Zhou Wenbing had been searching for Yuan Han’s ex-wife all along.

If Zhou Wenbing wanted to find someone in China, it wasn’t difficult unless they were hiding deep in the mountains. Even with the introduction letter requirement for travel not completely abolished, how hard could finding someone be?

Even if someone left their hometown for a big city, they would inevitably leave traces.

Unless they were determined to live off the grid.

Zhou Cheng hadn’t discussed this with Zhou Wenbing yet, but thinking about it, it shouldn’t be too difficult:

“I’ll take leave this weekend to go home and discuss this with Uncle.”

Xia Xiaolan made a sound of agreement: “Also go visit Sister Zhou Yi while you’re there. Since Uncle and the others want to win back Zhou Yi’s heart, family members should show more care.”

After a brush with death, one’s psyche is vulnerable, like a drowning person instinctively grasping for something to hold onto. If the Zhou family didn’t act now, would they wait for the Yuan family to unite and slowly appease Zhou Yi?

Xia Xiaolan felt that Jiang Hong and Zhou Wenbing surely hadn’t completely forgiven Zhou Yi, but the couple had decided to present a united front against outsiders first, then gradually guide their love-struck daughter. What else could the Zhou family do but support them?

“Also, isn’t it too mild that Uncle only arranged for nurses to create obstacles for the Yuan family? We should find Sister Zhou Yi’s old friends, especially the sharp-tongued, boastful ones… ahem, you understand what I mean?”

She felt slightly embarrassed suggesting such a scheme.

Zhou Cheng happily accepted his wife’s suggestion.

“I know what you mean, and this method will definitely work.”

It was easier for Zhou Cheng to take leave now than before, as his stationed unit was only dozens of kilometers from Beijing, making it convenient to visit the city.

He didn’t know what Zhou Yi needed – Jiang Hong was taking care of food and clothing, and the big hospital had so many professionals. Could they not properly care for one postpartum woman?

His special trip home surprised even Zhou Yi.

It had been so long since Zhou Yi had seen Zhou Cheng, including at her wedding when, by custom, her cousin should have been part of her wedding procession… Thinking of Zhou Cheng’s recent promotion to Deputy Squadron Leader, Zhou Yi lay in bed awkwardly:

“Zhou Cheng, congratulations!”

Zhou Cheng didn’t mock her, sincerely said thank you, and congratulated her in return:

“Sister Zhou Yi, in the blink of an eye you’ve become a mother. May I see the baby?”

This child, born for several days, not only had no name, but Zhou Yi, the birth mother, wasn’t even close to the baby. The small mouth and chin strongly resembled Zhou Yi’s, though Zhou Yi thought this meant the baby was ugly. Actually, among infants under a hundred days old, Zhou Yi’s daughter was quite pretty.

It would be difficult for this child to be ugly – Grandfather Zhou had been handsome with strong brows and eyes in his youth, Grandmother Zhou was elegant and dignified, and none of Zhou Wenbing’s generation of Zhou family members were ill-favored. Zhou Cheng had particularly inherited his parents’ best features.

Though not as striking as Zhou Cheng, Zhou Yi still had fine features.

While Xia Xiaolan wasn’t impressed by Yuan Han’s type of handsomeness, that didn’t make him ugly.

Yuan Han had a traditionally square face, like a leading man in a serious drama – such a face shape wouldn’t suit a girl, and Zhou Yi’s daughter, fortunately, took after her mother’s chin and jaw angle rather than Yuan Han’s… Honestly speaking, the child looked good and was Zhou Cheng’s first niece.

A nurse held the baby, and Zhou Cheng didn’t dare hold her, afraid his clumsiness might hurt her.

The baby looked so soft – Zhou Cheng couldn’t help thinking that if he and Xiaolan had a daughter in the future, he would spoil her terribly.

“Please put the baby next to my sister’s bed.”

“The mother still has wounds—”

“It’s fine, the baby won’t move around, just place her by the bed for a moment.”

Zhou Cheng’s authority was now considerable. Though he was the younger cousin, Zhou Yi had never dared to joke much with him, and now even the nurse couldn’t refuse his request, reluctantly complying.

Zhou Yi stiffened slightly – her incision still hurt, and she had nearly lost her life just to give birth.

Seeing her like this, still confused about being a mother, Zhou Cheng said:

“This is your daughter. Regardless of who her father is, she’s our Zhou family’s little princess. Do you want her to take the Yuan or Zhou surname?”

Chinese custom for many years had children following their father’s surname.

Unless the man married into the woman’s family, or the parents separated and the child stayed with the mother, there was rarely any dispute about surnames… Of course, in the coming years, many children would take their mother’s surname, and some families preferred having two children take different parents’ surnames.

Zhou Cheng wasn’t asking this out of old-fashioned thinking – the subtext was whether Zhou Yi still wanted to stay with Yuan Han!

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but withdraw her hand.

Her impression of the Yuan family was terrible now, and she had major issues with Yuan Han, but divorce? Maybe things weren’t that serious?

“I don’t know, I… Zhou Cheng, I understand what you all mean, let me think about it!”

Zhou Cheng didn’t show disappointment – this was expected.

He had bought a small gold lock and bracelet, placing them beside the baby: “These are from Xiaolan and me, for your daughter.”

Jiang Hong had remained silent throughout. As Zhou Yi stared absently at the child, Jiang Hong left the room with Zhou Cheng.

They happened to run into Yuan Han, who was bringing food in a thermos:

“Zhou Cheng is here too? Mother-in-law, how is Xiaoyi today, is her appetite better?”

Jiang Hong treated him like air.

This Yuan fellow had such thick skin – every day he brought food that Jiang Hong never let Zhou Yi eat. Though the dishes were good, it would be a waste to throw them away but distasteful to eat them. Fortunately, there was another mother downstairs who had to deliver triplets and was in difficult circumstances. Jiang Hong redirected Yuan Han’s nutritious meals to her, earning profound gratitude.

Seeing Zhou Cheng surprised Yuan Han.

He had thought Zhou Cheng didn’t care about his cousin Sister Zhou Yi, missing the wedding but especially returning for the birth.

Zhou Cheng ignored him too. Yuan Han gripped the thermos tighter – what’s so great about being a Deputy Squadron Leader?

The Zhou family was all the same, looking down on him from high above. Zhou Cheng wouldn’t even call him brother-in-law!

Zhou Cheng had no idea about Yuan Han’s internal drama – the focus had never been on Yuan Han, but on Zhou Yi. Seeing Yuan Han enter the ward, Jiang Hong’s eyes couldn’t help but follow.

“Aunt, no need to see me out. I’m going to see Uncle directly – I have something to discuss with him.”

Jiang Hong nodded, “Then I won’t go down with you… What are you doing? Take this back quickly!”

Zhou Cheng had given her a bankbook too. Jiang Hong’s hand trembled – the amount was significant.

Zhou Cheng wouldn’t take it back, “Please hold it for Sister Zhou Yi for now. I’ll explain about this money to Uncle – it’s related to our next steps. Don’t you want to resolve this situation completely?”

Zhou Cheng didn’t know how much savings his uncle and aunt had, but people living on salaries couldn’t handle money as freely as business people. Zhou Cheng didn’t lack this money, and Xia Xiaolan approved of his contribution – what trouble was worth worrying about if money could solve it? It was only troublesome when even money couldn’t fix the problem!