"Fine, you asked for it!" Xia Jianguo threw down these words, clutching his wound with one hand and grabbing his bag with the other as he left the house.
The villa returned to silence once more.
Song Juan's face showed deep fatigue, and she sighed long and hard, "Ah Mian, if Xia Jianguo really said something, don't believe it."
Xia Mian lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
From Xia Jianguo's words, did it mean she wasn't his biological daughter?
This would explain why in the previous life Xia Jianguo did such things to her without any hint of parental affection.
"Mom, don't worry, he wouldn't dare to say nonsense." Xia Mian's voice was gentle, her tone soothing, "Whatever he does, it's just futile struggle."
Xia Mian lowered her head, picked up the spoon, and scooped a spoonful of soup. The rich chicken soup was fragrant, and she hadn't tasted this flavor for too long; she didn't want to lose it again no matter what.
Somehow, Xia Mian's words seemed to have a special magic, putting Song Juan's mind at ease significantly.
"Mom, when grandpa and grandma had their accident, did Xia Jianguo exhibit any unusual behavior?" Xia Mian pushed away the bowl and chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
"You suspect..." Song Juan was surprised, lifting her head to look at Xia Mian, disbelief in her eyes, "Suspect that he was involved?"
"Mom, grandpa and grandma had no illnesses, they were healthy and strong. If not for that car accident, they should have enjoyed their days to the fullest!" Xia Mian squinted slightly, holding a breath of anger within.
Song Juan was stunned for a moment, seemed to suddenly come to a realization, and her expression changed dramatically, "Yes, during those few days when grandpa and grandma had their accident, he was indeed acting somewhat out of the ordinary!"
Regrettably, at that time Song Juan thought that Xia Jianguo had gone to such lengths, was without suspicion, and had never given it much thought!
Xia Mian received confirmation of her suspicions, increasing her resentment towards Xia Jianguo.
Even though grandpa and grandma might have been hard on Xia Jianguo before, but after he entered the Song Family, grandpa and grandma treated him quite well!
Yet, even so, Xia Jianguo still killed grandpa and grandma...
"Even if we suspect his involvement, I'm afraid we won't find any evidence." Song Juan sighed helplessly, "It's been so many years, the truck driver who collided with your grandpa and grandma died long ago..."
Xia Mian added, "Yes, there's no testimony or proof now, even if we suspect, it's useless. Xia Jianguo's tactics are indeed brilliant!"
That truck driver left a vague impression on Xia Mian; scruffy beard, fierce appearance, taken away for investigation by the police after the accident, suddenly fell ill that night, and couldn't be saved at the hospital.
"How can things in this world be so coincidental?" Xia Mian murmured softly, curling her lips into a smile, "A healthy person, with no medical history, suddenly falls ill and dies?"
Being told this by Xia Mian, Song Juan felt chilled to the bone, terrified upon reflection.
If that truck driver was also killed by Xia Jianguo, then what kind of thing has she been sleeping beside all these years!?
Thinking back to the words Xia Jianguo said to her, Song Juan shivered again.
At that time Xia Jianguo said, "Juan'er, that person cost you your parents, now he's dead from illness, it's just recompense, serves him right!"
Immersed in grief at the time, Song Juan didn't feel there was anything wrong with these words, but thinking about it now, it was clearly Xia Jianguo silencing a witness!
Song Juan's breathing became urgent, her vision blackened, and she fainted.
"Mom!" Xia Mian panicked and hurried to hold Song Juan.
She knew beforehand Song Juan wouldn't be able to take it, she shouldn't have said anything...
Luckily, after wandering through Three Thousand Worlds and back, Xia Mian was equipped with various talents, medicine being one of them.
After simply pressing a few acupuncture points, Song Juan slowly awoke.
However, her complexion was still very poor.
"Mom, don't think too much. He has done so much evil, he will face retribution." Xia Mian supported Song Juan to stand, "I'll take you back to your room to rest."
Song Juan murmured in agreement, letting Xia Mian assist her back to the room. After settling Song Juan in, Xia Mian turned and walked into the study, not coming out for the entire night.
****
The next day, Xia Mian got up early and prepared breakfast for Song Juan. Song Juan cherished tranquility, and the household did not employ servants. Even though they were affluent, she always preferred handling things personally.
After making the meal, Xia Mian didn't disturb Song Juan, leaving a note for her, and took her backpack out the door.
She was eighteen, in her first year of university, attending a university near her home, which is why Xia Mian would return to accompany Song Juan on weekends.
On her eighteenth birthday, she specially took a day off to go shopping with her mom, only to unexpectedly see Xia Jianguo, who should have been busy at the office, cozied up closely with Han Xi on the commercial street!
On her eighteenth birthday, she didn't receive her father's companionship or gifts; instead, she personally witnessed his betrayal, framed by the mistress and landed in the hospital...
Fortunately, this restart wasn't too bad; there was still a chance to salvage everything.
The university coursework wasn't heavy. In fact, considering Xia Mian's capabilities now, she didn't really need to attend classes. But the necessary procedures still had to be completed.
After all, Xia Jianguo was about to be expelled from the Song Family, and someone needed to support the family business.
Xia Mian chose finance as her major to contribute to Song Family's company in the future, and now it coincidentally served as preparation for ousting Xia Jianguo.
Upon reaching the university, Xia Mian didn't go straight to class but headed to the principal's office to explain her request.
Upon hearing Xia Mian's request, the principal's face fell as he scolded, "Nonsense!"
Though Xia Mian had good grades, she was still just a freshman, how could she demand graduation as soon as she started her studies?
"Principal, I'm not being unreasonable. You can have professors and mentors test me to see if I qualify for graduation. If they personally examine me and find I'm not worthy, I won't mention graduation again in the future." Xia Mian didn't abandon her idea because of the principal's attitude.
Having ventured through Three Thousand Worlds, Xia Mian had learned more than enough—truly, more than enough!
The principal still regarded Xia Mian's thoughts as far-fetched.
Their university, being a domestic top-tier institution, admitted only the best students.
Even though Xia Mian's foundation wasn't weak, she was still three years short of completing the coursework, and wanting to graduate now seemed like a madman's dream, right?
"Student Xia Mian, don't mention graduation ahead of time, it's ridiculous. Go back to class!" The principal advised patiently but firmly.
Xia Mian stood unmoved, "Principal, take a look at this!"
Saying this, Xia Mian pulled out a folder from her backpack, "This is my thesis, please check it."
Skeptically, the principal took the folder from Xia Mian.
After reading just two lines, his expression shifted from carelessness to seriousness.