Xia Xiong sighed deeply, his gaze slowly turning to Xia Jianguo, his eyes revealing endless guilt and helplessness.

He said softly, "My child, I know in my heart that you have suffered too much these years. Back then, I had no choice but to hand you over to the Xia family."

Recalling those difficult years, Xia Xiong frowned and his voice trembled slightly: "At that time, we were on the road fleeing famine, wandering and sleeping in the open along the way. After your mother and I finally found a place to settle down temporarily, we immediately began to search for your whereabouts."

However, who could have predicted that only a few years ago did a sliver of news about you emerge? Even more unexpectedly, someone preemptively made such arrangements, allowing that despicable Xia Jianlin to impersonate you for so many years!

At this point, a cold glint flashed in Xia Xiong's eyes. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, saying hatefully, "That damned Guo Guanghua, I wish I could tear him to pieces! If it weren't for his interference, how could we, father and son, have been separated for so long!"

Xia Jianguo quietly closed his eyes, and all the grievances and hardships he had suffered in the past surged into his heart like a tide.

Those painful memories flashed through his mind like vivid images.

If his precious daughter hadn't also transmigrated to this world by some twist of fate, even if he were to live a second life, his life probably wouldn't be much better.

Especially after experiencing the many complexities of the present life, if one were to endure the inhumane torment and devastation of the previous life again, psychologically it would be even more unbearable than the previous life!

That's why, even after learning that the Xia family in the capital had suffered a tragic end while avenging him, Xia Jianguo still hesitated deep down whether or not he should go and acknowledge them.

After all, while this family bond is incredibly precious, it is also mixed with too many grudges, resentments, and unspeakable hardships...

He took a deep breath and secretly vowed to completely get rid of all people and things related to his past life.

However, reality is often not as simple as people wish.

Some things are like the ropes of fate, tightly binding you, and no matter how hard you struggle, you can't break free.

At this moment, Xia Xiong keenly sensed his inner turmoil and his discomfort with the new environment.

To avoid making the atmosphere more awkward, Xia Xiong cleverly changed the subject: "How about this... how about I transfer you to the military hospital for treatment? The medical conditions there are definitely better."

Xia Jianguo gently shook his head and slowly replied, "No need to trouble yourself. The surgery was very successful. I just need to recuperate here for a few more days to fully recover."

Hearing this, Xia Xiong couldn't help but sigh.

He knew he had arrived too late, as he had been preoccupied with a series of troublesome matters and was unable to get here immediately to take care of Xia Jianguo.

"Alright then, I'll go back to my unit to deal with those despicable parasites. You just stay here and focus on recovering. I'll arrange for people to keep an eye on things here and make sure no one comes to bother you again," Xia Xiong said with a serious expression.

Unexpectedly, Xia Jianguo frowned and decisively rejected the suggestion. His tone was even somewhat stiff: "There's really no need to make such a fuss. We're just ordinary people, and we're not used to being watched all the time."

A fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of disappointment flashed in Xia Xiong's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and regained his composure.

He nodded slightly to show his understanding: "Okay, in that case, I respect your decision. However, if you encounter any difficulties or have any needs later, please don't hesitate to tell me immediately."

Xia Jianguo remained silent as if he hadn't heard anything, gazing quietly at the scenery outside the window with a deep and distant look, as if his thoughts had drifted away with the ethereal clouds.

The room was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, Xia Xiong and the others quietly left the ward, leaving only Xia Jianguo, Xia Tao, and Xia Wan, a family of three.

Xia Wan gently took her brother's hand and slowly walked out of the ward.

She thought to herself that she should let her father have some peace and quiet, and at the same time, she wanted to take the opportunity to ask him what had happened before she arrived.

When the brother and sister reached the door of the ward, Xia Wan stopped, turned to look at Xia Tao, and asked softly, "Brother, when did Grandpa Xia arrive? Did something happen? I feel that Dad's attitude is a little different than before."

Faced with his sister's question, Xia Tao's expression turned somewhat strange, and he looked rather complicated.

He frowned slightly, his lips moving as if he were considering how to answer the question. After a long while, he remained silent, not uttering a sound.

Seeing this, Xia Wan raised her eyebrows, but she did not urge her brother. Instead, she patiently stood there and waited.

Finally, after a brief silence, Xia Tao took a deep breath and said as if he had made up his mind, "This morning when I went out to buy breakfast, there was only Dad in the ward... and... he almost... almost got molested!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Xia Tao's ears instantly turned bright red, and his expression was a complex mix of emotions, difficult to describe. Clearly, the scene he had witnessed that morning had had a tremendous impact on him.

Hearing his words, Xia Wan was stunned. Her mouth was wide open, and the mouthful of saliva she was about to swallow got stuck in her throat without warning. She felt a tickle in her throat, followed by a violent cough.

"Cough cough cough... cough cough cough... You... are you telling the truth?" This sudden news completely threw her off balance, and for a moment, her violent coughing echoed throughout the hospital corridor.

Who could it be? She couldn't help but wonder to herself.

She really couldn't understand it. Did her father have other acquaintances in Beijing?

And it's even more outrageous than this—someone sexually assaulted her father! Just how exactly did they assault him?

Thinking of this, Xia Wan felt countless strange and embarrassing images flooding her mind. She quickly shook her head vigorously, trying to shake these messy thoughts out of her head.

No, no, I absolutely cannot think about this any further, otherwise even those disgusting scenes will vividly appear before my eyes!