Lin Xiaoxiao had nearly forgotten this pressing matter. In her heart, she hated keeping secrets from Zhou Huaian, but she had no idea where to even begin.

Li Yunlan, oblivious to the silent exchange between brother and sister, cheerfully called Lin Wenbin over to eat breakfast.

After the meal, Lin Xiaoxiao reluctantly prepared for school. Knowing Zhou Huaian would likely spend the day at the hospital, she clung to him for a moment. "If I don't have classes this afternoon, I'll get leave and come back early. I can meet you at the hospital."

Zhou Huaian nodded. "Alright. There's no need to rush."

She fussed over him for a few more minutes, giving a litany of reminders, before finally following Lin Wenbin out the door, her reluctance palpable.

Lin Wenbin could only shake his head in wry amusement. The old saying was true: a daughter's heart always turns outward once she has her own family. "He's back, and you've forgotten all about Mom and Dad," he teased once they were outside the compound gates. "Some daughter you are."

Lin Xiaoxiao pouted. "I have things to do! Besides, some things are more urgent than others. Now that Mom and Dad are here, I'm not as worried."

Lin Wenbin had to admit this arrangement felt right, a kind of completion for their unusual family.

At school, Lin Xiaoxiao had a class first period and decided to visit her father in the faculty dormitory afterwards. Strangely, the initial urgency had faded now that the moment was here. Plus, taking too much time off was never a good look.

She had just taken her seat when she caught Zhang Wanqing's curious, gossip-hungry glance, clearly asking what important matter had warranted her absence.

After a moment's thought, Lin Xiaoxiao decided to share. "My husband returned. I had to help him with something yesterday."

Zhang Wanqing's eyes widened. "I thought he wasn't coming back until the New Year? What brought him back early?"

"He came back ahead of schedule," Lin Xiaoxiao confirmed. "I'll have you over for a meal soon so you can meet him." She had almost said 'hubby,' but caught herself—that term wasn't common yet. 'Husband' or 'my significant other' sounded more appropriate.

Zhang Wanqing agreed readily. "I'd love to! I want to see if he looks as much like Zhou Xiaocheng as everyone says."

Lin Xiaoxiao felt they might have shared a slight resemblance before, but the scar on Zhou Huaian's face now lent him a rugged, hardened air, a stark contrast to Zhou Xiaocheng's gentle, scholarly demeanor. They didn't look much alike anymore.

After class, seeing she had two free periods for self-study, Lin Xiaoxiao hurried to the foreign teachers' dormitory. The calm she felt on the way suddenly evaporated as she stood before the door. Her hand trembled slightly on the knob. She took a deep breath, determined to walk in smiling, to tell her father she was happy here, that their family's reunion was a joy.

But the moment she pushed the door open and saw Lin Wenyuan sitting there, holding Duoduo, all her composure shattered. The cheerful facade she'd planned crumbled into pure, overwhelming emotion. Tears streamed down her face instantly.

"Dad…"

The single word was a choked sob as she rushed forward and threw her arms around him.

Lin Wenyuan, though prepared by Lin Wenbin, was still taken aback. Seeing his daughter's changed face was one thing; feeling her desperate embrace was another. His own eyes reddened immediately. "My Xiaoxiao… you've grown up." What astonished him most was the realization that his little princess was now a mother of three.

Duoduo, squashed between them, began to wriggle uncomfortably, pushing at Lin Xiaoxiao and complaining, "Mama, go! Mama, go!"—his habitual name for her, even as he tried to shove her away.

But Lin Xiaoxiao only held her father tighter, sobbing. Seeing the streaks of white at his temples and how much thinner he had become painted a clear picture of the anguish he had endured. He had worried for his son, agonized over his daughter, and cared for Li Yuling, all without a moment's peace, even in this new world, always wondering where his little girl had gone.

It was several minutes before she calmed enough to sit beside him, still clinging to his arm, her cheek pressed against his sleeve. "Dad, I thought… I thought we'd never see each other again in this life." Who could have imagined that crossing worlds could lead them to the same time and place?

Lin Wenyuan, holding Duoduo with one arm, patted her hand with the other. "I kept thinking… I've always tried to do good, never wished anyone harm. A life of kindness must count for something. I refused to believe fate could be so cruel." His one regret was that his daughter could only live on by inhabiting another's body.

Lin Xiaoxiao rubbed her eyes. "When I first arrived, I was so scared. I thought we were separated forever."

Lin Wenyuan comforted her until her tears subsided, then asked about Zhou Huaian and the three children. Hearing from Li Yuling how well the Zhou family treated her, and that she got along with her mother-in-law, had set his mind at ease. He had once believed no boy would ever be good enough for his precious daughter. Now, he could only grudgingly accept the situation—not because of the Zhou family's status, but because they were good people.

Lin Xiaoxiao, curious, asked what kind of business her father planned to start. "The economic climate isn't great now. Many policies are still restrictive. Most opportunities are related to food, maybe running a small restaurant." Starting a proper company or factory was out of the question. She thought he'd be better off sticking to his original profession. "Wouldn't it be better to be a doctor? Mom always said you and I weren't cut out for business."

Lin Wenyuan smiled. "It's not that I'm unsuited for business; I just never liked the constant social maneuvering it requires."

"Same difference," Lin Xiaoxiao insisted. "So, you could practice medicine, and let my brother handle business."

Lin Wenyuan shook his head with a soft laugh. "Since fate has given us a chance to live in a different era, I want to try a different way of life, too."

While they talked, Lin Wenbin and Li Yuling returned together, bringing food from the cafeteria. The former family of four, now a family of five, shared a simple reunion meal in the modest dormitory room.

They discussed how to normalize their relationship without raising too many eyebrows. Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. "I'm sure there's already gossip at school. I'm close with Professor Linda, and now I'm constantly visiting her dorm. People probably think she gives me special treatment."

Li Yuling never cared for others' opinions. "Let them think what they want. You're my daughter. Of course I'm going to help you. I'm not so noble that I'd neglect my own child for the sake of appearances." She added pointedly, "And I hold a grudge. If anyone bullies you, tell me. I'll make sure they regret it."

Lin Xiaoxiao grinned. "No one dares to bully me. And I can handle myself. I'm not about to let anyone push me around."

Lin Wenbin chimed in from the side, nodding emphatically. "It's true! This little sister of mine never takes a loss lying down. Any grievance, she settles on the spot. Just look at how she talks to me—you'll get the picture!"

Ignoring her brother's nonsense, Lin Xiaoxiao looked earnestly at Lin Wenyuan. "Dad, I want you to meet Zhou Huaian."