Lin Xiaoxiao turned away, holding the baby, unwilling to engage with Lin Wenbin.

Undeterred, he blithely continued, "Don't worry. Zhou Huaian will be fine. But even if something did happen, it doesn' matter. I can provide for you and the four kids on my own. Once I'm settled down south, I'll bring you all to live with me."

Her eyes red, Lin Xiaoxiao glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking?"

Lin Wenbin shrugged. "Look at you—you tell me not to talk nonsense, but what's all this worrying? Unless you receive a martyr certificate for Zhou Huaian, that man is still alive. Stop letting your imagination run wild."

Lin Xiaoxiao pouted in silence.

Lin Wenbin sat down beside her, putting an arm around her shoulder and speaking softly. "Look at you. What am I going to do with you? Think about it—you and I, we've technically already died once. Death isn't that scary. Life has to go on. It's okay to grieve, but you can't afford to grieve for too long. These three little ones are counting on you."

Her lips trembled. "I'm just... scared."

Lin Wenbin sighed. "Being scared won't change what's coming. I'm leaving soon—how can I go if you're like this? Let me tell you, the key to happiness is to be like me: cut off all emotional attachments. Besides, look at the world outside. Everyone's busy building a new society. Who has time for love and drama?"

He hadn't been here long, but he'd already memorized all the popular slogans.

Lin Xiaoxiao's sadness was stifled by his bluntness. Holding the baby with one arm, she swatted at him with the other. "What's wrong with you? I'm heartbroken, and you're saying all this?"

Nearby, Zhou Liyun was gently rocking Xuanxuan. Overhearing the siblings' whispered conversation, she sighed. "Whatever the case, I think your brother was right when he first came in. There's no confirmation of anything, is there? And if Xiaocheng really wanted to hide the truth, would he have given you the diary? What if he'd just said he never even saw Huaian? How would we know?"

Lin Wenbin nodded vigorously. "Exactly. She's got a point."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt herself emerging slightly from the dark spiral of her thoughts. Zhou Liyun was right—if something had really happened to Zhou Huaian, Zhou Xiaocheng wouldn't make such an obvious mistake. She tried hard to find more reasons to comfort herself, to ease her heavy heart.

Dinner was more elaborate than usual to celebrate Zhou Xiaocheng's return. Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Liyun brought the three babies downstairs and laid them on the sofa for him to see.

Zhou Xiaocheng stared in wonder at the three nearly identical infants wriggling on the cushions, tiny arms waving. "They look exactly the same. How do you tell them apart?"

Zhou Xiaoling answered proudly, "See, the fairest one is An'an, our little princess. The one with thicker eyebrows is her big brother, Xuanxuan. The one with the bigger mouth is the younger brother, Qianqian."

Xiaocheng studied them for a long time but still couldn't see any difference.

During the meal, everyone deliberately avoided mentioning Zhou Huaian, sticking to safe topics about life on the border that were suitable for discussion—though Xiaocheng still carefully omitted any mention of how difficult things were.

After dinner, Zhou Zhennan asked Xiaocheng to join him in the study.

Sitting silently across from his son for the first time in four years, Zhou Zhennan's eyes grew moist. "It's good to have you back. Just... coming home safe is what matters."

Xiaocheng looked ashamed. "Dad, I'm sorry for keeping you in the dark for so long."

Zhou Zhennan waved a hand. "No need. We understand. But Huaian... your eldest brother... is he really alright?"

Xiaocheng hesitated briefly. "He's fine."

Zhou Zhennan sighed. "Your mother and I have been through too much. We've grown numb to it. But Xiaoxiao is different. She just had the babies. She can't take any more shocks."

Xiaocheng nodded. "Dad, there are some things I can't talk about. But I believe Big Brother will return safely."

Seeing he wouldn't get more from Xiaocheng, Zhou Zhennan was silent for a moment. "People will find out you're back soon. Until now, everyone thought you were... lost. But there's something you should know. You need to be prepared."

Xiaocheng nodded. "Go ahead, Dad."

Zhou Zhennan thought for a moment, then decided to be direct. "Xiao Ran is married. She married Geng Aiguo, the third son of the Geng family next door. They married just before the New Year."

Xiaocheng didn't move. Not a single emotion flickered across his face; he remained as composed and gentle as jade. Only his hands, resting on his knees, curled inward almost imperceptibly.

Zhou Zhennan knew his son's temperament—he never showed what he was feeling, no matter how much it hurt. "Xiao Ran is married now. No matter how close you were before, you can't have any contact with her."

Xiaocheng didn't speak. After a long moment, he nodded slowly. "Don't worry. I know my limits."

Zhou Zhennan didn't know how to comfort him. Their childhood bond had been so strong; they were practically engaged before everything fell apart.

When Xiaocheng left the study, the living room was empty. He stood for a while, then went out into the yard. He looked up at the vibrant crabapple blossoms spilling over the wall, blooming as riotously as they had the day he left.

Zhou Xiaoling slipped out and stood quietly beside him, patting his arm. "Did Dad tell you about Xiao Ran?"

Xiaocheng nodded.

Xiaoling sighed. "You can't blame her. She waited for you for over three years. Her family pressured her until she had no choice but to marry Geng Aiguo. I was worried sick, but I couldn't tell anyone you were still alive."

Xiaocheng smiled faintly and tugged one of her braids. "You worry too much. I'm fine. Besides, I'm the one who failed her."

Xiaoling looped her arm through his. "You're my favorite second brother. Of course I worry about you." Then she remembered something else. "But I really like Big Brother and Sister-in-Law too now. They're good people. A lot has happened since you've been gone. Did Big Brother tell you anything?"

Xiaocheng shook his head. Talking with Zhou Huaian was exhausting; the man never wasted a single word. He'd only shown curiosity when the topic turned to the babies.

The rest of the time, he was silent—and frighteningly sharp.

Xiaoling didn't elaborate. "You'll find out everything eventually. You're not leaving again, are you?"

Xiaocheng shook his head. "No, I'm staying."

Xiaoling beamed. "That's great! Now that you're home, let's see who dares to bully us. And that Geng Aiguo—you have to teach him a lesson. He slapped me so hard my face swelled up."

Xiaocheng laughed. "You haven't changed a bit all these years, have you? Still growing up without ever really growing up."