Xia Wan looked at her family members, who were chatting excitedly, and felt a sense of satisfaction.

The aunt's years of grievances finally found some release at this moment, and her family was genuinely happy for her.

Seeing the long-lost relaxed smile on her aunt's face, Xia Wan's eyes welled up with tears. While she was happy for her aunt, she also felt a little worried.

She knew that in today's complex and ever-changing environment, her aunt had done everything she could to get things done, and the difficulties and obstacles she had faced were unimaginable to outsiders. Only her aunt herself knew the hardships and sacrifices she had made.

She subconsciously lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her cheeks, and sighed softly in her heart.

Fortunately, I still have the system as my "secret weapon," which always helps me in critical moments.

Thinking this, Xia Wan subtly turned her body slightly to the side, cleverly blocking the view of others, and silently called upon the system in her mind.

Soon, a virtual screen that only she could see appeared faintly in front of her, the flashing blue light on the screen reflecting her nervous yet expectant face.

She quickly typed keywords into the system, her fingers rapidly tapping on the virtual keyboard, producing a soft "click-clack" sound.

A few seconds later, detailed information about Zhao Guodong popped up on the screen. The dense text and data showed his current predicament: his network of relationships was gradually collapsing, key projects were being blocked one after another, and his superiors' trust was crumbling little by little.

Xia Wan carefully examined the document, not missing a single detail, to confirm that he truly had no chance of turning the tables and had completely lost the power to resist.

Seeing this result, Xia Wan finally felt relieved, as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

After Xia Shuhua finished speaking, the atmosphere in the living room eased a little because of the good news. The oppressive atmosphere that had made it hard to breathe gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief and joy after surviving a disaster.

Smiles filled the faces of the family members, and their voices became lighter as they talked, as if the gloom that had preceded them had never existed.

Xia Xiong's face regained its long-lost kindness, and he smiled at Xia Shuhua, saying, "Daughter, you've suffered all these years. Now it's all good, we can finally live a comfortable life."

Xia Jianguo nodded in agreement, his eyes full of approval for his sister.

Xia Wan seized the opportunity, took a deep breath to calm herself down, mustered her courage, and softly mentioned that she was going back to Yongmao County: "Grandpa, Dad, Aunt, my brother and I have bought tickets to go back to Yongmao County. The train is tomorrow afternoon."

"They're leaving already?" Xia Xiong's smiling face froze instantly, his brows furrowing into a deep frown, his face filled with reluctance to part with his grandchildren.

His eyes were full of longing and worry, as if at this moment he had become that ordinary old man who was full of concern for his children, and the vicissitudes of time were more and more obvious on his face.

“Your brother will go to the army after he finishes his work. Why don’t you quit your job there and find a job in Beijing?” Xia Xiong leaned forward and earnestly advised, “There are more opportunities in Beijing, more room for development, and life is more convenient. Grandpa can see you every day, which will put his mind at ease.”

Xia Wan lowered her head slightly, her hair falling on both sides of her face, obscuring part of her expression and making it impossible to see what she was thinking at that moment.

She pondered for a moment, her mind flashing back to the people and events of Yongmao County. Unfinished plans and unresolved troubles appeared before her like a revolving lantern, all reminding her that she could not stay any longer.

Friends in Yongmao County had lent her a helping hand when she was in trouble, and those connections were her precious assets. There were also some things that could only be properly resolved in the local environment, relying on familiar relationships and channels.

“Let’s stay there for now, Grandpa.” Xia Wan slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with determination, a determination to achieve her goal. “There are still some things to take care of in Yongmao County. I’ve lived there for so long, made a lot of friends, and accumulated some connections and resources. Some things can only be done locally, with these connections.”

She paused slightly, then smiled reassuringly, trying to put her grandfather at ease. "Unless there are special circumstances, I will come to Beijing next year and won't go back."

She silently added in her heart: Once I've dealt with those people over there who have ulterior motives and have been secretly sabotaging me, I'll come back and focus on preparing for the college entrance exam.

After all, the college entrance examination is a crucial opportunity to change one's destiny, and she cannot afford to be careless in the slightest. It not only concerns her personal future but is also the first step she takes to create a better life for her family.

She imagined her future life, with her family sitting together, their faces beaming with happiness—that was the direction she was striving for.

Moreover, Xia Wan had another important purpose in returning to Yongmao County.

She knew better than anyone else that the tide of reform and opening up was surging in with unstoppable force, and this was an excellent opportunity to change her personal destiny and even the destiny of her entire family.

Now that she had foreseen the direction of this era through the system, she naturally needed to prepare early and seize the initiative. She knew that this was an era full of challenges and opportunities, and every decision could affect one's entire life.

Of course, this preparation cannot be carried out in Beijing. After all, once they return to Beijing, their every move may be closely watched by those with ulterior motives.

A slight misstep could cause unnecessary trouble and ruin your plans.

As for whether or not to start one's business in Yongmao County, it requires further careful consideration, taking into account a variety of complex factors such as local market demand, policy guidance, and personal connections.

She needs a comprehensive plan, a plan that will allow her to stand firm and set sail amidst the tides of the times, a plan that will make her family proud.

She began to sketch out a blueprint for the future in her mind, imagining how she would struggle in the business world, how she would realize her dreams step by step, and how she would enable her family to live a prosperous life.