At noon on the second day of the Lunar New Year, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting bright patches of light on the floor inside the house.
Everyone sat around the table laden with delicious food. The warm steam, carrying the aroma of the dishes, lingered in the room like a soft veil, adding a touch of cozy warmth to the small space.
The table was laden with all sorts of delicious food. The dumplings were plump and round, like white, chubby gold ingots. The braised pork was a tempting red and shiny color, glistening with oil, making one's mouth water just by looking at it. There was also a plate of sweet and sour carp, beautifully presented, with the fish fried to a golden brown and crispy, drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce, exuding a rich aroma.
Everyone treated Xia Wan, Xia Jianguo, and Xia Xiong with great courtesy, and the warm atmosphere was almost overflowing.
Xia Shuqin smiled broadly, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. She carefully picked up a plump dumpling and gently placed it into Xia Wan's bowl, as if she were placing a precious treasure.
She said with concern, "Wanwan, you'll definitely have a hard time going back to work. Eat more, you've lost weight. No food outside tastes as good as home-cooked meals, you need to eat more to nourish yourself."
Not to be outdone, Xia Shuyu quickly placed a piece of tempting braised pork on Xia Jianguo's plate with a bright smile, and asked, "Big brother, are you getting used to living at home? If there's anything that's not going well, be sure to tell us."
For a moment, everyone chatted amongst themselves, asking about Xia Wan's family's work and life in Harbin, their words filled with deep affection.
Some people were curious about the specifics of Xia Wan's work, some were concerned about her living conditions there, and others inquired about her usual leisure activities.
Faced with everyone's concern, Xia Wan responded with a polite smile and in an orderly manner.
Her voice was gentle, like a spring breeze, softly touching people's hearts.
She described her daily work there in a clear and organized manner, saying that although the work was busy, it was also fulfilling and interesting, and she had made many like-minded friends.
As she recounted these events, her eyes sparkled, as if recalling those beautiful moments, her heart filled with warmth.
But beneath her lowered eyes, her gaze remained fixed on every movement at the dinner table, not missing a single subtle expression or gesture.
She keenly observes everyone's emotional changes, like a seasoned hunter, always on guard.
At this moment, Zhao Guodong, who was sitting in the corner, rolled his eyes as if he was plotting something.
He put on a seemingly casual smile, but the smile seemed somewhat stiff, and spoke to Xia Xiong: "Dad, I recently heard that Director Guo, who opposed you, has stepped down. Has everything been taken care of?"
As he spoke, he seemed to be casually waving the chopsticks in his hand, but the movement was somewhat deliberate. His eyes were fixed on Xia Xiong, not missing any change in his expression. His eyes held a hint of probing and unease.
His heart was racing involuntarily, like an animal about to face danger, his nerves stretched to the limit.
Xia Xiong slowly put down his chopsticks, his movements steady, as if everything was under his control.
His eyes were calm and deep, revealing a composure and serenity that came with the passage of time.
He picked up the teacup beside him, took a small sip, and the tea flowed slowly down his throat, its aroma spreading in his mouth. He seemed to be using this moment to think about how to respond.
After a moment, he said calmly, "Well, he'll get his comeuppance. Although we have a grudge, I won't interfere in his affairs."
His tone was calm, yet it conveyed a clarity and open-mindedness that came with the passage of time, easily deflecting Zhao Guodong's probing.
His answer was concise and clear, leaving Zhao Guodong no room for further questions.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Guodong's heart tightened, and his hand holding the chopsticks unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning slightly white.
His face instantly turned pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He began to suspect that Xia Xiong already knew about his meeting with Guo Guanghua.
Since Guo Guanghua was arrested, his life has been like being mired in a quagmire, and his work has been frequently thwarted.
His once sure promotion opportunity vanished like a bubble. His former close colleagues now avoid him, their eyes filled with estrangement.
This series of changes made him very uneasy. He spent every day in anxiety, often waking up in the middle of the night with his back soaked in cold sweat.
He began to reflect on his actions and regretted getting involved with Guo Guanghua so easily, but it was too late to undo the damage.
Xia Wan had been silently observing everyone, like a calm bystander, taking in everything that happened at the dinner table.
She noticed that everyone else was immersed in the joy of family reunion during the Spring Festival, eating and chatting normally, sharing trivial and interesting things in their lives.
Some people were telling stories about what was happening in the village, while others were reminiscing about the good old days. Laughter and cheerful voices filled the house.
Only Zhao Guodong looked a little strange, his eyes darting around, occasionally stealing glances at Xia Xiong, like a frightened rabbit, tense at the slightest disturbance.
Xia Wan knew in her heart that Zhao Guodong must have some ulterior motives.
But she also had to consider her aunt, Xia Shuhua, after all, she was her family. She couldn't act impulsively and take action against Zhao Guodong, putting her aunt in a difficult position.
She pondered to herself how to uncover Zhao Guodong's secret without hurting her aunt's feelings.
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