Lin Xiaoxiao didn't want to turn around. She recognized the voice immediately—it was Chen Wei, her ex-boyfriend.

After how she had treated him the day before, why would he come again?

But Chen Wei was persistent. He called out once more, "Anning, can we talk?"

Lin Xiaoxiao felt a wave of helplessness. Was everyone this stubborn these days? They were already married—what more was there to discuss?

Not wanting to make a scene at the hospital entrance, she turned around and walked toward him. "I made myself clear yesterday. There's nothing left to say."

Chen Wei's fair-skinned face flushed red, as if he'd been drinking. He spoke urgently, "Anning, you promised that once your family was safe, you would divorce Zhou Huian. Now your family has moved away—they're fine. You can leave him."

Lin Xiaoxiao was utterly confused. She had no memory of why the original owner had married Zhou Huian, or what secrets were hidden behind their marriage.

Still, hearing that the Lin family had moved came as a relief. At least she wouldn't have to face relatives she didn't know.

When Chen Wei saw that Lin Xiaoxiao had fallen silent and was gazing into the distance, he grew impatient and reached out to grab her hand. "xiaoxiao, I've been waiting for you in the city all this time."

The moment his fingers touched her wrist, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a creepy, crawling sensation on her skin. Reflex took over, and she threw him to the ground—again.

Fortunately, there weren't many people around the hospital entrance. Chen Wei scrambled to his feet, clutching his sore shoulder, and glared at her with a threatening expression. "Lin Xiaoxiao, don't push your luck. You're going to regret this."

Lin Xiaoxiao despised him even more for daring to threaten her.

She shot him a cold look. "Alright. But if you bother me again, I'll beat you up every time I see you."

With that, she turned and walked into the hospital.

Chen Wei was so angry he stomped his foot, pointing at her retreating back and shouting, "You'll come begging to me, Lin Xiaoxiao! Just you wait!"

Without even looking back, Lin Xiaoxiao snorted in contempt. How could the original owner have ever been interested in a man like that?

Meanwhile, Zhou Huian stood by the second-floor window overlooking the entrance. He had seen everything—including the moment Lin Xiaoxiao flung Chen Wei to the ground.

He was impressed by her quick reflexes and agility.

Holding his injured abdomen, he slowly turned away from the window and paced carefully around the room.

When Lin Xiaoxiao entered the ward and saw Zhou Huian moving about on his own, she rushed over to support his arm. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You just had surgery yesterday—you shouldn't be walking around already! What if your wound opens up?"

Without realizing it, she had already started treating Zhou Huian as someone close, and her tone was both concerned and casual.

Zhou Huian allowed her to help him sit on the edge of the bed. "It's fine. This kind of injury is nothing serious."

Lin Xiaoxiao glared at him. "Sure, it's not life-threatening, but you're not heading off to battle. You still need proper rest."

Despite her sharp tone, Zhou Huian felt an unexpected sense of warmth. He lay back down without arguing.

That evening, Lin Xiaoxiao warmed up some duck soup for Zhou Huian, I also cooked two ounces of noodles. She herself ate a coarse-grain bun with pickles.

The aroma of the duck soup made her mouth water, and she secretly praised her own selflessness.

When she returned to the ward with the soup and noodles, she still hadn't seen Wang Fenglan or her daughter. She was curious how Zhou Huian had convinced them not to come.

Zhou Huian watched as Lin Xiaoxiao ladled out the noodles. "Have you eaten already?"

She smiled, her eyes curving slightly. "Yes, I ate in the kitchen. I'd never skip a meal."

Zhou Huian thought about it and had to admit—Lin Xiaoxiao was definitely not the type to neglect herself. He took the lunchbox and ate quietly.

Lin Xiaoxiao sat on a chair watching him eat. She noticed that even the way he ate was masculine—quick but not rude.

After he finished, she asked, "How long are you planning to stay in your hometown? Is there something you need to take care of?"

Zhou Huian didn't try to hide it. "I'm going back to divide the family property."

Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected that. Knowing Wang Fenglan's temperament, she could already imagine how dramatic it was going to be.

Noticing her reaction, Zhou Huian added, "If you don't want to go, then don't go."

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly waved her hand. "It's okay, it's okay. Your injuries haven't healed yet. I'll go back with you."

Zhou Huian nodded and said nothing more.

The next morning, just as Lin Xiaoxiao was up and about, Wang Fenglan rushed into the ward with Zhou Xiaoli in tow, both carrying large traveling bags.

As soon as she stepped inside, Wang Fenglan announced at the top of her lungs, "Huaian, your sister and I are heading back first. We need to clean up the room where you and Xiaoxiao will be staying."

She'd spent the whole night thinking it over. Since Zhou Huaian was determined to return, she might as well get a head start and make preparations.

There was also the matter of the illegitimate child Zhou Xiaoli was carrying. She needed to find a way to deal with it—if not by getting rid of it, then by convincing Zhou Huaian to let Zhou Xiaoli live with them and pass off the baby as Lin Xiaoxiao's.

She was plotting every move with meticulous care.

Zhou Huaian showed little reaction. "Just be careful on your way back."

Zhou Xiaoli, remembering what Wang Fenglan had told her earlier, pouted and asked, "Second Brother, we're going back now. Aren't you going to give us some money for the trip?"

Zhou Huaian frowned. "I don't have any cash on me. "

Zhou Xiaoli shot a glance at Lin Xiaoxiao, who was standing to the side watching the scene unfold. "Second Brother, you weren't like this before. Is it because of Second Sister-in-Law that you won't even spare a penny for us now?"

Lin Xiaoxiao looked back at Zhou Xiaoli with an amused half-smile. This girl thought she was clever, but she was really quite naïve—offending both of them in one go.

Since she was just standing there anyway, and Zhou Huaian seemed to be struggling for a response, Lin Xiaoxiao decided to step in. "What can we do? Your second brother has to provide for me now, and someday our children too. Where would the extra money come from?"

Zhou Xiaoli glared defiantly at Lin Xiaoxiao. "What's there to be proud of? He's my second brother—of course he should take my side."

Lin Xiaoxiao chuckled. "But now he's my husband, and I'm the one who makes the decisions at home."

Since Zhou Huaian had said he intended to divide the family property, she figured he'd had enough of this entitled family leeching off him—so she dared to speak boldly.

Zhou Xiaoli was left speechless, with no comeback. She could only turn to Wang Fenglan for support.

Wang Fenglan scowled. "What's this, Huaian? How can you let a woman wear the pants in the family? Isn't that letting her walk all over you? Are you even a man?"

Zhou Huaian glanced at Lin Xiaoxiao, his brow furrowed. "If you don't leave now, you'll miss the bus."

Lin Xiaoxiao was delighted. By saying that, Zhou Huaian had tacitly agreed with what she'd said. A brilliant smile spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with triumph.

Even the usually reserved Zhou Huaian could feel it—as if the stuffy hospital room had suddenly been lit up with sunshine.