Lin Xiaoxiao paced around the hospital room a couple of times, growing increasingly bored. With her hands clasped behind her back, she circled the bed once more before finally stopping by the window to gaze outside.

Zhou Huaian noticed her restlessness and set his book down. "If you're bored, you could go see a movie. It's Friday—they show films in the auditorium tonight."

Lin Xiaoxiao turned, studying him with her hands still behind her back. She narrowed her eyes playfully. "How do you know they show movies every Friday?"

Zhou Huaian answered honestly, without suspicion. "I was here recovering from injuries three years ago. I stayed for half a year."

Lin Xiaoxiao was surprised. What kind of injury required a six-month stay? He seemed as tough as steel—like someone who could pick up a rifle and return to the battlefield right after surgery.

But that wasn't her main focus right now. She leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Half a year? So, did a lot of female doctors and nurses come see you? Bring you food?"

Zhou Huaian frowned and shook his head. "No. A comrade took care of me."

It suddenly struck Lin Xiaoxiao: Did Zhou Huaian even realize when someone liked him? People in this era were reserved with their feelings. Someone like Xiao Yan, who actively offered care, was already rare—let alone anyone bold enough to confess openly.

She sat down at the table, rested her chin in her hands, and looked at him teasingly. "So, did you know that someone has feelings for you?"

Zhou Huaian's frown deepened. "Don't say things like that. It doesn't sound good if others hear."

Now Lin Xiaoxiao was sure—this man had no idea that people had liked him. He was a complete block of wood when it came to reading hints or understanding romance.

She grew even more curious: What would someone like him be like when truly in love? Isn't there still a first love girlfriend back home?

The thought inexplicably irritated her. She slapped the table abruptly and stood up. "Keep reading. I'm going out for a walk!" With that, she strode out stiff-faced.

Zhou Huaian was caught off guard. Weren't they just fine a moment ago? Why was she suddenly angry? Then again, her moods had always been somewhat unpredictable.

After a moment of silence, he picked up his book again.

Lin Xiaoxiao wandered around for a bit, borrowed two casual books from the duty nurse, and returned to the room. Ignoring Zhou Huaian, she lay on her bed and started reading.

The busy and routine days of the past couple had made her sleepy right on schedule. Yawning, she tossed the book aside and fell asleep.

Zhou Huaian had been listening to the sounds from the next bed. Only when he heard Lin Xiaoxiao's soft, even breathing did he set his book down and look over.

The dim yellow light fell on her face, softening the lively cleverness she showed during the day and adding a layer of mystery. He found himself gazing absently.

Lin Xiaoxiao seemed to be dreaming. She turned onto her side facing him, mumbling vague words he couldn't make out.

But Zhou Huaian could sense she was suppressing some pain. After a brief hesitation, he rose quietly, intending to gently wake her.

Just then, Lin Xiaoxiao waved an arm and whimpered, "Mom, I want to go home... I want to go home."

Then she began to cry—real, heart-wrenching sobs, as helpless and sad as an abandoned child.

Zhou Huaian withdrew his outstretched hand. Lin Xiaoxiao was homesick. But her family had treated her poorly—they'd forced her into a hasty marriage for their own benefit.

As he turned to leave, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand, clutching his broad palm tightly. She murmured, "Brother, don't go... I'll behave from now on."

Zhou Huaian froze. The warm, delicate feel of her hand in his made his mind go blank for a few seconds. But he quickly regained his composure: Lin Xiaoxiao didn't have a brother—only an older sister and a younger brother.

She was the least favored middle child, raised by her grandfather until she returned to her parents at fifteen.

So who was this "brother" she was referring to?

When Zhou Huaian tried to gently pull away, she held on tighter, pouting pitifully. "I'll tell Mom you're bullying me..."

Her tone was coquettish and childish, filled with a little sister's grievance.

Zhou Huaian didn't move anymore. He simply watched her quietly, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.

A moment later, Lin Xiaoxiao suddenly let go, turned over, wrapped herself in the blanket, and fell back into a deep sleep.

Zhou Huaian, however, lay awake the entire night.

Lin Xiaoxiao slept soundly and even had a long dream—about her mother, and about a brother who always picked on her but also always gave in to her.

When she woke and saw the yellowish walls, she felt a pang of disappointment—she was still stuck in this world where she had nothing.

Sighing softly, she gave herself a mental pep talk, got up to wash, prepared breakfast, and chatted cheerfully with the nurses along the way.

Zhou Huaian listened as Lin Xiaoxiao greeted people repeatedly outside the door. It seemed she had already grown friendly with several nurses in just two days, often gathering with them to chat.

This was completely different from how she was in the residential compound—where she never really fit in with anyone.

Absentmindedly, he rubbed his right palm with his left hand. The warm, soft sensation seemed to linger. Her sleep-talking from the night still echoed in his mind, leaving him unsettled and thoughtful.

Lin Xiaoxiao warmed up the fish soup and bought two deep-fried dough sticks for breakfast.

When Zhou Huaian sat down after washing up, she handed him one and asked, "I heard that if you know a bit about medicine and take a short training, you can work as a nurse in a clinic?"

Zhou Huaian wasn't sure what she was getting at. "You want to be a nurse?"

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head. "No, I want to open a clinic. Don't assume I can't do anything—I can learn. Giving shots looks simple enough; I can learn all that."

She figured starting a business required capital she didn't have. As broke as she was, practicing medicine might be a quicker way to earn money.

Zhou Huaian glanced at her but didn't dismiss the idea. "Running a clinic isn't just about giving shots. You need to know other things too."

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded eagerly, drawing on the original owner's memories to improvise: "I do know some things! Like first aid—I learned that from my grandfather. Actually, I wasn't completely useless. Grandpa was very strict with me."

Zhou Huaian couldn't find any flaw in that Old Master Cheng did know some medicine and could treat common injuries. It made sense that Lin Xiaoxiao had picked up a thing or two growing up with him.

Still, when he thought about how she had behaved those first three months in the residential compound, something felt off.

Lin Xiaoxiao took a bite of her fried dough stick, eyes curving into a smile. "It's fine, I'm in no hurry. I'll start learning after you've recovered."

Zhou Huaian gave a quiet "mm" of acknowledgment. For some reason, he was somewhat relieved that Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't brought up divorce again.

As for Lin Xiaoxiao, it wasn't that she had forgotten about divorce—she just thought it was better not to bring it up all the time.

Besides, these past couple of days, she found herself liking Zhou Huaan more and more.

What if... something developed between them later?

You always have to leave yourself a way out, right?