A Little Trick, the Scumbag Dad Can’t Hold the Knife After Understanding Love

Lu Jinghuai, who happened to be walking behind and overheard Ji Nian's words, chuckled. As he entered, he reached for Ji Nian's backpack and tilted his head toward He Xiang, saying, "Let's go. Ji Nian's dad is treating us to dinner later."

He Xiang stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow over the kids still seated. He gave a few of them a lingering glance before turning to follow Lu Jinghuai.

The remaining group was left bewildered. "Ji Nian's dad? Isn't that Lu Jinghuai's dad?"

"But Lu Jinghuai said it was Ji Nian's dad. What's going on?"

"I give up... Isn't it obvious? That’s clearly Ji Nian’s dad. Their side profiles were identical when they stood together—just the eye color was different."

"Actually... I’ve been meaning to say this for a while."

"Didn’t you notice Ji Nian’s watch is from the same series as the one that uncle was wearing? And the matching bracelet—I once saw Ji Nian making it in the school café."

A collective silence fell over them.

The first speaker, still unconvinced, looked toward Ji Nian’s bespectacled desk mate.

"Aren’t you her desk mate? Tell us, whose dad is that?"

Ji Nian’s desk mate, engrossed in a handheld game, glanced up briefly. "No idea."

"All I know is that from now on, no one’s getting Ji Nian’s help in lab class."

...

Walking toward the school gate with Ji Tingzhou, Ji Nian was surprised to learn he had reserved a table at Hua Yuan for her friends. This didn’t seem like something Ji Tingzhou would normally do.

"Princess Feia put you up to this, didn’t she?"

Ji Nian nudged Ji Tingzhou’s arm with a knowing, conspiratorial grin.

Her father shot her a sidelong glance but didn’t respond.

That confirmed it.

[I knew our princess couldn’t possibly be this humane.]

Shaking her freshly tied ponytail, Ji Nian pulled out her phone to text Gu Xiuyuan.

"Where are you?"

Just as she sent the message, she spotted Gu Xiuyuan—a smaller version of his father—walking beside him.

The two groups crossed paths.

Gu Jing didn’t immediately recognize Ji Tingzhou.

First thought: Ji Tingzhou came for a parent-teacher meeting??

No rumors, no warning. Nothing.

Before he could exchange pleasantries, Ji Nian, standing beside Ji Tingzhou, spoke up first. "Hello, Uncle Gu."

Then, pointing at Ji Tingzhou, she added, "Let me introduce you—this is Lu Jinghuai’s dad."

Gu Jing: "......"

???

His gaze flicked to Ji Tingzhou’s disguised black eyes, wondering what game this father-daughter duo was playing now.

Ji Tingzhou reached out to pinch the back of Ji Nian’s neck, giving her a warning look.

Gu Jing immediately understood it was a joke and offered a polite smile. "Mr. Ji."

It was rare to see Ji Tingzhou in person.

Ji Tingzhou nodded in acknowledgment.

While the adults chatted, Ji Nian seized the chance to pull Gu Xiuyuan aside.

Away from his father, Gu Xiuyuan’s expression turned puzzled. "What’s going on?"

"Why is Uncle Ji here?"

And why were his eyes...

Ji Nian pursed her lips. Lu Jinghuai smoothly interjected, "Uncle Ji came as my guardian for the parent-teacher meeting today."

Gu Xiuyuan elbowed Ji Nian. "Did you two fight again?"

The Ji father-daughter duo bickering was nothing new.

Gu Xiuyuan had witnessed it countless times.

"Don’t take it to heart. Are you two kids, always arguing?"

Ji Nian rolled her eyes. "We didn’t fight..."

Gu Xiuyuan looked unconvinced.

Since the dinner was for the kids, Gu Jing didn’t join them. After reminding Gu Xiuyuan to come home early, he left in his car.

Gu Xiuyuan mused that his father only loosened the purse strings when it involved the Ji family.

Ji Tingzhou didn’t stay either. He was in a hurry to go home, disinfect, and shower.

Besides, his presence would make the kids uncomfortable.

Shen ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‍Qingtang, having just seen his grandfather off, caught up with them.

"That Chef Su only opens his kitchen once a year, right? Uncle Ji actually got him to agree?"

Ji Nian shrugged. Who would turn down money?

The kids piled into the car, each clutching a soda. Shen Qingtang turned to Lu Jinghuai. "So, how does it feel having Uncle Ji as your dad for the day?"

Lu Jinghuai blinked. "Not bad."

Shen Qingtang gave an impressed thumbs-up.

Young prince, with that kind of endurance, you’ll go far in life.

Ji Nian patted his shoulder. "Bright future ahead."

Anyone who could tolerate Ji Tingzhou was a legend.

Though, to be fair, Ji Tingzhou’s temper had improved by a fraction compared to before.

Today, he’d endured quite a bit without losing his cool.

At Su Yuan, the kids, exhausted from the day, devoured their meals without looking up. The chef, seeing they’d even cleaned the decorative garnishes off their plates, sent over complimentary desserts.

After eating their fill, they lounged for a bit before heading upstairs to play.

Gu Xiuyuan and Shen Qingtang, spotting familiar equipment, exchanged glances and changed into workout clothes for their weekly showdown.

He Xiang had disappeared somewhere. Ji Nian, too lazy to move, watched their duel for a while before slipping up to the rooftop for some air.

The rooftop was lavishly decorated like a miniature garden, complete with a café for guests. The night breeze was cool, and the city skyline stretched out before them.

Lu Jinghuai appeared beside Ji Nian without a sound.

Ji Nian glanced at him. "Brought your little turtle out for some moonlight?"

Lu Jinghuai smiled, fingers brushing the plush turtle’s fuzzy cheeks in his pocket.

"No. I came to keep you company."

Ji Nian propped her arms on the railing and stepped onto the ledge, bringing herself eye-level with Lu Jinghuai.

She turned her head, taking in the way the warm glow outlined his silhouette with a soft, golden halo.

Against the dazzling cityscape, the vibrant lights suddenly paled in comparison.

Somehow, the young prince beside her seemed far more captivating.

Lu Jinghuai met her gaze calmly. "That spray you gave me before—was it the Chen Family’s upcoming restorative formula?"

The question caught her off guard, dispelling the drowsiness from the meal. Ji Nian perked up.

"Yes."

She didn’t beat around the bush. "Is the Lu Family interested?"

Lu Jinghuai nodded. He’d expected her directness.

"We are."

Exhausted from the day, Lu Zhi had just lain down and opened his phone when he noticed an unusual flurry of activity in the usually quiet class group chat.

Several people had tagged him.

Assuming someone had posted photos of his son, he tapped in—only to be greeted by:

[Photo]

@Lu Jinghuai’s parent, sorry for accidentally snapping this earlier! No wonder Lu Jinghuai stands out—he’s got a handsome dad!

Agreed! Thanks to Lu Jinghuai’s dad for the advice today. I’ve already signed my son up for more sports classes!

Handsome dad, handsome son [thumbs up]

Lu Zhi frowned in confusion.

What on earth was this about?

Since when had he given Zihan’s mom any advice?

With a puzzled expression, Lu Zhi scrolled up and tapped open the photo attached to the original post. Her eyes landed on the image—

Her beautiful youngest son stood at the classroom doorway, tilting his head up with an obedient expression as he gazed at the man beside him—a face Lu Zhi knew all too well. Just looking at them, anyone would sigh in admiration: what a strikingly handsome father and son pair.

Lu Zhi: ????

Princess Feia was just about to enter the bedroom when she heard a furious, thunderous roar erupt from inside—

"Ji Tingzhou!!?"