"Ji Nian, come take your cat away—its paws are in my ink!"
As the New Year approached, Gu Xiuyuan's grandmother was sent to a warmer climate for recuperation due to health reasons, and Gu Jing accompanied her.
Left alone in the Gu household for the holidays, Gu Xiuyuan found it too dull, so Ji Nian invited him over. In the past, he’d always been dragged around by Gu Jing to various events with no time to rest. This rare break was a welcome change.
Hearing him call her name, Ji Nian—who was in the middle of a game with Shen Qingtang—spared a glance. A one-eyed kitten, picked up by Ji Tingzhou years ago, was batting at the ink Gu Xiuyuan was using to write Spring Festival couplets, its fur now stained black.
Ji Nian yawned. "That’s my dad’s cat."
Still, she set down the controller, stood up, and carried the cat away.
The cat, suddenly airborne, flailed its paws and twisted its head to look at Ji Nian, meowing at her. When Ji Tingzhou first brought it home, it was tiny and filthy. Now, after years of care, its fur was sleek, and it had plumped up nicely.
It was clingy too, especially fond of trailing after Ji Tingzhou. But Ji Tingzhou avoided touching it because of the fur, only allowing it to follow him around.
"Ding Ding, be good. Go play somewhere else—don’t annoy Uncle Ox."
Hearing the nickname, Shen Qingtang burst into laughter.
Gu Xiuyuan’s face darkened.
"Ox" was bad enough, but why "Uncle"?
He was writing couplets by the window, while Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian sat cross-legged on the carpet, resuming their game. The cat was taken away to have its paws cleaned, and Gu Xiuyuan got fresh ink.
Soon, someone knocked and entered.
The three turned to see Zhiliao walking in with attendants.
"Lunch will take a bit longer. If you’re hungry, have some snacks first."
She gestured for the servants to bring the treats over.
In unison, the three chimed, "Thank you, Sister Zhiliao."
A little later, Wei Yang dropped by.
"You’ve written so much already. Aren’t you tired? Come on, let’s go play ball."
Glancing at Gu Xiuyuan’s work, he couldn’t judge the quality of the calligraphy but thought it looked impressive. He slung an arm around Gu Xiuyuan’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
"Hey, these muscles aren’t bad. Starting to smell like a man, huh?"
Gu Xiuyuan, who had set down his brush the moment Wei Yang entered, nodded modestly. "It’s alright."
Wei Yang had practically watched him grow up. Remembering the little kid who used to scold Ji Nian for climbing trees, he felt a sudden pang of nostalgia.
He must seem the same way to Ji Tingzhou.
"Wei Yang, find someone else to play with. He sprained his ankle a few days ago—the doctor said no strenuous exercise."
Ji Nian, nibbling on a cake fork, tossed the remark over her shoulder.
Disappointed, Wei Yang had no choice but to look for another opponent.
"Why isn’t that little blondie here…?"
What a perfect chance to wipe the floor with that guy.
At the mention of Lu Jinghuai, Gu Xiuyuan’s expression turned complicated. "Uncle Lu is overseas Chinese. His family still celebrates the New Year—they went back to Country O for the reunion."
Wei Yang left regretfully, but not before asking how Gu Xiuyuan hurt his ankle.
Before Gu Xiuyuan could answer, Shen Qingtang muttered, "Fell off his shoes."
Wei Yang: ?
Gu Xiuyuan abandoned his calligraphy and lunged at Shen Qingtang.
The room was full of throw pillows, and the two hurled them at each other like windmills.
One nearly flattened Ji Nian’s snacks.
Dodging, Ji Nian shook her head. [These two grown men are still so childish.]
Seeing the battle wouldn’t end soon, she sneaked out with her food, planning to see what Sister Zhiliao was up to and offer help.
After searching, she found Zhiliao in the room next to hers.
Inside, Zhiliao sat on the sofa, needle and thread in hand, mending Ji Nian’s giant egg plushie on her lap.
Last night, the stitching on its belly had split. Ji Nian meant to fix it herself, but an urgent video conference about a pre-launch product issue at Azure Biotech demanded her attention. By the time the meeting ended at dawn, she’d forgotten all about it.
It was only when Ji Tingzhou, fetching water, noticed her light still on and came to shoo her to bed that he took over.
The exhausted but determined employees watched Ji Nian leave, only for a man who looked strikingly like her to appear on-screen. Instantly, they were wide awake—more effective than menthol.
Their inner monologues screamed: [You can DO that?!]
This was like switching from a weak gaming alt to a max-level main. Why didn’t they have parents like this?!
Which was why Ji Nian forgot about the plushie.
"Sister Zhiliao."
Ji Nian scooted over, nestling against her shoulder.
Reaching for scissors, Zhiliao ruffled the girl’s hair.
"Done gaming?"
"Yep. Shen Qingtang and Gu Xiuyuan are having a pillow fight, so I left."
Watching those hands—usually wielding knives or guns—now deftly sewing her toy, Ji Nian felt warmth bloom in her chest. She nuzzled Zhiliao like an affectionate puppy.
Amused, Zhiliao said, "Don’t slack on training just because it’s the New Year. I’ve seen Gu Xiuyuan’s skills. You two spar tonight."
"If you can’t take him down in three moves, Xiao Fang will supervise your extra sessions after the holidays."
Ji Nian: "……"
Clutching her egg plushie, Ji Nian trudged back, dejected.
Shen Qingtang and Gu Xiuyuan had calmed down, and the scattered pillows were back in place—likely the work of servants, since the pair’s combined housekeeping skills were worse than a hemorrhoid.
Just as she entered, someone else opened the door.
"Uncle Ji."
Gu Xiuyuan and Shen Qingtang greeted in unison.
Ji Nian eyed them, detecting an uncharacteristic "well-behaved" vibe.
"What’s up?"
Ji Tingzhou asked, "Where’s my lotus-patterned cup? The one you took last time."
He’d brought out the set today, only to find a piece missing—triggering his OCD. After a moment’s thought, he knew only Ji Nian would’ve taken it.
"The celadon one, right? It’s in my room."
Ji Tingzhou motioned for a servant to fetch it.
As Ji Nian stepped forward, Ji Tingzhou suddenly stuck out a foot to trip her.
Ji Nian: "……"
Really, Ji Tingzhou?
Ji Tingzhou shot her a provocative look.
Ungrateful brat. Forgotten your old man already, huh? The moment Shen Qingtang and Gu Xiuyuan showed up this morning, you didn’t even say good morning.
Clueless about his grievances, Ji Nian asked, "Did someone throw chicken poop at you or something?"
Ji Tingzhou’s gaze drifted meaningfully toward Gu Xiuyuan.
"Maybe cow dung."
Gu Xiuyuan: "……?"
