Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
It was almost time for school to start again.
After the break, Ji Nian had signed up for an exchange program and was scheduled to spend a week at Hainuo Academy.
Initially, she had only applied because of Ji Xi, but now that Ji Xi was gone, the idea of being an exchange student didn’t seem as appealing.
Still, since she’d already registered, Ji Nian couldn’t be bothered to back out.
Meanwhile—
In the class group chat, students were buzzing about the upcoming exchange student from S High. Some who were close with the teachers had already gotten the name: Ji Nian.
At the sight of that name, Ma Xiaofei (the daughter of Shen Qingtang’s aunt) let out a disdainful scoff.
"How annoying. It’s pronounced the same as that person. Just seeing it pisses me off."
‘My classmate said she might be Ji Tingzhou’s daughter.’
‘My cousin goes to S High, and he said Ji Tingzhou once pretended to be a random parent at a school meeting—apparently, she looks just like him.’
‘That’s old news. My friend even saw Ji Tingzhou pick her up from school.’
The chatter continued. Regardless of the rumors, no one wanted to offend this Ji Nian, even if students from Hainuo and S High generally couldn’t stand each other.
Especially after that incident where the S High student council president had personally led a group to corner Hainuo students.
Most didn’t know the full story, but everyone had heard about it.
Ma Xiaofei snorted, straightened up, and started typing furiously.
‘Stop making stuff up. I’ve met Ji Tingzhou’s actual daughter. Who even fakes their identity for clout these days?’
The moment Ma Xiaofei spoke up, the chat fell silent.
Though she had transferred in midway and had a prickly personality, she was rich and generous—plenty of classmates stuck close to her for that.
Given her family background, and the fact that she’d previously mentioned being related to the Ji family (even visiting their home), many took her word as gospel.
That Ji Nian was probably a fraud.
Well, if that was the case, why hold back? Once the S High kids showed up, they’d get what was coming to them!
...
The night before school started, Ji Nian flopped onto her dad’s lap, demanding he film a video for her.
Ji Tingzhou looked baffled.
What kind of nonsense video? No way.
"All the other parents film stuff for their kids! Why won’t you? Do you have another kid out there or something?!"
Ji Nian sprang up, hands on her hips, and kicked her dad’s shin where it rested against the sofa.
Ji Tingzhou: "……"
Years of raising this little gremlin had taught him one thing: resistance was futile.
"...Fine. What do you want me to say?"
He set aside the documents in his hands and motioned for her to sit next to him.
Thrilled at his surrender, Ji Nian plopped down and shoved her phone in his face, already on the recording screen.
"Say: ‘I’m Ji Tingzhou, and I don’t agree with school starting.’"
System: Now this is what connections are for.
Ji Tingzhou glanced at his reflection on the screen.
Dressed in linen loungewear, his hair neatly in place, his striking emerald-green eyes stood out under the light—though the camera angle was atrocious.
He reached over, adjusted Ji Nian’s phone higher, then tilted it down slightly.
There. Much better.
More slimming.
"I’m Ji Tingzhou, and I don’t agree with school starting."
Arms crossed, he recited the line with all the enthusiasm of a hostage video.
Half an hour later—
Right after dinner, when most people were scrolling through short videos, viewers were abruptly captivated by a face rarely seen outside the entertainment industry.
"I’m Ji Tingzhou, and I don’t agree with school starting."
The absurdity of a ridiculously handsome man reluctantly parroting a viral meme was too much.
Then the screen cut to a dog with the same man’s facial features superimposed.
Its gaze was downright menacing.
Silence. Then a bright, childish voice off-camera: "This is a dog."
"I’m not blind."
"Then say it!"
"...I’m… Da Dan… I don’t agree with school starting."
"Louder, Dad! I couldn’t hear you!"
The dog’s green eyes shot a glare at the speaker.
The girl’s voice instantly backtracked. "Okay, okay, next one!"
This time, the man’s face was pasted onto a sunflower swaying wildly in the wind.
"I’m a sunflower, and I don’t agree with school starting."
No prompting needed this time—he rushed through the line, desperate to get it over with.
"I’m an alien, and I don’t agree with school starting."
"I’m Xiao Fu, and I don’t agree with school starting."
"...How many more?"
"Just one! Last one, I promise!"
"...I’m the sole of a foot, and I don’t agree with school starting. Happy now?"
"Yep! Thanks, Dad!"
The video ended, leaving viewers grinning.
Who knew such a young-looking guy was already a dad?
Some were about to check the comments when the like count made them do a double take.
Five… million?!
Sure, the video was cute and the trend was hot, but this viral? Then again, the guy was unfairly attractive.
Confused, they tapped the comments—only to be met with the top reply:
‘Never thought I’d live to see Ji Tingzhou pop up on my feed…’
For many, the name rang a bell but didn’t quite click until they scrolled further and saw the explanations.
‘The Ji family?! He’s this young?? Now I have a face for all my CEO romance novel heroes!’
‘This is Ji Tingzhou’s daughter’s account!’
‘Why is the dog named Da Dan?’
‘Reply: Pretty sure Ji Tingzhou once posted about his dog. Da Dan must be its name. So hilariously unglamorous lol’
‘Rich people dad-daughter dynamics are just like ours?? My life is a lie.’
‘The one thing me and the heiress have in common: dreading school.’
‘Their bickering is adorable! Ji Nian, don’t you remember me? When we were kids, you played at your house, and I played at mine!’
‘Took me one second to guess who forced this video into existence.’
‘All those influencers cosplaying as rich heiresses—take notes!’
‘Welp. Connections really do work.’
‘Petition for Ji Tingzhou to have a second kid. I volunteer as tribute.’
Within half an hour, the likes doubled from five million to ten. When Ji Nian finally checked the video’s stats, she nearly thought she’d miscounted.
Ten million likes?!
Meanwhile, Zuo Yi had just stepped out of the shower to find his phone blown up with calls.
The most persistent? The principal of Hainuo Academy—where Ji Nian was about to start her exchange program.
Odd. School hadn’t even begun yet, and the principal was calling at this hour?
Prioritizing Ji Nian’s affairs over company matters, he called back immediately.
The principal picked up on the first ring.
"Secretary Zuo."
"Principal. What’s the matter?"
The principal sounded apologetic for the late intrusion, but this couldn’t wait.
"This is the situation, Secretary Zuo Yi. Does Mr. Ji Tingzhou... have any dissatisfaction with our school's opening date?"
Zuo Yi was momentarily puzzled.
What could there possibly be to complain about?
Earlier that day at the Ji residence, Ji Tingzhou had been in high spirits, even planning to celebrate Ji Nian's first day of school tomorrow.
Of course, Zuo Yi couldn’t be entirely sure there wouldn’t be any last-minute changes, but it was already so late. He didn’t dare disturb Ji Tingzhou directly and was about to call Ji Nian instead (the young mistress was far more approachable than her father).
Just then, a video notification popped up.
Recognizing a familiar keyword, Zuo Yi instinctively clicked on it.
An unmistakably familiar face filled the screen, leaving him utterly speechless.
There was no need to guess who had filmed this.
"Hello, Principal."
"Ah, that video was just our young lady fooling around—nothing serious. Everything will proceed as scheduled tomorrow."
Secretary Zuo Yi spent a considerable amount of time explaining before the principal finally understood it was merely an internet trend, with no hidden implications.
While Zuo Yi was busy clarifying things to multiple parties, Ji Nian’s phone was also blowing up.
Her classmates had forwarded the video to their group chat, tagging her directly:
‘Ji Nian, isn’t this your voice?’
