Compared to the dusty footprint on Ji Tingzhou's pants, the meaning behind his words struck Bruce like a thunderbolt—
His earlier urge to flee shattered instantly under that statement. Bruce leaned against a nearby cabinet, staring dumbfounded at the little girl across the room.
Ji Tingzhou clicked his tongue and tapped Ji Nian’s forehead through her bangs. "Who told you that growing up means you can kick your dad?"
Seeing his bandaged hand, Ji Nian’s mood soured further. "You already know."
He ruffled her hair instead. "Mhm."
"You’ve grown."
His voice carried a hint of pride, though his emerald-green eyes held a trace of regret.
At such a pivotal moment, he hadn’t been by her side.
The celebration she deserved had also been postponed for various reasons.
"Does it still hurt?"
Knowing exactly what he meant, Ji Nian deliberately scowled. "Yeah. It hurts like hell."
Ji Tingzhou bent down, grabbed her hand, and pressed it against his own neck, giving her a sidelong glance. "Go on. Strangle me back."
Ji Nian didn’t hold back—she squeezed hard, even jumping up to add more force, gritting her teeth for good measure.
"You finally decided to come back!"
"Why not stay in Tinglan forever? Weren’t you avoiding me? What are you doing here now?"
"Cough… cough…"
Covering his neck, Ji Tingzhou hadn’t expected her to actually try patricide. Tears welled up at the corners of his eyes from the strain.
"Don’t be mad. It’s my fault."
His voice hoarse, Ji Tingzhou smoothed her hair, his tone unexpectedly gentle, his gaze clear and steady.
Seeing him looking better than the last time they’d met, Ji Nian felt both relieved and conflicted.
Relieved that he’d finally shaken off his previous unstable state, but conflicted because the reason for his improvement was someone else’s medicine.
Father and daughter hadn’t seen each other in a while, and with so much unresolved between them, this wasn’t the place for a heart-to-heart.
Not with a certain blue-eyed tomato still standing there, frozen in a "Who am I? Where am I? Is the world insane?" expression.
"Let’s move somewhere else."
Ji Nian removed her gloves, turned to give Bruce some instructions—telling him to stay put and warning him about what he could and couldn’t touch in the lab.
Hearing her call his name, Bruce’s heart skipped, and despite his mental chaos, he nodded obediently.
What right did he have to argue… with his fourteen-year-old teacher.
Just thinking about that title made his soul leave his body.
This is madness… absolute madness…
Ji Nian changed clothes, tidied up, and went to find Ji Tingzhou.
He was sitting in the lounge where Bruce had first entered, sprawled on the sofa, flipping through the notes Ji Nian had left behind.
And enjoying them, no less.
Ji Nian sat across from him, even brewing her father a cup of black tea—only to be met with his predictable complaint that it was too weak.
It hadn’t been that long, but hearing his nitpicking again felt oddly nostalgic.
Ji Tingzhou’s nose twitched. Just from the scent, he scoffed. "The blond kid gave this to you."
His tone left no room for doubt.
Ji Nian thought, Damn bloodhound…
The tea had been a gift from Lu Jinghuai after she’d visited his home and liked it. She’d brought the tin to the lab’s lounge.
Knowing this topic could spiral, Ji Nian cut straight to the point. "Dad, what you mentioned earlier…?"
Her eyes narrowed as a sudden realization hit. She looked up, searching Ji Tingzhou’s face for confirmation.
His daughter was far sharper than he’d ever imagined. Even when hallucinations had tormented him, she’d seamlessly taken on responsibilities and single-handedly bargained with Ji Xi for thirty vials of medicine.
Maybe it was her upbringing, but Ji Nian wasn’t the type to wait for shelter—she charged headfirst into storms.
"Ji Wanting."
"I’ve mentioned that name to you before."
Hearing those three syllables, Ji Nian’s pupils constricted.
She knew.
Oh, she knew. That name was practically legendary.
At an auction in Y country, Ji Nian had once watched a painting Ji Wanting made at fifteen sell for a staggering 360 million to a collector.
Her artistry eclipsed even her renowned beauty.
But to Ji Nian, Ji Wanting was mostly a shadowy figure.
"She’s not dead. Ji Xi is probably her creation."
He doubted Ji Wanting could still bear children—more likely, science was involved.
Ji Nian blinked in surprise but accepted it quickly.
Ji Tingzhou then briefed her on Mu Xiu, the true mastermind behind the organization "Crow."
His explanation was concise. When he mentioned Mu Xiu’s significance to "that lady," Ji Nian’s expression faltered.
"…Could it be related to their experiments?"
That was the only thing Ji Nian could think of that would interest someone of that status.
Ji Tingzhou’s brow lifted approvingly. "Smart girl."
With Ji Wanting and Mu Xiu behind Ji Xi, and the lady’s sudden shift from indifference to ambiguous support, something had clearly changed behind the scenes.
"Right Two’s still missing. I asked Wei Yang to send people after him."
If Right Two returned, they could uncover Crow’s experiments.
But that would take time—time Ji Tingzhou didn’t have.
His plan to capture Ji Xi would also accelerate Ji Nian’s research.
Time was what she needed most now…
And Ji Tingzhou knew it. They couldn’t afford to waste any opportunity to speed things up.
But to catch Ji Xi, they first had to deal with the commander protecting him.
"But Dad, how do we contact Commander Yu?"
Ji Tingzhou smiled faintly, emerald eyes glinting with amusement.
"For that, we’ll need Tiao Tiao."
...
"You’re not dead."
The moment Chen Mo walked in and saw Ji Tingzhou unharmed, those five words were the only thing written on his handsome face.
What a pity. He’d already prepared to take the kid in.
"Our Nian’s all grown up. Anything you want as a gift?"
Lately, every time Chen Mo saw her, he’d sigh about how much she’d matured, showering her with presents.
Ji Nian gestured for him to sit. Time was short, so after brief pleasantries, she got to the point.
"Uncle, can you reach Commander Yu?"
Hearing the name, Chen Mo’s smile didn’t waver. "He used to be a regular at Vengeance."
Client identities were top secret, but he had no reason to hide it from Ji Nian.
"The man was desperate. Bought all kinds of medicine from me for his sick wife."
Though Vengeance mainly dealt in toxins, they also sold legitimate remedies.
No further explanation was needed. Chen Mo already had an inkling of her plan.
Clearly, such a bold idea didn’t seem like something a child could decide on their own. He tilted his head to glance at Ji Tingzhou, who was admiring his wristwatch across from him.
With both paws wrapped in bandages, thick as pig’s trotters, what was there to admire?
Chen Mo shifted his gaze back and gently pinched the child’s cheek. “Alright, I’ll help you arrange it, Uncle promises.”
…Then maybe he could seize this chance to catch a glimpse of the true face of the Ji family’s elusive pharmacist.
