Zhou Liyun also noticed how naturally close Lin Wenbin and Lin Xiaoxiao seemed. They didn't act like long-lost relatives who had just been reunited; instead, they bickered and joked like siblings who had grown up together.

Xiaoling didn't overthink it. "I just miss my second brother," she sighed. "Ah, whatever—I'm not gonna dwell on it. Let's focus on making these sweet rice balls! Auntie, I want the ones with peanut and walnut filling!"

Zhou Liyun smiled. "You greedy little thing. Your mom already told me—you love the peanut-walnut ones, so we made sure to prepare some. Your sister preferred red bean." Her smile faded.

"Who knows where she is now... What was she thinking? She had such a good family. So many people would kill to be born into a situation like hers."

Xiaoling had heard all about Zhou Xiaohong's misbehavior, and though it angered her, she'd bitten her tongue. She knew how much it pained her parents, and adding her own criticism would only make it worse.

Now, with Zhou Liyun bringing it up, she finally dared to vent a little. "Xiaohong always had a princess complex. She expected everyone to revolve around her. She never spoke her mind, and she used to cling to Hu Ling just because he knew how to flatter her."

Zhou Liyun still felt concerned. "I just hope she doesn't do anything else foolish out there."

Xiaoling sniffed. "If she's learned her lesson, good. If not, there's nothing anyone can do. And if her life turns out badly, you can bet she'll blame Mom and Dad for not caring enough."

Zhou Liyun looked surprised. "You're young, but you see things clearly. And you're probably right."

Xiaoling grinned. "Of course I am—I'm the smartest one in this family!"

After joining everyone for a lively bowl of sweet rice balls, Xiaoxiao returned upstairs to rest. Li Yunlan insisted that she take her confinement seriously—giving birth to triplets had taken a real toll on her body.

Xiaoling went up to keep her company, chatting as they lounged in bed. The three babies, full and freshly changed, were brought up to nap with their mother.

Seeing that everything was calm, Lin Wenbin said his goodbyes and left.

Just outside the gate, he ran into Lin Dalong hurrying back home. The boy quickly hid something behind his back and ducked inside with a guilty look.

Wenbin turned slowly, hands clasped behind his back. Well, well. Something's up. He decided to take a stroll toward the black market to see what he could find.

Meanwhile, Lin Dalong rushed inside, pulling Cheng Mingyue into the courtyard. "Mom, no one wants to buy it! Some people even thought I was a scammer. When I went to Shuang'an, someone shooed me away!"

After Lin Wenbin had refused to help, Cheng Mingyue was desperate to sell the TV voucher.

They'd spent nearly three hundred yuan—enough to cover the family's expenses for a year.

They hadn't brought much money to Beijing to begin with. She couldn't afford to fail without at least recouping the cost.

She'd sent Dalong to linger near department stores and quietly offer the voucher to passersby. But since reselling was illegal, he couldn't be too obvious.

The problem was, he was a unfamiliar face hawking a single TV voucher. No one trusted that it was real.

Cheng Mingyue frowned. How could something so high in demand be so hard to sell?

"We'll have to try the black market," she decided. "Even if we lose ten yuan, we have to sell it."

Dalong nodded. "We have to. I can't believe Lin Wenbin backed out. We never should've bought this thing."

From behind the window, Li Jing watched Cheng Mingyue and her son whispering in the yard.

They'd been acting suspicious lately, and she had no idea what they were up to.

It annoyed her that they were still here after the Lantern Festival. Now, seeing them scheming behind her back made her even angrier. She turned to Lin Hongyan, who was lounging on the sofa cracking sunflower seeds.

"What's going on with you guys lately?" Li Jing asked sharply. "Any progress on your brother's school situation?"

Hongyan shrugged. "Don't know. Mom's still pulling strings."

Li Jing snorted. "You brought this on yourselves. You had a perfect connection with Lin Xiaoxiao and didn't use it. Where else are you going to find 'strings'? Your mother is blind—throwing away a good daughter. Now you're paying the price, aren't you?"

Hongyan didn't like that. "What's so great about Lin Xiaoxiao? She just got lucky. Who knew that country bumpkin was actually from the Zhou family? Otherwise, she'd be suffering right now.

And don't look down on us, Auntie. I'm not bad-looking. I'll marry just as well as she did—maybe better."

Li Jing laughed dryly. "You wish."

Anyone with eyes could see that Cheng Mingyue's daughter hadn't inherited any of her strengths. The girl was plain, with shifty eyes and the calculating look of someone twice her age.

But Hongyan was confident. She thought she was pretty. Her grandmother always said her broad face looked "dignified."

Not like Lin Xiaoxiao, who looked like a sly fox—so petty and immature.

Besides, she was still young. Why couldn't she marry better than Lin Xiaoxiao?

Ever since staying in this compound, she'd noticed people coming and going in cars. She'd seen plenty of young men who looked important and dignified. It made her envious—and ambitious.

She'd even started dreaming that when she was old enough to marry, she might end up in one of those little western-style houses up the road.

Li Jing had no more patience for the girl's naivety. Seeing that she wouldn't get any useful information, she headed to the kitchen to start dinner.

That evening, Cheng Mingyue and Lin Dalong slipped out again.

Li Jing, who had originally planned to go see the lantern festival, frowned as she watched them leave. She turned to her husband. "What is your sister up to now? Sneaking out again... I hope she doesn't end up causing trouble for us."

Cheng Mingzhong sighed. There was no controlling Cheng Mingyue. He'd hoped that after Lin Xiaoxiao gave birth, she might try to repair their relationship, but clearly, she hadn't taken it seriously.

He reminded Li Jing: "Did you prepare the hundred red-dyed eggs? Make sure you bring them when Xiaoxiao's month is up. And remember—no trying to cozy up."

Li Jing nodded. "Don't worry, I know how to behave. I'm not like your sister."

But Mingzhong was still uneasy. "Xiaoxiao is still younger than you. Don't add to her burdens."

"I know," Li Jing waved him off. "Have I ever caused trouble for you all these years? Yeah, I can be snobby, but I have principles."

Mingzhong had to admit it was true. His wife could be sharp-tongued and judgmental toward country folks, but she wasn't a bad person. She never crossed his lines, and no matter what happened at home, she never asked him to go begging for favors.

That night, Cheng Mingyue and Lin Dalong went back to the black market.

It was the Lantern Festival, and most people were home celebrating. The market was only half as crowded as usual, and the quiet felt almost eerie...