Xia Wan wrote down everything she needed to remember and silently recited it in her mind, as if planting a firm seed in her heart. She would go and see it tonight!

A resolute glint flashed in her eyes, a resolute gaze like a burning flame, as if she were ready to face any challenge. Whatever awaited her ahead could not stop her from seeking the truth.

As dusk fell, a magnificent sunset appeared on the horizon, resembling a beautiful painting. The colorful glow seemed to be meticulously painted by nature with the most splendid colors.

The red ones are like fire, burning the clouds on the horizon; the orange ones are like gold, scattering a dazzling brilliance; the purple ones are like a dream, intertwined in a dreamlike and illusory way.

Just then, Grandpa Xia came here again. Unlike before, this time he was accompanied by Xia Jianguo's two younger sisters.

When they stepped into the room, Xia Wan, Xia Jianguo, and another person had just finished dinner.

The food was still slightly warm on the table, and a faint aroma filled the air.

Upon seeing the arrival of Grandpa Xia and the others, Xia Wan smiled nonchalantly and said lazily, "Oh, Grandpa, you're here again."

Her tone was slightly teasing, as if she were casually greeting an old friend, and her unrestrained smile revealed her easygoing personality.

However, faced with Xia Wan's nonchalant attitude, Xia Xiong not only did not get angry, but also kept smiling. His smile was kind and friendly, like the warm sun in spring, gently shining on the earth and warming every corner.

He replied, "What's wrong? Don't you welcome this old man, little girl?"

His voice was full of affection, as if he were spoiling a naughty child, and his eyes were full of tolerance and love.

Xia Shuyu and Xia Shuqin, standing behind Xia Xiong, frowned slightly. Their brows were furrowed like fine ripples on a calm lake. They didn't say anything, but quickly turned their gaze to Xia Jianguo. Their eyes revealed eagerness and concern for their brother, as if one could see the deep affection and love they had for him in their hearts.

Seeing this, Xia Wan snorted and completely ignored Xia Tao's tugging at her sleeve, signaling her to tone it down. The tugging seemed to be a reminder to be mindful of the occasion and to temper her sharpness, but Xia Wan ignored it.

She continued with a hint of sarcasm, "Whether you're welcome or not isn't the point; the key is that you seem to be a little late. If you had arrived just a little earlier, you might have been able to see your precious daughter."

Her words carried a hint of provocation, as if she were deliberately testing something, and that provocative tone seemed to be revealing a hidden secret to everyone.

Upon hearing this, Xia Xiong's eyebrows furrowed instantly, and his originally kind face darkened. His gloomy expression was like the sky before a storm, filled with dark clouds, making it hard to breathe.

He asked in a low voice, "My daughter? Are you talking about Xia Shuhua?"

His voice carried a hint of surprise and doubt, as if he had heard unbelievable news and could not believe his ears.

It turned out that Xia Xiong had only just discovered Xia Shuhua's recent actions, which shocked him like a bolt from the blue.

He never imagined that his daughter, whom he had adopted and raised with great care since childhood, would do such a thing!

He had poured all his love and expectations into her, from her first words to her graceful growth, every step of her development was filled with his hard work. But now he found that she had embarked on a path he could not understand, betraying his trust and disobeying his teachings.

He suspected that Xia Shuhua might have suffered some kind of shock recently, otherwise why would she suddenly seem like a different person? However, according to the information he had someone investigate, nothing had happened recently that could have triggered her!

All of this seemed like a mystery, plunging him into deep confusion, like a traveler lost in the dark, unable to find his way forward.

"What is she doing here? Did she say anything to you?" This time it was Xia Shuyu who spoke. Her brows were furrowed, her eyes sharp and serious as she stared straight at Xia Wan, her gaze like a sharp sword.

"You absolutely mustn't agree to anything she asks for without thinking!" Her voice was full of worry, fearing that Xia Wan and the others would fall into Xia Shuhua's trap. Her worried tone seemed to reveal her anxiety and unease.

Xia Wan looked up to meet Xia Shuyu's gaze, a gaze that was firm and confident, like a rock standing firm in a storm, unshakable.

A slight upturn at the corners of his mouth revealed a hint of cunning.

She deliberately feigned innocence and ignorance, casually raising an eyebrow and asking, "Oh, what's wrong with you? Why are you so nervous? Do you know her intentions? Or do you already know that she's hiding some secrets?"

Her words were like a series of riddles, thrown at Xia Shuyu and the others. Her words, full of doubt, seemed to be lifting layer after layer of mystery.

Hearing this, Xia Shuyu and Xia Shuqin exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of helplessness on their faces. They muttered to themselves, "This little girl looks so well-behaved and docile, but in this situation, she turns into a little hedgehog covered in thorns, pricking anyone she sees, and her words are so barbed that it's hard to handle her."

That helpless look seemed to express his frustration and regret at Xia Wan's sharp words.

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