Mrs. Geng hadn't expected Lin Xiaoxiao to be so sharp-tongued. If what Zhou Xiaoling said was true, then her son was clearly in the wrong.

But when she thought of her son's miserable state, she still couldn't let it go. "So what you're saying is, we should just drop it?"

Zhou Xiaoling was about to speak, but Lin Xiaoxiao gently held her back. There were things that Zhou Zhennan and Li Yunlan couldn't say—after all, they were old neighbors and colleagues.

And Zhou Xiaoling couldn't say them either, since she was the one who had instigated the incident.

But Lin Xiaoxiao could. "No, we certainly can't just let this go. Uncle Geng, you've served in the army. You understand the current climate. You know about Zhou Xiaocheng's sacrifice, and why countless heroes like him gave their lives. Do you think what Geng Aiguo said was appropriate?

At best, it was reckless. At worst, it was an insult to the heroes of our people."

"Geng Aiguo isn't a child. He's almost thirty—surely he knows what should and shouldn't be said."

Lin Xiaoxiao looked steadily at Mr. Geng. "Uncle Geng, we reserve the right to take legal action against Geng Aiguo." Her tone was calm, but carried a clear warning.

Zhou Zhennan spoke up then. "Lao Geng, we've known each other for years. I never thought Aiguo would say something like this. No matter how busy we are, we must never neglect our children's upbringing."

Mrs. Geng was speechless. Zhou Zhennan was directly accusing them of failing to raise their son properly.

Mr. Geng quickly began apologizing. "I'm truly sorry. I had no idea things had gone this far. I'll have a serious talk with Aiguo when we get back."

Zhou Zhennan then turned to Zhou Xiaoling. "And I never imagined Aiguo would hit Xiaoling. He was the one at fault—how could he turn around and attack her? What, just because my son is at the front, he thinks our family is an easy target?"

Mr. Geng knew this line of discussion was dangerous. If it continued, anything his son had done would seem unforgivable. He quickly cut Zhou Zhennan off. "We've spoiled Aiguo—he doesn't know his limits. But you know me, old friend. When we're wrong, we admit it. I'll make him come apologize to Xiaoling and to Xiaocheng."

But Li Yunlan was not satisfied. "What good is an apology? Look what he did to our Xiaoling—her face is still swollen!"

Mrs. Geng was trembling with anger, but before she could retort, Mr. Geng interrupted again. "I'm so sorry. These two have grown up together—they've always roughhoused like this. I'll make sure Aiguo comes to make amends. Xiaoling, don't be upset. I'll deal with him when we get home."

Lin Wenbin watched quietly from the sidelines, impressed by how the family had stood united and left the Gengs speechless—even securing them an apology.

After the Gengs left, Li Yunlan hurried over to Zhou Xiaoling and gently touched her swollen cheek. "How could he hit you like this? How could Geng Aiguo go so far? Why didn't you call for help?"

Zhou Xiaoling grinned. "Don't worry, Mom. I gave as good as I got."

She then described just how badly Geng Aiguo had been beaten. Li Yunlan finally nodded in grim satisfaction. "Serves him right."

Lin Xiaoxiao had to admire how the Zhou family had defended their own—firmly and logically, leaving the other side with nothing to say.

On their way home, Mrs. Geng couldn't stop complaining. "Wasn't Zhou Zhennan being unreasonable? You saw what they did to Aiguo! Why did you have to be so humble and promise an apology?"

Mr. Geng sighed. "What else could we do? He was in the wrong. Aiguo has no filter. And today, of all days—everyone there was close to the Zhous. If it came to testimony, who do you think they'd support? And why did he have to bring up Zhou Luancheng? Is he out of his mind?"

Mrs. Geng was livid. "So we're just letting it go? That Zhou Xiaoling is a shrew. I doubt anyone will ever want to marry her."

They arrived home seething with anger. Geng Aiguo had already returned from the clinic, his head bandaged, a gauze pad in his mouth, and his eyes swollen to slits.

Mrs. Geng's heart ached at the sight, but she couldn't bring herself to scold her son. Instead, she turned her frustration on Luo Anran. "We sent you to the banquet hoping you'd share in the Zhou family's joy—maybe even help you conceive soon. But instead, Aiguo ends up beaten to a pulp."

Luo Anran kept her head down and stayed silent.

Mrs. Geng grew even angrier. Comparing Luo Anran's passive attitude to the fierce loyalty of Li Yunlan's daughter-in-law, her tone sharpened. "Aiguo had too much to drink and spoke recklessly—couldn't you have stopped him? And when Zhou Xiaoling attacked him, what were you doing? Why didn't you try to pull her away?"

Though Geng Aiguo often treated Luo Anran with sarcasm, he still defended her in front of his parents. Mumbling through the gauze, he said, "Mom, leave Xiaoran out of this. This is all that shrew Zhou Xiaoling's fault."

Zhou Xiaoling had always been known for her fiery temper, but this incident cemented her reputation. Even as a grown woman, she'd gotten into a fight—and left Geng Aiguo in such a state.

Zhou Liyun worried that no family in the compound would ever consider marrying her now.

With Zhou Xiaoling away at school during the day, the house grew much quieter.

Lin Wenbin's classes had also resumed. Although he still hadn't regained his memory, he continued going through the motions at school.

Lin Xiaoxiao found herself increasingly bored at home. Li Yunlan insisted she observe the traditional 42-day postpartum confinement, and would have extended it to 60 days if she wasn't afraid Lin Xiaoxiao would grow restless.

So Lin Xiaoxiao remained indoors, allowed only to wander around the first floor.

By March, a gentle spring breeze had warmed the air. On sunny afternoons, Li Yunlan and Zhou Liyun would take the three babies out for some sun, strolling around the compound before returning.

Lin Xiaoxiao would watch longingly as they carried the children out. Even the babies could go outside—but not her. She'd wait, still gazing eagerly, until they returned.

Zhou Liyun often came back full of gossip. One day, as she sat down with Xuanxuan in her arms, she said to Lin Xiaoxiao, "The police were just here—they went to your uncle's place and took your cousin away."

Lin Xiaoxiao was shocked. She'd heard that Lin Dalong had gambling debts and loan sharks were after him. Cheng Mingyue had even come to borrow money from her for that reason.

But she never expected Lin Dalong to actually be arrested.