Lin Xiaoxiao pretended not to notice Zhou Xiaoli's expression and urged Zhou Huian to eat quickly: "Hurry up, or it'll get cold. Cold food isn't tasty, and it's not good for your health either."

Zhou Huian paused briefly, then quietly took the lunchbox and began eating without another word.

Wang Fenglan, seeing that the young couple was completely ignoring them, grew even more upset. Patting Zhou Xiaoli's back, she grumbled, "You useless thing. Did the cold food upset your stomach? You don't have the luck to enjoy a rich life, but you've sure developed the delicate health of one."

Lin Xiaoxiao acted as though she hadn't heard a thing. She was still hungry herself—why worry about anyone else?

Then she noticed Zhou Xiaoli covering her mouth, trying hard to hold back nausea. A thought crossed Lin Xiaoxiao's mind. She looked Zhou Xiaoli over carefully—her waist looked thicker and her figure clumsier than a young woman's should be.

Hearing Wang Fenglan still muttering under her breath, Lin Xiaoxiao finally spoke up, "Since we're already at the hospital, why not get checked out? Better safe than sorry."

Zhou Xiaoli panicked and glanced guiltily at Lin Xiaoxiao. "What are you talking about?"

She hadn't had her period in three months. She'd heard other young women in the village talk about pregnancy symptoms—her lower belly felt firm, her waist had grown thicker—but she didn't dare believe she might be pregnant.

The night before her man went back to the city, afraid he might not return, they had been together. But just that one time—could she really be pregnant?

Ever since, Zhou Xiaoli had been living in fear, terrified of that very possibility. Now that Lin Xiaoxiao had mentioned it, her anxiety spiked. If she really was pregnant... what would she do?

Seeing Zhou Xiaoli's guilty look, Lin Xiaoxiao knew she'd hit a nerve. "Just go get examined. If it turns out there really is something wrong, I'll buy you a pot of duck soup."

Wang Fenglan also sensed Lin Xiaoxiao was hinting at something, though she couldn't tell what exactly. Hearing about the duck soup, she nudged Zhou Xiaoli. "She's right, go get checked.

You've been complaining about stomach issues lately, and your sister-in-law is being so thoughtful."

But Zhou Xiaoli refused, shaking her head vigorously. "No, I'm fine, really. I don't want any duck soup."

Wang Fenglan gave her a strange look but didn't push further.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't press the matter either. After Zhou Huian finished eating, she took the leftover duck meat and soup to the cafeteria's storage room for safekeeping.

She bought a multigrain bun with pickles from the cafeteria, then sat outside in the sun eating it alone. She thought to herself that since she was already in the city, she ought to find a way to earn some money—maybe start a small business.

Anything was better than sitting around watching her savings slowly disappear.

As she chewed on the dry bun, two female doctors walked by, chatting about underwear and face cream. Apparently, someone in their family had sent these from Shanghai—much nicer than what was sold locally. The cream smelled better, they said, and the underwear was far more comfortable.

Lin Xiaoxiao listened with curiosity, then unconsciously touched her own chest. Since arriving in this era, she'd been wearing old-fashioned undershirts with a row of tiny buttons, tightly bound with no shape or support. She had thought bras didn't even exist at this time.

Turns out, it was just that this small city was too behind the times.

What if she made some modern undergarments to sell? Maybe she could earn some money that way. She could also buy some books—she recalled that college entrance policies had loosened up recently. Anyone could sign up for the exams now. She didn't know all the details, but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared.

Then it hit her: she had no idea how to sew. Who even makes their own clothes these days? What made her think she could make bras?

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a wave of discouragement. She'd read stories about people time-traveling and effortlessly succeeding—cooking, sewing, starting businesses. Why was everything so hard for her?

But then she remembered—she still had her medical skills. She was trained in surgery and knew a bit of traditional medicine. She refused to believe she couldn't make a life for herself in this era.

Feeling newly motivated, Lin Xiaoxiao quickly finished the last of her bun, took a drink of water from her enamel cup, and wiped her mouth.

Just as she stood up to head back to the ward, Zhou Xiaoli stepped in front of her, face dark. "Lin Xiaoxiao," she said sharply, "you'd better watch your mouth. Stop talking nonsense, or you'll regret it."

Lin Xiaoxiao was baffled. What made this woman think she had the right to threaten her? She looked at Zhou Xiaoli with a mocking half-smile. "I'm just saying, what are you going to do about it?"

Zhou Xiaoli fumed for a moment before snapping back, "I'll make my older brother divorce you! Do you really think he cares about you? Cai Xia is a thousand times better—gentle and beautiful. My brother may not listen to anyone else, but he listens to her. If it weren't for you, he would've married Cai Xia a long time ago."

A faint pang of irritation shot through Lin Xiaoxiao, but she kept her cool and replied sarcastically, "Is that so? What a shame. No matter how wonderful Cai Xia—or whoever—is, your brother still married me. If you're so capable, why don't you go talk to him right now? Tell him to divorce me."

Zhou Xiaoli was so angry she felt like her chest was about to explode. Gritting her teeth, she hissed, "Just you wait, Lin Xiaoxiao. Let's see how long that smug look lasts."

With that, she turned and stormed off.

Lin Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, was rather amused. Getting under people's skin until they were speechless was a specialty of hers—and she found it pretty entertaining.

In high spirits, she returned to the hospital ward. Zhou Huian was propped up against the headboard; the doctor had just finished changing his bandages. Wang Fenglan was nowhere in sight, and Zhou Xiaoli hadn't returned after her angry exit.

Hands clasped behind her back, Lin Xiaoxiao strolled over like a doctor on rounds. She gave Zhou Huian a quick glance, then reached out to feel his forehead. "You seem all right. You can move around a bit now, but you should still stay in bed and rest."

Zhou Huian had already grown used to Lin Xiaoxiao's sudden touches. He watched as she took a few steps back, still holding her hands behind her back, and then said with a faint smile, "I'll be discharged in a couple of days and need to return to Zhoujia Village. You can stay here in the city. I'll have my work unit issue you a residence certificate."

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't answer right away. Over the past few days, she had explored the area and learned that without proper documentation, she could be picked up for vagrancy at any time.

Most inns wouldn't let her stay without papers, either.

What's more, even though her parents lived in the same city, Zhou Huian had never suggested she could stay with them for a while.

In the original host's memories, there was nothing particularly bad about her family—but nothing especially close, either. It made Lin Xiaoxiao wonder if some memories were missing.

Why hadn't she gone back to her family's home? And why hadn't Zhou Huian reminded her?

Besides, Zhou Huian's injury wouldn't fully heal in just a week or two. If he returned to the village now, his wound could reopen or get infected.

Zhou Huian was the kindest person she'd met in this world. It was only right that she treat him with kindness in return.

After a moment's thought, Lin Xiaoxiao made up her mind. "I'll go back with you."