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

During the two-day holiday, only the Ji family remained undisturbed.

Although the online buzz had been suppressed, discussions continued to swirl. The current public narrative had evolved into: "Ji Tingzhou's long-lost son returns only to be accidentally injured by his own father" and "The return of the Ji family's heir." Many netizens were urging Ji Tingzhou to take the boy for a paternity test immediately—everyone seemed to be eagerly waiting for the results.

It was unclear whether someone new was fueling the fire behind the scenes, but with the knowledge that the boy had already disappeared and was now untraceable, the demand for a DNA test gained even more momentum. The Ji family tried to divert attention by exposing a popular celebrity’s gambling and solicitation scandals, but even that failed to quell the rumors.

When Ji Nian arrived at school on Monday, the atmosphere shifted the moment she stepped through the gates.

Everyone was sneaking glances at her, but the moment her gaze swept over them, they quickly averted their eyes. They were still kids, after all—their emotions were written plainly on their faces, impossible to hide.

"No wonder she’s the Ji family’s young miss. How is she so calm about this?"

"I ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍always said she didn’t seem like she came from some no-name family. But why would she hide her real surname at school? Even changing the character for 'Ji'?"

"Obviously, Ji Tingzhou didn’t allow it."

Among the mix of fearful and envious looks, there were also smirks of schadenfreude and pity.

"That boy’s side profile was leaked—it looks exactly like Ji Tingzhou’s. Too bad for Ji Nian, she was the only child before. Now that there’s a brother, the family fortune won’t be hers alone."

"Poor Ji Nian. She had to hide her identity at school, but the moment her brother appears, the whole internet is talking about him."

"Maybe worry about your own grades first—your three subjects combined can’t even break a hundred."

A stern-faced young man walked past, his cold, emotionless eyes sweeping over the group whispering nearby. The student council badge on his chest gleamed under the sunlight.

At the sight of Gu Xiuyuan, the gossiping students immediately fell silent.

"You’re late," Gu Xiuyuan said as he approached Ji Nian, sounding slightly annoyed.

He had arrived early, expecting her to do the same, but she had only just shown up.

Ji Nian sighed. "The ramen this morning was too good. I ate an extra bowl and ended up throwing up."

Luckily, Ji Tingzhou usually wasn’t awake at that hour—if he had seen her, he would’ve scolded her again.

Gu Xiuyuan: "……Well, at least your appetite’s doing great."

"Yeah. What about you? Didn’t sleep well last night? Your dark circles are terrible."

Ji Nian studied the obvious shadows under his eyes with concern.

Staring at the person who had kept him tossing and turning all night, Gu Xiuyuan realized his worries had been pointless.

He had no idea how long his heart had raced yesterday while studying online and watching the news—especially when he heard that sudden cry of "Dad."

He had even started planning ahead. Given Ji Tingzhou’s age, the inheritance timeline wasn’t too far off. If Ji Nian wanted to fight for her share, he could definitely help.

He had mentally mapped out a ten-year strategy for her.

And yet, just like she had said on the phone, she seemed completely unfazed.

"Relax, it’s fake," Ji Nian said, patting Gu Xiuyuan’s shoulder. She knew he was worried about her.

If the atmosphere at the school gate was tense, stepping into the classroom was downright suffocating. Students who usually ignored her suddenly swarmed around her.

Ji Nian recognized them—the clique known for only associating with those whose families owned private jets.

Ji Nian, your surname isn't 'Ji,' it's 'Ji,' right?

"Why isn’t your brother—or is it your older brother?—attending our school?"

Not everyone in class was fond of Ji Nian. These particular students had previously dismissed her as a "new money brat," barely sparing her a glance and looking down on Shen Qingtang for associating with her.

One of them had also been the first to spread rumors about Ji Nian being an illegitimate child.

Ji Nian adjusted her bag, her emerald-green eyes unfazed by the hostility.

"I don’t have a brother. I do have a sister, though."

She couldn’t be bothered to argue with children. These nobodies weren’t even worth her attention.

Who would waste time on a bunch of ants blocking their path?

Besides, explaining that she was an only child and that her father definitely had no other kids—how ridiculous would that sound?

Who even needed to prove something like that?

But clearly, some people had held a grudge against her for a while. Whether it was her aloof attitude or the fact that the most unique students in class all gravitated toward her, one of them stepped forward, blocking her way with a haughty smirk.

"My sister goes to Hainuo Academy," the student declared.

"She just called me. A new student showed up in the eighth grade—his name is Ji Xi. He openly admitted he’s Ji Tingzhou’s son."

"And he has a paternity test to prove it!"

The classroom erupted.

Shen Qingtang, who had just returned from the teacher’s office with He Xiang, immediately stepped between Ji Nian and the others. The usually cheerful girl wore a cold expression as she shoved the speaker back. "Back off."

He Xiang, taking advantage of his height, snatched the student’s phone and glanced at the so-called paternity test.

"It’s just a photo. How do we know it’s real?" His hoarse voice was laced with disdain as he tossed the phone back, not caring if it was caught. He turned to Ji Nian.

Unsurprisingly, Ji Nian had zero interest in the "proof."

What did catch her attention, though, was the fact that this person had openly enrolled at Hainuo.

Two broken ribs—how was he already back in school after just a few days? Was he made of steel?

Then again, maybe he really was related to the Ji family. The Ji bloodline was full of freaks, each with their own unique… talents. (Sarcasm intended.)

"Class is about to start. What’s all this noise?"

"Yu Ying, if you’re jealous that Ji Nian always beats you in chemistry, just say so. Her family matters are none of your business. Or are you so eager to prove yourself that you’re auditioning to be her son?"

Rarely did Shen Qingtang lose her temper, but now, curses flew freely. Yu Ying, the buzzcut-wearing instigator, turned green with rage while his friends stood speechless.

Before the drama could escalate further, the teacher arrived, shooing everyone back to their seats.

Even if the sky were falling, class would not be delayed.

Meanwhile, at the Ji residence…

Ji Tingzhou had learned much earlier than Ji Nian that the boy—now identified as Ji Xi—had appeared at Hainuo Private Academy, loudly proclaiming his identity.

When the photo of the wheelchair-bound boy reached him, Ji Tingzhou nearly gagged.

This ugly thing was supposed to be his child? Were people blind?

Wei Yang approached at that moment, his fury so intense it could have burned the world to ashes.

"When people asked how he could attend school in a wheelchair so soon after his injuries, the boy claimed he developed a serum that accelerates healing. Even broken bones, once set, can regenerate rapidly."

Well, now they knew his goal.

It was so absurd that Ji Tingzhou actually laughed.

"What, does he think his name is Ji Nian?"

As for the other major figure in this household—well, his whereabouts were now known.

When Ji Xi was pushed by his friendly classmates to go to the restroom, one of them simply blinked, and by the time they turned back, Ji Xi had vanished.

Question: Where did Ji Xi go?

Answer: He was yanked away violently, fluttering in the wind like a ragged piece of cloth.