Lin Xiaoxiao smiled at Zhang Wanqing. When it came to matters of the heart, no amount of outside advice could replace one's own realization.

December arrived, and the temperature in Beijing plummeted, so cold that water would freeze almost instantly.

Even more fearsome was the winter wind—howling past with a whistling sound, rattling the window frames.

On a rare day off, with the wind bitingly cold outside, Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Xiaoling stayed indoors, playing wildly with the four children. The little ones were almost eleven months old now, bursting with energy.

Qianqian and Xuanxuan could now walk while holding onto the coffee table, and Duoduo waddled around the house like a little penguin. Even the once-forbidden kitchen had been successfully "unlocked" by him; he’d always seize a moment when the adults weren't looking to sneak in and grab a spatula or drag out a small pot.

Lin Xiaoxiao dreaded to think what the house would be like once the other three were fully mobile. It wasn't the collective mischief she feared most, but the thought of them sneaking into every corner, quietly wreaking havoc.

She had observed her own three children: Qianqian was steady and seldom cried, his temperament quite like Zhou Huai'an's. Xuanxuan was lively and unrestrained, like a little wild pony, with a penchant for destructive exploration—his personality really took after Lin Wenbin. Truly, the nephew resembled his uncle.

As for An'an, she was a little drama queen—both delicate and skilled at coaxing. Lin Xiaoxiao felt An'an was very much like she herself had been as a child, except An'an seemed even cleverer, putting on a performance daily with tears that could appear on demand.

Zhou Xiaoling held An'an, braiding her sparse little hairs. The vain little girl, though she couldn't yet say the words, would point at her hair with a comb, insisting on having it styled.

Li Yunlan had been in especially good spirits lately, with Zhou Huai'an's return date drawing nearer. She couldn't help making plans: "When Huai'an gets back this time, Xiaoxiao, you should discuss with him—see if he can stay in Beijing. Any unit would do, so the family can be together."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled but didn't reply. She, too, hoped Zhou Huai'an could stay in Beijing, but it wasn't her decision to make. He would undoubtedly have his own plans.

She wouldn't interfere or try to stop him. Her only hope was that when he pursued his ideals and ambitions, he would factor her and the children into the equation.

Zhou Xiaoling dismissed the idea without a second thought. "Mom, that's impossible. I'm sure Grandpa would support whatever Big Brother decides, just like when everyone thought Second Brother should take a leisurely office job, but he chose something even busier and more demanding."

Li Yunlan sighed after hearing this. It was true; these children all had minds of their own.

"I just hope the family doesn't have to be separated so often. The other day, An'an heard another child call 'Dada' outside, and she copied it. These three don't even know what a father is."

Hearing this didn't upset Lin Xiaoxiao anymore. After all, in just thirty days, Zhou Huai'an would be back. She smiled reassuringly at Li Yunlan. "It's fine. By the time An'an can really talk, Zhou Huai'an will be home."

Zhou Xiaoling, happily braiding An'an's hair, chimed in, "Mom, don't worry unnecessarily. You should be thinking about how happy Big Brother will be when he sees three chubby, fair-skinned babies!"

Just thinking about it made her look forward to it. She was curious to see the expression on her usually stoic eldest brother's face when he saw a house full of children.

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed along, equally curious about what Zhou Huai'an's reaction would be. She had never seen him lose his composure.

On this topic, both Li Yunlan and Zhou Liyun were also very interested. Zhou Huai'an wasn't cold by nature—he gave off a sense of security—but his quietness lent him a certain seriousness. He was somewhat clumsy with words, so what would he look like when truly excited?

The conversation then turned to Zhou Xiaocheng. Li Yunlan began to worry again. "Xiaocheng is so busy with work. When will he ever have time to think about settling down? And he never wants to talk about anything."

Zhou Liyun offered a suggestion: "Why not ask our relatives and friends to keep an eye out for a suitable girl for Xiaocheng?"

Li Yunlan shook her head. "It's no use. Once Xiaocheng has made up his mind about something, we can't change it."

As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently fell upon Zhou Xiaoling, who was also of marriageable age.

Zhou Xiaoling, alarmed, quickly hid behind An'an's small frame, fearing the marriage-pressure battlefront might shift towards her.

Overall, however, everyone was happy because Zhou Huai'an was coming home.

On the day of the Winter Solstice, which happened to be a Sunday, Lin Xiaoxiao was resting at home. Lin Wenbin, making a rare visit, arrived carrying pastries and meat.

Li Yunlan felt he was being too polite. "You should just come for a meal! Why bring things? You must take them back later; we have everything we need here."

Lin Wenbin smiled. "It's fine, it's fine. If we take it back, we won't cook anyway."

Li Yunlan had visited the place where Zhou Xiaocheng and Lin Wenbin lived a few times and knew they didn't cook, usually just making do with simple meals.

She couldn't help lecturing them. "Even if you eat out, you should eat properly. Your health is important while you're young. If it's really too inconvenient, just come here to eat."

The cafeteria food couldn't be very nutritious, and eating well outside cost money.

Li Yunlan assumed that since Lin Wenbin didn't have a job, he must be short on money and therefore eating very simply. His buying pastries and meat for the family today must have cost him a significant amount.

Lin Wenbin didn't explain much, just smiled, took the meat to the kitchen, then went to pick up Duoduo and play with the children.

After Li Yunlan, Zhou Liyun, and Zhou Xiaoling went to the kitchen to make dumplings, Lin Xiaoxiao asked her brother quietly, "What have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you in ages. I thought you'd forgotten about your sister."

Lin Wenbin chuckled. "You look well-rested and well-fed. Besides, with Zhou Huai'an about to return, do you even have time to think about me? Your mind must be full of how to welcome him back."

Lin Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "Am I the kind of person who abandons family for romance?"

Lin Wenbin nodded. "You absolutely are."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't be bothered to argue with him. "But I have something serious to ask you. I've noticed recently that many people at school are thinking about going abroad. Although opportunities are limited now, it probably won't be long before private overseas travel is permitted. There will be a craze for studying abroad. Brother, have you considered teaching English?"

Lin Wenbin looked at his sister in amazement. "What are you thinking? Do you think people now are like they will be in the future, willing to spend money on English lessons? Everyone's trying to find free 'English corners' at schools. If I started an English class now, I'd starve to death."

He then added with a sigh, "I have to say, you really have no business sense whatsoever. So just focus on your studies quietly and become an excellent neurosurgeon later—the kind people beg to operate on them."