"Dad, we have to catch the early train to Beijing tomorrow, so you need to get some rest tonight and make sure you're well-rested."

Xia Jianguo nodded slightly, but his gaze was somewhat solemn.

During the meal, Xia Jianguo sat at the table with his chopsticks hanging in the air, not dropping them for a long time.

He frowned slightly, his brows furrowed with deep worry, as if a heavy boulder was weighing on his heart.

After a long while, he slowly put down his chopsticks and said softly, "Xiao Wan, I've been feeling uneasy. I don't know if the Xia family members have been sent to the farm for labor reform. Sigh... I'm really afraid that all our efforts will be in vain, and they'll have escaped."

At this point, Xia Jianguo couldn't help but sigh heavily, his face full of worry and anxiety.

He then added worriedly, "If they really get released, and find out we went to Beijing for leg treatment, they'll definitely tip Xia Jianlin off immediately. Although Xia Jianlin isn't doing very well in Beijing, if he's determined to cause us trouble, we'll probably be in big trouble!"

Hearing her father's words, Xia Wan quickly raised her head and looked at Xia Jianguo, who had a worried expression on his face.

She smiled slightly and gently comforted him, "Father, don't worry too much! I've already thought of these things and asked Guo Zheng to handle them. I guarantee everything will be fine. Don't worry, they definitely won't get away with it and won't be able to affect our trip to Beijing for treatment."

Although Xia Wan spoke lightly, deep down she was more worried about running into Guo Guanghua in Beijing than about her cousin Xia Jianlin, who was far away and not doing well.

Seeing her father so worried, she couldn't bear to bring it up and cause him more trouble, so she kept her worries to herself.

Just as the father and daughter were chatting away, a sudden, urgent, and loud knocking came from outside the door. "Knock knock knock—" The sound was particularly abrupt in the quiet room, instantly breaking the peaceful atmosphere.

Xia Tao gently put down the object he was fiddling with, slowly stood up, and walked steadily toward the door.

The moment he reached out and grasped the doorknob, a strange sense of tension rose within him.

With a slight creaking sound from the hinges, the door slowly opened, and in that instant, Xia Tao was completely stunned—because the person standing outside the door was none other than his third uncle, Xia Jiandang!

Xia Tao's gaze shot straight at Xia Jiandang like two cold arrows, his previously calm eyes instantly turning as cold and piercing as ice.

The memory of what my sister had once told me involuntarily surfaced in my mind—this so-called third uncle had actually poisoned my father!

Thinking of this, an uncontrollable rage suddenly erupted from the bottom of my heart and quickly spread to every cell in my body.

Although Xia Tao knew that Xia Jiandang had been deceived by Old Man Xia into committing such a heinous act, how could that be a reason to easily forgive him?

So at this moment, Xia Tao stood firmly at the door like an impregnable fortress, his body motionless, showing no intention of making way for Xia Jiandang or letting him into the house. He had even made up his mind to ruthlessly shut this uninvited guest out.

"It's so late, Uncle, what brings you all this way?" Xia Tao asked coldly, his lips pressed tightly together.

Because it was late and the surrounding light was very dim, it was impossible to see Xia Jiandang's expression clearly. However, it was obvious that his voice sounded weak, as if he was hiding some unspeakable secret.

All that could be heard was Xia Jiandang stammering in response, "Tao...Taozi, have you had dinner yet? Uncle just wanted to check on how your dad is doing!"

Xia Tao curled his lip, revealing a disdainful sneer: "My father has already retired, Uncle, please leave."

After saying this, Xia Tao remained firmly in place, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, completely ignoring Xia Jiandang as if he were invisible.

But just then, Xia Jianguo's loud voice suddenly came from inside the house: "Taozi, who's knocking on the door? What are you whispering about?"

Xia Tao opened his mouth slightly, about to respond, when Xia Jiandang suddenly raised his voice and shouted loudly, "Second Brother, it's me! It's Jiandang! I've come here to visit you!" This sudden and loud shout was like a thunderclap piercing the night sky, instantly breaking the original tranquil atmosphere.

Upon hearing this, Xia Jianguo hesitated for a moment, pondering silently, before slowly saying, "Taozi, since it's your third uncle, let him in." Actually, Xia Jianguo agreed to let Xia Jiandang in not only because he was his younger brother, but more importantly, because he knew that Xia Jiandang's visit was not merely for a simple visit. There must be a hidden reason, or perhaps he was secretly plotting something. Therefore, he was very interested to see what his third brother's purpose was.

Although Xia Tao was filled with resistance and reluctance, he dared not openly disobey his father's unquestionable instructions. He could only reluctantly move aside to make way for Xia Jiandang to enter the house.

After Xia Jiandang stepped into the room, a forced smile appeared on his already somewhat unnatural face. However, his eyes darted around the room like snakes, probing and scrutinizing every corner as if trying to take in every detail. Meanwhile, Xia Jianguo, sitting upright on the kang (a heated brick bed), stared intently at Xia Jiandang. His expression seemed calm and composed, but a closer look revealed a sharp, scrutinizing intent hidden beneath that tranquil surface.

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