A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can't Hold the Knife After Understanding Love-Chapter 281

Being hit didn’t faze Ji Tingzhou in the slightest. If anything, he was more bothered by the thought that the hand that had just touched the test papers had then smacked him—how unsanitary.

But he kept that to himself. He had a feeling that voicing it might earn him an eviction notice from the kid.

Instead, he took the opportunity to ruffle her hair, as if trying to wipe off the imaginary grime along with it.

“You’re the one who didn’t want me here.”

So you went and played dad to someone else instead?

The kid’s accusatory glare seemed to say just that.

Ji Tingzhou glanced at the test papers she was working on and replied lazily, “I never said I was his father.”

The entire time, he had only referred to himself as Lu Jinghuai’s “guardian.”

“That little blondie didn’t hesitate for a second calling you ‘Dad.’ Clearly, he’s been eyeing the position for a while.” ƒгeewebnovёl.com

“Little fool, completely oblivious.”

And she still had the nerve to stir the pot.

Ji Nian thought to herself that it was only because Lu Jinghuai was easygoing—otherwise, why would he skip calling his own father and let Ji Tingzhou attend the parent-teacher meeting in his place?

Seeing that Ji Nian was ignoring him, Ji Tingzhou had no choice but to pull out his trump card.

From who-knows-where, he produced a packet of…

Shrimp crackers.

And placed it in front of Ji Nian.

The bag was flat, clearly having been deflated before being stuffed into his pocket—after all, Ji Tingzhou was a man who never treated his clothing pockets as storage spaces.

The fact that he had voluntarily carried snacks in his pocket was progress, even if the packaging now carried a faint whiff of disinfectant.

Seeing that he was at least trying to appease her, Ji Nian gave him a sidelong glance.

Truthfully, she wasn’t actually that angry—most of it was an act.

The whole situation was just too absurd to take seriously.

“So, how was your first parent-teacher meeting?”

Finally getting a response from the kid, Ji Tingzhou curled his lips in a mocking smile. “There won’t be a next time.”

He couldn’t even begin to imagine how many germs had latched onto him during that short time.

He was contaminated.

It wasn’t as dramatic as Ji Nian made it out to be, but it was far from the “interesting experience” the Shen family elders had described. The chatter, the mingling perfumes assaulting his senses—it was all unbearable.

Noticing the distaste in his expression, Ji Nian let out a heartless chuckle and muttered under her breath, “Serves you right…”

Even the system didn’t dare point out how much her smirk resembled her father’s.

If anyone from Ji Nian’s class saw the two of them side by side now, they’d never mistake Ji Tingzhou for Lu Jinghuai’s father again.

Gathering her test papers, Ji Nian stood up and stretched, then brazenly poked her father’s chest. “I didn’t let you come for the sake of family harmony.”

She expected Ji Tingzhou to scoff, but instead, he nodded in agreement. “Chen Mo really is a nuisance.”

Ji Nian: “………I wasn’t talking about Uncle.”

Ji Tingzhou crossed his arms and smirked. “You didn’t say his name, but every word pointed at him.”

Bickering, the father-daughter pair made their way out.

He Xiang, who had been waiting outside the activity room, took one look at them and guessed they’d made up.

Lu Jinghuai, sensing that Ji Tingzhou had probably reached his limit, softly suggested that if Ji Tingzhou was busy, he could leave early.

Lu Zhiren couldn’t attend in person, but he hadn’t completely abandoned his son—he’d sent an assistant to check in (though Lu Jinghuai had cleverly kept him waiting in the car outside).

Ji ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Tingzhou was ready to bolt, but Ji Nian elbowed him sharply.

You caused this mess—see it through.

Her eyes said it all.

Tch.

If he left now, the kid would definitely throw a tantrum later.

Ji Tingzhou checked his watch and motioned for Lu Jinghuai to follow. “We’re on schedule.”

Detestable parent-teacher meetings.

Satisfied, Ji Nian watched Ji Tingzhou leave.

System: You did that on purpose…

Ji Nian blinked innocently.

How is this ‘on purpose’?

If Ji Tingzhou wanted to attend a parent-teacher meeting so badly, he might as well stay a little longer.

When the event wrapped up in the afternoon, students were allowed to leave with their parents.

Emerging from the auditorium, Ji Tingzhou radiated an aura so hostile it could clear a room.

The dark energy around him was practically visible.

Ji Nian had assumed he’d bolt the second his part was over.

Meanwhile, back in the activity room, a group of her classmates sat on the carpet, snacking and discussing the day’s events.

“I’m doomed. Teacher Mary is definitely going to tell my dad about my speaking problems.”

“That’s nothing. My tennis is a disaster—if my mom finds out, she’ll sign me up for private lessons.”

Every kid had their weaknesses—academics, socializing, sports—each with their own struggles.

Eventually, their attention drifted to Ji Nian, who was quietly scrolling through her phone.

One girl couldn’t resist piping up. “Ji Nian, I’m so jealous. Your family never comes.”

Their school had a strict policy—parents had to attend, no exceptions. CEOs, celebrities, doctors, lawyers—everyone showed up.

How did Ji Nian manage to get away with it?

Ji Nian smiled at her. She couldn’t exactly say that Ji Tingzhou had wanted to come and she’d refused.

Surprised by the smile, the girl patted her chest and ventured further. “Ji Nian, don’t you think Lu Jinghuai’s dad looks a lot like you—”

Before she could finish, another girl jabbed her sharply, cutting her off.

The abrupt silence made the first girl realize her blunder, and she quickly clamped her mouth shut.

In their social circles, illegitimate children weren’t uncommon—their class even had a few.

And Ji Nian’s background had always been somewhat mysterious…

Yes, exactly.

They were speculating whether Lu Jinghuai and Ji Nian were half-siblings.

After all, Lu Jinghuai had been unusually close to Ji Nian since he transferred in.

And while Lu Jinghuai seemed gentle with everyone, his attention toward Ji Nian was noticeably different—more deliberate, more protective.

Unfazed by their assumptions, Ji Nian stuck to her earlier response. “Really?”

“I don’t see the resemblance.”

He Xiang, one of the few who knew the truth, caught the implication in their words. His gaze darkened as it swept over the group, lingering on those who wore thinly veiled disdain.

Just then, Ji Tingzhou walked in, fresh from his post-meeting discussions.

He didn’t need to scan the room—his eyes zeroed in on the dark-haired, green-eyed girl sitting in the back.

The moment he entered, the chatter died instantly, replaced by stunned silence.

Ji Tingzhou beckoned.

Ji Nian hadn’t noticed him until He Xiang nudged her.

Sighing, she stood and walked over. “Done already?”

Ji Tingzhou’s frown deepened at the sight of her messy hair.

He spun her around, deftly undid her ponytail, and quickly re-tied it. “What, did you turn into a tree? Birds could nest in this.”

Ji Nian pouted. “Maybe I’ve got lice.”

That single, soft sentence shattered Ji Tingzhou on the spot.