The next day, Xia Yuhuan woke up early. First, she ran three laps around the compound, then practiced Tai Chi in the yard.
Although the original owner’s body had never been specifically trained, she had grown up in the countryside.
Although her grandfather doted on her, he hadn’t spoiled her into a useless person who couldn’t carry anything or do any work.
He always had her do some farm work and tasks in the vegetable garden.
He would also take her along when gathering Medicine in the mountains, never indulging her.
So the original owner’s physical condition was quite good.
Therefore, Xia Yuhuan couldn’t understand how the original owner could have been angered to death by her biological father, whom she had just been reunited with.
She already had a grandfather who treated her so well, making up for the lack of parental love—what more did the original owner have to be dissatisfied about?
If her biological father treated her poorly, she could just go back and live with her grandfather. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t survive without her father.
“Tch, Xia Yuhuan, your taste is really something special. You actually like things old people do. How bizarre,” Xia Zhuyu said mockingly upon seeing Xia Yuhuan practicing Tai Chi after she got up.
Xia Yuhuan wasn’t intimidated and retorted sharply, “You’re such a soft, useless person who relies on the family for everything. Besides that mouth of yours, there’s nothing else about you that moves.”
Xia Zhuyu was taken aback for a moment before realizing Xia Yuhuan was calling her brainless, which infuriated her.
“Xia Yuhuan, you bitch! Just you wait, I’m coming down right now. I’m going to tear you apart!”
Xia Zhuyu stormed down from upstairs in a rage.
Before she could reach Xia Yuhuan, someone called out from outside the gate.
“Hello, does Xia Yuhuan live here?”
Xia Zhuyu looked up and saw a middle-aged man in military uniform.
She recognized him—Zhao Desheng, who was in the same military district as her father and currently competing for the same promotion position.
Why was Zhao Desheng looking for Xia Yuhuan?
Could that bitch Xia Yuhuan be colluding with her father’s competitor to harm him?
No, probably not. If Xia Yuhuan really wanted to conspire with someone to do something bad, she wouldn’t have them come to the house.
Wouldn’t that just expose her directly?
Before Xia Zhuyu could figure it out, an elderly woman emerged from behind Zhao Desheng.
She waved at Xia Yuhuan, smiling, “Xia Yuhuan, I’ve come to see you.”
Xia Yuhuan then realized it was the old lady she had saved yesterday who had come to visit her.
The one who had spoken earlier must be her son.
Xia Yuhuan smiled and quickly went forward to open the gate.
“Grandma, what brings you here? How are you feeling? Any discomfort left?” Xia Yuhuan asked.
“None at all. After your treatment yesterday, I felt much better. I even managed to sleep through the night for the first time in a long while. So, I came early this morning to thank you,” the old lady said cheerfully.
In fact, she had wanted to come last night, but Zhao Desheng hadn’t allowed it. Today, he had finally given in after she pestered him relentlessly.
As they were talking, Xia Zhuyu had already gone inside to fetch Xia Jianyong and Li Rouyue.
When Xia Jianyong saw Zhao Desheng, a flicker of darkness passed through his eyes.
“Well, Advisor Zhao, what brings you to my humble abode today? It’s so early in the morning, and I didn’t get any advance notice. I’m afraid my hospitality might be lacking.”
Though Xia Jianyong sounded polite, every word implied that Zhao Desheng’s uninvited visit was impolite.
Even before arriving, Zhao Desheng knew that coming to the Xia family would inevitably subject him to humiliation from Xia Jianyong.
This was precisely why he had been unwilling to come yesterday.
But who could blame him? Xia Jianyong had raised such an admirable daughter.
Xia Jianyong’s daughter had saved his mother’s life, and because of that, he was forced to lower his head in front of Xia Jianyong—an unchangeable fact.
“It was indeed presumptuous of me to come unannounced. My main purpose in visiting today is to express my gratitude to Comrade Xia,” Zhao Desheng said expressionlessly.
“Gratitude? For what?” Xia Jianyong frowned and looked at Xia Yuhuan.
Meanwhile, Li Rouyue spoke gently from the side, “Advisor Zhao, please don’t stand at the door. Come in with the elderly lady and have a seat.”
Once everyone was seated inside, Zhao Desheng placed the gifts he had brought on the table and briefly explained the reason for his visit.
“Comrade Xia, thank you for saving my mother yesterday. A life-saving favor is beyond repayment. If there is ever anything you need from me in the future, just say the word. Whatever I can do, I will not refuse,” Zhao Desheng said solemnly.
Only then did Xia Jianyong realize that Xia Yuhuan had saved Zhao Desheng’s mother the day before.
Although he didn’t know the specifics, the fact that Zhao Desheng owed Xia Yuhuan a favor meant he owed him one as well—undoubtedly a favorable turn of events.
Before Xia Yuhuan could respond, Xia Jianyong eagerly interjected, “This matter is easily settled. As the old saying goes, ‘Saving a life is greater than building a seven-story pagoda.’ Yuhuan acted out of pure kindness, without expecting anything in return. She truly is a good child, hehe.”
Zhao Desheng nodded slightly. “Advisor Xia, having such an outstanding daughter is a blessing. It’s truly enviable.”
“Of course! I’ve always believed my daughter is exceptional. Ever since she returned home, my luck has improved. Even the problems I couldn’t solve before seem easier now. Don’t you agree, Advisor Zhao?” Xia Jianyong remarked with a meaningful tone.
“Yes,” Zhao Desheng replied, suppressing his frustration.
While Xia Yuhuan was engaged in conversation with Grandma Zhao, she kept an ear on the exchange between Xia Jianyong and Zhao Desheng. Noticing that Xia Jianyong clearly had the upper hand, she narrowed her eyes slightly.
Xia Jianyong and Zhao Desheng knew each other, and both held advisory positions. Could they be rivals?
Originally, they might have been evenly matched, or perhaps Xia Jianyong was at a disadvantage. But now, because she had saved Grandma Zhao, Zhao Desheng was forced to yield to Xia Jianyong out of respect for her life-saving act, putting him at a disadvantage.
How could this be allowed?
She was determined to bring down Xia Jianyong—how could she let him benefit from her actions and gain an advantage?
She had to find a way to stir up trouble!
Outwardly, Xia Yuhuan remained calm, but her mind was already racing with schemes.
After sitting for a while, Zhao Desheng and Grandma Zhao prepared to leave.
Grandma Zhao had taken a strong liking to Xia Yuhuan and held her hand, repeatedly urging her, “Xia, please visit this old woman more often. Keep me company and chat with me. I’ve always wanted a lovely granddaughter, but my son gave me three grandsons in a row—it nearly drove me mad…”
Grandma Zhao feigned exasperation.
Xia Yuhuan glanced sideways at Xia Jianyong, who wore a constipated expression, and nearly burst out laughing.
Xia Jianyong had always wanted a son to inherit his legacy but had never succeeded.
Grandma Zhao’s words might have been sincere—she genuinely wished for a granddaughter—but to Xia Jianyong, they felt like salt being rubbed into his wounds.
Though Xia Jianyong was far from a decent man—having mistreated the original wife, the birth mother of Xia Zhuyu—he was deeply devoted to Li Rouyue. Over the many years they had been together, they only had one daughter, Xia Zhuyu, and Xia Jianyong never abandoned Li Rouyue for someone else.
Li Rouyue had been pregnant once before, but she suffered a miscarriage in the eighth month. The baby, also a girl, did not survive.
After that miscarriage, Li Rouyue’s health was compromised, and she had been recuperating ever since, unable to conceive again.
Not having a son was a sore spot for Xia Jianyong, and Grandma Zhao had perfectly struck a nerve.
Zhao Desheng was aware of this situation—what was sweet to one could be poison to another, as the saying goes.
He quickly pulled his elderly mother aside and forced an awkward smile. “Advisor Xia, please don’t take it to heart. My mother was just speaking offhand. We’ll be on our way now.”
With that, he hurriedly led Grandma Zhao away.
Only after they had disappeared from sight did Xia Jianyong begin cursing under his breath—and his words were exceptionally foul.