A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 257

"I really like it."

"Truly."

The two being hugged were both surprised, exchanging a glance over Ji Nian's head. But they quickly recovered and returned the embrace.

Shen Qingtang patted her head and nuzzled her cheek. "As long as you like it. Though I wonder if Da Dan would spit at me if he knew his fur was turned into such an odd little thing."

Da Dan had inherited Ji Tingzhou's refined taste and was notoriously picky about anything less than exquisite.

Ji Nian imagined the scene and couldn’t help but laugh.

Gu Xiuyuan held her loosely, giving her back a gentle pat.

"He might even come scold me in my dreams. That dog holds grudges. Remember two New Years ago when I just muttered about how much he sheds? Later, I found my coat covered in his fur."

Ji Nian burst into laughter and pulled away from them.

"Alright, if we keep this up, the student council president will be the center of attention. Let’s go home."

With a playful wink at Gu Xiuyuan, Ji Nian tugged Shen Qingtang along and left.

Gu Xiuyuan turned around, confused—only to meet the stunned gazes of the student council members gathered nearby.

Their expressions seemed to say, "You have this side to you?!"

The smile on Gu Xiuyuan’s lips froze. "……"

Ji Nian must have noticed them earlier but didn’t warn him!

Adjusting his school tie, he schooled his expression back into aloofness and walked away as if nothing had happened. But the tips of his ears, hidden beneath his tousled hair, burned red with embarrassment.

...

Knowing Shen Qingtang was supposed to visit her grandmother today, Ji Nian had someone escort her there. Shen Qingtang had initially wanted to stay with Ji Nian, but seeing her in better spirits, she left reassured.

When Ji Nian returned home, she was greeted by Zhiliao waiting at the door.

Zhiliao glanced at her, then at Wei Yang trailing behind her, looking dejected.

Ji Nian seemed much better, but Wei Yang hadn’t recovered yet.

"I’m making your favorite sweet and sour squirrel fish for dinner tonight."

At the mention of the dish, Ji Nian’s eyes lit up. "Did you make it, Zhiliao-jie?"

Zhiliao nodded.

She was an excellent cook, though she rarely stepped into the kitchen—apparently because she hated the smell of grease.

Understanding why Zhiliao had gone out of her way to cook, Ji Nian smiled. "Thank you, Zhiliao-jie. I’m looking forward to it."

"Where’s Dad?" she asked, heading toward the elevator.

"Asleep." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Ji Nian nodded in acknowledgment.

Back in her room, she prepared to take a shower. As she undressed near the bathroom, something caught her eye. The collar of her shirt slipped loose, but she paused, backtracking to her bed.

There, perched on her pillow, was a lifelike plush puppy with a red bow tie around its neck. Its fierce little eyes were wide as it stared at her.

The size was perfect—just right for hugging while sleeping.

Picking it up, Ji Nian examined it closely before snuggling it against her cheek.

Ji Tingzhou’s craftsmanship is amazing.

From a distance, she had almost mistaken it for the real Da Dan.

Not wanting to sit on the bed before showering, she plopped onto the floor cross-legged, playing with the plush puppy for a while before gently stroking its fur and setting it back in place.

After her shower, she rummaged through her belongings and pulled something out before leaving her room.

Father and daughter lived on the same floor, so it didn’t take long for Ji Nian to reach Ji Tingzhou’s room.

Knowing he was asleep and that no servants would be around, the hallway was silent.

Pushing the door open, she tiptoed inside, greeted by the familiar scent of soothing incense.

The room was dark, but Ji Nian navigated by memory until she reached Ji Tingzhou’s bedside.

The figure under the covers lay stiffly, his posture so rigid it looked painful.

Ji Nian lingered only briefly before quietly retreating.

...

Ji Tingzhou slept for a long time—so long that he missed dinner entirely, waking only past nine in the evening.

The rest had cleared the fog in his mind from staying up late. Leaning against the pillows, he rasped an order for the pink-headed turtle nightlight to turn on, giving himself a moment to fully wake up.

Then, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something.

Turning slowly, he saw two tiny plush puppies—no bigger than his palm—perched beside his pillow, tongues lolling as they watched him.

One was golden-orange, while the other had darker fur with a white belly.

For a moment, Ji Tingzhou just stared. Then, reaching out, he picked them up.

Running his fingers over the white fluff on the second puppy’s belly, a quiet chuckle escaped him in the stillness of the room.

"The ears are sewn crooked..."

Ji Nian worried about him, just as he worried about her.

But for him, this was already the second puppy he had to say goodbye to.

...

Downstairs, Ji Nian piled a generous portion of fish onto Wei Yang’s plate. "Eat up, Wei Yang-ge. After dinner, I’ll get you some ice cream, okay?"

The big guy slumped in his seat, sighing. "Da Dan loved ice cream too."

When Da Dan had passed, Wei Yang hadn’t fully processed it at first. But two days later, the grief had hit him like a tidal wave.

Now, Ji Nian had to comfort him like a child.

"Yeah, Da Dan loved it. If he sees you eating it, he might get so mad he comes back to bite your butt!"

Wei Yang considered this and brightened. "Then I should eat an extra one just to tease him."

Just like that, his mood lifted.

It was enviable, really—how quickly his emotions came and went. Not many people had that kind of resilience.

...

That evening, Chen Mo returned, dust-covered and exhausted from rushing back from a neighboring city.

"Ji Nian."

His first stop was to check on her. Grabbing her shoulders, he looked her over, surprised to find her holding up better than expected.

From what he’d heard, Da Dan’s passing had hit her hard.

Clearly, his intel was outdated.

Seeing the fatigue on Chen Mo’s face, Ji Nian knew he’d dropped everything to come back.

Unable to resist, she reached up and ruffled his hair, her gaze almost maternal. "You have to stay with me forever," she said softly.

Chen Mo shuddered at the look.

Even his own mother didn’t look at him like that.

His expression stiffened, but he didn’t pull away, nodding instead. "Of course."

"Uncle will always be here for you."

Damn, did the kid lose it from grief?

"Grandpa and Grandma don’t know yet. Do you want to tell them?"

Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, Chen Mo changed the subject.

Ji Nian shook her head. "They’re getting older, and they’re finally enjoying a trip. No need to worry them."

"Uncle, go shower and rest. I had a room prepared for you."

Though reassured by her composure, Chen Mo couldn’t shake the odd feeling from her strange gaze. Still, he let her lead the way.

Ji Nian watched him leave.

Ever since her conversation with Chen Mo a few years ago, she had realized that he didn’t seem to remember how he had left that world. Deep down, she felt immensely relieved.

It was for the best that he could forget the agony of being scorched, remembering it only as a strange and wondrous dream.