Shen Ping nodded with an unnatural expression. "It won’t happen again..."
Hearing this, Ji Nian finally smiled.
"That’s good."
Her gaze then fell on Ma Xiaofei, whose tears kept streaming down her face. The girl looked exhausted from crying, her expression a mix of "How did things escalate like this?" and "How dare Shen Qingtang tattle on me?"
"Goodbye, human girl."
She hadn’t brought any diarrhea-inducing potion today, but she could always give it to her next time.
Ma Xiaofei: "......"
Dragged away forcibly by Shen Ping, the bodyguards no longer stopped them this time and let them leave.
Seeing that Shen Qingtang seemed to have something to discuss with her grandparents, Ji Nian also stepped out, leaving the space to them.
But as soon as she exited, she ran into Ji Tingzhou, who had just seen off some guests and, upon hearing Ji Nian was here, had come looking for her.
Spotting Shen Ping dragging a sobbing child, Ji Tingzhou frowned slightly—as if just glancing at them would make the kid’s snot teleport onto him.
Shen Ping froze when she saw Ji Tingzhou.
No introduction was needed. One look at his face was enough to confirm his identity.
After turning twelve, Ji Nian had gradually grown into her features. As a girl, her facial contours had softened and refined, making her increasingly beautiful.
But her features still unmistakably resembled Ji Tingzhou’s, just less angular. Anyone could tell at a glance that they were father and daughter.
"What’s going on?"
After a brief glance, Ji Tingzhou shifted his attention to Ji Nian, who was walking toward him.
He casually plucked the scrunchie from her hair—the one that looked like a sausage casing.
Don’t ask.
He just thought it was ugly.
Ji Nian was used to it. She’d forgotten where she got the scrunchie, but she found it practical. Ji Tingzhou, however, never missed a chance to complain that it resembled pig intestines.
"Well..."
She glanced at Shen Ping and Ma Xiaofei, then quickly summarized the situation in a hushed voice.
But she left out the part where Ma Xiaofei badmouthed Shen Rushan.
If Ji Tingzhou found out, he wouldn’t care that Ma Xiaofei was just a kid. Ji Nian also didn’t want to sour his mood.
She could handle this herself.
"Oh."
Ji Tingzhou clearly wasn’t interested.
Ji Nian thought, At least pretend to care, so Shen Ping knows the Ji family head stands with Shen Qingtang too.
She subtly pinched him.
Catching her hint, Ji Tingzhou reluctantly forced a smirk.
"How utterly despicable."
Shen Ping’s face paled.
She seemed about to drag her daughter over to say something, but Ji Tingzhou acted as if she didn’t exist, pulling Ji Nian away instead.
Faint traces of their conversation lingered in the air.
"If you keep wearing that ugly thing, I’ll shove your head into a toilet."
"Ooooh, I’m so scared~"
Shen Ping suddenly felt exhausted.
She’d only returned to the country briefly to settle her daughter’s school matters.
How had things spiraled so out of control?
Forget offending the Ji family—how was she supposed to face the elderly couple she regarded as her own parents now?
"How did you end up like this..."
Covering her face in despair, she looked at her daughter, who was still hiccuping from crying.
Ma Xiaofei heard her.
With her last ounce of strength, she wrenched her hand free and glared at her mother, eyes brimming with unmistakable hatred. "You’re asking me?"
"You dumped me in boarding school at five! Where were you when I cried myself to sleep at night?"
"Where were you when I got bullied for being Asian?"
"Too busy, always too busy! Throwing money at me like it fixes everything. If you’re so rich, why couldn’t you even buy me a 6-carat pink diamond?!"
With that, she bolted.
"Ma Xiaofei!"
Ignoring her mother’s shouts, Ma Xiaofei felt like the tragic heroine of a soap opera.
So tragic she wanted to post on social media: #ToxicFamily #WorstMomAward
Mid-thought, something caught her eye.
A large dog, seemingly just awake, was stretching nearby. Around its neck was a white collar with a massive pink diamond pendant, glinting brilliantly under the light.
Easily 25 carats.
25 carats...
Pink diamond...
Ma Xiaofei skidded to a halt, gaping.
Sensing her presence, the dog glanced her way.
She could’ve sworn it rolled its eyes before sauntering off.
Her lips trembled, and she burst into tears again.
Seriously? Even the dog bullies me.
...
"Dad, who was the guest today?"
The entourage had been huge, and Ji Tingzhou had personally escorted them out.
Glancing at his curious daughter, Ji Tingzhou uttered a name—one anyone who followed national affairs would recognize instantly from the news.
Ji Nian’s eyes widened.
"That... person came in person?"
Ji Tingzhou patted her head. "We just chatted briefly."
Ji Nian side-eyed him.
Yeah right. Those so-called "brief words" probably decided the fates of countless people.
"Uncle Chen Mo went to learn a new martial arts style. When he comes back, he’ll definitely challenge you again."
"After all these years, can’t you just let him win once?"
Two years ago, she’d accidentally seen Chen Mo’s eight-pack abs and nearly had a heart attack.
Ji Tingzhou smirked disdainfully. "Over my dead body."
Ji Nian: "......"
Men and their weird competitive streaks.
"Oh, Dad, do you have the contact info for that child psychologist I used to see?"
Shortly after transmigrating, Ji Nian had been caught in a terrorist attack with Ji Tingzhou. Worried about potential trauma, doctors had recommended regular sessions.
At her request, Ji Tingzhou paused mid-step.
Reading his look, she clarified before he could ask, "Not for me. A classmate."
"His family’s had some issues lately. I think he’s not doing well and want to suggest he sees someone."
Losing interest the moment he heard it wasn’t for her, Ji Tingzhou said, "Ask Zhiliao later. She has it."
Ji Nian nodded.
Ji Tingzhou had been meaning to ask about Lu Jinghuai. For some reason, the way that boy looked at Ji Nian unsettled him so much he’d nearly called Lu Zhi last night to demand he take his son back.
But before he could speak, Ji Nian’s phone rang.
Checking the caller ID, she waved at him and ran off to answer.
She never used to hide her calls from him.
Watching her retreating figure, Ji Tingzhou felt an inexplicable pang of sourness.
Wei Yang passed by and couldn’t resist patting his shoulder. "Empty nest syndrome, huh?"
Without looking, Ji Tingzhou grabbed his arm and flipped him onto his back, then stomped hard on his rear.
"OW! BROTHER! I WAS WRONG, I WAS WRONG!"
Hearing the commotion, Ji Nian glanced back mid-call and shook her head in resignation.
Honestly, they're already grown men, yet these two brothers still love fooling around like kids.
"I heard what you said," Gu Xiuyuan's voice came through the phone.
"I'm still at Hainuo, but Yang Xinyu seems a bit off lately..."
