A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 246

Though it was his own joke, He Xiang felt quite embarrassed after saying it and lowered his head in silence.

To encourage him, Ji Nian and Shen Qingtang promptly praised his joke as hilarious.

Ji Nian even asked him, "What color do you like? Leave it to me and Shen Qingtang."

After the playful banter, the delivery Shen Qingtang had ordered arrived.

The stall owner, who had wandered off to the neighboring stall, was lured back by the tantalizing aroma.

Taking in the exquisitely presented, undoubtedly expensive dishes and then glancing at Shen Qingtang's outfit, they remarked, "This really is the most in-character episode yet."

After the meal, the group spent the rest of the afternoon playing together.

By the time they headed back, Ji Nian was completely slumped in her seat, still finding the energy to pester her dad.

"So tired, Dad. If only someone would randomly give me 100,000 to ease the exhaustion..."

"No reply? Hmph. Men, you’ve changed."

"Dad, you really raised me poorly."

Ji Tingzhou stepped out of the shower, nearly deafened by the incessant buzzing of his phone.

He didn’t even need to look to know it was Ji Nian.

No one else would dare harass him like this.

Even Wei Yang only threw tantrums when he wanted money.

Great. A quick scan confirmed most of it was nonsense.

He’d initially planned to ask if she was done playing, but clearly, that wasn’t necessary.

After all, she only remembered she had a father once the fun was over.

Ji Tingzhou: "Hah. Women."

Ji ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‍Nian, upon receiving the message: "?"

She sent him a photo she’d taken with everyone earlier.

"Pretty, right~"

The photo, taken by a passerby at the venue entrance, showed the four of them lined up like a family portrait. Ji Nian stood at the front, while the other three smiled behind her.

Ji Tingzhou opened it and chuckled.

"Your 80th birthday?"

Ji Nian: "……"

Now that she looked again, it did kind of resemble that. She sat at the front, grinning almost maternally, while the other three looked like dutiful offspring.

Lu Jinghuai and He Xiang had changed out of their costumes and removed their makeup. Neither refused the offer of a ride, so the four piled into the car together.

As Ji Nian complained to them about the chat log, Ji Tingzhou’s gaze shifted from her in the photo to Lu Jinghuai standing behind her.

His brow arched slightly as he zoomed in for a closer look.

Mid-rant, Ji Nian received another message.

"Lu Jinghuai’s doing well for himself—someone’s cosplaying him now. Poor likeness, though."

Lu Jinghuai, who happened to see the message: smiles faintly

Ji Nian: "……"

She covered her phone, realizing it was futile, and coughed awkwardly. "No malice intended! My dad’s just joking."

To her surprise, the "young royal heir" didn’t take offense. Instead, he smiled understandingly. "Uncle Ji remembers my name."

He Xiang, watching Ji Nian scratch her head sheepishly, realized he’d never actually met her father. He’d only heard stories from her, though he had once heard his voice in the infirmary.

Thanks to the memory-erasing drug, he’d completely forgotten he’d not only met Ji Tingzhou but also spoken to him.

After the teasing, Ji Tingzhou still transferred Ji Nian 200,000, telling her to go buy some lollipops.

Instantly mollified, she generously treated her friends to 100-yuan-per-stick "ice cream assassins."

...

"For me?"

Gu Xiuyuan accepted the small bag containing the doujinshi, his expression complicated upon learning Ji Nian had brought him a gift while accompanying Shen Qingtang to the convention.

Shen Qingtang shook his head and patted his shoulder. "Even as she grows up, she doesn’t forget her elders. Out having fun, yet still thinking of you."

Ji Nian: "……"

"Class is starting soon. Let’s go."

Afraid Gu Xiuyuan might actually get emotional and tear up, Ji Nian shuddered and dragged Shen Qingtang away.

As she turned, Gu Xiuyuan suddenly called out, "Your class’s weekly test papers are out, right? Don’t forget to show them to me."

Ji Nian sprinted even faster.

Ji Tingzhou didn’t even care about her grades—where did Gu Xiuyuan get this sudden sense of responsibility?!

What happened to the silly kid who used to cry and show her his… ahem?

Watching her flee as if he might chase her, Gu Xiuyuan sighed. "Such a child."

Glancing around to ensure no one was nearby—most students were hurrying to class—he finally peeked into the bag and pulled out the doujinshi.

The cover featured a character he’d once liked.

He hadn’t expected Ji Nian to remember. Though it was just a minor interest in his life, the feeling of being remembered was nice.

Smiling, he opened it—

Inside, his favorite character blushed, clutching a skirt that barely covered their bottom, while the story’s villain smirked, savoring their flustered expression: "My little kitten, where do you think you’re running?"

My little kitten…

My…

Little…

Kitten…

…

Snap! Gu Xiuyuan slammed the book shut.

"Hey, Gu Xiuyuan? Why are you just standing there?"

Just then, the teacher arrived, looking puzzled at his usually favorite student.

Gu Xiuyuan's face was a mess of emotions, even seeming a bit gritted-teeth furious.

Yet he forcibly composed himself when he turned to the teacher.

"I was checking if any students were still wandering outside after class started."

"I’ll return to my seat now, teacher."

He gave the teacher a nod and walked back.

He had initially wanted to crumple up the thing in his hand and toss it away, but remembering it was from Ji Nian, he took a deep breath and stuffed it into his desk instead.

Seizing the moment, he buried his head inside for a fleeting second, silently screaming in his heart:

Damn BL!!!!!!!!

Ugh, romance novels shouldn’t have BL!!!!!!!!

During lunch break, Ji Nian, as usual, called Lu Jinghuai to eat together. After yesterday, he was now familiar with Shen Qingtang and He Xiang too.

But before they could even reach the cafeteria, Ji Nian suddenly received a message.

Lu Jinghuai and He Xiang, standing beside her, clearly saw her eyes light up.

"You guys go ahead! I’m heading to the school gate!"

"Is it someone important?" Lu Jinghuai asked softly, noticing her excitement.

Ji Nian nodded. "Yeah, very important."

With that, she motioned for them to go eat first and dashed off toward the school gate.

After Ji Nian left, Lu Jinghuai didn’t move. Instead, he said to the other two, "Sorry, I’m not hungry yet. You two go ahead."

He Xiang also glanced in the direction Ji Nian had gone, then back at Lu Jinghuai.

Only after the other had walked away did he finally look away.

Shen Qingtang turned to He Xiang. "Let’s go eat. If we’re late, there’ll be nothing left."

"Ji Nian’s uncle is here. Don’t worry about her—she definitely won’t go hungry."

Shen Qingtang grinned at He Xiang, whose mind was clearly elsewhere too.

He Xiang, who had been planning to grab an extra portion for Ji Nian later, paused mid-step.

"Mm." He nodded, his steps noticeably lighter when he started walking again.

A very important person… so it’s her uncle.

...

"Uncle!!!!"

Ji Nian sprinted to the school gate and spotted the man chatting with the security guard from a distance.

She quickened her pace, rushing toward him and throwing herself into his arms for a tight hug.