He couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Had Xia Shuhua suffered some injustice at her parents' home? Or had he overlooked something? This question, like a thick fog, shrouded his mind, refusing to dissipate, making him want to find out the truth.
Finally, the car slowly came to a stop in front of the Xia family's house. As soon as they arrived, Xia Shuyu came out to greet them like a cheerful little bird. She was wearing a brightly colored dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her movements, like a butterfly dancing gracefully.
Her gaze swept over Zhou Jing, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and enthusiasm, as if she were examining a rare treasure.
She smiled and said, "Shuhua, we've been waiting for you to come back. It's been so long since the house has been this lively."
Zhou Jing was pulled along by her, and managed to force a smile in response. The smile was as stiff as ice in winter, and every expression revealed tension. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, but she could not hide the fear in her eyes.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. She felt like a lamb to the slaughter, about to be pushed into unknown danger, and every step she took was filled with dread.
Xia Shuyu pulled Zhou Jing into the house, chattering incessantly along the way. She talked about the funny things that had happened at home recently, such as the cat accidentally sneaking into the closet and making a mess of the clothes; the new desserts she made, cookies that she learned to make by following an online tutorial, and even added chocolate chips; and her new friend, a girl who loves painting, with whom she often went to the countryside to sketch, like a tireless little sparrow.
Zhou Jing mechanically responded with "um," "oh," and "really?" These simple words came out of her mouth in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, her mind already far away.
Her eyes were fixed ahead, but she saw nothing; her heart was filled with worry about the unknown that was about to unfold.
Various terrifying scenarios kept flashing through her mind, imagining the consequences of her identity being discovered by the Xia family. She might be locked up as a monster, or kicked out of her home and left to wander the streets. Cold sweat kept pouring from her forehead and sliding down her cheeks.
Zhao Guodong followed behind, a polite smile on his face. The smile was just right, neither lacking in politeness nor lacking in friendliness. The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a set of clean and neat teeth.
But his eyes were scanning the surroundings, like a keen hunting dog, not missing a single detail.
He observed the expressions of the Xia family's servants. Some looked hurried, as if they were busy with something important; others avoided eye contact, which aroused his suspicion.
He also kept a close eye on the butler's every move. The butler's steady pace, cautious words, and every subtle action could be a hidden secret.
He knew that in the seemingly peaceful Xia family, every subtle change could conceal a mystery. A small action or an unintentional glance could become the key to solving the mystery, concerning the rise and fall of his career and his future direction.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, Xia Xiong stood up from the sofa.
He was dressed in a sharp suit, his hair was neatly combed, and his eyes were sharp and deep, as if he could see through people's hearts.
His gaze lingered on Zhou Jing for a moment, so sharp that it was almost unbearable to look directly at her, as if he could see into every single thought in her heart.
Then, he gave a meaningful smile: "Shuhua, you're finally back. Dad thought you'd forgotten about this family."
What was hidden in that smile was something Zhou Jing and Zhao Guodong couldn't fathom. They felt that there was an endless meaning behind that smile, making their hearts clench as if they were being tightly gripped by an invisible hand. Every nerve was on edge, and they didn't know what awaited them next, whether it would be a blessing or a curse, a smooth road or thorns. Everything was full of unknowns and variables.
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