're lucky—at least you have a daughter."

"Ah, and my boys are right at that age where they eat everything in sight. I have to budget our groceries down to the last grain, and still we run out before the month ends. No wonder they say 'a growing boy eats his father out of house and home.'"

Cheng Mingyue knew Li Jing was making a point. Her sister-in-law had always looked down on her, and during her last visit, made her feel like some country cousin coming to scavenge.

It stung. She was from the city, too—was she really so beneath Li Jing? But she needed her brother's help, so she played along, forcing a smile. "So true. Kids eat a lot when they're growing. But isn't Weimin in the army now?"

Li Jing kept shaking out dirty clothes, her tone sharp. "Yes, Weimin left in the fall. But Weiguo and Weihua are still here—sixteen and fourteen, and eating us out of house and home. They're shooting up so fast—look at these clothes, already too small."

By noon, Li Jing still showed no intention of making food. Lin Hongyan was so hungry she kept swallowing hard and tugging at Cheng Mingyue's sleeve.

Too proud to ask directly, Cheng Mingyue could only shoot her daughter warning looks to be patient.

When Cheng Mingzhong returned with New Year's shopping and saw his sister with two children, he was surprised. "Mingyue, what are you doing here? Have you eaten?"

Without waiting for an answer, he called to Li Jing, "Go fire up the stove. We have leftover stew from last night—heat some up for the kids."

Reluctantly, Li Jing went to the kitchen next door, her displeasure clear.

Knowing his wife's temperament, Cheng Mingzhong quickly urged Cheng Mingyue and the children to sit. "You should've sent a telegram. I would've picked you up. How's Dad doing lately?"

Cheng Mingyue didn't quite know how to respond. It had been a while since she'd seen her father. After remarrying, she'd drifted apart from her parents. Even living in the same city, they rarely met.

She replied awkwardly, "He's... doing fine."

Cheng Mingzhong nodded. "That's good. And Dalong—what a strong young man now. And Hongyan, you've grown up too. Oh, and what about Xiaoxiao? Didn't she come with you to Beijing?"

Cheng Mingyue shook her head. "No, she's married."

Cheng Mingzhong looked surprised. "Xiaoxiao just turned twenty, didn't she? She married already?"

Cheng Mingyue had no desire to talk about Lin Xiaoxiao. She wore a pained expression. "She insisted on getting married. There was nothing I could do."